Makeup Monday: Designers Share Their New York Fashion Week Beauty Must-Haves

Between designing and producing a collection, casting and styling a show and often attending parties and events, fashion week can wreak havoc on a designer’s nervous system, not to mention their skin and sleep schedule.

Some of the busiest among them, namely Monique Lhuillier, Ulla Johnson, Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa, Michelle Smith of Milly and Whitney Pozgay of WHIT, plus two digital influencers who may not be designing, but will actively be in attendance at shows, parties and doing plenty of street-style posing, share their pre-fashion week beauty must-haves that keep them glowing and looking well rested even when the latter may be far from accurate.

Pret-a-Reporter: Considering the stress, late nights and flights that multiply before and during fashion week, does anything change with your skin, health, eating or beauty habits?

Monique Lhuillier: Leading up to fashion week  it’s important to maintain a routine of healthy diet and exercise. I start my morning with lemon and hot water for a quick internal cleanse; hydration is key and I drink lots of water throughout the day. I love to dance so I go to Bodies by Simone. It’s a great workout and stress reliever. I stay away from snacking during fashion week and eat three healthy meals. 

Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa: Beauty certainly isn’t our top priority in the days leading up to a show, but we do our best to get a good night’s sleep, especially the night before the show. All the makeup in the world cannot do for your skin, health and well-being what sleep can. It’s nature’s cure-all.

Michelle Smith of Milly: Vigorous exercise keeps me energized and feeling great. I love running in Central Park, spinning and yoga. In addition to the physical benefits, exercise really helps me mentally de-stress and focus.

Whitney Pozgay of WHIT: I drink a lot of water and fresh juice! I try to avoid caffeine, even though it’s nearly impossible. I also wear very little makeup leading up to fashion week because it’s usually so hot outside and I like to let my face breathe.

Blogger Sophie Elkus of Angel Food Style: If I don’t take some precautionary steps I will definitely come home from fashion week sick! Sleep is, of course, the best bet, but I usually don’t get enough. I start taking these immunity supplement pills a week prior and continue them every day during the trip. They are magic.

Blogger and creative director Lauren Gores Ireland of You and Lu: Between NYC pizza cravings and less-than-stellar plane food, things can go downhill fast! But I’ve learned a few fashion week “fixes” that keep me from spiraling. I’ll drink chlorophyll and lemon water everyday, to keep my skin and body hydrated. Travel packets of nut butters are also a lifesaver between shows, because they have enough fat and protein to keep me energized. Another trick is to squeeze in a few runs in Central Park. It clears my head and pulls me away from the chaos in the city.

What are your absolute beauty must-haves during fashion week?

Monique Lhuillier:

Jouer luminizing moisture tint: My beauty philosophy is to keep it light and simple, and emphasize your natural features.

Goop enriching face oil/exfoliating instant facial: I wash my face very carefully and massage in this miracle oil. It hydrates beautifully and can even be patted on over makeup for a mid-day pick-me-up. I also love the exfoliating instant facial — it brightens and softens my skin. Both are great at leaving a luminous glow even when you are tired.

Charlotte Tilbury filmstar bronze and glow and Bobbi Brown eye opening mascara: A palette that helps contour and highlight the face when you might not have had eight hours [of] sleep! I also can’t leave the house without mascara; my favorite is Bobbi Brown’s eye opening mascara.

Sonya Dakar: I see Sonya Dakar in Beverly Hills every five weeks for a deep-pore-cleansing facial that plumps the skin and freshens the face. I also top up with her amazing products including the nano hydrator and the organic omega intense sculpting and firming cream.

Essie gel couture nail polish: When I’m busy through fashion week and have events to go to as well as preparing for my runway show, I like to prepare with a nude manicure that will last. Tones like “make the cut” and “fairy tailor” are neutral and go well with anything I might wear.Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa:

Boxed water! Especially during such a busy time, it’s so important to stay hydrated.

Patricia Wexler skincare products: We love her skin brightening daily moisturizer with SPF.

Moroccanoil Treatment: Moroccanoil treatment is fantastic for making hair more manageable, easy to style and extremely shiny.

Bobbi Brown long-wear even finish foundation: A true must-have, especially during the long hours in the office leading up to fashion week.

Charlotte Tilbury filmstar bronze and glow face sculpt and highlight

Crème de la Mer the face and body gradual tan lotionMichelle Smith of Milly: 

Smith’s Rosebud lip balm: It leaves my lips feeling fantastic, and the subtle fragrance is divine.

Cetaphil body cream: It’s not just for my body! I have naturally curly hair, and I’ve learned to really embrace it over the past year. I let my hair dry naturally, then run a bit of Cetaphil moisture creme through it to avoid frizzing.

Weleda skin food: This stuff is lifesaving! It’s super nourishing and leaves my skin with a beautiful, youthful glow. Renowned makeup artist Romy Soleimani turned me on to it years ago.

I wear very little makeup, but I do love a subtle, sexy smudge of eyeliner and a touch of mascara.Ulla Johnson:

Jurlique rose water spray: The perfect mid-casting pick-me-up.

Aesop resurrection hand cream: It just smells so good.

By Terry Baume de Rose: It feels deluxe.

Lavender essential oil: So super calming.Whitney Pozgay of WHIT:

Bobbi Brown Beach fragrance: This makes me feel like I’m on vacation.

Fekkai PrX Reparatives conditioner: It keeps my frizz at bay.

Glossier mega greens galaxy pack/mask: I love this mask for a weekly reboot.

YSL Vernis A Levres glossy stain color 9: Favorite lip to wake up my look.

Kate Valentine Spade of Frances Valentine:

Solano blow dryer: To keep the frizz away.

La Mer moisturizer: It is the best moisturizer!

SkinMedica TNS essential serum: I recently began using it, and I love it!

Bene-tint lip stain by Benefit: It can be used for cheeks and lips.

Essie nail polish in either Madison Avenue pink or headmistress red

Blogger Sophie Elkus of Angel Food Style:

I use “Eyes to Go Spa” eye gels that I order in bulk on Amazon. They’re so cheap and effective. When I discovered them it was a total game-changer, and now I rarely go a day without them. I put them in my hotel refrigerator for 10 minutes and then leave them on for another 10, and they cut under-eye puffiness in half.

I mix a drop of NARS Illuminator into my foundation and find it really makes a difference in the dewiness of my makeup and avoids that dull mid afternoon period where you feel a touch-up is necessary. Then I put another drop straight out of the bottle on my cheekbones, brow bone and cupid’s bow. 

An eyelash curler and tons of mascara to open up my eyes make a big difference. Curling my lashes is something I’ve picked up recently; another trick I’m not sure how I lived without. The hype is real on the SK-II sheet masks too. They give your skin the perfect base for applying makeup. My trick is to only squeeze out half the gel in each packet per usage and use the same sheet for two applications. They’re pretty pricey; that way I go through the box a little slower.

Blogger and creative director Lauren Gores Ireland of You and Lu: 

Evian facial spray: I’ll keep a small bottle in my bag throughout the week, and lightly spray my skin a few times a day. It brings life to my skin, while helping with dryness and irritation. 

Estee Lauder recovery mask: This sheet mask is a dream! I’ll use one each night while traveling. My skin appears clean, refreshed and dewy (which used to be impossible during fashion week)! 

Klorane eye patches: If I wake up with puffy eyes, I like to apply cooling patches while getting ready. The dark circles become less visible! 

Aveeno brightening cleanser: I’ve long loved this cleanser because it cleans and evens my skin, without drying it out. You can get it at any drug store, and I think it’s better than a lot of other fancy cleansers out there. 

NARS “The Multiple” stick: A travel must-have! I use this dewy stick on my eyes, cheeks, lips and body. It’s the best-kept secret for getting my glow on between shows! Oftentimes, this is the only makeup I’ll carry in my bag because it’s so versatile.