TFW backstage beauty: David Szeto goes for a natural grunge look inspired by Kurt Cobain
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Graphic and grungy, the beauty at David Szeto was all about undone and lived-in style. CoverGirl makeup pro Greg Wencel described the makeup as a mix of futuristic grunge, taking inspiration from the graphic patterns of Szeto’s fall collection. It was also a lesson in mixing metals: metallic-tinted illuminators, bronzers, lip gloss and shadows all came together to create a perfectly sculpted face. Skin was given a wet, slick look thanks to Wencel’s own “MacGyver mix” of CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast with a bit of makeup remover to highlight brow, forehead and cheek. Cheeks and hairline were further sculpted with Cheekers Bronzer, giving a dual luminosity to the skin. Eyes also got a touch of bronze: after applying Intense ShadowBlast in “Platinum Pop” across the lid and into the low crease, bronze was swept along the crease for added contouring. The lower lashline, on the other hand, was blacked out with Liquiline Blast eyeliner, smudged out to create a smoky effect.
To complement the edgy, futuristic tone of the makeup, Pantene’s consulting stylist Justin German created undone hair, citing Kurt Cobain as inspiration for the natural grunge aesthetic. “You don’t want to do too much,” he explained of the piecey style. “We’re really working with the texture [the models] have on their own, not adding any artificial texture.” German’s other tip? It’s time to phase out the ombré: coloured panels of hair are where it’s at now. Contrasting extensions were added to colour block the hair from underneath, such as deep honey shades on blondes and jet black on brunettes. As long as this doesn’t translate into chunky highlights à la1995, it’s a hair colour trend we can definitely get on board with.