We grilled the models and backstage insiders on their Fashion Week survival tips. Here's what we found out...
1. The Magic Make-up Remover Skin- savvy models carry their own oil-based make-up remover. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley swears by Lancome Bi-Facil, £19.90, whereas Karmen Pedaru prefers Chanel Demaquillant Yeux Intense, £21. 'I use it all over my face as it's fast and gentle.' For an all-in-one clean and polish, Decleor Aroma Cleanse Hydra-Radiance Smoothing and Cleansing Mousse, £25.50, is soothing but gets rid of deep-down dirt.
2. The In-Flight Skin Saviour Flying between fashion capitals takes its toll, and models never miss an opportunity to get in some mask action on the plane. 'Models really love LotuSculpt Quick Fix Eye Pads, about £28, because they're quick and effective at de-puffing,' says Burberry make-up artist Wendy Rowe who also dishes out SK-II Facial Treatment Masks, £57, to models like Cara Delevingne. For fatigued faces, Kiehl's Rosa Arctica, £45, plumps air con-blasted skin and rehydrates fast.
3. The Power Perfume 'I look for a fragrance that has longevity to keep me going through fashion month. I love scents that are powerful to the senses but also sweet and feminine,' says model Karmen Padaru. 'I tend to wear Coco Mademoiselle (£61) during the day and then switch to Fan di Fendi (£39) for evenings.' Her perfume trick? 'I like to dab a little onto my ankle. It's discreet and effective because you get a gentle waft of scent when you walk.'
4. The Painless Extension Extractor 'My trick for quickly removing hair pieces?' says couture colourist Josh Wood. 'I massage Wella System Professional Hydo Finish (£13), a moisturising blow-dry spray, into the roots with my fingers then ease them out.'
5. The Magic Skin Pill The latest buzz ingredient is collagen - the stuff that keeps skin springy - and Harley Health Marine Collagen Capsules, £45, are the next big thing. 'Marine collagen (from fish skin) is the closest to the human human variety, so it's more compatible with our bodies than other forms,' says beauty therapist Nichola Joss, who has models lining up for them. Double the effects with collagen-infused Givency Le Soin Noir Serum, £245.50.
6. The Big 'O' Glow With constant make-up changes, it's no wonder models are obsessed with natural products. 'I get MV Organic Rose Soothing & Protecting Moisturiser (£68) sent from Australia before the shows,' says Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. 'It's ultra-calming.' Another neo-natural skin firmer is Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser, £78.
7. Get In The Mood 'To de-stress models before a show, I use a fresh-scented cleanser like Estee Lauder Take It Away Total MakeUp Remover (£20),' says Wendy Rowe. 'Then I spritz Shu Umura Depsea Water Spray (£16) in Rosemary, for an instant uplift.' LP Skin Therapy Uplifting Facial Water, £20, has feel-good ingredients like gold and orange blossom to make the mind and skin sing.
8. Do The Legwork 'Before Fashion Week I do a lymphatic body massage on the models to release fluid and firm leg muscles ready for the catwalk,' says Nichola Joss. 'I like to use Clarins High Definition Body Lift (£35.50), then Lancome Nutrix Royal Body Cream (£38.80) to quench thirsty skin.' Joss also loves Liz Earle Foot Spritzer, £7.15.
9. The On-The-Go Glow Gadget For years, models have headed to Harley Street for red light therapy to enliven dull and tired skin. Now, non-invasive infared light, known in fashion circles as 'the holy glow', comes in easy-to-usegadget form. Yes, we mere mortals can now get in on the action, too. Quasar MD, from £250, is a pro-strength hand-held lamp that rejuvenates your skin, pronto.
10. Heal Your Heels 'All the supermodels make sure they carry comfortable shows to wear in between shows,' says backstage nail guru Sophy Robson, who's seen her fair share of stiletto-inflicted toe damage in her time. Take note from catwalk stalwarts like model Patricia Schmid. 'I carry a pair of FitFlops in my bag, as they are easier to run in and are also kinder to your feet than heels.' If you don't want to sacrifice style for comfort, try FitFlop SuperBlizz, £175, new this autumn.
11. The Skin Booster Catwalk models Hannah Holman and Bambi Northwood-Blyth stock up on Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energising Mask, £38, to reboot their skin after show season. 'Oxygen is the only thing that works when you're run down. I use Nubo Plumping Oxygen Boost (£80) and deep massage on the girls,' says Nichola Joss.
12. The Tired Eye Fix When she's not treating herself to facials at the Bristol Hotel in Paris, Fendi model Karmen Pedaru swears by a natural eye cream applied throughout the day. 'Between shows during Fashion Week, I dab Darphin Wrinkle Corrective Eye Contour Cream (£40) onto my eyelids. I'm prone to dark circles, so I take it everywhere I go,' she says. For serious under-eye wrinkle smoothing, try new Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, £45.
13. The Supers' Spot Treatment 'Models' skin gets dirty from travelling and make-up, so break-outs are common,' says Nichola Joss. 'I carry a Zeno Acne Clearing Device (£90) for emergencies. It zaps the spot at source so it's gone by morning.' We hear supe Jessica Stam swears by SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum, £75. Or, for a spot of deep healing and line-free skin, try Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector, £57.
14. The Inside-Out Oil Craze 'I won't go a day without coconut oil. I take four tablespoons a day, either on my salads, in my cooking or in my cups of green tea,' says model Miranda Kerr. Anja Rubik has a stash of facial and body oils, and says, 'I swear by Weleda oils to keep my skin glowing no matter how hard I'm working - I particulary love their Birch Cellulite Oil (£18.95).'
15. The Liquid Energy Hit 'It was my make-up artist who got me addicted to fresh vegetable juices,' says Anja Rubik. The same goes for fellow model Abbey Lee, who always wakes up to a veggie juice with an avocado. 'Fresh green juices are hydrating, energising and much lower in sugar than sweet juices. Cucumber is packed with skin-friendly silicia while spinach is full of antioxidants and celery is rich in potassium, which regulates fluid,' says nutritionist Christina Agnew of Raw Fairies, Lily Cole's favourite Fashion Week delivery service.
16. The Best Tressed Trick We're welcoming the return of the catwalk royalty, with Yasmin Le Bon and Karen Elson showing the teen models how it's done, though not without some serious beauty ammo. L'Oreal Revitalift Repair 10, £9.99, is a one man army against ageing and early call-time lines, while Clarins Vital Light Serum, £56, gives skin a youthful, luminous glow.
17. The Youth Elixirs 'My hair is subjected to endless styling,' says model Anja Rubik, 'so no matter how busy I am I always fit in regular trims at Garren in New York and apply Dr Hauschka Neem Oil (£22.95) ten minutes before shampooing.' Dry hair will also love Frederic Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea Tame and Style Pot de Creme, £33.
18. The Nail Fix Need a quick grooming solution for less-than-perfect fingertips? 'Autumn's new matte nail polishes are an instant way to add elegance to nails,' says Sophy Robson. 'Unlike gloss, a non-shine texture disguises uneven nails.' Chanel Beaute des Ongles, Matte Top Coat, ??18, can be applied on top of any shade. Or, go dark and creamy with Dior Venis Extreme Wear Nail Lacquer in Blue Denim, £17.50.
