Runway Beauty

We're lucky enough to be in Melbourne this week to help launch and celebrate the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival. A high point in the city's social calendar, the Festival is week-long hub housing fashion, design and general creative panache. Speaking of panache, it's the very word Megan Gale — Australian face of L'Oréal Paris — said she wanted to bring back into vogue at yesterday's swish launch luncheon.

Megan hosted a room packed full of Melbourne socialites, designers and Australia's top beauty media (err, us!); and also graciously introduced us to L'Oréal's newest face, Victoria's Secret model Barbara Palvin. We must admit, we're quite smitten with the 19-year-old model, so funny, humble and candid. We heard from L’Oréal Professionnel hair and makeup directors — Brad Ngata, Caterina Di Biase and Rae Morris — who gave us the heads-up in terms of runway beauty. Expect to see grunge (à la Saint Laurent) alongside lady-like, polished looks. Click through to see the pictures.

Paris fashion week is where it's at when it comes to the chicest of hair and makeup looks. Considered by many to be the fashion capital of the world, we love ending Fashion Month with the most luxurious fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. Brush up on your Parisian style with the ultimate in French hair and makeup trends that came straight from the runways.

If Princess Leia was looking for a way to update her signature style, the Miu Miu Autumn Winter 2013 runway would be the obvious choice. Models wore a severe side part with sleek, side-swept bangs that led to two braided chignons at the nape. The makeup was centred around a bold ombré lip; the oxblood colour was strongest around the edges and faded in the centre of the mouth.

The look: Double-braided chignons paired with a vampy lip colour.
Who would wear it: Princess Leia or Heidi.
Ambience: The front row was packed with big names, including Renée Zellweger, Zoe Saldana, and January Jones.

The clothing at Louis Vuitton may have been all about the boudoir, but the hair and makeup was reminiscent of New Wave rockers of the '80s. Cropped black wigs with piecey bangs, glossy eye makeup, and ruddy lipstick came together to create a look that stood out against the clothes. All that was missing was a guitar.

The look: Blunt black wigs, greasy smoky eyes, ruddy red lipstick.
Trends: Grungy hair and makeup.
Who would wear it: A girl hanging out in the corner of a smoky rock show.

For Autumn Winter 2013, Chanel has mastered the dramatic eye yet again. Designer Karl Lagerfeld played with the fashion house's signature motifs, while the beauty team created a sparkling take on Chanel's signature smoky eye. The hair was styled straight and sleek, so it could easily fit under furry, helmet-shaped hats and be tucked into collars. And if the Parisian runway is any indication, classic dark pink polish will be huge for Autumn/Winter.

The look: Glittered lids and vibrantly hued cloche-like hats.
Colour scheme: Eyes dotted in glistening champagne and silver tones; fuzzy caps in shades of pink, mint, royal blue, and oxblood.
The ambiance: Celebrities such as Jessica Chastain and Milla Jovovich sitting in the front row at a grandiose production featuring a gigantic swirling globe.

Nothing is more coveted than a front-row view at the Paris fashion week presentations, and the stylish starlets who occupy the few elusive spots are ones to envy beauty-wise, too. Chanel, Balenciaga, and Dior are just a few of the designers that always pull A-list attendees. See the best hair and makeup looks seen alongside the Parisian catwalks, and steal some inspiration for yourself as you click.

The finale at the Valentino Autumn Winter 2013 presentation in Paris was more akin to a line of schoolgirls walking to class than a high-fashion runway. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!) The models wore a single side plait that hovered near waist-length, and their styles were topped off with basic black headbands. To add to the girlish charm, the makeup palette was soft and subtle with skintone eyeshadow, groomed brows, and nude lips.

The look: Casual schoolgirl plaits and natural makeup.
Who would wear it: A woman out for a weekend bike ride by the beach.
Trends: Braids never go out of style — whether you're 40 or 14.

Viewing Saint Laurent's Autumn Winter 2013 runway can be likened to taking a time-travelling trip to the '90s grunge era. Hair was purposefully mussed for that second-day hair feeling, and the makeup was focused on the eyes. Each model wore well-rimmed eyes that were smudged for a tear-stained effect. The good thing is that this is one runway look you'll be able to re-create by just rolling out of bed.

The look: Smeared eyeliner and just-out-of-bed hairstyles.
Who would wear it: A woman who works hard but plays harder.
Trends: Punk and grunge are having a revival on the international runways; Saint Laurent channelled the angst of the decade with the undone hair texture and dark eye makeup.

Stella McCartney sent her models down the Autumn Winter 2013 runway in Paris clad in sporty-cool ensembleswith similarly stylish yet low-key beauty looks. Decked out in casually tossed-back ponytails and barely-there makeup, this minimalistic style is the kind you can wear to an array of occasions. It's polished but not fussy, and laid-back but not sloppy.

The look: Low-slung ponytails and just a touch of makeup: a dab of colour on the cheeks and lips, along with a few swipes of mascara.
Who would wear it: Anyone and everyone.
Trends: Throughout Fashion month, we've seen ponytails of all sorts and minimal makeup, and Stella's Autumn Winter 2013 hits both marks.

Estée Lauder's creative make-up director, Tom Pecheux, created a brow moment for Isabel Marant's Autumn Winter offering at Paris fashion week. "I wanted to create a makeup look that was both feminist and boyish. The focus is on the brows, which are effortless but controlled — full, with volume, almost masculine. Makeup on the face is very light, very sheer, like a veil, while the lips are simple, natural and nude," says Tom. More trivia for today? He started every face with a massage.

Photo courtesy Estée Lauder