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- Individuality and Self-Expression Were Key to Gary Bigeni Backstage Beauty Looks
Individuality and Self-Expression Were Key to Gary Bigeni Backstage Beauty Looks
by
Ruby Feneley
Provided: Ruby Feneley
Gary Bigeni is known for gender-neutral and size-inclusive clothing that focuses on self-expression and playful creativity. Bigeni’s Resort ’23 collection, shown on the first day of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, stuck to this ethos and backstage, there was no one look. Instead, the hair and makeup team tailored beauty looks that celebrated each model’s individual style and beauty – from hair texture to skin tone.
Hair Director for Gary Bigeni, Bec Snow said working with the model’s natural hair texture was key. “The hair inspiration really matches Gary Bigeni’s style and clothing, it’s very much about celebrating model’s uniqueness, and working with their personal hair texture and their natural wave and movement.” Snow prepped curls with O&M Know Knot ($42) on curly hair as well as the GHD Thin Wand Hair Curler 14mm ($250) — the thinner wand slides between curls to give them definition and shape.
Plenty of Dry Queen Dry Shampoo ($39) was seen for texture and volume, along with Atonic Thickening Spritz ($36) and Frizzy Logic Shine Shine Spray ($42).
The beauty story was much the same with backstage makeup artists working with the model’s natural beauty and personality.
Makeup artists were seen massaging complexions — using products from Barbara Sturm, La Mer and the iconic Weleda Skin Food. An array of complexion products were used — we saw Nars, Creamy Radiant Concealer ($45) and Pat McGrath Labs, Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation ($111) foundation.
Lead artist Linda Jeffreys said “Gary’s brought in a lot of colours so we kept it really simple, with a little bit of colour with a tiny bit of glitter. Gary’s signature is beautiful skin — fresh, cool-girl (and guy) beauty with a little bit of fun.” Skin prep is essential. “Exfoliate, hydrate, massage. Be thoughtful with your foundation and concealer application. Don’t go too heavy and add light into your skin.”
Clear balms like Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream and cream highlighters like Charlotte Tilbury, Hollywood Flawless Filter ($65) were patted onto cheekbones. These were followed by cream blush products like Stila’s Convertible Cheek Colours and Nudestix, Nudies Matte All Over Face Colour Blush & Bronze.
Finally, matte acrylic press ones were applied by So Pretty Nails’ Catherine. “We have 240 colours available and we’ve matched the colours to the collection with a matte finish.”