Sunday Riley is proud to be the official skincare partner of Milan Fashion Week. We’re ringing in the semi-annual event with exclusive interviews featuring industry-leading beauty pros and experts, as well as backstage facials at shows like Roberto Cavalli.
In the world of beauty editors, Fashion Week never quite feels complete until you’ve elbowed your way through the crowds of journalists who are trying to catch a glimpse of Diane Kendal performing her brilliant makeup artistry. If you’re not familiar with the name, you’ve certainly come across her work: She’s the beauty mastermind behind dozens of Vogue, i-D, Harper’s Bazaar, and W magazine covers, as well as runway looks at lauded fashion houses like Versace, Tom Ford, and Roberto Cavalli.
In fact, it was at Roberto Cavalli’s show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023 that we had a chance to catch up with the Brooklyn-based makeup artist. In the midst of the usual backstage chaos, you’ll notice there’s always an aura of calm surrounding Kendal. The British-born artist (who ironically always dons a makeup-free look) breezily walked us through the skin and makeup look in her signature soothing voice. This time, to play off the “animalistic” theme of the sartorial collection, Kendal opted for bold eyes, minimal foundation, black eyeliner, and black eyeshadow that, in many ways, felt reminiscent of the ‘90s grunge era that’s already making a comeback. A look at the Cavalli mood board — riddled with candid images of Kate Moss, a slew of cheetahs, and movement-ready dresses — displayed backstage proves this celebratory look-back to be true.
Skincare First
As is always the case, skincare prep precedes makeup application — especially when it involves a runway-ready look that’s guaranteed to be immortalized via TikTok and Instagram Reels. Securing a proper base that’s not only “healthy and glowing,” according to Kendal, but provides a proper canvas for makeup is a must.
That’s where Sunday Riley comes in with our “Runway-Ready Skin” facials, which each model received prior to getting their makeup done. The routine began with a deep and nourishing cleanse, courtesy of the Ceramic Slip Cleanser. It’s a gentle, plant-based facial wash that wipes away any trace of their previous show’s makeup look without stripping their skin. Next came a sweet, re-energizing spritz of the Pink Drink Firming Resurfacing Essence — a peptide-infused “power drink” that gives stressed-out skin antioxidant support and rebalances the skin’s natural microbiome. This was followed by a gentle exfoliation made possible by Kendal’s beloved Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment. “I use different serums depending on what my skin needs. I love Good Genes,” she says. The finishing touches to the facial included Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream to depuff eyes and banish undereye circles and ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream packed with ceramides that replenish hydration — a must for running around from show to show in the cold winter air.
“Cleanse, tone, moisturize,” says Kendal, emphasizing the importance of caring for your complexion — even if your daily routine doesn’t involve walking down a runway (so, 99% of us). The best part? You can mimic our Runway-Ready Skin facials in less than five minutes flat. You can amplify the experience by using a fancy at-home facial tool, or treat yourself to an extra moment of self-care by massaging in each product with your fingers.
Sunday Riley’s commitment to radiant skin can also be applied to Kendal’s approach to mini touch-ups: “I always keep an eyebrow brush to keep brows in place and blotting sheets to control shine while keeping the skin healthy and glowing.”
Kendal’s Advice
While a good skincare regimen that’s “simple and effective,” according to Kendal, is the first step to crafting an enviable makeup look, she recommends that those hoping to recreate entire runway looks should instead borrow a few details that complement their personal, day-to-day style.
“I would say, take an element of the makeup from the runway instead of replicating the entire look,” says Kendal. “For example, if I used a gold makeup paint across a model’s eye, the translation could be a thin gold eyeliner for real life.”
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