“I believe the beauty look needs to complement the whole look of the show. It should not be something that stands out in a bad way!” That’s how makeup artist Isabella Schimid describes the role of beauty at a fashion show. The skin, hair and makeup for any given show is there to pull everything together and let the clothes shine on the runway. But that’s harder to achieve than one might expect.

Schimid was tasked as the Makeup Creative Director for the Commas show at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Not only did she create incredible looks for the show, she did so using only Clean At Sephora products—beauty products that are formulated without certain nasty ingredients.

“Some shows the makeup is a major moment but for Commas it is to embrace the look of the Commas man or woman,” she says. For this show, the brief was: “Polished, healthy looking skin!” She wanted models to look “the best version of themselves.”  

How did she do it? Schimid takes us through her creative process.

How do you approach creating looks for a fashion show like this?

Firstly I meet with designers to discuss the look and feel of the show. The location and lighting also plays a big part. This is done a few weeks before so it gives me time to design the look and organise products. The styling and brand identity inspires the final makeup look. 

Tell me about the prep on the day. What is the call time for a 7.30am show like Commas?

Prep begins at 4am so it’s a 3am wake up! For me the energy backstage is very important for both the team and models. Music, a fun atmosphere and coffee.

How do you get a consistency between all the looks when working with different skin types?

We were very lucky to do a full day of trials on all the models with some of the makeup team. So we did a full description of skin and makeup ready for the day! If they follow the skin prep step by step they can’t get it wrong. I am always walking around and checking the team’s work and then I do final touch ups before they hit the runway. 

Tell me about how you worked with Sephora on using 100% Clean At Sephora products

I met the Sephora team at the Pitt Street Flagship and we walked through the store looking at all the clean beauty products in the Clean At Sephora category that they had to offer. I went through it step by step and chose a variety of options to trial on the makeup trial day. When I did the step by step I finalised the products that offered the best skin result I needed. 

Why was using clean beauty important to you and the designers, Richard and Emma Jarman?

An appreciation for the natural world is key to the Commas designers. They are committed to protecting the environment and taking action wherever possible to protect the natural world. I really wanted to make sure we carried this ethos through to the beauty look and for all the products we used.

You’re also a skin therapist—what role does a good base play in creating a strong makeup look?

Spending the time to do a good skin prep Is the most important key to creating the best looking makeup. If the skin is prepped properly it will give the most beautiful look to the skin and allow us to use less makeup. 

Can you please detail step-by-step how we could recreate them at home?

Using all Clean at Sephora products:

1. Clean skin using Sephora Collection Mini Exfoliating Skin Wipes
2. Caudalie Beauty Elixir to hydrate and wake the skin
3. Milk Makeup Vegan Moisturiser massaged into the skin 
4. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Under Eye Gel Stick to brighten and calm eye area. Use roller to de-puff and bring blood back into the skin  
5. Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Foundation buffed into the skin
6. Milk Flex Concealer lightly applied under eye and inner corner of the eye to correct any darkness and discolouration
7. Fresh Hydrating Lip Balm on eye lids and cheek bone
8. Curl lash and add Sephora Collection Brown Mascara to base of lash only 
9. Tarte Brow Gel in colour or clear brushed up
10. Caudalie Lip Conditioner to hydrate lips 
11. Final spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir!