This story is part of Ensemble's fashion week coverage, supported by Viaduct Harbour
Ahead of NZ Fashion Week, we asked some of our creative friends to share the products, tools and other contraptions that help with the long days and late nights.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Hot Gossip, $44
The greatest long-wear lip pencil, with the smoothest consistency for lip touch-ups in the back of an Uber or when you finally get to sit down waiting for a show to start. I have only recently embraced an overdrawn lip on myself and this is the product to graciously give you naturally fuller lips. - Kiekie Stanners, makeup artist
Merit Great Skin instant glow serum, $38, and Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, $85
It's winter, it's cold and fashion week days are long for us [model] agents! I have always been pretty simple when it comes to makeup and generally leave the beauty to the models, but this week I think I'll be heavily relying on both my Merit 'Great Skin' serum and YSL Touche Éclat for the tired skin and under eyes. Both are really easy to apply and give a great glow. - Katherine Lowe, director of Super Management
Contour Cube mini, $35
I've almost made peace with my undereye circles, but during fashion week – long days, late nights, too much Champagne – they really go to town. So this ridiculous contraption, which is literally just frozen water in flexi plastic, like an ice tray, will be my godsend. You glide it across your face, apparently helping to get rid of under eye puffiness and sooth, contour, lift and all those other beauty myth buzzwords. Does it work? I dunno! But it feels good and perks me up in the morning. Could I just use a piece of ice? Yes. - Zoe Walker Ahwa, Ensemble editor and co-founder
Kosas Wet Stick Moisture Lip Shine, $38
In social anxiety-inducing rooms (PR events and fashion week venues full of intimidatingly cool people) I get very fidgety and end up reapplying my lip product a million times so that I have something to do with my hands and brain. Next week the product keeping my lips overly hydrated will most likely be the new Kosas Lip Shine sticks.
The one in my pocket is the shade Heatwave, a neutral rosy beige that has a sheer balmy quality, meaning I can swipe it on until my unease is content without risk of going overboard pigment wise. For similarly self-soothing reasons, I'm also never without a packet of Wrigley's Extra Spearmint Chewing Gum. - Tyson Beckett, style journalist
Maryse Mineral Tint in Dahlia, $58
Let's be honest, I'm not much of a 'beauty' gal. I've recently discovered the Maryse Mineral Tint in Dahlia; a one stop shop for a pop of natural berry on the lips and cheeks. We used it on our upcoming lookbook shoot - shout out to [Ensemble's] Lara Daly - and it had phenomenal longevity for a full day shooting. For me, it gives the illusion that I've put in the effort whilst also being effortless. Who has the time anyway? - Nicole Hadfield, designer and founder of Oosterom
Maison Louis Marie No 4 Bois de Balincourt eau de parfum, about $170
I could not get through NZFW without my favourite scent. Full disclosure: I'm in menopause and the hot flushes are brutal, so freshening up with my all time favourite scent is good self-care and an act of kindness for whomever I'm seated next to at a show... - Kylie Cooke, stylist and designer of Only Lovers
ghd duet style, $645
I have a terrible confession to make: I never style my thick long hair and when it gets too knotty I get a blow wave so someone else can deal with it. This fashion week, the first since dry bar Dry and Tea closed down, I’ve been left terrified that the birds' nest on top of my head (that often houses lost hair clips, twigs and other pieces of life's minutiae) would obscure views at the shows a la Princess Anne’s feather hat.
Enter the new ghd duet style, their first tool that styles wet to dry hair. Apparently it utilises innovation that protects against heat damage. All I care about is that it’s really easy to use, giving amazing results that have had everyone in the office (aka my social circle) commenting, and doesn’t give my arm a sweaty workout. - Rebecca Wadey, Ensemble co-founder and partnerships manager
Mecca Max Pout Pencil in Plush and Classy, $18 each
No matter what outfit I’m wearing or what other makeup I have on, a natural defined lip is my current beauty must-have. I feel instantly put together and alive when I have some lip liner on. Plush is the perfect warm nude for everyday - not too dark or too pale, while Classy is my favourite brown lip liner for evening. I top it with my favourite Glow Recipe Hyaluronic Gloss Balm, it’s the best. - Lara Daly, publishing coordinator
