NYFW Backstage Beauty: Perfecting The Naked Face

New York Fashion Week FW15 wraps up today and while our eyes have been delighted by the rich textures, luxe fabrics and bold colors of the clothes, we have been just as enamored by the pristine flawless faces that graced the catwalk. One question we are often asked by our readers is about how to cover imperfections, like a breakout, dark under eye circles or blotchy patches, without looking like you are wearing a mask of makeup. The trick is two fold: First, you have to prep your skin with a nourishing, soothing moisturizer, serum or primer, then you can apply a lightweight, easy to blend foundation or concealer that looks natural while doing a good job of hiding what you don't want others to see. So, where better to seek out some makeup artist favorites than backstage at fashion week? Here's what we spied....

JASON WU Makeup artist Diane Kendal created a luminous beauty look for the models at Jason Wu by first prepping their skin with Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum, $78, which has long-term anti-aging benefits but also immediately makes skin feel soft and smooth. To even out their skin tone, she massaged Lancôme Nude Miracle Liquid to Powder Makeup, $42, which dries to a natural matte finish.

ALTUZZARA Makeup artist Tom Pecheux previewed two new skin-enhancers from MAC that will launch next fall: MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, $44, that creates the optical illusion of blurring fine lines and shrinking the look of pores; and MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 which provides a light, glowing coverage. To nix shine throughout the t-zone and impart a semi-matte finish to the skin, he dusted MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, $26, across the forehead, along the nose and the tip of the chin.

MILLY We love facial mists at Charlotte's Book, especially those with rose, and so does Beauty.com makeup artist Romy Soleimani, who prepped models' faces backstage at the Milly fashion show with Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, $35. She also used Jurlique Rose Love Balm, $10, to soften dry patches face and on lips for a soft, glistening effect. To create a flawless skin effect, she dabbed Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer, $48, where needed to cover blemishes and even skin tone.

Rachel Comey Makeup artist Maud Laceppe for NARS Cosmetics described the makeup look she created for the Rachel Comey fashion show as such: “The makeup this season is a dewy, almost wet look. A fresh and effortless girl, but still sexy.” After prepping the models' skin with NARSskin Luminous Moisture Cream, $62, she used NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, $43, which contains natural polysaccharides from Moorea Island in French Polynesia as well as mineral-rich seawater to condition, moisturize and revitalize the skin. A light dusting of NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder, $36, set the look and kept shine at bay.

PHOTO: Alutzarra, CR Fashion Book, Milly, MILLY blog.