Baring It All: Backstage Skincare At NYFW SS16

Last week was New York Fashion Week SS16 and if you didn't stumble across #nyfw, you're a unicorn. Of course it's all about the clothes—it's fashion. But who makes the clothes look their best? Models, of course. And who makes the models look their best? The magical aestheticians, dermatologists, and makeup artists. Celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas prepped Rebecca Minkoff and Zac Posen for their shows with The Forever Facial, a non-invasive tightening treatment that uses heat and radio waves to push collagen fibers back together (Joanna also prepped Maggie Gyllenhaal for the Emmys last night). For a closer look at the wondrously bare, clear-skinned looks on this year's runways, read on. ALEXANDER WANG The look at Alexander Wang was perfect bare skin. Lead makeup artist Diane Kendal for NARS cosmetics created a very essential, naked look for models. Diane Kendal said, "the beauty is raw, the girls are meant to kind of look as they are, with a little bit of grooming but nothing done." She created this basic, bare-all style with the light-reflecting Nars Luminous Moisture Cream, $62.

MONSE MAISON Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes created a fresh-faced look to offset the collection's bold nod to the 60s. First, Charlotte Tilbury's Light Wonder Foundation, $45, was applied, beginning in the center of the face and moving outwards. Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher, $35, concealed blemishes and under eye circles. Katie removed shine by buffing Laura Mercier translucent loose powder, $37, for a velvety finish. Skyn Iceland Facial Mist, $29, removed any visible powder on the skin's surface. RYAN ROCHE Makeup artist Romy Soleimani created a 90s minimalist look inspired by a ballerina in between rehearsals. Romy prepped the skin with Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, $24, followed by the Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream, $44. She dabbed the Jurlique Rose Love Balm, $10, on the lips as well as on the inner corners of the eyes, the lids, and the tops of the cheek bones.

OPENING CEREMONY Lead makeup artist James Boehmer created beautiful glossy skin, inspired by the look of condensation on flowers in a botanical green house. He began with NARS Luminous Moisture Cream, $62, which he paired with NARS  Total Replenishing Eye Cream, $55. For a translucent veil of color, James used the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, $43, and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $29. The Triple X, $26, lip gloss gave extra shine on the bridge of the nose, cupid's bow, and the high points of the cheekbones.

ALTAZURRA Makeup artist Tom Pecheux created a natural look on the models. To firm and moisturize the skin he began with MAC's Studio Moisture Cream, $33. For additional hydration and clarity Prep + Prime Fix, $22, was spritzed over the face. To highlight, he used Gold Strobe Cream Shade Extension (Available Winter 2016). To even the skin, Tom used ultra-thin Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation, $33. LELA ROSE Makeup artist Romy Soleimani created a clean look with Murad skincare. Murad Active Radiance Serum, $90, prepped the skin. She then used the Hydrating Toner, $28, and Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, $72, to hydrate. For a matte T-zone, she applied Murad Oil-Control Mattifer, $39.50, finished by priming with Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30, $65.