Every day for two weeks, we send beauty writer and punishment sucker Lindsay MacAdam to one Toronto fashion show. She’ll go backstage to get step-by-step instructions from a makeup pro, then follow them herself, delivering each time a verdict: do, or don’t, try this look at home. Today, at Arthur Mendona, models emerge from the depths of the ocean as modern-day Cleopatras—played by Elizabeth Taylor, of course.
At the show: Head just above water, hair slicked straight back, the moon casting a teal shadow just above the eyelid—that was the beauty look at Arthur Mendona’s LGFW opening night show. While dreaming up the details, Mendona envisioned Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, with her strong brows, dramatic eyes and don’t-mess-with-me hair.
To make faces seem illuminated by the water’s reflection, Eddie Malter, Official Make-up Artist for L’Oral Paris Canada, started with a dewy base of foundation and concealer, then lightly enhanced the eyebrows with a pencil. He used the white shade from L’Oral’s HIP Matte Shadow Duo in “Animated” and both blues from the Bright Shadow Duo in “Showy” to create the deep-sea eye, swiping white across the eyelid and brushing both blues into the crease. He then lined the outer corners and inner rims of the eyes with a black pencil, applied one coat of mascara to top and bottom lashes, and coated the lips with L’Oral Infallible Le Rouge in “Forever Frappe,” topping with a clear, extra-shiny gloss.
According to Eric Del Monaco, Official Hair Artist and Colourist for L’Oral Paris Canada, this show’s wet hairstyle is not only totally wearable in real life (I was initially skeptical, but he made me a believer), but also not to difficult to master.
First, he straightened the hair with an iron. Then, to eliminate the potential for any runway “bounce,” he took the sides and bottom layer of the hair and secured that section into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, leaving a panel on the top of the head large enough to hide the ponytail. Then, section by section, he coated the hair with L’Oral’s Studio Line Mineral FX Melting Gel Extra Strong Hold 24h, for a wet look that really stays put. (I’d love to know how many bottles of gel the hair team went through.) A quick mist of L’Oral’s Elnett Satin Hairspray, fashion week’s infamous staple, locked down the look.
At home: Who wouldn’t want to take a little walk in Liz Taylor’s shoes? I started with a base of L’Oral Visible Lift Smooth Absolute Instant Anti-Aging Makeup and Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer. Using Lise Watier Havana All Over Baked Bronzer, I contoured the cheeks, then filled in sparse brows with Benefit Brows A-Go-Go. On eyes, I used L’Oral’s HIP Matte Shadow Duo in “Animated,” layered with the Denis Gagnon for Lancme Color Design Parisian Nights Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Palette for a glistening finish. The black eye liner from my brow kit was smudged along the outer corners of the eyes, and a coat of L’Oral Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara polished up my lashes. Finally, on my lips, “Forever Frappe” and Smashbox Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss did the trick. The colour turned out more pink than beige, so next time I’d mute out natural lip-colour first with some moisturizing concealer.
Verdict: DO try this at home, but only if you’re attending an event that justifies makeup this glam—you know, like the Oscars. Pair it with a classic black, floor-skimming gown, some million-dollar jewels, and Ryan Gosling, and you’re a winner.
