Behind the Scenes at NYFW: 18 Affordable Beauty Products I Noticed in Glam Kits
Backstage at New York Fashion Week, the atmosphere is a whirlwind of creativity, with hair flying and makeup brushes swirling as glam teams prepare models for the runway. The energy was palpable at Alice + Olivia, Cult Gaia, and Christian Siriano, where I observed the rapid transformation of runway looks. What stood out the most was the accessibility of MVP beauty products, many of which can be easily found on Amazon, rather than being exclusive industry secrets.
TRESemmé’s presence was particularly prominent, providing styling solutions from halo braids at Cult Gaia to sleek styles at Christian Siriano. Just a few feet away, I watched Paige DeSorbo use the Instant Fix Styling Stick to tame flyaways before taking the stage. Similarly, at both Altuzarra and Kallmeyer, the NuFACE Trinity+ and Saie’s Glowy Super Gel were essential for achieving luminous skin.
At Alice + Olivia, the transformation of lashes from understated to bold was accomplished with Westmore Beauty’s 60-Second Lash Effects Mascara. Meanwhile, amika’s Texture Spray was applied to waves to create a relaxed, lived-in look. It became evident that these were the go-to products favored by professionals. Below is a detailed look at 18 standout products, many of which start at just $6.
18 Beauty Products Spotlighted at NYFW
Hair
1. Flyaway Fix: For Paige DeSorbo’s appearance at Christian Siriano, stylist Mitchell Ramazon selected the TRESemmé Instant Fix Styling Stick to minimize flyaways and perfect the hairline with a swift swipe.
2. Soft-Wave Staple: The HOT Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron was used to craft soft waves and elegant updos at Alice + Olivia, an Amazon favorite off the runway.
3. Airy Volume Favorite: Alice + Olivia stylists turned to amika’s un.done Spray to provide light hold for waves and updos, appealing to over 2,000 Amazon shoppers last month.
4. Halo Braid Hero: At Cult Gaia, stylist Evanie Frausto used TRESemmé’s A-List Dry Texturizing Spray to enhance natural texture and secure halo braids without stiffness.
5. High-Gloss Hero: Stylists at Alice + Olivia applied amika’s Top Gloss Shine Spray to add a glossy finish to waves and updos, ensuring they glowed under the runway lights.
6. Prep Perfection: Backstage, Lacy Redway utilized the TRESemmé A-List All-In-One Style Primer to lock in moisture and protect against heat, turning hair into a sculptural accessory.
7. Sleek-Finish Staple: The TRESemmé Freeze Hold Hairspray effectively smoothed flyaways and secured sculpted styles backstage at Christian Siriano, offering a firm yet flexible hold.
8. Sleek-Start Essential: Justine Marjan initiated styling at Christian Cowan with the TRESemmé A-List Smoothing Cream to soften strands, paving the way for sleek, high-shine styles.
9. Sleek and Straight: The Paul Mitchell Smooth+ Flat Iron was employed to iron smooth roots and mid-lengths at Christian Cowan, inspired by the glamorous women of the 1950s.
Makeup
10. Runway-Radiance: Saie’s Glowy Super Gel produced a “perfected skin” effect at Kallmeyer, providing a sheer and luminous finish suitable for those desiring a fresh, dewy look.
11. ’90s Supermodel Skin: For a radiant base at Bronx and Banco, Romero Jennings utilized MAC’s Studio Radiance Face & Body Foundation, known for its breathable texture without the weight of full-coverage formulas.
12. Instant-Length: At Alice + Olivia, Westmore Beauty’s mascara quickly transformed lashes, offering full, extension-level length with just one quick application.
13. Matte Moment: At the same venue, MAC’s MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick created striking statement lips, recognized for its soft-focus and comfortable wear during lengthy shows.
14. Backstage Blurring: Westmore Beauty’s 3-in-1 Photo Finishing Powder kept skin looking smooth and shine-free at Alice + Olivia, ensuring models were camera-ready.
Skincare & More
15. Lifting and Toning: At Altuzarra, Dwayne Lankford relied on the NuFACE Trinity+ to tone and contour skin prior to the show, known for its microcurrent technology that enhances definition and firmness over time.
16. Lash Hack: Enhancing eyes backstage at Prabal Gurung, Sheika Daley utilized Ardell Smize Lashes alongside DUO Clear Adhesive for subtle, defining enhancement.
17. Ravishing Rouge: At Michael Kors, the ‘Coquette’ nail polish by Jin Soon was the quintessential New York red that seamlessly transitions from runway to everyday wear.
18. Bare-Nail Essential: The Primrose + Honeysuckle’s Healing Cuticle Oil played a pivotal role backstage at Marc Jacobs, providing hydration for a natural, polished look.
