Tricks of the trade from the kings and queens of backstage beauty

Backstage beauty areas are rarefied, intoxicating places: their entrants privy to irresistible beauty and inspiration. Overstimulating in a wonderful way, they tend to be packed and rather too hot, the air thick with hairspray. Here, the world’s best beauty teams transform armies of models into otherworldly creatures who will soon stalk the catwalks.There is nowhere better to discover the beauty products behind the magic, or the techniques that make it happen. With fashion month in full flow, I asked some of London’s finest beauty talent which items they couldn’t live without.Hairstylist Sam McKnightModern Hairspray by Sam McKnightCultBeauty“My Modern Hairspray (£29, sammcknight.com) is always in my pocket backstage. I can do almost anything with it. It protects against heat, gives shine and lasting hold and doesn’t feel crunchy. I have used Babyliss Pro curling tongs for years, too (£96, Sallybeauty.com). They come in many sizes and you can dial the heat up or down depending on hair type.”Make-up artist Celia Burton Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Cleanser for Sensitive Skin 100MLBoots“It’s got to be the classic Bioderma micellar water (£19, boots.com) for me. It’s essential for cleaning the many previous make-up looks off model’s faces. Also Rhode peptide prep depuffing eye patches (£25, rhodeskin.com) for helping to erase the night before when required.”Hairstylist Luke Hersheson L'Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray, Extra Strong Hold 200mlBoots“Backstage, you want products that work hard and Hershesons Almost Everything cream (£20, hershesons.com) does so much. I use it to prep, take down frizz and return texture to hair. I also love L’Oréal Paris Elnett hairspray (£8.25, boots.com). It’s a classic for a reason, delivering hold with movement, and it brushes out easily.”Manicurist Julia Diogo Essie to the Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment 0.46 fl oz Essie to the Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment 0.46 fl ozBoots“Essie’s To the Rescue repair treatment (£8.99, boots.com) transforms nails, delivering the perfect clean girl manicure. As the seasons change, model hands need extra hydration — Weleda Skin Food (£9.50, Lookfantastic.com) delivers.”Make-up artist Lynsey AlexanderEstée Lauder Micro Essence treatment lotionLookFantastic“I couldn’t survive without Estée Lauder Micro Essence treatment lotion (£92, Lookfantastic.com). I use it on a cotton pad to slough away dead skin, leaving faces bright. And I’m a fan of Fenty Beauty Invisimatte face powder — it works on all skin tones. (£26, Lookfantastic.com).”