RAFW beauty report: best of day four

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RAFW beauty report: best of day four

Or could it be the best of the week? I’ll have to see out the rest of Friday first, but I saw the Shakuhachi show late yesterday and am dying to call it my favourite of all Fashion Week.

It’s a big call, I know. But I coveted it all, from the glass-sleek locks and shiny black lids to the patent pumps and everything in between.

It was all I could do not to tackle models off the runway and make off with their outfits. Shakuhachi designer Jessie White sewed together an insanely wantable (and wearable) collection for the ‘good girl gone wayward’. There were romantic ruffles, punk-perfect stripes and lace-sleeved frocks. She created tough edges with contrast leather and then softened them with deluxe cable knits. She countered intricate black arm appliqué with chunky nose chains. Divinely dangerous.  

Speaking of which, the gleamingly noir nail has re-emerged as a must-wear this week. At Shakuhachi, a light-catching blue black (CND’s NFS nail polish) provided the punchy punctuation in the tale of sweet vs. street.

You may have noticed throughout this week that I have a thing-bordering-on-obsession with finger fashion. Well, gothic glam has been my staple since I first saw Uma Thurman’s black mani in Pulp Fiction, so colour me super happy that it’s officially on the hot list again this year.

The only glitch: the statement nail demands ultimate precision and, to be honest, I’ve got neither the skills nor the patience. The upside: I happened to be backstage with some professional polishers…

Cherie Pollard from CND (seem like she’s been behind every runway at RAFW? She almost has) was kind enough to tell me her technique.

First things first, start with a squeaky clean nail, instructs Pollard. “Then the key is applying fine coats,” she says. “The first coat doesn’t have to lock down the colour – it’s just a ‘wetting’ to prepare for the second coat.

“The second layer should be fine too, but will provide the solid colour.”

What about seriously un-chic streaks? “When doing a dark nail, it’s important to load the brush properly. Don’t just dip it in and out,” Pollard warns. “Gently glide the brush against the rim opposite you so the polish is concentrated on the underside. This is the ideal amount. Then apply along the sides of your nail before filling in the middle.”

“To finish, ensure you apply top coat right to the edges to ensure an even shine,” she says.

Consider it done, Cherie. I’ll be NFS blue black by breakfast.

PS: You want the hair and stunning make-up how-tos too, right? Stay tuned, my pretties. Videos are coming soon…

RAFW beauty: Shakuhachi 

Photography by Kate Moffatt from beautydirectory.com.au

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