My fave beauty look from MBFWA Day One: Kirrily Johnston by M.A.C

“Sunkissed Moroccan feel, gypsies brushed with luxurious metallics to adorn the skin…”

The above quote was one I saw tacked to a wall backstage at designer Kirrily Johnston’s totally dreamy show on day one of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia 2012, presenting her S/S 12-13 collection called The Romanies. It had been handwritten by M.A.C artist Nicole Thompson as a key reference for the beautiful makeup she created in collaboration with Johnston, which was a study in luminous, monochromatic beauty.

The setting was contemporary new venue Neild Avenue and the backstage area the restaurant’s kitchen! Hardly ideal when food prep was also in full swing, and 25 models to prep and clothe… but Nicole was – as per – the consummate professional and a vision of calm amidst a storm.

The inspiration for the collection was “Eastern European Gypsies”, and Nicole told me that the vibe was present from the “fabric and the colour to the makeup, which was wanted to be beautiful and creamy but with an extra glowy, metallic finish. It was monochromatic and sunkissed looking, and we took the colour of the cheeks up under the eyes so that it was warm all over.”

Pearl and Hush Cream Colour Base were used to highlight the tops of the cheekbones and centre of the lid, with Silver Dusk powder pressed over the top for extra shine and some seriously incredible contours. Brows were brushed through with studio concealer to lighten, whilst lashes were fresh and totally mascara free. “Definition had to come through the highlighting and contouring as we had taken it away from traditional areas like the brows and the lashes,” she explains, “and it was essential so that things didn’t look flat.”

The lip was Freckletone patted into the lips with the fingers, “and a little on the cheeks as well – meaning it’s super easy to recreate. It was a matter of feeling the bone structure and going with it.”

Not only has Johnston been busy crafting her Spring/Summer 2012 collection and working on the accompanying makeup look with M.A.C, but she also collaborated on a candle with The Aromatherapy Co that I was lucky enough to be gifted. The candle itself — a blend of soy and wax — is infused with an uplifting blend of palmarosa and sweet mandarin and, even more exciting, the packaging features a print from Johnston's new range. Beautiful!