NZFW get the look: M.A.C Cosmetics and KMS for Hailwood AW18

The Hailwood AW18, BLACK VELVET show has been one of my standout favourites on the runway at this year’s New Zealand Fashion Week, and I think I fell as hopelessly in love with the hair and makeup looks as I did with the collection.

KMS haircare collaborated with local style star Adrian Hailwood once again to a create big, bouncy hair look, whilst upcoming M.A.C Cosmetics superstar Lochie Stonehouse was responsible for the beautiful – and very wearable – makeup to go with.

The KMS team backstage was lead by Vada salon Senior Stylist Rin Lee, who created a look in collaboration with Hailwood that showcased the synergies between fashion and style and the international haircare brand’s newly relaunched styling focused range. “This collection is all about texture rather than embellishment,” said Hailwood of BLACK VELVET, “but there is still theatricality, just pared back.” The designer’s signature evening gowns were complemented by a hair look that referenced a languid, seventies style - a pulled back glamour that worked perfectly with the drama of the collection’s silhouettes. Think: Valley of the Dolls but a day after the last cocktail party…

The show saw each and every model sporting an identical look – with some concession to their individual hair length – that was inspired by the big hair of the disco era but not a literal interpretation. Lee says the essential products to get the look included many of the offerings in the KMS AddVolume collection, in particular Styling Foam Mousse for its ability to create extreme volume exactly where it’s needed. Root & Body Lift Spray was also used to generate lift directly from the roots of the hair, and all hair was prepped well beforehand using the brand’s iconic HairPlay Makeover Spray for texture and grit.

The incredible Lochie Stonehouse took inspiration for the makeup look from “Seventies ochre and moss fabrics across the eyes”, starting with a flawless base using M.A.C’s ever-popular Studio Face & Body Foundation, Studio Finish Concealer and Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Groundwork (one of my personal faves) to contour.

Half of the beauties on the runway sported an eye look created using Fluidline Brow GelCreme in Redhead, LipMix in Ochre and Texture Eye Shadow, whilst the others wore Acrylic Paint in Landscape Green and Pigment in Landscape Green. Extended Play Mascara and Lip Conditioner were used on both.

(all photos by Olivia Hemus for M.A.C Cosmetics)