Hear the words ‘backstage makeup’, and that might conjure up images of models swathed in expensive designer fabrics, sitting aloof in front of brightly-lit mirrors as a flurry of makeup artists set to work on perfecting those already-perfect faces.

Why do you think behind-the-scenes videos are so exciting? It offers most of us, whose jobs might not revolve around the fashion circuit, a fly-on-the-wall take on what we’re usually not privy to. In a word, it’s this: access.

And that word is the whole reason why we’re so drawn to Dior’s new Backstage makeup line. Instead of that kind of elite exclusivity, Dior’s take on backstage beauty is a whole lot more encompassing, definitely something we can get behind.

The beauty brand has created a series of makeup products, from foundations to eye and lip palettes, to glow and contour palettes, that’s inspired by a real makeup artist’s survival kit, but this time, for the everyday person.

It could be an Eye Palette of warm neutrals, an eyeshadow brush, or colours that sculpt your face, they’re all essentials to Peter Philips, the Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup. “I redesigned all the indispensible items in my makeup bag, both for makeup artists and for every woman who wants a professional result with intuitive products and easy-to-use tools,” he says.

Rather than be intimidated by the professionals, it looks like we ought to be inspired by them instead. These are quality products, we’re told, easy to pick up, yet flexible enough to create any makeup look we want, natural or bold.

Basically, you don’t have to be a makeup junkie to love it. Even the packaging’s kept simple and fuss-free. You’ll never see any makeup artist frantically unscrewing bullet lipsticks; that’s because they usually like to house all their lip colours in one D-I-Y palette. Here, the Lip Palette is clearly modelled after that, with 9 flattering shades in a transparent cover that’s both practical and highly aesthetic.

Pick up a pearlescent highlight shade or a matte brown — either way, they’re designed to be long-wearing, pigmented, and buildable, so you can go as light-handed or as intense as you like.

It has so much potential — which is why we’ve invited 2 makeup artists to have a little fun with the collection!

Both Han Chew and Larry Yeo are incredibly experienced makeup artists, with Han having had over 10 years of experience in the industry, while Larry’s a familiar face at countless beauty events since he’s as just talented in his hosting skills and knowledge of cosmetics formulations. Our challenge to them was this: can you each create 2 different, and creative, beauty looks on our gorgeous models?

What! A little makeup challenge didn’t hurt anyone right? This was really more friendly though, and no kidding, the energy on set was exciting to be around. Not only did we soak up a lot of knowledge from the pros, we also enjoyed how they gladly got experimental with Dior’s Backstage line. Ever used a lip palette for the cheeks, or eyeshadow for your lips? You’ll find that here!

Check out the 4 final makeup looks below. Along the way, we’ll share a couple of tips on how to create them, including how to get the dewy, luminous textures you see here.

 

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On Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw:

Han’s Look
For Han’s look on our first model, Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, he talks about creating a unique “twist on the eyes”, where he uses a highlighting shade to create a strobe effect on the eyelids. It’s a little different because you’d usually expect darker shades there, he says. To complement that, there’s a gentle wash of pink on the cheeks for that healthy flush. We like that sheer glow on the lips too, achieved by a brush of shimmery eyeshadow right on top.

Larry’s Look
Larry, on the other hand, paints a picture of a girl who just came back from her summer holiday. “She still uses sunscreen,” he insists, “but has that bronze-y glow and tan.” He too places emphasis on the eyes, but this time, with the look of a bronzed goddess and a touch of “liquefied” gold, which was created by mixing gold highlighting powder and one of Dior’s watery essences. Everywhere else is kept neutral, but absolutely glowing.

Makeup by Han Chew

Base:

1. Dior Prestige Le Nectar
2. Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose
3. Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation in 2N

Brushes — no. 11, 12

Han likes to start off with these two hydrating and nourishing serums before makeup, just so the skin’s well-prepped for the rest of the day. This is followed by the Dior Face and Body Foundation, which has a lightweight but buildable texture that looks like, well, your skin but better. It goes on with a radiant finish, and is especially waterproof too. Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup, even calls it “runway-proof” as it’s able to withstand harsh stage lighting, what more our heat and humidity!

Eyes:

1. Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in 001 Universal  — Primer, Strobe White, Strobe Gold, Blush Bronze
2. Dior Crayon Eyeliner Waterproof in 094
3. Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer
4. Diorshow New Look Mascara in 090

Brushes — no. 11, 23

We get to our first unusual technique — using the Glow Face Palette on the eyes. Here, Han uses shade Strobe White all over the eyelids, generously dabbed on with a light coverage brush (no. 11). A smaller brush is then used to apply Strobe Gold and Blush Bronze higher up near the brow bone, to create what he calls a “reversal” — where we usually apply the dark and light shades are totally topsy-turvy now, though that does give the look a subtle edge. Finish off with lash primer and mascara!

Brows:

Diorshow Brow Styler in 001 Universal Brown

Face:

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in 001 Universal — Strobe Gold, Blush Pink

Brush — no. 15, 16

Peter Philips calls the Glow Face Palette a “secret weapon” because it’s the ultimate tool you need to sculpt light and shadows about your face. Han uses it on Aimee primarily to create that glow — he places Strobe Gold on the higher points of the cheekbones, where the light hits, and then brushes on the pink tones of Blush Pink for some colour on her cheeks.

Lips:

1. Dior Addict Lip Glow in 001 Pink
2. Dior Backstage Eye Palette in 001 Warm Neutrals — Primer, Strobe Gold

Brush — no. 21

Aimee’s ethereal lips are a result of a hydrating lip balm — here, the Dior Addict Lip Glow — and a sprinkle of gold shimmer. First, apply a thin layer of Primer from the Eye Palette on the lips to conceal or tone down any uneven coloured lip tones. Then, apply the Dior Addict Lip Glow to nourish the lips. Remove any excess after application with a tissue. From here, using an eyeshadow brush (no. 21), pick up the shade Strobe Gold from the Eye Palette for a light burst of shine on the cupid’s bow and the top of her lips.

Makeup by Larry Yeo

Base:

1. Dior Capture Youth Redness Soother Age-delay Anti-redness Serum
2. Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation in 2N

Brushes — no. 11, 12, 15

Larry starts off by applying this Dior Capture Youth serum all over to neutralise some of the redness on the skin, and to create a smooth canvas. Once again, Dior’s Face and Body Foundation is used, all over the face.

Eyes:

1. Dior Backstage Contour Palette in 001 Universal — Contour Deep
2. Dior Hydra Life Balancing Hydration 2 in 1 Sorbet Water
3. Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in 001 Universal — Blush Bronze, Strobe Gold
4. Dior Backstage Brow Palette in 002 Dark
5. Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in 090

Brushes — no. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Things get interesting here. Remember that bronzed look Larry talked about? This is achieved with using Contour Deep, from the Contour Palette, and applying its warm, ruddy tone all around the eyes as a base. Then comes the gold, which he creates by first mixing Blush Bronze from the Glow Face Palette, with the Dior Hydra Life’s Sorbet Water, on his hand. He then picks this up with an eyeshadow brush, while moist, and taps this over the centre of the eyelid. This gives the eyelids a nice watery texture, especially when the light bounces off it.

Brows:

Dior Backstage Brow Palette in 002 Dark

Brows are pretty straightforward, but here, Larry also uses the Brow Palette to define the eyes a little more. He picks up the left powder shadow and uses a slim, stiff eyeshadow brush to tap and smudge the shade onto the lower lash line.

Face:

Dior Airflash Radiance Mist

To be honest, we were kinda intimidated by this product at first — how do you get a nice glow without looking like your face is oily all over? Larry, on the other hand, wields it with ease. He shows us how he uses a piece of tissue paper to cover the centre of the face, leaving the cheeks, temples, and side of the face exposed, before misting. That’s how you manipulate light!

Lips:

1. Dior Addict Lip Glow in 101 Matte Pink
2. Dior Backstage Lip Palette in 001 Universal — Gloss Beige

This was kept as neutral as possible, but you still want healthy-looking lips! Go with a lip balm first, then go over with Gloss Beige from the Lip Palette, pressing in lightly so there’s a sheer layer that looks like your lips are intensely moisturised.

 

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On Hanan Helme:

Han’s Look
Now, we challenge the 2 makeup artists to come up with entirely different makeup looks for our second model, Hanan Helme. Han’s look here is a clean, neutral, though lightly contoured, style that enhances Hanan’s natural features, he says. Then again, we know that a lot of hard work goes into the subtlest of details to create this everyday style — things such as knowing where to place your eyeshadows, choosing warm tones to suit one’s skin tone, or blending lip colours for a more dimensional pout.

Larry’s Look
As for Larry, you’ll notice that his look’s more bold as he plays around with colour on the lips and eyes. “Romantic with an edge,” he tells us, since traditionally whimsical pinks and reds are re-interpreted in new and more daring ways, particularly with that dash of red liner on the waterline and intentionally smudged lips.

Makeup by Han Chew

Base:

1. Dior Prestige Le Nectar
2. Dior Presitge La Micro-Huile de Rose
3. Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation in 2N, 2WP, 3N

Brushes — no. 11, 12

Han dives in with his usual Dior serums to prep the skin, before going over the face with a trio of the Face and Body Foundation. What’s great about this series of base makeup is that it comes in 40 universal shades globally, and in 21 shades available here, which run across the spectrum of light to dark. They also rep 6 different skin undertones, whether’s you’re rosy, yellow, beige, or olive, for instance, so you’ll be able to find your best match. Both Larry and Han used 3 different foundations shades on Hanan, more to contour and create subtle dimension for her face — the darker 3N shade goes on the sides, while the lighter 2N goes in the centre.

Eyes:

1. Dior Backstage Eye Palette in 001 Warm Neutrals — Primer, Shimmer Copper, Matte Ochre, Shimmer Brown, Shimmer Beige
2. Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer
3. Diorshow New Look Mascara in 090

Brushes — no. 11, 21, 23

Hanan’s eyes here look like something you can create — and that’s the beauty of it; these are steps you already know, though elevated with more finesse. Han first places the Primer shade from Dior’s Warm Neutrals Eye Palette all over Hanan’s eye area with a foundation brush, which he prefers as the shade’s then more evenly spread out. Then, divide the eye into 3 sections — front, middle and back. Now, use an eyeshadow brush to place a light Shimmer Copper at the front and the darker Matte Ochre at the back; with the same brush, go over the ochre shade with Shimmer Brown, using a light hand. After that, use a clean fluffier brush to pick up the neutral Shimmer Beige, and place it in the middle while blending out the edges.

Brows:

Diorshow Brow Styler in 001 Universal Brown

Face:

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in 001 Universal — Blush Bronze, Blush Pink

We’re going for a natural look here, so you don’t want to go in too heavy-handed. Han creates a base of Blush Bronze on the side of Hanan’s face to achieve that subtle contoured effect, before going over with Blush Pink in the centre of the cheeks, and across the high points of her face. The concentrated mother-of-pearl elements here do the rest of the work for a natural, radiant glow.

Lips:

Dior Backstage Lip Palette in 001 Universal — Satin Peach, Matte Burgundy

Dior’s Lip Palette has 9 neutral shades, with the textures of a voluminising gloss, satin-finish, and mattes — that it’s so varied means you can pick just one shade for a mono look, or blend a couple together for a more ombre style. Here, Han opts for the latter. Satin Peach is used as a base, while Matte Burgundy goes on top, and is blended out from the centre of the lips, resulting in this natural finish by way of mixing these two textures. Another tip is that Han uses an eyeshadow brush instead of a lip one — the look doesn’t require precision, so he feels a more fluffy brush is able to have the colour go on less striking, and more everyday.

Makeup by Larry Yeo

Base:

Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation in 2N, 2WP, 3N

Brushes — no. 11, 12, 15

Once again, Larry uses 3 different foundations shades on for what he calls a “3-D effect” on Hanan’s face — 2N acts as the base, with 3N on the sides of her face, and 2WP on the higher planes of her face, including the forehead, nose and cheekbones.

Eyes:

1. Dior Backstage Contour Palette in 001 Universal — Contour Deep
2. Dior Backstage Eye Palette in 002 Cool Neutrals — Shimmer Purple & Matte Plum
3. Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in 001 Universal — Blush Pink
4. Diorshow On Stage Liner in 091 Matte Black
5. Diorshow On Stage Liner in 861 Matte Red
6. Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in 090

Brushes — no. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Larry starts off sculpting the eyes with the Contour Light shade as a base for the eyes, and blends it out all around the eye area in order to build structure. After that, he layers on 2 purple shades from the Eye Palette in Cool Neutrals, creating a romantic-smokey eye with Shimmer Purple and Matte Plum. What’s different here is that touch of red eyeliner — he goes for that pop of colour right underneath Hanan’s eyes instead, using gentle strokes along her lower lash line. The effect’s quite a bold graphic look, but still one that blends in harmoniously with the other mauve tones.

Brows:

Dior Backstage Brow Palette in 001 Light

Face:

1. Dior Backstage Contour Palette in 001 Universal
2. Dior Backstage Lip Palette in 001 Universal — Matte Amber, Matte Burgundy, Matte Berry
3. Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette — Blush Pink
4. Dior Capture Youth Redness Soother Age-delay Anti-redness Serum

You can tell that Larry’s a fan of Dior’s Capture Youth serum, which he uses once again to neutralise reddish tones — this time though, he’s using it a little less conventionally. He pumps out some serum into his palm, before picking up the powder pigments from the Glow Face Palette with a brush, Blush Pink in particular, and swirls them all together. With that new shimmery liquid, he pats that in the inner eye corner, as well as atop Hanan’s cheekbones as a highlight.

For the rest of the face, he uses the deeper shades from the Contour Palette to do a warm-toned contour, before applying some blush — except, this is the Lip Palette that Larry’s using! First, he picks up the colours on the bottom row (Matte Amber, Matte Burgundy, Matte Berry) with his fingers, then puts them on his palm before rubbing them together. The newly-smudged colour is then pressed lightly onto the cheeks, where it becomes this very natural flush.

Lips:

1. Dior Addict Lip Glow in 001
2. Dior Addict Lip Tattoo in 351

To perfect that look of imperfection (it’s a thing!), Larry prepares Hanan’s lips with the Dior Addict Lip Glow, and then taps on this pinkish-nude shade of the Dior Addict Lip Tattoo onto the centre of her lips, smudging it out slightly. You’re going for what beauty junkies know as the “just-bitten” lips look, or, intentionally making it look like you’ve worn lipstick for the entire day and your lips still look great. Since this one’s a long-lasting lip tint, we can imagine the look staying as impressive throughout the day.

 

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Dior Backstage Makeup, available at the Dior ION Boutique, MBS Boutique, and all Sephora stores from 5 July 2018.

 

PHOTOSHOOT CREDITS

Photographed by Adele Chan using the Nikon Df
Makeup by Han Chew and Larry Yeo
Hair by Pro Trim Hair Salon
Models, Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw and Hanan S. Helme Al-Johary
Assisted by Amelia Tan and Natalie Ng