Models Share Their Fashion Week Beauty Survival Strategies
by Celia Ellenberg & Laura Regensdorf
New York Fashion Week often acts as a barometer for the industry's freshest faces-and this season, newcomers Vanessa Axente and Sam Rollinson are emerging as early designer favorites. Rollinson, a dark-haired British beauty who hails from Yorkshire, has graced runways from Rag & Bone and Jason Wu to Rodarte and Altuzarra, while Hungarian-born Axente has snapped up coveted spots in Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, and Alexander Wang. We caught up with them backstage this morning. Here, they share the beauty essentials that keep them healthy and glowing through late-night fittings, whirlwind show schedules, and endless makeup applications.
SAM ROLLINSON
In terms of beauty products, what's carrying you through Fashion Week?
"Carmex lip balm. A classic, really. I seem to use a lot. Lipstick makes make my lips really dry, so I'm putting that on like there's no tomorrow. I've also got a Clarins moisturizer in my bag. I think it has SPF in it, because it's quite sunny here, isn't it? My fragile skin-my fragile English skin might get burned! But no, I don't burn that easily, actually, to be honest. I just read somewhere that you should always wear it, even in winter, apparently. The sun can get you anywhere. Probably not in here, though!"
Are you into makeup?
"I do like wearing lipstick, but I don't like having to reapply it all the time. So I have this one, it's called [Dior] Lip Glow, and you put it on and it makes your lips more pink gradually, but it doesn't wear off, like a stain. If you keep putting it on, it makes the color pop more, but if you just leave it, it's fine as it is. No one will look at you and think, Oh, she needs to put more lipstick on."
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What's the best thing about having short hair? Less time with hair backstage, for one?
"Yes, which is amazing. I like that. Plus, I don't really do my hair anyway. I just sort of dry it. If I'm feeling adventurous, I'll put a bit of hair spray in it. That's it. My hair's so thick, I like the Aussie shampoo called Miracle Moist. It's from Boots in London."
Things you keep in your bag, or wish you did?
"I carry around Yorkshire Tea bags, because the tea here is a bit horrendous, really! I'm not going to lie. Lipton and all that-ugh, it's horrible. So I just carry my own and I'm safe!"
Are you a green juice person?
"No, I'm a bit scared of the green juice! If I want broccoli, I'll eat it. If I want juice, I want a tasty fruit one. I don't want a broccoli juice. I did have one earlier though. It was the berry kind, and that was quite nice."
Highlights of the week?
"I did Marc by Marc, which was fun. One highlight yesterday was having a nice meal. I had a steak at the Mercer Kitchen and it was so good. I was so satisfied. Whenever I go for a meal, I get a steak. It always seems to be the best thing on the menu."
VANESSA AXENTE
Is there anything you do for yourself before-or during-the collections to make sure the constant wear-and-tear doesn't get to you?
"I take a lot of vitamins-vitamin C, E, fish oils-I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, sometimes meats, whatever my body needs. When I come to New York, I love to go to Whole Foods."
Even after six days of shows, your skin still looks pretty flawless. Do you have a regimen you like to stick to, even when traveling?
"I'm always using La Roche-Posay face spray and cream, and Chanel cleansing water. I don't wear much sunscreen, though, because I usually wear a hat. I don't like to put too much on my face."
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What about color? When you're not having your makeup done backstage, what do you stock your bag with?
"I really only use mascara. I'm always looking for a good one. I was using a Saint Laurent one a few years ago, and now I'm using one by Chanel."
You have amazing brows. Who typically does them? Do you have any favorite, local beauty haunts in Hungary?
"I live in a very small village, so for spas you need to go to Budapest. I don't do my brows, but sometimes I have to let other people [on set and backstage] do them. This summer, I was in Slovenia and Italy with my family, and I had more than one month off, so I let them grow in!"
Any favorite things to do in New York when you're not running between shows?
"I love to get Japanese food. We don't have good sushi in Hungary!"
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