Meet the Makeup Artist Who Used Only Skincare on Models at Fashion Week
May 26 | 4 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
Even in the flurry of adrenaline-pumping activity that takes place before a fashion show, you’ll find Isabella cleansing, Gua Sha-ing, massaging, exfoliating and LED mask-ing each model’s skin to dewy perfection – all before she even picks up a makeup brush.
In Isabella’s chair, skin prep is arguably as important as the products that come after it. It’s only natural – in tandem with her 25 years as a makeup artist, she’s also a trained skin therapist. “This experience has really allowed me to understand all skin textures and tones,” she explains. “I know how to bring out the best in every model’s skin and know if you get the skin right, everything else is a bonus.”
For Beare Park’s highly anticipated Pre-Fall 2025 show at Australian Fashion Week, Isabella’s skincare-centric philosophy took a front row seat. Known for her sharp tailoring and effortless, elegant wardrobe staples, the brand’s creative director Gabriella Pereira described the collection as “a real reflection on the concept of coming of age.”
Paired with scoop-neck silk tanks, fluid floor-length slips and twill mini shorts, the models wore only bare, radiant skin – a look Isabella achieved using Lorde’s favourite New Zealand-based beauty brand, Emma Lewisham.
“The Emma Lewisham formulations we used at the show, with the brand new Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum as our key product, provided the ultimate luminous base and really gave the models the kind of amazing skin that we all want,” Isabella explains, reflecting on the chartreuse silk and lace-laden runway.
To fulfil the brief of “natural… glowing skin with a little definition around the eyes”, Isabella created a bespoke Emma Lewisham skincare ritual. “All the models received mini facials incorporating lots of facial massaging,” she says. “First, I used the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser and Illuminating Face Exfoliant to remove dullness and brighten the skin… Then, I applied about three to four drops of the Supernatural Face Oil and used a cryo cold tool to really work it into the skin.”
After a quick eye-brightening application of the Skin Reset Eye Crème, Isabella finished her skin ritual with the new Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum. The latest addition to the brand’s unique Sunceutical range, the Mineral Glow Serum is a skincare-SPF hybrid that delivers effortless radiance. In short, it’s a formula so glow-giving, you’ll want to use it long after the sun’s gone down, which is exactly what Isabella did for Beare Park’s Tuesday evening show.
New to the skin prep game and want in on the action? Isabella’s advice is to keep it simple and look for ingredients that bring out the best in your complexion. “Cleansing and exfoliating are key, and an overnight mask like Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Sleeping Mask is the perfect hydrating product under any makeup.”
*ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
