The real unsung heroes of the Big Four (New York, London, Milan and Paris) fashion weeks are the runway makeup artists who with the help of their magic wands (brushes) wave the perfect looks to go with each collection as well as set the tone for the beauty trends that will be seen everywhere for each new season.

On Sunday night, American Designer LaQuan Smith debuted another sultry collection showing off brass sensuality for Spring/Summer 2019 and headlining the makeup backstage for his sexy in-your-face show was Bimpe Onakoya, Maybelline New York Nigeria’s Artistic Director.

With LaQuan’s own take sensuality, , the brand is known for putting nude, bare flashes of skin on the runways, and that always extends to the beauty look; toned down makeup and waist length weaves to allow each look speak for itself.

For their Spring 2019 collection, Bimpe worked with those aforementioned hallmarks. She was all about enhancing dewy, naked skin and as models including Winnie Harlow strutted down in cut-outs, bodycon shapes, and see-through textures, they glistened from head to toe and instantly upped the ante on “barely there” makeup.

 

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At first, this beauty look seems to be another natural no makeup-makeup situation. But take a closer look at the natural-toned lids, eyes were thinly rimmed with sharp winged eyeliner while their brushed out eyelashes and lids evoked a balmy mood.

For the lips, she used the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink: City Edition in Amazonian and Driver for just a touch of glamour – very 2018 insta-glam!

 

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Also at NYFW, Bimbe headlined the backstage beauty for Rochambeau, changing the narrative by brushing blush eyeshadow along the temples and focusing on head-turning pouts which she emphasized with bold deep blue lipstick (Maybelline Superstay matte ink lipstick).

 

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She also pried into red carpet beauty for Tanzanian top model Herieth Paul as she attended Maybelline New York‘s fashion week party over the weekend. She did dark smoky eyes and nude lips for the night.

 

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Photo Credit: Getty Images/ Brian Ach