What’s in our bag? Essentials the FJ team can’t go without at Melbourne Fashion Week

Concealer, caffeine, Clear Eyes.

Once again, the time has come for us to run around Melbourne like headless chickens, taking in all the creative offerings from the city’s brightest fashion minds. With seven premium runways, plus many showcases and events to attend during Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW), we have our outfits planned and on standby at FJ HQ to prevent any last-minute meltdowns.

But from now until Sunday, our beauty routines unavoidably become chaotic. You’ll see us applying lip liner in the back of Ubers, swiping on extra layers of deodorant in the office, and ducking into laneways to dry-shampoo.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

As a long-term media partner, we have a mix of M/FW veterans and newbies in the FJ office, all with our own approach to beauty prep. These are the products, tools, contraptions (and snacks!) getting us through the busy days and late nights.

Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor

This is my first Fashion Week, so I’m equal parts excited and nervous! I usually feel my best when I’m having a good skin day and as someone with combination and acne-prone skin, its hard to predict which way it’ll go. My essentials are the Eco Tan Organic Face Tan Water, which I usually dab on the night before for a nice glow, and the Kosas concealer to hide any under-eye bags and blemishes. And it almost goes without saying, but caffeine – in any form. From a flat white, to a matcha or even a cheeky espresso martini, caffeine is always an essential.

Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Executive

This is now my sixth Fashion Week with FJ, so I like to think I have my essentials down-pat. The night before any event I use a Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel – it’s pricey but I swear by its instant exfoliating results, it makes my makeup sit so much smoother. A long-lasting perfume is another vital product to carry – I’m loving anything from Korres at the moment.

Attending M/FW as media usually means the days are long. While I wouldn’t trade it for the world, if I’m not keeping my energy sustained, spending a full day in the office then heading straight to a runway has the potential to run me into the ground. Coffee and snacks I can consume on-the-go are my best friend, an iced long black is my usual weapon of choice.

Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor

At this point, I’ve lost count of how many Fashion Weeks I’ve attended. I’ve had many fumbled and shameless attempts to be captured by street style photographers in my formative years and now, I realise I’m just there to work. I barely bother with makeup anymore (I’m glad Pamela Anderson made it cool), and instead focus on maintaining my skincare routine and energy levels while my work hours are long. 

I keep my skincare fairly simple, with the exception of a lengthy NuFace microcurrent routine each day. To make up the time, I’ll skip a hair wash and instead lean heavily into a slick bun throughout the week. The Matte Balm from Kings Domain (borrowed from my partner) is my current favourite, it has a strong hold which my frizz-prone hair need. It also doubles as a brow gel, so it gets a good run in our household. As for a drink, I’m partial to a glass or two of champagne throughout the week. Melbourne Fashion Week is a celebration of industry, after all!

Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager

During Fashion Week my goals are to 1. Have fun and 2. Not look like I’ve been having too much. My essentials are the Go-to Transformazing Sheet Mask, popped on before makeup it makes your skin look really plump and awake. The Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil is essential to keep my hair looking healthy – for a busy week, longevity is key. For goal #1 of fun, a gin martini post-show at Gimlet is another essential.

Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor

This is my first M/FW but it’s not my first rodeo. Learning from my mistakes at New Zealand Fashion Week last year, my beauty essentials are much more practical. In my bag is a pack of Band-Aid Blister Cushions for emergency relief from ouchies, Santa Maria Novella breath mints to stay fresh (in a chic way), some heavy-duty lip balm and Clear Eyes so I look alive. I also got my nails done last week and did my at-home hair gloss so I will look semi-put-together even if I have to get ready in an Uber. For sustenance, smoothies from Green Refectory, Diet Cokes and a constant supply of tamari almonds keep my energy up.

To view Melbourne Fashion Week’s full program, head here.