Backstage Beauty: Fall 2012 Haute Couture | Christian Dior

Inspired by Christian Dior's architectural vision, Simons' designs boasted familiar silhouettes with new, contemporary touches—a message he translated to hairstylist Guido Palau and makeup artist Pat McGrath. Gone were the coiffed couture updos, the perfect red lips, and the winged black liner of old. In their place: air-dried, blunt-cut middle parts; matte, multi-tonal mouths; and electric cat-eyes with coloured lashes.

Designed by Dior creative director of makeup Tyen, the palette of colors employed backstage was positively futuristic. Using a full-coverage skin tint, like CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation dusted with its Pressed Powder, Pat McGrath kept complexions paled out and matte, save for a slight contour on cheekbones that she created with a pink blush. She then turned her attention to eyes that came in four different iterations, all of which boasted two unifying factors in the form of white kohl liner along the inner rims and a thick slick of chrome cream eye shadow, like CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast in Platinum Pop.

Five Favourites: April 2012

I'm such a beauty product junkie its been ridiculously hard for me to whittle down to just one item of; make-up, haircare, skincare, bodycare & nail product I've relied the most on throughout April...

Skinccare-wise, I could'nt ever live without my faithful Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (£41). Three drops per night, I promise will transform your skin. From blemishes to wrinkles, uneven skin tone to scars - this is your one-stop product. This has been a particular favourite throughout April with me spending a week in the sun on the Tropic of Cancer with a daily UV index of 12, Advanced Night Repair helps to prevent from UV & environmental damage to the the skins cells DNA.

To stop the dry skin on my body becoming hard, dull and flaky I need to reguarly exfoliate and my new favourite bodycare find this month is the Origins Ginger Body Scrub (£32). Not only have I been tempted to eat it several times, its just as effective at banishing dead skin as the ginger fragrance is long-lasting.

For me, Barry M nail varnish is always a winner. At around £3 for a bottle, the selection of colours are amazing with good pigmentation & coverage. Although they are prone to chip after a day or two - its nothing a coat of OPI top coat won't save. I'm not a fan of pastel, bright or garish colours on my fingers, I feel natural or dark looks far more sophisticated & elegant, Barry M Black/Red Nail Varnish (£3) is my new favourite find.

Morrocan Oil (£29.95) has completley changed my hair. It repairs, conditions, de-tangles, strenghens, smooths and adds shine. I've used the oil religiously every night since June 2011, applying one pump to wet hair prior to blowdrying after my leave-in conditioner. My hair has never grown so quickly, snapped as little or been so managable. On holiday, I spent several days with four or five pumps spread through my whole hair and tied back to give it a deep condition - WOW. The best idea I had without doubt through April!

My favourite new make-up purchase of April is Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna (£25). Of couse I've heard it raved about on countless occasions, but always re-purchased Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep for fear of the shimmer running through Laguna (bronzer with shimmer does not make me happy). What I was afraid of, I have no idea! This bronzer applies the mattest of the matte, the dark base is perfect not only for creating a not-at-all orange summer glow but creates the best contour lines of any bronzer I've ever tried!

What have your favourites been throughout April?

Rachel x