5 beauty trends started by Canadian artists at New York Fashion Week

A new season brings new trends, looks that are distilled from the runway and that typically are launched with the kick off Fashion Week in New York City. Backstage, a group of beauty professionals dream up the looks we're about to see everywhere. These pros are highly-talented, creative and in many cases, they're Canadian! We caught up with five of them to talk about the making of our soon-to-be new favourite trends, and how to make them accessible. Here's everything you really need to know about the hit looks, and how best to recreate them at home.

Jorge Joao, Redken International Artist 

Seasons at NYFW: 8

The look: "At Taoray Wang, we worked with natural texture," says Joao about the lived-in, low ponytail bun the team created for the show. "It was like she had a long day at the office and she's heading out, so she grabbed her hair and tied it into a little knot at the back of her head and off to one side."

Why it's a trend: The 'effortless look' is huge right according to Joao. "You're seeing the whole industry really focused on that because people are just kind of caught up in life, and easy natural hair is something people relate to," he explains. "Day two, day three hair is real life. I think that's what designers are looking at, to connect their collections with person that's watching."

How to nail it at home: "Don't overdo the hair" says Joao. "Grab random pieces of hair and give them a slight curl or a bend using an iron," he instructs. Don't forget about product either, says Joao who recommends applying dry shampoo first for texture. "The key product for this look is Redken's Iron Shape 11 just to give hair some kind of hold and memory."

Caitlin Callahan, M•A•C Senior Artist

Seasons at NYFW: 8

The look: "At Jeremy Scott, we did a black smokey eye designed by Kabuki", says Callahan of the look that was decidedly smudged. "We used a pencil to create the shape then a black, patent liner on the lid. It was stunning in its drama, and simplicity."

Why it's a trend: "What makes these looks modern and interesting is what's missing," says Callahan. No big eyebrow or lashes she continues. "It's easy to achieve and any colour can be substituted for black," she says. "But only one colour, it needs to stand alone."

How to nail it at home: "Find an eye pencil you love, such as M•A•C Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Smoulder, and draw from the inside of your lid to the outside through the crease," says Callahan. Next, using a soft brush blend the colour down on the lid and brush a little under the eye. "For a tiny bit more drama, use a liquid liner in the same shade to smudge over the lid, such as the Brushstroke Liner in Brushblack," she says. And most importantly: "Remember, no mascara or brow takes you into Fall/Winter 2019!"

Rita Remark, Lead Nail Artist for essie Canada + Lead Global Educator 

Seasons at NYFW: 14

The look: "For Khaite, every nail model wore one coat of essie's sheer pink 'skinny dip,' but the index finger of her left hand wore the brand's initial: "K," says Remark. "The placement of the "K" was intentional as that was the hand that held all of the designer luggage in the show. We even matched the font to the brands logo using essie's black, 'licorice.'"

Why it's a trend: While monogramming is a trend that has been big for the past year, nail art can be focused on one or two fingers is the new direction for this season says Remark. "Rather than seeing our nails matching works of art, why not see all ten as the canvas and let some fingers hold all of the focus? I think by adding less to some nails and plenty to others, you're creating a design that, while minimal, packs a lot of impact simply by being different."

How to nail it at home: According to Remark it can be tricky to polish fine nail art designs on both hands. "The great thing about this look is that the design is only on one hand, so if you have a steady hand, it would be easy to recreate this look using a fine detail brush, polished on your non-dominant hand," she advises. "I'd recommend using your own initials for your at home mani."

Mandy Macfadden, Backstage Artist

Seasons at NYFW: 2

The look: "There was this designer Cong Tri who showed for the first time," says Macfadden of one of her favourite shows. "We used Dyson dryers to blow-dry hairspray into dry hair and make a ponytail," she continues. "It gave the ponytail a really sleek centre part. Then we did a knot in the hair and pinned it," she says. "...we sprayed hairspray really close to the hair to keep it super sleek and strong."

Why it's a trend: "A few seasons ago, we were seeing lots of wet hair, then we were seeing lots of dry hair," explains Macfadden. "When we blow dried the hairspray into the hair, it gave it that look of being like formed and crisp. The visual of the texture is different," she says.

How to nail it at home: "Brush, brush, brush to make your ponytail nice and clean," says Macfadden. "Use a long tail comb to create a nice side part," she adds. "Keep applying hairspray and brushing, and then finish with a lot of hairspray."

Grace Lee, Lead Makeup Artist for Maybelline New York Canada 

Seasons at NYFW: 12

The look: "At Rebecca Minkoff, it really was this romantic blurred red pink lip. The designer had this vision of the girls vacationing in Ibiza, so we kept the skin very dewy and natural," says Lee. After highlighting the eyes with a bit of silver gel pencil to make the eyes pop on the runway, Lee and her team applied just a coat of mascara on the top lashes.

Why it's a trend: Lee says she saw a lot of bold lips for NYFW. "With Maybelline making a red lipstick that's made for all skin tones which hopefully means women will be more open to trying the colour now," says Lee. "It's a look that keeps coming back because it's so classic. You really can't go wrong with a red lip."

How to nail it at home: "Get the Maybelline Red For All Lipstick," advises Lee. Those who are a bit scared about applying a red lip, should start with a stain, just tapping it on with your finger at the centre of the lips. "With the Rebecca Minkoff look, it's really about creating a lot of colour at the centre of the lips and then having it blur out at the edges, so it doesn't look like you have a striking red lip on."