The 2017 Victoria’s Secret Runway Show featured their most diverse model lineup ever – 55 models from over 20 countries. The hair and makeup teams customised looks to suit individual models, embracing uniqueness by upping the smoulder and embracing individuality. The finished look was the best smokey eye you’ll ever see meets natural hair textures.
“We have 55 girls with different skin tones and different complexions so we want to make the best of it. We don’t want the Victoria’s Secret girls to look identical. They have been specifically chosen because of their unique beauty so we want to keep that. We don’t want soldiers.” – Tom Pecheux
The makeup: Smoldering smokey eyes
The classic smoky eye was given an Angel-inspired twist by switching out the usual black shadows for taupes and luminizers.
“Taupe and brown shades were applied with a smudged brown liner on the lower lashline that was swept up and blended into eye shadow. Highlighter was added to the inner corner of the eye for a sexy, glowing effect. Add a double coat of mascara on lashes for extra definition, then further sculpt you face with rosy blush and plenty of bronzer.
A perfect pout is the finishing touch, with nude lips
“Some girls have a very bright natural pink lip colour so that is going to tone it down a bit, some girls have pale lips, and we will still use it as a base. Two or three girls will have it on their own. But most girls will have it mixed with another one of the shades.” – Tom Pecheux
The hair: Bombshell bedhead
Lead hairstylist Anthony Nada explained how the show’s location influenced the show’s style. “Shanghai is – from what I hear and what I’ve read – the hub of cool in China,” he said. “In a sense with the hair being a cool and rock ‘n’ roll, it lends itself to the fact that Shanghai is a young and vibrant city.”
The imperfectly perfect bombshell waves are inspired by a girl who has been out all night and wakes up with that bedhead hair. “She’s been to a party, and she met a boy. This her day-after hair that’s a lot more relaxed,” Nader told PopSugar.
“If girls have got great curly hair, we’re not blowing them out. We are just enhancing what they’ve already got and making it a better version.”
Everyone else will the get the usual hair extensions (if needed), a blowout, and soft waves. “We’re making it feel more broken, more lived-in, more the-day-after-the-night before,” Nadar said. “She’s been out having fun all night. She’s been on the red carpet because she’s that glamorous-event [going] type of girl.”
How to recreate the look at home:
Global ambassador ghd and curl connoisseur, Adam Reed, gives his tips:
- A good blow-dry is essential to set the foundation of the hair before tonging it. Blow-dry hair smooth using the ghd air® hairdryer ($250) and ghd Ceramic Vented Radial Brush size 4 ($35).
- Once blow-dried spritz hair with ghd Curl Hold Spray ($26) and use the ghd curve® classic curl tong ($270) throughout the hair to create waves. Wind small sections of hair around the tong, wrapping hair in one direction, away from the face. This will give a beautiful modern and voluminous wave.
- Brush through hair with a ghd paddle brush ($39) and then gently shake the curls out using your hands for a tousled, sexy and modern finish.
- Finally spray ghd Final Fix Hairspray ($26) all over to hold the style in place.
