Fashion News

Backstage glamour at the Oscars, what the pros have in their arsenals

By April MacIntyre Mar 9, 2010, 0:53 GMT

Red lips, skintight gowns and perfect skin were the most sought after accessories for women on Oscar night, Sandra Bullock after her Oscar win EPA/RICHARD HARBAUGH / A.M.P.A.S

One of the nice things about covering TV and so many productions over the years is the great intel we get on who is wearing what when it comes to clothes, shapewear, makeup and skincare.

Unfiltered, straight out of the wardrobe and makeup rooms, no glossy advertorial layouts in fashion magazines, but the real deal, the good stuff we need to know about. 

Last night's Oscar telecast piped out of the Kodiak theater was ground zero for two of our Monsters and Critics' moles who ferreted about and got some great product information from the pros who dressed and made up some of the stars and dancers for the Oscars.

The one item that was mandatory for all it seemed was on the spot self tanning, supplied by St. Tropez.  Their team of artists were there bronzing the legs and arms of many a dancer.  This is the same product that Emmy winning "Dancing with the Stars" Dept. head Makeup artist Melanie Mills relies on for the entire season of the hit dance competition.  The resultant color it imparts is a true tan shade, no orange hues.

Also in heavy rotation, observed on many makeup bays was St. Tropez' makeup finishers that include the matte Bronzing Powder, my favorite new item introduced about a year ago, and Radiance Mousse, a light gel creme that easily works on foundation and powder plush, or bare skin to give a refined blast of color and subtle sheen.

Higher intensity finish came with St. Tropez Bronzing Rocks, these odd looking Flintstone pebbles in a pretty Lucite box are easy to apply with a large powder brush and is used from face to leg and everywhere in between.  The gleam imparted is more intense than the Mousse and like all these St. Tropez products, can be used for face and body.

Locking in a finished makeup is key, especially for those performing in dance.  The artists were seen using Skindinavia finish spray in quick 2-4 sprays over finished makeup. 

The artists kept the spray about 8-10 inches from the face, and it was described as a weightless finish that dries completely in seconds.  The most popular one in use was Skindinavia's 10 Years Younger Makeup Finish than took away a powdered dry look from the makeup and made skin look refreshed.

Skincare was a much discussed topic inside the makeup rooms and many people complimented each other on radiant complexions, and several products were overheard mentioned as miracle workers.

Patricia Wexler's ballyhooed Night creme is under $50

One creme that was recommended was Patricia Wexler's Intensive Night Reversal & Repair creme in a jar.

Another actress nominated for an award was overheard swearing by the CosMedix line, as she had Rosacea issues and regularly got chemical and laser peels to keep the breakouts common to that skin condition at bay.

Items she mentioned included CosMedix Rescue Balm, CosMedix Eye Believe and CosMedix Define resurfacing treatment that she said initially "felt like a thousand tiny little burning cigarettes being stubbed out at once," with the stinging abating quickly, and then the next day her complexion looked five years younger and poreless. 

CosMedix eye believe

She did admit that she had slathered on the Define cream without reading the directions which noted only a pea size was to be used for the whole face.

Interesting to note that an everyday drugstore/supermarket body moisturizer was relied on by many, Curél Itch Defense lotion - an effective lotion that was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance - was favored for legs that quickly go ashy and dry in Los Angeles coastal desert climate.

Votre Vu's Eye Gelee

Another body moisturizer seen to be a favorite was Votre Vu's Tarte d'Amande Souffle Riche pour le corps, a rich, almond-scented creme that made people make nummy noises when they smelled it.  Votre Vu's eye gelee was favored by several artists for the quick depuffing action it had too.

Kevyn Aucoin concealers and creme pot foundations were heavily relied on, as the pigment-rich formula covers with a smidge, according to one artist working on the presenters backstage. 

Kevyn Aucoin concealer pot foundation

Also being used was the Armani foundation, and were de rigeur false lashes that were supplied in mass amounts by M.A.C., a favorite of the many pro artists working hard backstage at the Kodiak.  The one hot lip pencil heard being shouted for continuously was M.A.C. cream pencil in Amber Ember.

Talk veered from favorite lipsticks (vivid rich reds from the Julie Hewett makeup line were popular) to shapewear and discussions over which brand really whittled a woman down.

Julie Hewett's Noir Reds, heavily in rotation at the Oscars

One wardrober shared that Spanx brands may be popular, by for serious on camera magic slimming that they often recommended the Kymaro line of shapers to their more meaty actresses who needed some real help in the mid section and upper thighs.

Kymaro shaper

The Kymaro line, like Spanx, are meant to be stepped into and worked up the body and their design also forces shoulders back and busts up. We found out that Kymaro Body Shapers were used regularly by models like Carolyn Murphy, Cintia Dicker and Lily Donaldson and even Lady Gaga and Oscar winner Mo'Nique, who swore by the shapewear. 

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' TV and celebrity Editor, since 2004. Twitter