The Socially-Distanced Beauty Looks at the Dior 2021 Cruise Runway Show

In the midst of COVID-19, the Dior Show must go on. Backstage at Dior is usually such a scene: Cameras flashing, models assuming the position, clothes carefully labeled and lined up on racks, clipboards full of checklists are everywhere you turn, and editors can be found huddled closely in the crowd. This year, Dior did their 2021 Cruise Show a little differently. In the heart of Italy, the show took place in Lecce, Puglia on July 22, and it was fashion with a futuristic take.

Instead of standing in line then chatting it up with your seat buddies, everything was done virtually, allowing guests across the globe to stream the show online. Models were there, getting done up backstage then walking the runway an appropriate distance away from each other and the crowd. And there was no shortage of excitement with the stage set-up, which was decked with a masked orchestra, a dancer, and a colorful assortment of lights. The scene was glorious—I def pulled out my popcorn to watch the 26-minute show.

Zoom was the new backstage. Beauty editors joined Peter Peter Philips, creative and image director of Dior, to get details on the look. The beauty vibe was far from overly done up and very much so aligned with the way many of us have approached our hair, makeup, and skin during quarantine: Natural.

"The look is luminous," Peter Peter Philips told myself and a group of editors over Zoom. "It embodies a strong confident woman who looks radiant without being blinding. It’s about well-hydrated skin and using products to enhance a natural glow without having added shine.” Philips intentionally did not use powder or products containing a pearlescent luster to bring out each model's inner glow. There were 47 models and Philips says, "We had a very diverse casting because it's a look that fits every woman."

Backstage at a Social Distance

Each model had their own set of products and their mascara had their names on them. "No brushes, mascaras, or lip products were shared or mixed," Philips pointed out. "Our organization backstage was almost like a military operation and it worked well. This is a weird period with COVID-19. It doesn’t change much on the makeup looks that we do, but it does change the mechanisms of how we apply. I’ve always been very proud of the way that I push for hygiene. Since we’re touching people’s faces it’s key to be careful. With this situation, we’ve pushed it to the extreme.”

Skin

Each model's skin was prepped with the Capture Totale C.el.l. Energy Super Potent Serum ($85) and Capture Totale C.e.l.l. Energy Face Cream ($110), followed by the Dior Backstage Primer and Foundation ($40). Philips is a fan of the serum because when you apply it, it gives you shine without looking creamy or greasy. "It gives the skin a luminous lift and is the perfect base," he said. As for the base, "You don’t need much and it helps you set up your foundation."

Eyes

It was all about the lashes, using the new Diorshow Iconic Overcurl 090 Black Mascara ($30), which boasts volumizing and curling powers. "To intensify the eyes while still looking natural, I curled the eyelashes then coated the upper row with the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl 090 Black Mascara," Philips explained in a press release. "This meant I could open up the eye without any overdone effect or any overloading." The brows were kept natural with a bit of "discipline" using the Diorshow Brow Styler and Pump N' Brow.

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Lips

Philips and his team began by prepping and smoothing the lips, the most important step for a perfect application, with the Dior Sugar Lip Scrub 001 ($34). Then, one of my all-time favorite Dior products was applied, the Dior Lip Maximizer 001 Pink ($34), for a little extra. To subdue the shine, the lips were blotted with tissue.

Then, each model safely sashayed down the runway wearing epically done designs and jewels under Maria Grazia Chiuri's vision. Enjoy!

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