Backstage Beauty with Amy Conway: From LFW to Hood

Fresh from the backstage buzz of London Fashion Week, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist Amy Conway touched down in Edinburgh this weekend to host a series of sold-out masterclasses at the Bobbi Brown store. Straight from working the shows at Emilia Wickstead and Erdem, Amy brought with her a wealth of insider knowledge, backstage secrets, and fresh-faced trends that had every seat filled with eager beauty fans.

Hood sat down with Amy to talk LFW looks, why “no makeup” makeup is having a major moment, and how to bring a little bit of runway magic to your everyday routine.

Let’s start with Emilia Wickstead – what was the inspiration this season?

Emilia’s aesthetic is always very strong, feminine, and classic with a modern edge – think beautiful tailoring and bold patterns. The look we created backstage, led by Bobbi Brown’s Global Artistic Director Hannah Murray, was all about soft 60s-inspired definition.

We prepped the skin with Vitamin Enriched Face Base, followed by Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation. On the eyes, we used the Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in a brand-new shade, Cappuccino, to give a soft contour across the lids, then added definition through the crease for a subtle nod to that classic 60s shape. It was very minimal, very polished.

And for Erdem? The story there sounded really personal…

Yes! I’ve led the Erdem show for four seasons now and this year’s muse was actually someone alive – which is a first for Erdem! He was inspired by an old art school friend, Kate Donoghue, who painted an abstract portrait of his late mother. Her expressive, painterly prints appeared throughout the collection and really informed the feel of the show.

So we kept things ultra natural – enhancing each model’s unique features. Skin was glowing thanks to Vitamin Enriched Face Base and our Skin Foundation. We applied everything with a very light touch, almost like painting – finding each girl’s natural flush and building on that with a new product we’re obsessed with: Pot Rouge Velvet Matte (coming soon!). It gives this beautiful ‘watercolour blush’ effect that’s seamless, soft and skin-like. A little on the lips too for that just-walked-through-the-countryside freshness.

No mascara – is that a trend we should be trying at home?

Backstage, skipping mascara keeps things feeling very high fashion and editorial. It allows the rest of the face – particularly skin and brows – to take the spotlight. For Erdem, we wanted that almost powdery, diffused lash look. But to make the look more wearable, I always say – add a little Smokey Eye Mascara or layer up with a waterproof topcoat for longevity and hold.

If you struggle with curl, here’s my favourite trick: curl the lashes, then go straight in with a waterproof mascara. It’s like hairspray for your lashes – it sets the shape and holds it all day.

Any other hero products that are essential backstage?

Always the base. Our Corrector and Creamy Concealer are essential for perfecting and evening out skin. I carry a BBU palette that has every shade, but for everyday use, you just need your perfect match. That trifecta – corrector, concealer, foundation – is honestly the key to making any look sing, whether you’re doing a graphic liner or a barely-there face.

And what about lips – how do we choose the right tone?

For Erdem, we used the new Velvet Matte Pot Rouge in various shades, depending on each girl’s natural lip tone. That’s a great place to start – your natural lip tone tells you everything. I always recommend trying lip colours on your fingertips and holding them up to your lips. It’s the quickest way to see what works with your undertones.

Sometimes the pot looks gorgeous, but once it’s on the face, the shade tells a totally different story – so trust your skin and your natural tones.

Discover: Amy Conway’s Top 10 Bobbi Brown Must-Haves >>