Just went to the first show of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - Camilla & Marc - with Revlon, who sponsored the makeup. Have to share this great eye makeup tip with you right now . . . The models’ eyes, which were framed by long heavy fringes, popped with the sparkliest silver I’ve seen in a long time. You expect to see special effects at shows because makeup artists often use stage makeup. But for this show, the makeup director, Noni Smith, used the regular Revlon products you can buy in-store (mostly from the fab new limited edition colour range). Noni’s trick for making the eye makeup extra-sparkly? Layering. She started with the Molten Metal Liquid Shadow in Platinum Pinup ($23.95), painting it all over the upper lid and along the lower lashline, and followed up by brushing on Diamond Lust Sheer Shadow in Plantinum Play Thing ($23.95). “The trick is to apply the powder when the Molten Metal is still wet,” Noni told me. “That way it really grabs and stays put.”Speaking of Diamond Lust, an editor friend of mine was looking particularly fresh for a first-thing Monday morning. Her secret, she told me, was dabbing the shimmery powder shadow under her eyes – as in, over concealer, where dark circles would otherwise be. It kind of gives a pretty soft-focus effect.

The other big front-row trend I saw was black nails. They’re everywhere. Still. And no signs that it’s going to let up any time soon - Revlon told me that their Dark Pleasures Blacker Lacquer is one of their current top-sellers. I’d say every second girl this morning had fingernails dripping in some version of jet – whether super-glossy or metallic-shimmered. I, as usual, hadn’t gotten around to a mani this weekend, so went conspicuously au naturel. I did happen to have some black lingering from an old pedicure, but in the rush to get ready this morning, I didn’t realise that it had somehow chipped half off over the weekend. There’s nothing to make you feel a little ugly-betty than being at a fashion show, wearing two-seasons-old shoes and chipped nail polish, while everyone else is wearing next year’s boots and perfectly painted fingernails.

You also can’t help feeling a little dowdy when glamorous burlesque star is sitting close by, with her hair coiffed, lips lacquered (red, of course), and eyes liquid-lined so perfectly – all this at 9am. I’m not personally into her look, but still love it. She’s like a star from the days of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, when nobody went to buy milk without makeup. They certainly didn’t have sad little black chipped toes like myself. Think I may have to go and brush up my beauty act before tonight – I’m seeing Dita Von Teese do her lipstick act. Will report back tomorrow.

You’ve likely heard of Anthony Nader. He won last year’s Australian Hairdresser of the Year award. He writes a weekly column for NW magazine. And his Sydney salon, Raw, is one of the most popular beuty spots in town. But there’s so much more to his story to tell . . .

What’s your signature hairstyling look?

“I like to keep hair real with masses of texture and movement - think Drew Barrymore. I love hair that moves. To achieve this look, apply a sea-salt beach spray into damp hair and rake through with your fingers. Twist your hair in chunky sections and dry with a diffuser.”

What would we find in your kit?

“Bumble & Bumble Hair Powder in every colour ($68, from selected Mecca Cosmetica stores, see Mecca Cosmetica for details). Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom ($36, from Mecca Cosmetica). And L’Oréal Elnett Hairspray (not available in Australia).” (more…)

For most effective eye-lining, try angling your pencil down towards lashes, rather than up. This way, you’ll be able to etch more closely along the lashline, which will not only better define your eyes, but also make lashes looks lusher.

A beautyeditor.com.au favourite: Stila Kajal Eye Pencil ($36, from Mecca Cosmetica), which comes in gorgeous amtheyst and emerald shades, as well as a sexy, smoking black.

Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation, $31 from Priceline, or call 1800 181 040 for information. With a name like this, you can’t help but have high expectations for a foundation, right? Well you won’t be disappointed. This has to be one of the loveliest bases out there, giving skin a gorgeous, fresh, dewy look. Yours truly has tested this after too big a night out and too little sleep (all in the line of duty, of course), and can attest that it does indeed make you look like you’ve had an angelic night in (if only it could also fix bleary eyes and a sore head).

Elizabeth Arden Go Red for Women Color Intrigue Eyeshadow, $58, from department stores, for a limited time. A palette of four very wearable brown shades. But most importantly, Elizabeth Arden will donate a portion of the proceeds of each sale to the Go Red for Women programme, which is supported by the World Heart Foundation in its bid to raise awareness of cardiovascular health.

Kiehl’s Lip Gloss, $22, from Kiehl’s Paddington (02 9326 9980), Mecca Cosmetica and selected David Jones. Kiehl’s’ lip gloss pots in Goldenberry and Black Raspberry have long been cult beauty buys. Now they’re joined by four pretty new shades, come in handy tubes, and boast a formulation that’s jam-packed with goodness: beta carotene, vitamin E, and extracts of mango, grapeseed, rosehip and apricot kernel. Upshot is, a super-creamy, gorgeous-to-wear gloss.

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Miracle Reds collection, $13.95 each, from selected pharmacies, department and variety stores, or call 13300 369 327 for information. Available May only. The perfect lipsticks to take you into winter. The formulation is gorgeously moisturising, not to mention pigment-drenched. The four reds are strong enough to liven up a pale face, without being overpowering: Sweet Berry is a pretty, girlie red; Cupid’s Rose a warm, brownish red; on-The-Town Red is a dark berry; while, Scarlet Flower is a glamorous movie-star-style red.