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Backstage at New York Fashion Week is chaotic in the best way — hair flying, makeup brushes everywhere and glam teams moving fast. I was right in the middle of it at Alice + Olivia, Cult Gaia and Christian Siriano, watching runway looks come together in real time. And the real surprise? The MVP products weren’t ultra-exclusive secrets — they’re affordable and effective items available right on Amazon.
TRESemmé was working overtime backstage — from halo braids at Cult Gaia to sleek, sculpted styles at Christian Siriano. I stood just feet away as Paige DeSorbo smoothed flyaways with the Instant Fix Styling Stick before stepping into the show. And over at Altuzarra and Kallmeyer, the NuFACE Trinity+ and Saie’s Glowy Super Gel were setting the tone for lifted, luminous skin.
At Alice + Olivia, I watched lashes go from subtle to statement thanks to Westmore Beauty’s 60-Second Lash Effects Mascara. Meanwhile, amika’s Texture Spray was misted through waves for that cool, lived-in finish. Everywhere I turned, these were the products pros reached for on repeat. Ahead, I’m breaking down all 18 standouts — and yes, some start at just $6.
18 Beauty Products I Saw in Glam Kits at NYFW
Hair
1. Flyaway Fix: For Paige DeSorbo’s appearance at Christian Siriano, stylist Mitchell Ramazon reached for the TRESemmé Instant Fix Styling Stick to minimize flyaways and perfect the hairline. One quick swipe kept everything perfectly in place.
2. Soft-Wave Staple: The HOT Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron helped shape loose, airy waves and polished updos at Alice + Olivia. Off the runway, it’s also a top-rated Amazon favorite.
3. Airy Volume Favorite: Stylists at Alice + Olivia relied on amika’s un.done Spray to give waves and updos that airy, just-right hold. Amazon shoppers are loving it too — over 2,000 purchased it last month.
4. Halo Braid Hero: At Cult Gaia, Evanie Frausto relied on TRESemmé’s A-List Dry Texturizing Spray to boost natural texture and lock in halo braids without stiffness. It gave the style that effortless, undone movement the brand is known for.
5. High-Gloss Hero: At Alice + Olivia, stylists misted amika’s Top Gloss Shine Spray over waves and updos for that glossy, just-finished glow. The result? Hair that looked luminous under runway lights.
6. Prep Perfection: Lacy Redway prepped models’ hair backstage with the TRESemmé A-List All-In-One Style Primer to lock in moisture and shield against heat. The finishing styles, she noted, turned hair “into a sculptural accessory.”
7. Sleek-Finish Staple: The TRESemmé Freeze Hold Hairspray helped smooth flyaways and lock in sculpted styles backstage at Christian Siriano. The hold was firm — but not crunchy.
8. Sleek-Start Essential: Justine Marjan started with the TRESemmé A-List Smoothing Cream backstage at Christian Cowan to smooth and soften strands. It laid the groundwork for the slick, high-shine styles that followed.
9. Sleek and Straight: The Paul Mitchell Smooth+ Flat Iron helped smooth roots and mid-lengths at Christian Cowan, setting the foundation for sleek, structured styles. As Marjan shared, the inspiration was “the glamorous women of the 1950’s” with smooth blowouts and high-gloss shine.
Makeup
10. Runway-Radiance: Saie’s Glowy Super Gel delivered “perfected skin” backstage at Kallmeyer, according to Shain Kish. The sheer, luminous finish makes it an easy pick for anyone who wants fresh, dewy radiance.
11. ’90s Supermodel Skin: At Bronx and Banco, Romero Jennings used MAC’s Studio Radiance Face & Body Foundation to create a sheer, luminous base that glowed under runway lights. Its breathable texture makes it ideal for anyone who wants a glow without full-coverage weight.
12. Instant-Length: At Alice + Olivia, I watched Westmore Beauty’s mascara transform lashes from subtle to statement in one quick coat. It gave full, extension-level length — no extra steps required (a backstage dream).
13. Matte Moment: MAC’s MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick created statement lips with a soft-focus and silky finish. The formula glides on easily and wears comfortably — even through long shows.
14. Backstage Blurring: Westmore Beauty’s 3-in-1 Photo Finishing Powder kept skin looking smooth, shine-free and camera-ready at Alice + Olivia.
Skincare & More
15. Lifting and Toning: At Altuzarra, Dwayne Lankford relied on the NuFACE Trinity+ to tone and contour skin pre-show. The microcurrent technology helps enhance definition and improve the look of firmness over time. It’s the kind of device beauty insiders swear by for a quick glow-up.
16. Lash Hack: At Prabal Gurung, Sheika Daley enhanced eyes using Ardell Smize Lashes and DUO Clear Adhesive. The outer-corner clusters gave that subtle, eyeliner-like definition in seconds.
17. Ravishing Rouge: Backstage at Michael Kors, the ‘Coquette’ nail polish by Jin Soon brought that no-nonsense New York red to the runway. It’s the kind of shade that looks just as good wrapped around a coffee cup as it does clutching a leather bag.
18. Bare-Nail Essential: The Primrose + Honeysuckle’s Healing Cuticle Oil was key backstage at Marc Jacobs, where hands were left natural and refined. The hydrating blend gives nails a subtle, well-kept glow.
