My experience at this seasons Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was absolutely thrilling ….. and utterly exhausting. You see, this was my first time at a Fashion Week as a ‘reporter’. HA, I am not a reporter by any means, but I was there to report on beauty stuff for Sassybella (I guess that makes me a reporter? hrmmm). A couple of weeks ago I announced that news and stupidly said that I would be posting a daily rundown of my RAFW action here on The Plastic Diaries. Clearly I am new to this whole Fashion Week thingy because I failed to stay awake long enough at the end of each day to even turn on my computer. For making that stupid promise, I am very very sorry. I shall never let you down like that again, and to make up for it, I am going to give you a massive RAFW packed post right now ….. and maybe a few more this week 
The Shows
Originally I was only given backstage access for no more than 2 shows per day. As the days hours went on, I was able to attend more and due to some extremely friendly sponsors I scored a chance to watch a few of the shows too. YAY!
In just 4 days, I went backstage to 14 shows, clocked up more than 3000 photos and broke 2 pairs of heels (luckily I scored some flats thanks to Scholl Party Feet who were saving soles at RAFW).
Fold out ballet slippers to the rescue!
To read about some of my adventures, and there will be more to go up I can assure you, head over to Sassybella
The Loot
As a beauty addict, there is almost nothing that thrills me more than beauty products … on show …. in mass. There were 3 particular brands that really stood out to me and made a beautiful impact at RAFW.
CND Shellac
Unfortunately, when push came to shove neither mattered because financially I could no longer afford to keep my nails coated in specially formulated coverings. Luckily on day 1, when I was walking around the exhibitor section of RAFW, known as The Gallery, I came across a large CND Shellac stand. There were 3 lovely ladies all set up at little manicure stations and before I knew it I was approached to book in a FREE manicure. Yes, FREE!!!
Perfect. I finally got my chance to get my nails ‘Shellac-d’. This was an awesome idea because after lugging bags, camera and changing between flats & heels, my nails would have been ruined. I will be doing a proper review of Shellac later, but for now, it made my week!
The CND team Shellac-ing RAFW attendees
Redken Retreat
In a separate corned off section there was a little media room with laptops and more couches. An absolute dream for those bloggers who didn’t get media accreditation (like me!).
Bravo Redken!
Getting my hair done in the Redken Retreat
MAC Cosmetics
The space was fitted out with beautiful leather chairs, and among other things, it was used for selected media to conduct interviews with MAC’s UK Director of Make Up Artistry, Terry Barber. He is such a cool guy. He flew all the way out to Australia just to do the MAC team proud at RAFW. I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Terry backstage but to avoid rambling on, I will just say he is a genius. Ok, I will actually ramble on about him a bit later this week when I let you in on his 5 Must-Have MAC Products. That was another MAC tent perk, receiving a box of MAC goodies that main man Terry picked out.
Love. It.
Terry in action backstage at Stolen Girlfriends Club
The Wrap Up
Firstly, I want to thank Sassybella for the opportunity and freedom to try my hand at what I felt would work. Love your work. I was honored to work with you.
I really would like to thank all the models, make-up artists, hair stylists and everyone else backstage that actually had a job to do in order for the show to happen. I had no idea how annoying it must be having photographers and journalists always getting in your way. The professionalism in how you perform your job with such calmness amazes me. I would have decked people. You’re good folk.
How on earth do these people work like this?
The biggest shout out goes to all the wonderful beauty PRs who had a heck of a week organising everything for annoying bloggers and journalists. I do not know how you did it. Jess from L’Oreal, Augusta from SBPR, Jayde from Tailormaid and Jenni at Napoleon Perdis …. you guys were stars!
And last but not least, I have to thank Napoleon Perdis and his wonderful team. They went so far out of their way to accommodate me and my ‘greenness’ behind the scenes. Not only that but they always had spectacular notes already printed and in my hand before my camera was even out. Their organisation makes me feel supremely lazy. Oh and their twitter updates were outstanding, they were on it like dogs on sausage (??). Give them a round of applause!
Mr Perdis doing his thing backstage for Alex Perry
Now my loves, tell me what you think. Did you go to RAFW? Would you have even wanted to?
I really want to know what you think about the whole seasonal fashion & beauty thingy-ma-jig.
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Hi babe, sounds like you had soooo much fun! Yeah sure there were the broken heels and the complete and utter exhaustion, but what a fab opportunity for you to do this.
PS: I DID think you were a bit crazy aiming to post daily, but we forgive you for that little moment of craziness.
Oh gosh I knew I was a nutter!
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