During the mania and madness that is London fashion week backstage, we caught up with Terry Barber, Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC cosmetics, to get the scoop on the make-up looks he's creating as well as his advice on how to cope with the month-long fashion week marathon. Terry's backstage make-up areas are distinctive for their relative calm amongst the frenzy and the models visibly relax as they let him work his magic on their faces ready for their catwalk appearance.

Synonymous with fashion, MAC were the official make-up sponsor of London Fashion Week and you'd be hard-pressed to find a professional make-up artist's kit that didn't contain MAC Face & Body Foundation, Cream Colour Bases and lipstick shades Ruby Woo and Lady Danger. The shows are where their new products are tested and used in action so what's backstage this season maybe on our faces next season.

Born in the Netherlands to a family of couturieres, chemists and beauticians, Ellis was soon doing the makeup for Mario Testino, Karl Lagerfeld and French Vogue, and designing makeup for big name brands. In 2007 she launched her eponymous brand - a selection of clever makeup 'pens' that release just the right amount of each liquid product, created to echo the body's natural water content. And it's all kinds of cool. Meet the legend herself: Ellis Faas.

What or who inspires you?

The people I work with.

How do you conceive your products?

First on myself and after that on models.

What's been your proudest moment?

Getting top grades at make up school.

Which part of the creative process is your favourite?

Creating the colours and fine-tuning them in the laboratory.

What is it about London that inspires you?

The creativity in the streetlife.

Which other beauty product do you wish you'd created?

Crealine Cleansing Lotion.

Who makes up your dream team on a shoot?

Cate Blanchett shot by either Peter Lindbergh or Mario Testino, with Patti Wilson styling.

What have you got coming up? 

We just introduced the Clips, that increase the portability of our products. and next spring we're introducing seven new shades in Creamy Eyes, a textured eye colour.

Text: Grace Timothy

Hourglass arrived in the UK as a beneath-the-radar collection which came with the faint whisperings of a cult following in the US. Weeks into its presence in Liberty and at Zuneta, it had established itself as the coolest thing to happen to cosmetics this year. Check out Kay Montano using lots of the now bestselling products in our Beauty Tutorials, and meet CEO and founder, Carisa Janes.

What or who inspires you?

Art mostly but also music, my dogs and living by the beach in Venice, California.

How do you conceive your products?

Since we rely on cutting-edge ingredients, most of them are born in the lab. During the process all the girls in the office, myself included, become willing guinea pigs. We have an exhaustive approach to testing new products, shades and textures.

Which one product could you not be without?

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. It eliminates redness, softens fine lines and pores, and creates a smooth canvas for your makeup. Plus it has SPF 15. I wear it every single day.

What is it about London that inspires you?

So many things in London move me: Architecture, street style and the women and their love of makeup.

Which other beauty product do you wish you'd created?

I wish I'd invented mascara. It's such an indispensable item.

Who makes up your own beauty entourage?

Brows: Tonya Crooks; facialist: Diana Podeanu at Ma Maison de Beaute; hair in NY: Rachel Coppola at Prive Salon; hair in LA: Nora Mercado at Umberto.

Who makes up your dream team on a shoot?

We work with a rotating team. Gina Brooke, Madonna's makeup artist, is our incredible Artistic Director. Last season we shot with an amazing photographer called Donna Trope, and she's a genius when it comes to beauty images. 

What's next?

In the spring, we're releasing our third foundation which is a godsend for those with oily complexions. Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation is so mattifying is does away with the need to be constantly touching-up your makeup. It also has clinical levels of two amazing new anti-ageing ingredients.

Text: Grace Timothy