Backstage beauty at London Fashion Week

While you may be busy pondering which coat to buy this winter, over at the 25th London Fashion Week, couture tans, "greige" nails and SS10's new take on "beachy hair" fast forwarded us to sunny days and balmy nights.

All this week, I've been popping backstage at the shows, scrutinising the models, make-up artists and hair stylists to bring you the beauty looks, tricks and products to prepare you for next spring — by which time, we'll be ready to tell you about winter 2010...

Sea-swept hair
Margaret Howell

The look: It's 11am on Saturday morning and the models backstage are stepping off a makeshift beach.

How to get it: "The inspiration is that healthy glow you get after your first day on holiday," says MAC make-up artist Sam Bryant. Meanwhile, session stylist Neil Moodie used Bumble & Bumble Prep and Surf Spray to create that damp, tousled "I've-been-in-the-sea" texture. Chunky, loose plaits were woven in from the crown of the head under a thick suede headband.

Beauty scoop: Seconds before the show started, Neil snipped the elasticate band on the models' plaits, allowing them to unravel slightly. Next summer you must try hard to look like you haven't tried at all.

The big bow
Luella

The Look: What she did for veils this autumn/winter, Luella has done with bows for next summer. This is hair's version of the "It" bag.

How to get it: While Alexa Chung and Leigh Lezark tripped their way to the front row, in the tiny backstage area the hair accessory of summer 2010 has been defined by session stylist Guido Palau. The bow is big, bright and shiny. Guido first added volume with Redken Thickening Lotion, then bound the girls' hair into a tight ponytail on top of the head and pulled it into a rough, messy bun. "The Luella girl is feminine, cute and with edge," said Guido.

Beauty scoop: Luella make-up artist Hannah Murray mixed navy and green eyeliner onto her hand before applying it to the eyes.

Matching tan and nails
Louise Goldin

The Look: Forget the dunked-in-caramel Wag tan, the new glow has taken on a new dimension. Tanorexics take note — faking it just became bespoke.

How to get it: A-list skin finisher Nichola Joss was whipping girls in and out of the pop-up St Tropez tanning booth faster than you can say "footballer's wife". Follow her lead and arm yourself with the new St Tropez Wash-Off range for a "golden-but-matte tan", then use the roll-on Instant Shimmer Stick to highlight your best bits: collarbones, cheekbones, shins. It's just landed in Boots stores — bag one now.

Beauty scoop: Next season's "It" colour is OPI's Tickle My Fancy — a grey-beige shade that elongates the fingers. And we're calling this "greige" now.