Modelling may seem like a straight forward gig, but there are many pressures that lie beyond the job description—mainly the overwhelming push to stay young, relevant, and - most importantly - thin. In her new tell-all book, The Vogue Factor, former Vogue Australia editor Kirstie Clements is alleging that the rumoured extremes at which these young women go to in order to keep the scale at bay are much more fact than fiction.

According to Clements, many models starve themselves regularly, sometimes eating only tissue - yes, as in Kleenex - to feel full. The former editor also reveals tales of multi-day shoots where models consumed zero calories, as well as a term tossed around the Vogue offices: 'Paris thin', meaning 'very'.

Last Thursday, we headed backstage at Andrew Richard Designs to check out Comrags' Fall 2013 collection at The shOws. 

Though beauty on the runway can often be a little bit too crazy for everday, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the Comrags beauty look was something that could be worn in real-life and easily recreated at home. 

"At a lot of shows, the makeup doesn't look too wearable," said Greg Wencel, celebrity makeup artist and CoverGirl makeup pro who created the look. "When we met with [Comrags designers] Judish Corish and Joyce Gunhouse, they wanted to make sure that it was something that made a statement, but something that someone wouldn't be afraid to actually try."

Wencel's inspiration? A youthful, look reminiscent of a Parisian girl or models backstage sipping wine.  

"The Comrags girl has something healthy and organic about her. It's a polished look, that's super pretty and very wearable," he explained.

Wencel gave us a rundown on how to recreate the look at home, using CoverGirl cosmetics: 

The bowl cut at Mary Katrantzou Fall 2013.

I attended an at-home hair colour launch a few weeks ago and they cleverly included a station of wigs for the writers and editors to test out a new tone. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Perhaps out of embarrassment, but also out of fear. I've had straight brown hair since my ringlets darkened from blond at the age of four and subsequently uncurled. Without this 'do - who would I be? I know now that I was overlooking the fun of it all. Fashion week, however, certainly indulged in exactly that.

Paris Fashion Week took a trip back to 1994 yesterday as Hedi Slimane revealed his latest collection for the label formerly known as Yves Saint Laurent. Plaid shirts, cardigan sweaters, baby doll dresses and biker boots rounded out the collection, resulting in a look that many are likening to that of the first couple of grunge, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. Models even capped off their Seattle style with messy dark eyeliner in Courtney's go-to morning-after finish.

Although Tom Ford's namesake collection debuted back in 2010, this week marked his first return to the runway since bowing at YSL in 2004. He had been showing his work in exclusive, photo-free presentations to select buyers and editors, but announced that Fall 2013's London Fashion Week would bring him back to the masses. So as the images flooded style.com, many tuned in, waiting to see more of the streamlined high-gloss looks Ford is so well-known for. What they got was something a little different.

Karlie Kloss in the finale gown at Michael Kors Fall 2013

1. BATTLE OF THE SEXES
The runways were full of both ultra-feminine and menswear-inspired looks. From tailored pant suits with bow ties at Ralph Lauren to pretty peplum (yes, the trend that won't die) at Michael Kors, it looks like there's no mixing and matching the sexes. Will you be a lady this fall or channel your inner-androgyny?

If you haven't yet noticed a petite blonde with stark brown eyebrows and to-die-for cheekbones popping out from behind every runway curtain at New York Fashion Week, look a little closer. Her name is Cara Delevingne and the 20-year-old British model is easily the "It" girl of the moment.

She has already walked for Victoria's Secret, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and nearly every top designer that showed for Spring/Summer '13, but over the last few months, with the release of her Burberry and DKNY spring ads, and her Style.com and Love Magazine covers, Cara has become all but unstoppable. This week alone she has landed on the cover of British Vogue and walked for Rodarte, Derek Lam, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Marc by Marc Jacobs...and it's only Wednesday.

Opulence took centre stage in Paris this week. Gorgeous snowflakes fluttered to the ground outdoors, while indoors the fashion who's who fell into their cushy assigned seats to take in the latest Haute Couture.

In addition to over-the-top designs, beauty also gets a big boost during couture week. After all, you can't very well send a model down the runway in a bejewelled feather gown with a ready-to-wear-ready ponytail, now can you?

Here are our favourite extreme makeup moments from the last week:


BEDAZZLED LIPS @ CHRISTIAN DIOR
Who could resist puckering up in these mega watt lips? Makeup artist Pat McGrath bedazzled model's lips with ruby-hued Swarovski crystals. Paired with a deep layer of rouge underneath, the results are as rich as Dorothy's slippers.

Karl Lagerfeld chose to close his coveted Chanel Couture show with a little nod to the alternative lifestyle in Paris yesterday. Two gorgeous models took to the runway hand-in-hand wearing white feathery dresses with tulle.

The all-white outfits had journalists crying: lesbian couture! And while I don't think that is a fitting description - because, ahem, what the heck is that supposed to mean? - I do love that the German-born designer used his annual show to create a faux-aisle for gay marriage; an issue that is highly controversial in France, not to mention everywhere else.