In the midst of COVID-19, the Dior show must go on. Backstage at Dior is always such a scene: cameras flash, models take their positions, clothes are carefully labeled and racked, clipboards full of checklists are everywhere, and editors huddle in the crowds. This year, Dior's 2021 cruise show took a slightly different approach. Held on July 22 in Lecce, Puglia, in the heart of Italy, the show was fashioned with a futuristic flair.

Instead of standing in lines and chatting with seatmates, everything was done virtually, allowing guests from around the world to stream the show online. Models groomed themselves backstage and walked the runway. And there was no shortage of excitement, with masked bands, dancers, and a stage setup decorated with colorful lights. I broke out the popcorn and watched the 26-minute show.

Zoom was the new backstage. Beauty editors sat down with Peter Phillips, Dior's creative and image director, to get the details on the looks. The beauty vibe, far from being overdressed, was very much in line with the way many of us have approached hair, makeup, and skin during our isolation: natural.

"This look is radiant," Peter Peter Phillips told me and the editors at Zoom. 'It embodies a confident, strong woman who looks radiant without being dazzling.' It's about well-hydrated skin and using products that enhance natural radiance without adding shine." Philips intentionally did not use powder or pearlescent products to bring out each model's inner glow. With 47 models, Phillips says, "We cast a very diverse cast because the look is suitable for any woman."

The models were all very different from each other.

Each model carried her own set of products, and the mascara was labeled with her name. Phillips noted, "There was no sharing or mixing of brushes, mascaras, or lips." Our backstage organization was almost like a military operation, and it worked well...it's a strange time to be COVID-19...the creation of COVID-19 didn't change the look of the makeup much, but it did change the mechanics of how it was applied..." I have always prided myself on hygiene. We touch people's faces, so it is important to be careful. In this situation we have taken it to the extreme."

Each model's skin was prepared with Capture Totale C.el.l. Energy Super Potent Serum ($85) (open in new tab) and Capture Totale C.e.l.l. Energy Face Cream ($110) (open in new tab), followed by Dior Backstage Primer and Foundation" (opens in new tab) ($40) was used. Phillips is a fan of this serum because when applied, it gives a glow without being creamy or greasy. It "gives the skin a glow and is the perfect base," he says. As for primer, "you don't need much, it helps set the foundation."

For lashes, he used the new Dior Show Iconic Overcurl 090 Black Mascara (open in new tab) ($30), which boasts volume and curl. Phillips explains in a press release, "To create a natural yet eye-enhancing look, I curled the lashes and then coated the top row with Diorshow Iconic Overcurl 090 Black Mascara." This allowed us to open up the eyes without overdoing the effect or overloading them," Phillips explained in the press release. The brows were kept natural with a little "workout" using Dior Show's Brow Styler and Pump'n Brow.

Phillips and his team began by prepping and smoothing the lips, the most important step for a flawless application, using Dior Sugar Lip Scrub 001 (open in new tab) ($34). Then I added a bit of one of my all-time favorite Dior items, Dior Lip Maximizer 001 Pink (open in new tab) ($34). Lips were wiped with a tissue to reduce shine.

Then, under the vision of Maria Grazia Chiuri, each model sashayed down the runway in magnificent designs and jewelry. Enjoy.