ProductWhores

Backstage at Karen Walker

Backstage at Karen Walker, the MAC artists were inspired by the style of Siouxsie and the Banshees and designed this look to be worn by a "punk rock girl", one who listens to music from the 80's and is a fan of The Cult. They used Plush Lash mascara to frame the eyes with big lashes, which were thicker on top, and left the skin clean, with a satiny, matte finish. Cheeks were soft, with a hint of pink. Lips were colored with Snob, a neutral pink with a punch, that was applied with fingers. Hair was by Bumble and Bumble and was very straight, with a middle part. This was achieved by spraying the hair with Styling Lotion and drying the hair with a round brush to achieve volume. Hair was finished off with their new Spray de Mode hairspray, which officially comes out in March.

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Backstage at Badgley Mischka

I love Badgley Mischka. I always figured I'd get married in one of their gowns. (Or a Vera Wang - I figure if you're going to dream, you might as well dream big). So it was a thrill to go backstage and see the MAC artists getting the models ready for the show this past week. The makeup this time was a departure from the normal Badgley Mischka look. The MAC artists gave the models a late 70's/early 80's feel that was right out of Studio 54, with a multi-layered color eye. Burgundy, brown and golden bronze colors were layered over the entire eye, with a golden pigment in the middle and a touch of green in the inner corner, "just for fun.". They were finished off with lots of Mac Pro Lash mascara. The face was highlighted with an all over glow, with Salsa Rose blush and glitter on the upper cheekbones. Lips were beige and glossy and coated with PlushGlass in Wildly Lush. The hair was long, loose and natural, not overdone, with loose curls that swung around the face. Perfect for a wedding (You know, just in case anyone from Badgely Mischka wants to send me a dress for it...)

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Backstage at Marchesa

I have to say, I really loved a lot of the makeup looks at Fashion Week this year. So many times, a lot of the looks are too outrageous or funky to translate to the real world, but backstage at Marchesa, Talia Shobrook for Stila showcased the clothes by giving the models a dramatic look with rich hues. The skin was pale and angelic, with a matte finish created by a light dusting of Stila's Sheer Pressed Powder with Perfecting Concealer on the areas that needed more coverage. The eyes were done in neutral tones (Chinois, Bouquet, and Kamet) but with depth, to create a smoky appearance that was finished off with Kajal Liner in Smoky Quartz and MAJOR Major Lash Mascara in brown on the lashes and black on the lash tips (What a great idea - I can't wait to try this out myself). Cheeks were given a natural flush to compete with the pale skin using the Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain, which was also used on the lips. It was a classic, timeless look, one that I could see myself wearing today and ten years down the road. (Unlike that green pigment I just had to have last week). I guess the workout my credit card got in NYC isn't quite over yet. Sigh...

Photo courtesy of Stila Cosmetics

Backstage at Charlotte Ronson

I've never been the biggest fan of freckles.  (Sorry, freckled people!  I think they look cute on other girls, just not on me).  And yet, the look Tina Turnbow created with Stila made me long to be the kind of girl who could pull them off.  The Bronze Smudge Pot (which I conveniently already own) was used to create a light dusting of freckles all over the nose.  It perfectly balanced out the natural skin, which was created using the Illuminating Concealer (also in my makeup bag!) and pressed powder.  The eyes were the main focus of the look, with Kajal Pencil in Smoky Quartz smudged in the crease and lots of MAJOR Major Lash Mascara, applied with a heavier touch to the lower lashes.  Cheeks were left alone to glow naturally.  Lips were either a pale pink created with the Fuschia Convertible Color, or a brighter hue made by blending the Melon Lip Glaze Pencil with a touch of Gladiola Convertible Color.  It was fresh and simple, easily one of my favorite looks of Fashion Week.  Ted Gibson added to the effect with his "Jane Birkin inspired" hair that looked chic and undone, but still playful (especially on the models with the braids across their foreheads - adorable!)  Who would've thought a look with braids and freckles could get me so excited?  Fashion Week really is magical!

Photo courtesy of The Daily Obsession

Backstage at Twinkle

You know what makes you feel really bad about your life?  Eating a big breakfast and then standing next to six foot tall, 100 pound models for awhile.  It's a good thing backstage is super busy and full of interesting things to look at (Makeup artists!  Products!  Photographers!) because that helped me forget that the (probably teenage) model next to me had thighs that were the same size as her ankles.  Seriously!  (I'm sure she's a lovely girl, but there's something very disconcerting about that).  Backstage at Twinkle, MAC Cosmetics key artist Polly Osmond created a look that she called "girly" and "wearable" with mauvey-pink lips and rosy cheeks.   It was a soft look, almost like a painting, with color blended into the apples of the cheeks for a natural flush - something that's all over the runways so far this season.   Nails were a custom blended opalescent grey-lavender by Creative Nail Design that was edgy, but still feminine.  It's a nice alternative that should appeal to both the buttoned up business crowd and the downtown artistic types.  Who knows?  I might finally have to retire my bottle of Ballet Slippers for good now!

Photo courtesy of MAC