Pretty Connected Backstage at Malandrino

Malandrino Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by Mongolia and “a vision of earth as seen from above”. Words like, nomadic, tribal, strong, warriors were all part of the vision for the collection and influence for the hair and makeup.

HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO Professional

“The inspiration was a bit of Mongolia and a bit of Africa so what we wanted to create for Catherine, was a little tree on top of the head … in a very organic, natural way” said Gilbert.  “It should be fresh but have the touch of a barbarian girl.”

Gilbert began by applying ‘Intense Volume Mousse’ and ‘Actif Volumizing Spray’ to create a dry, matte texture.  While the hair dried, the stylist aggressively massaged the roots using her hands to add volume. ‘Fiber Paste’ was then added to create even more texture before hair was swept and bound on the top of the head. Next, Gilbert sprayed ‘Workable Holding Spray’ to add a strong hold.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Tom Pecheux for M.A.C

“My inspiration came from Catherine, she got inspired by Mongolia, and the beauty of the women there … so I created a powerful eyebrow, shaped eyes, and high cheeks.  I darkened the eyebrow, but nothing on the upper eyelid, and no mascara.  Everything is happening in the bottom with the bronze color and black eye pencil.” –Tom Pecheux

To achieve the look, Pecheux applied M.A.C eyeshadow in Tarnished Bronze to the lower eyelid, with Eye Kohl Pencil in Smolder to elongate eyes. For a powerful brow, Carcoal Brown eyeshadow was applied.  For an even complexion and fresh face, M.A.C Face and Body Foundation, Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, and Blot Loose Powder was applied to the face followed by M.A.C Contour Bronzer Powder to accentuate the cheekbone. Pecheux then applied M.A.C Lipstick in Folio on the model’s lips to complete the look.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle for CND Nail Polish

To compliment the collection, Angi Wingle created a bark hued manicure textured to look like leather using CND Nail Polish in

Pretty Connected backstage at Mandy Coon

Post by Heather Wilson

Backstage at the Mandy Coon Fall 2010 show during New York Fashion Week, Dimitrios Tsioumas, lead stylist from Mizu New York, and his team created the fabulous looks featured in the show.

Dimitrios Tsioumas worked with Mandy Coon to develop a sleek, low, defined French twist for the models using 3 Goldwell products; ‘Hot Darling’, ‘Big Finish’, and ‘Supervisor’.  Starting with ‘Hot Darling’, a lightweight thermal protectant, is used to prep the hair while blow-drying it out.  This is followed by ‘Big Finish’, a volume hairspray that sets the hair.  Tsioumas then finished the look with ‘Supervisor,’ a pomade that omits flyaway, and leaves a beautiful matte finish. The sophisticated look of the hair was perfectly complimented with a very clean, bold, red lip by M.A.C.

All of this was to help show off the beautiful flowing fashions by Mandy Coon. There was a soft drape, to a fitted gown, flowing hoods, and scrunched layers. The tulip cut to the skirts was very nicely hung, and a great fitted jacket made with military inspired Capulet shoulders.

Pretty Connected Backstage at Karen Walker

Karen Walker’s Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by her love for Bob Dylan and The Sound of Music (but for totally different reasons), saying, “I’ve always wondered what would happen if the two got thrown together.”

The result? See for yourself:

HAIR: Lead Stylist Rolando Beauchamp for Bumble and Bumble

Rolando wanted to create a messy, rough ponytail that seemed carelessly glamorous. The persona being the girl who did a quick fix up to last nights go-out-hair and managed to make it look effortlessly chic. The trick to avoid bumps when putting your hair up in a ponytail, is to lift your chin up and tilt your head back.

Rolando created the look by spraying Bumble and bumble ‘Thickening Hairspray’ to add volume and texture and height at the crown.  Rolando recommends, “using your hands, not a brush” and to rake hair back with your fingers, then secure with a simple black elastic.  Finish with Bumble and bumble’s ‘Does it All Styling Spray‘.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Jenna Menard for Shiseido

Jenna Menard for Shiseido led the artistry team doing a strong, matte, red lip using Shiseido lipstick in Valentine.  To keep the accent on the bold lips, Menard was minimal on the rest of the makeup, using no eyeliner and just a hint of peach shimmer around the eyes.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle used CND Nail Polish in Rose Water

Pretty Connected Backstage at Korto Momolu

Post by Heather Wilson

What a fabulous opportunity to go backstage to Project Runway Alum, Korto Momolu’s Fall 2010 show.   The concept for the collection was all about going natural; clothes, jewelry, hats, and handbags as well as the hair and makeup.

It was such a delight to spend time with key hair stylists, Danny LeClair and Aubrey Loots from Studio DNA in West Hollywood, and watch them in action. They created a beautiful braid twisted into a bun piled high on the top of the head. Aubrey told me they used fabric to bring out the braiding texture and add depth to the hair. The key to a great hairstyle like this, is to use Sebastian products. Their top 3 must-have products of the night were the Microweb Fiber, which is a re-moldable texture with silky web fibers; then after braiding the hair, they used the Gel Forte to give a glistening style and shimmer-strong hold.  For the finishing touch, they used Shaper Fierce to provide a super hold for the look that won’t budge!

The easiest way to take this look from the runway to real life, Aubrey recommends