PC Backstage at The Blonds Fall 2012 Show + Hair & Makeup How-To

Mar 18, 2012

Looking back at New York Fashion Week (which ended last month), I need to take a moment to share how exceptional it was concluding the festivities by going backstage to The Blonds Fall 2012 show. The Blonds has been a show that I have sadly missed in preview years due to conflict issues or logistics but never again! It was such a scene and the energy was electrifying. Backstage to the audience outfits to the actual show was beyond an experience!

I was going to make the backstage and show 1 post, but there’s too much amazingness to cover so I’m putting it in two separate ones.

A GLIMPSE BACKSTAGE:

THE HAIR –ahem blond ponytail wigs coming out of helmets!!

The Blonds hair was done by lead stylist, Laurent Philippon for Bumble and Bumble

Inspiration: Biker chicks and Johnny Depp in Cry Baby

Styling Methods: For guys: Wet hair with Thickening Hairspray and blowdry. Warm up Sumowax and apply all over the head. Style as needed to create a swoosh in front.

For girls: Create a wig wrap by spraying hair down with Prep then wrapping hair in sections around the head using Bb.Gel. Pin hair so it lays flat around the crown. Put on a wig cap and put on the helmet. Did I mention the wig was steamed to keep hair perfect?

Bumble and Bumble products used: Thickening Hairspray, Sumowax, Prep, Bb.Gel

{Phillipe Blond, founder and head designer for The Blonds backstage getting her hair done by Laurent Philippon}

{Backstage with it model Sebastien Suave — he showed me his Nintendo belt buckle. Jealous?}

THE NAILS! The team spent 130 hours on them!!!

The Blonds hair was done by lead stylist, Kristina Estabrooks for CND. She and her team spent 130 hours hand detailing biker babe manicures. No nail set was alike – crystals, glitter, leather, Phillipe Blond faces, crushed glass shards and acid washed denim designs were just a few of the styles to grace the runway. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

THE MAKEUP! Look at this incredible green cat eye!

I’ll just let you read off the MAC Cosmetics face chart to see the products used:

Backstage at Naeem Khan Fall/Winter RTW Collection

Feb 25, 2012

If you haven’t checked out the pictures from the Naeem Khan Fall/Winter RTW Collection, you should! Inspired by Italian actress Monica Vitti, the designer wanted to do a collection that referenced Italy in the 1960s and capture the beauty of the era. Draped in floor-length dresses, with exotic prints and sparkles; the designs are based on a black, white, cream, and gold color scheme. (the collection can be viewed on style.com).

Minutes before sending his collection down the runway, I was backstage with the designer while the models got primped and primed. And unlike many of the over-the-top looks we’ve seen this fashion week, this is a very achievable hair, makeup and nail look for all of you at home looking to create the look.

HAIR: Bumble and Bumble

LEAD Stylist: Laurent Philippon for Bumble and Bumble

LOOK: Effortless French Twist. Made to look as if it were done in one try.

PRODUCTS USED: Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Hairspray, Hair Powder, Spray De Mode, and Styling Wax

HOW-TO: Part the hair down the center and spray hair with B&B’s Thickening Hairspray. Blowdry, combing down the sides and spraying B&B’s Hair Powder at the roots. Section the back of the head and blowdry it very smooth in sections. Backcomb just the roots at the crown and mist with Spray De Mode. Pull B&B’s Styling Wax through the hair then mist their Hair Powder all over. Twist up into a French twist pulling at the front hairline to create softness.

MAKEUP: NARS Cosmetics

LEAD STYLIST: James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry

LOOK: “The look is all about the precision, sharpness, and blackness of the line,” said James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry. “Everything else has that ‘barely there’ feeling. The eye line has to be really sharp and pointed up towards the temple – it’s not a cat eye, and it’s not a wide eye. It draws the eyes up.”

PRODUCTS USED:

FACE