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| Ever wonder how runway looks come into being? The "look" or theme is not decided right then and there. With only a couple of hours and twenty plus models to get ready, (don't forget the hair people must have their time too!) backstage just before a show is NOT when ideas and experiments are started. Usually days before (very few designers have all the clothes ready weeks before) there is a make-up consultation, sometimes even a test. The key artist looks at the clothes and the desginer tells the artist his or her vision and together they come up with a theme for the show.
Sometimes there is only one look- very cookie cutter, everyone gets the same eyeshadow color, same lip color, etc.etc., i.e Calvin Klein or Versace, there is a definite look. Or sometimes there is a theme, but there are variations and the make-up and hair is tailored to the individual girls--think Christian Dior. Dior is a great example, just when you thought Pat (Mc Grath) had finished already with the exaggerated Hollywood cartoon glam, she comes out with this incredible King Tut make-up which perfectly compliments the Egyptian elements of John Galliano's vision for Dior this Fall. However, most designers out there are not looking to have make-up potentially upstage their clothes, so the make-up (and hair) is often made to look like something a real woman would actually consider wearing out on the street, but is still in keeping with the designer's vision.
Gold was the theme at the Lalique boutique on Madison Ave. in Manhattan Tuesday night. Byzantium is the theme of their new jewelry line. Beautiful enamel and crystal pendants, earrings, bracelets, (and cufflinks for the gentleman!) in gorgeous arabesques of red, blue, gold, black, and white. While Lalique often conjours images of mom's vases or figurines, they have quite an extensive and modern looking jewelry line. It was my pleasure to work with the designer Shalini; doing make-up and hair on the models for this private event for buyers and major magazine editors. Shalini, who was featured here in Fashionlines.com for her fragrance with Lalique, provided beautiful dresses for the models to wear as they showed off the jewelry. A week before the event, Shalini and I met to cast the girls and decide the theme of the make-up. Since Byzantine was the theme for the night; it was all about gold. Metallics have been a hot trend for the last few seasons, and with summer just about here, it's time to shimmer! |
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Beautiful skin is a must, if one is eighteen, probably not much needs to be done, but for the rest of us; try NARS concealer stick. Featured here in Ginger. Just a dab on the areas where it's needed. Around the nose, under the eyes. When it's 80 degrees and humid, wearing a full face seems silly, and forget about powder. Goes on smooth, creamy, blends in to the skin, and I'm happy to report is available in more than one shade!!
Eyes were the main focus: gold of course, but in different shades. I used the new MAC Shadestick in Shimmersand; which is a light shimmery beige color, and an excellent base; these girls have to look good for several hours, I didn't want to worry about any creasing. Very similar to the Paints, I'm sure it will be popular since it will be easier to use for people who don't have the patience to work with the Paints. I also used, Old Gold, a MAC loose pigment color- very yellow gold with a slight hint of green. (The closest to their old Glitz shade which was the most amazing color, but unfortunately discontinued, sniff) This color I used to highlight the inner corner of the eye, but on another model I used it to highlight the outer corner. Another shade was ME Gold, by Shu Uemura-a classic bronze color, this rich shade I used all over the lids and as eyeliner. Goes on silky and is deeply pigmented, so you don't have to use a lot to acheive the color in the package. Shalini wanted the girls to look beautiful in the gold, but definitely to remain individuals, and by varying the colors used for highlights and shadows, each girl had her own "look".
Cheeks were given a healthy glow with Make-Up Forever's creme cheek blush. Featured here: #7.
For the lips I was concerned with texture. I wanted a color which was fleshy and rosy; I wanted the girls to look polished, but I didn't want the lips to be too opaque. I didn't want them to look like dolls or too "done". I found my dream with Chanel's Aqualumiere in #39-Tijuana. Very sheer but long lasting- this color looks great on anyone- and simply because the girls did have different skin tones, the color looked different and fabulous on each one. |
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| For the final finishing touch, to give the girls an amazing glow I used Urban Decay Body Powder in Honey. It comes with a cute powder puff, although, I'm not into animal prints; not only does this powder give an incredible sparkle to the skin; it smells insanely yummy. Seriously, don't put this on if you have an empty stomach. This gold shimmer went on arms, shoulders, collar bones, everywhere!
Hair was tricky, Shalini wanted soft waves, the Byzantine pictures had serious curls, and while it was a show, the girls would be seen close up, so nothing could be too wild. I used a curling iron, actually two--a 3/4 inch and a 1 1/2 inch to create natural looking waves. I used a flexible hold hairspray to help keep the curl. At first Shalini was little worried since when it's first done it looks a little tight, but I knew since the girls had long hair past the shoulders, by the time they got dressed, gravity would take over and pull the waves looser.
While I made up this look for this event, I realized this would be great for summer, and since we know there are no rules; you could also wear this look in the daytime. Depending on which colors you use and how they are placed, from a yard away: the eyes look polished, cheeks have a healthy glow, and lips are smooth but natural. It's when you get close up, talking distance, that you see the shimmer around the eyes.
Shalini is a Manhattan based designer- her lovely dresses can be found at the Linda Dresner boutique and her signature fragrance is available at Bergdorf Goodman. For more information go to www.shalini.net
Lalique has locations throughout the world- in New York, 712 Madison Ave., and in California, 317 North Rodeo Dr. Go in and see their beautiful crystal, not just vases, striking jewelry and fragrances, (try Shalini). If you can't get there, of course there is Lalique.com.
Have a great summer and don't forget to wear sunscreen-everyday!
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