Fashion Week Hair Makeover with Redken and Cutler Salon

So what do you do when fashion week is fast approaching, and your hair is two-toned and looking an absolute fright? Why you go to the experts, and get yourself a fabulous hair makeover in time for the big day.

 

Desperate for a change, I sent out a distress call asking my peers their thoughts on the best salons in the city. In those answers, I heard of a place designed to turn dead-looking hair (see above) right round into extraordinary hair. A sleek and modern space right in Midtown that is cool, comfortable, and bursting at the seams, chock-full of talented people. I was convinced, and I answered my hair's s.o.s by running (not walking) to Redken and the Cutler Salon in New York City. In just two short hours, my hair looked Red Carpet worthy, and I left feeling over-the-moon in love with both my new look and my experience.

To watch the transformation, take the jump!

Backstage at New York Fashion Week- Thuy by Make Up For Ever, Zoya, and Cutler Salon

The Thuy girl is classic and cool. A refined Uptown Girl, who is just a little bit undone.

Makeup by Lottie for Make Up For Ever

 

Led by Lottie, the Make Up For Ever team created a look that was cool and fresh, without trying too hard. 

To get the look, models were prepped with HD Foundation, Super Matte Loose Powder #12, Mat Bronze #2 and #6, Shine on Powder in #3 and #6, and Pan Cake Foundation in #3.

The eyes were adorned with Diamond Shadow in #305, Star Powder in #920 and #957, and Smoky Lash Mascara. Lips were stained crimson with a mixture of flash colors #1 and #17, for a soft red pout with no harsh lines.

 

Nails by Sunshine Outing for Zoya Nail Polish

For the nails, Thuy wanted a look that was neutral, but not too pedestrian. Zoya brought some pizazz to the realm of neutrals by applying two coats of Tasha (a sheer cream), with a layer of Uli (a warm gilded nude) on top.

Hair by Rodney Cutler for Cutler Salon

 

The hair look for Thuy was all about unique textures and a strong silhouette. To achieve the look, the Cutler team first utilized a straight blow-out. To achieve lift and volume, stylists back-combed hair at the root, effectively lifting hair at the crown. The ultimate goal was to have movement and bounce on the top layer of the hair, as models walk down the runway.

 

 

  

Cool, chic, and just a little undone, the look at Thuy was as beautiful as it was wearable. If shows thus far are any indication, fall will be about red lips and hair texture in a big way.

Backstage at New York Fashion Week- Badgley Mischka by Redken, MAC, and Lippman Collection

I am continuously blown away by the stunning looks I have seen backstage this fashion week. This oh so dreary and wet-snow filled day began with a trip into an Avatar inspired runway beauty look at Badgley Mischka.

Hair by Peter Gray for Redken and Cutler Salon
I think I have a new favorite hairstyle as seen backstage. Wholly inspired by Avatar, Peter Gray and the Redken team executed two perfect hair looks, Princess and Warrior Princess.

The first look was designed for Badgley Mischka's signature line of Red Carpet wear, and featured an edgy but polished updo. Looking at the roped jewelry for the signature collection, Gray modeled the updo after the ropes and vines found on Pandora. Hair was divided into a top and bottom section. The top was formed into a wide, textured mohawk, while the bottom portion was pulled back tight. Both sections were then interlocked and twisted, to form a roped figure eight.

The second look was designed for Badgley Mischka's new diffusion line, which has a decidedly different vibe that is a bit younger, and edgier. As with the first look, hair was divided, and the top was formed into a loose mohawk. The main difference is that the bottom portion stayed down, falling long and sleek.

Makeup by Charlotte Tilbury for MAC Cosmetics

 

Further expanding on the Avatar and warrior princess theme, Tilbury designed a look that draws heavily on contouring and highlighting. The face was heavily highlighted and contoured, but in a natural looking way. 

Nails by Deborah Lippmann for Lippmann Collection

 

To complete the look, the Lippmann Collection team went with Marquee Moon, a silver metallic with silver sequins. The overall effect was modern, deconstructed, unstructured, and out of this world.

 

From hair, to makeup, to nails, the Avatar inspired look at Badgley Mischka scored an out of this world effect that was nothing short of amazing.

New York Fashion Week Backstage at Twinkle by Wenlan with CND, MAC, and Redken

The look for Twinkle by Wenlan was inspired by a gothic fairytale, both disturbing and romantic.

Nails by Roxanne for CND

Playing on the theme of the dark and slightly gothic, models were fitted with press-on nails coated with two layers of Dark Ruby, and softened with Super Matte topcoat, to create a crepe-like, textured effect. The length and shape were kept medium length and wearable, custom-fitted to each model's nails. Nail shape was square, with softly rounded edges.

 

  

Hair by John Ruidant for Redken

Further drawing inspiration from the dark and whimsical themes of the collection, the Redken hair team led by John Ruidant combined both matte and shiny elements to create a sleek, but textured updo. Hair was first divided into 2 sections (top and bottom), and blow-dried using Redken's Fabricate. Avoiding the use of brushes and combs, stylists used their fingers to make the sections of hair appear very textured and "producty" while styling. The top section was blow dried straight up for volume at the crown, and then incorporated into the rest of the hair via twisted roll on the side of the head.  The bottom portion of the hair was looped and kept rough, for an extra bit of texture and edge.

Makeup by John Paolo  for MAC Cosmetics

 

A study in contrast, the makeup look for Twinkle combined both shiny and matte elements, and was all about the eyes. Skin was kept soft, matte, and pale, with light contouring around the eyes and jawline with deep bronze blush (working name Laguna, a new shade of mineralize blush for fall). In a look that is all about the windows to our souls, models were treated to a glossy, smoky eye with the use of only one eyeshadow (working name Tarnished Bronze, which is new for fall) with clear gloss on top. Lots of mascara was applied to top and bottom lashes, and false lashes were also fitted on top. Finishing off the look was a flesh colored concealer pencil on the inner rim of the eyes to accentuate eye shape, and dim lip erase and lip balm to nude out lips.

  

  

With just the right amount of drama, the Twinkle beauty look was a stunning study in contrast that left me more than excited to see the collection behind it.

New York Fashion Week Backstage at Karen Walker with CND, Shiseido and

Show 2 of Saturday was Karen Walker's presentation at the Altman Building.  With a focus all on striking red lips, and sheer washes of color, the look was soft with just a hint of pop.

Nails by Angie Wingle of CND

Inspired by the sheer wash of color on the model's eyes and face, and by the playful yet feminine look for Karen Walker Fall 2010, Angie Wingle and the CND team went with Rose Water on model's nails. A cool sheer that plays up the color of the  skin and nails, Rose Water is one of those polishes that every girl must have in their polish wardrobe. Completely buildable, and every-day wearable, Rose Water is all sexy femininity, and perfect for the look of Karen Walker's show.

Hair by Rolando Beauchamp of Bumble and Bumble

 

For Karen Walker, the hair look revolved around a messy ponytail that was kept tight and tidy both on the sides and underneath the head. The hair on top was back combed through with the fingers, so as to not give the look too much rigid structure, and the ponytail was given texture thanks to Bumble and Bumble Does It All Styling Spray. All in all, the hair was designed to play up model's features and draw attention to the star of the show, the red lip. 

  

Makeup by Jenna Maynard for Shiseido 

 

For makeup, the look was all about the red lip. Keeping the face and eyes simple, models were treated to deep crimson pouts, designed to stand out on the otherwise neutral, earthy, clothing color palette. The eyes were given soft definition with sheer tones, and cheeks were contoured slightly with matte bronzing powder.

  

  

Another look where the focus was all on the dramatic lip, Karen Walker did not disappoint.

Backstage with Gottex at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

* Model Arlenis Sosa gets made up by the hair and nails team

Nails:

Headed by Angi Wingle of Creative Nail Design, the nail team set out to create a custom look especially for the Gottex Show. Angie described the look as a sheer, gold mineral wash. Angie described the look as sandblasted. The color was achieved by mixing a special blend of 3 different lacquers: 5 drops of bicycle yellow, 5 drops of Gold Chrome, and a teeny drop of Oil Slick.

This is the end result, which is absolutely beautiful.

Makeup:
The MAC makeup team, headed by Philippe Chansel, sought to channel the look of rich girls on the beach. Dripping with glamour, the models look both expensive and untouchable, evoking memories of runway vixens circa 1990.

*MAC Senior Artist Neil Y. touches up his model

To achieve this look, MAC artists used a mixture of face and body foundation and mineralize skinfinish to create a flawless canvas. Eyes were then defined using feline khol power and lots of mascara to create an intense look. MAC artists used tan pigment to get the light cocoa shade seen on the lids. To enhance the skin, emphasis was placed on the high planes of the face including cheekbones, under the brow, and the cupid's bow, highlighting with the use of MAC pigment in Melon (a beautiful pinky peach). To finish the look, MAC artists applied Sun Tints on the lips.


Hair:
The hair team consisted of stylists from Cutler Salon, headed by Peter Gray. To go with the luxurious beachy vibe, stylists went with a look that is both fashionable and very sleek. A far cry from the texture we have been seeing all over the runways, the look of Gottex was full of shine and smoothness.

Hair was flatironed completely flat, with a microbraid plaited directly below the model's left ear. A tiny strip of hair from the right side was then positioned horizontally across the back of the head and then pinned into the braid to keep hair slicked back and in place.

To finish the look, stylists pinned stunning jeweled headbands in place to match the swimsuits, creating the illusion of an elegant swimcap.

That, beauties is the look of Gottex for Spring 2010. What do you think? Are you feeling the rich girl goes to the beach vibe?

Backstage at Twinkle by Wenlan with CND Nails, MAC, and Redken

My first experience with backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion week taught me all about the look of BCBG. Craving more knowledge on what is hot this year for the runways, I set out on my second backstage adventure, at Twinkle, by Wenlan

The hair:

Led by John Ruidant, the Redken hair team set out to create a look that channeled the spirit of "soft rock and roll." The look artists were going for was backcombed, frizzy waves, to go with the fun and flirty aesthetic of the Twinkle line.. The first step to achieving the look was to first work in Fabricate 03 and blow dry the hair. Then, Hot Sets 22 was sprayed into the hair as it was curled with a 2'' curling iron, and pinned into place. Finally, hair was let down and backcombed, using Quick Dy 18 to finish.
Makeup by Team MAC


Led by John Paolo, the makeup look for Twinkle was all about creating the focus on beautiful brows, sparkling eyes, and a fierce, matte orange lip. The look was achieved by first filling in brows to frame the eyes and create definition. Eyes were then layered with a brand new product, crushed metal pigment, a sparkling golden bronze (more on that in a bit). Eyes were finished off with individual lashes, set in place using tweezers for precision. Skin was kept minimal, and the lips were adorned with orange lipmix, pushed into the lips for the maximum effect.

Nails by Creative Nail Design (CND)

For nails, the CND (Creative Nail Design) team was on hand (hehe, get it?) to outfit the models with bright white tips. The nails were artificial, and a brilliant, matte white, to serve as the perfect compliment to the poppy, colorful pieces from the Twinkle line. Angie W from the CND team informed me that the polish combo that was used to achieve the look were 2 coats of brilliant white, followed by 1 coat of Ivory Coast, and a finishing off with Super Matte.

I had the opportunity to speak a bit with Angie about nail trends for spring 2010. She informed me that the look will be a fusion of two elements, romance meets punk. Nail collections next year will see the introduction of both new colours and new effects that we haven't yet seen before from CND, sporting names like Sweet Tart and Sugar Sparkle. To clarify, the colours are opaque cremes, while the effects are transparent lacquers designed to compliment and change the look of the colours. CND has some great stuff in store for us, and I absolutely cannot wait!

And now, the last tidbit:
Being the beauty ninja that I am, my peepers spotted a brand new product on the MAC artistry tables. Doing some further digging, I found out that it was indeed a new product for next year, and it's name is Crush Metal Pigment.
Grittier than a pigment, but less gritty than solar bits, the crushed metal pigment is a metallic loose powder with lots of sparkle and shine.
Some swatches, on my skintone, and one much darker.


And that folks, is backstage at Twinkle. Stay tuned for more saucy bits, as Krasey Beauty goes backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.