backstage beauty

Phew. It's been a long two weeks of fashion shows, but I'm definitely invigorated by so many of the hair and makeup looks. I'm also excited to share some behind-the-scenes secrets with you—the kind of stuff you don't usually hear about.

Fashion Week Fact #1: Runway hair isn't always expensive.
The Sari Gueron show (pictured) was running an hour late, so I had plenty of time to watch the hair and makeup teams prepare. Herbal Essences sponsored the hair for this show, and I was curious to see if the stylists actually used the drugstore brand's products, or whether they sneaked some high-end stuff in there. To my delight, the stylists used only Herbal Essences, proving that it's skill, not price, that lets you create a gorgeous look.

Fashion Week Fact #2: Model complexions vary.
You'll be glad to know that models, like the rest of us, have the occasional blemish, blackhead, and other skin problem. You just don't see it easily because their makeup is so professionally done. Then again, about 30% of the models had flawless complexions. Seriously, I couldn't even find a pore on this girl. Moral of the story: Models break out, too, except for a lucky few.

For two more secrets, including the $7.49 mascara that I spied at more than a few shows, read more

My final stop at London Fashion Week was the Inbar Spector show, where the hair, makeup, and clothing had a completely different feel than any of the other "pretty" looks I've seen in the past. This was pure creativity rearing its head in the overall theme of "rebellious Gothic."

Stylists crimped hair all around, then swept it into a tight bun on top of the head. Two tightly braided tendrils were left on either side.

The makeup was just as intricate. Inbar hired makeup artist Lan Nguyen because of her avant-garde style and her bold use of color. If rebellious and goth is what Inbar wanted, that's just what she got. Lips and nails were black, skin was pale yet sculpted, and the eyebrows were all-out punk.

For a breakdown of the MAC products used to create this look, plus application tips, read more

Yesterday afternoon, I checked out the Armand Basi fashion show at the historic Banqueting House in London. Just like the grand landmark setting, the behind-the-scenes area was really something to admire. This was by far the most organized and spacious backstage space I have yet to encounter this week.

The models had a private changing area away from peeping photographers and media, and hair and makeup each had their own fully-equipped workstations. I spoke with lead hair stylist Paul Hanlon who collaborated with Armand to come up with big hair to complement the voluminous clothing. The look they went for was, as he put it, "young, fresh, teased, and fluffy — not lady-like."

For a step-by-step guide on how to create this stylish ponytail at home, read more

Yesterday afternoon following the Felder Felder fashion show in London came the 2008 Fall English Eccentrics show. I went backstage to get the lowdown on the makeup look from clothing designer Helen David and Nars lead makeup artist Jane Richardson.

The inspiration for the show was based on a fairytale written by the designer. Miss Magritte (the protagonist) is a schoolgirl who gradually evolves into a style slave after she is bitten in her sleep by a fashion vampire. Her clothing goes from sweet to edgy and her makeup encompasses both looks. Cheeks are sweet and bright but the color is high and far back for a more modern look. Lips are berry colored and matte, and false eyelashes are placed in the center of the lid — not on the lash line.

To find out what products were used and how you can apply them at home to create this makeup look, read more

Today marks day three of London Fashion Week, and I was lucky enough to sneak a peek behind the scenes at the Felder Felder show. Felder Felder is an up-and-coming, chic German brand born in 2006 from twin sisters Daniela and Anette Felder. Sienna Miller has been spotted wearing their clothes, and just last week Vogue.com called the designers "two to watch."

While the clothing was ruffly, tight, and sexy, I, of course, was interested most in the hair and makeup.

I spoke with lead makeup artist Georgina Graham for MAC, who took me on a virtual tour through the inspiration for the look. She and the Felder sisters wanted to create a modern take on the grunge look. Hair was long, loose, and rumpled and the focus of the makeup was dark, heavy eyes, and pale lips.

The look was based on Courtney Love, Reality Bites, MTV's My So-Called Life, and Steven Meisel's fashion photographs from the early 1990s. When she said, "think Marc Jacobs working for Anna Sui," I knew exactly what to expect.

To find out how to create this grungey look, read more