As dedicated beauty junkies, we love to pour over—and occasionally,
on a wild and crazy weekend, try—the new hair and makeup trends that
emerge during Fashion Week. But in our real lives (where, ahem, we have
to work), our bosses don’t always appreciate our beauty
bravado. In an effort to merge the two worlds, Makeup.com asked
backstage regulars how to make runway hair and makeup work at our
9-to-5.
Haute hair Buy cheap makeup
“Runway hair is exaggerated and helps to refine the overall look of
the clothing,” says DJ Riggs, Tigi Creative Director and backstage vet.
So while you may be lusting after an over-the-top ‘do, Riggs suggests
editing it down. “Pin point one element that you like and want to copy—a
funky french braid or to-the-side ponytail
simplify the style,” he says. And don’t forget that more is not always
better. “Overusing strong hairsprays and stiff gels looks too severe,”
adds Myron Chin, senior stylist at Oscar Blandi salon in New York City.
Makeup Alley ![]()
Model makeup
A bright lip and bold eyeshadow are runway faves, but don’t always
translate off the catwalk. For dramatic lip color, choose a sheer
formula instead of full cream or matte texture suggests Dell Ashley, an
Yves Saint Laurent national makeup artist. (Or, swipe a demure, milky
gloss like Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur in Pure Beige
over any lipstick to tone it down.) An intense eyeshadow doesn’t have
to be off-limits, either…with a few adjustments. “Skip eye primer,
since it intensifies color and place very little shadow on the brush,”
says Dell.
Couture nails
In the past few years, nail polish has been moving beyond pretty
pinks and classic reds and into daring, colorful territory. Celeb
manicurist Jin Soon Choi, says she’s seeing lots of glitter and
holographic finishes in polish this fall. Wondering how to wear sparkly
talons at the office? Choi likes darker shades (“they flatter almost
every skintone”) and mandates good nail maintenance—keep the length on
the shorter side and create a more rounded shape—for ultimate
wearability. As for nail art—like crackle-style polishes
