Expert Tips from Tibi's Backstage Dream Team

Ever since I can remember I have been in love with Tibi dresses. I could barely wait to cover backstage at Tibi’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection this season. Every fashionista knows their bright colors and patterns already make a fashion statement. To accompany the designs, stylist chose natural hair, makeup, and nails to keep the models looking glamorous, but allowing the clothes to take center stage. With expertise advice from the pros, you will soon be able to get the look of the runway in a few easy steps. The hair was clean and simple. The models all showed off their perfect ponytails with center parts, and by following these tips from Frank Rizzien of R Session Tools, and lead stylist Kevin Ryan you can get the look too. Start by having the perfect blow dry, the secret is not only brushing your hair, but combing all your hair as well. Make sure all the knots are removed so that the hair will flow. One of Rizzien’s favorite products to use then is Aveda’s Universal Styling Cream to seal in moisture. Also R Session Tools’ round large barrel brush provides easy access, which is 100% boar, has clear single nylon bristles, and a removable pick to section your hair. This will help create volume and bounce. Next, spritz L’Oreal Ellnett Satin Hairspray at the roots of your hair and flatiron straight.  Finally, tie your hair in a ponytail.

Makeup was done by the one and only Bobbi Brown. "I love doing makeup for the clothes that I love," she remarked.  Her inspiration for this season was for it to be a “pretty season,” wanting every woman in the audience to want the look of the models. Bobbi created a radiant face that is finished in a natural way. One standout feature was the cheeks. By using Bobbi Brown’s Highlighter Pen in Pink all over the cheek instead of a highlighter creates a softer look. The eyes were magnificent; Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel eyeliner was used in black ink, and her Kohl Eyeliner, a shadow liner in plum orchid was used depending on the model’s skin color and eye shape. Lots of mascara was used to give definition to the lashes. The lips had a nice natural lip color that was very settle.

Pattie Yankee lead Dashing Diva manicurists and she shared a few secrets to get the perfect manicure at home. The number one rule is always use nail polish remover first to remove natural oils. Then, use a base coat and apply two thin coats.  "You must finish with a good top coat," she strongly suggested.  Try Dashing Diva’s Debutante nail color that was used at this year’s show on both nails and toes.

Answer the question and see more pics after the jump....

If you could have a dream team of primpers who would they be?

Go Backstage at Brian Reyes

New York Fashion Week is almost over and we have to bid adieu to Bryant Park and all the memories of fashion and beauty created here throughout the years. Tonight I had the pleasure to go backstage at Brian Reyes and witnessed beauty at it's finest.  Although it seemed packed it was what I would call a "controlled mess" everyone was scattered in a frenzy but knew what needed to get done to showcase Brian Reyes's vision. Pattie Yankee lead manicurist from Dashing Diva dished how Brian wanted a neutral color with a semi-gloss so that it won't take away from the variety of colors from his collection.  They just used one coat of 57th and 5th to keep it simple and to the point.

Martin Christopher created a consistent theme of low pony tails with a slight, not so defined, left side part.  He reinvented the polished look by adding the edginess of the modern woman.  The focus was to create that matte texture.  With a quick blowout but doing so in a forward and then back direction to create volume from the root and bring it all back into a low pony tail and securing it with TRESemmé 24 hour body finishing spray.

On the contrary, Wendy Rowe lead make-up artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, wanted to create dramatic eyes to capture strength and confidence.  "The Brian Reyes girl for fall is modern and sophisticated from head to toe, but she has an edge, which her makeup reflects. She's a very cool girl who is comfortable in her own skin," she commented.

For the eyes she used aubergine shades on the upper lid such as Eggplant Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow and lined the lower lid with a spearmint color, Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow in Aqua, to serve as a contrast.  To keep the lips neutral she faded the line.

Being that it was my first backstage show at Bryant Park it was such an inspiration to see how everything I love about beauty from the nails, hair and makeup can be used to tell the story of the designer and how it all ties together at the end. The same way I do everyday when I apply makeup that is either driven by how I feel that day, what I've seen or even inspiration from my outfit.

-MK