Salerm

Toni Francesc Pairs Green Dresses with Forest Inspired Beauty

“Urban Forest” was the theme backstage at Toni Francesc.  Lead makeup artist Jackie Mgido of Mehron cosmetics tied the makeup in this tough-meets-natural look by mixing earthy colors on the face with a pop of brightness at the eyes.  “Keep it natural and well-blended,” she advises, using a small brush to apply light cream foundation “only where needed.”  Jackie sought to promote healthy skin by creating a light glow; Mehron’s Celebra Foundation helps to achieve the look with ingredients like pomegranate and soothing aloe.  Plus, it’s oil free! On the eyes, Jackie uses cream eye shadow in bright yellows, blues, greens, and grays.  She especially recommends cream products in the winter, as dry eyelids take over.  Conveniently, cream shadow doesn’t need a base.  She notes that you can blend cream in nicely with just your fingertips.  Cream makeup translates to cheeks and lips as well; Jackie shows me a palette of saturated yet sheer multi-purpose hues that she uses on the cheeks solo and on the lips topped over foundation.

Hair at Toni was led by Nelson Cartaya of Salerm.  His team “re-created a forest in the models’ hair,” as Cartaya describes, through the intricate full-head braiding that conveyed a “purposely messy yet elegant” look.  The braids, some normal and others atypical, were haphazardly wrapped around the girls’ heads using bobby pins and rubber bands to fasten, creating an easy-going updo.  Products included Salerm Definition Nature hair spray and a bit of mousse, depending on the hair’s texture.  For every day, Cartaya says all you need for a casual look is a good haircut and some good products, sans the fuss.

Go Backstage at Toni Francesc

Overheard backstage: "Toni wanted it like this, no he wanted it more gold." "Toni wanted... Toni wanted... Toni asked for..."  Toni Francesc was very involved with the whole backstage collaboration of hair and makeup this season.  He wanted the overall look to reflect the theme of his show "Artificial Life," where technology and human come together.

Makeup was done by Mehron and the most interesting part was the use of the gold powder on the hallows of the cheeks and the lips.  On the lips it was pressed in so it reflected off and into the cameras lenses.  There was no definition in the lip at all.  The brows were drawn on strong with black eye liner and brushed over with a mascara wand so they would peak through the short black bangs of the wigs that were about to cover them.

Nelson Cartaya of Salerm lead the hair team by placing the hair in buns on the top of the head and then applying short, chic black wigs with full fringe on 15 models.  "I believe the black color symbolizes the color of iron and reflects the industrial theme of the show," Cartaya commented.