Betsey Johnson's Backstage Beauty Bonanza

I had been told earlier by Jeannine that backstage at Betsey Johnson was one big party and I was not disappointed.   The day finally came for me to cover her show and I was ecstatic! There were colorful signs everywhere made by the designer herself, champagne flowed and mini cupcakes by Baked By Melissa were abundant. Models and makeup artists alike were almost too busy dancing to the bumping music to get ready for the show. Somehow they managed. Sarah Lucero was the lead on makeup for Stila Cosmetics and the watchword for the show was "glam" (sexy and bombshell were also thrown around). The skin was kept very simple using Stila's Perfect + Correct, Brighten + Correct, and Sheer Pressed Powder. The cheeks were contoured with Stila's Sun Bronzing Powder to create some vavavavoom! The eyes were kept fairly simple with a bold, black cat eye (which stayed put thanks to Stila's Prime Pot and Smudge Pot in black) and loooong jet black lashes. (Sarah's tip for those at home is to apply the mascara and then make the cat eye.)

The main focus of the look were the lips; a bright, glossy, neon pink made with "giggle" luxe lip gloss. The finished product was definitely bold without being too much.

The hair, by Peter Gray for Cutler Redken Salon, was based off of Jerry Hall and Betsey's theme for the evening; "tits and ass". To make the hair as curvy as the motif, Peter used Redken's Number 12 Versatile Working Spray and curled 3/4 of the head all over. The curls were held with pins and sprayed again (I felt the top of the curls, there was a lot of shelac there). The other side of the head was a deep, sleek side part that went all the way from the front of the head to the back of the ear. After the curls were set, using Redken number 7 full frame protective volumizing mousse, the curls were brushed out into gorgeous waves. The finished look was as opulent as the collection.

The most intricate part of the show was definitely Nonie Creme, of Butter Londons nails. They were insane! Nonie said her inspiration came from Betsey's let loose and rock on attitude. The nails were a reverse half moon. She started by painting the nails with Union Jack Black and filing the tips to points. Then putting on a "stair step holographic glitter tip" (If you're confused, don't worry so was I. The stair step bit means that the fake nail sat above the real nail so it was on two different planes). Then, "Of course since it's Betsey," said Nonie. There was a diamante applique on each of the nails at the curve. The most interesting part of the already amazing and innovative manicure were the pinkies. Each pinky was pierced with a baby black safety pin. The safety pin was unbelievably cool and has made me stop biting my nails so I can grow them long enough to get them! Nonie's at home tip for this crazy manicure is to lay all of the fake nails on the table and paint them before you apply them. That way you can put nail polish everywhere and not worry about messing up your manicure.

Betsey's backstage party was amazing and I never wanted to leave. When I finally did, rocking a pink, glittery hair extension that smelled like Betsey's new fragrance, "Too Too", I danced around my room in my favorite Betsey dress listening to '80's music. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

Betsey keeping it cool with her own hair extension!

Groovy Baby! 60's Mod for Alice + Olivia

Bright colors mixed with pastels and eclectic hairstyles were part of the beauty scene for Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet's Spring 2012 collection.  The theme: walking through a secret garden during the 60's.

Thomas Dunkin, Sebastian Professional Lead Stylist, didn't want to take the 60's look so literally, so he pulled inspiration from the 20's creating three different styles.  A mix between chignons and buns, side-swept hair and low ponytails with head scarfs.  SO Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly!   For the runway, Dunkin used Potion 9 Lite as the foundation throughout the hair and a donut to create that polished look for the buns and chignons.  When trying it at home, he suggests making it your own. No need to make it so polished (i.e. no donut). If there are any loose strands let them be so as not to make it seem like you're trying too hard.

Let's talk about the shagadelic makeup done by Stila's Global Artist, Kasi Harabedian  for Beauty.com.  .  GORGEOUS!  The sparkling turquoise eyeshadow and extreme cat eye brought out the 60's mod style we all know and love.  She used a nude liner in the inner rim of the eyes instead of white to give it a modern touch and make the eyes pop.  For the most part, the nails were a mix of sorbet colors from Nails Inc. including mint green, corals and pinks.  However, some of the models rocked white nails with black stripes. To make it work Julie Kandalec first painted two coats of floral street and then a top coat on which she drew the black lines with black taxi.  A quick tip from the pro: no need to run out and buy fancy nail art pens, all she did was cut the bristles of the brush to make it easier to create the stripes.