Backstage beauty: Karen Walker Spring 2013

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

Artfully smashed hair and brash 80's beauty created the perfect compliment for Karen Walkers bright, seemingly moonlit collection. Here's what the Beauty mavens from Clinique, Bumble and Bumble and CND Nails did to create the look:

image: S.Whittle for Style Wylde

First off, the nails: Clear, buff, nude, and pale pink nails were a major trend for Spring 2013, and CND was leader in the fresh hue game by amping the natural look up to a space-age white, in what the company called "Milky Way Manicures".  To achieve this galaxy inspired glam, the CND team applied two coats of CND Colour in Studio White and finished nails with a matte top coat. This gave hands a "glowing from within look" that matched the retro-starstruck Karen Walker looks perfectly.

Next the hair:

Knowing that Karen Walker collections almost always included to-die-for headwraps or hats, we were curious to see what the  key artist Laurent Philippon of Bumble and bumble and his team would come up with for the show. Once backstage, we were delighted to see, yes there will be hats, and the hair was going to be kept low-key and windswept.  Adding extensions to create a carefree flowing look, and flat ironing bangs for a sexy in the eyes vibe was all that was needed.

image: S.Whittle for Style Wylde  

Finally the  make-up: Keeping with the 80's meets intergalactic glam theme, Clinique key artist Jenna Menard, designed a beauty look that would pair glowing, almost starlit skin with a punch of punk on the mouth and subtle smudgy eyes. Menard began by blending with Clinique Even Better Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation all over the face. She then set foundation with Clinique Sheer Stay Matte pressed foundation, to eliminate the risk of shine. (Which on super hot and sticky days like we had all week in New York is a total must.)  Menard then added a very subtle contour to cheeks using Clinique Super Balanced Bronzer just below the apples of model's cheeks. From there, Menard focused on eyes using Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense in Intense Ebony in a thin line along bottom lashes, smudging slightly at the corners and then adding a layer of Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte in Midnight over the top of the line. Eyes were finished off with multiple coats of Clinique High Impact Extreme Waterproof in Black on the top lashes, and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in Black. Menard explained  backstage that the special formula and the precision designed itty-bitty brush makes "Bottom Lash" a must have product. ( And one that has been wildly popular since it's release).

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

With eyes finished Menard finally turned to that bright pink mouth, that added the ultimate oomph on the runway. To create the stand out color Menard applied Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Watermelon, followed by a dusting of Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow in Lucky Penny over the top for extra pop and a stay put pout.

For more images from the Karen Walker Spring 2013 collection check out the photo feature in Fashion.