Backstage beauty report: Ruffian Spring 2014

British writer, and artist muse, Caroline Blackwood was the inspiration behind the Ruffian Spring 2014 collection, and this unusual starting pointed presented an interesting challenge for the hair and beauty teams: how do you capture the energy of such a precise personality without crossing into campy or costumey styling? Style Wylde ventured backstage with designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais to see how their chosen teams from (Tigi Hair and MAC cosmetics) got it done.

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

First up, the hair.

Lead artist Nick Irwin of Tigi described the hair to Style Wylde as "a distressed set, that might be one or two days old." To get the look he began by using Catwalk By prepping roots with Catwalk by TIGI Curlesque Stong Mousse. Next hair was divided into sections and coated with Tigi Sleek Mystique Look-Lock Hairspray, before being wrapped around a hot wand and pinned in place to cool. Once hair was set, the curls were brushed through and re-dried with a diffuser. As a final touch, small sections were repinned into place to give a loose, "slept in" feel to the look and then given a healthy once-over with Tigi  Your Highness Weightless Shine Spray.

image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

Now for the beauty.

MAC Key artist, James Kaliardos, described the beauty look to Style Wylde as "A nod to the 60's but really transparent and not too over the top." To get this pretty, retro but not costumey look the team added a few lashes in the center of the lid, and then brushed on Haute and Naughty Mascara to make the  eyes really stand out.  Eyes were  then"Circulated"  on the top and bottom with new MAC Cream Color Shadow in March Mist, and then upper lids were coated with a pale pink shade called Particularly Pretty. Lips were then smoothed over with Pick me up Pink ( a more apricotish shade).

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Finally, the finishing touch: the nails

Personally designed by Wolk and Morais, using the soon-to-be-released Ruffian Nail Stencils (which, BTW, are BRILLIANT for those of us that are born with perfectly steady hands, but love a great DIY mani) and the Ruffian Nail Hues in Delirium, Fox Hunt, and Hedge Fund slicked on in a reverse French manicure style over the Ruffian hue Naked. Wildly  eye-catching, we loved this look that was sleek and sophisticated but still a little punk rock without being overtly "nail art" in vibe.  The stencils, and all the Ruffian nail hues are available internationally via BIRCHBOX.

image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

 FOR MORE FROM THE RUFFIAN RUNWAY CHECK OUT THE STYLE WYLDE FEATURE IN FASHION