Backstage beauty: Mara Hoffman Spring 2012

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

For Mara Hoffman's exuberant, colorful, Frida Kahlo/Mexican folk Art inspired Spring 2012 collection, the behind the scenes beauty teams from Make Up Forever  and Tigi Haircare had the considerable challenge of creating a look that was complimentary to the ultra vibrant pieces without creating distraction or discord.  

Here is how it was done, first up the beauty:

Key Artist Lottie from Makeup Forever preps a model/Image: S. Whittle for Style WyldeKeeping with the Frida Kahlo idea, key artist Lottie from Makeup Forever came up with the concept of strong powerful women defined by bold brows, sculpted cheeks and an overall warm gorgeous glow.  First, Lottie  used  Makeup Forever Invisible Cover Foundation to create the perfect blank canvas. Then to achieve the sculpted, but still natural look  Lottie layered the cheeks with eye shadows #76 and #98 followed by a pop of illumination via Ever Star Powder in #902 and #974.

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

From there, eyes were given  a slightly worn, messy look with Makeup Forever Kohl pencil #1k in black and a touch of Flash Color.  Eyes were then given a thick coat of Smoky Lash Mascara and lips were given a swipe of soft peachy-pink Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense #39. The final touch,  a coat of Glossy Full #10 to complete the look. (shown above)

 image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Now the hair:

Not satisfied with a run-of-the-mill updo  for Mara Hoffman's look, Nick Erwin of Tigi Haircare took scrap pieces from the actual collection and wove them into the model's hair along with long synthetic extensions.

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

From there, the hair and added fabric was wound up around the head to create a huge multi-layered bun.  

image: S.Whittle for Style Wylde

As a final touch, head pieces made to suggest foliage and flowers were added to the buns to amp up the folk-art inspired look. 

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

For more on the products used to create this runway look for the Mara Hoffman Spring 2012 collection, visit the official  Make Up Forever and Tigi websites, and check out the full recap from the collection in Fashion.