Backstage beauty: Karen Walker Spring 2012

image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

Backstage at Karen Walker Fall 2012, which took place at Pier 59 on Monday, was a whirlwind of activity as experts from CND Nails, Clinique beauty, and Bumble and Bumble Hair created an incredibly clean and pretty look to match the Sea Monsters collection.  

Lead artist Wanda Ruiz for CND Nails/Image:C.Hope for Style WyldeHere's what they did starting with nails, CND key artist Wanda Ruiz designed "deep sea digits" to go with the theme of the collection, a dazzling deep midnight blue topped with a super shiny CND topcoat, the color retained its glass like finish long after the color had set. Ruiz told SW before the show, "We decided to go really tailored on the nails, as the clothes are very tailored, the shape is a rounded square, it's very mod but it's also very flirty, it's a very strong statement that goes perfectly with the collection."  

Stylist Laurent Philippon/Image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

Meanwhile for hair, Bumble and Bumble's lead stylist Laurent Philippon, and his team  created heavily textured ponytails with a 1950's pompadour flair. They began by smoothing hair out in sections with a blow dryer. Next Bumble and Bumble thickening spray  was applied to hair one section at a time starting from the front and working backwards to give the hair hold and 'moldability.' Next the hair was brushed back into the pompadour shape secured in a low ponytail, and given a healthy coat of Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode. To give the look a modern, not too structured appeal, Philippon had his team finger separate sections of the hair, for a final finishing touch. 

Jenna Menard explains her inspiration for the beauty look/image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeOn the other side of the room, the Clinique team, led by Jenna Menard created a "sculptural yet beautiful" look via subtly shaped cheeks, strong brows, a super thin line on the top lids, and a naturally nude lip with the not yet launched chubby stick Heaping Hazelnut (Due to hit cosmetic counters in July.) 

For a full recap and exclusive images of the Karen Walker Fall 2012 runway show, check out the feature in Fashion.