Archive

Backstage Beauty

Clothes may get all the attention, but it’s the makeup and hair on the runway that really sets the trend. From pale faces and top knots to dramatic eyes, VIEW OUR GALLERY of the best beauty of New York Fashion Week.

galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-1_maobgv
Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-1_zkxxc0

Things were tranquil backstage at Oscar de la Renta as models prepped for the spring 2010 show.

Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-15_vjuqq9

Braids were big on catwalks all over Fashion Week this year. Stylists at Oscar de la Renta wove colored fabric into hair.

Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-5_awkbza

Oscar de la Renta featured crown-like braids, which emphasized penciled brows and pale lips.

Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-10_zarwb9

Stylists at Oscar de la Renta created a wreath out of the woven fabric.

Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-8_bx5abh

All American girls ripped the runway in long braids at Alexander Wang’s spring show. Unruly and voluminous hair gave way to long fishtail braids.

Karl Prouse/ Catwalking/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty_dkkvqn

Oscar de la Renta used liquid eyeliner to evoke Egyptian cat eyes on the runway -- a hint of drama on an otherwise muted face.

Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-3_kkyww7

A steady hand was invaluable backstage at Oscar de la Renta, where a makeup artist meticulously applied dramatic eyeliner.

Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-2_q4pb7s

Faces at the Marc Jacobs show were theatrical, with white accents on eyelids and thick black stripes along lash lines. The dramatic eyes offset mauve lips, which provided a sultry hint of color on the ghostly palette.

Biasion Studio/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-4_qgjosv

Bryan Reyes created a smart, severe look for spring 2010. His models showed clean, clear skin with tidy eyebrows and natural lashes, which drew attention to their neatly styled hair. A central part and low ponytail emphasized Reyes’ crisp look.

Kristian Dowling/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-6_ml1lqn

Calvin Klein complimented his billowing silhouettes with naked skin and tousled hair.

Fernanda Calfat/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-13_oeu50a

Hair on the Badgley Mischka runway was sleek and classic, with models like Chanel Iman debuting a perfectly combed bun.

JP Yim/ Gettty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-12_px7gwr

Marc Jacobs’ models resembled ghosts with powdered white faces and dramatic brow lines.

Jeremy Kost/ WireImage/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-9_xe5uc1

Faces were also pale at Badgley Mischka, where barely-there makeup elegantly offset heavily beaded looks.

Karl Prouse/ Catwalking/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-11_xbm0xw

It’s a good season for Princess Leia fans everywhere: double-buns were a staple of the Marc Jacobs runway, and neatly complimented the severe makeup.

Karl Prouse/ Catwalking/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-14_wbifx2

It seems like there wasn’t a single hair out of place in Marc Jacobs’ dramatic top-knots.

Fernanda Calfat/ Getty Images
galleries/2009/09/22/backstage-beauty/gates-backstage-beauty-7_qnxwcv

At Tibi, hair was brushed back in a nonchalant bun and bound with pink strips–which played off electric pink eye shadow.

Kristian Dowling/ Getty Images

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.