Backstage Beauty: Alexander Wang Fall 2012

Practically every cool girl worth her fashion salt owns an Alexander Wang piece—and put the emphasis on the word “cool.” Since the young designer’s client is well-defined, it makes sense that the beauty story at his Fall 2012 show follows that of his client: effortless downtown chic. “When designing his collection, Alexander is very in tune to the details and designs for the girl today, and we wanted the hairstyle to reflect that as well,” shares Redken creative consultant Guido, who keyed the show. “It’s a very simple look—an easy down style with a center part and hair tucked behind the ears.” Naturally, easy styles take some prep, and Guido is first applying Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-dry Lotion to damp strands to create a foundation, and then blow-drying hair to about 80% dry. Then, he rakes Outshine 01 Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk though the mid-lengths to ends to prevent major fuzzing while the hair air-dries. “It’s a very wearable hairstyle as well—straightforward and effortless,” he concludes.

Makeup is a little less straightforward, though you can’t tell by simply gazing upon it. Lead makeup artist Diane Kendal, working with MAC Cosmetics, is molding the perfect face—all taupe angles, arcs and lines. “This is the sculpted Alex Wang girl—a tough chick,” she shares. She draws MAC Coffee Walnut Pro Sculpting Cream (available Fall/Winter 2012) along the low planes of the face, under the cheekbones, through the temples and along the sides of the nose. Then, she chisels even more, blending Accentuate Pro Sculpting Cream (available Fall/Winter 2012) over the high planes, above the cheekbones, along the bridge of the nose and above the brow bone. “The skin is very lit,” Kendal remarks, as she finishes with a light powdering of Studio Careblend Pressed Powder along the middle of the face only, leaving the perimeter of the face raw and natural. Eyes receive slight definition; a very thin line of MAC Pro Black Crème Liner along the upper lash line opens the eyes while brow arches are given a straighter shape for a tomboyish feel.

That “boyish” feel is carried over to the nails, a collaboration between Wang and Sally Hansen. “These are very light opaques,” lead nail tech Jin Soon Choi remarks. “Alex really likes natural-looking colors.” The three hues (available Fall 2012)—Bandage, a clean neutral; Pumice, a grayed-down mint; and Ion, a cool stone—are what Choi deems “very wearable.” Though the Wang collab produced three colors, only Bandage made the catwalk cut. No matter for Choi. “Bandage is my favorite,” she allows, adding, “Beige is the new pink!” —Karie L. Frost

(First image: Charles Sykes for Redken; second image: courtesy of MAC)

Other Backstage Beauty ArticlesErickson Beamon  | Prabal Gurung Alice + OliviaJill Stuart Marc Jacobs   |   Lauren Moffatt  |   Rag + Bone  |   Peter Som Fall |  Katie Gallagher   |  Rachel Roy  |  Christian Siriano  |   Derek Lam and Diane Von Furstenberg   |  Richard Chai   |  Houghton   |  Tadashi Shoji

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