The ’70s was a funky decade: polyester jumpsuits, big hair, bigger platforms. As such, the beauty at Naeem Khan is perfectly groovy as it looks back to the glamorous Halston girl of that time for inspiration. “It was that whole era where you have vibrant colors and various layers of fabric [as does Naeem in his collection],” says KISS lead nail artist Gina Edwards. “We wanted to complement [his collection] with a nail that wasn’t going to be too graphic or overpowering.” To get the subdued and subtle look, Edwards crafts a pink-and-nude faded ombré design. She first files KISS Salon Acrylic French Nude tips into an almond shape and then uses a fan brush from the KISS Salon Secrets Nail Art Starter Kit dipped in a custom-blend of KISS Gel Strong Polish in coral Sweet Angel, white French White and nude Sakura to paint the tips one at a time in a upward stroke, starting at the base of the nail. “Ombré is all about application,” she says. “I use a fan brush because it allows me to separate the color, apply it on the tip and blend it up.” After each nail is painted, she quickly adds a coat of KISS Gel Strong Top Coat. “The clear coat blends the color into the nail and gives it that soft, Lucite finish,” she says. “And [the reason] you have to paint one nail at a time is because if you do all 10 nails with the brushstrokes, and then go back later with the top coat, the color is already dried—you won’t get the same Lucite effect.”
For the makeup design, Maybelline lead artist Gato taps into the barely-there makeup looks from the ’70s. “My muse is Ali MacGraw from Love Story,” he shares. Gato opts for neutral skin that’s not too shiny or too matte, uses Maybelline Brow Precise Brow Pencil to keep eyebrows looking natural and a little thick, and paints only the root of the lashes with Maybelline The Colossal Big Shot Mascara for an innocent vibe. He also coats pouts with Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Nudes in either Raw Chocolate or Brown Blush and highlights cheekbones and lids with Maybelline Master Contour V-Shape Contouring Duo. “We apply the color on the apple of the cheek, going down toward the jaw line to create that feeling of a girl running to university. And we use the same color on the lids and then press it with a tissue and lip balm to make it juicy and fresh,” he explains. “It’s nude makeup, but it’s not so teenager; it’s more like the beige colors you see in ’70s movies—she’s a healthy beautiful girl.”
The laid-back ’70s inspired Lead Stylist Jeanie Syfu, who crafts a fresh and effortless hair design. “We’re letting the models’ natural beauty shine through,” she says. “The clothes are very extravagant so we thought this beauty look was a good balance.” Working with the models’ natural texture, Syfu preps hair with gel and uses her hands to stretch the hair as she blow dries it. “A brush stretches the hair too perfectly,” she explains. “It gives it the look of a salon blowout and we’re looking for the opposite of that.” She parts locks straight down the center, spritzes finishing spray to rid any flyaways and round brushes the top section, which hangs like a curtain over the models’ natural texture. “Even though the hair is a bit undone, we wanted to add strength, so [we crafted] a dead-center clean part,” she says. “You get a polish from the top, but then all of that movement underneath is [the girls’].” To complete the look, she polishes the ends if needed with a brush. On the overall outcome of her design, Syfu says, “It’s not too forced—it doesn’t look too perfect—and there’s a confidence to it. It’s sexy.”
