Jonathan Simkhai's Spring 2016 collection took inspiration from " Urban Americana, architecture and scaffolding" and required a modern, feminine yet unfussy hair and beauty look to match. Professional runway teams from Catwalk by Tigi led by U.S. Creative Director Thomas Osborn and Maybelline New York led by Key Artist Yadim, worked frenetically backstage to make it all come together.
Speaking with Osborn while he worked, I was told the hair look was "A take on classic American, it's sweet it's soft, it's romantic, but the take is also on urban landscapes, like the skeleton of scaffolding and urban architecture. "
This "skeleton" that Osborn refers to was a perfectly done/undone chignon at the nape of model's necks (when hair was long enough) or slightly higher for shorter locks. To get the look stylists prepped hair with CATWALK by TIGI Bodifying Spray to achieve volume and texture. Using a round brush, they then blew dry the front section of hair smooth, leaving natural movement in the ends and hair at the back. Next, they gathered this front section of hair loosely behind the shoulder, keeping tension light around the ears, and tied in a loose knot at the nape. They then split the remaining hair into two again, and tied another knot, using a black elastic to secure. Once the knot is secured, separate with fingers while using pins to secure pieces of hair where desired, and finally, they set the look with CATWALK by TIGI Work It Hairspray.
Click on any image below to launch light box mode for best viewing
Meanwhile, over in the beauty room Yadim and his team from Maybelline were creating a 'barely there' look that was fresh and pretty. They began with a thin layer of Fit ME! Matte + Poreless Foundation, followed by a touch of highlighting concealer to hide any mid-fashion-week dark circles models might have. Edges of the face were then lightly contoured using the not-yet-on-the-market Face Studio Master Contour, (due Spring 2016) followed by contouring powder. The look was completed with an ultra thin wing tip eye, and soft dewy lips via Maybelline Babylips in Quenched.
All images: Cynthia Anderson for Style Wylde