Direct from the Runway: Abaete

What a fabulous start to Spring 2009 Fashion Week. (How crazy is it that we're seeing clothing for next spring when it's not even fall yet?) But seriously, Abaete totally rocked for my first-ever backstage experience. While this is my third Fashion Week, it's my first going backstage for the shows (and I have about 15 coming up this week!) ... and this was a fabulous start to the packed week ahead.

Makeup lead Shawn Peltier from Stila was going for the dichotomy of two sides of a girl -- in other words, the good girls we are and the bad girls we want to be. (What self-respecting beauty chick doesn't feel like that on a daily basis?)

The eyes were the focus here, with a brand-new product for spring -- the Kalakoo Smudge Pot, a black liner with real 24-karat gold pieces crushed into it. (How amazing does this product look in the photo at right, even a bit blurry?) "I think the nice thing about the eye is that it's a graphic eye," Shawn said as he worked on one of the models.

Makeup artists smudged on layer after layer of this color onto and around the eyes and finished with Black Multi-Effect Mascara for a dramatic look that demanded attention. (Above is makeup artist Jason working on one of the models, who told me, "The dewy skin with the strong eye is like the yin to the yang with a fresher complexion that's light and candlelit.") Skin was kept dewy and fresh with Illuminating Liquid Foundation, while lips were swiped with Tahitian Vanilla Gloss and Shine Lip Polish. Check out more from Shawn in the video below!



Meanwhile, hairstylist David Cruz from Redken went for a tight, pulled-back bun -- very fresh, clean and crisp to balance out the striking eye. "We wanted a strong girl," David said. The bun was quite strong and severe with absolutely no flyaways -- definitely perfect for more humid days like today at the Tents! To get the look, David started by flat ironing hair section by section, trying to press the hair and get it as smooth as possible. He then pulled all the hair back into a ponytail, using a hairnet to pull the ponytail up with no flyaways. Then came the amazing part -- the wax. "I wanted the idea of texture without product," David said ... and so he used Redken Electric Wax 11, which is a shiny, almost pomade-like wax that's yellow in color with hints of sparkle running through it.

David ended with two different hairsprays to really keep the look in place: Redken Workforce 09 Flexible Volumizing Spray and Redken Headplay 12 Pliable Working Spray. But, the hair was still pliable -- totally amazing, right? The finishing touch: An eye-level bun that's sleek and polished with a gorgeous gleam. (Check out the picture at right for the look.)



I even snapped some fab shots of the Stila makeup table on my way out:





The end result? Definitely not what I was expecting for spring. But I liked it nonetheless! What better way to go out on the town than with an easy bun and a stunning smoky eye?

*All pictures are the property of The Beauty of Life.