April 2023

9 Cool Beauty Looks from Fashion Week

As much as we love checking out all of the new collections designers roll out, when you have backstage access it’s all about the beauty! The world’s best hair stylists and sought after make-up artists create the fabulous looks we see on the runway that set the trends for real life. Here are our picks of the coolest hair and make-up looks during New York Fashion Week.

Fashion Week Favorite Beauty Round-up

Hair:

We loved the effortless look with a new “twist” Ted Gibson created for Lela Rose: “The new braid for Spring!” We can actually do this one ourselves.

We think textured, beachy So-Cal hair like the looks created by curl expert Ouidad backstage at Timo Weiland will be an easy trend to create at home this Spring and Summer. Try a loose updo topped with a sporty backwards baseball cap.

We saw a chic, sleek pony styled by Renato Campora for Frederic Fekkai at Marchesa. Dress it up by wrapping a section of hair around ponytail to conceal the band.

Make-up:

The look at Rachel Zoe was a heavy eye with natural lips. The lipstick from her new Exude line was used on the models in Nude.

We are so obsessed with the retro matte eyeshadow topped with black liquid liner we saw backstage at Alice+Olivia, created by Sarah Lucero for Stila on Beauty.com. Perfect!

Buy Now, Stila Matte Eyeshadow, $18
Buy Now, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $20

Brows are going to be huge for Spring! The models at Altuzarra sported minimal makeup but with serious brows created by MAC make-up artists. They were also responsible for the major brows backstage at Proenza Schouler and paired them with pretty flushed cheeks.

Statement-making brows were the theme backstage at Cynthia Rowley too, where Make-up Forever artists used shadow to fill them in.

Brows were a big part of the look created by Francois Nars, founder of NARS cosmetics, for the Marc Jacobs show. A strong brow was paired with major lashes and nude lips inspired by Amy Winehouse.

Buy Now, NARs Eyebrow Pencil, $21

Nails:

We spotted pretty and preppy pink striped nails at Rebecca Minkoff. To get this look, paint vertical stripes using essie’s bright Pink Parka over essie’s Below the Belt white.

Buy Now, Essie Below the Belt White, $3.44

Sally Hansen’s natural looking Parchment Complete Salon Manicure polish was used to create the natural-looking nails backstage at one of our favorite young designers, Alexander Wang.

Buy Now, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Polish, $6.99

Sally Hansen

Poppy red nails looked fresh on the models at Jason Wu. Their nails were polished with OPI’s Monsooner or Later.

Buy Now, OPI Monsooner or Later, $7.50

Check out our backstage photo albums from fashion week on facebook:

Fashion Week Spring 2012
Pamella Roland Presentation
Rachel Roy Presentation
Rachel Zoe Show Backstage

Check out our Fashion Week Flashback: Best Beauty Tips for Fall/Winter 2011:


Our Favorite Summer Hair Care Products

It’s no secret that getting your hair to look great in the summer can be a big challenge. Sun, sand, salt, chlorine, and humidity take a toll on our hair, and that can lead to a less-than-desirable look. In order to get those gorgeous summer locks, we put these (and so many more) products to the test and did the lathering, rinsing, and repeating for you. We might even have the cleanest hair in New York City!  Read on for our favorite picks for summer hair care, including the old stand-bys as well as the hottest new products available. Tip: It is important to switch off between at least two shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to get the best results.

Shampoo
Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Shampoo
Pantene is known for being a great and affordable hair care brand. We love the classic clean scent, which is undeniably Pantene. This shampoo leaves you with silky soft and smooth hair.
Buy Now, Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Shampoo, $4.07

Nexxus Aloe Rid Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
Spent too much time in the pool? Light-haired girls especially tend to suffer from the dreaded chlorine green.  Nothing works like Nexxus aloe rid to get out the green and restore your hair to its natural shine. This product has been around forever but does the job best!
Buy Now, Nexxus Aloe Rid Gentle Clarifying Shampoo, $12.99

Organic Surge Moisture Boost Shampoo for Dry or Frizzy Hair
It’s always nice to go organic and use all-natural products, especially during the summer. For those ladies who prefer to be eco-friendly AND look naturally gorgeous, this lightly scented product really gets your hair feeling clean. It has an incredible beachy almond scent we love!
Buy Now, Organic Surge Moisture Boost Shampoo for Dry or Frizzy Hair, $5.99

Conditioner
Serge Normant Meta Velour Conditioner
This is from Serge Normant’s new hair care collection. Hair feels well-conditioned without any residue.  A great new product to add to your regimen.
Buy Now, Serge Normant Meta Velour Conditioner, $24

Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Conditioner
Herbal Essences products always smell amazing, but this one blew us away with its fun floral scent. It creates the softest, lightest-feeling hair. You won’t believe this product came from a drugstore!
Buy Now, Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Conditioner, $7.49

Terax Hair Care Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner
A tried-and-true celebrity favorite. This daily conditioner deeply moisturizes without weighing down hair and works wonders for detangling.
Buy Now, Terax Hair Care Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner, $48

Styling Products
Living Proof No Frizz Straight Styling Spray
Living Proof is getting exceptional amounts of praise from everyone who tries this product. Spray it on before you blow dry to prevent frizz, repel humidity, dirt, and oil to prolong the life of your blowout. Apply more as a finishing spray without fear of product buildup. This amazing new product really works!
Buy Now, Living Proof No Frizz Straight Styling Spray, $19.99

Sebastian Shaper Professional Zero Gravity Hairspray
This is our go-to hairspray because it provides the perfect hold and sets your style without that crunchy, sticky feeling.  Hair still has lots of movement and you can still run your fingers through it!
Buy Now, Sebastian Shaper Professional Zero Gravity Hairspray, $10.51

Keratin Complex Products
We are obsessed with all the styling products from Keratin that we tried, including the hair spray, styling oil, mousse, root lift spray, and nourishing spray conditioner. This new line of keratin-enhanced products gives you the look of a professionally styled coif at home.
Buy Now, Keratin Complex Products

Dove Flexible Hold Aerosol Hairspray
It can be difficult to find inexpensive hair products at the drugstore that compare to the salon products, but Dove makes it easy. We love the flexible hold and the scent of this aerosol hairspray. A must for keeping hair in place whether it is worn down and polished or up and messy.
Buy Now, Dove Flexible Hold Aerosol Hairspray, $3.50

Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray
Blowouts can leave hair looking dull, especially in the summer. Try topping off your ‘do with one of the great products from the MOROCCANOIL line, like the Gold Glimmer Shine oil for sheen without the grease. Spray a little extra on the ends!
Buy Now, Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray, $25.80

Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is great to use between washes because it removes the oils that build up at the roots, especially during the summer. We also like to use it when styling for added texture (like when we create a fishtail braid).

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray
This dry shampoo smells citrusy, which is perfect for refreshing “day-two” hair. Plus it goes on clear, not powdery.
Buy Now, Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray, $23

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Aerosol
This dry shampoo has been a favorite of ours for years!  Smells great, and does the job well.
Buy Now, Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Aerosol, $18

T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo
We love this formula because it matches your hair so you don’t have to worry about the telltale white powder on your roots.
Buy Now, T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo, $25

Beach Hair
Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray
Spending a day at the beach is not always convenient when you want those fab-looking beach waves. Capture it at home with Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray  —this product creates those naturally sexy waves that mimic the combination of salt water, sand, and wind.
Buy Now, Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $22

Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves
Fekkai is synonymous with beautiful hair, so it’s no wonder his Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves really creates an authentic look. Spray on damp hair and scrunch for best results.
Buy Now, Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves, $24.48

John Frieda Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner
Everyone can use a little leave-in conditioner after a day at the beach. To nourish and treat your hair while still rocking that fresh-from-the-beach look, spritz this on after shampooing.
Buy Now, John Frieda Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner, $7.95

Thinking of changing your look? Check out our at-home coloring tips for hot and healthy hair, or try pairing these products with one of our favorite summer styles!