It’s minutes before a fashion show starts. The models have finally arrived and seats are filling up, but backstage, the beauty gurus are just getting started. As they blend and brush models like Gisele, Karen, Kirsty, and Naomi into top form for the New York shows, the pros aren’t just creating great stage makeup – they’re inventing next season’s trends. Here, they reveal how to get the essential look on a budget.
MAKEUP: For fall, hold on to your balms and blushers: Lips are pale and shiny, cheeks rosy. Keep eyes fresh by day and add shimmer at night with sheer, earthy hues around lids and high on cheeks.
Bobbi Brown (at Han Feng, Chaiken and Capone) usually relies on her own luxury product line. But to make eyes sparkle and shimmer on the runway, she dusts on Mattese’s silver shadow ($9, Ricky’s).
Mark Carrasquillo (at ORFI, Jill Stuart, Daryl K) uses a taupe-y blend of Mattese lip gloss and eye shadow ($8-$15, Ricky’s) for eye and cheek stains. For extra edge at ORFI, he uses five layers of Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara.
Fulvia Farolfi (at Vivienne Tam, Betsey Johnson, Searle) reddens cheeks with Ben Nye’s professional “Severe Exposure” cream Color Wheel ($9 at Alcone, 633-0551). “Cream is easier to use than powder, and you don’t need foundation,” she explains.
Dick Page (at Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, John Bartlett) keeps eyes simple with Jane’s clear gel ($3, CVS) to bring out fair brows and pale Wet-n-Wild eye pencils to define lashes ($1, CVS).
Pat McGrath (at Anna Sui) primes lips with Burt’s Beeswax ($3, Ricky’s).
Susan Giordano (at Tuleh, Susan Lazar) uses drugstore colors, but only professional sponges ($2.50 for eight, Alcone). “They wash really well and never crumble,” she gushes.
Linda Cantello (at Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera) transfers her custom-mixed pigments into tiny plastic containers ($1.50, Ricky’s) that she totes around the world and shares with her nine assistants.
HAIR: Silky locks are still the rage, worn either stick-straight or in loopy waves. You’ll need a powerful hair dryer, a curling iron, and one good smoothing product.
Jimmy Paul (at Tuleh, Wink, Mark Eisen) tames frizzies with Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula ($5.70 at Bigelow’s, 473-7324) before styling.
Orlando Pita (at TSE New York, Michael Kors, John Bartlett) molds ringlets with a thin curling iron and softens them with a dab of Kiehl’s Panthenol protein conditioner ($15 at Kiehl’s, 677-3171).
Didier Malige (at Patrick Robinson) weaves sleek long manes with human-hair extensions (from $25 apiece at W&Y Chung Traders, 967-9945).
Picks of the Week
Nine West, Enzo Angiolini, and 9&Co. women’s shoes and boots are on sale for less than half price: shoes are $20-$35; boots are $25-$40. Women’s sizes 5-10. Parsons School of Design, 560 Seventh Ave., at 40th St.; A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.- Thurs. 8-7, Fri. 8-6; 3/1-3/5.
Margo Manhattan Jewelry’s chic gold and sterling designs are now 20 to 60 percent off: Sterling and topaz cuff bracelet was $685, now $274; Sterling-and-garnet tuxedo stud set was $385, now $230. 100 Thompson St. (925-0735); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sat. 11-7, Sun. 12-6; 3/1-3/21.
Jamson Whyte’s hand-carved Indonesian table stuff and teak furniture are on sale at the warehouse for 50 to 70 percent off: Coffee tables are $300-$400; “plantation” chairs are $300; candle stands are $30-$60. 139 Charles Street (965-9405); A.E., M.C., V.; Sat.-Sun. 10-5; 3/6-3/7.
Prudence Designs is known as a florist, but the shop’s home stuff is just as stylish. Now it’s at least half off: Silk pillows are $35-$70; linen napkins and place mats are $6-$7; ceramics are $4-$35. 235 W. 18th St. (691-1356); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sat. 10-7; 3/8-3/12.