It’s backstage at the shows, and when I’m getting my makeup done by the professionals that I get most inspired. Inspired to dig my own hands in the beauty department and experiment with some of the absolute best products out there. Shimmer. Purples. Pinks. Redish black eyeliners, that I didn’t even know existed. All things that shouldn’t be so scary to play with. For my first day of shows, I wanted something super rock n’ roll. I asked my makeup artist, “hmm, what would look incredible with a full sequined blue pant suit?” A sexy, dark eye of course! Done. Of course I arrived backstage at Alexander Wang just moments before show time, but easily revamped my look in the chair within 5 minutes. A super easy shimmered shadow and velvet matte bold lip. Sure it sounds simple enough, but swoon-worthy makeup starts with amazing, quality products. Here, I worked with NARS in mastering stunning, statement looks during fashion week.

Look #1: Easiest way to bring out the colors in your eyes? Black kohl liner. NARS to be specific. Smudged to perfection. It’s fantastic for us green eyed girls. Keep the rest clean and fresh, with a swipe of pale pink lip gloss. Gloss always does the trick when completing a sexy eye look. Oh, and don’t forget to go crazy with the mascara. You’re allowed to here!

*Makeup by Jenny Atwood Smith at NARS*

Look #2: A pale shadow with a really bold lip. I am in love with NARS’s velvet lip matte lip pencils. This one is in “Pussy Control.” It’s a gorgeous deep plum. It’s seriously all you need with a bare face. But if you do want a little something-something on your lids, do a little liner on your top lids with a swipe of pale pink eyeshadow. Done and done.

*Makeup by Niko Lopez at NARS*

The post TOP BACKSTAGE BEAUTY LOOKS TO RECREATE NOW first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

NYFW has always pretty intense yet exciting, especially come February with it’s cold, gusty winds. This one was no different. After one giant snow storm, and multiple cancelled flights, I luckily make it back home just in time! Phew! My fashion week days begin early. At 7am I’m already unzipping garment bags, staring at my packages piled high up to my ceilings, and finally taking a peek at my my schedule on my iphone as I’m still waking up. In my mind all I can think about is “coffee, coffee, coffee!” This week I’ve been working with NARS Cosmetics who I just love, in creating my dream makeup looks, along with heading backstage to get in on all the action at their shows. And they were MAJOR shows: Alexander Wang, Creatures of the Wind, and 3.1 Philip Lim! Every girl’s dream NYFW schedule. NARS masters clean skin, and of course the smokey eye and really beautiful dark lip. I swear by their concealer and their new line of Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. I worked with my makeup artist, Niko, to create a rosy, glowing look for day. He’s a genius. We used a shimmering pink eye shadow, a swipe of black KohLiner, and finished it off with an amazing lip gloss in “Istria.” At night, I got a quick touchup backstage at Alexander Wang. A really beautiful matte lip in NARS “Pussy Control.” The name fits this sexy shade that literally stays on all night long. For NYFW Day 1, I looked at my makeup artist in my closet and pulled out this amazing Anna Sui velvet dress with black roses. Immediately, we knew it was THE look. I threw it on over a great pair of leather leggings and boots. In this weather, I can’t go a day without leather leggings. I layer them under just about every dress I own.This was a look of velvet, leather, and studs. It’s old school rock n’ roll with a little bit of goth punk. I love pairing something so dark with such fresh, and pretty pinks in my makeup.

// Karen Walker sunglasses, Anna Sui dress + cardigan, Kenneth Cole coat, Zadig et Voltaire leather legging + boots, Bally handbag //

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