The scene backstage at New York Fashion Week can be described in one word: chaos. Hair extensions are flying. Makeup is scattered everywhere. Editors and photographers trip over each other trying to get the perfect quote and prettiest picture.
And, it's there, beneath massive clouds of hairspray, that the coolest new beauty products mysteriously vanish. An eyeliner here, a lipstick there -- things go missing and don't make it back into the artists' kits.
Of course we're not accusing anyone of stealing. We've seen plenty of models ask if they can take home an amazing mascara or custom nail polish shade -- and most brands are happy to share. After all, if the models -- who are exhausted, jaded, and rarely paying attention -- are clamoring for an eyeliner, it's a safe bet you have a hit on your hands.
As we rounded up the products that models are swiping from backstage at New York Fashion Week this season, we found ourselves wanting them, too -- after all, they come with a very respectable seal of approval from top models like Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls. Happily, some are available now, but we'll have to wait for spring for some of the others. Here's what the models were clamoring for backstage at the shows ...
Not many shows have a skin care sponsor, but the models at Honor were treated to mini-facials with Erno Laszlo products. We overheard more than one model ask to take home this serum, which gives skin a dewy, ethereal look -- even without foundation.
This new shade won't be out until 2013, but MAC makeup artists are already obsessed. It showed up in the form of 1960s-inspired cat eyes at Richard Chai and again as an all-over color at Katie Gallagher. "It's a creamy liner that sets," says makeup artist James Kaliardos. "And it's the perfect soft taupe-y color." Every model we talked to loved the look.
Zoya released three custom colors for the Peter Som show, and they were generous enough to bring along plenty of extras for models and editors to take home. The trio includes an opaque nude called Jacqueline, an opaque mint called Neely, and a creamy orange named Sharon. The look at the show was an offbeat -- but very doable -- green and orange French manicure.
Generally, the products that get swiped backstage are new or unusual in some way, but at Creatures of the Wind it was more the description of the look than the product itself that made this lipstick so desirable. "It's what your lips look like when you've been making out with someone for a long time -- kind of raw," says James Boehmer, NARS Global Director of Artistry. "Is that too sexy to say?"
The scene backstage at New York Fashion Week can be described in one word: chaos. Hair extensions are flying. Makeup is scattered everywhere. Editors and photographers trip over each other trying to get the perfect quote and prettiest picture.
And, it's there, beneath massive clouds of hairspray, that the coolest new beauty products mysteriously vanish. An eyeliner here, a lipstick there -- things go missing and don't make it back into the artists' kits.
Of course we're not accusing anyone of stealing. We've seen plenty of models ask if they can take home an amazing mascara or custom nail polish shade -- and most brands are happy to share. After all, if the models -- who are exhausted, jaded, and rarely paying attention -- are clamoring for an eyeliner, it's a safe bet you have a hit on your hands.
As we rounded up the products that models are swiping from backstage at New York Fashion Week this season, we found ourselves wanting them, too -- after all, they come with a very respectable seal of approval from top models like Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls. Happily, some are available now, but we'll have to wait for spring for some of the others. Here's what the models were clamoring for backstage at the shows ...
