Runway the "Real" Way: Mara Hoffman Spring 2012

1. Wrap it.

"Mexican goddesses were our inspiration," explains TIGI creative director DJ Riggs who created the gigantic synthetic buns woven with Mara Hoffman printed cloths. First, they crimped the models' real locks before securing their tresses under a synthetic hair piece. "Try it at home by braiding bits of fabric into your mane," Riggs says. "Think: Punky Brewster. It's a bit '80s, but the rough-and-tough texture makes it modern."

2. Smudge it.

"The high-arched, elongated eyebrows are [similar to] Frida Kahlo, but without the unibrow," notes expert Lottie for Make Up For Ever. She uses matte eyeshadow in the models' eye creases to create contours, Make Up For Ever Star Powder eyeshadow on their eyelids and Make Up For Kohl Pencil eyeliner to rim their peepers. "I blended it all with a bit of Vaseline to give it a different dimension," she explains.

3. Swirl it

Lottie created a sculpted cheek look combining two brown eye shadows. "It's easier for readers to use bronzer," she says. "Make a circular motion in the apple of your cheeks with your brush and drag it towards your mouth about a few inches away from your lips. Add a bit of highlighter to the tops of your cheeks."

4. Balance it.

To compliment the eye sheen, Lottie opted for Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense coral lipstick ("A nice pop spring color that goes with the collection," she notes) topped with a lipgloss.

5. Neutralize it.

The models' paws were painted with Dashing Diva Chelsea in the Buff nail polish, a nude hue with pink undertones. "The big trend this season is nails that look like an extension of your flesh," says lead technician Pattie Yankee (does this mean that nail art is taking a back seat?). "If you have a nail color that's close [to your skin tone], add some mineral makeup [in the right shade] to the bottle and shake it up to create your own."

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