Runway the "Real" Way: Michael Kors Spring 2012

1. Smooth the part.

"The girl who inspired this look is on safari in Africa and has nothing to use to tame her mane except for her shoelaces," explains hairstylist Orlando Pita. To start, Pita prepped strands with T3 Dry Shampoo and Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray for texture. Then, he created a center part and combed hairspray near the roots to define the part and add a trace of "elegance" to the soon-to-be deconstructed look.

2. Twist it.

"The final shape of this style is two, thick matted braids that almost look like one big dreadlock," adds the backstage vet. Pita created a half-up, half-down 'do and used leather shoelaces (literally!) to fish-tail braid the bottom section of the hair. Then, (often with the help of extensions) he did the same to the top section of hair. Real women can experiment with strips of fabric, instead of leather, as an easy way to add volume to braids without worrying about finding realistic-looking faux tresses.

3. Dishevel.

"After the braids are in place, I'm using my fingers and teasing brush to enhance the silhouette of the braids and the hair framing the face," he says. Over-zealous DIYer's, take note: Keep open-ended pins on hand to re-secure loose pieces you may have pulled out accidentally. They are easier to work with than bobby pins.

4. Go a little darker.

"This safari style is inspired by the Peter Beard images from Africa," explains Shiseido makeup artist, Dick Page. "We looked at Michael's inspiration boards and decided that the focus of the face should be an all-over bronze glow with hints of golden accents." To recreate, start with clean skin and spot conceal any imperfections, since foundation "won't allow the natural skin texture to show through." Then, dust bronzer one shade darker than your skin tone along the cheekbones, forehead, and nose, and fill in brows with a pencil two shades deeper than your regular brow color."The aim is to enhance [the brows]," warns Page. "Not exaggerate."

5. Mind the details.

"The beautifying factor of this look stems from the caramel colors and beige hues," Page explains. "My favorite accent is the light dusting of gold shadow along the upper cheekbones." Page also layered cream eye shadows in taupe tints over lids and created a "halo effect' on lips, by starting with a skin-colored, concealer base and dabbing lipstick along the inner-line of the pout (smudging color gently outwards). Talk about a 'wild' technique!

More from Fashion Week:

Vera Wang Goes Nude

Center Parts and Grace Kelly Glam at Zac Posen

Derek Lam's City Slicker Hair

Carolina Herrera's Luxe Loops

Peter Som's Punky Highlights

Rag & Bone's DIY Freckles

Get the Michael Kors Safari Look, Now!
	SPONSORED Shiseido HydroPower Eye Shadow $25 nordstrom.com		SPONSORED Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Makeup $20 nordstrom.com		SPONSORED Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer $25 nordstrom.com
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