Runway the "Real" Way: Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2012

1. It's Electric

Attendees were far from bored at the Narciso Rodriguez spring 2012 show. Futuristic fashionbots outfitted in vibrant threads jetted down the catwalks with traffic-stopping lime green, chartreuse and yellow tresses. Monochromatic makeup and granite nails juxtaposed the color explosion.

2. Shocking Shades

"We thought it would be great if we did this idea in a masculine, not-pretty way," explains Eugene Souleiman for Wella Professionals. "The hairstyle shape is meant to look like they just ran fast." He achieves this whipped-back effect by raking the tops of the French twists with a wide-tooth comb. "The trick is to use a lot of hairspray," he says. "It helps the color stick to strands and it forms a barrier so that the [temporary metallic spray] doesn't get absorbed."

3. Keep it in the Family

Shiseido artistic director Dick Page has done the makeup for every Rodriguez runway (except for two!) since the designer began showing in the '90s. This season was no exception, and they collaborated on the idea to use a brownish-mauve cream-based pigment on both eyelids and lips leaving everything else bare. "We didn't want to get into a pissing contest with hair and clothes," jokes Page.

4.Simplicity is Good

Pull off this colorblock beauty trend by choosing the right hue for your complexion. "Coppers and wines look amazing on African American woman," notes Page. "Apricots and caramels work on fair types, and browns with traces of red (to make it more viable for the lips) suit medium skin tones. Though civilians may need a bit of cheek color as well." Uh, and mascara!

5. Shade of Gray

"We wanted the nails to have a point of view: They would not be nude, but they would also not conflict with the outfits," says Deborah Lippman. Models' fingers and toes were lacquered with Deborah Lippmann Waking Up in Vegas, a light, cement gray. "The consistency between all of the shows I've done is that the nail shapes have been short and rounded," she adds.

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