Runway to Real Way Makeovers

Our model, Charlotte, loved the bold red lips and loose barrel curls in this look. "Working at the United Nations, you don't get to be very creative with your hair or makeup," said Charlotte. "This is something I'd definitely wear out."

Warren-Tricomi hairstylist, Vanessa Ungaro, explained that the key to achieving touchable barrel curls is starting with the right product. Once Charlotte's hair was shampooed and conditioned, a volumizing mousse was added before blow drying. Then, her hair was divided into 2-inch sections. Ungaro used a 1 3/4 barrel curling iron and wrapped the hair around one area (not down the iron), then removed from heat and pinned the curl into place to allow to cool down. Finally, the curls were gently brushed out and molded. Ungaro finished this look by using a medium-hold hair spray.

Justin Hissey, makeup artist at Warren-Tricomi, said that recreating this look for everyday is easy. He first started with the eyes, by adding a light beige shadow to cover the entire lid. Then, he used a taupe hue in the crease. "While the runway look shows a bright red eye shadow, that is just a no-no for every day wear," explained Hissey. You'll wind up looking silly instead of chic. Instead, opt for a purple hue in lieu of pink or you'll end up looking like you have conjunctivitis.

Since the focus of the pin-up look is the "cat eye," Hissey used a liquid liner and drew a thick line along the lashes. Lastly, he placed the liner at the outer corner of Charlotte's eye and drew a small line angled toward the end of her eyebrow.

Traditionally, the lip should be red for a pin-up look. Hissey used a hue that complimented Charlotte's pale skin tone (if you have pale skin use a red with blue undertones). Next, he used a lip brush to apply the lipstick. Finally, to keep everything in place, he outline her lips with a nude lip pencil.

"In order to take a runway look and make it real, take away about 50% of the look," says Hissey. A look on the runway may seem like a great idea, but in real life it will look overboard. Take into account your skin tone, hair color, age, and where you will be flaunting your new look.

We loved this natural beauty look from the The Donna Karan 2011 Spring/Summer runway show, especially the messy updo. We wanted to see how the stylists would change this look, if at all, for everyday wear.

As a financial analyst, Suzanne needs something that is chic but not too sexy. She immediately loved the runway look we were trying to achieve. "It's so pretty and looks like something I would actually wear all the time."

First, Warren-Tricomi hairstylist, Vanessa Ungaro, shampooed and conditioned Suzanne's hair with products for thick hair (she has a lot!). Then, her hair was blown dry. Finally, Ungaro used a bit of anti-frizz serum followed by a flat iron to keep any flyaways in place.

This style is a lot easier to achieve than it looks. First, part the hair wherever you would like making sure that it is completely smooth. Then, divide hair into 3 parts and roll each section of hair around your fingers and place against the nape of your neck. Leave the front pieces of your hair out to pin in later. "To secure this look, it is important to pin the hair wherever your fingers are—your fingers act like pins when you're holding it in place," said Ungaro. Once you've finished styling, spray in place with a flexible hold hairspray.

For this look, Hissey kept the lips neutral and didn't use blush. He only dusted a bronzer across Suzanne's cheek line. The eye makeup had to be kept simple too, so he used a soft bronze shadow and rimmed the entire eye. He then used a light bronze shadow and swiped under the brow bone and in the center of the eye lid. If you want a little extra pop, use a medium deep brown shadow in the outer and inner corners to add definition.

"Hissey wanted to add a fresh glow to skin, "It's a trick that is used in almost every single runway show." After the skin was primed Hissey used Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in areas that need to be accentuated (cheek bones and nose).

Ungaro suggested not fussing over pieces that may fall out of the updo, it only adds to the overall look. "I love it! I can't believe how easy it was to do, Suzanne said after seeing her final look."

Hissey's take-away tip: The key to any makeup application is to have well moisturized skin. Your makeup will look rough if the skin isn't exfoliated and hydrated.

We loved this romantic, doll-like look at the 2011 Spring/Summer Badgley Mischka runway show and wanted to see how wearable this was in real life. So, we asked the stylists at Warren-Tricomi for their expert advice.

As an opera singer (currently starring in Don Giovanni at the Bronx Opera Company in New York), Megan cherishes her time to go out with friends. "I want something that's fun, romantic, and easy for me to do."

To achieve this textured look, hairstylist Shuki Almac at Warren-Tricomi washed Megan's hair with a volumizing shampoo and skipped the conditioner. Almac then added a volumizing cream to wet hair for extra oomph before drying.

 

Next, Megan's hair was divided into two sections: front and back. The back section of her hair was dried thoroughly. Then, Almac used a 1 3/4 barrel curling iron to create curls. The curled hair was then pinned and allowed to cool. Next, the front part of Megan's hair was divided into 2-inch sections each was wrapped into barrel curls and pinned into place. Almac used the blow dryer on the front part of her her hair only until full dried. Finally, the curls were released and teased into place in the front to add some extra volume.

Since this look has a heavy blush influence, Hissey suggested picking a color that works against your skin tone (for example, if you have warm skin choose a cool tone blush).

Also, since the eye shadows used in this look are a bit smoky, and you don't want to actually look like a doll, he made sure to keep the focus of the eye makeup on just the lid.

Hissey wanted to keep the doll-like full lip, so he chose a rosy red lipstick. Then, he applied it using a lip brush (always use a brush!) to add color to both the top and bottom. Finally, Hissey outlined the lips with a nude lip pencil to keep the color in place.

While a bit much for the office, this voluminous look works great for a night out. And, don't forget to always prime your face and eyes. This not only helps the makeup to stay in place longer, but makes the color really pop. Hissey suggests Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer for your face and for eyes he prefers Eye Paint from MAC in Beige-ing.