Urban Romance: Backstage with Redken at Fashion Week

Redken Creative Consultant Guido shares the goods on one trend for spring found off the runways at Fashion Week. Up or down, the new romantic looks have a more defined shape, with a grittier, slightly disheveled feel.

It’s fitting that leatherwear house Loewe showed sleek, leather-look ponytails on the runway. Here's how Guido created the look:

LEATHER-LOOK PONYTAIL

• Step 1: Brush in hardwear 16 super strong gel and gather hair in a ponytail
• Step 2: Flat-iron sections to create a slick finish. For best results with your flat iron, mist on iron silk 07 ultra straightening spray to smooth and protect hair.

 

70's INSPIRED WAVES  
These 70s-inspired waves were seen at this year's Versace show. To get the look:

• Step 1: Start by shampooing and conditioning with All Soft. 
• Step 2: Blow-dry hair smooth, then curl with a medium-size curling iron to create soft bend.
• Step 3: Finger-comb, then apply a small amount of rewind 06 pliable styling paste to add soft separation.

The Bardot-esque updo seen at Lanvin was a playful reimagining of the classic topknot.

  

BARDOT-ESQUE UPDO

• Step 1: Start by creating a high ponytail, then backcomb the tail to add texture. 
• Step 2: Twirl it into a wide knot and secure with bobby-pins. 
• Step 3: Mist hair with quick dry 18 instant finishing spray, then layer on vinyl glam 02 mega shine spray to add polish.

NEW CLASSIC
A revolutionary French twist with height and texture worthy of Marie Antoinette as seen at Louis Vuitton

• Step 1: Apply a nickel-sized amount of thickening lotion 06 body builder to damp hair and blow-dry. 
• Step 2: Take 1-3 inch sections and curl hair using a curling iron. 
• Step 3: Once curls have cooled, backcomb the entire head. 
• Step 4: Gather hair in the back and twist to create a French twist and secure with bobby pins. 
• Step 5: Mist hair with forceful 23 super strength finishing spray for humidity resistence and all day control.

TOUSLED BRAID  
Get the tousled braid seen at Alexander Wang, which goes perfectly with the designer’s modern take on American sportswear.
Step 1: Apply full frame 07 protective volumizing mousse, rough dry and swoop hair over one eye.
Step 2: Braid hair, letting the braid fall over your shoulder, tie loosely with elastic band, and pull out pieces to soften the look.

Redken for Yves Saint Laurent Fall RTW 2010 - It's All in the Details!

Religious symbolism for Yves Saint Laurent, Paris, Fall 2010?  Designer Stefano Pilati says no, however the black capes, the willowy head coverings, the gold chain pendants, all seemed to whisper something feeling a bit "nunlike".  Of course also present were garments nothing close to frocks Sister Mary Theresa would have hanging in the closet.  How about sheer black blouses showing boobies as an example.  Still, this collection is all about the detail ... and I'm loving that pink lip! (note to self: find out more about the beauty look ... yep)




Inspired by the refined, modern, elegant and bourgeois French woman, Redken Creative Consultant Guido created a stylized, sophisticated chignon with lacquered look around the front hair line. “At Yves Saint Laurent, we took a classic chignon and modernized it for this house; the key was using Redken hardwear 16 super strong gel along the hairline to give it that lacquered effect.” -Guido, Redken Creative Consultant

Products:

Redken hardwear 16 super strong gel

Redken forceful 23 super strength finishing spray

Create the look:

Pull hair into low ponytail, keeping the sides smooth

Wrap the hair in upon itself to create a flat chignon

Secure with pins and forceful 23 super strength finishing spray to hold

Along the front portion of the hairline, apply hardwear 16 super strong gel from the hairline to about 3 inches back

Finish with forceful 23 to create a very sophisticated, lacquered style

 

source/images: redken, style.com

REVIEW: Redken Style Connection Velvet Gelatine 07

Redken has re-vamped their Urban Experiment styling line into Style Connection Surface Shifting Styler products. There are three products in this newly designed collection: Matte Sponge 05 Rugged Texturizer, Wool Shake 08 Gel-Slush Texturizer and Velvet Gelatine 07 Cushioned Blow Dry Gel.

I must admit, when I looked at these products I thought, "Geez ... do I really want to put this goop on my fresh, clean hair?" I'm a bit of a style-a-phobe when it comes to jelly-type products. But the descriptions of the products seemed so yummy I had to give at least one of them a go.

I chose to try the Velvet Gelatine 07. Oh my gosh ... I'm in love! The first thing I noticed as I squeezed a small bit of the gel into my palm was that is was the texture. Though promoted as a "gelatine", this truly is a velvety-soft product that effortlessly absorbs into hands (or hair ... ha ha). The scent is lightly citrus, floral (very subtle) and very fresh. I couldn't believe how fabulously the Velvet Gelatine worked its magic on my hair. I applied a small nickle-sized amount throughout my wet strands, combed, let dry naturally for about 20 minutes, then blew dry with my equally fabulous T3 Featherweight dryer. Results: Soft, cushiony smooth, plush, shiny hair that behaved even in the windy, warm weather we've been experiencing here in New Orleans past few weeks off and on. It's a winner for sure! I'm so glad I didn't let the "gelatine" scare me away. I'm loving this stuff! (hides it away from teen daughter)

To get the scoop on styling tips and how to use Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 from the hair pros, watch the video above. Watch how they take limp, lifeless hair to smooth, cushioned blowouts for a light, airy, bouncy effect. Great for guys and gals and all hair types! Lots to learn, goodness you'll be thankful to know.

Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 and the other Style Connection products retail for $17 each and are available at Redken salons. Visit Redken.com to find a salon near you.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 RTW + Video Presentation with Francois Nars

Beauty editor Aja Mangum went backstage to talk with François Nars about the makeup. In keeping with the theatrical aesthetic of the entire collection, Nars describes his inspiration as "ballerina, cabaret girl, Broadway show meets opera meets Martha Graham with a touch of gothic." Watch to see the look applied.




Makeup artist genius François Nars gave models’ faces a pale, almost ghostlike appearance using Nars’ sheer matte foundation in a shade called Siberia. Nars applied a loose powder, Snow, over foundation to set. Eyes were dramatic lined with a shade called Black Moon. On top of that, black lines were drawn across the outer corners of the eyes with a liquid liner called Stylo, giving a catlike effect. The lids were given a vertical smudge of Pandora, a white-and-black eye shadow duo. Nars also used two pairs of falsies on each model. Finishing off the graphic look was a dark red, wine-colored lip, a shade called Pop Life.

“It’s very powdery, white, pale — nothing that looks like makeup,” said Nars. “The idea was Gothic, romantic, like ballet dancers coming off stage. “We wanted the girls to have an edge, give girls a lot of strength, like characters, performers in a show.”

Redken hairstylist Guido Palau stuck with the theatrical theme, creating a sort of knot at the top of the head. It's broadway show meets opera meets Martha Graham. He pulled hair up tight into a ponytail, then twisted and pinned it back on itself. Palau used Redken’s Glass 01 Smoothing Serum for a slick look and finished the updos with Redken’s Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray.

“She could be a dancer or an actress,” said Palau, “not pretty, but a dark ballerina with an edge. “It’s a very severe look,” he said, adding: “It’s simple but dramatic, as well.”

Though planning for a completely celebrity-free show this go 'round, Madonna and Lady GaGa showed up for a view on the fly wanting seats in the front. What is everyone else saying about the Jacobs' collection? The Associated Press is calling Marc Jacobs NYFW's bellwether designer.

Jacobs' spring collection had lots of frou-frou ruffles and pearl embellishment, yet his muse still seemed to be a strong woman with an obvious edge. The woman he dresses is the cool, creative type who can find the best thing in a vintage store, or buy a Jacobs' blush-colored ruffled jersey dress that mimics it. Always-popular Marc Jacobs' shoes, this time a clunky, chunky futuristic sandal that didn't have a high heel, bucked another emerging trend from the other runways. His collecton definitely has the feel of Geisha. Oh, and be sure to checkout those handbags, always a huge drool item by the designer. I'm loving the size of them; I need a big bag to haul around all my "stuff".

Our favorite fashion stylist the adorable Rachel Zoe said, "He is so incredibly influential with so many people," as she walked into the Armory building that has hosted Jacobs' show for years.

images/information: wwd, NY Fashion, Associated Press

Redken Fashion Insider - Fashion Week Sweepstakes

Every spring and fall, designers showcase their latest collections for an invite-only crowd packed with celebrities, editors and buyers for the chicest stores. Backstage, top Redken stylists are busy creating the perfect hairstyles to complement the clothing. You can win the chance to go behind the scenes and broadcast your experience!

Want to experience the excitement of New York Fashion Week? Enter Redken's Fashion Insider contest today! You'll get to blog about your experience on Redken.com.

What You’ll Win:

• 6-days/5-nights for two in New York City in September 2009
• A backstage pass to the hottest shows at Fashion Week
• $1,000 spending money

Click HERE to learn more and enter!