New York Fashion Week: Backstage at Mara Hoffman Fall 2013

Photos above courtesy of Style.com

Mara Hoffman likes to channel this sort of refined, new-age traveler with her collections.  Past collections have revolved around feminine versions of Shamans, cowgirls, and nomads, so this collection being inspired by "Mystic Gypsies" remains consistent with Mara's M.O.  It's always bohemian, always flowy, always bright, and always pretty.  The beauty looks that accompany said collections tend to be of wind-blown, tanned, sexy women, and this collection was the same idea.  The girls looked like they had spent some time in the sun, and the hair was full of texture.  The look is low-maintenance, but worn with a certain air of confidence that never goes out of style.       
Hair: Nick Irwin for Tigi

Irwin prepped hair with CATWALK by TIGI Session Series Styling Cream and created a  center part.  He blew hair dry with a paddle brush and used a flat iron to remove all the frizz from the hair.  CATWALK by TIGI Curlesque Strong Mousse was used, and then he created random 1-inch sections that were twisted into the hair with the fingers, which were secured with clips to keep the twists in place while the hair was blown dry with a diffuser.  The twists started around the ear area, keeping the top of the hair straight.    

Once the hair was dry, Irwin removed the clips and gently separated the twists a little at the bottom of the hair (still using fingers because a brush could create frizz).  Irwin finished with CATWALK^® by TIGI^® Your Highness Shine Spray on the crown to keep the top sleek, and CATWALK^® by TIGI^®Sleek Mystique Look-Lock Hairspray on the twists.  A metal chain was attached at the models' ears, creating a beautiful separation between the top of the head, where it was left straight, and the bottom of the hair with the twisty texture.  

Makeup and nails: Maybelline
The makeup look is simple with tanned skin and a dramatically lined eye.  The look starts with Maybelline Fit Me foundation and Fit Me powder in the model's shade, using darker shades of Fit Me foundation to contour the skin.  Maybelline gel liner was used to line the eyes, in the water lines, and extended out for an elongated eye effect.  Lips were nude, using  concealer as a base and Color Sensational lip color in Totally Toffee for a little shine.  

The reverse half-moon nail was created using Maybelline Color Show nail color in Onyx Rush (black) all over the nail.  An Audacious Asphalt (light silver-grey) crescent was painted on the tip of the nail, and Pedal To The Metal was added to the half-moon for some shimmer.