Earthy And Spiritually Grounded — Makeup And Hair Looks At Mara Hoffman Swim 2012 Show
Sheer caftans with plunging necklines and kaleidoscopic prints with flashes of coral worthy of an Albuquerque sunset. Leopard print halter bikini and bandeau bra tops/ Cheeky periwinkle blue rompers and 3/4-sleeve blouses with reddish arrow prints. Roomy cover-ups and swing dresses with Navajo-esque striped patterns and vibrant Flower Child-approved color schemes. Designer Mara Hoffman’s latest swimwear collection, shown on July 16th in Miami as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012, was saturated with prints that referenced indigenous tribes and the rich colors of the Southwest (turquoise, coral, and a bevy of earthy shades).
To emphasize the collection’s tribal overtones and overall Bohemian feel, TRESemmé stylist Elsa Canedo created slightly mussy braids that looked youthful and beach-y, but also spoke to the importance of weaving as both a form of art and commerce in Native American communities.
To obtain the desired look, Canedo and her team started by parting models’ hair at the center, prepping each section of hair by spritzing the TRESemmé Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray, then twirling each section into a ringlet using a 1″ curling iron, pinning each piece to the head once curled. After all the sections had been curled, the pins were released and hair was stroked with a paddle brush to smooth out curls and create more of a voluminous, wavy, natural effect. The models’ manes were then flipped upside down and sprayed with TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo to give the hair greater height, as well as a more matte, lived-in texture. When the models’ heads were returned to their upright positions, the hair styling team began the braiding process. They created middle parts and braided strands into two French braids, each running from the top of the head to the nape of the neck. The remaining hair in the two braids (the sections running from the nape of the neck to the ends) was woven using a fishtail technique. Each braid was then secured with clear elastic bands. Stylists used their fingers to rough up the hair at the top and the back of the models’ heads, pulling a few strands loose for more of a haphazard, laissez-faire feel. Last, to set the look and keep humidity at bay, they gingerly applied the TRESemmé No-Frizz Secret Smoothing Créme.
By alternating between the tri-strand French braids and the more skeletal, rustic, two-strand fish braids, stylists were able to create a look with greater volume at the top and crown and a more rustic, even innocent, playful vibe along the back. This juxtaposition of techniques, the braid motifs themselves, and the sightly roughened up texture of the hair all spoke to the free-spirited, strong but earthy look of Hoffman’s pieces.
In addition to boasting an ethnic feel, Hoffman hoped her pieces would celebrate a fierce individuality and an almost spiritual sense of communion with the Earth. To channel this message via cosmetics, Make Up For Ever Alliance artist Lottie created a strong but minimalist look.
Lottie started by applying the Make Up For Ever Invisible Cover Foundation to even skin tone, cover any blemishes and imperfections, and create a smooth and radiant canvas. Next, she smoothed the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Blush along the apples of cheeks to yield a flushed rosiness, finishing off by applying the MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Bronze all along the cheeks to give skin a more realistic, tanned but non-pearly look.
The main component of this look, however, was the design Lottie placed in between models’ eyes, which inched up to their foreheads: a dab of electrifying orange in a three-pronged, tee-pee-like shape meant to represent a sacred blessing. To create the design, Lottie used the neon orange shade of MAKE UP FOR EVER Wet Make Up, a multi-purpose, highly pigmented, glycerin-based cream color. Lids, meanwhile, were kept bare, except for a hick line of Kohl Pencil #1K. To give the look a more masculine feel, brows were shaped into nearly straight lines, their arches minimized for a stronger, more severe effect. A thick coat of MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash Mascara completed the eye portion of the look.
Last, lips were left fresh and natural, with only a hint of sunny color thanks to the MAKE UP FOR EVER Glossy Full Couleur #10, a sheer peach hue.
