Since Zac Posen’s spring line uses heavy doses of color, backstage beauty artists looked to balance hair and makeup so the overall look would mesh. Hair, style by Odile Gilbert for L’Oréal Professionnel, followed Posen’s color theme by using brightly colored hair extensions, twisted with models’ own hair, to create a sophisticated, funky chignon. LP’s Texture Expert Expansion, a mousse, gave hair some volume while Perfect Shimmer and Infinium hair spray supplied the finishing touches. Makeup, by Stephane Marais for MAC, was layered for a light, fresh, pretty face. On skin was a light face moisturizer and a prep and prime powder followed by Tickle Me Pink and Dolly Mix blush. Eyes were adorned with a white pigment powder as well as brown pencil in creases and were shadowed with colors from the Notoriety quad. Lashes were brushed with Fibre Rich Mascara. Lips were colored with Fluid Lipstick in Syrup and Plumful. Marais, who has been absent from backstage work for almost 5 years, said returning to Fashion Week was a choice, not a necessity.

“I [work backstage] for pleasure now. And I work better because I am more inspired,” said Marais.