Couture Fall 2011 Beauty Trends: The Hair and Makeup Report
The City of Light shined bright as the cream of the fashion crop came to town to reveal their latest creations.
On the beauty front, fantastical hair pieces took center stage, eyeliner became an art form, and makeup palettes ranged from soft and sweet to bold and brilliant.
Read on for a breakdown of the standout looks.
Photos: Getty Images
Going above and beyond: Not-so-subtle beauty at Stéphane Rolland and Christian Dior
Can’t decide between big hair or big eyes or big lips? Why not go for all three like the models strutting down the runways at Christian Dior, Stéphane Rolland, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
At Dior, makeup artist Pat McGrath’s inspiration came from late-night Parisian disco parties. Her jaw-dropping eye creations featured neon color-blocked brows, metallic swirls of shadow, and oversized sequins that were then paired with lips painted in glossy reds, deep plums, and matte coral shades.
Stylist Orlando Pita completed the vision with pumped-up strands and funky fringe that swirled in a snake-like fashion across models’ foreheads to seem “like she’s dancing and sweating.”
At Stéphane Rolland, dark gray gazers were paired with a gorgeous, uber-glossy plum lip, and topped off with retro pompadour-style hair that fell down over the forehead. Backstage at Jean Paul Gaultier, a flicked double-lined eye, a "true-red" lip, and colorful feather headpieces created an all-around standout beauty look.
Photos: Getty Images (2) | Imaxtree
Lighten up: Georges Hobeika, Elie Saab, and Valentino kept things understated
Barely There Beauty
With the slightest stroke of a brush, the artists at Anne Valerie Hash, Georges Hobeika, Ellie Saab, and Iris van Harpen transformed models’ visages into visions of fresh, feminine perfection. Eyes were lightly dusted, cheeks had the slightest flush, and lips were stained rosy or simply glossed.
Hair followed in subtle suit: Hash featured French twists, Hobeika kept updos loose and wispy, Saab opted for flowing tendrils, and van Harpen’s created center-parted chignons.
Over at Valentino, makeup artist Pat McGrath created an “ultra-pretty” look with a gold and pink makeup palette, while hairstylist Guido Paulo added a nympth-esque touch by weaving jeweled wire headbands through low-lying, braided chignons.
Photos: Imaxtree (2) | Getty Images
Top marks: Statement hair pieces at Armani Privé, Giambattista Valli, and Jean Paul Gaultier
Haute Headgear
Heads turned for the quirky hair creations that brought things to an entirely different level (literally). Feathers were having a moment, with stylist Odile Gilbert nestling pretty plumage into models’ coifs for Alexis Mabille and Jean Paul Gauthier.
Armani Privé’s origami-style headpieces complemented the designer’s Japan-inspired collection, Christophe Josse had his models strutting in grandiose red plume fascinators fit for a queen, and Giambattista Valli’s big, floppy black velvet bows were both girlie and playful.
Photos: Imaxtree
The eyes have it: Peepers were prominent at Chanel, Armani Privé, and Jean Paul Gaultier
Artistic Eyeliner
The runway was rife with artful gazers—winged-tipped, double lined, and smudged to perfection. Giambattista Valli went with one thick winged line, while Armani Privé made it a double, in both a black and brown liner that was perfectly smeared with shadow.
Makeup master Stéphane Marais mixed up his own liquid concoction backstage at Jean Paul Gaultier before creating flicked-out strokes along both the top and bottom lash lines.
And though Peter Philips had eyes covered in dramatic masks over at Chanel, the lids were still heavily rimmed in black kohl and drawn out to a wing and smudged.
Plus, check out our Couture Fall 2011 fashion favorites.
