Natural styles topped the runways from head to toe at New York Fashion Week, as seen in nude-hued nails, freshly-primed foundations and even simple, slicked-back tresses. This made Pantone’s Color of the Season, Placid Blue, pop even more in both the eyeshadow and nail looks at the Spring 2014 Badgley Mischka show. A peach punch of color on the lips complimented these cool pastels.
 
Inspired by chic seaside glamour,  Mark Badgley and James Mischka put a pastel twist on Jacque Henri Lartigue’s black and white seaside photography of the 20’s and 30’s, with evening looks inspired by modern mermaids.  Deborah Lippmann created a soft, feminine and sophisticated look for nails featuring multiple textures: crème, shimmer and an innovative “matteen” finish. Fingers flaunted a special, customized hue created by layering two new shades from Deborah’s Spring 2014 collection.
 
First, the short, round nails were prepped with Gel Lab Base Coat. This was followed by two thin coats of Blue Orchid, a blossoming baby blue crème, topped with one coat of La Vie En Rose, a pastel petal pink shimmer to create the soft, ethereal look. Gel Lab Top Coat was applied last for a high-shine finish. The toes featured an innovative matteen finish in Pseudo Silk Kimono, a milky alabaster white which will be launching in November. Flat Top The Matte-Maker Top Coat was applied last to maintain the luxurious matte finish.
 
The nail look tied in perfectly with the overall soft beauty look that was accentuated by watery blue eyes and a coral lip. The hair, featuring brushed out pin curls and textured hair rolls across the nape of the neck, was a modern take on styles from the 20’s and 30’s, tying back to the inspiration theme of the show.
 
As for the makeup, which was by Tom Pecheux for M·A·C Cosmetics, “The inspiration is a 70s Red Carpet mermaid.” M·A·C’s Matchmaster Concealer (available Spring/Summer 2014) was lightly dabbed onto skin with fingertips and blended to perfection. Eyes were adorned with M·A·C Pro Pure White and Hi-Def Cyan Chroma Cakes applied with a 252 Large Shader Brush with a spritz of “Fix +” to create a literal wash of aqua on eyes from the lash to brow.
Fascinating Eye Kohl was applied through the waterline to brighten and open eyes; while Haute & Naughty Black Mascara was applied liberally through both upper and lower lashes to define, creating a delicate, “watery” look to eyes. Blacktrack Fluidline was then used through the outer corner to extend and lift the lashline. Finally, M·A·C Pro Gloss Texture was swept over the entire eyelid during line-up for a glossy finish.
 
April Flowers and Pick-Me-Up Pink from M·A·C’s Spring 14 Trend Forecast/Lip (available Spring/Summer 2014) mixed together and lightly blended over lips with fingertips for a satiny, coral stain to finish completed this stunning seasonal look.