Faithful ThisThatBeauty readers know that the Arise African Collective show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is one of my personal favorites. For the last two season, I have had the pleasure of covering both backstage and the runway.
For the Fall/Winter 2010 season of the African Collective, unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts, I was not able to attend…and boo it up with Tyson…
(Season One)
(Season Two)
I also missed out on the likes of Alek Wek, Liya Kebede, Stacey McKenzie. Boo hoo! *real tears*
Season one of the African Collective was ushered in with a sonic boom. I confess I nearly wet myself with excitement when the iconic, often imitated, but never duplicated, Grace Jones hit the runway. The normally reserved press and celebs in attendance went absolutely bananas. You could hear folks yelling – Strange’! (Those who remember “Boomerang will get my Strange’ reference)
Even though I was not able to attend the African Collective this season, I was able to get the rundown on the makeup. Iman Cosmetics was the makeup sponsor. I simply adore Iman and the inspiration behind her brand. I respect that the line speaks to an under represented demographic AND is frugalista friendly. March on over to your local Wal-Mart, Duane Reade, or Tar-jay of choice, and you will find Iman Cosmetics. For a while, in my humble opinion, the brand had fallen off and did a less than satisfactory job of keeping drugstore shelves stocked with product. Over the last year I’ve been sneaking up on Iman Cosmetics in random drugstores, and it makes me very happy to observe that the company is much improved in the areas of plentiful stock, swatching samples, and new products. For these reasons, I am giving Iman Cosmetics a well deserved “atta boy”…or girl, i guess. *smile*
While I love presenting the backstage makeup run down for shows that I cover, I particularly enjoy offering my readers the run down on makeup looks that are affordable. May this montage of runway looks from The African Collective inspire and encourage you to visit your local drugstore, purchase the products, and recreate the looks! Go on…channel your inner model!
BLACK COFFEE
Fashion Inspiration was organic, un-constructed, and earthy in natural tones of sand, stone, and putty popped with muted turquoise and apricot
- Makeup Concept: Soft, ethereal, sun-blushed and feminine
- Eyes: Mixed Metals Eye Shadow Duo, Wicked Eye Defining Powder, Platinum Luxury Liquid Eye Liner
- Cheeks: Afterglow Sheer Bronzing Powder
- Lips: Rapture Luxury Lip Stain
Fashion Inspiration was a precise, no-nonsense, geometric, mixed-media feel in military tones of black, pewter, grey and navy.
- Makeup Concept: Emphasis on bold dramatic brows with sheer neutral contoured face, eyes, and lips
- Eyes: Blackest Brown Perfect Eyebrow Pencil, Bewitched Luxury eye Defining Powder, Perfect Mascara
- Cheeks: Sable Luxury Blushing Powder,
- Lips: Tan Perfect lip Pencil, Crystal Luxury Lip Shimmer
Fashion Inspiration was a fusion of soft and architectural textures in putty, charcoal and black popped with touches of lapis blue
- Makeup Concept: The emphasis is on bronzed skin and soft earth toned eyes and lips
- Eyes: Bronze Goddess Eye Shadow Duo, Jet Black Perfect Eye Pencil, Perfect Mascara
- Cheeks: Clay Sheer Bronzing Powder & Sunkissed Luxury Blushing Powder
- Lips: Exposé Luxury Lip Shine
Which look is you fav?
I am really intrigued by the makeup looks for this show. I like to keep up with the latest runway trends in makeup and fashion. Can you tell me who were some of the makeup artists that worked on this show? I know that they are agency represented. I love how they make the models skin look flawless and fresh.