Matin Maulawizada

First Look: Pamella Roland's Hair & Makeup Test

pamella-roland-runway-mercedes-benz-20140909-193457-782Pamella Roland held her Spring 2015 fashion show today, but instead of attending backstage to get the beauty scoop, I had the opportunity to get a sneak peak at the creative process at the hair and makeup test held at her showroom last Wednesday. Picture being at a beauty brainstorm with Ms. Roland herself and two of the industry's best – lead makeup artist, Matin Maulawizada and lead hair stylist, Ted Gibson – only the brainstorm was creatively happening on a model surrounded by Japanese inspired pieces that were about to float down the runway.

Pamella-Roland-NYFW2After looking at the collection and speaking with Pamella Roland about her vision for the show, Ted and Matin started creating the visual – the look all of the models would wear as they walked down the aisle.

As they began, I asked them what first came to mind when thinking of Pamella Roland's collections...

"Chic.  Sophisticated.  Wearable and attainable," - Ted Gibson

"Practical. Fashion concious. Classic. Not too crazy or too safe. Walks a line.  Chic. Desirable.  Beautiful," - Matin Maulawizada

Pamella-Roland-NYFW3With those thoughts in mind, Matin focused on the eyes and cheeks by creating a monochromatic look by applying Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Cocoa at the lash line and blending it up, then using  Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Hot Chocolate, a brown baked eyeshadow with hints of red in it on top of the lids and in the outer corner. On the cheeks, Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Stick Face Colour in Bronze Glow helped to created the exaggerated color with a dusting of Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Rosebud on top.  It was blended together so it would stand out in the lights of the runway.  The brows were softly defined, yet underdone and completed with a rosy lip.

Pamella-Roland-NYFW1Pamella-Rolland-NYFWKnowing he was going to be working with a corded headband that matched the clothes, Ted began working the hair into an updo and then decided to take it down.  Playing with texture and shape, he ended up adding interest in the 'do by waving the bottom and keeping the top slick and wet looking.  He spritzed L'Oreal Professionnel Fresh Dust Dry Shampoo in the waves and used the Infinity Pro by Conair 3Q blow drier to help distribute to make the texture even softer. "She wants it undone, but still pulled together," he explained about the direction of the look.  In the end, he ended up cutting the headbands and placing the blush color on a barrette to secure the hair back.