#TBT to SS16 for NYFW Backstage Access ♡ The Raul Peñaranda Runway

My last day at NYFW included my very first day backstage at a runway! Through PR Girl, Inc, and my connections with the lovely and gracious Gina Doost, I was able to provide live Instagram coverage from backstage at the fabulous and flirty Raul Peñaranda show on Wednesday, September 16th at the Metropolitan West. Because no blogger interaction with runway shows is complete without a dash of trouble, I had to put on my sassypants and demand to be allowed backstage. The check-in crew didn’t seem to believe me that I was there in place of someone else, so this trip became the Trip of Terrible Firsts: breaking into an apartment and throwing a fit to be allowed into a show.

Once backstage, I connected with the amazing crew doing hair on the models. Michele, the lead hairstylist, walked me through the look that Peñaranda requested for the runway, using all Not Your Mother’s hair products. She said that  Peñaranda wanted a “clean, slick look” that complemented the collection, and gave off a feeling of “elegance without being old.” The products they picked up the most in the NYM arsenal while creating the show’s look were the You’re So Gelous Glossing Gel Glue and the Rise & Shine Silky Smooth Shine Mist. If you’re wondering why the dry shampoo bottle and sea salt spray bottle are all up in this photo’s business, it’s because they’re two of my personal all-time favorite hair products!

I headed over to the makeup area to get a feel for the faces the audience would see on the runway. Makeup artist Mariani Villanueva (below on the right) was applying some of the gorgeous false eyelashes that made up the models’ look. On the left, you’ll spy nail artist Dull Like Glitter painting away on the model’s hand. This model received a simple wash of white polish on her fingers.

The finished look! Lovely oversized doll-like lashes, simple and clean skin, and the slick hair. I spoke with the prolific James Vincent, head of the makeup team, about the overall look. He said that Peñaranda wanted the minimal makeup to reflect the active women he kept in mind while designing this collection. A little gold swipe was added to the eyelids, and then topped with clear gloss for an editorial feel. The lashes were wetted as well to bring to mind glossy pool-side faces.

The makeup company providing products for Peñaranda’s show was Mustaev, which I have to admit I had never heard of before that day. Angela Wilson, Mustaev’s COO, was the sweetest thing in the world and we spent a good deal of time during the show and afterwards chatting. She explained that Mustaev is a Korean line and is still based there. Salons tested the product before it launched worldwide, and although it is aimed at the professional-level consumer, it features a broad price range for the everyday user or the luxury level.

I really enjoyed being able to see the chaos backstage against the glam of the runway!

Many of Peñaranda’s looks featured this flexible netting fabric, which reminded me a lot of performance sports products. I loved the layered look on the above left, and the juxtaposition of the athletic fabric against the sparkle.

After the runway concluded, I visited Angela in the Metropolitan West’s common area to chat and learn more about Mustaev. She very graciously gifted me a goodie bag with their 10 Shade Lip Cream/Pro Palette, one of their Glazing Lip Glosses, and their Tension Fit Liquid Liner Brush Pen. I’ll be writing a longer post dedicated to the products soon, so keep an eye out for that!

Thanks again to PR Girl, Inc for sending me along to take part in the backstage madness, and to Gina of What the Doost!? for connecting us!