Backstage Beauty at Tommy Hilfiger SS 2010

This fall we'll be experiencing the harsh side of the 80s: Marc Jacobs with bright colors, Gucci with monochromatic contouring and hyper-voluminous hair. As spring rolls around, fashionistas will be extending their stay in the 80s, but according to the looks backstage at the Spring 2010 Tommy Hilfiger show, they'll be softening the overall aesthetic to the darlings of the era. While the hairstylists explained the hair and makeup belonged to "the clean, rich girls of the Upper East Side," the effect was reminiscent of the bouncy, fresh-scrubbed Breck Girls of the late 70s and early 80s

As Caroline Trentini, Karlie Kloss, and Natasha Poly bounded down the runway to Donna Summer and Blondie, the healthy and shiny hair brought back the hay days of Breck girls Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, and the young Brooke Shields. Though the pink swinging coats and breezy short sets were inspired by the “relaxed glamour of a southern California boardwalk,” the hair and makeup were not exactly beach ‘dos, nor was it beach-friendly. Instead, hair was washed, dried, and set with medium Velcro rollers. Long after the hair cooled, they shook out the curl, and then their hair was brushed incessantly—up to the point where the models walked the runaway, with natural bristle brushes to distribute the scalp’s natural oils and create luster and shine.

The makeup was a MAC palette of pinks on top a flawless, glowing face. Lisa Butler, the lead artist, explains the makeup as “sweet but cold and very American, yet a little old school. Clean, sophisticated and natural.” She used Nanogold Eye Shadow, and applied mascara to the top lashes only, to keep it simple. For the pink glow she used Rosy Outlook and Baby Breath Eye Shadow, and finished off with Bubblegum Lipstick, applied with fingers for a soft, unfinished, almost teenage glow.

Photos: Julia Chesky