Hi! Nicole Palmieri here, American Salon's Editorial Assistant. Fashion Week is always an exciting time in New York City, not just for fashionistas, but also for those in the hair and makeup industry. The hottest trends in hair and makeup are revealed as models walk the runways, and the Spring/Summer 2009 runways did not disappoint.
Backstage at Diesel, key hairstylist Laurent Philippon gave models a natural, yet sexy look, as if they spent the day at the beach. To get these beachy waves, Philippon braided hair in loose braids to get soft waves and used Bumble and bumble Surf Spray to give it texture and a worn-out feel. As for makeup at the Diesel show, Keri Blair, M.A.C senior artist, focused on the eyebrows by applying either magenta eye pencil or navy blue eye pencil color to the models' brows. Nails, on the other hand, were buffed and painted clear for a clean and fresh look. Angelina Wingle, education ambassador for CND, also used SolarOil to nourish nails and the skin around them. 
Key hairstylist at Tony Cohen, Ward, gave models a rugged look that was romantic and sweet at the same time. He sprayed Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode to give curls texture. "I wanted to create a look that was windswept, as if the curls freaked out," Ward says. Makeup at Tony Cohen was inspired from Odilon Redon, the late 19th century Symbolist artist. Key makeup artist Kabuki applied two tones of M.A.C Select Cover-Up to the face, Carbon and White eyeshadows to create a dramatic look to the eyes, and Lip Erase in Dim to neutralize lips. 
Key hairstylist Louise O'Connor from OC61 Salon aimed to add to Joanna Mastroianni's Spring 2009 collection, not take away from it. Hair was slicked back, parted on the side and had lots of volume at the crown. Barex Italiana Volumizzante Spray was used to give hair texture, while Gloss Hair Spray added shine and hold and Re-Define Creme eliminated frizz. —Nicole Palmieri, editorial assistant