Indigo Girls: Examining the violet-eyed, origami-haired beauty look on the Jason Wu Fall 2013 runway

Date October 7, 2013

Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty — Photography by Peter Stigter

See all the backstage beauty details from Jason Wu Fall 2013 »

If you’re looking to add a little drama to your beauty look, purple is certainly the way to go. While the Jason Wu Fall 2013 collection was primarily black and white, the runway was given a burst of colour in the form of an exaggerated violet cat-eye that anchored every look. The bold colour choice was taken from Wu’s finale dress. To get the look, makeup artist Diane Kendal applied purple eye pencil, indigo shadow and shimmering lilac pigment, blending the edges as she went. Several coats of black mascara added definition while a subtle lip balm and velvet skin ensured the rest of the look was soft—keeping the eyes as the focus point of it all.

Subtle skin and lips aside, the hair was also a standout part of the beauty look. Odile Gilbert created “art deco chignons” by winding pieces of hair—slicked down with shine serum—over a low bun. Ends were tucked in and pinned down and the entire style was held in place by large silver barrettes.

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Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty

Backstage notes
Wu’s “grown-up, womanly” collection was powered by strong-shouldered skirt suits, sheer lace-print trenches and sweeping gowns, and dotted with luxurious details such as fox-fur pockets.

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Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty

Hair
For her “art deco chignons,” Odile Gilbert applied shine serum, then divided the hair into sections. She wound the pieces over a low bun formed by a tucked-under braid and pinned them in place. Silver barrettes completed the graphic picture.

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Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Immortal Moringa ($54, kerastase.ca) and Goody Barrettes ($4 for a set of four, at drugstores)

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Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty

Eyes
Wu gave Diane Kendal a piece of sheer fabric from his finale gown and asked her to use its colour on the eyes. She applied purple eye pencil, indigo shadow and shimmering lilac pigment in an exaggerated cat-eye shape with blended edges. Several coats of black mascara added definition.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Psychedelic Sister” ($23, sephora.ca), Lancôme Color Design Infinité Eye Shadow in “Vibrant Violet” ($28, at department stores) and Aveda Petal Essence Single Eye Color in “Dusk Orchid” and “Hyacinth” ($17 each, aveda.com)

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Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty

Skin
Complexions were smoothed out with velvety matte foundation, while cheekbones were contoured with bronzer and then brushed with peachy-pink blush and shimmery gold powder to bestow a rosy glow.

Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation in “Very Deep Ivory” ($39, shiseidocanada.com) and Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzing Powder in “Nude” ($82, at department stores)

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Jason Wu Fall 2013 backstage beauty

Lips
Kendal let the eyes have it by keeping lips subtle. She took down their natural colour with foundation and applied lip balm for a soft sheen.

Quo Lip Balm ($5, at Shoppers Drug Mart)