Backstage at The Blonds Spring/Summer 2016 at New York Fashion Week

CND unveiled 24 gilded nail designs at The Blonds Spring/Summer 2016 Show at MILK Studios during New York Fashion Week. The Blonds Spring/Summer 2016 was a regal, glistening runway show of avant-garde fashion and artistry inspired by Cleopatra, the Sphinx and various elements of Egyptology.

The elite artists of the CND Design Lab Team hand-scuplted the nails and their larger-than-life embellishments with CND Liquid and Powder and BRISA Gel, then added layers of color with SHELLAC Brand 14+ Day Nail Color, VINYLUX Weekly Polish and CND Additives. Royal golden tones ruled the color palette - antiqued, shimmering and expensive - while accents of blue, turquoise, red and green added texture and dimension. Hieroglyphics, snake and crocodile skins, gold-plated wings, draped headdresses and scarab beetles were constructed and embellished with an array of unconventional materials, including feathers, foils, ribbons, chains, gems jewels and stones. A sarcophagus nail even opened to reveal a mummified pharaoh donning the actual golden locks of designer Phillipe Blond. These highly sculptural designs resulted in over 600 combined hours of production.

Jan Arnold takes us through the nail looks for the show

Lead hairstylist Kien Hoang for Oribe Hair Care takes us through hair looks reminiscent of a Pharaoh's headdress.

Get the Hair Look:

1.  Divide hair in half by sectioning from the front crown to the nape.

2.  Create two high, tight ponytails (pigtails).

3.  Braid each ponytail and wrap into a bun.

4.  Using half of a mesh hair donut, secure it in a crescent shape on top of each bun, and then pin securely.

5.  Prep the wigs using Dry Texturizing Spray ($42) on the roots and Soft Dry Conditioner Spray ($36) on the ends. 

6.  Form and mold the wig into a triangular shape using Superfine Strong Hair Spray ($37).

7.  Attach the wigs to each form on top of the bun. One secure, use clippers to cut a blunt, lip-level bob.  

Kabuki takes us through the make-up look this season.

"I would describe The Blonds collection as a fantasy of ancient Egypt set to a disco beat," says key make-up artist Kabuki on the inspiration for the make-up look this season. "I tried to capture this feeling by using lots of gold-on-gold tones and shimmers." The most theatrical element is a handmade gold chrome applique to immitate Egyptian eyeliner and compliment the jewelry. 

MAC products used include:

Matchmaster Foundation 

Studio Finish Concealer

Sculpt and Bone Beige Sculpting Powders

Vanilla Pigment 

Bam Boom paint

#33 Eyelashes

Haute + Naughty Mascara

Stripdown Pencil

"Pillow Talk" and "How Tropical" Matte Lipsticks

- Kim Weling

CND for The Blonds Fall/Winter 2015 at New York Fashion Week

CND unveiled 20 distinct nail designs at The Blonds Fall/Winter 2015 Show at MILK Studios during New York Fashion Week. Inspired by dystopian elements of several iconic films, the clothing and nails featured a clash of distressed and refined elements, best described as apocalyptic couture. 

The elite artists of the CND Design Lab Team handcrafted the nails and their dramatic embellishments with CND® Liquid & Powder and BRISA® Gel. Then, layers of high-shine color were applied using CND® SHELLAC® brand 14+ day nail color and VINYLUX® Weekly Polish, using innovative techniques to create matte suede texture. Accented with gold chrome accessories, textural elements and layering created serious dimension, while couture camouflage in industrial tones were embellished with hand-crafted molten paillettes. The bold 3D designs, which took over 900 combined hours to create, were pierced, draped, laced, torn and burnt, perfectly accessorizing The Blonds' theatrical collection.

Above photos by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for CND

Below photos by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for CND

- Kim Weling

Backstage at Isa Arfen Fall 2015 at New York Fashion Week

Isa Arfen Fall 2015 is inspired from Luigi Ghirri taken in the early 70s in Serafina's hometown of Ravenna, Italy. The mood is a mix between the natural, muted tones of the 70's and the rebellious, irreverent yet romantic teenage movements of the 90's - Vogue Italia. 

Backstage at Isa Arfen, lead stylist for Macadamia Professional, Giannandrea, walked me through the hair look for the presentation, which was 90's Next Day Model Hair. 

Step-by-Step 90's Next Day Model Hair:

          1. Apply a dollop of Macadamia Professional Foaming Volumizer mostly at the roots.

          2. Using hands and diffuser dry it side to side and upside down to increase volume.

          3. Once dry, apply the Macadamia Volumizing Dry Shampoo to create extra volume and separation. Then use hands to pull hair back gently - not too tight - to maintain soft, natural look.

          4. Pull into low pony at the nape of the neck and use a small brown elastic to hold it in place.

          5. Leave soft and run Macadamia Professional Whipped Detailing Cream through the length of the pony to provide added texture and detail to the hair.

          6. Place bobby pins in the same tone as your hair in an "X" pattern on the side with the most hair and add one bobby pin at the back to help keep hair in place.

          7. Mist the Macadamia Control Working Spray to create a light hold. 

- Kim Weling

Dean Quinn, Alejandro Ingelmo, Ostwald Helgason and Calla Fall 2012 Presentations

When it comes to MADE Fashion Week at Milk Studios, I love when I can easily go from one presentation to the next, all in the same hour. On Saturday, February 11th, I checked out the Fall 2012 presentations for Dean Quinn, Alejandro Ingelmo, Ostwald Helgason and Calla.

Dean Quinn showcased 14 looks - bright, wool-crepe dresses with gold zippers and pintucked pleats.

Alejandro Ingelmo Fall 2012 features pumps, wedge booties and open toe booties.

Ostwald Helgason Fall 2012 is inspired by Antarctic naval adventures. Love the sculptural striped skirts!

Calla Fall 2012 features girly, daisy and wood prints in silk separates and dresses.

- Kim Weling