Hooded eyes and "eroded nails" backstage at Alexander Wang fall/winter 2013/2014. Photo by ImaxTree.com.

It’s day three after my manicure, and let’s just say my nails are no longer looking as polished as I’d like. The good news? I’m right on trend, according to Jan Arnold, nail designer and co-founder of CND. “For today’s show, we used an ‘erosion’ technique,” she explains backstage at Alexander Wang. “The goal is to make the nails look a little weathered—like this is a girl who really lives life. I’m calling it the enigma trend.” To create the look, Arnold says they went for a monochromatic matte finish with a gradient of sandstone hues. The polish—Impossibly Plush—was applied to the nail with a fan brush. (The technique is to apply the polish from the side of the nail to the centre.) Next, she added Speedey Top Coat, and, when the nails were dry, she used the CND Glossing Buffer to remove the shine and give it that eroded finish. “The shape is androgynous because Alexander didn’t want it overly sexy or feminine. He wanted it to be functional. It also works well with the textures in the collection, in particular the brushed wools that look slightly worn.”

 Click through for more backstage beauty highlights at Alexander Wang. (Hint: Cognac-inspired ponies!) 


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