NYFW: Backstage Beauty at Tracy Reese with Mary Kay

Ethereal secret garden at Tracy Reese spring/summer 2017 NYFW presentation at the New York Marble Cemetery in the East Village

I had skipped out on two seasons of NYFW after I moved to Chicago from New York last summer. Timing was never quite right and very honestly, I felt a little burned out from all of the seasons I had already been fortunate enough to go to while living in New York and even before. But when an opportunity to partner with Mary Kay came up, where I would get to go backstage to focus on beauty, I jumped at it – and I’m so glad that I did! I think that little one-year break did wonders… It felt so good to be back in the saddle during the NYFW craziness, especially in a bit of a different way!

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

Mary Kay was one of the first ever makeup/skincare brands I used… My mom used to buy it regularly (still does!) so it was always what I played around with when I was growing up! There are a handful of products that I still use daily (Can’t live without the facial cleansing cloths… They’re the only thing I will remove my makeup with!), but it was so fun to see how much the brand has evolved since I’ve last experienced their color cosmetics world.

Tracy Reese Backstage with Mary Kay

When I checked in to my hotel for fashion week, I had the most gorgeous package from Mary Kay waiting for me… A monogrammed leather The Daily Edited cosmetics case, a Slip silk sleep mask, and so many goodies from the Mary Kay Runway Bold collection! I loved experimenting with the new products all week when I was getting ready. This gel liner duo was fun for nights out and I loved the top two eyeshadows of this palette for daytime. (Can’t wait to try the dark blue shade at the bottom of the palette, too!) I don’t know about you, but I am seriously itching to pull out the darker fall nail polish colors and I’m so antsy to try the dark navy color. IN LOVE!

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

What I thought was so fun about the Tracy Reese presentation (and a few other presentations during NYFW!) was her use of “real women” as models. Musicians, artists, and people of note from the creative community alongside professional models… What was pretty incredible, was that sometimes it was hard to tell which was which! Mary Kay’s Global Beauty Ambassador Luis Casco put together two different beauty looks for the show… One “runway” look for the models, and one everyday look for the “real women” taking part in the presentation. Both looks were fresh and colorful, rooted in watercolor floral colors of purple, pink, and peachy hues. There were women of all backgrounds and it was lovely to see how both looks were beautiful on each and every skin tone!

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

“I’m always so inspired by the fabrics from Tracy Reese’s collections – they’re effortless yet impactful, much like the beauty looks we have created for the Spring 2017 presentation. The looks are inspired by beautiful gardens of begonias, featuring pops of color to enhance the natural beauty of women – that’s what Tracy Reese and Mary Kay is all about; women who are feminine and bold.” – Luis Casco, Mary Kay Global Beauty Ambassador

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

The backstage scene at the spring/summer Tracy Reese presentation during New York Fashion Week with Mary Kay

My old roommate from my first year in NYC is actually the PR Director for Tracy Reese so it was beyond fun to see her in action running the show, headset and all! The presentation was unbelievably beautiful… It was tucked away in a garden off of 2nd Ave in the East Village, the New York Marble Cemetery. I used to live just a few blocks from there and never even knew it existed… Truly a secret garden! Lots of mini vignettes were set up throughout the outdoor space, and models were constantly in motion switching between the set-ups. Just as the makeup, the styles and colors of the collection were fresh and fun!

Ethereal secret garden at Tracy Reese spring/summer 2017 NYFW presentation at the New York Marble Cemetery in the East Village

“It’s always been my mission to make every woman feel beautiful. Shades of begonia and lavender are proudly feminine, and this collection is multifaceted – like a woman. We were inspired by talented women of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages and this season was one of inclusion that celebrates the feminine spirit.” – Tracy Reese, designer

Ethereal secret garden at Tracy Reese spring/summer 2017 NYFW presentation at the New York Marble Cemetery in the East Village

Here’s how you can get the Mary Kay beauty looks at home…

Runway Look

SKIN:

Skin is prepped with Foundation Primer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15*

FACE:

 CC Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15* is applied with a flat brush then blended with a sponge all over skin

Undereye Corrector is patted over dark circles, and Perfecting Concealer is used to cover blemishes

Mineral Cheek Color Duo in Ripe Watermelon is applied. The blush shade is swirled onto apples of cheeks with a small brush for color concentration, then faded up to temples. Highlight shade is dusted onto cheekbones

EYES:

Cream Eye Color in Pale Blush is applied with a dense synthetic brush.

Mineral Eye Color in Precious Pink and Iris are concentrated in corners of eyes, then swept out toward the temples and applied along lower lash line for a subtle yet impactful pop of color

Lash Intensity® Mascara is applied to lashes, with concentration at the base

LIPS:

Lip Liner in Light Nude is applied under Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Bashful You – the perfect nude to suit all skin tones due to its taupe base!

**

‘Real Woman’ Beauty Look

SKIN:

Skin is prepped with Foundation Primer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15*

FACE:

CC Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15*  is used to even complexion

Undereye Corrector is patted under eyes to neutralize dark circles, and Perfecting Concealer is used to cover blemishes

Mineral Powder Foundation is dusted over t-zone to minimize shine. Cheekbones are left untouched by powder to reveal a radiant, natural glow

Mineral Cheek Color in Shy Blush is applied to apples of cheeks, then faded up to temples

EYES:

 Cream Eye Color in Pale Blush is applied all over the lid with a dense synthetic brush, with Mineral Eye Color in Spun Silk and Honey Spice applied over top

 Mineral Eye Color in Hazelnut is swept into crease and along bottom lash line

 Lash Love® Lengthening Mascara is applied to lashes, with concentration at the base

LIPS:

Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Always Apricot is pressed on to lips for a stained effect

Ethereal secret garden at Tracy Reese spring/summer 2017 NYFW presentation at the New York Marble Cemetery in the East Village

Ethereal secret garden at Tracy Reese spring/summer 2017 NYFW presentation at the New York Marble Cemetery in the East Village

Ethereal secret garden at Tracy Reese spring/summer 2017 NYFW presentation at the New York Marble Cemetery in the East Village

Created in partnership with Mary Kay

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5 Comments

  1. 9.23.16
    Jenny said:

    Loved all of the pics. It looked super fun!

  2. 9.23.16

    How fun!

  3. 9.24.16

    Such a great post, awesome shots!

    Rxx
    http://www.peppermintdolly.com

  4. 9.24.16
    Jenn Lake said:

    What a gorgeous presentation! The makeup looks perfectly on point!