New York Fashion Week: Lela Rose, Fall 2009

For her Fall 2009 collection, Lela Rose drew inspiration from the rainforest - and the creepy crawlies that call it home. To help transform the models into chic, tropics-trekking entomologists, Lela enlisted the help of two of the biggest names in the beauty business.

Celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow (for Beauty.com) used products from Stila Cosmetics to reinforce the rainforest theme. Tina prepped the skin with Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, Perfecting Concealer and Sheer Pressed Powder.

"The skin is fresh and dewy, not dead and matte," Tina explained. "I'm so excited to have the skin be healthy and shiny and glowing."

When I asked if dewy skin was an emerging trend for Fall, Tina confessed that she's ready to see the skin again. "I love the idea of sheen. I love seeing the skin, and powder usually takes that away. This morning, we're only applying powder to the t-zone."

Models' lids were painted with gold and green shadows from the Precious Pearl Palette and lined in Kajal Eye Liner (in Emerald and Pearl) along with Stila Smudge Pot in Jade - to mimic the the "iridescent, pearlescent shell of a beetle."

Cheeks were earthily flushed, using Convertible Color in Camellia and pouts glossed with Lip Glaze in Praline. Eyeshadow in Constellation and Venus (new shades) were brushed over brows and high on the cheekbones to give the face definition and impart a jungle-like wetness to the look.

I wasn't surprised to see mane magician Ted Gibson backstage, as he and Lela love to collaborate. For the past two seasons, I have chatted with Ted backstage at Lela Rose - and he always serves up something fierce.

Every fashion week, I am amazed by his conceptual (yet accessible) hairstyles...and this season's coiffure made me heart Ted all the more.

While Tina Turnbow was inspired by the beetle, Ted found his muse in Odonata - aka the dragonfly.

To create the insect-inspired do, Ted created a center part, then swept hair back into a "youthful ponytail." The voluminous crown was created using Build It. Tame It Shine Lotion smoothed the hair and calmed flyaways. The ponytail was coiled and blasted with heat from a hair dryer (air concentrator nozzle on), to give the hair texture.

Finally, the twisted tail was set with Beautiful Hold Hairspray, which smells so wondorous that you want to spray it on - whether or not your hair needs help staying put.