Monday was freezing outside, but the backstage area at Thakoon was warm, energized, and bustling with excitement. Beauty editors, makeup artists, and hairstylists were all gathered to prepare the models for the runway.

Lancôme International Artistic Director Gucci Westman created a stunning runway look described as clean, fresh, and polished, yet anchored by a distinct intensity around the eyes. Chatting with her backstage provided a fascinating look into how she translated the design inspiration directly into the makeup concept.

The eye design paired delicate pink and rich brown with a subtle hint of shimmer. What made the technique particularly striking was the application strategy: placing the palest pink shade directly along the lash line, then blending darker pink and deep brown tones outward toward the crease. This gradient technique created a floating, feathery effect that perfectly complemented Thakoon's collection, which prominently featured feathered headbands and dramatic feather skirts.

Key highlights from the backstage makeup demonstration include:

Two key eye shadows used in the look—a matte flat pink and a warm gold-pink—came from the Lancôme Stylish Neutrals Artist Palette. The remaining sculpting shades were pulled from the upcoming Destiny Cube collection, creating a multidimensional palette that brought instant warmth and depth to the eyes.

For the cheeks, a soft flushed effect was achieved by blending two shades of Magique mousse blush, including Pink Parfait. The lips featured a soft, glossy nude base finished with a touch of silver right at the center. The silvery nude lip stands out as a major key trend for Fall fashion and beauty.

Lead hair stylist Kevin Ryan for Aveda also shared backstage tips on managing flat irons, taming flyaways, and understanding the differences between silicone and silica hair products for high-fashion runway finishes.