Backstage at Wes Gordon’s Carolina Herrera Spring 2022 show, spirited flashes of reds, pinks and marigolds punctuated bold florals, while signature polka dots and riffs of black and white took shape as graphical vertical stripes or cascading layers of tulle. Make no mistake about it – this was a celebration. Of four decades of exhilarating fashion moments, of the House’s New York-based atelier’s unparalleled craftsmanship, of flamboyant colors and prints. In sum, of all things Herrera.
Evoking endless summer nights, the beauty look was effortless yet polished as ever starting with sun-kissed dewy skin. Creating an even base, the models’ faces were prepped using Herrera Beauty’s skin-perfecting Embellishing powders (shades no10-60) and the translucent Mattifier (shade no 00) before being given a touch of shimmering light using the line’s universal Highlighter (shade no 01).
The lips were then primed and moisturized using the balm-like Mini Tints, and ready to be layered with color. Reflecting the high-octane energy of dramatic sleeves and confident, bold silhouettes, lush red lips played out in a variety of finishes and shades, not least Carolina red in the satin finish (color n° 310), nodding to Mrs. Herrera’s signature red lip as a tribute on the House’s 40th anniversary. Providing an offbeat yet sophisticated alternative, Burning Rose (color n° 371) in the satin finish featured on many of the collection’s pink looks.
Paired with flowing dresses and tailoring alike, the use of the highly pigmented matte formulas such as Berry Fetish (color n° 510) and Alegria (color n° 410) brought depth of color and embodied the effortless sophistication inherent to the brand. On other looks, the Vinyl Lip Liquids were used as a top-coat to create a lacquered mirror-shine effect that speaks to the grandeur of the occasion. Elsewhere, the girls’ complexions were perfectly complimented with a touch of sheer lipstick in Nude Smile (color n° 140) or Fabulous (color n° 144) for a natural yet refined finish.
The closing gown, a fabulous show-stopping affair of gravity-defying pink crepe, was given a hot pink lip to match in vinyl-shine Ferocious Pink (color n° 271) and served as a much-needed reminder that sometimes, more really is more!
