Street Style: How Real Women Are Wearing Runway Trends

Whenever I see models strut down the runways with their impossibly long legs, wild hairstyles, and every shade of the rainbow on their eyes, I angrily shake my fist at my computer screen and curse my thunder thighs and wont for neutral makeup. But this season, there was less hand gesturing and more copying on my part.





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Why? Because the latest runway looks are less bold and more natural, which not only makes them easy to copy, but also (amazingly!) flattering on non-models.

Don't believe me? I took my little Nikon to the streets to snap everyday women who not only wore the latest runway trends, but wore them well. See the 7 runway trends you need to steal now:

The Runway Trend: RED LIP AND PULLED-BACK HAIR

While both the hair and makeup at Marc by Marc Jacobs were simple and easy to wear, the combination of a deep side part and rich red lipstick might be too dramatic for some women.


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A sleek ponytail, perfectly groomed arches, and a muted red lip are subtle enough for daytime but definitely glamorous. It's a look that comes together in about a minute, but seems much more thought out.









The Runway Trend: VOLUMINOUS CURLS

We saw every hair texture at Fashion Week -- from wet and scraggly to intentionally frizzy. And the curls at Badgley Mischka were one of our favorites -- as well as some of the biggest. Hairstylist Peter Gray used Moroccanoil products to get the look, first setting the curls and then brushing them out. He finished the look off by "sculpting" a smooth wavy section around the face.

THE REAL WAY

Badgley Mischka-caliber curls are tricky for everyday life. (You can forget about going to the movies -- they'll drive the person behind you crazy.) This Lincoln Center visitor showed off a more subdued, polished version that still gets the point across. Remember, a little frizz serum goes a long way.




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The Runway Trend: BRIGHT, WINGED EYELINER

After so many shows featured natural-looking makeup, the look CoverGirl global creative director Pat McGrath created at Anna Sui was groundbreaking. We practically ran to the drugstore to pick up the CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Blue Boom, $9, she used … but then we put it on. Unfortunately, not everyone can make this one work.

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This show-goer gets it right -- she plays up her eyes but keeps the rest of her face natural. The exaggerated eyeliner shape is much more subtle in a neutral tone.







The Runway Trend: RED LIP AND A BARE FACE

Backstage at the Victoria Beckham show, makeup artist Diane Kendal focused on beautiful skin, defined brows, and a strong red lip. The result was great -- unless you're a mascara addict. It left the eyes completely naked.

THE REAL WAY

Blogger Kim Pesch of Eat.Sleep.Wear. often wears red lipstick, and this matte look is especially reminiscent of the runway version. Plus, she made it her own with a sweep of mascara and a cute topknot hairstyle.








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The Runway Trend: EDGY EYELINER

Revlon artistic director Gucci Westman used three different eyeliners (a liquid, a gel, and a pencil) to give the models at Rag & Bone an "edgy but effortless" look. Then, she dabbed on some highlighter to brighten up the skin -- that was basically it.

THE REAL WAY

From the kohl-rimmed eyes to the natural-looking skin and lips, this woman's makeup is seriously stunning -- and Rag & Bone-esque. Even her hair is somewhat like what we saw at the show. It isn't overly blown-out and the center part gives it the downtown feel that Rag & Bone is all about.







The Runway Trend: WARRIOR PONYTAIL

We spotted long, sleek ponytails at quite a few shows this season, but the ones at Jason Wu had the best name: "the warrior ponytail." Lead stylist Odile Gilbert wanted them to resemble actual horsetails swaying down the runway. And she wrapped the elastic in bondage tape to give it a "stronger" appearance.

THE REAL WAY

A super-sleek ponytail isn't flattering on everyone, but this woman pulls it off. Her take is a little lower -- and less severe -- than the runway version, and she skipped the S&M tape. But the length and frizz-free finish do make us think of Wu's warriors.







The Runway Trend: MULTI-COLORS

The face at Charlotte Ronson was all about color -- from the sheer lilac shadow on the lids to the pop of coral on the lips. Sephora Pro makeup artist Gilbert Soliz created the look using products from Ronson's line for Sephora, blending two lip shades, Red Flirt and Rosy Frivol.

THE REAL WAY

If red lipstick isn't your thing but you want to try color, coral might be the answer. This show-goer embodies the fun and femininity of the Charlotte Ronson look. And even though she skipped the purple shadow, the upswept eyeliner is a playful alternative.







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