The Paradox of Tom Pecheux's Balmain Make Up: nude for Spring '11 and Fall '11

NUDE FOR SS11: Isabeli Fontana (Brazil) exits the SS11 Balmain show at Paris Fashion Week in October with hardly a hint of make up.

NUDE FOR FW11: Arizona Muse (USA) exits the FW11 show at Paris Fashion Week with hardly a hint of make up

HOW SHE WORE IT: Isabeli Fontana (Brazil)

HOW SHE WORE IT: Arizona Muse (USA)

The make up genius behind Balmain, Ralph Lauren, Derek Lam, Altuzarra, the Victoria's Secret show, and the SS11 Estée Lauder campaign is Tom Pecheux. He is needless to say, another World Thought Leader when it comes to make up. What I found interesting is how Tom chose a virtually nude make up aesthetic for both the SS11 and FW11 Balmain shows. When you think Balmain, you think Rock and Roll Edge. I know I would assume that Rock and Roll edge would be filled with a Debbie Harry like character -- with a stark black palette of mascara and strong eye shadow.

But, in both seasons, Tom Pecheux preserved the models original beauty. It's what British Vogue called, "a nude face becomes an aesthetic of its own this season, pointing to a woman that is completely at home in her own skin." American Vogue quoted Pecheux for the SS11 show "It's about what you don't see" and for the FW 11 show "...we want the girls to look like themselves".

Ultimately, this creates more booking value for the model too, since it makes their face more recognizable and memorable to key editors, photographers, and stylists--unlike other directional shows where the girl hides behind a mask or looks like a clown.

Something to think about next time you don your Balmain.

p.s. if you want to get a glimpse of my life beyond the blog, I'm tweeting with regularity now @altamiranyc