Carrie Hammer Beauty | New York Fashion Week Fall 2015
Beauty Secrets From the Most Powerful Women on the Runway
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The runway at Carrie Hammer Fall 2015 is unlike any other show that you'll see at New York Fashion Week. Whereas most designers fight to cast the latest It models, Carrie prefers real women on her runway. "My clients are CEOs in companies, activists, and incredible women all at the top of their fields," says Hammer, pictured above. "It felt really inappropriate to put the clothes that I sew for them on young models." That's why her show has been dubbed Role Models Not Runway Models. And let's be honest: it's refreshing to see the latest trend on women who are all shapes and sizes.
Last season, Carrie sent female entrepreneurs, transgender women, and even a quadruple amputee down the runway in her made-to-measure designs. This year, the list was just as impressive. The star of the show (both backstage and front of house) was Jamie Brewer, an actress with Down syndrome who you've probably seen on American Horror Story.
When it came to the hair and makeup plan for these real women, Carrie wanted to create something that was "CEO chic." Think boardroom, but turned up 100 degrees. These professional women got a full glam makeover with false lashes, contoured cheekbones, and a fierce red pout. We were there to talk to all the powerful business women backstage, so keep reading to get their sage advice and corporate-ready beauty secrets.
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Jamie Brewer, actress on American Horror Story
Everyday makeup essential: While Brewer typically wears Sheer Cover makeup, she's recently challenged herself to wear more mascara, especially for appearances.
Best advice (ever): "Be who I am, follow my own dreams."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Shannon Schuyler, principal corporate responsibility leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Everyday makeup essential: For the office, Schuyler subscribes to a strict signature look: black clothes, superstraight strands, and five-inch heels. So strutting the runway in a purple frock was a foreign experience, but she looked cool and confident.
Deskside beauty must have: Schuyler told us she keeps many tubes of lip gloss in her desk drawer. "With lip gloss and a comb, I can make anything happen," she said.
Best advice (ever): "Fake it until you make it."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Wendy Norman, director of social good programs at Microsoft, where she connects teachers and students around the world through a program called Skype in the Classroom.
Deskside beauty must have: Norman keeps a hand cream and a Lancome lip gloss ($18) to maintain moisture throughout the day.
Everyday makeup essential: A shine-blasting Chanel powder ($45) is the one beauty essential Norman never leaves home without.
Best advice (ever): "Follow your passion; it never steers you wrong. If you love what you do, you are successful no matter what."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Shiza Shahid, cofounder of the Malala Fund and one of Time magazine's "30 Under 30 World Changers." Currently, she works to bring capital and mentorship to female entrepreneurs in the developing world.
Everyday makeup essential: "I feel like my skin looks best when I've had a good workout," she said. When it comes to makeup, Shahid is all about the natural palette: concealer, mascara, a pink lip, and blush.
Deskside beauty must have: Since Shahid spends most of her time traveling, her "at-work" beauty must haves include lip balm and moisturizer to keep her skin from getting dried out on the plane.
Best advice (ever): "Find your superpower. I believe everyone has something they are great at, and those are the things that make them feel alive and most beautiful."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Lori Peterzell, senior director of corporate engagement for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Everyday makeup essential: Makeup is the last thing on Peterzell's mind before a big meeting. "When you have sparkling personalities like these role models, you bring that in," she explained. "Sometimes the makeup is a little much on top of the sparkle we all bring."
Deskside beauty must have: EOS balm ($5) and a can of hair spray are what you'll find in this power woman's desk.
Best advice (ever): "Be yourself, be authentic."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Hilary Phelps, founder and creative director of Genuine Joy, a lifestyle site that empowers women.
Deskside beauty must have: As a self-employed lady, Phelps works from home. But the one thing you'll always find next to her desktop is a great big glass of lemon water.
Everyday makeup essential: Phelps's philosophy is to keep things simple with both hair and makeup. For meetings, she applies a tinted moisturizer, a little bit of blush, and a nude lip gloss.
Best advice (ever): "Don't give up. Don't quit before the miracle. Right when it seems frustrating and you want to throw in the towel is right before great things happen."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, an organization devoted to teaching girls from African-American, Latina, and Native American communities about computer programming and technology.
Everyday makeup essential: MAC Ruby Woo ($16) lipstick is Bryant's key to confidence in big meetings. She carries the crimson color over to her clothes, too, because it makes a statement and exudes power.
Best advice (ever): "Follow your passion. I heard this so much growing up because I've always been a huge fan of Oprah, but it really didn't hit until I found what my passion was." And how do you find that passion? "Explore all your interests, and always be open to opportunity."
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Aubree Curtis, marketing agent at Creative Artists Agency
Best advice (ever): "The old sage advice: be yourself. As I get older I understand that a little bit more. You have to feel comfortable in your own skin. You have to feel like what you bring to the table is something special and unique."
Everyday makeup essential: "They call my office Aubree's nails," she said. "I will be on a conference call doing my own manicure." She has a drawer full of polishes like CND Vinylux ($10). Aubree even does ombré and chevron nail art for her co-workers on occasion.
Deskside beauty must have: Curtis keeps a bag prepacked with sample-size beauty products (she's on the road that much!). Inside you'll find makeup remover wipes, neutral clothes, a Helmut Lang blazer, and comfortable slacks.
Carrie Hammer Fall 2015
The role model: Nathalie Molina Niño, cofounder of Entrepreneurs@Athena, where she supports female entrepreneurs like Carrie Hammer.
Everyday makeup essential: For work, Niño plays up her biggest beauty strength: her eyes. "I also think that relationships are what it's all about," she said. "When people focus on your eyes and you can focus on theirs, it helps everything."
Deskside beauty must have: To keep her skin soft while she travels, Niño uses the M.Steves skin care line, which she says is perfect for people without patience.
Best advice (ever): "My mentor used to say, 'You are the source of your own supply.' Everything that I did, I can do again."
