Backstage at the 3.1 Phillip Lim Women Spring 2011 fashion show at New York Fashion Week, makeup was minimalistic and neutral, with carelessly wispy chignons and oil-slicked nails that added a tough grittiness to the look.

MAKEUP: Lisa Butler for NARS
HAIR: Odile Gilbert for Phyto
NAILS: Angie Wingle for CND
SNAPSHOT: Uptown Elegance Meets Downtown Grit

The Spring 2011 collection by 3.1 Phillip Lim was marked by city-chic streamlined shapes and textural blocking, which flowed through barely-there makeup and a casual side chignon, as well as the hard feel of asphalt-colored nails.

"The make up look is clean, sculptured and elegant, but in a very natural and authentic way," said Butler. A sheer glow foundation, subtle pale pink lip, touch of cream blush and swipe of mascara allowed skin to breathe through luminously. The same sheer look was tailored to the skin tone of the models, with light pinks used on paler tones, and beiges and taupes blended on deeper tones.

Hair was swept back into an anyone-can-do-it chignon that featured an alluring side swept bang and wispy pieces, as well as a slightly to the side placement of the low twisted bun. "It's effortlessly chic, and very young and innocent," said Gilbert.

Nails were inspired by the reflective glint of an oil slick on water in the city street, with asphalt and copper shimmer shades combined for a finished look the designer named The City Manicure. "Phillip wanted a shade that would really read on the runway. He just told me the nails look 'elegant, but with street cred,'" said Jan Arnold, co-founder of CND.

GET THE LOOK - MAKEUP: All makeup by Nars. Give skin a fresh, brightened look with the new Sheer Glow Foundation. If your skin is light, contour cheeks with beige, add a touch of pink to cheeks and lips and one coat of black mascara. If your tone is deeper, contour with taupe, and apply creamy beige shades to your lips and cheeks, finishing with two coats of black mascara. Regardless of tone, Pure Matte LIpstick in Madere was applied to all model lips.

GET THE LOOK - HAIR: All products by Phyto. Prep dampened hair with Volume Actif, and then add heat to activate with a blow dryer until dry. Part hair on the side and bring a side swept bang over the side of the face, leaving a section of hair to hang freely before twisting the bang back along with the rest of the hair into a twisted chignon. Secure with bobby pins and Laque Hair Spray for hold. Finish ends with 7 Shine for shine and silkiness.

GET THE LOOK - NAILS: All products by CND. Apply one layer of Asphalt nail polish for full coverage, followed by one coat of Copper Shimmer Effect. Use thin coats for the best finish.