Backstage at Alexander Wang's Fall 2011 fashion show, a modern take on '90s downtown grunge pervaded hair, makeup and nails, with undone finishes and sheer washes of dirty coal tones.

MAKEUP: Diane Kendal for MAC Cosmetics
HAIR: Guido Palau for Redken
NAILS: Nonie Creme for Butter London
SNAPSHOT: Fashionista Goes Grunge

In Alexander Wang's Fall 2011 collection, the designer returned to his stylishly disheveled signature look, with a too-cool-for-school vibe influencing the bed hair and barely there grooming.

Bold brows were the focus of the face, where a color-blocking technique used brow powder instead of pencil for a softer finish. An oily black haze smudged around eyes made models look as if they'd slept in makeup they wore out the night before. Skin and nails remained low-maintenance and muted.

Hair carelessly tumbled out of low ponytails with a sexy slept-in texture. "It's the classic Wang girl: nothing but bed hair that meets downtown," said Palau. A conical curler was used to add unstructured waves to seemingly unstyled locks.

Nails took on a very literal winter interpretation. "He [Wang] asked for that blue-gray color your nails turn when you've been out in the cold too long. We're calling it a sheer black wash," said Creme. Nails at the beauty test just days before were still too shiny and polished for Wang's liking, so a matte topcoat was added to dull down the gritty hue.

GET THE LOOK - MAKEUP: All makeup by MAC. Create softly dewy skin with a tinted moisturizer, powder and Mineralize SkinFinish brushed on cheekbones. Brush brows upward for a fuller look, filling in with brow powder and Brow Set Gel. Line the top lash line and bottom waterline with Eye Kohl in black. Smudge Eye Shadow in Carbon over the lines, extending downward and outward for a grunge vibe. Finish lips with Tinted Lip Conditioner in beige.

GET THE LOOK - HAIR: All products by Redken. Work Structure Wax into hair, and loosely curl strands with Sultra's Bombshell Clipless Iron, taking care to use a haphazard direction for the most authentically believable results. Pull into low ponytail at the nape of the neck, taking care to pull out pieces in the front and on the sides, as though you've slept on the style.

GET THE LOOK - NAILS: All products by Butter LONDON. To create the custom-blended shade Creme created for the show, mix equal parts Union Jack Black and Royal Navy. Apply one coat for a sheer wash, and top with Matte Finish Topcoat for a rocker-grunge rendition.

If you missed Wang's runway show check out our partner's uncut version below: