Dashing Diva's head nail tech Pattie Yankee and her team kept busy with manicures at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with some Fall nail trends from the Brian Reyes, Nary Manivong and Trias shows. I didn't get the backstage hook-up this time around, but my friends at DarkPR filled me in on the details. I can get behind the pale nails at Brian Reyes, and of course, loved the mushroom hue at Trias (more on that show to come). Any Dashing Diva fans out there? They are a HUGE force at Fashion Week, so I learned.

top/bottom left: Tippi Shorter styling behind the scenes at the Mackage Fall 2010 runway show

One of the coolest new-to-me designers that I learned about at fashion week was Mackage, makers of sexy, sleek apparel and outerwear (see the video I took of the runway show finale here.) During the show I was smitten with the edgy hair looks, and while I did not get to go backstage, my friends at Avon filled me in on all the details.

Avon's Global Stylist Advisor Tippi Shorter created the 'dos, along with a team of Avon stylists. Tippi says the Mackage looks were inspired by those occasions when a woman who leads an exciting life wakes up and tries to recreate the perfect 'do she had the night before. "It's a look that I refer to as 'second day chic,'" she explains. "It's a sexy and mysterious look that works perfectly with the designs."

Key products used include Avon Advance Techniques Volumizing Mousse for the perfect foundation, along with Advance Technique Moisture Sleek Smoothing Serum and Shaping Gel for shape and Advance Techniques Mirror Shine Spray for a high shine finish.

Backstage at Jill Stuart/Fall 2010, part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I got to photograph expert makeup artists and hair stylists as they worked their magic within the gorgeous setting of the New York Public Library. The inspiration for the makeup was a modern-day Brigette Bardot, according to key makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, who created a feline eye complemented by fresh and neutral makeup on the rest of the face and lips. Bob Recine for TIGI created a rock-n-roll hair look inspired by "Kate Moss after midnight" using Tigi Catwalk Your Highness Root Boost Spray. Nails were painted in a barely-there opaque peach shade called Deborah Lippmann Collection Nail Polish in I'm Not Innocent.

In case you're new to fashion week (like me), backstage is where all the models get ready and members of the press are invited to photograph the looks up close and interview the key people involved for hair, makeup and even nails! Yes, nail polish is very important as we all know, which is why I was very excited to get to talk to CND's Co-Founder and Style Director Jan Arnold about creating the manicure looks for the Fall 2010 L.A.M.B. runway show. The color of choice was Dark Ruby, intended to compliment the deep burgundy lips and play up the whole 30's-urban-glam vibe of the collection. The Dark Ruby lacquer is actually very similar to Sally Hansen's Commander in Chic, only a couple shades darker. Very wearable yet makes a strong statement at the same time. Love!

Backstage at L.A.M.B./Fall 2010, part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I caught up with master hair stylist Danilo, who talked about the inspiration for the retro-glam hair looks in the show. The key products used to achieve the smooth, waved curls include Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream, Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray and Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray. Faux bangs finished the looks. Love how you can see designer Gwen Stefani's very clear perspective expressed in the hair and makeup. And Danilo was too cool, he was very gracious, easy-going and more than happy to share his secrets with all of us! For more details, check out my coverage at StyleItOnline.com.