During New York Fashion Week SS09, Philippe Chansel, Key Makeup Artist for the Chris Han show, turned to Greek mythology and used nymphs as inspiration to create the beautiful look that graced the runway. Chansel’s creations were soft and feminine, similar to French-born artist Sophie Gengembre Anderson’s painting, The Head of A Nymph.

Chansel focused on keeping the face soft and clean by opening up the eyes with matte neutral colors, freshly-pinched cheeks, and natural lips. The application of brown mascara barely defined the eyes but was perfect for maintaining flow throughout the look.

Inside Philippe Chansel’s kit:

1. MAC Face and Body Foundation – A water-based foundation with sheer coverage and a dewy finish, perfect for the fresh-faced nymph look.

2. MAC Matte Squared Eye Shadow – (Using the shades Tete-A-Tint and Brown Script, Chansel was able to achieve the clean open eye he required for the look.

3. MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power – This soft coral-rose color was perfect puffed on to the cheeks for a pinch-like look.

4. MAC Twig Lipstick – Twig lipstick is one of MAC’s staple shades, and for good reason! The brown-pink shade was used by Chansel to finish off his nymph look.

By definition, a nymph is a beautiful and graceful woman. The genius combination of Philippe Chansel’s vision of a nymph and Chris Han’s creations of flowing fabric and vivid colors proved to be elegant yet mythical.

Photos: Victoria Stiles & Getty Images