A model and party-goer smile for the camera

Looking for wildly inventive New Year’s Eve hair inspiration? Maybe you’ll pick up a few ideas from Ginger Rubio Salon‘s The Hunt fashion and hair event, held at DNA Lounge this fall. Channeling Little Red Riding Hood and Twilight, the model’s moody up-dos, “boho meets barbarian” men’s cuts, feathers, braids and exaggerated extensions were inspired by German forests, supple leather, utility, fantasy and history.

Party-goers packed the massive venue to its gills and danced to the beats of house DJs Adrian and Mysterious D while waiting for the unveiling of the Ginger Rubio crew’s transformation of the models waiting in the wings.

When they appeared, models with hair by the Ginger Rubio team and makeup by Nikole Elaine made their way down the runway sporting  smokey eyes and muted tones just as Mysterious D kicked up the beats on the ones and twos in time with the models on the stage. Hot on their heels were oohs and ahs from the audience and satisfaction from the stylists and curators backstage.

Below, a few more shots from this avant garde San Francisco style event.

A model working it on the runway

Backstage, a model shows off her Twilight-inspired hair

A model with a feathers and smokey eyes

Two models, backstage, show off the Ginger Rubio crew's skills

Smiling and happy for post-show success

Photography courtesy of Nathan Koch and Eric Stein

More San Francisco fashion shows…

Black and white dots in an all-over graphic print

Nail foils are gaining traction as a quick, not to mention cheap, way to get a wildly patterned mani at home. Selections can be small at local drugstores, meaning you might end up with the same print as the chick next to you on Muni. To the rescue: limited edition non-metallic nail foil sets from Mariposa Allure in designs that range from graphic dots to Halloween-themed ghosts and ghouls.

Launched in September, the San Mateo-based company offers European-made foil sets ($9.99 for hands, $12.99 for toes) in over 30 designs. Yes, there’s animal print. And python, as well as girlie flowers and sporty soccer balls. Each comes with 20 foils sized for different nail beds, a cuticle stick and a file to shape them into place.  A less expensive, just-for-teens line made to fit smaller nails is in the works.

For those new to the nail foil process, it’s pretty simple, but there are a few key tips you can use during the application process, which takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.

Mariposa Allure founder Veronica Maldonado gave us a few tips:

“Make sure the nail is completely clean of old nail polish. Then apply a clear coat. I find this helps a lot to ‘glue’ the foils together with the nail bed. Apply the product as close as possible to cuticle without touching skin. File off the excess and apply another coat of clear, and you are done,” she advises.

To view designs, visit the online shop.

Sets for your toes let you match hands and feet.

This Halloween set featuring skulls and stars - like all sets - comes with 20 different foils in different sizes. You choose the foil that best fits each finger and file into shape.

More San Francisco beauty…

Elevation Salon + Cafe (451 Bush St. at Grant)

For a hair cut and color that supports a good cause (other than your own obviously important personal beautification), head to downtown San Francisco’s Elevation Salon + Cafe this Sunday for the Cuts and Colors for a Cause event benefitng the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., the salon will donate all proceeds from cut and color services to The Race, a non-profit effort supporting breast cancer research and programs. Adding a touch of Hollywood glam to the event is celebrity stylist John Francis, whose famous clients include Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Sting and Rebecca Romain.

Ready to hop in a chair? Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Make them by calling 415-392-2969. Prices range from $50 for a haircut with a junior stylist to $225 for a cut with a celebrity stylist and $80 to $210 for color services from single process to partial highlights.

More San Francisco beauty…

San Francisco perfumer Ineke is known for its unusual and, many would say, addictive scents. This week, the company is offering a chance to win a full-size bottle from its new Floral Curiosities fragrance collection.

To enter, head to the Ineke Facebook contest page, fill out a few simple questions (don’t worry, we weren’t sure how to rank the scents, either). But do your best, and you’ll be in the running.

More San Francisco beauty…

You can learn makeup basics – with a welcome amount of edge – during the Beauty School Rebel Makeup 101 series from San Francisco makeup artist team Fox & Doll. Even better: classes are starting this week.

We’ve gabbed about Fox & Doll makeup artists Shana Astrachan and Elizabeth Fox and their before makeup magic before. Check out the video below for a few quick tips from these ladies.

For the full treatment, find them starting this week at workshop.

More San Francisco beauty...