The private jet emblazoned with “Here Comes The Angels” touched down on the tarmac at the Burbank Airport on Tuesday, and seventy people, dressed mostly in black with hints of Victoria’s Secret signature pink tucked into their carry-on luggage, stumbled out looking jet-lagged and shopworn. In the golden rays of the late afternoon sunshine, I wondered if I’d be able to recognize the supermodels in the crowd.

I got my answer moments later when the 27 models, including supermodels Giselle Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulet and Selita Ebanks, who will each appear as Angels in the highly anticipated Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, bounced off the plane looking, well – like supermodels with flowing hair, tight T-shirts and jeans. The lingering aroma of expensive perfume wafted through the crowd of photographers and videographers who eagerly greeted them on the red carpet.

Two days later, after a whirlwind of high-profile appearances, including accepting the key to the city from the mayor of Hollywood, and an in-store shopping event at the Victoria’s Secret store in the Hollywood & Highland complex, the models and their production team were hard at work preparing for the show in the backstage area.

Victoria’s Secret models wait their turn for hair and makeup

On the far-side of the hair and make-up room crowded with worldwide media, Italo, the key hair stylist for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2006 was putting the finishing touches on Giselle’s hair. Italo, who is leading the team of hairstylists for the show for the second year, has thirteen people working with him. “Because we are in Hollywood, we had to go glam,” he explained. “The look this year is coiffed, touchable hair, a coquette – an update of 60s sexy – a cross between Bridget Bardot and Barbarella.”

To create the voluptuous bedroom hairstyle for the runway, Italo uses mousse on wet hair and then sets it on large rollers and clips. Later, he uses a vertical curling iron to enhance the waves and finishes it with a gloss. Whether they’re wearing a side or middle part, all of the models’ natural hair is being enhanced by pieces at the crown, but Italo insists that the look can be easily imitated at home. “The key is to let it set for at least ten minutes before you take out the rollers,” he says.

Meanwhile, key makeup artist Linda Hay was putting the finishing touches on model Raquel Zimmerman, a veteran of the Victoria’s Secret runway who is returning for her third year. Is there a difference between prepping for the show in New York City and Los Angeles? “Oh yes,” Raquel answered without hesitation. “This is much more fabulous!”

“The look for this year’s show is Babydoll with very sexy eyes. I use lots of lashes – individual lashes that I glue on by hand – layer by layer,” Hay says. With a team of sixteen makeup artists, including four people working exclusively in the body booth, this is the second year that Hay is in charge of creating the makeup look for the show. “And I’m thrilled to be back,” she says. The models obviously adore her. “Go away! We want Linda to be our mother now,” a model scolded me with a grin.

Makeup Artist Linda Hay puts the finishing touches on Victoria’s Secret models

In a room packed with more photographers and reporters than models or stylists, it was no wonder that the models, scantily clad in pink silk robes, were getting a little tired of the public displays of primping. “Do you get stage fright,” I asked Giselle as she passed by. “No, no.” She dismissed me quickly, attempting to leave the room and grab a moment of what she called “Zen time” for herself. “What question do you wish you’d be asked that no one has asked you,” another reporter prompted. “I wish you’d stop asking questions,” Giselle replied with a smile. “Ask her if she’s wearing panties,” a dark-eyed model seated in a make-up chair nearby offered. Laughing out-loud, Giselle shot back, “ask HER if she’s wearing panties.”

Never mind what any of the Victoria’s Secret models were wearing under their robes backstage – it’s a sure bet they’ll be wearing panties on the runway when they take to the stage for the show that will be broadcast on CBS on Tuesday, December 5th.

This year, Karolina Kurkova has been chosen to wear the Victoria’s Secret Hearts on Fire diamond Fantasy Bra worth $26 million. And, as if you needed any other reason to tune in, this year’s show will also feature a performance by Justin Timberlake – who probably won’t be wearing lingerie – but definitely knows how to bring Sexy Back.

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