Beauty & Fashion Tips - Rags & Rouges Style Tips

Whether the stars were going for old Hollywood glamour, or just sleeking things back for some elegance, we saw a lot of the same looks crossing the red carpet. The weather word was that there was some wind accompanying the stars on the red carpet, so celebs and their stylists compensated by pulling things back. You can achieve these looks too, a sexy or sleek ponytail is the simplest beauty secret there is to know.

Cameron Diaz is one that takes uber cas and pulls it together with a Dior gown for some major glam. Her ponytail was pulled back with a super messy look and she pulled some bangs in the front for a very pretty face framing look. For this look, you don’t want to care *too much* when you are pulling it together. The key really is in the mess.

Miley Cyrus was another beauty queen who took the ponytail with a sleek edge. The ponytail was pulled and pin very low and she gave the pony a much more elegant look with wavy side-swept bangs. Curl your bangs first to achieve the wavy look, and then comb them back with a fine tooth comb to get the sleek factor. Pin with a bobby pin sprayed with some hairspray and you got yourself a sleek ponytail. Spritz on some shining mist to give a little extra gloss.

Anne Hathaway was a timeless beauty in her Marchesa goddess gown and she went the other direction with a ponytail that was high and accentuated her intense features. Curl your hair in long loose waves with a wide curling iron. Tease the crown just ever so slightly and then pull hair back into a pony. Anne has an extra piece pinned at the base here, which you can try too, or just go with the whimsy of the high pony if you like. This is a fun look for a night on the town or an afternoon at the mall.

The red carpet was alive last night as all the stars came out to give homage to the golden statue at the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Of course, besides who won what, one of the most talked about items in any awards show is who wore who. And this year, the stars did not disappoint. Red seemed to be the color to wear, though many celebs were seen straying from the standard black and white sparkly things and we saw a very nice rainbow spattering the red carpet. Who wore who? And who made this year’s best dressed list? These are my picks ( in no specific order of preference)….

While I am not a big fan of Anne Hathaway myself, she stunned the crowd in this gorgeous asymmetrical rosette trimmed gown by Marchesa.

Laura Linney is a favorite of mine, she always gets stuck in these dowdy roles and turns them out beautifully. This earned her a Best Actress nomination this year, and in her gorgeous strapless Michael Kors gown, she proved she is anything but dowdy.

Heidi Klum is Heidi Klum and you know she can’t go to the grocery store without looking like a glam queen. This Project Runway superstar and supermodel was another icon that rocked the red carpet in bright hues with this couture gown by John Galliano.

Amy Adams rocked the crows as Best Song performer and is no stranger to the Oscars having been a former nominee. She wore a stunning gown by Proenza Schouler in a lovely shade of jade.

Jessica Alba did not let her baby bump get in the way of her glam, as she wore a beautiful empire-waisted gown by Marchesa.

Katherine Heigl is no stranger to the red carpet either and presented an Oscar for Best Makeup in this beautiful one shoulder piece by Escada.

Hollywood’s latest It couple, George Clooney and Sarah Larson can not be forgotten. While George was up for Best Actor, Sarah was up for best arm candy in her blue strapless beaded gown by Valentino Couture.

Cate Blanchett was just another of many baby bumps along the red carpet and wore this gorgeous silk halter dress by Dries Van Noten. Cate was up for both Best Actress AND Best Supporting Actress this year, though you’d never guess by how calm she looked for her appearance.

Renee Zellweger is always a dazzle on the red carpet and this Oscar’s was no exception. She wore a silver sparkly strapless dress with a thigh-high split by Carolina Herrera.

And you can always count on Cameron Diaz for some dazzling smiles. On the red carpet she is dazzling in Dior. You will see her in the upcoming film ‘What Happens in Vegas’ and she flaunted her smoking shape in a body hugging gown by Dior by John Galliano.

Sleek is chic right now and if you are looking for a new look, sleek, straight hair may be just what you need to change your look without making any drastic changes. Whether your hair is long or short, straight locks are easy no matter HOW late you are waking up in the morning.

Tools You Will Need: clips or bobby pins, fine tooth comb, flat iron, straightening serum, shine spray or mist

Step 1: Separate hair into sections (with your clips or pins) that are as wide as your flatiron.

Step 2: For each section, start at the root with your comb, and glide it down each section. This will smooth the hair for your flatiron. Follow right behind with your flat iron. Don’t have a flatiron? Try this iTech Wet-&-Dry Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron, 1-1/8 , Model 83824. This tool is nice and wide with a 1 1/8” barrel and works on both dry and wet hair saving you those few extra minutes in the morning. In fact, if using this on wet hair will give you a much longer lasting hold.

Step 3: Smooth some straightening serum like Jonathan Product Create Straight, Straightening Serum over your hair. The best way to do this is put a dab in your palms, rub your palms together, and smooth your hands over your hair.

Step 4: Finish the look and set your sleek with some shining mist like this Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist to give your locks some gloss and set it in place for all day sleek.

We will give our trend spotting a little bit of glam to set the tone for tonight’s Academy Awards. Here we have Rachel Bilson on the red carpet for the premiere of her latest movie, Jumper. Rachel Bilson was stunning, as usual, in sexy metallic one-shoulder piece by Monique Lhuillier, which she paired with sexy heels by Christian Louboutin.

Like the look? Steal the style for yourself!

Here is a beautiful dress in the same style but with a shade of feminine softness by Doucette Duvall. Doucette Duvall is a stunning New York based line of daring vintage creations. The
Meredith in Pinky
is a gorgeous frock with an asymmetrical neckline in beautiful pink silk. The beautiful tailored cut features a high waist and front pockets accented by fabric folds. The one shoulder style necklace is graced by a large bow that is subtle despite its size. You’ll adore the decadent silk and flattering fit of this dress. This dress couldn’t be softer in 100% silk, and fully lined in silk as well. And right now, it’s 40% off at Label Spree!!

While these aren’t exactly Louboutin’s, you can save a few dollars by getting the same look at Target with these Mossimo Drew Point-Toe Patent Pumps in a variety of colors. These pumps feature a 3.75 inch heel, slip on styling, and chic pointed toe. And for less than $13 bucks, you really can’t go wrong with these staples. Why not pick up a few pair?