Here are two of my favorite things with one of my least favorite things. Can you guess? SJP check. Proenza Schouler check. What the eff is up with the bubble skirt though? This may be the first time the boys of Proenza Schouler have let me down. As far as SJP, I blame her stylist for this tragic error. She redeems herself with some super cool Nicholas Kirwood sandals and a pretty pink blazer. Would have loved to see this look with some black skinny jeans or some other timeless denim pairing.
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.
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.
When the celebs aren’t wearing navy nails, they are going with bright red nails to match the red carpets rolled out for them. Why are we so hesitant to try this look? More often than not I have slathered on a dark color and went EW in minutes. But go for it. Bright red nails tells the world, and your man (or…prospective) that you have confidence, that you aren’t afraid to take risks, and that you have your finger on the pulse of the latest trends. Literally.
Beauty Tip – Pick a color based on your skin tone. If you are in the warmer tones, you want to choose reds that have brownish bases. If your skin is cooler, go for tones that have a more bluish tint to them. I love this new formula by e.l.f. in their new revolutionary non-drip bottle, and you can’t beat the price. Try the Color-Lock Nails for a Buck! for a long lasting color with beautiful shine. And you will love the quick dry factor as well. Can’t beat it!
Beauty Tip – You also want to apply a shiny top coat. For starters, this will beat the chip factor and extend your manicure by at least a few more days. Also, shiny top coats are SO pretty. Go for e.l.f.’s
Chip Resistant Nails for a Buck! formula.
Beauty Trick – one thing about dark nails is that it will leave some pigment on your nails when you remove the polish. Scrub your nails with baking soda toothpaste and an old toothbrush to buff off the yellow stains. That will do the trick. Remember to moisturize your nails afterwards and baking soda can be harsh.
