Beauty

Is it any surprise that most of our most beautiful celebrities this year also made the best-dressed list? No, me either. Which is why these are the same ladies that keep popping up in our celebrity trend spotting features as well. But there is a reason these names keep cropping up, because these ladies really know how to pull off beauty AND style and make it look so easy all at the same time. And speaking of these names, it struck me when writing this that WOW having the name KATE in Hollywood (or any version thereof) really helps with the style factor!! Just an odd coincidence though….the name Reese seems to be working well as well.

Let’s look at our top 10 Celebrity Trend Setters for 2007, and again, in no specific order. And you know, I can EASILY see a few of these names appearing on next year’s list as well. They are just THAT beautiful. *sigh*

We are starting off with Cate Blanchett, who never plays it safe and always wows the crowds. She is most famous for wearing her Balenciaga right off the runway and this is the same woman who considers Missoni maternity attire. Here she is doing just what she does best, the wow factor. Blanchett is arriving in Armani Prive at the Rome Film Festival for the premiere of Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

An article on trendsetters just wouldn’t be the same without mention of one of America’s most famous style icons. This girl can pull off anything from old-world glamour to rock punk edge. And, as we well know, she has transferred this style to her own LAMB line and her very first line of fragrances which apparently just can’t stay on the shelves. Here is our Gwen Stefani arriving at the NRJ French Music Awards in one of her more famous looks, black and white stripes.

Speaking of Balenciaga, we have the face of their Spring 2008 campaign, Jennifer Connelly. Again, here is another girl that pulls off those harder-to-wear gems with panache. One example of such ensembles would be the sculptural floral piece from their ’08 collection, and another is the Balenciaga she is wearing here at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala.

And our second Kate of trendsetters is Katherine Heigl who made the A-list but fast this year with her Emmy award winning performances. The red carpet WAS Heigl’s runway and she has been photographed in everything from Zac Posen to Valentino. She is also the best presenter in this year’s biggest beauty trends (as we have mentioned) with bold lips and soft waves. And here she is in an eye-popping red ensemble at the SAG Awards.

Kate number 3 is none other than the previously mentioned Kate Bosworth who we showcased in a stunning bikini just yesterday. She’s been flogged publicly for some weight issues which she has just as publicly made changes about. With a few extra pounds here (as if anyone can notice) Kate Bosworth is showing she can wear anything, even those horrid bubble skirts, and make it look like it is the only trend worth wearing. Kate is showing up here also at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala in a shiny Prada piece.

Baby! Baby! Baby! Baby! Reese was the word this year when Reese Witherspoon made waves at the 2007 Academy Awards in this gorgeous number by Olivier Theyskens. This was the post-divorce Reese that appeared at the Oscars and many other red carpet events with dazzling *nothing can get me down* smiles. Maybe it was the magic of Nina Ricci by Olivier Theyskens that had her smiling, or maybe it was the fact that she became my sister KATE’S new best friend this year (which will get anyone smiling!), or MAYBE, it was just good southern grit that kept this style queen’s pretty head above the crowds when her world crashed around her. So inspiring!

Ashley Olsen was best known in 2006 as the fly glasses and baggy sweaters girl that was scarily close to making the best dressed homeless look list, but this year she changed all of that. But who wouldn’t when one of your best pals is Christian Louboutin. *sob* With her style changes she is much less grunge and much more lady as we can see here at the 2007 Golden Globes in Reem Acra. And no, her sister didn’t quite make the list. But THAT’S what happens when you have an eating disorder girls! But seriously, would it kill the girl to smile??

Our Kate #4 is the lovely Kate Moss who has made headlines this year with her breakup with greasy Pete Doherty. But this hasn’t stopped the supermodel from always looking nothing less than gorgeous. And busy! This year Kate launched her new line Topshop, chopped off some bangs, and made menswear the latest trend. Here she is in one of her own pieces at a Fashion Rocks fashion show and concert.

Kate #5 is none other than the also known as Mrs. Tom Cruise, our girl Katie Holmes. Here she is looking stunning as ever at the Bambi Awards in Germany. Am I aging myself by remembering what a sweet little girl this one was on Dawson’s Creek? Who would guess that in 2007 she would be making best dressed lists all over the world. Moving from mildly dowdy in 2006 to elegantly chic in 2007 was an effortless switch for this young lady. Amazing what a good haircut (and an A-list hubby) can do for you! Of course, when your Italian casa is next-door to your BBQ pals the Armani’s, THAT doesn’t hurt either.

And last but not least I leave the poshest trendsetter until last. I know she is not many people’s favorites, but this does not stop her from being idolized by many for her uncanny ability to turn heads. Love her, love to hate her. It doesn’t matter if she is in Herve, Proenza Schouler, Leger, or her own dVb line, she is always gorgeous.

Well, we saw a lot of do’s and don’ts like we do every year. But this year seemed to be a big one for major dramatic changes. Generally, the big dramatic changes don’t last, but oddly enough, I can see some of these sticking around for a while. And uh, some not. Let’s see what gets the thumbs up, and which ones, uh….don’t.

In no specific order, here are the top ten beauty trends coming out of 2007.

The Big Bang Theory – Thumbs UP. Bangs started off huge this year, we first saw them emerging as a real trend at the Oscars and then, as usual, they were everywhere. Funny what bangs can do for your face, I recently went back to bangs and WOW 10 years right off (so I am told). If you are considering a major change that isn’t TOO dramatic, go with bangs like Kate Moss, Reese Witherspoon, and Irina Lazareanu have. This is a comeback that is going to be a stay back, so go for it.

And Thumbs Up to Eco-Friendly Beauty OR Fashion as it is not going to go away any time soon, so BIG BIG thumbs up to this one. The trailblazer on this in the beauty world is our Stella McCartney. She took a stand long before it was cool to do so by leaving Gucci due to their work with animal products. And now, she has just introduced Care, an all-organic skin care range. These products include yogurt and honey to replace the standard salicylic acid. You can find this in all the big name department stores.

Big red lips — Thumbs Still were big this year, all over the red carpet and all over the runways. This one is not an easy to look off, we have done a few beauty tutorials on how you can do this though. The red lip has been hotter in 2007 than it ever has, so I am guessing you are going to get at least a few more seasons out of this one. Not one of my favorite looks, neither thumbs up OR down, but I am seeing this one last.

Off with the Hair – BIG Thumbs up! Cutting hair drastically has been THE thing to do this year, everyone has gone short short. And I know I’ve been blahing about it myself (hush now, this may be a resolution in the making for me). Katie Holmes wins as the most spoken about do, and I love this new look on her. A brand new kind of sophistication. Gone with the girl, and in with this elegant woman. Rihanna was another that made waves when she chopped hers off. Her label was NOT happy, but huh, the rest of us were so go figure. I can see more stars following suit, and many of us little people doing the same.

And the Award for the Most Expensive Product — Thumbs DOWNGoes to…….Gucci! They say money can’t buy happiness, but apparently it can buy some damn good product. Gucci Westman’s has reached an all new peak when it comes to being over the top. Here is their Goyard trunk for Lancome. Suggested retail value? A mere $18,000. I am all about spending a good dollar if you are getting a good product, but you know what? Nope, sorry Gucci (though I do love you) there are just FAR too many starving children in the world for me to justify a thumbs up here. Soooo unnecessary.

Big Brows – Thumbs not moving. Here is a look that you really need to have the face to make it work. Not just anyone can pull this off. But just about every rag and runway spoke accolades to the big brow. These really were everywhere, but I don’t seem them lasting. Collections like Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga were the leaders here in trying to get this look off the ground. This one though for me, is too face specific to say it’s a trend that will keep up with the pace.

Mine Eyes, They Have Wings! Thumbs Down! Ah yes, Amy Winehouse has left the world with a rather untraditional look, that of the winged eye. Again, thumbs not moving here, though if they were, they would be leaning down. Her signature look with the cat-like eyes has been copied on the runways of Prada and Louis Vuitton and many celebs have taken it to the red carpet as well. Again, you completely need the facial structure for this one (and I’m not saying even Amy has it). But dramatic black eyeliner is definitely a look that was prominent this year. Don’t hold your breath though, I really think this one is going to fade with more than a little bit of makeup remover.

Thumbs WAY Up! The Fragrance of the Year Award Goes to…..L by L.A.M.B. for Gwen Stefani. Yep, this girl is not just a talented designer, performance artist, but also a smell queen in the making. This was the most sold out fragrance this year, and the biggest celebrity launch in fragrance in 2007. You will love the freesia, pear, orange blossom, and sweet pea scents you find here. Oooh, I haven’t smelled it yet but just writing about it makes me warm and fuzzy! Gwen is Gwen and has been around since No Doubt. Her products and her wonder are not going away any time soon. TWO big thumbs up for you baby!

Good ol’ fashioned Hollywood Glamour. Well, if I hadn’t just finished watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ for the 3rd time this holiday season I would almost forget what this look was about. But Donna Reed certainly pulled off what is today still a stunning look. And here is Veronica Lake then and now re-emerging as a beauty icon with gorgeous full lips and even fuller pin curled soft waves. This Hollywood glamour look was rampant on the runways of Valentino, Gucci, and Missoni. And yes, thumbs up as this is a beauty you can not just let go of. I hope we see MORE of this.

Thumbs WAY WAY Up! Stick Figure is SO Out! Yes, many of you will be happy to know that the stick figure look is out, and hopefully out for good. Big names like Nicole Richie, Tyra Banks, and Jennifer Love Hewitt have spoken out and LOUDLY I might add, on how sick they are of the Hollywood stereotype. Being big IS beautiful, and these women are flaunting it. Ok, so Nicole has a baby bump to make her a biggie, but she has voiced her issues about her figure since then and does not want women to want to look like she used to. I hope more celebs jump on this bandwagon. The more that women and teenage girls (the age group most prone to eating disorders) can hear that being big is ok, the better off our world will be. So kudos to these ladies for inspiring girls everywhere, being big IS beautiful…or even, NOT being a stick figure is beautiful. And Big Thumbs Up!

If you don’t want to go grey this year, you may want to consider another hot non-color combination that fashion designer and performing artist extraordinaire Gwen Stefani has caught onto. The great thing about black and white is that this combination works with any skin tone. And the look is HOT! Gwen Stefani received a lot of flack with her Fall collection this year, and this flack largely stemmed from the fact that she designed pieces that were more her personal style, than that of the average American. However, many designers before and to come have and will do the exact same thing as what inspires a designer is very often what they will wear themselves. While she is known for being a bit abstract herself, this notion should not take away from some of her amazing pieces. Let’s have a look at what she showed for this year’s Fall Fashion Week with her L.A.M.B. collection.

In the first piece we see a bold black and white geometric print dress with a circular motif to trick the eyes. I like this because I think this piece is not reserved for stick figures, you can do a lot with this one and the eyes are all over this silhouette which may work for curvier women. I see this with a black jacket, some tights and knee high boots.

Here we see a bold gingham print turned cocktail dress in Gwen’s classic black and white theme. I love the strapless design with the ruched detailing. Again, with ruching, you can not go wrong as far as figures go, it is VERY flattering. The taffeta crinoline as well adds a pretty little flounce to an elegant evening or cocktail piece. Not sure who did the styling here, but I am preferring black boots or heels with this piece. I DO like the oxford booties, just not in this color and not with this dress.

Gwen toned down the colors and leaned towards the grey of this season with this pretty dress that would be perfect for day. The dress features grey stripes in vertical fashion forcing the eye to elongate you. A very simple bodice hugging color palette with a white sleeveless blouse is simple yet elegant for day wear. The black patent belt is just enough to add a striking contrast, so if you wanted to take this to the evening, some blac patent peep-toes and a matching clutch would work beautifully.

And here is a look indicative of why Gwen got so much flack this year. This is something you would expect to see on her, but not something many will attempt on their own. Here you see a full cropped jacket with black trim in a beautiful animal print paired with heels and tight leggings. I love the look, always a big fan of Gwen’s style, but this is not something for every girl. The cropped jacket is going to cut you in half if you have some curves. Had this piece been longer with an empire feel to it, I could see this being wearable by just about anyone.