Academy Awards 2011- Ten Beautiful Faces

Last night's Oscars were less painful than other red carpet events in recent memory. Maybe because I kept E! on mute for most of the time, or perhaps it was excitement for Colin Firth. I wonder how many women (and men) sighed with contentment and smiled inwardly at the thought of Mr. Darcy's victory. I couldn't help it.

The stars' makeup was exceptionally beautiful. Even in those cases where I hated the dresses (hello, Cate Blanchett), hair and makeup was mostly flawless and quite varied. We saw everything- muted natural tones, sultry eyes and the trendy orange lipstick, and they all allowed the beautiful faces to shine.

Helena Bonham-Carter left Bellatrix Le Strange at home and brought her own gorgeous self to the ceremony. Her hair is larger than life and suits her perfectly.

Amy Adams championed NARS spring collection, proving that wearing all these bold colors together might be a bit overwhelming on one delicate face. She's sporting the new Velvet Lip Gloss Pencil in Baroque, which I love. Mandy Moore was also wearing NARS, both on the red carpet and during her on-stage performance. No word what exactly happened to Zack Levi's face to make his so orange, though.

Cate Blanchett wore the conversation piece of the night. Her haircut was among the most beautiful, though and her makeup (I think I've heard it was Lancome) illuminated her in all the right places. Other two beautiful blondes were Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Williams. I'm still not crazy about Michelle's platinum blonde, but the Jane Seberg/ pre-crazy Mia Farrow thing suits her well. Now, if we could only make her smile.

Everyone's favorite brunettes both opted for bold lips. Sandra didn't look as relaxed as she claimed to be, but I liked her hair far better without the blunt fringe from a couple of months ago.

Jennifer Hudson's oddly placed breasts distracted many from asking questions about her face. Someone went to town with a full coverage foundation. I prefer Jennifer looking a little more natural.

To end things on a more pleasant note, let's look at Natalie Portman:

Top photo of snowy mountains behind the Hollywood sign on Sunday morning from zimbio.com. All other photos: Just Jared.

Oscars 2011- Blogging The Red Carpet

The first hour of the Red Carpet show is always awkward. The bigger stars are still circling the premises in their limos and we're left to deal with Kelly Osbourne's tattoos, Giuliana Rancic's improv skills and other weirdness. This time in the form of Daphne Zuniga (seriously?) and her dress.

Then there's cleavage and the lack of. Mila Kunis is showing all the skin while Florence Welch, Amy Adams and Michelle Williams are nunfully covered. Interesting trend, for sure. Speaking of the beautiful Michelle, she looks so fragile and unhappy. Is Ryan Seacrest making her cry? She looks like all she wants is to return to the arms of her publicist who seems ready to swoop in and save her at any moment.

But then there's a kind of hush (well, my TV is now on mute) and Anne Hathaway does what she do best: remind us what's Hollywood glamor is all about. It's vintage and it's Valentino. Best red dress of the night, especially since I'm really not too crazy about Jennifer Lawrence Baywatch dress. But seriously, the way Jennifer looks she really doesn't need my approval.

I'm having a moment here. Cate Blanchett and the bad robot dress. Even she can't get away with that one. Sorry. Same goes for Scarlett Johansson and that hairstyle. It doesn't work, especially not with that high neckline. The dress is beautiful, by the way.

Sharon Stone has embraced her inner Cruella de Vil. Surprisingly or not, this looks is working great for her. I also like Hilary Swank, ostrich feathers or not. I just wish she'd wear a darker lipstick. A little color won't kill her.

Love: Reese Witherspoon's hair and makeup. Don't love: the lack of imagination in her dress. Love: Gwyneth Paltrow's dress (note to Cate Blanchett: that's how you do futuristic). Don't love: Nicole Kidman's origami dress.


One last thought for the night: Emeralds. I want some.


Photos: Just Jared

Eva Longoria At The 2011 Grammys

I wasn't really interested in the Grammys' red carpet. It's not somewhere I'd look to get inspired, so the usual fare of tacky dresses and eyelashes made of small furry animals didn't bother me. Until I saw the above photo of Eva Longoria. What exactly did she do to her makeup artist that he or she felt the need for such a cruel revenge? It's a true achievement, actually- they made her look both scary and washed out at the same time, something that requires quite a bit of talent. And those gray eyebrows... I have no words.

Poor Eva.

Photo: zimbio.com

Bold Lips At The 2011 BAFTA Awards

There wasn't too much to love fashion-wise on the BAFTA red carpet this weekend. I did like Jessica Alba's jewelry and Tilda Swinton's pantsuit (nobody can pull off this look as well as Tilda). Still, bold reddish lipsticks always catch my attention, especially when someone isn't shying about pairing them with a non-black gown. That's why I'm willing to forgive Julianne Moore's velvet dress. She's so beautiful even if that dress isn't doing her justice.

Photos: Bauer-Griffin via Zimbio

Golden Globes 2011- Final Thoughts

Before we move on (there's an insane amount of stuff I have planned for this week), here are some last thoughts about last night's Golden Globes looks and people. I blogged live as the stars arrived, which usually results in a big headache and very little patience for the awards themselves. Ricky Gervais didn't annoy me too much, but I thought his comments about Robert Downy Jr. and that poor HFPA guy were in bad taste. I didn't mind him poking fun at Angelina Jolie or Charlie Sheen because that was relevant stuff and both of them should be able to take it, but one doesn't need to be an RDJ fan to cringe when someone uses a past he has struggles to put behind him for cheap laughs.

Something I really likes- the thank you speeches by Glee people. Especially Chris Colfer:

'the kids that our show celebrates that are constantly told no by bullies in their school and they can't be who they are...Well, screw that, kids.'

So, what else did we have?

Let's start with Helena Bonham-Carter, who seems to be putting tons of effort to make us forget that she's a beautiful woman and not a visual joke. I don't get it- one doesn't necessarily need to conform- just look at the amazing Tilda Swinton. But why make yourself look deranged? The Vivienne Westwood dress might have been almost forgiven (I said might) if not for the stupid show situation. I'd give a lot to see Helena in something sleek that would actually make her shine. And I love her crazy hair.

Tilda Swinton is the only person in the universe who could make sense of that Jil Sander dress. Kate Bosworth tried it a couple of months ago and failed miserably, but Tilda has the personality and stature to pull it off. Speaking of Ms. Swinton, have you seen her photo with my scent twin, Tom, on Perfume Smellin' Things? I don't know who's more adorable.

I tried but couldn't really hate the Valentino dress Michelle Williams chose. It didn't fit well in the bust area (the straps should have been shorter and pulled her up), but there was something very disarming about it and about her. She's special and her look captured it.

My favorite dresses of the night were the least expected and the colorful ones. Natalie Portman, Heidi Klum, Claire Danes, Emma Stone and all the green ones. Catherine Zeta Jones might have looked in costume, but she has what it takes to pull it off and I was just glad to see her and Michael Douglas out and about. They've earned it (though as Michael said "there has to be an easier way").

Hair and makeup- I might be the only one who didn't completely hate Scarlett Johansson's updo. It looked pretty from some angles, though I agree it was weird from others. I love real red carpet style- a little vinatge and super glamorous. Anne Hathaway who channeled Veronica Lake and Rita Hayworth (the dress helped, too), as well as Natalie Portman, Dianna Agron and Tina Fey had lovely hair. Not sure about the heavy fringe shown by Olivia Wilde and Sandra Bullock. I mean, both were gorgeous, but they would probably looked better with a forehead (and please don't try this at home).

There was a lot of beautiful makeup that focused on showing off all those pretty faces. I already mentioned how much I disliked Eva Longoria beige lips, and the same goes for Jennifer Lopez with the overdone eye makeup. I liked the use of icy tones, but she was not auditioning for the role of the White Witch from Narnia. It was just too much.

My favorite of the night? Michelle Williams hair and makeup, Natalie Portman everything, Elisabeth Moss, Dianna Agron and Anne Hathaway. My vote for most horrible goes to the three tacky and vulgar looks of the night: January Jones, Halle Berry and Christina Aguilera.

Photos: Socialite Life, Just Jared, Faded Youth Blog

Golden Globes 2011- Live Blogging The Red Carpet

Poor Jennifer Love Hewitt. I think she's a lost cause . Her prom dress is, too:

It looks like E! found the cure for Giuliana Rancic's awkward red carpet behavior. They brought Kelly Osbourne to make Giuliana sound eloquent.

Elisabeth Moss in Donna Karan is gorgeous. Green! A real color in a sea of nude nothings.

Something I love: vintage-inspired hairdos. Sarah Hyland, Natalie Portman. Even Giuliana.  Not so sure about  the ponytails, especially those made of hair extensions.

Tina Fey looks gorgeous from the shoulders up. The hair, the makeup, she's lovely. But her inability to choose a stylish dress has become legendary.

Love love love Julie Bowen. Hate the hair.

Christina Hendricks is being swallowed alive by her dress. Her hair is not helping the matter.

And here is Bellatrix Lestrange.  the hair is the one (barely) tolerable thing about Helena Bonham Carter.

Red lipstick, at last. Natalie Portman is perfect, her Viktor & Rolf dress is gorgeous and infinitely more interesting than just about everything I've seen tonight, but we knew she would be.

Speaking of lipstick, Eva Longoria should really do away with the too beige lip color. It doesn't look "nude", it looks unhealthy.

Color! Beautiful color! Catherine Zeta Jones, Sophia Vergara and Julianne Moore (an iron would have helped, though) . I love all the green on the red carpet, even if Angelina annoys me to no end. At least it's not black.

Heidi Klum's Marc Jacobs dress might not say "red carpet", but I still love it (and her). There's something almost mod about the print, and when you're Heidi Klum you can make everything work. The proof:

It looks like Halle Berry is trying too hard. The result: she's in her undergarment. And speaking of trying too hard: January Jones. She's so beautiful and glamorous, but Donatella Versace is not an authority on what's sexy. I'm sorry.

Anne Hathaway is amazing. True Hollywood glamor in Armani.

Photos: Faded Youth Blog, Just Jared