Hot or Not Beauty

Sarah Jessica Parker is certainly a chameleon - while she is best known for her curly-locked look as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, she has experimented with her tresses quite a bit over the years. We’ve seen her in cascading ringlets, straightened locks, and most recently, she’s been sporting a wavy, dark-rooted look, as she showed off at the Oscars last month.

Well, now she’s changed it up again, if only for a role - on the New York set of Did You Hear About the Morgans?, in which she costars with Hugh Grant, she was photographed wearing her hair in a lighter shade of brown, with loose curls and an adorable wispy fringe. This is vaguely reminiscent of the look she sported in Failure To Launch. Once again, I think that this style-setter has found a winning look!

Sunday was Reese Witherspoon’s 33rd birthday, and this weekend also marked the premiere of the new animated feature Monsters Vs. Aliens, in which Reese voices the character Susan, a.k.a. Ginormica. In an nod to the space-age themes of the flick, Reese wore a metallic silver dress, but remaining true to her always ladylike style, Reese kept her hair and makeup soft and feminine.

The always-adorable Reese wore her blonde locks curled, with eye-grazing bangs accenting her baby blues. Her makeup was soft and rosy, with petal-pink lips and plenty of blush giving her a glow. Reese has been acting ever since her teens, and by now she has mastered the art of red-carpet appearances - she always balances youthful innocence and movie-star polish, and this latest look is no exception.

Who’s that girl? In a departure from her more recognizable curly blonde locks, Fergie showed up at the recent March of Dimes Beauty Ball with her long hair straightened and dyed dark. If this ‘do looks familiar, it is - Scarlett Johansson recently showed off a similar look at the premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You. The singer has experimented with her look in the past - a sampling of her styles can be seen below - but this dark hue is new for her, and opinions seem to be mixed. Some love that she’s changed up her style, while others feel that the dark color and straight styling are too harsh for her features. So what do you think? Is Fergie’s new look sleek and chic or too severe?

When you think of stars in wigs, you probably think of Britney (above), right? While stars do occasionally cover up their locks just for fun, one of Hollywood’s little secrets is that the stars wig out more often than you might realize. With the realistic wigs available these days, they are a quick, no-commitment way to rock a new look just for a role or a special night out, as the stars of some upcoming films would know. See a gallery under the jump!

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By now, many media outlets have reported that for her European press junket for Marley & Me, Jennifer Aniston spent tens of thousands of dollars to have hairstylist Chris McMillan accompany her and style her hair for appearances over the course of the week. While exact figures have varied from source to source, the most commonly cited figure is the 40 thousand British Pounds reported by the UK’s Daily Mail. Many have criticized her for this, saying that such extravagance in these economic times is not called for. Now, admittedly, as a fan of the actress, I would be one to jump to her defense. However, I think that in this instance, it’s not mere fandom talking - I had three separate reactions to the outcry, and each led me to the logical conclusion that like it or not, beauty is an expensive business.

My first response: “So what? All stars do it.” And it’s true that despite the economic crunch that affects many of us, celebrities have continued to look like their polished selves on the red carpet - at the recent Oscars, they showed no signs of scrimping. I’m sure that Mr. McMillan and other Hollywood beauty experts had plenty of business that weekend. It’s just how it’s done.

My second response: “So what? The studio probably paid anyway.” While this has neither been confirmed nor denied, it would not be surprising. As the press junket is for purposes of promoting the movie, it would be in the studio’s best interest to have the stars out there looking their best, and if that means spending money for a hairdresser to travel with them, so be it. See response #1: it wouldn’t be the first time.

My third response: “So what? He’s right to charge that much.” Many have balked at the sum that was spent for Mr. McMillan’s services, but as the owner of a salon, he is justified in charging that much as compensation for being away from his salon. As one of the hairdressing elite, he commands hundreds of dollars per cut, and if he had been at home working in his salon, he’d be pulling in thousands per day. So his fee for working exclusively with Ms. Aniston is reasonable in light of the profit he’d otherwise be making. Add in airfare and accommodations, and it’s easy to see how a figure in the tens of thousands would be reached.

In conclusion, yes, beauty is an expensive business. Why single Jen out?

Does Gwyneth Paltrow hold the secret to the good life? She surely holds the secret to the GOOP life - the actress has recently established herself as a lifestyle diva with the launch of her website GOOP, with tidbits on what to make, where to go, and what to get. And despite what Us Weekly has to say about it, stars are not “just like us.” Not all of us can travel the world on a moment’s notice. Not all of us can spend thousands of dollars on holiday gifts. And for this very reason, the website has come under criticism for seeming out of touch with the finances and sensibilities of the average American, particularly in these troubled economic times.

However, one has to respect how fully Gwyneth backs the concept of GOOP. She recently told People, “I think the people who are criticizing it or criticizing the idea of it, don’t really get it, because if they did, they would like it.” She insists that the origins of the idea are far simpler than the haughtiness that many seem to see in it, insisting that it’s something that she’s always done, albeit on a smaller scale. “My friends call me all the time to say, ‘Where should I go?’ or ‘What should I do?’ And I thought, you know maybe some other people would be interested in it as well, so I started it, and it’s doing great.” While I do somehow suspect that Gwyneth’s girlfriends are also not “just like us,” it does bring the idea down to earth somewhat. Many of us imagine what we would do and wear if money were no object, and for those who share Gwyneth’s tastes, this is a natural extension of that.

Speaking of Gwyneth, at a recent fundraiser (above), she brightened up with a deep purple dress and an equally bold lip color. I think that it’s the best she’s looked in some time - the color really pops on her pale complexion, and she doesn’t look as washed out as she sometimes tends to.

Culminating a busy awards season, last night’s Academy Awards brought out many of Hollywood’s biggest stars - and on Hollywood’s biggest night, they did not disappoint. The ladies on the red carpet looked sensational, showing off beauty looks that reflect a wide range of personal styles.

Alicia Keys went for Old Hollywood glamour with bold eyes and lips and cascading waves.

Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried’s look had a similar charm - and notice how well her lipstick compliments the color of her dress!

Jennifer Aniston went for a more bohemian look - she wore her flowing locks with a delicate braid in front. Check out BellaSugar’s how-to on her sun-kissed makeup look by makeup artist Angela Levin.

Last year’s Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard looked tres chic, with defined eyes and lips and a sleek updo.

This year’s Best Actress winner, The Reader’s Kate Winslet, wore a loose updo and soft, pretty makeup.

Angelina Jolie, nominated for Changeling, went for drama with this teased ‘do.

Heidi Klum went low-key, contrasting with her bright gown. Her hair was casual, and her makeup was light with a slight shimmer.

Best Supporting Actress winner Penelope Cruz (for Vicky Cristina Barcelona) looked every bit a winner as she accepted her award - a flattering fringe softened the look of her chignon.

Nominee Taraji P. Henson (for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) worked her sleek locks and rosy cheeks to perfection.

Amy Adams, nominated for Doubt, looked elegant in a side bun and refined makeup.

Finally, Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto turned heads with an intricate updo. See the rear view below - and check out a how-to on BellaSugar!

With the recent celebrity Twitter craze, stars can communicate with the public directly and quickly, so naturally, it follows that the names behind the glamour would get in on the act. Celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan, whose clients include Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, and Debra Messing, has recently Twittered about his new product line Chris McMillan Hair, a product range designed very simply to make hair healthy.

On his website, the mane man behind some of Hollywood’s most enviable tresses reveals that the trick to good hair is putting health first. The product line is very simple - it is just a shampoo, a conditioner, an intensive repair mask, and a few styling products, including a shine serum. We may not all live in Hollywood, but this star stylist’s products, available online, bring a bit of the magic to you.

Confessions of a Shopaholic, based on the popular Sophie Kinsella novel, is in theaters now, and with that, Isla Fisher, one of my favorite celebrity beauties, has come into the spotlight. Not only gorgeous but talented and funny, Isla was previously known for her role as the “stage-5 clinger” in Wedding Crashers - however, with her role as Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions, this stunning Aussie has come into her own.

Noted for her long red locks, it’s hard to believe that the actress was teased as a child for this unique asset. According to In Style, she has said that in her younger years, she was called Twisty, after an orange snack food. However, she has grown to love that which makes her unique - she now says “I like the fact that I don’t look the same as everybody else.” Check out her stunning transformation here.

At the UK premiere of her latest flick (pictured above), she showed off those red locks by wearing them long and loose, with a bit of a wave. She went with a stunning evening makeup look, pairing dark eyeliner with glossy pink lips to compliment her sparkly black dress. In the film, her look is a bit bubblier, with light, girly makeup and tons of ringlet curls. The parallels to Carrie Bradshaw are stunning, and indeed, the characters do have one thing in common - both are costumed by costume designer Patricia Field. This slideshow at In Style showcases Isla’s many looks as Rebecca Bloomwood - above all, her look in the flick is girly, fun, and fashion-forward.

Sunday’s Grammy Awards gave superstars of the music industry a turn on the red carpet - and the opportunity to show off their unique styles.

Young country superstar Taylor Swift wore dramatic winged eyeliner and pulled her curly blonde locks into a romantic updo. People talked to Taylor’s hairstylist Enzo Anglieri, giving Taylor’s fellow curly girls the opportunity to recreate the look - instructions can be found here.

Singer/actress Jennifer Hudson made a triumphant return to the spotlight after the tragic triple homicide of three family members back in October - on Sunday, the Academy Award winner won a Grammy as well. She looked phenomenal on the red carpet as well - her updo let her stunning silver eye makeup take center stage. Makeup artist Tia Dantzler gave People the scoop on her look here.

Superstar actress (and wife of Coldplay rocker Chris Martin) Gwyneth Paltrow was on hand as a presenter, and she added some edge to her usually elegant look by wearing a glittery minidress. She kept the look low-key by wearing her locks loose and wavy - hairstylist David Babaii tells all how he created the look with his own WildAid products.

Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian showed off her earrings with a sleek updo - People wants to know whether this is a better look than her typical heavy-banged look. Vote early, vote often.

Gorgeous Aussie actress Nicole Kidman showed up in support of her husband Keith Urban (who performed with John Mayer, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King). She complimented her slinky gold gown with superstraight locks and red lips.

What a difference two days makes! As recently as Monday night, He’s Just Not That Into You star Ginnifer Goodwin sported long, flowing curls, as seen at the film’s L.A. premiere (left). However, last night, at a New York screening of the flick (right), she was snapped looking very different, with a much shorter, straighter ‘do. Ginnifer’s gone short before - in the film itself, she wears her hair short and wavy - but this superstraight style is something new for the naturally curly-haired actress. Ginnifer’s not the only HJNTIY star with a new ‘do - her costar Scarlett Johansson, typically a blonde, recently went brunette, as we saw at the premiere on Monday night.

So what do we think? Is Ginnifer’s new ‘do a “do” or a “don’t”?

Here are the latest beauty tidbits from around the web!

- Are you as into Jen’s premiere look as I am? Then you’re in luck - BellaSugar got the scoop on her style from celebrity makeup artist Angela Levin, who did Jen’s makeup last night.

- Smoky eyes were a major trend at recent runway shows - now, StyleList has provided a handy tutorial on how to perfect the look!

- Food for your lashes? Believe it. eBeautyDaily discusses the latest product to give you long, lush lashes.

- Before you curl up and dye, try out your favorite celebrity hairstyles with In Style’s Hollywood Hair Makeover. If your favorite ‘do isn’t pictured, you’re not out of luck - Hair Mixer allows you to upload any photo to try on.

- Get gorgeous while you sleep - People gives star-tested tips for beauty during your beauty rest.

The red carpet premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You was last night, and the women in the ensemble cast all showed up looking stunning! Each of these ladies has a unique style, and each one flaunted it to perfection.

The big beauty news of the night was Scarlett Johansson’s new brunette ‘do. She wore her newly darkened locks long, center-parted, and stick-straight.

Jennifer Aniston, who usually wears her hair loose for red carpet events, went with a different look this time, tying up her mane in an adorable tousled ponytail.

Another ponytailed star was Drew Barrymore, whose ‘do was certainly more understated than the one she wore to the Golden Globes! She sweetened the look with candy-pink lips.

Ginnifer Goodwin looked wide-eyed and gorgeous, with fresh-faced makeup and flowing curls.

Jennifer Connelly softened the look of her dramatic dress with casual, wavy hair and minimal makeup.

It’s Berlin Fashion week, and as German designers roll out their fashions for the A/W ‘09 season, all eyes are on the hair and makeup looks on the runway as well. Runway doesn’t always translate to real life, but these exaggerated looks are often harbingers of what is to come in the mainstream.

Models at the Kaviar Gauche show followed in Lady Godiva’s footsteps, with only super-long locks and the accessories protecting their modesty.

Another longhaired lass hit the runway at Lac Et Mel, although she went for a more voluminous look - and wore clothing.

Strenesse Blue’s models wore loose curls, bringing some femininity to the tailored suits and jackets.

Models at Michalsky high-tailed it, letting their smoky eyes and dramatic lips take center stage.

Models at P&C did a twisted take on the ballerina look, with roughed-up chignons and winged eyeliner.

Sisi Wasabi’s models went girl-next-door chic (as much as models can, anyway) with straight, center-parted locks and minimal makeup.

Sleek chignons at Marcel Ostertag showed off smoky eyes and pale lips.

Maybe Angelina was onto something with her bizarre ‘do - this model at Kilian Kerner had hair that defied gravity.

This model at Eastpak went sky-high as well.

However, another model at the same show went simpler, with a side-parted bob and that ever-present smoky eye.

Another Kilian Kerner model showed off an intricate fishtail braid.

Yet another model went for a gilded makeup look, with metallic eyeshadow.

Finally, let’s not forget the men! Heavy, assymetrical bangs bring a hint of emo to the mainstream.

Yesterday, we looked at the beauty looks that our favorite ladies on television wore for Sunday’s SAG Awards. Today, it’s all about the big screen. You’ve seen these fabulous faces on cinema screens this year, and in a few weeks, you just might see them at the Oscars.

Kate Winslet, who won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for The Reader (and was also nominated in the lead category for Revolutionary Road), looked ladylike with soft blush and a neat chignon.

Rachel Getting Married nominee Anne Hathaway has shown off the versatility of her bob at recent appearances - she wore it sleek at last week’s inaugural festivities, and she went for a wavy look at the SAG Awards. Defined eyes and lips were a perfect compliment to this fresh look.

Taraji Henson, nominated for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, also rocked a bob, although she wore hers straight.

A lead actress nominee for Changeling, Angelina Jolie opted for a tousled updo for this red carpet outing.

Presenter Evan Rachel Wood has left the gothic look behind, with lightened locks and soft, pretty makeup.

Doubt’s Amy Adams, nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, let her lips do the talking - her red lips stood out against her fair complexion.

Penelope Cruz, a supporting actress nominee for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, went romantic, wearing her long locks in a wavy half-up style.

Finally, Meryl Streep, seen here accepting her Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role award for Doubt, showed that natural is beautiful with subtle makeup and a simple ponytail.