Hot or Not Beauty

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!

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.

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.

Small screen, big beauty! We see these faces on our televisions every week, but during awards season, they really pull out the stops - on the red carpet, they get to show a different side: themselves. Here are some of the television stars who got glamorous for the big night.

“Ugly Betty” looked very pretty last night - America Ferrera classed up a ponytail with a side part and red lips, proving what a stretch her fashion-challenged alter ego is.

Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate opted for an updo, letting her unique earrings take center stage.

On a night away from Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, House star Jennifer Morrison looked glamorous with her blonde locks worn long and loose.

Her costar Olivia Wilde took a similar approach, wearing her brunette strands in cascading waves.

Who’s desperate? Not Eva! The Desperate Housewives star was her sexy self with a curly updo and glowing makeup.

Funny and gorgeous! Liz Lemon cleaned up nicely for a night out on the town as her alter ego, 30 Rock’s Tina Fey.

Her costar Jane Krakowski looked flirty with bold eyeliner and teased hair - and a kittenish expression.

January Jones, star of the hit period drama Mad Men, spent a night in the 21st century with a relaxed, beachy look.

Her costar Christina Hendricks looked sensational, with bright red lips complimenting her curly red hair.

So what was your favorite beauty look of the night? Stay tuned for my take on the silver screen sirens who strutted their stuff at the SAG Awards.

We’ve already discussed the First Lady’s look - with that, let’s take a look at other beauty looks at the inaugural festivities.

Ashley Judd dolled up for the Purple Ball with shimmery eyeshadow and an updo.

Courteney Cox was more casual for the RIAA and Feeding America Ball, leaving her long locks loose.

At the same event, Rihanna complemented her yellow frock with bold eyeliner and her signature cropped ‘do.

At the Artists Making an Impact event, Jessica Alba is bang-on trend with her new ‘do.

At the Creative Coalition’s Inaugural Ball, Anne Hathaway went classic, with red lips and a sleek bob.

Finally, Demi Moore proved that there’s no age limit on long hair, looking better than ever with flowing locks and minimal makeup at MTV and Service Nation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball.”

Do you hate that shiny skin that some sunscreens can leave you with? I personally think that there is nothing worse than the oiliness that you can encounter when you are trying to stay protected from the sun, while already sweltering in high summer temperatures.
My personal tip to counteract this problem is to use a tinted moisturiser. These tend to offer lighter coverage than foundation and are easily reapplied during the day. Select one that contains an SPF 15 to make sure your skin is protected from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays and you have a great alternative to ensure you put your best face forward.
Here are my 3 top picks for tinted moisturisers -
No. 1 - Stila Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15 - this one gets my pick of the bunch because I feel that it has the best coverage and the widest range of shades, plus there is a SPF 30 available as well.

No. 2 - Dove Essential Nutrients Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15 - I think this one is a good alternative, but the Dove Tinted Moisturiser offers far less shades than Stila (but it is very reasonably priced for those on a budget).

No. 3 - You Rebel Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15 - this one is pretty expensive, and still doesn’t have the same range of shades as the Stila, so it gets my vote for no. 3 position.

There are other options available, but not all offer the SPF 15; which I honestly believe is the minimum you should consider if you’re planning to use this in place of regular sunscreen.

Being one of those people destined to either be scorched red shade or else accept their fair skin, I’m always on the lookout for new options for bronzers. So while on a recent shopping trip (read getting sidetracked checking out beauty stuff!) this Rimmel Mousse Bronzer caught my eye. So I of course had to pick one up and try it out!
I’m obsessed with things that say mousse on them, I suspect it’s a hangover from being a child of the 80s. At about ten I was given a moisturising body mousse, one of the earliest beauty products I had. So of course I couldn’t resist trying out a product called Rimmel ‘Cool Bronze’ Matte Mousse Bronzer. What I discovered is that this mousse has a light, whipped consistency that’s perfect for creating an even finish.
I liked that once it was on it did more or less stand up to the claims that it resists humidity and won’t rub off. I think as with any impermanent bronzer you shouldn’t test this out to vigorously, because the reality is they are designed to wash off. Overall I liked the Rimell Cool Bronze mousse. It makes a light option for that sun-kissed glow and was long lasting as well.

If you are looking for an ideal lip treatment for this summer, then look no further than the Bobbi Brown tinted lip balm. Forget problems such as hair or sand sticking to your lips. The lip balm is the perfect alternative. I’ve been a fan of this for a while and regularly use it under my lipstick, as I tend to suffer from quite dry skin on my lips. Not only does it offer the ideal base in this situation, it is the ultimate solution if you are heading outdoors and enjoying the warm summer weather. Whether it’s the beach or a picnic this is the perfect solution for keeping your lips soft and suple during long summer days.

My favorite color is the Desert Bronze, but with a further ten shades available, there is a color that will suit everyone in this range of lip balms. The great thing I find about this product is that it is versatile, and there is no reason why you couldn’t dress it up a bit with a little lip liner if your day out runs ‘overtime’. For a good summer option that allows you to let your natural beauty shine through, then this one definitely gets my tick of approval.

Sydney declared its intention to be the 5th Fashion city of the world at the opening of last weeks Australian Fashion Week. So to keep abreast of the latest trends from this young and vibrant city, I’d like to look at what was hot at Fashion Week and how to create your own ‘Sydnefied’ look for the Spring/Summer 2008 season.

Starting with what was hot – a resounding theme was the smoky eyes and nude lips. I’m quite a fan of the nude lip look for a dramatic statement, but it requires patience and a bit of extra effort. The nude lip look walks a fine line between nude and painting your lips out of existence.
To create this look I would recommend that you start by exfoliating your lips, something that we often overlook. Be gentle with the more delicate skin of your lips when you do this. Then when you apply your foundation, include your lips as well as your face. This helps to tone down the colour in the lips prior to applying a nude lip color.

Once you have done this then depending on how dramatic a look you would like to achieve then you have several options. If you are keen to try really nude lips, then apply a lipstick that closely matches your complexion. Add a little peachy or rose toned lip gloss to the centre of the lip and you are ready to go!
If you want to try nude lips that are not quite so dramatic, particularly if you are keen to try this look for everyday wear, then there are other options. One option is to apply the foundation on you lips as described before, and then put a little soft peach or rosy shade of lip gloss over that. Another is to leave your lips nude and try a clear lip gloss.
Yet another option is to place a little of your usual lipstick in the centre of your bottom lip, squeeze your lips together and then apply a little lip gloss in clear, soft peach or rosy shades over the lipstick. Basically be guided by the amount of colour or lack of colour you want to have, then select an option that achieves the look you are after.

Finally you need to be sure that you select the right products. For the nude lip look I’ve found that some of the best nude shades around are available from Mac. I really like the Mac Slimshine Lipsticks, which are kind of like a halfway point between a lipstick and a lip gloss – and this also comes in several nude lip options. Best of all Mac offers great shades of lipsticks and lip glosses to complement all skin tones – which makes Mac a great place to shop if you’re looking for the perfect nude lipstick for your individual complexion.

I came across this ultra cute little ‘Blushing Daisies’ compact (pictured), while I was in the Body Shop the other day. It’s a shimmery blush that has the cutest design. I have dubbed it my makeup art, because I think it kind of reminds me of a Van Gogh, but then I’m a little nutty about my beauty products. So far I haven’t actually been able to bring myself to use it – being a total beauty nut I’ve just been toting it around showing it off and boasting about how cute my new purchase is!

Well after my cute discovery at Body Shop I decided to make it my mission to uncover any other dinky little designs, and found a cute little option available from Yves Saint Laurent. The Palette Pop Collector Powder is an aptly named face powder that comes in a very pop art inspired design. Formulated to give a radiant glow to the complexion, much like my Body Shop powder I suspect I’ll end up buying for looks more than functionality! If the pop art era wasn’t your thing, then the Yves Saint Laurent ‘Opium’ palette (pictured here) may be more your style. This is an adorable compact with an oriental art inspired case, containing four complimentary powder shades for the face and eyes incorporated into a floral design.

Finally I discovered the ultimate in very girly makeup buys at Christian Dior. The Dior Princess Ring is about the cutest thing ever, and is available in a lip and an eye version. This makeup as jewellery product is a silver ring inlaid with turquoise (it’s a little bit Tiffany’s!) or in candy floss pink. It has a crystal surrounded mirror on top and eight crystals on the four sides. Both the lip and eye ring contain 2 shades and are the ultimate in cutesy makeup ideas. I love it and I’m sure all you other princesses at heart are going to love it too!

It seems theses days that mineral makeup is the latest and greatest in makeup trends. The last 12 months have seen all the major brands jumping on the band wagon, extolling the virtues of this ‘new and revolutionary’ product. So in the interest of getting to the heart of things, I’d like to take a look at exactly what is behind the hype, and take a look at mineral makeup from Jane Iredale; one of the original producers of mineral makeup, and some would argue still the best.

The basic premise of mineral makeup is that it is a natural product, produced from finely crushed minerals. This product started in the hey-day of the seventies and was held high for the organic qualities of being without chemicals, preservatives and artificial dyes found in many other formulations.

Mineral makeup was initially found to be of particular benefit to those with problematic skin, as this makeup contained none of the fragrances, dyes and other chemicals such as preservatives that are traditionally recognised to be irritants for sensitive skin. Jane Iredale mineral makeup was first introduced onto the market and gained acceptance for its anti inflammatory qualities, making it a great option for sufferers of skin conditions such as acne, rosacea and even for those with skin irritation following skin treatments such as dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing.

Whilst I am fortunate that I haven’t these above conditions, I have found that the Jane Iredale range is a great option for a sheer coverage, that lets my naturally healthy skin look its best. The powders are silky, and I’ve found once applied they rarely need a touch up. Best of all these powders offer the same skin protections as more conventional products, including sun protecting up to SPF 20 and a barrier from pollutants.

The mineral makeup is great as it allows your skin to breathe and maintains a natural and healthy glow. One added bonus with this particular product is that it truly is water resistant, and this has been tested in an FDA approved laboratory. I found that even on a hot day the makeup stayed put more than other bases I have tried and there was little transference.

Be aware that applying the mineral makeup may require a small change in your routine. After cleansing and moisturizing, you are going to have to really let the moisturizer absorb. This means apply it and then do something else for a bit before you start to apply your mineral makeup base. Personally I dry my hair while I wait, but if you are used to sticking on your moisturizer and then putting your foundation straight on top, you will need to get yourself out of that habit.

Once you are ready then take the brush and apply the mineral makeup lightly and in even layers, brushing the powder onto your skin in even, downward strokes. The initial ‘Amazing Base Loose Powder’ is a great product. It comes in warm, neutral and cool base tones. Great for someone like myself whose skins throws a lot of orange tones with some formulas. This also means that there are formulations that are suited to a variety of skin tones and colors.

As with more conventional makeup this base is complemented by a pressed powder for any necessary touch-ups throughout the day. I’ve found that this makeup generally stays put, but the pressed powder is still a great portable option if you have a long day ahead of you. Using the Jane Iredale mineral makeup has proved a great option, I would recommend that if you have been procrastinating then its time to give it a go!

Ever since the advent of Chanel’s Le Vernis ‘Rouge Noir’ polish – as sported by Uma Thurman in ‘Pulp Fiction’ – I’ve been a Chanel girl. (Actually being something of a beauty product addict I’m also an ‘any new product I can get my hands on’ girl!) The latest range of summer colors from Chanel are as gorgeous as ever, and the fantastic ‘Flamingo Pink’ and sultry ‘Antilope’ are the new seasons must have nail polishes.

‘Flamingo Pink’ is exactly the color you would imagine it to be – a bright bubblegum pink that harks back to the candy floss shades you loved as a child. My personal recommendation is to pair this with the luscious Rouge Hydrabase lipstick in the bright ‘Rose Flamingo’ pink. If you are more a lip gloss than a lipstick girl – then my next choice would be to try the Glossimer Lip Gloss in the new shade ‘Gazelle’. This is a hot pink that comes with a little extra sparkle and goes great with a sunkissed summer complexion.

Now I don’t want to recommend a lot of time out in the sun – let’s face it wrinkles and skin cancer are NOT hot! But these colors do lend themselves to a sun kissed look and this season there are a total of 5 different types of bronzing products available in the Chanel range. I like the limited edition Collection Essentielle, which offers an all in one palette for the eyes, cheeks and lips. There are also both liquid and powder bronzers that can give you a golden glow and set off your bright pink lipstick to perfection.

If eye makeup is more your thing then you will be loving Chanel this season! There’s a fantastic range of bright and colorful eye shadows, eyeliners and mascaras. If you are keen to try out the pink and khaki green eye shadows, then my suggestion would be to pair these with the ‘Antilope’ Le Vernis nail polish. This golden brown frosted polish is more subtle than the ‘Flamingo Pink’, and goes really nicely with the nude brown ‘Curious’ Rouge Allure lipstick.

What will I be wearing? Well being a huge fan of pink lipstick, my choice for this summer will be to give the liquid eye shadow in ‘Atoll’ a go. This golden brown color is more subtle than some of the other options for the eyes, and a much more attractive option if you are going to try out the bright lipsticks. I was also really taken with the vert bronze color eyeliner that I tried. Whilst I’ve long favored a dark brown eyeliner – I received a number of compliments about how green my eyes looked, so I’m keen to continue with this product that brought out the color in my blue-green eyes.

A word to the wise for those of you who love bright colors. This season is definitely going to be the one for you to let loose, but don’t overdo it. By that I mean don’t wear everything at once – a splash of color is great, but if you are wearing green or pink eye shadow, then go for subtle lip colors. Like wise, a muted eye shadow is best with a bright lipstick. That said – go out and have fun! This summer is all about bright colors, so find the one you like and make it hot!