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Filed In: Awards shows
Golden Globes 2015 | Spotlight on Style Recap
The star-studded 72nd annual Golden Globes were held this past Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, hosted for the last time by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler – two women who compliment each other’s comedic style so perfectly, easily displaying their bang-on timing as well as an uncanny ability to couch the most pointed barbs in honeyed tones. All I can say, is that they will be one tough act to follow.
But I digress …
For a few years now, I have been recapping award shows on my blog (you can find previous posts by clicking the category sidebar, filed under award, award shows, Golden Globes, The Oscars), and while I know ahead of time that each show is basically a tweaked variation of the previous one – where celebrities sport incredibly lavish gowns (and some that are just utterly confusing), neutral nails (duh) and relatively simple makeup – these red carpet appearances intrigue me, for it’s where upcoming makeup launches make their first (albeit somewhat clandestine) appearances (my recap post on Golden Globes beauty is coming soon).
Several colour groups appeared to dominate the red carpet, starting with statement-making red, the ubiquitous black numbers, vestal white, followed by gleaming silver. A few dared vivid yellow, with a smattering of blue and green thrown in, and finally some requisite beaded and adorned dresses added to the mix.
Of hits, there were plenty of front-runners with an equal amount of misses (I cannot begin to comprehend Keira Knightley’s dress – and this horror came from my beloved CHANEL, no less … the shame …), and while a complete roundup would have had me chained to my computer for days (no thanks), I’ve collected the looks that stood out for me; obviously, everyone’s opinion and taste varies, so whether you agree with my picks or not, feel free to chime in on the comments section – would love to know your thoughts!
Grab a cup of something, and enjoy my Golden Globes 2015 recap!
Golden Globes hosts Tina Fey (in a bespoke Antonio Berardi dress) & Amy Poehler (in a Stella McCartney dress) arriving on the red carpet – they changed outfits a few more times over the course of the show
Ladies in red
Top row (from left):
- Viola Davis in a Donna Karan Atelier gown
- Taylor Schilling in a custom Ralph Lauren gown (jewellery by Tiffany & Co.)
- Heidi Klum in a Versace gown, Jimmy Choo heels
Bottom row (from left):
- Kate Mara in a Miu Miu gown (jewellery by Vita Fede)
- Allison Williams in an Armani Privé gown
- Catherine Zeta-Jones in an Angel Sanchez gown
The ommorphia award for Best Red Gown, goes to Dame Helen Mirren (seriously, how absolutely gorgeous is this woman? At 69, she is totally working that bod!)
Dame Helen Mirren in an embellished Dolce & Gabbana gown, jewellery by Chopard and the crowning touch: a Charlie Hebdo tribute pen at her shoulder – well done, Helen
Silver [screen] stars
Clockwise from top left:
- Julianne Moore in a Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown (jewellery by Chopard)
- Reese Witherspoon in a custom-made Calvin Klein gown (jewellery by Tiffany & Co.)
- Dakota Johnson in CHANEL, heels by Jimmy Choo
- Kate Beckinsale in an Elie Saab gown
The ommorphia award for Best Silver Gown goes to Diane Kruger, wearing a gown of such exquisitely crisp lines and lightly textured fabric that so perfectly skims her body – everything about this just works.
Diane Kruger wearing a tailored gown by Emilia Wickstead
Snow ‘Whites’
From left:
- Rosamund Pike in a custom-made Vera Wang Collection gown
- Salma Hayek in an Alexander McQueen gown (jewellery by Boucheron)
- Emily Blunt in a custom-made Michael Kors gown
- Kristen Wiig in vintage
The ommorphia award for the Best White Gown, goes hands-down to Kate Hudson who manages to look drop-dead sexy and absolutely radiant at once (and who does cut-out shapes better than Versace? Google Elizabeth Hurley’s Versace ‘safety-pin’ number to see what I mean).
Kate Hudson in a KILLER Versace gown
Not-so-little Black dresses
Top row (from left):
- Jennifer Aniston in a Saint Laurent gown
- Laura Carmichael in a vintage James Galanos gown with a star embellishment
- Emma Stone in a Lanvin jumpsuit
Bottom row (from left):
- Lorde in a custom-made Narciso Rodriguez outfit
- Amal Alamuddin-Clooney in a Dior Couture gown, slouchy opera gloves (jewellery by Harry Winston)
- Katherine Heigl in a Zac Posen gown
The ommorphia award for Best Black Gown (and yes, even though technically it’s not ‘black’, I’m adding it to this group just the same for its lush dark vibe), goes to Jessica Chastain for channelling true Hollywood glamour and bringing back Fortuny pleating (again, Google it my beauties).
Jessica Chastain in a Versace gown
Primary beauties
From left:
- Leslie Mann in a Kaufmanfranco gown
- Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann in a Miu Miu gown
- Jenna Dewan Tatum in a Carolina Herrera gown
The ommorphia award for Best Yellow Gown goes to Naomi Watts in her stunning column of citrus elegance – and can we just take a moment and admire that diamond snake about her neck?
Naomi Watts in a Gucci gown, accessorized with Bulgari jewellery
Mermaid-esque
From left:
- Cindy Crawford in a Versace dress, Jimmy Choo heels & clutch (jewellery by Harry Winston)
- Lana del Rey in vintage William Travilla
- Ruth Wilson in Prada
The ommorphia award for Best Blue/Green Gown goes to Felicity Jones, who manages to make Victorian style chic again.
Felicity Jones in a Dior Couture gown
Embellished details
Top row (from left):
- Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad
- Lupita Nyong’o in a Gimabattista Valli gown (jewellery by Chopard)
- Claire Danes in a Valentino Couture gown
Bottom row (from left):
- Anna Kendrick in a gown by Monique Lhuillier
- Katie Holmes in a Marchesa gown
- Kiera Knightly in CHANEL
The ommorphia award for Best Detailed/Embellished Gown, goes to Amy Adams for this masterfully draped number that would make even the Goddess Aphrodite cry.
Amy Adams in a gown by Versace, accessorized by Tiffany & Co.
Special Mentions:
Sienna Miller in an embellished Miu Miu dress, Jimmy Choo heels and accessorized by Tiffany & Co. – from the choppy bob, flawless makeup and perfect mix of lavish yet tasteful embroidery on her dress contrasted with a dangerously plunging neckline, this is one woman who consistently nails the style department.
Jennifer Lopez in a Zuhair Murad Gown (first two photos) & an ensemble by Amanda Wakeley for the weinstein after-party.
With regards to dressing, it goes without saying that JLo can rock a potato sack, but her Golden Globes gown left me more than confused – plunging neckline, thigh-high slit, bodycon shape combined with a flowing cape, train and a king’s ransom in beading – I’m not sure whether I absolutely loathe this, or applaud her uniqueness. My verdict? It’s just way.too.much. The after-party number doesn’t score much higher with me either (JLo, you of all people, really don’t need to try THIS hard).
But I can’t deny how flawless her hair and makeup looked, as well as the ‘secretly bejewelled’ mani she was given my by man, Tom Bachik (he placed rhinestones on the underside of her taloned nails – pretty cool, huh?)
And finally, there’s Prince because, well just because he’s Prince. Eccentric, androgynous, musical genius, and definitely way out there … but always entertaining. Plus he’s holding a jewelled walking stick that can double as a lethal weapon.
Prince (don’t even get me started on the litany of names & personas he’s had over the years)
Photo credits
The Oscars 2014 – A Beauty & Style Roundup
The grand finale of awards season is without a doubt, the Oscars. This year marks the 86th Academy Awards show, and while the weather threatened to upstage the event (it rained cats & dogs leading up to the big day), it all miraculously came together this past Sunday. The gowns were spectacular, hair styles had a classic 40’s tone, and makeup was flawless – if rather ‘safe’ – while the men all looked suave, debonair & totally polished – with few exceptions (Pharrell, I’m looking at you and your tuxedo shorts – which was still better than your Mountie’s hat).
Host Ellen Degeneres had her usual witty banter going on, as well as a few outfit changes, but my favourite by far was when she emerged as Glinda the Good Witch (from Wizard of Oz fame) – priceless. Her ‘impromptu’ pizza party was also a riot, especially since the real deal was actually passed around and to which those lucky (not to mention starving) celebs in the front rows gladly dove into (Meryl Streep holding a slice of cheese pizza – gotta love that), with Brad Pitt lending a hand by passing the paper plates around. The highlight of the evening, was without a doubt Ellen’s by now famous “selfie” – which in turn not only became the most retweeted pic EVER, but actually managed to crash twitter. Epic, indeed.
The makeup, while perfectly executed, definitely held a nude/natural tone – no garish/clashing colours or overly exaggerated looks, with hair looking polished and channelling ‘Old Hollywood’ glamour. Nails were typically neutral as well, and yet a few brave souls did show some originality (Charlize Theron in dark vampy tips, Sandra Bullock with a deep blue to match her gown, Emma Watson in oxblood with edgy rings to match, and Kate Hudson with what looked like glitter ombré tips), but that’s fine by me, as the gowns were well deserving of the spotlight.
The couture creations were breathtakingly beautiful and if forced to pick a favourite, I would have to say that once again, Charlize Theron totally nailed it – exquisite. Coming in for a close second has got to be Sandra Bullock’s regal blue stunner, with its elegant draping and rich, rich hue. Please note that the following is by no means a complete list of everyone who was there – and where possible, I provided beauty breakdowns for several of the looks.
EDIT: I had been working on this post since Sunday and it was about to go live when my system froze and I. Lost.It.All. You don’t want to know how I reacted.
So get comfortable, grab something to nibble on, and enjoy my recap!
waiting for the 86th Academy Awards to begin at the Dolby Theatre
host Ellen Degeneres as Glinda the Good Witch
Lupita Nyong’o, winner of Best Supporting Actress in a “Nairobi blue” Prada gown with Fred Leighton headband & jewelry
Lupita’s look was created by celebrity makeup artists Nick Barose who was inspired by “Elizabeth Taylor away on vacation” – products used:
CHANEL Crayon Sourcils Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in Noir Cendré, CHANEL Ligne Graphique de CHANEL in Noir (lightly traced on the lashline), a mix of shades from the CHANEL Tracées Quadra Eyeshadow in Jardin Zen palette, CHANEL Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Mélodieuse & Le Blush Crème de CHANEL in Chamade for cheeks
Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong’o changed into a bespoke Miu Miu dress for the Vanity Fair after-party
Cate Blanchette, winner of Best Actress in an Armani Privé embellished gown and Chopard jewelry
To create Cate’s look, celebrity makeup artists Jeanine Lobel first prepped the skin with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. Shades from the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad in #2 Effetto Nudo were used to create a softly defined eye, then Cate’s lashes were curled with the Troy Surratt Lash Curler before Lobell attached strips of lashes to the outer corners using a touch of Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara for extra adhesion. The eyes were then finished off using Make Up For Ever Brow Gel. Cheeks were brushed with Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10 and Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick #103 Incognito
Jennifer Lawrence in a tomato-red Dior peplum gown
To create Jennifer’s look, celebrity makeup artist Ve Neill used the following selection of Dior products: the face was first prepped with Dior’s Pore Minimize Skin Refining Matte Primer, followed by Capture Totale Triple-Correctin Serum Foundation in #020 Light Beige. Diorskin Nude Tan Matte Sun Powder in in Matte Amber #002 was dusted over the planes of her face, followed by DiorBlush Vibrant Color Powder Blush in Cocktail Peach on the cheeks. For the eyes, Neill applied Diorshow Art Pen Intense Professional Felt-Tip Eyeliner in Catwalk Black #095 and completed the look with Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Over Black #090. Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Mirage #338 was used on the lips (will be available on Dior.com as of March 15th)
Jennifer Lawrence changed into a Tom Ford dress for the Vanity Fair after-party
Charlize Theron in a Dior Couture gown and wearing $15 million in Harry Winston diamonds. Yikes.
To create Charlize’s flawless look, celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff worked with a selection of Dior products; she began with Dior Pore Minimizer Skin Refining Matte Primer then applied Dior Capture Totale Triple-Correcting Serum Foundation in #020 Light Beige mixed with a touch of Dior Glow Maximizer Light Boosting Primer to give her skin a dewy, lit-from-within radiance. She then dusted Dior Blush Vibrant Color Blush in #679 Coral Cruise on the cheeks . For the eyes, Dubroff began with Dior Backstage Eye Prime and then applied a hint of colour using Dior 5 Courleurs Eyeshadow Palette #030 Incognito followed by Diorshow Art Pen Intense Professional Felt-Tip Eyeliner in Catwalk Black #095, finishing with Diorshow Black Out Mascara in Khol Black. Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Frisson was used on the lips (available on Dior.com as of March 15th)
Amy Adams in a Gucci Première strapless gown, jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
To create Amy’s look, celebrity makeup artist Stephen Sollitto began my prepping the skin with RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream, then followed that by applying Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide (available Fall 2014) to create a softly matte finish. Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Terracotta was applied to the lids with Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Black Karat on the lower lashline and NARS Eye Paint Liner in Tatar was used to define the top lashline. Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick Colour in Sugar Frost at the inner corners of the eyes added subtle sparkle, with Dior Black Out Mascara finishing things off. Tom Ford Ravish blush was used on Amy’s cheeks for a “Spring-like” hue while Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour in Cozy topped off with Tom Ford Beauty Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Crush completed the lips
Amy Adams changed into a Carolina Herrera asymmetric gown for the Vanity Fair after-party
Kate Hudson in an Atelier Versace gown
Celebrity hair stylist Chris McMillan who’s known Kate for 15 years now, decided to give her hair a simple, yet glamorous 40’s vibe – crossed with a bit of 80’s Jerry Hall – after he saw the gown she was going to wear
Kate Hudson changed into a Zuhair Murad Couture dress from the Spring/Summer 2014 Collection for the Vanity Fair after-party
Angelina Jolie in an Elie Saab beaded gown, jewelry by Robert Procop
Angelina could not have looked more regal; her hair appeared lightened up a few degrees and pushed back from her face to beautifully frame that strong bone structure, her eye makeup was perfectly executed and those famous lips were softly coloured (although I’m not so sure about that lip liner). On her nails: Essie’s Sugar Daddy
Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen
Sandra’s side-swept loose curls were harmonized with rosy flushed cheeks, a pinky-nude lip and soft smokey eyes – the latter which was given a modern edge with a touch of teal liner on the waterline. What really stood out, was the matching navy nail polish she opted for – well played, Sandra
Emma Watson in a Vera Wang dress, accessorized with an Anya Hindmarch clutch and Boucheron jewelry
I can’t get over how stunning Emma’s brows are … the former face of Lancôme doesn’t need much by way of enhancing and she decided to keep things easy by focusing the attention on a brighter lip and lush top lashes, while her charmingly messy updo was given a nicely embellished by the diamond stars strewn artfully throughout the strands
Emma Watson
A Hollywood icon: Meryl Streep in a Lanvin dress
Julia Roberts in a Givenchy Couture by Riccardo Tisci dress and Bulgari jewelry
Julia’s makeup was definitely in keeping with what the star usually likes to wear, while that famous pucker was adorned with Lancôme Rouge in Love in ‘Delicate Lace‘, but what this look was really all about, was her newly blonde tresses
Anne Hathaway in a sparkling Gucci number – the reflection was simply dazzling when she was onstage presenting an award
Celebrity makeup artist Kate Lee used CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La Caline with Le Blush de CHANEL in Cheeky (available in May) – and while pixie cuts rivalled sideswept waves on the red carpet, I’m thinking that Anne might be due for something different … something longer, perhaps?
Jessica Biel in a CHANEL Couture sequinned column, jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
Penelope Cruz in a Giambattista Valli gown and Chopard jewelry
To create Penelope’s look, celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury was inspired by legendary screen-goddess Sophia Loren – most of the products used are from Charlotte’s eponymous range: the skin was first prepped with Magic Cream (available Fall 2014), followed by Wonder Glow (available Fall 2014) for a soft-focus effect and finally a thin layer of Lancôme Teint Miracle Foundation in Medium 6 was applied all over. Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre in Taupe was used to fill in the brows and set with Lancôme Modèle Sourcils Brow Gel. A deep black khol liner was used to create a feline flick and line Penelope’s eyes (waterline included), and the coppery-brown smokey eye was achieved with the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita Palette (available Fall 2014). With just a few individual lashes applied to the outer corners, plenty of Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara was used to amp up the volume. The sculpt shade of Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow (available Fall 2014) was used to enhance the planes of the face while the highlighter shade of the same duo was applied on the high points to reflect a softly lit glow, finished with Lancôme blusher Rose Subtil on the cheeks. Lips were prepped with Lancôme’s Baume in Love Lip Balm, and finally a shade that Charlotte created in homage of the star, Penelope Pink (available Fall 2014) was applied
Naomi Watts in Calvin Klein Collection and Bulgari jewelry
To create Naomi’s sleep look, celebrity makeup artist Matthew VanLeeuwen began by first prepping the skin with Giorgio Armani’s Crema Nera Extrema Serum, followed by a combination of Lancôme Le Correcteur Pro in #300 Bisque and Giorgio Armani Maestro Cream Compact #4. Cheeks were given a natural healthy glow with Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10. The shades of Lancôme’s Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Plum Splendor were used on the eyes, as well as Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee and finally finished off with Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara over Lancôme Cils Booster XL. To create the bright lip, VanLeeuwen used a combination of Giorgio Armani #7 Smooth Silk Lip Pencil and Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in #502 Scarlatto
Portia de Rossi in an intricate stunner by Naeem Khan
Liza Minelli in vintage Halston (naturally – they were inseparable friends) and I’m even liking the bit of blue in the hair
and how glam is Miss Piggy in Vivienne Westwood?
GIRL CRUSH: Kate Beckinsale in Elie Saab Couture at the Vanity Fair after-party
CoverGirl spokesperson Sofia Vergara in Roberto Cavalli at the Vanity Fair after-party. Those curves…
Diane Kruger in Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2014 Collection at the Vanity Fair after-party. I’m on the fence about this…
Sienna Miller in Alexander McQueen at the Vanity Fair after-party. Too Wonder Woman?
Lady Gaga & Donatella Versace (both in Versace) at the Vanity Fair after-party
*Donatella, I say this with all due respect – please step away from your plastic surgeon*
The men were well represented by these 4 examples:
Jared Leto, Best Supporting Actor winner in Saint Laurent
I think we can all agree that Jared Let also wins for BEST HAIR, style by Chase Kusero using Vidal Sassoon Pro Series products:
First prep wet hair with Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Waves Primer Spray, applying it throughout the hair to enhance your natural wave.Then apply Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Waves Pomade to the length of the hair, providing a flexible hold and soft, glossy curl definition. Create the desired part and let hair air-dry.
The next day, spray dry shampoo to the roots to refresh your second day hair while protecting hair color.
Then spray Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Heat Protect & Shine Spray to the ends to protect hair from heat before straightening it. Take several sections of hair and straighten for a smooth look.
Benedict Cumberbatch (he should have won for having the Best Name)
Leonardo Di Caprio (what will it take for him to finally win that Oscar?)
Tom Ford (in Tom Ford, obviously). Seriously, this man can do no wrong
My favourite couples of the evening:
Brad Pitt (producer, 12 Years A Slave, Best Picture winner) & Angelina Jolie (Honorary Oscar)
Chiwetel Ejiofor & Sari Mercer in a gown by Suzanne Neville
Matthew McConaughey (Best Actor winner) in a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo & Camilla Alves in a Gabriela Cadena gown
Best Baby Bumps:
Olivia Wilde in a Valentino gown, Lorraine Schwarz jewelry and a Jimmy Choo clutch & Jason Sudeikis in Prada
Olivia’s retro 60’s inspired look was created by celebrity makeup artist Melanie Inglessis using the following Revlon products: the skin was first prepped with PhotoReady Perfecting Primer, followed by PhotoReady Makeup in Nude and finished with PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator in Bare Lights. The eyes: ColorStay ShadowLinks in Taupe, ColorStay Eyeliner in Black, ColorStay Liquid Liner in Blackest Black, Lash Potion by Grow Luscious Mascara and the brows were finished with Brow Fantasy in Brunette. On Olivia’s lips, Melanie applied ColorBurst Matte Balm in Complex and Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink Cognito
Thor, I mean Chris Hemsworth (…sigh…) & Elsa Pataky in Elie Saab & seriously, glowingly, about-to-pop pregnant
the absolutely radiant Kerry Washington in a gown by Jason Wu
Celebrity makeup artist Carola Gonzalez used Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipstick in #609 Plum topped with Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Rich Raisin for shine
Some candid moments captured during the event:
Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’o playfully fighting over the Oscar
Steve McQueen, director of Best Picture ’12 Years A Slave’ – jumping for joy
Ellen’s Oscar pizza party with Edgar the delivery guy – he later wound up getting $1,000 in tips!
If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of those famous envelopes looks like, here you go!
The 4 top winners of the night and their golden dates
Best photobombing moments:
it’s a tie between Benedict Cumberbatch photobombin U2 on the red carpet and …
… Jared Leto photombombing Anne Hathaway on the way to the Vanity Fair after-party!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this entire production, and while I’m usually riveted to the red carpet scene, then sort of zone out during the actual presentations, I found myself strangely wanting to see it through to the end. As Oscars go, I have to give this a thumbs up – and while I may never get to wear one of these couture gowns, I can definitely replicate the totally wearable makeup looks and gorgeously flattering hair styles that were seen in abundance. Then, there’s that selfie … thank you, Ellen, for giving us the most “real” moment ever captured at one of these shows!
So who’s look captured your attention the most? Who did you cringe from? Spill!
*Photo Credit
The 71st Golden Globes – Beauty Recap
I have mixed feelings about awards shows; love the red carpet, mainly because I get to zero in on the makeup, nails, hair & gowns of each celebrity – that segment is my catnip. The actual awards part, however, can be somewhat tedious – unless it happens to be the Golden Globes, where anything can (and usually does) happen.
This past Sunday, the 71st Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, successfully hosted by Tina Fey (who happens to be part Greek – yay!) and Amy Poehler. What makes this show so much fun, is the ambiance; not as casual as the People’s Choice Awards (ugh), nor as formal as the Oscars (talk about long & boring), the guests are seated at round tables instead of auditorium seating, with the alcohol flowing and mingling aplenty – to say that the vibe is loose, wouldn’t be an understatement. The usual rules re: attire are suspended as well, with the ladies having choices other than haute couture gowns, although who wouldn’t jump at the chance to get all dolled up, right?
For my recap, I decided to break things down in easily digestible chunks, showcasing some of my fave (and a few not so fave) looks. While in general nude nails prevailed, I was happy to see several celebrities going over to the dark side, with a few even sporting original nail art. Makeup tended to fall into 2 categories: the smokey eye/nude lip combo or the eyeliner/red lip duo, but some twists were spotted here as well. Hair seemed to be unfussy, with several slick-straight styles seen side-by-side loose curls and/or messy updos.
There were some stand-out gowns (Lupita Nyongo, Kate Beckinsale, Cate Blanchett to name but a few) and several that had me wondering why? (Paula Patton in some white monstrosity, Jacqueline Bissette‘s Dynasty cast-off, Lena Dunham in does-nothing-for-her yellow), come to mind. The guys have it easy; other than, say, too-long trouser lengths or ill-fitting/overly wrinkled jackets, they really can’t go wrong – but there are men whos tuxedos wear them, and then there are those who wear the tuxedo. There’s a difference, believe me.
Obviously, I’m not showing every celebrity and their look; I’d wind up with carpal tunnel syndrome trying to fit it all into one post. Enjoy!
Hosts Tina Fey wearing Carolina Herrera with Fred Leighton jewelry (left) and Amy Poehler wearing custom-made Stella McCartney
Jennifer Lawrence, Best Supporting Actress (Musical or Comedy for American Hustle) wearing Dior Couture & a Roger Vivier clutch
Makeup artist Ve Neill created this look on Jennifer Lawrence using Dior cosmetics: Rouge Dior Lipstick #976 Prune Daisy, Diorskin Nude BB Crème #002 Fair, Dior Airflash Matte Touch Long-Lasting Airy Powder, Diorblush Glowing Color Powder Blush #943 My Rose, Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow #034 Gris-Gris, Dior Crayon Khol #099 Black, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in #090 Over Black
Lupita Nyongo wearing Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2014 & Fred Leighton jewelry – manicure by Deborah Lippmann using: Gel Lab Base Coat, 1 coat of Naked (clean beige), 1 coat of Diamonds and Pearls (iridescent freshwater pearl shimmer), and Gel Lab Top Coat
Kate Beckinsale wearing Zuhair Murad with jewels by Lorraine Schwartz and Chopard, carrying an Edie Parker clutch
Celebrity Makeup artist Adam Breuchaud created this look on Kate Beckinsale using Jouer cosmetics: Age-Repairing Concealer in #3 Cameo, Luminizing Moisture Tint in Bronzed, Crème Eyeshadow in Suede, Powder Eyeshadows in Opal, Chocolat & Licorice, Eye Definer in Noir, Cream Tint in Whisper & Mineral Powder Bronzer in Sunshine for the cheeks, Lip Gloss in Cherish
Nails: Licorice by Essie
*Detailed post on how to recreate Kate’s look coming to the blog soon!
Sofia Vergara wearing Zac Posen with a Lorraine Schwartz statement necklace (THIS is what va-va-voom is all about)
Sofia Vergara’s look was created using Covergirl products: truBLEND Foundation in M6, Clean Glow Blush in Roses, Bombshell Liner in Chocolate Kiss, Bombshell Shine Shadow in Gold Goddess, Bombshell Volume Mascara, and LipPerfection Lip Color in Flame
Kaley Cuoco wearing Rani Zakhem Couture Autumn/Winter 2013 with a Jimmy Choo clutch (the nails looks very much like CHANEL’s Peridot to me)
Kelly Osbourne wearing Escada and Charlotte Olympia heels – one can always count on Kelly to display some of the most unique nail looks!
Julia Roberts wearing Dolce & Gabbana with Harry Winston jewelry (I’m on the fence about this outfit, but still … it’s Julia …)
Emilia Clarke wearing a custom-made Proenza Schouler gown (even with her natural hair, she is still Daenarys Targaryen to me …)
The “noir” looks (clockwise from top left): Cate Blanchett, Best Actress winner wearing Armani Privé Couture Autumn/Winter 2013 with Chopard jewelry, Jessica Chastain wearing custom-made Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci with Bulgari jewelry, Emma Roberts wearing custom-made Lanvin carrying a Kotur clutch, Uma Thurman wearing Atelier Versace with jewelry by Chopard
The “embellished black” looks (clockwise from top left): Zoe Saldana wearing Prabal Gurung Spring/Summer 2014 carrying a Bottega Veneta clutch & Lorraine Schwartz earrings, Heidi Klum wearing Marchesa Spring/Summer 2014, Emma Thompson wearing vintage Lanvin with Christian Louboutin heels (that she wisely removed to present an award!), Jacqueline Bisset, Best Supporting Actress winner (TV Show, Miniseries, or TV Movie ) along with the Most Rambling Speech EVER, gown: unknown at this point
The ladies in “red” (clockwise from top left): Amy Adams, Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy, for American Hustle) wearing Valentino Couture, Taylor Swift wearing Carolina Herrera pre-Autumn/Winter 2013, Emma Watson (front & back views, bottom row) wearing Dior Couture backless dress with slim black trousers, Roger Vivier heels and Dior pearl earrings
“Neutral” territory – Top row (left to right): Kate Mara wearing J.Mendel, Margot Robbie wearing Gucci with Christian Louboutin heels, Naomi Watts wearing Tom Ford with Bulgari jewelry. Bottom row (left to right): Robin Wright, Best Actress (TV Series – Drama) wearing Reem Acra with Dana Rebecca earrings, Zooey Dechanel wearing Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2014 gown and heels, a Charlotte Olympia clutch and Neil Lane jewelry, Michelle Dockery wearing Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2014 with Bulgari jewelry
A radiant Lady Gaga wearing a custom-made Perry Meek dress with strongly defined brows and flawless makeup, and an almost dainty pale pink mani (she continues to surprise!)
A few “coloured” numbers (clockwise from top left): Sandra Bullock wearing Prabal Gurung pre-Autumn/Winter 2014 with Jimmy Choo heels, Helen Mirren wearing bespoke Jenny Packham, Bulgari jewelry and carrying a Roger Vivier clutch, Lena Dunham wearing Zac Posen and Harry Winston jewelry, Reese Witherspoon wearing Calvin Klein Collection and jewels by Bulgari
While Reese’s gown failed to impress me, I couldn’t help but be wowed by her flawless hair, makeup & vampy burgundy nails – makeup artist Quynh created this look using Laura Mercier Cosmetics
Special mention goes to Mila Kunis, wearing a backless Gucci Première gown and jewelry by Gemfields – stunning crystal beadwork
Another unique look of the night belongs to Juliana Margulies wearing Andrew Gn – simple, elegant and unpretentious
Baby Bump Beauties (left to right): Olivia Wilde wearing Gucci Première and carrying an Emm Kuo clutch, Kerry Washington wearing custom-made Balenciaga & Fred Leighton jewelry, Drew Barrymore wearing Monique Lhuillier Spring/Summer 2014, Roger Vivier heels, carrying an Edie Parker clutch and CHANEL Fine Jewelry
Celebrity makeup artist Melanie Inglessis created Olivia’s purple smokey eye and nude lip look using Revlon products
Dashing Dudes – Top Row (left to right): U2 (sorry Bono; The Edge beats you hands down in Hotness), Tom Hanks (love him!) wearing Tom Ford (love him too), Chris Pine (aka: the new Captain Kirk to you young ‘uns) wearing Ermenegildo Zegna – Bottom Row (left to right): Michael Fassbender (yum) wearing Tom Ford, Matthew McConaughey, Best Actor in a Drama for Dallas Buyers Club, wearing fab forest green velvet Dolce & Gabbana with wife Camila Alves (in Dolce & Gabbana), Jared Leto, Best Supporting Actor in a drama for Dallas Buyers Club, wearing Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane … and the best man-bun ever
Overall, I was riveted; the hosts totally killed it, there was enough action, mayhem, almost-wardrobe malfunctions (Robin Wright‘s pastie made an appearance), memorable speeches (Jennifer Lawrence for the most down to earth, Matthew McConaughey for the coolest, Jacqueline Bissette for the most confusing) and beauty to satisfy everyone. The best part? It didn’t drag on, and on, and on, and…..
Feel free to weigh in with your take on the Golden Globes – would love to hear what you thought!
Beauty at the 2013 Oscars
For me, the red carpet at The Oscars, hails as the nexus of all things beauty – and even though I may not have the patience to sit through an entire awards show, I am literally glued to my screen when the celebrities start appearing. The recurring theme for this year, can be summed up in one word: elegance – harking back to an earlier era, where men looked dashingly handsome in their black tuxes and women shone like jewels in their sumptuous gowns.
As far as beauty goes, there were no major surprises; nail shades for the most part were subdued, makeup looks were refined, and hair styles polished – all the better to showcase the elaborately beautiful gowns. I actually loved the fact that everything meshed so beautifully and that the sophisticated tone of the show stayed true – The Oscars, in my opinion, is not the venue for outrageousness in any way, shape or form. The “trend buckers” came from expected sources (Helena Bonham Carter, Kelly Osbourne), but in an understated, Oscars kind of way.
Feel free to Click and enlarge each photo for detailed close-ups.
The following all sported varying shades of a white nail colour, what is sure to be a hot trend this summer:
Jennifer Lawrence, Best Actress winner – Dior Couture gown, Chopard jewelry
Anne Hathaway, Best Supporting Actress winner – Prada gown, Tiffany & Co. jewelry
Reese Witherspoon – Louis Vuitton
Olivia Munn – Marchesa gown
Probably the overall most popular look – nude nails in either peach, neutral, or pink tones:
Charlize Theron – Dior Couture gown, Harry Winston jewelry
Amanda Seyfried – Alexander McQueen gown (love the violet smoky eye makeup!)
Amy Adams – Oscar de la Renta gown
Kristen Stewart – Reem Acra Couture hand-beaded gown
Zoe Saldana – Alexis Mabille Couture gown, Neil Lane jewelry
Jennifer Garner – Gucci Première gown
Jennifer Aniston – Valentino Haute Couture gown (how stunning is this?)
Sandra Bullock – Elie Saab Couture gown, Harry Winston jewelry
A few celebrities opted for a modern twist on a neutral nail, by making it pastel:
Naomi Watts – Giorgio Armani silver sequin gown
Nicole Kidman – L’Wren Scott sequin gown
Jennifer Hudson – Roberto Cavalli gown
The “dagger” nail shape made an appearance as well:
Adele, Best Original Song winner – Jenny Packham gown, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry
Kelly Osbourne – Tony Ward Couture gown, Norman Silverman jewelry (and the lilac hair!)
Channeling a little bit of Oscars magic, golden nail tones were also spotted:
Jessica Chastain – Giorgio Armani gown, vintage Harry Winston diamonds
Jane Fonda – Versace gown, Chopard jewelry (let’s take a moment to admire this incredible woman: still killing it at 75!)
Naturally, there had to be a few red shades as well:
Kelly Rowland – Donna Karan Atelier gown
Helena Bonham Carter – Jessica McCormack gown
Final thoughts: With very few exceptions, it’s as if every makeup artist in Hollywood read the same memo: flawless complexion, smoky eyes & nude lips, while all the nail techs followed a similar pattern, keeping things low-key with neutral hues. Where things changed up a bit was with hair – but not by much, mind you, as styles fell into one of two camps: sleekly smooth, or a touchable updo. Fashion was also divided, with several stars opting for vivid jewel-tones, while the majority stuck to varying shades of white – but all gowns bore exquisite detail and workmanship. And let’s not forget the jewelry … understated in some cases, jaw-dropping in others. Finally, for me, the crowning moment was watching Adele perform ‘Skyfall’, for which she took home the Oscar for Best Original Song – the first nominated Bond theme to ever do so!
Adele and the new man in her life: Oscar! (and the red pout….)
Nail Trends at the 2012 Academy Awards
This past Sunday when the 84th Academy Awards aired, I was there. Well, not in the literal sense (someday…), but I was all over my tv screen, avidly checking out (and dissecting) the red carpet appearances of the stars, paying particular attention to their nails, of course. The past few seasons of awards shows have proven that the ‘bare nail‘ is still the most requested – and copied – look, and yet I was hoping for some risk takers … hats off to the ladies who gave us some colour!
I want to begin by congratulating fellow Canadian, Christopher Plummer for winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Ladies, at 82, this man has some serious sexy still going on! No wonder I had a crush on him back when he played Captain Von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music’!
The “natural/bare” nail look:
Glenn Close in a Zac Posen silk faille green gown and matching blazer
Rooney Mara in a Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown
Emma Stone in a Giambattista Valli spring/summer 2012 red gown with bow detailing
Emma Stone attending the Vanity Fair after party in a black CHANEL Couture number
Angelina Jolie in a black velvet Atelier Versace gown
*Angelina and that unfortunate awkward right-leg pose, certainly garnered more than its share of attention, and I personally hope she has now fired whichever stylist advised her to stand that way.
Penelope Cruz in an Armani Privé lavender gown
Gwyneth Paltrow in a white Tom Ford dress and cape
A closeup look at her killer jewelry – just look at that cuff & ring!
Cameron Diaz in a strapless Gucci Première nude gown
Cameron Diaz attending the Vanity Fair after party in an orange Victoria Beckham gown
*NOTE: BFF’s Gwyneth and Cameron even got dressed together! Awww……
Viola Davis in a custom-made Vera Wang emerald green gown with crystal appliqué
Amy Adams attending the Vanity Fair after party in a silver Vivienne Westwood dress
Stacy Keibler in a Marchesa gold strapless dress (image)
*OPI’s ‘Samoan Sand’ used on both Stacy Keibler and Amy Adams
Neutral nails – with a kick:
Michelle Williams in a red Louis Vuitton peplum gown
Oscar winner for Best Actress, Meryl Streep in a bespoke Lanvin gown
Jennifer Lopez in a plunging Zuhair Murad nude dress
Jennifer Lopez attending the Vanity Fair after party in a 2nd plunging Zuhair Murad dress
*The incredibly lovely Ms. Lopez, should have been awarded an Oscar for her trend-setting & leading edge manicure; a unique take on a classic French tip, using a pale gold as the base, banded with a garnet edge….stunning!
Bérénice Bejo in an Elie Saab mint green beaded gown
Milla Jovovich in an Elie Saab Couture asymmetric white beaded gown
Leslie Mann in a midnight blue Roberto Cavalli gown
Shailene Woodley in a Valentino Couture white floor-length gown
We have Colours!
Li Bingbing in a white strapless Georges Chakra gown
Penelope Ann Miller in a nude embellished gown
Melissa McCarthy in a Melina Rinaldi rose gown
Jessica Chastain in a bespoke Alexander McQueen hand-embroidered gown
Natalie Portman in a vintage Christian Dior dress from 1954
Sandra Bullock in a Marchesa gown
Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress, Octavia Spencer in a Tadashi Shoji nude embellished gown
Victoria Beckham attending the Vanity Fair after party in a dress from her own collection
(*just barely noticed Posh’s nails … my eyes were too busy covering Becks …)
Kristen Wiig in a J. Mendel nude gown
Final thoughts: Well, it’s not like I didn’t expect the majority of celebrities to NOT be sporting neutral nail shades, but I was still looking forward to some new & exciting looks and it was nice to see some deeper hues pop up. As a whole, I found this year’s Oscars presentation to be witty (thank you for returning, Billy Crystal), fast paced (I stayed up for the entire show this year!), and rather entertaining (the Cirque du Soleil number was spectacular *ahem – Canadian invention*). The gowns were (mostly) absolutely stunning, with top honours going to Stacy Keibler who looked like a living Oscar statuette, Jessica Chastain embodying regal elegance, and Gwyneth Paltrow the most sublimely sophisticated of them all. For those who are interested, the term “bespoke” actually means “made-to-order” … in case you were wondering! Congratulations to all the winners and here’s to looking forward to next year’s show!
Jennifer Lopez & Cameron Diaz striking a pose – looking as good going, as coming!
I leave you with the Oscar winner for Best Actor, Jean Dujardin and Uggie – how wonderful that Uggie ends his career (he’s officially retiring this year) by sharing the stage with his “people” co-star!
*Image credits