Academy Awards Wrap Up

I agree with most who are saying that the Oscars were a bore. I think they were trying to keep it toned down after the Ricky Gervais nightmare from the Golden Globes. It was not a problem for me because the fashion didn't disappoint! Here are my favorites and least favorites...later tonight I look forward to watching Joan Rivers on Fashion Police and see how they compare!

Best Dressed

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

 She looked amazing! Usually I don't like this pale of a color on a dark brunette, but it was just the right tone for her skin. With the see through lace, this dress could have quickly become tacky, but the draping was perfectly placed to make it more romantic than trashy.

Gweneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

 I loved the color and shape on her. The sleek lines matched her sleek hair and the little bit of accent around her waist was not too much to take away from the lines. She also has a rockin' body! This fabric shows every lump and bump and you can't find one on Gwen!

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier

  I love the pale skin several of the actresses! It allows the brunettes to look beautiful in the pale dresses. It is hard to see in this picture, but the sheer sleeves are so elegant.

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa

 This dress is perfect for a 14 year old! She said in an interview that she even helped to design it. This dress would have been a dream come true when I was her age. I also LOVED her hair!! The only thing I would change is her shoes. They should have been a little daintier to match this delicate dress.

Worst Dressed

Helena Bonham Carter in Colleen Atwood

This is no surprise. At least she knows she will be in the worst dressed category and goes for it.

 Nicole Kidman in vintage Fred Leighton

Nicole is always a hit or miss for me. The origami around her hips was not flattering and there was a little too much detailing. The red shoes didn't make sense.

Marisa Tomei in vintage Charles James

 

At first glance I loved this dress. Then as they did close ups I realized the top half was satin and looked a little bridesmaidy. It needed a little more tailoring around the bust, or it all could have been saved with a cone shaped bra. I am serious! This is a 1950s dress and if she had been wearing a cone bra like they wore back then it would have fit it the bust correctly!

Penelope Cruz in Gucci

She just a had baby last month, but come on Penelope, wear a spanx! The detailing of this dress was a little tacky and it also highlighted her baby weight. (I think she was hoping her big bust would detract our eyes from the belly...)

Best Hair

Mila Kunis

This low chignon bun was beautiful! It also matched the look of the dress. I hate when people have hair that doesn't match the look and feel of the dress.

Best Makeup

Amy Adams

I thought her eyes looked beautiful!

 Jennifer Hudson

Her skin glowed in all the right ways!

Here are some more dresses that deserved mention from this year's awards season!

Cate Blancett in Givenchy from last night's Oscars

So creative!

Angelina Jolie in Versace from the Golden Globes

Many said it looked liked like 80's Dynasty. I loved it! She was stunning in this color and it was very sexy in a non-revealing way.

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa at the Golden Globes

 

This is my ideal ball gown! It was like Starry Night in a dress!

Michelle Williams in Valentino at the Golden Globes

I am not a fan of Michelle Williams in the first place. She bothers me for some reason. This dress was way too casual for the golden globes. It looked like 1970's prom!

Natalie Portman in Benjamin Millepied at the Golden Globes

This dress would have been pretty if instead of a rose, it was a diamond broach. The red and pink are not my favorite together.

This was all so fun! I LOVE awards season, so sad it is over...

Face Primers

Face Primer is a relatively new product to the cosmetic world, but I think most makeup artists these days consider it a staple. I know many of you are going to say...."not another product!" But trust me on this one, it makes a huge difference!

Here is why you should use a face primer:

-Primers allow makeup to glide on smoother because the primer settles in the pores and fine lines, creating a smoother skin surface. (kinda like a "Spackle" for your skin!)

-You will use less makeup because of your smoother skin surface.

-Some primers have extra benefits such as mattifyers or sunscreen.

-Your makeup will last longer because the primer acts as a "glue" to bind the makeup to skin.

-It feels good! Most primers have a silky, silicone feel to them.

Face primer is the first step in the makeup process. After applying your skin moisturizers, allow a few minutes for them to absorb before you apply the primer. Apply your primer all over the face, as you would a moisturizer, followed by any eye or face concealor and then your foundation.

I use Stoltz Image Cosmetics on myself and my clients. Their primer is called "Retexturizing Face Primer." Another popular primer is the Smash Box Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

 

Next time you go the cosmetics counter, ask to try one, I promise you will never go without it again!

Ott Lite

My dad bought me an OttLite for Christmas. I have been needing one for a while, but they are a little pricey. These lights are amazing to use as a lamp for putting on makeup. They are made for seamstresses and quilters so that colors of thread can be matched perfectly. The light emitted is very close to perfect daylight, therefore making it a great lamp to use when putting on makeup in dark places. (Be aware, they may show you more of yourself than you want to see.....fine lines, dark spots, etc...) At least your foundation will be perfectly matched!!!

You can buy them at Michaels, Joannes and Hobby Lobby. The lamps come in several sizes and shapes. Watch for them to go on sale, it happens quite often.

My New Scarf and Another Fashion Blog to Follow

My sister has become quite the fashion leader these days. She introduced me to this girl's fashion blog which is sooo fun! We are both her followers and for Christmas we gave each other (unknowingly) scarves that she had blogged about. I love my new scarf! I really wish it would get colder here so that I can wear some of my new clothes!

Ivy's scarf that I gave her. Click on this link and this link to see The Daybook's blog posts about this scarf.

 Our scarves together. My scarf is an eternity scarf (a circle). It is awesome because you don't have to worry about how to "tie" it. Here is the blog post about my scarf (Ivy got me a different color than orange, she knew better!)