Red Carpet Recap: 2011 Met Ball

Nothing can resurrect my lack of posting quite like a red carpet event and the 2011 Met Ball didn't disappoint! There were some celebs who shall remain nameless with, er, some questionable choices, but a few majorly stood out in my mind. See below for my faves:

Taylor Swift

I have to admit I am usually beyond bored with TSwift's red carpet choices (same curly/wavy/crimpy looking hair left down, same short, sparkly dress) but I thought she looked phenomenal! It's unexpected (for her) and I love the texture and one shoulder. 

Kate Hudson

I know from experience it's pretty hard to look glamorous when you're this pregnant, but Kate Hudson pulls it off nicely. Love the champagne hue of the dress, subtle sparkle, and beach goddess hair and makeup. 

Blake Lively

Blake is probably the celeb whose beauty and fashion choices I most covet (side note: didn't she have red hair like 30 seconds ago? How is it blonde again already?) because she always looks perfect, polished, amazing. This dress is majorly daring and Blake pulls it off perfectly.

Dianna Agron

This dress stood out to me for its effortless simplicity - I love that Dianna didn't just throw on a sequin dress and call it a day. The neckline is interesting, the color looks great on her and the simple accessories and hair and makeup perfectly complement. 

Sarah Jessica Parker

I'm not one of those rabid SJP super fans who thinks she can do no wrong, but I definitely give credit where credit is due - this dress is perfection on her. Love the fact that she's almost totally covered between the elbow length sleeves and high neckline, but her body looks amazing in this. 

Red Carpet Recap: 2010 Emmys

A little late on this one, but in all my business I had to squeeze in a quick Emmy recap since rehashing all the fashion and beauty is my favorite part of any awards show. I was slightly underwhelmed to be honest. I know the Emmys aren't the Oscars, but I didn't see a whole lot of looks that caught my eye. The ones that did however, are below. Which ones were your faves?

Glee's Heather Morris

Total beyond perfection here in my opinion. The glossy Old Hollywood without being too perfect waves, black liner, flawless skin and a vibrant lip. Plus in my world where more is more, I wish I had somewhere to wear this dress. 

True Blood's Rutina Wesley

I know, just trade in the brown for blonde, slap the girl in sequins and it's the same as above. But, I can't help loving this look and seeing Rutina totally red lip diva glam and not all makeup free foul mouth Sookie's BFF Tara.

Keri Russell 

Has she even been in anything lately? Who cares when you look like this. Obsessed with the textured side chignon with whatever the heck is in her hair. Reminds me of a messier version of my wedding 'do.

Quick MET Costume Institute 2010 Recap

Friends, I have about 30 seconds to write this post since tomorrow is moving day for Mr. M and I and I'm in the middle of doing a million things, but I had to comment on the looks from the 2010 MET gala. My faves of the night were:

Emma Watson:

How gorgeous does she look? Love the effortlessly wavy hair combined with polished skin, a smoky eye that's the right amount of intensity and a neutral lip. And don't get me started on that dress. Totally gorge, her body looks amazing and I am always on board with a one shoulder. When done right, it's beyond flattering.

Blake Lively:

She can literally do no wrong in my eyes. She really knows what looks good on her. Am I surprised she wore a mini with pulled back hair and bronzed, glowing skin? Definitely not, because she usually does, but when something works, a la Jen Aniston, just go with it.

Kate  Hudson:

All the boob job scandal hoopla aside, Kate Hudson is another one who just knows what works for her and always comes up with a winner. Love the polished version of a beachy braided 'do, combined with an amazing (faux) tan, flushed cheeks, lightly defined eyes and a sunny lip.

What were your faves of the night?

Photo credits: WireImage

Get the Look: Sandra Bullock at the Oscars

Sandra Bullock took home the award for Best Supporting Actress and she also wins in my book for one of my favorite hair styles of the night. Her sleek, simple style exudes elegance and I love that it's not quite straight, yet not quite wavy. Alterna stylist Michael Shaun Corby gives the deets on how to get this sophisticated look at home:

• Start by applying Alterna Caviar Radiant Smoothing Lotion to damp hair and brush through.
• Create a curved side part right above the eyebrow arch.
• Blow dry hair straight using a medium barrel brush.
• Using a medium barrel curling iron, curl the ends of hair only halfway up.
• Once all ends are curled, lightly brush through for a smooth wave.
• Work a small amount of Alterna Caviar Polishing Serum into hair for extra smoothness and shine.

Get the Look: Cameron Diaz at the Oscars

I'm a sucker for the old Hollywood glamour thing, and Cameron Diaz sported the look to perfection with Veronica Lake style waves and a classic red lip at last night's Academy Awards. Get the look yourself with a few easy tips courtesy of Gayle Giacomo, owner and expert stylist, Gatsby Salon in Greenbrook, NJ.

1.      Start with using a volumizer on damp hair’s roots. My favorite is Pureology Root Lift, a super lightweight mousse that injects crazy volume with a natural hold.

2.      Use a blow dryer to remove excess moisture from hair.

3.      Section hair into five sections. A right and left section at the nape of the neck, a section on the right and left sides of your head, and the top of your head.

4.      Blowdry each section using a round brush and dry hair in a vertical direction, pulling the hair straight up from your head to create volume and lift at the root.

5.      After entire head is dried, form the same 5 sections.  Use a 1 ½ inch barrel curling iron to curl sections, beginning at the bottom of hair sections.

6.      To create an arch and bend at the root, place the iron on the root and pull upwards as you move it to the ends of the hair.

7.      Once the iron has reached the ends, keep the curling iron horizontal as you rotate the iron back towards the root area, creating a curl. Once hair is heated in this position, release the iron from the hair, letting the hair fall.

8.      Follow immediately with a flexible hold hairspray (I love Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray) and allow hair to cool.

9.      Repeat steps 6 through 8 until your entire head is curled.

10. Allow at least ten minutes for hair to cool entirely before touching it.

11. Turn head upside down and use a paddle brush to brush through your entire head.

12. Create a part that suits your style and use your fingers to tame and place hair to the direction you desire.

13. Complete style by using a holding spray to secure this look.

For the classic red lip, you can't go wrong with NARS Red Lizard. It's a creamy, semi-matte red that is flattering on everyone.

Get the Look: Anna Kendrick at the Oscars

Anna Kendrick was one of my favorite looks from the Oscars last night, which were slightly interrupted due to the whole Cablevision cancelling ABC nonsense. Courtesy of celeb makeup artist Sara Glick, who used Arcona skincare and tarte cosmetics, Anna looked fresh, polished and just all around pretty. Plus I love the fact that she was this nobody with a bit part in the Twilight franchise and now girl's starring beside George Clooney and up for an Oscar. As we all know she didn't win, but I see a bright future in store for her.

To copy the look at home:

Inspiration: Youthful, ethereal beauty--think soft, natural glowing skin.

    * Arcona Skincare--Prep: "Anna has beautiful skin and doesn't need much to make it glow. I prepped her skin with a light, all natural moisturizer to help it stay hydrated throughout the night."
          o Prepped with Arcona's Magic White Ice to protect, nourish and hydrate skin.
                + Magic White Ice
    * tarte Makeup--Cheeks: "For a natural flush, I accented Anna's cheek bones with a coral shade."
          o Dabbed and blended tarte's natural cheek stain in eco-cheek on the apples of her cheeks.
                + eco-cheek
    * tarte Makeup--Lips: "I wanted to create a soft, healthy pink lip with a touch of shine.
          o tarte's LipSurgence natural lip stain in charmed (light pink) as a base.
                + LipSurgence natural lip stain in charmed
         o Topped with tarte's double-ended natural lipglosses in jake & samantha (used the samantha side-pale cotton candy pink) for added shine.
                + double-ended lipgloss in samantha
    * Arcona Skincare--Finish: "I finished with a light spritz of lavender mist for added hydration and an extra dose of calming with aromatherapy."
          o Set the look with Arcona's Lavendar Hydrasol for a fresh and dewy complexion.
                + Lavender Hydrasol

Who do you think had the best Oscar style last night?

Red Carpet Recap: The Grammys

I don't know about you, but I was feeling tres uninspired by the Grammy looks last night. Everything was just kind of same old same old. I actually forgot the Grammys were even on last night (and from the looks of it, maybe some of the stars did as well) and tuned in really late and it didn't seem like I missed all that much. There were a few saving graces of the night however.

Rihanna: Ahhhh RiRi, you always look spot on, even when running errands on a Tuesday. She always has this amazing dewy glow, no? That, combined with a nudey, peachy lip and super shimmery silver shadow equals makeup perfection. To get the lip look try Maybelline Moisture Extreme lip color in Nude Blush and for the bright eyed shadow effect generous helpings of Benefit Miss Popularity are in order here. Add Benefit Velvet Eyeshadow in Where There's Smoke in the crease, a thin line of black liner, plenty of long false lashes and you're good to go.

Marisa Miller: Why was a Victoria's Secret model at the Grammys? Who cares, she looks great. She can do a soft wavy beachy style like no other. Serious hair envy right now. Get wavy texture and plenty of volume by spritzing damp hair with Bumble and bumble south surf spray and blow dry while scrunching. Add some definition to waves by taking a few one inch sections and curling around a 1 1/2 inch curling iron and rake your fingers through when cool; you don't want debutante curls here. 

Lady Gaga: She's nuts, she's super talented, she looked fantastic. I loved that her hair was super full and kind of sex kitten looking, but she funked it up with yellow tips. How do you get this look? Beats me; you'll have to ask her.

Red Carpet Recap: The Emmys

I have to be honest: I am not a fan of all the awards shows. I just find them boring and way too long. But I absolutely LOVE watching the red carpet beforehand! From the makeup to the hair to the fashion, there's nothing better than dreaming of owning the gown, the shoes, and having a whole glam squad get you ready for a night out. While the Emmys aren't exactly known for standout red carpet moments, there were a few looks that caught my eye.

I've mentioned my hair crush on Blake Lively before and here is no exception. For someone in her early twenties she always looks so put together and polished, but still age appropriate. And I love her cool braid here. Updos can feel so dated, but this is a fresh twist on a sleek, pulled back style. Huge bonus: it's totally easy to do yourself. First apply a straightening lotion (try Alterna Hemp with Organics Straightening Balm) to damp hair and blow dry super straight with a paddle brush. Gather hair at the crown and secure into a tight ponytail. Run hands coated in styling balm and smooth the hair from your face to the ponytail. Braid the ponytail, secure with a clear elastic (Goody makes some great ones) and finish with a mist of hairspray. If you're not attending an awards show anytime soon, try this look on Saturday night - it works dressed up or casual.

I can't stand Jennifer Love Hewitt, but her hair looked so pretty and romantic. And again, this is a great look that goes both casual and dressy and takes 10 minutes. First work a glossing cream into damp hair to prevent frizz and add a glassy sheen (one of my faves is Alterna Hemp with Organics Repair Gloss) then blow dry straight with a round brush keeping a center part. Set hair in large rollers or use a large barrel curling iron to create loose waves. When hair has cooled, pin back front sections and then take more glossing cream and and break up some of the waves.

On the makeup side, red lips were in full swing worn by the likes of Leighton Meester, Drew Barrymore and Hayden Panettiere. I've been having my own red lip moment lately and I highly recommend it if you want an instant feeling of fabulousness. Plus it takes two seconds to get out the door since when you're wearing a red lip you only need a thin black liner on the upper lash line, a swipe of mascara and a champagne hue on your cheeks. You can't go wrong with Maybelline Color Sensational in Red Revival or NARS lipstick in Red Lizard.