Just a quick post about how gorgeous Natalie Portman looked on the opening day of the Venice Film Festival. Her bold red dress by Rodarte was perfectly offset with her neutral makeup choices. I love the detail of the shoulders and the neckline on this dress. And this shade of red is what I’m going to be looking for when I start populating my fall wardrobe.
The one thing I’m not so crazy about is the clutch that is paired with the dress. Does it look like a makeup bag to anyone else? Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a few makeup bags in my time that I thought could double as purses….but now I see how that doesn’t really work. I’m sure this is some gorgeous designer bag but it stands out to me as something that should have been left at the vanity.
Back to the gorgeousness though: the lightly lined eyes, with what looks like brown eyeliner to keep the look as natural as possible, is perfection. The application really makes her brown eyes look otherworldly. I am a big fan of MAC’s Stubborn Brown Powerpoint Eye Pencil to help achieve this defined yet delicate look. It looks like a touch of white shadow was dabbed underneath on the inside corner of her eye to really make her eyes pop.
I’m feeling inspired to shop for beautiful red shirts and dresses and bags. And I’m feeling inspired to play up my eyes and neutralize my lip color.
There were plenty of red carpet looks this week, between the Emmys and the Venice Film Festival:
We do love Drew around Latest Beauty headquarters and one of the things that is most appealing about her is her ability to seem so down to earth, despite having been in the spotlight since, well, practically birth. Case in point: Here on the left is Drew this past Monday in LA for the red carpet premiere of Going The Distance. And on the left is Drew in NY yesterday for a visit to David Letterman. Notice anything similar? Look down…
She is rocking the same grey suede pumps at both events.
And looking fabulous while doing it!
The style and color of the shoe are the perfect where-anywhere combination. At more formal events or as business casual, the neutral suede is one of the ideal buys for the fall. So, of course, I did a little shopping around for you (and me).
I like this wedge option from MaxStudio that I found over at DSW. I am forever clumsy in heels, so a wedge helps me to be less of a klutz. If you are more adept at handling heels like a grown up, a la the lovely Drew, then you can check out these pumps from Steve Madden. Either way is a very cool and classy way to go!
UPDATE:
Spotted! Drew wore her favorite shoes, yet again, when she stopped by The Daily Show on Wednesday, the day this was posted:
Girlfriend knows how to pack for a road trip! And, by the by, ShoppingtheTrend.com has identified Drew’s shoes as YSL Tribtoo Platform Pumps. If you’re in the market for a shoe splurge, this might be the one to sink your dollars into. Drew is clearly getting her money’s worth!
The whole “stars without Photoshop” thing is really running rampant lately – but I think that just goes to show that magazines rely on digital airbrushing way, way too much. I understand that fashion mags want to create an air of “fantasy” for their readers, but there’s a difference between fantasy and complete fiction, and in many cases, that line has been crossed so many times that it can be downright jarring to see pictures of a celeb looking less than flawless. I submit, for your consideration, this unretouched picture of Jennifer Aniston, taken at a photo shoot several years ago, but just released today:
[Photo Removed]
Comments on these photos have ranged from “That’s where too much partying and not enough sunscreen will get ya!” to “She looks her age, but she’s also gorgeous.” In case you’re curious, here’s a Photoshopped pic from the same shoot:
Yes, she’s pretty either way, but the difference is really astounding. So what’s your take on these shots? Do you find Jen “au natural” surprisingly attractive, or just…surprising?
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Edit 8/20/10: We received a cease and desist email from someone at Management + Artists + Organization, who we suppose own the untouched photos, and they “demand” that we take them down due to unauthorized use. So there you have it. They also used about 16 asterisks in their email, so we’re not sure if we should take them seriously. In any case, we don’t want to be sued over a little blog post.
So shooting recently wrapped on the final Harry Potter film, and it’s not surprising that the young stars of the series might want to do something a little “out there” to celebrate their newfound freedom. Yet I was still a little startled by this shot of Emma Watson sporting her brand new pixie cut instead of her longer Hermione locks. I love it though! It looks great. A little Mia Farrow, a little Jean Seberg; a great summertime cut, and one that is very flattering on women with delicate, feminine features. What do you think of Emma’s new ‘do? Are you a fan, or do you miss the length?
What do you think of Emma Watson's ultra-short hair?
Love it! She looks great! (56%, 18 Votes)
Hate it! She looks too severe! (31%, 10 Votes)
I'm torn, and want to discuss my complex feelings in a comment. (13%, 4 Votes)
Such a pretty hair color…such an unpalatable name. That pretty much sums up my feelings about the latest hair color craze, a brown/blonde hybrid that has been inelegantly dubbed “bronde” by professional colorist/Shear Genius judge Kim Vo, who enthusiastically declared, “If blonde and brown were to have a love child, it would be bronde!” when asked about the new trend. Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Miley Cyrus, Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Aniston are just a few of the celebs who have been making waves with this new color lately. The look is achieved by painting two different shades of blonde highlights onto the upper layer of brown hair. (You’ll probably want to visit your stylist for this one, unless you’re really, really good at coloring your own hair at home.) So do brondes have more fun? Let’s settle this once and for all!
Wendy Culpepper Jewelry is having a one-day-only sale today and it is kind of epic:
All of their gold vermeil pieces are on sale today for 50% off – no code needed!
I own the ring pictured here and it is one of my favorite pieces that I wear all the time. It is usually $115 but today you can snatch it up for $57.50. There are rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets all for really good prices and I am totally going to take advantage of the deals. I’ve had my eye on a few of the pieces from the Alligator Collection for awhile now – no better day than today to finally make some wishes come true. There is one ring that I love that is only $20 today – that is a steal!! If you love jewelry, then you have to check out the artistry of Wendy’s designs. These are truly unique pieces that you’ll get tons of compliments on – Wendy Culpepper has a major celebrity following and has been featured in some of your favorite magazines and tv shows and movies. Truly designer, truly special, truly worth it.
Speaking of inventive beauty tie-ins and Halloween-appropriate nail polish, here’s a fun little set that combines both! In case you’re not aware, there is currently an Addams Family musical that is doing very well on Broadway, starring Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia and Nathan Lane as Gomez. Morbid though she may be, Morticia has always been quite the style icon; from Carolyn Jones on the ’60s-era TV show to Anjelica Huston in the ’90s films, no one works a little black dress and severe makeup quite like Morticia – and the current Broadway iteration of the character is no exception. Even if the Addams matriarch leans a little too far toward the dark side for you, you’re probably up for a vampy manicure every now and then, especially once fall rolls around. Enter Morticia’s Nails, a trio of morbid shades created by Essie with creative input from Neuwirth and her husband.
Inside the adorably goth packaging, you’ll find three colors: Midnight Tango (a deep navy blue), Bone Chilling White (a stark white creme) and Blood Curdling Red (a bloody crimson). The entire set is $30, with all proceeds benefiting the Actor’s Fund, a non-profit group that raises money for the performing arts.
So which set would you rather have on hand this Halloween? Morticia’s Nails, China Glaze Awakening…or something else entirely?
I’m not sure who this Olivia Palermo chick is, but apparently she’s on The Hills spinoff, The City. Whoever she is, she has great style! Jetting around from fashion shows in Paris to Berlin.
And, not a celeb, but I thought this was pretty awesome:
Lindsay Lohan made quite a stir at her recent probation hearing, where she was sentenced to 90 days in prison. (Of course, she’s planning to appeal the decision, so time will tell whether LiLo actually ends up in the clink.) But one thing’s for certain: People aren’t likely to forget about her courtroom manicure anytime soon. It appeared that Lindsay decided to show her displeasure with the proceedings by scrawling a certain, um, message on her middle fingernail, on top of her swirly, multicolored pastel polish. Now, in Lindsay’s defense, she claims that the profanity wasn’t intended for the judge at all. Instead, she and a friend had painted their nails “as a joke” the night before, and it just so happened that the mani coincided with her fateful court date. Others have speculated that the message was actually intended for the paparazzi. What do you think of Lindsay’s manicure? Kinda funny, or totally inappropriate, given the circumstances? It certainly doesn’t seem to have worked in her favor as far as the verdict is concerned…
P.S. Elaine over at Lacquer Laine did a really fantastic job of duplicating this unusual manicure (sans profanity) – check out the pics and a step-by-step how-to on her blog!
Isn’t Salma Hayek’s sizzling hot white and red ensemble just the most summery, retro sexy outfit ever?! I’m in love with it. Just goes to show that you don’t need a lot going on in terms of detailing or accessories – you just need to create a compelling combination of elements. Specifically…
And, of course, a vibrant red lipstick to tie everything together, like NARS Jungle Red.
Keep the rest of your makeup and accessories to an absolute minimum (I think Salma could have added some red polish without going over the top, but she looks lovely with nude nails too), and you’re ready for some hot summer nights! Oh, and feel free to try out a mysterious, Veronica Lake-inspired hairstyle for a little extra drama.
Oh that Miley Cyrus…making headlines all over because of her fashion choices. Miley has been experiencing backlash lately because of her more “risque” performance outfits at recent appearances. The most recent was at the MuchMusic Awards in Toronto on Sunday. She had two performances and wore two equally skimpy styles and now fans are questioning, “Where did little Miley go?”
Miley made a good point when she defended her choices by stating the double standard that women are faced with in this industry : Taylor Lautner and Zac Ephron are being photographed and encouraged to take their shirts off for roles and for magazine shoots, despite their young ages, and no one takes it personally. People seem to take it personally when Miley shows a little leg and a hint of sexuality.
Here’s the thing: she is still only 17. And so technically she is still a child star. But then again, Taylor and Zac were under 18 when all the hoopla started surrounding them too. So I get her point about the double standards…
But.
Why is it that to show the world that you are “growing up” you have to be overtly sexual? Maybe I’m a prude but, to me, there are plenty of other ways to assert your new status as an almost-adult. Maybe not in the music industry though? Maybe since Lady Gaga doesn’t wear pants, no other pop star can either?
To Miley though, little clothing has a different meaning:
“I work really hard to be fit and to know I can wear whatever makes me feel most comfortable, and I feel most comfortable dressing with a little less. And that’s kind of how I’ve always been, it’s just now I’m able to do that a little more freely.”
(I hear ya, girl. I’ve been working out and yesterday I put on a pair of shorts that are shorter than I would normally be comfortable in…but dang if they didn’t look good! I wanted to show off my hard work too!)
Honestly, when I look at these two photos though I don’t see a highly sexualized image. I see a young girl putting on a show and in need of a different stylist. Seriously – those black booties have got to go. They make the poor girl’s feet look like hooves.
Enough about what I think! What do you think? Is Miley trying too hard to be “grown up?” Do you think this is a natural progression? Or do you think it is much ado about nothing? Let us know what you think with a comment!
It’s a strange choice for me, I’ll admit, but I think I’m going to cast my vote for Gwyneth Paltrow’s stunning, 60s-inspired hot pink Prada minidress as Red Carpet Look of the Week! The star stepped out in this unapologetically girlie dress at the National Movie Awards in London on Wednesday, and I can’t get over how much this shade of pink pops against the red carpet. (In fact, it kinds of borders on clashing, but I honestly dig that about it!) What I love most, however, is the way Gwyneth has really committed to her cause of wearing pink from head to toe, anchoring her bubblegum frock with Barbie-esque Louboutin heels and a pedicure to match. Fun, retro, and surprisingly subversive…what do you think of Gwyneth’s “pretty in pink” moment?
Yes…I have to admit…I wasn’t entirely planning on seeing Sex and the City 2 this weekend. I know that a lot of people are gathering their girlfriends, grabbing some cosmos and buying their tickets – if they haven’t already. The movie officially opened yesterday and I wasn’t sure if I would set aside time to see it while its theaters. But there is something about the above picture of the ladies doing the red carpet thing at the London premiere that makes me want to make some room in my schedule. They all look stunning and I’m wishing I was in on this conversation. Kim has got something juicy to tell, SJP is eager to hear, Cynthia isn’t sure if she buys it and Kristin is shocked. They epitomize their characters in this picture and it makes me want to see the movie, just to feel like I’ve gotten a glimpse into this picture on the big screen. Even if it was just a clever ploy to get me to buy a ticket…it may have worked.
By the way, let’s just talk a little fashion for a moment. SJP is paying homage to her friend, the late and great Alexander McQueen by wearing one of his runway pieces. And notice the black band on her arm? A subtle and classy way to honor a friend’s passing. The color of Cynthia Nixon’s dress is stunning with her skin tone and hair color. And I love the way the bodice pulls off the one-shoulder trend. Can I say enough about Kristin Davis’ dress? From the elaborate gold to the flattering waistband this dress is something I wish I had hanging in my closet. And Kim Cattrall looks like a classic Old Hollywood siren. The cleavage and the slit are sometimes too much when paired together but Kim shows us how to do this daring look just right. Blake Lively should take some notes….
And I love the vibrant color on Kim’s nails. It may just be classic red but this picture makes it look like there may be a slight orange tone to the polish. Fire! I know what color I want to paint my nails for this holiday weekend now.
A quick search over at Essie is leaving me feeling satisfied. Doesn’t this red-orange shade called Vermillionaire look awfully similar to Kim’s mani/pedi? I think it is time to paint the town red-orange with a little help from my girlfriends…both real and onscreen.
I know we’ve posted about First Lady Michelle Obama’s spot-on fashion sense a lot – okay, a lot - but you’re just going to have to get used to it, especially if she keeps showing up at functions looking like this:
LOVE IT. The shimmery sapphire sheen of her one-shouldered Peter Soronen gown, the Jimmy Choo sandals (accented by perfectly polished pink toenails), the curly bob haircut, the earrings…it all works. She even matched her eyeshadow to her dress! Is it wrong that this is the kind of glamor I hope for when I tune in to the Oscars every year? Mrs. O shows the movie stars how it’s done!
Demystifying celebrities - mainly by showing images of them without the beautifying effects of makeup and/or Photoshop - is a recent trend that shows no signs of slowing. You may recall French Elle’s 2009 “No Makeup” issue, which made waves by featuring the likes of Eva Herzigova and Monica Bellucci sans cosmetics. Recently, Jessica Simpson went bare-faced for Allure, while an unretouched version of a Britney Spears ad for Candie’s sparked yet another discussion about the role that the media plays when it comes to shaping women’s perceptions of their bodies. When I saw this “model mugshot” that Louis Vuitton released - dozens of models, including a few big names like Laetitia Casta and Elle Macpherson - I figured I would get your opinion: Does seeing celebrities without makeup still carry the impact it once did?
Iron Man 2 made its big premiere last night in Hollywood. It was originally supposed to debut in London but had to relocate because of the volcano ash cloud that has been disrupting worldwide travel. But, as they say in the biz, the show must go on! And go on it did as the stars hit the red carpet in their all-white-glory. Gwyneth Paltrow is back for the franchise’s second go-around and she chose to play with fashion by pairing a white blazer with white shorts:
I have to admit: I remember very clearly the summer of ‘08 when Gwyneth burst back onto the fashion world radar with her super-short minis and her new bobbed haircut, when making the press rounds for the first Iron Man movie. I wanted everything she wore. But this look? Not on my all time favorites list.
Scarlett Johansson has joined the cast of the Iron Man sequel as the villainous Black Widow and last night she matched Gwyneth’s color scheme with a structurally intriguing white dress:
Scarlett wins this fashion round for me. Not that we should necessarily pit the leading ladies against one another, but if I were choosing an outfit to wear to the premiere and I had to choose between only these two options….I’d pick the dress.
But that is just my opinion….I’m much more interested in yours. Tell me…..
If you’re a music fan, you’re already familiar with Coachella, the 3-day outdoor music festival that takes places every spring in Indio, California. Some of the biggest names in music come out to play (this year’s headliners were Jay-Z, Muse and Gorillaz), as well as a host of up-and-coming bands for you to enjoy with, oh, 75,000 or so of your closest friends. Of course, Indio’s close proximity to Los Angeles, coupled with the party vibe of the festival, means that celebs always come out in droves. Since dressing well in warm weather has always been a challenge for me, I was interested to see what kinds of fashion statements they would be rocking as the desert temperatures edged toward the triple digits last weekend. Here are a few of my faves…
Camilla Bell plays it sweet with a floral print dress and white crochet cardigan, then toughens it up with her brown motorcycle boots. Accessories are casual - big sunglasses and arms full of chunky bangles.
Rachel Bilson looks positively adorable in her cuffed denim shorts, loose tank top and summer-ready sandals. Her backpack is roomy enough to hold all of her festival essentials, and she continues the big sunglasses trend, in the interest of both anonymity and eye protection, no doubt.
True, the look is a little "out there," but hats off to Dita Von Teese for finding a way to keep her signature vintage glamourpuss aesthetic going at a 3-day rock concert in the desert! Here, she rocks high-waisted navy blue sailor pants with large white cuffs and a white bustier tank top with - you guessed it - big sunglasses. She even has her trademark perfect hair and makeup in place! Now that is commitment.
I honestly can’t decide whether or not I think this is a good idea, so help me out here: How do you feel about wearing socks…with your heels? This photo of Leighton Meester rocking a painterly print black dress cinched with a belt, accented by a pair of bad-American-tourist-on-vacation black socks and charcoal platforms puzzles me. The outfit shouldn’t work, right? And yet, I find myself liking it. Especially the socks and heels combo. But would I actually wear it? That, my friends, is the question. I suppose the answer depends largely on the sock/shoe combo itself. First, you’ll have to invest in a good pair of lightweight, mid-calf socks - no gold-toed athletic socks bunching up in your sandals! Egads. I like these Ananda Bamboo Turnwelt Crew socks from Sock Dreams ($9). Next, look for a strappy platform sandal, like this Stefanie Caged Heel from Forever 21 ($20.80). You could try to match your socks to your shoes for a more subtle effect, or you could decide to go all out with socks and shoes in contrasting colors…or you could straddle the line between the two and pick socks and shoes in slightly different shades (like Leighton did with her black and charcoal combo here). On one hand, this is a great way to transition from spring to summer, since it lets you break out your pretty hot weather heels while at the same time protecting your tootsies from spring’s cooler temperatures. On the other hand, it does look kind of bizarre. What do you think? Fun & playful or weird & wrong?
I’ve been looking forward to the recently released biopic The Runaways ever since the first on-set photos started surfacing last year. (In case you’re not familiar with the group that the film is based on, they were an all-girl band that started in the mid-70s, when all of the members - including future hard rock legends Joan Jett and Lita Ford and frontwoman Cherie Currie - were just teenagers.) Kristen Stewart took a break between Twilight sequels to play Joan, while Dakota Fanning sheds her child star image to play the truly wild 15-year-old Cherie, who takes to strutting around the stage in little more than a corset and thigh-high stockings as her stage persona develops and the band’s exploitation begins to spiral out of control. The movie, which was directed by music video auteur Floria Sigismondi, is a little formulaic (dizzying rise to fame, on-the-road debauchery and excess, post-band redemption…check, check and check) but it’s a fun ride, and the performances are terrific. But, above all else, this is a film about style - the edgy, tough, undeniably ’70s rock and roll style that the Runaways epitomized. Some of my favorite fashion moments from the movie:
Cherie’s David Bowie belt buckle
Shag haircuts for all!
Platform boots, sandals and heels…platforms everywhere
Joan’s black Converse sneakers
Jumpsuits! Denim with cutouts for Cherie, skintight red leather for Joan
Oh, the smoky eyes…
Have you seen The Runaways yet? What did you think? And, more importantly, would you actually adopt any of these fashion cues into your own wardrobe?
Black nails have been everywhere for more than a decade now, but change has finally come to the nails of the rich and famous: Gray is the new black. (Check out Gwyneth, rocking the look at a movie premiere back in October.) Whether you covet the edginess of black but could never quite make the unforgiving hue work on your hands or you’re a black fanatic ready for a little change, there are tons of grays on the market right now - light gray cremes, dark gray cremes, shimmery charcoals, gunmetal metallics, and more. I’m currently obsessed with the idea of a medium gray creme, although I have yet to actually purchase one; in fact, I’ve been on the hunt for Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Wet Cement for what feels like ages now, and I still haven’t been able to get my hands on a bottle! (For fellow polish hunters, China Glaze Recycle and Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy both look similar, although neither one appears to be an exact dupe.) Have you gone gray yet? Is this a nail look you’re excited to try?
Just a quick post about how gorgeous Natalie Portman looked on the opening day of the Venice Film Festival. Her bold red dress by Rodarte was perfectly offset with her neutral makeup choices. I love the detail of the shoulders and the neckline on this dress. And this shade of red is what I’m going to be looking for when I start populating my fall wardrobe.
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I honestly can’t decide whether or not I think this is a good idea, so help me out here: How do you feel about wearing socks…with your heels? This photo of Leighton Meester rocking a painterly print black dress cinched with a belt, accented by a pair of bad-American-tourist-on-vacation black socks and charcoal platforms puzzles me. The outfit shouldn’t work, right? And yet, I find myself liking it. Especially the socks and heels combo. But would I actually wear it? That, my friends, is the question. I suppose the answer depends largely on the sock/shoe combo itself. First, you’ll have to invest in a good pair of lightweight, mid-calf socks - no gold-toed athletic socks bunching up in your sandals! Egads. I like these 
(In case you’re not familiar with the group that the film is based on, they were an all-girl band that started in the mid-70s, when all of the members - including future hard rock legends Joan Jett and Lita Ford and frontwoman Cherie Currie - were just teenagers.) Kristen Stewart took a break between Twilight sequels to play Joan, while Dakota Fanning sheds her child star image to play the truly wild 15-year-old Cherie, who takes to strutting around the stage in little more than a corset and thigh-high stockings as her stage persona develops and the band’s exploitation begins to spiral out of control. The movie, which was directed by music video auteur Floria Sigismondi, is a little formulaic (dizzying rise to fame, on-the-road debauchery and excess, post-band redemption…check, check and check) but it’s a fun ride, and the performances are terrific. But, above all else, this is a film about style - the edgy, tough, undeniably ’70s rock and roll style that the Runaways epitomized. Some of my favorite fashion moments from the movie:
Black nails have been everywhere for more than a decade now, but change has finally come to the nails of the rich and famous: 
unforgiving hue work on your hands or you’re a black fanatic ready for a little change, there are tons of grays on the market right now - light gray cremes, dark gray cremes, shimmery charcoals, gunmetal metallics, and more. I’m currently obsessed with the idea of a medium gray creme, although I have yet to actually purchase one; in fact, I’ve been on the hunt for 
