Tag Archives: Jessica Biel

the Fashion stuff., the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff.

Best Of The 2018 Golden Globes

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Wooooooo!

New year, new red carpet. I’d barely realized until just this week that awards season is upon us, and it’s definitely bringing a little sunshine into my single-digits-temp world these days.

Before I share my favorites, it’s worth making note that the fashion choices at this year’s Golden Globes have been unilaterally affected by the Time’s Up movement, which seeks to bring awareness of and legal protections for women dealing with sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in the workplace.  Time’s Up is meant to be a unified call to action stemming primarily from women in the entertainment industry, for women everywhere. In solidarity with Time’s Up, this year’s attenders of the Golden Globes elected to wear black. So all of that to say, this particular red carpet featured absolutely no color (at least as far as I saw in all my research) and that’s no mistake! I’ve not found a single photo of someone wearing anything other than black.

Alright, now that we’ve got that down, on to my picks …

Zoe Kravitz in YSL

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Like you’ve heard me say before, it’s all in the styling. Zoe’s pixie cut is giving me Josephine Baker vibes, and the Lorraine Schwartz deco-cut emeralds are stunning. They make me think of Minas Morgul – an odd association, I know. But what can I say? I’m a Lord of the Rings fan and its images are floating through my brain. I love Zoe’s red lip paired with her enviable beauty mark, as well. It’s all giving me retro feels, and you know I’m a sucker for anything pre-1970s.

Margot Robbie in Gucci

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I really, really love this dress. Even with the plunging neckline it’s still modest enough for my personal taste with the exaggerated shoulders and all that. And those sequin appliqués are dreamy. Alessandro Michele, the creative director at Gucci, has been consistently knocking it out of the park at the luxury powerhouse since taking the helm in 2015 with his whimsical and glittery creations (unicorns! so many colors! sequins and butterflies and flowers ALL the time!). Margot seems to share a special relationship with Gucci, so we can always trust that she’ll turn up in one of Alessandro’s designs looking beautiful. And of course, I always enjoy Pati Dubroff’s makeup choices for Margot, though as I’ve said it is kind of hard to make her look bad.

Tracee Ellis Ross in Marc Jacobs

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I love Tracee’s styling because she makes selections that are a bit off-beat, and there’s usually a nod to her black heritage or to her mother in particular … and that would be Diana Ross, in case you weren’t sure. I had the privilege of seeing Diana Ross in concert two summers ago and let me tell you, that woman’s style is the very definition of unapologetic glamour, with no signs of toning it down at 73. So anyhow, Tracee seems to be a reflection of Diana for the twenty-first century. I’m loving her turban, and the way her gown’s neckline ties in a large, loose bow. The whole design from the runway is actually Pepto Bismol pink in its original form! And if you can find an close-up shot of her Irene Neuwirth earrings, they’re equally stunning- gettin’ me with the art deco styles again.

Diane Kruger in custom Prada

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Undeniably, my favorite. I love the draping, I love the neckline, I love the beaded details and the delicate fabric. And it has a cape! And a box clutch! Ah, I’ve missed Diane on the red carpet. I adore gowns that seem flowy and watery, with plenty of movement. The whole silhouette feels so effortless. I honestly don’t have much more to say about this look- I love it, and that’s about it! Simple hair, simple makeup, perfect styling.

Black never has to be boring, and along with the gowns there was an abundance of beautiful hair and makeup tonight to complement all the blank canvases. A worthy mention, here:

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This is Jessica Biel’s hair, styled by Adir Abergel. I live for little unexpected details like this. And if it’s not a throwback look, I’m equally a fan of strong, modern, minimal touches. You can’t help but think that this hairstyle belongs on a runway slightly influenced by Mad Max. I’ll have to find out whether this is leather, fabric, etc.

Any standouts to you this year among the sea of black? Let me know in the comments, and on to the SAG Awards! xo, MR

All images credited to Getty Images. Jessica Biel photo credit to @hairbyadir .

the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Skin stuff.

Best Of The 2017 Academy Awards

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And here we are, once again!

This is technically the fifth Academy Awards that I’ve blogged and it’s my favorite post each year.  I’ve had a lot going on this evening work-wise so this post has been a process of constantly refreshing my phone before and after in attempts to get some quick peeks at attendees as they’ve arrived on the red carpet.  Not ideal, but I’m making it work.

A couple notes- Firstly, I’ve seen more impressive red carpets.  We were doing really, really good during this awards season but we seem to have pumped the brakes a bit.  I had hoped to see more bold color and risk-taking tonight.  We saw mostly gold and other soft metallics, and Janelle Monae was probably our only kooky-crazy gown.  I only noted a bit of red and perhaps just Scarlett Johannson’s pretty purple.  Secondly, Natalie Portman did not attend tonight’s ceremony because she’s in her third trimester of pregnancy.  I mean, whatever, okay, FINE.  But in all seriousness, I was bummed because I know she would’ve shown up looking glorious but I guess third trimester pregnancy merits some rest and a break from uncomfortable shoes and everyone staring at you.  OKAY, NATALIE.

And finally, I can’t seem to find Amy Adams!  Has anyone seen her?!  I looked all over social media and I did the Google, and she appears to be nowhere.  I do concur, by the way, that it was wrong of the Academy to nominate Meryl Streep over Amy this year, but I’d thought she’d surely attend tonight to support Arrival!  I also missed seeing Cate Blanchett. She wasn’t involved in much this year, but she always wears the best stuff.

And so with that, on to my favorites!  And again, a reminder- It might be a great dress but if the styling doesn’t appeal to me, it doesn’t make my list!  And it might be a cooky/ugly dress but if the styling streamlines the look and makes sense of it all, it might make my list!

Best This-Person-Would-Look-Good-In-A-Burlap-Sack – Charlize Theron in Dior

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Charlize is the one woman who has made my Best Dressed list every year she’s attended the Academy Awards.  I get that it’s hard to make someone of her features look bad, but despite how we may feel we all know that it can be done.  I think that’s one of the reasons why I’m continuously so impressed with her- she always knocks it out of the park and keep things classic and beautifully flattering, and doesn’t rely on her physical beauty to carry a look.  She still makes the right choices.  Her styling is always glamorous but simple, and her contract with Dior has probably been the most successful partnership I’ve seen between a celebrity and fashion house.  This particular gown looks like liquid gold and those earrings are bonkers!

Best Overall Because LOOK AT HER – Taraji P. Henson in Alberta Ferretti

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I mean, okay. OKAY. There is literally nothing wrong with this whole thing.  There is no flaw.  At the SAG Awards, Taraji seemed to have her frothy, feminine fantasy moment.  But she wasn’t having any of that tonight and THIS look is just about as sexy as it gets in my opinion.  No, not in my opinion.  IN ALL REALITY EVER.  This neckline with that slit all in deep blue velvet (scratching my David Lynch itch, Cookie!) with those diamonds and that haircut is just deadly.  Deadly, I say!  Taraji looks like she was just poured into this dress like an expensive glass of the finest champagne.  She has never looked better. I can only pray I come across an occasion where I have to wear something this glamorous in my lifetime.

Most Welcome New Darling Of The Fashion World – Ruth Negga in custom Valentino

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So, I think Ruth Negga likes clothes.  I mean, I think she really likes them.  Most new actresses that arrive on the scene tend to play it rather safe for a couple years before taking a couple risks once they get a high-profile stylist or a new haircut or something like that.  Or they wait for a contract with a fashion house and suddenly every dress seems to be wearing them and not the other way around (paging Jennifer Lawrence …).  Such has not been the case for Ruth Negga (or Lupita Nyong’O, the other exception in this case).  Right out of the gate, Ruth has been a person made for fashion.  She clearly loves the artistry of clothes-making, and she appreciates unique and sometimes quirky pieces.  I loved this Victorian style custom Valentino gown she wore.  It was similar to what Ginnifer Goodwin wore, but Ruth’s seemed to have a more Gothic feel.  Her makeup and hairpiece matched the mood, too.

Best Old Hollywood Throwback – Emma Stone in Givenchy Haute Couture

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As I write this, they’ve only just announced the winner of the Best Supporting Actress (go Viola!) and so we’ve yet to learn if Emma will indeed win in tonight’s Best Actress category. I have a feeling she will, and this is a lovely dress to win in.  I love Emma’s 1920’s style dress paired with very 1940’s hair and makeup.  It really is a very classically beautiful look. I was hoping to see more color on Emma during this awards season, but for what we’ve lacked in color her styling team has made up for in texture.  Fringe, glittering stars, floral appliqués- we’ve seen plenty of gorgeous handicraft in the texture department on Emma this year.  I did like her look when she attended the 2015 Academy Awards for Birdman more than tonight’s look – I loved her updo paired with the chartreuse gown and coral lips – but this is still nothing short of stunning and worthy of a winner. I’m getting some Rita Hayworth vibes with her hair, too.

Best Holy Cleopatra Batman! – Jessica Biel in Kaufmanfranco

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I told you there was a lot of gold this year!  I wasn’t kidding!  But I have to say, this is my personal favorite.  Don’t you dream of wearing dresses like this?  I mean seriously. That necklace is incredible, and the gown reminds me so much of Nefertiri in The Ten Commandments.  Nefertiri was probably the first woman in film that I idolized and wanted to look like and dress like as a child.  Of course, I was supposed to be drawn to the humble shepherd girl played by Yvonne De Carlo, but that would take some Mount Sinai-levels of convincing throughout my adolescence and beyond.

But anyhow, this dress had me.  And the necklace.  And the styling!  I love Jessica’s bold cat-eye made with thick eyeliner (again, Cleopatra!) paired with peachy lips and cheeks.  I also love the sleek updo with the center-part in Jessica’s deep brown-black hue.  I can’t wait to get a view of the back!  And again, if you know me, you know I like it when something’s just a bit off. In this case, it’s hairstylist Adir Abergel’s genius work with this updo- it’s totally off-center on purpose.  It adds characters and just barely tweaks the perfect symmetry of the center-part.  Details like this that play with shape and balance are my favorite; details of color and texture are a close second.

So there you go!  Now tell me your faves!  Anything you hated?  Anything you hoped for but didn’t see?  And don’t forget, there are always the after-parties with plenty of gown changes and extra folks who just weren’t important enough to invite to the awards ceremony.  Have fun!  xo, MR

 

Photo credits in order of appearance:  Getty Images, Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, Noel West for The New York Times, Getty Images

the Makeup stuff.

Now THIS needs no explanation.

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See … this is what I’m talking about.  It’s just enough.  The styling is subtle, and yet it would still be hard not to notice Jessica looking like this.  These are the kinds of looks for makeup and hair that inspire me (and make me anxious to grow my hair out a couple inches and go lighter again).  Her hair has obviously been styled, and yet you know you could probably work this same look on yourself, too.  It’s been styled, but it hasn’t been fussed over.

Try creating this look the day after washing and blowing your hair out semi-straight … it’ll be more pliable and it’ll hold wave better.  Create a center-part and then use a 1.5-2 inch barrel iron to create waves in two inch sections of your hair, going in different directions as you curl.  Brush through the waves to give it that soft and natural feel, and gently gather it all to one side.   Use the tiniest amount of styling gel or spray to tame the frizzies around your center-part.  And remember … nothing has to be perfect.

For the makeup, use a warm blush with almost ruddy tones on the apples of your cheeks and bring it upward toward the ears as you apply it.  I’d probably try NARS blush in Liberte for this look, but I’m going to try and dig to find out what was actually used on Jessica.  Fill in and groom your brows, and then draw focus to your eyes by using metallic, shimmery shades of silver, gunmetal grey, and even blue just barely up to the brow bone and around the lid, using the darker shades around the rim and in the crease.  If you’re not comfortable with how some of these colors work with your skin tone, just try varying shades of grey.  Add a couple coats of mascara (or some modest false lashes), and then top it off with a natural lip.  I’m not even sure if she’s wearing anything on her lips here!  Perhaps the lightest, slightly frosted pink or nude shade, but surely nothing more.  So simple, so beautiful.  xo, MR

the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

Ooh dang, she look fine! … or, my celebrity beauty crushes.

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Everyone’s got a favorite celebrity when it comes to fashion. We follow their style, pin all their outfits on Pinterest, and are most excited to see them on the red carpet. Sometimes, we even like a somewhat questionable outfit on them because, well, it’s on them. But have you ever thought of who your favorite celebrities are when it comes to beauty? You always love their hair, or you know they use great products, or their makeup is always different and fun in every photo. Perhaps they aren’t your favorites for style (or vice versa: you love what they wear but their makeup is always the same), but from they neck up, they always seem to get it right. Here are my three that I’m always ecstatic to see a close-up shot of:

1. Diane Kruger

Diane’s hair and makeup change dramatically with nearly every appearance. The German beauty is reminiscent of Grace Kelly and is never easily predicted, and she’ll take risks that’ll keep you on your toes. Pin curls, fishtail braids, easy topknots, bright red lips, dramatic winged eyeliner- you never know what she’ll do. And the coolest thing is that Diane’s known for frequently doing her hair and makeup herself!

2. Olivia Wilde

It probably doesn’t hurt that she’s a Revlon spokesmodel, but Olivia always looks so chic in the beauty department. She had an incredible cut with bangs and beautiful ombre color for a while that I loved, but her new cut for 2012 (pictured above) served as one of the most inspirational looks for this year’s ever-popular long bob cut. Her stunning blue eyes are so easy to play up with colorful shadow, too.

3. Jessica Biel

I’m mostly into Miss Biel for her locks. This exact picture served as inspiration for my hair leading up to my wedding, and I continue to obsess over every style and color Jessica tries with her crowning glory. Her mane just seems so healthy, and the health of my hair has taken priority over its everyday appearance partly in thanks to seeing incredible locks like Jessica’s. She’s commonly known as one of the most fit celebrities that maintains a stellar diet and exercise regimen, and dedication like that tends to manifest itself everywhere in your body, including your skin and hair.

There are, of course, other ladies that I’m crazy about including Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Connelly, Thandie Newton, and Mila Kunis. The originally mentioned ones, however, seem to be the most consistent in impressing me both on the red carpet and sometimes off, too. And I love my listed three specifically for what they do with their hair and makeup, not because I simply think they’re the prettiest celebrities. For instance, Miss Connelly’s features are so striking that I enjoy her more for how she naturally looks rather than what’s done with her makeup (though that raven shade of hair is greatly complemented by those rose-colored lips). I appreciate it too when a celebrity’s hair and makeup is translatable and easy to relate to. My counterexample of this would be the 365-days-a-year goddess known as Miss Beckinsale. Kate always seems to look just a tad too perfect. There’s no ease to her beauty; it’s immaculate glamour all the time with no hair (or, ahem, hair extension) out of place. However glorious and coiffed she may always look, such beauty can be hard to relate to.

The three featured in this post are those that I look forward to seeing the most at every awards show, in every magazine, and on every website. Their beauty isn’t so other-worldly that I feel I can’t take inspiration from them, and they each try new ideas that any other girl can try. So tell me, who are your favorites?