Academy Awards - Hair and Makeup

Well now that we've seen the fashion, let's dissect the hair and makeup.  Most of the hair was up in a bun or some form or updo, which makes sense with all the bare shoulders.  Hair up is sexy for showing off great backs and gorgeous earrings.  If it wasn't up, it was blowdried and pushed over one shoulder, which is my favourite.  Most lips were nude, with the occasional shock of colour to keep it interesting.

And here come the stars:

Rachel McAdams looks polished to perfection.  The hair isn't too tight, the lashes add a bit of drama but the soft colour choices mean she's let her dress do the talking.  Although those earrings need to be in my collection.

Sandra goes for a pink lip!  Red is usually the colour-pop-of-choice but this rocks.  Much more modern.  Eyes don't overpower yet the liner and lashes add definition.  The sleek blowdry and side part are classic and so flattering - I love sideswept looks.  This will look great when she accepts her award...

Nicole misses the mark for me here.  I get the whole 60's vibe is her MO, but this looks too harsh and unblended.  At least the nude lips and soft cheeks don't compete - she chose one feature to play up, which is the way it should be.  The high bun lifts her face and lengthens her whole look.

Kate Winslet has the most amazing hair and makeup artists.  Look at that hair!  Oh my god, it's perfection.  The eyeliner on top gives a sexy shape and makes the eyes pop out, and adds the strength to the look so she's not fading into obscurity.  And the best brows in the business.

Holy hairpiece Batman!  This is BIG!  But you know what - I LOVE big hair!  This is statement hair, this is standout hair.  Wallflowers need not apply.  Eyes are heavy which makes her eyes look tiny, but it's becoming her go-to look for big events.

All looking a bit neat for your tastes?  Bring on Jennifer Lopez's messed-up updo.  I like it!  'Messy on purpose' can be hard to pull off but this is how to do it.  The 'mess' stays in the bun, while the front is soft but not messy.  It's controlled chaos.  Makeup is her standard, although reports say her bronzing was messy.  I don't have HD so it looked fine to me!

I may not have liked the dress, but I love the updo.  There wasn't much detail in the hair this year, so this really stands out.  And the jewel in the hair - love.  Her eyes are soft and the lips are almost bare, I would have liked more on one or the other but in general it's a winner.

I get the feeling that a lot of these pics will be brought to me by formal girls throughout the year, and with good reason.  Who were your favourites?

**  All pictures are courtesy of the delightful www.bellasugar.com.au **

Academy Awards - Fashion

As you all have been warned I'm tweeting the Oscars live.  So far we've had the red carpet and three awards presented, and I'm EXHAUSTED.  So I'm taking a break during the minor awards to bring you some fashion!

In general it was similar silhouettes and safe choices.  One-shoulder, off-shoulder and strapless dominated.  So start looking after your decolletage, it's THE accessory of the season!  Nobody took any major risks, and some even took steps back.  Maybe they're all afraid to be on the Worst Dressed List, but it's a bit dull for us watching!

I've already been slammed by some of my Twitter followers for my opinions, but it's just my personal opinion.

Carey Mulligan, I knew you could do it.  Fun and age appropriate, love the beading and the new blonde hair!  Minimal jewellery doesn't overpower, but I don't know about the crossover strap on the shoes.  It makes you look shorter.

Charlize Theron with scrolls on her boobs.  And the soft purple tones just look... cheap.  Why would a beautiful girl do this to herself??  Love the strong lip though.

Rachel McAdams is my girl crush.  As one Tweeter put it 'THIS is how you wear print on a red carpet'.  The updo and simple jewellery keep the dress in focus.  And she's just gorgeous.

Sandra I'm not loving this on you.  The lace on the top doesn't blend well with the fabric below, and it's just a bit drab.  She's looked much better this season.

Maggie G is just adorable.  There isn't the drama of the Lanvin leopard-print dress, but I do love a print.  Blue really suits her.

Nicole needs to try a different style of dress.  It looks like everything else she's stepped out in.  And the makeup... I'll deal with that on another post.  Sorry Nicole, but you're getting predictable.

 

I hope JLo and Amanda Seyfried aren't sitting together.  This was almost a serious malfunction!!  But who did it better?  My vote is JLo - Amanda looks washed out, and the hair is a bit too tight.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Couture - I'm going to be controversial and say I don't like this.  The black looks too harsh against the nude, and it's *almost* trying to overpower it.  If there was less black it would have been more 'framing', if there was more it would have been more of a feature.  And the straight-ruffle-straight pattern of the nude panels means it just ends up looking too much.  But this is one of the opinions I got in trouble for, so I know others adore!

And another controversial one - theinfamous SJP in Chanel Couture.  I'm bordering on dislike, I'm afraid.  I like the idea, I like the old-school hair, I like the makeup (it's what she always has though).  I think it's the silver (?) roses around the neckline that throw me.  But I love the unexpected design compared to all the strapless gowns that was out there.

Miley - for crying out loud, you're on the Oscars red carpet!  STAND UP STRAIGHT!  Apart from that this is a nice dress, but all the maturity and style she exudes here is dispelled as soon as she opens her mouth.  That girl sounds like a 12 year old.  And her mother kept jumping into her interviews, showing off her tattoos and generally being trailer trash.  Miley in 15 years???

That's just a sampling of the red carpet fashions!  Who did you love?

It's almost my favourite day of the year!!

It's not my birthday... it's not Christmas...

It's OSCARS DAY!!  *happy dance*
Monday is the day, Australia!!  The 82nd Annual Academy Awards are on!!

I love the awards season with an unhealthy passion.  Everything about them intrigues me - the fashion, the trends, the politics between winners and losers (Hurt Locker vs Avatar anyone?), the crocodile tears during speeches - I love it all.  I love it so much that I take the day off work to watch the live red carpet and awards ceremony on Foxtel. I sit in my living room, live blogs on the laptop, E! red carpet coverage and a brand new pedicure in progress.  And this year, like I did with the Golden Globes, I'll be tweeting up a storm!

If you want to be kept up to date with everything that is happening, add me on Twitter!  @counterobsess
If you have a proper grown up job that you can't watch all the action or follow the feeds, then I'll post a wrap up of all the fashion and beauty looks from the stars.

You can always count on certain celebrities to turn on the glamour and look amazing, while others can be a bit hit-and-miss.  Kate Winslet is yet to let me down this season, sticking to the failsafe old-school Hollywood glamour and polished perfection.  I'll be keen to see what she wears, along with Drew Barrymore - who is a bit more unpredictable, but I love the risks that she takes.  Carey Mulligan is part of the young, up-and-coming starlets who continually looks fresh and amazing - I wonder if her new boyf Shia LaBeouf will be her arm candy?

Who are you looking forward to seeing on Monday??