Oscars!

So......I didn’t manage to stay up for it BUT I did catch the highlights AND more importantly the E! Red Carpet coverage (it’s so annoyingly fromage, right?!) WEEKS.....and weeks of preparation have been leading up to this night including ridiculous fitness regimes, diets, red carpet surgery, BOOB FACIALS and the outfit selection (take a look at my post from last week about pre-Oscar prep here.

It’s always set to be a night of show-stopping outfits, perfect makeup and sensational hair. If an actress gets a look right, it can only do her career well.

Here, are simply some of my favourite hair & makeup looks:

My favourite makeup/hair of the night is my girl crush Rooney Mara who can do no wrong! She is wearing 3 hot trends brilliantly.. the matte red lip, bold brows and strong fringe. Flawless skin.

Gwyneth Paltrow & Natalie Portman have a more soft lip with focus all around the eyes
 

Berenice Bejo gorgeous hair

Angelina & Milla both wearing the bold red lip well, I love the contrast of the white dress and pillar box lip.

Michelle Willaims offsets the boyish crop with a gorgeous girly pink lip

There was an ecelectic selection of dresses as always, with a few Key colours that were really evident, with a lot of actresses opting for WHITE...My girl crush and beauty/fashion idol of the moment Rooney Mara, Shailene Woodley (Valentino Couture), Gwyneth Paltrow (Tom Ford), Octavia Spencer, Milla Jovovich (Ellie Saab), J-Lo (Zuhair Murad), Cam Diaz (Gucci). There was also a good handful of RED: Natalie Portman (vintage Dior, of course), Michelle Williams (Louis Vuitton), Emma Stone (Giambattista Villa)and of course......BLACK. (Angelina and ‘that’ right leg - Versace,  Rose Byrne, Jessica Chastain & Anna Faris)

The wonderful whites & creams

Love this pic of J-Lo and C-Di

The Reds

Natalie Portman in Vintage Dior looked incredible, my favourite dress of the night.

The failsafe LBD's

 

The cuts of the dresses were almost divided, either sexy glamour floor length gowns OR the more demure minimalist dresses with long sleeves & high necks (Shailene Woodley, Emma Stone, Berenice Bejo).

Did any stand out for you?

x Laura x

 

Pre-Oscar Beauty Prep: The Coundown.

I will probably do a post after the awards to discuss the makeup & looks but SO much more work goes into pre ceremony. Here, I give you the in's and out's of the lengths some celebs will go to ensure they are looking their best....

Why they need to look good?

The Oscars are the most prestigious awards ceremony in the world.

This is the stage of Hollywood, all eyes of the world are on this event. Outfits, makeup & hair are thoroughly scrutinised by the harshest critics, and everyone will be reporting about it on Monday AM. Oscar nominations & winners will make a film a success or an actor's career.

They will indulge in the latest beauty treatments, surgeries and sculpting programmes. The possibilities are endless, it's more of a case of how far they are willing to go..

 Weeks before

The outfit.

Stylists selected todress the celebrities will be visiting specially set up designer suites in hotels in LA to showcase different designs, accessories, jewellery & shoes so they can pick out the perfect outfit for their client. Some stylists may work with the same designers year in year out to custom make a celebrity's dress.

 The right outfit is key as the best dressed will be shot into the limelight, talked about & get great exposure. Brands they are wearing will also see a huge % lift in sales post-oscars.

You won't see actresses turn up in the same dress. Both Stylists & Designers will stay in tune so they know who is wearing what. Designers will not give out two of the same dress. First come, first served.

Diet & Nutrition.

Next.. they need to look the best they possibly can in that outfit.

David Kirsch, a celebrity fitness expert  see's his clients usually 2-4wks before the event to whip them into shape & prescribe them their fitness regime. He even discusses the dress they are wearing to make sure the exposed areas are looking the best.

David Kirsch with Heidi Klum, a long standing client

Some may decide to visit the LA slimwrap salon, which is more of a 'quick-fix'. Measurements are taken and then you are wrapped in bandages soaked in minerals which contour and detox the body. They may lose 6-20 inches off your body instantly.

Pre-Oscar Surgery.

Red carpet surgery is HUGE. All the celebs want to look as best as they possibly can but 'natural' AKA they dont want people whispering about all the work they have had done. Fillers, liquid facelifts, chemical peels, microderm, under arm Botox (to prevent sweating onto a dress) last minute lipo are all very common.

The Big Day

The average actress will take 4-5hrs getting ready. They need to be seen by their hair stylist, Makeup artist & Stylist to dress them perfectly.

They can also swing into the 'gifting suites' which are set up in many hotels close to the venue. This is when brands give out free product for celebrity endorsement. It is like a free shop.... gifts can include cars, holidays, jewellry, clothing and beauty products.

Gifting suites

Makeup.

 With the long ceremony, lots of drinking, flashbulbs, kissing & talking, they need their makeup to constantly look fresh. A great makeup artist is key.

There is also a green room backstage at the ceremony with a team of around 23 makeup artists, this is where every actor will go before they go out on the stage...to make sure they are screen ready. Hd-style.

Hair.

Hair stylists need to work with the outfit & makeup look to create a stunning do. Hairpieces and wigs are common with the extravagent up-do's. Hours of hair work has usually gone into the most simple-looking styles.

Stylist.

They need to ensure the outfit is looking impeccable, tidy & make any last minute alterations. They will also bring along a selection of accessories & jewellery which are often lent by designers to finish the outfit. They are in charge of getting the right underwear for the outfit. Three pairs of spanx is not unheard of.

I'm sure on Sunday we will see the usual mix of stunning couture, inspirational makeup looks, classic beauty and of course the ones who didn't quite pull of that look, Cher.

x Laura x

£60 for a MASCARA?! Here is why...

Chantecaille make the best mascara in the whole world, according to the importance that is me. I have used many-a-mascara in my 16yrs of makeup wearing and this is absolutely 100% the best and many beauty junkies who have tried it (I hope and think) will agree.

I have used the FAUX CILS mascara since it launched, and recently they brought out an 'improved version'...the same brush and feel but the formula is enriched with a potent eyelash growth serum.

It promises to lengthen your lashes by 25% in just 2 weeks (using daily) by the help of a peptide called Sym 17. Rosewater & Beeswax also are in the formula which make it great for sensitive eyes/contact lens wearers and it really easy to build up and layer. The brush is of a medium-size so easy to control, apply and not get any mascara smudging on your lids.
 

 

The price is not cheap at £60 but if you compare this to leading lash growth serums plus a mascara, it is comparible. You will also find that this will not dry or get cloggy at all, it will stay 'wet' and fresh until it runs out. I had my first ever chantaceille mascara for (gulp sorry) a whole year. I used to try and save it for special occasions hence why I lasted me this long. It still was never dry. Amazing.

Above: One eye with/without the mascara

The benefit of using this rather than an eyelash serum is that you will use it every day! (who doesn't wear mascara?!)I have wasted money in the past on lash growth serums which I use for a week, and then they are ousted to the drawer because I am never applying them.

X Laura x

SS12 Nails by Rococo

The new Spring/Summer collection 'Garden Party'

I'm loving all these pastel and bright new season nail varnishes which are coming out at the moment, and one of my favourite brands for cutting-edge nail colours is ROCOCO. A brand created by 2 lovely sisters, Vernice & Ange Walker, both fashion-forward nail technicians who have been working wonders in the industry for 15 years. They still work alongside huge celebrities, whilst bringing out new shades every season. I love most of the colours that they bring out.

Ange & Vernice, founders of Rococo

The new shades due to come out for spring 2012 are called GARDEN PARTY and are all very beautiful, pretty & girly pinks, blues... My favourite one is called t-cup and is a very pale pastel blue with a tiny hint of gold shot through. 

I always apply a base before any nail varnish colour (I like Chanel base) and then it really does help the varnish to stay on if you apply x2 coats. It's worth the wait & wafting.

Available from Space Nk or http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/ @ £12 each.

I am going to be wearing this ALL week!

x Laura x

Spot Battles & Treatments.

I have, in my past, suffered with severe acne which has impacted my life quite heavily....I am going to write a more in-depth about this in the near future.... About my treatments, problems...how I ultimately got it sorted etc, but this is about short-term solutions which is for more hormonal spots, breakouts which every girl/boy will get at some point!

 

My skin is 'normal' now...but I've noticed over the last few months, maybe due to stress , diet or weather...that my skin has been a little more blemish-ridden so I have been digging back into my acne , blemish, anti-bac treatments to try and combat at this.... It's annoying because a) it makes you feel shitty when your skin is bad b) you have to spend longer doing your makeup to cover it c) makeup doesn't look as good because you have to wear more.

A couple of treatments that I really love and always feel like it quickly helps solve these unsightly problems are The CAUDALIE VINOPURE mask and also Kate Somerville ERADIKATE treatment.

ERADIKATE(geddit...KATE..) is quite a potent spot zapper from Acne specialist & celebrity facialist, Kate Somerville, Hollywood based, of course. It comes in a small bottle and when looking at it you can see there is pinkish-looking sediment at the bottom, and a clearer watery looking liquid on the top.

The shot off her website shows it a little clearer (no pun intened)

The way to use it is NOT TO SHAKE IT UP & MIX it tells you on the lid, but to dunk a q-tip straight into the sediment so it is at it's most potent and then apply the pinkish looking goo straight onto your blemishes. This will reduce redness and conceal immediately because of this pink tint (think Eve Lom Dynapost) and will very quickly heal your spot... almost overnight!

How the treatment looks on a q-tip, then once blended into the skin

It is the best quick-fix blemish treatment I have used. FOW REAL. This contains 10% SULPHUR which is the active ingredient, and actually the highest amount you are legally allowed in a product. As far as I know, you cannot actually retail this in the UK as it is too strong BUT I'm pretty sure you can purchase off websites etc.

The CAUDALIE VINOPURE mask is perfect for when you are feeling a bit oily, spotty and also a bit sore. It is purifying without being too astringent or harsh. Back in the day I would love anything that made my skin feel stripped ...*COUGH* Clinique clarifying lotion 4...but now I know that actually, these really aren't going to do much to oily & blemish prone skin as it triggers your skin to produce more oil. So this mask really soothes as well as deep cleanses with ingredients including Kaolin clay, Lavender, Sage & Zinc.

To Use:  Apply a nice thick layer of the mask all over your face, avoiding eyes obvs, twice a week. Leave for 15 mins or so and then rinse off.

Tip:  To really cleanse all the mask off your skin, I use a cleansing cloth of some kind (Emma Hardie THE BEST with microfibre one side and muslin on the other) with warm water.

mmmmmm hmmmmm

Add a cleansing cloth for removal makes your life easier

So these are 2 great products you can combine during breakouts, use your Eradikate daily, and it is perfect under makeup too, and then use the Caudalie make as your twice a week deep cleanse. It is Really important to use a great cleanser too on congested skin, and I would suggest something light and foaming in the AM and an oil-base (yes) in the PM to really get rid of all build up and dirt.

X Laura X

PS please comment and let me know anything that has helped you, I love hearing about new blemish products!

Simple REVITALISING eye roll-on

I remember the Garnier one all over the place maybe....last summer? ....but I have until now never used any kind of eye serum or treatment in a roll-on formula.

This one from simple is an eye gel/serum formula, with cucumber extract for soothing and vitamins to revitalise and freshen up tired eyes. PERFECT for me with my early morning starts and late night partying finishes. I'm not overly fond of gadgety things but the rollerball is actually nice and cold to touch so when applying the serum around the delicate eye area....its cooling and lightly massaging. I'm sure this will really help with dark circles. Great for the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers too as it has no perfumes or colors.

As this is an eye serum, more than a cream...REMEMBER if you are quite dry around the area, then use your normal eye cream over the top as you would a cream over serum on your boatrace. I'm kind of normal-combination so I like using this as my morning perk-me-up from the FRIDGE and then I have my richer eye cream for the PM. I also like the squeezy tube so you can really control the amount of product coming out. This would be more of my day/night coming into summer.

A must-have, so I hear...for hangovers too.

Retails for an affordable £4.99 and to be honest I tried a £178 eye serum roll on yesterday and no instant difference. Rich old ladies you are being HAD.

x Laura x

Dragon's blood - Rodial

I'm loving Rodial lately, yes I am a sucker for fancy names & packaging. The latest is no exception to the headline-grabbing names.... Dragons Blood. It comes in bright coral packaging and for a girl like me this is difficult to resist. 

The line is extending in march with with launch of a mask, face spray/toner, moisturiser & cleanser. At the moment, it is just the sculpting gel, which is basically a protective serum. Dragons blood is actually a tree sap from the Amazon, which has been used for centuries for it's anti-imflammatory properties & to treat wounds. It has been hailed as a 'second skin'. This sculpting gel also contains a cocktail of ingredients to help plump & sculpt the skin.

Sangre de Drago tree

the sap from the tree.....dragons blood!

Perfect for ladies or gents who are getting a slackness/loss of firmness to their skin and want volume & lift back. For this reason, I would say it is for the 35yrs plus....at least. Now Gaga has reportedly been using this as it was introduced by her fabulous makeup artist Val garland. (don't think she quite needs it yet?! ) either way it has flown off the shelves since the launch and is currently out of stock on their website.

My review:
Packaging I have already said I love. The colour is fab and I like the cleanliness and ease of the pump action applicator

The texture is a rich creamy gel-serum, which if you are combination-oily like me, then it can be worn on its own, which is what I have been doing these last few weeks. If you are normal-dry then use it as a serum. Under any day/night cream.

It immediately makes my skin feel really smooth and lifted, and I love it as a makeup primer. The benefits of this product can been seen better I would say on someone who needs fillers,someone slightly older.. but I am finding it great for my skin,I have noticed great tone on my skin over the last few weeks. I also LOVE the smell.


This retails for £75 and can be found at http://www.rodial.co.uk/ OR http://www.spacenk.com/

x Laura x