Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Golden Globes: The Low-Down on the Up-Do

Emma Stone/Getty Images
The 2012 Golden Globe Awards were practically an homage to the art of the up-do; if we had to guess, we’d say there were more celebrities with their hair up than down. And among the up-dos, the most popular version was the low bun, or as one of my clients put it, “the low-down up-do.”

Charlize Theron/Getty Images
It is a very popular style right now for formal events, because it has a softness that is casual yet elegant, and there is a simplicity to it so that it never feels “overdone.” 

Jessica Alba/Getty Images
Of course, achieving that casual elegance takes a lot of work! Our favorites were Emma Stone, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba, and Kate Winslet.

Then there were the high up-dos, with the absolute pinnacle of the evening embodied by Angelina Jolie

Kate Winslet/Getty Images
She was just breathtaking in every element of her look, from the high chignon, to the strong red lip and understated eye makeup, to the Atelier Versace gown. Perfection.   

Other high up-dos we loved were Kate Beckinsale, and Miss Golden Globe, model/actress Andie MacDowell’s daughter, Rainey Qualley. What a lovely young lady!

As we always point out, what makes a hairstyle work isn’t just a hairstyle. It’s the total package, and never more so than at events of this nature – it’s almost a whole change of personality. You’re trying to look your very best, and with the gown and the shoes and the jewelry and the hair, you have to pay just as much attention to your makeup. 

Angelina Jolie/Getty Images
Angelina plays by the classic rule: strong lip and soft eye, or like Emma Stone, strong eye and soft lip. If you make the mistake of applying strong color to both features, the eye doesn’t know where to focus, especially given all of those other elements. You’re like a recipe with too many ingredients, and with no focal point, you’re more of a disaster than a feast for the eyes.

Kate Beckinsale/Getty Images
We have to say that as a group overall, everyone looked much better at this year’s Golden Globes than last year. 

Andie MacDowell and daughter Rainey Qualley, Miss Golden Globe
Yes, there were some missteps, but they were definitely the exception. And we’re sure that with every fashion magazine, entertainment TV show, and blog weighing in with their opinion, those who made poor choices will look much better at the next awards show – after all, the Golden Globes are the opening act for the entire award show season.

Until next week, ciao!

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