For beauty girls the world over, there’s no time like award season. Forget who’s nominated for best picture, best director, who got snubbed, or who will walk away with the best album, we want to know who had the best hair, whose side ponytail seemed to defy gravity, and whose cat eye will inspire us to finally perfect our own technique. Since we are inching closer to the close of award season, we asked a few beauty experts, makeup artists, and hairstylists to identify their favorite red carpets trends so far, and give us their predictions for the beauty looks that will rule the red carpet come Sunday’s Oscar celebration.
Braids
Iggy Azalea’s braided crown at the Grammys will forever live on in meme history because the style was so epic that it started a twitter handle long before the final Grammy performance. While Iggy’s updated version of the milkmaid braids is not for everyone, Ursula Stephens, Motions celebrity hair stylist, thinks that braids are still a hot trend. “I loved Dascha Polenco’s long, textured fishtail braid at the SAGs, and of course Laverne Cox with her high-volume braided crown that I created for that red carpet.”
Barefaced Beauty
Overly contoured cheeks, deeply layered shadow, and ridiculously full brows rule Instagram and makeup Vlogger tutorials, but that’s not where stars are getting their inspiration. According to beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist, Cynde Watson, “Effortless glam is the hottest trend on the red carpet this season. Celebrities want to not only celebrate fit bodies, but also their healthy glowing skin and natural beauty.” Minimal makeup is the way to showcase the au naturel, and Beyoncé, Iggy Azalea, and Rihanna let their natural beauty shine through at the Grammys. To get the look, Cynde suggests using Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint ($40), IT Cosmetics Vitality Brightening Face Disc ($38) (eyes, blush, highlight and contour), and Estée Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara ($38).
Smoldering Metallic Eyes
According to celebrity makeup artist Kathy Jeung, “Smoldering metallic eyes make a strong statement, and with more intensity to the eyeshadow brings more intensity and focus to the eyes.” This trend was spotted on Rita Ora (for which Kathy did the makeup) and Kim Kardashian at the Grammys, and Lea Sedoux, Amy Adams, and Kiera Knightley at the BAFTAs. If you want to replicate the smoldering metallic eye, Kathy suggests, “Metallic eyeshadow crayons are great to use as creamy eyeshadow. Apply on the lid, then blend or use along lashline to create smokey depth just around eyes. I recommend Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Stick ($4) and Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil ($6).”
Chocolate Smokey Eye
The black and grey smokey eye is a definite classic, but at the Golden Globes, JLo mixed it up with a chocolate brown palette. According to Cynde Watson, the “chocolate brown smokey eye is very on trend on the red carpet; this look is a perfectly sultry without looking overdone.” Want to duplicate? Cynde suggests Becca Cosmetics Ombre Palette ($40) and Artis Brushes ($32-36) Circle 1 and Oval 3 to apply and blend eye shadow.
The Classic Cat Eye
If you’ve gone through several liners trying to find the one that will give you the perfect feline eye in the fewest amount of strokes, keep reading. The makeup artists’ for Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry perfected the technique for all of these beauties at the Grammys. Kathy Jeung confirms, “you can never go wrong with a look that harkens back to Hollywood glamour. The classic cat eye liner can be thick or thin, but the key factor here is to keep it balanced, and not let the liner overwhelm the face. I recommend Rimmel Scandal Eyes Thick ‘n Thin Eyeliner Pen ($5) and Rimmel Scandal Eyes Precision Micro Eyeliner Pen ($6).” Cynde Watson suggests adding a great pair of false lashes to fully complete the look.
The Ponytail
If you haven’t worn a ponytail in some form, you have not lived. It’s easy, it’s natural, and it can work for just about any situation. While anyone can grab their hair and throw it in a rubber band, it takes a bit of skill and confidence to pull off a ponytail on the red carpet. Chrissy Tiegen, Katie Holmes, and Tina Fey all wore pony’s in various fashions at the Golden Globes. Celebrity hairstylist Giannandrea, who has worked with Naomi Watts, Julianne Moore, and Reese Witherspoon, explains why she thinks this style is so popular: “Young, modern women are seeking effortless style that define them in today’s society. Natural lifestyle and well cared for hair reflect the new generation of style. [This] look depicts “She’s Naturally Beautiful,” and I feel this is the new aesthetic of women today.”
Beachy Waves
Beachy waves often look effortless, but they can actually be a little challenging to achieve for the red carpet. Stars like Chrissy Tiegen, Beyonce, and Kim Kardashian perfected the look at the Grammys when they wowed us with slightly disheveled yet enviably beachy waves. According to celebrity hair stylist Giannandrea, one way to achieve beachy waves is the “The Twist Set ” method. Here’s how: On dry hair, spray each section with Macadamia Control Working Spray ($12) and twist the hair all the way to the roots. Keep twisting Princess Leia buns, only smaller (like large bantu knots). Using long, straight pins, lock it in place and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. The longer it sets the better! Release and run your fingers through it using a bit of Macadamia Professional Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment ($40) to increase the shine or Macadamia Professional Whipped Detailing Cream ($40) for a supple texture.”
With so many jaw-dropping trends displayed so far this season, we can’t help but ponder what’s next. When asked about Oscar’s predictions for hair, Ursula Stephens is hedging her bets on ponytails, “Along the lines of the less-is-more trend, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a lot of low ponytails on the Oscars red carpet this year. Kind of like Rashida Jones at the SAG Awards.” Giannandrea, on the other hand, thinks we’ll see more elevated glamour. She says, “From experience, the Oscars are always about glamour. Surely there will be the classics, such as lots of shine and polished deep side waves, but I always like to set fresher styles, sleek and polished. This year we will see more natural styles, the soft pulled up braids will also make an appearance. I will certainly bring a modern take to my glamorous understated elegance and start a new, fresher era of classic styles with a next-but-now aesthetic.”
Makeup artist Kathy Jeung predicts bold lips at the Oscars, saying, “I think for The Oscars, we’ll be seeing the same similar trends, yet the stronger looks [will be] dialed down. I feel a bright mouth paired with a softly sculpted eye will be another trend.”
If a return to Old Hollywood glam gets you going, Cynde Watson had this to add: “I predict we will see the return of classic glam on the Oscars red carpet. Balanced makeup, truly pretty makeup; Old Hollywood beauties”
Well, the big night will be here before we know it, and we can’t wait to watch it all unfold. Stay tuned for our favorite Oscars trends come Sunday!
The post Red Carpet Ready: The Looks We Love + Oscars Beauty Predictions appeared first on The Lady Loves Couture.