A little late but I'd like to rekindle my tradition of reviewing Oscars makeup looks! After all, the Oscars are truly what ultimate glamour is all about.
This year, it seems hair was worn down rather than the more expected array of up-dos we have come to predict. As ever, mostly it is actresses showcasing their effortless, natural beauty and oh fancy that, yes I do happen to be in a full ball gown but aside from that I would look just as beautiful in my jim jams. But there was a very welcome dose of old true Hollywood glamour at last - not least thanks to Adele whose retro makeup and hair has become her hallmark. In fact whoever her makeup artist is - give that genius an award too! (Edit: just checked and it's a Michael Ashton - his twitter here for more info.) Adele always looks chiseled and having seen her without makeup, this really is beyond impressive. And hurrah she wore a black, flattering dress and looked groomed to perfection.
Adele, in a Jenny Packham dress and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
Ditto Jessica Chastain, who equally looked the epitome of ye old golden years of Hollywood. Her red hair and bold red lip looked so much better than a cop-out of nude lip and nude dress. I thought it was right on target for that true Oscars look that we yearn to see!
Jessica Chastain in an Armani Privé dress, Christian Louboutin shoes and Harry Winston jewelry.
My favourite look of the night was absolutely Naomi Watts. Firstly, I adored her dress - indeed, I also loved her Vanity Fair after party dress. Oscars are the time to get your sequins. I always wear sequins but you can bet that if I ever got to go to the Oscars (oh let me dream) I would be so glittery I would outshine everyone... sigh. Naomi Watts' Oscars gown was sequin laden plus it had a very interesting modern twist. The makeup was youthful, fresh and glowing - she looks so good for 44 - and it was so adorable that her husband was there taking shots with the best of them! What a cute couple...
Naomi Watts in an Armani Privé dress, Jimmy Choo shoes, a Roger Vivier bag and Neil Lane jewelry. And bottom: at Vanity Fair party wearing an Emilio Pucci black and gold beaded one-shoulder gown, Jimmy Choo shoes, Neil Lane jewels, and a Chloe bag.
Helen Hunt also had flawless natural glowing makeup and - gasp - an H&M dress?!
Anne Hathaway's dress had a few detractors but I think the fuchsia lips with the pale pink looked inspired:
Anne Hathaway in Prada.
Nicole Kidman also had a bright pink lip, although it seemed to fade, as some pictures show her with her now signature pale pink lipstick. I applaud the bold lipstick. Again, I am a huge fan of her sequin overload dress and it so reminded me of a Gustav Klimt painting with all those gold swirls:
Nicole Kidman in a L'Wren Scott dress and Fred Leighton jewelry.
Amanda Seyfried had lovely purple eyeshadow, which made a change from all the rather dull browns and muted coppers around.
Amanda Seyfried in an Alexander McQueen dress, Roger Vivier shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
Jennifer Aniston is never seen with anything other than her beachy casual very natural look - and I must agree, why mess with a winning formula? She looked fantastic and seeing her in red rather than black is a marvellous change. Some people don't suit heavy makeup and I suspect Jennifer Aniston is one such...
Jennifer Aniston in a Valentino dress, Salvatore Ferragamo clutch and Fred Leighton jewelry.
In fact... the only makeup looks I didn't like were just because it was uninspiring, not bad per se. The first such was Salma Hayek: her dress was my very close second fave, it was spectacular. Almost Elizabethan with all that sequin and velvet. But yet the eye makeup was a bit half hearted - with such a bold dress I would have loved a black smoky eye with glitter, and retained the nude lips and skin. As it was, it looked a little undecided and lacklustre.
Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen
Similarly Naomie Harris looked faded out and I didn't like her dress. Perhaps a deep berry lipstick could have saved the day. I feel she is too clever looking to pull off the vacuous Bond girl image. I know this Bond film was all about updating and rehashing the formula and I really loved that - but even so, I just am not convinced of Harris as a salacious Bond girl and this dress in spite of its overt slash right up to the wasitline, just looks pained. My disappointment of the Oscars goes to:
Naomie Harris in Vivienne Westwood.
...What were YOUR thoughts and faves? Please share below...
photo credit: Just Jared, Huffington Post
