Oscar Glam: Upswept Hair, strapless gowns and sparkly metallics

 

It was all about upswept hair-do's, strapless gowns in metallic-colored fabrics on this year's red carpet. Who had the most beautiful ensembles? Let's start with Jennifer Lopez, who's come a long way from double-stick-taping her boobs. This is a savvy woman is a bona fide red carpet expert. She proved it again in a light pink sparkly strapless gown.  It had an asymmetrical flap across the top and a dramatic train on the side and was perfectly punctuated with flattering upswept hair, diamond earrlngs and a demure matching bracelet. She looked smashing and she knew it. My friend Julie, however, thought it was too “fairy tale-ish”.  Five stars from me though.

Demi Moore showed off another feminine up do – with one piece of hair loosely hanging down.  Her soft peachy/nude dress was pretty but I could hardly pay attention.  She looked 20 in a good way.  It was frightening and inspiring (Oh God what do I gotta do to look like that?). There is only one other woman in her mid-forties I know who looks that young and she goes to a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills named Dr. Raj (the guy who reportedly did Jennifer Aniston's nose thinning).  Demi must go to that guy.  I'm making it a priority to find out in 2010 what Demi is doing and how much it costs. Knew those investigative reporter skills would come in handy again one day.

Penelope Cruz was also ravishing in a burgundy strapless dress with asymmetrical top and a dramatic flare at the bottom.  She also sported an up do.   Like J-Lo, Penelope can do ultra glam and has the body to boot.  I would, however, just once like to see her in a mini or something for an unexpected twist.  

Sandra Bullock was also in my top five of the night in an elegant Marchesa form-fitting sparkly gold gown with a single cap sleeve.  The bodice was super sheer with gold appliqué in a delicate Asian inspired pattern.  Her bright red lips and side parted slicked back hair was a bit harsh though. Softer hair and and lips would have offset her slight frame instead of accentuating it. My husband, however, could not have disagreed with me more. He loved her look from head to toe - which quite frankly I think is a bit unsettling as he hates hot red lips on me.  Hmmmm.....

 

Kate Winslet looked superb with a Veronica Lake-inspired side-parted hairdo and a silvery gunmetal strapless gold-toned beigy gown. She has more curves than you realize and last year she told me that she really works hard with Pilates to keep her shape.  Believe it or not she plays Pilates DVD's on TV and works out to them.  Love that!  Her yellow and white diamond necklace was the perfect accessory.

    

Mo'Nique made the most of her curves in a lovely bright blue gown.  I only wish she would have foregone the big white flower protruding out of the back of her head.  It detracted rather than added to her polished winner’s look.  Nice to see her win. We dined together at my home once and she was just so earthy and real - not to mention funny.  It was back when she was on the UPN show The Parkers.  She brought her brother as a date (not the oldest one who she says abused her).  She arrived right on time and was one of the very last to leave.  Nice to see someone like that take home the trophy although I did think her speech was a bit self important.  She's acting in a movie not curing cancer. 

Sarah Jessica Parker was one of the biggest disappointments of the night. In a word, she looked severe. She was wearing a yellow Chanel gown with a metallic Gladiator-like gunmetal bib on the top of the bodice.  Love the metallic embellishment and the sophisticated pleats down the front of the dress – very flattering and unique against a backdrop of pale yellow.  The Sex & the City star might have been able to pull it off had it not been for the salad-bowl sized curlers-in-your-hair inspired bun perched precariously on the back of her head.  That thing was just hideous and coupled with the strap across her neck – it was just uncomfortable to look at.  It seemed as if her head was being pulled back by the enormous dumbbell on the back of her head.  The whole thing, made worse by the horrible orange spray on tan, was just damned awful.  Girl I know you have new babies, but get a sitter.

 

Maggie Gyllenhaal – typically a best dressed and so wonderful in Crazy Heart - was also a let down in an unattractive black, white and blue print strapless gown.  She has a beautiful body and the cut of the gown was flattering – but the pattern was not. 

    

Rachel McAdams was another actress adorned by an unflattering print. Again, the fit of the strapless chiffon dress was flattering – but the grey, soft blue, beige, print was not.  With her slouched shoulders, it looked like she didn’t like it either.

    

George Clooney sported a new hair-do. It’s grayer, longer and with a light kind of goofy fringe of bangs. Does that make us want him less?  No.  I heard his Italian date, clad in red silk satin strapless dress, tripping all over the English language.  She is not bilingual.  Oh well I guess with George there is not reason to communicate. A simple "yes" suffices

There were two notable lavender dresses. The first was on Zoey Saldana - which is what the Academy Awards red carpet is all about. She made a statement in her bold strapless lavender gown with it’s tube-top-type rhinestone bodice and dramatic cascading ruffled skirt in multiple shades of purple and black. The dress was a masterpiece – she took a risk -  carrying it off with great style and aplomb.  It all worked. Five stars for gal.

 

Now, Charlize Theron.  If I could have removed those horrible lavender flowers that adorned her bodice, I would have.  Then Charlize would have made my top five. But those flowers were not attractively placed on that otherwise gorgeous rose colored satin dress.  As always, her hair looked fantastic in loose and low chignon with loose piece casually hanging down to one side.  Enzo (her hairsytlist) you rock!

A brunette Vera Farmiga – very pretty in fan inspired rasberry dress.  Love the use of color.  I would have rather seen that fan detail limited to the top of the dress though rather than throughout.  It was a bit much. 

 

Cameron Diaz looked pretty in a strapless flowing gold embellished dress - with bright red lips like she sported at the Globes.  Her blonde hair looked awesome though, with sexy, loose waves and swept to one side – natural, fun and feminine. Hubby liked those red lips on her, too. Note to self: pick up some Viva Glam at Sephora tomorrow. 

 

   

 

 

Comments

[Robyn Allen]

I thought the dresses were particularly beautiful this year. Not much was radical or ugly - lots of classics. Nice.

[Isabella]

Yes, I agree, great dress on J-Lo. But what was up with her hair? It had a frizz to it that was really unattractive as if she had just brushed the top of her head on the car and there was static. Was that on purpose I wonder? These Hollywood stylists and such get so kooky trying to figure out how to make someone stand out. It's always like they're trying too hard , which makes me think they put that frizz there on purpose.

[MC]

I thought Penelope Cruz was the prettiest. She had such a gorgeous figure and knows how to show it off . Plus she always picks those jewel tones for her gowns. Tres belle!