Well, even though Lips & Lashes (that was the name of the blog, which you can still read here) has been put on hold, I'm still very much a big fan of fashion and cosmetics. Duh, I'm a freelance makeup artist. So when awards season comes around, I've got a crap ton of opinions on every look seen on the red carpet. This particular blog post is dedicated to the looks seen at the Golden Globes, the good, the bad, and the disgustingly ugly. I'd love to hear other people's opinions on some of these looks because first off, not a damn one of you who read this blog just about ever leave a comment and second off, I'd like to know which dummies thought Sandra Bullock and Julianne Moore looked attractive so I can hunt you down and try to beat some sense back into you with a frying pan.
Jenna Ushkowitz of Glee was a winner in my book. Her loose waves and natural makeup were a really nice change from the usual emo/goth look she sports on the show. I love the steel gray/blue color of her dress, and I think the silhouette suits her slightly pear shape. The ruffles along the bottom add a really nice texture, too.
Amber Riley, also from Glee, had gorgeous makeup but good Lord I hate those too-thick bangs. It looks like her hairstylist started to give her the "Dorothy Hamill" and then Amber went, "Shit, this looks awful, stop what you're doing and just curl the side a little." Not good. As for the dress, the silhouette would have been very figure-flattering but the shiny silver sequins do the exact opposite (in cosmetics you learn that shiny makes things stand out - in this case, it's her hips). It would have been nice in a dark gray or navy fabric instead.
Our next Glee actress, Dianna Agron, was a favorite of mine last year but her hair and makeup this year really bore me, which is a shame because I think she's exquisitely beautiful. I also wish she would have opted for a different color of dress because although it is very lovely, that ivory matches her fair skin a little too closely for my liking.
Naya Rivera, also of Glee, was on my worst all-around list. Her hair was limp and boring. Her makeup was almost nonexistent. And that dress was awful. She has such an amazing body and it just did nothing to flatter her figure other than keep her huge boobs looking perky, and the color was too bland. She was a worst-dressed for me last year, too. I'm thinking it's a matter of taste (mainly that she has none).
Glee actress and former Beyonce backup dancer Heather Morris followed the flesh-tone trend and she actually pulled it off. The hair and makeup were just ehh (but how far can you really go for someone who isn't actually pretty?), but the dress hugged her shape in all the right places and the crystals added some much-needed glamour that was lacking in some of her castmates' looks.
Jane Lynch, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, lost big in my book. I loved last year's deep indigo dress but this year for me was pretty terrible. I thought the fabric of the dress looked like a gathering of garbage bags. Not good.
Jessalyn Gilsig (also of Glee and formerly on Nip/Tuck) had great hair, makeup, and earrings. The dress's fabric was a little bit too texturized for me, but I loved the silhouette on her slim figure. Too bad every character she plays is completely neurotic, making it hard for me to believe that she's anything less than nuts in real life.
Glee's Jayma Mays got a big thumbs-down from me this year (and last year for that matter). Her eye makeup looks dull and the whites of her eyes are awfully bloodshot. Her too-matte, too-orange lipstick is very far from flattering (a soft, shiny pale pink would have been better). And her tiny, less-than-voluptuous frame doesn't carry the boring dress well. The only thing I give her any credit for is her Veronica Lake-inspired hairdo, which is soft and easy looking.
Lea Michele, Glee's biggest pain-in-the-ass, was half good, half bad for me. I loved the dress. In a sea of flesh-tone gowns, her bubblegum pink stood out in a good way for me. I love the structural details and the fit was very flattering. But the hair really lost me. The messy updo can be very chic, but her particular version seemed to look like the left side was just falling down. Something a little more polished would have been prettier.
So the verdict as far as the Glee cast goes: Jenna Ushkowitz was the best of them! The hair, makeup, and dress wins her Best All-Around out of her castmates who should take a cue from her.
For the very first time, Amy Adams impressed me. I don't think she's a particularly pretty person, and I think a lot of choices she's made in the past have not been flattering with her skintone and hair color (especially her makeup choices). This deep teal dress has great structure and I love the unique textural details, too (plus the fit is impeccable). The extremely minimal accessorizing was spot-on, as was her soft updo. Two thumbs up to the usually-ugly girl!
I'm normally a fan of Angelina Jolie, but this year she just sucked. Her makeup was virtually nonexistent. Her hair was horrendous, flat, and bland. And that dress was vomit-inducing. I mean, who has worn that silhouette since the 80s? The only remotely flattering thing about it was the brilliant color that goes perfectly with her skintone and hair (remember her black dress a few years back and those magnificent emerald earrings she wore?)
Anne Hathaway is a style icon of mine, and she didn't fail to impress me. I don't normally like her in warm colors, but now that she has some gold and honey in her hair, the bronze-y color of her dress is actually flattering. And even though the silhouette is similar to that awful dress of Angelina's, the sequins and puffed shoulders give it a more modern update.
Newlywed (and new Cover Girl spokesmodel) Carrie Underwood followed the trend of ivory dresses and she actually pulled it off. The sweetheart neckline and slim a-line shape was beautiful on her figure, and the sparkles gave her all the glamour she needed. I was also really happy to see her makeup toned down because she usually wears way too much, and also that her hair was in a simple updo because it's often too Texas-big and curly.
Melissa Leo (who won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for "The Fighter") was another winner for me. Her hair, makeup, and dress were very age-appropriate. I loved the shape of her dress and the dramatized shoulders, and I love that she glammed it up with sequins. A winner all around.
Christina Aguilera is of the absolute worsts of the night. This doesn't surprise me because I usually think she looks like shit, but she seemed to be exceptionally hideous. First off, the hair. What the hell is that style? Oh wait, that isn't a style. Second off, I'm sick of seeing her with the thick black eyeliner and red lipstick (I'm pretty sure that's Gwen's look, and she pulls it off much better). But I feel like it looks like something is wrong with her face. Like she's been on some prednisone and it's swollen or something. She just looks disfigured to me. And her lingerie-inspired gown lacks class or style. Thumbs way, way down.
Christina Hendricks, with her amazing curves and exquisite face, usually pleases me but this look was really awful for her. The shape of the dress looked absolutely amazing on her curves, but all that shit at the neckline looks like it's fighting with her too-frizzy hair. That ruined it for me. I'm very disappointed in her appearance.
Claire Danes has style and elegance that can only come with a lot of misses in her past. This was one of her best looks ever for me. I loved the pinky-coral color of the dress, and the silhouette was great on her boyish figure. Her simple hair and makeup showed off what a pretty face she has.
Emma Stone, who was almost unrecognizable with blond hair, got some thumbs down from me. While I actually like the blond hair, the style was just ehh, and the makeup was just ehh to match. The dress was what really bummed me out about her red carpet look. I normally like what she wears, but this dress was so boring and the apricot color was absolutely awful and completely washed her out. If this dress had been in a bolder color (a bold purple would have been great) and maybe had a bejeweled belt with it, I probably would have loved it. But this look was just lost on me.
I'm willing to bet that when Tony Parker sees what Eva Longoria looked like, he's going to be wishing he hadn't screwed things up with her. The classic updo was flawless. Her softly smoky eyes were seductive. And that dress was one of the most amazing dresses I've ever laid my eyes on. The cut of the neckline shows off her great cleavage, and I love the short sleeves (so modern). The slim fit shows off her perfect figure, and the belt with the jeweled brooch adds a touch of glamour. The open back is sexy. And that flared-out mermaid train creates the perfect drama. The only thing I would do different is that I would have given her lips just a little bit more color because they're kind of lost and blend in with the rest of her face. But all in all, Eva Longoria ties with one other actress for my BEST DRESSED out of everyone who attended.
I don't even know where to start with Gabourey Sidibe. I'm not trying to bash morbidly obese people because I'm not so skinny myself. but when you're less than skinny, prints like what her dress boast aren't usually figure-flattering. The hair is pretty atrocious, too. And the makeup, ugh. A solid purple dress would have been much better. It would have also been wise to take the shears away from the hair dresser before she started cutting those atrocious bangs. This looks is far from precious.
We all know Halle Berry is beautiful and has a great body (and a killer rack). I mean, her face is perfect and flawless. I'm tired of this hairstyle at this point, though. And her dress looks like it was an afterthought. It looks like she had on her body-shaping bra/slip thing and decided to pull down a sheer curtain and tie it around her waist. Everything she ever wears shows off that great rack of hers, and I'm really bored with her. I'd love to see her in something completely different that isn't so predictable.
To be such an influential figure in the fashion world, I really thought Heidi Klum looked like shit. Her hair was limp and blah. Her eye makeup was okay but I hated that orange lipstick (too matchy-matchy with the dress). And oh, that dress. It just didn't translate for me. It looked more like it belonged at a Sandals resort in Jamaica than an awards ceremony red carpet.
I usually don't even bother criticizing Helena Bonham Carter because I think she's just a lost cause, but I can't help myself. What the hell is that bird's nest of hair and the creepy weird ponytail thing? And that dress looks literally like compacted garbage. I don't understand the pointy thing that looks like it's ready to jab her in the carotid and cause her to bleed out. And you probably shouldn't even get me started on the mismatched shoes. She really, really disappoints me because she's actually very beautiful but her style (if you can even call it that) is atrocious. I get that she wants to be "artsy" and whatnot, but this is just awful.
I'm always very anxious to see what January Jones wears, and this year I was poorly disappointed. Her hair was plain. Her makeup was boring and the lipstick matched the color of her dress too closely. Her dress was probably one of her very worst looks for me, and that bums me out. I usually like her oft-quirky choices, but this one just doesn't work.
To be so unbelievably beautiful, Jennifer Lopez can look so unattractive sometimes. The shimmery silver eyeshadow is too light, and I'm tired of the sleek ponytail on her. As for the dress, I don't understand the sheer shawl that looks like she got bored and Bedazzled it. The white dress would have been perfectly lovely on its own.
Yet another Jennifer who can be so beautiful sometimes and look so bad at other times. I almost liked Miss Hewitt's look, but a couple of things were off for me. First off, some loose waves would have been a more youthful look for her. Second off, the dress needs some edits. I like the crumb-catcher neckline a lot of the time, but I think hers puckers out entirely too much and looks like she's trying to smuggle watermelons in there. Yes, I realize that she's a voluptuous woman but she does not need THAT much room in there. The other edit I would make to the dress would be to take away some of the excess folds of fabric from the sides because while she has a teeny, tiny waist, she's got some wide hips on her and that fabric just makes them stand out even more.
Elizabeth Moss from Mad Men almost got it right, but not quite. The forest green color of her dress was exquisite with her complexion and hair color, but the draping and ruching of it wasn't flattering for her slender figure. The panels of fabric through her hips didn't quite fit properly. I wish she would have done a little bit more with her hair, and maybe played up her eyes a little more, also.
Julianne Moore is a perennial non-favorite of mine. Even though I think she's a beautiful redhead, I think she's one of the worst-dressed actresses in Hollywood. Her hair looked like she did it in the limo on the way to the venue, and her makeup was pretty much the same way. And that dress. That atrocious, hideous dress. What the hell was going on with the one poofy sleeve? And why was it so horrendously wrinkled? Has she never heard of a steamer? This look is right up there with how awful I think Christina Aguilera looked.
Annette Bening (shown with husband Warren Beatty) is another perennial non-favorite of mine. Her messy morning hair looked terrible, and her lack of makeup made her face look very bland. And that dress, oh that dress. Yes, velvet is making a comeback but not this way. She should have rethought her entire look.
Kelly Osbourne almost nailed it. Her hair and makeup are fabulous, and the dress would have been incredible but for that strange flesh-toned panel. All in all, though, I feel like I ought to give her a pass for that because she's come a long way from skunk-dyed hair and ill-fitting skinny heans.
Leighton Meester rounds out my top-three worst looks of the evening. Her hair is limp, like so many other starlets in attendance. Her makeup is lackluster. And that dull, shapeless dress looks more like someone poor back in 1902 should be wearing it. I usually like that Leighton takes fashion risks, and I'm okay with the fact that sometimes she just doesn't quite hit the nail on the head, but this one shouldn't have even been attempted.
I have a huge girl-crush on Megan Fox. My husband doesn't get it, but I think she just oozes sex appeal. I love the Old Hollywood wavy hair, and the pale pink dress is elegant and unique without being unrelatable. This was a great look for her.
I normally love Michelle Williams but her attempt at a hippie-chic look didn't translate for me. The flower appliques look like they've been sewn onto a burlap bag. Her look was a big disappointing miss for me.
Out of the four actresses in emerald green dresses, Mila Kunis was one of the two women who got absolutely everything right. Her teased updo is simple and chic and shows off her flawless face. The jewel tone is absolutely exquisite against her warm skin tone, and the structure and draping of the dress are impeccable. She had one of my favorite looks of the night.
I adore Natalie Portman. I think she's one of the best actresses of our generation (if not THE best) and she absolutely deserved to win the Best Actress award for her role in "Black Swan." On top of her incredible talent, she has stunning beauty. When I first saw her dress, I was taken aback by the giant red rose. But the more and more I look at it, the more I fall in love with it. She took a huge fashion risk by wearing a blush-colored dress with a huge red rose on it, and thanks to simple hair, makeup, and accessories, I feel like she pulled it off. And as Kim said when we were furiously texting each other tearing apart each actress's look, "She looks so Lancome." Too bad she's the new face for Miss Dior Cherie perfume.
Nicole Kidman was yet another wearer of a fleshy, ivory dress. The simple silhouette was nice, and her simple hair was nice. It was just nice. Nothing too special, but it wasn't awful either. I would have liked to see her in something a little more glamorous considering she was a Best Actress nominee.
Olivia Wilde was another big favorite of mine. Her ballgown had drama and glamour, and the chocolate brown and gold color scheme kept it from being too princess-y. I love that she chose very pared-down, natural hair (her new bangs look great) and soft makeup. She was in definitely in my top favorite looks.
Sandra Bullock sorely disappointed me. I didn't care for her thick bangs and the dress, while unpredictable (which is something I like), wasn't flattering for her skin or her figure. It just hung there and she was just all-around bland.
Scarlett Johansson followed the nude dress trend and it definitely didn't work for her. While her face was beautiful as always, her lopsided hair was not attractive. The dress was very old for her and would have been much more flattering on someone like Helen Mirren or Meryl Streep.
Sofia Vergara didn't quite get it right for me. While I love the shape and color of the dress, the fabric looks like plastic tablecloths from the dollar store. The fabric on the bust could have been deflated a little, too (come on, she's already got big enough boobs without having excessive poufy fabric to enhance them).
Julie Bowen was just okay for me. Her hair was just okay, and her makeup was just okay. The dress would have been fabulous if it weren't for that bland taupey-gray color.
I love Tina Fey's messy-chic updo and her dazzling earrings. I also love that she took a risk by trying out the velvet trend, and doing it in a deep navy was the perfect way for it to come across as modern and luxurious and not 80s cheap. I don't know that other people will love her dress, but I'm really a big fan of it because it shows off her incredible figure and shows that she can be beautiful AND funny.
Jane Krakowski made being pregnant chic and sexy. I love her loose waves and statement jewelry. Her makeup is flawless and really show off her beautiful eyes. And the draping of the dress is elegant and probably pretty comfortable for her pregnant belly. I also love the lace panels that run down the left leg, adding a bit of texture. She's not usually a red carpet favorite of mine, but I think she really pulled this look off.
I think Mandy Moore is gorgeous, and this red carpet look really works for her. The one thing I would change about the dress is the sheer draping on the chest - I wish that area was just bare. But I love the color and the fit is perfect for her figure. Her simple hair and makeup are perfect with the complicated folds and ruching of the dress.
Kaley Cuoco looked horrendous. Her too-long frizzy ponytail wasn't pretty. The dress was a terrible color for her, and I absolutely hated the tiers. She can be so pretty, but this look was a big miss.
Julianne Hough wore yet another look that I hated. That Egyptian neckline on her dress was just way too much and her hairstyle was just bizarre. She's so incredibly gorgeous, but this is a look I think she's going to look back and really regret.
Sarah Wayne Callies (formerly on Prison Break) had one of her better nights. While I hate her hair (and almost always do), I thought the dress was a nice departure from boring for her.
Julia Stiles, who usually is a non-favorite of mine, looked really, really great. Her hair wasn't too over the top, and her dress was perfect for her figure. The accessorizing was just right, too.
I thought Milla Jovovich looked really dated. I think she was going for Old Hollywood glamour, but she missed the mark. I think her hair looked vaguely 80s, and the neckline of the dress was very 80s. I don't think the color of the dress was flattering for her skintone, either.
I'm sort of torn about Katey Sagal. While I think she looks absolutely gorgeous and amazing, especially to be 56. I love the bold orange color of her dress, and I actually think it looks really great on her. I'm just a little bored with her hair which just hangs there limply. It would have been nice to see her hair be a little bit more polished.
I really feel like as a nominee, Julianna Marguiles should have really stepped it up, and she just didn't. Her hair has no style. She needed some color on her face. And that dress just wasn't pretty. She also needs to learn how to have better posture, because her hunched-over shoulders don't help the already-bland dress.
I adored Kyra Sedgwick. The soft chiffon ruffles on her sunny orangey-yellow dress were girlie and I love how she accessorized with gold and turquoise jewelry, adding a unique pop of color to the already-bold dress. Natural hair and makeup were perfect for the look, too.
Piper Perabo was another great look for me. I actually liked the sleek ponytail on her (she doesn't do it all the time like J. Lo) and that structured black dress with the bow on the shoulder had a perfect fit on her body. The addition of bright red lipstick was perfect with her pared-down makeup look. Plus, it was really refreshing to see something other than a sparkly nude dress on yet another pale blond.
Catherine Zeta-Jones almost never fails to impress me, and her Golden Globe look was no different. The dark emerald color of that dress is devastatingly beautiful against her fair skin, and her simple hair and makeup are sheer perfection. The cut and shape of the dress is perfect for her curvy figure, and the ruching adds the perfect texture. She and Mila Kunis (looking a little like mother/daughter twins, don't you think?) were the two actresses who got the emerald green look down absolutely perfect. For me, Catherine Zeta-Jones ties with Eva Longoria for the BEST DRESSED of the night.
Malin Akerman's hair and makeup were spot-on (how flawless does her skin look?) and I love the color of the dress on her. But the fit of the dress does nothing for her figure. First off, I think the fact that the left shoulder is down over her arm is why the bodice of the dress is hanging limply on her body. I'd turn it into a one-shoulder column gown and take it in so it's nice and fitted, showing off her great body, and then it would have been perfect.
This wasn't my favorite look for Helen Mirren, but I do think it was age-appropriate and she looked lovely. Her hair and makeup are always great, but the necklace didn't seem to do with the dress for me. I think she should have taken Scarlett Johansson's dress from her - it would have been absolutely gorgeous on her.
Oh, Tilda Swinson. There are no words for the heinous visual crimes you commit against my eyes every year. Your hair looks like a small child cut it. Your lack of makeup does nothing to enhance your already-ugly face. And your choice in clothing makes me think you had some period bleed-through on the back of your skirt and you needed to borrow the tablecloth so everyone wouldn't see. Besides, Sharon Stone already did the white dress shirt/long skirt thing back at the '98 Oscars and she looked damn sexy doing it. But you, Tilda, look like an alien.
Jennifer Lopez at an after party wasn't all that much better than her look at the actual awards ceremony. Her hair was a big improvement from the boring ponytail, but the dress reminded me of a blush-colored Big Bird costume. Not attractive.
I love the look Natalie Portman chose for an after party. The dove gray tent dress was flattering with her growing baby bump (and probably super comfy), and I'm glad to see she wore some metallic flats with it.
Camilla Belle wore a great, structural gunmetal dress to an after party and I think she looked great. I would have liked to have seen something a little more interesting with her hair, but the modern details of the dress make up for it.
Kim Kardiashian missed the mark at a Golden Globes after party. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the gown with the incredible structure and texture, but it's her styling that ruined the look. The too-dramatic eyes and blood red lips make her look a little goth (which is a style I actually love but not on her), and the gigantic earrings just don't go. Some very small black crystal earrings would have been a much better fit, and softly smoky eyes and her signature nude lips would have rounded out the look perfectly.
So the final verdict on the best and worst of the night: Eva Longoria wins the best look of the 2011 Golden Globes by a landslide, and I have a tie for the worst look between Gabourey Sidibe, Julianne Moore, and Leighton Meester. Who did you think looked fabulous and shitty? I want to know!
