The Fabulous Fashion of Marilyn Monroe

Nicole    Celebrity, Dresses, Fashion, Shoes, Shopping, Style

I have been watching a lot of old movies lately, including some of those starring Marilyn Monroe. I am a longtime Marilyn fan and find her to be captivating on screen. I was playing around with Polyvore tonight and came up with the below Marilyn inspired outfit:

Notable items-
Vintage Chanel purse
Alexander McQueen pumps
Ted Baker cropped sweater

Marilyn’s fashion is a well discussed topic. Always in the eye of the public, Miss Monroe was noted for her style and flair. I recently received a copy of Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood Icon Was Styled by William Travilla. This awesome book shows photos, sketches and costume test shots of the many outfits that Marilyn is famous for that were styled and designed by William Travilla.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Dressing Marilyn if you are fan of Marilyn Monroe, or even just of vintage fashion!

What do you think of Marilyn Monroe as a fashion icon?  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Look like Marilyn Monroe – Beauty Tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist Melanie Mills

Nicole    Celebrity, Look For Less, Makeup, Skincare

Beauty icon Marilyn Monroe has got to be arguably the most recognizable starlet of all time.  There is a ton of buzz about Michelle Williams in her new role as Marilyn in My Week with Marilyn.  Michelle is not naturally a ringer for Marilyn, but with some beauty magic, I think the stylists got her looking pretty close.

A lot has changed in the beauty industry since the 1950′s.  Now, you can learn how to do your makeup like Marilyn with new tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist and Beauty Expert, Melanie Mills.  Check out Melanie’s tips, compared to Marilyn’s original beauty regime, below:

1950′s: Pond’s Cold Cream was applied at night before bed.
Now: To get flawless skin like Marilyn’s, use Lancome Visionaire. It’s the first moisturizer to have LR 2412, a molecule that propels through skin layers to re-create a beautifully even surface with or without makeup.

1950′s: Max Factor’s Loose Powder was used to pat down makeup.
Now: At any given moment, Marilyn was always camera ready. Mattify your look with Skindinavia’s No More Shine. It holds makeup in place for up to 16+ hours while giving a glowing dewy finish.

1950′s:  Chemist Hazel Bishop created the first no-smear lipstick.
Now:  To get your lips to stop traffic like Miss Monroe’s, choose a long-lasting bold hue with a satin finish. Melanie loves Rachel Zoe’s Exude Lip Creme in Red #1. This Vitamin E & C fortified formula has a creamy gel texture which is applied by an innovative twist that pushes lip creme through the plastic tubing.

1950:’s A steady hand was needed to apply eyeliner.
Now: Marilyn kept her eyes defined by thick black liner on the top of her lids. Dior’s Backstage Eyeliners are stick-on adhesive patches; one pair in the set even includes Swarvoski crystals.

1950′s: Maybelline was just first starting to use synthetic replace petroleum mascaras.
Now: Marilyn Monroe had dark full lashes which really made her eyes pop. The Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect Rotating Mascara has a brush that rotates in both directions to extend lashes to their full potential.

What do you think of these tips?  Add your favorite Marilyn makeup tips in the comments below!

For more on Melanie Mills, check out her website.

Vanessa Hudgens Debuts New Short Crop ‘Do – Thoughts?

Nicole    Celebrity, Hair, Hair Styling

Vanessa Hudgens has been seen out and about sporting a new (at least, I think it’s new…) hairdo.  Recently it seems many celebs have been chopping off their locks.  What do you think of this hair style trend?  Would you wear it?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Image Credits: Celebutopia.net

Get the Look: Selena Gomez at the 2011 VMAs

Nicole    Celebrity, Look For Less, Makeup, Style

Selena Gomez looked great and decidedly grown up at the 2011 VMAs.  I love her sultry and neutral makeup palette, hair swept back and gothic feel dress.

Want Selena Gomez’s makeup look?  Check out the tips below:

1. Start with a clean, fresh face.  Cover up any blemishes with concealer and lightly apply an illuminating foundation.  You can make your own by mixing a shimmer product (like Benefit High Beam) with your favorite foundation.
2. Fill in brows with your favorite brow pencil or powder
3. Apply your eyelid primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion, or my new favorite, LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer) and sweep on some muted brown shades.  I like NYX Nude/Taupe/Dark Brown Eyeshadow trio.  You can also use a shimmery champagne color (like NYX Ultimate Pearl Eye Shadow in Sahara Pearl) to highlight your lids.
4. Follow with your favorite black liquid liner and heavy black mascara.  Don’t forget to line under your waterline (or get close to it) with a regular black eye pencil.
5. Next, finish the look with a soft peach blush and a glossy peach lip.  Benefit Cosmetics Ultra Shines in Spiked Punch does the trick nicely.

What do you think of Selena’s VMA look?  Would you rock it?

Image Credits: Celebutopia.net

Kim Kardashian Wedding Day Makeup Prediction by Dimitri James

Nicole    Celebrity, Makeup

International celebrity makeup artist Dimitri James of Skinn Cosmetics speaks what we are all thinking: Kim Kardashian has truly redefined sexy for her generation. With her fierce curves and signature smokey eyes, she is an undeniable fashion and beauty icon. As her nuptials are fast approaching, James predicts Kim will keep to her smokey eye for the big-day, but surprise us with an elegant edge.

The date is set, the plans are made and the wedding bells are soon to chime. Kim Kardashian has had a whirlwind romance with fiancé Kris Humphries and their wedding is already the talk of the town. Predictions are flooding the news about her gown and her location, but not much has been said about her marriage day makeup. Dimitri James’ lady-like, smokey eye prediction comes with a step-to-step guide to its recreation.

Step 1: Add the Smoke

Cover the lid fully in a smoky grey-brown shadow to lay the foundation. Then add a darker carbon shade to contour the crease and corners of the lid. Take your time to blend in the colors for a fabulous and effortless look.

Step 2: Outline the Eye

Use a shiny black smudgestick liner to outline the eye rim and tear line to make the eye truly pop. Making sure to smudge the black liner creates a dramatic, but not over done look.

Step 3: Emphasize the Brow

Highlight the brow bone with an Ivory tone shadow for insured intensity in your eye look.

Step 4: Long Lashes

Add a full band of lashes to fringe the upper lashes as well as single lash extensions to fill in the lower lash line to achieve full eyelashes you won’t be able to help but bat.

Step 5: Flawless Skin

Copy Kim’s always-flawless coverage with a plasma foundation and cotton & mineral powder. You’ll feel as beautiful as you should on your big day, night out or laidback brunch.

Step 6: Blush & Kiss

Add a soft beige pink blush to give subtle coloring to the cheeks and use a creamy, glossy lip tone to create undeniably kissable lips. When creating an intense eye look, be sure to play down the lips with light pinks or nude colors.

Without a doubt we will all be glued to our TVs to see what angle Kim will take with her wedding day look, but it is safe to say that the smokey eye will be present when the vows are passed.

Dimitri James will be featured on Shop NBC on Friday, September 9 – be sure to tune in!

I Die – Rachel Zoe’s Style Tips – Featured in September 2011 Redbook

Nicole    Celebrity, Fashion, Shopping, Style

Rachel Zoe, the celebrity superstylist, has a new baby boy, a new clothing line and a new saying (“Way fun” has replaced “I die”). And also…these smart tips for fashionistas; see below for a sneak peak.

For shoes, go high or low…but not in-between
“I like flats and I adore a high heel, but I don’t love a kitten heel. It’s neither here nor there. And the one show I will never wear is sneakers.

The fall trend everybody should try is…
“A tuxedo jacket. It’s flattering for every size—and every age—and it can be worn seamlessly from work to a night out.”

The surprisingly flattering piece on any woman is…
“Wide-leg jeans or boot-cut jeans. They really elongate the leg. People think they have to wear everything skin-tight to look smaller, but that’s just not the case. I wear my jeans with a vintage Chanel jacket and an LNA tee: It’s glamorous, but also really comfortable.”

Even a new mom can be glamorous, just…
“Pare it back. I wear less jewelry now because it can be sharp—I take everything off before I hold my son, Skyler. But if I’m going out, I’ll wear a great oversize piece. Also, I’m mindful of the products I use. I love Zoya nail polishes: They’re nontoxic (Skyler-safe!) and come in gorgeous shades.”

For more visit http://www.redbookmag.com/