How To Get Gorgeous

You probably couldn't escape it, but last weekend saw the fabulous Oscar ceremony in our neighbouring LA.  How exciting for an English girl like me to have all that Hollywood stardom and glam only a matter of hours up the freeway!

So to spread a little Oscar fever to Coronado, I thought I'd share my round up of the Oscar dresses and a little beauty guidance on how to re-create some of that 'Oscar Glam' in a BE Styled way to get you looking and feeling gorgeous for the new season

HOW TO GET-GORGEOUS

Whether you've got a big event coming up or just want to glam up an outfit or in fact your entire wardrobe, there are lots of simple, cost-effective ways to get some Oscar Glam when it comes to your beauty regime.  I love talking fashion, as our regular readers will know, but I think the finishing touches (i.e. your beauty regime) are equally important and can make or break your entire look.

So here are some simple tweaks which will complete your look and get you gorgeous in an instant!

Step 1 - Gel Nails

This is the revolution beyond all revolutions, trust me!  Imagine having a mani and it stays exactly as it is, glossy, neat and unchipped for 2-3 weeks?  Well let me introduce to you 'gel nails'.  Ever since I started having these, I cannot stop.  My nails look groomed and immaculate whatever the time of day and more than anything, I just don't have to worry about them.  So it saves time and money in the long-term!

Gel Nails have been popular in the UK for a while now and I am pleased to see them spreading slowly but surely across Southern California.  My favourite colours are the dark red/blacks, this colour will go with everything day or night.  For Spring/Summer try a gorgeous coral or mint green, which are key fashion trends in your wardrobe.

You may have heard a rumour about the Savvy Nail Affair, BE Polished, being launched towards the rear of BE Styled and guess what there will be Gel Nails on offer!  Get there fast, this is going to be a HIT in Coronado!

Step 2 - Lashes

Once again I'm very excited to say that lashes will be on the menu at BE Polished and these are definitely worth a try, whether you've got a special occasion or just fancy a treat.

The individual lashes look so natural and actually mean you don't have to worry about make-up if you don't want to.  Long, lustrous lashes will actually take years off you too.

Along with your gel nails, you can attend an event at a minute's notice!  Application takes a while, but be patient and someone once said 'beauty hurts'!  So focus on the end result!

Step 3 - Make-up bag detox!

We can all get, well, a little routine when it comes to our make-up and keep doing what we've been doing for years.  It is a great idea to refresh your look and your make-up bag every once in a while so that you don't look stuck in a 'ten years ago' look.  I'm a big fan of Benefit, ok ok, I love their names and packaging!  I do and I want my new blusher/bronzer/eyeshadow kit to look pretty in my bathroom or in my purse!  

So recently, I went along to the Benefit counter and asked if they would try some of the products on me before buying as I think it's really important to have trialed the products and allowed them to settle on your skin for at least 24 hours.  Ladies, this is free of charge and well worth an hour out of your time.  

They have some great pick-me-up products, which will give your skin that summer glow you've been craving through the winter months.  Try 'That Gal' or 'Girl Meets Pearl' for an instant dewy glow and their new blusher 'Hervana' gives the rosiest, prettiest glow ever!  

I came away with some great tips on application, products to try and my make-up looked fresh and more me now.  If you have a special night out, why not schedule to do this that day and have your make-up done for you, Oscar style?

Step 4 - Hair

Last but not least, your hair frames your look and ultimately defines you.  My mom always told me not to change my hairstyle when I was going through what now seem like 'minor crises'.  I'm glad I took her advice, well apart from when I was 14 and had it all cut off 'Mary Quant' style (a British designer from the 60s who made a style come back in my teens!) Anyway that really is another story!

Big, bouncy hair is really back on-trend and so feminine and definitely Oscar Glam!  I have recently discovered the fabulous Coronado Bliss and have never been happier with how my hair looks.  When you're a blonde like me (not natural of course!) the tone of blonde is so important and they have got it just right!  Getting the right colour for your skintone is so important and this is something I am truly passionate about through my styling.  The right colour, whether through your clothes, make-up or hair will take years and pounds off you, it's that simple!  I'll write more on this in another blog as there is so much to say!

Treat yourself to a blow-out for a mid week boost or for a night out, it will relax you and ensure you look and feel great even if you're just running errands

THE DRESSES

So now you know how to get gorgeous, here is my round up of the style hits at Sunday's Oscars.

It seems old Hollywood really showed up on the night and dresses, heel heights, jewellery and hair was glam as ever.

We saw some great pops of colour, as well as some timeless nude tones, metallics and the classic black.  Some stars, including Oscar nominee Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman and Emma Stone opted for red, which can always be a risk given the dress can get lost on the pictures merging into the red carpet.  I love the drama in Emma Stone's dress and I think the colour works with her hair colour beautifully

I love the nude tones, it has a kind of vintage feel and really can suit anyone.  

Angelina Jolie went for her signature black split thigh-high.  Of course she looked fabulous and the split stole the show, but it still wasn't my favourite dress as it was a little predictable.

My favourites had to be Gwyneth Paltrow in her timeless yet edgy 'creation' and Viola Davis who wore an emerald green figure hugging number that made her pop.  I did also love Meryl Streep's metallic draped dress and Glenn Close's choice of figure hugging dress and jacket, both were 'age appropriate' without being left to the bottom of the style pile

So there you have it, lots of ideas and thoughts on getting gorgeous Oscar and BE Styled style.  What did you think of the dresses, always happy to have a style chat!