Style + Beauty - Page 334
We may still be experiencing the polar vortex until recently known as winter, but one daring fashion trend has been heating up runways since last year and is already becoming a favorite among celebrities.
READ: Ladies, Start Your Crunches: Crop Tops are Sticking Around for Spring
Earlier this month, reality TV star Kim Kardashian stirred headlines, and it had nothing to do with a sex tape leak, a butt selfie or a hair color change. The 33-year-old was spotted wearing one of her signature crop tops. The midriff-baring look was all over Spring 2014 couture collections and stylists are now claiming it as one of the hottest looks for the warmer months to come.
PHOTOS: Sheer Cut-Out Dresses Making A Splash
“Women are drawn to crop tops because they emphasize a narrow part of your body,” explains Cecelia Myers, formerly of online personal shopping service CakeStyle. “Your rib cage is generally pretty lean. It really doesn’t work when you try to show too much skin, though. Ideally, I’d pair a crop top with a high-waisted skirt and show an inch, maybe two of skin. You should never see the belly button.”
READ: Lose Your Love Handles With This 10-Minute Workout
“I’ve had clients ask about crop tops and I’ve suggested a sheer blouse over a cool, patterned top,” she adds. “You get a peekaboo effect without going too far.”
PHOTOS: Jennifer Lawrence Pulls a Crop Top
And even if you aren’t supermodel slim, experts say you can still wear a crop top as long as you balance out your outfit.
PHOTOS: 15 Midi Skirts To Pair With Crop Tops
“Skirts are shifting back to higher rises, allowing crop tops to be worn with just a hint of ‘rib drift,’” explains Sidney Morgan-Petro, retail editor at Stylesight. “Fuller skirts, whether short or midi length, should be balanced by a snug-fitting top to minimize the waist.”
Of course, Kardashian isn’t the only one to flaunt some skin in the name of style. For some inspiration on how to welcome the balmy months to come, check out some of the many leading ladies showing off a little (or a lot) of stomach:
Gentlemen prefer blondes, which could explain why Hollywood is embracing a new white hot trend.
READ: Best Hairstyles For Women Over 40
Stylists say 2014 is the year of platinum, and a slew of stars are lighting up the red carpet with pale gold, icy white, and bubbly champagne shades on their manes.
READ: Find Your Perfect Hair Color
While some women may want to immediately hide silvery strands, several celebrities have long been embracing this cool color to make heads turn. Platinum made screen sirens, like Jean Harlow and Marilyn Monroe eternal blonde bombshells, and now many of today’s starlets want to get in on the fun.
READ: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Marilyn Monroe
“I believe 2014 will be the year of the white hot blonde,” says Frank Barbosa, a hairdresser for IT&LY Hairfashion who supervises hair departments on film sets. “I feel we have been living in the lush glamour inspired by “The Great Gatsby” for a while now and it was missing the platinum look.”
“I found especially this year that blondes having more fun (with their hair),” adds Kitty Grellar, color director of Ted Gibson Beauty in New York City. “Usually my clients want to go darker in the fall/winter, but not this year. Now, everyone wants to go lighter.”
READ: Get 'The Great Gatsby Look, Old Sport
While stylists agree that platinum is a timeless hair color that has been making its mark on Hollywood for decades, Beverly Hills-based celebrity stylist Nelson Chan says current fashion styles are also playing a major role in why this color is now hotter than ever.
“Platinum hair is the color of choice due to the trend of black and white colors in fashion and interior design, which are so popular now,” he explains. “It inspires people to look for a shade that goes well with that color scheme, and platinum is the answer.”
READ: Do Blondes Have More Funds?
Platinum can instantly brighten up features and have all eyes on you, but it also comes with major challenges. Not everyone can benefit from this look and costly upkeeps alone can cause some to shy away from taking the plunge.
Here’s what you need to know before transforming yourself into an ice queen:
Black tie with a hint of sparkle? No problem for one super glam Duchess.
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's Many Royal Looks
Kate Middleton made a grand entrance for her first engagement of 2014 looking incredibly royal. In honor of the Portrait Gala 2014, held at the National Portrait Gallery in London, the 32-year-old flaunted some major jewels that would have made Elizabeth Taylor blush.
READ: Why Kate Middleton Got Royally Irritated With The Queen
Around Middleton’s dainty neck was the famous Nizam of Hyderabad necklace loaned to her by the Queen, also known as her husband Prince William’s grandma. The stunning accessory was given to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift back in November 1947.
READ: Hey Kate Middleton! Kim Kardashian's Eyeing Up Your Wedding Dress
The DailyMail reports that the Nizam of Hyderabad isn’t your typical diamond pendant. First created by Cartier in the 1930s, it features “a long chain of 38 diamonds with a diamond-encrusted snap.” Not enough jewels for you? It also highlights a “detachable double-drop pendant, 13 emerald-cut diamonds, and a pear-shaped drop.”
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton And Other Famous Folks With Their Dogs
Despite the glamorous getup, Middleton also chose to stay true to her thrifty roots. The mother of Prince George wore a floor-length sapphire-hue gown with a low sweetheart neckline, a waist-whittline black velvet belt and chiffon off-the-shoulder sleeves, which she first wore in October 2013 for the 100 Women in Hedge Funds gala dinner in London. It was created by one of her favorite designers, Jenny Packham, and it’s part of the designer’s autumn/winter collection.
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton Enjoys a Glamorous Night Out for Charity
As expected, Middleton’s signature glossy tresses and minimal makeup perfectly complemented her most gorgeous accessory ever.
To see what we mean, check out the photos below:
Don’t want to make Valentine’s Day predictable with the usual box of chocolates and flowers? Consider transforming your wife or girlfriend into a temptress.
READ: How To Wear Lingerie As Outerwear (Without Being Trashy)
Buying lingerie for the romantic holiday may sound like a cliché, but it’s also a surefire way to spice up any relationship, all while giving your significant other a boost of confidence with a sizzling new look that only you two will see. However, getting the perfect undergarment isn’t as easy as visiting any boutique. And guys, we know it's already intimidating enough enterting a store filled with frilly things and persistent salespeople.
“Lingerie is now more popular than ever before,” says Cora Harrington, founder and chief editor of The Lingerie Addict. “It’s a legitimate, fully-fledged part of a fashionable woman’s wardrobe, and it’s a great way to show your partner you’ve been paying attention and appreciating her impeccable style, as well as you think she deserves the very best.”
READ: Inside the Stars' Lingerie Closets
“Beautiful lingerie made from gorgeous materials is the best gift,” she adds. “It’s the ultimate indulgence. The layer closest to your skin should be as luxurious as you can afford.”
Fortunately buying lingerie for your sweetie doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
PHOTOS: Dita Von Teese Stuns in Jean Paul Gaultier Lingerie
We asked several lingerie designers, boutique owners, and experts to share their must-have tricks and tips.
Thinking about getting a bold makeover, but blonde is just too bland and brunette is boring? Consider heating thing ups with a fiery red.
PHOTOS: You Mean, They're Not Really Redheads?
Fortunately, transforming yourself into a gorgeous redhead doesn’t require the luck of the Irish. And while Hollywood screen sirens like Rita Hayworth and Maureen O'Hara looked super sultry with vibrant tresses, many Hollywood stars, including Amy Adams and Christina Hendricks, are firing up the red carpet with their head-turning looks.
“Red is now popular more than ever because it provides a WOW factor to your look,” explains celebrity stylist Pasquale Caselle of IT&LY Hairfashion. “Red is a bold, confident, and statement-making. Red is empowering as it stands out in a crowd. It is also sophisticated and sultry.”
READ: Bye Bye Blonde: Why Brunette Is In
“I love a good red head!” says Kitty Grellar, color director for Ted Gibson Beauty in New York City. “It takes a seemingly strong personality to rock it, but I tend to think red already brings out the strong person in us. I have seen more than one client come in as a demure brunette and walk out standing tall as a beautiful redhead. Their stance and confidence changes.”
While choosing this red-hot look can be an instant confidence-booster, it also comes with major challenges. From potentially damaging treatments to frequent upkeep, going red is not an easy task–but if done correctly, it can create stunning results.
READ: Long Locks Express: Making Your Hair Grow
Thinking about trying this red hot look? Read on for the major dos and don’ts you should know before becoming a redhead:
Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith might have been named the Super Bowl's most valuable player, but New York football legend Joe Namath undoubtedly took home Sunday night's other MVP award: Most Voluptuous Pimp-coat.
WATCH: Joe Namath And Other Celebs Who Starred In Super Bowl Commercials
Looking like a large bear that crawled onto the field, the 70-year-old Hall of Famer stepped out in a huge fluffy coat to make the coin-toss alongside former Giants quarterback Phil Simms. The coat quickly became the talk of Twitter, earning both praise and criticism from social media users throughout the night.
But this isn't the first time Broadway Joe's fashion choices have made headlines. Back in 1971 on the sidelines of a Jets game, Namath went for a similar look in a similar fur coat, which he paired with the flashiest bellbottoms he could presumably find (photo below).
READ: Beyonce Wears Fur Three Days Into Her Vegan Challenge
None of this should come as a surprise, however, because Namath has never been anything but extremely confident. In addition to his bold coat choice, the former football legend got a bit too friendly with Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle on Friday's edition of "The Five," giving her a few smooches on the cheek during a live interview.
Check out a few more photos of Namath at Sunday's Super Bowl below, then let us know what you think of his coat in our poll.
When actress Claire Danes made her entrance at the recent Producers Guild Awards, she trotted out a fiery new look.
READ: 10 Tips To Make The Year's Hottest Color Work For You
The 34-year-old star is among one of many Hollywood celebs rocking the latest beauty trend heating up the runways: bold orange lipstick. While a classic red pout will never go out of style, many Spring 2014 collections from couture designers feature models with lips painted in shades of juicy tangerine and melon. Beauty experts say the look has spread from the red carpet to the streets.
READ: 4 Ways To Figure Out Which Colors Look Best On You
“I love that Claire Danes wore something a little different,” says makeup artist Amanda Shackleton, who has worked for Vogue and Glamour. “We’ve been doing orange shades on models for a while now in the fashion industry. Now that celebs are wearing it, it’s starting a new trend. It’s a major do, but the one thing to keep in mind, just like choosing a red color, is the undertone. Anyone can wear orange, whether it’s a warmer hue for medium to deeper skin tones, or a cooler orange color for lighter skin tones.”
READ: How to Get Perfect Red Lips
“Shades of orange look good on women of any age, but should match that person’s style,” adds Shackleton. “For example, if you are very fashion conscious, go with a bolder, matte color. It’s more editorial looking.”
Still hesitant on whether you should drop the cherry red for some citrus instead? Here are some major dos and don’ts for electrifying your look with a touch of orange:
