Sandra Bullock - Winner Of Best Actress In A Leading Role - Oscars 2010 - Get The Look

Sandra Bullock has just had one of the best weekends of her career, by first turning up at the Golden Raspberry Awards (the Razzies) to accept her award for the Worst Actress for her role in All About Steve, where she handed out free copies of her movie in a delightfully comic way before accepting her Oscar for the Best Actress in a Leading Role with an endearing, but slightly batty speech for her part in The Blind Side. SB is an actress that we all seem to have grown up with (who remembers her in Speed and While You Were Sleeping?) and unbelievably, looking at this picture, she turned 45 last year. She looks amazing in this Marchesa silver gown with straight, sleek locks and classic Hollywood makeup, and if you want to create this style yourself here is how Sandra (or her makeup artist - Angela Levin) did it on the night.

The products Angela used on Sandra were:

• Chanel Hydramax + Active Cream
• Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup in Gentle Ivory
• Chanel Eyeshadow Irreelle Duo Brun Express
• Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir
• Chanel Tweed Blush Duo in Tweed Rose
• Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Paris

• Prep the skin with Hydramax + Active Cream or a similar rich moisturiser which ensures there are no dry areas.
• Using a foundation brush apply Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup in Gentle Ivory all over the face. Using a foundation brush ensures a perfect, almost doll like finish, perfect for this Hollywood look.
• Create quite a strong and structured browline using an eyeshadow brush and the soft brown powder in the Irreelle Duo Brun Express. Using shadow creates strong brows, but it is easier to get a smoother effect than when using a brow pencil.
• Again, use the darker shadow around the eyes on both upper and lower lids, blending across the upper lid. Use the lighter shade in the palette over the brow blending into the darker shade on the eyelid.
• Apply two strong coats of Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir for real glamorous Hollywood starlet lashes.
• Using a lip brush apply the Rouge Coco Lip Colour in the shade Paris.  Take note, all girls obsessed with lip glosses, Chanel has just launched a new campaign (with Vanessa Paradis) promoting the benefits and feel good factor of a glamorous lipstick colour - such a great way to brighten up your look with minimal spend in these credit-crunch times.
• Last of all apply the Chanel Tweed Rose blusher to the apples of the cheeks.
• Sandra's hair was finished in a sleek style by hairdresser Adir Abergel using Fekkai products, but you can do this yourself, by creating a strong side parting and then using straighteners and adding a soft, modern wave to the ends of the hair. 
• Sandra's Marchesa silver embroidered dress is amazing, and best of all Marchesa are British designers.  Unless you can afford their gowns, a similar look would be a lace or embroidered cream evening dress which is just perfect for summer parties.

Ten Top Tips On How To Wake Up Beautiful Every Day

We've all heard the term that we need to get enough "beauty sleep". But what does it actually mean, and how do we get the best out of the sleep time we have. In fact, can good quality sleep actually improve our looks?

Research into "beauty sleep" has shown that a few minutes extra sleep in the morning (you are ideally looking for eight hours sleep each night), can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is fantastic as raised levels of this hormone will accelerate the aging process.

If you are looking for a glowing complexion like that of Liv Tyler's or Cate Blanchett's then you do need to get enough, good quality sleep. Steer clear of vigorous exercise, starchy foods and alcohol before bedtime and your skin cells will have a chance to repair. Good sleep means lots of the human growth hormone will be released which is also called the youth hormone as it has anti-aging effects.

Here Are Ten Great Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Beauty Sleep

• Sleep on your back - not only does this save you from getting a crinkly chest, but sleeping on your front will also put a lot of pressure on your face, causing puffiness. Dermatologists can also tell the favourite side for a person to sleep on as they will have more wrinkles on that side of their face! Sleeping on our backs suddenly seems like a good idea.
• Wash your face thoroughly before sleep with a relaxing cleanser until your complexion is squeaky clean. Dirt and toxins left on your skin are just accelerating the aging of your skin.
• Make the most of the repairing and remoisturising process that happens overnight, and slather on a good quality, dry skin replenishing cream such as Eucerin Dry Skin Replenishing Face Cream.
• Get those romantic pillows propped up around you at bedtime - keeping your head slightly raised encourages blood flow and lymph glands to drain which means less puffiness in the morning. Another great way to avoid puffiness is to avoid alcohol!
• Before applying your repairing face cream for the night apply a small amount of self-tanning cream to your face and neck - you will wake up with a healthy glow, which is a nice surprise and creates an instant good mood on a cold, wintry morning.
• Avoid carbs when making your evening meal (bread, potatoes, pasta) and go for a light meal of proteins and salad. Too many carbs in the evening can lead to a less defined and doughy complexion.
• If you want to keep your hair silky smooth for the next day, slip on a silk pillowcase or tie up your hair in a silky scarf as this keeps hair from frizzing and knotting overnight.
• Another tip to create a fantastic hair-do overnight is to gather your hair together and twist it round and round, holding it in place on top of your head with a scrunchie. This will transform into a cascade of waves and curls with lots of body next day.
• If you are washing your hair in the morning, give your hair a pre-treatment overnight with a rich hair masque to replenish its natural beauty.
• Finally, you can get a little help from the inside by taking a slow release B-complex vitamin before going to bed. Slowly released B vitamins can promote energy and glow from the inside, helping you to wake up feeling more energised.

Tips On How To Make A French Plait Hollywood Style

If you are like me, you might remember your mum plaiting your hair for school when you were a small child - yes I remember some pretty embarrassing hairstyles, including the obligatory two plaits with ribbons. However, I totally approve of the new fashion for wearing plaits in our hair this season. The craze may have been started by Jennifer Aniston at the 2009 Oscars, but since then the style has been seen on many other celebs including Hayden Panettiere and Princess Beatrice.

The style may look pretty tricky, and you will probably have to practice once or twice before you get it perfect, but as long as your hair is at least three inches or around seven centimetres in length around the hairline, you should be able to create a hairline French plait or braid. You will need the following items before you start:

• Scrunchie or large hair band
• Comb
• Water spray
• Hair mousse or styling cream
• Hair grips/clips and small hair band

Here is how to create the look:

• Loosely tie back your hair behind your ears (leaving the section of hair in front of your ears and all around your front hairline free) using the scrunchie or large hair band.
• Using the water spray, dampen but don't soak the hair around your front hairline and comb out any tangles.
• Apply a golf-ball sized ball of mousse to the area to be styled, or if using styling cream, a smaller more appropriate amount.
• Now commence a plait or braid on your hairline where you want the plait to start. If you want to follow Jennifer's style then start the braid at the far left hand side of your forehead hairline. Divide this section of hair into three fairly slim strands and then do a left over centre strand and then right over centre strand as with a normal plait.
• Next working along your forehead hairline, left to right, with the next left over centre strand, pick up a small amount of hair directly underneath the left strand, and then do the same when working with the right strand by picking up a small amount of hair underneath this strand.
• Carry on working along your hair line in this way until you have plaited along your front hairline. Finish off the ends by plaiting them together normally and then secure them with the small hair band. Clip the end of your plait under your hair or behind your ear if it reaches.
• This style looks fabulous worn with the rest of your hair in loose waves, which you can create using your hair-straighteners. See the blog on "How To Create Perfect Waves With Your Hair Straighteners"

If You Have Dull, Brittle Hair With Split Ends Read On To Find Out How To Solve These Long Hair Problems.

I know lots of attractive women who have short hair and who look absolutely amazing, but this has never ended my love affair and fascination with having long hair. I have spent the last 10 years or so battling with the main problems you can have when you grow your hair long and sometimes when my hair is tangled after washing for a few seconds I think of running to the hairdresser and getting a short, short cut ... but this thought only lasts for a minute - I don't want to be parted from my long locks. However, I thought I would list here some of the problems with longer hair and a few of the remedies and cures that I have found helpful. I hope that they help you too if you have long hair or you are in the process of growing it.

How To Help and Repair Hair That Is Brittle and Dull

Firstly, if possible, cut down on the amount of chemical treatments you apply to your hair, such as colours or relaxing solutions for curly hair. Also try and let hair dry naturally and reduce the use of hair straighteners and curlers. However, if your hair is suffering already, you need to treat your hair to help it recover. Use a mild shampoo as infrequently as possible, sometimes even just rinsing your hair through in the shower in the morning if you wash your hair daily and then applying a rich conditioner. Ideally use a hot oil treatment at least twice a week as well.

How To Improve The Look Of Split Ends

It is not really possible to repair split ends - once they are split the only remedy is to have them trimmed off at the hairdresser. However, you can stop them becoming any worse and improve the look of them (they tend to look fuzzy) by applying a leave-in conditioner which will improve the condition of your unhappy hair. Split ends are caused in lots of ways, not just by hair being exposed to the elements such as sun and wind, but by combing hair when it is wet when it can stretch by up to 25%, or just by vigorous brushing which can disturb the hair cuticle.

How To Stop Your Hair Breaking Off

Hair breakage can have many causes, but one of the main ones is having a high peroxide or high tint colour applied to your roots month after month at the hairdressers - where the new colour seeps onto the already colour treated hair it can break off as it becomes extremely over-processed and weak. In addition, if you colour your hair and then clip it up or tie it back you can suffer breakage at the hairline where the hair is pulled away from the scalp, and also where the band or clips are fastening the hair. To avoid breakage, don't over-colour your hair, treat it gently, don't tie it up whilst sleeping and apply the best moisturising conditioner you can afford.

What To Do With Knotty And Tangled Hair

One of my pet hates is trying to get knots and tangles out of my hair even after it has been conditioned - of course using a wide tooth comb! There are specific detangling products available which can help, but the main causes of tangled hair are dry ends which need trimming or hair which has highlights or has been lightened by several shades.  This happens because over processing the hair with highlighting treatments causes the cuticle to become porous rather than smooth leading it to tangle easily.  Again a leave in conditioner which will temporarily smooth the cuticle is the answer to easier combing.

Tips On How To Get A Beautiful And Stylish Supermodel Fringe

Like many girls I know, I've had shoulder length hair for more years than I care to think about, but the last time I had a fringe - well it wasn't too much of a success. I had it styled at a very well known hairdressing salon (think of the initials "T" and "G") but it was just too trendy and totally did not suit me. At the time it was de rigueur to have a straight, very short, and block cut fringe above the eyebrows - now this may have worked for some catwalk supermodels, but on me - it just looked bizarre and out of place. I could not wait for it to grow out long enough so I could clip it up. Of course, whilst I had been at the hairdressers, I "aahhhed" and "oooohed" along with the stylist pretending that I was comfortable with this ultra-trendy image - and then cringed when I got home. Does anyone else feel familiar with this scenario... 

Anyway, I think that I may take the fringe plunge again soon, but having learned my lesson as above, I think I will be following the tips below which are courtesy of a certain British supermodel's hairstylist, and I don't think you can really go wrong (I hope..).

Supermodel Tips To Get The Perfect Fringe

• Keep your fringe a bit longer - nothing above the eyebrows please - as I found out to my cost - this is a very strong look which is hard to carry off.
• Beware of fringes if you have curly hair - a fringe that is relatively long when it is straight can become curly in damp weather and will spring up.
• When you go to the hairdresser speak to your stylist and ask them to leave the fringe slightly longer than you think you will want it - if you do need an extra few millimetres trimming off they should be happy for you to call back and many hairdressers will re-trim the fringe at no extra cost.
• The benefit of a fringe is that it can soften a look if perhaps you have a very high hairline or very strong features.
• A fringe can be very sexy if it styled right - with your fringe a little long, break it up using a little styling balm or spray and separate it into different sections. Use your fingers to break up the sections and keep them in place with a little hairspray.
• For more detailed hairstyling tips and tricks that can make the most of your hair and help you avoid any styling mishaps this book is highly recommended.