So last week I was 30 minutes late to meet the Australian hair god Kevin Murphy, after having a dyslexic moment regarding our meeting location. How embarrassing. (Ivana, please forgive?) But that’s not the only reason I’m dedicating today’s editor’s picks post to his range of hair products. Frankly, I would’ve done it anyway—that’s how much I believe in his line. I’ve actually been a longtime fan of Mr. Murphy, whose claim to fame is his career as a “session stylist” (that means a hairstylist that works on photo shoots for magazines, advertisements and fashion shows—and let’s face it, where you’ll find all the REALLY GOOD hair people). When I lived in Australia, I went through a couple of jars of his genius beachy hair texturizer (the original and still the best), now called Hair Resort. But products aren’t the only reason to heart him. He’s a bit of a web guru as well: if you visit his site, you’ll find a virtual library of how-to podcasts. Anyway, you MUST get acquainted with his stuff. Here are a few of my favourite products—and a sneak peek at what’s coming out this spring and summer!

1. Fresh Hair Dry Cleaning Spray ($22) is a kick-ass spray that cleans your hair (for those days you can’t be bothered washing) and adds texture (which, as I’ve been saying, is a BIG deal trend this year). I’ve tried A LOT of these products over the years and (along with Ojon’s) this is my favourite. It leaves no powdery white residue and smells amazing. Here’s the podcast.

2. Hydrate Me Wash and Hydrate Me Rinse ($26 each) are a brand-new shampoo and conditioner duo that deliver moisture to dry hair. What I like about them is that they’re built with collagen- and elastin-building ingredients that until now, we’ve only seen in skincare.

3. The Screen Siren Kit ($48) is out in April and contains everything you need for a modern take on retro Old Hollywood hair: the Anti-Gravity volumizer, eight hair curlers (so good they’re worth the price alone), six pin clips and a comb. When I got my paws on this kit I was blown away by the quality of the curlers, clips and comb—they’re definitely beyond anything you’ll find at the drugstore. What’s even cooler is that you can instantly call up the Screen Siren how-to video by scanning the barcode on the box with your Blackberry.

4. The Surfer Girl Kit ($36) won’t arrive until July, nor is the corresponding how-to video online yet. But keep an eye out for it: it contains my fave Hair Resort Beach Texturizer, eight curler clips, a texture net (whose purpose I have now forgotten, but it’s probably something genius), and a comb.

5. Hair Resort Beach Texturizer ($22) gets scrunched into damp or dry hair to get that fantastic beach look. This spring/summer, I am going to be ALL ABOUT this product.

6. The Smoothing Brush is out this month as part of another kit ($79.95), which includes the Hydrate Me products. I almost can’t believe they’re only charging $80 for all of this—the brush is a very high-quality boar bristle version, and if you’ve got dry hair it can actually help smooth it out. (Yes, really!)

7. Last but not least, we have the Hair Curlers ($36 for a set of 12), which—I kid you not—have changed my life. I’ve ditched my velcro ones because these don’t snag at all, and have the smartest way of fastening (with a ball attached to an elastic…you kind of have to use them to know what I’m talking about). I think everyone should have a set of these.

You can find Kevin Murphy products at Delineation in Toronto along with a bunch of other locations across Canada—see here to find one near you.

Do you love this stuff or what?

Good golly—since Tim Burton’s cinematic take opened last Friday (a very important date!), we’ve been officially gripped by Alice in Wonderland fever. Not only are makeup tutorials popping up on YouTube for recreating the characters played by Anne Hathaway (think blood-red lips, strong brows and a ghostly pallor) and Helena Bonham Carter (blue shadow, heart-shaped lips and a Kabuki complexion), a handful of brands have hopped on the Alice bandwagon, too. Stella McCartney, Tom Binns and Swarovski have all introduced Alice-inspired jewellery, while fashion designer Alice Temperley has an AIW collection and Claire’s Accessories opened an AIW pop-up store in London. But if you’re looking for a more affordable fix, beauty products—as always—are your ticket. Here’s a quick rundown of the Alice beauty action out there:

1. and 4. Paul & Joe Alice in Wonderland Collection: If you haven’t come across Paul & Joe’s cosmetics line, it’s worth checking out purely for satiating your inner four-year-old girl. This limited-edition collection has a vintagey feel and comes in two colour palettes: “Fantasy” and “Daydream.” Each consists of a cute little refillable tin containing blotting powder (that’s #1 above) and a lip treatment stick (#4). See here for where to buy.

2. and 3. OPI Alice in Wonderland Collection: I told you about this one back in November—it’s a range of four limited-edition shades, including Absolutely Alice (pictured—a glittery blue), Mad as a Hatter (a glittery silver), Thanks so Muchness! (a metallic red) and Off With Her Red! (also pictured—a tomato red). The latter is the most wearable, obviously, but the glitter is kind of fun, no? (Again, I blame any momentary lapse in good beauty judgement on that inner four-year-old girl.) At professional salons and spas across Canada.

5. Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows: This is one for true fans—it’s a fully loaded eye makeup palette that opens up to a scene of Alice in the mushroom forest. (Do you remember that part?) It includes 16 eyeshadows with names like White Rabbit and Jabberwocky, primer and eye pencils. At Sephora stores across Canada.

What do you think of these Alice beauty products? Have you seen the movie yet? Will you be doing your makeup like Anne or Helena? (Please say no!)

Did you watch the Oscars? I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought they were a bit boring this year—even, sadly, the fashion and beauty. (Where is Bjork when you need her?) Not that I’d volunteer to push the boundaries myself, mind you. I totally get it that celebs want to play it safe lest they end up on some worst-dressed list. Still, I can’t help but wish that Oscars Night was a bit more like a fashion show, with a bunch of fun and interesting looks to gaze at. This year’s one standout beauty trend was the bold pink mouth; most of the stars stuck with tried-and-true makeup and classic updos. The good news? You certainly couldn’t go wrong playing copycat with any of these looks. Here’s my round-up of the best red carpet beauty moments for you to peruse and ponder.

Trend #1: Clean & Natural

Seen On: Diane Kruger, Zoe Saldana, Carey Mulligan

The Look: There’s something terrifically fresh about wearing an almost-bare face with an over-the-top dressy gown. (Kate Moss was actually the queen of this look.) These gals kept their makeup to a minimum, mostly emphasizing the eyes with a bit of neutral or pinky shadow, and in Carey’s case, some false lashes. Lips and cheeks get a gentle kiss of colour, but the focus is really on great, great skin.

Tip: To avoid looking washed out, go a bit heavier than usual on the blush and mascara.

Trend #2: Tickled Pink

Seen On: Vera Farmiga, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sandra Bullock

The Look: So effortless and fresh, no? My favourite is Maggie’s version—a shock of bubblegum, almost Day-Glo pink that constrasted nicely with her blue dress. Sandra’s shade was more of a deeper fuchsia, which is a nice change from red for you lipstick wearers. And Vera went the matchy-matchy route, pairing bright rose pink lips with a gown of the same hue. Note the matte texture too.

Tip: If you’re not sure you can pull off a full-blown bright pink, try it in baby steps: use a pink lip stain, which will have a slightly muted effect.

Trend #3: Glam Updos

Seen On: Anna Kendrick, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried

The Look: Lots of updos this year, but these three were my favourites. Anna’s is all about the controlled waves, which were casually (but not really… who are we kidding?) gathered into a slightly messy updo. Maybe a bit too many tendrils at the front, but overall a look I’m a fan of. (As you may know, I don’t think everyone can pull of the severe, scraped-back style). Rachel and Amanda, on the other hand, went for classic buns, which have an almost ’60s feel. Rachel’s is placed higher on the head (a ballerina-like look), while Amanda’s is lower and more classic.

Tip: Not everyone can pull off every updo. Consider the shape of your face (and the state of your skin!) before you scrape it all back. A loose, messy style is the most forgiving. And please: stay away from anything that looks like it belongs at the prom!

Trend #4: The Eyes Have It

Seen On: Penelope Cruz, Natalie Portman, Kristen Stewart

The Look: There’s a reason smoky eyes are a beauty classic: they flatter everyone! While I talk a good game about various beauty trends, let’s face it—if I had to walk the red carpet, you can bet your Botox this is what I’d be wearing. My favourite version is on Natalie, not just because she always looks pretty and fresh, but also because she chose an unusual bluish-purple shade. Oh! And what do we see here: a smile on Kristen Stewart? Will wonders never cease.

Tip: One hazard of smoky eyes is that your eyeshadow can crease, big time. Make sure you use a primer all over the eye to help it stay put (Benefit makes a new, good one). It also can’t hurt to use waterproof mascara and eyeliner, and go over any lines with powder eyeshadow to add staying power.

Trend #5: Retro Glamour

Seen On: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron

The Look: A red carpet event isn’t complete without a bit of old-fashioned screen siren action. This is pretty much Kate Winslet’s go-to look and she does it well, although I prefer her a bit less “done” and wish she’d gone a bit bolder on the lips. Cameron does a more modern interpretation: the hair is a bit tousled and the makeup just a touch less retro. And finally, there’s Charlize, whose understated makeup and hair serves to mainly show off those billion-dollar earrings.

Tip: When going for a retro look, don’t go too literal. It will look fresher if you concentrate on just one element (either hair or makeup) and then keep the rest of your look low-key.

What did YOU think of the Oscars? Which were your favourite (and least favourite) red carpet beauty looks?

Compared to New York, London’s Fashion Week has a younger, edgier, more experimental vibe. While New York is all about looking polished and well-groomed—think the typical Michael Kors show, where the models look like they stepped off a private jet—London is slightly rough around the edges. Their designers seem to take more risks—which, of course, keeps things interesting for us. However, as far as beauty goes, I’ve got good news: these trends are still very wearable. Here’s my lowdown on the four big ones:

Eye Spy: Just like we saw in New York, there’s some experimentation going on in London with eyeshadow. (But not too much—lips seem to be the bigger story for fall.) At Erdem, it was the classic smoky eye story but with a twist: it’s done in a pretty plum palette, which would flatter just about everyone. (And don’t you love the ballerina hair and black headbands? Adorable.) Matthew Williamson went for a stronger look, sending models out with a swipe of charcoal shadow above the crease. I’m not sure I’d do this myself, but surprisingly, I don’t hate it. With the gleaming pale skin, it looks kind of cool and strong.

Pastel Garden: After overdosing on pink in my younger years, I’ve been shying away from pastels of all kinds. But Jonathan Saunders shows how it’s done right, makeup-wise: a sheer wash of grey-ish lavender on the lids paired with pinky cheeks and lips. There’s also a touch of illuminating product on the cheeks. Pretty! The models at Christopher Kane had, well, that classic English Rose look. (Sorry—you knew you’d get that reference at least once when discussing London Fashion Week.)

Slicked: I’m mildly horrified by the slicked-back, ’80s-style, wet-look hair that’s going on at Richard Nicoll and Marios Schwab. Please, God, don’t let this trend come back! If you’re so inclined, I think the Marios Schwab example is more wearable—the product is used to hold a deep side part in place, instead of just slicking everything straight back. And one more thing, if I may? Skip the oversized ’80s earrings. This one looks like a jumbo paper clip.

Disco Fever: I’ve got to say, I’m a huge fan of the Blondie-esque hair and makeup at Roksanda Ilincic. I’ve no idea how to achieve the hair—you’ll need some mad skillz to achieve that level of awesome, fuzzy curl—so I won’t advise you on that. But the makeup looks easy: it’s all about the glossy red mouth (also seen at the aforementioned Richard Nicoll). Whereas red lips have been fairly matte in the past few seasons, gloss, as well as the slightly brownish-red colour, makes them look fresh. Very early ’80s, but this time, in a good way.

What do you think of these London looks? Will you be trying any of them out? Which one is your favourite?

I’ve always had a bit of a girl crush on Heroes star Ali Larter—quite possibly stemming from her turn as accused murderer and liposuction-getting exercise instructor Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde. (Don’t judge, but I’ve probably seen that movie at least 20 times on various hungover Sundays over the years.) Or, it might have started even earlier—anyone remember a profile of “Allegra Coleman” in Esquire back in the day? She was dubbed “Hollywood’s Next Dream Girl,” but it was a complete hoax—one that sucked me in, mind you—and Ali, a model at the time, portrayed the fictional persona. Obviously, a good career move. So good, in fact, that we’re here to talk about her other oeuvre: great hair and makeup. Let’s take a gander at Ali’s surprisingly adventurous choices over the past few months.

I love a red lip on a blonde, and Ali really went for it here (this pic is from a Calvin Klein party at the end of January). With a colour this saturated, you need a perfect application (use a lip brush) and just a bit of definition around the eyes. I also love the blonde/red lips combo with a healthy sweep of blush. (But then again, when do I NOT like blush?)

This is a softer look, thanks to a shimmery pink gloss and blush on the cheeks. To dress it up, really play up your lashes. You could also do a ’60s-style winged-out black liner on the upper lash line.

Do you like Ali as a redhead? I do—somehow she looks a bit sexier in this shade. If you’re going to make this dramatic of a change, though, go see a pro. And be aware that the smart people that make hair dyes STILL can’t figure out how to prevent red from fading the fastest.

Maybe not Ali’s best look here—she kind of resembles Fergie a bit, don’t you think? (Sorry Fergie.) I don’t think this hair is that flattering for her squarish face shape, although I’m a big fan of the half-up, half-down style in general. This would have looked better with a side part or some loose tendrils. Oh, and more makeup.

I love these soft bangs on Ali. Since she has a bit of an angular face, they really flatter her and draw attention to her eyes. And what a gorgeous colour job—I’m seriously coveting those blonde highlights.

Last but not least, this one is probably my favourite. She just glows, you know? I’m obsessed with this hair—the deep side part is another easy but dramatic way to dress up your hair for evening. (Well, sort of easy. I’m still trying to master that perfect flip she’s got going on.) The makeup’s just perfect: pinks with a hint of gold and an extra bit of definition at the eyes to make them pop.

Which one of these Alis is YOUR favourite?

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HOW TO WIN: Sign up for BeautyEditor.ca’s email newsletter or RSS feed (if you’re not already a subscriber), and then enter your name and email address in the box below. (If you’re reading this post in a reader, click here to see the box.) This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only and runs until March 16th.

Doesn’t it seem like nail polish trends are on warp speed lately? It’s tough to keep up—even in the past six months or so, we’ve seen three mayjah ones. Yves Saint Laurent’s Stormy Grey—which I dubbed “the nail polish every beauty editor will be wearing“—kicked things off last fall. And then there was the love affair with jade green (a trend I happily sat out). Now, as predicted when we saw Chanel’s Spring 2010 show last October, it’s all about taupe. Think warm, mushroomy shades—some even have a hint of lilac. Consider them the new neutrals: unlike previous nail trends like blues and greens, this is a colour that goes with everything. (Clearly Lily Allen, Sandra Bullock, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Beckinsale think so too.) After the jump, find out my top taupe polish picks. (But act fast! When it comes to polish trends, Chanel does the trend-setting… and I’ve just received their summer collection with some brand new lust-after shades. Stay tuned!)

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Particulière: The shade that started it all. Limited edition, so if you can still find it, snap it up now! (Sadly, I didn’t get a sample… but I still think it’s the prettiest of all.)

Essie Nail Polish in Mink Muffs: A number of beauty eds I know are fond of a similar Essie shade, Chinchilly, which is also lovely—but Mink Muffs has a bit more warmth.

OPI Nail Polish in Over the Taupe: OPI actually has two taupe offerings—this shade, which I prefer (it’s a bit more pinkish) and a darker, more brownish one called You Don’t Know Jacques.

Lippmann Collection Nail Color in Waking Up in Vegas: Available at Holt Renfrew, this is more of a chalky, greyish taupe.

Sally Hansen Nail Color in Commander in Chic: If you’re not quite ready to give up your dark, vampy nails, this could be a good compromise—it’s the deepest of these taupe offerings, with a definite purple tinge.

What do you think of the taupe polish trend? Do you have a favourite shade? Do tell—inquiring minds want to know!

There’s so much goodness in the beauty closet this month—a.k.a. new beauty products that you should know about—I couldn’t fit them all into one post. So here’s Part Two—if you missed Part One, get the lowdown the first six products here. My top picks? The totally covetable palette from YSL and gorgeous-on-your-dresser Balenciaga fragrance. Happy shopping!

7. M.A.C Tabloid Beauty Prep + Prime Instant Line Filler: I gave you a sneak peek of this not long ago, so this will just be a quick re-cap. The Tabloid Beauty collection is a line of hi-def makeup that’s easy enough for even makeup novices to master (and get a flawless finish, whether you’re being photographed or not). This primer goes on top of your foundation but before the rest of your makeup to soften any fine lines. There’s another version for oil control and pore-minimizing. Read more about the rest of the collection here. At M.A.C counters across Canada.

8. L’Oréal Paris Go 360° Clean Deep Exfoliating Scrub with Beads for All Skin Types: This is kind of a neat idea—each cleanser in this collection of four comes with a flexible plastic “cleansing disc” that you use to apply the product to get a more thorough cleansing. (I tried it and it’s not harsh at all, just a gentle scrubbing action.) After you’re done, it pops back into the bottle for handy storage. Also available in combination, normal-to-dry and sensitive skin formulas. At mass market retailers and drugstores across Canada.

9. Estée Lauder Love Your Lips Kissable Lip Gloss: Also gave you a sneak peek of this back in January, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. EL makes some really nice glosses—yes, really—and the heart-adorned packaging on this one makes it special. Available in four shades. At Estée Lauder counters across Canada. (But act fast! The website says they’re already sold out!)

10. Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum: Gorgeous, gorgeous bottle, no? The scent itself—the first major one from Balenciaga since Cristobal in 1998—is a floral chypre with notes of violet, bergamot, spices, pepper, carnation, oakmoss, cedar, vetiver and patchouli. But it’s one that you need to try before you buy (Now Smell This describes it as “edgy”). Charlotte Gainsbourg is the face. At Holt Renfrew stores this month, and in April at Murale and select Bay stores across Canada.

11. YSL Limited Edition Y-Mail Complexion Palette: The best part of this palette isn’t really the product itself—it’s the miniature “handbag” that it comes packaged in (see visual here), inspired by the grown-up, $1,000+ versions. Unless that’s in your budget, this is a nice option. Available in two shade families, one can be used as a pearly highlighter while the other is a luminizing blush. At Yves Saint Laurent counters across Canada.

The beauty products debuting in stores this month are an interesting mix: not quite spring stuff, but definitely more intriguing than the usual heavy moisturizers, etc., that reign supreme from November through January. I’m most excited about Shu Uemura’s foray into hair care and Kiehl’s yummy new skin oil (more on those in a bit). But there are also fab scents from Balenciaga and Jo Malone, skin-perfecting treatments from Prevage and Burt’s Bees, and make-you-pretty cosmetics from YSL and Estée Lauder. Here’s Part One of the inside scoop on this month’s new and notable products. Stay tuned for Part Two on Friday!

1. Jo Malone Red Roses Fragrance Chronicle: Love rose fragrances? Then you’ll love this. For the sake of my bathroom cabinet-style artwork, I’ve just showed you Jo Malone’s original Red Roses fragrance here—but the “fragrance chronicle” is so much more. It’s an entire set, which “tells the story” of how the scent was derived from seven of the world’s most expensive varieties of rose. Besides Red Roses (30 mL), it also includes 9 mL accords of Moroccan Mint Leaf, Ice Rose and Honeycomb. At Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.

2. Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment: This is pretty groundbreaking—Burt’s Bees have just come out with what they’re saying is the first and only “truly natural” anti-blemish line. All the other companies use synthetic active ingredients, but these products contain natural botanical extracts like willow bark, witch hazel, tea tree and borage. That means it controls oil without irritating your skin—hurrah! Besides the spot treatment there’s also a cleanser, moisturizer and scrub. At natural grocery, drug, gift and specialty stores, select mass retailers such as Walmart and burtsbees.ca.

3. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate: So I’ll forgive Kiehl’s for springing a psychic on us at the launch event—this new skin oil is amazing. You just apply a couple of drops every night, either alone or underneath your regular moisturizer, and it supposedly helps your skin repair and regenerate itself. I’m loving that it’s paraben-free and contains 99.8 percent natural ingredients (think evening primrose and lavender essential oils). It absorbs fast so no need to worry about feeling greasy. Plus it smells incredible. At Kiehl’s stores and select Holt Renfrew locations across Canada.

4. John Frieda Root Awakening Strength Restoring Gel: I’m always being asked for recommendations of good-quality products at drugstore prices. For your hair—if it’s considered “normal”—you really can’t go wrong with John Frieda’s Root Awakening line, which launched last year. Now they’ve added styling products to the mix, including a smoothing lotion, hair spray and this gel. Yes, gel. It’s not at all like the sticky ’80s versions, though—I tried it on damp hair just at my roots and was pleasantly surprised at how well it stood in for my usual volumizing sprays. At grocery stores, drugstores and other mass-market retailers across Canada.

5. Prevage Face Anti-Aging Serum: My mom should really be writing about this one, since she’s head-over-heels in love with the Prevage line. It really does work (on fine lines, age spots and other discolourations), thanks to the active ingredient idebenone, which is a potent antioxidant. If you have oily skin or you’re too young for full-on anti-aging creams but still want to do the prevention thing, this serum is the perfect choice. You can wear it alone or under moisturizer. At The Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, London Drugs and Pharma Plus.

6. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Muroto Volume Amplifying Shampoo: I wrote about hair guru Oribe’s eponymous line last December, and now it looks there’s some stiff competition from Shu Uemura, whose Art of Hair collection just arrived at Holt Renfrew and is equally luxe. I was treated to a shampoo, treatment and blow-dry a few weeks back and must confess: my hair hasn’t looked that good in a LONG time. I even went a record three days without having to wash it! I tried the Muroto Volume range (pictured), which has a scent reminiscent of D&G Light Blue, but the line also includes Full Shimmer (for coloured hair), Moisture Velvet (for dry hair), Silk Bloom (for damage) and Prime Plenish (for “time-weakened” hair). PS: Is the packaging to die for or what? At Holt Renfrew.

Don’t forget to check in again on Friday for Part Two…just in time for some weekend beauty shopping!

One of my favourite beauty editor tasks is sorting through all the fashion week images to see what kinds of beauty trends are emerging. (Of course, in the magazine world, these aren’t published until we do our twice-annual beauty trend reports—but on the wild wild web, we can see and talk about fall trends right away. Neat!) Last fashion week, I did a write-up of each show separately, but this year, I’m re-thinking that—I feel like it’s much more useful to see the trends in groupings. And whaddya know: after browsing the first batch—from the New York shows—I ID’d five key trends. Details after the jump (and apologies if this post takes forever to load—I’ve probably packed too many images in here!).

Blue Crush: Remember when blue eyeshadow used to be completely cringe-worthy? Not anymore. In more grey-blue tones, it suddenly looks moody and modern. At Derek Lam, the models wore intense colour all the way from lash line to crease, while at Jason Wu, it was more of a light, silvery wash. (The latter is the way to go for daytime, obvs.) My hands-down favourite—probably of ALL these NYC looks—is from Diane von Furstenberg, where the blue was just a hint at the inner corners of an otherwise FIERCE, cat-like look.

Rose Garden: Bring on the lip stain! The natural, fresh-faced look always makes an appearance on the catwalks, and this year it seems to be all about just-bitten lips with rosy cheeks. The models at Ralph Lauren, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors all wore a version of this. Notice the blush has peachy tones, while the lips are more berry. You don’t have to be too matchy-matchy.

Loud Mouth: Of course, fall wouldn’t be fall without some bold lips—and from the looks of things, anything goes this year. (Remember fall ‘07 when it was literally designer after designer showing the retro red lips? Not happening this year.) Donna Karan stuck with classic red, Max Azria did the same orange colour that will be hot this summer, and Proenza Schouler revived the almost-black lips of fall ‘08. It’ll be interesting to see what lip trends come out of the other cities’ fashion weeks… stay tuned!

Centre Stage: LOTS of centre parts so far—not just at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Narciso Rodriguez and Marc Jacobs but also Ralph Lauren, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon and Anna Sui. Whew! It’s all about working with your natural texture, too, although most of these styles do have a bit of volume. It also doesn’t look too perfect, which is good news for those of us who have trouble with the heat-styling tools. Hurrah!

Earth Angel: Last fashion week, I mentioned the return of brown makeup (seen at Chanel and Pucci for spring ‘10). Here’s some more of it at Thakoon, Anna Sui and Oscar de la Renta. But it’s not just about brown eyeshadow and rosy-brown blush and lipstick. It’s about contouring the face, ’80s style—eek! I’ve never attempted this, but here’s a non-scary tutorial from Lauren Conrad’s makeup artist on how to “push forward” your eye area with makeup. It looks pretty!

Photos: Style.com