Fashion Rocks the Oscars

 The show may have been a bit ho-hum- yet the fashion was so glam and the most exciting in years! If you turned off the Academy Awards, this is what you missed!

                                  Amanda Siegfrieid, Regina King and Zendaya 

                           in Giorgio Armani Privee, Louis Vuitton and Valentino

Angela Bassett in Alberta Ferretti  

Carey Mulligan in Valentino

Marlee Matlin in Vivienne Westwood

                                  Maria Bakalova in Louis Vuitton

Those were my favorites. Very elegant and glamorous. The next group were a little too much or not as flattering on their figures as I would have liked to see, but kudos to these ladies for taking a chance

Glenn Close in Armani Privee

Emerald Fennel in Gucci

Laura Dern in Oscar de la Renta

                   looks like she might fly away with all the feathers

Hallie Berry in very short in front and a lot of dress in the back and taped to her body

Dolce and Gabbana in a beautiful color- mixed feelings

Andra Day in Vera Wang

          

                                 Viola Davis in Alexander McQueen

                   Olivia Coleman ( love her acting, not her style) in Dior

And some very sharp and fashion forward gentleman-

                                              Colman Doming in Versace

Alan Kim in Thom Browne

                                       Leslie Odom Jr. in Brioni and his wife

                   ( another super short front and long back- beyond the usual 

                                                        hi-lo look )                                         

                                                  Tyler Perry in Giorgio Armani

Jon Batiste in Dior

                    Sasha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher in Ralph Lauren and Dior

I think is was a wow of a night for fashion.It was evident the stars relished the opportunity to call their stylists and designers and pullout the stops for a special evening. They've been hanging out in sweats, too.You could tell many of them were excited to be out socializing after so long, dressed up, with hair and make-up- just the way many of us ordinary folk have been feeling lately. LOL

Give it a try- Spring Things

Recommended-
I've been using the NUFACE Line Smoothing Device for several months now and believe I am noticing a difference. It is a microcurrent device that targets fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, forehead and nasolabial folds while firming, tightening and smoothing the skin. I read Jennifer Anniston got microcurrent facials so I looked into it.My esthetician used to use a microcurrent device on me during my facials,but since Covid, I've been unable to keep that up. When Nordstrom had this on sale,I decided to take matters into my own hands and I do think it's working. The microcurrent  ( though not as strong as you would get in a providers's office) helps to stimulate collagen production. There is a full face toning device, but I have been using this one on my cheeks and neck also.The key is regular use for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day. The serum and primers that come with are effective for max results.

You can find the devices and serums and primers at Nordstrom, Dermstore- 20% off now, Sephora and Amazon.

Are you aware there are a plethora of places/sites to find skin care besides Sephora and the department stores?

 I have found so many legitimate sites when searching for a specific product or products with special ingredients.Many of these have great prices or regularly discount well known and lesser known skincare and makeup,including the cosmeceutical lines ( Skinceuticals, SkinMedica, Obagi,etc) They also have terrific info on effective ingredients for your specific needs and the latest buzzy products and devices. The blogs on Dermstore and LovelySkin's sites are always informative. Follain is good for the latest in "clean beauty" ( but you know when it comes to the best choices for clean and safe beauty products, I recommend BeautyCounter first -  http://www.beautycounter.com/juliemorales1 )*

Shampoo & Hair Tips

If you've known me for awhile, it may seem funny that I am offering advice here. I only wash my hair once a week. I am blessed with a lot of hair with lots of body that doesn't get oily and I am lazy about styling it. I have a few tips that have worked for me that a friend thought I should share. Take your regular hairbrush into the shower with you  ( after cleaning out the hair) periodically and give it a wash while you are doing your hair. Easier than trying to wash it alone every week or so and will keep your hair cleaner,too. After shampooing and conditioning,I wrap my hair in an old cotton t-shirt twisted into a turban.The smooth T helps keep it from frizzing when drying and absorbs water unlike a fluffy towel. A husband/man-size T works best. I hate sleeping with my hair around my face so I put it up in a loose pony tail on top of my head and in the morning my hair comes down full and pretty styled. A silk or satin pillowcase helps also.

Spring Color

Now that so many of us are vaccinated, maybe you are thinking about getting out of the sweats and tights actually putting on real clothes ( less Zoom, more reality?) and maybe even going shopping!?!! Spring/Summer color trends are uplifting and fun to match our hopeful moods. Look for shades of yellow, baby doll pink, mint and lime green, cerulean, royal and navy blues, rusty orange, white on white and silver ( in evening wear and accessories) Adding something new to your wardrobe in one of these uplifting colors can be mood- lifting, cautiously in a shoe or bag or boldly in a dress or pant. For a little retail therapy, I encourage you to let me show you Etcetera's wonderful new collection.

 

                                                     

                       

    

                                                 

              


                                                           

 Florals and Tie -Dye are Sticking Around

No doubt you have seen tie-dye making a come back during Covid in everything from pj's and loungewear to tops and bottoms and dresses, too. This '70's trend is still hot this summer.

Mansur Gavriel even uses it on summer bags ( above), It's playful design variations are a bit of fun during still uncertain times, It also appeals to men and women, teens and kids alike.

Flowy maxi dresses are bigger than ever. Thanks,in part, to all the comfy,easy dressing we did during the height of the pandemic staying home. Light fabrics and pretty floral prints in a maxi dress make you feel a little dressed up and a lot of ease in going out again.

Looks represented from Etcetera, Anthropologie, Free People, Zara, Neiman Marcus, Mansur Gavriel

*BeautyCounter Friends and Family sale going on now. Great time to check it out.  www.beautycounter.com/juliemorales1