And The Winner Is…BEAUTY!

Awards season is well under way and I have noticed that there is a lot of color on lips, sleek pulled back hair and tres chic hair accessories reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. Here are a few of my favorite trends so far:

Cat Eye Eyeliner

Cat eyes were all over the red carpet as seen worn here by (l to r) Dianna Agron, Miley Cyrus and Nicole “Snooki” Pilozzi. Here, Agron opts to wear a sultry smokey eye while Cyrus rocks a much thinner line with eye shadow in lighter hues which really makes her baby blues pop. "Snooki" is wearing a very dramatic (and lengthy) lash to open up her eyes.

Berry Juicy Puckers

Another trend is Berry lips in lovely hues of pink and red. These berry-colored options are an ideal play on a youthful, but sexy color. Above, (l to r) Lea Michele, Natasha Bedingfield and Selena Gomez are spot on in their choice of lip color. Another celebrity who did this trend justice was Natalie Portman, who looked stunning at the Golden Globes with a lovely and simplistic French twist to allow her pout to pop.

Hair Accessories

The ladies of the red carpet returned to old Hollywood glamour with soft curls and simple, yet beautiful vintage hair clips. While these clips can be understated, they were the perfect finishing touches to Dianna Argon’s and Scarlett Johansson’s elegant Golden Globes looks.

These are just a few of the trends I’ve noticed on the red carpet this year so far, along with sleek ponytails, bangs and eye shadow in shades of purple. This year’s red carpet beauty has returned to the essence of elegance, which is simplicity.

These sophisticated, yet youthful looks can easily be worn by those of us without a red carpet to walk. Try any one of these trends and feel confident and beautiful enough to walk the streets as if the concrete were rolled out just for you. For that reason alone, in the battle for my attention between red carpet beauty and red carpet looks, beauty wins!

oXo (Fashion Kisses!),

Ashleigh

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am getting married in a few months on a shoe string budget and I need to find a hairstylist and makeup artist that I can afford. So far I haven't found anyone yet - any suggestions? I'm freaking out!

Signed,

Bride on a Budget

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Dear B.O.A.B.,

A bride in your financial position has to be resourceful. And the best resource for you would be to contact a local cosmetology school. There are pluses and minuses to this suggestion but it must be said that this is a vastly untapped resource of raw talent that could work to your advantage as long as you know what - and who - you are looking for.

You need to find a student in their final year of studies that would be willing to do your hair for whatever your budget can bare and/or in exchange for giving them permission to use your photo in their look book. Just be sure to test their skills by way of a hair trial appointment to make certain that they're up to the task of creating the perfect 'do for your I do's.

You could find a capable makeup artist in the same place as your ingénue hairstylist, but another suggestion would be to sit down with a makeup artist in a beauty department. You may be encouraged to make a purchase even if it is the consultation for the big day so if it comes down to the budget then stick with the student who would more than likely be willing to work with you price-wise. You will still want to have a consultation with them as well as a trial run the same as you would the hairstylist.

For both instances you want to take pictures from multiple angles to use when recreating the look you're going for. And don't be afraid to speak up if the hair or makeup isn't exactly how you imagined. Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to cheat yourself out of what you've envisioned for your day.

If you start looking now you should be able to find someone to do your hair and makeup within your budget and with your exact vision in mind. Though to be honest, no one will be as concerned with your hair and makeup as how you look in your dress, the meal served at the reception and if there's an open bar and dance floor. Those are the elements of a wedding that guests will remember most. So take a deep breath and relax.

No one likes a frizzy, err, frazzled bride-to-be.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I've noticed a trend towards women dyeing their hair red and I'm thinking I want to try it. I'm a natural brunette with brown eyes so I feel like the red would really spruce things up, wouldn't you agree?

Signed,

Dyeing to go Red

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Dear D.T.G.R.,

Choosing to go red is a bold move, much like the color itself. Since this is your first foray into the realm of red hair color, its best to avoid any "kitchen beautician" inklings that you may have and seek the aid of a professional hair colorist. They will help you determine the best shade of red for your skin tone, if you are better served with a single-process color or highlights, and recommend a hair style and/or cut that will compliment the agreed upon shade.

As for your wardrobe, most jewel tones - think emerald green, sapphire blue, topaz yellow, amethyst purple and turquoise - will serve you best when choosing tops, dresses and even jewelry that come in contact with your hair. It was once believed that redheads should stay away from certain colors, expressly orange, pink and red, but this rule has been all but thrown out the window.

G. Adam Stanislav, a red-haired photographer, was once quoted as saying: "there is more, much more, to being a redhead than the color of one's hair." So trends withstanding, pop stars of late who decide to dip their heads in the color spin wheel for adulation are not the best examples to dye by. You want to take your fashion queues from stylish famous redheads that choose to wear their hair color with understated, yet classic style.

So the long answer to your question is yes, dyeing your hair red - of any shade - will definitely spruce things up. It may even ignite a spark in you you've never known was there. To quote an unknown author: "All throughout history, from Reuben to Robbins, redheads have been recognized as a rare breed. Blondes may have more fun, brunettes may be brainier, but when it comes down to raw energy, creativity, and personality ... you just can't beat a redhead. Well, you can but beware ... she'll probably beat you back!"

For fun facts on redheads.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

A girlfriend has been telling me for years that I would look great with a short haircut and this year I decided to go for it! The cut looks great but none of my old accessories seem to look as good on now. Any advice?

Signed,

Short Hair Accessories

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Dear S.H.A.,

Its rather hard to believe that any accessory would fall prey to a haircut, especially when short hair seems to highlight any accessory worn, not diminish them. However, i

f your case is the rare exception, and you plan to maintain this cut for a year or more, then the solution isn't to buy more but wear less.

This new short hair allows your face to be more open, lengthens your neck and brings attention to your décolletage, so plan to highlight that in ways you didn't before.

Clothing that has built-in-bling, for example, will be all the eye needs as far as accessories are concerned. This lets your haircut stand out while your outfit still has sparkle.

Once you're used to your lopped locks new look, you will find that you can start to reincorporate accessories like scarves, necklaces and even headbands without them appearing out of sync with your hair. Keep your earrings to a simple stud for daily wear unless you feel comfortable with wearing a tear drop design. For dressy occasions, try to find a dress that opens up around your neck and collar bone. Remember: less hair means more of an opportunity to show more skin but in a demure and sophisticated fashion.

It is also advisable to consult a cosmetic representative of your favorite brand to recommend new moisturizers, concealers or even a new color palate since your face is now much more visible than before.

Consider this haircut as the precursor for a new chapter in your life.

From Twiggy and Mia Farrow's iconic short do's to the likes of Halle Berry, Sharon Stone and Michelle Williams, the short haircut has become a women's answer to feeling and looking rejuvenated. It could be the weight off the shoulders or just more of a metaphor for beginning anew, but e

very woman should

try a short haircut once in her life. Consider yourself one shear ahead of the game.

Even short hair requires a little mane-tenance. A few quick tips is all you need to ensure a healthy shorn look.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am a 32-year old man who's starting to notice my hair thinning out. Do you have any tricks up your sartorial sleeve to prevent hair loss?

Signed,

Thin On Top

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Mr. T.O.T.,

There are several ways to approach hair loss. The most effective would be to consult a dermatologist and/or an endocrinologist. The dermatologist to determine if the hair loss is due to a form of "alopecia"; the endocrinologist to determine if a hormonal imbalance is the culprit. You could also try out a number of over-the-counter products that claim to help restore hair and stave off any additional strands from jumping scalp.

My personal hair care regimen is to wash my hair every other day with an over-the-counter product for hair loss-prevention that seems to work well. Because it is a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner I lather and rinse to remove dirt and oil and then re-lather, only this time allowing the conditioner to set in by wearing a disposable shower cap. After the shower I massage a capful of vitamin E oil into my scalp.

Since there is no one cause or cure for hair loss my vote is for you to check it all out. I would, however, encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Norwood Scale to access your level and pattern of hair loss before consulting a professional and/or the nearest men's personal grooming isle. You should also think about taking pictures before, during and after you experiment with different restoration products to find out which has you head-over-heels or just leaves you hanging by a hair.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My girlfriend has been complaining a lot more lately about my body hair. I admit, I haven't jumped on the "manscaping" band wagon yet, but I've always thought a little hair on your chest (and back) was natural.

Not to mention, where do you draw the line? If I concede to one or two areas, what's next? My arms? Pits? Legs?

She discovered your blog and asked me to ask you to answer this "sartorial question". So dude, what's the verdict: can I keep the hair or not?

Signed,

Hairy and Happy

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H.H.,

Maybe if we lived in a different time I would side with you, but I honestly have to ask: what's the big deal? So many men get confrontational when it comes to grooming more than just their beard or head of hair. Unless you are Samson reborn, shaving your chest, back or any other part of your body isn't going to cause your world to implode. In fact, it might just open your eyes to our current societies gender-bending grooming rules.

In the past, women were the only ones to shave "unwanted body hair", but as our culture evolved, so did the rules. Men began adopting womens' approach to grooming and pampering - mani-pedi's, waxing their eyebrows and even getting botox and collagen injections, all in the name of improving one's personal appearance and appeal.

So you see H.H., there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm sure if you asked your friends (or even discreetly looked around the locker room) you'd notice that a lot of men have figured out that all that excess hair doesn't make you look more masculine; just untamed. Undoubtedly, a lot of these guys probably started shaving to appease a girlfriend in one way or another, but ask them now and I would venture many would say they liked it enough to keep it up with or without the female input.

And since we're sort of on the subject, think of the added sensation and sensitivity that freshly shaved areas can experience. Think of how much you and your girlfriend enjoy her return from a fresh bikini wax; or imagine how great it would feel to have your skin pressed next to hers. (From here is where you have to use your imagination; I'm not here to be suggestive, but to suggest things to make your lifestyle more 'enjoyable'.)

In the beginning, you could compromise on the severity of the shave and opt for a buzz cut instead of going completely bare. I will say that, from personal experience, shaving can become a bit of a gateway grooming drug. Without the hair to hide behind, there's no telling what you may discover about yourself and how much more you'd be willing to do as far as your appearance goes. You never know, deciding to shave your chest and back may just be your beginning - and if I'm wrong, at least you can count on it to grow back...in time.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com