Did you watch the Academy Awards this weekend? I live tweeted the whole thing, but still I want to shine a light on the beautiful bellas walking the red carpet. This was quite a year for black actresses at the Oscars!
First of all, Taraji P. Henson absolutely took my breath away in her Roberto Cavalli gown. Her skin tone glowed in that glorious dress, and her necklace! So up my alley. Just Jared revealed a closer shot of her vintage-style diamond necklace. Gorgeous. Couple that with the sleek, asymmetrical hairstyle, and she was a total showstopper.
As BellaSugar points out, her look is very fresh, soft, and pretty, but with a fierce modern look thanks to that smoldering smokey eye. To achieve the look yourself, I just gotta shout out the Benefit Smokin’ Eyes kit once more, and that bronzy deep peach cheek reminds me very much of PUR Minerals pressed mineral blush in Burnished Bronze. Which is a GREAT shade for accenting deep brown skin.
Can we talk about Miss Viola Davis? She was a vision in a gold Reem Acra gown. Or at least I thought so — apparently the idiots on E’s Fashion Police disagreed and called it “too Motown.” Whatever the hell THAT’s supposed to mean. The fabulous Project Rungay gave her kudos on the fit of the gown, and I agree — she looked incredibly luminous and happy.
Bellasugar pointed out her gold eyeshadow and raspberry lip, and gasp — a reader noticed that her foundation is a tad too light and not blended to match her neck. That’s happened to me often with mineral makeup, so I feel her pain. And I gotta say, for a glorious golden eye, I still love love LOVE b.l.a.c minerals. Don’t sleep on their Carnival mineral eye pigment, and for a berry lip that lasts all night, you could do no better than Valana Minerals Berry Bliss. This lipstick glides on and lingers like a lipstain. And yo, the sample sets for $5.99 are a GREAT deal that last for a while.
I didn’t love Alicia Keys’ makeup — LOL, Gigglesugar compared her to Mulan! I blame it on an overeager hand in contouring and eye makeup by her makeup artist. This was the kind of look that probably looked amazing in person but translated into way! too! much! for viewers on TV, IMO.
Her artist explained, “I was inspired by Veronica Lake, Lena Horne and the women in Hollywood in the 40’s and early 50’s so bold lips, luminous skin, strong brows and sultry eyes are all a MUST!!!â€
I see. And I respectfully disagree with the choice of eyeshadow for Miss Keys. The pale peach shadow, dramatically lined eye, and bold red lip was retro-inspired overkill IMO. And please note I am not being as snarky as the funsters at Project Rungay, who said — and I quote — “She looks beautiful but she’s so done up she kinda doesn’t even look like herself. Like she’s a drag queen doing an Alicia Keys tribute named Felicia Sleaze or something.”
Meow! Feel free to disagree in the comments!
I must admit, I didn’t love Queen Latifah’s dress — on Twitter I declared that the sharply pointed bodice reminded me of Ursula from The Little Mermaid. But I DO love that Queen La always keeps it real with her makeup. Eye 4 Style reveals that Sam Fine used only Cover Girl makeup, and created her eye look with Golden Sunrise, which is currently on sale at Drugstore.com for $3.47. Give it to em, Queen!
Who wore it best? Who rocked your favorite Oscar look? Did you LOVE Angelina’s earrings as much as I did? Dish!
I was not at all a fan of Alicia’s look…Was I the only one who noticed that she might have been wearing a wig?
I wasn’t that interested in the show this year but Halle, Viola and Taraji made it all worthwhile. They looked amazing!
Halle-freakin’-Berry always looks AMAZING–it’s like she can do no wrong….and Taraji was ROCKING that dress.
I also thought Alicia was wearing a wig. It looked so unreal and you couldnt see her natural part…maybe she was going for a different look this time around.. Taraji looked wonderful.. I dont want to say I was shocked but I was very pleased…Queen Latifah Always looks great in what ever she wears and Im glad that she is out there to Rep the BBW’s…As far as Viola..She looked wonderful..except for the makeup..but her dress was a vision..
“Too Motown?”
I wonder if that criticism was from the same guy who thought that Sophie Okonedo’s natural was “too ethnic” the year she was nominated for Hotel Rwanda.
That “Too Motown” comment made me cringe . . . I don’t like the sound of it . . . not at all!
On a positive note . . . Taraji looked absolutely AMAZING . . . everything was perfection!
The Queen looked amazing! I’m not too fond of one shouldered numbers . . . I would have preferred she go strapless . . . but she looked stunning nonetheless.
Ms. Keys . . . yikes! to that horrible wig . . . maybe if the hair was different I could enjoy the makeup? lol.
Great post, Bella! I guess we can excuse you for snoozing before the show was over, lol.
when I thin of motown I think of glam dresses and great wigs. I think that they created a glamourous show for fans. I love Motown… just the way it was said I don’t think he thinks of Motown like I do.
no one wowed me this year. but no one looked Horrid either… well maybe that bedspread flowered fishtail dress.
Alicia Keys’ wig was just plain terrible, and I think Viola may have been wearing one too. Otherwise I thought Viola was radiant, less because of the dress or makeup than the attitude. She looks genuinely happy. Hollywood is finally catching on to her talent, so she has plenty to smile about. I just hope there are more roles out there for her. She really deserved that Oscar SO MUCH more than the rest of them, so she could’ve come to the awards in a potato sack as far as I’m concerned.
Hmmph! I’m from Motown, so I take issue with that aside. Viola looked lovely and she should take the comment as a compliment, Motown would be happy to see her represent for them.
Alicia’s dress was stunning. Hair –not so much. Hard to believe sometimes she is the same girl with the cornrows.
I <3 Taraji Henson’s dress and makeup. I had that hairstyle in 05 though. Yup, it looks good on her.
Btw, was anyone else loving the slumdog/wall-e musical numbers? I want one of those Indian inspired outfits with the full skirts. Sooo pretty.
Viola Davis’s dress was STUNNING. My absolute favorite. I see what you mean about her makeup not being quite right, especially next to Taraji Henson whose face is done perfectly. But the dress and how it looks on her, just marvelous. Her dark brown skin looks gorgeous against the gold fabric.
Lawd, Taraji is stunning! I’m with you on Latifah’s dress, but her skin looks flawless as usual.