Beauty Queen

New season, new you, new hue. Here at Mama’s A Rolling Stone, that’s our motto when it comes to hair. After all, there’s nothing like a brand new season to inspire you to revamp your beauty regime and try out a fresh new look. Happily, it seems that a slew of stylish starlets agree—lately, Drew Barrymore, Alexa Chung, Ashlee Simpson, Rachel Bilson, and Isabel Lucas have all been spotted sporting dark roots that fade into lighter locks, or, more specifically, ombré hair. Naturally, when so many of our favorite fashionistas start paying attention to one look, we just know we’re on the cusp of a great new trend, which leads us to today’s story. For our latest edition of Beauty Queen, we’re delving headfirst into ombré hair and, thanks to two celebrity hair experts, finding out all the important details on how you can incorporate this effortless new look into your beauty regime.

But first, a little history. Eagle-eyed beauty fans are probably most familiar with ombré hair because of Texan model Erin Wasson, who has been sporting a surfer-chic variation of the look for years. More recently, however, über-cool brands like Alexander Wang and Rag & Bone have used a similarly grunge-meets-glam beauty look in their runway shows. What more is there to say? You’re in very good company! On that note, we present Beauty Queen: Ombré Hair.

First Steps
The best part about the ombré hair trend is its ease and effortlessness; the look is simple to achieve and, most importantly, maintain. There’s only one catch, and it’s not a big deal: length. “The easiest part of the look to achieve is length,” recommends Sacha Quarles, a celebrity hair stylist who has worked with such industry heavyweights as Chanel and was the lead hair stylist on Wall Street 2, where he worked with Carey Mulligan. “Shoulder length, or longer, is ideal.”

What’s Next?
So, you have the long locks. What’s next? According to our experts, there are two possibilities: a salon method, or an at-home method. If you prefer to put your trust in the experts, Sacha says, “For starters, I highly recommend going to an experienced colorist who can do bayliage, or hair painting, an advanced technique that is performed at a rapid pace. Basically, highlights are placed into the crown and the ends of the hair simultaneously, but the ends of the hair are done at least three levels lighter than the crown.”

Prefer to DIY?
If you prefer to DIY, there’s an option for you too. Naomi Mikami, who has worked with celebrities such as Rosario Dawson, Amber Heard, and Emanuelle Chriqui, says, “The best way to achieve this look is by a technique called sun-brushing. This works well for blonds and brunettes.” The idea behind sun-brushing is simple and effective. “Start either darker or warmer at the roots, and then gradually fade to a lighter shade at the ends of a sun-kissed effect. It gives your hair a natural look and is easy to maintain.”

Of course, both techniques require the same simple precaution: “For ombré hair, you must be careful not to leave an obvious line on the ends. Vary the lengths on your end highlights; some shorter, some longer. This keeps it natural,” says Sacha.

Which Products?
Ready to try this look? Naomi has some product recommendations. “I prefer Wella. They have so many color choices, and it’s very easy to find a color palette for almost any hair color.” When you’ve perfected your ombré look, Naomi recommends applying treatments to keep your color healthy. “If you’re getting salon treatments, try Noiraudepro by Milbon USA. It’s a keratin treatment customized to help rebuild the keratin in the hair shaft. Plus, collagen gives strength to your hair. If you are treating your hair at home, try Colure, Milbon USA or René Furterer products. They all have good shampoos and conditioners for chemically-treated hair.”

Mama’s A Rolling Stone would like to thank Naomi Mikami (of the Gavert Atelier Salon in Beverly Hills) and Sacha Quarles for their help.

Images: Firstview, Getty, PCN, Wireimage

This fall, you might be on the hunt for a confident new look. Or, you might be leaning towards a fresh-yet-unfussy regime. No matter which direction you choose, we’re happy to report there is a beauty look for you! Moreover, today’s Beauty Queen story is dedicated to giving you the scoop on fall’s biggest trends and must-have beauty products. Whether you’re craving a less-is-more look (à la Marc Jacobs), a cool grunge-inspired aesthetic (as seen at Alexander Wang and Rag & Bone), or a rich purple pout (in the style of Proenza Schouler and Missoni), we’re sure you’ll find plenty of style and shopping inspiration in today’s story! With that, we present Beauty Queen: Fall 2010 Trends! Sit back and get inspired!

Wake Up Makeup
Inspired by Kate Moss circa Sunday morning, one of the biggest trends this fall is the “I just woke up” beauty look—smudged eye makeup, messy bed hair, and rock & roll attitude—as seen at (clockwise from top left) Erdem, Emilio Pucci, and Lacoste. Despite its nonchalance, this look can be tricky to pull off. To get a jump start on this cool fall trend, try using MAC’s Eye Kohl ($14.50) and Fluidline ($15) to create a smudged eye. To get an equally unfussy hair style, we recommend spraying strands with a lightweight hairspray, and then brushing out.

Less Is More
While there is a profusion of self-assured beauty looks to mull over this fall—such as extreme eyes, purple pouts, and bold brows, to name just a few—there are also plenty of options for the minimalist. Case in point: the “less is more” look, which was spotted at (clockwise from top left) Calvin Klein Collection, Marc Jacobs, and Gucci. To get a jump start on this discreet fall trend, try a light layer of foundation and a soft swipe of blush. We like Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil ($19) and Nars’ Blush ($26).

Extreme Eyes
Your beauty kit is undoubtedly overflowing with eyeshadow colors—but this season, it is time to go big and bold. Labels like (clockwise from top left) Derek Lam, Carolina Herrera, and Chanel all opted for extreme eyes this season, and why not? Nothing brightens up a crisp fall day like a smoky eye and a thick layer of metallic shadow. To get a jump start on this forthright fall trend, pick two shades of one color, such as violet and deep purple. Brush the violet from your lash line to your brow bone, and then brush the deep purple from the inner corners of the eye up to the outer corners of the brow. Finish with a thick layer of mascara

Teen Spirit
You don’t have to be Courtney Love to have a passion for the grunge-inspired beauty looks seen on the runways this season. At (clockwise from top) Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, and Bottega Veneta, models walked the runways sporting nude lips, rusty red-brown eyeshadow, and tousled ombre hair. To get a jump start on this laidback fall trend, line your eyelids with MAC’s Eye Pencil ($13) and then use Nyx’s Trio Eyeshadow ($8.39) in Golden/Rust/Walnut Bronze to create a ruddy eye. Finish your look with a thin layer of clear lip balm and cool confidence.

Red Lips
This fall, a true red is one of the most must-have lip colors for your beauty kit, thanks to labels like (clockwise from top right) Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, and Givenchy. The color’s sultry hue is neither too dressy for day nor too modest for night, which makes it the perfect choice for the modern day girl-on-the-go. Plus, a true red never goes out of style. To get a jump start on this hot fall trend, try mixing a cherry red lip pencil with L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick ($6.99) in True Red. To finish, add a swipe of MAC Clear Lipglass ($14.50).

Purple Pouts
One of the most noticeable and noteworthy trends this fall? A rich purple pout, as seen at (clockwise from top left) Christian Dior, Proenza Schouler, and Missoni. In addition to giving your beauty regime a seriously plush boost, the luxe hue is just dark enough to ensure it will flatter every ensemble you wear. To get a jump start on this lavish fall trend, try Lancome’s L’Absolu Rouge Advanced Lipcolor in Aubergine Velvet ($29) if you’re blonde, or Red Amarante ($29), if you’re a brunette. A quick tip: make your lip color deeper in the center by blotting the edges lightly.

Bold Brows
If you want it all this fall, you simply must top off your extreme eyeshadow with a bold brow. After all, labels such as (clockwise from top right) Valentino, Narciso Rodriguez, and Prada rarely take a wrong turn. How you do it is up to you: while some labels bleached eyebrows for a bright white look, others strengthened the look by filling them in. To get a jump start on this wild fall trend, pick out a dark eye brow defining pencil, such as Nars’ Eyebrow Pencil ($20), and carefully pencil in a classic eyebrow shape. The result is a perfect runway-to-reality translation.

Bright Streaks
Some of us like to play by the rules, and some of us don’t. If your approach to beauty is more playful than proper, we’re positive you’ll like the bright and bold hair streaks seen at (clockwise from top left) Vena Cava, Miu Miu, and Cynthia Rowley—it’s a spirited and more lively take on the pastel strands we saw for spring. To get a jump start on this lighthearted fall trend, ask your hair stylist to mix brightly-colored extensions into your natural looks. To finish, pull your hair back into a loose ponytail that starts at the nape of your neck.

Please note that this post may contain one or more sponsored links. If you happen to shop using these links, Mama’s A Rolling Stone will receive a commission from the store.

Images: Firstview, Getty, GoRunway, Wella

Here at Mama’s A Rolling Stone, we wholeheartedly endorse a laidback summer hair routine. After all, the warmer months are about relaxing and letting loose, right? Not quite. While we love your easy, breezy attitude to summer, we do recommend – between dips in the ocean and sunset barbecues, of course – some minor hair maintenance to ensure your locks stay healthy and beach-perfect all season long. Because nothing is better than a carefree, unfussy hairstyle to match your mind-set!

To help guide the way, we decided to call in the experts for some essentials tips and tricks that will help you put together a low-key, uncomplicated hair routine for summer. Our experts? Paul Labrecque and Karuna Devi. Paul Labrecque is a celebrity hair stylist who has worked with Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Tyra Banks and the Olsen twins, as well as styling models for Pamella Roland’s New York Fashion Week runway shows. Karuna Devi is a celebrity hair stylist who has worked with Helena Christensen and Chloe Sevigny. Her work has appeared in Vogue Italia, Vogue Nippon and T magazine. With that, we present our latest edition of Beauty Queen. Read on!

Getting Your Hair Into Great Summer-Ready Condition

Paul says, “The best way to prepare your hair and keep it looking healthy and fabulous all summer long is to condition, condition, condition! Try Paul Labrecque Repair Condition Restorative Protein Mask – it delivers immediate results using macadamia nut, Abyssinian and coconut oils to seal in moisture. This conditioner improves softness, shine and smoothes split ends. Use every day for one week and then one to two times per week afterwards.”

Karuna says, “Use organic coconut oil – my first choice – or organic olive oil. Right out of the shower, towel dry your hair until it is damp and then put a small amount you’re your hair – around 1/4 to 1/2 the size of a dollar coin. Emulsify it in your hands as if it were lotion and then work it in – from the ends up to an inch from the scalp. Comb it through and wear it loose or tie it up. You can then shampoo later on or the next day, as you normally would. It’s an amazing treatment. ”

The Best, Fuss-Free Cuts For Summer

Paul says, “People with fine hair will have the easiest time styling and working with a layered bob haircut. Keeping it in a bob will make the hair appear thicker instead of lying heavy and long. For wavy hair, keep the hair long with lots of long layers framed around the face. For thick, straight hair, I like to keep the hair long, with one even length and a clean, classic and even line at the ends. If the client has thick, wavy hair, I will always layer, layer, layer!”

Karuna says, “No matter what the cut, finish it off with a beach texturizing emollient. Wash, scrunch and then wear!”

Fighting Frizz

Paul says, “Before styling your hair – whether you air dry or get a blow out – you should be using a hydrating hair lotion. Take a dime or nickel-sized portion of the lotion and distribute evenly throughout your hair. Whether you blow dry your hair, diffuse, or air dry, your frizz will be toned down thanks to the aloe vera, seaweed extracts and lavender. If you have excessive frizz after your hair has been dried, you can finish and smooth with a serum like Paul Labrecque Color Finish Polish and Seal Droplets.”

Karuna says, “Brazil keratin! If you don’t want to go Brazilian, limit your time with the hair dryer.”

Treating Dryness

Paul says, “Again, condition, condition, condition!”

Karuna says, “First, wash your hair every two to three days, based upon how oily you are naturally. If you work out or are highly active, try and just rinse and recondition in between shampoos. Remember, when you work out your body releases natural salt onto the scalp and salt breaks up oil – so, if you do a thorough rinse that natural salt will cleanse the scalp. With a good rinse, you will be oil free and your ends will be richly hydrated with the natural oils that slide down the shaft during the rinse!”

Preventing Hair Color From Fading

Paul says, “Use shampoos and conditioners that stabilize color – normal shampoos and conditioners can be too harsh. When styling your hair, using a fade prevention foam such as Paul Labrecque Color Style will make your color last throughout the sunny summer months. Apricot oil is the key ingredient – it locks color into the cuticle and keeps it lasting longer. And of course, wearing a hat when having an extended stay out in the sun always helps!”

Karuna says, “Buy products specifically designed for exposure. I prefer all salon sold products for this. No pharmacy stuff, ladies!”

Achieving Low-Key, Unfussy Beach Hair

Paul says, “One of my favorite unfussy summer beach tricks is – after a long day at the beach – to go home and wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. When hair is damp, either braid or twist your hair and sleep with it that way, the next morning, undo the braid, add some styling foam or gel and head back to the beach with a carefree fabulous wave.”

Karuna adds, “Ladies, remember – rinse ASAP after a dip in the ocean or pool. The chemicals and salt should be removed right away. They are severely dehydrating!”

Special thanks to Paul Labrecque of Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa, and Karuna Devi of Shampoo Ave B.

While our fall/winter beauty regime was all about blackberry lips and taupe fingertips, this summer we are looking forward to infusing our routine with fresh colors, a low-maintenance luster and natural nuances. Of course, a coral-pink lip (as seen at Chanel’s spring runway show) is a must-have on our beauty list – especially when paired with a natural, flushed look – and this summer, we’re also particularly partial to bigger, darker brows . But most of all, we’re looking forward to shedding those winter layers and taking it down a notch.

To help guide the way, we decided to call in the experts for some essential tips and tricks to help us pull off our revitalized beauty regime; after all, sultry days and Indian summer nights are just around the corner!  Our experts? Tonya Crooks is a celebrity brow artist who has worked with Megan Fox, Molly Sims and Fergie; Belinda Moss is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Scarlett Johansson, Beyonce and Gisele Bundchen; and, Rosemary Redlin is a celebrity and catwalk makeup artist who has worked with Amber Valetta, Zoe Saldana and Ginnifer Goodwin.

Summer Trends: Brows

Tonya says, “One trend that clients have definitely picked up on is bigger, darker brows. I also tint some clients’ brows to make them look bigger.”

Summer Trends: Eyes

Belinda says, “A big trend right now is a cute ‘cat’ eye, which can be pulled off with traditional black eyeliner. If you want to play up the look, use a dark blue eye liner or just blue eye shadow.”

Summer Trends: Lips

Belinda says, “Clients have been requesting coral lips, natural makeup and healthy skin, which is easy for everyone to achieve! If you’re looking for light, long-lasting lip color in coral that also offers protection, try Softlips’s Pure 100% Natural Lip Tint and Lip Gloss with SPF 15 in Coral Charm.”

Rosemary says, “Another hot trend for summer is a bright, intense fuchsia lip with a clean-eye and lots of mascara.”

Summer Trends: Skin

Rosemary says, “Healthy, bronzed skin is always a summer trend that can be achieved by using bronzers rather than sun damage. Use Lancôme – just for the legs – and Armani Fluid Sheer #3.”

Summer Makeup Tips: Brows

Tonya says, “I truly believe that the fuller the brow, the better; eyebrows are so unique to each person that each should be left to the hands of a professional. My best advice for keeping your brows in check is to let them grow as full and big as possible and then have a brow artist shape them.”

Summer Makeup Tips: Face

Belinda says, “Less is more when it comes to makeup this spring/summer. With the summer heat, it’s best to avoid heavy concealers or foundations that you’ll sweat off; opt for a tinted moisturizer instead. For a fresh natural glow, choose peachy and pink colors and sweep across the apples of the cheeks only. If you’re looking to lightly contour your cheeks, use a bronzer and lightly brush along your jaw line and the hollow of the cheek.”

Rosemary says, “I teach my clients to use a mattifying anti-shine primer such as Givenchy’s Mister Mat. I also recommend using a tinted moisturizer instead of a full foundation, such as Laura Mercier. Finally, use MAC face blotting paper to soak up excess oil.”

Summer Makeup Tips: Lips

Belinda says, “Protecting your lips from the sun is also extremely important; a sheer lip conditioning balm with SPF 20 helps condition your lips and protect them from sun damage. If you’re looking for a little shine, try lip butters like Softlips’s Pure 100% Natural Lip Butter with SPF 15. It goes on silky and leaves lips with a hint of shine.”

Thanks to Tonya, Belinda and Rosemary. Images: Allure, Elle, Flare & Vogue Australia

As faithful fashionistas will know, one trend nearly always invokes another. While the spring runways were awash with pastel hair hues, lately a bold new style has been staking out its spot in the fashion world: dip dyed hair. With celebrities like Lady Gaga and the effervescent Drew Barrymore leading the way, it is time to head back to your teenage years when a brightly-colored and chaotic dye job was just a bathroom mess away.

First, let’s take a look at our beauty mood board for some dip dye inspiration. Clearly, the Australians were ahead of the game, with both Abbey Lee Kershaw and Tallulah Morton trying vivid variations. Abbey Lee sported Schiaparelli pink strands for an editorial in Vogue Australia, while Tallulah Morton went for a bold blue in Oyster Magazine. Also trying out a confident color was the ever-audacious Lady Gaga. The pop singer opted for a bright, buttercup yellow back in January and spent almost a month rocking the golden locks (a lifetime in Gaga land).

While we love these brightly-imbued hues, we can’t look past the girls making darker statements. Katie Shillingford, fashion director at Dazed & Confused magazine, went for a dip dyed ombré look, with shades graduating from darkest black through violet to cream. Similarly, Drew Barrymore attended the Whip It premiere sporting colorblocked, black/blonde tresses.

For those of you brave enough to try this intense spring trend, we decided to head straight to the expert. George Papanikolas, of LA’s Andy Lecompte Salon, is the master behind Nicole Richie’s recently darkened tresses and was kind enough to give us a lesson in dip dying.

“It’s usually best to see a professional when trying something like this. You also might want to try a funkier salon, as they tend to have more experience in creating these kinds of looks,” says George. “If your hair is already light, use a vibrant color like Joico’s Color Intensities to get this intense look. If your hair is dark, you will need to pre-lighten it first to achieve this look.”

If you’re confident in creating this look yourself, George recommends using “either a high lift tint, or bleach to lighten the ends of the hair to a yellow.” Once you’ve taken this first step, apply the color intensities. “You may want to go a bit more vibrant with the color to start, as they quickly fade to a pastel tone. If you want a pastel tone, be sure to mix a lot of clear to dilute the pigments.”

Ready to try this look? George has one last word of cautionary advice: “Any time you lighten hair you are causing some damage, so it’s important to follow up with a series of weekly conditioning treatments like Joico’s K-Pak Reconstructor. Also be sure you are going to stay with a certain hair color for a period of time because it’s not always that easy to go back to the original color and still have the hair be in the same condition.”

Thanks to: George Papanikolas of the Andy Lecompte Salon.

If you love the thought of adding a peach-infused pout to your look this spring, you are in luck. This month’s edition of Beauty Queen features one of the most sought-after spring trends: orange lipstick. Several of our favorite fashionistas – including Agyness Deyn and Chloe Sevigny – have been sporting this look for years, so we decided to delve headfirst into the trend and find out how to work it.

First, a little history lesson. As with many spring trends, our first peek at orange lipstick came from the catwalks. In September, Prada sent a mass of models down the catwalk sporting bright, tangerine lips (far right and bottom middle) and then featured the look heavily in their spring ad campaign. Soon after, Abbey Lee Kershaw graced the cover of Vogue Australia with a neon orange lip that was perfect for summer. A trend was born.

Although it is the season’s must-have color, orange lipstick is a tricky trend. “It does suit every skin tone, for sure; there is a shade of peach lipstick for everyone,” says Nicole Bryl, a celebrity make-up artist who has worked with Hilary Rhoda and Molly Sims. “There are shades that have more of a warm, orange tone that are mainly good for blondes and redheads. Others have more of a cool, pink hue are good for brunette’s with pale skin tones. If you happen to be a brunette with olive skin, stick with the warm, orange-tone peach lipsticks as it will better suit your coloring.”

So how do you go about getting this look? Christina Smith, who has worked with celebrities like Gisele Bundchen and Julia Roberts, says, “The key to achieving picture-perfect lips is preparing them just as you would your skin. I use SmartCover’s lip pumice stick to exfoliate, their tea-tree lip-softening stick to nourish and soften, and the anti-feathering stick to help keep lipstick in place.”

Nicole adds: “The beauty of peach lipstick for spring is that you are creating a soft, fresh, natural look for your mouth that gives a touch of color without drawing too much attention to it. The key to achieving this is by using a lipstick that is not matte and bright in color; rather, something creamy, subtle and muted. No liner is necessary as we want it to look more like your natural lip tone and less contrived.”

To apply the color, Nicole recommends adding “either a clear gloss over it to glam up the peach; a cream gloss over it to soften the look even further; or, a very soft, baby pink gloss over it to tone down the warm, orange tone slightly.”

Ready to look for the right color? Christina has some recommendations: “I love MAC lipsticks; they have some great peach colors. For those who aren’t ready to dive all-in, but want to participate in the trend, I recommend SmartCover‘s all-in-one glowstick, which gives your lips a hint of peach.”

Before we go, Nicole reminds us why we loved the orange lipstick trend the minute we saw it: “All in all, this look is beautiful on every woman, no matter what skin shade, race or age.”

THANKS TO: Christina Smith and Nicole Bryl of Nicole Bryl, Makeup New York.

If you love the thought of adding a twisted edge to your look this spring, you are in luck. This month’s edition of Beauty Queen features one of this seasons key looks for your locks: messy braids. Several of our favorite fashionistas have pounced on the look, so we decided to get down to business and find out how it is done.

First, a little history. As with many trends, our first peek at messy braids came from the catwalk. In September 2009, leading trendsetter Alexander Wang sent models down the catwalk with oversized, messy braids (top, left). No doubt inspired, Rachel McAdams, Mary Kate Olsen and, more recently, Lauren Conrad, have all been seen out and about in a twisted version of their own braid. The look was also seen in the print world: Karlie Kloss sported the look for the Hermes spring ad campaign (top, right).

While messy braids appear effortless, there is more to it than meets the eye. “This look is great on pretty much everyone. You can control how ‘messy’ you get but, in my opinion, the messier and less styled the better!” says celebrity hair stylist George Papanikolas, whose clients have included Nicole Richie and Miley Cyrus. “The key to getting this look is not trying to make the braid too perfect. It usually works best with hair that isn’t freshly washed, so it is a great look if you were out the night before.”

So how do you get this look? “The Alexander Wang look is smooth, so you need to start with a good basic straight blow-out. Use a non-greasy smoothing crème on damp hair before you begin blow-drying,” says Jessica Tingley, who has worked with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kate Bosworth. “Then, simply gather your hair into a low ponytail to one side, allowing soft layers to fall free and frame your face, then braid to the ends. After you finish the braid and secure the end, lightly rub your hand up the braid to ‘rough up’ the texture and give it that wispy, soft look.”

So what type of hair do you need? “This look works really well on long hair, with long layers or bands. The reason it looks so modern is that it has a soft volume and a wispy feel; it’s not tight and slicked back.”

Jessica recommends Aveeno Nourish + Volume Mousse, especially if you want to try the Rachel McAdams version, which isn’t as soft as the Alexander Wang version. “Start by applying a soft-hold mousse to add volume and hold, before blow-drying.”

For a finishing touch, George recommends Joico’s Design Collection Texture Spray to give your hair the roughed up, wispy beach texture, especially if your hair is clean or you want to give it more grit. “This will also help the braid hold together better,” he adds. “Don’t worry if a few strands are loose. It will add to the appeal.”

THANKS TO: George Papanikolas of the Andy Lecompte Salon and Jessica Tingley, an Aveeno celebrity stylist.

If you love the thought of adding a little edge to your beauty routine, this month’s edition of Beauty Queen is for you. Dark lipstick stains have been appearing on the lips of fashionistas for months now. While the look isn’t entirely new to the beauty scene, it is a refreshing style that is perfect for the gloomy fall/winter months.

As with many trends, our first glimpse of the dark lips look came from the catwalk. In February 2009, Jason Wu and Charlotte Ronson both sent models down the catwalk sporting berry-stained lips. No doubt inspired, singers Lily Allen and Rihanna and model Agyness Deyn have all been seen out and about in an eggplant-purple shade of lipstick. The look has also been seen in the print world; Dazed & Confused featured Leighton Meester, posing for an editorial in a slick shade of black lipstick.

Several makeup artists have seen this look come to the forefront of fashion. “Dramatic, dark and rich lipstick is a look that has been rolling in and out of fashion since the 1920s and it reappears every few seasons,” says makeup artist James Vincent, whose clients include Liv Tyler and Bijou Phillips. “It is back with a vampy vengeance this season and is a reaction to too many months of nudes, camels and natural lip colors.”

The first step to getting this look is to make sure it suits your skin tone. “If you have a cool skin tone, choosing a blue-based berry or burgundy will be better suited, while warmer skin tones should stick to red-based purples and raspberries,” says James. “Black is a bold statement but you must to be aware of what it can do to your complexion and teeth. Blue-based black lipsticks or glosses will make your teeth and eyes appear whiter.”

Bearing this in mind, we spoke to Nicole Bryl, who has done the red-carpet makeup of Hilary Rhoda and Molly Sims. “The best way to achieve this look is by using a non-greasy lip balm to hydrate your lips. Then, pencil in the color with a black or dark purple eyeliner.”

Nicole suggests combining black and purple waterproof eyeliner together, or using a black and chocolate brown for a different hue. “The waterproof eyeliner/lip balm combo ensures that this intense lip color will not bleed and slide all over your face. Also, when using a lip pencil you have more control over where the color goes, enabling you to create whichever shape you desire. If you want, you can then add a clear gloss over it.”

James recommends using lipsticks from MAC, Urban Decay, Dior, YSL and Three Custom Color (who will customize a color just for you). He suggests using the ground-breaking Lip Tar by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, as it is vegan and cruelty-free. Finally, James loves Armour Beauty’s Femme Fatale Lip Gloss.

Nicole recommends priming your lips with a non-oily lip balm like L’Occitane Organic Shea Butter. Then, use a freshly sharpened waterproof lip pencil to apply your color. Finally, use MAC’s Clear Lip Glass Lip Gloss to add high gloss and drama to your look.

As for the rest of your look, James recommends keeping it toned down. “With so much drama on the lips, keep eye makeup to a minimum; apply sheer color on the lid from crease to lash. A little liner and a liberal amount of mascara give balance and complete the look.”

THANKS TO: James Vincent of Hair Room Service and Nicole Bryl of Nicole Bryl, Makeup New York.

For those of you with a discerning eye, you’ve probably noticed the influx of pastel shades that have been appearing in the locks of some of our favorite fashionistas. While colored hair isn’t new on the fashion scene, pastel hues are a refreshing take on the look.

As with many trends, our first taste of pastel hair came from the catwalk. In September, at New York Fashion Week, Proenza Schouler (bottom left) sent a flock of models down the runway, their hair dyed in muted shades of blue, green and purple. “We wanted something young, something that felt fresh, so we looked to surfing and skating, the things we grew up on,” Lazaro Hernandez said at the time. Little did they know that within weeks, pastel locks would be the trend du jour.

Fast forward to October where at Paris Fashion Week, Giles Deacon also opted for fresh, water-colored tresses. Model of the moment, Dree Hemingway (top, right), was spotted outside the show, sporting a subdued pink wash in her normally blonde locks. In November’s issue of Dazed & Confused, models cavorted their way through an editorial with a plethora of muted rainbow shades (top, left). As with most trends, Ashley Olsen (far right) was quick on the uptake, wearing several streaks of pale green and purple in her hair when she attended the Tim Burton tribute at Moma two weeks ago.

Several hair stylists have started to see this trend come to the forefront of fashion. “On the runways this year we saw this washed-out look, in hair color and makeup,” says Stuart Gavert, the hair colorist on the set of 2008′s Twilight. “[The trend] is more based on the hair style than the hair color itself. The hair [must be] messy and not straight.”

Bearing this in mind, we decided to ask Kristoff Ball, the visionary (and colorist) behind Gwen Stefani’s bright pink hair back in 2000, how to go about getting this look. “You start by bleaching the hair to a pale yellow, or, close to white – the pale yellow helps to hold the color.” Kristoff recommends choosing a darker shade than the color you want, as it will fade over time. “When I [gave] Gwen Stefani her famous pink locks, I dyed [her hair] an extreme hot pink, knowing it would fade to the lighter/pastel pink we desired. I recommend going brighter – you’ll be much happier with the results.”

Once you have your colors picked out, Kristoff advises grabbing a pair of gloves to prevent your hands from staining. “If you are doing multiple colors, do one color at a time. The colors will blend and bleed if you don’t. If you are blonde, make sure to separate pieces and rinse so the color doesn’t bleed onto other strands. Once color is applied, the longer you can leave it on the better. Color won’t hurt your hair.”

Kristoff recommends using dyes from Manic Panic, Crazy Colors and Fudge. “For those wanting something a little less permanent, try pastel snap-in clips that can be bought at any beauty supply store.” Whether you go all out, or make it by faking it, you’re sure to be at the forefront of fashion with your pastel hair.

THANKS TO: Stuart Gavert at Gavert Atelier and Kristoff Ball at Preece & Toff.