It seems lately that more ‘mature’ women are in better shape then the gals half their age!  Check out Vera Wang, designer of the billion dollar wedding dress looking amazing at 63 years old!

Designer Vera Wang

Wang posed in a black swimsuit for the February issue of Harper’s Bazaar.  Hard to believe that this famous designer is 63…Still, she admitted she wasn’t quite comfortable baring her body for the cameras.  “Ask anyone who’s traveled with me.  Normally, I’m in so many layers, I look like Lawrence of Arabia,” she said.  When asked if she liked how she looked, she said, “No, honey, I’m a little horrified.”

Wang opened up her four bedroom Beverly Hills home, to show how she decorated it.  She has spent most of her life in New York.  “It’s a zen escape,” she explained. “New York for me is about work.  If L.A. were to become a West Coast version of that, I’d shoot myself.  The climate, the lifestyle, it really fits as the yin to my New York yang.”

Vera Wang lounging around at her Beverly Hills home

 

Her house was built in 1967 and has an amazing view of the Los Angeles Basin and the Pacific Ocean.  After staying in so many hotels while in California, it was a great relief to her to find a home of her own.  “It’s difficult to relax in a hotel lobby, not knowing who you’re going to bump into,” says Wang. “And no matter how great a suite is, after a while you start to go a little psycho.”

bsw fashionistas

Okay girls, I know we aren’t all cut from the same cloth and not all of us were given ‘perfect features’…HOWEVER, we can take what the big man above gave us and make the best of it.  Believe it or not, there are celebrities who do just that!

Sarah Jessica Parker

One of our favorite celebs is Sarah Jessica Parker…Not really equipped with the perfect features, but this girl knows how to dress and make the most of what she has.  Jessica is always camera ready with her beautiful sparkling blue/green eyes!  Although she has a long face and nose, Jessica looks great with a slicked back pony tail, cat eyes with silvery shadow on her lids and a mauve shadow in her crease.  A little bronzer dusted on her cheeks and forehead, an elaborate necklace over her putter dress and she is Red Carpet Ready.

Kirsten Dunst

Another one of our favorite spunky celebs who knows how to highlight her best features is Kirsten Dunst.  Kirsten’s skin always looks flawless and just radiates.  Her makeup is simple and clean.  To get this look try using a brightening skincare product followed by an SPF of 25 or higher.  Your skin will love you!

Tina Fey

Now if you wear glasses and have the attitude of “why bother putting on makeup,” then check out Tina Fey.  She knows how to take her look and give it a little boost.  Tina being a mother of 2 youngsters, tends to sometimes forget about herself.  Are you like this too?  No need to worry.  Once you get the kids down, treat yourself to a home facial lifting mask that will restore your self worth and lift your face at the same time!  Sudden Youth is the perfect skincare line for all ages.  Especially for us gals who have been around the block a few times:)  2 times a week we gently sweep on our Facial Contour Recovery Lift and before we know it, we are calm, cool, collected and more youthful looking!

For a daytime into night look try some lengthening mascara to help accentuate your beautiful eyes behind your glasses.  There is no excuse for letting yourself not look and feel good!  5 minutes is all you need…even with the kids banging on the bathroom door and barging in!

Katy Perry

Katy Perry is famous for constantly changing up her looks.  But without makeup, Katy is just another average Jane.  This girl knows how to work it!  Bravo to her since it has made her millions…Katy adds extra lashes to her big blue eyes followed by several coats of mascara.  Katy’s eyes are her best feature and she knows exactly how to enhance them.  Her hair is always different which makes her stand out even more.  If you want to be adventurous, head over to your nearest salon and go for it!  Do something different yet versatile.  You can even try a rinse just in case you aren’t ready to make it permanent.

So, start looking at yourself in the mirror or ask your closest friend to point out your fabulous features and then work it baby!!!

‘Okay Mr. DeMille…We’re ready for our close up…’

bsw beauty dept.

When I was younger, my earliest hairstyle was a little something called The Dorothy Hamill wedge. I had that coif  for years.  For some reason, and I don’t know what I was thinking, I cut my hair super short. I distinctly remember telling the hair stylist, “Really short, like over my ears.”

Olympic Skater Dorothy Hamill's famous short hair style from the 70's

Imagine a very gawky pre-teen with super short hair, pale skin, braces and a headgear wearing overalls. Not my best look. Ever since that terribly short hair do, I vowed never again.

Molly Ringwald's short do from the 80's

There was the Molly Ringwald phase where I wanted to look like (and be) Molly. I cut my hair into a cloud of fluff and teased the front, nice and high and very stiff.  You  might have guessed this was the 80′s. And now, as an adult with admittedly thin, fine hair, there is not much to do other than trim it or go short.

Cameron Diaz

I’ve been watching Cameron Diaz lately because she trimmed her hair a while back to shoulder length but then really went for it, cutting her locks into a short ‘do that I think looks pretty cute. Naturally, when you are as pretty as Cameron, you can do almost anything and look good.

Cameron Diaz

I’m toying with the idea of going shorter but I worried I couldn’t pull my hair into a ponytail (right now its the size of a baby carrot) or bun ( the size of a Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkin, if  that big). Here Cam shows us that even with short hair, you can still stick a bunch of bobby pins in there and make it work! Up or down, I’m digging the style.

Jennifer Aniston

I just read somewhere important like US or Glamour or People, that Jennifer Aniston is going with  shorter hair too. Did you know she wore hair extentions? Apparently her hair is worn out from them. And here I thought those golden locks were all hers!

xoxo

cindy b.

Get ready people…Awards season has almost reached its’ climax.  Today the nominations are out for the 84th Annual Academy Awards.  And the nominees are already thinking about How to get Red Carpet Ready!  Time to plump up that skin, keep that brow from moving and slim down enough to fit the most gorgeous gowns in the world!…What treatments will these stars splurge on this year to look their best?  Here are a few BSW beauty and fashion suggestions for some fellow nominee’s…

Get ready for the 84th annual Academy Awards

Let’s start with Michelle Williams for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in “My Week With Marilyn.”  She did a wonderful job as Marilyn and we loved her hair just a bit longer.  Michelle doesn’t need much help.  However, her hair could use a little help!  Although she prefers her “Peter Pan” cut, the shape of her face could use just a wee bit of length.  We see Michelle wearing a long fitted light colored gown, with an open back, and simple diamond earrings since ‘diamonds are a girls best friend…‘

Michelle Williams

Next is seasoned actress Glenn Close for her performance in “Albert Nobbs,” the turn of the century Irish writer who was really a woman. 

Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs

Ms. Close might choose to do a few touch ups before her stroll down The Red Carpet.  Glenn could use a good facial to brighten up her skin followed by some botox around her eyes, mouth, and forehead.  This will give her a more relaxed youthful look to keep up with her younger competitors.  Although Ms. Close tends to wear suits to these affairs, we’re hoping to see her in a long luxurious gown by Vera Wang or Versace in either black or red.  A diamond/pearl studded choker with matching earrings and gloves that go up the length of her arms, would be the perfect accessories for this classy elegant lady…

Actress Melissa McCarthy for Best Supposrting Actress in "Bridesmaids"

We are HUGE fans of Melissa McCarthy.  But Melissa, you need a new personal makeup artist!  Our on staff celebrity makeup artist Beth Bender, is already on call for a few stars but would be more then happy to help you!  Melissa could definitely use a new hair style and should never wear red lipstick again!  Definitely not her color.  Let’s start her off at Byu-ti Hair Therapy located in Santa Monica.  Already home to celebs Adele and Kim Kardashian.  Owner Natasha Sunshine and her entire staff will make Melissa look Red Carpet Ready in no time!  Melissa would look great in a Calvin Klein blazer with a long skirt…maybe even a side split up her left leg.  Her hair up with a few loose curls cascading around her face.

Viola Davis nominated for Best Actress 2012 Academy Awards

Our last Celebrity Red Carpet Pick is Viola Davis for her performance in “The Help.“  In person, Viola always looks great.  Her character Aibileen, a maid in the early 1960′s, could definitely have used some help (no pun intended).  BSW just loves her look and Viola might only need a good rub down to keep her stress level and nerves at ease.  We are hoping to see her grace The Red Carpet wearing a classic gown with a bit of a trail in copper, gold or silver to match her beautiful deep dark skin tone.  Viola will have no problem wearing a red lip color, (unlike Ms. McCarthy), with a silvery/grey smoky eye with just a touch of black eye liner.

 FYI: Any celebrity or lucky person who walks The Red Carpet this year at The 84th Annual Academy Awards should book an appointment today for Obagi’s fabulous Blue Peel Radiance.  The absolute best facial peel to reveal brighter and more radiant skin!  The Bender Sister’s have already made their appointment.  Visit Obagi Medical Products to locate the nearest physician or clinician in your area:)

We’re looking forward to seeing all of our favorite stars walk The Red Carpet at The Kodak Theater, on February 26, 2012.  Don’t miss it gals and guys!

bsw beauty & fashion dept.

There are so many celebrities out there who wouldn’t even get a second look without the smoke and mirrors. Their looks are what you would refer to as “average.”  But slap on the right clothes, makeup and hair style along with all the media telling us how gorgeous they are…We actually start believing it…Some on the other hand, are better looking without all that makeup!

Snooki from "The Jersey Show" looking better without makeup!

Who knew Snooki was so pretty under all that makeup?!  This tiny ‘Jersey Shore’ star went au natural for once, tweeting, ‘No make up day .’  Hey Snooki…you should make every day a “no makeup day!”  The BSW Beauty Dept. thinks it is definitely a better look for you:)!

bsw beauty

Lately I have been seeing a lot of this royal blue color and I predict blue will be a major color this spring! Complimentary to nearly everyone’s skin tone and color, this gorgeous shade was seen on Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. Cameron also sports shorter hair which brings me to…

Hottest celebrity hair styles this Spring

Hair trends! Thank goodness the new styles  are shorter! This is good news for people like me who are not capable of growing long luxurious locks!

Julianne Hough, January Jones and Ali Larter sporting the new Spring Hair trend!

I love Julianne Hough’s color, style and length. Ideal for those of you lucky women with hair that is on the thick side. For thinner and straighter hair, January Jones and Ali Larter (both new moms) choose a sharp edged blunt bob.

cindy

Celebrity Hairstylist Angelo David  The Authority on Hair Extensions

Reveals his secrets to great hair length, volume, style, and glamour.

Angelo David Couture Hair Extensions and Additions™ also known as  “Botox for the Hair” is the secret to taking your tresses from short to long, thin to thick, or just adding a little oomph to your look.  They can be your best-kept-secret…that is, when done correctly.

A beauty-industry veteran, Celebrity Hairstylist Angelo of Angelo David Salon in New York City, found himself frustrated with the lack of quality and customization available for his clients and set about to create a hair-addition system that would reflect the uniqueness of the individual.

After years of research and development, Angelo David Couture Hair Extensions and Additions™ (couture extensions for length; additions and fillers for fuller, thicker hair; fringe for bangs or hairline correction;  and wigs) became a reality— a collection of customizable, 100-percent genuine tresses.

Designed on-site to match your hair texture, type and color, blending seamlessly into your lifestyle for an always beautiful, natural look. As Angelo says, “Over the years, I have worked extensively with long hair, short hair, curly hair and ethnic hair for men and women of all ages and the secret is to work with the extensions so that it looks like your own hair.”  Following the application, the hair is cut and styled for flawless blending. Like haute couture designs, everything about Couture Hair is original and personalized.

I have had mine in since December and love them!  It makes such a huge difference and they blend in beautifully.  If you are going to make the investment, you need to go to the best.  For me it’s Angelo David.

Once you get your extensions in, you’ll want to pick up a bottle of the new Premier Volume Spray from Angelo David.   A must for adding incredible fullness and volume to your hair without creating stiffness on wet or dry hair. The transformative volumizer’s flexible-conditioning formula combines silk and wheat proteins, panthenol and avocado for extra strength and hydration. Evening Primrose enhances shine, while sun protectors keep color vibrant.

DIRECTIONS: Mist evenly onto freshly shampooed, towel dried hair.  Spray directly onto lifted sections from roots to mid-shaft and style as desired. On dry or second-day hair; for extra volume, “set” with your blow dryer, directing air flow multi-directionally.

The new 4 fl. oz (118 ml) Premier Volume Spray will be available exclusively at Angelo David Salon and www.angelodavid.com for $18.50 starting January 25^th, 2012.  For every bottle sold, $1.00 will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org).

Bold, graphic prints will be showing up on frocks, jackets and skirts galore this Spring.  Designer Marni has an excellent rendition of these by covering dresses in gigantic geometric circles and sharp, angular stripes. Much to our surprise, Carven also has a slew of bright, zig zag prints for Spring that look as though they have been clipped straight out of a comic book.

Big Graphic Prints Are Splattered On Designs This Spring

We think the whole Missoni for Target craze got these designers on this graphic print bandwagon. Or perhaps they experienced a sudden jolt of nostalgia and decided to whip out their 6th grade protractors and went on an angle-making frenzy.  What ever the reason, the BSW Fashionistas believe that these outrageous, colorful graphic prints are going to be a big spirit lifter after months of cold rain, snow and gray skies…

bsw fashionistas

“Working with Kristen Wiig for the Golden Globes was a dream come true. She’s smart, she’s funny, and she’s drop-dead gorgeous,” hairstylist Mark Townsend told us.  Because her dress and jewelry were so dramatic, he went for lush but low-key hair.  “I wanted volume on the sides, but not on top, and a matte finish. I think that’s so modern,” he said.

Using Dove products, Townsend worked a dollop of mousse into damp hair and blew it dry with a round brush.  Next, he spritzed three-inch sections with hairspray before wrapping them around a curling iron, and raking through each spiral with his fingers to break-up the waves.  “This isn’t a beachy wave. This is something new,” he adds.