Jennifer Lopez Loves The Topknot/Ballerina Bun Trend: Would You Wear It?

Jennifer Lopez hasn't met a topknot or ballerina bun she didn't like. In fact, if you are a loyal viewer of television's 'American Idol,', you will notice that the A.I. judge wears her honey-colored hair sleekly pulled back into a bun at least once a week.

JLo has even said before, that wearing her hair in a bun is her favorite style.

Is she on to something?

Absolutely. At the moment, swirled topknots are THE hot trend. Celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Whitney Port also enjoy rockin' this do.

Of course, Jennifer Lopez has a super stylist in Oribe. He can mold her very wavy hair into some incredible topknot/ballerina buns. Take a look at the talented star wearing a bold, fuschia Gucci gown at Monday night's 2011 Met Gala in New York City. And more importantly----look at her signature style.

Could you wear it? Would you rock the topknot bun?!

Let's give JLo some credit here. She's been doing this Black Swan do for years now, even back to those high-rollin' Ben Afleck days. But it's not for everyone. It is a very severe hairstyle.

Sometimes, we think it's a bit too harsh a look, even on the lovely star, but since Jennifer has stunning bone structure, we will give her a pass.

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If you would like to try the swirled topknot, don't worry, you don't need Oribe to fashion your locks into this simple, sophisticated style.

Merely, pull your hair into a high pony tail with an elastic. Then, tease the pony tail lightly. Seal it with a few spritzes of hairspray, and twist it around the pony tail's base. Then secure with a few bobby pins.

And there you have it----a JLo topknot do.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Infused Mascara Really Excellent 'Earthy' Eye Candy

Tarte cosmetics has really advanced the science of beauty in 2011.

Back in March, we told you about Tarte's amazing Amazonian 12-Hour Clay Blush (read about it here).

And now, we have gotten a chance to try Tarte Amazonian Clay Infused Volumizing Mascara ($19, at Sephora). We picked up a tube, because, first---we've NEVER met a mascara we didn't like, and secondly, we were once again intrigued by the thought of clay-infused mascara.

Really now? Clay? Oh yeah, and it comes straight from the banks of the Amazon River. It's NOT a gimmick. This is about as 'earthy' or natural as a mascara can get.

So, exactly, what does Tarte Amazonian Clay Infused Volumizing Mascara do for lashes, that other mascaras fail to do?

Some really good things:

1. Delivers a 406% increase in lash volume---for big, fat lashes.

2. Hydrates and replenishes brittle, dry lashes.

3. Special clay-infused formula allows mascara to stay on longer with no flaking.

4. Keeps mascara color longer with more pigment intensity.

5. Returns lashes to healthier condition with each swipe taken.

We like this Tarte clay-infused mascara. And it's nice to know, that we are doing something good to our lashes, because, let's face it.....our eyelashes go through a lot of beauty rituals, day in and day out. And any formula that promotes healthy, thicker lashes, gets an A+ in our book.

Long Beautiful Kate Middleton Hair: Her Stylists Boast 'No Hair Extensions Here'

Who doesn't admire Princess Kate's long, beautiful hair?!

Of course, we all want to know her healthy hair tips.

And just recently, her celebrity stylist, Richard Ward, boasted that his most famous client has all her OWN hair. As he suggested....."No hair extensions here." Not even a few faux strands for the bride in the wedding of the century?

No....all Kate's hair!

So, what's the big deal?

If you look around Hollywood, and at lots of other well-known beauties around the globe, you will find that many do wear hair extensions. It's a celebrity fact-of-life. Even Desperate Housewives star, Teri Hatcher, who once starred in a hair color commercial, bragged that at least HER hair was all her own, and that most Hollywood beauties she knew, all wore hair extensions.

Think about it, though. Hair extensions can do some amazing things:

With them, a girl can go instantly from short, fine hair to thick, wavy or curly long locks. You want the perfect hair shade, you can get it with extensions.

Of course, human hair extensions are better than synthetic hair extensions because they look most natural and blend in better with your own real hair.

With human hair extensions, you can curl them with heat, flat-iron them, and even chemically-treat these real, fake tresses with hair color, bleach, and perms.

With synthetic hair extensions, you are more limited in what you can do, however, when it comes to bad weather like rain and high humidity, the synthetic extensions hold up better. These strands have memory. Human hair extensions will droop like real hair in the bad weather.

So, how did Princess Kate get such great hair?!

According to the U.K.'s Mirror News, Kate never misses a hair appointment:"Kate owes her luscious locks to regular trips to Chelsea hairdresser Richard Ward. She’s been going to his salon for five years for a £105 cut and blow-dry." That's about $165 in U.S. dollars.

Want To Bare It All? Then It's Time For MAC SkinSheen Leg Spray

If you desire that sexy golden glow without the health risks you get from lying in the sun or on the tanning bed, then it's time to fake it and fake it well, ladies.

MAC SkinSheen Leg Spray ($26.50, at nordstrom's). The product comes in Medium Dark and Dark.

And what we love about this gel-based bronzer is the ease with which it glides onto your skin. And it's not just for the legs. Smooth all over your body, except for your face, for that golden, sun-kissed glow.

We adore spray tans. Sure, there is an occasional streak or two, and it takes some practice to get it looking real, but these days, the lovely tans left behind are actually very nice. Gone are the too orange tones that spray tans used to deliver in mere minutes.

Our humble advice: Use MAC SkinSheen Leg Spray AFTER showering and shaving. A little exfoliation, like shaving, makes for a much smoother application process.

And things can get messy, so sit on the floor on an old towel and hit the shins first. Blend in quickly and thoroughly. And give time for the spray tan to fully dry.

MAC really has an excellent product in SkinSheen Leg Spray. And let's face it, this is the only safe way to look like you've spent a few days in the searing sun.

Enough About The Dress: Kate Middleton Does Own Makeup Royally

Beautiful royal wedding.

Sophisticated, elegant bridal gown.

And just as importantly......a stunning bride in perfect makeup. Nothing over-done. Just polished and pretty.

As we told you yesterday.....Princess bride Kate Middleton did her OWN makeup. Like we said----that took sheer confidence or a very steady hand.

We are impressed! The British papers claim that the brunette beauty received a few excellent lessons in makeup by London-based make-up artist, Arabella Preston.

Wish we had the cosmetics brands that the princess bride chose for the most important day of her life, but so far, we have not been able to hunt down that information.

But we can tell you, that Kate Middleton did not shy away from a lovely smoky eye, as pictured here. And talk about perfect eyebrows! We are envious. A gorgeous stroke of the brush to emphasize those brows. Bravo.

Her brows give her face a wonderful balance. And thicker brows are what we should all strive for. Such brows give a woman a more youthful appearance, as we have learned from experts in the business.

Kate appears to have a peaches and cream complexion. And for her long, 3 1/2 minute walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, she chose a soft makeup palette in a pinky-rose for cheeks and lips.

We did find out about her manicure, done by Marina Sandoval from the Jo Hansford Salon in Mayfair. Kate settled on "the blush tones of Bourjois's Rose Lounge and Essie's Allure."

How down-to-earth, Kate appears to be. And we think she did her OWN makeup royally!

New Princess Bride Kate Middleton: Lovely In Lace Like Grace Kelly

We LOVE the Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen royal wedding gown Kate Middleton chose, as she walked down the aisle of Westminster Abbey this morning. And we think she pays homage to the late Grace Kelly in a most beautiful way.

It's lovely in lace all the way. And we can see the copy-cat wedding gowns immediately being fashioned as we write.

Let's face it.....this is one gorgeous bridal gown featuring long, fitted lace sleeves, v-neck style with nipped-in-waist and an elegant lace-trimmed veil. And although Kate's gown has a sleeker silhouette compared to the 1950's Grace Kelly ball gown shape, the similarities are still quite striking.

At age 29, Kate Middleton selected a classic, sophisticated royal wedding gown. This one will be remembered for years and years to come, just like the amazing cream puff, voluminous bridal gown worn by 19-year-old Diana Spencer in her royal wedding to Prince Charles almost 30 years ago.

When a bride marries at Westminster Abbey in a royal ceremony, her arms must be covered, according to what we have learned, because of the requirements of the church C London's Westminster Abbey C and royal protocol.

One other interesting royal bridal tidbit-----we also heard that lovely Kate did her own makeup for the most important day of her life. Now, that's what we call, sheer confidence and a very steady hand.

Congratulations to Kate and William!

Blossoming New Trend For Spring 2011: Rosette Shoes/Sandals

Ladies, everything's coming up roses, or rosettes in this newest hot trend for spring 2011! Floral embellishments are adding a little feminine frou-frou for your princess feet.

And no, you don't have to be going to the Royal Wedding to enjoy slipping into a pair of rosette shoes or rosette sandals. This is a chic trend that will bring a little sophistication to your wardrobe.

We suppose you will either ADORE the rosette shoe trend, or despise it. We happen to LIKE it. There is something very delicate about the fabrication of roses on shoes and sandals. Rosettes appear to give the feet a light, airy look, and signify that spring is indeed here, and warmer, sultrier days are ahead.

From platforms to flip-flops, there's a rosette shoe for everyone and every occasion.

Here are 3 rosettes we found:

1. Guiseppe Zanotti Chiffon Rosette High Heel Sandals ($695, now on sale $486.50, at Bloomingdale's).

2. Nine West 'Qutiepie' Reptile Print Slingback with Rosette ($89, at Nine West.

3. Valentino Rosette T-Strap Sandals ($595, at Nordstrom's, but currently sold out!)

You don't have to spend $hundreds$ and more on a pair of rosette shoes or rosette sandals. Look around----there are some lovely, inexpensive rosettes out there, just waiting to add a little feminine frou-frou to your princess feet.