Are You Feeling Jessica Alba's Honey-Colored Hair?

Yesterday, Jessica Alba debuted honey-colored locks. Are you feeling the new color? I'm on the fence...mainly because I'm too distracted by the purple shades, which remind me of a pair my pediatric dentist would put on me before my teeth cleaning and bubblegum flouride treatment.

Photo: Wireimage

Spoiled Pretty Copies Jessica Alba's Bangin' Bob

I’m kind of obsessed with Jessica Alba’s hair right now. So when I visited Erik last week, I whipped out my Us Magazine and pointed to a photo of her bangin’ bob.

Here’s the finished product…


Just in case you were wondering, these are the products I’m sporting:

* MAC's new Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation in NW35 (mixed with a dollop of MAC Strobe Liquid and applied with the beautyblender sponge)
* Benefit CORALista Blush applied with EcoTools Blush Brush
* Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Flipside (inner rims of the eye)
* Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in #0L (upper lashline)
* CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe Mascara in Black Royale
* Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Tulle

How you like me now?

Snag Jessica Alba’s Bangin’ New Do

Want to snag Jessica Alba's bangin' new styles? Read on...ghd Artistic Ambassador Andy Bodine shares how to recreate her look using an array of ghd products…

Look 1: Sleek & Sassy

If you’re born with natural texture in your hair like Jessica, you’ll need to use an iron to get hair looking this sleek. Start off with a lightweight product, like ghd thermal protector, which protects hair from the heat of your styling tools. The formula also controls static and brings out your hair’s natural shine. On hair with medium length, I use the ghd IV styler to straighten strands from root to tip. To prevent the style from looking too stiff and straight, slightly curl the ends inward. The ghd IV styler is great for this since the ceramic plates are beveled and float (meaning they have more give when you use it to curl, which prevent dents or lines in the hair). For Jessica’s fringe, I would use the ghd IV mini styler which comes with ½” plates that are great for using on shorter styles. After using the styler, apply just a small amount of ghd shining serum to smooth the cuticle and you’re ready to show off your sleek, sassy style.

Look 2: Textured & Tousled

If your hair is like Jessica’s and naturally has a slight wave in it, after showering use a product that helps define that natural wave. I use ghd texture lotion on hair when it’s still slightly damp. The formula is great at defining and piecing out your hair’s natural texture without looking or feeling too stiff. Use a diffuser with your blow dryer when drying the rest of your hair to prevent frizz, then apply ghd sea spray which has Dead Sea salt crystals to help recreate movement in hair and also provides a good hold that lasts throughout the day.
If your hair doesn’t have the natural wave in it, try creating a loose wave with your styler. I take a section of hair and place my ghd IV styler close to the root. Once I clamp down on the piece, I turn the styler 180 degrees away from the face and slowly pull through to the ends of the hair. The more quickly you pull through, the looser the wave and the great thing about this look is that if your waves turn out slightly messy, it looks even better! Finish the look with ghd sea spray to add matte texture and you’re good to go!

Is Allure Magazine Losing Its Allure?

As I was straightening up my apartment today (fine way to spend a holiday – I know), I was rummaging through my collection of magazines…trying to decide which ones were past their prime and needed to go in the trash. That’s when I noticed the similarities between the May and June 2008 covers of Allure Magazine.

In reality, Hilary Duff and Jessica Alba look nothing alike. But thanks to their mirror poses, side-swept bangs, and rose-tinted lips, the two starlets are doppelgangers. And if you look back to March’s issue, you’ll notice that Kate Beckinsale’s cover shot is almost identical.

Allure is one of my favorite mags. And I recognize that options are somewhat limited when you’re taking headshots. But c’mon. What I love most about beauty is the limitless possibilities…it’s transformative power. If you peruse the pages of Allure, you’ll see some stunning hair and makeup – especially in the editorials. But then, the lackluster covers looks stand in complete opposition.

It’s true you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. But in the world of magazines, the cover can have a huge impact on newsstand sales. And, in my opinion, magazine editors really need to wake up, smell the Chanel No. 5, and start giving us diverse, more alluring covers.

Fashion Week: I'll Be Back!

As much as I wanted to stick around for the whole of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week - Fall 2008, I had to travel to Dallas for a business trip. So I reluctantly said TTFN to NYC.

I did return on February 8th for more beauty, fashion, and fun (more on that later).

And check out my purse. Isn't it a work of art? It's the Diana Large Hobo by Rafe, and I'm in love with it. The metallic patent leather is so sumptuous, but the deerskin-embossed leather trim lends a sporty edge. I wore it all over New York for Fashion Week, I took it on my Dallas trip, and I've been running errands with it since I returned home. It truly does work in any situation.

I'm a lucky gal because designer Rafe Totengco, also a fellow blogger, gifted this bag to me - along with a note of encouragement (see, left).

It reads:

Hi Daneen,

Enjoy the bag & blog it out!

xoxo,
Rafe

Can you get over that? I'm still pinching myself. Rafe's gorgeous creations and impeccable customer service are undoubtedy the reason why this award-winning designer has such a loyal celebrity fanbase, including Jessica Alba, Vanessa Minnillo, and Eva Longoria (who even commissioned Rafe to create clutches for her bridesmaids).

Thank you, Rafe - for making feel, and look, so special for Fashion Week!

Manly Makeup

In the February issue of Elle Magazine, Jessica Alba blasts Zac Efron - saying, “He looks like a child with a lot of makeup.” Oh, snap! Apparently not everyone is smitten with High School Musical’s resident heartthrob.

This got me thinking about man makeup, also known as “complexion enhancers.” I’m all for men putting their best face forward, and I consider myself to be pretty open-minded. But at the risk of sounding like a fuddy duddy, I think the concept of men wearing makeup - on any day but October 31st - is just bizarre.

While most men who don makeup do so on the down low, have you noticed how some cosmetics-loving lads are all in your face about it? Take, for example, one Pete Wentz – who’s famous for dating Ashlee Simpson and wearing ‘guyliner.’ He even went so far as to create a how-to video - his favorite is MAC Eye Pencil in Ebony.

Then there’s Jared Leto. What in the hell happened to Jared Leto?!?! I realize that a lot of people go through a goth phase…but, typically, it’s when you’re 16, not 36. Right? It’s a shame because he’s such a naturally handsome guy – and what’s worse is that he’s terrible at applying his makeup. You would think that a guy - who is rarely seen without liner - would get some lessons or pick up a Kevyn Aucoin book. Or, better yet, watch the Pete Wentz video. Ugh. I want my Jordan Catalano back.

I did some research, and was shocked to learn that these guys aren’t simply slipping into Sephora to stock up on beauty necessities - though the chain does offer a few. Oh no. Male Species, Studio 5ive, and KenMen are just a few of the Internet purveyors of male-specific cosmetics (get a load of this bronzer’s suggestive name).

And if you think that this is merely a trend among eccentric Hollywood types, guess again. In 2006, $4.8 million was spent on male grooming products in the U.S., a 7 percent increase over the year before and a 42 percent increase from 2001, according to a London-based marketing and research company. Behold the power of makeup...it's irresistable to both girls and boys.

How do you feel about men wearing makeup? Talk amongst yourselves.

Kate Somerville Is My Mom's Savior

Since learning about Kate Somerville earlier this year, I have been eager to try her skin care products. For the past 15 years, Somerville has devoted her life to addressing skin wellness, and is responsible for the sublime skin of Hollywood’s most lovely leading ladies – including, Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Sandra Oh, and Kate Walsh.

So when my friend, Tracy, sent me some products to try – I was beyond excited. You should have seen me tearing into the box…I probably looked like one of the “infected” from that movie, 28 Days Later.

Anyway, inside the package were Kate Somerville’s Gentle Daily Wash, Quench Hydrating Serum, and Line Release Under Eye Repair. As I don’t really have under-eye issues, I re-gifted the latter product to my grateful mother – who suffers from dark circles; and after using it for a while, this is what she told me:

The Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair is awesome! I have been using it for approximately 10 days and the results are amazing. With this product, I saw a difference very quickly – but then I thought that, perhaps, it was all in my mind. That is, until your sister came home for Christmas break and she asked me what makeup I had on under my eyes. I proudly said, ‘I am not wearing anything.’ Her reply was WOW, and said she was so used to seeing my dark circles poorly masked by pancake concealer, that she just had to ask.

Daneen, please tell your readers that for my under-eye problem, this is my savior. I researched the price, and when I learned it costs $125.00, I did not raise an eyebrow. For me this product is worth its weight in gold. Thanks, Kate Somerville...thanks, Daneen!

Thank you, Mom, for the great review! More Kate Somerville product reviews to come, so stay tuned.

They’re Just Like Us

Jessica Alba and her friend/doppelganger stunt double, Taryn Dakha, were recently spotted picking up some beauty essentials at a Toronto Sephora. The star of new box office bomb, Awake, is in Canada shooting The Love Guru with Mike Myers and Justin Timberlake.