Ombre Hair: Here, There & Everywhere

Ombre hair has been such a huge trend for the past year. It's fresh, low-maintenance and oh-so-pretty.  I unintentionally sort of have an ombre look happening when I grow my hair out.  I typically dye my hair only every 4-5 months or so. So I let my natural mousy-brown roots grow out until they are a few inches long and then I get highlights all over again.

I'm contemplating going for a more ombre look at my next appointment.  My stylist added a few blonder pieces in the front underneath part of my hair at my last appointment to "test the waters" and so far I've enjoyed the subtle change. My new camera makes my hair look a bit lighter than it is, but you get the general idea. The issue with me is that my natural brown color is mousy---so I do like to have the highlights right at the top to sort of disguise that and blend it out. I could have my stylist dye my actual roots a little bit of a warmer shade of brown...but I don't know if I want to do that. We shall see.

Here are some of my favorite ombre looks. Is is me---or does this trend really look best on brunettes? I like it on blonde girls too, but for some reason the look is even more gorgeous on brunette hair, IMO.

All images are from Google, JustJared and Hills Freak.

Rachel Bilson---she has been rocking this look for a couple of years now---I would definitely say she was one of the earliest adopters of this trend.

 Audrina Patridge---not a full-on ombre look, but subtle

Lauren Conrad---loving her shorter hair here too!

Victoria's Secret model Lily Aldridge---gorgeous!

Sarah Jessica Parker---remember the ombre hair she had in the "American in Paris" episodes---that was years ago and I really think Carrie Bradshaw was the first to sport this trend.

Hilary Duff

Jessica Biel---I must admit I was taken aback when I saw these photos---she just looks so stunning and I think her hair is one of the best ombre looks in the bunch. 

What do you think of this hair trend? Do you think it will continue to be a trend or will it be old news by 2011?  Which celebrity do YOU think has the best ombre hair?

Do you think I should try to go a little more ombre?  Let me know in the comments below :)

xoxo,

Veronika

Audrina Again: Perfect, Glow-y Makeup

I know that Audrina Patridge is not a popular celeb on this blog, but when I saw these recent photos of her at the People's Choice Awards Press Conference, I just had to share them...her makeup is so pretty in these pics! 

All photos courtesy of Kelli at Hills Freak

I think I'm used to seeing her with heavier makeup, especially on the eyes, and although that's fun for a night out, I prefer this pretty, more natural look.  I love the eyes, the lip color, the glowing skin. Gorgeous! She definitely got it right here. I also like that it doesn't look like she's wearing a ton of bronzer. Her skin just looks radiant and smooth. 

What do you think of Audrina's makeup here?

xoxo,

Veronika.

Motivation Mondays: Audrina Patridge Works it Out

Today's Motivation Monday features Audrina Patridge of "The Hills" and "Dancing with the Stars" fame. Obviously I don't know her so I didn't get to interview her like I usually do for this feature, but I did find a few of her fitness tips online and am compiling them in this entry.

I am obsessed with the blog Hills Freak and I always admire Audrina's style and of course her body!  She is very fit and even more toned since she's been training and performing on Dancing with the Stars. This is a picture-heavy post, with all photos from Hills Freak (thanks Kelli!)

Among Audrina's health and fitness tips?

• She works out at least five times a week
  
•  She does laps in her backyard pool, hikes in Runyon Canyon, goes for a run or does weight training
  
• "Even when I'm just sitting in front of the TV, I lift five-pound weights or do squats."
  
• "I wear heels when I vacuum, because it works my calves and my butt!"
  
• She works out with a trainer
  
• She has always been in shape and was on the swim team when she was younger
  
• “I go to the beach on the weekends and play volleyball.  Or I’ll go kayaking in Malibu. I like finding things to do outside. I hate being cooped up in the gym.”
  
• When she does head to the gym, Patridge focuses on toning and defining: after 15 minutes on the elliptical glider, she works her arms with 5-pound weights, keeps her belly flat by doing crunches on a balance ball and lifts her posterior with squats and lunges.
  
• I try to eat as healthy as I can. I eat alot of vegetables, fruit, fish, chicken. I never eat sweets or drink soda. I always drink water or iced tea. I take vitamins everyday.
  
•  From her Twitter page "Just left rehearsal… Dancing is probably the BEST workout everrr!! And your having fun at the same time.” 
  
• "I am not really big on sweets. I don’t like desert. I don’t like certain kinds of candy I’m not a big chocolate fan.”
  
•  "I have all this natural energy from being active everyday," Patridge, 25, tells People of her new found fitness addiction. "I feel toned and defined."

Holding a LuluLemon bag!

(x17online.com)

I know it's Motivation Monday, but I had to skip my Pilates class tonight.  My stomach has been weird all day and I actually fell asleep while writing this entry. I felt very tired suddenly and the next thing I knew I was dozing off on the couch, laptop still in my lap, this entry open. Not sure why I'm so tired today...I slept my 8 hours and everything (no, I'm NOT pregnant.) Guess I'm just feeling exhausted...On the plus side, my H made a very yummy dinner- whole wheat angel hair pasta and shrimp with marinara pasta sauce. So delicious! Thank goodness he can cook! I'm going to drink some gingerale to see if it helps with my tummy.

I always thought it might be fun to try a dancing class as a workout. I've heard a lot of great things about Zumba too. What do you think of Audrina's tips? I could never get on board with no sweets (I am addicted) but I love her ideas like wearing heels when she vacuums or taking her workouts outside (hiking or playing volleyball). Audrina strikes me as someone who isn't obsessed with food intake and just lives by the principles of moderation and portion control.

I also love Audrina's former costars Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth. They have enviable frames as well!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Looks from "The Hills"

I was inspired to write today's post after stumbling upon Amy Nadine's beauty blog (she is a makeup artist for Lauren Conrad and other celebrities).

I was a Hills addict before it even existed- that's right, I've been watching since season one of Laguna Beach. I like the drama, the shopping, the California sunshine...what can I say?

What I notice about The Hills, is that all of the characters (and I call them that because though they are real people, the show certainly is not) have very different makeup styles. The one thing they all seem to have in common though, is the desire to show off their golden tans with a little glow to their skin (I approve!)

I'll start with Lauren Conrad, since she is a fan favorite. I like her look- tan skin, a glow to her cheeks, eyeliner, mascara and a pink or nude gloss to top off her look. It reminds me of my own day to day look. Although she is not a favorite of mine on the show, I think Lauren's look is very achievable and looks like "real girl" makeup. What I mean is that her makeup looks like something I or any other woman could wear on the daily without looking too high maintenance. The thing I like about Lauren's look is that she never looks too perfect. She looks consistently pretty- but it never looks calculated or like her makeup is professionally done all the time (like Heidi- who's look is pretty...but not very achievable for the average girl.) Fashion-wise, I think LC has great style, but as a designer, she needs to grow.

Moving on to Miss Audrina. Many critics have said she wears too much makeup, but I've noticed that her day to day look (when she is running errands and being photographed by the paparazzi) is much more toned down and pretty. She's always got pretty lined eyes and big, lush lashes, which I love. If you love her look, check out her official blog- she lists a lot of her favorite products there and answers her fan's questions about everything from her favorite bronzer to what she eats to stay in shape. I kind of miss her super dark hair- though I do love her color now too, she pulls both off well.


Then there's Heidi. Heidi's makeup, to me at least, appears as though she gets it done professionally every time they are filming The Hills. If she does in fact do her own makeup, then I commend her for her talented makeup application abilities. Like any other show, it would not surprise me if they had makeup artists available to these cast members. Heidi's look is what I consider to be a "full face." She is never without a product- she is always made-up from her foundation to her eyes, lips, cheeks etc. I think she embraces her look, and doesn't care what anyone thinks, which is admirable. I don't think she wears too much makeup, considering she appears on television. I've seen her with less makeup in paparazzi photos, which is a flattering look for her. If you go back to the first season of The Hills (pre plastic surgery- note: I am not against plastic surgery, just stating a fact) you'll notice she also wore a lot less makeup at that time, and she was so cute then too. I just thought she was very fresh-faced and pretty. I think she is pretty now, but her look is more photoshoot than everyday for me. Let's take a look:
This season of The Hills was promoted as "The Bitch is Back." The not-so-nice name they use is referring to is Laguna grad Kristin Cavallari. I really like her look. She pulls off the "almost no makeup" look just as well as a more glam look. I also like her style. She's really evolved from her Laguna boarshort and sweatshirt days. I really like her hair this season, and she seems confident with herself. As far as her makeup goes, she strikes me as a more natural california girl who knows how to look put together without going overboard. I am loving her longer (and lighter) hair this season, but I also love it short- she can really pull it off.


If you would like to learn about some of the products Lauren Conrad's makeup artist uses on her, check out her blog . She claims to use a lot of "Mark" products on Lauren, though I am not sure if this is truly the case, or because LC is a spokesmodel for the company. She also uses a lot of cult faves like NARS Laguna bronzer (Holy Grail alert!) and NARS Orgasm blush- you'll notice her posts about other celebrities she does makeup for include a wide-range of products.

Thanks for reading and please leave me a comment below telling me which "The Hills" girl you like best- whether it is her style, hair or makeup.

xoxo,
Veronika