Katy Perry went with the whole skirt-and-crop-top combo for a second year in a row at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. But this year, the singer was sporting a dramatically different look.

Looking stylish yet sophisticated at this year’s awards, the singer paired her sleek black strands with sultry makeup and a curve-hugging pencil skirt and crop-top in a bold print. Though it consisted of the same basic pieces, Perry’s fashion-forward look was a far cry from the hot look she sported just one year ago.

At the same event back in 2012, Perry made just as loud of a statement with her hair as with her outfit, wearing her rainbow strands in an uber-high and uber-long ponytail. The singer’s flirty but not fitted neon mini-skirt and matching hot green crop-top and pumps popped against her colorful hair for a far more playful look.

While we love that she’s never afraid to take risks with her style, we’re loving how Perry gave her colorful style a more grown-up spin at this year’s awards and didn’t shy away from flaunting her fabulous figure.

What do you think of Perry’s transformation from playful and sexy in rainbow brights at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards to  sophisticated and sexy in polished prints at the 2013 Awards?  Weigh in by taking our poll.

Get inspired by more star style below.

Backstage at New York Fashion Week is like a playground for beauty junkies (like us). It may be the only place where you’ll find 10 journalists crowded around a bottle of nail polish, oohing and ahhing. You’ll also find models playing Angry Birds on their iPhones while manicurists perfect their nail beds, or one of the country’s top hair stylists spritzing one girl’s strands and simultaneously approving another model’s ‘do.

We got to take a peek into this world and rub shoulders (literally!) with some of the beauty world’s best and brightest backstage at some of NYFW’s hottest shows, including Jill Stuart, Trina Turk and Rebecca Minkoff. And while we were getting a preview of some of the runways’ hottest beauty trends, we also took notes on how fashion’s top makeup, hair and beauty gurus work their magic.

Throughout NYFW Fall 2013 we were your behind-the-scenes eyes, your ears and even your nose (did you know Stila’s Color Balm Lipstick smells like peppermint?!) — and now we’re sharing all the beauty secrets we uncovered backstage.

From tips for creating the perfect complexion and applying false lashes to how to get more bang for your buck with certain beauty products, these insider tricks will change your life — or at least your beauty routine

Check out the 10 best-kept secrets of New York Fashion Week’s top hair and makeup pros.

Which runway beauty looks did you love? See all the runways’ hottest beauty trends here.  Then share your favorites below.

Catch up on more highlights from fashion month below.

The one bad thing about fashion week? It’s a total tease! It will be months before Marc Jacobs’ cozy-chic coats, Tibi’s structured sweatshirts, or Prabal Gurung’s military-inspired peplum jacket hits stores.

But the good news is, just about every beauty look we saw at New York Fashion Week can be had right now. That’s the beauty of beauty—instant gratification.

And this season’s instant gratification comes by way of old-school rebellion.

Punk Hair

Punk was a major inspiration for both hair and nails. It looked like dozens of Joan Jetts walking the runway at Marc Jacobs, where the ‘dos were short and spikey (and sometimes quite mullet-like). At VPL, the hair was equally edgy. Stylist Bob Recine worked with Phyto and T3 tools to create a look that was slicked back on one side and stick straight on the other. Faux Mohawk, meet your match. It appears we now have the faux skater-partially-shaven-head.

Punk Nails

What would a punk haircut be with out a manicure to match? Fortunately Deborah Lippmann showed up at the Lela Rose show with a new polish called “I Wanna Be Sedated,” which comes out this July. It’s a rebellious mustard yellow with a texture that’s, quite appropriately, a bit rough. Other colors in Lippmann’s Punk Rock Collection include “Pretty Vacant” and “I Fought the Law.” Kate Spade also countered her feminine styles with edgy nail art, embellishing long, neon and black nails with gold studs.

Not about to get punk’d? The runways also offered plenty of prettier, more wearable trends.

Chocolate Lips

Oxblood lips returned to the runways, but with a richer tint for Fall 2013. Shows like 3.1 Phillip Lim and Dannijo featured a burgundy pout with brown undertones that gave off a romantic vibe.

Ombré Buns 

We know, we know, enough with the ombre! But this time it doesn’t involve hair dye at all. At the Dannijo show, celeb stylist Johnny Stuntz used LUXHAIR WOW Pony Fall extensions (you can get them on Beauty.com) to add a lil’ something extra to the models’ natural hair. To recreate the look, don’t worry about matching your color exactly (that’s where the ombré comes in) and pin a hairpiece into your ponytail. Then twist all the hair into a bun, as you normally would and spritz with hairspray (Johnny used L’Oreal Paris Elnett Strong-Hold hairspray). We kind of like the idea of swirling in two slightly different colors of extensions — maybe a blond and a reddish shade — for an even more obvious ombré effect.

Low Ponytails

We’re also seeing a lot of ponytails in the coming months, which is always good news for those of us who like to get up and go. Slicked back and gathered at the nape, low ponytails have been a force in the last few weeks. Not only did they make waves at the Alexander Wang and Trina Turk shows, but Beyonce also wore one to the Grammys.

Twisted French Manicures

For nails, the French manicure gets a new incarnation. Reverse Frenchies (or half-moon manis) returned to the runways in edgier hues, but we also saw a whole new twist on the classic two-tone design. This new version of the French has a border on the top and the side for a look that’s totally mod. The French manicure’s distant cousin emerged at the VPL show, where Deborah Lippmann used “Modern Love” as a base color and then painted a thin border on the top of the nail and the inside edge with “Stormy Weather.”

Bright Eyeshadow

Punk isn’t the only part of the ’80s making a comeback this fall. Bright blue, orange, green, and red eyeshadow and liner turned up all over the runways at shows like Jason Wu, Rebecca Minkoff and Thakoon. Line the lid with a cobalt hue for a more wearable take on the trend, and dust along the bottom lashes as well for a modern twist.

Cat Eyes

The cat eye continues its reign, but for Fall 2013, the eyeliner trick is bolder and more pronounced. Makeup artists at Monique Lhuillier and Anna Sui shaded in thicker lines, while Jason Wu, Mara Hoffman and Emerson focused on the cat eye’s signature winged tip, with a more exaggerated line.

Red Lips

Red lips aren’t going anywhere. The classic lip shade brightened up too many runways to count, adding a chic finish to an array of looks, from grungy to preppy, minimalistic to opulent. To update the look, take a cue from Oscar de la Renta and J.Crew’s models and add a glossy finish to your bright red pout.

Abstract Nail Art

Nails continue to be one of the runways’ main accessories, but the nail art this season is more artsy and abstract. Some of our favorite nail designs came from queen of cool Rebecca Minkoff, who offered fun but modern manis decorated wtih squiggly lines.

Pretty Faces

We welcomed the return of pretty, natural makeup this season. While we love the bold, boundary-pushing looks from season’s past, it’s always nice to see a few beauty trends that will easily translate from the runways to real life. The trick to pulling this look off is in creating a flawless complexion using a tinted moisturizer or light foundation that lets your skin breath. From there, it’s all about the blush to highlight your cheekbones.

Intricate Braids

Braids are also back (notice a lot of trends from spring are here to stay?). The update for Fall 2013? They’re getting more intricate and less perfect. Rodarte and Alice + Olivia both showcased more elaborate braided designs that had a slightly undone feel for a cool update to the middle school look. We also saw braids popping up in unexpected places like the back of a voluminous updo at Caroline Herrera.

Check out more highlights from New York Fashion Week Fall 2013 below.

By Amelia Mularz

Happy birthday, Rihanna! The singer turns 25 today and in honor of her milestone birthday, we’re celebrating her bold, edgy, ever-changing style, starting with her many, many creative hairdos over the years.

One of the reasons Rihanna is so fun to watch is she changes her hair nearly as often as she changes her outfits. From a platinum blonde ‘do with bangs to a cherry red buzz cut, there isn’t a cut or color that the singer is afraid to try out. Whether she’s going au natural — at least in terms of texture — with bright red curls or sporting sleek ombré locks, Rihanna’s tresses are her main accessory.

While the 25-year-old isn’t afraid to chop, buzz, or dye her locks, she also loves to push the boundaries with her never-static style. From modern to sexy, glam to grunge, the only constant about RiRi’s style is that it’s never boring or predictable.

In the August 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, the Bajan beauty even admitted to being “rebellious through my music, through my fashion, tattoos, and my hair” — and liking the attention her changing look garners.

So in honor of Rihanna’s 25th birthday, join us in celebrating her bold, boundary-pushing style.

Click through the gallery to see the singer’s many different hairstyles over the years. 

Then check out more of Rihanna’s edgy, adventurous style below.

Musicians were warned about showing too much skin, and for the most part, the stars seemed to stick to the code. Even Rihanna’s Azzedine Alaia gown was relatively subdued despite its sheer detailing.

The skin that we did see, however, was absolutely flawless. Jennifer Lopez’ complexion couldn’t have been more gorgeous. Fortunately she wore her hair pulled back tight into a severe topknot so we got the full view.

Aside from J. Lo and Taylor Swift, who wore a braided updo at the beginning of the night, most of the Grammy’s guests wore their hair down. Was there a shortage of hair pins in LA this weekend? Or maybe it was the edgy vibe at the show. A structured updo seems more appropriate for the Oscars, while loose hair is better suited for jamming out to Bruno Mars and Sting.

If they spent less time on their hair, celebs lingered a bit longer in the manicure chair. Nail art was huge—Carly Rae Jepsen and Janelle Monae both had bejeweled digits.

But not all stars went all out with their nails. Swift admitted that she did her own nails just moments before heading to the red carpet, but we’ll give her a pass considering she opened the show and probably had bigger things on her mind.

Read on for the rest of the night’s beauty trends, including bold eyeshadow and a striking lip shade. 

What was your favorite beauty trend of the night? Share below.

By Amelia Mularz

We may be shivering in our winter boots, but it’s never too early to start thinking about spring. While you may have to wait until the weather gets warmer to wear many of the fashion trends from the Spring 2013 runways, you won’t have to wait to wear some of spring’s top beauty trends.

From braids and makeup to nails, we’re rounding up all the next big waves in beauty that you don’t have to wait another day to try.

The Spring 2013 runways were all about braids, brows and being bold. Big eyebrows made their way back into the scene so put away your pluckers and start embracing your brows. And, under those bushy brows were electric eye shadows. Vibrant blues, hot pinks and bright marigold hues often winged out and forming funky geometric shapes for majorly punchy peepers.

As for hair, a sweeping side part was seen strutting down many runways. This simple style is an instant update for spring. Feeling more adventurous?

Dreadlocked strands made a debut if you’re willing to go sans shampoo for the ultimate in hippie-chic. Somewhere in the middle? Braids are still big, so you’re safe this season.

With such dramatic makeup, the trend for nails is soft and neat. Light hues make for pretty hands, and pink, nudes and even white keep manis soft for spring.

Find out how to pull off all the best beauty trends for spring here.

Which spring 2013 beauty trends are you most excited to wear? Share your favorites below.

By Anne Roderique Jones

Happy birthday, Lauren Conrad! The reality star-turned-novelist/beauty guru/fashion designer has come a long way since her days creating drama on the small screen with her former Laguna Beach rival Kristin Cavallari.

After starring in her own spinoff The Hills, Conrad parlayed her reality TV fame into a successful career focused on her passions — fashion, beauty, and writing. Not only has she worked on multiple clothing collaborations and even launched several of her own fashion lines, but LC has also become a best-selling author.

In addition to penning young-adult novels and a fashion guide, Lauren Conrad Style, LC added a best-selling beauty book to her empire in 2012, Lauren Conrad Beauty. The easy-to-follow beauty guide is filled with Conrad’s hair, makeup, nail and skincare tips and tutorials. Most recently, LC teamed up with her beauty pros Kristin Ess and Amy Nadine to launch a hugely-popular fashion and beauty blog called The Beauty Department.

Whew! Can you believe she’s done all of that well before the age of 30?

In honor of all this posh powerhouse has accomplished, including her hugely successful foray into the beauty world this year, we’re celebrating the hair and makeup looks that have earned her — and her beauty blog — a cult-following.

Whether she’s sporting beachy waves or a glam topknot, a bold red lip or just her signature winged eyeliner, LC always looks beautiful, but in that approachable way that makes us all want to do our hair and makeup just like her.

So what better way to kick off the weekend than with some hair and makeup inspiration from the birthday girl?

Let our favorite LC beauty moments inspire your weekend look.

Which is your favorite LC look? Share your picks below.

After several seasons of colorful gowns and bold beauty trends, we’re seeing a return to classic elegance on the red carpet this awards season — and that trend continued at the SAG Awards on Sunday.

Gone were the electric hues and busy patterns, daring sheer and slitted styles, and over-the-top embellishments and 3-D architectural constructions that pushed the fashion boundaries in 2012. Replacing the bold and edgy was an easy elegance, with stars playing it safe at the SAG Awards in simple silhouettes and classic hues, from black and white to navy and red.

Matching the simple, unfussy vibe of the fashion was softer, more natural hair and makeup. Translation: For the first time in awhile, the latest red carpet beauty trends are actually wearable in real life.

From effortless up- and- down-’dos to glam waves and faux bobs, the hair — save for one or two Man Repeller-esque ‘dos (we’re looking at you January Jones) — was natural, slightly messy and completely date night-worthy. The boldest the makeup went was a red or burgundy pout or a charcoal smoky eye, with most stars sticking to natural, pretty makeup.

In fact, nails were the boldest stars went with their looks. Anne Hathaway and Kaley Cuoco went festive with their fingertips, sporting whimsical nail art designs, while other stars traded fall’s darker shades in for white and nude nails.

Get inspired by all the ultra-wearable red carpet beauty trends from the SAG Awards.

Whose hair and makeup do you want to steal? Share your faves below.

Each year the Golden Globes brings on a sea of new looks. While the focus may be on the fashion when it comes to the pre-show festivities, it’s the hair and makeup that makes all the difference.

Stunning hair and makeup can turn a just eh dress into a statement-maker and sometimes even save a questionable fashion choice. Meanwhile, the wrong hair and makeup can overshadow even the most gorgeous gown.

And for those of us who don’t have many (or any) occasions to don dramatic evening-gowns, the beauty trends are often the most translatable red carpet trends to real life.

That’s why we’re just as excited to see the latest hair, makeup and nail trends that emerge from Sunday night’s red carpet.

We’ll be here covering the pre-show extravaganza — including all the red carpet’s best beauty looks (and the inevitable misses). But as we countdown to the main event, we’re taking a look back at some of the Golden Globes’ most memorable looks over the years.

Fact is, the Golden Globes are simply another opportunity for stars to play a character — only, unlike the roles that so often win them the globe, this is their chance to play the most gorgeous characters of their choosing.

So it’s no surprise that the past is often a source of inspiration for some of the red carpet’s most memorable looks. There was the old-Hollywood glamour that January Jones channeled, with her platinum ’20s-inspired locks and crimson lips in 2011, and Beyonce’s 2007 disco throwback, with ultra-long, ultra-straight locks and big brows.

That same year, British beauty, Sienna Miller went way old-school, turning to Ancient Greece for inspiration and pioneering wraparound braids on the red carpet.

And let’s not forget the innocent look of Miley Cyrus in 2009, donning long, wavy curls and sweet pink glossy lips. It’s hard to imagine it was the same girl now rocking a bleached-blonde punk-rock ‘do.

From the elegant updos and big bouffants to the dramatic eyes and statement pouts, celebs never fail to bring the bold beauty at the Golden Globes.

Here’s a look back at our favorite beauty moments from the Golden Globes over the years.

Whose red carpet look tops your list of all-time faves? Tell us in the comments section below.

More red carpet highlights from the Golden Globes over the years….

Find out which stars we’ll be watching on the red carpet this season in the video below.

Anne Roderique-Jones

It’s that time of year again when New Year’s resolutions are being made — and (already) broken.

We promise ourselves that we’re going to curse less, hit the gym more and call our mothers every Sunday. And before we know it, the holidays are over, we fall back in the swing of things, and our promises to change and improve are quickly broken and forgotten. Cue the guilt.

But this year, we want you to ditch the list of lofty, generic and easily-broken resolutions (lose weight, workout, get a better job) and guilt in favor of smaller, more specific and more manageable resolutions that will help you look and feel better all year long.

But first, we want you to make one (just one!) big resolution that will improve almost every other aspect of your life — and may even help you achieve those lofty, generic and easily-broken resolutions you make to yourself year after year.

The one big promise we want you to make this year: Be good to yourself.

To help you keep that promise, we’ve broken down this rather large and intangible resolution into 10 mini resolutions that will help you  look and feel better this year.

Not only are these bite-sized resolutions easy to implement into even the busiest schedule, but they offer immediate rewards that will make them easy to stick with, too. These small, simple beauty resolutions will make a big impact on how you’ll look, feel and most of all—they’re totally stick-able.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t waste another day of 2013.

Make these 10 beauty resolutions and you’ll look and feel beautiful on the inside and out.

What are your beauty resolutions for 2013? Share them below, and we promise to help you stick to them.

Don’t forget to throw in a few fashion resolutions for good measure. Watch the video for the top three style resolutions to make for 2013.

By Anne Roderique Jones

When it comes to red carpet tends, one things for certain, 2012 was all about bold beauty.

Donning bright pouts and vibrant shadows, colorful streaks and retro dos, starlets didn’t play it safe on the red carpet this year.

From the runways to the red carpet, makeup artists introduced bold, new looks — some more adaptable to real life than others. And some of our favorite red carpet regulars took some serious gambles with their hair and makeup.

So as we look forward to trying out Spring 2013′s new crop of hair and makeup trends, we’re counting down all of 2012′s biggest and boldest beauty trends.

While some of the year’s beauty trends fell on the wacky to plain weird spectrum, others turned out to be surprisingly wearable.

So what were the year’s best and worst beauty trends — and which stars tried them all?

Find out which 2012 beauty trends were hits — and which missed the mark — in our round-up of the year’s biggest red carpet beauty trends.

Check out the best and worst red carpet beauty trends of 2012.

Which beauty trends did you try — and which did you pass by? Share below.

Get some last-minute beauty tricks for getting party-ready from beauty guru Bobbi Brown.

From subtle ombre highlights to shocking pink strands –2012 was full of funky (and functional) hair color trends.

It seemed that everyone in Tinsletown had scarlet fever because red locks were hotter than ever. Both Jessica Chastain and Holland Roden both rocked red-hued ‘dos this year.

And while platinum blond strands, a la Miley Cyrus, may not be for the faint of heart, it’s a color showstopper.

Color streaks were also a hot hair trend this year, and celebs like Chloe Moretz and Christina Aguilera are fans.

If you’re not ready for all-over color like Katy Perry‘s ever-changing rainbow hair, a pop of purple or a hint of electric blue can be achieved with chalk, spray-on color or clip-in extensions.

For a less extreme change, ombre locks, like Beyonce’s, can be subtle, offer an instant glow and are the perfect color compliment for the ultimate lazy girl.

As these celebs can attest, a sassy new color is a quick way to update your look for the New Year. So get inspired by Hollywood’s colorful strand stars of 2012, and think about giving your hair an end-of-year update.

 Click though our gallery of the Best Hair Colors of 2012.

 Which starlet’s hair color do you like best? Dish below.

Get the scoop on the best at-home hair color kits in the video below.

It’s all about bold lips for the holiday season. While red and oxblood are more classic choices as we head into the winter months, don’t write pink off as a spring- or- summer-only shade.

From hot pink to magenta, try a bright pink pout for an unexpected and modern alternative to red or wine that packs just as much punch.

Emma Stone, Keira Knightley, Pippa Middleton, and even Nicki Minaj have unlocked the power of pink, and now you can too, with our expert tips for finding — and pulling off — the perfect pink for your pout.

Playful and sweet, feminine and sexy, bold and modern, pink is far more versatile than a vamp oxblood or a classic red. Plus, a pink pout is easier to pull off: From light to dark, there are multiple shades to flatter every skin tone, so finding your perfect pink is easy.

As with any cosmetic choice, finding the right shade for you is the biggest part of the battle — it’s going to have to work with your skin tone — and your personality.

Start by matching your skin’s undertones to the lipstick’s undertones. The darker your complexion, the more pigmented your pink lipstick can go.

 “When choosing the right pink for your skin tone, first determine if the undertones in your skin are warm (golden or olive) or cool (pink, beige),” celebrity makeup artist Tara Loren advises. “Those will be the types of colors you’ll want to stay with — cool to cool and warm to warm — to best compliment your complexion.”

Ready to find the right pink for your pout and personality?

From glosses to mattes, blush to hot pink to magenta, check out our guide to picking — and pulling off — the perfect pink for your pout.

When it comes to lipstick, are you more of a pink or a red girl? Share your lipstick shade below.

Written By Aly Walansky

Like Gwen Stefani’s red lips or Rihanna’s nails, a signature scent is a key component of your overall style — not to mention a well-chosen (and packaged) fragrance makes a fail-proof gift for just about anyone on your list.

And this season’s smattering of scents — from Lady Gaga’s exotic “Fame” to Marc Jacobs flirty and fresh “Dot” –  make it easy to find the perfect perfume for your — or that impossible-to-gift person on your list. From lighter scents to richer perfumes, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to switch up your signature scent or for a guaranteed-to-please holiday gift, you’ll find a scent to suit your (or her) style.

Rich, sultry scents are dominating the latest fragrance offerings, with the deeply sensual sandalwood a main player. But for those who perfume floral notes, there are plenty of those to choose from as well.

When it comes to choosing a fragrance, whether for yourself or for a friend or family member, it’s not about following trends — it’s about finding the fragrance that fits the wearer’s personal style.

Match the mood of the perfume to the vibe your (or her) wardrobe gives off. Of course, if you’re buying for yourself, keep in mind that every scent smells different on everyone, so make sure you sniff before you buy.

Check out our round-up of the season’s top scents to freshen up your seasonal style — or one of the ladies on your holiday gift list.

See what Lady Gaga had to say about her exotic new scent in the video below.

Text By Aly Walansky