• The 10 Best Hair & Makeup Looks. Period.
• The Best and Worst Fashion Trends (Ever!)
• 37 Cute Spring Shoes (for Under $100!)

By: Baze Mpinja

Attention, ponytails: You’ve got some competition! Braids are taking over as the go-to, chic-for-every-occasion hairstyle on celebs, models and, now, you.

1. The undone braid
The number-one thing to love about this style: The messier it gets, the better it looks!

How to Get it Right

1. No need for a blowout; just apply a bit of texturizer to the bottom third of dry hair for nongreasy piecey-ness. A good one to try: Pantene Pro-V Texture Spray Wax ($6.50, at drugstores). 2. Make a braid (or two!), securing with a clear elastic two inches from the ends. 3. Now gently tug around the crown and back of your head to get the messiness going, instructs celebrity hairstylist Hallie Bowman. To loosen the braid up even more, stick your fingers or the handle of a comb in and wiggle a bit. Got layers? Let ‘em hang out.

Read the rest at Glamour!

Angelina smiles! (Oh wait…that’s not the news.)

My Christmas dreams have already come true.

What happened to Rihanna!?

Drunk guys will hump anyone….

How do Blake Lively’s boobs do that?

Fergie’s SNL meltdown.

So obviously the buzz on all the fashion blogs and entertainment channels today is centered on the red carpet from last night’s Emmys. I must admit, I only tune in for the pre-show to see what all the celebs are wearing and to get the scoop on who was hot and who was totally not. Why waste three hours of “I’d like to thank God and the academy” when I can Google all that shiz the next day?

And the stars didn’t disappoint. As I sat curled up on my couch, the gowns had me drooling and dreaming of the day when I would someday find somewhere (anywhere!) to flaunt a flowing, sparkling evening dress. Sadly, as I stared down at my Easy-Mac-stained sweats, I realized that I won’t be wearing anything haute couture unless I marry Hollywood royalty or strike it big myself. Oh, and somehow fit into a size 00. None of which seem too promising.

So, here’s to dreaming big and living vicariously though the smoking hot women who graced the Emmy red carpet while I sat home with a 2 liter of Diet Coke and a bag of Baked Lays.

I die (AKA: our faves):

Christina Hendricks

It was so freakin’ refreshing to see a woman flaunting her curves. Way too often, the few starlets with real bodies are forced into hiding under a flowy baby-doll dress. But Hendricks radiated a sex appeal reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe with a body-hugging gown that accented her blessings up top and her hourglass figure. Not to mention that the deep purple couldn’t have complemented her ivory skin and red locks any better. She clocked in at the way opposite end of the scale from our fake tanned, too-thin tabloid queens. Can I get a hallelujah?

Leighton Meester and Blake Lively

The Gossip Girl’s have a very high standard to uphold; gracing our television screens every week in the chicest couture outfits on the market, we all expect them to be up there on the best dressed list for every award show. And they didn’t fail to “bring it” at the Emmys. Not only did they each look fabulous on their own, but they complemented each other perfectly as they presented the award for directing in a comedy series. Blake rocked a hot red number with a way-low plunging neckline, while Meester updated the classic Grecian look with unexpected layers and voluminous knotted shoulders. If only frat parties were more formal (and I didn’t totally fear someone spilling Jungle Juice on me). Sigh.

Lindsay Price

Bravo for some effortless, understated beauty. Price radiated on the red carpet, without screaming for attention. She donned a trendy one-shoulder dress, with a brooch’s worth of embellishment, and draping sheer layers of magenta. She totally worked the simplicity factor, with effortless hair and makeup and minimal jewelry. Not that she needs much; that girl is gorgeous and the dress only accentuated what she’s already working.

Kill Me (AKA: Kill me):
All those beautiful dresses would never look quite as good if there wasn’t something equally awful to compare them to. So, while many of the stars had us gaga eyed, here are the few that had me cringing. Were these ladies under the influence (of heavy drugs) when they got dressed?

Victoria Rowell

Seriously? We love Obama as much as the next liberal college girl, and we’re are all for women taking a stance on politics, but is your dress really the place to make a statement? And where did Ms. Rowell get this “dress”? A 4th of July picnic table? Earth to Rowell, he’s already in office; you can wear a normal freakin’ dress to the Emmy’s.

Sarah Silverman

We imagine this is how things went for Sarah and her stylists:
“Ok, guys, here’s the deal. I’m doing the Emmy Red Carpet thing. I know – huge, right? Ok, so let’s find a dress that totally washes out my pasty white skin and adds about 100 pounds to my frame. Oh, and the bigger the saddle bags the better! I’m thinking ’80’s prom meets Cinderella’s evil step-sisters.” Kthxbye.”

Padma Lakshmi

The host of Top Chef looks like she had a run in with a blender on her way to the Emmys, with shredded straps and a mangled mass of roses on her hip. If I were Badgley Mischka I would be extremely embarrassed that I sent someone to the Emmy’s looking like they had stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up a dress, then swung by a craft store for a few silk flowers to “spiff things up” a bit.  Oh, and bravo (no pun intended) for making the skinniest girl in Hollywood look like she tasted a few too many Quick Fires.

Diane Sawyer gets promoted.

Now there’s a hot couple. Mmmm mmm mmmm.

Aubrey O’Day defends her idiocy.

Students choosing passion over money.

Holy cow K-Fed!

Who wears these shirts?!

I’m suffering from major Gossip Girl withdrawal.  Mainly because it means I don’t get to see the lovely Blake Lively grace the screen each week as the socialite Serena van der Woodsen. I’ll just have to Netflix Season 1 on DVD to get me through the summer months…

I’ve been crushing on Blake long before she was getting herself into trouble (while donning the most delectable duds) as Gossip Girl’s bad-girl-gone-good(ish). My crush developed when Blake played the blonde-bombshell, soccer-playing Bridget in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Back then, Blake was fresh out of high school. She was young and unknown and I found myself wanting to be her.

She’s gotten a little older and has a few new roles under her belt, but my adoration for her has not wavered.

Despite growing up in Hollywood, Blake is a good girl.  You don’t see her out partying it up or doing drugs in the bathroom, and she has yet to be arrested. Though, if Gossip Girl is any indication, she’d have one hot mugshot! The main rumors circulating about her (and there are very few) involve rivalry on the GG set. Oh, and the fact that she is rock solid with co-star boyfriend Penn Badgely. Who she is always PDAing with. And, surprisingly, it doesn’t even gross me out; I actually find it quite adorable.

In the time between filming Gossip Girl and looking fabulous on the red carpet, Blake has managed to have a few minor roles in other films. She played the love interest of Justin Long in Accepted, and starred in Elvis and Anabelle. She has also wrapped filming for The Private Lives of Pippa Lee and New York, I Love You.

Blake once confessed that due to her height and the addition of sky-high heels she feels like a tranny at times. I’m assuming she means a hot tranny. The hottest tranny. I mean, what can this girl possibly hate about herself? She was ranked #33 on Maxim’s Hot 100 List and has graced the covers of countless fashion magazines. But I guess all girls, no matter how beautiful, have their insecurities, and the fact that Blake can joke about her insecurities makes me want to curl up on a couch with some martinis and hang out with her even more.

And a little time in her closet wouldn’t hurt. I’d do anything to get my hands on this dress.

What does Brad and Angie’s body language say?

Nike’s version of the gladiator sandal.

Sex sells. Here’s why we buy.

Blake Lively takes a vacay.

Tips for dealing with those under-eye circles.

As much as I love the elaborate looks of our Monday night addiction, Gossip Girl,  there is something to be said about looks that are simple yet fabulous. Enter Blake Lively in real life. This outfit needs no accessories. It doesn’t need a flashy handbag or bright colored pumps.  It is simple, flattering… and still sexy.

Simple outfits like Blake’s let the focal point of the outfit be YOU. So many times in Hollywood (and in our own lives) we see people acting as walking, moving hangers. But like our gal pal Blake, it is so much sexier when you wear the clothes and the clothes don’t wear you.  With the season’s chain necklaces, gladiator sandals, bright colored rompers, braided headbands, and multicolor scarves it gets harder and harder to keep it classy and simple and not let the trends overpower you.

But Blake proves it’s possible…and totally chic.

So with that I bring you this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Blake Makes Basic Look Goooood.

Black dresses:

I chose two options:  a short and not-so-short. Both are casual cotton so you can wear them during the day with a cardigan thrown over the top,  or dress them up with heels like we’ve shown here. It’s a win-win LBD situation.

Tank:

Any color will work. You can go with basic white or a light blue like Blake’s, but if those aren’t your colors you’re in luck since every color is everywhere this season! I happen to love this tank from Urban: so soft, so light, so easy.

Belt:

There is something so easy yet totally regal and chic about a basic leather belt. Even better? It’s really effing cheap. Every girl must have it.

Shoes:

Here’s a fun fashion fact: nude pumps elongate your legs and make you look even better than you normally do. Here’s another fact: every girl should have a pair. They look hot with a pair of jeans, but even better when you are showing off those legs of yours in a short skirt. These particular pumps by our gal pal JSimpson are great to wear all year, and are pretty inexpensive to boot!

If you aren’t really a pumps gal, this outfit would also look divine with a pair of flats and a big hobo bag for a spring day.

Black tights:

Hit up Hue! Or ditch the tights and opt for a shave and spray tan instead. After all, Spring is here!

Is Blake Lively the next Gwyneth Paltrow?

Iliza Shlesinger: another hottie who proves girls can be funny.

Looks like I’m not the only one going to the grocery store like a hot mess.

Have fun with your accessories!

Robert Pattinson stinks. No, for real.

There’s another Olsen?

What will the Idols be singing tonight?

Natalie Portman and Sean Penn. Iiiinteresting.

Milk does a body good.

Blend your own wine!

More drama for Kobe Bryant.

Economy gets many students interested in becoming RAs.

Jessica Alba makes me hate myself in Elle.

Is David Beckham cheating on Posh?!

Rihanna takes a break from Chris Brown.

Exercise to make the best of your body shape.

Beware of the reality TV scam.

Who said there aren’t any jobs out there?

Fergie makes cute shoes!

Save money. Brew your own beer!

What does your future look like? Tyra knows.

Lisa Rinna really wants to get back on TV.

Shiny lips and skinny hips? Huh?

Get rid of those zits fast!

Most expensive college dorms…yikes.

Gifts to spice up your Valentine’s Day.

Jessica Alba does not heart Bill O’Reilly.

A DIY skirt, you say?

Katy Perry isn’t kissing anyone! 

Controversy about Brit’s lyrics…just LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE.

Discount Alert… on Obama tats.

Blake Lively and Justin Long? I knew she was a Mac girl…

Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day, everybody.

Start making some money on those used books.