Inspiration for your spring and summer soirees

We just love a good gala event for surveying the hottest trends of the red carpet. The world-renowned Festival de Cannes, not only boasts the latest and greatest films of 2012, but also hosts some of the world’s most esteemed celebrities and their fashion-forward flair.

As we head into the season of soirees and BBQs, we’ve taken cue from Cannes and collated a few of our favourite looks from the gala as inspiration for your party and evening style lookbook…

[caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] Eva Longoria donned an edgy retro beehive - a super trendy look this season. Her smoky eyes and bronze beige highlighting complete her dramatic but fresh look.	[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] At the Killing Them Softly premiere, Diane Kruger was simply elegant. Her high chignon bun was modest chic, and her subtle smoky eyes and rosy lips made for a fabulously feminine ensemble.
[caption id="attachment_539" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] We absolutely loved Marion Cotillard at the screening of her film Rust & Bone. She was belle-of-the-ball perfection with a polished feature bun bejewelled with a dainty floral chain. Her porcelain complexion with defined eyes, flushed cheeks and matte berry lips completed her look.	[caption id="attachment_541" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] With classic, vintage curls loose around her shoulders, Lana Del Rey looked both sultry and sophisticated. Her cat-eye eyeliner was clean and classy, and her porcelain complexion and natural lip colour proved that sometimes less in more!
[caption id="attachment_544" align="aligncenter" width="186" caption="Image courtesy of HJI"][/caption] Kirsten Dunst was ‘pretty and bright’ at her photo call for On The Road. Her super sweet milkmaid spin-off was picture perfect with loosely pinned-up curls and a darling tiara adorned with roses and pearls.	[caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour UK"][/caption] Diane Kruger really suits old Hollywood glamour doesn’t she?! Her simple half-up, half-down style at the Cannes premiere of Amour was vamped up with a side-swept wave that was just divine! (Her custom-made Vivienne Westwood sequin gown was absolutely gorgeous too!)

Jessica Chastain: Queen of Cannes 2012...so far

The 65^th Cannes Film Festival commenced mid last week. We’ve been following the events and drooling over the numerous styles gracing each day’s proceedings. Next week, we’re going to do an overview of some of our favourite red carpet looks - perfect for your mid-spring/summer soirees - but for now, we just had to shine the spotlight on an actress who in our opinion, has been the epitome of style and grace at every occasion.

Jessica Chastain, best known for her roles in The Help and The Tree of Life (both worth seeing if you haven’t already), transitioned effortless between day and evening events, with retro glam waves and elegant up-dos. And with that beautifully sweet smile, how could you not fall in love with her!

These are the luscious looks of Jessica Chastain…

[caption id="attachment_519" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue Germany"][/caption] On opening night of the festival, Jessica looked simply ravishing with her wavy tresses swept back into a low plaited twist. With dewy, understated make-up, she looked positively radiant.	[caption id="attachment_521" align="aligncenter" width="208" caption="Image courtesy of Zimbio"][/caption] For the photo call of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Ms. Chastain highlighted her feminine elegance with classic loose curls and earthy neutral tone’s that accentuated her natural beauty.
[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="207" caption="Image courtesy of Zimbio"][/caption] At the premiere of Madagascar 3, Jessica graced the red carpet with old Hollywood glamour, adorned with vintage curls smoothly swept to the side. Her make-up was porcelain doll perfection with defined eyes and rich red lip colour. Simply stunning!	[caption id="attachment_520" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] For the copious TV interviews and press conferences, Ms. Chastain looked vivaciously fresh with soft, natural-looking curls, and minimal make-up, utilising rosy pink tones that made her shine!
[caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine UK"][/caption] At the Calvin Klein party, Jessica highlighted her stunning bone structure with a polished, ultra-sleek and chic up do, with pinky beige make-up to soften the look.

All hail the headscarf!

[caption id="attachment_489" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Image courtesy of Your Yoko"][/caption]

Having one of those hair days? Is the wind causing havoc to your hairdo? We have the remedy for your woes – Headscarves! Not only are they practical and fuss-free, they’re stylish, elegant and in fashion! Headband, head wrap or turban – add a playful feature to your day’s ensemble by putting your own personal spin on an age-old style.

Here are a few ideas and guidelines for fashioning stylish and sassy headwear (have a play and find a style and technique that suits you best).

Firstly, decide whether you want your hair to feature or if you’d prefer to tuck it away. Leave your hair loose, sweep it into a ponytail or twist it into a loose bun if you opt for hidden hair.


Feminine flare of the forties and fifties

• The feminine way of the wartime workingwoman is now a popular fashion statement. Fold a small square scarf into a triangle. Place the long folded side at the nap of the neck, so that the top of the triangle points towards your nose. Bring the ends of the scarf up to the top of the head and tie a knot at the point of the triangle. Tuck any loose ends away. (Leave your fringe and short layers loose to frame your face, or roll your fringe back in a victory roll).

• For a fun rockabilly style, fold a scarf until you have long band. Wrap the scarf around the nape of your neck and tie the ends in a bow or knot at the top of your head. Alternatively, feature your knot or bow on the side or at the nape of your neck.

Disco hippy glam

• The sixties and seventies took the headscarf (among other things!) horizontal. To emulate the style, take a long rectangular scarf and drape it over the top of your head. Gather the ends at the side of your head or nape of your neck. Tie them in a bow or a knot leaving the ends loose. Twist them up into a “rose” shape for an elegant alternative.

Ethnic-inspired wraps

• Create a turban-style headband with a long rectangular scarf. Wrap the scarf around the back of your neck and bring the ends up to your forehead. Twist them around each other twice and finish by taking the ends back down to the nape of the neck and tying in a knot.

• For a full turban head wrap, fold a large square scarf into a triangle, and then fold the long side over again to create an inch wide band at the base of the triangle. With the point of the triangle draping over your forehead, wrap the long side (with the folded band visible) around the back of your head bringing the ends up to the top of your head. Twist them twice (leaving the point of your triangle loose) and wrap them back around to the nape of the neck (twisting for an added feature), tying a double knot. Roll the triangle point back over your “top knot” and fold it under to secure. Tuck any loose sections away.

Get the look: Scarlett Johansson's retro chignon

[caption id="attachment_469" align="aligncenter" width="307" caption="Image courtesy of Hollywood Life"][/caption]

Firstly, a HUGE congratulations to Doug and Rebecca Page on the arrival on their beautiful wee boy, Mr William Thomas Stanley Page – he arrived bang on schedule, healthy and happy at 5am on Monday, April 30^th. Much love to you from the Wellbeing Salons team!

Last week also marked the occasion of an additional star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -Miss Scarlett Johansson’s. She personified 1940’s glamour at the ceremony, sporting a striking black and white fitted dress, complimented by a relaxed victory roll-cum-chignon.

We just love this look - it’s soft, sophisticated and effortlessly chic. This retro style is also super versatile and can carry you from a casual coffee date to a formal evening event.

Achieve a similar look by following these simple steps…

1. Part your hair on your preferred side.


2. Section your hair, and using either a curling iron or medium-sized hot rollers, curl inch-wide sections of your hair and secure them to cool and set.


3. Unravel each curl and gently tease the roots for added volume


4. Lightly comb your hair to smooth and blend the curls (maintaining your side parting).


5. Sweep the smaller side of your side-parted hair into a bun at the nap of the neck and secure with pins.


6. Take the front section of the remaining hair and begin loosely rolling the hair upwards and towards your head, adding sections and clipping in place as you go to create a kind of curled tunnel of hair.


7. Once you reach your bun, curl the loose ends around and over the bun, pinning in place.


8. Finish with a spritz of hairspray.