INSPIRATION: Karen Elson

As far as redheads go, there are few I find sexier than Karen Elson.  Perhaps it's the hyper-vibrant fire engine red mane, or the sky blue eyes. Maybe it's her pale skin that contrasts so beautifully against the red of her hair (reminding me of a character out of Twilight) or those uncharacteristically thin and undefined eyebrows that give her an other-worldly facade. Whatever it is, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's not classic beauty yet I'm totally drawn to it.

Karen Elson most definitely has a face for makeup. The high cheek bones, wide set eyes and heavy lids (ideal for covering in shadow), full pout, flawless complexion.... it's all so theatrical, which makes her very fun to look at. And a great palette to paint. She goes from feminine to vixen with a few coats of lipstick and, like her redhead predecessors, Karen uses her hair like a fabulous accessory: it is the centerpiece of her style.

But, alas, it always comes back to the hair. Those unruly, ginger locks that really set her apart from the millions of other girls out in the world.

Here, some of my favorite beauty images of Karen Elson:

INSPIRATION: Isabel Lucas

In a recent post I noted that I was mildly obsessed with Isabel Lucas as of late, and here's why: the Australian model and actress is both sexy and glamorous. She's got the Old Hollywood charm mixed with something a bit more contemporary. Whether, she's gallivanting around in haute couture or chilling in one of her hippy get-ups, she is equally beautiful, equally interesting, and equally herself. The clothes and makeup don't seem to matter, Isabel radiates an effortless, ethereal beauty that comes from within. She has that timeless thing that only true classic beauties are able to emanate. She's young, but I predict that she's on her way to beauty icon status...

Here are a few of my favorite images that inspire my summer beauty looks:

 

messy, beach hair, a smoky eye and pale lip - a signature summer night look.

 

love this picture - again, beachy waves, flawless skin and a few coats of mascara make the perfect summer day look

 

head pieces are very on-trend. this is a great example of dressing it up.

 

a well defined arch will take you far in life. eyes can really make the face.

 

isabel au naturel. darker hair, still kept long and messy, beach-chic. the middle part pays homage to her hippy-inspired style.

 

the perfect summer look. tanned skin, hair pulled back in a loose bun, very little makeup, rosy cheeks.

INSPIRATION: Flower Child

I was at a party recently and they had floral centerpieces that everyone was picking off and putting in their hair. Now, this is not a new look, hippies were playing with the idea of flowers in their hair back in the 60's and 70's, but it's a style that is still so beautiful come summer.

There's something about flowers and billowing locks that evokes femininity, beauty, charm and personality. Be it one flower perched above your ear or an entire wreath of flowers placed upon your head, the flower child is this week's beauty inspiration.

(Note To Self: Pick fresh flowers to wear in hair this weekend while frolicking in sundress)

a few flowers and petals randomly pinned into the hair.

 

love this! flowers braided into the french braid.

 

a wreath of flowers.

a single flower above the ear, very surfer-chic.

 

another, more ornate wreath of flowers.

INSPIRATION: Sharon Tate

Since as far back as I can remember, I've had an obsession with Sharon Tate. Perhaps, a big part of said obsession stems from the horrific circumstances surrounding her tragic murder (if you are unaware or have forgotten about this incident, click here for a recap), another part is definitely her marriage to Roman Polanski (another mini obsession of mine, as I am a major film buff), still more of my obsession comes from her role as book editor turned pill popper, Jennifer North, in the film version of Valley of the Dolls. But, if I'm being totally honest, a vast majority of my obsession of Sharon Tate is simply because I find her to be one of the most beautiful women to come out of the 1960's.

While Twiggy was one type of American 1960's poster child, Sharon was quite another (dare I say somewhat more timeless?): Blonde, shapely, naturally sun kissed skin with big, moody eyes and a gaze that absorbs you (as I always say, the eyes make the woman). She was feminine with a touch of hippy (she donned a head piece before today's hipsters made it trendy). Whether natural with no makeup or done up with big hair and the "Twiggy" lashes, Sharon always seemed to fit the part of a classic, American beauty.

Here are some of my favorite images of Sharon Tate, beauty inspiration that is still relevant today:

INSPIRATION: Natasha Poly

I only recently discovered this model while rummaging the internet for pictures of beautiful women to add to my tumblr account. If you haven't checked out my tumblr account, you must do so immediately! CLICK HERE! There is a spread of Natasha shot by photographer David Hamilton for Muse Magazine (I believe it was from 2009) and it is literally breath-taking. Obviously, much of the credit is attributed to Hamilton's eye for detail, his use of light and space and his ability to capture both innocence and sexuality all within a single shot. If you are unfamiliar with David Hamilton's work, google him asap. He's insanely talented.

Back to Natasha. She's waify, like a Kate Moss, which gives her that girlish charm. But unlike Kate, she's a bit more girly, a bit less grunge. And she has that versatility - as most models must - to transform herself from demure and vulnerable to sexy and playful to straight-up hot.

Not to mention that face was made for makeup. The cheekbones are perfectly angled, the skin is flawless with a light golden glow, lips well plumped, the eyes almost naturally cat-shaped. She wears red lips with the best of them or a dark, smoky eye like no other.

How much is retouched? Probably all of it. But she's still pretty to look at. And the hair/ makeup still gives me inspiration for looks I'd like to try this season...

 

This is how you rock a red - eyes are lined, but lips remain the focal point.

Hair accessories are hot this season.

 Nude lip with a beautiful cat eye - notice the white, shimmer-lined inner corners of the eyes. It's a trick to make eyes appear wider and brighter.

 

Part of the David Hamilton shoot for Muse Magazine. Very natural and innocent with glowing skin.

 

What a sexy smoky eye! And tangerine lips are very trendy for summer. But don't wear them together, please.

 This is a really beautiful gilded look - always in-trend. Eyes, lips and skin are all gold-hued.

INSPIRATION: Jane Birkin

My obsession with Jane Birkin lies far beyond the fact that she is the inspiration behind the coveted Hermes Birkin bag (quite a noble feat). In my opinion, the British born actress and singer is, quite possibly, the sexiest woman to come out of 1960's London (GASP! Yes, I made that grand a statement).

Here's why. She was a total hippy but still quite the femme fatale. Her real life played out more exciting than a movie (just read up on her love affair with co-star and father of daughter, Charlotte, Serge Gainsbourg, and you'll get my drift). She loved being naked and is photographed much of the time in the nude - and has quite the body - and the breasts - for such photos. She gave the blob (long bob) air time WAY before Gwyneth was even a household name - and she never had the overdone feeling or look to her hair. It always seemed like she got out of bed and that's how it fell naturally (which is so perfectly effortless but still chic). The long bangs that became Birkin's definitive hair statement are still on trend FIFTY years later! She has the most mesmerizing eyes that are never overdone, but always emphasized with the right amount of mascara to give that vava lash look that we still emulate today (and as I always say, eyes make the lady classic). Her lips could rival any of the pucker's we currently adore - and this was way before Restylane and fillers were created. She just knew how to pout for the camera!

But, most importantly, Jane Birkin, has a natural beauty that can't be store-bought. It's not about the makeup or the highlights or the blowouts, not like today's super celebs. Jane's got the stuff that comes from inner beauty and serious confidence and that radiates as timeless and classic.

Here are some of my favorite Jane Birkin images:

INSPIRATION: Ali MacGraw

I'm a HUGE Ali MacGraw fan. Love Story was a favorite of mine growing up, but the real love story between Ali and Robert Evans was like a Hollywood Royal Ever After... until the divorce.

I always found her style to be so effortless and chic and her beauty to be classic and simple. She gave brunettes sex appeal (YAY!) years before Megan Fox and Mila Kunis. Her long, pencil-straight hair parted down the middle and those magnetic brown eyes framed by a full brow remain timeless beauty references.  With Ali, you always knew what to expect. She didn't change up her look very much. Maybe she'd add a hat or some eye liner, but for the most part it was all very natural and understated.

I have wanted to emulate this look for years and I find that it is a look that never goes out of style, regardless of the season. Sure, it's a bit bohemian, but at the crux, it's beauty at it's purest form: natural, simple, elegant, no frills or fuss and classic. For these reasons, Ali MacGraw will continue to remain a beauty inspiration.

Here are some of my favorite looks:

INSPIRATION: Tumblr!

I'm officially obsessed. How did I not know about Tumblr sooner? It's like a digital vision board. I have just spent the past two days uploading over 100 photos (and a few quotes) of images that inspire me... from a beautiful face, a vintage Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O or Liz Taylor, to a rare Kate Moss or Madonna black and white (shot by photogs like Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, even a Gus Van Sant), and a colorful landscape or scenery of a Moroccan desert or a a coastal shoreline.

All of these images inspire the way I think about beauty and, subsequently, the way I play with makeup. For if it weren't for the classic beauties like the Grace's, Audrey's, Jackie's and Liz's, or the more obscure and seductive imagery of a Kate Moss or even a nameless model floating naked in a lake, or the colors of a desert - golds and rusts and oranges - my canvas would be rather bleak. Because where you find inspiration is in all the places where you find bits and pieces of beauty, whatever that means to you. And for me, beauty comes from everywhere.

The makeup trends we see on the red carpet or runways - the makeup I wear - is a translation of an inspiration, conscious or unconscious, that someone had at some moment in time.

So, I urge each of you to start a tumblr account and keep a digital vision board of your favorite things that inspire and enchant you. If it's not beautiful things - people or places - you needn't worry, tumblr - and the web - are full of images of any thing your heart desires. But start the dialogue with yourself. Inspire and create.

Wanna see what's got me IN-spired? Click HERE.

Follow me on tumblr: http://sarahrhoward.tumblr.com/

And here's a peak of some of my favorite images:

INSPIRATION: ROYALS PAST

I had to! Royal fever has hit me full throttle... sigh.

With Kate Middleton, princess-to-be, ONE day away from HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, I thought it poignant to have a look back at some of my favorite royals from past to present.

What makes a royal timeless? Classic beauty, of course. Princess Grace and Princess Di are probably the most famous - and arguably the most beautiful, but there are many more that are just as timeless and just as classic. Royals, by nature,  don't take as many risks or chances, but they always look put together, sophisticated and photog ready (which I love). Not a hair out of place, not an eyelash without mascara.

Here, some of the real life royal beauties:

PRINCESS LETIZIA OF SPAIN

She's got great genes, naturally, but an easy to maintain haircut, flawless skin and well defined arches give her that regal appeal. Notice how even her highlights are perfectly maintained. No trends going on here.

CROWN PRINCESS OF DENMARK MARY ELIZABETH

Tres sophisticated and very regal. Her raven hair, dark eyes and defined arches scream timeless. Eyes are very important when talking about classic beauty. So much of beauty comes from the eyes - the gaze, the stare, the story from the soul.


QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN

Beautiful genes again, but, still, she knows how to work what she's got. A trend I'm noticing, royals have great brows. Rania's are no exception. She also has fabulous bone structure which definitely helps give her that classic appeal.

PRINCESS GRACE OF MONACO

From movie star to princess, it was a true fairy tale. How beautiful is that face? Those eyebrows? That flawless skin? Her makeup only added to an already effortless beauty. The epitome of classic.: effortless.

PRINCESS DIANA OF WALES

Princess Di definitely grew into her beauty, but I believe that's why people relate to her is because she wasn't untouchable. She was familiar. Although she had a classic elegance - the short hair, great skin, dramatic eyes, there was an ease to her beauty.

Who is YOUR favorite royal?