My Prettiest Red Carpet Picks

There is rarely a general consensus on the best dressed at the Oscars each year, although it's much easier to pick worst dressed (I'm looking at you Zoe Saldana).  Here are my picks for the prettiest on the red carpet, including gown, hair, and makeup - the whole look - in no particular order.

I love Sandra's gold dress with her super-shiny, yet simply styled dark hair and red lips.  Perfect.

I'm not a big Cameron Diaz fan, but I loved her look.  She went a similar route as Sandra, with a beaded metallic dress (slightly fuller), old Hollywood fingerwaves (again, fuller), and the red lips.  The hair could be a little more modern for me, but I think it works for her.  She mentioned on Oprah that the red lips take attention away from a tired face, so that's a good tip to take away.

I mean, Meryl Streep is always talked about for her talent, but people often overlook how stunning she is.  I think I would have added a giant diamond necklace here, but otherwise she is just flawless.  Hell, I wish I looked this good now, and I'm half her age.

Love it, love it, love it.  Rachel McAdams is naturally beautiful, and doesn't overdo it with too much of a smoky eye or strong lip.  She keeps her makeup soft in keeping with the soft colors of the gorgeous gown she's wearing.  I do prefer her hair a bit darker, since her skin is so fair, but who am I to complain?

I'm not really sure why Elizabeth Banks was at the Academy Awards, but I thought she looked beautiful.  Love her dress and her makeup.  Her hair could be a little looser, but I think it goes well with the overall look.

I think a lot of people disliked SJP's dress, but I thought it was great, especially from behind (sorry I don't have the over-the-shoulder pose).  Would you expect her to wear something that just anyone would wear?  It's beautiful, it's Chanel, and it suits her.

Wish List: Tarte Natural Lip Stain

Are you sensing a trend here?  Yet another lip stain is added to the wish list.  This one is from Tarte, an all natural lip stain in a convenient felt-tip marker applicator, that has LipSurgence Technology.  I'm not exactly sure what LipSurgence Technology is, but it claims to increase lips' moisture content by 6000 percent.  That's a lot of moisture if you ask me.  My biggest problem with lip stains, is while I love the sheer, long-lasting color they provide, they usually dry the hell out of your lips. As a double-whammy, they highlight any dryness, so don't even try to wear them if your lips are chapped.  And my lips are usually a little chapped for most of the winter, no matter how much balm and gloss I apply.  Hopefully Tarte has solved this lip stain conundrum!