Vogue 'CoverGirl' Taylor Swift Wears Revlon, The Truth Behind Magazine Cover Credits

Last week while at the Revlon event I recently blogged about, I had my makeup done by Gucci Westman, the same makeup artists who did Taylor Swift's makeup for her February Vogue cover shoot.  (I know, I was honored!)  Of course, finding this out I had to ask her details about the shoot and products that were used and as I was getting the 411 I realized, I felt conflicted reporting them as it was more than the makeup that bothered me.  However, as a blogger here I go... It's a dirty industry and here's the scoop.  Westman filled me in on how she took Taylor Swift's look from the innocent girl we know her as and transformed her into a more mature woman for Vogue.  Her trick: contouring.  Normally we see Swift with a pale complexion and a pop of color on the apples of her cheeks, which screams girly.  Using Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow in Not Just Nudes, she contoured Swift's cheeks making her Vogue appropriate.

Now, if you look inside Vogue and go to page 64 where you see "Cover Look Taylor Made" you'll notice that all CoverGirl makeup was credited for creating her look.  No mention of Revlon at all.  Of course, with Swift having a contract with CoverGirl, this has to be.  However, when I used to work at Cosmopolitan, the cover credits never matched up, contract or not.  Here's what we'd do...

We'd get a proof of the cover shot from the art department and look and see which magazine advertiser could use a boost in credits that month.  Then, from that advertising cosmetic's latest collection, we'd match up the look the best we could.  Of course, the art department would work with us to enhance a lip or touch up a shadow if needed.

Of course, Swift's whole package makes her a perfect Spokeswoman for CoverGirl, but on shoots and tours, you'd be super naive to think that that's all she wears.  This is just one case in point and an explanation of cover credits.  As a journalist and blogger who's free of being owned by advertisers, it's nice to be able to report the truth.  Cover credits are never the truth.

Taylor Swift & Nicki Minaj Talk Beauty at the Billboard Women in Music Event

Yesterday I had the pleasure of reporting on the red carpet at the Billboard Women in Music Awards thanks to Crest 3D White, where Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj were honored. They were both incredible to talk to!  Check out highlights from the event including video interviews with both songstresses after the jump! Taylor Swift was named Billboard's Woman of the Year!  As she stood up to accept her award she said, "Out of all of the day dreams I've had as a child, I keep taking a step back and saying, I guess this is what it looks like."  She was so gracious and poised.  She speaks about her New Years Eve look, love for Ralph Lauren Rugby and new bangs in the video below.

Taylor Swift Red Carpet Video:

Nicki Minaj was awarded Billboard's Rising Star and told me on the red carpet what her next beauty project is (video below).  While accepting her award she said, "I'm no different than any other struggling artist that tried one last time."  She was so honest and real.  It was great to see this side of her.  She also spoke about her wigs saying, "Hair changes my mood. It's not always about how I look, it's about how I feel. It does something to my brain, I can't stop!"

Nicki Minaj Red Carpet Video:

CMA Hair Trend: Southern Blondes with A Twist

Last night the 45th annual Country Music Awards were held in Nashville, TN and while it may be no surprise that Taylor Swift won "Entertainer of the Year," what may surprise you is that she, Carrie Underwood, and Nicole Kidman, are all considered blondes.  I spoke with Wella Professional Colorist, Aura Friedman, to get the scoop on the hair color trends of the 'gals down south. “The beauty of blonde is that the color palette is virtually endless and finding the right blonde to complement an individual’s skin tone and features is the key to making it look natural,” she remarks.

Carrie Underwood who hosted and performed at the CMA's dons a warm, buttery blonde, which instead of washing her out, brings out her features and nicely compliments her skin tone.  While many blondes may be afraid to add a bit of red into their color, Nicole Kidman demonstrates the look well with her strawberry blonde locks.  The southern trend is about stepping away from platinum and warming up a blonde with little bit of golden or peach undertones.

Interested in warming up your blonde?  It's a great look for fall.  Ask your colorist for multi-dimensional color with undertones that suit your skin tone.

Teen Choice Awards Trend Report: Sleek 'Do's

The 13th annual Teen Choice Awards were held last night in Los Angeles, CA and while most of the young starlettes including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and of course Kim and Kourtney Kardashian looked radiant on the blue carpet, I couldn't help but admire the sleek, straight, glossy locks of Ashley Greene, Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively. "Modern, sleek hair is so hot at the moment," exclaims celeb stylist (and the genius behind Ashley Greene's strands) Ted Gibson.

Here's a breakdown on how-to get the look:

1. Spritz a blow drying prep spray like Blow Heat is On Dry Protective Styling Mist onto damp hair and part it exactly where you'd like it to lay.

2. Blow dry with a flat brush, and apply a frizz controlling lotion like Ted Gibson Tame It Shine Lotion from mid-shaft to ends.

3. Flat iron in one to two inch sections all around your head and finish with a light-weight hairspray for a bit of control.

Get Katy Perry’s 2010 American Music Awards Waves

Last night at the AMA’s it seems all eyes were on Taylor Swift’s sleek new ‘do, however I couldn’t help but envy Katy Perry’s red carpet locks.  She went from posing pretty in a textured Badgley Mischka dress to performing like her pop star self in a risqué red body suit and her hair worked with both personalities. “Classic Hollywood with a contemporary twist,” is how her stylist Danilo describes her look.  He also gave me the scoop on how to get it. Check it out:

Start by spritzing towel-dried hair in sections with a light-weight root lifter like Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Root Lifter Spray Gel.  Then, blow dry your strands in sections lifting straight up from the root and letting it fall using a large barrel brush.

Once dry, use a medium sized curling iron to create spiral curls all around your head and pin them up until they cool.  To achieve the wavy look as opposed to a spiral pattern, brush the curls out until the waves reveal themselves towards the bottom.  Whatever you do, don’t tousle.  Finish the look with a touchable hairspray like L’Oreal Elenett.

Whether you want to embrace your inner rock star or just try something new with a curling iron, as Mrs. Brand proved this look works on anyone.