By Whitney Baker and Nicole Cavanagh
Celebrity hair and makeup artist Julia Papworth finds her inspiration just about everywhere: from fashion magazines or local newspapers to sites like Pinterest and Vine, she’s always looking for new looks to try. “It’s important to find an image you love and then take it and make it your own,” she said. By making a few small changes, you can create a unique style that will represent your particular personality and specific style.
Although Papworth focuses on hair and makeup, she often collaborates with stylists to ensure that, together, they’re creating “a full package.” Fashion and jewelry must align with hair and makeup to invent a character, whether it’s for a red carpet, a work meeting or even a first date.
Speaking of red carpets, for the 2013 Academy Awards, Papworth hopes to see a lot of old school Hollywood glamour. To her, there is nothing better than a woman just being pretty. “No gimmicks or crazy blue eye shadow and insane hair. I just love beautiful looks and classy dresses. That’s what the Oscars are all about!”
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Two great examples of this style from the 2012 Oscars are Emma Stone and Penelope Cruz. Stone took a risk by wearing red, a color that redheads often avoid. Her polished updo paired perfectly with the dramatic neck of the Giambattista Valli gown, making for a very sophisticated look on the young starlet. Cruz, on the other hand, opted for a romantic and flowing periwinkle dress by Armani Prive, which was both “stunning and super vintage.”
So who will steal the show this year? Anne Hathaway, according to Papworth. “She has been on point all year long and has been more adventurous with her pixie cut,” the stylist shared. Many women with short hair think they can’t be stylish or feminine, but Hathaway is a prime example of how to do it right. She keeps her look fresh and varied, mainly by “playing with color.” Changing your lip color or even your nail color will give your style a bit more edge when you have a short and simple haircut.
Papworth is also excited to see what Jennifer Lawrence, Quvenzhané Wallis and Jessica Chastain will be wearing. For Lawrence, she hopes to see a pretty, polished updo. As for Wallis, she always likes to see how the younger stars manage to look beautiful while still being age-appropriate. Chastain should wear a color that complements her luscious red locks, such as emerald green or deep plum.
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This classic style holds true for men and even couples too. Papworth is a big fan of the clean, classy look that Justin Timberlake has been rocking lately. In terms of couples, “it’s nice to have a picture where you look like you go together.” You and your man — famous or not — should complement one another and support each other’s style. In addition to predicting the looks for this Sunday’s big show, Papworth is also a go-to source for everyday style, something that comes in handy if you’re getting ready for a first date.
Take a look at her three tips below and keep them in mind as you’re primping and hoping to impress that new guy.
1. Be comfortable. “If your uncomfortable in anything you’re wearing or how you look, all your going to do is think about that. If you’re wearing uncomfortable shoes, you’re not going to be able to hear a word your date is saying because you’re just going to think about how your toes hurt.”
2. Keep it simple. Simplicity is always best when it comes to date. You may be “super wound up and excited and want to make a big splash when meeting someone for the first time, but honestly, people want to see you and hear you and what you have to say.” Something simple, classy and chic is the best way to translate your personality to fashion and beauty.
3. Don’t experiment. A first date isn’t the time to try anything new. You always want to put your best face forward, so stick to something that works rather than something that might work. Don’t test run a new hair color or makeup product. Of course, experimenting isn’t always a bad thing. It’s easy to get stuck in a style rut and do the same thing with your hair and makeup; Papworth has even fallen victim to this mistake.
Stepping out of your comfort zone may be challenging, but you have to give yourself some “tough love” and just do it. It’s also helpful to turn to those around you for their opinions. “Confide in your girlfriends. They’ll give you that extra push.” You should chat with your stylist too: he or she can help you find something new that you can recreate at home.
As Papworth says, “It’s about finding that perfect marriage.”
You can catch Papworth’s work on ‘Legit,’ an FX comedy on Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. EST.
