Amanda Seyfried at the Oscars

Glamour is back. How do we know? Hair Styles? Clothes? Shoes? Well, perhaps they are strong clues, but at the Academy Awards many of the women as they were introduced to give an award or came up to accept one, fetchingly lifted their skirts to come up or down the stairs. It is often little clues like this that let us know that elegance, driven into seeming history by overdone everything in the ’80s and grunge in the ’90s has made a stunning comeback.

Not that the runways have demonstrated this up until recently. Last October’s post-apocalyptic, underwear on the outside, bleached eyebrows and blow torched hair were not fashion, they were art. This season showed a lot more of that elegance. Even Alexander McQueen’s (RIP) looks were stunningly elegant, with his slightly outre touch that will be missed dearly. Galliano for Dior came out with some surprising feminine diaphanous blush colored fabrics, very unlike his usual hard edge looks. Armani and Marc Jacobs for Vuitton were deliciously classic. Hair was mostly soft and did not take away from the clothes, but complemented them.

It seems that the Red Carpets have pre-trended these looks. Strapless ball gowns, sans bling, hair neatly up, back or over one shoulder were the majority of the looks at the Golden Globes, SAG and (with a few exceptions, you know musicians) the Grammys. Why this return to elegance and glamour? One could say it is just recycling, that everything that could be done in fashion has been done, so where to go but back in time? It isn’t an exact replica of a 50s or 60s Academy Award, but the women really pulled it off. The colors of choice were strong blues and blushes with lightly done makeup. No raccoon eyes or overdone eyeshadow. Lips were also more natural, showing the trend towards softer looks for the face.

A Look from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2010 Collection

Now that Spring is here, invest in some new colors for your lips and eyes. While it may seem natural to go lighter with the hair in the spring, a bit of deeper shade will show off softer make up more. Even blue eyeshadow, banned by the cognoscenti for years, if not too strong and over done, can be lovely. Even a slight smudge with it around your eye (not a dark color, think more periwinkle) for daytime, then a little more cobalt at night can be gorgeous. And who doesn’t look good in blush tones? Softer on the forehead, a bit heavier under the cheek bones and jaw line.

Have your hairdresser work with you on how to put your hair back or up. It is surprisingly easy. At the office all day, softer tones in make up, hair down or professionally pulled back, then comes that call, “meet me for a drink.”.Stronger on the blush color, more smudge around the eyes and up goes the hair, and off you go.

Stuart Gavert is a phenomenal hair guru, the owner of Gavert Atelier in Beverly Hills and did the hair color on the Twilight cast.

Ashley Greene picks up some goodies.

The Kari Feinstein suite

Who: Molly Sims (tall and lovely), Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth (getting bombarded by young gals with questions), Felicity Huffman, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Bella’s dad Billly, Kristen Bell, Ali Landry, Vanessa Minnillo and Paris Hilton.

What: Cor Skincare, Jessica Hicks jewelry (Felicity Huffman picked up some stone earrings), Moni Moni handbags (Kristen Bell loved the messenger style), Tacori jewelry, Nail Garden salon, Reebok Easy Tone shoes, Dr. Rey Shapewear (this stuff is amazing – Cameron Diaz wears it all the time), Foot Petals (these will change your life) and Retro Sport apparel (Molly Sims perused vintage sweatshirts to take home).

Beauty Highlight: Having an Infinity Sun spray tan — the tan looks so natural. Believe me, the spray tan is not just for California pageant queens! Infinity even has at-home machines!

Where: at Zune in West Hollywood

The HBO Lounge

Who: I spotted beauty Bridget Moynahan with pal Jane Krakowski checking out the suite; I had my hair done next to the Today Show’s Natalie Morales; Gilles Marini brought his darling daughter into the beauty suite and let her get a manicure.

What: For me, it was all about the beauty lounge, where men could get a shave, and women were treated to manicures, makeup applications and hairstyling. Also, all nominees received a GORGEOUS jewel-encrusted compact that also commemorated L’Oreal receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Beauty Highlight: It was all about L’Oreal. The head hair stylist, Johnny Lavoy, turned my hair from daytime straight to red carpet ooh-la-la ‘do for my gala that night. Johnny’s a hair genius, having worked with tons of models and celebrities and he used plenty of Elnett hairspray to keep my look intact. To get the look, he curled the entire head of hair with a medium-barrel curling iron, then pulled it all to one side and secured it half-up with bobby pins. To preserve the style, he suggested I use dry shampoo and pile the hair into a bun on top of my head to sleep. Days later, I’m still wearing the style! (But it’s a bit more tame/everyday wavy now.)

Where: at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills

My "before" hair

My "after" hair

The InStyle Lounge

L'Oreal Compact for Globe Nominees

Who: Cheryl Hines, young starlets from TV and movies

What: It’s a hard life…sipping champagne, perusing the latest InStyle with Heidi Klum on the cover, noshing on cheese, cupcakes and SmartWater.

Beauty Highlight: Again, L’Oreal stylists did hair and makeup. Brow guru Damone Roberts did brows; guests had manicures by OPI.

Where: at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills

Don’t forget to pick up the Crazy Heart soundtrack tomorrow, and watch Ryan Bingham sing the Golden Globe winning themesong “The Weary Kind” here.

Clooney and Farmiga in Up in the Air

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds, Precious, Up In The Air

These nominees are all over the place! Um, I’m going with Precious.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria), Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side), Helen Mirren (The Last Station), Carey Mulligan (An Education), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)

If Carey Mulligan doesn’t get this, I’m turning off the TV.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up In The Air), Colin Firth (A Single Man), Morgan Freeman (Invictus), Tobey Maguire (Brothers)

Interesting. I don’t know so I’m going with Colin Firth because I love him and it’s his first nomination.

Carey Mulligan in An Education

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

500 Days of Summer, The Hangover, It’s Complicated, Julie & Julia, Nine

Nine. (But I did adore Julie & Julia.) The Hangover? Seriously?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Sandra Bullock (The Proposal), Marion Cotillard (Nine), Julia Roberts (Duplicity), Meryl Streep (It’s Complicated, Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

As much as I loooove Marion, I have to give it to Meryl for her portrayal of Julia Child.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Matt Damon (The Informant), Daniel Day Lewis (Nine), Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes), Joseph Gordon Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)

Joseph is such a Hollywood Foreign Press choice. But I don’t think he’ll beat Daniel Day Lewis.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Penelope Cruz (Nine), Vera Farmiga (Up In The Air), Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air), Mo’nique (Precious), Julianne Moore (A Single Man)

This might be the tightest competition with the most talent. Such a tough call! I think I’ll say Vera because she is long overdue for some more attention!

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Matt Damon (Invictus), Woody Harrelson (The Messenger), Christopher Plummer (The Last Station), Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)

The Foreign Press loves foreigners and newcomers. I say the Austrian Christoph.

Best Animated Feature Film

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, Up

Hmmm…let’s go with Up.

Cruz in Broken Embraces

Best Foreign Language Film

Baaria, Broken Embraces, The Maid, A Prophet, The White Ribbon

Broken Embraces, because it’s the only one I’ve seen and Pedro Almodovar will be there next to Penelope Cruz to accept for his film.

Best Director – Motion Picture

Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Clint Eastwood (Invictus), Jason Reitman (Up In The Air), Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds)

Tough race. I feel like they’ll give it to Reitman.

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

District 9, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds, It’s Complicated, Up in the Air

Call me crazy, but District 9 was a very thoughtful, interesting story.

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

Up, The Informant, Avatar, A Single Man, Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are had a phenomenal score.

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

Cinema Italiano (Nine), I See You (Avatar), I Want to Come Home (Everybody’s Fine), The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart), Winter (Brothers)

I’m giving this to Paul McCartney for I Want to Come Home
Best Television Series – Drama

Big Love, Dexter, House, Mad Men, True Blood

Apparently your show has to have two words or less to be a contender. These are all amazing shoes, but I give the nod to Mad Men, although I think it’ll be True Blood.

Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series – Drama

Glenn Close (Damages), January Jones (Mad Men), Julianna Margulies (The Goode Wife), Anna Paquin (True Blood), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

This one has Paquin written all over it.

Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Drama

Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Hugh Laurie (House), Bill Paxton (Big Love)

Such a great group of actors. I think it’s Simon’s year.

Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical

30 Rock, Entourage, Glee, Modern Family, The Office

It’s between Glee and Modern Family. I think Glee will take the prize.

Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical

Toni Colette (United States of Tara), Courteney Cox (Cougar Town), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Lea Michele (Glee)

The HFP loves Edie Falco, so she’s a good bet, but Toni’s phenomenal.

Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Steve Carell (The Office), David Duchovny (Californication), Thomas Jane (Hung), Matthew Morrison (Glee)

I seriously hope Duchovny gets it. But it’ll likely go to Thomas Jane.

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Georgia O’Keeffe, Grey Gardens, Into the Storm, Little Dorrit, Taking Chance

I’m going with Grey Gardens.

Best Peformance by an Actress in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Joan Allen (Goergia O’Keeffe), Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens), Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens), Anna Paquin (The Courageous Heart of Irena), Sigourney Weaver (Prayers for Bobby)

Hmmm, close call but I say Jessica Lange.

Lange and Barrymore in Grey Gardens

Best Peformance by an Actor in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance), Kenneth Branagh (Wallander: One Step Behind), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Endgame), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), Jeremy Irons (Georgia O’Keeffe)

Kevin Bacon was in A Few Good Men with Tom Cruise, who was in Valkyrie with Kenneth Branagh, who was in one Harry Potter movie with that whole cast, and Brendan Gleeson was in a few Harry movies also, as well as Gangs of New York with Liam Neeson, who was in Love Actually with Chiwetel Ejiofor. That leaves us with Jeremy Irons, who I believe will win.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Jane Adams (Hung), Rose Byrne (Damages), Jane Lynch (Glee), Janet McTeer (Into the Storm), Chloe Sevigny (Big Love)

Could this category be broader? I hope Jane Lynch clinches it.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Michael Emerson (Lost), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), William Hurt (Damages), John Lithgow (Dexter), Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

Maybe they’ll give it to Doogie? But William Hurt’s a pretty good bet.

One of the best things about the Globes is there isn’t a hokey host, but this year there is a host but luckily it’s Ricky Gervais, so that’s wonderful. The show airs on NBC on January 17^th so you can see how many of these I get wrong.

Who do you think will win? Were there any blatant omissions? (Like Audrey Tautou in Coco Avant Chanel!) Let me know your picks!