From film premieres in Cannes to prestigious awards ceremonies in Hollywood, fashion is always invited to the leading events in show business. On the red carpets of 2014, actresses and singers showed off spectacular gowns created by some of the boldest designers on the planet. As the year draws to a close, we remember some of the looks that left a lasting impression on the fashion world.

Jessica Chastain
In May at the Cannes Film Festival, actress Jessica Chastain caught a breeze that lifted the sheer panel of her lavender Elie Saab gown, creating a sensation on the red carpet.

Taylor Swift
Shimmering in Gucci, singer Taylor Swift lit up the red carpet at the 56th Grammy Awards in January.

Rihanna
Rihanna chose an equally shimmery look for the CFDA Awards in New York last June, albeit one that reveals much more. The singer arrived for the ceremony in a sheer Adam Selman gown embroidered with Swarovski crystals.

Amber Heard
At the 2014 Golden Globe Awards last January, actress Amber Heard made a lasting impression in her midnight blue Atelier Versace gown with a thigh-high slit.

Beyoncé
Beyoncé also knows how to turn heads on the red carpet, as she proved once again at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last January. The singer’s sheer gown with white floral details was custom made by the young designer Michael Costello.

January Jones
Sultry and elegant, January Jones was a hit at the 66th Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles in August, wearing a vibrant red dress by designer Prabal Gurung.

Blake Lively
In May at the Cannes Film Festival, Blake Lively’s extraordinary gowns made her the star of the Croisette. This iridescent Chanel ensemble, worn for the screening of the British film «Mr. Turner,» is particularly unforgettable.

Angelina Jolie
On the red carpet of the 2014 Oscars, Angelina Jolie was definitely dressed for the occasion in her sparkling Elie Saab gown.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m fully supportive of the bush, and no— I’m not talking about down there. I’m talking about eyebrows.

As someone who’s been rocking full brows pre-Cara Delevingne and has consequently been made fun of for not following the thin eyebrow trend, I was happy to read that 2014 was the year of bold brows. Unfortunately, however, I’m not naturally blessed with beautifully bold brows. Instead, I’ve been cursed with thin eyebrows that are barely there when left standing on their own.

After years of experimenting with different products, remedies, and tutorials I’ve finally found a tried and true method for achieving the perfect bold brow. If you haven’t been naturally bestowed with bushy brows, don’t fret. Here’s my foolproof guide to faking eyebrows that even Cara would be jealous of.

1. Arch Those Brows!

This one may seem counterintuitive; I mean why pluck your eyebrows if you want them to be fuller? Pluck them because the trick to any good brow is to find your perfect eyebrow shape. Finding your perfect shape helps frame your face, and is the key to creating a good foundation for building a fuller brow.

Try shaping them yourself with these ultra-precise Tweezerman tweezers, or get them done professionally if this is your first time. Not sure how to pluck them yourself? Check out this how-to guide for shaping your eyebrows on Elle.

2. Trim, Trim, Trim

Just as you should get your split ends trimmed to maintain healthy hair, you should trim your eyebrows to maintain their shape and length. Using the proper tool to trim these hairs is essential, otherwise you might end up with irreparably patchy eyebrows. I recommend investing in an eyebrow brush and scissor, or an all in one tool like this one from the Sephora collection.

Using a comb and scissors will help you trim overgrown hairs, maintain your eyebrow shape, and keep your brows looking sharp. Again, having a good foundation to build your brows on is key.

3. Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Brow Gel

This brings me to my next step. As you know, the cosmetics industry has a plethora of products for your eyebrows. From pencils and powders to gels and creams, its tricky to navigate the product selection. I’ve tried nearly everything to fill in my sparse brows, and after being dissatisfied with these products for years I’ve finally found the one.

My good friend, who also happens to be a certified makeup artist, introduced me to Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Brow gel and I can honestly say that my brows have never been the same since. This gel is like magic in a tube. Just squeeze a small amount onto an angled brush, and start filling them in. You’ll be barely there to bold and thick in no time.

4. Anastasia Brow Powder

This is another product that I swear by. Before I discovered Aqua Brow, this brow powder by Anastasia Beverly Hills was the only eyebrow product that I liked and committed to. Now, I use them together for the ultimate bold brow. Fill in your brows with Aqua Brow, and then use an angled brush to set and sharpen with the powder. Too much of a good thing doesn’t apply to this relationship.

The trick to faking a fuller brow is to invest in the right tools and products. As with most things beauty related, when it comes to eyebrows you get what you pay for- so don’t skimp! Eyebrows frame your entire face, so take time to find the right products and perfect your eyebrow routine. Trust me, your face will thank you.

Credits: Polyvore

H&M just announced that Olivia Wilde is the new spokesmodel for their sustainable fashion line, Conscious Exclusive. The Swedish brand began what CEO Karl-Johan Persson explained as “making fashion sustainable and making sustainability fashionable” with the Conscious line in 2013. Conscious Exclusive is the evening and party wear version of this earlier line.

“Sustainability is one of my biggest passions,” says the 30-year old American actress. “I’m proud to be the face of H&M Conscious Exclusive, a collection which shows the stylishness of sustainability.”

For this year, the Conscious Exclusive collection will feature African, Asian and Indian cultural influences in the cut as well as detail. It will also include specially-made prints that are drawn by hand. This globally-inspired collection will focus on dresses and will be made of sustainable materials, like organic silks and organic cotton and linen. Other materials include recycled polyester, Tencel® fabric and environmentally conscious leather.

“I love the look of this year’s Conscious Exclusive collection,” expressed H&M’s head of design Ann-Sofie Johansson. “The pieces are full of character with the most beautiful prints, all made from more sustainable materials.”

Conscious Exclusive will be available online on April 16, 2015, as well as in about 200 H&M stores around the world.

Credit: H&M

Rumi Neely, global style icon and blogger behind Fashion Toast, is the latest person in the blogosphere to announce her own clothing line.

Following the trend of fashion bloggers turned brand makers, Rumi Neely will launch her first ready-to-wear collection Are You Am I on December 12, 2014, right before the new year. Her line is expected to retail for between $80 and $350, and will include pieces that embody the effortless style that has made her famous. Garments include silky two-piece sets, lace-up leather shorts, and a strappy, backless LBD.

Neely’s foray into the retail industry is the latest testament to her entrepreneurial skills. At 31-years-old, Neely first launched Fashion Toast just six years ago. The blog has since then become its own domain and an absolute must-read for anyone interested in fashion. Her success on the internet has also given her access to front row seats at Fashion Week and granted her exclusive collaborations with names like Sunday Somewhere and Marc Jacobs. According to WWD, Fashion Toast garners an impressive 5.5 million views a month.

Are You Am I lace-up shorts

Neely, however, is not the first blogger to venture into the retail game. Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad designed her own shoe collection while Aimee Song of Song of Style recently announced her own t-shirt and sweatshirt line.

Gone are the days when fashion bloggers only needed wifi and a point-and-shoot camera. These days, the only way to stand out in the ever-growing and increasingly crowded blogosphere is to become an entrepreneur and break out of the field altogether. We’re excited to see who’ll be next.

Photo Credit: Rumi Neely’s instagram

Sofia Richie, younger sister to celebrity and TV personality Nicole Richie, just got a modeling contract. If recent years have taught us anything, it’s that having a starlet sibling or a celebrity parent makes you a shoo-in for the modeling world. Just take a look at Kendall Jenner.

The Daily Mail reported that the 16 year-old has signed with London based Select Model Management, who has also represented industry favorites like Agyness Deyn and Natasha Poly. This may be her first contract, but the younger Richie is far from camera shy. As Lionel Richie’s daughter and Nicole Richie’s sister, being in front of the camera comes with the territory.

Sofia makes regular appearances on her sister’s TV show, Candidly Nicole, and has already proved that she can model by being featured in Nylon magazine and Teen Vogue. Last year, she was even the face for a Mary Grace Swim campaign.

The aspiring model also has over 589,000 followers on Instagram, showing that she has her own fan base and is more than just another well-connected celebrity’s sibling. At 5-foot-10 and totally gorgeous, Richie has definitely caught our attention.

Though this is not Sofia’s first foray into modeling, being signed with Select will help take her career to the next level. Move over Kendall Jenner, we predict big things for Sofia in the near future.

Credits: http://instagram.com/sofiarichie

This season is not all cozy winter fashions and holiday cheer, the seasonal cold can also bring dry skin. Keep your skin healthy during the winter chill by remembering a few useful tips:

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

While it is important to moisturize the whole year round, it is especially important during winter. Oil-based moisturizers are the way to go if you want to keep your face from losing its healthy glow. These creams protect your skin from losing too much moisture and appearing ashy and flaky. Try L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream and “Vanilla Bouquet” Ultra Soft Body Cream for best results.

2. Hot is Not

It may be tempting to soak in a steaming bath given the cold, but bathing in super hot water can destroy the natural layers of lipids in the skin that protect it from losing moisture. Lukewarm showers are a much better choice to keep the skin from getting dry.

3. Keep the Hand Cream Handy

The skin on your hands not only has fewer oil glands, but it also dries out faster due to frequent washing. Neglecting your hands can lead to painful skin cracks and itchy rashes. You can avoid this by applying hand creams liberally, especially after washing. Try Estee Lauder’s “Re-Nutriv” Intensive Smoothing Hand Cream to keep your hands silky smooth during winter.

4. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

The end of summer does not mean put away the sunscreen. The sun causes damage to the skin year round. It definitely adds to the damage the elements cause during winter. Apply sunscreen as liberally as you would in the middle of summer to avoid dry skin. Use Chanel Les Beiges All-in-One Healthy Glow Fluid Broad Spectrum sunscreen to protect yourself from the rays even in winter.

5. Stay Away From Harsh Beauty Products

Last, but definitely not least, avoid harsh beauty products as a rule. This is true for the whole year, as these can cause damage to your skin. In winter, these can also contribute to draining out the much-needed moisture from your skin and leave it looking rough and flaky.

The global leading model management company,
Elite World, has announced that out of 64
contestants, Barbora (15 years old, 1m80) and
James (19 years old, 1m89), are the winners of Elite
Model Look 2014. The pair’s photogenic qualities and
personality dazzled the juries and 4,000 guests,
including celebrities, international media and fashion
bloggers, in a glamourous fashion show at the
Shenzen Bay Sports Center, and thus, definitely
deserved this legacy.

Launched in 1983, and now in its 31st consecutive
year, the Elite Model Look contest has discovered
some of the most recognizable names in the industry,
such as Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bündchen, Fei Fei
Sun, and Sigrid Agren. This year, after castings all
over the world (800 cities in 43 countries, plus a
Facebook app), a selection was made from hundreds
of thousands of applicants, with the winners of each
national final going on to represent their country at
the World Final. For 15 days, the finalists were put
into an intensive boot camp consisting of photo
shoots, hair and makeup sessions, and catwalk training, which transformed them into
aspiring models-in-the-making.

This year is marked as an important milestone for Elite Model Look World Final as for
the first time ever in the contestʼs history, the World Final featured male as well as
female contestants. The top-rated 10 girls and the top-rated 5 boys were awarded a 3-
year contract with Elite. The Womenʼs Winner received a guaranteed contract of
€150,000, and €50,000 for the nine other finalists. The Male Winner also received a
guaranteed contract of €50,000 and €20,000 for the four other finalists.

Also another milestone, this yearʼs event presented a new development: International
Talent Scouting. In collaboration with Shenzhen Longhua Dalang Fashion Valley, Elite
World and Vogue Talents had set to find the best up-and-coming young designers from
the International Chinese fashion world. The winner, RXP by Reta and Poreal from
China, will take part in the prestigious Vogue Talents 2015 exhibition at Palazzo
Morando in September to show off their creations during the Milan Fashion Week.