Hollywood’s “Night of Nights” is right around the corner, and while we don’t know who will take home the oh-so-coveted Oscar Awards, we do know that all you beauty junkies out there will be mentally casting your vote for Oscar superlatives – who has the best dress, the best accessories and of course… who has the best hair?

We spoke with the pros at Wella Professionals, the hair brand who has a very impressive roster of red carpet hair under their belt already from this season, including Madonna, Michelle Williams, Claire Danes, Emma Stone, Zoe Saldana, Emily Blunt and Shailene Woodley, to get the inside scoop on what hair looks will heat up the red carpet this Sunday.

Graceful Sheen
“We will see a peak in fluid textures and warm tones that suggest effortless elegance and healthy, shiny hair that shows a lot of movement and bounce,” states Wella Professionals Color Ambassador Aura Friedman. “Expensive and Luxurious are words you could use to explain this look – maximize this effect by asking your colorist to use Wella Professionals Haircolor to give you a soft shade with warm undertones that will best complement your skin tone.”

Aura recommends her A-list clientele use Wella Professionals Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner, which is designed to seal in color while leaving locks irresistibly smooth to the touch.

“Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier is a red-carpet favorite,” adds Celebrity Stylist Andy LeCompte, “that smoothes the hair surface so it can better prepare the hair for styling.” Andy also uses Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray on his clientele to create the most sheen and expensive looking finish to any end look.

Angelic Side-Chignons
LeCompte predicts that celebs will lean toward classic styles with a play on texture and symmetry. “There will be a lot of deep side parts and loose ponys, bobs and chignons tied to the side.” This style can be customized to accentuate any gown, face shape or hair accessory. “It also lessens the stuffiness of that prom feeling and adds a more up-to-date, laissez-faire feeling.

The options here are endless, but no matter the look, you can use Wella Professionals products to perfect the end look. Apply 3-5 pumps of Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier hair primer to create an even surface on each and every hair follicle before drying the hair, creating a foundation for the most luxurious looking end-look. To keep a style looking fresh yet modernly undone, use a light-hold hairspray such as Wella Professionals Stay Essential Finishing Spray to hold the hair while keeping an overall sense of liquid movement.

The red carpet arrivals of the 84th Annual Academy Awards®, will be airing January 26th on NBC. Be sure to join Wella Professionals on Twitter and Facebook LIVE during the red carpet arrivals (between 4pm and 7pm EST), along with their special guest panel of hair pros Aura Friedman, Rick Wellman and Mark Garrison to get tips, tricks and commentary on the hair looks of the evening.

Can’t wait till then? Visit the red carpet tab on Wella’s Facebook page for tips and leave questions for their experts to answer.

If you follow me on Pinterest, you might have noticed my recent obsession with braids. I don’t know if it’s because it seems like the perfect challenge or I have a thing for Pippi Longstocking, but I can’t get enough.

I like to sport a cute side braid or a few little ones tied together in the back, but I have never attempted something like the above photos on the right. Looks…time consuming. What’s your story? Do you rock the braids on a regular basis?

photo credit 1 | 2 | 3

I recently filmed some segments with The Thread in New York, and here is the first one featuring some spring fashion and beauty essentials. (I was also forced to model tangerine skinny jeans and a see-through dress. God help me.)

Some of my favorite blushes are:

POWDER:

Nars Desire
Nars Orgasm
Chanel Fuchsia Tweed (Worn in the video)
Chanel Tempting Beige
Benefit Sugarbomb
Benefit Coralista

CREAM:

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Promise (Worn in the video)
Tarte The Perfect Pink
Tarte Tickled
Tarte Ten

LIQUID:

Sonia Kashuk Peony (Worn in the video)
Pixi Sheer Gel in Natural

Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner

Wide-tooth comb

Aveda Be Curly

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Smoothing Balm

Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

Redken All Soft Argan Oil

Nuxe Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

Some of the products in the video were provided to me free of charge, and some I purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own.

Want red carpet hair? We’re giving away 10 packs that retail for $100 of Wella Professionals hairstyling products that were used to create these glamorous looks. Just tell us in the comments area below which red carpet hairstyle you like best to be entered to win!

Michelle Williams
“Michelle looks incredible with this short, modern Mia Farrow inspired style,” says LA stylist Chris McMillian, who created her look. “It’s a retro ’60s combined with Flapper flair type of look that shows there’s still a lot of glamour and versatility with short hair.”

To Get The Look: First, apply Wella Professionals Natural Volume Styling Mousse to wet hair, then use your hands to shape your hair while it air dries. Once dry, lift up your roots and blow dry upward to create extra lift at the crown. Then, apply Wella Professionals Mirror Polish for a glossy finish and to help smooth hair into shape. Add a simple black headband with a jeweled brooch to give this retro look a modern spin. Push bangs to the side where the jewel is positioned for a heavy fringe effect.

Claire Danes
Claire Danes looked every bit the belle of the ball in a gorgeous black and white J. Mendel gown and a soft, swept-back chignon. Hairstylist, Peter Butler, created Danes’ look by envisioning a modern-day Grace Kelly.

To Get The Look: The trick to creating a soft, flattering updo to is to first create a lot of volume. Butler used Wella Professionals Extra Volume Mousse on damp hair, then blow dryed it. Next, curl hair with a large barrel curling iron for extra volume, then pull hair back into a high pony and wrap it into a tight knot. (Danes’ look was only secured with TWO hair pins!) Lastly, comb back hair with fingers, coated with Wella Professionals Mirror Polish Shine Serum for a soft sheen. Spritz with Wella Professionals Stay Essential hairspray for a hold that will last all night.

Madonna
The perfect look for Madge to compliment her flowing Reem Acra dress? Effortless, soft waves, of course. Wella Professionals celebrity stylist, Andy LeCompte created this stunning ‘do for the diva and winner of this year’s Golden Globes’ Best Original Song for a Motion Picture.

To Get The Look: Rough dry hair to manipulate and emphasize natural texture. Then, mist hair with Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray to protect it from thermal heat while also adding texture. Use a 1-inch flat iron on hair to create soft S formations and add a natural wave texture. Finish with a mist of Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz Beach Texture Spray.

Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps looked radiant with a voluminous bouffant, thanks to McMillian’s expert hairstyling.

To Get The Look: Prep wet hair with Wella Professionals Natural Volume Styling Mousse and loosely dry for a textured finish. Then, spray Wella Professionals Stay Essential Finishing Spray while hair is nearly dry so it’s slightly piece-y and pull into an imperfect, textured French twist. Add a headband at the top of the head to complete the look for an added touch of elegance.

Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley is only 20 years old, but the talented actress looked poised beyond her years in a Marchesa gown and sophisticated updo, created by Wella Professionals stylist, Campbell McAuley.

To Get The Look: First, prep wet hair using Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier and then let dry naturally with a diffuser. Once nearly dry, lightly mist hair with Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray before using a 1 3/4 inch curling iron to enhance natural waves. Once hair is prepped, then take a section from crown to ears to divide hair into a front and back split section. At the back section, pull hair back into a ponytail, not pulling it too tight so that there is still a natural hair movement. Spray Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray in the front section to give the best glossy finish for the red carpet. Then, sculpt hair into a side parted wavy style with hands moving into a beautiful twisted bun. Finish off with Wella Professionals Stay Essential Hairspray.

Don’t forget! You have to tell us in the comments below which hairstyle you like best to be entered to win $100 worth of the Wella Professionals products that were used to create these looks! See full rules and regulations.

Stay tuned to Wella Professionals on Facebook and follow @WellaHairUSA on Twitter for red carpet news and how-to’s this season!

contributed by Daily Makeover

Daily Makeover will host a big giveaway with some of Wella’s amazing styling products that were used to create red carpet hairstyles! To find out the details, “Like” the Wella Professionals USA Facebook page where we’ll announce how and when to enter the contest. Plus, they’ll have LIVE red carpet coverage from top celebrity stylists.

Effortless Elegance With A Glossy Finish

“I think we’ll see a peak in fluid textures that suggest effortless elegance, like very healthy and sleek hair that shows a lot of movement. This style will be popular with soft and light tones with a warm glow that emphasizes healthy, shiny hair representative of the Wella Trend Vision look aptly named, Grace,” says LeCompte. Another great example: Charlize Theron’s shiny, sleek blowout with gentle waves.

To get the look, first, apply a good amount of hair primer, like Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier, to wet hair. This will create an even surface on each hair follicle, improving the evenness of your overall end look. Then, while your hair is still wet, apply a smoothing balm, such as Wella Professionals Flowing Form, to dramatically enhance the manageability and smoothness of your blowout. One you’ve finished blow drying your hair, finish with a spritz of shine spray. Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight helps keep hair healthy and shimmering, despite the heat of a blowout.

Statement-Making Tones And Daring Definition

To the contrary, we can also expect to see daring, modern styles made possible by the evolution of high tech hair tools and high pigment color. Wella Professionals Color Ambassador Aura Friedman says, “We can look forward to the soft introduction of this very bold hair color trend at the Golden Globes this year. Inspired by the Trend Vision look, “Roxy,” this is an attention grabbing style where color plays an integral role. We will especially see a shift to cool red tones and bursts of violet, statement-making colors with an edge of sophistication.”

“A perfect color,” says Aura, “should complement the person who’s wearing it…but also suit their personality and lifestyle. It should enhance, but not overpower.” To keep vibrant hues looking their best, Aura suggests to avoid shampooing too much and use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, like Wella’s Brilliance Line. If your hair is very dull, she also recommends getting a clear gloss to add instant vibrancy and seal the cuticle of your hair for added shine. As for the style, this look does not shy away from shape or definition. Tight curls and gravity-defying shapes can be expected. With such “atypical” styles being created with styling tools, it’s very important to prepare your hair with a heat protectant spray before styling, such as Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protectant Spray. You’ll need to finish the look with a strong-hold hairspray, such as Wella Professionals Stay Firm Finishing Spray.

Chat LIVE with the hair experts during the award show’s red carpet arrivals! “Like” Wella on Facebook to get tips, tricks and commentary from several celebrity stylists on their favorite looks of the night.

For the latest on hair trends and styling tips, follow Wella on Facebook and Twitter!

Contributed by Megan Segura of DailyMakeover. Thanks, Megan!

Happy New Year, everyone! I just returned from a week visiting my family, and I’m more than ready to take on 2012.

In terms of Hair Thursday, this is going to be a great year. I have some incredibly exciting news to share with you in the upcoming months, and I CAN’T WAIT. (Seriously, I’ve been sitting on my hands since September, and will be able to spill the beans soon. Hooray!)

In the meantime, though, I am focusing on three beauty resolutions for 2012.

1. Be nicer to my hair. I had some really fantastic hair days in 2011, but unfortunately, all of the blowouts and curling iron use has really taken its toll. My hair has been looking a little dull and dry lately, so I am resolving to go au natural as much as possible this year. Of course, that means embracing my natural (and lately quite lackluster) waves and laying off the heat tools once in awhile. ENJOY Luxury Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner, Aveda Be Curly, Oribe Supershine Cream, Nuxe Hair Oil, and Pantene Smoothing Balm are some of the products that will be in heavy rotation over the next few months.

2. Embrace bright lipstick. I fell in love with NARS Flamenco this year, but now I think it’s time to move into hot pink territory. I recently bought Dior Addict lipstick in Dior Kiss, which is a beautiful rosy pink recommended by Keiko Lynn, but I think I need to take it up a notch for date night. Maybe something like this? (Don’t click on Keiko Lynn’s makeup category unless you have at least a couple hours to kill. She’s amazing!)

3. Wear fragrance. I’ve written about this before, but I am forever on the hunt for the perfect fragrance. I’m pretty sure I’ll never find it, but in the meantime, with the invention of rollerballs, I can try all different types without making a big investment. 2012 will be all about smelling pretty!

There you go…my 2012 beauty resolutions. What are your beauty resolutions, if any? Are you looking to try out any new hair or beauty looks?