Spring is blooming out all over. The buttercups are popping up everywhere and my, oh, my, aren’t the redbud trees a sight to behold with their fuchsia blooms. The Japanese magnolias have shown up and shown out all over the South, but it’s the Hollywood glitterati that performed like a colorful bouquet in a spring garden this year at the Oscars.
The hair and makeup were worth the wait. Angelina Jolie had all eyes on her for a lot of reasons; the dress, the right leg in that maybe overly-staged pose, and those red lips more beautiful than any climbing rose in my garden. The cast of “The Help,” which unless you have been living under a rock you know was filmed partly in Mississippi, had the paparazzi all abuzz. Even Joan Rivers of the “Fashion Police” gave Viola, Octavia and Emma two-thumbs-up for getting everything right — the dress, the jewelry and even the hair and makeup.
Viola went au natural with a fresh, modern version of her stunning curls and simply blossomed in an emerald green gown. Octavia not only won an Oscar, but everyone’s hearts were aflutter watching her accept in that gorgeous gown cinched in all the best places to hug her hourglass figure. Her makeup was award-winning as well. I think she smiled all night long. Emma towered over the other stars in a bright red gown with a bigger than life red bow giving a nod to Nicole Kidman’s Oscar moment in 2007, but in my opinion Emma can do no wrong. She reminded me of that tall, elegant red gladiola that steals the show in a summer garden, but we didn’t have to wait until July.
Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez were both hits and misses for me. Both wore amazing dresses in neutral shades, but both came up short on the hot factor with hair. Jennifer’s bun was dated, and to be honest has accompanied her to too many red carpet events.
I would have loved for her to have had a major hair moment — perhaps a chic, chin-length bob, something a bit asymmetrical and more fashion forward. Cameron, oh, Cameron, the hair left me wanting so much more from such a beauty. All I can remember is a short bob that was, well, unmemorable. Miley Cyrus turned heads in a vintage-inspired gown and blonde side-swept waves. Some said it was a bit too old for her. I say it was an elegant wow moment, considering some of her previous choices.
Glenn Close was lovely in waves. Penelope Cruz made my heart skip a beat in her old Hollywood finger waves, and Sandra Bullock pulled it off again with a modern high ponytail.
The men were mostly dashing. George Clooney did not disappoint with his short silver and grey clean cut and dazzling smile. Brad melted a few hearts with his shoulder-length straight hair swept off the face, and who doesn’t love a little facial hair on a handsome fellow?
Heck, even Billy Crystal looked dapper and fresh. All in all, I would say the Oscars were in full bloom with sublime moments amidst a landscape of inspiring blasts of color that lasted from the red carpet preview well into the “Vanity Fair,” Madonna, and Elton John after-parties.
Former Columbus resident David Creel owns Beautiful With David salon in Jackson. He can be seen as the “makeover guy” on WDBD Fox-40. Reach him at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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