While I believe that less is more when it comes to wearing make-up, wearing nothing at all can leave you looking tired and sickly (especially if you are). There are a few exotically beautiful women in the world that can pull off “the absolutely no make-up” look, but most of us can benefit from a bit of polish.

Here’s how to do it in under 30 seconds:

• Cover the odd spot with concealer
• Pop on a bit of blusher
• End with a dab of lip gloss

If you can spare another 15 seconds, I’d throw in the mascara as well. This fast and simple make-up ritual can make the world of difference to how you look. Buy mini size cosmetics with built in applicators that you can keep in your handbag and refresh the blusher and the gloss mid day. The next time you catch yourself in a passing mirror – you’ll look fab instead of drab.

Hollywood’s swankiest event once again glittered with glamour. The night was filled with flawless designer gowns, radiant skin, bare necklines, jewel encrusted clutches, Jimmy Choo shoes, Chopard bling and lots of style. It was nice to see variety amongst the dress styles (tired Grecian-goddess looks did not reign supreme this time around). 

My favourites of the night were:

• Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci was a petite picture of perfection. Her form fitting strapless eggplant gown ruffled romantically into diagonal toned layers of elegance and grace. The contrast of this classic dress with her simple, super-straight modern hairstyle was genius.
• Nicole Kidman was superbly statuesque in her flaming red, catwalk couture halter gown. The neck bow on this dress was overwhelmingly delicious and wouldn’t have looked right on anyone else but Nicole Kidman. Her surreal mannequin-like presence is breathtaking and she too sported super simple straight hair (a new red carpet trend).
• Penelope Cruz in Versace was a classic Spanish beauty. Her strapless blush corset gown erupted into a train of pretty and playful tulle feathers. Her slicked back hair was timeless and complemented the drama of her dress well.
• Cate Blanchett in her metallic slate, Armani Prive off-the-shoulder sheath gown was once again the red carpet risk taker who always gets it right. Cate’s style is avant guard and I love seeing her award ceremony choices because they are so unconventionally glamorous. Anyone else would have looked like a gladiator in this dress, but Cate looked  fabulous.
• Kate Winslet was beautiful in her mint green Valentino. Her asymmetrical gown draped immaculately over her curves, and she matched it up elegantly with a side parting and pulled back hair.

This international lineup proves that redheads look stunning in red, and that milky cream, satin skin is better than bronzer. That concludes this years award season. Reese Witherspoon and Cate Blanchett get my youlookfab award for being the best dressed celebrities on the red carpet this year.

Cate, Reese and Penelope on the Oscars red carpet, courtesy of E! Online.

Footwear designer Taryn Rose loved beautiful shoes. Formally trained as an Orthopedic surgeon, she  opened her first footwear boutique 8 years ago. After constantly seeing women with serious foot problems caused predominantly by fashion footwear, Dr. Rose took it upon herself to design an exquisite collection of shoes that were actually good for your feet. The brand promises proper fit, flexibility, breathability, cushioning, wearability and timeless styling. Each shoe is hand crafted by skilled artisans in Italy (which partly explains why a pair costs between $300 and $500).

What these shoes promise sounds too good to be true. Are they worth the price? I am willing to go to great lengths to keep my fussy feet happy, but I’d love to hear your opinion on this orthopedic choice. I don’t own a pair, but I’m thinking about it – after all, beauty and pain should not go hand in hand.

Taryn Rose shoes are available at department stores and Zappos.com.

The Spring trench coat is a different animal to the trusty Autumn trench you might already have hanging in your wardrobe. While the classic long-sleeved, double or single breasted beige creature is forever fashionable, you might want to have a  bit of fun with the new styles that are in store at the moment. This cheeky version of the original is cropped in length, shorter in sleeve and definitely not beige! Tailored and belted in keeping with the true spirit of a trench, this perky update is bound to kickstart any Spring wardrobe.

If you feel that you’d rather stick to a classic trench for Spring, then you’ll still be in style. Sophisticated and elegant options are available from Ann Taylor and Banana Republic at the moment. But if you fancy freshening up that classic look – go short, flirty and bold instead. Your new mini rendition is the perfect complement to trouser jeans, slim-legged pants, flouncy skirts and walk shorts. A high ROI is guaranteed.

Cropped trenches from J. Crew, Macy’s, Anthropologie, Arden B. and Bebe.