GLAM OR SHAM?: Nicki Minaj in Manish Arora at the American Music Awards

While Nicki Minaj is known for some outlandish looks (and camel toe-inducing leggings...sideeye), last night she took her freakish fashions to new haute couture heights. She turned to an uber-creative designer, Manish Arora, for a head-turning look straight off the Spring 2011 runway.

The dress incorporates Nicki's favorite colors: pink (hello, the Pink Friday album) and green (yup, color of her ombre hair tips) as well as blue, gold and yellow embellishments. The gold sequin straps literally popping out of the dress resemble ribs and claws and the neckline sticks up like ears. Very creative, very Nicki.

I usually sideeye her leggings and catsuits, but I do applaud her creativity and high-end fashion in her latest look. And love those gold Christian Louboutins she paired with the dress!

I say Glam in a futuristic, Nicki-esque way but what's your opinion? Glam or Sham?

Kisses,

Coutura

GET THE LOOK: Natasha Bedingfield's Chic Shag At The 2010 American Music Awards

As you probably know by now, I'm all about a layered haircut so I was super psyched to spot singer Natasha Bedingfield rocking this chic shag hairstyle last night at the American Music Awards. It's the perfect 'do for the low maintenance girl who wants to look stylish without much effort.

Thank goodness I got the scoop from her hairstylist Caile Noble, of the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in L.A.! Here's how she created the look:

-Begin by using a volumizing spray to create lift. Apply at the roots throughout the entire head.

-Using a small rounded brush, dry hair at the roots with tension to create lift. Add polish to the ends with a blast of cool air.

-Give the look added texture and roughness by adding dry shampoo.

-Create a side swept look by loosely pushing bangs off to one side and setting them with hairspray.

Shop these products to get the look!

More John Frieda...

xo

Ferocia

GET THE LOOK! Katy Perry's Flowing Waves At The 2010 American Music Awards

Alright, I know it seems like I've been talking about Katy Perry a lot these days (I'm even wearing her new fragrance Purr right now as I type this) but I assure that I'm totally not a STAN.

I just happen to really like her style plus she's like the cutest girl in America right now. She's totally my girl crush of the moment! (Right before her it was Kim Kardashian, but I'm not feeling the shape that her face is starting to morph into since she keeps getting all of that plastic surgery..ew.)

And, speaking of style, Katy's was right on point at last night's American Music Awards!

I loved the naturally peachy pink look she rocked on the red carpet and those lush lashes were definitely giving me life. However, it's her flowing, wavy locks that give her that pretty-girl-next-door look I so adore.

Lucky for her, she had the amazing Pantene Celebrity Stylist Danilo sculpting her locks. (He's also Gwen Stefani's go-to hair guy..love him!)

According to Danilo, Katy's look last night on the red carpet was "classic Hollywood with a contemporary twist." For the show, she wanted to have "big, voluminous hair," so Danilo said he used products from Pantene's Fine Collection to give her long lasting volume.

Here's Danilo's step-by-step guide on you can get Katy's look:

- “Before doing any hair style, I always encourage my clients to wash and condition their hair—that way I can start with a clean, healthy base. I recommend beginning with the Pantene Pro-V Fine Flat to Volume Shampoo and Conditioning regimen, the customized formula gently cleanses hair to help remove dulling residue and build up while replenishing from root to tip.”

- “Before blow-drying, I applied a light mist of the Pantene Pro-V Fine Heat Protection & Shine Spray to Katy’s hair. This helps to protect hair against heat while providing a soft, healthy-looking finish.”

-“Next, I sprayed each section with the Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Root Lifter Spray Gel, this provides weightless volume that is full of long lasting body and shine. After her hair was prepped, I blew out the hair, creating volume from the base of the strands.”

-“Using a medium curling iron, I created a spiral glamour set on each section of the hair and sprayed it with the Pantene Pro-V Touchable Volume Hairspray. Then each curl was pinned up and left to cool.“

-“Once I took the curls out, I used a glamour set where I brushed the curls out so the wave pattern revealed itself, opposed to hair being tousled. This gives a glamorous look to the hair. What I love about this look is that the wave is at the bottom, opposed to a retro look were the hair is curled under.”

Shop the Pantene products Danilo used on Katy below!

More Pantene...

AND (most importantly) check out her awesome performance from last night!

xo

Ferocia

GLAM OR SHAM?: Miley Cyrus in Marchesa at the American Music Awards PLUS Performance Video

Marchesa is truly wowing me with their Spring 2010 line! The latest starlet to rock the coveted collection on the red carpet is Miley Cyrus, who wore one of their flirty, feminine dresses to last night's American Music Awards. Darling!

I don't know what I love most: the soft florals or elegant beading. It's all so pretty and posh, and age-appropriate for a Disney star (which Miley, cough, struggles with sometimes).

The bow, which Marchesa is known for, and its accompanying train is the part that throws me off. Since it's so large, it almost swallows Miley's lithe frame, making her look like an early Christmas present, don't you agree?

What do you think of her dress? Glam or Sham?

And isn't Marchesa great?

Check out her performance of "Forgiveness & Love" here.



Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Taylor Swift in Collette Dinnigan at the 2010 American Music Awards PLUS Performance Video

Please don't take this the wrong way (as I love sparkle just as much as the next girl) but how many sequined dresses does Taylor Swift own? I'm all for glitz and decadence but there are so many ways to glamorize oneself during the holiday season (more on that later) that it's time for Taylor to put the sequins away.

Last night, she surprised no one with a silver-embellished mini from Collette Dinnigan that highlights her legs and arms. I'm yawning. What did pique my interest was Taylor's hair. She finally abandoned those curls for a sleek, straight look with a bang. Whoa.

While the hair is sexier than usual (and is that cleavage I see?), the look was a bit wiggy and maybe a tad too mature.

What do you think of her new beauty look and those same old sequins? Glam or a Sham?

And here's her performance from last night which I loved:



Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Willow Smith at the 2010 American Music Awards

Confession: I am the biggest Willow Smith fan. After dressing up like her for Halloween, my adoration has only flourished from her W Magazine article (where she says, and I quote, "I can't do whatever I want. Mommy has to say it's okay." Squeal!) to her introduction of Justin Bieber's performance last night at the American Music Awards.

Speaking of which, while some of her outfits (like head-to-toe leopard print and biker boots) can overwhelm, last night she impressed me in a tasteful yet adventurous look. She wore a romper which was fun and age-appropriate with a statement-making yellow sleeve complete with poufy shoulders and buckles.

Love the bright yellow pop of color against the gray and the rocker-chic detail of the sleeve. And she kept the hair sleek with a pompadour and ponytail. Bravo, Willow! My only gripe? Lose the slouchy boots.

What did you guys think? Was she GLAM or a burning SHAM?

Kisses,

Coutura
 

GLAM OR SHAM?: Rihanna at the 2010 American Music Awards in Elie Saab PLUS Performance Video

If you are a fan of The Glamazon page on Facebook, you know that I'm obsessed with lace this season (like Leighton Meester's Marchesa jumpsuit) and Rihanna nailed the look in a long Elie Saab gown at the American Music Awards red carpet.

Her body is amazing (looks like she gained a bit more weight...applause) and the dress is sultry and romantic thanks to the gorgeous material. Rih's head full of crimson curls is where, in my opinion, the looks goes wrong. The red-on-red isn't necessarily chic and the curls so remind me of Whitney Houston in the '90s.

What do you think of Rihanna's look? GLAM OR SHAM?

Also, check out her opening performance below. Werk, Rih Rih!






Kisses,

Coutura