Best Tressed Emmy Looks: Hair Trends Inspired by Old Hollywood

Blonde, ginger and brunette bombshells: Claire Danes, Christina Hendricks and Sofia Vergara.

TV's biggest award ceremony brought out the ghost of old Hollywood past, but not in a fright-night way. To-die-for looks from last Sunday's Emmys channeled scary good glamour reminiscent of the '40s and '50s. 

Sweetheart necklines, curve hugging gowns and mermaid silhouettes ruled the red carpet. Even better, hair trends took iconic inspiration from screen sirens such as Veronica Lake, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe. Soft waves topped the crowns of Claire Danes, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Christina Hendricks. 

Who deserves the title of Best Tressed? We'll let you decide. Check out the hottest hairstyles from the evening and let us know if they live up to legendary looks from the past. We've also compiled several hairsprays, shampoos, conditioners, and styling tools and products to achieve your own show-stopping styles.

MARILYN MONROE

Some Like It Hot: Homeland's Claire Danes.

Diamonds and soft curls are a girl's best friend: Project Runway host Heidi Klum.

VERONICA LAKE

Photo courtesy MGM Studios

Cascading curls: Modern Family's Sofia Vergara.

Long and lovely locks: Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi.

GRACE KELLY

Photo courtesy Paramount

Dramatic updo: Revenge's Emily VanCamp.

RITA HAYWORTH

Photo by Columbia Pictures

Retro and romantic: Mad Men star Christina Hendricks.

AUDREY HEPBURN

Photo courtesy Roman Holiday

Short and sassy: Electric City's Ginnifer Goodwin.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Sultry sophistication: New Girl's Zooey Deschanel

HAIR CARE TOOLS & PRODUCTS

SHINE: Ava Anderson Non-Toxic Ava Body Shampoo and Conditioner. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice and peppermint extract rebuild and restore the hair. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Cruelty-free, gluten-free and nut-free. Also contains no parabens, SLS, triclosan, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates, formaldehyde or nitrosamine.

 SHINE: Conair Titanium Ceramic Curling Wand (1 inch). BEAUTY: Creates medium to large curls, and protects hair from frizz and static with titanium ceramic technology. BEACON: Supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and National Dance Institute.

SHINE: Goldwell Ultra Volume Gel-Shampoo and Gel-Conditioner. BEAUTY: Hydrogenated castor oil help makes strands stronger and fuller looking. BEACON: Products and packaging are biologically degradable. Waste water produced during the manufacturing process goes through extensive cleaning before being released back into the environment.

SHINE: John Frieda JFC10 Volume Curls (1 1/2 inch barrel). BEAUTY: The advanced ionic conditioning of this curling iron adds smoothness and shine to frizzy, dull and flyaway hair. BEACON: The parent company, Kao Brands, supports United Way and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.

SHINE: Kitoko Oil Treatment. BEAUTY: Karité and argan oils, and vitamins A and E restore shine and moisture balance to dry, damaged hair. BEACON: Contains no sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate. 

SHINE: Natu Beauty Volumizing Mist. BEAUTY: Honeysuckle flower extract helps transform thin strands into full-bodied hair. BEACON: Vegan. Contains no sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial fragrances and colors, resins, phthalates and petrolatum.

SHINE: Organic Control Systems Hairspray (control factor 8). BEAUTY: Marigold flower and green tea extracts promote greater hold and frizz-free control. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Free of ammonia.

SHINE: Peter Lamas Hold Me Thermal Styling Spray. BEAUTY: Protect hair from damage caused by styling and heated tools with lavender oil, and chamomile and birch bark extracts. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no parabens. 

SHINE: Pureology Maximum Hold Zero Dulling Hairspray for Color-Treated Hair. BEAUTY: Olive fruit oil and vitamin E help maximize hold and shine. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sulfates. Supports Global Green USA.

SHINE: Redken Smooth Lock Shampoo and Conditioner. BEAUTY: Sweet almond oil nourishes and protects strands, and helps fight frizz. BEACON: Parent company L’Oréal partners with UNESCO to support For Women In Science. 

Healthy Aging Month: Restore, Renew & Revitalize Your Skin

Photo by Andrea Raffin

Gwyneth Paltrow turns 40 on September 27.

Gwyneth Paltrow defies the odds of aging. The Oscar-winning actress looks better with each passing birthday. And her milestone celebration of the big 4-0 should be no different this month. 

The mother of two seems to balance her career, family and marriage to Coldplay's Chris Martin with ease. She's known to eat sensibly and exercise on a regular basis. She also gives back with her charity work. She's an artist ambassador for Save the Children and a board member of the Robin Hood Foundation, which strives to eliminate poverty in New York City.

September marks Healthy Aging Month. Created by Healthy Aging Magazine, the observance brings attention to the positive aspects of growing older--which have been embraced by celebrities such as Paltrow and millions of other people. It also encourages community events that promote personal responsibility for one's financial, social, mental and physical well-being.

It's never too late to take control of your health--especially when it comes to skin care. In honor of Paltrow's birthday and Healthy Aging Month, we've assembled an assortment of moisturizers, serums, eye creams and facial toning devices that help you age gracefully. 

Here's to a healthy glow!

SHINE: Abrioné by VB Cosmetics Cell Enhancer Hydrogel Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Green tea extracts, hyaluronic acid and peptides stimulate the production of collagen and promote new cell growth. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Basq Ultra Rich Illipe Body Butter. BEAUTY: Improve resiliency of stretched, taut or dry skin on your body, belly and bust with illipe seed butter, coconut oil extract and shea butter. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and phthalates.

SHINE: CellCeuticals Regenerative Skin Treatment. BEAUTY: Vitamins A, C and E, and peptides diminish visible wrinkle depth and renew skin's smoothness. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no artificial colorants or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or parabens.

SHINE: Clarisonic Opal Sonic Skin Infusion with Anti-Aging Sea Serum. BEAUTY: The serum minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with hyaluronic acid and peptides, while the sonic technology helps infuse skin care more effectively than fingers. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: Kelly Teegarden Organics Vitality Rose & Cucumber Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice, cucumber fruit extract and shea butter minimize puffiness and under-eye darkness. BEACON: Cruelty free.

SHINE: Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel. BEAUTY: Protect against free radical damage and boost skin's elasticity with vitamin C, glycolic and hyaluronic acids, and orange and grapefruit peel oils. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Naturopathica Plant Stem Cell Serum and Beech Tree & Ginseng Daily Moisturizer. BEAUTY: The serum slows signs of aging with hyaluronic acid and pomegranate seed oil, while the moisturizer nourishes with beech tree bud and gogi berry fruit extracts. BEACON: ECOCERT certified. Contains no synthetic colors, silicones, sulfate detergents, parabens or glycols.

SHINE: The Nordic Treat Champagne Hydrogel Eye Patch. BEAUTY: Apple fruit extract, aloe vera gel and green tea extract minimize puffiness, dark circles, crow's feet, and frown and forehead lines. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device. BEAUTY: The handheld microcurrent system revitalizes facial contours of the forehead, under-eye area, cheeks, jawline and jowls. BEACON: Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Organoderm Natural Green Energy Serum. BEAUTY: Maximize skin's elasticity and suppleness with hyaluronic acid, algae extract and peptides. BEACON: USDA organic certified. Vegan and cruelty free.

SHINE: Pevonia Power Repair Marine Collagen Cream. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, safflower seed oil and vitamin E moisturize deeply dehydrated skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream. BEAUTY: Restore and renew skin with retinol and shea butter while you sleep. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Systeme 41 Revitalizing Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Shea butter, macadamia seed oil and vitamin C smooth the delicate eye area to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, artificial colors and fragrances, surfactants, detergents, mineral oils and glutens.

Do Good Day at Spa Scotta: Raising Awareness of Human Sex Trafficking

Soul satisfying services at Spa Scotta.

Do-gooders abound in the beauty industry--and it makes sense. If you feel good on the inside, you look even better on the outside. 

Jessica Campbell made do-gooding an important part of her business model when she opened Seattle's Spa Scotta in 1998. Using "Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good" as her mission statement, she regularly donates a portion of proceeds from sales of her spa services to various local charities. They include the Junior League of Seattle, Seattle Children's Hospital and Evergreen Health Foundation.  

Another worthy charity recently captured Campbell's heart--The Justice and Soul Foundation. Under the leadership of Matthew Fairfax, who also owns Seattle-based James Alan Salon and Spa, the organization seeks to teach, inspire and build the self-esteem of children and young women rescued from or escaping human sex trafficking. The program will initially launch in Cambodia, where it's estimated that more than 30,000 children are victimized each year. "The strategy of the foundation is two-fold," Campbell says. "The first is to establish a school to teach the fundamentals and techniques of cosmetology, such as hair, skin, nails and makeup.

"The second is to address the trauma [by offering psychological assistance] with qualified therapists, as well as providing problem solving and life skills necessary for independence and making a full transition," she adds.

Jessica Campbell, owner/esthetician, at Spa Scotta.

To raise more awareness, Campbell has designated this Saturday, September 15, as Do Good Day for Justice and Soul. When clients mention the organization, her spa will donate 5% of sales from its 3G menu of services. "It's an easy thing to do, and I'm hoping this simple idea will spread to salons and spas around the country," Campbell says.

The 3G menu stands for "Get In! Get Beautiful! Get Going!" It features 30-minute face, feet and body treatments for busy, on-the-go clients. Each service costs $30. While on a recent trip to the pacific northwest, I visited the spa and experienced the 3G Facial first-hand. My skin delighted in this dewy indulgence, and my face is still glowing.

Here's a look at the step-by-step process:

My esthetician Jenny begins the facial by analyzing my skin and discussing my concerns.

 She then cleans... 

...and tones my skin.

Jenny uses a Clarisonic facial tool to complete the deep-cleansing process.

Next, a pomegranate exfoliation mask is applied for five minutes.

Pads are then placed over my eyes...

...and a steamer helps loosen my pores.

Jenny performs a hand and arm massage as the mask works its magic.

Next, she wraps my face and neck in a warm, moist towel... 

...and removes the mask.

Once my face is ready...

...Jenny applies a soothing serum with a Bio-Therapeutic bt-Micro facial tool. 

The treatment then concludes...

...with a hydrating moisturizer.

She also applies an eye cream and a sunscreen.

Jenny's magic fingers leave my face looking radiant. 3G now stands for "This Girl's Got Glow."

Hair Trends at the VMAs: Super Short, Super Long & Super Cool!

Rihanna leaves her weaves behind to debut a new 'do.

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? At the MTV Video Music Awards last Thursday, Rihanna rocked the red carpet in a custom-made white gown by Adam Selman. She also stunned fans and fashionistas by showing off a super short pixie cut (see Fresh Fall Look: Pixie Hair). Her new 'do and kiss/embrace with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, which was captured on a live Internet feed, almost overshadowed her award for Best Video of the Year.

Miley Cyrus unveiled a new look too. Her super short sides and ultra-high crown cut mimicked Pink's platinum mohawk. The two looked like twin supermodels with their dramatic 'dos. 

On the other end of the spectrum, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift wore down-to-there hair. Perry chose soft, flowing waves while Swift went for a long straight look with lash tip-level bangs.

Which looks do you like the best? Check out videos from the red carpet below. We've also assembled several hair care products that work well to maintain super short or long cuts, including shampoos, masks, leave-in conditioners, hair sprays and styling aids.

Katy Perry lets her her hair down with long luscious locks.

Pink poses with a peacock platinum mohawk cut.

Taylor Swift struts stick straight strands, along with full fringe and red lips.

Miley Cyrus sports a teased platinum mohawk a la Pink.

SHINE: Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate Shampoo and Conditioner. BEAUTY: Add volume, body and shine with pomegranate seed oil and jojoba protein. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals. Supports Habitat for Humanity. 

SHINE: Hamadi Organics Shea Hair Mask. BEAUTY: Avocado oil, shea butter and aloe vera nourish over-processed hair. BEACON: Ecocert certified and no animal testing. Free of fragrances and colorants.

SHINE: Kérastase Resistance Double Force Spray Multi-Protector. BEAUTY: Helps protect hair and promote a controlled hold. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Kitoko Leave-In Active Restructurant. BEAUTY: Green tea extract, shea butter and vitamin E help prevent split ends, and replenish and repair damaged hair. BEACON: Contains no sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate. 

SHINE: LATHER Avocado Mint Hair Repair. BEAUTY: Add sheen and strengthen strands with avocado, jojoba and macadamia seed oils, shea butter and aloe vera. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens.

SHINE: Organic Color Systems O'right Tree in the Bottle Green Tea Shampoo. BEAUTY: Green tea extracts and organic foaming agents promote conditioning of the hair and scalp. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonia or formaldehyde. Bottle comes preloaded with tree seeds, so it can be planted after use.

 SHINE: Pureology Control Twist High Hold Liquid Wax. BEAUTY: Create texture, separation and shine with vitamin E, and coriander and olive fruit oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sulfates. Supports Global Green USA.

SHINE: Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide Protective Smoother (for very dry/unruly hair). BEAUTY: Sweet almond and coconut oils protect hair from humidity to deliver frizz-free manageability. BEACON: Parent company L’Oréal partners with UNESCO to support For Women In Science.