Kate’s dress by Jenny Packham

ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) is a favorite charity of the Duke and Duchess, and was also championed by the late Princess Diana of Wales.

via ARK ONLINE:

Over the past ten years, ARK’s programmes in the UK, Southern Africa, eastern Europe and India have transformed the lives of more than 200,000 children. In tackling access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa, improving educational opportunities in the UK, US and India, and giving children the chance to live in a caring and nurturing environment in Eastern Europe, ARK is helping to overcome some of the most severe blights on children’s lives.

But we must do more. Too many children are still suffering. ARK’s mission to initiate and implement programmes that truly transform children’s lives is as vital today as it was a decade ago.

I know we’re all interested in Kate’s gown; so let’s discuss it, shall we?  First of all, the color is perfect.  I was beginning to worry that maybe we’d only see her in cobalt (royal?) blue there for a second.

mytheresa.com

Rose sequin-embellished gown with crystal and bead detailing. Sleeveless silhouette. Layered mesh inserts at neckline, shoulders and sleeves. Hidden side zipper with hook-and-bar top closure. Fully lined with mesh spaghetti-strap dress lining.

The crazy thing is, this dress was available online…and on SALE at mytheresa.com for $3515.  It appears to be sold out presently, but who knows? Keep checking back.  Oh, and hey–did you hear that Leighton Meester wore the same gown on Gossip Girl?

Hmmmm….

I’m not going to even ask–because I believe we all KNOW who wore it best, don’t we?  I’m really looking forward to William and Catherine’s visit to Los Angeles.  This confident, intelligent and gorgeous woman will show everyone how it’s done.

Leighton Meester hit the Jingle Bell Ball in an off white dress that is simple and doesn’t need the flash of glitter or a nipple to catch your attention. It is understated and lets her gorgeous brown eyes dazzle.

Leighton, better known as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, also performed at the Jingle Bell Ball. She is enjoying a nice jump start in the musical world and looks stunning while doing so. The up and coming starlet has juggled her tv and musical career and even went blonde while doing so. However, at the end of the day she prefers her brown locks.

“I’m a little serious, so I actually feel that being a brunette matches my personality more than the stereotypical blonde. I also like headbands,” she says, “but I’m definitely not as obsessed with them as Blair is.”

One product she is reportedly obsessed with is Roche-Posay Anthelios SX. It is a daily moisturizer with sunscreen. Meester is all about protecting her skin.

“The brand’s skin care products are mild and odorless, and they’re gentle on my skin.”

The lotion won Allure October 2009 Best of Beauty WINNER: Best Facial Moisturizer for Normal Skin. It looks like she knows her beauty picks!

She may play a prep school queen bee on TV, but offscreen, actress LEIGHTON MEESTER doesn’t mind getting teased — especially at the hands of celebrity hairstylist SERGE NORMANT.

With big, sexy waves and a riot of gorgeous frizz, she’s the perfect model for today’s coolest trends.

GET HER LOOK:

Shock Waves – To help banish the haute high schooler Meester plays on Gossip Girl, Normant added texture to her hair by encouraging her natural wave.

First he spritzed her hair with a lifting spray and blow-dried it halfway, twisting pieces around his fingers. Then he wrapped small sections around a 1 1/2-inch-barrel curling iron “to give shape to any frizzy pieces,” and pulled the curls with his fingers to break them up. Finally, he used a tail comb to give her a middle part starting halfway back on the crown of her head, and added height there using hairspray.

• John Frieda Sheer Blonde Full-Blown Root Lifting Spray – Folica – $7.99




• John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Maximum Hold Hairspray – Hair Boutique – $6.40

Lips – To prevent Meester’s lips from looking washed out, makeup artist VICKY STECKEL used two different shades: a rosy pink under a pale bronze hue.

• Chanel Rouge Allure in Darling – Bergdorf Goodman – $30.00




• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in 908 – Shu Uemura – $23.00

Eyes – As a base for the eye look, Steckel chose a coppery hue for Meester’s eyes to “add depth without overpowering her face.” Using her finger, she rubbed the darkest shade onto lids from the lash line up to the crease, then dabbed a clear gloss that has “the shiny look of Vaseline but stays put better.” She added dimension to the gloss by topping it with a cream shadow.

• Stila Gold Glow Eye Shadow – Stila – $26.00




• MAC Gloss Creme Brilliance – MAC Cosmetics – $17.50




• Nars Savage Cream Eye Shadow – Nars – $21.00

Eyeliner – Don’t stick to just the top lash line! To get the dramatic, retro-glam eye, Steckel lined her inner lower rims, then used a creamy black liner to create a thicker line on the outside of the upper rim, extending it just beyond the corners of the eyes. Worried about smudging? Use a fluffy eye-shadow brush to dust translucent powder over the liner.

• MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder – MAC Cosmetics – $14.00




• Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes – Sephora – $16.00