11 Nov Huffington Post: Gina Rivera on the Country Music Awards
After all, this is country! So of course, the hair was big and beautiful at this pinnacle glamour event, the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, with waterfalls of curls flowing over celebrity shoulders.
A lot of what we saw wasn’t too far from what we’ve seen on many other red carpets in recent months, just a bit bigger. Keeping in step with recent trends, the colors were more natural and the tonal variations were softer and less dramatic than we saw earlier this year and last. This has certainly been a trend when “less” means more. The cuts and colors were nothing short of beautiful at the CMAs and perfectly paired with sparkling, elegant gowns. The guys topped their presentations with an occasional 10-gallon hat or ball cap to make this event unmistakably country.
Defining the look for the ladies were superstars Carrie Underwood, Rachel Holder and Aubrey Peeples, the latter wearing her hair in deep dark brown to compliment piercing dark eyes. Meghan Trainor went for longer, more gradual waves in blonde. Many of these superstars were parting on the side. And I loved Nicole Kidman’s long waves, parted just off center in almost strawberry blonde with subtle tones of gold. She was there with her husband, Keith Urban.
What wasn’t at the CMAs were many center parts. The somewhat retro center parts (60s and 70s) have been big at some other recent showcase events. Center parts dominated hair on the runways at Fashion Week in Paris — that event is for selling clothing designs but it’s also full of trend-setting hair. In that way, the CMAs were something of a departure, bucking other recent moves.
Other popular cuts at the CMAs were pixies and some glamorous updos.. Country music icon Faith Hill arrived with an elegant short look in blonde, loose and wispy around the face with bright red lipstick, her husband mega-star Tim McGraw in a classic tux and ample western hat.
A number of stars were donning updos, including Cassadee Pope, who wore her’s with long loose strands around the face, as did Clare Bowen.
Taking a country road less travelled, season-4 winner of “The Voice” Danielle Bradbery had her long blonde locks in a loose side braid. Kacey Musgraves went with really big hair in a 60s-70s retro go-go look.
Also doing some retro were stars like Meghan Linsey and Miranda Lambert who nailed the Hollywood blonde bombshell with gorgeous bright wavy bobs paired with glamorous gowns.
And was that an ombré on “Pretty Little Liars” star Lucy Hale? Whatever! She looked awesome with the honey highlights in her dark brown tresses, making her another standout and proof that hair style ever dies.
Be open to change!