Golden Globes 2012.

Okay, I've been wanting to blog this for the longest time (Golden Globes took place like, what, 2 weeks ago?) and Blogger had issues when I had wanted to do up this post. And apologies for the long hiatus.

So, award season is on the run midway now, and it's one of the reasons I look forward to January every year. Gorgeous gowns and dashing dudes on the red carpet - what's there not to like? Oh yes, it's exciting to know whether you favorite movie, TV show or actor won, too.

But here, we draw attention to the beauty and their gowns, don't we?

First, I'd like to start with the disappointing looks of the night. While Sarah Michelle Gellar will always be the coolest vampire fighter ever (before vamps got cooler than the slayers) and one of the most gorgeous actresses in Hollywood, I couldn't help but cringe when I saw this look. I love her, I love Monique Lhuillier (this dress from the label's Spring collection was no exception; you would see it featured in my previous post here), but this combination wasn't working on the red carpet. SMG said her daughter picked out the dress when she stepped into the boutique and she was going to wear whatever she picked. Hmm, for some other event maybe, but not when it's your big return to the red carpet (of the globes!) after so many years? The dress is totally wearing her, instead of the other way round. I was waiting for the jaw-dropping moment but it never came. The only part I liked about the look - SMG rocked the ponytail.

The mermaid-cut gowns were a big hit that night, and Reese Witherspoon wore a red Zac Posen number of that style. I'm not a big fan of red gowns on the red carpet, so this look was blah for me. The dress however does flatter her figure and certainly added a couple of inches to her petite frame. The look is a little plain for my liking, I'd like a little more bling to give the dress a bit more contrast.

I've always loved how Frieda Pinto surprises me on the red carpet with her diverse choices of looks and although it was no different at the Globes this year, her look didn't impress me a whole lot. Frieda's hair is perfect and her Prada dress is pretty (love the color), but something about the cut didn't bring out the best in the Slumdog Millionaire actress. I would prefer something less structured, 'cause - maybe it's the angle, she just looks huge from waist down and it looks like she could've hid a person beneath that dress. Apart from it all, I do like her choice of the Roger Vivier clutch to match the dress.

I'm not sure what designer Calista Flockhart was wearing, but I thought Harrison Ford looked like the better half on the red carpet that night. You may choose to stay low profile, but you should still make an attempt to look good. Her tiered dress looked high-school prom material and with its length, not doing a favor to her petite and skinny frame. I do like her shoes though.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan make a really cute couple. Which reminds me I wanna catch Channing in The Vow starring against everyone's favorite sweetheart Rachel McAdams! I'm straying from the point. Jenna's Maria Lucia Hohan dress is a great color, but I thought she was showing too much skin, especially compared to her female counterparts at the Globes. Would've been great if the neckline wasn't overtly plunging, or if so, at least have the sides covered (not sure if the dress is backless as well). 

I really didn't like Jessica Biel's look on the red carpet. Especially not against her dark brunette locks. The newly engaged actress appeared without fiance Justin Timberlake. I think her status was the spotlight of the night, not her outfit. But don't you think this highly resembled Leighton Meester's look at the Globes last year (the Gossip Girl actress was wearing Burberry)? Well, I think the pale color looked too washed out on Jessica (and also on Leighton), and perhaps pulling her hair back would've improved the look a little. Her hair looks so undone.

While Mary J. Blige's gown color was a perfect contrast against her skin tone, I didn't like the amount of feathers at the bottom of her Michael Kors dress. It kinda looked like a rug was wrapped around the hems 'cause there wasn't enough fabric. So, this look was alright, but could be better.

The 30 Rock producer chose a berry-colored Oscar de la Renta strapless, mermaid-cut dress. No offence, but no. The dress didn't flatter Tina Fey at all. The color of the gown is lovely on her but not the design. It's not doing justice to her. Someone taller would wear this better, and I kinda picture Kate Beckinsale looking good in this number.

Natalie Portman did her first red carpet appearance since she gave birth to her baby boy and though she did a fantastic losing the pregnancy weight, I actually preferred her look at the previous year's Golden Globes when she snagged the Best Actress award for her work in Black Swan wearing a pale pink Viktor & Rolf gown (see second picture). This year, she was wearing Lanvin. She looked alright, but she certainly did better last year.

Julianne Moore has had a rocking 2011 with her fun fashion looks so her choice of a tiered black Chanel dress was a head-scratcher for me. Well, it is a Chanel, meaning it's a classic and all, but I had expected more from her than this safe choice of a black gown. The best part of her look would have to be the Fred Leighton jade earrings.

I hold the same sentiments towards Mila Kunis who was also in black that night, sporting a Christian Dior Spring 2012 dress. We're talking about the actress who was a stunner in almost all of her looks last year, who is also the new face of Dior. I was expecting more from her. This look was, yawn.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara maintained a low profile with a simple black Nina Ricci number. The dress kinda looks like she hadn't stepped out of her character yet, but I guess it's not a bad look for a newcomer. I do believe the tabloids will be watching out for her transformation.

It is starting to look like the actresses who picked black for the ceremony didn't quite make the cut. Debra Messing of The Starter Wife wore Monique Lhuillier and while only someone of Debra's height would be able to carry off this heavy-looking dark gown, I wish she would experiment more with color. She always looks so safe. But out of the three black gowns, I'm going for Debra's.

Queen of music Madonna wore Reem Acra as she graced the night with her attendance. I didn't like the dress at all. It looked too bottom-heavy, though I must say it was a great fit. I like the bodice and the corset-style neckline. The colors of the gown are great too, but it's just an okay look for me.

Jessica Alba was wearing Gucci and while I'm not absolutely sure her choice of this embellished lilac gown was a safe bet, it does feel a little like deja vu. And I suppose with this pretty gown, no one would go wrong, which is why I would say this was a safe choice. Nonetheless, she does look fab after giving birth to her second child last year. Jessica completed the look with a matching Roger Vivier clutch.

Glee's Dianna Agron looked like a great fit for the Chinese New Year we Chinese people celebrate, don't you think? It's a great attempt on her part, trying out different looks and styles as we gradually see her moving away from the safe bets of feminine ballgowns (which is still my favorite look on her). The laser cuts on the Giles dress are gorgeously done, it's incredible the intricacy of the details, though I did think the bodice looked a little like a bib. It was overall a good look and one of the more outstanding outfits for the night.

Also in red was Dianna's Glee castmate Amber Riley, who wore a strapless Badgley Mischka along with Neil Lane jewelry. Red's not my favorite color on the carpet, but I definitely prefer Amber's look over Reese's mermaid-cut dress. Perhaps the red is less overwhelming on Amber's softer fabric gown. It's more comfortable to look at and the cut is very flattering.

Nicole Kidman gives me the impression she's always up for something different. Sometimes they're hits, sometimes they're misses, but it's always better to have taken the risk than to always stay within your comfort zone. This time, her Versace dress is kinda in-between. It's something I don't often see on the Aussie actress but I like to see her in darker colors, like jewel tones to offset her pale complexion. With the embellishments, the dress doesn't wash her out like Jessica Biel's did, but I've seen Nicole in better outfits. It is, however, a thumbs up for the great effort, though I wish she had done something more to her hair.

More fish-tail fun, supermodel Elle Macpherson showed off her pearly whites wearing her cream Zac Posen mermaid-cut gown perfectly. I love her hair, the dress is gorgeous too, 'cept that personally I don't like too much tulle. But I'm glad it was someone of her height and figure who picked out this gown, 'cause she certainly rocked the style.

I really like Kelly Osbourne ever since I watched her on Fashion Police on E! and one of the reasons why I love her is her willingness to try all sorts of looks on the red carpet. At the Globes, she picked a conservative dress from Zac Posen's Pre-Fall 2012 collection (the 3rd mermaid-cut dress from the same designer! Dress clash alert!). I wouldn't say it's one of the best looks of the night, but I think Kelly nailed the elegant look with a youthful twist. The color worked great on her skin and it's such a fresh look from all the red and black dresses. And while I've seen some criticisms on her hair color, I think she's rocking it like no other! How many of us look this good (or even dare try) greyish-white locks?! Ok, maybe I would've preferred a half-up hairdo instead, but I love that Kelly's taking risks and even if she doesn't look like a million dollars, I dare say she looked above $950,000.

I seldom see Evan Rachel Wood in less than strong, bold makeup, but her look at the Golden Globes this year was gorgeous. Wearing a plunging neckline Gucci number, that gradients from small sequins to larger fish-scale sequins to feather, Evan let her dress stand out with a neutral makeup and a great updo. It's not an easy dress to wear, but she certainly rocked it. 

As she always does at major red carpet events, Sofia Vergara of Modern Family wore a custom Vera Wang piece to the Globes this year. The straight, blown-out locks is something new, but the figure hugging bodice not. I didn't quite like the bottom part of the dress, looks kinda queer and messy. The color is something different from Sofia's usual choice of bright and bold colors like red and fuchsia, so it's pretty refreshing to see her in something cooler on the red carpet.

Underworld actress Kate Beckinsale, went bridal with a strapless Roberto Cavalli gown and Lorraine Schwartz bling. It's a pretty look with perfect makeup and hair, but it's nothing ground-breaking for Kate. Still waiting for her to pick that mind-blowing dress and make a daring change.

Lea Michele of Glee went with Marchesa for the night and she does look nice, but I'm not buying this look for her. I think she still hasn't found her red carpet style and she's jumping everywhere. Trying is good, but she still hasn't found the it-look for her and work her way around it. Her silver dress looks a little blah, I do prefer Nicole Richie's look (see below). 

Octavia Spencer picked up a Golden Globe for her work in The Help as she wore a lilac Tadashi Shoji dress, matched with a white Judith Leiber clutch. The look was very elegant and flattering for the actress. Whoever styled her did a great job, including Octavia's hair and makeup. The lilac color worked very well on her dark skin tone. Pastels are gonna be big this year.

Meryl Streep swept home the Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama award for The Iron Lady, in which she starred as Margaret Thatcher, a former Prime Minister for the United Kingdom. I'm not sure what she's wearing, and I wish I had a different angle of her outfit 'cause this look didn't quite impress, personally. I wish she had picked something more radiant and perhaps did something more with her hair.

Salma Hayek wore a strapless glittery Gucci dress with her beautifully curled locks. The dress is pretty, but I think I see it better on someone else, I like seeing the Puss in Boots actress in ballgowns and dresses more major. So it's a nice look, but nothing fantastic.

American Idol alum Katherine McPhee looked like such a darling in her Donna Karan nude strapless dress. I absolutely love her dress and how she still look so gorgeous despite sticking to one color palette for her entire look (love the hair and makeup as well). 

Claire Danes wore a black-and-white J. Mendel sleeveless floor-length dress with bold lips and Bvlgari jewels. Of course, the catch was the details and the open-back on the flip side of her dress. I like the look, it's edgy without being over-the-top and her red lips gives it a dash of glamour.

Also going monochrome at the Globes was Kate Winslet in Jenny Packham. It was just a very simple and classic look, her hair and makeup matched perfectly with her dress. Nothing overdone. Love it.

Easy A's Emma Stone was berry-licious in her two-tone Lanvin tulle dress. The actress held a Cartier clutch to match her eagle leather belt. The cut, design and colors of the dress are really pretty, it's one of my favorite dresses for the evening, only that the look seems all too familiar on Emma. Guess I had expected more from this red carpet favorite celebrity.

Bridesmaids' leading actress Kristen Wiig looked down-to-earth in her darken brunette hair and cream-colored Bill Blass dress. It's a simple look, nothing went wrong (or could go wrong), except that, doesn't she kinda look like a hippie?

MI:3 Ghost Protocol's Paula Patton brightened up the red carpet with her bright yellow Monique Lhuillier strapless dress. I like seeing color on the carpet so this was a plus-point for me. She's definitely glowing.

Tilda Swinton looked effortlessly cool and chic in her pastel blue Haider Ackermann ensemble (consisting of a jacket and a dress). The updo really brings out her personality and I absolutely love it! She almost always look so stunning.

And now, on to some of my favorites.

Helen Mirren rarely goes wrong on the red carpet, and she's looking more and more fabulous (at 67!!) each time, this time in her navy Badgley Mischka number (an edited version from that of the collection), I didn't quite buy the ruffles from waist down. But her overall look is still stunning. Loving how her silver locks and Fred Leighton jewelry made such a perfect contrast against her midnight blue gown. Plus, she has such a gorgeous smile. I love her.

Sarah Hyland of Modern Family (the comedy picked up a globe!) looked cool as a cucumber despite a dress malfunction where the zipper on her vintage Dolce & Gabbana dress broke. I really like her, I think she's so pretty, and she never fails to look stunning without being age inappropriate. I love her vintage gown, especially the black laced design at the waist. Completing her look with a Swarovski clutch, her hair and makeup was flawless. 

I couldn't not like Heidi Klum's look, comprising of a Calvin Klein nude column dress and beautiful Lorraine Schwartz turquoise necklace, especially after a bad choice of a beach-look at the last Golden Globes ceremony (check out the third picture if you need a recap). The backless dress formed the perfect palette for her outstanding necklace. 

Nicole Richie, one of my favorite style icons, hit my best dressed list this year, wearing Julien MacDonald and carrying a House of Harlow snake skin clutch. She is rocking her look, and I love that she wore the dress without the belt as seen on the runway, and I absolutely love her bangs and sleek ponytail. I'm so tempted to cut bangs but I wouldn't look half as fabulous as she does.

Have you caught New Girl yet? Because if you haven't, YOU TOTALLY SHOULD. Zooey Deschanel is so adorable! I love everything about her - her husky voice, her bubbly persona, her ability to sing and play the ukelele (you MUST watch her video with Joseph Gordon Levitt - they make such a cute couple!) and now, her style, both on and off the red carpet. At the Globes this year, she was wearing head to toe Prada and yes, I love her bangs as well. Not to mention her cute tuxedo-nails! Her look was unique and stood out against the other attendees. 

My personal top spots for the Golden Globes 2012 go out to Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams (in no specific order).

Angelina Jolie looked so elegant in her Atelier Versace gown. Her look was perfection and the pop of red just made her look hotter.

Charlize Theron shone on the red carpet in her Dior plunging neckline gown, which also reveals her lengthy legs. Her ankle-strap Givenchy heels made for a perfect match with the dress and her princess-like side-bun made her look so dreamy. Her awful red carpet blunder during the 2010 Oscars is forgiven and forgotten (see below for a recap - gasp!)

Finally, Michelle Williams, who clinched the Best Actress award for her performance in My Week with Marilyn, won my heart over in her conservative but classic Jason Wu number with a twist. The color and fabric sets off the simple silhouette and I love what she did with her hair.