Hair's the Scoop

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It's very rare that I attend a preview of a new beauty product that doesn't affect me in some way.

At 26, I'm still young enough to experiment with colorful cosmetic lines and the occasional acne regimen (especially during "certain" times), yet old enough to be dabbling in age prevention and acute correction.

That said, I still had an aha! self-discovery moment when I recently attended a preview for CeraVe's new SA Renewing Lotion, which I quickly learned was invented to treat Keratosis Pilaris (aka "Chicken Skin"), characterized by those little bumps usually found on the backs of the arms and legs.

Because I've had them. For a long time. And they drive me crazy! I will be testing the new product over the next few weeks (just in time for sleeveless top season) and will follow this up with a review.

In the meantime, I'm curious to know - are you in the est. 40 percent of the population affected by this condition?

Craig Barritt/Getty Images

I did a double take when I came across this photo of a freshly shaven Cynthia Nixon, who apparently rid her radiant red locks for her role as a woman battling cancer in "Wit."

"I thought it was kind of gonna be no muss-no fuss, but I have to shave it every day!" Nixon exclaimed. "It's got kind of a five o'clock shadow, and you don't want to go on with that," she said. "I was always kind of curious to see what it would be like. I like it; I don't think I'm gonna keep it forever, " said Cynthia, a breast cancer survivor herself, when she made her debut on "Live! With Kelly"

What's your take on Cynthia's courageous (and high-maintenance) cut?

Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

For every 25 dos, there are at least a handful of don'ts. And the awards go to...

Kelly Osbourne, whose slightly purple-tinted gray updo successfully made her appear bald on screen. (See her face? That's what mine looked like every time she was on camera).

Rose Byrne, who appeared to be wigging out in a style strikingly similar to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's signature bob.

Heather Morris, whose twisted and softly-curled strands read more "poodle" than polished.

Which leading lady proved the biggest 'do-oozie? Weigh in below!

Clockwise: Steve Granitz/WireImage; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images; Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Move over headbands! Though we did spot one banded beauty (Heather Lindt), updos (in the form of braids and textured power coifs) ruled the red carpet at the 2012 SAG Awards.

Some of my favorite looks included those of Dianna Agron and Kaley Cuoco (both with braids wrapped around the crown) and Amber Heard and Julie Bowen (who reached new heights with teased toppers).

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images (inset)

While I wasn't crazy (to say the least) about Kristen Wiig's dog collar at the 2012 SAG Awards, there's no denying she had one of the most coveted coifs on the red carpet.

"I really wanted Kristen's hair to be up in order to show off her amazing Fred Leighton choker and Balenciaga gown. I gave her a deep side part and pulled her hair into a low chignon, creating a silhouette that has a hint of 20s, but the texture keeps it completely modern," said Dove Celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend.

To recreate her look:

1. Apply new Dove Style+Care Nourishing Amplifier Mousse to hair and blow it dry with a round brush.

2. Spray Oribe Dry Texture Spray all over before pulling the hair into a low chignon and securing it with bobby pins.

3. To keep hair in place, finish with the new Dove Style+Care Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray.

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Talk about a bright idea!

The Kardashians are freshening up their Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor collection (see their holiday shades) with seven new (and uber fun) shades, available exclusively at CVS:

"In collaborating with the Kardashian/Jenner family on the CVS exclusive shades, we came up with lacquers to represent each of their vibrant personalities and individual styles. The seven resulting colors offer the perfect accessory for springs bright colors, feminine frocks and reinvented neutrals," explained Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

The new shades (clockwise, starting at the top) include:
One Big Happy Fame-ily (shimmery lavender)
Our Fuchsia's Lookin' Bright (solid fuchsia)
*Ladies in the Limelight (bright yellow-lime)
Back to Reality…TV (soft periwinkle)
*Strike a Pose (orange-red)
Smile for the Glam-era (sparkly plum)
*Paparazzi Don't Preach (peachy nude)

My favorite shades from the new Kardashian Kolor lacquers, which cost $7.00 each and hit CVS stores this February, are marked with an *. What are yours?

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Every gal has her beauty thing, and mine is BODY SCRUBS.

After a long day of work (and multiple subway rides), I can't wait to jump in the shower for a deep-cleaning, germ-freeing, cell-rejuvenating scrub down, so you can imagine my disappointment when I come across a hyped up (and usually expensive) solution that leaves behind serious residu-ewwwww.

Because I've personally had to kiss a lot of "oily" frogs to find the princes out there, I'm sharing my top picks in 10 Seriously Clean Body Scrubs.

Do you have a go-to body scrub her cleanser? Tell us what we're missing out on below!

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Good news for Lady Gaga!

According to a recent New York Times article titled "You Can Fall Out of Bed and Look Good," the days of drawing between the lines are numbered (and imperfect makeup is one of the biggest beauty trends of 2012).

"The look is 'coming home from the party,' not 'going out to the party,' said Terry Barber, director of makeup artistry for MAC Cosmetics. 'Perfection got slightly boring.'

To which fashion writer Stephanie Rosenbloom added:

"And the must-have tool to achieve perfect imperfection is recession-friendly: your fingertips. Use them to smudge eyeliner, smear bronzer, press bright stains into your cheeks and lips. The application of the makeup is as relaxed as the overall look."

Check out the full article, complete with tips on getting the imperfect look on a budget, at nymag.com.

Freeing or frumpy? Tell us what you think about the "imperfect makeup trend" below!

Brand

It's not often that I take a moment to toot a specific brand or salon's horn.

That said, I practically jumped for joy when I received news that Drybar (the blow dry bar pioneered by Alli Webb) is opening a new location in the Le Parker Meridien Hotel Midtown tomorrow because, ever since it made its east coast debut in the Flatiron District, I've been HOOKED.

Not only does the yellow, white and gray schemed salon ooze cool (it features a candy bar, iPhone charging docks at every station and the latest fashion mags to hit the stands - so you don't have to fight over the only one that's current), Drybar's equipped with talented stylists that know how to serve up a full "bar" of blowouts (my favorite is "The Cosmo" for loose curls) FAST.

Add to that the fact that you can book and cancel appointments online and save a buck or two with "Bartabs" and you're in heated-hair heaven (now perhaps in less time).

Find more info on services and locations at thedrybar.com.

SWAP/Splash News

Dakota Fanning is the latest celeb to dip into the colored (hair) Kool-Aid.

Get a closer look at her pink-tipped tresses, and nine other Dip-Dyed Celeb 'Dos, now.

What's your take on the dip-dye trend? Weigh in below!