VIP Pass to 'The Industry': Gwen Flamberg, US Weekly

She works at one of the hottest celebrity focused magazines on the news stands. Guaranteed you eagerly run to grab a copy every Wednesday. Check out what US Weekly's Beauty Director, Gwen Flamberg, has to say about 'the industry.'

What’s your favorite part of working at US Weekly?

My favorite part of working at Us is being in the know on everything! I love that I’m a walking pop culture blog and that I can get on the phone with the top top top hairstylists and makeup artists when I need to — I mean, I’ve got Harry Josh on speed dial!  I know exactly how Gisele gets that hair and I was probably the first beauty editor in the biz to know what lipstick Sandra Bullock wore at the Oscars (Chanel Rouge Coco in Paris #22 for those still in the dark!)

Who’s your celebrity crush?

The guys I’m digging right now: Alexander Skaarsgard from True Blood and Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy. And then there’s SNL’s Will Forte...

What are your must-have beauty products?

Skincare by Tracie Martyn and Skinmedica. Couldn’t live without either. MAC Greasepaint Sticks are the most perfect eyeliners to smoke out. And I’m a sucker for any slightly sheer red lipstain.

What advice would you give to people trying to into the industry today?

Build your unique voice and love what you do and be kind to others! Quoting the incredible Conan O’Brien: “If you work hard and you’re nice to people, amazing things will happen.”

Confess!  Your biggest beauty sin:

I want my hair to be lighter and brighter, but I don’t want to give up my “virgin hair” status (I’ve never colored it, and don’t want to start now!) - so I refuse to wear a hat at the beach – I TRY to get sun on it, even though I know the scalp is a hot spot for skin cancer!

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Travel! Relaxing on a beach in Brazil is where I feel prettiest... There’s nothing quite like a getaway glow!

How To Achieve A Flirty Pony Tail

With the spring season comes laid-back clothes and warmer weather, which beg for a hairstyle that coincides with the playful attitude.  A girly, textured ponytail gives off fun, care-free vibes that any girl can embrace. Tresemme Celebrity Stylist, Jenie Syfu, who is credited for making starlettes like Sandra Bullock, Amanda Bynes and Lily Allen’s tresses look red carpet ready gave me the scoop on how to get the look.  Here's how she created the textured ponytail backstage at Whitney Port’s Spring/Summer 2010 Whitney Eve fashion show:

Prep

Apply mousse to damp hair and blow dry upside down using a round brush.  “Blowdrying upside down instantly creates more volume,” commented Syfu.  Try Tresemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse ($4.99, drugstore.com).

Curl

Take one to two inch sections of hair and curl using a 1 inch curling iron to create texture.  A great iron, Infiniti by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron, 1” ($11.60, drugstore.com).

Tease

Using a fine-toothed comb, tease the top of the head towards the front of the hairline for volume.

Pull Back

Use your fingers as a brush to pull up your locks into a ponytail towards the crown of your head and secure with an elastic.

Finish

Create even more texture through the top by combing it through with your fingers and mist a light finishing spray over it.  I like Dove Flexible Hold Hairspray ($4.59, drugstore.com).

Conquer the Red Lip

Afraid to take the risk of going red?  Don't be! Tackle the hurdle by making sure you consider the hue and consistency of the lip color before applying and you'll look as flawless as Sandra Bullock at the Oscars. Above all, the red lip is an accessory and should be treated as such.  Here are a few tips to rock this glamorous statement: 1)   Texture : Choose a creamy lipstick over matte because they tend to be more moisturizing.  Avoid mattes especially if you tend to have dry lips.

2)   Shade : Consider the season, your outfit, skin tone, and your mood!  If you have fair skin, choose a product with cool, blue undertones, whereas orangey-reds look better on olive complexions.

3)   Saturation : Very very red…or sheer with a hint of red…or somewhere in between?  Depending on how many eyes you want on you when you walk in the room, you can adjust the intensity of your lip color.

4)   The rest of your makeup : A cardinal rule of makeup is to focus on one feature and one feature only.  Fire engine red lip?  Skip the blue eyeliner.  Hot pink blush?  Forget the purple mascara.  Your features should not clash – they should complement each other.  If you're doing a red lip, keep the rest simple.

5)   Time/Place/Outfit . At the mall with jeans and a t-shirt, your best bet would be to sport a red-tinted lip balm.  In a ball gown at the opera, you can up the ante and go for a full-blown deep red.  Always make sure your version of the red lip is appropriate for the setting.

Award Winning Sandra Bullock

This Monday's Muse is Sandra Bullock as she was by far one of the Oscar's best dressed on the red carpet this year in a Marchesa gown and ended up taking home an Oscar for "Best Actress" for her role in The Blind Side. Bullock's smooth strands were blown out by Fekkai, who wanted to create a simple, sleek style to compliment her elegant dress. Chanel makeup artist, Angela Levin, created a modern Hollywood look by keeping her skin dewey, coating the lashes with three layers of mascara and popping the lip with Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Color in Paris.

After 20 years of acting, this well deserved award opened up many doors for Bullock.