21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- The Finale

Here it is -- my final post in this 21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days series (good thing I love movies as much as I do!).   Lights down, cell phones off, Milk Duds ready ...

Day #19 -- Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back   When Stella (in her 40s) finds herself falling for a much, much younger man (in his 20s), she finds something else too -- her groove!  Angela Bassett is absolutely stunning as Stella, proving that women can (and do) become even more beautiful at 40-plus.  How groovy is that.

Day #20 -- Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada   Her ability to transform herself utterly into every character she plays had made Meryl Streep one of the finest (if not the finest) actresses of all time.  And her transformation to Boss-from-Hell Miranda Priestly is pure heaven to watch. Who knew playing bad could be so good?  Every detail of her look is perfect.  And those designer clothes -- simply to die for.

 Day #21 -- Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca  I've saved my favorite for last.  Playing the star-crossed lover to Bogart's Rick Blaine, Bergman (as Ilsa Lund) is captivating, compelling, and impossibly beautiful.  Hers is the face that could launch a thousand ships (or planes taking off in the fog) and convince even the toughest tough guy to hand over those letters of transit.  As Ilsa told Rick, "We'll always have Paris."  And we'll always have Ingrid. Here's looking at you, kid.

What to wear to these movies:  Day #19 -- Go on Green!  Day #20 -- OPI Red  Day #21 -- We'll Always Have Paris. 

If I've left your favorite movie beauty off my list, please understand that I had only  21 spots to fill.  Why not compile your own list?  I wish you "mani" happy hours of viewing!

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21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- The Icons Continue

Three more stars to add to my constellation of dazzling movie divas -- and three nail shades that let me capture a bit of their brilliant essence.

 Day #16 -- Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment   Dangerously devastating dressed in a black catsuit, Catherine Zeta-Jones slinking under, over, and around laser beams to steal a priceless treasure is the epitome of sexy feline grace.  Her presence was enough to "entrap" Sean Connery -- and to steal the show in this caper.

 Day #17 -- Ann-Margret in Bye-Bye Birdie  From fabulous feline Zeta-Jones to my next pick, sex kitten Ann-Margret.  As the smalltown girl picked to kiss rock idol Conrad Birdie good-bye on national TV before he ships out, this curvy strawberry-blonde beauty manages to convey wholesomeness along with a big serving of luscious.  Purr-fect.

Day #18 -- Kim Basinger in LA Confidential  One of the screen's most abiding beauties, Basinger as a call girl / movie-star lookalike is blonde perfection.  Channeling shades of Veronica Lake, she seduces with her vulnerability, her mysterious past, and her exquisite looks.  A Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Basinger.

On to my nails ... in these inspired shades:  Day 16 -- My Private Jet  Day 17 -- Strawberry Margarita   Day 18 -- Romeo & Joliet.  Don't miss the final installment of 21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- coming soon to a blog screen near you!

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21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- Chapter 5

Watching 21 movies in the same number of days isn't easy (well, it's not exactly hard work either) -- and choosing only 21 actresses who really set the bar for onscreen beauty is certainly tough.  Hopefully you'll agree with my picks.  Here, then, are the next three.

Day #13 -- Julie Christie in Dr. Zhivago   As Dr. Z's lover, Lara, the spectacular Julie Christie was absolutely radiant in this epic love story. Wearing every emotion on her face, Christie melted the Russian winter snows -- and our hearts.  

  Day #14 -- Rita Hayworth in Gilda   This was the role that made Rita Hayworth a legend, and for good reason.  Every man's fantasy thanks to this classic black & white film (Hayworth herself was quoted as saying that men fell in love with Gilda but awakened with Rita), Hayworth smoldered. Check out her sultry version of Put the Blame on Mame to see for yourself. Breathtaking.

Day #15 -- Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues   As the incomparable singer Billie Holiday, Diana Ross brought heart and soul to this film, as well as her extraordinary vocals.  Capturing Holiday's triumphs and tragedies, Ross absolutely shone.  

The lacquer shades these movies made me crave:  Day 1 -- Vodka & Caviar   Day 2 -- Bogota Blackberry  Day 3 -- Eiffel for This Color.  We're down to the last six -- can I do it?  Stay tuned!

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21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- #10, #11, #12

Today rounds out the first dazzling dozen of my favorite onscreen beauties.  Each expresses style in her own way, with one thing in common -- each and every actress exemplifies the kind of beauty that is unforgettable.  And unforgettably stunning.

Day #10 -- Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind  One of the screen's strongest female characters ever written, Vivien Leigh's Scarlett O'Hara, with her flashing emerald eyes, tiny waist, and (almost) irresistible feminine wiles has enchanted generations of moviegoers.  Even if Rhett ultimately didn't give a damn, we did -- and we all knew that Scarlett would survive to rule another day.

Day #11 --  Kate Winslet in Titanic   Fiery, fabulous, and formidable, Kate Winslet's portrayal of Rose in this blockbuster film combined fresh-faced beauty with sensual elegance.  Wearing nothing but her long red hair and the sapphire-blue Coeur de la Mer diamond around her neck while being sketched by Jack Dawson (Leo DiCaprio), Kate made pulses race from sea to sea.

Day #12 -- Ali MacGraw in Love Story  As the spirited Jennifer Cavilleri, MacGraw made chunky sweaters, crocheted caps, and the classic camel coat into wardrobe must-haves -- and her naturally beautiful, signature look was enough to make "Jennifer" one of the most popular names of all time. Looking this good means never having to say you're sorry.

You can capture the essence of this trio of beauties with these OPI Nail Lacquer shades:  Day 10 -- Jade Is the New Black   Day 11  Light My Sapphire  Day 12  Over the Taupe.  Grab your BFFs -- more great stars to come!

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21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- Part Three

Ready to add to your must-see movie beauties?  Here's my next installment of the women who define beauty on the big screen -- and the Nail Lacquer shades that make me feel a little star-worthy myself.

Day #7 -- Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes  Before it was Madonna taking the spotlight in her Material Girl video, it  was the one and only Marilyn Monroe in this gem of a movie. Her showstopper number, Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, glitters.  And La Monroe dazzles.

Day #8 -- Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof   Tennessee Williams' Southern women are complex (think Blanche Dubois in Streetcar), and the character of Maggie in this pic absolutely mesmerizes.  Elizabeth Taylor as the sizzling, sultry Maggie turns the full slip into the most sexy piece of lingerie you've ever seen.  And those violet eyes have never been more alluring.

Day #9 -- Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys  As if having the fabulous Jeff Bridges as co-star isn't enough, Michelle Pfeiffer steals the show as the "girl singer" in the act.  Not to be missed -- her rendition of Making Whoopee, where, dressed in red, she drapes herself across Bridges' piano and makes the song absolutely purr.

And the lacquer winners are ... Day 1 -- diamond-dust-infused DS mystery    Day 2 -- La Paz-itively Hot    Day 3 -- Got the Blues for Red.   Get on your feetie pajamas -- more movies next time!

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21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days -- Part Deux

Welcome back to my screening room and my next 3 choices for movieland's most iconic beauties -- women who have made us sit up and take notes on their style, their fashions, their wiles.

 Day #4 -- Sophia Loren in Houseboat   Poor Cary Grant never knew what hit him when Sophia Loren's curves came onboard.  Check out the scene with Loren dressed to perfection in a gold dress, driving the value of that commodity up about a gazillion points!

Day #5 -- Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman   This Cinderella-turned-modern-day love story turned Julia Roberts into a mega-star -- and no wonder.  Her acting, her flawless sense of timing, and her looks lit up the screen like fireworks.  And having a handsome leading man didn't hurt!  When she's dressed for dinner in a form-fitting red gown and jewels, this pretty woman was just plain spectacular.

Day #6 -- Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's   Sophisticated and vulnerable, elegant and enchanting, lovely and lovable, Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly character embodied it all.  Along with a sense of style unmatched by anyone before or since -- except for Hepburn herself.  The woman with whom men would most want to sail down Moon River.

Want the lacquer shades that will get you into character?  Try:  Day 1 -- Up Close & Personal   Day 2 -- I'm Not Really a Waitress   Day 3 -- Black Onyx.  Go zap some more popcorn -- more big-screen beauties are on their way!

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21 Beauties in 21 Movies in 21 Days

For this entire month, I've taken on my own kind of March Madness.  I've committed to watching 21 movies with the women I think are the iconic beauties of the big screen. Oh yes, and I'm doing it in 21 days (or so). I hope you'll agree with my choices of the beauties -- and maybe even netflix some of these movies for yourself (the films are great, too).  So here we go, popcorn ready, remote ready, roll 'em!

Day #1 -- Grace Kelly in Rear Window   The classic, absolutely stunning ice princess thaws out the screen -- and Jimmy Stewart -- in this Hitchcock thriller.  Kelly is the picture of perfection, every detail from golden blonde hair to amazing figure, dressed in fashions as chic today as when the film was made (1954).  When she's on the screen, you can't take your eyes off her.    

Day #2 -- Faye Dunaway in Bonnie & Clyde   Dunaway is sleek, killer sexy, and dangerously gorgeous as bank-robbing beauty Bonnie Parker. From her signature beret to her precision bob to her feminine skirts and sweaters, Dunaway has seared herself on our psyches as the ultimate bad-girl beauty. 

 Day #3 -- Lauren Bacall in To Have & Have Not   This is film noir at its best, and Bacall makes this black and white gem absolutely smolder.  The chemistry between her and Bogart is so intense you can feel it, and Bacall's instructions to him on how to whistle are foreplay without even touching:  "Just put your lips together ... and blow." 

If you feel like capturing my idea of the essence of these beauties in these roles, here are my movie mani suggestions:  Day 1 - Sweet Heart  Day 2 - OPI Ink.  Day 3 - Lincoln Park After Dark.  More movies and beauties next time!

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