Getting the Hollywood Confidential look . . .

The prom is only two weeks away, yowza! (The BloggerProm Committee can't believe how fast time flies too!) Still having trouble getting that theme-appropriate look? Here's some pointers to get your Hollywood Confidential glam on for both fellas & dames, from our salon sponsor Studio DNA.

Women’s Hair Styles

1. No matter the length, to achieve any style from the era, you will need to preset your hair in pincurls. For more specific instructions on how to achieve a pincurl, click here.
2. Setting your hair is best done the night before but you can use hot rollers or a curling iron to help set your curls a few hours prior to the event. Spraying your curls with a hairspray that is malleable but has memory is best.
3. If you want tight curls, then set your hair when it is damp. If you want loose curls, then set your hair when it is dry.
4. Heat application can help hasten the process, but don’t get impatient.
5. Once your hair has set, release the curls by removing the pins. Now you can style. Be sure to use a fine comb or a rat tail comb to help smooth out sections. Remember to spray to set your style.

Women’s Make Up

1. Dark eyeliner contouring the eye and accenting the outside points help frame the eyes so they stand out.
2. Accentuate the top lashes over the bottom lashes. False eyelashes add extra glamour.
3. Women typically managed their own eyebrows by tweezing. As a result, you will notice most women had to fill in their brows to ensure the perfect arch. Eyebrows were very feminine though very strong.
4. Red full lips. Be sure to contour the lip with a color that matches the lipstick. Women didn’t typically have multiple colors in their make up kits so your lip color should be flat.
5. If you are feeling particularly exotic, add a beauty mark. They were all the rage thanks to Marilyn Monroe.
6. Remember, make up was expensive for most women and powder was often the way they accomplished their finished looks. The powder was more often, lighter than a woman’s natural complexion.
   

Men’s Hair

1. Watch an episode of Mad Men to see the many variations on the exact same shape.
2. With your hair still damp, apply gel liberally to the front of your hair from root to shaft. Then apply some gel to the back.
3. With a fine toothed comb, slick the hair straight back. Let the hair rest so you can start to see the natural part.
4. From the natural part, begin to separate the hair, slicking the top to the side and then back. The sides should be combed tightle back.
5. Once your hair is in place, take your hands and run the along the side. You can gently lift the cowlicks to give some dimpling. (Click here for additional ideas on video.)
6. If you have short hair, just be sure that it is tailored and tight. It wasn’t until the mid-sixties that we let our hair down (literally).

For more about the history of the Hollywood Confidential styles and how celebrities, then and now, are rocking them out, read the rest of Studio DNA blogpost here (it's also got additional videos with nice DIY style tricks). We look forward seeing you all in your fabulous 'dos and glamorous get-ups very soon!

About This Year's Featured Charity: Operation Frontline

The Blogger Prom Committee is pleased to announce that 100% of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Center for Community and Family Services in support of Operation Frontline Los Angeles, the regional OFL program at Share Our Strength "that teaches families how to prepare healthy, tasty meals on a limited budget" with the belief "that negative health and economic effects of hunger and poor diet can be avoided if families know how to shop for and prepare healthy, low cost meals."When we decided to raise charitable funds at this year's prom, the big question was, on behalf of what organization? We decided upon Operation Frontline Los Angeles because we believe so unwaveringly in its mission to help fight hunger and improve nutrition education.

While not all of the bloggers invited to Blogger Prom write about food, hunger and poor nutrition are issues that affect the L.A. community and the nation as a whole. It is through these classes and education that families can learn first-hand how to apply nutrition principles in their shopping for and preparation of healthy, low cost and delicious meals.
We look forward to helping Operation Frontline Los Angeles continue to directly impact the lifetime dietary habits of families through their classes held throughout the city. Together, we can help more Angelenos to enjoy nutritious, tasty and affordable food options.

The highlights of last year’s Operation Frontline program include:

• 80% of graduates are participants in federal food assistance programs like WIC, Head Start and free school meals
• 94% of kids who took an Operation Frontline LA course made the healthy recipes they learned in class at home and would recommend the course to a friend
  
• Upon graduating an Operation Frontline LA course, 80% of adults said they were eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains than before the course.

Your admission and any additional donations made on behalf of Blogger Prom: Hollywood Confidential will go directly toward connecting professional chefs and nutritionists with those who benefit from the education the most. Proceeds will alleviate class support costs like groceries, staff coordination time, staff volunteer training and more. Be sure to visit Operation Frontline Los Angeles' Blog, Operation Frontline’s home page, “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to keep up-to-date on what they’re doing in the community.

For those attending the prom, please consider donating more than the $10 minimum per person. Also, please spread the word about donating by mentioning something on your blog in your preview and/or recap posts.

How to Get Your Ticket to Blogger Prom 2010

It's going to be an amazing night of great food, specialty drinks, one of the city's most gorgeous views, prizes and surprises, and the chance to meet and mingle with some of Los Angeles' top bloggers.

But it's an invite-only event.

So how do you make sure you're invited?

To be a part of the "Class of 2010" and score an invite to the Hollywood Confidential Blogger Prom on September 22nd at Yamashiro, your Blogger Prom Committee (BPC) has a list of criteria.

If one or more of these things describes you, keep your eye on your inbox for an invite:

1. You went to Blogger Prom 2009...and wrote about it on your site.
2. You are an established Los Angeles blogger* who has been posting regularly on a site since January 2010.

*With rare exception, this means no microblogs, or Twitter-only folks. We want to read your words and see your pictures...and we reserve the right to make the final call on this.

Speaking of final call...ultimately, invitations to Blogger Prom 2010 are issued at the discretion of the BPC.

You may bring one guest, though you are not required to. You may be asked to provide your guest's name, and, if applicable, their blogging and Twittering deets.

We will roll out the invitations in waves; be sure to take note of any cut-off dates indicated on the invite.

You'll be securing your ticket in 2 steps:
1. RSVP to official invite. This gets you on our OFFICIAL guest list.
2. Make a donation to Operation Frontline via a private link sent to you. Admission to Blogger Prom 2010 is via minimum donation of $10 per person. 100% of donated funds will go to Operation Frontline.

We want getting our invited guests to the Prom to be as easy as possible--if you're having trouble with your invitation, let us know.


PLUS: We can't make you sign up for Twitter (and, what? You haven't yet? Come on!) but a Twitter account will be required for participating in our raffle to win some amazing prizes. Follow us on Twitter: BloggerProm.

Meet Your Gang, I Mean Committee

Here we are, dolled up and ready go even though the event is over two months away! We hope this gives you inspiration for dressing the theme this year.

And we just may have a contest for the best "Hollywood Confidential" shot in the near future - so time to polish up on your costuming and photography skills!

~BPC Committee
Caroline @CarolineOnCrack
Esther @EstarLA
H.C. @LAOCFoodie
Lindsay @SquashBlossom
Marni @HappyGoMarni
Maya @ShopEatSleep
Natalie @TheLiquidMuse
Tara @TaraMetBlog

Blogger Prom 2010 badges

Proud to be attending the 2nd annual blogger prom? Well, then show your enthusiasm with one of the following classy blog badges. Oh, and of course link them back to http://blogger-prom.blogspot.com/

It's Official: Blogger Prom 2010 Theme & Date

You heard it here first - Blogger Prom 2010 is official and happening on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the historic Yamashiro Restaurant in Hollywood.

For this year's prom theme, the committee has chosen Hollywood Confidential, so be ready to get your old Hollywood glamor or classic chic on for this year's festivities.

Stay tuned for more information about our fabulous venue, refreshments and other goodies we're planning for this year's bash!

~ BP Committee

Let's Get This Started (Again)

Setup madness w goody bag stuffings from last year's event

Ok, it's official - Blogger Prom 2010 planning is in the works. We're only in initial discussion so everything is TBD. First and foremost, finding a location that will host (yes, for free) this year's bash. If you know of one (or are a venue representative and want more details), leave a comment!

And, let's give one final special thanks to the sponsors of yesteryear's party!

~H.C.