Meryl Streep graces the cover of Vogue’s January 2012 issue, available on newsstands nationwide December 20th, 2011. Never one to shirk a challenge, the actress takes on the iconic British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in her latest screen incarnation for Iron Lady. In Vogue’s first issue of the new year, Contributing Editor Vicki Woods sits down with the Hollywood legend to talk about women, power, and the view from the top. Read full article in VOGUE.com

VOGUE/Annie Leibovitz

Meryl Streep VOGUE January 2012 Cover

VOGUE/Annie Leibovitz

Meryl Streep VOGUE Cover

Deborah Lippmann nail lacquers were one of the most popular choices for painting nails backstage during New York Fashion week Fall 2010 and also on the red carpet, think Oscars 2010. These nail polishes surly set some of Spring/Summer 2010 nail trends.

TINY DANCER Sweet spot pink (sheer),$16.00. Seen on Meryl Streep Oscars 2010 (which Marta’s is wearing and loving right now:)

MARQUEE MOON futuristic sequined silver (glitter)

WAKING UP IN VEGAS putty-liscious gray (creme)

Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet Oscars 2010

Oscars 2010 Nail Trends: Deborah Lippmann has been the authority on hot nail trends this year, so it’s no surprise Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet put their hands in her hands for the Oscars this year!

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep accompanied her Chris March gown with a light blush from Deborah Lippmann called Tiny Dancer Sweet spot pink (sheer), $16.00.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet complemented her Yves Saint-Laurent gown with Deborah Lippmann’s creamy pink lacquer, Baby Love Ga Ga baby doll pink (sheer), $16.00.

Visit their official website at www.deborahlippmann.com

L’Oréal Paris and Carelle have once again collaborated to create gorgeous compacts to celebrate and honor Hollywood’s leading ladies. This year, L’Oréal Paris received a prestigious star on the Friends of Hollywood Walk of Fame. To celebrate this achievement, each of the three different compacts showcases shooting stars encrusted with diamonds. The three compacts are made in sterling silver and plated in a different color 18kt gold, which enhances the beauty of the stones and embodies the spirit of the award show for which it is exclusively made.

To celebrate their “Best Actress in a Feature Film” nominations, L’Oreal Paris and Carelle are thrilled to congratulate Sandra Bullock, Helen Mirren, Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe and Meryl Streep with these exclusive compact mirrors.

The cool Blue Topaz and 18kt White Gold plated silver on this compact evoke the sincerity and celebration inherent to this award show when fellow actors come together to celebrate each other’s achievements. Blue topaz encourages artists to connect to inspiration and stimulate it, allowing natural creativity to thrive. The pavé diamond shooting stars add gorgeous sparkle to this dazzling compact.

I recently had an amazing chance to interview actress Taylor Schilling who plays Nurse Veronica Callahan in an upcoming NBC TV series “Mercy“. There are two other nurses in “Mercy”: Chloe Payne played by Michelle Trachtenberg, and  Sonia Jimenez played by Jaime Lee Kirchner.

Schilling made her debut on the big screen in the role of Jackie in the First Independent Pictures film “Dark Matter,” which co-starred Meryl Streep. The film, inspired by actual events, follows the journey of an ambitious Chinese scientist working towards his Ph.D. in America, only to be marginalized to the extent that he ultimately loses his way.

“Mercy” premieres Wednesday September 23RD 8/7c. 

Taylor Schilling

In this interview Taylor Schilling talks to Marta Walsh about her beginnings in the acting world. What attracted her to Veronica’s character on the new NBC show “Mercy”. Taylor even shares with us some of her beauty secrets and her future plans.

“Mercy” stars from left: Michelle Trachtenberg, Taylor Schilling, and Jaime Lee Kirchner

Marta Walsh: How did you decide on a career in acting, and what were some of your first breaks as an actress?
Taylor Schilling: I have wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember…I studied acting in undergraduate and graduate school in NYC. Was only a year ago but seems like forever!

MW: What attracted you to Veronica’s character on the new NBC show “Mercy”?
TS: I suspect on some level, everyone has experienced a life changing event that has left them feeling like a fish out of water back home. Veronica is trying to navigate through that feeling in her relationships, at work, with her family and friends…everywhere. She makes mistakes. She’s flawed and she’s raw. I appreciate her vulnerability and ferocity, her compassion and desire to do the right thing.

Watch “Mercy” trailer here:

MW: How was it working on “Mercy” set with your director and your co-stars?
TS: We have a great time! Lots of laughing and stupid jokes.

MW: Which other film genres do you enjoy most playing, and what would be your dream acting role?
TS: I like have no idea what my dream role would be…but this one is pretty fantastic!

MW: What is next for Taylor Schilling?
TS: Hopefully ‘Mercy’ for a while….

Taylor Schilling’s  Beauty Secrets:

I keep my hair beautiful thanks to…
I use a lot of framesi products on my hair. My colorist introduced me. I don’t know how they do it, but they keep my fine hair pretty healthy

My favorite skincare products are…
I love Neutrogena and Yonka stuff for my skin. But I use a lot of different stuff…

I get my eyelashes looking long, full, and sexy using…
An eyelash curler!

Taylor Schilling third from right with “Mercy” co-stars: Michelle Trachtenberg, James Tupper, Guillermo Diaz, James LeGros,Jaime Lee Kirchner.

The best lip-gloss I ever owned…
Whatever lipgloss happens to be in my purse is my favorite! Right now it’s Stila.

What’s in your makeup bag…
Concealer, mascara, eyeliner, lipgloss and some blush…

My number one beauty secret is…
Sleep! I feel most beautiful when I’m rested. And after a yoga class.

The celebrity I find most beautiful is…
Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet– women who seem comfortable and confident in their own skin.

The city I love the most…
I’d have to say New york! I’ve been here for a while, but this city never ceases to surprise me. I still feel like I just got here…

One or two things some people may not know about Taylor Schilling…
I’m always getting into something new… then most likely dropping it, but the intention is there. I just went through a period of really wanting to learn sign language. I still do. Hopefully some are in the near future…

It was a pleasure interviewing Taylor Schilling. Make sure to watch “Mercy” Wednesday September 23RD 8/7c. For more information visit: “Mercy” NBC Site www.nbc.com/mercy

Emmanuelle Chriqui looked stunning as always on the  “Entourage” premiere – Chriqui opens up to Women’s Health (www.womenshealthmag.com) in the July/August 2009 issue on her exotic look, challenges she’s faced in her career, and advice on how to embrace being different.

Embracing her uniqueness: “There’s been a massive shift of consciousness. We have an African American president, there’s been a huge influx of Latin talent in mainstream music and film, and there’s a real audience for international films like Slumdog Millionaire. Guess what? The girl next door isn’t necessarily blonde and blue-eyed anymore. So I don’t feel like I need to morph into that All-American thing. Now it’s about accepting who you really are and being proud of that. When you have confidence that’s what becomes attractive to other people and makes them want to work with you and spend time with you.”

Emmanuelle found herself being passed over for roles that went to more conventional-looking actresses: “There have been some incredible things that I’ve lost out on because I don’t fit the {all-American} mold. It can be frustrating.”

After filming Zohan, Chriqui tried to audition for another part and the producer wouldn’t see her: “It was like, ‘NO – not the look we’re going for.’ Period.”

Scrutinizing her exotic appearance: “I’ve thought to myself, ‘What hair color will make my hair look lighter but won’t look weird?’ or ‘Are these contacts I can wear to not come off quite as exotic as I am?”

Emmanuelle’s 7 Ways to be Totally Irresistible, Just Being YOU…1. Don’t freak over so-called imperfections “Never reveal your insecurities to a man, because nine times out of 10 they have no idea they even exist. Most guys are not as observant as women are.” Let the Real You Shine Through

2. Let the real you shine through “For the record: I wear makeup. All. The. Time. But I do it in a way that looks natural. My skin is blotchy, and I’m Mediterranean—I’ve got dark circles. So I need foundation and concealer. One thing I swear by is Armani Silk foundation. It offers coverage, but it breathes, so people never think I’m wearing makeup. For under my eyes, I use Touche Eclat by Yves Saint Laurent, which I love because it’s moisturizing and creamy and blends into my skin without getting cakey. I also wear a bronzer—Cargo and Nars have great sun-kissed colors—just to give a little depth to my cheeks.”

3. Play up your best feature “I would say that my favorite part of my face is my eyes. I have very long lashes, but they’re not thick, so when I apply mascara—I love L’Oreal Voluminous—suddenly my eyes are transformed. It’s cool. I’ve also learned a few eye makeup tricks. For example, highlight your brow bone to give your eyes a more wide-open look. Also, as you’re applying mascara, twirl the brush—from the root [to the ends]—so the color covers the whole lash for a fuller look.”

4. Find a good role model “To me, natural beauty means having a real sense of confidence. I just think that there is something so incredibly sexy about a woman who takes care of herself and doesn’t try to bend to be something she’s not, like Robin Wright Penn, Meryl Streep, and Diane Lane. And Kate Winslet—I mean, my God! She’s gotten even more beautiful with age!”

5. Develop your own sense of style “Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss both have great personal style. So does Katie Holmes. It’s risky, but it’s a statement and I like that. In elementary school I was always transforming stuff, like turning the top of [a pair of pantyhose] into a bandeau. It was my way of expressing myself. Now my look is tomboy meets hippie chic. A great pair of jeans, a T-shirt, hoop earrings, and a pair of boots or sandals, and I’m good to go.

“You have to be comfortable in what you’re wearing, because it shows. I know what fits my body and I’m crazy particular about that. Something I’ve been living in: my AG jeans. They’re tight, boot-leg, low-waisted and holey. You can wear them dressed up or dressed down, with running shoes or sandals, whatever. Sometimes I follow trends, like when the skinny-jeans craze was going on, but usually I just do what feels good to me. I’m not afraid when it comes to fashion. If I love the way something looks—whether it’s ethnic, Goth, or ultra sexy—I’m like, let’s do this!”

6. Express yourself with accessories “I love David Yurman rings, but overall, I’m much more into street jewelry. I find the best bangles and the coolest, most gigantic ornate earrings—things that you just don’t see just anywhere else. I’m very even-handed when I jewel myself up. I’ll either wear a serious pair of earrings or a ton of bangles, but not both. Less is more.”

7. Be brave in your beliefs “My spirituality happens to be a big part of my life. For example, I believe that we’re constantly surrounded by energy; things we don’t see that guide us. So I go to a healer who uses, among other things, essential oils to align my chakras [centers of energy, according to Indian medicine]. I think if you are open to this, it can be transformative; I’ve actually seen it in my own life. Of course, here [in California], this kind of stuff isn’t considered all that weird. Still, I’ve had somebody very close to me belittle my journey. It was really difficult because I felt as though they were rejecting a really big part of me—but, you know, it didn’t make me waver for a moment.”

Make sure to pick a copy of Women’s Health July/August 2009 Issue!