7 Style Secrets from the Red Carpet

1,Playing up your color

You don't need Julianne Moore's or Marcia's Cross' red hair or fair skin to look striking in color. But you do need to know which hues work best with your skin and hair. Don't buy into the belief that there are a limited number of colors that work for you; instead, be your own best stylist and hold up hues to your face to see which ones bring out your skintones, eyes and hair the best.

Generally, warm hues like fire engine red and coral look best on brunettes with darker coloring; cool pastels work for blondes. But there are a myriad of colors -- metallic gold and silver included -- that work for all colorings. If you're not sure, drag a friend to a store and get a second opinon while trying on lots of colors to see which ones compliment your look best.

2,Elaborate Dress or Major Bling (But Not Both)

Cate Blanchett's cornflower blue dress with fabric flower and flowing scarf was stunning enough by itself. The addition of button diamond earrings added a bit of sparkle, but didn't overwhelm. The idea here is to make either the dress or the accessories the focus, not both.

For example, a black strapless gown with no adornment could carry a chunky diamond bracelet and necklace or a pair of chandelier earrings. Solid color dresses and neutrals are a great backdrop for colorful jewels. On the other hand, the more ruffles, tiers and beading a garment has, the simpler the accessories should be. It doesn't mean you have to go bare (although if you are young and gorgeous, that's a big statement in itself), but you need to use restraint and choose smaller pieces.

3,Don’t Dress Your Age

The pitfall to dressing for special occasions is that women on either end of the age spectrum look wrong if they dress their age: in froufrou dress, young women look ready for prom. More mature women look mother-of-the-bridish in outfits that are deemed "appropriate" for their age group.

Younger women like Scarlett Johansson can carry off classic Hollywood glamour girl looks like platinum hair, lush red lips and form-fitting gowns. In a grown-up dress, a younger woman looks sexy. Over 40-women can take a cue from Jane Fonda and stick with soft, modern hair (stiff updos look frumpy on mature women) and updated dresses. That doesn't mean they have to dress too young by flaunting ridiculous oversized tattoos like Melanie Griffith or wear microminis.

It does mean that the dress should show some skin, even it's only a peek of a shoulder or an arm. Long sleeves, long dresses and high necklines age every woman.

4,Steer Clear of Style Ruts

Nicole Kidman experiments with fashion. She's worn a metallic dress that matched her hair, a flapper girl dress and a peacock feather on the red carpet. None of it was so out there or strange that it wasn't understandable, but her look is constantly evolving.

Nicole may turn up in pastel ruffles one event, and a black dress with straps that smack of bondage at another. Sarah Jessica Parker is another fashionista that forges her own style trail. Whether she's experimenting with placement of priceless brooches or trying out an elaborate new updo, Sarah Jessica always looks like she's having fun.

The best way for you to have fun with fashion is to try something new: venture into a store that you've never shopped in, wear straight-leg jeans if you're a bootleg girl, try a mini and tights instead of a full, knee-length skirt. The idea is to push the limits of your wardrobe and experience innovative looks.

5,If You Can’t Hide It,Flaunt It

Designer fashion is made for the skinny. It's sad, but true. But that doesn't stop bodacious broads like Queen Latifah from strutting down the red carpet looking gorgeous in a made-for-her Carmen Marc Valvo gown. She would never cover up her assets with a high-neck gown or wear a sack-like dress to disguise curves.

Likewise, usually tiny celebs who are pregnant at awards shows have learned to play up their newly ripe figures. The most memorable was a ready-to-deliver-any-day Catherine Zeta-Jones in a low-cut black Versace, the most recent was a glowing Gwyneth Paltrow in a not-meant-to-be-slimming ethereal cream Balenciaga gown at the Golden Globes in '06. Learn to embrace your body, too.

If you aren't comfortable in curve-hugging dresses because of too much jiggle, then try a body slimmer underneath for more control.

6,Show Off Your Best Feature

Susan Saradon shows off her cleavage, Hilary Swank displays a toned back, Angelina Jolie makes sure nothing overpowers her full lips. Everyone has at least one great asset, even if it's something as simple as thick hair, white teeth or nice legs.

You don't have to do anything too extravagent to show off your best feature, just make sure that your look enhances it. If your best feature is great skin, the last thing you'd want to do is cover up every inch of it with clothing. Dressing for your best feature is less about dressing for size or age and more about making the best of what you have to work with.

7,It’s All About the Hair

Nothing kills a red carpet look quicker than bad hair. Whether it's too casual or too contrived for the dress, the wrong hairdo can make or break a star's look. For more casual special events -- say the Grammys vs. the Academy Awards -- celebrities often go with slicked-back ponytails or messy buns for a more laid-back look even when paired with a formal gown. One of the worst mistakes you can make for a special event is to go with your everyday hair, unless your hair is fabulous everyday (Halle Berry comes to mind).

Even if you only add a sparkly barrette or a pull back part of your hair, it's enough to set off the look as being special. In fact, just going with a fancier version of your everyday look is much easier to carry off than going with a complicated beehive or some other look that's hard to pull off.