As soon as superstar Halle Berry hit the red carpet Sunday evening, I heard the “Oh, No” sound from TikTok start going through my head. Not because she doesn’t look great. But because I knew Berry’s short Oscars hair was going to divide fans. And it has. It seems like everyone on Twitter opened the app to say something about the star, either loving or hating the new chop. Sure, most are on the side of not loving it but even they have to admit, she could wear a plastic bag on her head and still look incredible. It is Halle Berry.

To say reactions are mixed would be an understatement. What I personally love about the look is how it’s not boring. You’re supposed to go a little different for an award show as big as the Oscars. A bob and baby bangs are never going to please everyone but if she showed up with the exact same look she did last award show, we’d all be falling asleep. This is exciting and gives us something to talk about!

Hairstylist Sara Seward is responsible for the look. We’re assuming Berry’s bob is mostly, if not all, a wig but Seward did post a photo showing all the blonde and brown hair cut off and fallen to the floor. “We came to play,” she wrote.

Source: Instagram

They sure did. Makeup artist Jorge Monroy is responsible for the pretty glam.

Source: Instagram

Remember that Berry is iconic for her short hair at award shows. Who can forget the pixie cut she rocked when she made history, winning Best Actress back in 2002 for her role in Monster’s Ball? Not us. But folks on Twitter are focusing on this short ‘do.

“…looks like a toddler that cut her own hair with safety scissors,” wrote one fan. “Why is Halle Berry rocking Josh Harnett’s hair from the 2000’s?” said Netlix’s Jarett Wieselman.

https://twitter.com/JarettSays/status/1386467825930235906

Photographer Steven Turner noted that she can pull off any look, writing, “Short hair Halle Berry is always a full serve.”

https://twitter.com/StevenTphoto92/status/1386458727360905221

Another fan wanted her to go even shorter. We all know she can pull it off like no one else.

https://twitter.com/ratedRIAN/status/1386486048042143745

Wherever you stand on the debate, one thing is for sure: she’s got us talking.

This is indeed a blog about wearing minimalist shoes. But I want to disclose up front that I do still wear pretty shoes with heels for fancy occasions. I admit that this is not an optimal strategy for my feet and my alignment. It is a bit like having an occasional cigarette (which I do not do.)

Let’s Start at the Beginning

Your feet and ankles have 25% of the human body’s bones and muscles. They articulate about 33 joints, and the tissues in between all these joints are full of proprioceptive abilities that signal to the pelvis how to make adjustments to keep you balanced when upright.

It is logical to me that the best way to optimize your balance is to allow all of the built-in engineering of nature to do its work. This means barefoot or minimally constructed shoes.

Let’s Talk About the Effect of Wearing Shoes

Shoes were invented to protect our feet from dangers on the ground. Sadly, the stiff and bulky soles of today’s shoes make it difficult for your feet to feel the ground, and they also force your foot into unnatural shapes. The act of wearing shoes every day has created a mitten hand situation for your feet.

We have weak underdeveloped muscles within the foot, and we have offloaded a large part of weight-bearing onto the lower leg and the joints in the foot.

Your toes should be able to move separately from your feet and your toes should also be able to move separately from each other. Additionally, the front half of your foot should move separately from the back half.

A stiff sole makes it hard for your muscles to do all of their work, and that affects your balance and your arches. Fallen arches can lead to pain and dysfunction along the chain. Purchasing arch supports is often recommended by foot doctors.

But, just like wearing your arm in a sling or your leg in a cast, you have outsourced the work of your muscles and you will have atrophy from the sling or cast being in place. This cycle can be broken, but it will take slow work on your part.

The shape of shoes affects your feet as well. Bunions are a result of undo pressure from shoes that pinch your feet. Essentially, when the toe box is too narrow. They also result from walking with a turned-out foot. That is because the turnout forces pressure into the side of the big toe joint.

Next on the chopping block – high heels. High heels is any height that is above the rest of the foot. Go ahead and take a look at your “sensible” shoes. It is quite likely that they have a positive heel. A positive heel changes the angle of the foot from its normal axis. This geometry changes your alignment.

We compensate for the high forward pitch by adjusting the way our knees, pelvis and spinal curve are sitting above the shoes. Our bodies will have individual differences in how we compensate for the heels, but rest assured, you will compensate.

This leads to pain anywhere along the chain. In addition, the positive sole in your shoe reduces your ability to have a glute muscle and hip-building gait through a posterior push off.

The Good News

Actually, the good news is that there are things you can do no matter what your age. 

Let’s Start by Getting Out of Your Positively-Soled Shoes

The changes in your alignment from any elevation changes your center of mass and thus the path of weight through your body. Start small, it can take a year or two to shift to minimal shoes. Start with a slightly lower heel and the exercises on this video:

Begin with a small amount of time in the slightly lower shoe or sneaker. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend wearing them. You are slowly strengthening the muscles in your feet.

Get a Wider Toe Box

Trace the outline of your barefoot on a piece of paper. Put the shoe you wear most often on the page and trace the toe box of the shoe. This will tell you if you are squishing your toes.

Find a More Flexible Sole

A stiff shoe prevents you from using all your muscles and joints. You need more movement to increase your foot strength and the ability of your feet to feel the ground below them.

An Attached Front and Back of Your Shoe Is Safer Than Slip-On Shoes

It can seem beneficial to slip on a shoe without having to bend over. However, clenching your feet onto the shoe bed creates a clenching that shortens and stiffens the muscles in your toes and ankles, which once again inhibits foot strength and flexibility.

Toe Spring Is a Piece of the Puzzle That I Would Be Remiss If I Did Not Mention

A majority of athletic shoes have an upwardly curving toe. This toe spring decreases the work of the muscles around the joints that connect the toes to the foot bones. The higher the upwards curve of the toes in respect to the rest of the foot, the less work the foot muscles have to perform to support the joints when walking.

Goals Are Important

I know this all may seem pretty overwhelming if you have never considered the foot health aspect of less support and not more. Now, I am NOT suggesting that everything you have been told is wrong!

I am suggesting that your goal is super important in deciding if you would like to try to move towards a more minimalist shoe.

• Is your goal less pain and the least amount of inconvenience? Maybe you will stick with your current situation.
• Is your goal to build bone density when you exercise? You may want to consider moving towards a shoe that brings the path of weight less into the front of your foot and your knee.

Do you have questions? Sarah is happy to help: sarahpurcellmovement@gmail.com

What do your favorite shoes look like? How often do you wear them? Did you choose them for comfort or style? Would you call them ‘minimalist’? Or do you still wear heels? Are you ready to start building more muscle and bone in your feet? Ladies, let’s discuss our shoes!

We didn’t know what to expect from the Academy Awards this year. With everyone being home in sweats for more than a year, would stars go low-key or fully glam? It seems the latter based on the Oscar beauty looks for 2021. Virtually no one just phoned it in. Maybe being in matching sweatsuits started to get boring.

While it’s true celebs probably couldn’t wait to get dressed up, the Academy actually told award-goers they weren’t allowed to dress casually. It seems they didn’t appreciate all the chic PJs and hoodies at the Golden Globes. As much as we love the glam, it’s fun to see stars in more casualwear, too. But tonight, there’s nothing casual at the Los Angeles event. Drool over our favorites while we help you steal their looks with products you can buy now. And they’re not all pricey! Some you can literally grab on Amazon Prime. Score.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Zendaya

Her natural rosy makeup looks so pretty against her bright yellow gown.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Halle Berry

Hello, bob! Berry debuts her shortest cut in years and looks incredible.

Chris Pizzello/Pool Via PMC.

Margot Robbie

We love a timeless low pony…but paired with her brand new piece bangs? Who even cares about the dress?

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Reese Witherspoon

We love how Witherspoon’s rosy eyeshadow pops with her red gown.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Tiara Thomas

Can we get a round of applause for the singer’s flawless braids?

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

H.E.R.

It takes a true master to match your lipstick to the shade of your sunnies that perfectly.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Angela Bassett

The blue eyeshadow is so unexpected but totally works.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Andra Day

This is exactly how you do an updo on curly hair. It’s stunning.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Regina King

Her blunt bob never has a hair out of place.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Maria Bakalova

The newcomer looks like a Hollywood veteran thanks to makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan. The red lipstick is Sisley-Paris Phyto-Levres Perfect Lip Liner in Ruby ($60 at Nordstrom) with Phyto Lip Twist in Tango ($50 at Nordstrom) on top.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Carey Mulligan

We’re so happy to see the actress back on the red carpet! She first got her glow on with the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask ($399 at CurrentBody). Then, makeup artist Georgie Eisdell used Chanel Beauty to give her a natural glam. We especially love the pink cheeks. Eisdell applied Chanel Beauty’s Powder Blush in Rose Écrin #68 ($45 at Nordstrom). Her perfect updo is thanks to Jenny Cho using René Furterer products, including the Modeling Paste ( ) for the twisted topknot.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Viola Davis

The actress loves a pop of pink lip and we love her for it. This one is by Autumn Moultrie using L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Anti Feathering Lipliner ($8.59 at Amazon) in Cranberry and the shade Bold Orchid on the rest of the lips.

Chris Pizzello/Pool Via PMC.

Amanda Seyfried

Gen Z may think that side bangs are over, but this classic, sidewise updo has officially convinced me that TikTok is  dead wrong.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Celeste Waite

Makeup artist Allan Avendaño used Sisley-Paris Sisleya Le Teint Anti-Aging Foundation in shade 4.B ($185 at Nordstrom) to give the Waite that flawless complexion. Wow.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Youn Yuh-jung, left, and Han Ye-ri

It’s hard to believe they don’t walk the red carpet every year. Both actresses’ look stunning but we’re especially loving Ye-ri’s magenta lip.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool.

Emerald Fennell

The writer/director went matchy-matchy with her makeup and totally pulls it off.

Is there anything better than getting your hair cut and/or colored, leaving the salon and feeling like a supermodel? No, we don’t think there is. But because of the current climate, seeing your hairstylist might not be as easy and getting your split ends cut off or your roots done might just be a quick in-and-out appointment without all the fun. That’s one reason why we’re so obsessed with actors and influencers who switch up their look on a dime. We’re jealous, sure, but it’s also aspirational AF. So, we’re rounding up the best celebrity hair makeovers of 2021 as they come so you can drool with us.

Though, it’s not just about drooling over these looks. Saving this page and referring back to it at the hair salon can help you decide if curtain bangs or a bob is right for you. Hairstylists actually love when you show them photos because they can get a real feel of the vibe you’re looking for and can adjust the look into something that suits your wants and needs. This goes for color, too. Did you ask for balayage when you really meant a shadow root? It’s easier to just give examples of what you want.

Some of these celebrity looks aren’t permanent. Stars love to play around with wigs, extensions and faux bangs. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Real or faux, we’re taking inspo from our favorites to figure out our next look for 2021 and beyond.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Source: Instagram

Selena Gomez

In an Instagram photo promoting her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, in April 2021, Gomez showed off her newly dyed blonde hair. The picture saw the former Disney Channel star light blonde tresses and dark roots. She most recently dyed her hair blonde in 2017 in a color dubbed by her hairstylist Nikki Lee as “Nirvana Blonde.” Gomez’s 2021 color was also done by Lee and Riawna Capri. “We’ve been doing Selena’s color for over a decade now. She typically keeps it pretty natural, but this time she went for a big change. This blonde is unique to her as we had to make sure there was an equal balance of cool and warm for her skin tone. It’s an edgier look and perfect for summer,” the hairstylists said in a statement.

https://twitter.com/eolsenarchive/status/1372591228886396930

Elizabeth Olsen

At the virtual launch of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier miniseries, Olsen debuted a totally different look from her usual copper-blonde hair. The bangs! The darker color! So chic.

Source: Instagram

Chrissy Teigen

We love how Teigen is playing around with wigs lately and experimenting with hair color. Although she only kept the silver shade for a day, we hope she brings it back. It looks amazing on her.

Source: Instagram

Kristen Bell

It seems like Bell is dressed up in character to film a TV show or movie but we’re loving these piecey bangs on her and we hope she keeps them up IRL.

Source: Instagram

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

While filling us in on the Covid-19 relief package, AOC showed off her adorable new haircut. When followers commented saying they loved the chop, she replied, “Let’s not start another national crisis over it, right?”

Source: Instagram

Gigi Hadid

The model mom returned to the runway, walking in the Versace fall 2021 show. Hairstylist Panos Papandrianos wrote “Ginger for Gigi” on Instagram, making us believe he really did dye the model’s hair this gorgeous red shade for the occasion.

Source: Instagram

Olivia Rodrigo

The ‘Drivers License’ singer jumped on the curtain bang trend thanks to hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. They’re subtle but make a big difference in her look. One interesting note: Sabrina Carpenter has them too.

Source: Instagram

Lana Condor

The actress looks so great in this pastel pink wig, maybe she’s considering doing it IRL? “Get ‘Anyone Else But You; to 5 mil streams and I’ll keep it,” she wrote on Instagram. Though, she told STYLECASTER last year, “I don’t know that I’d ever dye dye my hair. I think my mom would kill me, you’d know?”

Source: Instagram

Ashley Graham

The model had everyone thinking maybe she got a pixie cut but her hair is actually the result of new growth post hair loss. “Postpartum baby hairs come through!” she wrote on Instagram.

Source: Instagram

Emma Roberts

A new color and cut for the birthday girl! “Emma always looks and feels her best blonde,” said her hairstylist and Nine Zero One co-founder Nikki Lee. “We decided to keep her a warm blonde and went for a ’90s supermodel vibe. With a new baby and a big birthday, we went out with a bang! Lisa Satorn added extensions for length and fullness. I kept her haircut free and flowing with piecey layers around the face.” Lee keeps her client’s hair healthy with the In Common 3 Step Treatment System ($105 at In Common).

Source: Instagram

Katy Perry

Why not start with one of the biggest hair chameleons? Though she’s been ultra-blonde for a while, we can’t help but miss a brunette Katy Perry. It’s classically chic and fits her personality. So, when we saw these photos of backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live, we were so excited to see the long brown hair. But it seems it’s a wig and she’s already back to blonde.

Is there anything better than getting your hair cut and/or colored, leaving the salon and feeling like a supermodel? No, we don’t think there is. But because of the current climate, seeing your hairstylist might not be as easy and getting your split ends cut off or your roots done might just be a quick in-and-out appointment without all the fun. That’s one reason why we’re so obsessed with actors and influencers who switch up their look on a dime. We’re jealous, sure, but it’s also aspirational AF. So, we’re rounding up the best celebrity hair makeovers of 2021 as they come so you can drool with us.

Though, it’s not just about drooling over these looks. Saving this page and referring back to it at the hair salon can help you decide if curtain bangs or a bob is right for you. Hairstylists actually love when you show them photos because they can get a real feel of the vibe you’re looking for and can adjust the look into something that suits your wants and needs. This goes for color, too. Did you ask for balayage when you really meant a shadow root? It’s easier to just give examples of what you want.

Some of these celebrity looks aren’t permanent. Stars love to play around with wigs, extensions and faux bangs. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Real or faux, we’re taking inspo from our favorites to figure out our next look for 2021 and beyond.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Source: Instagram

Selena Gomez

In an Instagram photo promoting her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, in April 2021, Gomez showed off her newly dyed blonde hair. The picture saw the former Disney Channel star light blonde tresses and dark roots. She most recently dyed her hair blonde in 2017 in a color dubbed by her hairstylist Nikki Lee as “Nirvana Blonde.” Gomez’s 2021 color was also done by Lee and Riawna Capri. “We’ve been doing Selena’s color for over a decade now. She typically keeps it pretty natural, but this time she went for a big change. This blonde is unique to her as we had to make sure there was an equal balance of cool and warm for her skin tone. It’s an edgier look and perfect for summer,” the hairstylists said in a statement.

https://twitter.com/eolsenarchive/status/1372591228886396930

Elizabeth Olsen

At the virtual launch of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier miniseries, Olsen debuted a totally different look from her usual copper-blonde hair. The bangs! The darker color! So chic.

Source: Instagram

Chrissy Teigen

We love how Teigen is playing around with wigs lately and experimenting with hair color. Although she only kept the silver shade for a day, we hope she brings it back. It looks amazing on her.

Source: Instagram

Kristen Bell

It seems like Bell is dressed up in character to film a TV show or movie but we’re loving these piecey bangs on her and we hope she keeps them up IRL.

Source: Instagram

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

While filling us in on the Covid-19 relief package, AOC showed off her adorable new haircut. When followers commented saying they loved the chop, she replied, “Let’s not start another national crisis over it, right?”

Source: Instagram

Gigi Hadid

The model mom returned to the runway, walking in the Versace fall 2021 show. Hairstylist Panos Papandrianos wrote “Ginger for Gigi” on Instagram, making us believe he really did dye the model’s hair this gorgeous red shade for the occasion.

Source: Instagram

Olivia Rodrigo

The ‘Drivers License’ singer jumped on the curtain bang trend thanks to hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. They’re subtle but make a big difference in her look. One interesting note: Sabrina Carpenter has them too.

Source: Instagram

Lana Condor

The actress looks so great in this pastel pink wig, maybe she’s considering doing it IRL? “Get ‘Anyone Else But You; to 5 mil streams and I’ll keep it,” she wrote on Instagram. Though, she told STYLECASTER last year, “I don’t know that I’d ever dye dye my hair. I think my mom would kill me, you’d know?”

Source: Instagram

Ashley Graham

The model had everyone thinking maybe she got a pixie cut but her hair is actually the result of new growth post hair loss. “Postpartum baby hairs come through!” she wrote on Instagram.

Source: Instagram

Emma Roberts

A new color and cut for the birthday girl! “Emma always looks and feels her best blonde,” said her hairstylist and Nine Zero One co-founder Nikki Lee. “We decided to keep her a warm blonde and went for a ’90s supermodel vibe. With a new baby and a big birthday, we went out with a bang! Lisa Satorn added extensions for length and fullness. I kept her haircut free and flowing with piecey layers around the face.” Lee keeps her client’s hair healthy with the In Common 3 Step Treatment System ($105 at In Common).

Source: Instagram

Katy Perry

Why not start with one of the biggest hair chameleons? Though she’s been ultra-blonde for a while, we can’t help but miss a brunette Katy Perry. It’s classically chic and fits her personality. So, when we saw these photos of backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live, we were so excited to see the long brown hair. But it seems it’s a wig and she’s already back to blonde.