Once upon a time, I was fairly obsessed with the Olsen twins and found them the epitome of fresh, young style.  (And the hair…my God, the hair!)  Then they enrolled at NYU, and soon they embraced trash-can chic, and before we knew it, everything went downhill.

Several years later, they’ve evolved way beyond the Boho thing, praise Jesus, but their style is still a bit…interesting.  Here they are at the Elle Style Awards on Monday in London: Ashley, on the left, is in Lanvin; Mary-Kate, meanwhile, is wearing Christian Lacroix.  It’s only fitting they’re wearing such creative ensembles, since they were presented with the style icon award, and they’ve not looked age-appropriate since they were about 15.

But still…they’re always so posey and self-possessed.  Watching them on the red carpet is exhausting.  I dream of a day when the two gals can just relax, take a deep breath and have fun, no aggressive fashion statements necessary.

Photo credit: David Fisher/REX

Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen’s beauty choices have been leaving me cold the past year or two.  There is always something a bit off about the makeup (Mary Kate’s eyes and lips are dueling, while Ashley would look better with a lighter brow that matches her hair) and the wavy locks have become tired.  They are, of course, gorgeous young girls…but I think they’re both in need of a makeover.  What say you?

High Priestess Anna Wintour

For the Costume Institute’s annual Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 2009 theme was “The Model as Muse.”  (What does that mean?  I haven’t the foggiest.  I’m the idiot that skips conceptual art in favor of pretty flowerscapes.)  Regardless, there was some fabulous beauty and fashion on display tonight.  In another lifetime, perhaps I shall warrant an invite.  Dare to dream!

Yes, it’s a little Grand Ol’ Opry, but I’m seriously digging Anne Hathaway’s hair here

Ashley Olsen, looking like herself

Bronzed, blonde and beautifully-makeupped — Blake Lively is gorgeous as always

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, looking smug

Chuck Bass Ed Westwick

Is there a cuter couple than Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel?

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Was anybody else in love with the Sweet Valley High series back in the ’80s?  I couldn’t get enough of the adventures of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield (I was an Elizabeth, but I sooo wished to be a Jessica) and spent a good chunk of my childhood–not to mention hundreds and hundreds of dollars–devouring the silly tales of their glamorous Southern California lives. 

(Sample book description from Amazon for the wee babes raised on the OC and Gossip Girl: “Elizabeth Wakefield knows her beautiful twin can handle almost any guy–most boys are just no match for Jessica’s seductive charms. But Scott Daniels, Jessica’s latest love, is more of a man than a boy, much older and much more experienced than anyone Jessica’s ever dated.  When Jessica sneaks off to a college beach party with Scott, Elizabeth’s afraid of what could happen. And when her twin sister isn’t back by morning, Elizabeth’s fear turns to alarm. Why has she stayed out all night long?”  The drama!  The scandal!  The mustaches!)

I blame the Wakefield twins for any fascination I currently have with the Olsen twins, who are certainly the glossy, modern-day versions.  Here they are at a signing for their new fashion book Influence, looking as gorgeous as I’ve ever seen them…and, for once, nearly identical!  (But how many cans of shine serum had to die for their hair to live?)  It’s all so pretty, my nine-year-old self weeps.

Mary-Kate Olsen is just too gorgeous for words at yesterday’s New York City screening of her new film The Wackness.  (In it, she kisses Sir Ben Kingsley…you know, Gandhi?…who is like seven times her age.  Definitely earning that paycheck.)  The soft makeup–no crazy colors, simply natural peachy tones–lets her skin shine through and the strong well-groomed brows and charcoal liner accentuates her eyes fabulously.  As far as the studiously-messy updo?  A-mazing.

Photo from UsMagazine.com

Doesn’t it seem like a million years ago that creepy men everywhere were counting down until the Olsen twins’ 18th birthday?  Ahh, memories.

Shall we have a little trip down memory lane?  It’s interesting to see how the twins’ look and vibe dramatically and suddenly shifted when they hit 18.  And, I’ve realized that, while I may not always agree with Mary-Kate Olsen’s fashion and beauty choices, I adore her willingess to experiment and mix-it-up.

More pictures after the jump!

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