There’s a new trend in the fragrance world and that is expensive. Sure fragrance of any kind has always been a market about luxury but now the luxury market is trying to be even more luxuroius. Sure, there are more annoying trends out there such as celeb perfumes or “celeb” perfumes of people you’ve never ever heard of. But making cosmetics more expensive during a Reccession is kind of a silly and obnoxious thing to do. David Yurman has launched a luxury fragrance, every day there is a new niche variety with a big price sticker and now we have Bvlgari jumping in on the “luxury” market even though they already create luxury goods.

I am a big fan of Bvlgari scents. They are typically very simple and wear nicely. I love Omnia despite what the critics may say. It is very warm and I wear it, it doesn’t wear me. My husband wears Aqva which comes across as a fresher Dior Fahrenheit. Bvlgari’s floral fragrances are ultra feminine without piercing you through the sinuses with tuberose. The tea scents are so fresh and easy to wear. Well, Bvlgari thought that their market needed something special, something expensive for the “woman that desires the finer things in life.” Not that Pour Femme was the finer at $125 for a 3.4 oz EDP.  Bvlgari used to sell their fragrances only at their jewelry boutiques that is exclusive and finer. But, why not pull the fragrances from department stores and do that again? Duh, it’s not about prestige it’s about the benjamins. Jasmin Noir retails for $95 for the 1.7 oz and $140 for the 3.4 oz.

I sniffed Jasmin Noir at Nordstrom as soon as the tester hit the shelves. The bottle is stunning and looks well, fancy. It’s the same shape as the others but the glass is dark and mysterious. It appears to be housing the strongest and most potent jasmine on the planet. Well, you’re wrong if you think that. There is nothing ‘noir” about Jasmin Noir. It is not dark or mysterious or heavy. It is very light for the money. Jasmin Noir is marketed to an older crowd which in this industry means 25 to 40 years old which I find silly. If that is their idea of older then I am shocked. Anyways, it faintly smells of jasmine at first but mainly of gardenia. However, even the gardenia isn’t as strong as one would expect from a “luxury” floral marketed to older people. The floral mixture seemed to vanish from skin fairly quickly. Also, the top notes were strangely sweet and not as “fresh” as flowers should be.  I was left with the woody base. The base is supposed to be “masculine dark woods” but is more of soft feminine woods that are the dry down for everything else that has been launched this year. I could smell the warmth of the tonka bean and the vague ghost of licorice for about a few minutes. The fragrance did last a long time on my skin but it was the base notes that stayed forever getting a little more distorted and vaguely generic with each hour. The notes that stayed were the sweetness of vanilla/tonka bean and the milky reminder of crisp almond. Overall, the fragrance isn’t bad. It didn’t cause me to gag or scream “Dear God what is this?”. It is very unoffensive and wears close to the skin. I was just very dissappointed. It did not live up to the price point and seemed like they did not even try to reproduce a better product. It was like they had this juice around and instead of labeling it as a $60-$80 product they decided to use this as their luxurious line. I think I would really like this fragrance if it was stronger or in a more concentrated form. But, I shouldn’t be asking for that. This should of delivered and instead it didn’t. I’ve smelled $25 perfume roll-ons more luxurious than this.

What have the Factors put together for us this fall? Well, it looks like smoke’n hot deep “sinful” colors and demure pale shades that juxtapose one another perfectly.  You know something that is both wicked and lovely. It’s a deep lip or smoky eye or heck, even both. The website describes it as being, “Every woman is naughty and nice, daring and demure, light-hearted and darkly alluring. For looks that are charmingly sweet, devilishly sexy, or a little bit of both, experience our Wicked Lovely Collection.” So it’s the split personality collection.  I believe that most women will but the charmingly sweet and not the darkly alluring shades but those devilishy sexy shades are the ones worth noting. The collection contains the following:

EYES: WL Cream Liner and Loose Shadow set: It contains three shimmery cream eyeliners in a pewter, antique bronze and cool, dirty taupe. The shimmer powder is a smoky pebble shade. This is a nice portable mirrored compact to create a smokey eye. It retails for $32. There are WL Eyeshadow Duo in Sexy/Demure which is a shimmery peach and shimmery deep bronzey brown that is perfect for everyday. The other is Sinful/Demure which is a pale shimmery ivory and a shimmery charcoal slate which is perfect for a smoky look. Retails for $24. They’ve relaunched the Bionic Mascara which I haven’t tried so I can’t comment on.

LIPS and CHEEKS: WL Lip Gloss in three shades. These come in an hour glass-ish package with a black tassel. I wasn’t really impressed with the packaging. It is too stripperish and is like the lip gloss equivalent of a pastie. The shades are Coy which is a sheer au naturale nude, Sweet which is a sheer warm apricot/peach, and Sultry which is a deep shimmery black cherry wine. I really like Sultry because as I have commented before I am craving those dark wine lips for fall. Each have a brush tip applicator and retail for $18. There’s the WL Lip Pencil in Tempt which is the arranged spouse for Sultry. Tempt is a deep dark cherry that retails for $16. There’s the WL Doubletake Lip Color Pencil in Gossamer which is a very pretty shade. One end is a lip liner that is a natural pinky peach and the other is a creamy lip color that is a pinky peach. It retails for $22 and looks awesome with dark eye makeup. Finally, there is the WL Blush Rush in Charm which is a beautiful natural warm light, soft pink powder blush. It adds needed softness to a strong eye or lip. It comes in a really cool compact that has a swivel mirror on the bottom. It retails for $24.

Overall, I like the collection. It has something for everyone from dark merlot lips to nude eyes or dark smoky glam eyes to peachy pink innocent lips. This color collection seems to be available everywhere: Nordstrom, Ulta, Sephora and if you can’t find it at a retailer there is the Smashbox website.

Well after playing in this for a few weeks, I have to say I’d rather sink my teeth into a dark chocolate truffle.

I’ve always had a strange relationship with Estee Lauder. Until recently I have disliked the brand because I have always felt that it was made for people that felt like they had to wear makeup and that don’t actually want to wear makeup. It was a brand that I always viewed as being old and it never really showed me anything that I would like. The past few years I feel that they’ve really tried to change in a positive way. They had Tom Ford’s name to help and offered many beautiful color collections and delicious scents such as Youth Dew Amber Nude (RIP), Azuree Soleil (RIP), Bronze Goddess and Sensuous. However, I find this color collection very dull and dated. It’s about a decade too late in my book.

I had a feeling that brown lipstick and bronzes and coppers were coming back. It’s been awhile since they had center stage like I was a freshman in high school. We all thought then that chocolate brown lips and copper blush looked natural but we were young and trying to wear what our mothers did not. The truth is you look more young and beautiful and natural with a wash of Benefit Benetint and pale pink lipstick. Browns are hard to wear unless you have a smooth medium to dark skintone. For example, I think the model in the EL Chocolate Decadence ad looks bad. That blush doesn’t help her and think about the work that went into that picture and it still looks bad.

Anyways, the collection contains a few fun things and few duds. FACE AND EYES: There is the LE Creme Caramel Shimmer Powder which is a swirl of shimmery white gold and chocolate with a faint yummy sweet scent. It retails for $32 and is in a milk chocolate compact. It’s ok but I didn’t buy it. This collection features many swirls which I find too much like Bonne Bell or  Bon-Bons-ish. It’s too juvenile for the colors offered and takes me back to high school too much. However, it is still my favorite part about the collection. There’s the Chocolate Box Eyeshadow Quad in Caramel Truffle which features two swirly imprinted shades. All of the shades are of creamy chocolates. It retails for $35 and the website says that it is sold out. These shades are very wearable and are an amazing formula so I understand why it may be hard to find. There is also an Eyeshadow Quad in Berry Truffle which is very pretty. It features various berry shades and a beautiful pale highlighter shade. The eyeshadows are in a chocolate brown and gold compact. They relaunched the Artist’s Eye Pencil in Brown Writer which is a great item for any makeup bag.

LIPS AND NAILS: LE Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick with Swirl in Caramel Swirl which is a shimmery gold and bronze shade with a sweet raspberry chocolate scent. I am not a big fan of this shade because it can look nasty on so many people. And there is a LE Berry Swirl which is a medium berry swirl that I find suits me better. They relaunched Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Tiger Eye a sheerer bronze shimmer. If you do not have this one, just wait for gift time. This color is always the warm featured lip shade in every gift. I have a million of them and have to layer it to make it look alive. Both lipsticks retail for $22. There is a LE Pure Color Lip Gloss in Caramel Swirl which is a mix of shimmery reddish bronze, gold, and pale pink. It looks fine until it mixes up and looks nasty in the packaging. The final color is ok. There is also a Berry Swirl which ends up looking like a beautiful berry pink shimmer. Both have a sweet raspberry chocolate fragrance and retails for $18. There is a Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Satin Gold which is a warm shimmery reddish bronze that retails for $18.

Overall I am not impressed. I do consider the shimmer powder and the eyeshadow quads but that is it. The lips are so putting on lipstick after my freshman gym class looking into a dingy mirror in a mustard yellow bathroom with no doors on the stalls. Not glamorous.

I’ve been meaning to comment on this for a while. When I first exposed to Lancome’s 2008 Fall Color Story I was so excited. It was so warm and was a great transition of summer into fall. The colors are rich and shimmery and the Poudre Elephant Teint Bronzer is so freak’n cute. I am very happy to see a woman of color as the model and that the actual color story relaunches and displays rich level IV and V skin products in Sable and Seude. So at first impression I was happy and wanted it all. I let a week or two set in and then when I looked at the story again, it seemed boring and like the same ole crap. At the time of looking back, I was sick of golds. I remembered that I am pale and I want to wear sickly dark berry lipstick for fall and I want pewter.  Now, while writing this and looking back I like the collection again and feel it is very mainstream which isn’t so bad. Remeber last years gothic inspired one with the toadstool and double liners and witchcrafty compact. I loved that one!

FACE: It features the new Poudre Elephant Teint Bronzer Powder Sun of India in Sunny Manorama. And yes that is its full name. It’s very cute and super shimmery. The India theme is a bit of a rip off of Guerlain’s summer bronzers of this year. But, these look nothing like each other. Frankly, this is too pretty to use and will look nasty after a while because everything is so topical. This is why I have not purchased this.There is a Blush Subtil in Bombay Glow which is a nude shimmer and Shimmer Violet Sunrise which is a shimmery cool violet pink. They’ve introduced Le Base Pro which is an overpriced oil free makeup primer. It’s $42. It’s nice but there are better ones on the market for a better price. Plus, shouldn’t a good foundation not need a primer?

EYES: There’s two new eyeshadow quads in Lotus Splendor which features the warm shimmery golds, berry, white highlighter and smoky black. There’s the cool Secrets of Benghal which is berry inspired. Both are in a shiney gold compact that will surely flake and look gross after awhile in the makeup bag.There are Le Crayon Khol Kajal in Amber Night- a rich shimmery amber, India Ink- a deep blue-ish black, and Smoky Henna - a smoky forest green. These are very nice in my opinion and should be permanent.

LIPS: There are the Colour Fever Lipsticks in Jaipur Spice - a creamy gold, Brickhouse - a rich pure brick red, and Star of India - a mucky wearable berry.  The Juicy Tubes Maharani Jewels are pretty but the new packaging resembles that of Global Goddess which is now sold at Victoria’s Secret. And I hate Victoria’s Secret. There’s Autumn Jasmine - a sweet rose, Bengali Gaze- a beautiful burgundy that is more my speed, Guava Enchantment - a delicious coral, Ginger Palace - the mandatory nude, and Mango Mystere - a rich warm red. They’ve relaunched Le Lipstique in Bronzelle, the best shade in the universe, and launched Star of India which is a little more reddish than the lipstick.

NAILS: They’ve introduced two new Vernis Magnetic which I am sure that each counter only got like two of each shade. There’s Cinnamon Plum - a perfect brown-ish red plum for fall and Saffron Rose - a sweet rose.

Overall, I approve. It’s kind of Jungle Booky and I try to ignore that. I’m just happy it isn’t Euro-centric like everything else in the media is.

I know that it just started but where is the talent? I feel that this is the laziest, safest, and most talentless group that Bravo has ever had to offer. Of course it has only been one episode but it should of been a fun one using grocery store goods. Instead it ending up being boring and agonizing to watch. I felt like 10 people should of been auf’d so that I wouldn’t have to see anymore of their butt ugly designs. Why the bitterness? I don’t know. I love this show. It is my guilty pleasure. I watch it and worship it and yes that embarrasses me but I don’t care. I love Tim Gunn, I wish he would narrate for my GPS. He is the most constructive and classiest human on the planet.

Anyways, I got sucked into the Bravo blackhole last night. Even as a mega fan, I forgot that the new season was beginning last night. I was flipping through the channels getting ready to watch some Netflix when I saw the sweet bear, Chris March of season 4. I love him. I wish that he would of won. Not because of his designs on the show which were either hit or miss, but because he is so nice. He is real person and not a bitch. He is an amazingly kitschy creative individual that should of won. But I keep forgetting that if you are the creative one then you won’t win. People want to see something that Macy’s or bluefly.com can sell. So why did Rami not win? I have no clue. His clothes were very female body friendly. Christian won because he is a little bitch with an ugly haircut. Sorry, I really did not like him. He came across as such an insecure small town hairdresser that had to fight ugly to cover up his new boy in town complex. He was not fierce.I’m happy that Chris and Rami are getting alot of work after the show.

Anyways, back to Season 5, I believe I do not like anybody. Blayne is a mega creep. First, I hate neon clothes and “urban” design. Hello Blayne, you’re from Yakima what and the hell do you know about hip-hop or urban design? I thought I could support anyone from Washington but I can’t. I really hate Blayne, I have a biological urge to pull his hair. I can’t explain it. What did he keep saying, “Babealiscious” or something. Eww. I find Seude obnoxious, that is if that is even his real name… I don’t think that Stella knows how to sew using a machine.  She should just go home and continue making clothes for Blondie, that’s more than any of us will do in a lifetime anyways. Jennifer is very boring. Emily dresses like a clown and looks like that one chick from Mad TV. Leanne is to insecure and gets on my last nerves. She is all sad because she is from Portland, OR and is trying to be NYC and feels sad. Well, as a lover of the Pacific Northwest, New York ain’t got nothin’ on us. We’re badass because we don’t give a shit. You’re still young Leanne, one day you’ll understand. Jerell seems like he is going to create some major drama later on. Jerry should be out with that creepy thrasher outfit. It wasn’t even sexy. It was dumpy serial killer. The other contestants compared it to American Physco but at least Mr. American Physco knew haute couture. Keith is too stuck up and thinks that he has a talent which I know I haven’t seen yet. Wesley is a dork and hopes that his dorky Marc Jacobs style will get him somewhere. I don’t hate them alll yet. Daniel seems like the only one with real talent. I look forward to seeing his creations. Joe seems like the nice guy that won’t start shit. I mean he has daughters, how cute is that? Kelli is adorable and seems to have some sense. I don’t know anything about Kenley. Did you notice that they totally avoided her this first epidsode? I don’t think we saw any of her portfolio. All I know is that she is cute and we have the same hair. Korto is a very styl’n woman but I doubt she’ll make it through. I see alot of shapeless caftans and tunics in the future. Not that I wouldn’t wear them, I just know what Michael Kors will say. And then finally there’s Terri. She’s my true neutral. I could like her or hate her, I don’t know yet.

Sadly, I will keep watching religiously with a class of wine every Wed. night. I love to hate the show and I love to love the show. I just want Tim Gunn and Chris March to be best friends and for rami to design my clothes. Oh and Santino designs Camel cigarette boxes. I don’t smoke but I still bought it because of him. I loved that childish insecure, talented nut case.

The strings of babes associated with Mr. Martin Denny won’t stop! Who are these lovely ladies? I’ve wanted to know for years. Anyways, now to capture the very modern look of the 1957 album Exotica II. By the way, what dumb artist decided to frame this picture like this. Why chop off her chin and leave all that extra space? Oh and I love her hair. Everytime I see this album I get closer to chopping mine off. First, even out your skintone using a matte foundation such as Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. Apply it with fingertips and buff with a buffer brush (a brush with a blunt bristles). Dab concealer such as Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Herbal Concealer where needed. Finish with a light dusting of Rimmel Stay Matte pressed Powder. I prefer to use a large fluffy brush with the pressed powders, but if you want to be really matte use the puff. This chick digs the thick brows look. Fill in your brows thickly with Bourjois Sourcil Precision Eyebrow Pencil and then brush brows the comb that is attached. Set with a clear mascara or brow gel like Tweezerman Brow Mousse. Dust a nude, matte eyeshadow like the lightest shades from the Physcian’s Formula Matte Collection Eyeshadow Quad in Canyon Classics. Blend the darker, plummy brown into the crease with a heavy hand. Line eyes with L’Oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Eyeliner in Black Mica. This is a great product that is identical to Lancome’s Artliner. Wing the liquid liner out for a cat eyed effect. Line the lower lashline with the dark shade included in Canyon Classics Eyeshadow Quad, smudge with the sponge tip applicator included for a “smoky” look, slightly connecting to “cat eye” liquid liner on the top lashes. False eyeslashes anyone? Apply Andrea Mod Strip and adjust and trim as needed. Coat with tons of Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara in Black. Apply foundation or concealer over lips as a base. Line lips with Lancome Le Lipstique in Bronzelle. This is the best lipliner ever. Coat lips with the new Nars Lipstick shade in Mindgame a sheer warm - on the coral side- brown. Lightly dust Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Blush in Poppy, a peach brown. Curl hair so it is all flirty looking and you’ll be all ready to drink kamikazis and chill with the “exciting sounds of Martin Denny”.

Seabeck, WA: Where I spent the week-end

I had a nice weekend enjoying the warmth of a Pacific Northwest summer, gorgeous mountain views and salt water aromas. I had a nice picnic where I was harassed by some auburn bellied squirrel thing that for real tried to climb up my leg in hopes of a pinch of tortilla. Berry bushes are flowering and fruiting; hence, inspiring one of my favorite looks of all: berry lipstick. I spent most of my freshman year of college wearing a vintage, gray wool blazer, my hair in it’s natural color and long as heck in a tight bun, no eye makeup: not even mascara and I’d wear the deepest wine and berry lipsticks and glosses I could get my hands on. I’d mega highlight my facial features with glossy highlighting creams and gels. It was a very librarian meets Madonna stage for me and one of my favorites. I love Lipstick Queen Lipstick in Wine Sinner, a deep matte merlot that comes in wonderful deco packaging. I used to wear MAC Media, a satiny reddish-purple and Cyber, my closet goth blackish purple satin finish favorite. These colors are very pigmented and have a tendency to cake however. You must use a primer beforehand.  I used MAC Lip Pencil in Vino a violet purple. Burt’s Bees used to make a wonderful deep, almost black purple lipstick. Hmm, wonder why they don’t make that anymore? The closest thing they have now is Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Merlot which is a shimmery wine with a minty tingle. Still not as good as the lipstick they used to make but still a great product. It’s a steal at $5. I wore so much of Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick in Vamp, a very dark plumish  berry. I feel like I am the reason why it still exsists, I really messed up the marketing data by buying so much of it. Plus, Uma Thurman in Pulp fiction has kept that shade alive. Benefit Silky-Finish Lipstick in Raisin’ Cane (yes a redneck name, but a great color) is a brownish wine bronze that adds color without being too purple. When I felt like I couldn’t find shades with enough pigment, I found myself drawn to brands like Iman, Fashion Fair, or Black Radiance. Iman Luxury Moisturing Lipstick in Black Brandy is heavenly. Recently, I have found L’Oreal Hip Lipstick in Extrovert, a deep brown-ish berry and Rimmel Moisture Rich Lipstick in Hype, a deep berry. I’ve been through 2 Hypes already. Nobody can beat the price and quality of that lipstick.  A red berry shade that is rich and glam is Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Cuivre Fusion which is a golden berry red that feels so smooth on the lips. I used to wear Kevyn Aucoin The Liquid Lipstick in Aquarouge which is a really deep red brown with lots of shimmer. It adds alot of dimension to the lips. I used to have to buy it at some local boutique but now Sephora carries it which is nice.

For those of you that don’t like the idea of having almost gothic lips, then glosses are stains are for you. Nars Lip Gloss in Boogie Nights, a metallic pink-ish raspberry is a great choice. The classic Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is a must for anyone in my opinion.  I find myself wearing it all the time, out and about and to my conservative job. Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheer in Friday and Lola Tinted Lip Balm in Voluptuous are great don’t even think about it berries because they are in a “ChapStick” container. Urban Decay Lip Envy Lipstain in Greedy is so easy to use. It is a deep berry that goes on sheer and looks great with gloss over it. L’Oreal Hip Lipgloss in Outstanding looks like a really dark shimmery berry but applies very light and fresh looking. I love cosmetics but I love it when my lips are stained by berries or wine.

]]> http://eaumg.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/berry-nice-makeup-juicy-fruity-inspired-hues/feed/ Ajent Orange Seabeck juicy http://eaumg.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/la-fille-aux-yeux-dor-the-golden-age-of-makeup/ http://eaumg.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/la-fille-aux-yeux-dor-the-golden-age-of-makeup/#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:04:07 +0000 Ajent Orange http://eaumg.wordpress.com/?p=27

It seems that like summer makeup trends, fall makeup isn’t ready to let go of the 24K gold and lapis lazuli look. Every summer collection this year was centered around gold and aqua. Chanel’s fall makeup collection, The New Opulence, is all about warm gold decadence and smoky teals. Which is great, I love metallic makeup and nothing is more luxe and appropriate for any season than gold. Gold manages to be flattering on all shades of skin. Here’s a list of some of my fav cosmetics blessed by the Midas touch.

1. Guerlain L’or Radiance Concetrate with Pure Gold Makeup Base - One of the most amazing bases on thte market. It is infused with 24K gold and has a lightweight feel and provides a cooling sensation. Retails for $68.

2. Nars Creme Blush in Gold Member - A pure gold, creamy highlighter that is Goldfinger appropriate. Retails for $24.

3. Benefit 24K Sexy Gold Lip Gloss - A burnished gold shimmery lip gloss that looks amazing alone or layered. Retails for $20.

4. NYX Liquid Eyeliner in Gold - A metallic pure gold liquid liner that comes with a super fine brush. A steal at $3.

5. Chanel Limited Edition Nail Colour in Gold Fiction - A gilded gold nail color that costs a fortune and probably wears off in an hour. Nordstrom says it is $30 but I just talked to a friend that works for the counter who I could of swore just said that it is $20 now.

6. Milani Shadow Wear Eye Shadow Quad - This high quality/ low price set contains four super shimmery and pigmented shades: pale beige, rustic gold, deep bronze and a dark emerald green. Sells for $5.99.

7. Prescriptives Magic Liquid Powder Red Neutalizer - This cooling shimmery powder neutralizes red, but I use mine to add an etheral glow to my complexion. Retails for $35.

8. Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lipstick in Very Gold 500 - An intense shimmery gold that looks great alone or layered to warm up other lipsticks. Sells for $28 and worth every cent.

9. Michael Kors Leg Shine in Gold - A heavenly ultra feminine scented, ultra glamorous use for a deodarant stick. Has gold flecks to add some wow to your legs. Retails for $32.

10. Urban Decay Baked Bronzer in Gilded - This  is their newest bronzer that is a shimmery bronze laced with golden veins. This stuff lasts forever. Retails for $24.

I am still looking for a perfect eyeliner in pencil form of a pure shimmery gold. I am begging for any suggestions. I’ve spent numurous hours searching in drugstores, department stores and Sephora. I’m trying to replace something I bought from Avon ages ago. And for all of you that love I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, I gotta have this so I can O.G.

We’ve had a few pretty warm days here and it had me thinking of beachy fragrances and bronzers again. I was thinking of these things before in Tennessee when it was like 90 degrees, but when we moved here it was like 50. So today I’m wearing bronzer, gold lipstick and heavy eyeliner to hold onto summer even though all the hot fall makeup collections are out and about. I was looking at surf rock record art and had this desire to cut my hair shorter which I always regret later on. I decided to think more of Honey Ryder in Dr. No to make me appreciate my long hair. Typically, not a Bond fan because he is a bit of a chauvinist, but I’ve always loved the chicks in the flicks. You can’t go wrong with the look of a Bond Girl.  So this is what I would use to recreate the look.

First, I could never be as tan as Ursula without getting mega freckley (how did a Swede get so dark anyways?). use a tinted moisturizer such as Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Teinte. Tinted moisturizers are great because you can cheat and buy a shade darker to add color without looking weird. I’d bronze with Guerlain Light Sheer Bronzing Powder in Brunette. Seriously, if you have not used this product you are missing out. It is amazingly natural and anyone can wear it. Brush it on with Sephora Bronzing Brush which is another must if you do not own one. I use mine daily. Fill in eyebrows with Lancome Le Crayon Poudre in Natural Blonde and set with Amazing Cosmetics Brow Gel. Since you’ll be frolicking on the beach with this look, use an eyeshadow base such as Lancome Aquatique Waterproof Eyeshadow Base. This is a great product. Remember to close the lid tightly after each use so that it doesn’t dry out. I’ve had one of these get all grotty before because of my hectic mornings and not paying attention. Use L’Oreal Hip Eyeshadow Duo in Dynamic. Dust the lighter shade from all over the lid. Apply the darker shade in the crease and blend with a fluffy brush. Use MAC Eyeshadow in Bisque under the brow. Line top and bottom of eyes with black eyeliner like Dior Waterproof Crayon in Trinidad Black and smudge MAC Eyeshadow in Typographic around the lashline. Coat lashes with lots and lots of Maybelline Full and Soft Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. Pat Nars The Multiple in Palm Beach onto cheeks. All you need for lips is CARGO Plant Love Botanical Lipstick in Mariska (named for my favorite Law and Order actress and lovely daughter of Jayne Mansfield), a light neutral taupe. Plus, the packaging for the lipstick is so appropriate for the era of Ursula Andress. I’d wear Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess as a fragrance. A look like this is so timelessly sexy despite if your name is Ursula or not.

Dior has launched their fall collection known merely as “Dandy” and I am in love for many reasons. It’s part Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde and part bad ass bronzed eyed gangsta. It’s “Hey, we’re in a freak’n recession, now lets have fun and emulate everything 1930’s that the economically fragile 1970’s embraced!” Boy, did they love Bonnie and Clyde in the 70s.  Since last year I have felt like I have been living in the 70s because of the recession, well before then, but I got out of college long enough to realize it.  The Green trends are our economy’s way of feeling comfortable with living cheap and reusing things and taking pride in cooking and growing our own produce. Cosmetics manufactures have been playing up “natural” and “bare” looks again, those neutrals that Farrah Faucet sported. Wild Western inspired Bohemian looks keep showing up even though I thought it was out ages ago. Fashions have became very retro Bonnie Parker. Music is getting more folksier or disco-ier. I’m glad that everyone is trying to have fun being poor. I know that I am. Living cheap makes me feel good. Yeah, I still want Dior, I’ll get it if I want it, I’ll just cook a pot roast or something and eat it all week. But, I find myself wanting less and less material things…

Anyways, to the collection. Other than just being beautiful because it reminds me of all chaos induced by a thin, blonde female gangster, the products are actually nice. There’s a Cuir Leather Impression Eyeshadow based on the popular “croc” pattern of their leathers.  There’s Copper Diamond DiorSkin Shimmer Star Pressed Powder, new formulas of 2-Colour eyeshadow featured in Bronzy Look and Silver Look, 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Iridescent Leather and Earth Tones, beautiful blush in Pink Copper, Rouge Dior Lipstick in Fiction Brown and Western Beige, Creme de Gloss in Creamy Burgundy and Delicious Plum, Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Lace Beige and Lurex Plum, Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner in Iridescent Khaki, and Rouge Contour Lip Liner in Mysterious Plum and Mythical Brown. Dior is saying, ” Dandy is more than a look; it’s a state of mind, inspired by the chic, independent spirit of the 1930s. Unexpectedly glamorous in contrasts of rich feminine plums, berries and the ‘masculine’ chic of warm, deep beige shades.” Well, that indepence and state of mind is robbing banks and shooting people up and hiding out from the law with your possiblely bisexual outlaw boyfriend just because being poor and down and out pisses you off. Still, it manages to be beautiful despite the materialistic angst associated with the ‘masculine’ chic just because Faye Dunaway was/is a babe and those fashions in Bonnie and Clyde were just too damn awesome and Warren Beatty was a hunk. I’m sold. Now I just have to find a bank to rob to afford this collection…