She Wore Blue Satin

When I heard that Chanel’s Blue Satin was the most coveted nail color for Spring 2008, I couldn’t run to the store quick enough, wrap my digits around a bottle, and bring it home with me. Normally, I would balk at paying $19 for nail polish. But when every magazine and website is promising it’s going to change my life, what’s a beauty junkie to do?

Blue Satin goes on smoothly, and the pigment is remarkably rich - so you only need one coat. In very bright light, the polish vacillates between sparkling sapphire and inky indigo. But most of the time, it just looks black. And not even a shimmery obsidian, either…just flat, matte black.


All I’ve read is rave reviews about this color…so I really wanted to buy into the buzz. Regrettably, I cannot. I expected the shade to pop more against my skin tone, which it didn’t in the slightest – and I’m convinced that it’s much more complimentary to paler complexions.

I’m going out on a limb – and you can take this review with a grain of salt – but I don’t think this lacquer lives up to the hype. In my humble opinion, the propaganda is outta control…some ebay sellers are charging $45 for a single bottle!

If Blue Satin cost half of its actual price, it might get more of an endorsement. But for my money, I’d rather buy three bottles of Essie, OPI, China Glaze, or Creative Nail Design.

I’ve got the blues.

She Wore Blue Satin

When I heard that Chanel’s Blue Satin was the most coveted nail color for Spring 2008, I couldn’t run to the store quick enough, wrap my digits around a bottle, and bring it home with me. Normally, I would balk at paying $19 for nail polish. But when every magazine and website is promising it’s going to change my life, what’s a beauty junkie to do?

Blue Satin goes on smoothly, and the pigment is remarkably rich - so you only need one coat. In very bright light, the polish vacillates between sparkling sapphire and inky indigo. But most of the time, it just looks black. And not even a shimmery obsidian, either…just flat, matte black.


All I’ve read is rave reviews about this color…so I really wanted to buy into the buzz. Regrettably, I cannot. I expected the shade to pop more against my skin tone, which it didn’t in the slightest – and I’m convinced that it’s much more complimentary to paler complexions.

I’m going out on a limb – and you can take this review with a grain of salt – but I don’t think this lacquer lives up to the hype. In my humble opinion, the propaganda is outta control…some ebay sellers are charging $45 for a single bottle!

If Blue Satin cost half of its actual price, it might get more of an endorsement. But for my money, I’d rather buy three bottles of Essie, OPI, China Glaze, or Creative Nail Design.

I’ve got the blues.

English Rose

Fuchsia lip color is the latest manifestation of Fall’s bold red lip. If you need convincing to try this trend, just check out the magenta mouth on Atonement star Keira Knightley.

To coat the entire surface of your lips, InStyle.com recommends smiling while you apply. “It stretches the lip, exposing every furrow to be filled with pigment.”

Get the look with Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in Coco Red, available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Douglas Cosmetics, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor.

English Rose

Fuchsia lip color is the latest manifestation of Fall’s bold red lip. If you need convincing to try this trend, just check out the magenta mouth on Atonement star Keira Knightley.

To coat the entire surface of your lips, InStyle.com recommends smiling while you apply. “It stretches the lip, exposing every furrow to be filled with pigment.”

Get the look with Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in Coco Red, available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Douglas Cosmetics, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor.

Triple Threat

She’s on a hit TV show. She’s an Emmy winner. Her movie, Knocked Up, was a summer blockbuster. The actress recently inked a deal with Coty Inc. to be the face of the first women's fragrance from Nautica. She and her mom just launched a new production company. And this December, she will marry her fiancé, musician Josh Kelley.

Katherine Heigl has a lot going on. And somehow she found time to shoot not one, not two, but three covers for In Style’s October 2007 issue. The star, whom pals call Katie, is the magazine’s first triple-cover girl. Inside this month’s In Style, Heigl “popped out her retainer to talk makeup, breakouts and what boys like.”

The Ingenue
“This is my favorite look of the three because it’s sexy but not overly so,” Heigl says. “I like simple hair and makeup.”

Seventies California chic – whose poster children include Michelle Pheiffer and Cheryl Ladd – was the goal with this shot.

Try: Dior Airflash Spray foundation in Medium Beige, Chantecaille Aquablush in Enchanting, and Nars sheer lipstick in Roman Holiday.


The Vixen
“I’ve always wanted to be a brunette because in a town of blondes, it makes me look a little more exotic – but my producers won’t let me do it!”

Madonna’s Breathless Mahoney and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Velma Kelly were role models for this look.

Try: Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Red, Serge Lutens lipstick in No.1, and Chanel Inimitable mascara in Noir-Black.


The Bombshell
“I wear my hair up all of the time,” says Heigl. “But it’s hard to find different updos that are flattering and not just the same old thing every time.”

Brigitte Bardot’s sexy coif and Elizabeth Taylor’s smoky eyes were the starting points for our va-va-va-voom moment.

Try: Nars Duo eye shadow in Pandora, MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder, YSL Rouge Pur Shine lipstick in Nude Beige.

Triple Threat

She’s on a hit TV show. She’s an Emmy winner. Her movie, Knocked Up, was a summer blockbuster. The actress recently inked a deal with Coty Inc. to be the face of the first women's fragrance from Nautica. She and her mom just launched a new production company. And this December, she will marry her fiancé, musician Josh Kelley.

Katherine Heigl has a lot going on. And somehow she found time to shoot not one, not two, but three covers for In Style’s October 2007 issue. The star, whom pals call Katie, is the magazine’s first triple-cover girl. Inside this month’s In Style, Heigl “popped out her retainer to talk makeup, breakouts and what boys like.”

The Ingenue
“This is my favorite look of the three because it’s sexy but not overly so,” Heigl says. “I like simple hair and makeup.”

Seventies California chic – whose poster children include Michelle Pheiffer and Cheryl Ladd – was the goal with this shot.

Try: Dior Airflash Spray foundation in Medium Beige, Chantecaille Aquablush in Enchanting, and Nars sheer lipstick in Roman Holiday.


The Vixen
“I’ve always wanted to be a brunette because in a town of blondes, it makes me look a little more exotic – but my producers won’t let me do it!”

Madonna’s Breathless Mahoney and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Velma Kelly were role models for this look.

Try: Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Red, Serge Lutens lipstick in No.1, and Chanel Inimitable mascara in Noir-Black.


The Bombshell
“I wear my hair up all of the time,” says Heigl. “But it’s hard to find different updos that are flattering and not just the same old thing every time.”

Brigitte Bardot’s sexy coif and Elizabeth Taylor’s smoky eyes were the starting points for our va-va-va-voom moment.

Try: Nars Duo eye shadow in Pandora, MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder, YSL Rouge Pur Shine lipstick in Nude Beige.

Fleur De Lips

Inspired by Coco’s beloved blossom, Chanel’s new Camelia Lip Palette holds four complementary cream shades - rose, sheer rose, lustrous white, and plum. Beautiful in the package, even more lovely on you. Limited edition.

Fleur De Lips

Inspired by Coco’s beloved blossom, Chanel’s new Camelia Lip Palette holds four complementary cream shades - rose, sheer rose, lustrous white, and plum. Beautiful in the package, even more lovely on you. Limited edition.

Out of This World

A few weeks ago, I was at Macy’s with a justifiable excuse…I was shopping for work clothes. How responsible and grown-up of me. Well, before I even reached the pencil skirts and cardigans, I found myself perusing the cosmetic counters. I felt so mature when, after 10 minutes of “just looking”, I headed for the Petites department. That’s when it happened. I was just crossing the threshold into shoes when I saw some sparkles in my peripheral vision. I tried to ignore it, but the sparkles stopped me dead in my tracks and beckoned me back. My glittery nemesis turned out to be Myriade, a Chanel Glossimer from the new Galaxy Collection. “I hope this lipgloss looks hideous on me,” I silently prayed as I unscrewed the cap and tested it on my hand. Dagnabit! The sheer, shimmery fruit punch shade looked even better on my tanned skin than it did in the tube, if that was even possible. Immediately, I turned on my heel and hightailed it out of there – before Myriade could show me any more of her tricks.

I thought I’d done good…until Myriade started haunting my dreams. “You just got paid. You can afford me,” Myriade, the siren, would sing. The next night, Myriade didn’t even say anything…she just sparkled at me. In the last dream, a la “It’s a Wonderful Life”, she showed me how pathetic my existence would be if I didn’t go back to the store and scoop her up. Well that did it…because the next day, on my lunch break, I went to Douglas and wouldn’t leave until I had me some Myriade.

Myriade and I often kid about the great lengths she went to for a sale…she’s sooooo manipulative and melodramatic. But I’ll give her this - while my life wouldn’t have been pathetic without her, she definitely has made it a little more sparkly. And isn’t that all a girl really needs from her lipgloss?

The Glossimer Galaxy Collection includes Myriade and her seven sisters:

Astral*
Big Bang*
Constellation*
Eclipse
Equinoxe
Galactic
Myriade
Sideral*

* These limited edition colors are only available through September.

Out of This World

A few weeks ago, I was at Macy’s with a justifiable excuse…I was shopping for work clothes. How responsible and grown-up of me. Well, before I even reached the pencil skirts and cardigans, I found myself perusing the cosmetic counters. I felt so mature when, after 10 minutes of “just looking”, I headed for the Petites department. That’s when it happened. I was just crossing the threshold into shoes when I saw some sparkles in my peripheral vision. I tried to ignore it, but the sparkles stopped me dead in my tracks and beckoned me back. My glittery nemesis turned out to be Myriade, a Chanel Glossimer from the new Galaxy Collection. “I hope this lipgloss looks hideous on me,” I silently prayed as I unscrewed the cap and tested it on my hand. Dagnabit! The sheer, shimmery fruit punch shade looked even better on my tanned skin than it did in the tube, if that was even possible. Immediately, I turned on my heel and hightailed it out of there – before Myriade could show me any more of her tricks.

I thought I’d done good…until Myriade started haunting my dreams. “You just got paid. You can afford me,” Myriade, the siren, would sing. The next night, Myriade didn’t even say anything…she just sparkled at me. In the last dream, a la “It’s a Wonderful Life”, she showed me how pathetic my existence would be if I didn’t go back to the store and scoop her up. Well that did it…because the next day, on my lunch break, I went to Douglas and wouldn’t leave until I had me some Myriade.

Myriade and I often kid about the great lengths she went to for a sale…she’s sooooo manipulative and melodramatic. But I’ll give her this - while my life wouldn’t have been pathetic without her, she definitely has made it a little more sparkly. And isn’t that all a girl really needs from her lipgloss?

The Glossimer Galaxy Collection includes Myriade and her seven sisters:

Astral*
Big Bang*
Constellation*
Eclipse
Equinoxe
Galactic
Myriade
Sideral*

* These limited edition colors are only available through September.

Go Nude!

You know that commercial where they say something like, "In your lifetime, you will spend 1 month brushing your teeth and 2.1 years sitting in traffic"? Well...it makes me wonder how much time an average woman spends seeking the elusive "holy grail" of nude lipstick/gloss.

Nude lips are tricky to pull off. Obviously, we ladies all come in a myriad of hues - so there is no 'one color fits all' nude lip look. Too pale of a nude leaves you looking like a cadaver from an episode of CSI. Choose a shade that too closely matches your complexion and it looks like your mouth has pulled a David Copperfield (the illusionist, aka David Seth Kotkin - not the Dickens character). And a nude that's too brown makes you look like you've been licking chocolate cake batter off the spatula. Mmmmm, chocolate. I digress.

Anyway, back to my point...a good nude is hard to find. This is where my addiction problem becomes your solution. I have found the nude lipsticks and glosses to help you perfect that J.Lo pout. Continue reading for the best beauty buys - at every price level. If you have a favorite nude to add to the list, post it in the comments section.

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Honey

Chanel Glossimer Lip Gloss in Unity

Fresh Lip Shine in Red Star

Lancome Juicy Tube Tropiques Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss in Bronzed Mocha

Loreal Color Juice Lip Gloss in Butterscotch Drop and Iced Latte

MAC Lipstick in Polished Up, Spice it Up, and Touch

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Deep Nude, Fleshtone, Raisin Rage, and Teak Rose

Sephora Harmony Gloss

Stila Lip Glaze in Blackberry*

* my "holy grail"

Go Nude!

You know that commercial where they say something like, "In your lifetime, you will spend 1 month brushing your teeth and 2.1 years sitting in traffic"? Well...it makes me wonder how much time an average woman spends seeking the elusive "holy grail" of nude lipstick/gloss.

Nude lips are tricky to pull off. Obviously, we ladies all come in a myriad of hues - so there is no 'one color fits all' nude lip look. Too pale of a nude leaves you looking like a cadaver from an episode of CSI. Choose a shade that too closely matches your complexion and it looks like your mouth has pulled a David Copperfield (the illusionist, aka David Seth Kotkin - not the Dickens character). And a nude that's too brown makes you look like you've been licking chocolate cake batter off the spatula. Mmmmm, chocolate. I digress.

Anyway, back to my point...a good nude is hard to find. This is where my addiction problem becomes your solution. I have found the nude lipsticks and glosses to help you perfect that J.Lo pout. Continue reading for the best beauty buys - at every price level. If you have a favorite nude to add to the list, post it in the comments section.

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Honey

Chanel Glossimer Lip Gloss in Unity

Fresh Lip Shine in Red Star

Lancome Juicy Tube Tropiques Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss in Bronzed Mocha

Loreal Color Juice Lip Gloss in Butterscotch Drop and Iced Latte

MAC Lipstick in Polished Up, Spice it Up, and Touch

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Deep Nude, Fleshtone, Raisin Rage, and Teak Rose

Sephora Harmony Gloss

Stila Lip Glaze in Blackberry*

* my "holy grail"