If you ogled at the vast array of holiday gift sets from Bare Escentuals, you were likely seduced by the BE BUXOM Samantha Smoky Eye 4-piece collection, which features a Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Samantha (a sultry nude hue), a BUXOM Smoky Eye Brush to smudge and manipulate creamy liner along the lash line and lids, a tube of BUXOM Lash Mascara in Blackest Black, and — drum roll, please!
Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Dolce & Gabbana launched its Light Blue fragrance?
If I had to pick a single beauty collection to highlight on as momentous an occasion as the eve before the dawn of a new year, when the air is rife with hope and the promise of new beginnings, I’d choose the enchanting Yves Saint Laurent Holiday 2010 collection.
From her pink-haired, mid-riff baring days as the lead singer of No Doubt to the early days of her solo career, when she dyed her hair platinum blond and donned low-rise houndstooth print pants, Rasta-colored wristbands and knit caps, and printed hooded sweatshirts, to her current more glamorous look, which involved oversize shades, tons of plaid and chevron prints, bold platform heels and boots, and camo print details, Gwen Stefani has more than earned her spot among the most influential style icons of our day.
Almost three decades before Lady Gaga bewitched audiences with her outlandish costumes, New Wave/dance singer Grace Jones set the bar for lovable eccentricity, donning embellished face masks and sculptural, gravity-defying hats and headpieces; bucking traditional gender norms by rocking a masculine, cropped, flat top ‘do, along with blazers with squared shoulders; toying with dominatrix motifs through leather bustiers, fishnet tights, come-hitter platform heels, and figure-hugging leotards; wearing wire armor ensembles; and generally advancing the avant-garde agenda.
She may not be “rocking gold teeth and fangs” just yet, but there’s no denying Nicki Minaj is a monster — whether she’s Dutty Winin’ it, vowing revenge via her British Roman Zolanski alter ego, or keeping everything sparklier than a marquis with her Harajuku Barbie persona, the Trinidad-born rapper is vying to “remain where the top begins,” as she rhymed in her song “Fly.” Hate her or love her, she’s the most relevant, buzzy female MC in ages — which is why powerhouse brand MAC Cosmetics decided to tap Minaj to design her very own limited-edition lipstick.
For the third installment of this year’s gift guide, which is inspired by female music icons (as you know from last week’s ode to Pat Benatar and the previous tribute to Janelle Monae’s equestrian-meets-funk style), we’re focusing on British pop star Lily Allen.
A smoky eye look doesn’t have to be limited to dusky grays, charcoal blacks, and silvery or gunmetal metallics.
Shopping should never be a drag, especially when you’re looking for holiday gifts that will bring a smile to a loved one’s face.
Back in March, I raved about Hourglass Cosmetics, beauty expert Carisa Janes’ range of cosmetics, which was landing in Sephora stores at that time (an enormous coup for any independent brand).
