Manolo for the Beauty

I think that even if I was young enough to wear feathers in my hair, I still wouldn’t.

And to be honest, there are truly few beauty trends that I feel are for young ‘uns only, but hair feathers definitely fall into that camp.

Or maybe it’s because every single time I see the “new” incarnation, I automatically think of these:

Yup. If you don’t know what the above item is called, then I pronounce you young enough to wear feather extensions.

You know, I can kind of get behind this.

Iconic French brand Clarins has partnered with Lauren Bush, benefiting the United Nations World Food Programme. 

For $30 (a $40 value), you can buy a specially produced FEED Bag, which contains one each of Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, Moisture-Rich Body Lotion and Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector.  The proceeds of each sale will purchase 15 meals for a child in need.  Their goal is to feed one million children in a span of two years. Found exclusively at Nordstrom’s.

Oh sure, it was all over the fall runways, but is anybody REALLY down with spider lashes?  I mean, besides the few people who are going to embrace beauty trends no matter what.

I can honestly say that this is one trend I won’t be embracing. 

Mainly because I’m picky with which trends I choose to follow, and looking like I am in desperate need of a lash comb is not currently one of them.

The LA Times reports that there are currently lash products out there to assist you in your quest for arachnid-like lashes, such as Lancome’s Hypnose Doll Eyes and MAC’s Opulash Optimum.

Meh, maybe I’ll try it on Halloween.

Well, well, Dior is certainly coming out gangbusters this year with the collectible palettes, are they not? 

As a tribute to the Lady Dior bag, as modeled with the beautiful Marion Cotillard, Dior is releasing a beyond-exclusive palette.

Of course, methinks nobody in their right mind would actually use this palette, as one tiny swipe would likely ruin the whole thing.  But, I appreciate the workmanship and artistry that went into the making of each palette, which was all done by hand.

What do you think of “collectible” palettes?  A really cruddy investment? Fine if you’ve got the money to burn? 

And, I wonder exactly how long a makeup palette would last, anyway.  I’m guessing that to keep it in prime condition, you wouldn’t open it if you could help it.   Otherwise, I would be afraid of something happening to it.  If I spent that much money, I’d be paranoid that even a tiny bit of exposure to oxygen would hasten its demise.

Coming to a Sephora near you in August and department stores in September.  This collection is an homage to Dior muse and creative director Mitzah Bricard, who was known for her penchant for leopard patterns.  There is also an eyeshadow palette and a brown DiorShow mascara which completes the collection.

I’m kind of loving the dark nail polish, but I think the lighter one would look quite hideous on me.  As for the palette pictured, I’m not sold.  I think it is lovely to look at, but I wouldn’t want to own one as a collector’s item.

WANT!

WANT! WANT! WANT!

I love everything about this color palette from Bobbi Brown, from the packaging to the colors. It will be part of a tortoiseshell collection, including a palette with lighter colors, lipstick, and some tortoiseshell brushes coming out in July for fall 2011.

via

In my daily life, I’m not really much of a hairspray person.

I only use hairspray on special occasions, and lately, whenever I put my hair up in a ponytail or bun because I wind up looking a lot like this:

Minus the vat.

Most days.

So I’d heard a bunch about Elnett hairspray from L’Oreal, and recently saw it at my local Tar-jay.  It had been unvailable here in the US for forever, and finally it was decided that we could purchase it here in the US without need of bribing any European relatives. They had a  travel size, as compared to the big huge one, so I decided to see what the hype was all about.

It is true that this hairspray delivers firm hold but doesn’t make your hair tacky.  Love that.  You can also brush your hair and the hold will still be there, which I like a lot. 

This stuff comes out of the botttle at a million miles an hour, so beware of using too much.  It’s easy to do.  But the mist is fine and easy to direct.

My one point of dissatisfaction?  Lordy, does this stuff smell.  It smellls like a hundred elderly ladies getting their hair done at old-fashioned beauty parlor.  It is entirely possible to choke while applying the product, the smell is that overpowering.  And it doesn’t go away, much to my chagrin.  I could smell it hours later, and to me that is a huge minus.  I have a very sensitive nose, and the smell kept wafting around me the entire day and it made me want to go take a shower and wash it out.

So.

Fantastic product, does a fabulous job at holding hair where you want it.

But beware the fumes!

There is a no-fragrance version, but good luck finding it here in the US for a reasonable price.

Only a lonely 4% of you loved Katy Perry’s frighteningly realistic royal nail art.  73% proclaimed them fit for naught, and 22% of you liked them even though you questioned why.  I sort of fell in with that 22% because while I thought they were tack-to-the-capital-y, I appreciated the effort that went into them.

I was recently browsing through the Sephora site, as I do much too often than is probably healthy, I saw the newest gewgaw in the Hello Kitty line.  It was a palette named “Memoirs of a Kitty.”

I rolled my eyes, as I didn’t think it wasn’t even all that clever and not really a pun.

I have to admit being very intrigued by the idea of some cat’s eyes done in a color other than black.

LOVE purple eyeshadow.

Ditto yellow/gold eyeshadow.

However, I think we can all agree this isn’t a look we’ll be seeing at our local Target any time soon.

images via

A while ago, I pointed out that it seemed middle parts were making a comeback as seen on the runways at New York Fashion Week.  And indeed, along with the resurgence in 70’s influenced style, the middle part has found its way back onto the heads of women everywhere.

Well, not everywhere.

Because if there is one certainty I have in life, it is that I look horrific with a middle part.

Kudos to you blessed ones that can make it work, but I find that it is so severe looking that it usually makes the wearer look older.   Not having bangs in the first place can be a somewhat severe look as it is, and when you add a middle part, it can be a one way ticket to aged flower child if you aren’t careful.  I’m not saying it can’t look good, I’m just saying it is harder to pull off, especially if your hair is straight, long and one length.

I did sport a middle part back in the day, but that was in the actual 1970’s, and I was probably about eight and had little say about my hair at that time.  Thanks Mom, for the ugly memories! Yes, now I have Brooklyn Decker’s haircut, but one basic difference is that I part mine on the side.  Pssst, Brooklyn, it looks much better that way!

I know the middle part is supposed to go hand in hand with the latest bohemian-inspired looks, but the last time I looked even vaguely bohemian was when I dressed as a gypsy for Halloween in fifth grade.  Bohemian and Glinda don’t go together.  At all. 

Are you for or against middle parts?

P.S. Is it just me or does Fergie actually have some orange in her eyebrows up there?  Please tell me I’m imagining it.  Either way, girlfriend needs to use some different eyebrow powder, methinks.  Unless she is really digging the orange trend and then, uh, good for her?