Lean Times

Friends, this post is not going to be about beauty. First off, I owe all you loyal readers an apology for the lack of updates these days. It's just one of those times when my day job (the one that pays my real life bills and my real life rent) demands far more of my attention than usual. With the economy the way it is, and banks collapsing left and right, I need to give my job 200% of my time

Lip Gloss for a Crap Economy

Somber times, darlings. Can you believe the news this morning with Lehman, Merrill Lynch, and AIG? Start stashing your cash under the mattress!Times like these call for a serious lipcolor, friends. No playful, flirty shimmer. Choose a lipcolor that means business -- Bobbi Brown Mauve Lip Gloss. (In the image at left, it's the middle lip gloss. Click to enlarge.)This gloss was part of the recent

The Grand Marnier Tan

This Bath & Body Works obsession of mine is really getting out of hand. Last year I made a proclamation that I was no longer going to be a beauty snob who snubs the store. Then, I decided that it would be better for my wallet to let my "impulse buys" happen at BBW instead of the beauty floor at Neiman Marcus.

And now I've been sucked in! I can't help it. But still, a $15 tube of self-tanner is

How Much Do You Tip Your Stylist?

I just watched a rerun of Curb Your Enthusiasm, the one where Larry screws up the Christmas tipping beyond belief (did he tip the gardener more than the housekeeper? Tip the waiter at the club twice? I love this show).It got me thinking about my favorite tipping dilemma...the hairstylist. To begin: I'm a straight 25% cash tipper. I've been going to the same stylist for MANY years, she's the only

Achieve Peace of Brow, and Mind, with Anastasia

With all the lofty marketing claims attached to new products these days, it's so refreshing to find something that wows you even though you have rather low expectations of it.I recently came into possession of a tube of Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear, and my first reaction was "ehhhh. Repackaged clear mascara for several times the price. Pass!"But when getting ready for a wedding last month, I

Serge Lutens Satisfies My Fall Fragrance Cravings

So, Labor Day weekend is out of the way (hope all my US readers had a fab long weekend!) so now I can talk unapologetically about my favorite topic...you guessed it...FALL. I know the season doesn't "officially" start until the autumnal equinox later this month, but Labor Day weekend is as good a marker as any. A new season has begun.And with that season comes...fall fragrance! It makes me a bit