2008 December | New York Designer

Brand: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy
Product: Sheerest Cream Bronzer – Miami Glow

I am a fair skinned gal. I’m not ashamed of it. I accept it. For the most part, I don’t mind. Sure, there was that period in the early part of the millennium where everyone seemed to be sporting an orange glow, from insipid actresses like Lindsay Lohan to Acadamy Award winning screen sirens like Charlize Theron. But, surely the Oompah Loompah look is easier to carry off when you’re either stoned or encased in a form fitting sheath and accessorized with an Oscar statuette. Well, the strongest drug that I take is Nyquil. Most days I’m wearing an apron and accessorized with a spatula. The Oompah Loompah look just isn’t for me.
Actresses like Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon have given us fair skinned gals some hope. But, I must admit that sometimes in the dead of winter I become a bit self-conscious about my lack of pigment. Fair skin can be pretty, sure….but blue veins under the eyes? Not so much. The problem is that I don’t believe in tanning, self-tanners turn me orange, and powder bronzers make me look either dirty or like a disco ball.
I recently began using a sheer cream bronzer by Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy. I found it at CVS for $11.99. As I’ve posted before, I’m a fan of Carmindy and her show What Not to Wear. I’m also a huge advocate of her new affordable makeup line with Sally Hansen. I have purchased, used and loved several items from her line, but I held out on the cream bronzer because, frankly, the concept scared me. I’d never used a cream bronzer before and I worried about its blendability. As it turned out, I needn’t have worried or held out so long. This stuff rocks. It comes with an angled brush that you sweep lightly across the compact. Applied and blended into the temples, cheekbones and the bridge of my nose it created a color so subtle and natural I needed a chair to sit down in. Seriously, I was that blown away. No sparkles, no glitter no muddiness to speak of. The texture is phenomenal. You won’t feel it at all and it won’t cause any breakouts. I’ve worn it over both cream and mineral foundations with nary a problem. The pot is also generous and comes in three different colors to match your skintone. Fair skinned girls this is your Holy Grail. Search no longer.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

Today through Fri., 12/19 – Showroom Seven
Featuring pieces from Olra Kiely, Issa London, Erickson Beamon, Charlotte Ronson, and more at more than 50 percent off retail prices.
Place & Time: 263 11th Ave., nr. W. 28th St., third fl. (212-643-4810); Mon.– Fri. (10–7).

Today through 1/20 – Boom Boom Beauty Bar
They’re throwing a “Say Good-Bye to Bush Sale,” offering bikini waxes at 25 percent off until Inauguration Day. Also, landing strips, Bermuda triangles, and skinny dippers will be $20 to $49.
Place & Time: 35 Seventh Ave., nr. 13th St. (212-229-2666); Mon.–Fri. (11–7), Sat. (10–6), Sun. (closed).

Tues & Wed – Pink Tartan
Save 60 percent on skirts, dresses, blouses, pants, and coats at the Pink Tartan holiday sale.
Place & Time: 416 W. 13th St., nr. Washington St., Ste. 303 (212-242-3541); Tues.–Wed. (8–7).

Wed through Fri – Betsey Johnson
WooHooo….our fave sample sale! Description: Up to 75% off end of year markdowns — featured deals:
Strawberry printed canvas weekender bag was $128, now $30.
Tartan Printed chiffon wrap dress $280, now $50.
Leather studded hobo with chain straps, was $365, now $90.
Evening all over sequin party sheath dress was $430, now $75.
Ruffled Crochet cropped cotton cardigan was $220, now $35.
Place & Time: 145 W. 44th St. 6th Floor, NYC, 10 a.m.-8 p.m

12/18–12/20 – The News Showroom
They’re unloading its roster of men’s and women’s clients—Cheap Monday, Clu, Millions of Smiles, and Sea—for 50 to 70 percent off.
Place & Time: 495 Broadway, nr. Broome St., fifth fl. (212-925-9700); Thurs.–Fri. (10–6), Sat. (10–5).

Ongoing – Phillip Lim
Men’s and women’s fall ready-to-wear collections from 3.1 Phillip Lim are 40 percent off. Plus, Kid by Phillip Lim is 30 percent off.
Place & Time: 115 Mercer St., nr. Spring St. (212-334-1160); Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

Upcoming
12/27–1/10 Agent Provocateur
The coolest racy underthings are half off; the Bridgette bra is $65.
Place & Time: 133 Mercer St., nr. Prince St. (212-965-0229); Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

It was inevitable. The short puffer is now on our radar. The full length cuts just aren’t working for us.

I’ll say it again…these coats have to be the most unstylish thing EVER created. Yet we need one…badly. We need one primarily because it’s only December and if what we saw last week is a quick preview of what’s on the menu for this winter, our current selection of outerwear is not going to cut it.

We’re liking the pop of color in this waist-cut puffer but there’s still not a whole lot of razzle in it.

and this little number is a whopping $659, ON SALE! It definitely has the most style. It definitely caught our eye. Thing is, we can’t justify laying down that much $$ for a coat we’re not that keen on buying in the first place. We must say though, if you’re a fan of puffers – this one is a keeper.

The other contender is blue. We chose this for our short list simply because it comes in a color other than white, brown or black.

We’re headed to Montreal in 11 days and still remain pufferless. *sigh*

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