Holiday Gift Guide: For the Decadent Diva

For the gal who has it all, here's a round-up of superluxe loot to match her superluxe lifestyle. These gifts cost the earth (especially the last one!), but when you're going there... you need a guide, n'est-ce pas? Check it:








Jo Malone Candle Trousseau ($595)
The Candle Trousseau contains a suite of Jo Malone's FAMOUSLY gorge-smelling candles in signature scents and is presented in a stately leather jewel box and accompanied with a sterling candlesnuffer, wick trimmer and key. So you can keep that shiz on lockdown.







La Mer's Crème de la Crème ($1390)
This set gives me the VAPORS. Inspired by the sea, this mother-of-pearl box is home to a sumptuous jar (16.5oz) of the original Crème that inspired a cult following. To speak "7Eleven," it's the Big Gulp of La Mer jars. The Crème de la Crème is a limited-edition offering. Is it not the fabulousness? And paying rent is so 2007, right?






Bond No. 9's Swarovski Crystallized Amphora ($3,500) Let's be serious: no one NEEDS this. Okay, maybe Paris Hilton needs it. But it is just. so. sparkly. This 42 oz amphora vitrine is covered with 16,500 hand-applied platinum Swarovski stones. Not to forget the bottle top—an elliptical mirror with honeycomb base. Boasts the Bond No. 9 signature and a handy golden spigot. You can choose the bottle's contents from among their 32 gorge scents. This bedazzlement comes in a white patent leather gift case, also adorned with crystals.

Change for America, Change for your Skin

I'm so looking forward to this country's new administration and was very impressed by Barack Obama's humble victory speech and John McCain's classy concession speech. I'm ready for change, and I'm ready to meet the First Puppy! Last night was historic and I'm so happy and proud for America.

But you know what else is historic? This vile acne scar which established residency on my right cheek for YEARS. I also have a new, irritating burn which is becoming a scar from last week when I burned my upper arm with a curling iron as I was Betty Drapering out for Halloween. But luckily for me, I recently found out about La Mer The Concentrate ($350), which was designed for fragile, post-trauma skin on the face and body.

The product is a favorite of Emily Katz, makeup artist for LOST. As she told me in a recent interview, "La Mer is one of the companies whose products I adore. The Concentrate has healed some scars that no one thought would disappear. It's truly fantastic." Says Emily, "We use the hand cream, eye balms and moisturizer as well." Stay tuned for the full interview! Emily is so generously (it's a Katz thing!) providing me answers to my extensive list of questions on-location from the set in Oahu, Hawaii! The hilarious Parisjasmal suggested that I ask whether dead sexy Matthew Fox has soft skin, because he does when she caresses him... in her dreams. P, I feel the SAME way.

Anywho, back to The Concentrate: after three weeks of nightly use, my acne scar has significantly faded. It's not gone, but it's on its way out. Even my newer curling iron injury is looking much better.

The secret is in the cocktail of the most precious and effective marine and plant extracts working in synergy with the Miracle Broth™. This blend helps damaged skin renew and rebuild its appearance. Special barrier repair ingredients act as lipid "cellular cement" to help strengthen vulnerable skin. The Miracle Broth™, Lime Tea, marine and plant extracts are suspended together within a breathable barrier to deliver their healing properties.

When used as a primer, this matte, silky serum allows my makeup to positively glide on beautifully, and also gives my skin a gorge, glowy radiance. The only bad news is that it IS egregiously expensive. And for that reason, I save it just for scars and burns. But if I had a sugar daddy, you'd best believe that making it my daily primer would be one of the MAJAH changes I'd make in my lifestyle.

Available at cremedelamer.com.

The Best "Every Day" Sunblocks for Layering Over Moisturizer

Girls, in a perfect world, all of your fave moisturizers would come packed with their own SPF a million. I find that the best ones are often lacking sunscreen, so I've looked far and wide to find some that are light enough to layer well with my moisturizer so I don't FEEL like I'm wearing two lotions on top of one another. Which is, in essence, what I'm doing. But I don't want a gloppy mess of creams on my FACIAL, you know? You do. Here are my recs:

Elemis Liquid Layer Sunblock SPF 30 ($39) The fantastic Larissa at the Elemis counter at Bergdorf Goodman recommended this little gem for me to try and I'm so glad she did. It's extremely light and gentle on my skin. It contains antioxidants AND is waterproof. Make it part of your daily routine.


La Mer The SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid ($65) This one's a little pricier, but the formula is so to die, I couldn't not bring it up. It includes Hollow Photonic Spheres to scatter light, creating an aura of luminosity. This lotion is also designed with The Smart Seaweed Ferment which attracts moisture to the skin to create a protective, emollient barrier. Use it and send dehydration the way of our former thriving economy.





CHANEL UV Essentiel SPF 30+ ($48) This one combines plant- and mineral-based extracts to effectively shield your grill from aggro UVA/UVB rays. The formula boasts Licorice Extract, which fades current dark spots. Best of all? CHANEL has thought of everything: mattifying agents abound, making it perf as a summer makeup partner.

Oscars 2009 Beauty: Amy Adams

Makeup artist Molly Stern created Amy Adams' look, inspired by a cross between Talouse Latrec's dancing girls and the watercolor feeling of a Gustav Klimt painting. Here's the how-to:

Molly started by prepping her face with Jurlique Citrus Spray to give the face a healthy lift then she gave Amy a light facial massage with La Mer’s The Moisturizing Lotion.

Next she based her face with YSL Perfect Touch #2. Then, Molly blushed her cheeks with Chantecaille Aqua Blush in Frivolous as a peachy base with Chantecaille Sesame peach eyeshadow over top.

Her eyes were based with NARS cream eyeshadow in Maracaibo. Over that, Molly blended Shu Uemura shadow in Gray 960 mixed with Shu Uemura shadow in Purple 700 all over the lid up into the crease. With a flat shadow brush she added a touch of NARS shadow in Ondine on the inside corner of her lid. Then she lined the top and underneath of her eye with Trish McEvoy's Arabian nights definer. To soften the line underneath Molly added a soft smudge of Suqqu lavender shadow in #27. On her lashes Molly applied a soft coat of CoverGirl's exacts eyelights in Black Ruby.

Molly based Amy's lips with La Mer The Lip Balm then applied a thin coat of Outlast Lipstain by CoverGirl in 410. Then a sheer layer of Shu Uemura wine lip color in 265 with a dot of CoverGirl's Plum Crazy Wetslicks at the center of her lip for a little extra pout. Amy took that along in her bag for touch ups.

Darphin Launches New Age Defying Lip Balm

Darphin is launching their new Age Defying Lip Balm ($40) and it's being previewed at Bergdorf on Friday, January 23rd and Saturday, January 24th at the Darphin counter on the Beauty Level of Bergdorf Goodman.

Customers who scoop up the lip balm at the preview will be able to have it hand painted with floral designs and their name/initials by local artist Olivia Wolfe, compliments of Darphin. As someone who simply ADORES anything personalized, I LOVE this news. And? Since this is a lip balm your friends are guaranteed to try and swipe from you, the monogramming will keep those sticky-fingered friends at bay.

The Age Defying Lip Balm smells delish with its warm vanilla scent, and boasts an incred texture I'd compare to my all time favorite lip balm, La Mer's The Lip Balm. It's a great base for lipstick but also naturally matte on its own.

Jim, are you listening? Jim's on an eternal quest for the ultimate non-glossy balm. I think this one's it!

Laura Linney and Christina Applegate at the Golden Globes

Yesterday, makeup artist Joanna Schlip began the looks she created for nominees Christina Applegate and Laura Linney with La Mer's The Moisurizing Lotion and The Lip Balm and kept the ladies looking red-carpet ready with The Mist.

Christina Applegate's Look: The Products

Skin Care: La Mer The Mist, La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion, La Mer The Lip Balm
Foundation: DiorSkin Pure Light in Cameo
Concealer: Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen in Candlelight
Powder: Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Pressed Powder in Warm Beige
Bronzer: Physician's Formula Bronze Booster in Light to Medium
Blush: Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin 2-in-1 Bronzer and Blush in Bronzer and Ginger
Eye Shadow: Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Vegas Strip
Eye Liner: Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker in Cool Black / Dior Crayon Eyeliner - Waterproof Trinidad Black 094 (Jet Black)
Brows: Dior Powder Brow Pencil in Blonde
Mascara: DiorShow
Lips: Dior Contour Lip Liner in Holiday Red / Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in 757 / Red Premiere Rouge Dior Replenishing Lipcolor
Highlights / Contour: Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Illuminating Veil in Warming Glow / Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin 2-in-1 Bronzer and Blush in Bronzer and Ginger
Body: MAC Strobe Cream


Laura Linney's Look: The Products

Skin Care: La Mer The Mist, La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion, La Mer The Lip Balm
Foundation: DiorSkin Pure Light in Light Beige
Concealer: DiorSkin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer in Beige
Powder: Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Pressed Powder in Buff Beige Organics
Bronzer: Physician's Formula Bronze Booster in Light to Medium
Blush: Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin 2-in-1 Bronzer and Blush in Light Bronzer / Pink Rose
Eye Shadow: Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Miami Strip
Eye Liner: Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker in Soft Black / Dior Crayon Eyeliner - Waterproof Trinidad Black 094 (Jet Black)
Brows: Dior Powder Brow Pencil in Blonde
Mascara: DiorShow
Lips: Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in A Lick of Taffy / Dior Contour Lip Liner in Nude Rose
Highlights / Contour: Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Sunkissed Glow (Highlighter) / Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin 2-in-1 Bronzer and Blush in Light Bronzer / Pink Rose
Body: MAC Strobe Cream