I recently stumbled on Rococo Nail Apparel, a cult brand that was once only privy to beauty insiders and salons.  On a trip to Bloomingdale’s in Soho, I discovered this nail lacquer that has now become my latest obsession.  Ringing in at $ 16 a pop, Rococo isn’t cheap but neither is the formula.

Have you ever fallen in love with a nail color upon seeing the bottle, only to be disappointed by the color when you actually opened it to apply? Well you won’t with the Rococo nail polish formula, which is highly pigmented so what you see is what you get.  The brand has oodles of brilliant brights, precious pastels, wispy nudes and browns and neon colors to adorn your fingers and toes.  Go check it out at your local Bloomingdales on your next shopping trip. You won’t be disappointed.

There is something so elegant about long opera gloves, which has the power to transform an outfit into something ultra glamorous.  For his Fall/Winter 2012 collection for Lanvin, Alber Elbaz accessorized many of his pieces with long leather and suede gloves.  These gloves were then accessorized with ornate cuffs and bangles.  This look was definitely overt but you can make a statement with just these feminine gloves alone.

Long leather gloves don’t come cheap; most will run you upwards of $ 1,200 but you can snag some for as little as $ 130 at Barneys.  If you are on a budget, opt for long silk or satin opera length gloves, which go past the wrist and up to the elbow or up the bicep.  Channeling your inner Jackie Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn is a cinch with many of the gloves I’ve picked out below.  You can wear gloves with a cocktail length dress or take an evening gown to new heights.  You just need to have the confidence to wear it proudly.

FACE

Choose your perfect shade in Dior DiorSkin Nude Natural Glow Crème-Gel, apply this Creme-gel foundation lightly with a sponge build where more coverage is needed.

Dior Blush in Peachy Keen is perfect for this natural glow.  Highlight the top of the cheek, nose and forehead with Diorskin Poudre Shimmer in Rose Diamond.

EYES

Read more…

Come March 2012, Bebe shoppers can get their wedding dresses at the store that sells contemporary going out clothes.  The high street brand announced earlier this month that it had secured Project Runway runner-up and fan favorite Rami Kashou to design its bridal collection.

Today, Instyle magazine gave us a sneak peak at three dresses that made the cut.  Ranging in price from $ 950 to $ 2,500, these dresses are designed for mass appeal.  The dresses aren’t half as bad and not as vampy as the cocktail frocks Bebe usually stocks.  Brides on a moderate budget can get their hands on mermaid gowns, strapless styles and BCBG-esque layered dresses.  So what say you ladies? Love or hate?

Yes, the article of clothing I most covet right this minute is a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim jersey with Albert Pujols’ name on it. In fact, the quick-thinking folks at Major League Baseball’s Angels’ online team store posted a photo of a Pujols’ No. 5 jersey next to the Angels’ logo on Thursday when the slugger’s acquisition by my favorite team was announced. But when I clicked on the icon, I was taken to a plain jersey I could customize with the name and number of my choice for $ 99.99. And if that name and number just happen to be Pujols’…. Not a bad idea for a holiday gift for Angels diehards.  Meanwhile, the bricks and mortar store at Honda Center whipped up a limited number of the replica jerseys and sold them to some lucky fans Thursday, as my colleague Diane Pucin reported. Others were told to come back Saturday.

Dockers announced a somewhat unlikely celebrity spokesman for its rather tame brand: “Man vs. Wild” star Bear Grylls. Grylls is usually seen on the Discovery channel show in situations such as the one above. The Dockers ads were shot in the wilds of NYC’s Central Park. In any event, Grylls reportedly likes the ease and comfort of the brand’s khakis. [WWD]

Meanwhile Audrina Partridge announced that she is ending her two-year run as celebrity spokesmodel for the Bongo clothing label. She plans to start her own fashion line next year. [People]

Read more…

See Hailee. See Hailee Steinfeld. See Hailee Steinfeld sitting on a railroad track, dressed in Prada-owned Miu Miu. See Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority banning the ad because Steinfeld is only 14 years old and photographed in a “potentially life-threatening situation.”

No, it’s not a joke.

The star of “True Grit” was photographed by Bruce Weber, a well-known photographer and moviemaker. A Prada Retail UK spokesperson told the Guardian that the ad campaign was  “part of a serious, high-fashion campaign aimed at adult women.”

Read more…