As much as I like the idea of working beside Vampire Pam behind the bar at Fangtasia this fall, sometimes the look — the stilettos and skin-tight leather from head to toe, the super serious smokey eyes, and the jewel-toned shadow shades — is a little too, well, much for me.
So, this afternoon, I hit the pause button on the kinds of rich colors and intense shades we’ve been seeing a lot for fall, and spent a little time with the dainty, nice nudes in the new Dolce & Gabbana Lace collection.
The 10-piece release is all about bronzed skin and nude lips and nails, and the packaging? — oh, the packaging…
I just lurve lace. 🙂 I kinda wish all of Dolce & Gabbana’s makeup had this same limited-edition packaging.
Here’s a quick peek at three pieces from the collection…
From the left: Intenseyes Black Intensity Mascara ($31), Ultra Shine Gloss in Perfection ($32) and Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink ($22)
Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink ($22)
If you’re getting married soon, consider classic, soft pink Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink ($22) for your tips or toes. Creamy, smooth and semi-sheer, it’s a little like Essie’s Ballet Slippers, but much, much smoother.
I’m wearing two coats here, but I’m sure I could have gotten away with one. Yes, the color isn’t altogether unique, but I think it’s perfectly executed.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Two coats of Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink
Ultra-Shine Lipgloss in Perfection ($32)
On my lips, creamy beige Ultra-Shine Lipgloss in Perfection ($32) feels thick, but not sticky, and it has Dolce & Gabbana’s signature rose flavor and scent. It’s one of the smoothest beige glosses I’ve ever tried, and I can totally see it cruising down a red carpet below a shimmery gray smokey eye.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Ultra Shine Gloss in Perfection swatch
Ultra Shine Gloss in Perfection on my lips
Intenseyes Black Intensity Mascara ($31)
Intenseyes Black Intensity Mascara ($31) lengthens lashes while stretching them up and out. Two coats leave my fringe feeling like soft, slight feathers. Great for natural-looking lashes with a kick. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Wearing two coats of Intenseyes Black Intensity Mascara on my lashes
If you see anything you like, you can find the Lace collection at Saks Fifth Avenue stores and online at saksfifthavenue.com.
Olympic swimwear and cellar sword fighters
Have you noticed anything different about the Olympic swimming events this year? Shorter swimsuits, perhaps?
They are shorter, aren’t they? I thought I remembered full-length suits back at the Beijing games, so I did some googling today and found this L.A. Times article on technological advances in swimsuits.
Apparently, the model many swimmers were wearing in Beijing, the Speedo 2008 LZR Racer series, a full-length bodysuit developed in conjunction with NASA that featured polyurethane panels and layered textiles to trap air for buoyancy, is now banned and considered a form of “technological doping,” since it’s been shown to give an edge to those who wear it.
Fascinating!
Okay, now where’s my suit like that? NASA? If you built a suit for landlubbers that helped us move faster and exert less energy, I’d be all over that, LOL!
One last thing before we reach the hump! — I’ve had this Alex Clare song stuck in my head all day…
Too Close, by Alex Clare
Love the tune, but what’s up with the kendo guys battling it out in the cellar? 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
All very pretty products for sure! Liking the looks of that mascara especially!
Yeah, it’s really pretty. And it feels great on the lashes, too!
The tech swim suits are so fun to race in, but take foreeeeever to put on ! I know, I swam for the last eight years!
Oh, I bet it’s hard to get into those things! They look really, really snug.
What’s your event, Nicole?
It’s butterfly, and all of the events for it, so 100 and 200, it’s terrible but for some reason I have to be good at the hardest stroke haha
I love how that gloss looks, just the perfect touch of brightness!
Hi Larissa,
Totally. I love me a good beige. 🙂
These are nice, especially that gloss–but what I’m really excited about is that lacy compact they have in the collection. I don’t even know what it’s FOR (bronzer? Or highlighter I think…)–it’s just so damn pretty, I WANT IT!! 😛
Hi Becca,
It’s a bronzer!
I usually put a lot of focus on my eyes, so I like to keep my lips simple. This nude lip is definitely something I’d do! And the nail polish looks great, too. Likey likey!
Yay, glad you are enjoying this launch!
This nude collection looks really pretty!!
Super pretty!
I love the polish (I know, shocking). 🙂
That’s some cool info about the suits – it’s amazing that something small like that can make such a difference in performance. Who would have thought?
Honestly, I need one of those suits for every day life. My muscles could use the extra oxygen as I’m sitting upright in my computer chair, hahaha!
I’m with you, except that instead of conserving energy I’d like a suit that burns more calories while I’m sitting here! Who ever invents that is going to be a kazillionaire. 🙂
LOL @ the video. I sent the link over to the Hubs as he will find this amusing.
Nude lips are the perfect foil for the jewel tones of fall makeup – so D&G’s idea is pure genius!
The video is just so weird! Why are those dudes fighting in a cellar? And why is the singer just chillin’ out in his sweater and his cap? LOL!
I dont get it, not even after watching the vid 3x. Weird!!!
The Hubs said “Whaaaaa???” LOL!
i really like the photos you take 🙂
Thank you!
When I read the post title, I thought “oh no, not nude nails again!”… but actually to my surprise I love this polish, very natural and fresh. I think what I really dislike is beige-ish nude polish, light pink is cuter.
The gloss also looks perfect on you!
I love it all, which is weird because I usually stay away from nude lips ( especially glosses) and light pink anything. These pair beautifully with a smokey eye. You look both sexy and classy.