The Color Of French Lingerie: OPI Ticle My France (Fall 2008)

I’m not ready for summer to be over. But there’s something about fall collections, fall fashion and September editions of all the magazines that even I find exciting. OPI took it to the max with their fall/winter La Collection De France, which (unlike …

Related Stores

Continue reading → The Color Of French Lingerie: OPI Ticle My France (Fall 2008)

An American Blogger In Paris: Etat Libre d’Orange

Our last full day in Paris (or actually, our supposed last one. We ended up staying another day because of a cancelled flight and airline delays, not that it did us any good, being stuck in an sub-par airport hotel that had no wireless connection) was …

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: Etat Libre d’Orange

Essie Nail Polish Fall Collection

There are several innovative new nail polish collections for fall, but the one from Essie is not one of them. Don’t get me wrong: it’s very pretty, the quality is great, they all have a nice glossy finish and look great. The colors are very classic and…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Essie Nail Polish Fall Collection

Smashbox Wicked Lovely Gloss in Sultry: Making It Work

Smashbox Wicked Lovely series has beautiful, goth-inspired packaging. If you overdo it it can get very Elvira very fast, but I’m sure we can all show the required restraint. I chose to focus on the lips.The sexy dark look can be difficult to achieve, a…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Smashbox Wicked Lovely Gloss in Sultry: Making It Work

More Celeb Nails: Charlize Does Black

I don’t know how I feel about this black (or is it the darkest navy? I looked at several photos and it mostly looks black) nail polish Charlize Theron was sporting yesterday at a Tokyo event. I’m also not crazy about the black bra under a sheer beige t…

Related Stores

Continue reading → More Celeb Nails: Charlize Does Black

Fall Inspiration: Sue Devitt Sea Spray Fall 2008 Collection

What inspires designers when working on a fall collection?Autumn leaves, darker days, harvest colors.And, apparently, the sea.The image above (click on it for a full size view) is taken from Barneys newsletter about Sue Devitt’s fall makeup collection….

Related Stores

Continue reading → Fall Inspiration: Sue Devitt Sea Spray Fall 2008 Collection

The Darker Lips Of Fall- Rouge Dior Fiction Brown

We’re back to discussing the new fall collections in all their dark lip glory. Before we go hardcore with the vampy colors, there’s still an elegant option from Dior, even if many of you thought that the Dandy look, at least the way it was officially i…

Related Stores

Continue reading → The Darker Lips Of Fall- Rouge Dior Fiction Brown

Currently

BookRequiem, Mass. by John Dufrense. The tragi-comic story of a dysfubctional family. I haven’t read his previous novels, but now I absolutely have to find them. This book takes you places.SongWhite Winter Hymnal- Fleet Foxes. Their album is the one ne…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Currently

Ask the Non-Blonde: Makeup For The Beach

Lynn from Philly is asking:” I’m about to spend a couple of weeks on the Jersey Shore, and while I’d hate to look tacky and overdone, I’m no longer comfortable walking around all day with bare face. At my age it’s more frumpy than cute. What ca…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Ask the Non-Blonde: Makeup For The Beach

Let’s hope the people at Lauder have a healthy sense of humor

From Yahoo news.http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080814/earns_estee_lauder.html?.v=1Edit: The link now shows that they fixed their typo. My screen capture above is how it appeared originally.Copyright ©2006-2008 The Non-Blonde, under the author’s name. Content…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Let’s hope the people at Lauder have a healthy sense of humor

Good And Bad Hair Days: Sebastian Whipped Creme

Sorry. I just had to post this picture of Tyra Banks and her crazy crimped hair. Suddenly it’s 1984 all over again.For those of us who prefer their hair untoasted, there’s something better.I haven’t used any curl enhancing products in a very long time….

Related Stores

Continue reading → Good And Bad Hair Days: Sebastian Whipped Creme

So… - Donna Karan Chaos, Old And New

A brief history of Chaos Theory:Once upon a time, before Donna Karan perfumes became an endless chain of Be Delicious flankers, each one with its own plastic fruit note, there were some original and interesting creations in unusually beautiful bottles….

Related Stores

Continue reading → So… - Donna Karan Chaos, Old And New

Back To School

The New York branch of Cinquième Sens, the Paris-based perfumery school is officially opening next month. The first class, a two-day introduction to perfumery technique and the language of scents, is described as a “Complete immersion in the perfumery…

Related Stores
  • No related posts

Continue reading → Back To School

Tilda Swinton, this mascara may change your life

Not that the fabulous Ms. S needs much help: She might not have eyelashes, but a) she has a polyamorous relationship that includes a husband and a younger man, and b) she knows George Clooney.Those of us with less interesting personal lives can, at lea…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Tilda Swinton, this mascara may change your life

Tomorrow We’ll talk About This:

Copyright ©2006-2008 The Non-Blonde, under the author’s name. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.

Related Stores
  • No related posts

Continue reading → Tomorrow We’ll talk About This:

Two Little PSAs

1) In case you missed the news, Donna Karan has relaunched the legendary discontinued scents, and is making some eBay sellers cry: Chaos, Black Cashmere, Fuel, the Essence series and the original Donna Karan. They’ve been repackaged in plain bottles, b…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Two Little PSAs

The Non-Blonde: FAQs, Policies, Guidelines

I’ve been getting more and more questions and inquiries regarding the behind-the-scenes of beauty blogging and the way I do stuff. I figured it’s about time to post something official and try to put all the answers in one public place. Here goes:Who wr…

Related Stores

Continue reading → The Non-Blonde: FAQs, Policies, Guidelines

An American Blogger In Paris: More Perfume Shopping

Living right next to the Paramus malls and 15 minutes away from Manhattan makes one a bit jaded and hard to impress when it comes to shopping. There are very few things you can’t find around here, fashion-wise, but when it comes to perfume shopping I …

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: More Perfume Shopping

An American Blogger In Paris: Father & Sons Menswear

One of our many discoveries (other than a dangerous devotion to pain au chocolat) in our previous visit to Paris was Father & Sons, a smallish brand (about twenty five stores in France and Belgium) of menswear. We stumbled on their original store r…

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: Father & Sons Menswear

This And That

Good Reads:The new face, according to the NY Magazine. I don’t know if I should run to find a plastic surgeon or just hide under my bed.The nose doesn’t forget, according to the NY Times. A scientific explanation to why smelling Colours by Benetton sti…

Related Stores

Continue reading → This And That

In which I shave a leg

I haven’t shaved my legs in 20 years.Before you take my Beauty Ninja badge away, the reason for it is that I’m a devoted user of those electrical gadgets that pluck the hair and the roots, resulting in a smoother skin and a less frequent need for touch…

Related Stores

Continue reading → In which I shave a leg

The Aquatic Melon And The Disgusted Husband

There’s a stage in the perfume obsession journey when one becomes acutely aware that behind every bottle there’s an artist, the professional nose. It happens sometime after you get confident enough to say which notes and accords are more likely to plea…

Related Stores

Continue reading → The Aquatic Melon And The Disgusted Husband

An American Blogger In Paris: Taratata Bijoux

When I was in Paris three years ago, I came across a cute jewelry store specializing in enamel work. I adore enamel jewelry both for the beautiful colors and for the fact that no two items are exactly alike. I bought a necklace, the one you see here on…

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: Taratata Bijoux

Is Henri Bendel Owned By Young Mr. Grace?

I considered writing a long rant in which I’d question the genius business minds behind Henri Bendel, and their decision to keep their online presence to an absolute minimum. Yes, there’s a web site, but you can only buy the store brand signature items…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Is Henri Bendel Owned By Young Mr. Grace?

Ôverhype- Lancome Ôscillation Mascara

A first edition tube of mascara. Seriously.I probably shouldn’t be speaking, considering I attended three Harry Potter parties when the last books came out. I couldn’t wait for the morning and had to get my paws on a copy at midnight (and spend most of…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Ôverhype- Lancome Ôscillation Mascara

Chanel Fall 2008 Glossimer Amberlight

Before we move on to the other lip color trend for fall, deep brown, let’s have a look at one of the limited edition glossimers: Amberlight (114). The other colors were too light for me (Delight is a pale, silvery lilac and Gold Light is a perfect matc…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Chanel Fall 2008 Glossimer Amberlight

An American Blogger In Paris: Serge Lutens at the Salons du Palais-Royal Shiseido

Stepping into the Salons du Palais-Royal is a perfumista’s rite of passage. Just like facing the mysterious scented cloths at the JAR boutique, learning to identify civet and buying your first vintage Guerlain on eBay.I had a case of the stomach butter…

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: Serge Lutens at the Salons du Palais-Royal Shiseido

Beauty Emergency- Running Out Of Eye Primer

On my second day in Paris, I discovered to my horror that I’ve run out of eye primer. I had a travel size one in my cosmetics case, but apparently I’ve done just enough travel in previous months to use every drop of it. So there I was in front of the m…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Beauty Emergency- Running Out Of Eye Primer

Bobbi Brown Fall 2008 Mauve Collection

I doubt Bobbi Brown would release any numbers, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the Mauve collection is the biggest bestseller since the Chocolate palette of fall 2006. It’s practical, wearable, flattering on just about anyone and looks very c…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Bobbi Brown Fall 2008 Mauve Collection

Exceptionnel de Chanel: An eMarketing Campaign

Regular readers of this blog know I’m usually a big fan of Chanel makeup. Getting me interested in a new product shouldn’t be hard, right?But watching the ad on Chanel’s new Exceptionnel mascara mini-site (turn the volume way down if you’re at work) wa…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Exceptionnel de Chanel: An eMarketing Campaign

Chanel Fall Makeup Collection: Ombre Essential Eyeshadow

Chanel Ombre Essential eyeshadows have the softest, smoothest texture and always make me wonder why I don’t just stick with them (the answer is that we, beauty ninjas, are both brave and reckless when it comes to new products. We just can’t be satisfie…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Chanel Fall Makeup Collection: Ombre Essential Eyeshadow

An American Blogger In Paris: A Visit To Cinquième Sens Perfumery School

A few days before my Paris trip I got an email informing me the French perfume school Cinquième Sens is about to open a NYC branch and will begin to offer classes this fall. This was very exciting to know, since there are very few other programs avail…

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: A Visit To Cinquième Sens Perfumery School

No Wire Hangers, Ever!

My dream closet is the one Nick Lachey had built for Jessica Simpson in an old Newlyweds episode from the good old days when both of them had careers. However, it’s not happening any time soon, and I’m dealing with very little room to hang my dresses a…

Related Stores

Continue reading → No Wire Hangers, Ever!

Buying DVF On eBay- A Cautionary Tale

Early last month I did a stupid thing. I was browsing eBay and somehow wandered from my regular browsing for vintage perfume into the dark realms of apparel. I did a quick search for Diane von Furstenberg and was happy to see a large selection of items…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Buying DVF On eBay- A Cautionary Tale

Crystal Glass Nail Files

From the “what took me so long to find this?” department.I have my mom to thank for introducing me to the wonder of crystal glass nail files. She got me a small one, made in the Czech Republic that looks like the OPI one, and I was hooked immediately.T…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Crystal Glass Nail Files

Suave Body Wash

The good news is that your drugstore has body washes that are actually kind to your skin. The bad news is that the scents still leave a lot to be desired.I had some hope for Suave Exhale body wash in lavender-vanilla. The packaging reminded me of the l…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Suave Body Wash

Celebrities On The Rebound

I rarely care to comment on the mating habits of the rich and famous, but Dlisted had two stories today that got my eyebrows raised so high, I might be able to put off the botox another decade.Miranda Kerr, who until recently dated Orlando Bloom, has m…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Celebrities On The Rebound

Another Fall Look: Dior Dandy Collection

Among the more interesting options for fall 2008 we have the ‘Dandy’ collection from Dior. It’s interesting, and can be made wearable with a few adjustments. Nordstrom debuted it and within days (and before I made up my mind if I really need more pearl…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Another Fall Look: Dior Dandy Collection

Currently

bookCleopatra’s Nose: 39 Varieties of Desire by Judith Thurman. It’s acollection of essays that appeared in the New Yorker. So much for my resolution to read more fiction.songInvasion by Eisley. “Something’s not right, I can feel it inside”. Apparently…

Related Stores
  • No related posts

Continue reading → Currently

Stink, Stank, Stunk

Last week I told you about a beauty oopsie I made while traveling. I asked you about your own beauty horror stories and was glad to see there weren’t that many. Apparently my readers know better. The best (or worst,depending on your point of view) come…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Stink, Stank, Stunk

More Ways To Stay In Touch

It’s all about social networking, isn’t it? You’re welcome to follow me on Twitter, where you’ll be able to see what I do throughout the day and get a little sneak peak on future review as I test the products.Also, you can add The Non-Blonde to your fa…

Related Stores
  • No related posts

Continue reading → More Ways To Stay In Touch

Top 25 Perfumes You Can Actually Find!

One of the hottest (and most frustrating) perfume discussions is about the discontinuation and reformulation of dearly loved scents. You can see it on the blogs (I collect Lost Perfumes and often write about them) and on the various forums, and you can…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Top 25 Perfumes You Can Actually Find!

The Fashionista Questionnaire

I don’t think I qualify as a fashionista, since I have a preference for classics over trends, but this little survey (copied from Jack & Hill who took it from here) is fun.What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?A pair of platform knee-high Em…

Related Stores

Continue reading → The Fashionista Questionnaire

Goldfinger- Chanel Facettes D’Or Nail Color Gold Fiction

I’m posting pictures of my own nails here is neither because I’m proud of either my one-hand photographing skills (I’m definitely not), nor is it because of my nail polish application expertise (I’m a known klutz). The reason I’m doing this is because …

Related Stores

Continue reading → Goldfinger- Chanel Facettes D’Or Nail Color Gold Fiction

An American Blogger In Paris: Guerlain

The Guerlain boutique on 68 Champs-Elysees is my happy place (I considered calling it a perfumista’s Disneyland, but that would be so very wrong). It was the opposite of my wretched Caron experience, both in terms of the wonderful gracious and patient …

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: Guerlain

Peter Som Is Inspired

I saw this Peter Som dress in a Bergdorf newsletter. I liked it, which is no surprise considering I have the two piece Missoni (I never wear them together. The sweater is great with jeans, while I usually wear the skirt with a brown t-shirt or a tank) …

Related Stores

Continue reading → Peter Som Is Inspired

The Shape Issue

Someone at Neiman Marcus thought this Fendi jacket was worth an email newsletter. I agree, but for another reason altogether: it shows all that’s wrong with this shape.Have a look- What part of the model’s body appears the smallest? Which part is the w…

Related Stores

Continue reading → The Shape Issue

Things you shouldn’t do when traveling

This falls under “I really, really should have known better”.After spending a couple of days walking all over Paris and riding the Metro, it seemed like my face could really use some serious de-griming. It’s not that my makeup remover and a mild cleans…

Related Stores

Continue reading → Things you shouldn’t do when traveling

Happy 4th of July!

Copyright ©2006-2008 The Non-Blonde, under the author’s name. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.

Related Stores
  • No related posts

Continue reading → Happy 4th of July!

An American Blogger In Paris: Visiting The Caron Boutique

Or: Luca Turin Was RightWhile I was living in vintage heaven, something bad has happened to the house of Caron. It’s not that I was completely oblivious. I knew that the house has changed hands, I’ve heard that scents were reformulated and I read Perfu…

Related Stores

Continue reading → An American Blogger In Paris: Visiting The Caron Boutique