Let's face it -- guest soaps aren't always the most exciting thing on the market. But I've recently discovered such an innovatively fun and interesting soap company. Gianna Rose Atelier manufactures soaps that are anything but ordinary, each guaranteed to spice up your bathroom immensely.
Try the vanilla-and-sugar-infused Creme Brulee ($31.50 for rose-carved spheres that come with their own dish). Or maybe you'd like the absolutely adorable Fruit Soaps -- each in the shape of the fruit they smell like, of course -- available for $10.50 each in Lemon, Lime, Apple or Pear.
But my absolute favorite is the Pet Lovers collection. Here you'll find tiny soaps sculpted into the cutest animal shapes! This beauty chick digs Le Chat Sophistique ($20) -- a tulip-and-hyacinth-scented, cat-shaped soap, complete with a pink bow tied around its neck and presented in a quilted pink gift box. C'est magnifique, non? Also available in this collection are the floral-and-melon-scented Westie Dog, La Chihuahua (sure to please even Paris Hilton with its heady floral scent and tiny pink throne), and seven other cuties, each for $20. And for the ever-sophisticated touch to any guest bath, you absolutely must try the Soap Petals ($19.50) -- each petal is actually an individual hand soap with either a gardenia or rose scent.
Find all of them at giannarose.com.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
A Rose is a Rose: Gianna Rose Atelier Soaps
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Split Personality: Dianne Brill Are You Ice Or Are You Flame?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Direct from the Runway: Donna Karan
Now here's a woman who knows and can appreciate good taste. Always bold, always daring, always different ... and always, always beautiful, Donna Karan has done it again.
Her latest show saw models wearing dramatically wrapped head scarves -- apparently many designers think we should keep our heads covered in the months to come -- and in no great surprise, one of the most gorgeous beauty looks of the season.
Dewy, glowing skin, subtle pink lips and long, thick, black lashes again saw the light of day -- but this time, they were paired with the slightest hint of white shadow. Hallelujah -- something new and different on the runways!
Deep brown shadow brushed over the lids added depth to the coral cheeks and matte pink lips, but the creme de la creme had to be white shadow in the inner corners of each model's eyes. An ever-so-slight sweep of glimmering white and their eyes popped -- in a good way, of course. It's just the thing to whisk away the winter blues.
Direct from the Runway: Vivienne Tam
As Samantha was famous for saying on Sex and the City: "No. No, no, no, no, NO." I apologize, but I just cannot condone the twisting sausage roll adorning the top of the models' heads at the Fall 2007 Vivienne Tam fashion show. What on earth inspired her to send them down the runway looking like this? Yes, fashion is art, and this beauty chick can appreciate that. But fashion and beauty are supposed to be beautiful. Hello, the word "beauty" is built into the word "beautiful!"
I'm not sure which is worse -- the ghostly look of death on each of the models' faces, the very tightly pulled back hair that made them look like they were in pain, or those god-awful contrasting twisted hairpieces. Ms. Tam, this beauty chick is sorry, but she just cannot come up with a single good thing to say about the beauty looks shown here. The clothing was fabulous, though -- as always.
Direct from the Runway: Anna Sui
The look of the season is definitely flushed cheeks, pink lips and bare eyes with lashes for days. Anna Sui followed the pack with her latest runway show -- which is surprising, since she tends to march to the beat of her own drum. Sending models down the runway wearing oversized long-haired fur hats was a touch offbeat, it's true.
But the makeup was right on par with basically every other designer out there this season. Glowing skin with the apples of the cheeks slightly rosy ... the lightest dusting of gray shadow paired with lush, blacker-than-black lashes ... and the piece de resistance, pink lips. Yes, the mouths were a slightly deeper shade of pink -- touched with a hint of mauve -- and the glow extended even to the tip of the models' noses, but the look still came up short for this beauty chick.
Don't get me wrong, I think the models looked beautiful. I was just expecting something different, something completely and totally Anna Sui. Am I wrong?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Direct from the Runway: Ralph Lauren
Beautiful. Elegant. Sophisticated. As per usual, Ralph Lauren's latest foray down the runway didn't disappoint. But forget about the drop-dead-gorgeous chocolate brown cashmere and tweed pieces with flashes of gold -- what this beauty chick cares about are the faces.
And oh, what faces there were! Lauren's latest muse, Valentina, glided down the runway with heavily lined eyes, soft pink lips and dewy skin that was to-die-for -- just like the rest of the beauties present that day. A slight swipe of light pink blush on the apples of the cheeks lent the girls just enough flush, while the blackest of black liner accented only their top lids.
And let's not forget the hair -- parted on the side and swept into a chic chignon, teased slightly at the crown for just a touch of volume. The entire look just oozed a sense of posh. And you'd better believe this beauty chick took it all hook, line and sinker!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Direct from the Runway: Tuleh
Va-va-voom! How else to describe the looks at Tuleh's Fall 2007 show? This beauty chick was blown away by the 40s-pinup-style hair, the lashes for days, the mega-watt vamped-up lips, and absolutely flawless skin. Bombshell beauty at its finest, these girls walked the runway with style and grace.
Voluminous locks -- set with bouncy, shiny waves -- framed their absolutely perfect faces. Rust-shaded eyes were rimmed with the thinnest swipes of black eyeliner and offset by the lushest, blackest of black eyelashes. But taking center stage were the lips. The color reminds this beauty chick of the first lip color she ever tried -- an orangey-red filched from her mother's makeup case when she was just a tyke. Drawn on with absolute preciseness, there was just nowhere else to look but at these girls' luscious lips.
A winning look? Most definitely.
Direct from the Runway: Calvin Klein
Understated elegance? That's an exaggeration, if you're referring to the beauty looks at the Fall 2007 Calvin Klein show. Models looked completely fresh-faced, but not necessarily in a beautiful way.
Eyes dabbed with the subtlest hint of white or peach shimmer, coupled with matte pink lips, served to make the girls look almost ghost-like. And while their skin, gleaned of any shine and powdered to within an inch of their lives, looked clean, this beauty chick wished for dewy freshness and at least a touch of color somewhere on their faces.
And let's not even get started on the hair -- pulled back in simple (maybe too simple) ponytails with flyaways running rampant. While the clothing was elegant and traditionally beautiful, there was just something missing with the makeup. Maybe it's because it looked like the models weren't wearing any.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Direct from the Runway: Proenza Schouler
With models' faces barely visible below oversized black fur cloche hats, the Proenza Schouler show took dramatic chic to a whole new level. Known for overt sexiness, sometimes pushed to daring and dizzying new heights, the duo took it down a notch but still maintained the vampy vixenish look they've made famous.
Sparse eye makeup gave way to the faintest hint of pale pink blush, applied to the apples of the models' cheeks for a look that said, "I've just come in from the cold." And the creme de la creme -- daringly bold lips!
Taking a cue from Gwen Stefani, these lips were so glossy and shiny, so deliciously crimson, they'd stand out for miles. With lips this lusciously red, there's no need for much else to be done. Just throw on that cloche hat and off you go!
Direct from the Runway: Michael Kors
The Michael Kors Fall 2007 show exuded style, sophistication and grace -- right on par with this beauty chick's all-time favorite designer. And the makeup didn't disappoint.
Ethereal elegance was the look of the day, with pale pink lips glossed to a high shine and a smoky eye done in deep blue. Paired with locks so straight Pantene would be jealous, the models looked part angelic, part goddess, all utterly gorgeous. Lining eyes in sultry indigo was pure genius -- I especially love that it was below the lower lash line instead of on the inner rims.
And when you factor in the blackest of black lashes extending for days and just the subtlest hint of shimmery pink gloss, there's no way you could go wrong. This beauty chick will definitely be trying out this look on her next night out!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Direct from the Runway: Diane von Furstenberg
Whoa, pink lips! There's something just not quite right about the beauty looks from Diane von Furstenberg's latest runway show. Maybe it's the obvious throwback to the '80s ... maybe it's the pairing of such a vibrant, startling magenta shade with an otherwise fresh face ... but it just doesn't add up for this beauty chick. Perhaps if the hue were just a bit warmer -- less off-the-shoulder-sweatshirt-wearing, Flashdance-watching -- it would work a bit better. But as is, especially next to naked eyes with only a single coat of mascara on the top lashes, it's too much. What do you think?
Direct from the Runway: Betsey Johnson
Bombshell. Drop-dead gorgeous. Knockout. All ways to describe the gorgeous hairdos present at the Betsey Johnson fashion show this week in NYC. Always known for pushing the envelope just a bit past the point of no return, this show was no different.
Johnson's kooky, zany but still-somehow-too-cute-for-words looks paired amazingly well with long, flowing, volume-to-the-max tresses. And lucky for you, this hairdo looks good no matter what you're wearing! Mousy, caught in the corner no more -- start with a center part that paves the way to wavy, bedhead-like locks with just the right amount of shine and wave. And say hello to sexpot, glamour kitten-esque Brigitte Bardot!
Direct from the Runway: Derek Lam
On the other side of the eye spectrum, you've got Derek Lam. Look no further than the beauties at this fashion show for dramatic eyes, conceived by the fabulous Tom Pecheux. Eyes take center stage in this look, which is easier to achieve than you may think!
Begin with nude shadow swept along the lid -- only as high as the crease -- and then carefully draw a super-thin black line along the lid, as close to your eyelashes as possible. Now take a black eyeliner pencil -- the blacker the better -- and draw along the inner rims. And the piece de resistance? A shimmery, deep gray eyeliner swept along the lower lash line and extending slightly past the outer corners.
Gorgeous, especially when paired with a slightly pink lip -- matte, not glossy -- and flawless, shine-free skin. This beauty chick is certainly loving all the new eye makeup tricks for spring, that's for sure!
Direct from the Runway: Carolina Herrera
As most of you are probably aware, it's Fashion Week in New York. What does that mean? Lots of models strutting their stuff down the runways, wearing countless items of beautiful clothing and being made up in all sorts of different new looks for the next season. What better way to discover the best new hair and makeup tricks than straight from the creations of some of the world's top artists? First up: Carolina Herrera.
Gone are the smoky eye and vibrant red lip -- in their place are simple, straightforward makeup tricks to bring out your natural beauty. The palest of pink lips with just a hint of shimmer adds pop to your fall wardrobe, especially when paired with a pared-down eye. Think nude shadow, black liner on the top lids only, and a single coat of black mascara.
The result? Goddess-like beauty, possible to achieve within minutes. Now that's worth changing your look.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Bombs Away: Lush Bath Bombs, That Is!
At the end of a stressful and tiring week, there's absolutely nothing better than taking a long, hot bubble bath. Especially when paired with wine, candles and soothing tunes (think Enya). Admit it, this beauty chick knows what she's talking about! But to really give your bath that little something extra, look no further than Lush's amazing array of Bath Bombs.
Go Ahead, Smell Me -- I'm Wearing Ban Invisible Solid Deodorant!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
The Smack Down: Bonne Bell Lip Smackers

Bonne Bell is constantly producing new colors, new tasty treats, new shades guaranteed to make you say "Wow!" At the top of this beauty chick's list? It's gotta be Pink Lemonade. Even on the coldest day of the year, my lips get a burst of summertime with just a few swipes from the tube. And now some of the best flavors (think Kiwi, Tropical Punch,Watermelon and seven other fantastic hues) are available in BIGGY Lip Smacker tubes, so you'll have 'em for even longer!
Shop Lip Smackers to your heart's content at colorandflavorshop.com.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Seeing Red: Benefit Benetint

A few quick swipes of the provocatively sexy cranberry shade across the apples of your cheeks and voila! A slight flush any beauty chick would crave. And the best part? Not only is it waterproof (so undetected rainstorms won't cause red smears all over your pretty little face), but it's kiss-proof as well!
The delectable red shade inside this handy little bottle won't come off no matter how much your man tries. Ooooh, I see a challenge coming on...
Benefit Benetint retails for $29 at sephora.com.
