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Archive: December, 2008

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
More Lipsticks During Hard Times? Well, Not So Much
The recession has taken another beauty casualty: lipstick.

I know. I know. We've long believed lipstick sales go up during tough times because women usually see ruby red lips or pale pink kissers as affordable, yet quick pick-me ups.

But according to NPD Market Group, prestige lipgloss sales have declined 3 percent, lipstick is down 7 percent and total lip color is down 6 percent. Also NPD reports eyeshadow and blush sales have gone down too. Mascara sales, on the other hand, have gone up. While foundation sales have remained even. Generally, overall makeup sales are down, while skin care is up. This is the first time prestige makeup sales - makeup sold only in department stores - have ever gone down since the Long Island based market research company began tracking lipstick sales 10 years ago.

Of course trends are at play as we are paying more attention to long lashes, while fashionable lips are simply pouty and red. (We know how long our favorite red lipstick lasts and as long as it's in production we are good to go.)  But I think the answer is more economically based: We just can't afford to pay for frills anymore. We'd rather spend good money on skin care so we don't have to wear makeup, and a good haircut that doesn't require daily muss or fuss.

How has this recession affected your beauty spending? Are you becoming a frugalista?
Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 8:29 AM  Permalink | 3 comments
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Obama Love to the Next Level
So fashionistas!  I got this e-mail earlier today from a friend and I couldn't resist sharing. What a fashion statement, huh? Tell me what you think.
Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 2:05 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
Monday, December 8, 2008
Is This Really Jada Pinkett Smith?
Is this really Jada? Who is this?
I first saw this Essence cover about two weeks ago, but I didn't blog about it because I really like Jada Pinkett Smith. But every time I see this picture, I cringe. I've been following Jada  from her days on A Different World.  We grew up together. She always scored the dudes on my bedroom wall in her early 90s movies from Allen Payne in Jason's Lyric to Blair Underwood in Set it Off. But who is this woman on the December cover of Essence? It resembles Jada, but is that her jawline? A girlfriend said in that picture, Jada was channeling Sanaa Lathan. (Another beautiful woman, but I want Jada to be Jada and Sanaa to be Sanaa.) Is it plastic surgery? Too much makeup? Jada was a pretty girl and had blossomed into a beautiful woman.  If this is what Hollywood does to people?  Somebody help me. Was anyone else jarred by this photo of Jada or is it just me? 

In other news, it looks like Essence did beat Vogue to getting Michelle Obama on the cover. It appears that January will feature a double cover with president elect Barack Obama on one and first lady elect-Michelle Obama on the second cover. What a nice way to give the first couple equal props.
Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 7:38 AM  Permalink | 3 comments
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Butler Bag back on QVC
View gallery

We first wrote about Jennifer Groover's snazzy innovation, The Butler, bag in Spring 2007. I was intrigued with the practical fashion aspects of the satchel. Groover figured out a way to separate the inside of the bag - much like the inside of a dishwashing machine - so that we women can store their Blackberry's, makeup, and pens and pencils in compartments. That way we don't have to dig inside the bag for our stuff as we are running for trains, chatting on our cell phones. etc., etc. Genius!

I found the bag useful when I went out for a night on the town, or shopping, but difficult for every day use because the compartments left little room for my reams of notebooks.  But it's not a Reporter Butler Bag, so it's all good. (Note to Jen, we reporters need one of those) Today, Groover's Villanova-based company, was profiled in Market Watch as it is one of the few actually making money in this recession. And on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., EST,  Groover host her Butler Boutique collection on QVC. It's an exclusive collection priced for under $99. Check them out, but do it quickly. The bags sold out in under four minutes when she introduced them on QVC in October. We think we'll add the Butler Bag to our holiday fashion wish list. (coming soon) Does anybody out there have a Butler Bag? What's your experience with it?

Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 12:00 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Beyonce at Cadillac Records Premiere
Beyonce at the Cadillac Records NY Movie Premiere held at the AMC Loews 19 Theater

While we can't wait to see Beyonce Knowles as Etta James in Cadillac Records, we aren't sure if we like this floor-length Zuhair Murad black beaded dress she wore to the movie's New York premiere Monday night. The dress, with the super plunging neckline, does fit her well. But we can't help but wonder why the golden-haired singer/actress otherwise known as Sasha Fierce always has to sex it up? We know. We know. Mirror Image needs to stop hating but we just aren't feeling this look. What do you all think?

Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 1:27 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Britney Spears All Cleaned Up, Really?
Glamour Magazine

It's not that I'm not a Britney Spears fan, but I'll never believe that the 27-year-old queen of the lowriders would clean up so well - even for the cover of December's Glamour magazine.  There is something about the songstress of Oops I Did it Again fame that is inherently trashy. You know, kind of like Lil Kim, or Foxy Brown or even Amy Winehouse. This clean angelic I'm no longer on drugs and look, I let my hair grow back image, is not flying with me. What do you think? Are you looking forward to Britney's new album? Is this new look authentic? Would you even want the Spears look? Will she ever be good at being good in your eyes?

Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 1:17 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Katie Couric's New Do
CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric.
Actually, I'm not that offended by this look that Katie Couric debuted Monday night on the CBS Evening News.  But apparently Amy DiLuna, The New York Daily News' fashion writer, was. What do you think of the short cut? Do you think she'll bring back the pixie? I always liked Katie in short hair.
Posted by Elizabeth Wellington @ 1:00 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
About Elizabeth Wellington
I’m a Libra so I’m all about pretty things. We of the scales sign know what we like, and our standards are high. So I can’t help but love fashion – one day I will get that Diane von Furstenberg wrap and those Christian Louboutin shoes. And fragrances? My favorite right now is Chanel Mademoiselle. As for makeup, can we say MAC? So let’s thank the Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, that a true fashionista can find everything she needs right here in Philly. I’ve covered fashion here for six years, and I have traveled to New York, Los Angeles and Paris to write about local and national designers. Let me tell you, there is no place where people wear midnight Eagles green or Phillies red with such wild abandon as they do on the west side of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Sound familiar? This blog is for you.
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