SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Naomi Yasuda Nail Designs for Barneys New York x Gaga's Workshop

 

 

Never mind Santa's workshop and those hard-working elves clad in unfortunate-looking tights, goofy hats, and wooden shoes. Over at the Barneys New York flagship store on Madison Avenue, the real fun is kicking off at Gaga's Workshop, an entire floor featuring Pop Art-influenced, Dr. Seuss-flavored, playful artwork, as well as psychedelic lighting and video components designed by Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide Pierson of Assume Vivid Astro Focus. Inside Mother Monster's lair, shoppers will find an assortment of limited-edition goods created exclusively for this occasion by a group of vendors hand-picked by Nicola Formichetti, who has worked as Gaga's fashion director since 2009, putting together the ensembles she wore in her "Bad Romance" and "Born This Way" videos and masterminding her over-the-top red carpet looks.

From motorcycle jackets to spike-adorned fingerless glove, gold pyramid double rings, quirky acrylic earrings mirroring the shape of Alexander McQueen's iconic lobster claw shoes, lace-covered sunglasses, military-style caps covered with black crystal rocks, Little Monster plush toys, and magnetic Gaga dress-up sets, each of the items in the Gaga's Workshop collection captures one aspect of the pop icon's persona and her experimental, risk-taking aesthetic. 

Among the special pieces available, you'll find several limited-edition nail tips designed by Naomi Yasuda, who has worked with everyone from Alicia Keys to Keri Hilson and Gaga herself. The New York-based nail artist worked alongside the artificial nail pros at Kiss, who brought her vision to fruition, manufacturing and packaging the designs she envisioned during an arduous two-month period.

Four press-on nail patterns were created, with only 500 pieces of each design available. The flashiest, most outrageous design is "Multi-Color," a tribal-flavored, kaleidoscopic design featuring triangle and diamond shapes in red, spearmint, yellow, burnt orange, slate blue and navy tones, with red Swarovski crystals at the center of some nails and a dainty rope trim covering one of the V-shaped lines on the pattern. For a Gaga circa "Poker Face" look, customers can nab the "Black Studs" nails, square-shaped tips painted a glossy black color and covered with clusters of gold- and silver-toned stud in square pyramid shapes, domed round forms, and the occasional rectangular shape. The "Chain Gold" pattern, meanwhile, channels a Versace-meets-Slick-Rick attitude, with a dark backdrop offset by golden tips and rope chain trim running vertically along some of the nails and adorning the half-moon shape of the tip on others. Last, there's the "Grey Nude" design, which features a creamy, almost flesh-toned base color covered with square shapes in a muted gray color, each outlined in silver and often trimmed with gunmetal-colored, ball bead studs.

Each of these Kiss nail tip packages, designed by Naomi Yasuda exclusively for Barneys New York x Gaga's Workshop, features 24 tips in 12 different sizes and retails for $45. Visit GagasWorkshop.com to purchase!

 

 

 

 

A Sneak Peek At The 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Airing Tonight!

 

The line wrapped around East 25^th Street in New York City, as the sartorially sassy crowd waited with electrified anticipation for the 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, held on November 9th at the 69th Armory. As I sauntered into the venue, I immediately noticed that the house was packed all the way to the rafters which, of course, triggered musings about who was in the crowd and what they might be wearing.

Soon enough, classical music permeated the Armory, heralding the opening of the show, an offering to our city’s passion for high art and Black Swan. Ballet dancers took the stage as if performing morning warm-ups, elongating their limbs from developé to adagio. In true Rodarte style, fourteen ballerinas in scarlet plumage and tutus descended upon the stage, readying the crowd for the confident sensuality that was about to strut down the silver runway.

Blond beauty Candice Swanepoel took center stage in a swan-inspired feather corset and panty, with Angel wings that seemed as effortlessly demure as her walk. The splendor that followed was swathed in romanticism, with models sashaying in delicate tulles, red and white silks, and the softest pastels mixed into the palette, only to be coupled with lethal, almost pin-point Giuseppe Zanotti stilettos. With the audience in a passionate dreamscape, the exhilarating Kanye West snapped us out of it, performing in the soon-to-be-sold-out print jacket from the Versace for H&M collection. He began his set with a tribute to his mother, his true heroine, who passed away the year he was so supposed to perform here for the first time.

In the spirit of powerful women, bombshell Adriana Lima riled the crowd, as we took off into a comic book-flavored wet dream. Judy Jetson would bite her tongue to be able to strut down the runway like Karlie Kloss did, clad in a raspberry-colored, leather-and-latex, corseted leotard with white fur trim and a caped crusader-worthy hood. A two-pieced ensemble in yellow gold and lilac blue followed, as did Angel wings that inflated in the blink of an eye, their surfaces covered by bold Pop Art prints that snapped fingers to Roy Lichtenstein.

By now, everyone was on their feet. And what better to amp up a crowd than a surprise performance by Kanye West and the reigning King of Hip-Hop, Jay-Z? Together, the Def Jam power duo performed their new single "Niggas in Paris" off their Watch the Throne album

In a flash, we were transported to a Spanish fantasy. Victoria's Secret veteran Alessandra Ambrosio stunned the crowd as she traipsed down the runway rocking stenciled wings so ornate they were reminiscent of the Mayan Sun calendar. This Passion Play dazzled with boleros, skirts and bustles in ruffles and lace that seemed to conjure up flamenco and can-can culture. Swarovski crystals adorned shoulder pieces, drapes and corsets.  

To fit the romantic mood, the crowd was serenaded by Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine, who serenaded his paramour, VS Angel Anne Vyalitsyna, and the audience with the band’s 2011 hit "Moves Like Jagger." Anne V. and her bevy of sultry mermaids took us into an aquatic adventure, with shell wings and beaded gowns in pearl and turquoise. It was here that the siren of the sea and VS Angel, Miranda Kerr, unveiled the $2.5 million 2011 Secret Fantasy Treasure Bra. The gems continued to glisten after that point, with tiaras crowning new Angels such as Sui He, who modeled a coral two-piece that fondled her figure like the tentacles of a sea anemone.

These ocean waves then crashed on the shores of the French Quarter, as we disembarked in Jazz Age New Orleans. The ever humble Doutzen Kroes welcomed us in a lush silk peignoir, accessorizing her ensemble with LaCrasia gloves and a vintage style cameo. A parade of delectably laced and corseted divas brought a succulent sexuality brimming with Southern coquettishness, underscored by parasols and buttoned steeple boots, as well as straw hats and needlepoint wings accented with wide-striped sashes and bows.

Brighter moments followed, as disco balls descended from the ceiling, neon lights flickered, and mirrors reflected a prism of lights, luring the bright and bubbly Nicki Minaj to close the show in the electric PINK collection finale. Her hit "Super Bass"  got her gaggle of boys poppin’ and lockin’ to the beat, decked out in PINK tees and tanks.

It was a full-on pajama party with leopard print hoodies, sequined Disco Dog bags, and leather jackets. Wings were literally made from neon rods, and bustles were as curved and shiny as brand new hot rods.

As the show came to a close, the music of Lady Gaga flooded the room and an epic rainbow of corsets, skirts, jewels and slips paraded for one last hoorah. Confetti and Mylar balloons descended upon the galvanized party-goers, a fitting ending given that, after the dynamic performances and magnificent ensembles, everyone was in the mood to party through the night. — Izzy Ruiz

 

** Izzy Ruiz is a Contributing Editor at Sicka Than Average and a video producer. Check out more of his work at MrIzzyRuiz.com **

**The 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on CBS. **

 

Pendleton for Eddie Bauer Collection -- A Western Union

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The origins of the Pendleton brand can be traced back to 1909, when the three sons of Fannie Kay and C.P. Bishop opened a woolen mill in Pendleton, Oregon, and transformed it into a production hub and a retail operation, initially focusing on the production of Indian blankets and later expanding into men's outerwear. The Bishop sons set out to revolutionize the look of men's wool shirts, which had traditionally served only utilitarian purposes and had drab and unattractive color schemes, and infused a lively spirit to these garments via the clever use of colors and patterns. In 1949, when the company expanded into women's wool garments, it soared in popularity, and eventually a full-fledged line of activewear (made with both wool and other materials) emerged. Nowadays, the Pendleton name is synonymous not only with outdoors-y fashion, but with a decidedly Western, Native American-influenced aesthetic.

Though the Eddie Bauer company has been collaborating with Pendleton since the 1920s, a very special collection has been unveiled this year. For Holiday 2011, Eddie Bauer has introduced the Pendleton for Eddie Bauer collection, which includes women's and men's apparel, accessories, bedding, and home décor items inspired by archival Pendleton pieces worn by Eddie himself and his wife Stine.

The collection includes such highlights as the Eddie Bauer Pendleton Tote Bag ($200 at EddieBauer.com), a square-ish, red wool tote with leather handles and leather trim along the base of the bag and trimming its top surface, as well as demarcating the two side pockets. Measuring 15" in width and 15" in height, the tote features a Native American-inspired print consisting of geometric shapes like diamonds, triangles, and arrow motifs in olive, tan, mustard, brown, and black hues, creating a final effect that references such classic Pendleton patterns as the Big Thunder and the Gatekeeper.

The Eddie Bauer Pendleton Jacket ($250 at EddieBauer.com) features a similar print and features snap buttons along the front; a sheepskin-lined, motorcycle-style collar secured by two snap buttons, leather-trimmed, diagonally cut pockets along the sides; and sleeves with snap button details.  

Those who want to add a bit of Western flavor to their ensemble might love the Eddie Bauer Pendleton Cross-Body Bag ($130 at EddieBauer.com), available in either red or tan. Measuring 7 3/4" in width and 8" in height, this compact handbag features an adjustable leather strap, a top zipper closure, a leather-trimmed exterior slip pocket with a leather buckle accent, and two interior zip pockets. 

For longer trips (Christmas out of town, perhaps?), customers can snap up the Eddie Bauer Pendleton Duffel Bag ($299 at EddieBauer.com), which offers plenty of room, measuring 23" in length, 12" in height, and 10.75" in depth. This wool bag features a gradient olive green backdrop and an intricate cream, yellow ochre, and forest green pattern, with arrowheads, hexagons, cross, and diamond shapes. Featuring leather top handles attached to harness-style golden metal loops, a front pocket with a distressed leather top flap, and leather loops along the sides, this duffel will bring out your inner cowgirl.

Holiday Gift Guide from A to Z -- Moving on to D, E, F

Last week, we kicked off our A to Z Holiday Gift Guide coverage by taking a Sesame Street-worthy approach to the task, tackling items corresponding to the first three letters of the alphabet, with A standing for Art Deco, B for Blossoms, and C for Color Blocking. This week, we're moving on down the road to the next three letters: D, E, and F.

What does each letter stand for? Well, in our holiday wonder world, D is for Dainty, E is for Egyptian, and F is for Fur-Trimmed. Whether you want to be delightfully prim, channel Cleopatra, or fall for fur, these gift ideas will sate your appetite.

D IS FOR DAINTY

Bing Bang NYC Victorian Snowflake Earrings, $38. Available at BingBangNYC.com

Forget snowflakes that stay on your nose and eye lashes. This wintry season, our favorite things include these silver-plated, sterling-silver dipped snowflake earring studs, designed by Anna Sheffield. Each earring juxtaposes a cross shape made of bulbous, laurel-like sides, and an "X" formation with rounded, hollow, petal-like sides with dot-like studs along the periphery of each side and a trio of ball-shaped studs at the rounded outer tips.

Lush Snow Fairy Gift, $22.95. Available at LUSHusa.com

Not only does this pre-wrapped box set capture the fanciful imagination of every fairy-loving princess with it hot pink gift wrapping, its silver bow, and the jingle bell tied at the very top, but it houses equally lovable treasures — mainly, the LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel, a cotton candy-scented wash featuring lactic acid, a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid that gently exfoliates, optimizes moisture levels, and helps achieve smoother, softer, more radiant skin. The 3.3 fl. oz. shower gel is accompanied by a star-shaped Angel's Delight Soap, which smells like tangerines and blackcurrants and features sweet orange oil, which has astringent an antibacterial properties, antioxidant-rich rapeseed oil, and softening coconut extract; and by  heart-shaped, white Shimmy Shimmy Glitter Bar that practically melts on the skin, living behind a creamy vanilla fragrance and coating the skin with sparkle, as if you'd bathed in magical fairy dust. 

 

Harajuku Lovers Jingle G Eau de Toilette Spray Ornament, $24.99. Available at HSN.com

The leader of the Harajuku Lovers team, G, pulls off as many costume changes as Gwen Stefani, the pop star whose countenance it mirrors. For the holiday season, the blond starlet dons a red Santa Claus-like suit with cuffed sleeves, a row of buttons, and a high collar in snowy white; a thick black belt with a square gold buckle; black boots; white gloves; and an oversize red hair bow. Her heart-shaped pout painted in Stefani's signature red hue, her black eyeliner winging out flirtatiously, and her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, Jingle G is playful and feminine to the core, with fragrance notes that include white star fruit, gardenia, tangerine, honeysuckle, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, and cedarwood. The display-ready bottle features a velvet loop along the top of the figural doll, so that you can hang Jingle G right on the Christmas tree or, if you prefer, keep her inside the clear, cylindrical packaging, which also includes a velvet ribbon loop attached to the red cap for use as an ornament.

 

 

Liplicious All I Want Lip Gloss, $8 each. Available at BathAndBodyWorks.com

These limited-edition lip glosses feature moisturizing vitamin E and jojoba oil, and they feature season-appropriate tube designs and scents. The Liplicious Gingerbread Giggle Lip Gloss, for example, is a sheer, bronze-tinged, coral pink with magenta glitter that enhances your pout's natural color. The sweet, gingerbread-scented gloss is packaged in a squeezable tube illustrated with a teal bow and a gingerbread cookie. The Peppermint Hug Lip Gloss, meanwhile, features a candy cane-colored, red-and-white bow with a sky blue tag dangling beneath it, bearing the gloss's name. The sweet but minty-smelling clear gloss features opalescent glitter particles that reflect aqua, pink, gold, green, and yellow tones. The Liplicious Candied Smile Lip Gloss, meanwhile, is a mauve pink color loaded with clear and pink glitter bits and featuring a licorice-tinged, gumdrop fragrance.

Ariel Gordon Jewelry Sugar Loaf Studs, $395, and Tetra Spike Necklace in 14K Rose Gold, $490. Available at ArielGordonJewelry.com

For jewelry designer Ariel Gordon, it's the small things that make all the difference. Take, for example, these 1/4-inch, triangle-shaped, iolite studs, which feature faceted, sloping, pyramid-like sides and a 14k gold setting with thick arrow-like tips along each corner. Another great choice: the Tetra Spike Necklace, which features an arrow-shaped pendant measuring 1/3" by 1/4" hanging from a slender box chain.

 

Gianna Rose Nutcracker Soaps, $22. Available at GiannaRose.com

Make Tchaikovsky proud by choreographing your own applause-worthy performance with this boxed set of five Nutcracker Prince-shaped soaps. The French-milled soaps feature clove, Balsam fir, and burnt orange notes for a slightly spicy yet woody scent. 

bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lip Collection, $28. Available at BareEscentuals.com

You'll want to sing "Amazing Grace" to these liquid lipstick shades, which are as richly pigmented as lipstick but boast the vinyl-like sheen of most quality glosses. The bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lip Collection features four 2 ml lip color tubes, each with a sponge tip applicator wand. The colors in this set are: Savvy, a toffee caramel hue; Confidence, a mauve-tinged red; Sass, a near sheer, golden peach color with clear and gold glitter bits; and Oomph, a sheer peachy pink with an icy sheen. Check out swatches here!

Moonstruck Over Givenchy's Je Veux La Lune Fall/ Winter 2011 Makeup Collection

 

 

 

For the Fall/Winter 2011 season, Givenchy Beauty channeled the romance and magic of a midnight in Paris, of a couple slow dancing under the starlit sky, of a bewitching stranger standing on the Pont Alexandre III bridge and admiring the Seine River. The Givenchy Beauty Je Veux La Lune Fall/Winter 2011 collection, then, plays with the dichotomies of shadow and light, enigma and revelation, nocturnal and diurnal, nebulousness and clarity, starlit and abysmal.

The limited-edition eye shadows in the collection encapsulate this feeling, each harboring a sparkling, luminous, brightening color and a darker, more mysterious shade in a quarter-pie wedge shape located along the top corner of the square compact. The Givenchy Les Ombres De Lune Shadow & Light Eyes is available in #1 Lune Mystérieuse, a pearlescent champagne cream color paired with a dusky, muddy, near-black brown with just a sprinkle of gold shimmer; and in #2 Lune Mordorée, which features a star-worthy, yellow gold with an even sheen and a slightly blackened midnight blue with a clandestine  quality. Each compact retails for $58 and is available at Sephora stores and Sephora.com.

The Givenchy Magic Eye Khol Eye Liner in Marine Blue ($22 at Sephora.com) helps to complete the look, particularly when paired with the Lune Mordorée shadows.

In terms of lip colors, you can opt for the succulent, mysterious, boudoir-ready Givenchy Rouge Inderdit Satin Lipstick in 52 Lune Cardin, a burgundy wine shade ($23 at Sephora.com) with a creamy finish that invites those seeking a kiss. Or, if you'd rather have a sheer, crystalline, sparkling quality, you can pick between the two glosses in the collection: the Givenchy Gelée Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm Crystal Shine in 15 Lune Argentée ($26.50 at Sephora.com), a clear color with opalescent, silvery white micro-glitter, or the Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect in 31 Lune Carmin ($26.50 at Sephora.com), a burgundy wine shade with a mirror-like sheen

For swatches of the Les Ombres De Lune compacts and a sample look, check out the shades after the jump!

Black Out -- More Great Black Friday Sales To Explore

Now that you've nibbled on some turkey and candied yams, it's time to move onto the next part of the Thanksgiving weekend: shopping! Over the last few days, we've been filling you in on some of the most exciting Black Friday deal, but we couldn't leave out these hot tickets. Whether you're shopping for jewelry, handbags, jeans, makeup, nail polish, or hair products, we've got a special offer for you. Read on!

 

Amrita Singh

Jewelry goes great with everything — including Thanksgiving leftovers. Scoop up some silk-wrapped bangles, a resin stone necklace, or some Austrian crystal-adorned earrings from Amrita Singh this weekend, and you'll save 50% on any order of $50 or more when you enter the code BLACK11 at checkout.

 

Hayden-Harnett

Through Monday, November 28th at midnight, enjoy 20% off any handbag, clothing, shoes and accessories at HaydenHarnett.com and 30% off any purchase of $500 or more.

 

Kendra Scott

Give the gift of sparkle with some Kendra Scott baubles. Through November 28th, enjoy 20% off your purchase at KendraScott.com when you enter the code 20SITEWIDE at checkout, plus free ground shipping on orders of $150 or more.

 

Akira Chicago is offering a bevy of deals today. First, sale merchandise will be reduced an extra 55% when you enter the code BLACK55 at ShopAkira.com, plus if you visit an Akira store from noon until 10 p.m. today, you can take advantage of a "Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off" deal, which is applicable to all merchandise. 

 

COUTURE COLOUR

This weekend only, visit CoutureColour.com and enjoy 40% off the outstanding Pequi Oil Treatment and Luxeblend Creme Hair Colour kits when you enter the code Holiday11 at checkout. 

 

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Calling all Lip Tar fiends! This weekend, visit OCCMakeup.com an nab an OCC Box Set for only $49.50 (regularly $83). You can pick between the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics "Naturally Neutral" Box Set, which includes the shades Interlace, Melange, NSFW, Grandma, and Femme, along with the OCC Lip Brush #010; and the "Nearly Neon" Set, which includes the shades Beta, Queen, Harlot, Anime, and Hoochie, along with the OCC Lip Brush #010.

 

Curtsy & Bow

When you shop CurtsyAndBow.com this weekend, you'll receive 50% off all of Curtsy & Bow's formaldehyde-, toulene-, and DBP-free lacquers.

 

Ksubi

Do you prefer hitting the stores rather than shopping online? Well, if you're in NYC, venture out to the Ksubi boutique (219c Mulberry Street, between Prince Street and Spring Street) and enjoy 50% off half of the store's merchandise. 

Karmaloop.com

When it comes to sales, Karmaloop never disappoints. This weekend, the code KLBLACK unleashes a whole world of savings at Karmaloop.com.  You'll enjoy 25% off and free shipping on all orders over $65, plus you'll get a $10 gift code for orders above $100, a $20 gift code for orders above $150, and a $40 gift code for orders over $250.  

Sicka Than Average's Celia San Miguel Featured in Pantene Video

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, readers! Today, I'm feeling so blessed and, as is the custom on this holiday, I'm giving thanks for each and every single one of these gifts — among them my amazing 7-year-old son, our family and friends, the roof over our heads, the food on our table, the amazing career opportunities that have surfaced over the course of the year and, of course, all of you. I have the sickest, most loyal, supportive, smart and sassy readers out there, and I appreciate you all so much. So on this day, I want to say "Thank you," and to express how humbled I am by your support. 

I have a little treat in store for you, but before I reveal what it is, I want to share some exciting Sicka Than Average-related news. As those who follow me on Twitter might recall, about 1-2 months ago, I was invited to appear in a video campaign for Pantene, alongside my fellow New York-based, Latina beauty bloggers Mercedes from BeChicMag.com and Romina from MamaXXI.com. We each appear in two videos, sporting a unique hair style for each clip, as celebrity hairstylist Carlos Vera explains the inspiration behind the specific look showcased and the Pantene products used to create it. The first video featuring yours truly just launched on Pantene's Facebook page (under the "Tu Pantene tab") and is also featured on Pantene's YouTube channel. The second video, meanwhile, will be rolling out later this year year, so I'll make sure to keep you ladies posted on that one – especially since the style for that video is killer!

In my first video as a "Tu Pantene" model, Vera explains how to make your hair look voluminous and full of body the day after a visit to the salon (after you've slept and rolled around in it, perspired a bit, etc.)and which root-lifting Pantene products can help you accomplish this feat. Now, I don't actually speak in the video (I know, it's a shocker given my rambling tendencies), but I do get to play at being a model (which proved to be lots of fun, I must say). 

Hope y'all dig it!

 

Fade In To Black Friday -- More Sales To Check Out!

No need to line up outside a store on Friday, waiting for the doors to open and praying the frenzied masses don't start some fatal stampede in the name of saving a dollar. Nowadays, you can munch on Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, watch TV with your family, and shop online, all the while enjoying the same extraordinary savings that we've come to associate with Black Friday. 

Yesterday, we gave you a taste of what's in store for Black Friday this year and, below, you'll find even more great deals. Get into it!

 

 

Black Friday on a Wednesday? Believe it! Start today, when you purchase over $50 worth of Amrita Singh bangle sets, chandelier earrings, and statement necklaces at AmritaSingh.com, you can get 50% off your entire order by entering the code BLACK11 at checkout.

 

 

Lingerie brand Hanky Panky is ready to unveil its biggest sale of the year, with boy shorts, panties, camis, and tops priced at up to 50% off and free ground shipping on all orders (no minimum required). The sale kicks off at 9 p.m. EST on Thanksgiving Day and lasts until Tuesday, November 29th at 10 a.m. EST (or until supplies last). To check out the selection, visit HankyPanky.com

 

Beloved jewelry brand DANNIJO is offering 20% off site wide from Black Friday through Cyber Monday (well, except for the MR DANNIJO an Falling Whistles collections). No code is necessary to enjoy the discount, so just log onto Dannijo.com and shop away.  

 

On Black Friday, L'Occitane is offering customers 25% off its holiday gift sets (like the Immortelle Precious Collection set pictured here), as well as unveiling a "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" promotion on stocking stuffers like soap trios, shea butter hand creams, lip balms, and more. These offers are valid at L'Occitane stores and online at USA.LOccitane.com 

 

From Friday, November 25th through Sunday, November 27th, visit New York City's Swarovski Crystallized Boutique (499 Broadway) and enjoy 50% off select designer pieces. This Kenneth Jay Lane Empire Pendant mae with Swarovski Elements, for example, will be priced at $70 (from $140). For more information, call 212.966.3322.

 

 

 

This Friday only, when you purchase $100 worth of skin care goods at the Arcona Studio in Los Angeles or on Arcona.com, you'll enjoy 40% off your order. To enjoy the savings online, enter the code black at checkout. Time to stop up on Kiwi Cream Bars, Magic White Ices, and Peptide Hydrating Complexes!

 

Is patience not an attribute you possess? Don't worry: Ash Soho couldn't wait until Friday to offer its customers a chance to save! Those of you who live in NYC can print the coupon shown above and present at the Ash Soho boutique (44 Mercer Street) to pre-shop its Black Friday sale. And, if you spend $300 or more, you'll receive a leather pouchette worth $125. Mega score!

 

Dying to try the Acqua di Gioia fragrance? Heard wonders about the Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows? Now is your chance to scoop these up, and toss in some holiday gift options for your loved ones. On Black Friday, you can enjoy 20% off Giorgio Armani Beauty goodies, as well as Complimentary 2nd Day shipping on orders of $75 or more, at GiorgioArmaniBeauty-USA.com. To unlock the savings, enter the code GAHOLIDAY1 at checkout.

 

Get a head start over the other bargain-hunting shoe lovers out there. If you "like" Nine West on Facebook (Facebook.com/NineWest), you'll automatically have the opportunity to pre-shop its Black Friday Sale, which includes footwear styles at up to 60% off retail.

Nissa Jewelry is offering an additional 25% off its sale items (including the gorgeous Casablanca necklace pictured here) on Black Friday. To enjoy the extra savings, enter the code THANKS25 when you check out at nissajewelry.com. The offer is valid from Friday, November 25th through Monday, November 28th.  

Miss Piggy for MAC Cosmetics -- High On The Hog? Or Just Oinkay?

Even if your only understanding of Miss Piggy's role as a fashion icon was pieced together from the trailer of the Jason Segal-helmed The Muppets movie, at the very least, you know that her snout aside, the blue-eyed, frog-loving diva has champagne tastes. In one scene, she sits before a plate of donuts wearing a sharp Chanel jacket, pristine white gloves, and a multi-strand pearl necklace, her blond hair style in an Anna Wintour-worthy bob. In another movie scene, she sports a dapper leather trench with leopard print-accented lapels and cuffs, a sheer lace camisole peeking at the neckline, and pale pink gloves keeping her hands toasty.

The new, limited-edition Miss Piggy for MAC Cosmetics collection, then, seeks to capture the classic, posh, ultra feminine aesthetic of America's favorite puppet character. The three-piece collection focuses on three of of her beauty essentials: flirtatious lashes, dark and pronounced lash line, and rosy lids. The collection, then, includes the Miss Piggy Pink Eye Shadow ($15 at MACcosmetics.com), a pale, frosty, blue-toned pink shade reminiscent of a bowl of Jordan almonds (check out swatches after the jump); the Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack ($17.50 at MACcosmetics.com); a marker-like eyeliner with a pointed felt tip that allows for great control when lining eyes however lightly or thickly; and the Lash 36 ($15 at MACcosmetics.com), which fan out at the corners of the eyes for flutter-ready lids.

The Penultimate Eye Liner is, of course, a classic offering from MAC, so there's nothing particularly exciting about its inclusion in the collection. The lashes, meanwhile, are a bit short in length, making them hard to position along the lash lines, plus they're far from self-adhesive, despite what the packaging may convey. And, as for the pink eye shadow, there's nothing memorable about it. 

Unfortunately, in its attempt to capitalize from the current Muppets Mania, MAC fell into the trap of following, rather than setting trends — a quality that we hardly associate with the forward-thinking, boundary-breaking brand.

More hype than heart, more style than substance, the Miss Piggy for MAC Cosmetics is about as underwhelimng as the new Muppets movie itself. Sadly, this is hardly the makeup collection we'd envision for the lady who once uttered the words, "There is the satisfaction of providing your public with a vision of true beautology, true sytlisity... How can I put it?  True glamorositude."

Back to Black -- Get Ready For These Great Black Friday Deals!

For years now, Black Friday has been the biggest day for retailers nationwide — and, in these challenging financial times, brands are offering better deals, greater incentives for shoppers, limited-time-only releases and deals, and even extended sale dates.

Below, get a sampling of what's in store this year. Stay tuned for more scoop on Black Friday deals! 

Who needs a white knight? Let your hero in shining armor be a Black Knight — specifically, the MAC Cosmetics Black Knight Lipstick.

Yes, ladies, on Friday, November 25th, M·A·C is re-releasing its Black Knight Lipstick, a creamy black color perfect for any goth-flavored look. The lipstick will be available exclusively at MACcosmetics.com for one day only, so don't miss out on an opportunity to grab this classic shade.

And, if you need tips on how to pull off this shade, just log onto Twitter and follow M·A·C Senior Artists Keri Blair (@MAC_Keri_B) and Romero Jennings (@MAC_Romero_J) — both will be offering tips on how to rock this bold shade starting today. 

 

Butterflies literally pop up and seem to flutter when you open the lid of the new Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV, which features 16 eyeshadow shades — 10 of them newly introduced hues — as well as a 24/7 Liquid Liner, a Primer Potion, and a Super Curl Mascara. Feeling butterflies in your stomach yet? Then check this out: on Black Friday, the first 1,000 customers to log onto UrbanDecay.com can purchase the Book of Shadows IV for $20 off its retail price ($44 instead of $64) by entering the code BLACKFRIDAY11 at checkout.

 

 

Why wait until Friday? If you've got your Black Friday running shoes on, then dash to the Jean-Michel Cazabat store in NYC (located at 350 Bleecker Street) and present the coupon pictured above to pre-shop the Black Friday sale.

You know what they say about the early bird!

 

For instant pre-Black Friday gratification, visit Endless.com, where today and tomorrow, you can get 25% off a selection of women's, men's, and children's shoes. Click here to browse through the selection of discounted styles, which includes the DV by Dolce Vita Larena Platform Sandal shown above (normally $109).

 

It's Black Thursday, not Friday, over at Joe's Jeans. On November 24th, visit JoesJeans.com and enjoy 25% off denim, sweatshirts, tees, and more.

 

What's rock-'n'-roll about standing in line for hours on end? Avoid the lines and instead breed your own kind of fashion mayhem with some fresh new Crash and Burn gear. From November 25th through November 27th, log onto ShopCrashAndBurn.com and enjoy 50% off on some badass graphic tees, distressed cargo jackets, cozy dolman tops, lace-trimmed leggings, and more! Just enter the code BLACK50 at checkout.