Current Likes

Time for a new post! :)

Been neglecting the blog for ever..time to sweep in and talk a little about current obsessions. Let's begin.

1. Neutrogena Deep Moisture Comfort Balm

This stuff is a miracle in a jar. It works wonderfully on my skin, like nothing I've ever tried before. I usually go for thicker, more oily products since aging and wrinkles are my biggest fear. However, this cream is the best thing I have ever tried for hydration and quick absorption. It works wonderfully under the makeup, and that's why it has become my current staple- my skin drinks it up instantly and I'm ready to apply my makeup. Yay!

It has a beautiful, delicate 'creamy' scent, it didn't clog my pores (I've been using it for a while, I guess several months already, the jar is almost empty), didn't cause anything, redness or itching, it doesn't stain my pillowcase (I always apply a thick layer before going to bed), it just works magically and I am so happy I discovered it! Got it from the Carrefour supermarket and it doesn't cost a lot at all (in euros, around 4.20, and in USD, 5.35, which is very cheap if you ask me), especially given the generous size of the jar (200 ml) and the consistency which allows for using a very small amount. 

2. Baby Oil

Currently, Nivea's baby oil and the classic Johnson product, the gel version. I love this stuff. I use it on my body, given that I have one of the driest skins out there, and it did improve the overall condition (especially after being out in the cold, or aggressive treatments such as waxing). I don't even use lotion anymore, since I get baby soft skin after each use (after shower- it's important to apply the baby oil on wet skin, but I guess everybody knows this). My skin is softer, the hairs don't feel as coarse as they did once they start appearing and overall, it's been a major gain. 

The main purpose of my baby oil routine is to condition my lashes. After tons of products, natural remedies, oils and massages (vaseline, borage oil, etc.) I think I found the easiest, no stress way of conditioning my lashes and helping them grow out- I apply baby oil each night before going to bed, alternating between the two brands, Nivea and Johnson's. The Nivea one contains almond oil as well as the classic paraffin (liquid version of vaseline, anyone?), which is a nourishing oil for the skin as well as for the delicate hairs of the lashes, while the Johnson's one is easier to use because it's a gel and I can apply it with absolutely no fuss; not to mention that I find this 'method', alternating between different formulations, to have helped my lashes tremendously. I can't remember the last time I lost a single one, they've become much stronger and softer, and they're significantly longer and thicker despite my constant violence towards them- curling, pulling, false lash gluing, ripping the band off, etc, we all know what happens.

I also use the baby oil to remove my eye makeup, and it does leave a greasy film on the skin but the benefits override this little nuisance. I wouldn't go back to using a typical eye makeup remover, not in a thousand years. 

3. Le Blanc de Chanel Primer

I swear, this is a rediscovered product I have fallen in love with...yet again. Haven't used it in a long time because I remembered it took me a while to apply it, blend it in, wait for it to settle a little, all the procedures. However....this weekend I went out and decided I wanted to have my skin look a little better, and the foundation last longer, so I applied it underneath Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation (review coming soon)...oh the surprise!!!

It make my skin look so beautiful, emphasized the pigmentation of the foundation, make my cheeks glow and settled my makeup so nicely I didn't even need powder on top; it also lasted for about 10 hours without budging...the makeup that is. Deeply in love with the primer, once again. Will continue using it on every 'special occasion' since it's so expensive...can't wait to see the differences again! 

Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Creme Makeup Review

I'm finally back on track with a wonderful product I've been wanting to review for ever, since it's less popular than the 'classic' Chanel Vitalumiere, which I tried and didn't love. Not the case with this one. 

Price: I was fortunate enough not to pay anything for this baby since I got it as a present from a friend. I guess the price is around $ 50, which isn't cheap at all. However, there are some props with this specific type of foundation which clearly make up for the bucks you pay.

Packaging: I really like it, but it's not ergonomic. The squared glass jar looks beautifully, very retro for a foundation since it doesn't come in the typical bottle with a pump. I like this packaging more than anything else, regardless of the fact that it's a pain to carry it around for touch ups. The thing is...you don't need any with this baby.

Shades: It comes in 9 shades, beautifully pigmented and extremely realistic. I've always praised other foundations, especially my beloved Estee Laude Double Wear, for their pigmentation, coverage, endurance, etc, but none comes close when it comes to shades and their adaptability. Most of the shades available on the European/US markets are beige-toned, and the ones catering to rosier complexions are demure and very skin-like. I have mine in 20 Clair, and had the classic Vitalumiere foundation (the one in the bottle) in 30 Cendre (I think it was 'Shell' in English). They are pretty much the same thing- the same undertone basis, the exact same 'color', Clair being a little bit lighter than Cendre. Very nicely executed replica, since it's quite difficult to find consecutive shades that are really a scale and not a pallet. 

I think Clair suits anyone with a lighter complexion- NW 20-30, even 35 (in summer, when tanned), or NC 20-25. It has beige undertones but neither orange nor yellow, just 'cream'. 

Another huge prop of this foundation (perhaps given by its consistency as well as the shade's potential) is the chromatic adaptability- it doesn't suit my skin 100% (what foundation does it to the degree of perfect?), but it manages to blend in perfectly to the point where I can't tell where I have applied it and if I need to blend it in my neck/hairline. Awesome. This is prop number 2, it's never happened to me before, with any other foundation, not to this degree. Really impressed by it. 

Consistency: creamy. Like a face cream, think Nivea Visage. Doesn't run, doesn't dry up fast. It's really beautiful to look at, since it gives the impression of a luxurious product.

Honestly, that's all you need for half a face. I was very surprised since this foundation is identical in terms of consistency with Nivea Beauty Lift, but seems to 'multiply itself' when applied. 

I did my makeup using a normal foundation brush, as opposed to Chanel's brush indicated on their website (big surprise, right). It worked wonders. 

I've always been the eye-rolling one while reading hundreds of reviews where the ladies praised various foundations, or even makeup brushes, claiming it cuts back on the quantity they use. In my case, I need two pumps on average, and another extra half pump for the undereye area and various spots/discolorations. With this foundation, I can happily say I have entered that 'I Only Need a Little' category.

Application: Smooth like nothing else, it works beautifully with anything- fingers, sponges, flat brushes, kabuki brushes (when I'm in a hurry), even with my stubborn Sephora #44 stippling brush, and I never got that one to work with anything, EVER. I guess it's the consistency combined with the strong pigmentation that allows for such a small quantity and a beautiful finish. I prefer using it with a flat brush, because I don't like getting my fingers dirty, and a sponge would suck up too much product. I also like the dewy finish, which doesn't quite happen when a sponge is involved.

Coverage: Five stars. The foundation is allegedly medium coverage, I find it to be full. Without the mask effect. No pores, no lines, no caking up. It's creamy and allows for building it up in as many layers as you please, without getting messy if used on primer, anti-shine gels, even powder. It's simply wonderful. 

Below are some photos taken at various moments of the day, with or without flash, in natural shade or lighting. 

Natural light, at noon, just blush on the cheeks (no powder)

Natural light, in shade, right after application (nothing else on top)

Natural light, opposing the sun (that's why my skin looks reddish), after 5 hours of dancing. Concealer under the eyes and a bit of blush on the cheeks. No powder on the face (just the hairline and lower chin).

Finish: Four stars. It has a very dewy finish than can feel oily, but it looks glowy. It usually happens the other way around with everything else I ever tried- you get an oil slick on your face while the product claims 'glowiness from within'. My skin is mixed, and I wore this in the middle of July for a wedding- it lasted beautifully throughout the night, with a bit of powder (Chanel pressed powder, review coming up very soon) applied mostly on the hairline and around the mouth (dancing and eating involved, thus extra measures had to be taken). It doesn't melt, it doesn't get cakey or sticky if you sweat (especially on the forehead or nose), and it doesn't stain. If you set it with a bit of powder, then you have an 8 hour guarantee. It also has an SPF of 15 and photographs beautifully.

In shadow, no flash light, after 8 hours.  

Right after the application, natural light, facing the window :) Just concealer (Clinique) under the eyes and blush.

However, it depends from complexion to complexion. My friend (the one who gave it to me) has tried it herself and cannot understand why I like it- on her skin it gets messy, gunky and basically dissolves in tiny balls around her cheeks and nose. She has normal skin with a bit of dryness- so she's the perfect choice for this foundation, according to the manufacturer. Many reviews warn about this foundation and oily complexions, and praise it as being the Holy Grail of dry or more mature skins. In her case, it just didn't work out, so the only flaw (and a major one) would be that it's a trial and error issue...which doesn't come in super handy when you have to pay $50 for the bottle. 

Overall: A fantastic product I intend to use for special occasions only. A little goes a long way, so those special occasions might come up every day. Since it's so pricy, I'll just use it wisely. Definitely going to repurchase this and not the typical Vitalumiere, which was a disappointment.

A short comparison between the Chanel Vitalumiere Creme Makeup and the Chanel Vitalumiere Fluid Makeup

-identical shades

-three of four times more coverage of the Creme v. the Fluid

-better finish of the Creme. The Fluid gets soaked in, looks very good and natural but tends to disappear around 3 hours after the application unless heavily set with powder. You need much more Fluid to cover what the Creme does with the tiniest amount

-endurance- the Fluid doesn't last nearly as long as the Creme. I'd say 3 hours v. 8-10 hours.

-the Fluid has a definite advantage in the packaging department; however, I'd rather carry a bulky bottle or depot it in something else than getting stuck with the Fluid. After all, it's about different densities of the products- that's why the 30 g of the Creme beats the 30 ml of the Fluid.

-the Creme will last you many months, daily use, while the Fluid lasts several weeks i assume (I returned mine after two uses, which amounted to 8 pumps. Ouch). You're not paying for water after all (70% of the Fluid) but for something more consistent (Creme).

-the finish is identical, minus the 'sleaking' part the Fluid has. They both look the same when applied, but the actual effect is different with the Creme.

I strongly, strongly recommend this foundation if you like the classic Vitalumiere, it's the same thing only ten times better. 

Le Blanc de Chanel Illuminating Base

I've wanted this product for a while before purchasing it...i stumbled across some primer reviews on Makeupalley and there it was.



Now this is my version of the pic, a little more blurry because by the time i got to actually realize the quality wasn't the expected one and try change the settings, the battery died.

It is a beautiful, beautiful frosted glass bottle with a gorgeously massive squared cap with the Chanel logo embossed on. The bottle is squared as you can see, which i love because it's simpler to pack when traveling. It comes with a small plastic spatula to use and pick up the product from the bottle...yep, it doesn't have a pump. Not very happy about it.

This is the 'new and improved' version of the 'old' base that was marketed as Blanc Universel de Chanel.

So this is basically a liquid version of the old white paste in a jar. I must say this version appears to be much hygienic and comfortable to use than the former one...at least they provide a spatula or a separate pump can be used. I can't imagine what it was like to try work with the paste, dabbing your fingers/sponges/brushes in the jar...brrrr. Germs+messy fingers+wasted product=NOT cool.

The rave reviews on Makeupalley were 90% referring to the old cream version...and not to the liquid one simply because the ladies were/are still using the old formulation. It was a bit of a cringing situation for me when i discovered i had bought the 'new' version and not the wonder jar many girls were swearing by, because from my experience, whenever a quality product is 'improved' it usually turns out to be a major flop.

However, though i never used the cream one, i do think the differences between my observations and the ones on forums are minor.

Price: It is expensive like hell. For a small bottle of 30 ml one has to pay around 50 euros but i was lucky and got it from duty free for 29, almost half price off. Yay! As i said, it is going to burn a little hole in your budget.

Quantity & stuff: 30 ml isn't too much but the thick fluidity give the primer/base a creamy consistency. a little goes a long way, it is extremely blendable and easy to work with. So i guess it lasts forever. I've had mine since March, though not using it every day thus not being able to approximate, i can still tell it DOES last a long long long time...my bottle looks untouched and i did use it many times.

What it claims to do: Chanel states it is a 'multi-tasking ingenious fluid' base meant to provide a smooth application of the makeup through its texture; it is also meant to reduce the small expression wrinkles, fine lines, large pores or granulated skin, therefore aiming towards a porcelain complexion.

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What it does: well. It is not very visible on my skin therefore i have uploaded a picture of a model being prepped with Le Blanc. The effect on her entire face is the exact same one on mine, when i use the right amount all over my face.

The primer IS white, but it won't leave white streaks, a white layer or anything in the family. It is like applying 'pearl cream' on your face- you get a ton of glow due to the microscopic light-reflecting particles in it. It doesn't look shiny (as in greasy oily forehead and nose), glittery or tacky. It gives the Jennifer Lopez glow 'from the inside' even when worn alone.

In the pics I have only used it underneath my eyes and blended it downwards on the cheekbones because i sincerely don't want to waste the product and two, due to the specificity of the area- my undereye skin & the cheekbone area are the most troublesome parts that need to be taken care of (undereye circles & spots immediately under). The quality of the pics isn't so high but you can clearly see a difference. The product is basically capable to significantly lighten up your skin and 'erase' undereye circles and fine expression lines BY ITSELF. I have no foundation or concealer on top of it.

It does make a huge difference, and by itself only. The first twenty seconds seem like an eternity because the product must be allowed to settle on the skin and 'work'. The first impression is indeed of having applied whitening glow on your face but immediately after you'll see the difference. It just evens out the skintone, one, two, it makes your face glow in a natural and healthy manner, and three, it does make even the cheapest and chromatically challenged foundation glide on the skin and appear much more suitable to your skintone. It can also be used for lightening up a darker foundation, or as a mixing agent for two foundations, making your own tinted (glowing!) moisturizer or taming down a thick concealer. It is indeed a very versatile product and i don't regret having purchased it.

How to use: i prefer to use my fingertips to warm up the product and not waste so much; never tried the brush or sponge but i guess it's okay to use those too. Very important to remember- you must let it settle in for about 5 minutes; it doesn't change the appearance or the quality of your makeup if you don't, you might only get a little scared by the initial whiteness (which isn't so pronounced after all, but who knows). NO, it will NOT make your face white or lighten up the tone of your foundation/concealer. It gives this impression if applied together with a dark foundation because of the light-reflecting particles, but it won't affect its tone. It will however make your face dewy, glowing, amazingly healthy and smooth. No matter what cheapos you decide to use with it, you'll have a beautiful and radiant complexion at the end of your makeup routine.

It also makes your foundation last longer, no dryness, no crimping in the fine lines, even if you use a heavy-duty setting powder. It's suitable for every skintype, doesn't irritate, doesn't break me out, it's perfect. It gives a nice sensation by keeping the moist in your skin, you literally feel fresh-faced even after ten hours of wearing makeup. The best primer for my Estee Lauder Double Wear, which is a tricky foundation to wear (can dry out the skin).

Therefore...: It is the best foundation base i have ever had, period. Much much better than Laura Mercier, Clinique or the drugstore ones i have tried. I love the fact that the foundation gets smoother and easier to blend; this is indeed a true makeup base. It's worth all the money, it lasts forever, it smells good (a faint powdery-fruity scent)....strongly recommended.

Here are some pictures.

With flash, Seventeen Time Plus foundation on top (shade 05 dark beige):

Without flash (daylight, bad angle):

Happy shopping everyooooone!

Fashion fisticuffs- the Oscars

THEY'RE HERE, THEY'RE HERE! The Oscar dresses are here! while my favorite GoFugYourself is preparing its weekend dose of fashion mayhem thus being currently in full creative process i decided to give it a try on my own little blog. Drums drums drums...

The beautiful ones:

1) Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel



Many fashion magazines have categorized this dress as a little on the fashion mayhem verge because of its unusual, straight cut and the rose detail. I find it absolutely stunning. It is very difficult for someone to look good in a dress like this because the large flowing material does not advantage all body types. But Sarah Jessica Parker can definitely pull it due to her petite frame. I love the satin, the pale golden-beige color, the suspended neck band instead of jewelry, the gray choice for the rose bouquet detail, the hair and the earrings. The cherry on the cake- the bangles. Absolutely unexpected jewelry choice that i think is astonishing. I'm going to keep this picture in my computer forever and ever in the hopes that one day some clever seamstress will manage to recreate this for me....oh the love! the splendor!


2) Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent



I'm crazy about the squared angles of the corset and the necklace. The rectangular shape of the stone, the delicate thread of gold (or whatever that is) and the simplicity of the entire piece makes it just gorgeous. I love Kate's radiantly fresh complexion and the Lauren Bacall-esque hair gives her the '50's diva look. Love the lipstick as well, balances out the nude color of the dress. I'm not particularly crazy about the lower part of the gown, it could have been less delimited at the waist and look less like a long skirt, but the color choice downplays absolutely all the potential misfits. Love the elegant purse, not too big, not too tacky and small, but i would have really adored this ensemble if the dress didn't have the obvious front cut. And it's not that i dislike the shoes, but this kind of dress gives the impression it would really be striking if it covered everything and floated on the red carpet...


3) Elizabeth Banks in Versace



Elegant, delicate, a floating foam of a dress. The color in itself is not particularly beautiful, nor is the chest detail, but the baby blue-gray compliments EBanks' pale rosy skintone and gives the impression of a porcelain doll strolling down the red carpet. Love the hairstyle and jewelry choice, simple and extremely tasteful. 5 stars.


4) Amanda Seyfried in Armani



The former Mean Girl has indeed changed in terms of displaying an utter lack of even the tiniest drop of self-tanner. This celestial, almost bridal gown would look ridiculous on someone with Lindsay Lohan's orange-ness, for that matter. I love how the color of the dress compliments her pale complexion and the classiness of the hair do. I don't like the hippie handicraft bangle though, but this dress can definitely back up ANYTHING.


5) Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka



I listed Helen because she is one of the most beautiful mature actresses in Hollywood and definitely the classiest. I am not crazy about the cut of the dress because the covered shoulders and the squared cleavage reek of grandma-ness, and it definitely doesn't suit Helen. But i absolutely adore her platinum blonde silver-ish hair and the sophisticated yet simple do. I like the large necklace as well, as i like the color of the dress and the large sparkles embedded in the fabric. Give a terribly youthful lift from the cookie-baking grandma cleavage design. Helen's makeup is impeccable, as usual, and her skin is positively glowing. A-amazing.

6) Vera Farmiga in Marchesa



Beautiful electric color that pops out in a youthful jazzy kind of way; the cut is absolutely fantastic and bold without spilling over the entire Lady Gaga scary monstrosity and the lipstick choice is definitely five stars- it doesn't look too much at all but it compliments Vera's pale complexion. I'm not crazy about the hair but with this kind of dress, playing low it's the best option. Thumbs up, class all the way. Loves it.

7) Diane Kruger in Chanel





I somehow love this dress. It looks like a giant slice of cake with loads and loads or cream and liquorish frosting but i really like it. It's again the Chanel signature pattern, making an astonishing gown in two colors only (neutrals this time, even lovelier) with a catchy and special design. I like the ribbon details on the back and the long satiny strings coming down to her hips. It has a theoretically simple design, being nothing more than a halter cocktail dress, but the ruffled pattern from the waist down is tasteful yet en vogue at the same time. A very eclectic design with gorgeous colors that perfectly suit Diane's skintone...and i also love her hair, simple and clean. The clutch is black and not cream, giving the entire outfit another point for minimalism. Diane looks like a beautiful Cinderella whose dreams are about to come true because Chanel spotted her while standing on the corner near the Beverly Center, selling newspapers, grabbed her delicious frame, put her in this gown and set her afloat on the red carpet. I think not everybody can pull up this look because you need that je ne sais quoi, that personality your dress will borrow, either attitude or grace, and Diane is undoubtedly a graceful presence.

The bad and the ugly:

1) Mariah Carey in Valentino



Okay someone must let Mimi know she's not at the 1994 Chattanooga High prom dance. The dress is first of all very similar to Gabourey Sidibe's. Then that color is NOT for the red carpet but for a '60's soviet flight attendant's uniform if you ask me. The horrendous 'jewelry' looks like something Madonna wore in the '80's 'Desperately Seeking Susan'. And the entire cut is just wrong, the lower front part is way too short and disrupts the entire appearance of a dress i'd otherwise dub as 'not a total eye sore'. It looks as if the seamstress didn't take the correct measurements and 5 minutes before the Oscars ceremony realized the front part is too short so decided to pin it up with her highschool beret broach. Eew.


2) Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa



Say what??? ok i get it, nobody's gonna talk about the pink elephant in the room so i might as well be the first one. I am amazed that Perez Hilton thinks Gabourey looks 'amazing' in this..thing, and other fashion magazines dubbed the actress as 'stunningly looking'. First of all, the color choice is completely uninspired, more or less like Mariah Carey's. It doesn't go well with Gabourey's skintone, bringing out ashy undertones in her complexion. Secondly, the cut of the dress is definitely NOT suited for overweight-ness. I'm sorry if i can't be cosmetically-correct and refer to miss Sidibe as to 'a delicate feather' because she just isn't. Her body structure is extremely heavy and this dress choice doesn't advantage her at all. The fabric seems to have been washed over a thousand times because that color looks so tired, washed off and just irritatingly sad. Gabourey would have looked a thousand times better in something more appropriate for her body type and a nicer, livelier color. Her hair is also a disaster- Gabourey is a mature woman on a special night on the red carpet, not a 13 year-old on her pediatrician's visit. The bundled up fringe and the swept back unwashed hair just don't do her justice, making her face appear even rounder.


3) Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham



It appears that nobody noticed Miley left the house wearing only the lower part of a nightgown and a bustier. The horrendous detail of the bustier, namely that puffy fluffy easter bunny lining of the cups is COMPLETELY inappropriate for Miley's age, not to mention tacky and cheap looking. It's like someone from her entourage ripped the fabric off an old prom dress and squeezed Miley in. Tisk tisk tisk. Definite no-no. I also hate the unwashed mohican hair do. Miley Cyrus has definitely grown up...in the wrong way this time.

4) Cameron Diaz in Oascar de la Renta



I have a love-hate relationship with this dress and with Cameron's overall appearance. While hating the lack of jewelry and the red lipstick on the paleness of her face, i like some of the details embroidered on the dress, the bold glitzy golden choice for the sewn details and the draped bottom of the dress.....i like the hair as well. It finally looks like Cameron has met the shampoo bottle. Howeverrrr...i don't like the fact that the overall impression this dress gives at a first glance is that it's been made from an old Studio 54 curtain and the pieces were sewn together 14 minutes before the ceremony. I mean it has no shape (simple is not always classy, Cameron!), no interesting detail and the color is just too floppy. This kind of dress should have been accessorized with some jewelry...or at least a more sophisticated hair do, like a majestic bun or something, you understand what i mean. Then another thing- i always get the feeling that Cameron Diaz looks well only in dresses that mirror extremes- either a surf-inspired chiffon pattern with a pashmina as a belt and fluorescent plastic bangles or long black chiffon gowns styled with pearls. She just has too much attitude to sport such a Cinderella gown and it really comes through, one can tell Cameron is somewhere in there, stuffed inside a glittery dress with some extensions on her head. It's just not her. And the makeup is boring (pale face and red lipstick looks good on pale-skinned people most of the times...), no blush, no nothing, just a neutral washed off tan. Uhm. I really don't like it. I've seen her glow in much prettier outfits (even jeans an a cotton tank top would work better than this dress, though it's a nice piece).

5) Demi Moore in Versace



Oh Demi. This is not an Oscars gown. You look too thin to even sport bare shoulders first of all. Your makeup is nonexistent (or looks like it, at least), your face and hair look like you just came back home after a long day of spinning, jogging and playing volleyball on the beach....or from the gym, your pick. This is a salsa club dress you wear when you go out with your friends to shake things up a little and dance your ruffled chiffon off. This is NOT glamor, it screams Cancun's Coco Bongo too much. A positive aspect is that the cognac of the dress blends in perfectly with the unhealthy fake tan. It looks like the ruffles on your legs are your real skin wrinkling and shriveling and falling off your eternally youthful body. So you could probably get in the DVD exercise industry much easier with this dress...if you want to. Seriously.

6) Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab



Imagine Neytiri from Avatar got on planet Earth. This is what she would look like if suffering from a skin infection and wearing someone's old kitchen curtains as a dress. I really don't understand how could Elie Saab create this kind of disaster and how could someone wear it.

7) Elisabetta Canalis in God knows what



Elisabetta is in a desperate need for three things to look at least decent: a shampoo bottle, a hair brush and A BRA, FOR GOD'S SAKE!! she might also want to consider a TV guide subscription so she'd learn that Baywatch is no longer on air for quite a long time so that extremely tasteful tattoo would look much better under twelve layers of industrial strength concealer. Oh and the dress- i don't like the color, the cleavage is way too low and i'm sure the entire ensemble will successfully help her blend in perfectly with the chair paddings.

8) Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan



In 1980's Eastern Europe the epitome of interior design sophistication was considered to be having thick burgundy drapes on your windows. It is no longer the case of course, but Penelope looks like she's wearing one of the discarded pieces. The iron curtain has fallen quite a while ago, bb. Move on.

9) Jennifer Lopez in Armani



I think J.Lo went to her Wal-Mart from the block, got herself some bubble wrap and decided to wear it by twisting it around herself and making a nice ribbon on the left side. It didn't work out because the wrap curled and flattened out so J.Lo was left with some fluffy waves. Sigh. The earrings scream 'secretary at the company's Christmas party' and what's with the hair? is she getting bald or did she chop it off? good luck next time, J.Lo. I'm a big fan of hers but this time it's a one step for J.Lo, a giant leap for the fug.

10) Nicole Richie in Reem Acra



Uhm. I don't mean to be mean (hehe...) but Nicole totally looks like a malnourished kid whom Madonna has grabbed and wrapped in the first warm thing she could get, namely an old psychedelic wannabe-classy blanket with golden threads her grandma knitted once upon a time. Nicole's tiny little frame looks way bundled up for the LA weather forecast of the past three hundred years and the looseness of the dress doesn't help either. It's like a Woodstock songstress was teleported in Beverly Hills after someone washed her hair and reminded her to pose nicely and not flash the middle finger for the Vietnam or John Lennon cause...you get my point. I really don't like the color choice, Nicole's complexion would have glowed in a stronger and more youthful color, and the fabric looks too thick at the most superficial look. Like a combo between a fashionable Eskimo and one of Charlie Manson's ex lovers. Brrr. And for pete's sake, Nicole, eat a burger!

11) Virginia Madsen in something



Okay honey we need to talk. It's highly probable the night before the ceremony you fell asleep on your couch watching North and South and somehow in your sleep, you managed to communicate your desires and inspiration to your assistant who ran to the closest bridal shop (in the middle of the night, of course), broke the window, picked up the first gown, came back running, threw it in the washing machine together with some black dye and in the morning you had a new, all wrinkled black bridal gown ready to bewilder the red carpet. No no no, honey. It doesn't work like that. The upper part of the dress DOES look like a late '80's bride's blackened gown, and the lower part is a total disaster, like a southern belle's puffy skirt with lace applications...or a Louisiana mansion curtain set? I can't decide.
...and what's with the bangs? and the powdered makeup? and the pale burgundish-pink lipstick? and THE BELT? holy crap, i almost forgot about that.
seriously Vinny. sack the stylist. you're a beautiful woman with a gorgeous body and amazing hair and everything and you pull up that Paula Abdul-in-the-cartoon-music-video look...i'm disappointed. completely.