Fashionable Halloween Clearance Rack Steals

As you probably know, the day after (and sometimes day of) Halloween is when stores pull all of their theme items and throw them on a clearance rack for 50-75% off. There's not much you can do with a ceramic jack-o-lantern past it's sell-by date, but there are a few style items worth snatching up at a discount for year-round usage.

1.) Black, purple, glitter and other wild nail polish. Since when do those not work in January?

2.) False eyelashes - even some of the crazier sets can be fun around the holidays and for parties or going out. Falsies don't have to be expensive to look amazing.

3.) Stripe, fishnet and fun colored tights. Also not a halloween-only accessory.

4.) Skull jewelry (but leave the spiderweb and pumpkin earrings on the shelf, please)

5.) Glitter.

6.) Novelty socks. Does anyone see what's under those snowboots in the winter? If you find cuddly ones for 99 cents, stock up.

7.) Next year's costume. Like any end-of-season purchase, stash it away in a box for next year and be so excited when you realize you don't have to fight the crowds and pay full price next October. Suckers!

PS: Two notable Halloween free shipping deals from sweet websites:

- ASOS.com (UK) is offering free shipping to the U.S. this weekend on EVERYTHING.

- MAC Cosmetics is offering free shipping on any purchase during "the witching hours" between 6PM and 3AM tonight.

Review: Clinique Deep Comfort Hand Cream

After my research into who's animal testing and who isn't, I was wondering where to turn once my former go-to winter hand cream (by bunny-beaters Neutrogena) runs out. Leave it to my friends at Clinique to save the day! I've had the opportunity to test out Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream ($17.50 for 2.5 oz.) which becomes available in November 2009, and I can't recommend it enough.

At that price point, I might call it a luxury for "just a hand cream" but I put literally a pea-sized amount in my palm and it did the job for both hands, so I think you could stretch one tube for almost an entire winter. It's extremely rich and thick but absorbed almost immediately. My skin felt really soft, not just surface-soft, and there was no heavy fragrance to it at all.

Verdict: Worth it! Try it at a Clinique counter next month and see for yourself.

P.S.: There's already a Deep Comfort Body Butter and Body Moisturizer out now. In November, a Body Wash is also set to be released.

MAC Style Black: Fierce, Not Food Court

I was in Nordstrom today and fell fairly obsessed with MAC Cosmetics "Style Black" collection. I was skeptical of a Kat von Disaster when I first heard about it, but it's truly a line of versatile and wearable items (save the black lipstick, which I can't imagine will be a big seller.)

The mineralize eye shadows are particularly stunning - Cinderfella and Blue Flame are on my wishlist. They go on smooth and rich, and the glitter is ultra-fine. There are several products in the line that aren't new, but just mesh well with the collection so they are included (Mattene lipstick in Night Violet is a re-issue) - below is a list of the items that are really debuting.

Cremesheen Lipstick ($14)
Black Knight - Creamy true black
Mattene Lipstick ($14.50)
Midnight Media - Dense matte black

Glimmerglass Lipgloss ($18)
Bling Black - Sheer black with gold pearl
Blackfire - Sheer black with pink purple pearl
Blackware - Creamy true black

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19)
Cinderfella - Black with silver pearl
Young Punk - Black with pink purple pearl
Gilt by Association - Black with gold bronze pearl
Blue Flame - Black with blue pearl

Grease Paintstick ($17.50)
Black - Intense black

Nail Lacquer ($12)
Seriously Hip - Black with gold particle pearl
Baby Goth Girl - Black with pink and purple pearl

DIY: Get Dior-esque Half Moon Nails

It's been a long time since I've seen a trend in nails that I've had any interest in. Maybe it's because they usually involve long nails, which are so corpse-esque and trashy I can't even look at them. I do, however, love the retro film star nails the models were rocking on the Dior Fall 2009 runway (they're sort of like a reverse French mani) and to get them you don't need horrific bird talons.

Though the manicurist at the show claims the look can't be tried at home (trying to keep the trend exclusive, perhaps?), Jessica at Stylelist put up a great post a couple months back about how to get the look.

Basically, just paint your nails like normal (using a dark color for drama) and then carefully remove a half-moon shaped strip at the base of the nail using polish remover and a little tiny paintbrush you can probably nab at a craft store.

NARS Reveals Summer 2009 Products

NARS is one of the few brands that is not a bff of Hearts Like Stars yet (We've reached out a few times... maybe they're just not down with bloggers?) so I can't give you the skinny on the texture and lasting power of the colors they released today. What I can say is that the look is bold, but at the same time, sophisticated. I'm a big fan of the upcoming orange lipstick trend.

The model is wearing new single eyeshadow in Tropic ($22), lip liner in Tonga ($20) and lipstick in Outsider ($24). The entire summer 2009 collection is pictured at left. Notice there is no blush? Don't do it if you're wearing eyes and lips this bold! A dusting of bronzer is all the color you need.

(Product and model images via NARScosmetics.com. Click to enlarge.)