“Urban Decay is rocking my world lately.” — MBB Reader Louise Gray

Louise, you took the words right outta my mouth! Cruelty-free Urban Decay took vegan makeup mainstream with bright colors and glitter, and they’re still going strong with what I think are some really interesting and fun launches for fall and holiday (Book of Shadows Vol. II!!!) .

Makeup newbies, or those new to the brand, may want to keep eyes peeled for UD’s new holiday liners. Called the 24/7 Set in Stereophonic ($29), the kit I’m talking about here includes four large 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in some very wearable colors, along with one full-size Heavy Metal Glitter Liner (for when you need a little sparkle in your life).

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils from left to right: Crash, Underground, Zero and Gunmetal

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One chilly afternoon, three BFFs came up with a plan to survive the cloudy skies and biting cold of winter.

The three of them — Jacquelyn (pronounced Zhack-LEEN), Celeste and Lana — had known each other for years, having met at a crowded Chanel Master Class in the city.

The classes soon became a yearly ritual. This year, they went hoping to play with the lovely Aqualumiere Glosses.

Surrounded by Chanel, their minds wandered to warmer weather…

“I know!” said Lana, a pile of Glossimers on the desk beside her, “Let’s go to Kauai!”

So, the three friends booked a week-long tropical getaway together, pledging to leave their cares (and the cold) behind.

They left right away, boarding a plane dressed for success — strappy sandals, bikinis, bright sundresses and, tucked away inside their luggage, the latest Aqualumiere Glosses from Chanel (Holiday 2009, $27 each).

All three shiny and sheer, non-sticky glosses are just the things for a tropical getaway.

Jacquelyn, the outgoing flirt, loved shimmery coral Canari. With it on, she knew no man could resist her charms (or her Brazilian-cut bikini).

Glossimer in Canari, ($27)

Celeste, the shy bookworm with a wild streak, fell for shimmery pink Hirondelle.

Glossimer in Hirondelle ($27)

Quick-witted Lana’s penchant for sarcasm often landed her in trouble at bars and baseball games — the only two places she loved more than Disneyland. A fanatic for smokey eyes and nude lips, she opted for sheer beige Colibri.

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There’s nothing like lipstick to lift a girl’s spirit and help her climb out of a mental funk.

Today the four Chanel Aqualumieres ($29 each) from the Holiday 2009 collection were my little rescue workers.

I’m a little surprised that Chanel chose to release these for fall/winter on account of how sheer and shiny they are; seems like pinks and nudes are more typical spring/summer fare, but Coco and Co. always like to shake things up.

I think my favorite’s Maldives… It’s hard to go wrong with a name like that (I hear there’s good surfing in Maldives), and I dig the rosy pink.

I like all four of the names, but it doesn’t look like there’s a huge degree of difference among the shades…

Which one of the Chanel Holiday 2009 Aqualumiere Lipsticks is your favorite?

• Maldives
• Grenada
• Galapagos
• Tasmania

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It’s time for this tired girl to hit the haaaaaay…

Sorry about not keeping up with your comments. I have been reading them all, even during the move, but I haven’t had time to reply. I’ll get back on track soon.

Hope you had a nice day.

Zzzzzzz…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Let the holiday 2009 madness begin with Benefit’s limited-edition sets, available later this month.

My mind’s a blur right now (too much coffee and too little sleep), so forgive me as I bust out the bullets:

• Each set is reasonably priced between $26-46.
• The quilt and chain designs along with the red, purple and gold packaging totally remind me of a blinged-out Chanel purse.
• Included in the kits are arguably some of the best stuff in Benefit’s permanent line (hello, Coralista).
• Love the Crescent Row scents like I do? Expect new, limited-edition body lotions for each fragrance. I haven’t tried ‘em yet, but I hope they’ll be moisturizing enough to handle my alligator legs.

Let me know if any of these move you.

Celebutante, $34

This nine-piece kit packs almost everything I need to go from tow’ up to glam in a matter of minutes. The travel-sized eye and blush brushes for on-the-go touchups are a nice bonus, too.

Bring out your inner Celebutante with …

• High Beam: a shimmery pink highlighter for the face and body (check out swatches along with a how-to tutorial here)
• Benetint: a liquid, rose-colored cheek and lip tint (see swatches here)
• Dallas: a shimmery peach blush (read a full review and view swatches here)
• Lip Gloss in I’m With the Band: a sheer, shimmery golden pink gloss (peep the full review and swatches here and here)
• Full-Finish lipstick in Lady’s Choice: a warm, dusty rose pink (see here for swatches)
• Velvet Eyeshadow in Leggy: a shimmery light pink (see swatches here)
• Velvet Eyeshadow in Dandy Brandy: a shimmery golden brown (see swatches here)

Glitz Glam & Gloss, $26

Benefit Lip Gloss fans on a budget just might love this kit.

The Benefit babes loaded Glitz Glam & Gloss with three dual-headed glosses (six glosses total), each with a generous .10-oz of product (a full-sized Benefit Lip Gloss contains .17-oz of gloss).

Buying all six glosses separately (check out a review here) costs $108; grabbing ‘em all at once saves a whopping $82. That’s a steal of a deal, yo!

Glitz Glam & Gloss includes …
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Back in high school, one of my BFFs was a total goth girl. Dressed in black from head to toe, she would have squealed with delight over next month’s Noirs Obscurs collection from Chanel.

I bet the nine-piece release of dark shades for eyes, lips and nails is something The Cure (circa 1990) would have liked, too, LOL!

Here’s a quick look at some of release. Let me know what you think!

Quator Boutons De Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow

Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Obscur

Le Vernis Nail Colour in Diabolic

Swatches

First row: Rouge Allure in Obscure, Les Vernis Nail Colour in Diabolic. Second row: Quator Boutons De Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow. Third row: Exceptionnel De Chanel Noir Obscur Mascara.

The entire Chanel Noirs Obscurs collection includes…

Inimitable Noir Obscur Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel, $30

• Extreme Black 05: a deep, dark black

Exceptionnel De Chanel Noir Obscur Intense Volume and Curl Mascara, $30

• Extreme Black 05: a deep, dark black

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