Because we’re friends, I’m going to tell you the real reason I’m head over heels in love with Bobbi Brown’s $18 Black Pearl Nail Polish without you thinking that I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
Okay, here goes…
It’s the color of Darth Vader’s helmet.
I spent years scouring the universe (and nail polish displays) for a nail polish the color of Vader’s helmet, and finally, after all these years, success! Mwahahahahaaa!
Emperor Palpatine will be pleased…
($18; available now at Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrowncosmetics.com)
Sure, Vader’s a really bad guy, but you have to admit — that helmet holds a certain allure.
It’s shiny, which I like, and the color’s quite complex (like Vader himself). Sometimes, it looks more gray than black, and when the light hits it right, I see dark, gloomy purple undertones…
If I ever bump into George Lucas again at the movies, I’m telling him about Bobbi’s Black Pearl Polish because I think Darth would totally love it, especially on his toes, where he could probably get away with a single pigmented coat.
I can see it now… Vader, at the end of a long day hunting down rebels on the Death Star, takes off his boots for a few minutes of “me time” while painting his nails.
And you know he isn’t reaching for Essie Ballet Slippers.
No way. 🙂
But back to the color! In the bottle, I see a pretty standard shiny black with shimmery silver pearl, but when I get it on my fingertips, it flashes from black to a deep eggplant in the light.
Cool! I love surprises…
Speaking of surprises, have you sniffed Balenciaga’s new Florabotanica?
When I saw the bottle, I thought, “drugstore shelf circa 1989…right next to Exclamation and Electric Youth,” but then I gave it a sniff.
Wow! Talk about unexpected.
To me, it’s like an oddly refreshing mix of mint and roses (no, not like a pack of Spearmint gum potpourri).
I know it sounds a little weird, but give it a sniff some time. It comes in two sizes (a smaller 1.7-ounce bottle for $95, and the larger 3.4-ounce bottle shown above for $125) at most department stores and balenciaga.com.
Right! Now that we’ve covered our beauty bases on this lovely Thursday morning (nail polish and perfume — we have our priorities, LOL!), I’m grabbing a second cup. You down for some coffee?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Marla says
November 29th, 2012 at 11:19 amThat black is beautiful. Very classy.
Dominique says
November 29th, 2012 at 11:31 amOk Karen, Vader does not wear any nail polish even when exhausted after those battles in the space lol !
I have Chanel Black Pearl but I don’t have Bobbi brown polishes.
Yes I’ve had FloraBotanica, it smells like Nature and water I think.
Sunny says
November 29th, 2012 at 11:35 amOOO I like this color! Really really not sure about the perfume packaging, but if it smells good I guess that’s what really counts!
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Trisha says
November 29th, 2012 at 11:40 amExclamation! I remember that drugstore perfume. Did you ever check out Malibu Mist? I bought that at a Walgreens when I was a kid and used it for years, that one can. Now, I get even a whiff of it and it transports me back to childhood.
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Kim says
November 29th, 2012 at 11:59 amI love this post. I actually like Vader better than Anakin. Sure, he’s evil and all, but at least he’s not whiny. HAHA!
Speaking of, are you excited for a new crop of SW movies from Disney?
Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:49 pmYeah! When it’s time to get sh*t done, Vader just does it. LOL!
I think it’ll be interesting to see how Disney handles the new movies. I can’t help but wonder if they’re going to end up all warm and fuzzy, ya know?
Kim says
November 30th, 2012 at 12:01 pmYes, I know exactly what you mean. I keep hoping it’s more Avengers and less John Carter! 🙂 I’m keeping my fingers AND toes crossed for Joss Whedon being involved.
Icaria says
November 29th, 2012 at 12:15 pmBeautiful color I could leave my red behind for it! The bottle? I would describe it as Retro-Fun! I like it! 😀
Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:42 pmHi Icaria,
I guess the ’80s are back. 🙂 Have you sniffed it yet? It’s actually really pretty.
Susan says
November 29th, 2012 at 12:28 pmHa! Was at a L&T beauty event Black Friday weekend and smelled the perfume – had it sprayed on a card. I liked it so much when I got home I left it on my kitchen counter… the whole room smelled lovely for two days! And the nail polish looks great on you 🙂
Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:42 pmHi Susan,
Isn’t it wonderful? I would’ve never expected that scent to come from the bottle. Looking at it, I just assumed it would be a typical sort of foodie-floral…but it’s so fresh and light.
Did you pick up any beauty goodies during the Black Friday event?
gio says
November 29th, 2012 at 1:13 pmThat nail polish is gorgeous!
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Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:35 pmSuper pretty!
Nina says
November 29th, 2012 at 1:57 pmGorgeous nail polish!
Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:35 pmI love it when Bobbi does polish. 🙂
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:20 pmYeah! Star Wars for LYFE baby!!! 😛
*ahem* Anyway, I really do like the color–it’s pretty! I was unsure about this one because I know up close, you can really see the brush strokes, but from afar it’s just too gorgeous! Also, I was curious about that Florabotanica perfume but I had no idea that it had hints of mint in it :/ Pass!
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Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:34 pmHi Becca,
Hmm, I don’t have any issues with brushstrokes. How many layers did you use?
DJ says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:24 pmI am in love with Florabotanica. It’s my Christmas gift to meee!
Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:34 pmHi DJ,
What a nice gift! Did you know that there’s also a shower gel and lotion?
Melissa says
November 29th, 2012 at 2:49 pmBlack Pearl! Thats the name of Jack Sparrow’s Ship!
Jennifer says
November 29th, 2012 at 5:17 pmThat is so gorgous!!! I really love it!
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Leigh says
November 29th, 2012 at 7:30 pmWait, wait, wait, HOLD UP THERE GIRL! You saw GEORGE LUCAS at the MOVIES?! may all of RIT with it’s 95% nerd population behold his glory! I am serious, we have our own anime convention. And yes that nail polish is beautiful. On a sidenote of all things SW related, my bf met Harrison Ford once, said he was a very interesting guy. He’s been known to participate in local search and rescues in the mountains. 😉
Karen says
November 29th, 2012 at 8:27 pmHi Leigh,
Yup, he stood in line right behind me when El Hub and I went to see Watchmen a few years ago. 🙂 We were both too starstruck to say anything, unfortunately.
Leigh says
November 29th, 2012 at 9:27 pmYou lucky, lucky person. =D as I said, 95% of RIT swoons enviously at your luck. May SW remain unfuzzyfied by Disney for all eternity!
Chelsea says
November 29th, 2012 at 8:57 pmLove the nails! I never paint mine…