Fashion and Fragrance - The Elegance of Armani Privé

Cate Blanchett has never looked more beautiful - and she always looks fabulous - than she did at the Academy Awards Sunday night. Dressed in a seafoam Giorgio Armani Privé gown that complimented her pale complexion beautifully, she was stunning. That Tiffany starfish bracelet was the icing on the cake. Every time Mr. Armani dresses a superstar for the Academy Awards, he leaves us talking.

I find it hard to believe that fashionistas are arguing over this dress and whether it was worthy of its coronation as one of the best of the night. It was perfectly created to showcase her beautiful body, without revealing too much skin. The effect on television was one of pure Hollywood royalty. 

This past weekend I tested Privé Vert Malachite ($310), a new Armani fragrance that was introduced this year. A sweet friend at Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas sent me a sample.

One of two in a unisex collection called Les Terres Precieuses, Vert Malachite is a tribute to the countries and cultures that have inspired Mr. Armani. Vert Malachite is a celebration of Russian culture. It's full of light, extremely delicate yet resistant. White lily accord, at the heart of this enchanting creation, is infused with luscious sambac jasmine and ylang ylang essence, offering a sensual and unique signature.

Fragrantica says the nose behind this fragrance is Fabrice Pellegrin. The top notes are bitter orange and petitgrain. The middle notes are ylang-ylang, jasmine sambac, and pink pepper. The base notes are lily, benzoin, and vanilla.

The moment I sprayed Vert Malachite on my arm, I was struck by the dry, sweet composition of some of my favorite notes. At first, this fragrance makes its presence known, so one spray should be enough. As it dries down, it cuddles closer to the skin. The reward? Twelve hours of wear!

I have to have a bottle of Vert Malachite. It's expensive, but I'll wear it for a very long time. My friend also sent me a sample of its partner in the collection, Rouge Malachite, which I haven't tested yet. That's a project for later in the week. I like to spread out my rewards.

Photos courtesy of Vogue and Giorgio Armani Fragrances

The Academy Awards: My Fashion and Beauty Award Winners

Everyone had a list today. Why can't I? Because I don't have time to feature every woman (and man) whose looks were pretty and polished, I decided to limit my choices to the top six (well, seven if you add Angelina). These women - all women - earned my Fashion and Beauty Award for their total look at the Academy Awards yesterday. I wish I had a little medallion to send each of them. Here they are in no particular order, however...

I felt sorry for Angelina Jolie. She looked drop-dead gorgeous in her black Atelier Versace gown with a thigh-high slit to "there" and killer red lipstick. Every time she posed, she adoped a stance that drew attention to her sexy leg. It struck me as a bit pretentious. I even wondered if Donatella had paid her to show a "little leg" or spotlight the slit. Regardless, no one deserved the mockery she suffered at the leg and hips of Jim Rash, who immediately mocked her awkward pose while accepting the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for "The Descendants." I read that she was near tears when she left the stage. Shame on him! For that reason, the woman who always stuns heads up this feature.

Penelope Cruz
She looked like a princess in her off-the-shoulder, blue Armani Privé gown with a wrapped bodice and floating, full skirt with a train. She accessorized the gown with a matching clutch and platinum and diamond jewelry by Chopard that included a 56K pear-shaped necklace, 15K cluster earrings, and a 43K fancy bracelet. Her hair was perfect for her gown. Exquisite!

Sandra Bullock
Her black and white crepe Marchesa gown with gold detailing was stunning, coming and going. The draped back was gorgeous. Her sleek ponytail ensured that our attention would be directed at her beautiful back.

Jessica Chastain
I thought her black and gold ornamental Alexander McQueen gown was exquisite. She accessorized it with amazing yellow diamonds ($2M from Harry Winston) and her flowing, wavy red hair. With all that flash, she kept her makeup simple, a great choice.

Stacy Keibler
A statuesque golden beauty on George Clooney's arm, Stacy Keibler nailed her metallic look. Her gold lame off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown was accented by side-swept blond waves. I loved her look - the best I've ever seen on Keibler. I know some thought she looked like an Oscar. I loved her look.

Tina Fey
Her most...beautiful...look...ever. The midnight blue Carolina Hererra strapless peplum gown was figure-flattering and elegant. She carried a black satin tube clutch by Roger Vivier and wore blue Bulgari jewels. They looked like sapphires and emeralds to me. Wow!

Georgina Chapman
Wearing an elegant white Marchesa, accented with crystals and/or silver, Chapman's makeup was applied by our favorite Mikey Castillo, Director of Makeup at Le Métier de Beauté. Mikey applied the Spring Collection, using the Northern Lights Eye and Lip Kaleidoscopes (with a lot of Precision Eyeliner in Noir!). Erin Lockard (one of my favorite makeup artists ever) assisted and applied a full set of individual lashes on top and bottom, for a fanned-out appearance. Chapman's severe hair style put the focus on her eyes. Mikey and Erin ensured that they were fabulous.

So many women were stunning. Among them? Cameron Diaz (always pretty), Gwyneth Paltrow (that Tom Ford look was amazing), Milla Jovovich, and Natalie Portman. I could have easily expanded my list to 10 women.

Those who could have looked better...Meryl Streep, one of the best actors who has ever walked the earth, looked horrible in that gold gown. Jennifer Lopez should have taken care to prevent a wardrobe malfunction and keep the show GP. Melissa Leo's two-toned gown was horrendous.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images and Internet sources

Celebrities Sell Beauty Products

In our celebrity-obsessed culture, celebrities sell beauty products - really well. Gone are the days (at least for now) when supermodels "owned" advertising for beauty products. Now celebrities do.

During Oscar week, beauty companies shower celebrities with free products and services. The very people who have the money to buy everything they want don't have to do anything except show up. Companies rent suites to attract celebrities with free stuff; the swag is amazing. "One brand name dropped at just the right time, even by a minor celebrity, can echo for months, translating into lucrative exposure for any beauty brand canny enough to be stationed within a mile of" the Academy Awards.¹ While the Oscar arena is "choked" with beauty brands, some stand out.

The exposure pays. According to an issue of WWD's Beauty Biz, published five years ago, Revlon estimated that a small investment paid off in over $2 million in publicity. As a result, many celebrities are on the payroll of beauty and fashion companies, giving those companies year-round associations with beautiful woman. COVERGIRL has Taylor Swift, Lancôme has Julia Roberts (who has been airbrushed to feature-less "perfection"), Gucci has Jennifer Lopez and her children...the list is endless.

There is an enormous amount of attention, including from beauty bloggers (myself included), paid to what celebrity wore what makeup to the Academy Awards ceremony. Beauty companies send their top makeup artists to Los Angeles to cater to and prepare the nominees and presenters. I love looking at the fashion, but I've always got an eye on the makeup too.

At the Golden Globes, without even seeking the attention, Chantecaille became the lip gloss of choice when Angelina Jolie was seen touching up her lips on camera. What gloss was she wearing? Brilliant Gloss in Love. Angelina is also said to wear Charm, but it was Love she pulled out of her evening bag. The next day, Love sold out everywhere. You couldn't get your hands on Love anywhere. Chantecaille ran out, Neiman Marcus ran out - every source ran out. The run on Love was amazing, showing the power of Angelina Jolie to sell makeup - without really trying. I suspect, from what I've read about Jolie, that she finds Chantecaille's philanthropy as magnificent as I do. Even Brad Pitt uses Chantecaille products. Fact or fiction - I don't know the man - he's supposed to favor Future Skin foundation.

I didn't cover the news of Angelina's lip gloss selection right after the awards. There's the obvious question. "Do women really think a lip gloss will make them more like the ravishing celebrity?" However, I read it in the press with the rest of you (so disappointed that I didn't receive the press release - sob) that it was Love she was wearing.

Now, so that you can keep your eyes peeled for the next great, impossible-to-get product, I'm giving you the heads-up to watch tonight's ceremony. Then go online and order - quickly - if you want a tiny part of that celebrity experience! For those who were willing to wait, Chantecaille's Web site and Chantecaille counters have restocked Love. You can buy Angelina's lip gloss now. In DC, go see Alicia Cortes at Neiman Marcus Tysons.

So that you can see Angelina's fave lip glosses, I swatched them for you. My photo was taken outdoors during a momentary appearance by the sun. Love, shown at the top of my arm, is light pink. Charm, shown below, is nude. In my humble opinion, neither matches the shade squares shown online, which is why I'm showing them to you now.

Chantecaille's Brilliant Gloss ($28) is one of my favorites, and that has nothing to do with Angelina Jolie and the recent exposure. Brilliant Gloss feels good on the lips, looks good, and lasts a reasonable amount of time for a lip gloss. Just like Angelina, you'll need to re-apply it when you've been eating, drinking, or out on the town for the night. I know of no lip gloss that's truly long-wearing, and the thought of one actually scares me. Would it cling to your lips with magnetic attraction, picking up cat or dog fur? Or stray bits of grit on a windy day? [Shudder]

Now that's you've read to the end of this rambling feature, what do you think? Will you be swayed by what the stars wear tonight?

¹Leslie Gornstein, Beauty Biz, April 14, 2006

Photo at top courtesy of NBC