Vampy Lips Go Violet

As with so many things, the key to purple lipstick glory is proper context. Pair it with heavy eyeliner and fishnets and you may as well park yourself in the food court with an ironic lunchbox full of rejected Smiths lyrics. Pair it with a bare face, a tailored ensemble and a dash of Tammy Faye mascara and you're fashion.

Since it's a trend (yes the vampy lip gets a re-up every year, but far more frequently in red), I'd recommend a cheap tube for your test run. For a matte version, check out MAC "Night Violet" ($14.50), for a laquered look try the latest shade from Revlon "Va Va Violet" ($5), pictured right.

The Look:
- Apply liquid foundation to even out skin tone and skip the blush
- Dab highlighter on eyelids concentrating at the inner corners and blend outward
- Carefully line lower water line (above lashes) with white eye pencil
- Add several coats of mascara to top and bottom lashes, sweeping alternately inward (towards the nose) and outward to create irregular "points" or clumps
- Fill brows with a neutral pencil (as I have mentioned, I live for MAC Lingering)
- Line lips with a dark berry lip pencil (like Revlon Colorstay in Plum) and fill in with lipstick

Warning: Violet doesn't do your teeth any favors - catch up on your Whitestrip applications before you go making this your shade of choice. Also- be prepared for dudes and townies not to "get it." This look might be a bit much for their untrained eyes to handle.

ASOS Mid-Season Sale is ON

ASOS Mid-Season Sale opened online today. Get that holiday party frock early so you're not picking at stretched-out XXL leftovers with sequin bald-spots by November. Just be sure to go up in the right hand corner and switch the currency to USD so you're not unpleasantly surprised at your sudden drop in funds. That exchange rate is a bitch.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

H&M Divided Exclusive Collection
[Images via H&M Magazine Autumn 2009]

I have to give H&M props for their stellar stock this season (Autumn/Winter '09). It's a massive wash of black and sequin with splashes of deep berry, emerald green and burnt gold, ravaged denim and exaggerated shoulders. I want so many things I'm finding myself eBaying for items just to be sure I can afford it all.

More H&M Divided Exclusive collection
[Images obviously via Nitrolicious.com]

To ice the cake just a little bit thicker, December 5th brings an exclusive collection of knitwear, accessories and lingerie from French fashion legend Sonia Rykiel. There is nothing on the H&M website but a wordy press release and a portrait of Sonia, and google search for leaked images only produced this:

If the Sesame Street inspired sweater/scarf on the right is in the collection, call me Big Bird cause I'm totally rocking that shit.

Jimmy Choo for H&M Promo Shot

[Photo by Magnus Magnusson. Source: WWD]

Here's a shot of two of the actual Jimmy Choo for H&M shoe designs, to be released November 14, 2009.

Jimmy Choo for H&M this Holiday Season

[Images via JimmyChoo.com]

Never thought you'd own a Jimmy Choo accessory? According to Women's Wear Daily, he's teaming up with H&M for a special capsule collection of shoes and bags for holiday 2009. ZOMG.