One of the reasons why Dolce & Gabbana rules: they dangle tiny charms from their makeup JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN.

Never you mind that the charms enchanting the eight-piece limited edition Charm Pencil collection don’t really serve a purpose beyond looking cute as they swing from their respective lip and eye liners. If we have the right to accessorize, so should our makeup! Viva la cuteness for us all!

Every time I catch a glimpse of the dainty golden envelopes, high heels, hearts and horns hanging from these pencils, which arrive next month (just in time for Valentine’s Day!), while I attend to my lips or eyes, I’m transported back to the kinder, gentler days of my youth, when a trip to the Hello Kitty store to buy a $4 mechanical pencil with a charm swinging on the end was one of the highlights of my week.

Of course, because these pencils are from Dolce & Gabbana, they cost somewhat more than that — like $29 more, to be exact.

Eye Pencils from the left: Stromboli, Coffee, Black and Platinum


Lip Pencils from the left: Nude, Dahlia, Fire and Soft

Swatches from the left on the top row: Eye Pencils in Stromboli, Coffee, Black and Platinum; from the left on the bottom row: Lip Pencils from the left: Nude, Dahlia, Fire and Soft

The collection is comprised of four creamy pencil eyeliners and four liners for lips, and the charms represent different things, from fashion for the high heels, to love and luck for the heart and horn, passion for the heart and “I Love You” table, and Milan for the envelope and letter.

If some of the shades look familiar, you have eagle eyes! Most of them can already be found in the permanent line, where their non-charmed cousins are available for $30 each.

But where’s the fun in that?

I would’ve loved to see Dolce & Gabbana conjure up all new, special shades for this launch, but I like what they have done, by taking something that already existed and making it more beautiful. If you’ve been thinking about picking up replacements/spares for any of your Dolce & Gabbana pencil faves (hello, Stromboli!), consider the Charmed versions when they arrive next month.

PRICE: $33 each
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to Dolce & Gabbana counters inside Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

A new Trader Joe’s obsession…

Spicy Shrimp Bao! I found it in the frozen food aisle a few weeks ago, and now every time I hit the store I bring home one or two boxes.

They’re not too spicy, but oh — so yummy! Just cook them in a steamer or microwave for a quick, tasty snack, or serve them with a salad for a full meal. I’ve had them before with Trader Joe’s Super Spinach Salad, and I thought the flavors all went together really well.

Now that’s a super salad, haha!

I hope you had a nice Monday today and that something good happened to you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen