1. Becca Amaryllis blush $25: What is it about Lucky that gets my credit card itching? They've put this under "Sold out everywhere!" (incentive enough), and describe it as "so creamy it can double as a sheer lipstick, and the flush you're left with is amazing—a rosy-cheeked, gently tipsy glow that makes everyone look prettier." What's not to love? If only it weren't, actually, sold out everywhere. Because this Sephora Gift Card is burning a hole in my pocket and I want. (I'm also curious about Wild Orchid, which is much like Desire, and Turkish Rose, which is Becca's bestseller, both featured in Allure.)


2. Serge Lutens: Tubéreuse Criminelle and Vetiver Oriental. Both non-export, both glorious, I'm frankly out of my mind as to how I'm gonna get my little paws on them. One for cozy fall school days, the other for brilliant nights out (I'm gilding a pill here, but I suppose one dreams, in fragrance).


3. Biotherm Smile Shine Duoshine Lipstick #129 $14: It's sheer, it's moisturizing, with no taste, no scent. The shade is a cross between MAC O and MAC Red Haute—but sheer. That's just... perfection. A holy grail, in concept, realized.


4. Tod's computer bag in cognac leather $1750-1950: This is in the men's collection. The most luxurious, unbelievably gorgeous, monstrously priced schoolbag ever. Ah, well.


5. Caron face powder $45: There's something tantalizing about something deemed perfection, and is only limited distribution. I've been looking for a powder, just something to apply all over for wee coverage and gorgeous skin (one hopes), but I don't like how foundation feels on my skin (and I've no use for tinted moisturizer). So, it would either be a primer (such as the ones by YSL, By Terry, Clé de Peau, Becca, Giorgio Armani, etc.) or a powder. "But which one?", I wondered. Guerlain? Gorgeous, but expensive ($135... $90-ish on ebay). T. LeClerc (too confusing, with all the shades). And then, I heard of Caron. Everything I could ask for, impeccable quality, gorgeous packaging, lovely scent, and flawless finish—call the Caron boutique at Madison Avenue, they send samples. Now if only I can figure out which color...


6. Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch SuperDrive $1699: I am simply a woman who has been badly treated by Compaqs. Apples are overpriced, but they won't crash and burn. Reliability over price, I say, especially when my files are involved.


7. MAC Rich Ground Fluidline $13.50: Teddy is such a great color, but not much for lasting power. Fluidlines are tenacious, so I want Rich Ground (which is supposedly identical in shade to Teddy).


8. a big, bountiful, winter white sweater $138: I love the idea of this huge white thing coming at ya... and I've found the perfect one, at J.Crew, the Aran Knit Turtleneck Sweater. It's just the right, palette-cleansing, bold hit of white, but it's slim and form-fitting too, so that one doesn't get lost in the cables. I'll wear it with tweedy pants, my zebra flats, and my vintage khaki trenchcoat—classic, punchy, cool. And maybe my raspberry scarf, if the mood suits me. And warm, too, which is not my usual mode. I also love Club Monaco's lightweight v-neck sweaters, in cool jewel tones, $68 each. They're more polished than t-shirts, and infinitely easier to wear (I find the bra-antics that follow the wearing of t-shirts too difficult to follow).
   
9. a blush brush: oy, I need a new one. I'm thinking Bobbi Brown.

Labels: beauty notes, becca, biotherm, caron, j crew, mac cosmetics, serge lutens, tod's