IFB Links à la Mode: Costume Drama

Costume Drama: A Break From All Things Outfit 

Edited by: Holier Than Now

It’s Halloween season, when some of us choose to experience the thrill (or horror) of looking nothing like ourselves for a night. For those of you who blog or socially post your outfits, perhaps it’s a chance to take a break from the judgmental eye of the spotlight (consider Love Brown Sugar and One More’s pieces on the subject) – one night where you turn in “looking good” for looking scary, time period-accurate, or just … a little sexier than usual. Inspired? Find last minute costume inspiration from Tickle Me Chic and more.

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Givenchy VAX'IN For Youth Serum

VAX'IN For Youth, the latest facial serum from Givenchy, is the brand's first preventative solution to address early aging. This product is targeted for women in their mid-twenties, but it also helps mature women by slowing down the aging process.

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Tarte Holiday 2010 Makeup Sets

Holy moly. Tarte has such great beauty bargains within their holiday makeup collections. First of all, the glam and ruffly Royal Collection resembles a faux suede and leather jewelry box. It's such a deal at $43. You get 16 full size eye shadows, a travel size Clean Slate face primer, Vitamin-Infused pink lip gloss (love this gloss), multiplEYE lash primer and the popular Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara. To compare just how low this price is, their TEN anniversary palette is already a steal at $44 and that one has 10 eye shadows.

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Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free

In the U.S., there are over 3 million folks suffering from Celiac disease. That basically means no more wheat products of any kind. Because of this autoimmune disorder many are forced to say bye-bye to their favorite breads, cookies, and cakes. Luckily, gluten-free pastry goods have vastly improved in the last few years. A good example of this is Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free, the new book from Karen Morgan.

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Bobbi Brown 2010 Holiday Makeup Palettes

Bobbi Brown has some of the best holiday palettes ever. I loved last year's collection and the brand outdid itself this year with an extensive array of festive options. There must be over ten kinds of gift sets and it's quite difficult to pick just one item for yourself.

The Sparkle Glamour Quad has got to be the prettiest eye shadow compact for this season. It contains a highlighter shade (Pink Glitter Sparkle) and three smoky eye shadows (Smoky Sparkle, Moonlight Sparkle, and Sandy Sparkle).

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French Cinema Now Festival 10/28-11/03

SF cinephiles will want to check out the upcoming French Cinema Now, which takes place this week (10/28-11/03) at the Landmark's Embarcadero Center Cinema. Devoted to the latest contemporary French films, this week-long festival will showcase ten new films that will spotlight compelling performances by Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche and Catherine Deneuve. I'm excited to see so many great actors on the big screen.

Lolita Chammah and Isabelle Huppert in Copacabana (Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society).

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Benefit POREfessional & Girl Meets Pearl

Benefit always has some fun beauty tools to make your beauty regimen easier. If you're worried about the state of your pores, the new oil-free POREfessional primer will temporarily reduce the size and appearance of unsightly pores. It can be worn under or over makeup and the silky finish is quite light. If you have oily skin you might need to bring it with you for afternoon touch ups.

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Taza Chocolate

Taza Chocolate has a pretty unique approach when it comes to making their chocolate. The small MA-based company uses Oaxacan stone mills to grind their cacao beans, which results in an alluring textural experience. They don't conch their products so some folks might not be used to the rustic granular feel on their palates, but I happen to like it a lot. It gives one something more to chew on, so to speak.

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YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick

Rouge Pur Couture, the newest lipstick from YSL, has an amazingly creamy texture. Like the Rouge Volupté Perle, a few swipes and you get lots of deep color. The luxury brand already has a few award-winning lipsticks but this one contains a potent hydro-sphere cocktail and natural extracts (rosemary and carrot root) to add extra smoothing comfort to the lips. The satiny finish offers a medium-full coverage and the SPF 15 formula doesn't contain any parabens or petrochemicals.

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Vieux Carré Absinthe

Ever since absinthe was legally reintroduced in the U.S. three years ago, every spirits connoisseur has dashed off to experience La Fée Verte. Vieux Carré Absinthe, in particular, is crafted by Philadelphia Distilling. Along with the distinctive grande and petite wormwood, sweet fennel, and green anise, they also added star anise, melissa, spearmint, hyssop and the Swiss flower genepi. The gorgeous green tone is derived naturally from these herbs. And, that bottle design is so pretty.

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