Jessica Simpson Fashion Empire Strikes Again With Great Christmas Gifts

Jessica Simpson is on a roll. And a big one! Not only is the singer celebrity in love and newly engaged, but her merchandising savvy is busting at the seams in terms of growth and expansion. As you've probably already heard.....

Jessica Simpson's fashion empire is closing in one the $1 billion mark.

Yes...we said, $1 billion

Go figure. For all the haters out there, well, Jess is just like, "the little engine that could.".

And by the end of the holiday season, the blonde-haired cutie could be well over that $1 billion figure. Jessica Simpson is offering shoppers tons of her Simpson-brand products. Just check out Macy's.


Jessica Simpson apparently has her finger on the fashion pulse of young America. She sells shoes, bathing suits, fragrance, watches, outerwear, and accessories.

Vince Camuto, main licensee for Simpson-branded merchandise offers this explanation:

People look at her as a style icon."

We have to admit, Jess has some super cute items that would make for excellent Christmas gifts. We like those pretty embellished suede slippers, now just $39.99 at Macy's (see Sunday's circular). We'll take them in Sand, please.

Jessica Simpson has been maligned so often in the media, that it's interesting to see how the public views the famous singer. And according to the stats, her fans absolutely adore her. If her merchandise were lousy, few would be plunking down the cash.

By the way, Jessica Simpson's net worth is estimated at $100 million and climbing quickly.

Not bad for the girl who didn't really know what was inside a can of Chicken of the Sea.

Bold Red Lips And Messy Hair Equal Gritty Glam: Can You Pull It Off?

Gritty Glam means you look cool, but didn't have to spend hours in front of the mirror. And that's what the Chanel Couture and Proenza Schouler shows were introducing when they sent their sexy models down the catwalk during NY Fashion week.

But sometimes what you see on the runway, doesn't translate so easily in real life.

Can you pull off perfect, painted-on bold red lips and messy, falling in your face big hair?! Well, that's the hot look now.

At the Proenza Schouler show, makeup artists were applying crimson lipstick to the brunette models and matte purple lipstick to the blondes.

At the Chanel Couture show, the models' hair was deliberately left care-free and a bit unkempt, with twisted pieces of hair dancing down the catwalk. It's a tousled finish for sure.

Strong lips and messy hair --Gritty glam does not work in everyday life. But you can imitate the trends in a more subtle way. Just tone it all down a few degrees. For instance, a berry shade of lipstick is still noticeable, but much softer than very dark red.

Try Revlon's Just Bitten in Passion. It's a unique 2 in 1 lipstain and balm. You end up with a flush of color and a soft, lasting kissable pout.

And for that bedroom hair, pick up a bottle from Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly line, to get those loose, natural waves...that piece-y beach look, a la Jennifer Aniston. Just mist, scrunch, and go!

Clinique Black Honey Lipstick Still Sweet Sell In Universal Way

Need a super stocking stuffer for Christmas for the beauty junkie in your life?!

Or want a sheer hint of lip color...nothing too heavy?

Want to buy the same gift for every great gal pal in your life?

Then start stocking up on this Clinique classic! Oh yeah, we're talking about Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick at $14 a tube. Maybe, you already own several tubes. Well, you can always use one more Black Honey.

The very dark lipstick looks almost frightening to want to put on, but as we all know, the pigments in Black Honey are so very sheer, and what you end up with, is a lovely, natural set of flushed lips. In fact, every woman who applies it, ends up with her own berry shine.

In other words, Clinique Black Honey is universally flattering. And did you know, that this shade of Almost Lipstick is still a sweet sell for the company? Clinique sells one tube every 2 minutes! No kidding.

So many women own at least one tube of Black Honey. Check out the review and comments page at the Sephora website. The lipstick has received a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating, and has been reviewed by 1,064 women so far. Take a look here.

Simply Vera Vera Wang Expands Kohl's Line Into Makeup/Beauty

Bridal icon Vera Wang creates amazing gowns for women who walk down the aisle. Who didn't fall in love with Chelsea Clinton's stunning, classic Vera Wang wedding dress?!

And now, the very talented designer is expanding her Simply Vera Kohl's clothing and accessories label into a makeup and beauty line. We are guessing her beauty products will bear a very natural and polished stature to them, just like Vera Wang herself. She is always classic and understated.

We have been talking a lot lately, about celebrities bringing their designs to clothing and housewares to the mass market. Sure, you can head to tony Bergdorf Goodman's to buy Vera Wang fashions. But most folks don't walk into Bergdorf's every day. It's more like a guilty pleasure.

By bringing their sense of style to huge retailers like Kohl's, Target, Sears, JC Penney, and others, celebrities such as Vera Wang can offer beautiful select products at a major discount.

You will have to wait just a bit, though. The new beauty expansion won't launch until Spring 2012. The Simply Vera Vera Wang branded line of cosmetics will include make-up and color, skin care, body and bath products, and beauty accessories.

Vera Wang says, "As part of my incredible partnership with Kohl's, I will now be able to offer women all over America my own personal regimen for skincare and make-up. It is an easy, light, modern and effortless approach to beauty and creativity. As a result of my renewal of the Simply Vera Vera Wang contract, Kohl's amazing ability to grow businesses, and their unique understanding and appreciation of my aesthetic, I am proud to announce this whole new business we are about to launch! For sheer allure and enhancement make-up can inspire individuality, creativity and exploration. Like fashion, make-up is also transformational. I love the artistry of make-up to accentuate, enhance, or create a mood for any time of day or occasion."

It sounds lovely. We can't wait.

Gossip Girl Blake Lively Tapped As New Face Of Chanel

It's great being Blake Lively these days. The 23-year-old actress has just been tapped as the new face of Chanel, which means, she will star in the company's big spring advertising campaign for their much sought-after handbags. Check out the blonde beauty following a recent NYC photo shoot. And look at the hot 'double-c' hand bag she's clutching!

It's quite an honor when the French fashion house of Chanel selects you as one of their ambassadors. And Blake Lively is sitting pretty amongst an elite group of celebrity Chanel representatives......Keira Knightley......Vanessa Paradis......Nicole Kidman......Audrey Tatou, and the list goes on.

We've seen the star of television's Gossip Girl being courted, for quite some time now, by the legendary designer himself, Karl Lagerfeld. She has been wearing gorgeous Chanel gowns on the red carpet and been present in the front row at Chanel couture shows in Paris last summer.

In addition, Blake has also become a movie star and appeared on two US Vogue covers so far. Even shoe god, Christian Louboutin, adores her. And she's not even 25 yet.

Congratulations, 'Serena van der Woodsen.'

Angelina Red Carpet Beauty: Angora Versace, Smoky Eye, Pale Pink Lips

Angelina Jolie took everyone's breath away, as she walked the red carpet at last night's NYC premiere of The Tourist, wearing an ivory low-cut Atelier Versace gown with a thigh-high slit and Ferragamo pumps.

Va-va-va-voom Versace!! Yes, it was actually a sweater dress or sweater gown. And the 35-year-old Oscar winner added to her elegant ensemble, another good-looking 'accessory'---longtime love, Brad Pitt.

She was red carpet perfection. No busy patterned gown. No dramatic frills or vulgar display. Just a simple, soft, cream-colored gown. It almost resembled a cashmere robe, but the actress wearing it, owned the red carpet last evening, and we can see why.

Let's look at Angelina's makeup. A gorgeous and dramatic smoky, cat-eye along with some faux lashes at the outer corners, along with a very soft, pink lip. And then of course, the hair, with soft brunette curls framing her neck and decollete, a half-up, half-down hairstyle with height at the crown.

Want a soft, pale celebrity lip like Angelina? Then try Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Crystalline ($28). Let your lips shine with the same gloss Angelina wore in her movie 'Salt'. Check it out at Nordstrom's.

Angelina has never looked better, and for a mom of six, well, what can we say. She appears at a healthier and a much happier person.

The Tourist opens this weekend, on December 10.

Sophia Vergara Ready To Ink Deal As New Face of K-Mart

Sophia Vergara not only stars on one of television's hottest shows, 'Modern Family,' but she's also one of Hollywood's hottest women. The curvy Latina is having a very good year. She recently earned an Emmy nomination. And now, the ink is almost dry on an estimated $8 million deal to become the new face of K-Mart!

For 25 years, former Charlie's Angel's beauty Jaclyn Smith, has been the face of K-Mart, or at least, the face of K-Mart fashion. But now, the sexy Colombian-born starlet is ready to add her own brand to the retail giant, with a line of Sophia Vergara hair, clothing, accessories and beauty products.

As we always say, "Strike while the iron is hot!" So we applaud sexy Sophia on her latest venture, and we're sure she will bring a fresh, modern vibe to K-Mart. Now, whether her almost-always-on-display-bosom will be toned down and covered up for the ad campaign she will be doing for the retailer, we're not so sure. We are also quite interested to see what kind of fashion she adds to the department store, and the age group she will be targeting.

ABC's 'Modern Family' is a huge hit and Sophia's spicy role as trophy wife Gloria Delgado-Pritchett is wonderful. She combines, beauty, humor, perfect comic timing, and a very heavy accent, all rolled into one beloved character.

Celebrities enjoy doing a major fashion or beauty or home gig at a retailer like K-Mart, because the money is very good, and the attention is valuable when building up one's celebrity empire. Look at Cindy Crawford with JC Penney. Daisy Fuentes at Kohl's. And now Jennifer Lopez and hubby also at Kohl's.
It's a good thing.