Hair's the Scoop

Brand

NARS just released photos of the worldly palette that is its Spring 2012 collection, created by Founder and Creative Director François.

Comprised of shimmery neutrals offset by seriously-saturated hues (including both a cobalt and pink liner and, my favorite, a limited-edition purple-sparkle polish), the campaign features
model Ginta Lapina for "her delicate features and classic beauty" and includes:

Douce France Trio Eyeshadow (Limited Edition), $45
Lhasa Single Eyeshadow, $24
Paramaribo Duo Eyeshadow (Limited Edition), $34
Gaiety Blush, $28
Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, $24
Valparaíso Pure Matte Lipstick, $25
Bilbao Lipstick, $24
Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, $24
Diamond Life Nail Polish (Limited Edition), $18

The collection will be available Jan. 15 at narscosmetics.com.

Where can you picture yourself wearing this collection? The South of France? Spain? Weigh in below.

Mark Davis/Getty Images

If there's one thing I learned while covering backstage beauty at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spr. '12, it's that short, square-like nails are going to be replaced by long, oval tips this spring (which is already making me anxious because I've become quite accustom to short, stubby nails and they work well with my keyboard-happy profession).

That said, I can't help but think actress Demi Lovato looked like the Grim Reaper while sporting a pair of black talons at a signing for her latest "Seventeen" magazine cover.

Brand

With a nail polish collection, fragrances, clothing lines and two books under their (large selection of) belts, the Kardashian sisters have recently teamed up with Stila to create three party-perfect eyeshadow and eyeliner palettes featuring unique and colorful illustrations of the girls (L-R: Khloe, Kourtney and Kim) on the front.

The catch? You have to go all the way to the Kardashians' new boutique, Kardashian Khaos, at the Mirage in Las Vegas to get your hands on 'em.

Is the Stila for Kardashian Khaos palette worth the flight risk? Weigh in below!

Splash News

Acne suffering teen turned model Cassandra Bankson of Bay Area, California has made a name for herself on YouTube by hosting a variety of inspirational (and somewhat emotional) how-to videos in which she takes away years of acne and scarring one makeup application at a time.

"Here I am with no makeup...this is probably the most nerve-racking thing I can do because it [acne] is my biggest insecurity," says Cassandra before she begins her transformation.

See Cassandra work her magic in the episode below.

Kevin Winter/Brand

If you're looking to the latest addition to the Skinnygirl empire to help you smooth cellulite and get glowing in the new year, you might need to start planning an alternative.

Bethenny Frankel's first beauty line, consisting of Lip, Face and Body products, including a collection for expectant mothers called Skinnygirl Mommy, is selling out - and fast.

While online consumers can still get their digits on select lip products and both Skinnygirl Mommy Soothing Body Oli and Cool Your Feet Spray, 27 out of 33 Skinnygirl body products currently listed on Walmart.com are already out of stock, warranting desperate pleas on Bethenny's official website, Bethenny.com.

If you run out of luck finding the Skinnygirl body collection at your local Walmart store (I recently came across a bounty supply at a Philadelphia, PA location), you can find Skinnygirl gift sets listed on eBay.

Brand

M.A.C has just released images from the brand's collaboration with businesswoman and fashion icon Iris Apfel.

"Inspired by a rare bird who has always been ahead of her time" (the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City premiered an exhibition about the fashionable style of Iris Apfel entitled Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel in 2005), the collection features vibrant pink, red and fuchsia nail and lip shades countered with neutral eye shades (offset by the mid-tone teal shadow titled "Robin's Egg," as pictured on Iris).

The Iris Apfel for M.A.C collection will be available at M.A.C counters and maccosmetics.com starting January 5, 2012.

Brand

Not too long ago, we attended a Nordstrom beauty panel in which butter LONDON Founding Creative Director Nonie Creme suggested that there's such an emphasis on nail lacquer during times of economic downturn because it's an easy (and affordable) way to express oneself while tapping into the latest trends.

Apparently she was on to something, because a recent study conducted by economists at NPR's "Planet Money" regarding middle class (or the 50-percent) shopping-based indicators of where the economy is heading has confirmed just that:

"The results were mixed, but we did uncover some ominous signs. Lipstick sales used to go up when the economy went down, perhaps because women were searching for a cheap pick-me-up or an edge in a job interview. For reasons nobody quite understands, the lipstick indicator doesn’t hold up anymore, though nail-polish sales now seem to reflect the economy very clearly (albeit inversely). A rise in nail-polish sales indicates that we’re searching for bargain luxuries as the economy craters — and sales of nail polish are way up right now. Women’s underwear sales are down, which historically suggests intense frugality and more rough times ahead." (read full article)

Which little beauty luxury are you more likely to splurge on when times are tough? Weigh in below!

Brand (Actual Collection Not Shown)

Today, we had the chance to view the super secretive, limited-edition PixiGlow collection for Target and, while our glossy lips are (somewhat) sealed, here's what we can say:

A collaboration between Disney and Pixi cosmetics (sold at Target), the six-piece collection was inspired by Tinker Bell (a.k.a. a match made in Never Never Land) and "incorporates the Pixi commitment to skin-loving, multipurpose formulas created to help women look like themselves, only more gorgeous."

We should have swatches (the products pictured above are from the current Pixi collection) and more info this spring. The collection is scheduled to hit Target stores in March 2012.

Two days ago, we received confirmation that China Glaze has in fact partnered with Lionsgate to create a collection of nail polish to debut in conjunction with the highly-anticipated release of "The Hunger Games" this spring (see original post here).

Now, we have the official color chart to prove it. Titled Colours from the Capitol, the 12-piece collection features a variety of neutral and grungy-glam shades. So far, we have our eye on Smoke and Ashes, Agro and Riveting.

Which shade are you most excited about? Weigh in below!"

Have some beauty buffs on your list this year? Here are eight ways to score major savings just in time for the holidays:

Stockngo.com: Receive 30% off (and score free shipping) on skin care basics, high-end fragrances, and more with code 12DAY1 thru Dec. 24.

Ulta.com: Save $3.50 on any $10 purchase (see original coupon and exclusions) with code 64069 thru Dec. 17.

Bloom.com: Earn 20% back (in BloomDollars) when purchasing gift cards (so, for example, if you buy $100 worth of gift cards, you'll have $20 to spend on yourself) thru Dec. 25.

Bathandbodyworks.com: Take advantage of 25% off select holiday gift sets, 2 for $20 holiday candles and Buy 3, Get 3 body products for a limited time only.

Loccitane.com: Receive a Shower Celebration Set (more details here) for $15 with any $45 purchase by entering code TRIO at checkout thru Dec. 18.

Drugstore.com: Save 20% off on anything in the beauty department with code 20beauty thru Dec. 17.

Philosophy.com: Score a Winter Skin Survival Kit with any purchase of $65 or more by entering code winterskin at checkout thru Dec. 15 (while supplies last).

Moltonbrown.com Receive 20% off your purchase of $85 or more when you enter code TWENTY at checkout thru Dec. 15.