The Gothest thing going this holiday season: Tokyo Milk’s Clove Cigarette Lip Elixir ($7.00). Proper clove cigarettes might be outlawed here in the US, and most of us have given up smoking anyhow, but there is something nostalgic and downright sexy about that tingly clove feeling on your lips. Besides, who doesn’t have fond memories of clove-scented kisses?

I have to say, I’ve never been really big on Dermablend as a tattoo cover. In my experience, it cracks and, worse, it darkens over the course of several hours, leaving whatever tattoo you covered looking like a big bruise just starting to form and leading total strangers to ask me if my boyfriend hits me. But then, I haven’t tried the new tattoo primer, which is specifically for tats. And of course, I’ve never tried it with a team of three makeup artists.

In general, however, for the money my vote goes to Revlon Colorstay base and a solid powder coat after. There was a time when I had to cover my tats regularly for work (funny, considering some of the things I didn’t have to cover for that job), and it did a fine job without leading to too many awkward questions.

Every time I open up my Tumblr or check my Instagram, I get flooded with pics of whacky and whimsical manicures.  Cute, yes.  For me?  No.  This subtle black on black French manicure is making me want to brave the rains and go check to see if the salon on 43rd Street is open during the storm today.

• Paint your nails with your favorite black polish and let dry.
• Use a matte top coat over them, such as Deborah Lippman Flat Top Matte Topcoat for $18 at Nordstrom, or the Essie Matte About You Mattifying Top Coat for $8 at Walgreen’s.
• Using a French Manicure Guide or clear tape, cover your nails leaving the tip exposed for painting.
• Paint the exposed tips with your black polish and let dry.

I just came across this on Tumblr and thought it was great.  It’s racked up about 58,000 notes so I bet lots of you guys have seen it already, but for those that have not :

• Have rubbing alcohol and newspaper ready.
• Paint your nails any color and let them dry completely.
• Cut out a section of the newspaper & place it over your nail.
• Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and dab it over the newspaper.

If anyone tries this out, please post pics!