Simon says

I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it. That is, if you can be in love with a lipstick. I don't usually buy lipstick. I work at a magazine. We get that stuff for free. (Really good stuff, too.) I have a drawer full of shades and glosses, mattes and shimmers that I wear here and there. But I was inspired.

I got a review copy of book by a very witty and fabulous designer that I am interviewing soon. In it, he suggests you find your signature lipstick shade and buy enough to last the rest of your life. He, of course, said it more beautifully and affirming than that, but I don't want to plagiarize. (You can check it out yourself when Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan comes out in April. Get it!)

I received some gift cards for Christmas, so I headed to Macy's to take advantage of the sales. I got a couple fun skirts and tops, but still had a little left on one of my cards. Shoes were picked over, so I headed to the makeup counters. They just opened a LUSH counter. Their stuff is wonderful. (lushusa.com)

With a couple more gift dollars to burn, I thought, why not get a lipstick? I headed to Clinique, but they didn't have any colors that caught my eye, so I wandered over to Estee Lauder. I tried a couple shades on my hand. One stood out (in a good way), so I bought it. I didn't buy a lifetime supply, just the one tube.

I put it on when I got to the car—and fell in love instantly. It was the perfect shade! Not too pinky, and not orangey at all (like some colors tend to look on me). It's fabulous! So I guess I'm going to have to start hording it, because you never know when it will be discontinued.

If you're ever stuck with what to get me for Christmas or my birthday (January 15th) or just because—Estee Lauder Signature Lipstick in Black Cherry (C36). I need to build up a lifetime supply, and I plan to live a long time.

Simon says!!