as blanche dubois famously said in A Streetcar Named Desire, “a woman’s charm is 50% illusion.”

for example, you’d never know by looking at the incomparable cate blanchett (during her breathtaking performance at BAM) in her whisper-thin ivory silk birthday gown with little pleated tufts, flaxen locks pulled back and fastened with a rhinestone brooch, and lips painted crimson that she was hours from a mental breakdown.

just like if i were to wear any of these pieces from spring 2010 with my MAC russian red matte lipstick, i’d be giving major illusion, too. [chanel, chanel, chloe, marchesa, prabal gurung, & givenchy. from style.com]