Over the course of my career I’ve become rather adept at writing about how to put on makeup or do your hair. But what I’m not amazingly talented at is doing it myself. And really the best way to learn is to watch someone else do it.

The good folks over at Stila have realized this, but also that you aren’t usually sitting in front of your laptop as you get ready. Enter the Makeup Player, launching today.

You simply download tutorials onto your iPhone or other mobile device, plug it in to the portable makeup kit and play away. Plus you can rock tunes while you’re applying.

Happy early birthday to me is what I thought when I opened up this email with V’s latest beauty extravaganza.

My former beauty editor heart definitely starts beating a little faster when a single story contains work by so many of my most favorite hairstylists, makeup artists, and photographers. And the models aren’t too shabby either!

Seriously check out just some of the people who gave their interpretations of what the definition of beauty will be in the next decade: Gucci Westman, Aaron de Mey, Didier Malige, James Kaliardos, Val Garland, Richard Burbridge, Miles Aldridge, Jimmy Paul, Julien d’Ys, Mario Sorrenti. The list goes on and on and their work is completely outstanding.

In 2006, when The Devil Wears Prada came out, everyone thought Vogue would suck it up and put Anne Hathaway on its cover.

No such luck - though Anna Wintour did wear Prada to the premier which is almost better.

Now, three years later, Anne graces the first cover of 2009.

Here’s a behind the scenes peek at the shoot - styled by Tonne Goodman, make-up’d by Gucci Westman and shot by Mario Testino. Anne aptly declares, “If you can’t look gorgeous with this team then you can’t look gorgeous period.”

The Rodarte dress doesn’t hurt either.

This just in from WWD:

Gucci Westman, makup genius extraordinaire, has just been named the new Global Artistic Director of Revlon.

She ended a nearly five year-long career at Lancome, as their International Artistic Director, this past December.

She’s been widely credited with building Lancome’s bridge to Hollywood super stars and to hyping up the brand’s presence during New York Fashion Week - feats she will no doubt again perform for Revlon.

Have you guys seen this?

Simon Doonan wrote an entire story for Rag & Bone’s spring collection: A Saga of Hope, Drama, and Miniskirts.

The “saga” features Abby Lee suffering a career crisis in some very cute, very preppy outfits with some very rock ‘n roll makeup by Gucci Westman, (who in case you forgot is married to the David Neville half of Rag & Bone).

Lee considers both physics and sabotage until declaring, “I could just stick with modeling and laugh all the way to the bank.”

Yes Abbey, or you could pair a poison ring with your trench and do both - wouldn’t that be the most fun?