Serena Williams to make cosmetic line

NEW YORK (AP) _ Serena Williams, already with her own fashion company, has added cosmetics to her game. <br/><br/>Calling herself a ``beauty junkie,'' the tennis star announced Thursday she has

Friday, August 26th 2005, 11:50 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Serena Williams, already with her own fashion company, has added cosmetics to her game.

Calling herself a ``beauty junkie,'' the tennis star announced Thursday she has signed on to be the next ``guest creator'' for Flirt! cosmetics.

``I've always been a beauty junkie,'' Williams told The Associated Press. ``I've tried every product. I'm addicted to products. I can't go into the mall without buying everything. I said to my manager, `I should get a beauty deal, I'm going to go broke buying all these products.''

Williams, who will compete at the U.S. Open next week, said she had multiple offers but that she decided to go with Flirt! which is produced by Estee Lauder and sold only at Kohl's.

``Flirt! fits my personality. It's young, colorful, funky, cool _ it's a great fit for me.''

Among the products that will have Williams' stamp are lip glosses that are attached to necklaces, which will be in stores February. Williams also has a fashion company named Aneres, her name spelled backward.

She even wears makeup on the tennis court, but not much because of the few waterproof cosmetic products on the market. ``Maybe that's next for me,'' she joked.

Ceded eighth, Williams will begin against a qualifier at the U.S. Open, which starts Monday. A two-time Open champion, Williams has frequently drawn attention for her tournament outfits.

She last year turned heads after taking to Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing knee-high black boots, a denim miniskirt and a studded black tank top.

This year, Williams says she plans a look of a lilac and deep purple crisscross top with a mesh back panel and a coordinating purple pleated skirt.