SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Greige Expectations: Georgio Armani Beauty's Fall 2009 Highlights

Giorgio Armani Beauty's Fall 2009 collection hinges on a "greige" theme. It doesn't take an etymologist to figure out that the term "greige" stems from the words "gray" and "beige," but that doesn't mean we should expect a monochromatic collection of eye and lip pigments. Instead, the term "greige" refers to a specific mood, an intriguing and somewhat somber but irresistibly seductive vibe.

The lead player in the collection is the Manta Ray Eye Duo Palette, each of which features two silky soft, slightly metallic shadows. The palettes are available in five shades: No.1, a charcoal and greige combination (and yes, greige is an actual color which Armani introduced some time ago); No. 2, a deep ocean blue and ocean green; No. 3, a lilac gray and shimmering fuchsia-tinged purple combo; No. 4, a light blue stone and sandy beige; and No. 5, which consists of a shimmering lilac pearl and pale green pearl. The shadows are extremely soft and muted, so that you can create the most ethereal of looks — or, if you're not the understated type, you can layer to more color to achieve the desired intensity.

Here, you'll finds watches of the No. 3 palette colors, as well as a photo of a quick, versatile look I created using these hues (I also applied two coats of the ultra lengthening Eyes to Kill mascara in black):

 

As you can see, the colors have a smoky quality to them without being too grim or Mad Max-esque.

Similarly, Armani's take on lips this season can best be described as minimalist, demure vamp. The new Armani Silk Lipstick in No. 92 is a rich plum shade that looks extremely dark when first applied but which is meant to be blotted and worn as a stain-like hue, merely accentuating your pout's natural tones. When I first applied the lipstick, the experience was a bit off-putting. For one, I hadn't mentally prepared myself for such a dark and almost goth-like color. Secondly, I found it very difficult to distribute the color evenly, since most of it kept collecting around the corners of my mouth, regardless of how many times I touched up the fleshy interior of my lips. But the story doesn't end here, ladies — once I pulled out my blotting papers and allowed some of the color to fade away, I was left with a hint of color that made my lips have that just-bitten blush. In fact, I'm wearing the lipstick in the photo above!

See how much "greige" matters?

Giorgio Armani Beauty Manta Ray Eye Duo Palette, $38; Eyes To Kill Mascara, $28; Armani Silk Lipstick in No. 92, $25. Available at GiorgioArmaniBeauty-USA.com as well as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus stores.

Eyeing La Mer's The Radiant Concealer SPF 25

Ambitious, multi-tasking women never seem to get enough sleep (I should know — it's 3:30 a.m. as I type this post!). You can apply as many creams as you want but, if you're not getting the requisite minimum of Zzs, then all the eye moisturizers and gels in the world won't do a thing to diminish the appearance of dark circles and bags. A potent concealer, then, is an absolute necessity — after all, if you can't feel completely refreshed, you'll need extra help when freshening up.

But finding the right concealer is beyond challenging. First, you have to match your skin color with precision (otherwise you can wind up with raccoon eye syndrome). Second, it has to properly cover those dark circles — and while most can brighten the area, few can truly eradicate them. Third, these products must have staying power because you're bound to get even more tired as your busy day unfolds. And last, but definitely not least, here's where most concealers fall short: while they might be able to mask wrinkles, enlarged pores, and discoloration, they don't actually soothe the delicate skin around the eye area, so that it will still appear puffy and swollen.

Thankfully, La Mer's new The Radiant Concealer scores an A+ in all four fronts and earns brownie points for offering SPF 25 protection, hence protecting you from UV rays that can lead to premature aging signs. The Radiant Concealer features tourmaline and malachite gemstones that capture and reflect light so as to conceal dark circles, while marine and plant extracts decrease puffiness and, lastly, chamomile extract and Viapure Porite (an Asian mushroom) soothe the area, gradually diminishing any redness or discoloration.

Available in three shades (Ivory, Beige and Natural Warm), this concealer will help you check your baggage (well, your eye baggage) at the door and will brighten your tired lids like a billion stadium lights. It's creamy and lightweight, gliding on effortlessly and blending on for a natural, smooth effect, so that you don't have to worry about your makeup cracking, melting or smearing. The one thing I didn't care for was the eye brush that accompanies the compact, as I found the bristles a bit too hard and abrasive. My suggestion would be to opt for a softer brush or simply apply with your fingertips (that's actually my favorite application method). You really will look radiant.

La Mer The Radiant Concealer SPF 25, $65. Available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and LaMer.com

Waiting On Hand And Foot

I always assumed that pedicures and manicures were two female indulgences not even remotely rooted in male fantasies or desires. Sure, no man wants a lady's hands to look like bear mitts but do they really notice when our cuticles are a bit too dry? The answer: abso-friggin'-lutely. I recently watched the premiere of VH1's My Antonio, the latest reality TV show where a formerly popular celebrity (in this case, the freakishly handsome model/actor Antonio Sabato, Jr.) searches for "love" amongst a group of fame-seeking, cat fight-prone, relentlessly manipulative women. Now, here's the crazy part: not even a half hour into the show, Antonio ships one of the contestants off for having unattractive hands and feet. Apparently, in order to feel any type of physical attraction towards a woman, the lady in question must keep her fingers and toes looking delicate and feeling silky soft.

After watching the episode, I started polling my male friends to see if they, too, shared this sentiment. And while some weren't quite as gun-ho as Antonio, the general consensus was that a woman's hands and feet speak volumes about her sense of self, the importance she places on hygiene, and the way in which she wishes to present herself to the world.

So, ladies, it's time to take a hands-on approach. Here, a few products to do the trick.

LEND A HAND: LOTIONS, SCRUBS, AND CUTICLE OILS

 

Thymes Essentials Hand Cream, $16. Visit Thymes.com

Like most Thymes products, what I love the most about this hand cream is the light but sophisticated fragrance: a mix of citrus notes (specifically, Italian tangerine, orange and lemon), crisp grapefruit, jasmine (one of my favorite blossoms), petitgrain, cyprus and musk. Packed with vitamin E, shea butter, glycerin, aloe vera gel and pro-vitamin B, the Thymes Essentials Hand Cream soothes, softens and mositurizes your hands, while leaving them smelling fresh and flirty.

Soft & Beautiful Skin MoistureSoft Hand Cream, $6.49. Available at mass food and drug retailers nationwide. Visit Drugstore.com

If you want an inexpensive but oh-so-effective hand cream, you can't go wrong with Soft & Beautiful's hand cream, which features a potent blend of cocoa, shea and almond butters.

Crabtree & Evelyn 60 Second Fix For Hands, $28. Visit Store.Crabtree-Evelyn.com

I remember in one Sex and the City episode, Stanford made a joke about Charlotte having a fetish for Crabtree & Evelyn hand cream. And I gotta say, if this is the cream she favored, I can totally understand her fascination. The La Source 60 Second Fix for Hands features a gentle scrub that removes any dead skin, unveiling a new layer of skin, and a therapeutic hand cream that includes ingredients like shea butter and mineral-rich, soothing sea algae.

Hissyfit Handy Work, $29. Visit HissyFit.com

If you think three steps ahead (as you should!), you'll appreciate that Hissyfit's Handy Work cream not only softens hands and cuticles, but also provides UVA/UVB protection (which, in turn, will help to keep those hands looking young) and fights such signs of aging as brown spots and uneven skin tone with its combination of vitamin E and aloe.

BE QUICK ON YOUR FEET: CREAMS, SCRUBS, AND MORE

Lisa Hoffman Skincare Spa Bath Hand and Foot Butter, $17.99. Visit LisaHoffmanSkincare.com

My feet tend to get remarkably dry and calloused. You'd think I was running around a farm barefoot or something — instead, I'm just acting like I'm Posh Spice and running the smallest of errands in sky high heels that, while looking amazing, also torture my little toes. Fortunately, I discovered Lisa Hoffman Skincare's Spa Bath Hand and Foot Butter, a rich cream that manages to soften even the most abused feet. The indulgent cream features such ingredients as shea butter, grape seed oil (which protects the skin from premature aging), and antioxidant-rich acai extract. If you integrate this into your daily routine, you'll never have to worry about cracked or rough soles and heels again.

STA readers are in for a special treat! If you enter the coupon code "SICKA" at checkout, you'll receive 15% off on your entire order!

Miss Oops Pedicure In A Bottle, $18. Visit MissOops.com

The "pedicure in a bottle" term fits this product perfectly since, with its combination of glycolic and salycilic acid, shea butter, peppermint, menthol and lavender, it manages to hydrate, soften and soothe feet — a holy trinity of sorts. 

 
Epoch Sole Solution Foot Treatment, $21.95. Visit NuSkin.com

Crushed allspice berry, a common natural cure to dry, cracked feet among indigenous people in Central America, constitutes the main ingredient in this rich botanical cream, while exfoliating urea and softening papain complete the experience.

T!ntalize Concealer, $11 for Sample Collection Pack; $15 per Pack. Visit Tintalize.com

Maybe you wore a really uncomfortable pair of shoes at one point and they actually cracked your skin, leaving a visible scar. Or perhaps you suffered a bruise or cut while playing a sport or dancing ballet. Hey, maybe you just stubbed a toe and bruised it badly during an attack of clumsiness. Whatever the case, you don't have to hide those feet any longer — with T!ntalize, a lightweight concealer designed especially for feet, you can cover up any scar, blemishes or bruises, slip on your favorite pair of sandals, and treat those toes to a night out on the town.

DIY FOOT TREATMENT:

Want an at-home remedy for rough feet? Skyy Hadley of As “U” Wish Nail Spa suggests you try out her "Meals for the Heels" mask, which includes oatmeal to soothe irritated, flaky skin, and milk to naturally exfoliate.

Here's how to make the "Meals for the Heels" Mask:

-- Take one cup of regular oatmeal and 1/2 cup of regular milk and heat up on the stove, stirring until cooked.
-- Add sugar to thicken the mixture, and then let it cool off a bit.
-- When the mix is thickened, apply to your feet. Leave the mask on for about 5 - 10 minutes.
-- Finish off with pure shea butter as a moisturizer and you’re all set.

 

Plus D'Amour For Bensimon Sneakers

On the afternoon of August 22nd, Parisian tennis shoe line Bensimon debuted its Fall/Winter 2009 collection in the U.S., landing at the NYC boutique Tani, where VIP customers were treated to complimentary champagne. The limited-edition collection features 12 unique styles and colors available for the first time in the US.

These simple canvas-and-rubber shoes are de rigueur in Paris (for an idea of how prevalent a footwear option Bensimon shoes are, check out this blog post which details an American girl's experiences in France). They're a bit of an acquired taste, but once you develop a palate for them, you're hooked  — I compare them to vintage wash jeans in that they have a worn-in, lived-in look and feel.

The Bensimon line was launched in the '70s and popularized in the '80s, when Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin began trekking around in these comfy sneakers. Over 30 years later, stars like Liv Tyler and Cameron Diaz favor the brand.

Check out the above image for a peek at some of the colors available. Tres jolie, don't you think?

Bensimon tennis shoes, prices between $55-$88. Available at Tani in NYC (131 W. 72nd Street, between Broadway and Columbus Ave.).

Hairy Situation: TLC For Your Tresses

Has your hair taken a toll after all those visits to the beach and the pool? Have the summer rays dulled your previously vibrant hair color or brought out the wench-like frizzies on your head? Whatever your summer hair gripe, we've got a product to address the issue at hand.

Here, our starting line of products.

Frederic Fekkai Beachcomber Leave-In Conditioner, $23. Visit Fekkai.com

I could write this leave-in conditioner love letters – shoo, I could pull a move like Mr. Big in Sex and The City: The Movie and copy love letters from Napoleon, Voltaire, and Beethoven. My hair can get so dry and overstressed — especially during the summer months — that it needs more than a meek conditioner you can rinse out after 3-5 minutes. The Beachcomber Leave-In Conditioner swathes your hair with moisturizing, replenishing nutrients that penetrate and repair hair follicles. This top-of-the-line product contains red, blue, and green sea algae, as well as sea kelp extract, sea water, and marine peptides — all of which focus on both short-term and long-term moisture retention. When you spritz it on, the conditioner adds lift and texture, helping our hair bounce back to shape as quickly as a bungee cord.

 

Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque, $25. Visit BumbleandBumble.com

To me, coconut the ultimate fruity summer scent. Some equate summer with citrus fragrances, but I go nutty for coconuts. This hair mask not only hydrates your tresses, but it smells incredible. It's such a treat that, to me, the ideal scenario would involve applying it onto damp hair, putting on a shower cap, wrapping a towel turban-style around my head, and then laying on a poolside-style plastic chair with a frozen daiquiri, letting the summer's rays naturally heat up the conditioning treatment for optimum results. Rich moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, and murumuru seed butter soften and hydrate hair, while grapeseed, coconut and soybean oils smooth and maximize sheen.

Warren-Tricomi Style Hair Polish, $24. Visit WarrenTricomi.com

I've tried many a styling serum, but this one is among my favorites since it gives your hair a bit of hold without making it stiff or greasy. Another plus is that you can apply dry hair (as well as damp hair, of course) — which means you can touch up your 'do as often as you need without leaving any visible product residue.

 

Moroccanoil Moroccan Oil Treatment, $39. Available at select salons. Visit Moroccanoil.com to find a retailer near you.

If you're a beauty junkie, you've probably been hearing all the buzz surrounding Moroccanoil: how it adds shine without leaving your hair looking and feeling oily, how it moisturizes even the most damaged hair, how it can actually help your hair absorb color if you apply it prior to any dye job... So is it really worth all the hype? Yes — it deserves all the kudos and a few Arsenio Hall-esque "Woot! Woot!" cheers as well. The Moroccanoil treatment has been my best friend this summer, leaving my hair looking healthier than ever and feeling softer than 500-thread Egyptian cotton sheets. Formulated with argan oil (a natural antioxidant and humectant), this lightweight oil restores elasticity and moisture to your hair. All you have to do is apply a tiny amount (you don't need more than a silver dollar's worth of product)  to damp hair and then style as you wish. When your hair dries, you'll notice it looks shiny and rich. Even if you just put it up in a ponytail, that ponytail will wave from side to side like the most determined and alluring pendulum. It's a must-have for every gal!

John Frieda Collection Weather Works Weather-Proofing Style Sealant Creme, $5.99. Available at mass food and drug stores nationwide.

John Frieda has mastered the science of keeping frizz at bay (and we're forever grateful!). The Weather Works Weather-Proofing Style Sealant Cream ensures the same level of protection even when faced with harsher weather elements such as high levels of humidity — and it won't give you "helmet head" syndrome (or leave your hair feeling like an overly starched dress shirt collar) while doing so. This isn't a moisturizer so do remember to add a nice leave-in conditioner or moisturizing oil prior to applying the style cream!

Garnier Fructis Style Wonder Waves Wave-Defining Mousse, $3.99. Available at mass food and drug retailers.

Normally, the word mousse would send me flying in the other direction (well, unless you were referring to a chocolate-y dessert!), since so many mousses can make hair feel crunchier than Frito-Lay potato chips and also leave behind a white, dandruff-like residue (so not sexy!). This frothy styling aid, however, won't dry out your hair, and it does manage to infuse a bit of bounce into any waves or curls that might have grown limp from dehydration and overprocessing. Plus, it smells like a melon cocktail — yum!

Graham Webb Silk Protein Leave-In Conditioner, $14.95. Available at professional salons nationwide. To find a salon near you, visit GrahamWebb.com

This lightweight leave-in conditioner, with its potent mix of silk proteins and keratin amino acids, actually also functions as a detangler so that, as you smooth it onto hair, you can also feel the strands separating naturally, making that mop more manageable.

 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $22. Visit BumbleandBumble.com

I call this my "lioness spray" because it adds a va-va-voom volume to my hair. Some hair styling aids might add some boost to your curls, but this one creates a very animalistic, seductive, messy-but-sexy effect. If you have wavy or curly hair, the Surf Spray isn't going to necessarily shape or mold these ringlets but, rather, it will create that I-just-took-a-ride-in-the-convertible-with-the-top-down effect, where your hair has volume and energy without looking too precise and put-together.

Ecru Marine Styling Balm, $24. Visit EcruNewYork.com

This is not a gel, ladies! Sure, it might look like a hair gel, but don't get it twisted: unlike hair gels which contain polymer resins that dry up atop the hair, hardening the surface and even leading to hair breakage, the Ecru Marine Styling Balm provides the necessary amount of hold and control while tending to your mane. The clear balm contains silk protein, which laves hair looking shiny and feeling smooth, as well as nourishing seaweed extract, strengthening keratin, volume amplifying wheat protein, moisturizing agent panthenol, soothing chamomile, and linden flower extract (which helps to restore elasticity).

Pureology EssentialRepair InstaRepair, $28. Visit Pureology.com to find a retailer near you.

When you first pump some of this clear leave-in conditioner onto the palm of your hand, you might do a double-take and scan the bottle to make sure you didn't reach for the hair gel by accident. Don't worry — while it looks like it will be sticky, this product is almost as thin and easy to glide on as an oil-based serum. Formulated with organic chamomile and olive oil (which condition the hair and increase softness and shine), as well as strengthening soy milk and restorative Biotin, Pureology's EssentialRepair InstaRepair also includes the line's trademark Antifade Complex, a mixture of vitamins C and E, melanin and heliogenol which provides UVA/UVB protection and helps retain hair coloring. It moisturizes so well that even your ends feel a bit smoother and less jagged, and it won't weigh hair down. Talk about a Mr. Fix It!

 

Glop & Glam Hair Glam Creamsicle Mist Leave-In Conditioner, $14.99. Visit GlopAndGlam.com

This haircare line was designed for kids, which is why the products are free of harsh chemicals and preservatives and why they smell like delicious candy treats. The playful scent of the Hair Glam Creamsicle Mist will take you back to the days of playing hopscotch and eating orange popsicles, and the product will help to detangle your mane and moisturize it with aloe and echinacea.

 

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, $16.99. Visit MixedChicks.net

Designed for curly-haired gals of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, the Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner features jojoba and primrose oils to soften and moisturize hair. The product's packaging, look, and texture reminds me of the old-school Alberto V05 conditioners (before the line got a hip makeover). It's thicker than most leave-in conditioners, so it does weigh your hair down a wee bit, but it does hydrate your hair, adding definition to your curls, and leaving them looking tighter and sprightlier.

 

Sebastian Taming Elixir, $16.95. Visit SebastianProfessional.com

Avocado oil and light silicones soften your hair and hep to take any flyaways and frizz, but do use sparingly or you'll be left with a greasy dome.

 

Nioxin Scalp Shied Sunblock SPF 20, $12.99. Available at salons nationwide. To find a retailer near you, visit Nioxin.com

Perhaps this experience sound familiar: you spend a day laying in the sun, apply sunblock on your skin, and emerge with a nice golden tan — and yet you have a pounding headache and your scalp feels tender and sore. So you traipse along to your bathroom mirror to better examine the situation and discover that your scalp is red and swollen because you neglected to protect it from the sun's UVA/UVB rays. Yes, ladies, we often forget all about our scalp — and that can not only lead to sunburn but also to hair damage. To be on the safe side before a day of fun in the sun, spray some of Nioxin's Scalp Shield onto your dry scalp, making sure to distribute throughout your whole head. I suggest massaging it lightly as you move from section to section. The spray isn't heavy or greasy, and it will keep your hair and scalp protected.

Primer Example -- NP Set Pre-Foundation Pore Perfecting Primer

I've only recently discovered the wonder of primers, and I just don't know how I ever managed without them. Enriching their popular Pre-Foundation Primer, NP Set's Pre-Foundation Pore Perfecting Primer not only smooths the skin's surface, but it reduces the appearance of pores so as to give your skin an even, velvety look. The gel-like primer feels so soft against your skin, like a thin layer of aloe vera or Vaseline, and yet instead of making your visage look shinier than a polished penny, it minimizes oiliness for a mattifying effect. The primer basically serves as a building block, allowing your pores to breathe and preventing the foundation from clogging the pores and causing breakouts.  

Ingredients include: hydrating soybean oil; antioxidant-rich pomegranate extract; soothing green tea extract and flaxseed oil; vitamins A, C and E to protect the skin from harmful free radicals; and acai extract, a natural antioxidant which is also rich in fatty acids, all of which help to replenish the skin and fight aging signs.

Hey, gotta stay in your prime!




NP Set Pre-Foundation Pore Perfecting Primer, $26. Visit NPSetCosmetics.com

Spellbound With MAC's Colour Craft Collection

As the name suggests, MAC Cosmetics' Colour Craft collection celebrates the creativity of makeup artists, their ability to mix color and create entirely new, dynamic hues, and their propensity for juxtaposing products with different textures and sheens to create mysterious, fascinating looks.

The collection, then, focuses on the synergy between different hues. Each of the new Lipglass shades, for instance, incorporates three hues swirled together for a marble-like finish, while the Mineralize Eye Shadows are packaged into pinwheel quad compacts. 

Take a look at the offerings! This is no ordinary arts-and0crafts project, you heard?

MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW QUADS
 

MAC Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in "Natural Flare," $19.50. Visit MACCosmetics.com

This quad works wonders for women with dark eyes or olive skin, and the mix of earthy and metallic colors works for summer and fall, making this a great buy for these transitional months. As you can see from the swatch below, the compact includes a dusty brown, a sparkly gold, a yellow orange, and a rust-like copper color.

 

 
MAC Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in "Assemblage," $19.50. Visit MACCosmetics.com

This metallic-heavy quad includes a smokey black with silver glitter accents, a slate gray, a pearlescent silver and a pearly gold. Though the color combination isn't particularly unusual (we've seen silver/black/gold/gray compacts released by Lorac, Smashbox, Stila and countless other brands), what makes the MAC version unique is the details — the way the black color has a dusty, soot-like quality or how the deep irridescent gray conjures up images of armor-clad warriors and industrial cities.

* Here are some of the other eye shadow options:

MAC Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow Quad in "Fashion Patch," $19.50. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MAC Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in "Girlish Romp," $19.50. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MAC Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in "Odd Bits," $19.50. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MAC Cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in "Eccentricity," $19.50. Visit MACCosmetics.com

LIPSTICK

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in "Made With Love," $14. Visit MACCosmetics.com

There's a sunny quality to this coral pink hue, which is perhaps why I think it's so fantastic for these months when you want to play up your golden skin with subtle but warm lipstick hues. Check out the color below for a better idea of what it would look like on your lips.

 

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in "Most Popular," $14. Visit MACCosmetics.com

If this lipstick was a character on Gossip Girl, it would definitely be the queen bee on the steps of Constance. Though the dominant shade here is purple, it doesn't fee cold or wintry like most plum and mauve hues; instead, it has a sightly yellow base that makes it feel more whimsical and joyful.

**More lipstick options:

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in "Trimming Talk," $14. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in "Ever Embellish," $14. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MARBLEIZED LIPGLASS

MAC Cosmetics Marbleized Lipglass in "Crazy Haute," $18. Visit MACCosmetics.com

This berry-like shade is deliciously feminine, and I suggest pairing it with the Most Popular or Trimming Talk lipsticks for a sumptuous, ultra chic look.

MAC Cosmetics Marbleized Lipglass in "Eclectic Edge," $18. Visit MACCosmetics.com

When these purple and pink shades are swirled together in this exquisite tube, creating a marble-like effect, the resulting hue is a pale, space-aged pink. It's the type of shade that would've gone perfectly with the leotard Madonna wore in her "4 Minutes" video.

 

**Other Lipglass shades:

MAC Cosmetics Marbleized Lipglass in "Nice Mixup," $18. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MAC Cosmetics Marbleized Lipglass in "Funky Fusion," $18. Visit MACCosmetics.com

MINERALIZE SKIN FINISH

MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skin Finish in "Sunny By Nature," $27. Visit MACCosmetics.com

The name "Sunny By Nature" says it all: this rosy bronze hue will make you feel like you've spent a day frolicking in the beach and you won't have to worry about pesky tan lines. Here's a closer look at the effect created:

  

MINERALIZE SKIN FINISH TRIO

Mineral Skinfinish Trio in "Triple Fusion," $27. Visit MACCosmetics.com

Take out that brush and get ready to get your swirl on! This compact focuses on giving your skin the right amount of luster to finish off the desired look. The mosaic compact includes a champagne gold, soft golden pink and cool pink (you can see the slight difference between the hues in the pic below). As you  mix them together, you'll be adding a nice, dewy finish to your cheeks.

Rihanna "Runs This Town" in Her Flutter by Jill Golden Earrings

To finish off her dark, apocalyptic, riotous looks on Jay-Z's "Run This Town" video (in which she appears alongside label mate Kanye West), chanteuse Rihanna requested a gunmetal-plated pair of Flutter by Jill Golden's new Albert Triple Bullet Spike earrings (pictured above).

The earrings work perfectly with her goth-meets-rebel-meets dominatrix styling in the turf war-themed video. Her edgy, militant styling consists of outfits like: a short-sleeved, oversize black hoodie with a military-meets-marching band gold embroidery paired with garter belts and thigh-high black stockings; a back turtleneck worn with a Black Panther-esque beret, with a short black veil peaking out from underneath the hat and covering half her face; and a black leotard worn with a cropped white fur vest, and accessorized with all-black shades covered in pyramid-like studs, a belt featuring rows of bullet-like casings, and black leather, over-the-knee boots.

The Mad Max-meets-Gladiator-meets-Warriors cinematography plays up all the militant details in the video — right down to Rihanna's bold, rebellious jewelry choices. For a butter shot of the earrings, check out the 2:59 point on this video clip.

Judging from these earrings, style victory is definitely on Ri-Ri's mind. Still have questions about who is running this town tonight?

Flutter by Jill Golden Albert Triple Bullet Spike earrings, $185. Visit FlutterNYC.com

Collegiate Style -- Be A Class Act With These Back-To-School Buys

"School days/school days/ dear old golden rule days..."

Remember that song? Well, it's definitely that time of the year, when kids, teens, and lifelong students enjoy a final hoorah before kicking off a new school year.

And, of course, along with those text books, pencils, notebooks, and graphing calculators, you'll need to stock up on some wardrobe essentials — from shoulder bags roomy enough for your scholarly tomes, accessories with preppy style accents (like perennially stylish plaid trims), ankle boots for stomping through campus, sturdy watches to keep you on schedule, and comfy sneakers for when you have to make a mad dash to class. College-bound gals, meanwhile, also need to invest in dorm-ready fare like iPod docking stations, alarm clocks, portable computer speakers, and storage containers.

Here, a look at some great buys for you ultra-prepared academics (and those of us who'll use any excuse to do some shopping!).

Sony Webbie HD camera, $170. Available at Sony Style retailers and online at SonyStyle.com/webbiehd

 

Kelsi Dagger Rosabella Platform Booties in Black/Grey and Black/Red, $199.95. Visit Endless.com

 

Small Decobox, $6.99, and Large Decobox, $12.99 (pictured above in "Confetti" and "Aquatic"). Visit TheContainerStore.com

LeSportsac Artist in Residence Window Shopper Tote, $98. Available at Macys.com

Hayden-Harnett Capri Glasses Case in Sun, $19.60. Visit HaydenHarnett.com

Treesje Capri Messenger in Wine, $695 . Visit Endless.com

Klimt Textile Journal, $8.99. Visit Store.MetMuseum.Org

Stpl x Airwalk 50/50 Tech Skate sneakers, $39.99. Visit Payless.com

Fashionation Eco-Nation Eco Ink Speakers, $14.99. Visit FashionationStyle.com

iPopperz Butterfly Ear Buds on Sunny Yellow Chord, $14.95. Visit iPopperz.MyShopify.com

N.Y.L.A. Mariah Bootie in Turquoise Plaid and White Plaid, $115 each. Visit Endless.com

Mosley Tribes "Patterson" sunglasses, $150. Available in late September/early October at Oliver Peoples boutiques nationwide. Call the Oliver Peoples NYC boutique at 212.585.3343 for more information.

 

PUMA "917 Lo Popart" sneakers in Cardinal/White/Dark Navy, $50. Visit Puma.com

Crosley Table Alarm Clock, $58. Visit UrbanOutfitters.com

Neff "The Brawnee" Adjustable Cap, $21. Visit Karmaloop.com

Speck CandyShell Case for iPhone 3G, $34.95. Visit SpeckProducts.com

Timex T Series Vivid Color Chronograph, $150. Visit Timex.comTimex.com or check out TimexStyle.com for more options.

Customizable Sigg water bottle, $27.99. Visit CafePress.com

Ariat International "Arch Moc Toe" Clog, $120. Visit Zappos.com

J. Crew Leather Gloves, $49.50. Visit JCrew.com

PUMA Speed Cat 2.9 Mid 10 Yrs sneakers, $85. Available at PUMA stores nationwide and at Puma.com

Skullcandy Pipe iPod Speaker Docking Station, $69.99. Visit Target.com

Shick Intuition Plus, $9.99. Visit Drugstore.com

Feed/Read Bag, $24.95. Available at Barnes & Noble stores.

DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub, $44. Visit DERMAdoctor.com

Scope Outlast Long Lasting Rinse, $5.99. Available at mass food and drug retailers.

Kiss From A Rose -- Pixi Rose Lip Treat

 

Vitamin E enriches the new Pixi Rose Lip Treat lip balms, moisturizing lips and helping to protect them from free radical damage. Available at Target stores, the Pixi Rose Lip Treat balms nourish lips while delivering a very faint, subtle hint of color. I was initially thrown aback by just how thin the tube is (it's about half the diameter of a lipstick or Chapstick), but the lip balm glides on lips almost easily as Vaseline (minus the grease and the shine). The texture is soft and creamy, and the matte colors simply accentuate your lips' natural hue.

Check out the swatches below for a better idea of what the LipNude (pictured at top) and Lip Rose (pictured at bottom) look like when applied.

As you can see, these aren't glosses so while they do have a bit of shimmer when under the light, they're mostly matte hues. And while they do moisturize, they're no replacement for a richer balm so, if your lips feel a bit dry, ask for reinforcements.

Pixi Rose Lip Treat in LipNude and LipRose, $12 each. Available at Target.com