GIRL

PHARELL WILLIAMS' NEW SCENT FOR HUMANS

Pharell teamed up with Comme de Garcons (for the nose) and Brooklyn artist KAWS (aka Brian Donnelly) (for the flacon design) to create a unisex scent with an Intro (neroli, lavender, white pepper), a Middle Riff (Iris, Violet, Styrax) and At The End some kick arse base notes of Cedar, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli. Badass chic. We

love your style, Mr Williams. GIRL is available at super cool places like Colette, Dover Street Markets, Sephora.

shu uemura : lash me up

When you've been a full-time 24/7 Beauty Editor you become accustomed to never having to buy any beauty product. So when 24/7 BE becomes a freelancer, developing other areas of interest to write about and not getting all the freebies, you become a most discerning beauty shopper. To cut it short, I know who, what and where to go on the cosmetic floor. Fuss-free. Direct.

This particular time was for a new foundation. (OK, guys have been lost on this post now. Bye now x). Your skin can get accustomed to a skincare routine as it does with makeup, and change is beneficial to your look. I've had foundation love affairs with MAC, La Prairie, Napoleon, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Chanel and Giorgio Armani. I needed a change as my makeup started looking lacklustre - even with sleep and the help of my ever fabulous Becca Luminous Skin Colour -  so today I was looking for something new. Radiant, light, even, smooth and trusted. As soon as I walked on the David Jones floor I swanned straight to Shu Uemura.

I was given the professional advice needed from Lisa and Brea (below) and was brushed with the perfectly light "face architect smoothing fluid". Sold.  I left with their cult oil cleanser as well (the Green Tea version) and a packet of "Black Focal" lashes (like Brea, on the right, is wearing). See, nothing scary but up close they have that discreet hotness quality; that edge you want from a false lash.

Shu Uemura (1928 -2007) was an international Japanese make-up artist who grew to fame in the 1960s. Today that era's legacy lives on with eyeshadows, lip shades, face and his mad fluttering range of false lashes. The long silver or gold butterfly wing lashes are for the brave and beautiful. Visit the "Tokyo Bar" to have your chosen piece applied professionally before your next sexy event.  You'll get all the help and advice you need.

Take a look at this brilliant song by Empire of the Sun and the lashes on Luke Steele's galactic girlfriend. They're very Shu. Very now-nightclub. Team with a metallic encrusted dress from Sass and Bide. Tease hair 60s style. You got the look. Minus halo orb thing.

Empire of the Sun 4 minute + film clip of Half Mast

Shu Uemura make the best eyelash curler in the world ($A40). Seriously. The brand is famous for this secret beauty weapon and no-one else can really match up to it. Don't ask me why. I've guinea pigged a number of versions.  So if you can't dare the false lash, get the curler. You won't ever blink back.

Australians get your Shu fix at David Jones

French girls at Lafayette, Printemps or the boutique store on Bld. Saint Germain.

Londoners at the boutique on Neal Street, at Harvey Nichs, Liberty, Space NK and (love this!) Heathrow airport. 

Italians, the Shu boutique in Milan (but you already know that)

Dutch girls at Magna Plaza (you know that too)

Canadians at Holt Renfrew (as you)

Pretty much every fab place in HK, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan (you've known it for decades)

America, we're sorry their big daddy company L'Oreal pulled Shu out of the States but you can still buy online at www.shuuemura-usa.com.  Don't overlook this brand but shame you miss the instore vibe.

Quality, serious, does the job, super pro and can be as natural as you want or as fun as you want.  Can you explore and stimulate your creativity and stop playing J-Lo safe all the time? That's nice to meet mum but embrace your inner vixen and LASH OUT.

Cheerful nails

Check out this design by Sophy Nails at London Fashion Week. Got to put a smile on your dial! We love a bit of imagination (to mix up with the classics).

The David Gandy iPad app

You will recognize him from this Dolce & Gabbana "Light Blue" fragrance ad

which was a 50 foot poster in Times Square and received over 11 million online hits .

From delivering cars to a car magazine to becoming one of the world's top male models, David Gandy is going one step further and creating his own Men's Style Guide Application for iPhones, iPads and iPods. We like a model with a brain and forward-thinking business skills. And we can't wait to see more of this English Adonis.  Meanwhile, you can follow his erudite fashion adventures on his blog @ vogue.co.uk.

I want. I want now. TF Lips

Tom Ford lipstick. 

The man knows how to market sexual supreme, a sense of exclusivity and quality. You somehow know that Mr Ford gets it right. Every time. He is a brilliant researcher (even wearing the lipsticks himself on test runs. Nice with the beard, Tom.) and his dedication is unwavering, stemming not only from his Gucci background but his passion for cinema and his debut film A Single Man. And ladies, he gives us the colours we crave. TRUE TRUE film icon colours, presented in an elegant snap-lock, white and gold container. It makes the art of applying lipstick more sensational, erotic and essential. It makes me think of sitting in an Artie Shaw performance in technicolour '40s satin with cigarette girls swanning around; 
swinging down the King's Road on a scooter with a Rolling Stone for a '60s photo shoot; 
or of a blonde bombshell fanned in feathers eating chocolates in joie de vivre styled 1930s malaise. 

Seriously, his lipsticks are gold. Academy award winners.

Limited edition colours to choose from that won't dry out the lip and will give you a movie star glow. For instance, we love  that unobtainable shade so close to our own lip colour we can never find (hello "Pink Dusk"). The "True Coral" that would frame the words of the fabulous Lucille Ball as "Auntie Mame" saying "Spitting distance? How vivid".  The "Pure Pink" worn by Bridgit Bardot with a smoky eye in St. Tropez. The "Cherry Lush" red that would have Rita Hayworth as "Gilda" cooing "I can never get a zipper to close" or that fab rockabilly girl at our local Surry Hills tapas bar promising our table won't be too much longer.  The "Blush Nude" worn as sexy Bond starlet Ursula Andress saying 
"I don't use my body to seduce, no. I just stand there." 

In times of bad economy (eg The Great Depression or, Now), lipsticks are beauty's best sellers. I suggest you go instore asap to find yourself a treat. Indulge your inner movie icon and something luxe for yourself. Your lips will love you for the soft silky formula, lasting power and all those things other brands promise but only Tom Ford can truly deliver. It's one of those special beauty treats for every girl's arsenal.

Lip Balm Dilemma

I'm addicted to lip balms.

Addicted to finding The One that moisturises, soothes and keeps on giving. Not one that gives temporary relief, dries my lips out then sucks up for more. On my global quest from boutique to health food shop, I've tried about 50 (sample pic here). I'm very particular: it has to smell right, feel right and look right. And do the job. How particular, Virgoan and obsessive compulsive I sound! But I am when it comes to the promised word on a product I buy... and to my lips.

So far, I recommend:

1.) Tinderbox LIP SALVE. Two hippie ladies in Western Australia make this purely botannical pot of joy. You only need to take one ring finger around the edge of your lips for smooth satisfaction. About $A10
www.cheekyherbs.com (or at Gould Street Health Food Shop, Bondi Beach)

2.) La Mer THE LIP BALM. It has the lauded, trademarked Miracle Broth. It smells and tastes minty. It has the cachet. And it works. Around $US45.
www.cremedelamer.com (or a department store near you)

3.) natural alternative "Certified Organic Paw Paw Ointment". 95% organic, made from Beeswax, cocoanut oil, jojoba oil, carrot oil, cocoa butter, vanilla oil and all those yummy things. I have it next to my laptop and just slap it on as needed. I have another tube of it in my bag.  www.naturalalternative.com.au
Thanks to mystyle.com for reminding me to update this section!

And take a look at this Chap Stick "Lip Quencher" commercial from the 70s. So cheesey, so untrue, so fab and done to the tune of  "Moon River"!  (Don't worry about the other ads after the first 'whistle' one. They're not very glamorous - although 'Barbeque' woman has a weird kind of look). Enjoy  XX