Tell The Deflating Economy To Kiss Off

Does the ever-worsening state of the economy have you feeling a bit down? Fight your blues with red… or pink, or bronze or mauve. Instead of inviting a whopping case of buyer's remorse by plunking down for a break-the-bank blouse, bag, or pair of shoes, cosmetics companies suggest investing in a few new feel-good tubes of lipstick. Esteé Lauder chairman Leonard Lauder has noticed an inversely proportionate relationship between the economy and his lipstick sales. The New York Times guesses this is because lipstick helps women feel confident and feminine at a cost far less than other prettifiers. Plus, a lipstick that looks great on you this season will still look great on you next season, too. That pricey purse? It might be out of style tomorrow.

So, big ticket wardrobe enhancers or $25 tube of lipstick? If your checkbook is feeling the strain of a deflated economy, do your splurging with the latter. You'll find tons of options, since cosmetics retailers like Sephora are upping their orders of gloss' more enduring big sister. Try something new, like TheBalm's Read My Lips lipsticks ($16) in opalescent hues with newspaper-themed names like Classified, Gossip, and Letter to the Editor. Or stick with an old standard; NARS semi-matte lipstick in vampy Red Lizard ($24) looks good with most skin tones and gives off a classic, confident pinup-girl vibe. Or choose something seasonal, like Esteé Lauder Bronze Goddess. It's packed with sparkle and has SPF 15 to protect your pout. Now there's something you can feel good about.

Celebrity Swimwear: Where Can I Find Liz’s Bangin’ Bikini?

From a SheFinds reader: Does anyone know where I can get the swimsuit Elizabeth Hurley is wearing here? I love it!

Well, lucky for you, we've been showcasing celeb swimwear all this week. So this is right up our alley…

Answer: Liz Hurley would be happy to hear your positive response—the bikini she's rocking is one of her own design for international clothing retailer Mango (the same spot Penelope Cruz and her sister have a limited edition line with). The suits aren't available stateside quite yet, but when they do hit the online shelves, your favorite rum raisin-colored halter bikini will retail for $40.

The line is generating quite a bit of press, not because of the designs, but because of Liz's comments on her own photo campaign. According to the still-stunning 42-year-old model/actress, bikini shoots are "unmitigated hell" and "literally torture." Poor thing. Lucky for Liz, she's not above a little airbrushing, and says she counts on "nice photographers and a bit of retouching" to survive her grueling (we bet) day job.

 
If you can't wait to get your hands on a two-piece like Liz's, look for bust-boosting halter style tops and scoop or low-rise bottoms in shades of deep purple, dark chocolate, or shimmery taupe. May we suggest: Kushcush's chocolate-hued Milla bikini ($158), Fabucci's James Bond bikini ($202), or Gap's bargain-priced Essential halter and low-rise bottoms ($17 each) in either deep brown or eggplant purple.

Have a question for the SheFinds editors? Tell us what you're trying to track down—a special size, the solution to a style conundrum, something your favorite star has sported—and we'll get on the case.

And check out our Swimsuit Guide for more amazing summer suits. 

Taste Test: Sandals A Few Steps Above Rubber Flip-Flops

For years I’ve been making the annual pilgrimage to Old Navy around this time of the season to pick up a stack of their notoriously inexpensive flip-flops ($2.50 each if you buy more than one pair. Who doesn’t buy more than one pair?). Then I realized that people over 16 should probably own casual footwear options that don't double as shower shoes. Thankfully, I recently stumbled upon the pairs below, and now I’m happily converted – they’re the easy-to-wear, go-with-everything sandals I probably won’t even bother putting back in my closet all summer. But there’s a pretty significant cost gap between the two pairs below – can you tell which one is the pricier pair? Click on the images to find out what they really cost.

Test your fashion intelligence with other Taste Tests. 

Goodness Gracious Gladiators!  A Spin on the Traditional Gladiator Sandal

I wasn't quite sure what to think about this trend when it first came into the public eye with Ashley Olsen's Chanel knee-highs last summer. But it was kind of like a pug dog - so ugly it's cute. Then came Mary Kate in her spartan-style heels by Azzadine Alaia. It brings one thought to my mind: If I wore something really ugly AND had a twin, I would ask her to wear something similar and just as ugly and then everyone would think I started a cool new trend! 

I'm not sure I'd take it as far the Olsens, Natalia Vodianova, and Jennifer Connelly in the Balenciaga gladiators that look like they'd draw blood, or the Givenchy gladiators that look a bit S&M. Not only do all these styles look uncomfortably restrictive, but can you imagine the tan lines you'd get from an hour in the sun? You're asking for leper legs on top of the stares you'd get in public from the shoes themselves.

It was starting to seem that the only wearable gladiator sandal we real humans (aka: not models, actresses, or fashion icons) were going to get were flats. But thank goodness for ready-to-wear and knock-offs. Comfort met sanity somewhere in between those Balenciaga blood-suckers and the traditional flats and we got gladiator-inspired heels that stop comfortably at your ankle.

The Linea Paolo Brittany Gladiator Sandal ($140) is a modern take on the gladiator sandal with contrasting snake-print fabric on the heel and down the center. The Carlos by Carlos Santana Magnum Sandal ($100) has a cushioned foot bed for extra comfort (and a 4 ¼ inch heel). The gorgeous graphite colored Guess gladiators ($114) are lightly padded, have a 1/2 inch front platform, and 3 3/4 inch wrapped heel.

The Stuart Weitzman Zoom Platform ($299). has an all-over patent leather upper on a cork base with an adjustable buckle closure. The Guess Eulia Pump ($110) has double ankle straps with metallic buckles detail and a hidden platform. The Luna Rosa by Pazzo Jailhouse Sandal ($100) is made of crackled metallic leather and shaped into a sky-high platform sandal with a thick T-strap.

The L.A.M.B. Gina Metallic Gladiator is made of snake-embossed leather with a sky-rocketing 5 inch heel for $325. The brown Calvin Klein Ness Sandal ($110) has an adjustable buckle at the ankle strap and threaded detailing on the straps. The fascinatingly futuristic gladiators from Alexander McQueen ($900) are sure to keep your feet safe with all these buckles - and they'd better come with a security system for this price.

For more chic styles, check out our Spring Shoe Guide. 

Deal Of The Day: Up To 50% Off Milly Dresses At Tobi

You never know when the phone will ring and that last-minute dinner date invitation will come through. It's bound to happen, though, so you've gotta be prepared. Stock up on cute dresses from Milly that you can whip out of your closet faster than you can send that text message accepting the invite.


Channel a vampy, grown-up Minnie Mouse in this pretty polka-dot party dress ($211, was $324). The exaggerated mod print and always-in black and white color combo work best with minimal jewelry, but you could introduce color in the form of a bright-hued cardigan or clutch.


Go for a Pucci-esque vibe with Milly's Sophia dress ($239, was $341) in funky tangerine and strawberry tones. The print is a little bit '70s retro and a little bit tribal chic; pair with gold bangles to bring out the cream and chocolate details.


Slinky, simple and stunning, this Hazel dress ($158, was $315) might just make you rethink your standard comfort clothes (i.e. jeans). Throw the helix-patterned dress on over black tights if you want to go dressier, or partner it with high wooden wedges or ultra-flat sandals for a laid-back boho look.

More sales and deals:

The Full On Sale at Old Navy—up to 50% off—is almost over!

New spring markdowns at C&C California mean up to 40% off for you.

Spend $100 at Frederick's of Hollywood and save $15.

And go to our forum for the latest sales posted by SheFinds readers.  

Only 1 Day Left To Win A $250 Shopping Spree At Szul.com

We understand if you’ve had a hard time picking out your favorite bauble at Szul.com – there’s a lot to love when the choices include diamonds and gemstones and pearls. But browsing time is almost up – make sure you post about your dream piece in our comments section by tomorrow at 11:59 PM for a chance to win a $250 shopping spree. And so far, we're completey with you – the gorgeous gold (and platinum)  Lily and Maria earrings are an ideal addition to any jewelry wardrobe. 

News Updates: Olsens Will Party In DVF, Heidi Out-Divas Posh, And More…

It has been announced that Diane von Furstenberg will be designing custom dresses for the Olsen twins for Monday night's Costume Institute Ball. Other confirmed guests include Hilary Duff, Tom and Gisele, and Cameron Diaz. [FWD]

Heidi Montag's Heidiwood line has been outselling Victoria Beckham's denim line in stores. Posh's jeans are now making their way to designer discount clothing stores due to lack of sales. [StyleDash]

As part of their new ad campaign, A Diamond Is Forever will be handing out roses to random passersby in New York's Grand Central Station next week. The roses are part of a lottery to win a diamond necklace. [WWD]

Actress Kate Hudson will appear on the cover of People Magazine's 2008 Most Beautiful People issue. [Defamer]