Pharm Fresh

Like bonuses and power lunches, trips to Paris are so last year. But, thankfully, stocking up on your favorite Gallic imports is still au moment. At The Cure, an UES jewel-box of a pharmacie, you'll find rare Frenchie gems like Lola Kelly Vie De Reve mattifier, Comodynes towelettes, and Mustela solid moisturizing sticks. Fill your basket with the good stuff, then head up to Payard on 73rd and Lex to reward your recession efforts with a Lauderée-like macaron.

A Cut Above

In New York, relationships are often short-lived—unless it's with your stylist, in which case, the union can last longer than some marriages. For years, my one and only had been Louise O'Connor, owner of Manhattan's OC 61 salon, who, like a generous boyfriend, lavished me with gifts that included deeply discounted and skillfully executed cuts, blowouts, and conditioning masks. When I left my full-time job as a magazine editor, I felt too guilty accepting the VIP treatment, and, fully aware that I could never really afford my incredibly talented steady, took my mid-back length strands to another salon. Eleven months and three cuts later, I had more regrets than Chris Brown. Hacked and mutilated in so many places, my previously Gisele-like mane had turned into a schizophrenic, late 90s-esque, layered disaster. Frustrated, I decided to chop it all off and start over. And so I called Louise. Days later, I arrived at her salon like a guilty puppy, desperately clutching images of Kate Moss' glam, shoulder-skimming style. Even after seeing the wretched proof of my straying past, Louise gave me a warm hug and set to work. An hour later, not only was my hair restored (It was shorter, sleeker, and cool again), but my relationship, as well. Lesson learned? Cheating is always bad, and spending money for the right haircut is always good. 

Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous

Over the weekend, The New York Times poked some fun at Gwyneth Paltrow's most recent role as a "lifestyle guru," which has involved stints as a cookbook author, fitness expert, and general bon vivant. Curious, I visited Paltrow's new website, the subject of all the media criticism, where I discovered the actress' favorite recipes, restaurant reviews, shopping wish-list, exercise tips, and other insider how-tos. In a warm, frank, and intimate tone, Paltrow simply shares her famously exquisite taste with the rest of us who are—admittedly or not—desperate to copy her. So why all the fuss? I don't know about you, but I'd rather hear the info straight from the horse's mouth, rather than from a fancy friend posing as a journalist (ahem, Plum Sykes). Here's a page that's going straight into my bookmark file. And hopefully yours, as well.

Purple Reign

Inspired by the vibrant orchid color of Natalie Portman's silk chiffon Rodarte dress, makeup artist Jeanine Lobell went for a "cool, punk rock, sexy fairy" look, she says. To create the Oscar presenter's sultry but youthful smoky eyes, Lobell swept a petal pink shadow all over eyelids up to the brows, then followed with a deep purple shade smudged imperfectly into upper and lower lashlines (Try Chanel Silky Eye Shadow Duo in Orient Express). Next, Lobell rimmed eyes with Chanel Intense Eye Pencil in Noir and layered lashes with two coats of glossy black mascara. Just over cheekbones, she swirled a bright pink powder blush, and finished the style with a shimmering lavender lip gloss. The result? A style that's fresh, pretty, and timelessly elegant. 

Jewel Thief

Now that this season of Top Chef is nearly over, hostess Padma Lakshmi (right) is pursuing other ventures. In May, the India-born cookbook author and former model will launch her first fine jewelry collection at Bergdorf Goodman, Padma. Inspired by her South Asian heritage and culinary passion, the line will include delicate 14-karat gold necklaces, earrings, rings, and cuffs shaped like cardamom seeds, lentils, cloves, and even a fish bone. Take a cue from makeup artist Bobbi Brown, and use the pieces in lieu of makeup. "A big, beautiful pair of chandeliers can brighten your complexion as well as blush," Brown says. "They're an instant pick-me-up."

The Big Bang

Who needs a fancy red carpet? For many celebrities, NYC's semi-annual Fashion Week is the ultimate place to debut a new look. Take Leighton Meester, who appeared front row at the Proenza Schouler runway last night showing off a cool set of choppy, brow-skimming bangs (at left). The modern style lends some edge and sex appeal to the normally preppy star's heart-shaped face and sparkling brown eyes. But will this be the end of GG's ubiquitous headband trend? Say it ain't so, B.

Dance Dance Revolution

Following in the ballet-steps of Lotte Berk, Tanya Becker, and Tracy Anderson, celebrity trainer and Sports Club/LA transplant Brynn Jinnett is hoping to breathe new life into traditional total body workouts. The former New York City Ballet dancer—and Harvard graduate—combines methods from yoga, Pilates (she's a certified instructor), ballet, and strength training in her twice-weekly Transfigure class to tighten, lengthen, and tone while improving balance and flexibility. Tiny, painfully pulsed isometric movements result in long, lean muscles and a whittled down waistline in just eight sessions. I've only done three and already my pre-wedding jeans are easier to slip on. Keep your eyes on this one, ladies.

The Sports Club/LA, 300 East 61st Street, 212-355-5100

See the Light

Like many frustrated dermatologists (it's a common trait among beauty editors), I'm easily excited by anything professional-grade—at-home lasers, super-powered chemical peels, collagen-stimulating gadgets, etc. So last week, when two of my favorite derms—Katie Rodan, M.D. and Kathy Fields, M.D.—gifted me with a black light that detects sun damage below the epidermis, I couldn't wait to lock myself in the bathroom and start playing doctor. Minutes into the experiment, I discovered graphic clusters of future age spots dotted along my cheekbones and forehead. How to swallow this bitter pill and divert destiny? With Rodan and Fields Reverse line, which prevents brown spots, dark patches, and discoloration from surfacing with a roster of pigment-inhibiting ingredients, including bearberry extract, kojic acid, and hydroquinone. In eight weeks, the collection dramatically fades existing age spots, while stopping new ones from appearing down the road. Think of it as a crystal ball for your skin. 

Girl Crush

They held back your hair when you cried over a guy, then held your train when you married him, so this Saturday, don't forget to celebrate your girlfriends. Here are some gift ideas for the other loves of your life. 

1. Perfect for unexpected sleepovers, Benefit's The Overnighter Just in Case kit (at right) includes one night sta-mple-sized vials of cheek stain, concealer, and lip gloss, plus a Hanky Panky thong, $38.

2. For your hopelessly romantic "top friend," Chantecaille Shadow and the Rose Palette contains two shimmering purple eye shadows and a peachy blush, all embossed with the company's signature rose, $79.

3. Ideal for moms, Gianna Rose Atelier Heart Shaped Soaps tuck into drawers and suitcases to leave clothing and delicates subtly scented, $11 each. 

4. With saucy best-sellers like Orgasm blush, Pillow Talk lip gloss, and Sex Machine Velvet Matte lip pencil, Nars The Love Set instantly transforms attitude, $49.

5. The Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Solid Perfume Necklace holds a spicy floral scent and doubles as a chic accessory, $56.

Kiss and Makeup

Planning on smooching someone special this Valentine's Day? (Or just someone at all? Don't worry, I'm not judging.) Then don't leave the house without this adorable, inch-sized lip salve, named, quite appropriately, Snog Balm. In four flavors (Strawberry Tease, Cheeky Mint, Naked, and Virgin Cherry), this vitamin E-packed balm—popular among beauty editors in England and Australia—fits into the tiniest of clutches or pockets. And the cute packaging is a great conversation piece. Not that anyone will be talking. 

Labor Intensive

And you thought it was ambitious when SNL'S Amy Poehler rapped with Sarah Palin just days before giving birth. At least she was sitting down. Last night at the Grammy's, M.I.A. performed alongside musical heavyweights—including Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil'Wayne, and TI—on her actual due date. The huge, swollen belly, accessorized with an oversize polka-dot bikini, proved to be no match for the singer's high-energy set, and she bounced off stage without causing "natal errors"—or delivering. Impressive. As far as I'm concerned, both she and Poehler should be receiving a lifetime's worth of fancy Mother's Day gifts from those very lucky kids.

Baby Crazy

There are women who want to be mothers, and then there are women who want to be everyone's mother. Take 33 year-old Nadya Suleman, the single mom of six who just gave birth to another eight last week. Yes, octuplets. Even more insane is Suleman's eerie resemblance to that other beautiful insta-mom—Angelina Jolie. Same pouty lips, same raven-colored hair, and same scary babies-are-my-anti-depressant schtick. Is this a new trend, or is Sulemon just taking the whole celebrity worship thing a bit too literally? Hm.

Child's Play

Raise your hand if you've ever owned a Barbie or Hello Kitty doll (if you're reading this while at work, you can just nod your head). Who doesn't miss those days spent wistfully combing Totally Hair Barbie's long blonde locks and gleefully adhering Keroppi and friends stickers to Trapper Keepers? Now, with the financial collapse and other grown-up problems such as mortgages and car payments to deal with, we're all craving mementoes from simpler times, and thankfully, makeup companies are delivering. In honor of Barbara Millicent Roberts' 50th birthday next month (Looking good, lady!), Stila is launching their "Decades of Beauty" collection: canisters filled with products that replicate the leggy stunner's various incarnations (Malibu, Foxy, and Jewel). Not to be outdone, M.A.C is taking the famous-in-Japan Sanrio character to new heights with a Hello Kitty line (available February 12th), including Swarovski-studded compacts, glitter liners, and even girly bracelets and bags stamped with the pretty kitty's face. Purrrrr.

Sleeping Beauty

Perched on my nightstand, a bottle of Jo Malone's Lino nel Vento Scent Surround (at left) fills me with the promise of a good night's sleep. Like Ambien or Tylenol PM (for the faint-hearted among you), this addictive, lavender-scented soporific lulls me deep into my happiest place—for a solid eight hours. Spritz some onto your pillows and sheets, then dive right in. Sharing a bed? Don't fret. The lingering fragrance is unisex so he'll rest easy as well. 

Floral Fixation

When you're waiting out the depressing in-between stages of a bad haircut, a professional blowout can make you feel whole again. So this past weekend, I enlisted Ray Symons, a stylist at the Oscar Blandi salon on Madison, to make some sense of my annoyingly wayward layers while giving my shattered ego a much-needed lift. To boost shine and combat frizzy ends (worsened by my previous stylist's affection for razored scissors), he washed and conditioned my hair with the salon's signature Shampoo di Jasmine Smoothing line. Laced with natural extracts from the tiny white flower, plus hydrating vitamin E, this lightweight duo immediately transformed my raw, brittle, disobedient strands into a long, silky mane worthy of a Italian contessa—and left them sweetly scented for hours. Gobsmacked, I returned to the salon the next day to purchase several bottles. I figure that if I can't make my hair look as good as Symons does, as least I can make it smell as nice. 

SELF Absorbed

Make the most of your eye shape with these expert-approved tricks in this month's Self magazine. Enjoy!