Trend Watch: Latex Leggings

People asks, "Who looked better in their latex leggings - R&B songstress Rihanna or pop princess Miley Cyrus?"

Whether you love them or loathe them, one thing's for sure--latex leggings are a trend that seems to be sticking around for another season. A look that used to be reserved for guitar-yielding heavy metal band members from the 80s, these "liquid" pants have evolved into a style staple that is all-at-once uptown sophisticate and edgy urban chic. I spotted two, one splurge and one steal, that are worth trying for your next night out.

Splurge

The Kova & T Latex Leggings ($110) have a cutout heel that looks appealingly like a modern-day stirrup.

Steal

Leave it American Apparel to offer their Shiny Leggings ($42) in a wide range of cool colors, like purple, red, and copper (pictured).

Pucker Up: Free Lipgloss from Benefit

Benefit Cosmetics is hands-down one of my favorite beauty brands: I love the insanely clever names, plus the formulas are so luxurious and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. That said, I'm constantly checking the website for new products and deals. Check out what I found...

Now you can get two shades of the so-divine Her Glossiness from Benefit, in one convenient, twice-as-nice little bottle! Her Glossiness double-ended lipgloss features Talk to My Agent, a sweet, sugar plum shimmer, and Next Question Please, a seductive, golden berry shimmer. Plus, if you act now (and spend $50 or more) you can score your own little bottle for nothing! It's Benefit's free gift for you -- just add the lipgloss to your shopping bag and enter promo code LIPGLOSS at checkout. Talk about thrice-as nice!

The Limited to Launch E-Commerce Site

Fans of The Limited can rejoice because the retailer is finally moving online! The company has always resisted an online store, but since being acquired by Sun Capital Partners Inc a year ago they can no longer ignore the demand. Look for the online store, which will carry the full selection of apparel as well as extended sizes, this September...

Christian Siriano Collection at Bluefly.com

Christian Siriano, the painfully shy (uh, yeah right) and youngest-ever winner of Project Runway Season 4 has a new women's contemporary collection for his devoted fans (you hear that, Mrs. Beckham?). Available exclusively on Bluefly.com, the collection is undeniably Christian - enormous, 3 Muskateers-esque shoulders and dramatic folds and ruffles. Check it out at Bluefly.com!

Love the Look: Alicia Keys

Ms. Keys looks toned, glowing, and gorgeous as she supported Keep A Child Alive in this dramatic Giorgio Armani gown.

Trend Watch: Two-Tone Dresses

Thanks to labels like Marc Jacobs and DKNY two-tone dresses have quickly become the must-get look of the season (even fast fashion retailer Forever 21 has gotten on board!). Simulating a chic skirt-and-blouse combo, these dresses are surprisingly versatile and work for day or night.

I love the comfy, effortlessly chic look of this knit dress, plus it's impossibly easy to accessorize for any occasion!

Sabrina Knit Dress from Forever 21, $25

Wear this little number now with pointy flats and a casual ponytail, then add sheer tights and booties for fall.

Sleeveless Knit Dress from Forever 21, $28

This frock is the perfect warm-weather essential, complete with nautical-inspired button details and breezy ocean-blue color.

Charlotte Ronson Sailor T-Shirt Dress, $184

Keep accessories and shoes super-simple because there are tons of details on this dress, from the lace and embroidered trim on the sleeves to the ribbon drawstring waist.

Free People Peasant Dress, $188

This dress has such a carefree summery vibe, yet it can work for evening thanks to the jeweled belt.

Vera Wang Lavender Label Square Neck Dress w/ Beaded Belt, $365

This one is a must-have for fall! A bold splash of yellow lends a playful note to red silk and chocolate brown wool of this dress.

Alice + Olivia 2-Tone Dress, $385

4 Reasons to Try Schick Quattro for Women

I tried out the new Schick Quattro for Women and honestly can't remember the last time I had such a comfortable shave! Here are four big reasons to give it a try:

4. Four ultra-thin blades provide a close, comfortable shave. (READ: You won't have to rake your legs over and over to get silky skin!)

3. Each razor comes with three cartridges: one attached to the handle and two handy refills!

2. Two conditioning strips ensure your skin gets the treatment it deserves.

1. One fabulously low price -- just $9.99 at Drugstore.com!

New Online: Alexander McQueen

Now fashionistas and fashionistos who can afford him will be able to score Alexander McQueen designs at the new online store, added to his site just yesterday! The rest of us will humbly peruse the website for style inspiration. Head to AlexanderMcQueen.com and enjoy!

Lip Service: Vinyl Unlimited by Shu Uemura

As if having the industry's most coveted eyelash curler wasn't enough, Shu Uemura has gone and created what I am guessing will be the most sought after lip gloss this season! Vinyl Unlimited (the name alone is so enticing!) is "a new, innovative and professional vinyl-like expression lip gloss with unprecedented brilliance for a shockingly artistic and lustrous lip expression." Unprecedented brilliance? Shockingly artistic? How utterly divine!

The collection of glosses features 8 shades, 5 bold colors like High Shine Hot Pink and High Shine Chocolate Brown, as well as 3 clear top coat shades that range from transparent to pearly to iridescent, sort of like special effects for the lips. Get yours exclusively online at ShuUemura.com!

True Colors: Italian Vogue's First Black Issue

In case you missed it, Italian Vogue has published an entire issue featuring nothing but gorgeous Black faces! In an industry that tends to be, well, color blind, brava to Vogue Italia for featuring Black models on every single page of its July issue -- now let's hope the rest of the fashion industry will follow suit with similar initiatives. Pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble or Borders.

The Science of Chic: Alkemie Jewelry

Alchemy: An early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline, both combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, etc, etc... HUH?

Alkemie: A wildly chic line of eco-friendly jewelry designed by husband and wife team Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson. Every one-of-a-kind piece is made from 100% reclaimed metals and is inspired by nature. So lovely and so easy to wear...

Clockwise from top left: Large Flower Ring ($99); Leaf Hoop Earrings ($99); Snake Double Wrap Bracelet ($121); Noveau Ring ($121); Large Stingray Cuff ($187); Noveau Bee Necklace ($143)

See more styles at shopbop.com.

Urban Apparel Gets a Makeover

I've never been much of a fan of urban clothing lines. It's not that I have anything against the people behind the labels, but as far as I'm concerned, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Nelly, J-Lo, Eve, and every other hip hop star (or any musician for that matter) should stay away from "designing" fashion and stick to rocking the mic. But a recent report in WWD may have changed my view (a little). Seems urban apparel may have been reinvented for fall...


A shawl collar sweater and tweed sheath dress from J-Lo's Justsweet label look less street and more sweet. Chunky Stuart Weitzman boots give the look an appealingly gritty vibe, but it would be just as fetching with a patent peep toe.

Puffed sleeves and an empire waist are decidedly girly - not what I would expect from Red by Marc Ecko. But this cotton flannel top and denim skirt from the label are actually quite adorable and completely wearable.

Jigga what?! Rocawear's belted wool jacket and wide-leg denim trousers are hot! Paired with pumps from his honey's Dereon label, the look is a perfect casual-chic combination for the office.

A denim label designed for the rump-shakin' booties that have inspired so many rap songs would be my last option for a ladylike fall coat, but Nelly's Apple Bottoms label really nailed it with this tweed coat!

This lambskin leather blazer from rapper Eve's Fetish label is a gorgeous substitute for the nylon puff coats so common in the streetwear arena, and the stretch satin dress is more uptown than urban.