ELLE UK writes: We know you can’t wait to see our April Rihanna cover, so to treat you, here is an exclusive first look at one of Rihanna’s pictures for ELLE.Photographer Mariano Vivanco captured the star – renowned for her super sexy beauty – at a studio in Paris as she posed in a series of monochrome outfits.

 

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The singer/actress recently partnered with Nicole by OPI to release the Selena Gomez nail polish collection.

To Suzi-Weiss Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director, the collaboration just makes sense. “Millions of fans love her for the same reasons we do; she’s smart, talented, funny – and has an incredible sense of style.” Indeed, the range of colors is as diverse as Gomez’s flourishing career, including everything from soft pinks to peppy yellows to outrageous glitters.

• Kissed at Midnight, a sparkling gold
• Hit the Lights, a vibrant, traffic-halting yellow
• Naturally, a bubble gum pink that feels remarkably grown up
• Heavenly Angel, a soft, sparkling, angelic clear
• Selena, a delicate peaches and cream
• Spring Break, a sexy hot pink
• Scarlett, a radiant reddish pink infused with chili peppers
• Love Song, a deep purple that’s just dark enough
• Stars at Night, a disco ball-inspired silver
• Confetti Fun, a playful party in a bottle that makes any bright polish look even better
• Inner Sparkle, a dazzling pink with pink glitter
• Sweet Dreams, a clear hue infused with chunky violet glitter
• Mi Fantasia, a delightfully fun purplish-blue shot through with glitter
• Pretty in Plum, an enigmatic purple venturing in eggplant territory

We’ve all seen the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Kate Upton, wearing next to nothing, freezing her butt off in Antarctica. But Antarctica wasn’t the only far-away place Sports Illustrated went. The magazine made their to all seven continents, photographing their models in bikinis.

Instead of using these foreign countries as only backdrops, some of the models were photographed standing next to natives of their homes. Some people are claiming the pictures are racist, and reinforce bad stereotypes.

Jezebel’s Dodai Stewart takes specific offense to two pictures, one from China, and another from Namibia.

In a shot taken in a picture taken on a river in Guilin, Guangxi, model Anne V., who is white and blonde, sits on a raft piloted by an elderly Chinese man:

This photo cements stereotypes, perpetuates an imbalance in the power dynamic, is reminiscent of centuries of colonialism (and indentured servitude) and serves as a good example of both creating a centrality of whiteness and using “exotic” people as fashion props.Besides which, the picture represents a specific decision to portray China as “non-Western” and “backward.” As Shanghaiist notes, in Sports Illustrated’s view “China is poverty and ‘ethnic’ clothing, not the world’s second largest economy where the majority of people live in cities rather than the countryside.”

The second controversial shot, featuring Emily DiDonato in an African desert, also include a tribal-looking, half-naked man carrying a spear:

These shots tap into the West’s past obsession/fetishization with so-called savages, jungle comics and the like. Again: In a visit to seven continents, this image is what Sports Illustrated is using to represent the continent of Africa.

I don’t take any offense to them, but I guess I’m not the one they’re worried about offending. I’m having a hard time understanding why these pictures are so bad. These people actually exist. I don’t think it’s stereotyping a whole country with these pictures.

What do you think – do these photos seem racist to you?

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Acai Brazilian Dry Oil by Brazilian Blowout is an amazing new nourishing, non-greasy and residue-free formula that can be used daily to smooth, reconstruct and improve the health of ALL hair types.

I’ve been using this for about a week now, and OMG what did I do before it? I rub a small amount on my damp hair before blow drying, and after my hair is styled, I can FEEL the difference. I love the stuff. It makes my hair softer, shinier and feel more healthy. I can’t imagine how long this bottle will last me – it takes so little each time! It’s amazing!

I’m not the only one in love with it – ‘Twilight’ actress Ashley Greene loves it too!

We have long envied her glossy, long locks for quite some time now, and just recently discovered one of her newest hair obsessions.

Turns out, the adorable actress coats her hair in Brazilian Blowout’s Acai Brazilian Dry Oil, a hydrating mix of annatto seed, Camu Camu berry and (you guessed it!) acai oils.

Not only does this nourishing combination help heal fried follicles, but it also protects hair from oh-so-harmful UVA and UVB rays, which are just as bad for your hair as they are your skin!

So, if you’re anything like Greene who’s constantly trying out fancy new styles that can wreak havoc on your hair, try this fancy formula to strengthen your strands!

Here’s more about this product!

• Unique fast-absorbing, light weight formula
• Features a blend of Acai Berry Oil, Annatto Seed Oil, and Camu Camu Berry Oil that
• Penetrates the hair shaft to heal and hydrate dry, damaged hair
• Strengthens hair, enhances elasticity, and locks in moisture to create lustrous shine
• Helps repel heat and other environmental elements, increasing the life of color treated hair
• Will not weigh the hair down or alter hair color
• Reduces drying time
• UVA/UVB protection from the sun and indoor incandescent or halogen lighting
• NOT tested on animals
• 3.4 OZ – MSRP $26.00
• Available nationwide late January/February 2013

Directions: Rub a small amount of Acai Brazilian Dry Oil into your hands and pull through damp or dry hair. For best results, start at the base of the head, pulling hands down through the hair then working back up towards the top.

Jennifer Lawrence is one busy girl! She’s got her calender full of awards ceremonies, thanks to her amazing performance in ‘Silver Linings Playbook.’ She’s taken home nearly every Best Actress award so far – only ceremony left is the Oscars, you know… no big deal.

So how does Jennifer keep her figure so slim during all of her public appearances? She’s resorted to an old fashioned trick – Epsom Salts!

Epsom Salts, or magnesium sulphate, is a traditional remedy for constipation that , when added to bath water, is said to helps reduce bloating by drawing water out of the stomach and into the gut.

The actress first began using the time-honoured remedy after a recommendation from her friend and personal trainer, Dalton Wong.

Wong said: ‘Epsom Salts help to get rid of any bloating in the body before slipping into a red carpet dress.

‘It’s a great trick that anyone can use if they’re working up to wearing a particularly clingy dress.’

And Jennifer is not the only celeb Epsom Salts fan.

Gwyneth Paltrow recently revealed that an Epsom Salts bath is her favorite way to ensure she looks radiant.

Luckily for Jennifer and Gwyneth, Epsom Salts, unlike the majority of supplements, don’t involve pill popping or having to force something nasty down your throat.

According to Epsom Salts brand, Care, all you have to do to make the most of their £2.89 salts is add them to your bath and relax for 15 minutes before taking a quick shower to wash it all off.

What’s more, says GP Dr Sarah Jarvis, the salts can also help remove toxins from the muscles, relax and reduce muscle soreness due to the effect on the body’s serotonin levels.

From the sounds of it, I need like 5 Epsom Salts baths a day! It sounds amazing! I remember my mom doing it when I was younger, and now I know why! Time to hit up the grocery store!

I love it when I read articles like these, when celebrities – who have access to absolutely anything they want – still use cheap, tried and true affordable products!

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I love working out and adding new exercises to my routine but that can leave me with sore, achy legs. When I heard about AquaVie Leg Lift I was excited to see how it would work. Being a mint addict I love the menthol scent to the lotion it was cooling and refreshing and the best part it made my legs feel amazing. Now after a big leg workout I apply Leg Lift and instantly my legs feel better from the cooling mint, and it soothes the muscle pain and ensures I can be back at the gym with no pain the next day. 

Aquavie Skincare Leg Lift
For the strong, busy woman on her feet

This penetrating gel contains a cocktail of plants renowned for their relaxing effects. Enriched with camphor and menthol, it provides an extraordinary sensation of freshness and of well being, instantly reviving the feet and legs from any discomfort from long days spent on the feet.

Each AquaVie product is packed with the highest quality ingredients directly from the coast of Brittany, France. AquaVie is available for the first time in America this Fall. Sold exclusively to 5 Star spas, salons and resorts in Europe for the last 30 years, AquaVie comes from a nutrient rich area in France called Brittany. Both elements from the sea and the land are combined in our skin care to bring meaningful vitality to your skin.

$29

I tried a sample of this cream and I love it. The formula is very lightweight but really moisturizing. It has a very soft, clean scent and absorbs right away leaving my skin soft and feeling great.

Aquavie Skincare Moisturizing Body Cream
Rich moisturizer made with Shea Butter, Argal Oil, Propolis Extract, & Seaweed Extract

This body cream, with its delicate aroma, contains a cocktail of vegetable oils for moisturizing effects. It is enriched with extracts of Propolis and Mimosa tenuiflora known for their repairing, soothing and protective properties. Use after sun or UV exposure. Its ultra rich, non-greasy formula helps eliminate dry areas.

$25

You can connect with @AquaVieSkinCare on Twitter and follow AquaVie Skin Care on Facebook to keep up with the latest products, promotions and information!

The Emilie M. team understands more than most that a GREAT handbag can bring any outfit to life. Whether you’re running to the grocery store after Pilates, lounging in jeans and a t shirt on the weekends, or dressed for a night on the town we fully subscribe to the notion that the bag makes the outfit!

Emilie M. loves hearing about how much you enjoy their bags, but now they want to see how you wear them! For the next three weeks Emilie M. will be running our Wear and Share contest. The rules are simple, and the prizes are great. All you need is a handbag & a camera, we trust you have both If you don’t have an Emilie M. bag we won’t hold it against you, but are confident that you’ll be craving one of our amazing carry alls once this is all said and done. BONUS if you do share an image of your Emilie M. bag your chances of winning double!!

Instructions:

1. Upload your photo onto your Facebook page, tag Emilie M. , and share why this is your favorite look.

2. Tweet your image and tag @emiliembags with a caption about you & your bag.

3. Visit our M. Blog and comment on the contest post to let us know that you have entered.

Details:

• The #wearandshare hashtag must be included with all submissions otherwise you will not be eligible for the contest.
• Winners will be announced via our Facebook & Twitter pages on Wednesday.
• Contest ends on February 20, 2013 so all entries must be submitted by February 19,2013 at 11pm.