Retail Therapy: Hollywood nights

Aerin Lauder, of Estee Lauder, and Michael Kors. Photo / Supplied

Another limited edition makeup range launches next week. Designer Michael Kors, who has found a wider audience with his role as a judge on TV reality show Project Runway, lends his signature to the Very Hollywood Color collection for Estee Lauder. Add some star wattage to your look from a designer who dresses some of the biggest names on the red carpet. His makeup collaboration is an enticing selection for eyes, lips, nails and cheeks, beautifully packaged in elegant nude compacts. Two looks comprise the collection: Bel Air Beige is based on old-style Hollywood glamour with beige and coral colours predominant and Rodeo Pink adds a modern twist with hotter raspberry hues. A shimmering loose powder adds lustre to the face and decolletage.

Double hit

There are many advantages to using public transport; it means fewer cars on the roads, less pollution and it saves you having to drive around in circles trying to find a park. Well, for the month of February, there's another great advantage. The Auckland Regional Transport Authority and the Newmarket Business Association have teamed up and shoppers who have arrived by train can show their tickets in a whole host of Newmarket stores to receive a discount - from 15 per cent off all homewares at Freedom Furniture to $50 off prescription sunglasses at the chic Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear boutique. To find out more, go to maxx.co.nz

Big little store

We've found a favourite new store, hidden behind K Road in Auckland. Tiny Space, underneath the Iron Bank building on Cross St, sells a great range of vintage clothing and collectibles, as well as newer design goodies. 22B Cross St, Newton.

Top bottoms

American Apparel wants to find the world's best bottom. The fashion label launched a competition last week encouraging entrants to upload photos of their behind to their website where visitors get to rate and comment on each bum. What's the point of all this bum action you may ask? The top two bottoms will be eligible to feature in one of their campaigns, and the top 10 will each win a bunch of American Apparel stuff. Creepy? Just a little bit, but American Apparel is famous for its raunchy campaigns, so this competition doesn't exactly surprise us ...

Tiger time

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Chuan Spa at the Langham Hotel has a special Year of the Tiger body treatment for February. The spa, designed along feng shui lines and following aspects of Chinese traditional medicine, is a good place to get in the mood for Tiger times, which officially start mid-month. The treatment includes a herbal salt scrub and a body massage with warmed elemental oils - and you'll receive a Five Elements salt to keep your skin glowing at home. The 75-minute weekday treatment costs $155 and comes with complimentary valet parking, subject to availability. Complimentary use of the spa's bathing facilities, including the heated steam room and outdoor pool are included. Bookings essential. Ph 09 300-2960 or see chuanspa.co.nz.

February is a good month to check out Auckland's premier spa, with anyone booking in for more than an hour going in a draw to win a week's use of the newly released Lexus IS250C Convertible.

Leg it

Lindsay Lohan isn't just an actress with a penchant for partying, you know - she's also a fashion designer. As well as acting as the creative director for fashion house Ungaro, she is also the face behind 6126 Collection, a label that focuses on leggings. And now Fabric boutiques in Auckland are selling select styles from the line - but before you shop memorise this mantra please: leggings are NOT pants.

Mystic sign

Napoleon Perdis is also into the zodiac, drawing inspiration from astrology, for a colour collection inspired by Air, Water, Fire and Earth elements. You can match your eye makeup to your star sign's element, or simply pick the colours you like best or that represent the elements you aspire to in the Astro Girl range. The Australian makeup artist reckons "wearing your zodiac colours creates vibrations that enhance your life". There are four palettes, each with four shades to choose from - pictured is the Water quad. They're available from next week for a limited time for $51 from Farmers and the Napoleon concept store at Sylvia Park. This month Perdis consultants will advise clients how to customise a makeup kit based on their sign's colours.