BECKY SHER | Hype Body spray: This one's a guy thing

Apparently, it isn't enough just to spray deodorant under your arms. Well, not if the makers of Axe have anything to say about it. Axe is the newest thing in personal hygiene -- an all-over deodorant body spray for guys. Yup, you can spray it under your arms, but don't stop there -- this stuff is meant to go all over your body, as sort of a cologne/body mist/deodorant hybrid. (Don't get the concept of spraying something all over your bod? Ask your sister or girlfriend -- she'll explain it to you.)
American guys are getting their first look at Axe, but it's been around in other parts of the world for a while. (The oh-so-trendy French have been spraying it on since 1983, and it's sold in more than 60 countries.) The spray comes in six scents, with manly names such as Orion, Phoenix and Tsunami, for about 5 bucks a can. Look for it at supermarkets, drugstores and mass merchandisers. And visit www.TheAxeEffect.com.
New-new beauty
It's time for a little back-to-school shopping: New school bag -- check. Pens, pencils, notebooks -- check. Fabulous pair of low-rise pants that look great with your favorite boots -- check, check. (You couldn't decide which color, so you bought two pairs.) And don't forget a great tube of lip gloss to throw in your bag. Can we make a suggestion? Check out Lulu Beauty, a new line of cosmetics that combines great everyday colors with just a touch of glamour.
Lulu is the brainchild of Julie Merriman, who owns a trendy Seattle boutique called Olivine. (Visit www.olivine.net to see all of her cute stuff.) It's just the kind of makeup we like -- not too out-there, with colors and formulas that we'll still be wearing a few months from now. Our hands-down favorite product is the Lip Lustre in Cameo, just the kind of pinky-brown lip gloss that every girl ought to have in her makeup bag. And it's not sticky or goopy, we promise. The Lulu line also includes lipstick, cr & egrave;me rouge and perfumes, all for between $17 and $35. If you're not lucky enough to live near Merriman's Seattle shop, buy Lulu online at www.beauty.com. And visit www.lulubeauty.com -- it's still under construction, but you can sign up to get updates on the collection.
XBecky Sher writes Hype for Knight Ridder Tribune News Service. You can write to her at bsher@krtinfo.com.