BECKY SHER | Hype Pack this balm in your trunk



At first, there was something about the name "Elephant Lube" that really rubbed us the wrong way. Because, let's face it, it's just not a combination of words that you see very often -- or want to. Then we tried the stuff, and we were sold.
It's this moisturizing balm in a little tin that you can basically use anywhere you've got dry skin. (And right about now, that's pretty much everywhere. We don't know about you, but our skin is so dry it's actually getting caught on things. Gross.) This stuff is filled with natural ingredients, like olive oil, beeswax and shea butter. And it comes in subtle, snazzy scents like Rosemary Lime and Peppermint Sage, so it's totally unisex. (There are guys we know who are too tough to use moisturizer. To them we say: "Get over yourselves.")
Buy a 2-ounce tin of Elephant Lube (that's enough to get you well into spring) for $7.50 at www.madgabs.com, or pick up a tiny pocket-size lube for $3. The site also lists stores that sell the good stuff.
Spring fling
That pesky groundhog saw his shadow, so you've got a few more weeks before you can kick off those clunky clogs and peel off those wool sweaters. Sit tight -- spring will be here soon enough. And when it is, we feel certain you'll want a slew of new cosmetics to usher in the season.
Our top pick for this spring: Dandelion, a pretty pink powder that's not quite blush but not quite anything else either. (Forgive us for being vague -- it's really hard to explain.) But trust us, it will give your face a beautiful glow, well worth the 26 bucks. Check out www.benefitcosmetics.com for details.
We're also pretty keen on Stila's new lip polishes. They're part of the Cabana Girls collection, which makes us really wish we were sitting by the pool instead of shivering in our fleece hoodies. The glossy formula ($24) is both shiny and sheer, the perfect combination for spring. Visit www.stilacosmetics.com for the scoop.
XBecky Sher writes Hype for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. You can write to her at bsher@krtinfo.com.
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Can you believe this guy?
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE
The totally appealing/appalling boy report, from Seventeen magazine:
SWEET
I was stressed out before I took the ACT, so my boyfriend gave me a bag of "test necessities." It was filled with candy, my favorite Chap Stick, some funky pencils, a coloring book (for long breaks during the test), a bottle of aspirin and a bunch of other really cool stuff. There was also a very sweet, encouraging note. I'm not sure how I did on the test yet, but I am sure that I have an incredibly thoughtful boyfriend.
SLIMY
One night I was getting ready to go to my boyfriend's house when he called to say that his grandma was sick and he had to cancel. So I went to a local teen nightclub with my friends. When we got there, I saw my boyfriend in a corner, kissing another girl! I walked up to him and said, "Well, I see your grandma got better pretty fast and, my, does she look good for an 88-year-old!" Then I threw my drink on him.
XFor more, check out the current issue of Seventeen or visit the magazine's Web site at www.seventeen.com.
Notable quotes
"I obsess about not being the next 'E! True Hollywood Story.'" -- "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, on what he does when he's not taping the show, in Teen People magazine.
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"I am obsessed with pants. I have hundreds of pairs of pants and I'll go through my closet and be like, 'Oh yeah, I forgot I have these!' Jeans probably fill up my closet the most." -- Michelle Branch, on YM.com.