With social networking all the rage as the successor to forums, new sites are opening up all the time. Here’s one for the beauty and fashion enthusiast.

It’s called Lookspark and, if you’re quick, you can win an Apple iPhone.

LookSpark is an online fashion and beauty community still in beta, but already 30,000 people strong. Members dish on the latest fashion trends, share beauty tips and fashion wisdom, and connect to the newest designers, boutiques and fashion events. LookSpark “MatchUps” allow community members to vote on today’s fashion and beauty trends. It’s free, and it’s a fun place to gossip with like-minded fashion friends.

Also, if you post an opinion (called a “Spark”) about the designs, models, or the events, you become eligible for a chance to win an Apple iPhone (contest ends September 15).

Col-Pure’s Rejuvenating Face Mask is described as “incredibly refreshing” and said to visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while plumping and nourishing the skin.

“Its formula of bio-active ingredients quickly absorb into skin’s underlying tissue, immediately plumping the skin to reduce the look of wrinkles, while improving the tone and texture of your skin for an overall radiant complexion and also boosts collagen production and improves circulation.”

The press release says :

Here’s the quick and easy secret: The face mask contains Decorinyl, a tetrapeptide shown to help control collagen fibril growth, improving firmness and elasticity of the skin. A recent study showed an increase in skin’s elasticity after just 28 days of use. Green Tea is a soothing anti-oxidant that helps skin fight off damaging free-radical cells and is one of the main ingredients. Finally, Tripeptide-3, an advanced anti-aging ingredient, mimics the body’s own mechanism to help produce collagen giving skin a more youthful appearance.

“The face mask not only makes my skin look better, but I also love applying it after a long day at work or after hanging out in the sun because it’s so refreshing,” says Suzanne Peterson of Golden, Co.

We can’t confirm this, of course, as we don’t test beauty products ourselves.

You may have seen “safe” forms of deodorant in healthy living shops. Often they come in the form of large crystals of Potassium Aluminium Sulphate, or Alum.

They have the advantage of being free of Aluminium Chlorohydrate, which has been implicated in ill health. Natural deodorant crystals are suitable for the most sensitive skin, are hypoallergenic and last a long time. Furthermore, they won’t stain your clothes or discolor your skin.

Beauty on a budget indeed — especially if you make them yourself.

You can grow these crystals quite easily with a little bit of knowledge. You will need :

* An small quantity of Alum from a local store or online at Pans Pantry.
* A glass jar.
* A clean stick.
* Warm water.
* Thread.
* Small, sharp stones, cleaned well.

Method
1. Pour enough warm water into the jar to cover the stones — but don’t put the stones in yet.

2. Add the Alum and stir well until it stops dissolving. A small residue will be left.

3. Add food coloring if desired.

4. Tie a small stone to the thread and the other end to the stick. Place the stick across the top of the jar so that the stone dangles in the liquid.

5. Put the jar in a warm place to aid evaporation.

The first crystals will appear in a few days. You can add more Alum to make them bigger.

The biggest crystals can be rubbed under arms as a “safe” home-made deodorant.

It’s a fact that in a cool country like Britain there are more cases of skin cancer than in blazing Australia. Clearly a reliable sun cream is now essential wherever you are. Here are a few ideas :

Lancome Soleil DNA Guard contains “white willow flower to create a protective shield, jasmine flower and African mango extract to nourish”.

Experts say, it’s absorbed easily, leaving skin soft. However, it didn’t stand up to water and needed to be reapplied after swimming.

Recommended retail price, US$35. The UK price varies around £18.

The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sun Cream is said to “promote safe tanning. Red, white and green tea protect and shea butter hydrates”.

Experts say, it’s easily absorbed and didn’t leave a chalky residue like other organic creams. I had to reapply every few hours.

Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Oil Protective “The microfine sparkles enhance your natural tan”.

Experts say, the “shimmer” got onto everything, so is not very practical. The low SPF (strength of protection) meant it was more suitable for the end of a holiday.

Clearly, you have to choose your sunscreen product very carefully.