Despite everything that she has been through in the past year, Rihanna has risen above it all and shown us that she is a strong woman and a style icon! For the 2010 Grammys, she landed herself on all the best-dressed lists with her Elie Saab Haute Couture gown and a beautiful makeup look to match.

If you would like to re-create Rihanna’s Grammy look use these methods:

Foundation – With such a light coloured dress and hair piled on top away from the face, it’s important to have a nice coverage that hides any imperfections. Clinique’s  Superbalanced Compact makeup SPF 20 provides an oil-free buildable coverage that has a natural finish and is cream-to-powder for easy application.

Concealer – I always apply concealer after foundation because a medium to full coverage foundation works to conceal minor blemishes. For those stubborn blemishes and flaws, try using Tarte’s The Eraser Concealer. It contains ingredients they call Skinvigorating™, which help treat and soothe irritated skin using calming agents like cucumber.

Bronzer – Get Rihanna’s sun-kissed glow using Lancome’s Star Bronzer Poudre Soleil, which gives a silky-light and velvety-soft powder finish. Lightly swipe across areas of the face the sun would naturally hit: across the forehead, cheekbones, down the nose, and chin.

Blush – Follow a powder bronzer with a powder blush. We like Bare Escentual’s bareMinerals Blush. It gives a soft radiant glow, without the baddies like parabens, sulfates, fragrances, dyes, and petro-chemicals.

Eye Shimmer – Adding a hint of light shimmer to the corners of the eye and brow bone (just under the eyebrows) give a fresh, awake look without looking like an ice queen. Too Faced has a very nice golden-white highlighter called Liquid Light.

Eyeshadow – Rihanna kept her lids simple with just a couple of light shades that compliment each other, and her dress. Kat Von D’s Rock n Roll Eyeshadow Duos comes in an awesome colour combo called Believer (glittering golden snow/bright white shimmer). Use a small shadow brush to lightly tap on the colours.

Liquid Eyeliner – Using a liquid liner with a thin applicator, glide on a thin line from the inner corner, stretching just past the outer corner – creating a cat-eye look. We recommend Dior’s Style Liner.

Pencil Eyeliner – Line the insides of both upper and lower lids using a soft black pencil, to give eyes more definition. Laura Mercier has a great line of eye pencils.

Lashes – Rihanna used long, full false lashes to make her eyes pop in this look. Using good quality lash glue like Duo brand, stick on a strip lash (instead of individual lashes) that is extra long and extra full. Make Up For Ever has a fabulous selection of lashes. For this look, we like #22 Gianna (extra long black) and #14 (long full black).

Lips – Her lips are a dewy peachy colour with lots of shine. Duplicate the soft, pretty look using Dior’s Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in #222 Casual Beige.

Not sure what to wear this Valentine’s Day? We got you covered, from the bad b*tch to the girly girl! This V-Day knock him dead with one of our signature AdornedMagazine.com looks.

Scenario #1:

You have always had a thing for your best friend (let’s name him John) John. But, for some reason you are too chicken to make a move. This Valentine’s Day neither of you have a date and decide to keep each other company. He suggests dinner at your favourite restaurant, they have the best grilled salmon, and you agree. Now you have the dilemma of picking out something to wear. You decide to go cute but chic, pairing nude Christian Louboutin pumps with a girly skirt. Here is the genius part… you decide to attach your Juicy Couture Truth or Date charm to your Forever 21 beaded bracelet. Half way through the night he takes a look at the beautiful pink pendant handing from your wrist. “What is that?” he says. You smile and reply, “Have you ever played Truth or Dare?”

We call this outfit The Nudist…

Ender Legard Corsetry Corset, John Rocha Nougat Wrap Silk Skirt, Christian Louboutin Pumps, Fendi Shoulder Bag, Juicy Couture Charm, and Forever 21 Bracelet.

Scenario #2:

You have been dating (let’s name him Mark) Mark for 5 years now. You are sick of the routine that you have become stuck in. Every once in a while you spot Mark watching as a beautiful girl walks by, while you sit there in your cardigan and skinny jeans feeling like a lump of crap. You want to change the way Mark sees you… so, you ditch his plans for a movie night and dinner at the Pickle Barrel. Instead, you make a reservation at the sexy new spot that just opened up downtown. He is a little reluctant, he was hoping to have a more casual night. But, you have got something up your sleeve for Mark. You slip on the most curve hugging dress at the back of your closet. You bought it at a sample sale but never had an occasion to wear it. You splurge on a pair of sparkly open toe pumps (Note: the fresh pedicure in red). Lastly, you borrow your friend’s most blinged out accessory, a Roberto Cavalli Spider Swarovski crystal ring (just to show him how beautiful diamonds look on your finger). When he picks you up in his suit and tie his jaw drops to the floor… “Wow,” he says.

We call this one The Dazzling Diva…

Herve Leger Dress, Christian Louboutin Peep-toe Pumps, Dsquared2 Clutch, Roberto Cavalli Ring, and Calvin Klein Watch.

Scenario #3:

You hate Valentine’s day, you think it is just a holiday that Hallmark invented to sell teddy bears, chocolate and romantic cards. But, your friends disagree with you and have made plans with their boyfriends, leaving you all alone. Jealous that everybody will be getting some action tonight while you sit and watch Jersey Shore repeats, you decide to go out. One of your fave bands is playing at a local venue and you decide great music is the perfect cure for loneliness. Your clothes match your mood, you opt for all black. Thinking of the best way to piss off jealous girlfriends you put on a tight leather skirt and a lace top. Since this is a heavy metal concert you pair your sexy outfit with some rocker-chic jewlery… studs and sharp edges. The bouncer at the club takes one look at you and asks you if you would like to meet the band. You realize he expects that you are some sort of groupie… but you take him up on the offer. The band totally digs your style and when onstage they dedicate their whole set to you. The crowd wonders who this mystery girl is that stole the lead singer’s heart while you smile to yourself. You look to the bouncer and say, “I guess Valentine’s day is not so bad after all.”

This is The Heart Breaker…

Stephen Webster Earrings, Delfina Delettrez Bracelet, Vivienne Westwood Purse, Givenchy Ankle Boots, Bess Skirt, and Lurex Tee.

Scenario #4:

You ex-boyfriend calls you a couple days before Valentine’s Day. He wants to get back together and hopes that taking you out on V-Day will do the trick. You know better. He cheated, he lied and he was a complete jerk. You would never get back with him in a million years. But, as of yet you don’t have a date and there would be nothing more entertaining than watching this ass hole beg for your forgiveness. You say yes to his plans. It is your turn to play games with his heart and you are wondering how you can portray that with your outfit. It doesn’t get more perfect than your Lady is a Vamp cut-off tee and biker jacket. And for the perfect amount of tease you slip a heart ring pop on your finger, something to make him wish he never wronged you.

This one is our favourite… The Maneater…

Wildfox T-Shirt, Alexander Wang Jacket, Pleasure Doing Business Skit, H&M Sandals, Marc Jacobs Purse, and Candy Warehouse Ring Pop.

AdornedMagazine.com will feature the best entries in our Lifestyle section. So, if you have a flare for writing and really want the world to know how amazing your city is, email sara@adornedmagazine.com today!

John Hillifer and his winning design.

John Hillifer's design will be available in select Danier stores this Fall.

Danier, our fave leather retailer and Ryerson’s School of Fashion in Toronto teamed up to give up-and-coming designers the opportunity to have their creations sold in stores across the nation.

Third-year fashion students learned the art of working and crafting leather from Danier experts and were judged by a panel of industry experts including Jeanne Beker and George Antonoplous. From 65 initial sketch video entries to 25 muslin samples and then finally to 15 completed leather garments, the judges narrowed it down to three finalists.

The public then voted online at danierdesignchallenge.com and chose their favourite design.

The winners received cash prizing in the amount of: $2,000 for third-place winner and Winnipeg native, Tanya Wiebe; $3,000 for second-place Pamela Card from Vancouver; and $5,000 for first -place winner John Hillifer from Vancouver Island.

“I am so excited and honoured by this award; I am also extremely thankful for the learning experience and appreciative of the continued mentorship that Danier has shown me,” said winner John Hillifer.

Hillifer’s top design will be sold in select Danier retail locations across Canada this coming fall, offering immeasurable exposure to this young design talent.

“I am thrilled to see the creativity and growth that these students have shown throughout this competition and am happy to award John Hillifer the opportunity to now be judged by every designer’s ultimate critic, the consumer,” said Danier’s CEO, Jeffrey Wortsman.

The fashion industry is responding to the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12. To raise money for relief and long-term recovery a $25 “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt will go on sale across the United States on February 12. The funds will go through the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to those who are in most need of assistance.

“The tragedy in Haiti has affected everyone and most of us individually have given money for relief,” said Diane von Furstenberg, President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “However, I think it is now important to send a message and create a channel for funding from fashion as an industry.”

The initiative will move forward with the support of the CFDA membership, which includes endorsement of fashion leaders Tory Burch, Kevin Carrigan, Francisco Costa, Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Andrew Rosen, Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Italo Zucchelli, among many others.

“The total devastation of Haiti is unimaginable. I am always amazed by the strength, talent and compassion of our industry and now more than ever it is essential we come together and help make a difference.” said Ralph Lauren.

The “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt logo was designed by Peter Arnell, who in 2001 created the now iconic mended heart logo for the “Fashion for America” fundraiser, organized by the CFDA and Vogue magazine, which raised $2 million after 9/11 for the Twin Towers Fund.

Coordinated by the CFDA, the short sleeve T-shirt will be manufactured by Theory under the “Fashion for Haiti” label. It will be available in women’s and men’s styles at retailers nationwide as well as online at www.cfda.com.

Information on how to order T-shirts can be placed by contacting fashionforhaiti@cfda.com.