Hard Candy

Madonna's new album, Hard Candy, has arrived (sort of, on MySpace, ahead of its April 29 release date) and I took some time this morning to listen to each track and capture my first impressions. Madonna is 49 years old, but if 4 Minutes wasn't hint enough, I can assure you this is far from adult contemporary.

In true Madonna fashion, she's reinvented her sound once again with the help of collaborators including Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Nate "Danja" Hills. Overall, the album has an irresistible insistence that you get up and shake your booty, but nothing stands out as particularly unique or sounds like something we haven't heard before.

These are just my first impressions, though, and over time, the album could surprise me. To read my first thoughts on each track and let me know yours, read more

We're so stoked to see Madonna back in action. Her music has been in heavy rotation in our Sugar offices and we're eagerly awaiting the new release of her Hard Candy album. We got our fingers on this absolutely Fab behind the seams video of Madonna's styling photo shoot with Elle magazine. This exclusive backstage access (with her much anticipated "4 minutes" collab with Justin Timberlake pumping in the background), shows Madge strutting her stuff. It's quick and flashy and commentated by stylist Arianne Phillips.

Madonna is definitely having fun in the video showing off her much coveted trim body and that adorable gap in between her teeth. Oh, and the glimpse of the plethora of shoes is amazing. Madonna continues to be one of the biggest style icons and time has shown that she's nowhere near near slowing down. Rock on.

• Madonna's upcoming album is named Hard Candy and will be released in the US on April 29, but the first single, "Four Minutes," will be available in March. We can't wait to hear what she's come up with, especially with collaborators like JT! — Entertainment Weekly
• Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch has been foreclosed by the bank and will be auctioned off, contents included, on March 19, unless he somehow comes up with the money. Good luck to whomever has a spare $24.5 million! — CasaSugar
• Whoopi Goldberg has accepted the apology of an an Oscars producer, who explained that she was omitted from one of the show's retrospective montages simply due to an oversight. Now, let's just hope next year's show is bigger and better in every way.— People
• Mischa Barton has been charged with four misdemeanors following her December DUI arrest, including driving under the influence, driving without a license, and possession of marijuana. Guess those innocent photo ops didn't do too much good! — TMZ
• Pamela Anderson is now seeking to annul her two-month marriage to Rick Salomon on the basis of fraud. Since she's been trying to divorce him since December, isn't it a little late to be pulling the fraud card? — AP

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Here are a couple of cute beauty-related sweet nothings to wrap up my series on Valentine's Day beauty products. These goodies make great heart-pounding gifts for your sweetie (or, if you prefer, just for yourself). And while you're thinking about love, don't forget to beauty mark your favorite Valentine's Day skin savers.

It's easy to take a shine to this Hard Candy Lip Gloss Ring. Yes, I know it's a little bit juvenile, but for $6, it just makes me smile. The rings have little pots that are filled with glitter-infused lip gloss and come in two shades; heartbreaker (peach with gold glitter) and yummy (blue with colored glitter).

For one more Valentine's Day inspired beauty product, read more

Here's something sweet from Hard Candy. This Kaleidoscope Eye Palette gives you nine eye shadows for a remarkably reasonable price of $22. When I saw the cost, I had to double-check that the palette actually came with product inside, and much to my delight, it does.

Some of the colors would work for everyday wear, while others are a bit more out-there. So if you never wear sparkle or shimmer, this isn't the palette for you. If, however, you like to try bold colors now and then, what better way to do it than at less than $2.50 per shadow?

This fall, the cosmetics company Hard Candy launched its first fragrance. This scent, which is called Hard Candy Fragrance was created for the hardcore Hard Candy client: a sweet, sexy and playful young woman.

The fragrance is made from white tea, pink peppercorn, rose, jasmine, caramel, vanilla and cashmere musk. It's fun, it's spicy, it's floral... it's hot.

What most impressed me about the perfume is the grown-up packaging. The black flowers berries and branches on the bottle strike me as very sophisticated for this brand. If not for the bright pink or green jewel-cut caps (which glow when the light hits), I would have thought this was a scent for thirty-somethings! Also, it comes packaged in a very pretty foil origami box featuring artwork from the bottle.

Hard Candy Fragrance is available as a 3.38 eau de parfum spray ($55) and as a 1.69 oz spray ($42).

A little birdy told me about a promotion from Urban Decay and Hard Candy. Through Thursday, you can save 30% off all of these lines' makeup using a special code. The sister companies are always reliable for fun, unexpected colors (remember the baby-blue nail trend of the '90s? That was Hard Candy). And I love the fact that they have dozens of vegan options for the animal lovahs out there.

To see my product picks and to get the code that gives you 30% off, read more