Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, right now. Everyone’s got something to cool share and it’s the season of giving, so give it to me.

L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray
I usually hate hair spray. I was scarred by my senior year roommate who sprayed an entire massive can of extra hold spray into her hair on a daily basis. In fact, if I close my eyes I can still taste the left-over mist in my mouth. It really made it a joy to pee…and shower… for a year. I so badly wanted to tell her that 80s bangs and poofy hair left with – uh – the 80s, but instead, I added hairspray to my food diary… and held my breath for dear life every time I had to go near the bathroom.

But, the fact is, sometimes, a girl needs some spray. When you’re curling your hair, when you have a Jew fro (unfortch, me), when you need to tame fly-aways without making your hair look like you just rubbed grease all over it…

Enter from stage left: the best new hairspray ever from beauty giant, L’Oreal. Apparently Europe has been in The Know on this stuff for years, but some ingredient made it illegal to sell in the U.S. Not anymore! With a new formula this bad boy is on shelves nationwide and, once everyone is in The Know, it will be flying off said shelves quite soon. It’s non-sticky, non-smelly, and specially formulated for all different types of hair. Now my hair looks good and my tongue is not coated with some stank taste of product. Mission accomplished.

Danskin Women’s Supplex/Lycra Capri Legging
When leggings first came into trend, I stole a pair I found buried in my mom’s drawer of 90s puff-paint sweatshirts and pin-on accessories. Truth. But regardless of their roots, they are my favorite leggings I own and the only ones I wear. Every single day. But can you blame me? They suck everything in and make my legs look damn good while still being comfortable enough that I feel like I have room to eat that extra cookie. And still look good.

I’ve wanted another pair forever (because wearing the same pants every day is gross) but whatever 90s company made them no longer exists. But, hollerrrr, I recently learned that the brand Danskin makes leggings that do the exact same thing. Calf or ankle length, these Supplex leggings are a must-have for your wardrobe. You’ll look hot, your butt won’t jiggle when you walk and you can even work them at the gym.

Lippman Collections’ Happy Birthday Nail Polish
I will be the first to admit that $20 is a lot to spend on a nail polish. But Lippman Collections’ Happy Birthday may be worth it. It’s multi-colored glitter makes your finger nails look like your 3rd grade art project and, really, who doesn’t want that? Could it be I’m so into this shade because I want revenge for the time in 7th grade I brought home gold glitter Hard Candy nail polish and my mom yelled at me and told me no daughter of hers would wear that crap on her nails and then made me return it? Sure. But I also think it’s pretty, it’s shiny, it’s fun and it’s the perfect holiday party/NYE polish. And if you like the idea of shimmer but sequins aren’t your thing, this is a great way to add some shine without looking like you’re wearing a dance costume (says the girl who is typing this while sporting her sequined black and gold headband from her 2001 dance costume…).

The Red Carpet was fantastic. Fitted dresses were all the rage, highlighted by gorgeous accessories. Cocktail rings were everywhere, along with blingin’ brooches, hair clips and necklaces. And let’s not forget the best (and most prevalent) accessory of all: major cleavage.

Below are a few of our favorite (and most trainwreck-y) bits and pieces from the evening. Sure, the overall looks were breathtaking, but it’s all in the details, right? A little bling here, a little ruffle there. And, of course, Drew Barrymore’s hair. I mean, come on, girlfriend. That hair? Is she auditioning for Hairspray?!

Click on the pic to see the entire look.

[Photos courtesy of E! Online, Just Jared, Fabsugar, Us Weekly, and People Magazine. Thanks, guys!]

Hot and dry? Flat and sweaty.

Hot and humid? Big and frizzy (and sweaty).

You look great as you walk out the door. Glancing at your reflection in every passing window you even give yourself a wink. “Good Hair Day!” you think to yourself. But come lunch – game over. Your hair has fallen flat or totally frizzed out.

Beat the heat, as they say; when you hit the store for last minute school supplies look for these hairsprays. They work for nearly all hair types – trust me, I tried – and will keep that just walked out the door with awesome hair look goin’ all day long.

1. Sheer Blonde by John Frieda: Crystal Clear Shape and Shimmer Spray

The name says it all – and also doubles as something of a tongue twister. Frieda’s hair spray is non-yellowing, non-dulling and dries clear. I’ve discovered this hairspray is not only good for blondes, but for all shades of hair. Because the spray dries to clear, anyone can use it and definitely should if they want a straight, sleek look. But blondes should most definitely give this spray a go. Bonus: no matter how much you use, you can still run your fingers through your hair. Or whoever else might want to…

2. Aussie Sprunch Hairspray

A great cost for great hold. Sprunch is particularly good for wavy or curly hair. Its fine mist is easy to control and doesn’t get sticky. You may not love the smell, but get over it. This stuff is great.

3. Samy’s Amplifying Hair Spray- FAT “O” Calories Hair Spray

If you want that hair to stay put, go for it with FAT hairspray in the red bottle. This spray is a little more expensive, but nothing will stop it from keeping your locks locked. Just be sure to shake it to get the best juice otherwise it can get a bit sticky. This is by far the best spray for goin’ out and dancing; your hair will last until the morning.

4. Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode

The people over at Bumble and Bumble are good. Very good. I love their products, especially their most recent addition to their product family, Spay de Mode. Again, a little on the pricey side but for good reason. This spray actually molds to your hair and sets it for prefect styling while maintaining much needed flexibility. No helmet head here.

5. Redken numbered Hairsprays

I like 23, but you may prefer 18. Whatever your fancy, whatever your hair, Redken can accommodate. The higher the number, the stronger the hold. Redken has really personalized this product for you, which means perfect hold for your needs. Plus it smells awesome. It’s a win/win.

Let us know what some of your favorite hair products or sprays are! And if you feel like sharing more, send us some pics of your fabulous tousled strands.

I don’t know about you, but this whole “Christmas season is for giving” bullshit is getting a little out of control. Christmas isn’t for giving. It is for getting: good deals, good presents, and the respect and awe of all the people you are giving gifts to. In fact, this morning on the radio I listened as shoppers regaled their Black Friday horror stories. People were camping out overnight at stores, women were getting in fights, and people were even stealing things from each other’s carts!

Where is the Christmas spirit, damn it?

How is it possible to transition so quickly from a holiday that focuses on being grateful for all the things we have in our lives to dropping elbows for a copy of Hairspray on DVD? How can people go from being all about the family to skipping out on Thanksgiving dinner early to get a good spot in line at Best Buy?

Buying things for people is not the way to show your love and appreciation!

Now, don’t get me wrong; I love me some presents. But some of my favorite gifts haven’t been things from an electronics store or fancy designer. Some of my all time faves have been simple, creative and from someone that truly knew me and wanted to show it. Like a collection of mix CD’s for all occassions: working out, driving, relaxing, getting through a bad day. Or handmade picture frames decorated with little things that are special to me. Or, my all time favorite gift ever, a plane ticket to reunite with old friends across the country.

I get that Christmas has sorta moved away from its original importance – the birth of Jesus – and morphed into more of a gift giving holiday. And that is fine; with it comes a lot of charity and a boost to our struggling economy. But lately it is even shying away from that and turning into an “gimme, gimme” holiday.

I think it is time to take things back to the old days.

Let’s band together and start a revolution. Let’s bring back a little of that Christmas spirit everyone talks so much about. Let’s stop using money to buy people’s love and take some time to get a little more personal. Let’s take what’s leftover from Thanksgiving (gratitude, not mashed potatoes) and show it to the people we care about.

And not with a new TV. With a little old fashioned love.

Ahh, looks like Rolling Stone knows what the kids want! Even though Efron’s issue hits newsstands Friday, check out the high-res pic of Little Mr. Priss! Wow, he looks even more beautiful in sharp detail, huh?

Except, seriously, what a prude. He can’t just take the shirt off?

Gay.

ADD YOUR CAPTION IN THE COMMENTS.

Zac Efron has fans. And some of them may have rabies.

Given the obscene amount of comments (perhaps the most CC has ever received on one article? At least with the most spelling mistakes) connected to my first blog about this 17-year-old sugar coated star, I’m a little afraid to have another go.

But what the hell. I’m a troublemaker.

According to half a dozen angry rants, I don’t know Zac at all, he’s an amazing actor, his body just oozes hotness, and anyone who comes close to insulting him is wasting the world’s time—because he is loved by all.

So here’s what I did. I held my breath, typed his name into Google, and ventured out onto the Internet Superhighway to find out about all things Efron. Would recent pictures prove to me that he is indeed hotter than the sun? After reading a few interviews, would I be convinced of his supposed saintly goodness? And would I ever find out who Vanessa Hudgens was?

I’ll tell you one thing, wax figure or not, Z. Efron has got more websites devoted to him than Jenna Jameson (approximately. I didn’t actually do the math). He has certifiably grabbed the Tween market in two well manicured hands, and as long as he’s attached to Disney and stays away from the coke, seems destined to make little girls weep from joy for years.

But as a 24-year-old woman, I still don’t get it. I just don’t. And you know what, I don’t think I’m supposed to.

Most of this boy’s fans are young enough to be completely baffled by grammar, innocent enough to become enraged over a blog that may or may not defame him, and immature enough to miss the real gist of what my initial argument was. These girls (and boys?) are young, and just the way my generation was fooled by Lance Bass, and the generation before that by George Michael, they haven’t the experience to understand why some might consider their blessed Efron…less than manly.

Who knows if this newest Disney cherub is gay? And really, who cares? He’s rich, he’s obviously talented enough to garner attention, and will either mature like DiCaprio or fizzle out like Haim.

So abrasive, spelling-deficient Efron fans, let’s agree to disagree, alright? Go ahead and love a boy who can’t seem to grow facial hair, and I’ll go on thinking he spends more time getting ready in the morning than I do.