There are important events - four, to be specific - happening in the world of mascara. Not satisfied with the humble wand, three new products are out (or are on their way) that put a new spin on an old makeup favorite. One rotates, one oscillates and one vibrates. The fourth one doesn’t move but it’s very interesting.  The first on the scene was SpinLash, a $15 product found in drug stores or online. The bloggers at Beauty and Fashion Tech kind of liked it, saying it doesn’t spin as much as it slowly turns. It comes with its own mascara, or you can dip the wand into your favorite. Other beauty experts say it takes some getting used to, so can watch a video of it at BellaSugar and decide for yourself. However, SpinLash may need to step aside, because the big guns of beauty are bringing out their own moving mascaras. Estee Lauder launched the vibrating TurboLash ($30) a few weeks ago and it sold out fast. Lancome is right behind, with their $34 Oscillation Power Mascara that has 7,000 oscillations a minute! (It’s pictured, left, oscillating).  A few were made available, but they sold out and now they won’t hit Lancome’s Web site or Sephora.com until November. The ladies at Allure loved it, and comments from Lancome’s designer of mascara brushes (it’s true) can be found on Temptalia. The fourth mascara is from Givenchy. Called the Phenom’Eyes, it has a teeny round brush (pictured, right) that claims to separate each eyelash and grip lashes “at the roots.” It hits shelves this month and will cost $27. Opinions are mixed, but everyone agrees: Do not try to use these wiggling mascaras while driving.

After one too many frustrating visits to the dentist, I decided 21st-century standards of oral hygiene might be beyond my reach as an unassisted mortal. Would technology help? Early trials suggest that it can. The most important part of the equation is a floss substitute like this jet cleaner ($60) by WaterPik. I had worried that a little blast of water couldn’t match the physical contact of floss, but I was wrong: Even on the next-to-lowest pressure setting (the WP-100 model can go from 5 to an astonishing 90 pounds per square inch) it was reaching where it needed to with ease. Using the thing takes some getting used to — be prepared to splash all over your countertop and mirror the first few times — but mastering a couple of common sense precautions, like turning off the water before removing the jet from your mouth, doesn’t take long, and the device is available as a self-contained cordless model ($50) that makes things even simpler. Flossing may be far more intimidating than brushing, but I went for the full Robo-smile by trying a “sonic toothbrush” ($80) as well — and, despite my doubts, must  report that it leaves my teeth somewhat closer to that “just back from a cleaning” smoothness than my trusty manual brush. Of course, since WaterPik started marketing pulsating jet products in the ’60s (under the name Aqua Tec), plenty of companies have put their spin on things: Today, you can get Oral B toothbrushes with wireless monitors ($150) or spiral streams of microbubbles ($120); you can even get a spinning-head Spiderman brush for seven bucks. All well and good, but do yourself a favor: If you’re at all vulnerable to obsessive-compulsive disorder, don’t even look at advertisements for Sonicare’s $50 UV Sanitizer.

It’s August, it’s vacation time, and we’re hot and bothered everywhere except in the air conditioning, where we freeze. You, too? Then let us help with that oh-so-torturous million-hour flight to Beijing, if you’re fortunate enough to go to the Olympics, or that even-more-torturous million-hour drive to Mount Rushmore, if you’re fortunate enough to be the miserable teenager in the back of the minivan. Here’s a fabulous inflatable Eagle Creek Comfort neck pillow to cushion the bumps, in charcoal gray, cherry red, Neptune blue or tree frog (tree frog?) for $18.50; a Magellan’s Lights Out sleep mask of even more colors to darken your world and help with any nasty time-zone changes ($10); a fancy leather Levenger Airport Escort passport pocket to keep those personal items secure ($44); and a super-cool MP3-friendly Scottevest microfleece hoodie (we are salivating over the 11 pockets) so you can zone out to your tunes in private ($70). If you’re really into the cocooning thing, forget the al a carte method and go for the amazing Burton Sleeper Hoodie (pictured), which has a removable inflatable pillow, a snap-out light shield, a removable eye mask, a zippered passport pocket and a hidden sound pocket with an earphone cable path sewn in. Heck, they even throw in a travel toothbrush. Tuck your thumbs through the cuff thumb holes, turn up the music, zip the pockets and you’re in travel oblivion. It’d be worth it at its regular price of $100, but right now it’s $60, so you’ll wake up even happier. Now, please excuse us. We need a nap.

Scientists report that burning frankincense can activate “poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression.” Incensemania’s fragrance info page describes the scent as a stimulant used to aid in meditation and prayer and contends it can reduce anxiety and stress. You can buy 20 frankincense sticks made in India for a mere $1.50. But don’t stop there. An amazing variety of incense designed to relax, excite, and transport awaits. Nag Champa’s Satya Sai Baba is one of the most popular fragrance blends on the market ($2 for a 40-gram box). Handmade in India, it gives off a powerful, aromatic blend of resins, gums, spices, flowers and oils, with the red box said to be of highest quality/purity. Coils are great for summer evenings and PaulaWalla has the NK Blend Tea and Tree incense coil set ($25) with scents like green tea, bamboo, and jasmine. Or buy a five-pack of Thai incense coils in “flavors” like freesia, vanilla or cinnamon. Available in sticks, cones, coils, and other shapes, incense can even be disguised as matches ($1). Light one, blow it out and it continues to release a burst of purifying sandalwood or patchouli all the way to the base. These make great alternatives to a can of air freshener in the bathroom. Hari Om Incense has a large selection of Tibetan incense, such as this handmade Himalayan nirvana natural incense ($4.25). And then there’s traditional incense, the purest form you can buy, made of the actual resins, woods, herbs and saps. Want to burn some amber solid resin? It smells warm and sweet ($4 for a six-ounce pack). To burn traditional incense, you’ll need charcoal tablets ($2 per roll) and perhaps an antiqued brass and copper hanging burner with lucky signs ($29; pictured). Incense Warehouse has some of the prettiest burners we’ve seen, like this cobalt-blue raku-fired lotus flower burner ($19), which can be used for cones or sticks, or the celadon burner from Bali with the Sanskrit symbol for “om” ($7).

Dry shampoos first appeared in the 1970s, when products like Psssssst! instant spray shampoo were advertised as an easy way to keep your hair clean between shampoos. These products typically did not live up to the hype (they were kind of goopy or clumpy), and dry shampoos went out of style. Now they’re back — sometimes known as “hair refreshers” — and are much improved. These products are helpful if you have dry, color-treated or thin hair, when daily shampooing (with water) will cause undue stress on your tresses. According to In Style magazine, Brooke Shields uses dry shampoo in between stylings. Oscar Blandi’s Pronto dry shampoo spray ($21 for 3.2 ounces) absorbs excess oil and increases volume in your hair. Klorane’s gentle dry shampoo with oat milk ($16) is a hypoallergenic aerosol spray with oat extracts. You spray it on, wait a few minutes and then brush your hair out, and it should feel lighter and cleaner. Ojon rub-out dry cleanser to go ($10) is fortified with Ojon oil, which comes from a Central America, and works well when you’re in a hurry or if your hair is damaged from a bad perm or dye job. Biolage by Matrix Scalptherapie oil control treatment ($14) supposedly makes your scalp feel cool and fresh. Bumble and Bumble’s hair powder (pictured) not only is great for dry cleansing but also comes in five tints for black, brown, white, red or blondish for even more of a touch-up ($19 or $34).

We women have a little secret for staying freshed and attractive during a trip: the makeup case/travel bag. British accessories designer Zoe Phayre-Mudge counts actresses Minnie Driver and Dame Helen Mirren among her fans. Her ZPM Zinnia make-up roll has four pockets and is small enough to slip into your purse ($41.50). The ZPM Leopard Day Tripper ($47) is larger, with a clear pouch for lotions, hairbrushes and clips and a smaller clear zippered pocket for items like hairpins and eyeshadows. Makeup artists and celebrities often use train cases for their cosmetics. The Solia train case from Folica is a rich red color and has tiered metal fold-out trays; it comes in three sizes: the Jet-Setter ($60; pictured), Can’t Makeup Your Mind ($70) and Tote-L Diva ($90). For the sleek look of aluminum, try the industrial-size aluminum Metro train case ($90), which has four tiers of trays and an adjustable shoulder strap, or the aluminum train case in either black ($50) or silver ($56) with reinforced steel corners and plastic-lined trays. If you’re on a budget, the simplest approach might be to zip up those crucial toiletries in several clear Sephora makeup bags ($4 each). But if you need a purse-sized cosmetics case for that black-tie event or red-carpet appearance, go for the small Greta Glitter Bag ($28) from Stephanie Johnson’s Sunset Boulevard.

As a teenager, I always looked forward to Clinque’s Bonus Time at Lord & Taylor. I’d stock up on some Dramatically Different Moisturizer or a six-month supply of Black Honey and come home with a neat little bag of extra lip products and face powders. Nordstrom blows Bonus Time out of the water with its limited-edition “beauty exclusives” available only during its Anniversary Sale. I’ve been dying to try out Too Faced’s water-, sweat- and smudge-proof Lash Injection mascara, which is all the excuse I need to pick up the Tricks of the Trade set, which comprises, among other things, a universally flattering duo of eye shadow and a fail-safe face powder ($40; pictured). If I were ever to pull a compact out of my minaudiere after dessert and reapply my lipstick, Chanel’s quadrangle of sumptuous lip colors in matte and glossy finishes in the signature black compact would be it ($60). M-A-C’s Colour Forms (how much fun is that?) are bricks of three shades designated “warm,” “cool,” or “neutral” for lips ($22.50) or eyes ($38), along with the Colour Forms much-touted brush collection ($49.50) in packable, grime-repellent microfiber pouches. Known for cult-favorite nail colors, Essie pulls together a quartet of fall reds that would surely carry me from the end of open-toe season through the holidays and throws in a free bottle of topcoat with every purchase ($15). While I’d like to be the kind of girl who seizes the opportunity to pick up a $900 tub of La Prairie skin cream, I’m more likely to invest in Queen of Pretty Bobbi Brown’s Cocoa Mauve kit ($65), with iced mauve eye shadow, blush, lip color and the long-wearing gel eyeliner that is a staple in my makeup bag. I’ll always follow where Bobbi leads.

Whether McCain’s your man or Obama’s the one, cast your vote for fun this election season with a variety of playful politically themed goodies. Beauty buffs will love Stila cosmetics’ bold new lip color called Rock the Vote Red ($17); 25 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Rock the Vote. Your dog can’t vote, but that doesn’t mean Fido can’t be politically active. If Spot more closely identifies with elephants, you might pick up the Republican dog leash at H. Doodle ($14). If donkeys are more his/her thing, try the Democrat dog collar ($12). Or if your pooch’s political leanings are middle of the road, select from a variety of canine Rock the Vote T-shirts ($14; pictured). Who says there’s no place for politics in the bedroom or bathroom? Pick up a pair of thong panties emblazoned with “Vote” ($8). Guys can join the fun with “Wake Up and Vote” boxer shorts ($21). Your newborn can even get into the swing of things with a W.W.O.D. (What Would Obama Do?) onesie ($30) or the more straightforward McCain blocks onesie at the official McCain store ($15). Democrats will love watching red states turn blue when the fill up the “I Have a Dream 2008” mug ($13). For Republicans, the “Make My Day 2008” mug turns blue states red ($12) . Sure to be a collectible is the Obama “Yes, We Can” opener ($5). Designer Helen Ficalora’s sterling-silver “Vote” charm at Shopbop.com is only half an inch wide, but we think it speaks volumes ($55). Need help sparking a “lively” political discussion at your next dinner party? The Political Topics To-Go card set includes 40 cards with topical questions like “Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?” ($10).