When it came to accessorizing her newly platinum do for Sunday’s Grammy Awards, the always-edgy Rihanna went for some depth at the root, plunging Armani — and seriously pricey digits!

Sporting Red Carpet Manicure’s “Amor 24,” a 24-karat gold polish that retails for a whopping $5,000, the performer also added tiny dollar signs to her pinky fingers.

Brand reps tell us that upon spotting the gilded lacquer, Rihanna promised to “guard it with her life.”

Additional limited edition bottles of “Amor 24″ will be auctioned off for charity, but a more affordable version, “Award Winning,” will be available this spring on RedCarpetManicure.com for $9.99.

–Justine Harman

WANT MORE? COOL WINTER NAIL TRENDS TO TRY RIGHT NOW!

Chris Martin is a lucky man! The Coldplay rocker’s leading ladies — collaborator Rihanna and wife Gwyneth Paltrow — paused for a hot shot Sunday night while backstage at the Grammy Awards, showing off their slim figures and similar, slinky gowns. Rihanna worked the room in custom Giorgio Armani (she’s currently a face of the designer’s denim and underwear lines), while Paltrow wowed in a long black number with a solid gold belt.

Later in the night, Rihanna joined Martin and his bandmates for a medley of her “We Found Love” and their “Princess of China” and “Paradise.” Rocking leather shorts and a crop top — plus her new blonde do — the singer got the excitable crowd going. Meanwhile, Paltrow introduced the night’s big winner, Adele, before the beloved Brit took to the stage for a highly praised rendition of “Rolling in the Deep.”

Rihanna and Paltrow were among the night’s few style standouts; Adele and Carrie Underwood were both red carpet winners, too, though many stars failed to impress (or shock) this time around. Though Nicki Minaj’s slightly sacrilegious look drew mild criticism, no one seemed to go too crazy this year — not even Lady Gaga (and that’s saying a lot). Check out our best dressed here, then vote on the night’s biggest risk takers here. Then tell us: What did you think of the 2012 Grammys style?

CATCH UP ON ALL THE LATEST GRAMMY NEWS AND PHOTOS

We all know Rihanna can Talk That Talk, but who knew she was a Gossip Girl too?

When the singer debuted a sneak peek at her new platinum do (which she’ll sport on an upcoming cover of ELLE), we couldn’t help but think of another towheaded trouble maker: Taylor Momsen.

With that chunky fringe and stained pout (not to mention that major ‘tude!), Rihanna is the spitting image of a good Upper East Sider gone bad.

But while the look may not be permanent (as we all know, she’s quite the quick change artist), it’s not exactly temporary either: “bleach + weave” she Tweeted a curious fan. Tell us: Who looks better with a platinum fringe?

–Justine Harman

SEE MORE DARING LOOKS IN: STARS’ WACKIEST WINTER HAIRSTYLES

Looks like Rihanna is inking more than her knuckles these days!

PEOPLE has confirmed that the singer has signed on to executive produce a new fashion series for the U.K.’s Sky Living channel, airing this summer.

“Synonymous with cutting-edge style, [Rihanna] is searching Britain for the next generation of raw, undiscovered designer talent,” the network says on its official website. “The show will recognize the increasing influence pop stars have on mainstream trends.”

Alongside Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts (whom RiRi reportedly hand selected for the role), the show will challenge contestants to create looks for a series of famous faces. In fact, final task involves designing a one-of-a-kind outfit for Rihanna to wear during a summer 2012 performance in London’s Hyde Park.

“I have been very fortunate to work with some truly amazing designers and stylists throughout my career,” Rihanna says in the release. “I am excited to follow the journey of our aspiring contestants and see how their individuality influences their efforts during the course of the show.”

–Justine Harman

CHECK OUT MORE EURO STYLE IN OUR PARIS FASHION WEEK GALLERY!

Modest? Not so much. Rihanna is proudly flaunting all of her assets in her newest round of ads for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans.

The singer — originally tapped as the face of the fall/winter 2011-12 campaign and just announced as the returning face for spring/summer 2012 — strips down to a lacy bra and panty set and a perfect pair of jeans in her latest photos. Past ads have been equally as steamy, with the singer pulling a quick change in the backseat of a car. She recently designed some items for the brand, too, including T-shirts, jeans and a leather jacket.

Rihanna’s latest ads were shot in Dublin, Ireland, by fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The photos will appear worldwide in the months to come. Tell us: What do you think of Rihanna’s latest Armani pictorials?

Courtesy Armani

VOTE: WOULD YOU WEAR THESE TRENDS?

While 2011 was the year of Blake for Chanel, Rihanna for Armani and Demi for Ann Taylor, many retailers are introducing lesser-known faces for spring 2012 campaigns.

WWD recently confirmed the appointment of Alice Dellal as the face of Chanel’s Boy collection. Best known for her half-shaved head and punk rock band, the British model is noticeably edgier than Lively, who fronted the collection’s Mademoiselle handbag range. “Alice Dellal represents the perfect incarnation of all that is unique about the Boy Chanel handbag collection, which strives [to be] far from conformist notions of femininity,” brand reps told the trade publication.

Courtesy Macy’s INC

This season, Prada takes a chance with indie darling Michael Pitt, who appears in the brand’s menswear spots, while Burberry backs Eddie Redmayne, a British actor relatively unknown to American audiences.

For their first-ever celebrity ambassador, Macy’s INC taps up-and-comer Max Irons (left), son of Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons. “We liked his polish and the fact that he isn’t well known yet in the U.S.,” SVP of marketing, Nancy Slavin, tells WWD. “He’s on a trajectory and is quintessentially this brand. He wears the clothes very naturally.” Tell us: Do you think brands should hire lesser-known celebs more often?

 –Justine Harman

VOTE ON MORE STYLISH SHOWDOWNS IN ‘FASHION FACEOFF’

No snow? No problem! Some of Hollywood’s hottest ladies chose to hit the beach this weekend, flaunting their fab figures in itty-bitty bikinis that we totally loved.

Rihanna continued her Barbados visit in a stringy orange suit by Missoni, days after Tweeting a photo of herself in a colorful two-piece. New mom Jessica Alba put her post-baby body on display in a bandeau in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, taking to the sand in several bright bikinis over the course of her vacation.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens brought the heat to Miami, frolicking with her new beau while wearing a crocheted black peek-a-boo one-piece, which she hid under overalls. And television hostess Maria Menounos, also in Miami, looked white-hot in a girly suit with patterned detail. Think we’ll be booking that beach vacation shortly … Tell us: Did you spend New Year’s Eve somewhere warm?

SEE HOW THE STARS PARTIED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Is it hot in here … or is it just Rihanna? The singer’s sultry ad for Emporio Armani Underwear was voted sexiest of the year in a poll of advertising industry executives in trade magazine AdAge, the U.K.’s Daily Mail reports.

“It’s Rihanna at her sexiest,” the magazine writes. “She’s never looked this good. She’s in amazing shape and the pictures are stunning.”

The star, named the face of the brand’s Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani Underwear campaigns in July, was the focus of multiple print and video spots, and is currently designing a capsule collection of her own for Armani.

Other sexy ads included Miranda Kerr’s Victoria’s Secret photos, taken just weeks after the birth of son Flynn; Kate Moss‘s pictorials for clothing line Liu Jo; Gisele Bündchen‘s ‘Hope’ lingerie pics; and Irina Shayk‘s images for swimwear brand Luli Fama.

Rounding out the top 10 were Heidi Klum‘s racy Project Runway ads; plus campaigns from Pamela Anderson, mom-to-be Lily Aldridge, Bar Refaeli and Kate Upton. Tell us: Do you think Rihanna’s ads were the sexiest of the year?

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

Some stylish stories for your Tuesday afternoon …

–Stars like Kate Hudson reveal the best beauty tips their moms ever gave to them [Stylelist]

–Get the fashion breakdown from Rihanna‘s new video, “You Da One” [ELLE]

–Teen queens Kendall and Kylie Jenner name their new dogs “Louis” and “Vuitton” [PEOPLEPets]

–Fashion eye candy: See dozens of gorgeous spring 2012 ad campaigns [Fashionologie]

–Get New Year’s Eve ready with these party-perfect manicure ideas [Beauty High]

In newly released footage from Armani’s lingerie and jeans fall 2011 video shoot, Rihanna somehow manages to make rehearsal look risqué.

Blocking the dimly lit scene in teetering heels, the star talks newly lightened locks: “We did a whole transformation,” she says in her trademark Bajan lilt. “So now I’m a blonde and not redhead anymore — and I like it!”

Watch as Rihanna gets her makeup done, listens intently to direction and practices wriggling into — and out of! — those skintight jeans.

–Justine Harman

GIFTS TO GIVE: THE BEST FROM CELEB-DESIGNED COLLECTIONS! 

Good girl gone … designer? Rihanna is parlaying her gig as the face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans into an even bigger job, creating a capsule collection for the brand. The singer designed jeans, T-shirts, accessories and more that will appear in select Macy’s and Bloomingdales locations and on Armani.com in mid-December.

Her Armani Jeans collection includes two T-shirts, two pairs of jeans (one skinny, one boyfriend, her fave), a black leather jacket, a bandana belt and a leather-trimmed canvas backpack. The singer’s “R” logo covers one T-shirt; an outline of her face is prominently featured on the other.

The Emporio Armani Underwear is slightly more Rated R, though; the lace bra-and-panty sets come in cobalt blue and pearl gray and the words “Rihanna for Emporio Armani” are written on the straps. Tell us: Would you buy clothing or underwear designed by Rihanna?

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

We already know she’s a Good Girl Gone Bad, but Rihanna plans to rebel even more with her second fragrance, Rebelle by Rihanna, hitting Macy’s stores this December, WWD reports.

Following in the footsteps of her highly successful first scent, Reb’l Fleur, Rebelle is in part the result of a video poll the singer ran on her site; when asking fans if they feel more like a rebel or a flower, 68 percent said rebel — and Rebelle was born.

“My grandmother in Barbados used to call me her Rebel Flower,” Rihanna told PEOPLE when her first fragrance launched earlier this year. As for the decision to create a scent? “Over the years, I layered many different scents to get something that was truly my own,” she explained. “But I wanted … something that said, ‘Rihanna was here.’ Something delicious and special, a fragrance with subtle hints that linger and leave a sexy memory.”

While Reb’l Fleur has notes of fruits, florals, vanilla and amber, Rebelle boasts wafts of strawberry, ginger, plum, cacao, coffee and musk — not quite as “dark” as the original.

Rebelle will retail for $49 for a 1.7-oz. spray, $59 for 3.4-oz. spray and $30 for a 6.7-oz. body lotion. For the holidays, the scent will come in a special set that includes the star’s just-released CD, Talk That Talk, plus a bottle of Reb’l Fleur. Tell us: Are you excited for Rihanna’s second scent?

SHOP STARS’ SIGNATURE SCENTS

When Rihanna went in search of jewelry to wear in her new “We Found Love” video, the singer looked no further than Bijules, an edgy line by aptly named Manhattan-based designer Jules Kim. Having added sparkle to ensembles worn by Beyoncé, Fergie, Mary J. Blige and Kim Kardashian — to name a few — Kim has become a go-to gal for celebrities looking to spice up an outfit.

Rihanna first wore Bijules in her stark “Umbrella” video, Kim tells PEOPLE. But for “We Found Love,” the designer “was really pushing mixing styles with different directions and metals,” she says. (Two of her rings can be seen when the singer takes a spin around 2:55.)

When providing jewelry for Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams” video, Kim placed a set of spiky gold, diamond and ruby nail rings on the singer. “I love to make creative and fun packaging,” she adds. “So I stuffed the nails into a cute plush puppet bunny rabbit that was delivered [to buyers] around Easter.”

Deeming her designs “original-concept fine jewelry,” Kim finds inspiration in pushing boundaries and redefining fashion standards. “What was once a ring is now a classic bar ring,” she explains of her innovations, adding, “I make jewelry for undiscovered parts of the human body and I make it popular.”

Shop Rihanna’s “We Found Love” jewels — which include the black pearl knuckle ring and mini-icicle bar ring — at bijulesnyc.com.

–Jessica Herndon

SEE MORE STAR-LOVED LOOKS IN ‘I REALLY LOVE MY …’

Fashion-savvy music fans, rejoice! Some of the hottest names in music — think Lady Gaga, Madonna, Rihanna and Justin Bieber — are teaming up with Live Nation and City of Hope to raise funds for cancer research through a line of collectible T-shirts.

Visit your favorite artist’s website or the City of Hope Shop to find the “Hope, Love and Rock & Roll” tees — each features a unique design by one of 25 different celebs. The shirts you buy will support City of Hope’s research, which in turn helps patients and families fight life-threatening diseases. At least 50 percent of the retail price of each $21.95 tee will benefit the cause, too. Now that’s something to sing about.

—Kim Peiffer

WOULD YOU WEAR THESE TRENDS?

Rihanna is playing the role of good girl gone bad as the new face of the Emporio Armani underwear and Armani Jeans autumn/winter 2011/2012 advertising campaigns — and she’s amping up the sex appeal with a new video for the brands.

In the clip above, the sultry singer flies solo in the backseat of a car, changing into jeans and a leather jacket while a bodyguard keeps watch. (Trust us, she leaves little to the imagination!) She emerges in her new ensemble, greeting a mysterious man in the elevator and smiling coyly as the doors shut.

The exclusive video was created to mark the arrival of the company’s new online flagship store, Armani.com, where customers can now peruse and purchase items from five different categories of the Armani brand.

As the new face of the campaign, Rihanna is following in the footsteps of Megan Fox and Rafael Nadal, who worked their sex appeal in ads earlier this year.

–Kim Peiffer

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

She’s been known to storm the stage with a fiery cropped coif and hit the town with a highly styled brunette pompadour, so when it comes to Rihanna‘s hair, expect to be dazzled with more head-turning hairstyles in the future. “We are always changing it up, experimenting, and having fun with hair,” her stylist Ursula Stephen tells BellaSugar.com.

But what’s behind all the amazing transformations? “Her hairstyle typically changes depending on what’s on our agenda, what she’s wearing, or how she’s feeling.” Stephen says. “We take it day by day and event by event, and usually will both bring ideas to the table. It’s always a collaboration, which is such a great way to work.”

Though the changes are fun, they can be damaging to the singer’s hair. So Stephen stresses that the right products are key to maintaining Rihanna’s bouncy and always rockin’ locks.

“It’s all about the products that we use to maintain moisture in between all the styling,” she shares. “If we’re going heavy with color, we’ll lay off the chemical treatments; if her hair needs a break, we’ll try a wig or weave.” Tell us: Which one of Rihanna’s hairstyles is your favorite?

–Kim Peiffer

WEIGH IN ON STAR HAIR CHANGES!

Rihanna is known as a fashion risk-taker, and she usually manages to pull off whatever out-there outfit she’s sporting. So while her eye-popping red hair would look clownish on lesser celebs, we thought the singer looked pretty cool — and kind of miss it now that she’s back to brunette.

The problem with sporting such a bold shade on your head, though, is that you really have to be conscious about toning down the rest of your look by wearing neutral colors on your eyes, lips and cheeks. But Rihanna is not one for following the rules, so she went out wearing a veritable rainbow: turquoise eye shadow and bright crimson lipstick, which matched her hair.

As per the usual, if anyone can make this look work, it’s Rihanna, but we want to know: Would you wear this many bright colors?

–Katie Dickens

VOTE NOW ON STAR MAKEUP CHANGES

There’s no doubt about it: Rihanna is a good girl gone bad (and beautiful) in her new ads for Armani.

The singer, brand ambassador for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans for autumn/winter 2011-12, looks downright sultry in the brand’s latest advertising campaign. The images, shot on location in New York, feature Rihanna sporting a blonde cropped do with blunt bangs, lounging seductively in lingerie in the backseat of a car and posing in items like jeans, lace bras and a leather jacket.

As the new face of the brand, Rihanna is following in the sexy footsteps of Megan Fox and Rafael Nadal, who went nearly naked in Armani photo and video ads earlier this year. See Rihanna’s campaign in full when it launches worldwide later this month.

Courtesy Emporio Armani

–Kim Peiffer
SHOP BACK-TO-SCHOOL STAR STYLE

Hollywood hair changes! Two stars hit the red carpet in the last two days rocking dramatically different styles. First, Jennifer Love Hewitt stepped out Thursday at the premiere of her film Café, wearing one of her favorite looks — a curve-hugging bandage dress and nude shoes — but giving her look a twist with heavy, face-framing fringe and a shorter cut (below).

Then Friday, Rihanna attended her fragrance launch in a typically attention-getting blue feathered outfit, plus a highly-styled brunette pompadour — a major change from her previous Crayola-red hue. She’d been out in her native Barbados sporting her more natural color, but this is the first red carpet shot that allows us to get a good look at the honey-highlighted mane. Tell us: Do you like Rihanna’s new style? How about Jennifer Love Hewitt’s?

Jesse Grant/WireImage

–Alex Apatoff
SEE MORE STAR HAIR CHANGES IN WHAT’S HER BEST HAIR?

Good girl gone bad? More like good girl gone buff! While unwinding in her home country of Barbados, Rihanna has been flaunting her fabulous bikini body in several sexy swimsuits.

Thursday, the singer — her red hair now blondish-brown — kicked back on the beach with friends while wearing a white string bikini. In between breaks, she cruised on a WaveRunner and did some tubing with her pals.

After performing as part of her Loud tour Friday night, Rihanna hit the beach again on Saturday in a red-and-orange one piece with Bob Marley’s face emblazoned on the front.

Then Monday, the pop star took five outside of her hotel in patterned pants and a tan bikini top, her toned tummy peeking out. “BARBADOS!!!!!!,” she Tweeted. “My country is the BEST!!! Hands down!” Tell us: Which of Rihanna’s bikinis is your fave?

–Kate Hogan

SEE MORE STARS IN SWIM IN ‘BEACH PATROL’