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Kennedy: Notoriously glamorous

Published April 20, 2006 at midnight

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Her corseted waist measures only 16 inches. Her naturally blond hair is dyed jet black. Her husband is Marilyn Manson.

And after performing the world over in the tradition of Gypsy Rose Lee and Sally Rand, Dita von Teese is the new queen of burlesque.

Now, with her coffee-table book, The Art of the Teese, the siren dispenses tips on topics from powder puffs to silky stockings to the best way to tease a man.

"I advocate glamour," she writes. "Every day. Every minute. Glamour. Sweatpants (at least spiritually) chafe me."

Von Teese advocates garter belts and stockings. Vintage dresses and grandly set coiffures. Fur stoles and cashmere wraps.

Figure in the new movie The Notorious Bettie Page, based on the life of the iconic pinup model, and there's definitely a burlesque moment going on.

"I studied my books and my pictures of Bettie Page, and I realized that her looks weren't the thing that made her popular," von Teese writes. "It was her chameleon-like persona: she was sweet and innocent on the one hand, and then she could turn around and be a bad girl. I love that. A '50s femme fatale, the contradiction every man adores."

The Art of Teese is full of not-so-innocent photos and plenty of burlesque beauty tips.

And if even a small bit of von Teese's femme fatale attitude rubs off on me, I'll declare this book a winner.

Shopping list

Jump on the burlesque bandwagon with mile-long lashes, ruby red lips and, of course, a killer push-up bra. Here are some items that'll help you look like a diva.

• Eyes: Joey New York Super Duper Lashes Duo ($23) comes with a double-sided wand containing a lash thickener on one end and mascara on the other. At .

• Lips: TheBalm Stainiac ($14) is a waterproof, long-lasting gel tint. It stays put till you decide it's time to come off. At .

• Bust: Olga's Ultra Light Gel push-up bra ($32) enhances cleavage, but doesn't feel cumbersome. At Kohl's.

Seductive secrets

Dita's offstage seduction secrets

• Apply lipstick in full view of your victim. This is particularly effective when done slowly and with a pretty compact.

• Adjust your garter or stockings as though you were attempting to do it discreetly.

• Allow your stiletto heel to dangle from one foot.

• Go to the powder room - alone! Captivate every man in the room by gliding confidently and effortlessly across the room in your stilettos.

• Wear your signature scent lightly. Make him lean in close to smell it.