Columnist Muriel Stevens: Shoppers gearing up for the charge

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 8:17 a.m.

Gather up the charge cards and the checkbook and get ready for the Labor Day weekend sales. There will be many.

Sidewalk sales at Premium Outlet Center and Las Vegas Outlet Center: Both the Premium Outlet Center downtown and its sister Las Vegas Outlet Center on Warm Springs Road in Henderson will offer sidewalk sales at various stores from Sept. 3 to Sept. 6. The majority of the stores participating are located in the Las Vegas Outlet Center in Henderson. Premium Outlet Center shops participating are so noted. In some stores sales are already under way.

At Aerosoles shoes, buy one pair and get the second at half price. Avon Beauty Center kiosk is offering a 20 percent discount with a minimum $20 purchase. Stock up on walking shorts and much more at Billabong (both centers) now through Sept. 6. At Book Warehouse the 2005 calender selection is choice. Buy one for $7 or two for $12 through Sept. 6. At Clark's Bostonian shoe stores from now until Sept. 6 buy one pair at regular price and get a lesser-value pair for 25 percent less.

From Sept. 3 to Sept. 6 Harry & David (both centers) will offering an additional 25 percent discount off the lowest ticket price of all clearance items. Now through Sept. 1 at HartStrings all spring and summer merchandise is reduced 50 percent off the outlet price. Now through Sept. 6 at Jockey stores all $9.99 women's muscle bras and basic tees in selected colors are $4.99; men's hanging boxers are two for $16. The posh L'Occitane toiletries line will be on sale Sept. 2 to Sept. 7. Discounts total as much as 75 percent off original prices. Limited edition gift sets are 50 to 60 percent off the original prices.

Leather by Michael Lawrence (both locations) is offering 10 percent off all luggage except clearance merchandise. This special may not be combined with any other promotion. Polo Ralph Lauren factory store is offering reduced prices on New Men's denim pants, all children's wear and more.

From Sept. 3 to Sept. 9 Maidenform is offering 50 percent off clearance Sleepwear Panties; five pair for $10. At Pancaldi Glenfield shirts are priced from $5.99. All Glenfield knits are 50 percent off. Pancaldi's early fall boot sale offers 55 to 60 percent discounts. Seiko the Company Store is featuring select Divers watches for $159.99 from Sept. 1 to Sept. 6. That's 70 percent off the suggested retail price. Additional storewide savings are as much as 40 percent off.

Max Studio, Rip Curl, Skechers (both centers) and Theory are having sales. Check with the stores for sales dates or visit www.PremiumOutlets.com/Las Vegas or www.LasVegasOutletCenter.com. Gift certificates are available on site and online.

Make-ing-up is hard to do: This is the time of year when fashion magazines weigh more than the models on the cover and makeup companies "take artistic license." Estee Lauder has just introduced Fall 2004 Color Story, featuring "inky darks" for eyes and "sheer berry stains" for lips with names as sensuous as those found in any pop novel. Sample these products at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks and other fine stores. And check out the Super Lash XL Maximum Length Mascaras that make lashes soooo long. Cool.