Ethereal Favorites from Spring 2010 Couture

Valentino

 

Dior

 

Elie Saab (who epitomizes spring loveliness in dress form)
 

  

 

Armani Prive

 Image source: style.com

Chanel's Glossimer (& Bargain Alternatives!)

 I've been a fan of Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimers for years now, and they were actually my first venture into high-end makeup back in high school.  They've always been extremely pricey at $27 a gloss, but I don't have to repurchase these often despite using them daily. I love Glossimers because they're unscented, and come in absolutely gorgeous colors and finishes. I've tried quite a few shades, but these three below are the ones that I'd consider the best purchases.

Cool Gadget

I don't think I'll ever go back to Windows after converting to Mac, but isn't this prototype cool? It's called the PhilcoPC. According to SchultzeWORKS designstudio, "The design of the “Philco PC” was inspired by the 1954 design classic Philco Predicta, as well as an eclectic mixture of modern minimalism, the steampunk movement, and antiques." I don't think I'd ever buy this if it ever came into production simply because I'm so happy with Mac, but I love that tech designers are starting to literally think outside of the box and have found inspiration from the past.

Image source: schultzeworks.com

Things I Love: Home Edition

I'm a couple years off from registering for my own wedding, but I'm already dreaming up a home filled with thoughtfully chosen home goods. I'm not into having anything for the sake of just having it- I think it's important to find unique pieces that draw you in. Your home should be reflective of you and those who live there, telling a story of sorts about you. With all things, you should really love anything that is a part of your life... dishes, pillows, and appliances included. =)

Winter Survival Series: Lips

This post is the second of my Winter Survival Series, a series of posts about surviving the harsh winter months and enjoying this time of year to the fullest. Enjoy!

 Winter is pretty harsh here, and like I've mentioned earlier, it's definitely tough keeping skin moisturized and pretty. Last year, I constantly fought the battle of either chapped or peeling lips. What's the point of wearing fancy lip gloss if your lips look awful? This past fall, I vowed to find a product that would help prevent the chilly effects from damaging my lips, and stumbled upon two products that actually work. So happy!

Winter Survival Series: Moisturizer

This post is the first of my Winter Survival Series, a series of posts about surviving the harsh winter months and enjoying this time of year to the fullest. Enjoy!

Sadly, my favorite winter moisturizer, Origins' Never Say Dry, has been discontinued. Luckily for me, I was able to find it at a CCO for $24, so I will at least get through this winter with well-moisturized skin. This moisturizer is the best. If you have parched skin, this thick, fruity-smelling cream is the best in leaving your skin hydrated and healthy. I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, and this cream was non-irritating, didn't clog my pores, or didn't give me any breakouts. Other online reviews have said Never Say Dry is similar to La Mer in consistency, and while I've never tried La Mer personally, Never Say Dry does exactly what I would hope a moisturizer at that price point would do. Such a shame this is being discontinued! It seems like the best products always seem to be kicked to curb.

Korres' Honey and Thyme moisturizer is the moisturizer I happily use during the rest of year, though, and that one is also really great. Honey and Thyme is just slightly less moisturizing and has a thinner consistency, but it still leaves your skin hydrated and it doesn't irritate my skin either. Plus, it smells like pure honey, which is a plus in my book. =) I'm thinking I'll be using that one all year round after my Never Say Dry jar runs dry. That's not to say I won't miss it!

Diorshow Iconic vs. YSL Faux Cils

 I've been using my HG mascara, Diorshow Iconic, for over a year now (see my first review on it here). I love everything about it, and honestly have no complaints whatsoever on this mascara. However, back in November (when Sephora had their Friends & Family sale) I jumped on the opportunity to try Yves Saint Laurent's Faux Cils mascara for 20% off. I had read amazing reviews about Faux Cils, and since YSL rarely ever goes on sale, I couldn't find a reason not to try it. Read more for my comparison of the two.

Polyvore

While we're still stuck in the middle of winter, I'm already thinking of sun, sand, and summer. Here are a couple old Polyvore collections I made last summer that I never posted. How happy I'd be if I could be wearing this outfit right now, and not look completely out of my mind. ;) In my ideal world, it would be summer year-round. A girl can dream!

Words to live by

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” -Peter Marshall

NARS Blush and Bronzing Duo

 I have two very different NARS Blush & Bronzing Duo palettes to review: Orgasm/Laguna (shown on the left) and Hungry Heart (on the right). Strangely enough, I ended up liking the product that I was more hesitant to purchase. I also wasn't a huge fan of a product that gets incredible reviews year after year.

NARS' Orgasm blush is described as a "peachy-pink shimmer" blush, and has been touted by many magazines and websites as a universally-flattering color. Laguna bronzer has also had rave reviews for being a very natural bronzer. Sadly, this just wasn't the case for me. I have light, slightly olive skin during the winter, and neither colors were particularly flattering for me. The blush just didn't look natural on me, despite applying it with numerous brushes. The color payoff was great on this one, but that doesn't really matter when it's a color that isn't so flattering. The Laguna bronzer is a bit more wearable, but you definitely need to use a light hand when applying it. It's a little dark for me right now, although I can see myself warming up to this product when I have a bit more color to my skin in the summer. I guess I'm going to have to wait and see!

NARS' Hungry Heart palette definitely isn't one of those products that looks like a "must-have" upon first glance. In fact, you're probably more likely to wonder where you would even wear this pale peachy product, as it looks more suited to a Vegas showgirl. It's barely visible when swatched on light skin, looking like a pan of pure junior high school shimmer. But then you put it on your cheekbones, and voila! Your skin looks glowy and pretty, with just a slight hint of finely milled shimmer. This product is just so beautiful and versatile, and goes beyond the use of a simple highlighter. I used it as a simple eye shadow as well, and it lasted the entire day. I wouldn't expect people who hate shimmer to love this product, but for those who love it or are indifferent to it, this is definitely a highlighter to check out. 

R to L: Hungry Heart with flash (close to true to life color) and without flash

Help the Haitian Earthquake Relief Effort

On January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. It is said that potentially over 100,000 people are dead and many more people are without shelter, food, water, or medical care. Please join recovery efforts mobilizing around the world to assist the victims. Your donation will help disaster victims rebuild their lives and their communities. Please, please, please contribute to this cause.

• Donate to the American Red Cross by texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999. It will donate $10 to the relief fund by adding the charge your cell phone bill. You can also make a donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
• Donate to Unicef through the following link: https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6680&6680.donation=form1 or by calling 1-800-4UNICEF.

Sephora Deals!

Sephora has recently had several promotions on their website in the past two months (Friends & Family Sale, the 20% off sale items) and have been offering occasional random discounts on specific items that they choose. LOVE that they're doing this! It's allowed me to try products that I might not normally think to try, and I'm also saving a little bit in the process. I've never really been a big concealer person, but when I noticed they were offering Benefit's To Go Set for $8 (pictured on the left) and NARS' Duo Concealer in Custard/Ginger for $10 (pictured on the right), I decided to see what these products were all about.

Philosophy's Lip Gelato Trio

With blistery cold winter weather in full blast right now, my skin is definitely paying the price. Most of my lip glosses are pretty drying in this weather (there are a few exceptions- which will be posted later this week), but I've been really happy with Philosophy's lip glosses. Not only are they moisturizing, their Ooey Gooey S'mores and Eggnog Latte lip glosses have the perfect mix of lasting shininess, a non-sticky consistency, and really yummy scents.

I'm definitely a Philosophy brand lover, so I was beyond thrilled when a large box labeled 'Philosophy' arrived at my doorstep several days before Christmas. Inside I found Philosophy's Lip Gelato Trio and the Cookie Exchange Shower Gel Trio, my Christmas present from my boyfriend's mom. 

Happy 2010!

It's 2010- can you believe it?!

It's a new year, and with it comes new goals and hopes. One of my goals this year is to blog more often, and use blogging as a way to motivate myself to become more creative in the coming year. I'm hoping to add more content to Beauty with a Bow- not only reviewing beauty products and my favorite things, but also including creative tips to live a more beautiful, happy life. Join me in this journey!
(photo via)