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NARS Spring 2012 Makeup Collection -- Fruits of Inspiration

There's a reverential quality to the names of most of the pieces comprising the NARS Spring 2012 Collection — whether they be South American cities, titles of seminal albums, or a flower's common name. Take, for example, the Diamond Life Nail Polish ($18 at NARScosmetics.com), a metallic violet color with a sumptuous finish (pictured last above) named after Sade's debut album, 1984's Diamond Life, which introduced such sultry classics as "Your Love Is King" and "The Sweetest Taboo." In Nars' psyche, then, the fluidity of this shimmering violet perfectly captures the smooth, molasses-like quality of Sade's voice, the twinkling of piano keys, the jazzy saxophone riffs, and the spellbinding, moody, smoky vibe of the classic album.

Similarly, the Douce France Trio Eyeshadow ($45 at NARScosmetics.com), pictured after the jump, pays homage to the 1942 tune by French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet, a charming ode to his homeland rife with tender memories of childhood and celebrations of the glorious rivieras, blue skies, and countryside landscapes. A musical gift to the country he held dear, this sweet, tender song conveys an unblemished sense of innocence that Nars captured with his trio of pink shades, which range from a near-nude rose to a petal pink and a more full-bodied, merlot-tinged rose.

A hunger for life, an exuberant spirit, and a curious wanderlust all unite the spring color collection. The new Gaiety Blush ($28 at NARScosmetics.com), pictured after the jump, epitomizes effervescent cheer with its cotton candy pink color, while the hot pink Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil ($24 at NARScosmetics.com), also shown after the jump, mimics the hue of the artichoke-shaped blossom by that very name.

Moving into the sojourn-inspired section of the collection, the Paramaribo Duo Eyeshadow ($34 at NARScosmetics.com), pictured second above, features a deep bronze with an even metallic sheen alongside a tarnished brass shade with greenish undertones inspired by Suriname's capital. Both are gorgeous takes on the colors of the muddy roads, grassy expanses, majestic palm trees, Dutch-style colonial houses, and the iconic Fort Zeelandia, with its tiled courtyard and bronze statues. The green tones speak to the virginal land in this South American country, while the metallic elements seem to speak to the monuments and architectural landmarks at the heart of the city.

The Valparaíso Pure Matte Lipstick ($25 at NARScosmetics.com) also nods to a South American location: this time, a thriving city in Chile. The matte lipstick's raspberry red color is reminiscent of the shade seen on the exterior of many of the cable cars used when ascending and descending steep hills. 

These, of course, are only some of the wonders in the Spring 2012 collection. To find out about the remaining products in the collection, check out swatches of the standout products, and even see photos of some sample looks created, keep reading!

Love Me Tender -- Valentine's Day Gifts Any Woman Will Desire

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be as senseless, befuddling, and tragically disappointing as the star-studded film by that name. If you're coupled up, take the initiative to make the day special — cook a romantic meal and wear those shoes that practically beckon him to carry you into the bedroom and ravish you; light scented candles and practice those masseuse skills while wearing your sultriest lingerie; or buy some champagne and set it next to a nice bubble bath. And, if you're exchanging gifts with your better half, feel free to subtly give him some hints about what you want (bookmark this page on his iPad if need be!).

As for all you single ladies on the prowl, February 14th is not a day for mourning, and you certainly don't need a man to feel loved so focus on pampering yourself: indulge in some truffles, snatch up that purse you've been coveting for months, go out with your friends and flirt your little heart out. 

Check out some of our Valentine's Day gift ideas — these are beyond alluring, so get ready for some sparks to fly! 

This is only the beginning of our V-Day coverage so stay tuned for more gift picks!

 

Edmundo Castillo Guia Heels in Scarlet, $995. Available at Match at the Breakers (One South County Road, Palm Beach, FL). Call 561.659.8402 for more details.

Betty Boop would wink her little heart out, work those shoulders, and utter her coquettish "Boop-boop-e-doop!" saying with unbridled glee if she thought she could cleverly manipulate a man to buy her these patent leather and snakeskin sandals. And can you blame her? The polka dot detail at the peep toe opening is enough to make any girl swoon, along with the slim stiletto heel. And those cutouts at the sides? A peep show at its best! 

 

 

Rachel Roy Cord Stone Friendship Bracelet, $36. Available at RachelRoy.com

Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers — it's also a day to celebrate your friends and loved ones, those who have been pals and confidantes (cue the "Golden Girls" theme song). Show them how much you appreciate them by gifting them with a Rachel Roy Cord Stone Friendship Bracelet like the one pictured here, which features an antiqued gold metal chain wrapped with bright pink thread and embellished with faceted, round, flat-top purple stones positioned atop square gold stations.

 

 

 

Vera Wang Lovestruck EDP Spray, $68 for 1.7 oz. and $78 for 3.4 oz. Available at Sephora.com

The bottle of Vera Wang's Lovestruck fragrance is enough to give a girl butterflies — from the hot pink lettering used to write the word "Lovestruck" and the arrow piercing through the word to the bouquet of plum tulips and the netted tulle and metallic ribbon nestled underneath the floral shapes. But that's just the visual charm of this romantic scent, Vera Wang's ode to being hopelessly, blissfully, rapturously in love. With succulent pink guava and a zesty touch of mandarin leading to a bouquet of bewitching tuberose and soft, dewy lotus blossoms, this scent is more crush-worthy to us than Jordan Catalano was to Angela Chase. 

 

Carelle Rose de France Iolite, Diamond and Rose Gold Pear Cluster Ring, $4050. Available at Carelle.com

Three pear-shaped, lilac-colored iolite stones, with their surface completely covered with diamond-shaped facets, are grouped together to create a near-triangular shape reminiscent of daylilies. A round, darker purple, prong-set faceted stone is positioned at the center, resembling the flower's stigma. Three small diamonds with a total weight of 0.12 cts complete the design, accentuating the triangular form of this design. 

 

 

 

 

 

Pull-In Libération Corb Dentelle Bra, $59.99, and Libération Tanga Dentelle, $54.99. Available at Store.Pull-In.com

Any woman will feel like the mistress of a Parisian boudoir with these intimates from French brand Pull-In. The Libération collection manages to maintain the perfect balance between seduction and sophistication thanks to the careful craftsmanship, the usage of elegant Calais lace, and the choice of midnight blue lace juxtaposed against an ox blood red satin trim.

 

 

 

 

Godiva Gems Milk and Dark Chocolate Message Truffles, $20 for 32 pc. bag. Available at Godiva.com

Members of the French royal court may have feasted on bon-bons in the 17th century, but contemporary Queen Bees look to Godiva to satisfy their chocolate cravings. For Valentine's Day, Godiva has packaged its truffles in pink and red foil with messages like "Be Mine," "Kiss Me," and "Hug Me" printed on these wrapping papers and pops of gold along the twistable ends. The truffles are color coded so that the milk chocolate pieces are inside pink wrappers and the dark chocolate ones in red wrappers. As for the truffles, each one is a tiny slice of heaven and, when you bite into the cream chocolate exterior, it's like going through the pearly gates as you taste the creamy interior, otherwise known as true paradise.

 

 

Katrina Kelly Vintage Vine Earrings, $11,748. For a full list of retailers, visit KatrinaKellyJewelry.com

These gorgeous earrings feature a sculpted, radiating, pattern along their teardrop-shaped, 18k yellow gold frame, with rounded edges meant to resemble the movement of undulating vines. At the center of each earring, you'll find a teardrop-shaped, faceted ruby stone, accentuated by gold bead detailing along its perimeter. A tiny slither of space is left vacant along the interior of the earrings' frame, so as to make the design a bit airier and more ethereal. Diamond-shaped earrings posts with concentric bead detailing, meanwhile, complete the dramatic effect. 

 

 

 

Topshop Flower Twist Front Blouse, $64. Available at Topshop.com

Don't want to wait for that special someone to bring you flowers? Then swathe yourself in gorgeous blooms with this sleeveless blouse from Topshop, which features a zippered back, a demure rounded neckline, a center seam along the front panel, and a mottle twist detail at the waistline creating a slightly draped effect. 

 

 

 

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette Délicate, $102. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks.com

When creating the latest iteration of his spectacular For Her fragrance, designer Narciso Roriguez revisited his original source of inspiration: a woman's innate grace and beauty. For this limited-edition version of the scent, Rodriguez sought to explore the more mysterious, elusive elements of femininity, resulting in a wistful, feather light fragrance that, when applied to the skin, almost makes a woman feel like she's radiating sensuality. Like the original For Her, Délicate features a musky heart, but fig notes replace the osmanthus notes in its predecessor's formula, yielding a more ethereal and mysterious composition.

 

 

 

 

The Macbeth Collection Petite Vase, $35. Available at TheMacbethCollection.com

Before breaking out the bubbly on Valentine's Day, chill it in a bucket-like vase from The Macbeth Collection. The Petite Vase (pictured here) measures 8.5" in height and 5" in width and features two welded handles along the sides for easy toting. You can pick from over 50 designs (ranging from houndstooth and polka dot prints to floral prints, ikat designs, nautical motifs, and more) and even monogram your vase to make it feel all the more personal.

 

 

 

 

Gas Bijoux for Swarovski Crystallized Love Earrings, $90. Available at Swarovski-Crystallized.com 

Double your fun with these gold-plated earring by Gas Bijoux, which feature Swarovski Elements details. The 0.25mm-long earrings are composed of two heart shapes, each featuring etched grooves for added texture and dimension. The top heart shape is slightly smaller and features another heart detail at its center, with a smooth golden surface and a single Swarovski Elements crystal placed slightly off-center. The bottom heart shape, meanwhile, features a cluster of clear stones at its center to create a playful posey-like form, along with five crystals at the bottom tip of the heart shape, in an arrow-like shape. Etched floral motifs adorn the bottom border of the heart's surface for a Renaissance-inspired feel.

 

 

 

Shea Terra Organics Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream, $22. Available at SheaTerraOrganics.com

If you dream of rolling around in chocolate, like a strawberry being dipped in hot fondue, you'll love the Shea Terra Organics Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream, which smells like homemade brownie mix (when it's perfectly mixed and smells so delicious you can't help but lick the spoon) thanks to the organic chocolate liquor and vanilla extract used to scent the product. Since it's rich in antioxidants, the dark chocolate in the formula also fortifies your skin, helping to make skin appear more luminous and supple, while organic shea butter softens and conditions. Organic sugar particles and volcanic stone polish off dead skin layers to reveal younger-looking skin without feeling abrasive or harsh (thanks in large part to the shea butter, which melts onto the skin and creates a protective layer of sorts).

 

 

 

Tsumori Chisato Shooting Hearts Dress, $468. Available at LaGarconne.com

Tired of following Katy Perry's advice to be a firework? Then aim to be a shooting star instead with this perky frock by Tsumori Chisato. Made in Japan, the rayon and silk dress features short flutter sleeves, a gathered waistline with drawstrings at the sides, and a rounded neckline with a front keyhole opening. The relaxed fit and light ruching add an easiness and a bit of edge to the adorable heart and stars print.

 

Banana Republic Enameled Geo Bangle, $35. Available at BananaRepublic.com

Simple yet chic, this silver-plated bangle features slanted sides that create a Mod era-esque effect while the punchy honeysuckle pink enamel filling the bangle nods to the colors of the Swinging Sixties. 

 

 

Free Endearment Dana Rose Clutch, $375. Available at FreeEndearment.com

Embrace the spirit of Valentine's Day with this blush pink Dana clutch from Free Endearment, which features laser-cut heart details, along with a mosaic-like design of jasmine-like flowers and leaf-like shapes that read like a vine in an enchanted forest. This envelope-shaped clutch features an elongated tab that slips through an upward-facing bracket-like slot. A dainty chain link strap features a leather strip along its center to soften the metallic bits and make wear more comfortable.

 

 

 

LUSH Lots of Love Wrapped Gift, $49.95. Available at LUSHusa.com

What woman can't appreciate a hatbox filled to the brim with sensual bath and body treats? This particular box, however, is covered with a romantic design: a tree with red and pink hearts in lieu of leaves and lovebirds perching atop some of its branches. Though LUSH is offering customers a broad array of Valentine's Day-themed gift options, we're particularly smitten with this set, which includes the following items: Rose Queen Bath Bomb, Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, A French Kiss Bubble Bar, 1000 Kisses Deep Perfume, Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, and Lust Soap.

Shaped like a scoop of strawberry ice cream, the Rose Queen Bath Bomb is ideal for a long and relaxing soak since, not only does it contain fragrant rose absolute, but it's packed with rose petals that unravel as the sphere dissolves in the water. The Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, meanwhile, will bring out any gal's friskier side with a blend of jasmine oil, a known aphrodisiac, and ylang-ylang oil, clary sage, oil and softening soy milk. After a soak, you can pat yourself dry and feed your skin with some of the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, which features argan oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, cupuacu butter, Brazil nut oil, geranium oil, and rose absolute to hydrate skin, seal moisture within the epidermis, stimulate collagen and elastin production, strengthen the skin's natural barrier, and smooth and soften skin.

These three products alone will make any woman feel pampered, but of course: more treats are included. If you want to share an intimate moment with your beloved, reach for the lavender-scented A French Kiss Bubble Bar, which is shaped like a lemon meringue (or a Hershey's kiss, if you will) and dissolves in the water to yield a frothy, sudsy bath that's big enough for two!

 

Hugo Guinness for Coach Collection -- A Reverie with Dancing Coffee Cups, Key Rings, and Handcuffs

 

 

 

The inky, minimalist, black-and-white drawings and linoleum-cut prints by Brooklyn-based British artist Hugo Guinness often focus on inanimate objects — from garden chairs to vintage typewriters, oven mitts, architectural columns, double-decker buses, binoculars, faucets, urinals, kitchen ovens, and tractors — thereby transforming mundane miscellany into transcendental, muse status-worthy fodder, an Andy Warholian approach to creating art but minus the pomp and flash that accompanied the latter's productions. Rather than obsessing over perfectly symmetrical forms, realistic proportions and shading subtleties, Guinness seems to sketch with the impatience of an excitable 7-year-old, but it's precisely those imprecisions and imperfections that make his work so endearing, so whimsical. 

Now, you can add a hint of this playful spirit into your choice of accessories with the debut of the limite-edition Hugo Guinness for Coach, an array of handbags, wallets, and other leather goods featuring hand-cut linoleum prints designed by Guinness. 

Handbag lovers will gravitate toward the Hugo Guinness for Coach Reversible Totes ($398 each at Coach.com), available in three different designs: Coffee Cup, Boxer, and Handcuffs. Each tote is reversible, so that one side features smooth vachetta leather, while the other is made of cotton canvas and features a unique Guinness design. When you're looking for a city chic look, then, you can display the funky canvas exterior while, when you're headed to a business meeting, you can turn the purse inside out to show the prim leather side.

The Hugo Guinness for Coach Coffee Cup Reversible Tote, for instance, features a black cotton canvas exterior with a white illustration of a New York City diner coffee cup and Guinness' HG signature and date (as shown above at top). If you turn the purse inside out, however, the canvas design will then become the lining of an almond-colored vachetta leather purse with the HG limited-edition logo at top. These totes measure 13 1/4" in length, 15 3/4" in height, and 3 3/4" in width, making them roomy enough alternatives for even my fellow bag ladies. Similarly, the Hugo Guinness for Coach Boxer Reversible Tote features a black leather shoulder strap, one side covered in black leather (tucked inside the bag in the photo above), and a white cotton canvas side (shown along the exterior in the above photo) with an original Guinness linoleum print of a shrieking boxer, his hands at his sides, and his gloves practically touching his breathable shorts, the band of his shorts featuring the letters "GRRH" perhaps to signal frustration or pain. Last, there's the Hugo Guinness for Coach Handcuff Reversible Tote, which features a black leather side, a black leather shoulder strap, and a black canvas side with a linoleum print of a set of handcuffs in white. 

One of the smartest, cheekiest offerings in the collection is the Hugo Guinness for Coach Sunglass Case ($148 at Coach.com), which features an original, hand-cut linoleum print of a pair of Ray-Bans emblazoned atop a naturally tanned vachetta leather case with tonal stitching, a snap closure, and microfleece lining to ensure your shades' lenses remain smudge-free and unscratched. 

If you carry around more keys than a superintendent and train inspector combined, you'll find the Hugo Guinness for Coach Keys Zip Top Keycase ($118 at Coach.com) an ideal choice. The pouch-like vachetta leather case features a zip-top closure and a leather strap with a keyring. Adorned with a linoleum print of a set of keys fanning out from the ring to which they're attached, forming a circular shape, the case will allow you to keep all those lock-turning essentials organized and still leave you room to tuck in some loose bills, an ID, and perhaps a lip gloss tube. The key case measures 3 1/4" in length and 5 " in height.  

The simplest piece in the collection is the Hugo Guinness for Coach Coffee Cup Key Ring ($68 at Coach.com), which features Guinness' iconic coffee cup print atop a vachetta leather cut-out. This detail is, of course, attached to a short silver-toned chain with both a lobster claw clasp and a split key ring.

The collection also includes men's wallets, an iPad case, and other knickknacks, so make sure to check them all out!

Get Those Claws In Maneater Shape With The Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips Valentine's Day Collection

 

Talk about the five heartbeats! Right in time for Valentine's Day, Sally Hansen has introduced a flirtatious, playful, romance-themed collection of its Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. If you're not familiar with these manicure-in-a-box wonders, each Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips package includes a wooden cuticle, stick, a nail file/buffer, an instruction manual, and 16 adhesive strips of varying sizes so that you can select the one closest to your nail with and length. After carefully peeling each strip off of its backing and gently placing it atop the nail, you'll want to press the sticker-like strip onto the nail and smooth the light pink buffer atop it, applying just a bit of pressure. Any excess length can be gently folder over the top of the nail and filed off using the light pink buffer. After repeating the process for all 10 of your digits, you'll have a funky mani that require no drying time and that can last you 7-10 days. 

The Valentine's Day collection includes five adorable new patterns, all available for a limited time only. There's "Love Always," pictured above at top, which features a white backdrop resembling a blank piece of paper with the word "love" spelled in a multitude of languages and font styles: "Amore" in a basic Helvetica-ish font, "Amour" in cursive lettering, "Love" in retro bulbous letters outlined in red, "I <3 U" with a big red heart in between the two letters, and so on. Two additional designs burst with affection: "Cross My Heart," pictured third from top, which features a pale orchid pink backdrop and "Xs" and heart symbols in a purplish magenta color, arranged to resemble the traditional "XOXOXO" pattern that has become symbolic of the phrase "hugs and kisses" in our shorthand-loving, abbreviation-prone culture; and "Speed Dating," shown fourth from top, which features metallic red hearts in different sizes dancing around a metallic white backdrop.

If you're looking for something a bit less cutesy, check out the "How Romantic!" design, pictured second from top, a Mondrian-esque design with a bit of a Mod attitude thanks to its cube-centric pattern, featuring bold pops of purple, red, and a deep honeysuckle pink. This is one of the most versatile designs in the collection since, aside from the incorporation of pink and red hues, there's nothing about it that intuitively signifies Valentine's Day. Another nice option: "Are You Single?", shown last above, which features a burgundy backdrop with a foil-like finish and, atop it, metallic ruby-colored leafy vines that swirl graciously, and scattered pearly white swirls with heart shapes dangling from their pointy tips.

Each of the Valentine's Day-themed Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips is priced at $9.99 and is available at mass food and drug retailers, including Ulta.com

Check out how these lovable designs look when applied to nails after the jump!