Valentine Fashion: Stylish Ways to Say I Love You
By Sharon Mosley Monday, February 02, 2009, 03:36 PM EST
Here are some of my favorite picks:
— Jewelry from designers Stephen Webster and Marco Bicego. From diamonds to pink tourmalines to garnets, dazzle her this Valentine's Day with these gems. Choose from an 18K white gold Romantic Kiss ring with red garnet, rubies and diamonds ($5,900) or an 18K white gold Large Love Haze pendant with red garnet and diamonds ($22,000).
— A lip balm cleverly disguised as a gloss, which gives lips a Valentine's Day advantage. Who wants to pull a blah balm out of her purse on a romantic date? Enter Pucker Protector, the ultimate Valentine's Day asset. Get it for $14 at www.missoops.com.
— How about a round up of spa treatments available just in time for Valentine's Day? Le Merigot in Santa Monica, Calif., (1740 Ocean Ave., 310-395-9700) is offering a special Valentine's Day package which includes: two full session aromatherapy massages, caviar & pearl lifting facial and skin fit caviar — for him — all for $560 (gratuity included).
Or check out The Spa at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach, Calif., (1221 West Coast Highway, 888-445-7153) who is offering an "AMORE" spa package for two: with floral massages, an European clarifying facial for her and a gentleman's facial plus chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. This package costs $460 for members of the Balboa Bay Club & Resort and $540 for nonmembers.
— Carol's Daughter's fragrance sets. Pamper yourself with the scent of roses or the sweetness of honey in new sets ($36). Or choose honey and chocolate brown sugar bath bombs ($7.50) at www.carolsdaughter.com.
— Agent Provocateur, London's infamous lingerie empire synonymous with seduction, pleasure and provocation of the senses, introduces Eau de Parfum. Entirely feminine with an exotic floral chypre, it is perfect to wear or gift on Valentine's Day. It is available at Bloomingdale's for $110.
— With Stila's new Paint Your Pout Red Talking Palette, you can take your lips from Plain Jane to sultry siren in under a minute, flat. Start with the lip smoother, and then dip the enclosed retractable lip brush into your choice of the three tones of red provided. Go ahead, give your valentine a perfectly painted red kiss. Available exclusively at Sephora (www.sephora.com), the price is $45.
— A customizable gloss will make your kisses irresistible. As a gift for him, get one made in a color to perfectly flatter your face, but have it modified with his favorite flavor: bellini, coconut, chocolate, etc. Or, as a gift for her, treat her to a custom blend session — a trained blender will help her choose a color and finish that flatter her unique features for the ultimate luxury. At select Prescriptives' counters nationwide and at www.prescriptives.com, the price is $26.
— Philosophy's cinnamon hot dots add a touch of cinnamon and spice to your Valentine's Day shower or bath routine. This high foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath provides a rich lather to gently cleanse and soften your skin and hair. This fun, candy-inspired formula also makes a delicious bubble bath to begin or end your day. Find it at www.philosohy.com for $16.
— "The Face-Off" kit by Anthony Logistics offers a variety of products for the ultimate shave experience: Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Facial Scrub, Shave Cream and After Shave Balm. Locate it at Ulta, Bath and Body Works, select Sephora locations and www.anthony.com for $40.
— Try The Body Shop's luxurious Moroccan Rose Bath & Massage Oil ($16), which can be used for a relaxing massage or bathing bliss. Imbued with rose oil and perfect for softening skin, this fragrant oil also contains rosehip oil that is renowned for its moisturizing properties. Community Trade organically-grown soya oil from Brazil is also included, which is rich in essential fatty acids to help restore the skin's natural moisture barrier.
— Think pink and Victoria's Secret Pink collection of everything from pajama shorts, panties and bras to bathing suits ... all decorated with pretty pink hearts. Visit www.victoriassecret.com for more information.
— Take heart with a new pair of shoes this Valentine's Day. Go for a pair of popular flip-flops from Havaianas; they are sprinkled with colorful hearts that glow in the dark for $18 to $28 at www.havaianas.com. Or choose a fun pair of authentic Swedish clogs decorated with red and white dots or hearts at www.capeclogs.com.
— Foot Petals has a signature Tip Toe style in a pink heart shape. Place under the ball of the foot to relieve pressure and support feet in high heels. Go to www.footpetals.com for more details.
— Susan Posnick Cosmetics heats up Valentine's Day with a limited edition must-have: ColorMe Champagne Shimmer. With hints of pink and gold sparkle, this shimmer powder illuminates the skin and enhances a warm flushed look (from cheeks and eyes to decollete) with a hint of a light-reflecting shimmer. Available nationwide at fine apothecaries, spas and at www.susanposnick.com for $22.
— Wrap up a gift for yourself in a great big oversized linen scarf from "Love Quotes"... these soft, fringed scarves make great gifts. Plus, the company donates 10 percent of its proceeds to international children's charities. For more information, visit www.tobi.com.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING JEWELRY
With Valentine's Day fast approaching, there's usually a rush to the jewelry stores in search of gifts to dazzle and delight. For those who might be stumped once the jewelry counter is in sight, Jerry Ehrenwald, president of the renowned International Gemological Institute (IGI) and a graduate gemologist with 40 years of industry experience, sheds some light on the best baubles for her jewelry box.
"You can't go wrong with the classics," said Ehrenwald. "There are several key articles of jewelry that every woman should have in her collection and giving these ensures gift-giving success, time and time again."
With this in mind, Ehrenwald offers the following suggestions:
— Pearl earrings and/or necklace: Pearls are about as classic as jewelry gets. With their luminescent coloring, pearls can be worn with almost every color.
— Right-hand ring: Add glitz to her everyday ensemble. Ehrenwald advises looking for something with a colorful center stone, such as garnet or aquamarine.
— Diamond studs: A sophisticated selection because diamond studs will shine, no matter the occasion.
— Engagement ring: Maybe you're ready to let your valentine know that she's "the one?" Make sure to match the style of the engagement ring to her overall taste. If she loves antiques, consider a period design such as an Edwardian or Art Deco style ring. If she's a trendsetter, try a contemporary ring with a fancy color diamond. If she's a traditional gal, a diamond solitaire may be your best bet.
Ehrenwald also offers the following tips to help you navigate through the jewelry buying process:
— When shopping for colored gemstones, color saturation and tone are the most important factors. Vivid/bright colors with medium tone are the most sought after.
— When shopping for diamonds, remember that each one has distinct characteristics. Make sure to learn the 4 Cs — color, clarity, cut quality and carat weight — in order to make a knowledgeable purchase decision. You can find helpful information on the 4 Cs at www.igiworldwide.com.
— Ask for an independent grading report from an accredited, long-standing gemological institute, such as IGI, which will give you the opportunity to compare one gemstone's quality and value to that of another. In addition to providing an unbiased assessment of the diamond's 4 Cs, the report should also disclose if the stone is synthetic or has undergone any treatments or processes.
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.
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