Blog Posts by Harper s Bazaar

By Jennifer Baumgardner


The other night, I met a girl who reminded me of you," my friend Elizabeth said. It was a steamy Saturday afternoon in May, and I was rushing down a narrow Greenwich Village street to buy flowers for my wedding. "This girl, she was smart and feminist and said she was bisexual," Elizabeth continued. "I said, 'I know how this works. You'll be married in 10 years.'" It's hard when your wedding day is used as evidence that your life is a sham. On a certain level, though, I understand the confusion. How can you be bisexual and married? If marriage isn't about picking a team, what is?

RELATED: My Husband's Secret Gay Life

My run-in with Elizabeth made me think. I never thought I'd marry, even before I fell in love with a female intern at my first job in New York. That relationship--surprising, shocking, and thrilling--jolted my identity.

RELATED: Is Staying In Love A Choice?

My 20s and 30s were a series of big loves with men and women, but the biggest one of all

By Jessica Prince

We loved the lock look at Prada's fall 2011 show. Hairstylist Guido anchored the 1960s Catherine Deneuve-inspired ponytails with a simple, silver Goody barrette ($3.29 for a pack of 4) for a "very girly, very young, innocent sophistication," he explained. Goody Jenna Barrettes (pictured above right) are available at drugstores nationwide.

RELATED: Get Fabulous Hair At Every Age

• Look Younger Without Plastic Surgery or Botox
• Supermodels Without Makeup
• Naked Celebrities - Unretouched!
• The Best Celeb Hairstyles and How to Copy the Look
  
• Photos: Celebs Before Stylists

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

No need for a complete overhaul. It only takes a few tweaks to get your wardrobe spring-ready. Here, some fashion and beauty suggestions that will help you make it your chicest season yet! By Véronique Hyland

#1: Tribal Print Maxidress For evenings, opt for a floor-sweeping gown in a bold ethnic print.

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#2: Neon Lips
Muster the courage to wear bold pink lipstick. (A long-wearing version stands up to the occasional straw.)

RELATED: See our editors wearing the season's bright lipstick shades and vote on your favorite!














#3: Friendship Bracelets
Relive your summer camp days with a grown-up take on the classic.













#4: Surf Details
Neon, zippers and neoprene give basics a sportif touch.

















#5: Center-Part Your Hair
The simple style looks fresh again, as long as locks have plenty of volume.

RELATED: Get gorgeous hair at every age.


















#6: Sleeveless Trench
Lop off the sleeves for a safari-inspired look that doubles as a

Straight from the spring runways, here are five of the must-try-now hair and makeup tips from for any girl with the desire to start out the spring season on the right foot.

#1 Get a Gray Manicure
A tough slate shade on nails adds an edgy touch to spring's ladylike looks.

RELATED: 7 Ways To Make Your Mani/Pedi Last Longer













#2 Wear a Center Part
The simple style looks fresh again, as long as hair has plenty of volume.

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#3 Don a Colorful Eyeshadow
Dare to try out a lush purple shade on your lids.

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#4 Chop It All Off
A choppy bob shows off strong cheekbones to their full advantage.

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#5 Wear Metallic Liner
Stun with shiny, metallic-tinged eyes.

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More from Harper's Bazaar:

• Look Younger Without Plastic Surgery or Botox
• Supermodels Without Makeup
• Naked Celebrities - Unretouched!
• 21 Ways to

#1: Bright Bangles
Don't hesitate to pile on the colorful bracelets. The more, the merrier.


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#2: Wide-Brim Hat
Top things off with an urban take on the beach staple.

RELATED: 21 ways to wear spring's hottest colors.


















#3: Dynasty-Style Jewelry
Bold gold pieces add some oomph.

RELATED: The season's best gold jewelry.
















#4: The New Cover-Up
A loose, mesh-like weave keeps off the chill.


RELATED: Green must-haves for spring.














#5: Mad Men Sunglasses
Get smart in early '60s frames.


RELATED: More chic tips for spring!













More from Harper's Bazaar:

• Look Younger Without Plastic Surgery or Botox
• Supermodels Without Makeup
• Naked Celebrities - Unretouched!
• 21 Ways to Wear Spring's Hottest Colors
  
• Spring's 3 New Shapes and How to Wear Them

Subscribe to Harper's Bazaar

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

If there's anything Michelle Obama loves, it's a bright color and an affordable price.The First Lady stepped out in Marc by Marc Jacobs today in Brazil. The Simone dress she's sporting combines two of our favorite trends for spring: bright hues and bold stripes.




RELATED: Get all the essential spring fashion trends and shopping tips

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More from Harper's Bazaar:

• Look Younger Without Plastic Surgery or Botox
• Supermodels Without Makeup
• Naked Celebrities - Unretouched!
• 21 Ways to Wear Spring's Hottest Colors
  
• Spring's 3 New Shapes and How to Wear Them

Subscribe to Harper's Bazaar

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Spring is all about eye-catching shoes, whether that means a tribal print or a neon shade. Best of all, a great shoe can freshen up your entire look for the season, without breaking the bank. Here are some of our favorite options.






#1: These Aldo wedges have a fun tribal print that echoes some of the looks from the runways. $90 at aldo.com.



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#2: Try out spring's bold stripes with these Nine West sandals. $99 at macys.com.



RELATED: How to Wear Bold Stripes











#3: Nervous about overloading on color? Try a neutral shoe with a few bright straps. Nine West shoes, $89, ninewest.com.



RELATED: The Best Neutral Shoes and Bags for Spring.




















#4: Cobalt blue is one of the season's top hues. Accentuate it with bronze hardware. Topshop shoes, $160, us.topshop.com.




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#5: A strappy red sandal is always a classic. Sergio Rossi shoes, $200, dsw.com.


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See more bright shoe

Spring's bright nails and toes look great - until they chip. And sometimes, that can be less than 24 hours after leaving the salon. Jane Park, CEO of Julep Nail Parlor in Seattle, shares the secrets to a 7-day nick-free manicure.

By Jessica Prince

1. Request a Fresh Bottle: Salons often add thinners to nail polish to extend the shelf life - good for them, bad for you. "Thinners compromise both the color and integrity of the polish," says Park. If a bottle is less than three-quarters full, ask your technician for a new one. "A fresh bottle of polish can make your pedicure last weeks longer than when using an older bottle," explains Park.

2. Carry Around Your Cuticle Oil: It not only protects against unsightly rough skin and painful hangnails, but it also keeps polish from chipping. We love Julep Essential Cuticle Oil ($8.95) because its roller-ball applicator is easy to apply throughout the day. Apply it on the cuticle and across the polish twice a day.

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