Blog Posts by Harper s Bazaar

When we think of marriage, words that often come to mind include "commitment", "faithfulness", and "'til death do us part," but we generally don't toss in "just the two of us" because, well, that's generally assumed.

But take the unusual case of actress Tilda Swinton. She lives in a large, rambling house in Scotland with her twins and their father, playwright John Byrne. Her lover, Sandro Kopp, a beautiful, shaggy-haired artist nearly 20 years her junior, sometimes lives there, too. "We are all a family," she has said. "What you must also know is that we are all very happy."

Fascinated with the unorthodox concept, Harper's Bazaar decided to explore what giving up monogamy can mean for you and your relationship.

• In the 1910s and '20s, it was fashionable in certain circles to experience this sort of romantic experiment. Virginia Woolf's sister, Vanessa Bell, a ravishing, statuesque painter who liked to wear gypsyish head scarves, lived on an English country estate with her lover,

She came to fame as a quintessential California blonde. Now, five years later, she's taking a hiatus from the cameras, publishing her first book, and ditching her signature look to try life as a brunette.

Find out why she did it and if swarming fans and paparazzi can still spot her as a brunette. Plus, what she really thinks of Heidi Pratt's rumored Playboy spread and about Kristin Cavallari taking over her show.

See more photos of Lauren as a brunette here.

"You Look Like Hannah Montana"

When Lauren decided to leave The Hills, she considered dyeing her hair brunette so her producers couldn't coerce her back in front of the camera. "I went into a wig store and tried on a brown wig, and they all laughed at me," Conrad recalls. "All these women [who worked there] were like, 'You look like Hannah Montana.' I think initially the wig threw people off, but they figured it out. I felt like it only disguised me for a moment, and then it made me feel like I was hiding, which

People are obsessed with Kate Winslet, from head to toe. Oprah's gushed over her explicit (and bare-to-there) scenes in The Reader, her revealing red-carpet looks have invited many a comment on her dancer's legs, and her approachable beauty has made this actress and mom the new face of Lancôme. But as Winslet reveals in a recent interview, she never thought she was the hottest girl on the block and still that sense of every-dayness remains with her even now.

While these stunning photos belie this notion, Kate has plenty of thoughts on beauty and body image that she reveals in the full interview.

On Being the Face of Lancôme:

Her role as a model for Lancôme with her new campaign for L'Absolu Rouge lipstick, launching this month, came as a surprise to her. "I really thought, me?" Lest she seem disingenuous, she insists, "Seriously. Because I think what you feel like as a teenager never really goes away. If you were teased for being fat or thin or having bad teeth, you're

It's Emma Watson's moment and she's never looked more radiant.

The 19-year-old-star dazzled us Thursday night at the New York premier of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in a Proenza Schouler dress and black leather halter. And it wasn't the first time she's made us stop and stare.

We've watched her blossom from Harry Potter's frizz-haired sidekick into a lovely young lady and the new face of Burberry. And, unlike some other teenagers in the limelight, Watson is opting for sophisticated, age-appropriate cool.

Take a look at a few of our favorite Emma moments, plus the complete album including 15 more gorgeous looks here.

Emma looked fresh and fashion-forward in a Christopher Kane dress when she appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman on Wednesday.

On the cusp of her 20s, Watson shows a tad more skin - and fashion moxie - in a vintage Ossie Clark dress, seen here at the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in London.

It's summertime and we're baring it all, but not without the help of a few trusted beauty products. Sunscreen, bronzer, and the sheerest makeup possible are all must-haves, but what about products to tighten jiggly thighs and smooth cellulite? We tested products that promise perfect posteriors and found out what really works. Here we reveal the truth about four of the (sometimes uncomfortable) treatments -- click through for three more products you can use in the war on wobble.



The Elemis Skin Brush ($44), made of prickly cactus bristles, sloughs off dead cells to reveal the healthy layer beneath. Buff dry skin from your feet up to your bum before showering. "Yes, it hurts," one tester confesses, "but it really softens skin, so it's worth it."

Nivea Good-bye Cellulite fights cellulite from every angle. After the slightly sticky gel ($13.99) dries on thighs, "they're more taut." The feeling is fleeting, but the product is sold with pills that claim to metabolize fat over time

These days, fashion is all about the classics. Even the multimillion-dollar-celebs think so: It's exactly how Victoria Beckham pitched her new line of classic, corseted, below-the-knee 1960s-style dresses. "Because," she says, "in a recession, aren't all women looking for an investment that lasts?"

She said it, and a multitude of designers and shoppers are thinking it too. Rather than abandoning all indulgences, the smartest shoppers are simply cutting back and placing careful consideration into each of their selections. So whether you're a Madison Avenue shopaholic or bargain-barrel thrifter, you can find a way to embrace the "do less and invest" mantra.

• Decide Which Trends Make the Cut
  No to expensive jumpsuits. They may not be long-term players, unless you find one that's so spectacular, you know you'll revisit it regardless (fine to buy budget versions, though, because they look fun).
  Yes to beautiful florals and full-sleeved, raised-waist dresses that look

When it's sweltering hot and you're basking on a sandy beach or lounging in a poolside chaise, the last thing you want to deal with is melting makeup. The key to summer beauty is to keep your look simple. But if you're not totally comfortable going bare-faced, these are the only products you'll need.

Shimmer Lipstick
One quick coat of Lancôme Color Fever Shine Lipstick in Natural Glimmer ($25) polishes your look (and suits all skin tones).






Soft Bronzer
Dior Bronze Harmony Blush in Coral Riviera ($42) gives skin just the right amount of radiance. Brush onto cheeks, the bridge of your nose, and your forehead. Find the perfect bronzer for your age.




Luminous Shadows
The six sexy shades in the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Sand & Sea EyeShadow Palette ($38) will perfectly complement your (fake) tan.






Skin Saver
Oil free yet superhydrating, H2O Plus After Sun Body Serum ($25) contains aloe to leave your sun-soaked body soft and soothed. Try out more of summer's

She spent her 20s worrying and her 30s working nonstop. Now in her 40s, Sandra Bullock is living life her way. She rides motor bikes, farms, and isn't afraid to pee outside...so what's the one thing she won't tackle? Check out her gorgeous Harper's Bazaar cover shoot photos and find out why here life just keeps getting better.

She's Aging Backwards…
"Right now, I'm kind of getting into my childhood," says Bullock, by way of explanation. "I didn't have a teenage or early-20s experience that was free and without worry. I missed the screw-everything, have-a-good-time phase. I was worried that if I didn't stay on track and work, work, work, I was never going to accomplish anything. Now I'm trying to have fun and have the freedom to do nothing."
More ways Bullock's living younger than ever before >

What Her Near-Perfect Weekend Looks Like...
On a clear afternoon in the desert, Sandra Bullock was having a near-perfect Saturday. She and her husband of almost four years,