spring 2013


Hong Kong de Chanel for spring 2013 review

Inspired by the “modern elegance and glittering beauty of Hong Kong,” Chanel has created a special, limited edition collection aptly named, Hong Kong de Chanel. This new beauty collection features two nail polish hues and one eye shadow palette.

The eye shadow palette, “Pearl River,” is filled with light and dark neutrals which can easily integrate into any Fashionistas’ beauty collection. The two nail polish colors are named “Western Light” and “Eastern Light.” They are direct opposites! “Western Light” is a dark, chocolate brown which has a slight sparkle and “Eastern Light” is a creamy, pasty white nail polish. 

As someone who loves Chanel beauty products, I went ahead and purchased the entire Hong Kong de Chanel beauty collection. The eye shadow colors in “Pearl River” are perfect for both daytime and evening and easily integrated into my current eye shadow collection. This is a fabulous Chanel eye shadow palette which has colors that work for all four seasons.  The “Pearl River” eye shadows even have a slight sparkle! But make no mistake, they are not glittery, the eye shadow colors have a slight sparkle which is just enough to add a little dimension to the colors. Love that!

Chanel’s “Western Light” is a dark, chocolate brown nail polish color. Although this nail polish is being introduced now, at the beginning of the spring season, when I wore it, the color felt right for the late summer and fall seasons. If you like chocolate brown, since this is limited edition, I would buy it now and save it for August through November.  “Western Light” by Chanel applied smoothly and I was able to use two coats of colors without a top coat. The nail polish lasted for seven days before chipping! Fabulous!

“Eastern Light” by Chanel is a creamy white nail polish which will be perfect from April until August. The stark white nature of the color seems too bright for early spring. “Eastern Light” by Chanel did not apply evenly. This nail polish needs three coats for complete coverage. The result is a vivid white color which will look amazing with springs’ vivid pastel color palette as well as offer a neutral background for spring and summers’ bright and neon hues! Love that!

“Western Light” and “Eastern Light” nail polish by Chanel is priced at $30 for each color. The eye shadow palette, “Pearl River” by Chanel is priced at $80. The Hong Kong de Chanel beauty collection is limited edition and sold exclusively at Chanel boutiques and chanel.com. Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

*About the photos: Photos were taken without a filter and in natural light. Although frames were added to the photos, and white sparkles were added to the group photo of Hong Kong de Chanel, the colors were not modified or altered.
Eastern Light and Western Light by Chanel were shown with one base coat and no top coat. Western Light is shown with two coats of color and Eastern Light is shown with three coats of color.

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Photo credit: Cathy/Bay Area Fashionista 2013©


Shades of blue for spring 2013

Blue is a classic color which is well-loved by fashion-savvy men and women. Every season there is some form of blue on the runway. For spring 2013, there are no blue rules; every shade of blue is hot. Love that!

Since vivid pastels, bright colors and neon hues are of-the-moment for the spring 2013 season, there are three shades of blue which are instantly in the warm weather seasons’ color palettes. Baby blue, cobalt blue and neon blue are the natural blue hues for the season.
Of course, when it comes to blue for spring 2013, there are no rules. Blue fans are not limited to the three blue hues found most on the runways, there are more blues!

That’s right! Spring 2013 is not just about baby blue, cobalt blue and neon blue, this season is about sky blue, ice blue, light blue, dark blue. . .the list goes on! Every shade of blue visible to the eye is hot for spring 2013! 

Designers in New York, Paris, Milan and London loved the color blue and every designer chose his or her own shade to show for the season. Fashion-savvy men and women on the street have responded and shades of blue are turning up on everyone; and in every store. Shades of blue for spring 2013 can be worn together for an oceanic color palette or paired with other colors from the spring color palette. Anything goes when it comes to blue!

The blue trend is an easy trend to wear. Chances are, you have something blue in your closet! Of course, blue is a color with staying power, therefore, it is one hue you can invest in this season guilt-free. Love that!

We found a few fabulous blue items around the web and assembled them into this article. To shop the blue trend, please click on the photos in the shopping widget below. Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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The return of the Gladiator sandal for spring 2013

The Gladiator sandal was a huge trend a few years back in 2008. Celebrities and Fashionistas alike were caught wearing gladiator sandals with everything from red carpet looks to jeans. For the spring 2013 season, the gladiator sandal is back and the look is to wear them with a skirt or a dress.

Gladiator sandals are hot for spring 2013. The last time they were on-trend, Gladiator sandals were flat and looked like they really were worn by Gladiators! For spring 2013, the Gladiator sandal has gotten a little bit sassier. Gladiator sandals are not only being shown in flat styles, there are high heel and platform styles! Fabulous!

Gladiator sandals are being shown in all of the hot colors of the season as well as metallics and neutrals. Any heel height goes this season where the Gladiator sandal is concerned; but for the freshest heel height, look for a flat sole and 3” heel. Love that!

These not-so-simple shoes look fabulous with A-line skirts, flirty dresses and all of the patterns, solids and color blocked frocks of the season. Although Gladiator sandals have a strong look, they are the perfect contrast to spring 2013’s soft fabrics and girlish prints.

We found a few fabulous Gladiator sandals around the web and assembled them into this article. Hope you love them! To shop the sandals, please click on the photos in the shopping widget below and you will be taken to where you can find them online! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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