Features for Thursday

If you love flowers, but get sad when they die, we've got some good news for you. There are myriad beauty products out there that take their cue from flowers--but last a heck of a lot longer! And with Mother's Day coming up, we thought there was no better time to bring them your way.

Red Flower Japanese Peony Cleansing Body Wash
From peony and Bulgarian rose to lily of the valley and lemon blossom, this silk extract-infused body wash not only makes skin smell amazing, but feel amazing, too.
$20 at redflower.com

Bond No. 9 Chinatown Scented Candle
If you're looking to really indulge, this floral-printed candle--scented with patchouli-spiked peach blossom, peony, gardenia, tuberose and cardomom--is totally the way to go.
$90 at bondno9.com

Stephanie Johnson Kensington Jumbo Zip Cosmetic Bag
A splashy floral pattern meant to evoke the ornamental flower beds of an English garden makes for such a joyful makeup bag, right?
$44 at stephaniejohnson.com

Thymes Kimono Rose Bar Soap
This set of triple-milled vegetable soaps just brings such an elegant air to the guest bathroom. Of course, if these were in our guest bathroom, that would be the one we'd use all the time ... but that's beside the point.
$18 at thymes.com

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh
The latest iteration of Marc Jacobs' popular Daisy fragrance contains notes of natural raspberry, grapefruit, pear, violet, wild rose, apple blossom, musks, cedarwood and plum, creating a fragrance that's at once whimsical, fruity and fun.
$35-$70 at sephora.com

We know, we know — time runs pretty short around your house. What with the sporting events, the play rehearsals, the shuttling kids back and forth ... if you ever get a moment to yourself, it's absolutely blissful! Well, we have a few tried and true products guaranteed to make you find the time for a little self pampering.

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Honey Bath
Take the ultimate relaxing bath when you pour a few cupfuls of this deliciously scented, delightfully foamy bubble bath into the tub.
$40 at lauramercier.com

Carol's Daughter Sweet Honey Dip Chocolate Brown Sugah Scrub
The deliciousness of chocolate — without any nasty calories! This scrub not only smells unbelievably delectable, but it leaves your body feeling super soft and smooth.
$34 at carolsdaughter.com

Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Bath & Shower
The kids have been screaming all day, and all you want is a few minutes of solitude and peace. Thanks to this shower gel, which contains balancing and restorative properties, calm is just a simple shower away.
$28 at moltonbrown.com

Philosophy Baby Girl
If anyone knows how to pamper a gal properly, it's Philosophy. This set — replete with fragrance, foot cream, hand cream, cleanser and lip balm — is perfect for new mommies.
$50 at philosophy.com

Bliss Softening Socks + Foot Patrol Set
Give your tootsies all the attention they deserve with this duo — one part cozy socks, one part rich cream, ALL parts totally luxe.
$58 at blissworld.com

Life got you rushing around like a chicken with your head cut off? Well, never fear — our time-saving beauty tips are here! If you've only got mere minutes to spare before your life as a busy mom sets in, you'll definitely want to check these out.

Shampoo at night.
When time gets away from you in the morning, it doesn't mean your hair has to suffer! Consider switching to longer showers at night so you can actually get in a shampoo and — gasp! — maybe even a conditioner after the kids are in bed. We love the Pantene Pro-V Color Hair Solutions Line, 4.99-$7.49 at drugstore.com.

Find a lipgloss/blush combo.
The best way to save time? Multitasking products! Whether you're actually using a lipstick as a blush or you use a product that does double duty, you'll definitely save time rifling through your makeup bag. Try Benefit Posietint, which imparts such a pretty pink flush on your lips and cheeks with just three strokes of your brush. $28 at benefitcosmetics.com.

Give your face a refreshing spritz.
Skin looking a little tired and worse for wear? No problem! Even if you don't have any moisturizer handy, you can still give your face a refreshing overhaul with a facial spritz. Try Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray ($20 at clinique.com), which replenishes the moisture in your skin and restores balance. Translation: you look refreshed and rejuvenated, even if you only got 30 minutes of sleep.

You spend all your time and money on everyone else in your life. Once in awhile, it's nice to spend a little extra on yourself, isn't it? And when it comes to these beauty products, we think you'll agree that the splurge is most definitely worth it.

BURN Asian Pear Persimmon Candle
We've burned quite a few candles in our day ... and believe us when we tell you that this is among the very best. It's worth every penny, not only because it has a burn time of over 50 hours, but because the blend of fuji apple, wild plum, green fig, sakura blossom and hibiscus are absolutely divine.
$50 at burncandles.net

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System
Looking to remove all that dirt and debris from your skin — while making it look and feel fresh and totally rejuvenated? This skincare brush is the answer. We dare you not to see results within just a few days.
$149 at clarisonic.com

La Mer The Eye Concentrate
If we could pick one product to take with us on a desert island, this would be it. Not only does it work to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and all that jazz ... it makes you feel like a princess with its dainty silver spoon.
$165 at cremedelamer.com

If there's one thing we hate, it's paying too much for beauty products. (And, yes, we spend a LOT on beauty products.) So believe us when we say that when we started embracing our inner recessionista and discovered a host of fabulous shower gels under $10, we jumped for joy. Check out our favorites!

Bath & Body Works Signature Collection CLASSICS Shower Gel Collection
Lemongrass Sage. Brown Sugar & Fig. Pearberry. Cotton Blossom. Discover all these delicious aromas and more when you check out the line's signature scent collection. We've always been partial to the oversized plastic bottles - they just look so good in our shower.
$9.50 each at bathandbodyworks.com

H20+ Raspberry Guava Shower & Bath Gel
If you're looking for a body wash that rejuvenates, revitalizes and completely reinvigorates you, this is the way to go. We love the fruity scent and the pretty pink hue - such a nice pick-me-up in the morning.
$9 at h20plus.com

Victoria's Secret Pear Glace Exhilarating Body Wash
For years now - and we're talking at least 15 - this has been at the top of our body wash must-have list. Pear nectar, cassis and violet combine to create a scent so tantalizingly delicious, we're surprised we haven't ever tried to drink it.
$8.50 at victoriassecret.com

The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel
Can you imagine how horrified we were when - gasp! - we once forgot to bring shower gel on vacation? Luckily, there was a Body Shop in our airport. As soon as we got a whiff of this fresh, citrusy scent, we were hooked.
$8 at thebodyshop.com

The economy may be on the rise, but that doesn't mean you should just throw all caution and money to the wind. We've come up with a few foolproof ways to not only save money, but save your products, too!

Use less shower gel with a pouf
Love shower gel, but hate how much you have to use with a washcloth? Well, the answer is simple — try a pouf! We've never seen a shower gel that needs more than a dime-sized amount squeezed onto any pouf, where you may use up to half a bottle on a cloth! An added bonus? They come in every color under the sun!
Try The Body Shop Bath Lily, $3 at thebodyshop.com

Stop washing your hair every day — get a shower cap!
We know, we know ... if you don't wash your hair every day, it feels greasy and oily. Well, we're here to tell you that if you just let that happen for a couple weeks, your hair will get on board and be shiny and gorgeous for up to 4 days between washes! Just get a shower cap to protect your strands while in the shower in between.
Try the Hello Kitty Shower Cap, $16 at sephora.com

Moisturize while your skin is still damp
That old adage about your skin being softer if you moisturize while it's still wet? It's totally and completely true! But there's another added benefit — you actually need less lotion if you slather it on damp skin! Try a quarter-sized amount instead of gobs and gobs. We're serious!
Try Fresh SugarBath Lemon Body Lotion, $22.50 at sephora.com

You're running around all day, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take a few minutes to make sure you look and feel your best! Luckily, there are some products out there that will make you look and feel beautiful in a snap — these are the ones that are perfect for quick touchups on the go.

NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm
Give yourself a gorgeous flush in seconds, thanks to this pretty peachy pink! Added bonus? It looks amazing on every skin tone.
$27 at narscosmetics.com

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
From the scent of rosewater to the freshening feel the mist leaves upon the skin, this is the mist that keeps on giving.
$31 at sephora.com

GO SMiLE Fresh Mint Touch Up
Keep those pearly whites looking, well, white! These ampoules are minty fresh and remove stains from teeth in a pinch.
$10 at gosmile.com

L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream
No matter how dry your hands, this cream perks them up in a pinch thanks to shea butter and almond oil.
$26 at beauty.com

You're dead tired ... but you don't want the whole world to know that. Luckily, thanks to these products, no one will be any the wiser! Look alive, awake, even refreshed, thanks to these miracle workers.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Rose
A little rose here, a little blush there, and you'll look so rested people will be asking how you snuck in those eight hours.
$38 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Want to look younger in just 7 days? This serum seriously works. Truth be told, we had people telling us we looked 10 years younger in just 1 week!
$58-$98 at lancome-usa.com

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Look luminous, radiant and glowing in seconds with just a dime-sized amount of this balm pressed into your skin.
$45 at clarins.com

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
This isn't a cult favorite for nothing! Even if you don't have time for mascara, curl your lashes with this and your whole face will come alive.
$19 at shuuemura-usa.com

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
The concealer that works many miracles! Banish undereye circles, blemishes, red spots, you name it.
$40 at sephora.com

Seen all over the runways for spring? Bright lips! From Jil Sander's and Diane von Furstenberg's pink lips to the oranges seen at Marc Jacobs and Marni (above), shockingly vibrant hues were the most important accessory a woman could have. But if the thought of showing up to your son's soccer game or the next PTA meeting sporting a tangerine pout is more than you can bear, never fear! We've rounded up some extremely wearable options guaranteed to turn heads ... but in a much more subtle way.

Stila Lip Glaze in Fruit Punch
Control the amount of color with Stila's ingenious clickable wand — the more you click, the more color you'll sweep onto your lips!
$22 at stilacosmetics.com

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Pop Pink
The combo of gloss and stick here make this one of the coolest products we've yet to come across. And who doesn't love pink lips?
$20 at esteelauder.com

NARS Super Orgasm Lip Gloss
There's nothing dirty about this one, we swear! We just love the name — and the shimmery peachy-pink hue it leaves behind.
$24 at narscosmetics.com

Hello Kitty Apple Balm
Okay, seriously, have you ever seen anything cuter? We're reliving our childhood with this sweet, hydrating balm.
$9 at sephora.com

POP Beauty Petal Jam in Blooming Orange
Take a cue from Marni and paint your lips tangerine! This balm will keep them on the sheer side.
$14 at beauty.com

We know, we know ... shaving is a major pain in the you know what. Who wants to spend the time in the morning, in the evening, anytime really? But considering how amazing our legs feel every time we shave them, we figure we'll keep doing it. And at least there are some pretty fabulous products out there guaranteed to make it at least a little more enjoyable! Here are our favorites — we have a feeling they'll become yours, too.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Perfumed Shave Gel
What makes shaving fun? Shaving with such a beautifully scented gel, of course! We love everything Philosophy does, especially this feminine scent, so you'd better believe this is making its way into our shower.
$15 at sephora.com

The Art of Shaving After-Shave Body Milk in Rose Absolute
The scent of roses and the fact that this makes our legs super soft and smooth makes this luxurious product an absolute must-have.
$36 at beauty.com

Gillette Venus Breeze Razor
Perfect for those days when you just don't want to bother with the shave gel — because this razor has it built right in!
$10.99 at drugstore.com

Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel in Flirty Mango
Skintimate was the first shave gel we ever used, and we find ourselves going back to it time and again. This luscious scent perks up each and every shave!
$2.99 at drugstore.com

EOS Moisturizing Shave Cream in Lavender Jasmine
Lavender and jasmine make for an indulgent, almost sensuous shaving experience. Can you think of anything better?
$5.15 at soap.com