Recently in Nails Category

The day after the end of New York Fashion Week I made my way back to Bryant Park for an event that Sephora hosted to unveil their S/S 2010 collection. A number of goodies were revealed, but see below for the most exciting! All items will be launching nationwide at Sephoras in May.

Color Play 5-in-1 (pictured above)
Hard to believe but this limited edition palette is only $29.50! It includes five smaller color palettes each of which can be popped-out and plopped into the travel case shown on the right. The set comes with 50 eye shadows, 10 lip color, and five blushes.

Sephora by OPI Havana Nights
New nail colors for the season will be --

• Rumba Romance - brilliant golden bronze
• Teal We Meet Again - dramatic blue-green
• Havana Dreams - sunny sky blue
• Read My Palm - lush, tropical green
• Caliente Coral - bright coral
• Carribean Cocktail - shimmering sea blue

Each of the shades ($9 each), are high on vibrancy and shine. I have a feeling the golden bronze will be one of the "it" shades of the summer!

I.T. Makeup Brush Collection
I love that Sephora turned to an architect (Philippe Di Meo), to design their latest brush collection (highest quality to date, $14-$40). Not only are they super chic because of their metallic color-coded finish (fuchsia for the face, violet for the eyes, and blue for the brows), but caps were created for each brush to protect the bristles and to help keep the brushes clean (the brushes I use now are from Prescriptives and to avoid getting them dirty I have to store them in Ziploc bags!).

EDUN for Sephora
EDUN is an apparel brand that aims to raise awareness of the possibilities in Africa to encourage emulation. To help achieve this goal, EDUN and Sephora created two palettes ($36) with proceeds going to the Wildlife Conservation Society, a global charity that supports the Conservation Cotton Initiation program (which helps African farmers develop organic cotton in a way that supports community, trade, its development and biodiversity). The palette comes in two shade combinations (each with six shadows and two blush shades): White (warm neutrals) and Black (cool brights), and each comes housed in a natural wood case along with an organic cotton drawstring pouch.

A Beautiful Life is a new line of polishes created using all natural ingredients. They've also got a soy nail polish remover infused with citrus extracts (it smells like grapefruit!).

Both the polishes ($12) and the remover ($20) are free of the DBP, Toulene, and Formaldehyde, chemical compounds, and carcinogens commonly found in many polishes and removers on the market today. The polish collection has 12 shades (both natural and bolder shades), which come in recyclable packaging. I'm currently sporting the Rockstar shade which is a high-shine metallic that I like because it looks blue in some lights and purple in others. 

Bendel's is a great place to shop for cosmetics, because they've got all the staples like Chanel along with a slew of up-and-coming, not available at many other places, niche brands. Among the niche brands they now carry is Ginger + Liz, a new nail polish line started by two former models. I got to check-out the line during Fashion Week when I stopped by Robert Verdi's Fashion Week Retreat (aka his fab office aptly called Luxe Laboratory), and was immediately intrigued by all the fun polish names (Boy Toy, New Money, Boss Lady...). The two women who started the brand are super, young, sweet and bubbly (though I'm a bit biased because Liz kept complementing my nails and skin, so how could I not lover her:-)). Check-out all their shades here . My fave is Put a Ring on It ($12), which I sported throughout Fashion Week. The shades are very color-rich, so if you're in a rush, you'll be able to get away with one coat.

Last chance to grab beauty goodies in time for Valentine's Day!  I'm ordering a few selections for my son's teachers (he said he wants them to smell good!) and my girl friends (strange that I have 6 friends born this month!).  Here are my faves--

·Sephora Brand Pink Grapefruit Bath and Body Collection ($12-$16) - Seriously, Sephora's private label will give any brand a run for their beauty.  Plus it's so well priced!  This smells refreshing and is oh so hydrating!

·Fresh Sugar Lover Set ($69 Value) Sugar Lover Set ($45, $69 Value!) - Cure your sweet tooth with this trio for the skin, lips and nose. This is a limited edition and it's at a discounted price, you'd be a sour puss to say no.  I never travel without the Sugar lipbalm and I can not live without my Brown sugar scrub!

·NARS Temptation Gift Set ($42 Value) Temptation Gift Set ($32, $42 Value!) - Gift yourself this V-Day with this pairing of polish and blush in the brand's most beloved shade, Orgasm. Hello, need I say more?

·Sephora Brand I Love Sephora Brush Set - Pink ($120 Value) I Love Sephora Brush Set - Pink ($28, $120 Value!) - A delightful pink and portable set of five brushes that will give your face, eyes, and lips a loving glow.

The OPI matte nail polish destroyed my nails. I have super strong nails that take quite a beating to break. After one use of the matte polish, my nails have been dried out and they are cracking and peeling off in layers until my nails are wafer thin. I had to cut all my nails down to the nubs to avoid further injury. Aside from the damaging effects, it looks terrible - like concrete. It's just nails on a chalk board every time I look at it. And it does not go on smoothly so there are ridges and bumps (done by a nail professional who normally does a great job!!). It also started chipping after one day!! It says not to use "base coat, top coat, drying products, or hand lotion when wearing Matte". No lotion? How is that possible? I know this trend didn't take off, thus, not exactly a "trend" but in case you're curious and wanted to experiment - consider yourself forewarned!!! At OPI.

The beauty trend is soft and feminine for Spring 2010 and Chanel's latest make up collection is no exception.  'Coco' Chanel left an indelible imprint on countless women with beautiful, practical and lasting designs that enhanced a woman's natural allure and LES IMPRESSIONS DE CHANEL -- a collection of clean, classic neutrals-- pays homage to her legacy.  The colors in the collection are infinitely wearable and effortlessly chic, like the mademoiselle herself!  I have not sampled any of the items yet but am ready for the pure, fresh look that was shown on Chanel's Spring-Summer 2010 Ready-to-Wear runway show. I'm most anxious to test out the Soleil Tan de Chanel, a sheer illuminating fluid.  It's 10 degrees here and I'm thinking if I look sunkissed, I might feel warmer. I'm planning a trip to the Chanel counter this weekend to play with the collection-- can't wait!  At Chanel counters worldwide or see the collection on Chanel.com here.

Because not everyone can afford to spend $45 on a La Mer balm, but not everyone is OK with walking around with a decidedly un-chic tube of Blistex, I'm excited to share a great find with you - Sula's Shea Butter Balms ($9 -- Sula is sold at retail stores like Anthropology)! The balm can be used anywhere from your lips to your nails to touch-up dry spots when you're home or on-the-go. Personally I don't like to mix it up (ie I'm not going to stick my hand in a pot and then on my lips, elbows, cuticles, etc... So I've just been using the Sula Rosa Damascena Balm on my lips. There's a great Vaseline-like greasiness to it that's instantly moisturizing and soothing. Its also got a light flavor that lingers for a few minutes after the application. The only downside is -- and part of this is because the weather is particularly horrible right now in NYC -- I have to re-apply the balm about every hour even when I'm home surrounded by a giant humidifier.

Many moons ago -- back when Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs still hosted the show -- I was obsessed with 20/20. One Friday night they had a segment about the dangers of nail salons and interviewed a mother and daughter who went to a local salon for a mani-pedi for the daughter's birthday and ended-up with this awful permanent scarring because of un-sanitized tools that were used. Needless to say I was traumatized. As a result I pretty much never get my nails professionally done. I took exception a few weeks ago however when I was at Dashing Diva. I was assured that the tools were all sanitized and one-time-use (they even give them to you to take home if you want). That said this entry is not about my mani-pedi experience, which despite being great didn't have nearly as big of an impact on me as their fab new nail color collection. Pictured above, I'm completely in love with the shade all the way to the left (I picked it out having no idea that it was new or that Dashing Diva even sold polishes). It's called Jazz Nights ($8) and it's red with bright ruby red glitter. Unlike similar ones I've seen from Illamasqua and Sephora brand however it's not sheer at all -- even one coat will completely cover your nails in red glittery fabulousness. Perfect for the holiday season! I have yet to try any of the other shades, but jump for the list of the other new colors!

I've never really given Estée Lauder much thought until recently; when I was a kid, it was my aunt's favorite (White Linen anyone?) and I always thought of it as the brand for the mature set.  That's all changing, however, under the direction of the very young and very chic Aerin Lauder (I see her at the Oscar show each season and she is so poised and beautiful, no tantrums from her when they ask her to get in line, she stood behind us at the last show!).  The latest collaboration with Michael Kors, Very Hollywood, is a stunning collection of modern palettes in shades of pinks and corals.  Even the packaging has been redesigned with Michael's modern glam sensibilities. 
 
I had the chance to play with the collection a couple of weeks ago at a press event and became obsessed with the Rodeo Pink palette.  I'm happy to report that the lip glosses no longer have a strange scent and are ultra moisturizing and shiny!  I'm not usually a coral girl but this coral is very natural without any tinge of orange-y ness, the entire collection is very neutral and perfect for all skin colors.  Read on for a quick Q & A with Michael Kors!

The collection will be at counters starting in January.  Sign up for Estee Lauder newsletter here to be notified when it becomes available on line.

This is one of my favorite new MAC lines, I received a sample of the Mineralized shadow duo in purple/silver (Devil May Care $19.50 on left) and it's one of the most gorgeous purple shadows I've tried.  Honestly, most of my MAC samples go to our young assistants cuz the colors are so out there and sparkly but this collection is wearable (though still a bit sparkly so proceed the metallics with caution!).

Another item worthy of trying is the metallic nail lacquer (either in blue/pink frost or the silver below $12).  I like the consistency of MAC nail polishes, goes on without the little annoying bumps and will last a good week without chipping or peeling.  MAC holiday- Magic Mirth and Mischeif here.