Recently in Nails Category

 The best color collection for fall I have seen BY FAR is MAC's Cult of Cherry. This color palate emphasizes smoldering eyes and ripe, plush lips to create a dramatic and sensual look. I have the quad in "Tempting", which has every color you need to play up whatever eye color you have, when my friends are raiding my makeup bag they are guaranteed to find something flattering for them to play with, lol. On my wish list: Silverstruck and Illegal Purple nail lacquer -swoon-! I am already picturing myself perched on a stool at one of my favorite bars, reaching hedonisticly for my martini, when the light hits my nails- a dark flash of the most royal purple informs people they are dealing with beauty royalty... Muahaha!

I've been very into pink fluorescent and deep reds/pinks all summer long (gotta love essie!), but now my mindset is turning to fall and I have to say that I'm kind of over all the color. The only problem with doing a 180 and going bare or with nude shades is that nail maintenance becomes even more important (especially because all the color has given my nails a touch of discoloration). I've had the hardest time tracking down a good manicure/pedicure kit (when I was about 10 I saw an episode of 20/20 about a young girl who went to get a mani/pedi with her mom and because the equipment used was not sanitized they both broke out in awful rashes/permanent scarring resulted...scared me for life! I have a total phobia of manicurist/pedicurist). My apartment is in walking distance from 4 different Sephoras, but my quest has been fruitless:( Thankfully I totally by chance was told about Red by Kiss and they have everything you can possibly need for ab fab looking toes and nails! More on how to get Katherine Heigl nails after the jump!

A few weeks back I wrote about essie's Neon Collection which I still think is one of the best collections (I wear the pink shade "Short Shorts" on my fingers and the orange shade "Mini Shorts" all the time), but I'm loving their current seasonal collection as well. I've been alternating the louder neon colors with the more classic summer colors...they're just really fun, happy colors for summer:) Also they're great for both day and night which is key for everything from makeup to clothing to accessories during the summer months. As all of essie's polishes always are, these colors are long-lasting (I'm a pretty active person and I've gone a week without reapplying), and you only need one coat. If this was a Steal vs. Splure post, essie would be the counter-part to Chanel...of course Chanel will always be number one in my book -- from quality to packaging they're just tops -- but essie has some truly innovative shades, great quality, and they're just $8!!! But unlike your typical Revlon and such, there's something undeniably cool about essie -- I have so many friends who only shop designer whether it be makeup, clothing or otherwise, and even lot of them will wear essie. I actually think a lot of that has to do with the fact that besides delivering an amazing quality product (their top coat and base coats are also wonderful -- they help protect your nails and make taking off your polish so much easier -- also nothing beats a little top-coat shine!), essie comes-up with the absolute cutest names for their colors -- Check-out the names they gave their summer colors after the jump!!

My mother always taught me that the three things you should always keep looking pretty and polished are your hair, your eyebrows and your nails. I try to heed my mothers advice, but being a 22 year old full time college student ...and working ...and trying to have a life can leave me rather distracted. This past weekend I moved home from my apartment, and all the cleaning and packing left my nails peeling and snaggely. Lucky for me I have Talika's Nail Regernerator serum! After soaking my nails and cuticles in the serum for a few days, my nails had already noticeably grown and are looking much healthier! Nail Regenerator Serum is made from combining only three ingredients- myrrh, benzoin and incense. These powerful plant oils nourishes, hydrate and restructure fragile and lifeless nails. The oil comes in a pen with a clicking dispenser, which is very easy and mess-free to use, and equally hassle free to store -(I heated my pen in hot water to warm up the oil before I used it, to make my application extra spa-like!). This product is like candy for your nails, you will see a difference in just a few days...use it twice a week for a month and you will see a big change!

Nail Regenerator Serum $37.00

I know, I know everyone has already heard that this season is all about the neons, so I hate to bring it up, buuuut I absolutely love essie's new line of neon colors. Just released, the limited-edition collection consists of--

Short Shorts, a flamingo pink
Mini Shorts, a vibrant orange
Shorty Pants, a lemon yellow
Bermuda Shorts, a bright purple

Not all shades of nail polish have the versatility that I have seen from MAC Demi-Blanc. Demi-Blanc is translucent and iridescent, perfect for a shiny topcoat on your favorite summer shade or layered by itself for shimmery, natural looking nails. This shade is perfect for summer! Summer nails should either be bright and fun or natural, you can add Demi-Blanc to complete both looks =) …Almost year round, I cut my nails short and usually sport a light pink shade. But with beach weather here, you will find me in my bikini wearing this sexy, barely there shimmer!

MAC Nail Lacquer in Demi-Blanc- $10

*This picture is quite a bit darker than what it looks like on your nails, I recommend going in and trying it on to see the real color.

Post by Beauty Snob Sharon:
With summer just around the corner, I am on the lookout for makeup to give my face that effortless sun-kissed glow, like I just got back from a relaxing week of sipping champagne on a yacht in St. Tropez (wouldn’t that be nice!). I am loving Chanel’s new summer colors. Chanel just got a new creative director for makeup, Peter Philips, and he is whipping up some wonderful bronzes, golds and shimmery tons all set to hit stores in July.

I have a feeling that Chanel’s $30 gold nail polish, a limited edition shade called Gold Fiction, will be this summer’s equivalent to Vamp and Black Satin. It comes in an opaque gold case and Christine Dagousset, who is the executive vice president of Fragrance and Beauté for Chanel, said that high-end pigments were used to get the color and finish just right, hence the shade retailing for $10 over the regular $20 price tag. Not that the price tag will stop Chanel devotees from buying the new shade, but for $20 I thought I was already getting high-end pigments!?
In any case, there are plenty of other stand-outs in this new collection including Facettes D’Or, a finely milled gold loose powder that is said to read as a subtle glow on the skin ($56), Gold Light Glossimer lip gloss ($26), Rouge Hydrabase lipstick shades in copper, plum and coral (each $27), and a quad eye shadow palette with gold, coffee, ivory and dark green eye colors ($56).

I have always had a weakness for Chanel. Everything from their soft brushes to their sleek, black packaging brings a smile to my face so, I can’t wait to hit the beach (Chanel sunglasses in tow!), decked out in these fabulous new shades.

Get Chanel at Saks Fifth Avenue!

Now that you have seen the new MAC Fafi line, you may be interested in a little background information on the Artist who created the cute cartoons. "Fafi" was born and raised in Toulouse, France. She has a strong street/graffiti style that is unique for its cute and feminine characters. If you are a New York native you may have even seen a design or two around town, you may also have seen her work on LeSportSac bags and Adidas shoes. When she teamed up with MAC for the new line she created three new "Fafinettes" Eriko, Monoka and Ermine who will be gracing the containers of everyones favorite makeup brand =)

For more information about the Artist, check out her web site at Fafi.net!

At first glance I was completely frightened by MAC's Fafi collection (from the photos of the models with brightly painted faces). I was just discussing my junior high school horror stories in the 80's with you guys and then this showed up at my door. Visions of my Souxie and the Banshees eyeliner with blue eyeshadow and sometimes red lipstick flashed before my eyes as I flipped through the look book. As I inspected the eyeshadow quad, lip glosses, blush and lipsticks I received I realized this was not my 80's rainbow bright make up. The colors are actually very sheer and used with a gentle hand, you can create a lot of fun looks for a night on the town! Okay, so the model in the ad campaign resembles Bozo but click to the jump page and you'll see different ways of putting together dramatic looks without scaring anyone. Eyeshadow Quad above is $36, when blended well, the colors will brighten and lighten your eyes.

Deborah Lippman is known as the manicurist to the stars. I don't know about you but I get a pretty good manicure at my place, not sure what she has that I can't get at my place, except her products that is. The Lippman collection has nail technicians trained by her to do special and private events and I was able to experience this at one of our visits to a bag showroom (for Bag Snob) and experience her special techniques and test out the products. I wanted something sheer but still slightly pink and as you all know, it is hard to find something that has color but is still perfectly sheer, I usually get the murky oddly pink shade that I hate. I used Tiny Dancer Nail Color ($15) and it was should I say, sheer perfection? And it also happens to be one of my favorite songs (all her colors are named after song titles). The 'On a Clear Day' Top Coat ($16) is something that really sets her apart, it really keeps your nails shiny for days but most importantly, it is a quick dry. I was worried having to walk out of that showroom with wet nails and not being able to get on with the rest of my busy day. But not so, it dried beautifully, quickly and now days later my nails still look great. The Cuticle Treatment ($17) is also something worth mentioning, I have the worst habit of biting my cuticles so as you can imagine, they don't always look the greatest. A good cuticle treatment is always a necessity. You can just get the 'Easy to Love' Mini Set ($19.50), you get a little of everything to try out. I really did get a damn good manicure. Check out Deborah's manicure tips to get a professional manicure on your own. Personally, I have never done this and will not try but I always try to bring my own colors because when I forget, I am usually unhappy with the color.

MAC products from the look above:
Plush Lash- Holy mother of lashes, this is the fattest and biggest mascara wand I have ever used! It curls and thickens, my lashes are stick straight but it managed to curl them without a lash curler!
2N Lip Glass- Love this, it is pale but has a lot of shine and depth.
Sublime culture Lipliner- I am a product of the '90s and adore lipliner, this is flesh colored so you won't have the dark lines. It is a great canvas for the 2N lip gloss!

I love the contrast of the dark fingernail polish against the pretty silhouettes that have been featured throughout this season. It makes me feel very chic, captivating, and even a little domineering. I love to wear pretty things, but I don't ever want to come off as too sweet, so I love the polish because it allows you to wear something pretty, may be even flouncy, while still appearing a little contradictory. My great uncle, who lives in Tampa, always says that he would rather people think him eccentric than ordinary. I think the dark nail polish gives the look a bit of eccentricity. Nars has several dark polishes that I love. The polish called M. Butterfly is my favorite. If you are not up for dark polish, my mother for instance likes to seek out her eccentricity through wearing all hot pink and still looking marvelous, then I would suggest another color by Nars named Schiap. I even kinda like the polish called Pussy Galore but the eccentric name might have something to do with my interest. It is certainly not ordinary. Nars Nail Polish, $15 each, sephora.com.

Santa came early this year (I was a really good girl!) and dropped off the most fabulous Holiday Collection set I've ever seen from Awake cosmetics. Let's start with the packaging, a glittering ruby red and glass box filled with delicious goodies, all the tools you'll need for a bit of holiday glitz at a reduced price. This is a limited edition item my beauties so I would jump on it, like NOW! Here is a peek at what's inside:

1. Stardom All Directional Mascara in Ultra Black- Lengthening and volumizing, this has the tiny fibers I love to make your lashes mile long and ultra glossy.

2. Stardom Lip Gloss in Fairly Pink- Make your lips sparkle and shine with this light weight gloss. I love the extra oomph it gives over my other glosses.

3. Stardom Dimensional Eye colors in Love Light and Angel Wing- Dazzling multi-dimensional compacts with four color-striped eyeshadows in each. This is so much fun to play with! Every time I use it I can mix a completely different shade!

4. Stardom Nail Lacquer in Magnetic Violet- Purple is the new black in polish and this has jewel glitters for high drama and a night on the town!

5. Stardom Face Powder Compact in Champagne Glow- get the glow without the grease, I keep this in my bag at all times!

Price: $50 ($125 value) at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores in November!

I am currently obsessed with the Skin Deep Website, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products from researchers at the Environmental Working Group. I have been on it all weekend looking up every brand in my bathroom, it was shocking how many items in my bathroom are rated "high toxicity" and that may cause cancer, render me infertile amongst many other scary hazards! Go through the site and search for your favorite products to see what you come up with. I could not find my favorite luxury brands such as La Prarie, Natura Bisse, Sisley or La Mer on the site, hopefully it is because their products are tested extensively to avoid causing hazard? (or maybe they were too expensive for the scientists to buy and test?).

There seems to be a pattern of beauty companies across the board with body lotions being listed as highly toxic even if their other products are of low or no risk (For example, Skinceuticals C&E ferulic is safe but the Skin Firming Body Cream is a high hazard- I am throwing mine in the trash tonight!). In fact, I am so freaked out that I have decided to use my son's baby products from California Baby (rated 0- low hazard) on my body until further notice. I am not one to scare easily and often ignore the urban legends of lipstick accumulating in the stomach etc but this really got my attention! Of course I will do more sleuthing with doctors in order to validate the site's claims, let me know what you beauties come up with.

Here's a thought, perhaps the reason Aveda products tested so high for toxicity is because they do not do any testing on lab rats....

I am having a ball re-discovering MAC cosmetics. With so many new collections it is hard to resist it all! Well, almost all of it, the Beauty Snob has to draw the line at metallic blue nail polish but that doesn't mean I am not all over the brilliant blue eyeshadows which are so right on target this Fall! Let's start with the Smoke Signals collection. I found this collection to be really wearable for both day and night, smoky eyeshadows paired with neutral blushes and lip colors is one of the hottest looks of the season and is flattering on almost everyone!

The smoke eyeshadow quad 01 is a gorgeous palette of smoky greys and blues. Remember the key to smoky eyes is to blend blend blend! I used the dark shadows at the outer corners and blended the lighter shades in the center of my lids and the inner corners. $36 at MAC

This is my absolute favorite of the collection, apply the pale peach shimmer below your brow bone and watch your eyes literally pop! The espresso brown shade is matte and looks amazing on the outer corners. I used the darkest shade as eyeliner with a wet brush and the result was amazing. We had dinner with one of my husband's oldest friend and he kept saying how I look better each year (he's a total metro sexual who notices everything so I knew he meant it!) $36 at MAC

The Ablaze blush gives just a hint of color, like you went for a jog, had a good game of tennis or an afternoon romp. $17 at MAC

I am a pink lip gloss girl so this super pale shade called Illicit took getting used to but I have to admit, it allowed my eyes to be center stage. $14 at MAC

I really have no use for lipstick these days as I am a lip gloss addict but some people still prefer it as a base and the "Barely Lit" shade did make the pale gloss last longer. $14 at MAC. Smoke Signals Collection at MAC website and MAC stores worldwide.

Post by Beauty Snob Michelle

Looking for a quick way to add some fun into your summer? My new favorite trick for brightening up my long, sometimes slow days at the office is a bright pink manicure. I know, it sounds really 1984, but I promise it looks really great with an understated outfit. I got so many complements when I wore this that I stopped counting after lunchtime! It never fails to make me smile when I look down at my nails typing away and get reminded of fun summer nights. The color I used was Strawberry Margarita by OPI. The make consistently great nail polish in colors that really pop. The pink in this one is awesome, it’s bright enough to be notice, but without the harsh neon hue that polish of the 80s had. Bright pink nail polish takes a certain confidence to pull off so if you try it, wear it proudly! You don’t want anyone thinking you let your little cousin or daughter paint your nails. Available at salons and manicurists everywhere.

Don't be like Paula Abdul and go whining to legislators about an infection you got while getting a manicure. If you are that concerned, and you should be, bring your own set of tools. I know most places "clean" their tool, if by clean you mean putting them in a tupperware box marked "clean". It is worth the money and your fingers and toes to get the Cutie Kit for $34.99. It comes with all the goodies you'll need - cuticle nipper, cuticle pusher, nail clipper, nail buffer, nail file, toe separator and pumice sponge. And you should of course always bring a pair of flip flops to walk out of there without ruining your new pretty toes!

Post by Michelle
All winter long I painted my nails an inky purplish black color. I loved it. I endured confused jabs from most of the men in my life who didn’t get why I was painting my nails to look bruised, but the multiple compliments I got from random females throughout the day more than made up for it. (Sometimes I think women dress more for each other than anyone else!) Now that warmer weather is here, I need to lighten up. Dark colors aren’t appropriate this time of year. I’m turning to whites and silvers for the summer. My favorite two are OPI’s Fit for a Queensland and Hard Candy’s Trailer Trash. Fit for a Queensland is a new color out of their Australia collection and it’s a shiny pearlized white. I love it because the white looks so different and shocking this time of year, but the iridescent in it saves you from looking like you painted your nails with white-out. For some fun, top it off with a coat of Trailer Trash from Hard Candy. It’s fun color, loaded with silver sparkles. It’s the perfect color to compliment your summer glow. OPI avaliable at salons everywhere. Hard Candy $7 at Sephora.com Hard Candy Vintage Nail Polish Trailer Trash

Post by Michelle
I totally have spring fever! Today, I wore cute little cuffed jeans with ballet flats and no socks, tomorrow I’m breaking out my new wide legged linen pants and this weekend I’m going to use my favorite spring yellow Marc Jacobs bag! I’m also rebelling against dark nail polish and painting my nails pink! I’ve long held the theory that my skin is to pale to look right with pink nail polish, but in honor of upcoming spring, I’m making the leap! I really like Lancome Nail Polish. (Probably because it’s the brand I used to watch my mother paint her nails with when I was little.) Pink Crystalline is a great, shimmery pink color that’s fun without being a too over the top. For an interesting twist try getting a French manicure with pink tips and a white base instead of the other way around. It’s a unique take on an old standard. So check it out and cross your fingers that it doesn’t snow in my hood this weekend (Hey, it’s Boston, you never know…) $15 at Lancome-usa.com

I love this cuticle oil pen, I carry it in my make up bag so I can apply it on my cuticles when they get dry throughout the day. It makes my nails look well groomed instantly and my cuticles stay nice and soft so they don't peel or crack. It's also an instant manicure for those who don't have time to apply a fresh coat of polish before a hot date! The brush tip makes it very convenient to use and it stays mess free because you control how much oil to dispense. Try at your own risk, it's highly addictive, I told my friend Jenn about it and she started using it several times a day because she loved how pretty her nails looked!

$4.89 at Target but you can find it at most drugstores and beauty supply.

The following is a real conversation that took place on the way to the manicurist last week:
Me: I think I maybe want to paint my nails black today? Do you think that’s too junior high of me?
Best Friend: No, but I do think it’s too Lindsey Lohan. Is that really the style you want to be copping right now? Rehab chic?

Ever since Chanel introduced their limited edition Black Satin nail polish last year, grown up and teens alike have been killing themselves trying to find the perfect shade of black nail polish to paint their fingers with. My own personal struggle has been to find a dark shade of nail polish that was flattering, work appropriate and didn’t make me look like I was trying to be a tween again. O.P.I. has come out with a collection of “Deliciously Dark” polishes that are aimed at the more grown up crowd. My favorite of the four polishes is Lincoln Park After Dark. It’s a mix of black and dark eggplant colors. From far away it looks black, but up close it’s a really pretty deep purple color. It was really flattering on my pale, pale skin and I got compliments everywhere I went. So if you’re looking for a little flashback to your junior high days try this color. Available at salons and manicurists everywhere.

I was getting my usual manicure at the Cooper spa last Friday and my manicurist convinced me to try a new nail polish. It's from CHI - the makers of the fabulous straightening flat iron, I was kind of hesitant as I am a creature of habit and have been using a pale pink shade called Passion from OPI for a long time but the color was comparable and the name (Oh baby baby) was too cute to resist. At first the color looked a bit mottled but once it dried, it was shiny and gorgeous. With OPI or Essie nailpolish, I usually need a change within 4 days (I have natural nails, polish does not last as long but I refuse to use any acrylics or anything synthetic on my nails). But I just realized today that it has been ONE WEEK! And my nails still look nice! My cuticles are in need of attention but the polish is still good, no cracking or peeling so all I needed is a bit of cuticle oil. And I am not careful with my nails, it's hard to be careful with a toddler so I think this polish is everything it's boasting to be. According to CHI, there are three ingredients that make this nail polish so amazing. Ceramic for strength and longwear, Silk for shine and Nano Silver to kill bacteria and fungus. CHI Nails is available at Cooper Spa at Craig Ranch. Call 214-383-1010 and ask for an appointment with Shauna or Amanda. I just had a pedicure with CHI yesterday and will let you know how my toes fare!