Recently in Nails Category

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!