Keepin’ It Classy: $90 Off Lisa Curran’s Chic (Not Skimpy) Swimwear
Just because it’s swimsuit season doesn’t mean you have to resort to a barely-there bikini. Don’t get us wrong — you…Read More
Shop It NowBeauty Test Lab: Caviar Nail Art
When we first posted about the caviar nail art trend, a lot of you had questions about how practical beaded nails really were. Well, you know we wouldn't leave you guys hanging, so we got our hands on one of the highly covetable (seriously, these things have been selling out at Sephora) Ciaté Caviar Manicure Kits and had our own Connie Wang take it for a spin. Watch the video to see caviar nails in action, and find out if Connie thinks this one is worth snapping up.
Ciaté Caviar Manicure Kit, $25, available at Sephora.
Photo: Courtesy of Ciaté
Ciaté Caviar Manicure Kit, $25, available at Sephora.
Photo: Courtesy of Ciaté
DIY Saran Wrap Nails For A Perfect, Easy Miami Mani
Maybe you feel like you have two left hands (or right!) when it comes to experimenting with nail art. Or maybe you just can't come up with weird enough ideas to emblazon on your paws. Never fear, because this simple (and we do mean simple) nail art DIY courtesy of mani maven Get Nailed is a cinch...and perfect for the MIA day-to-day.
By using a peachy orange by OPI ("Bright Lights, Big Color") with a contrasting aqua from Orly (in "Frisky"), Chelsea of Get Nailed painted her nails, let them dry, and then used the saran wrap to literally "sponge" on the top coat for a coral-infused marble effect. The result is perfect for a shopping afternoon in Coral Gables (and will even look smart for a night out) — and can be done by anyone who is capable of painting a solid nail. Let us know if you've tried this clever marble-ing trick: We'd love to see the results!
Photo/Video: Via Get Nailed.
By using a peachy orange by OPI ("Bright Lights, Big Color") with a contrasting aqua from Orly (in "Frisky"), Chelsea of Get Nailed painted her nails, let them dry, and then used the saran wrap to literally "sponge" on the top coat for a coral-infused marble effect. The result is perfect for a shopping afternoon in Coral Gables (and will even look smart for a night out) — and can be done by anyone who is capable of painting a solid nail. Let us know if you've tried this clever marble-ing trick: We'd love to see the results!
Photo/Video: Via Get Nailed.
Essie's Summer Polishes Make A Serious Splash
Usually when we hear the words "swimsuit shopping," we have a feeling of panic (we're not ready!), followed by guilt (did we really need that second scoop of ice cream?). Well, Essie's summer collection is looking to take some of the dread out of the experience with a new batch of polishes inspired by the search for the perfect swimsuit. The rainbow confection comes in hues that are perky, bright, pearlescent, and pastel, so there's a shade to fit every personality.
While in our minds nothing will ever top the neon collection from summer '09, there's plenty to love in this colorful lineup. Click through to check out the polishes in all their lacquered glory.
Essie 2012 Summer Collection, $8 each, available in June at Essie.
Photos: Courtesy of Essie
While in our minds nothing will ever top the neon collection from summer '09, there's plenty to love in this colorful lineup. Click through to check out the polishes in all their lacquered glory.
Essie 2012 Summer Collection, $8 each, available in June at Essie.
Photos: Courtesy of Essie
The Essential Chanel Nail Colors Every Girl Needs
There's not a lot of brands that we can say this for, but we've never met a Chanel nail polish we didn't like. They have a talent for launching crazy-cool color trends, but in a way that still feels loyal to the storied fashion house's refined history. What starlet hasn't been seen rocking Vamp on the red carpet? And who could forget the great Black Satin craze of 2006?
While many of the stand-out shades from the brand are limited-edition hues, which are off the shelves for good as soon as they sell out (farewell Peridot — we miss you already!), the permanent shade line-up offers up some truly stellar lacquer options to dress up your digits in style. Sure, there might be few among us who can afford to stock their closets with Chanel, but you can add a couple of these posh polishes to your stash and create the nail wardrobe of your dreams. Read on for our list of the essential Le Vernis lacquers every girl needs to own.
Which Chanel nail color is at the top of your list?
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour, $26, available at Chanel.
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel
While many of the stand-out shades from the brand are limited-edition hues, which are off the shelves for good as soon as they sell out (farewell Peridot — we miss you already!), the permanent shade line-up offers up some truly stellar lacquer options to dress up your digits in style. Sure, there might be few among us who can afford to stock their closets with Chanel, but you can add a couple of these posh polishes to your stash and create the nail wardrobe of your dreams. Read on for our list of the essential Le Vernis lacquers every girl needs to own.
Which Chanel nail color is at the top of your list?
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour, $26, available at Chanel.
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel
Neon Nail Polish: So Good, It's Illegal (Literally)
Neon nail polish doesn't just make a statement about your awesome taste in bright colors and on-trend nail art, it also says you might be breaking the law. Before you reach for the remover, let us clarify. In today's surprising laws we never knew existed, we find out that it's illegal to produce neon nail polish in the United States. This information comes from Jan Arnold, creative director of CND, who told MORE magazine that the neon polishes you're buying from your fave beauty store, are probably imported. In addition, the U.S.-produced versions of neon polish may not really be true neon at all, but rather a super-bright hue that has a similar bold effect. Forgive the giant question mark between our eyes, but without any further details, we are left scratching our heads at what makes neon such a big no-no. It is as harmful as, say, the now-illegal Brazilian blowout, or is this just an ancient law that is yet to be eradicated? Until we find out, go ahead and (pretend to) walk on the wild side as the U.S. is currently working on the first legal neon polish in the country. Phew! (She Finds)
Genius! Chanel Uses Sign Language To Sell Nail Polish
From daintily holding dewey roses to pretending to play the violin, hand modeling can be awkward to say the least. But leave it to Chanel to find a chic and innovative way to show off their new nail polish colors. Teaming up with filmmaker Ruth Hogben (who's previously worked with Louis Vuitton and Gareth Pugh), Chanel's creative director for makeup, Peter Philips, created a video for T magazine that's both inspired and beautiful. In it, Dutch model Saskia De Brauw uses sign language to communicate some of Coco Chanel's favorite quotes, all the while drawing attention to her nails, polished with the brand's newest lacquers. Not only are we impressed by how much can be communicated without inflection of the spoken word, but also (of course) with the colors themselves. Check out the video and let us know what you think: Do you prefer this artistic interpretation or should we stick with pictures of paws on products? (T Mag)
Jaw-Dropping DIY: Make Your Own Nail-Art Stickers!
Sometimes the simplest ideas can be the most game-changing. When we spotted this nail sticker DIY on The Beauty Department, we literally couldn't stop ourselves from giving it a try immediately. It's simplistic genius at its best, and better still, it works!
This clever trick involves painting nail polish onto Scotch tape, letting it dry (important), and then cutting it into desired shapes and applying to your nails. Never again will you stress about getting your lines and shapes just-so. Let your scissors do the work for you, instead.
We do suggest applying two generous coats of clear topcoat afterward though, to seal your shapes in place and prevent peeling. Also, the smaller your scissors, the more intricate your shapes can be. Knitting scissors would work wonders here. Is it just us, or did nail art just get insane?
(The Beauty Department)
Photo: Via The Beauty Department
Photo: Via The Beauty Department
Our Summer Love: NARS And Thakoon's Nail Polish Collab
PB & J. Carrie and Big. Karl and Chanel. Some combinations are just destined for each other, and when you see one, you feel like you're a part of something magical just for being near it. Get ready to add NARS and Thakoon to that list: The two have teamed up on an amazing nail polish collection that proves that they're meant to be.
This is NARS' first polish collab with a fashion designer (we know, we were shocked too), and with eye-popping shades inspired by the colors found at Indian spice markets, it's certainly a memorable one. Our digits are dying for a dip in these super-saturated shades, and we can only hope that this collection is not the pair's last. Click through to see 'em all up close. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your lacquer love match!
Thakoon for NARS Nail Collection, $18 each, available at Nordstrom.
Photos: Courtesy of NARS
This is NARS' first polish collab with a fashion designer (we know, we were shocked too), and with eye-popping shades inspired by the colors found at Indian spice markets, it's certainly a memorable one. Our digits are dying for a dip in these super-saturated shades, and we can only hope that this collection is not the pair's last. Click through to see 'em all up close. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your lacquer love match!
Thakoon for NARS Nail Collection, $18 each, available at Nordstrom.
Photos: Courtesy of NARS
Deck Out Your Digits In Summer's Hottest Hues
Warm-weather fashions practically beg for you to flaunt your fingers and toes, so make sure your tips are properly attired. Where spring nail trends featured more ladylike, sophisticated hues, summer is all about flashes of unexpected colors like aqua, sherbet, and golden undertones. Here, you'll find our top 7 summer manicures, along with the spankin' new polishes you need to get the look. Better start prepping now: Once you see these stunning shades, you're going to want to flash your tips and toes all over town.
Tangerine Tango may have been the color of spring, but summer belongs to the creamsicle. Just like the delicious frozen treat it's named after, this sherbet-y shade looks youthful and yummy on your nails.
Above, from left: Pop Beauty Nail Glam in Orange, $10, available at Nordstrom; Julep Nail Vernis in Hayden, $14, available at Sephora; Revlon Fire & Ice Nail Enamel in Siren, $4.99, available at Ulta.
Homepage Photo: Thibaut de Saint Chamas/Courtesy of Dior
Photos: Via Nordstrom; Courtesy of Julep, Revlon
Tangerine Tango may have been the color of spring, but summer belongs to the creamsicle. Just like the delicious frozen treat it's named after, this sherbet-y shade looks youthful and yummy on your nails.
Above, from left: Pop Beauty Nail Glam in Orange, $10, available at Nordstrom; Julep Nail Vernis in Hayden, $14, available at Sephora; Revlon Fire & Ice Nail Enamel in Siren, $4.99, available at Ulta.
Homepage Photo: Thibaut de Saint Chamas/Courtesy of Dior
Photos: Via Nordstrom; Courtesy of Julep, Revlon
Taste The Rainbow — Or At Least Wear It On Your Nails
Can't get enough of all the bright colors popping up this spring? Neither can we, and that's why we're extra psyched that StrangeBeautiful is launching this ten-piece set of rainbow-hued polishes.
The collection is called Super Chroma, inspired by Professor Albert H. Munsell, who created a "rational way to describe color." Instead of using names, which Munsell believed was "foolish," he came up with a method involving numbers. Under his system, colors are also categorized by "chroma," or how saturated they are, so Super Chroma means especially pure in hue. (That's the most science we've willingly learned since high school biology, thankyouverymuch.)But maybe making a colorful statement with your nails isn't really your thing. If you're looking for something a little more muted, try the Inept Laundress set. It's a follow-up to their dark and vampy Dickensian collection, but instead of 10 shades of black, this kit features 10 hues of "dirty white." What does that look like, you ask? Click on through to find out.
Image: Courtesy of LuckyScent
OPI's Spidey Sense Is Tingling...
While we're still debating whether or not we really needed a reboot of Spider-Man — there are those of us who think the original was just fine, while others are drooling curious to see what Andrew Garfield looks like in that skintight suit — one thing we can all agree on is that these new Spidey-themed polishes by OPI are pretty...wait for it...amazing.
The collection features a brand new Shatter polish, plus six other shades inspired by the movie and its cast of characters. “OPI is so excited to work with Sony Pictures in welcoming Spider-Man back on the big screen,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “This film explores a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy that’s going to be both dark and sexy. The colors created for this promotion capture the movie’s exciting atmosphere.”
Not going to lie, we were kind of hoping for a cobweb Shatter, but we think we'll be able to find plenty of fun things to do with these. Click through to get up close and personal with these arachnid-inspired lacquers.
Now on to the important question: Are you Team Tobey or Team Andrew?
OPI The Amazing Spider-Man Collection, $8.50 each, available in May at OPI.
Photos: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures, OPI
The collection features a brand new Shatter polish, plus six other shades inspired by the movie and its cast of characters. “OPI is so excited to work with Sony Pictures in welcoming Spider-Man back on the big screen,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “This film explores a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy that’s going to be both dark and sexy. The colors created for this promotion capture the movie’s exciting atmosphere.”
Not going to lie, we were kind of hoping for a cobweb Shatter, but we think we'll be able to find plenty of fun things to do with these. Click through to get up close and personal with these arachnid-inspired lacquers.
Now on to the important question: Are you Team Tobey or Team Andrew?
OPI The Amazing Spider-Man Collection, $8.50 each, available in May at OPI.
Photos: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures, OPI
Add Some Awesome To Your Nuptials With Essie's Colorful Bridal Polishes
If you're the kind of girl who would walk down the aisle rocking neon tips and nail art, then we say congrats to your soon-to-be hubby — he's about to lock down one awesome lady. But not everyone is comfortable with color, which is why the majority of wedding polishes tend to be barely-there pinks and creams. Boring.
There's no reason you can't wear color on your digits for your big day — it can look really gorgeous without being garish, despite what your new mother-in-law might say. But if you're hesitant to go for full-blown rainbow hues on your tips, there's still a way to punch up your polish without stepping too far outside your comfort zone.Essie's '12 Bridal Collection features four creamy, candy-hued polishes to accent your soon-to-have-a-ring-on-it fingers. There's reflective pink Like To Be Bad, mint green Who Is The Boss, glittery white Instant Hot, and lilac Love & Acceptance. The colors are described as a collection that "celebrates brides who are confident and want to have fun with color, yet with a nod to tradition." Sounds about right to us! How about you? Would you strut down the aisle in one of these shades?
Essie 2012 Bridal Collection, $8 each, Essie for salons.
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