Inspiring Nail Art From Real L.A. Girls
If there’s one essential you need for fall, we’d be the first to tell you it’s not a hat, bag, or statement shoe, but a kick-ass manicure. Part conversation piece, part accessory, nail art is sweeping Los Angeles as the coolest way to up your outfit’s style quotient, and have some fun with your beauty routine. We’ve told you where to go in our fair city to get the most outstanding mani and pedi, but before you head to CT III or Marie Nails, you have to check out our roundup of the 10 best nail-art manicures from real L.A. girls to get you inspired for you time at the salon. From a Mondrian-inspired masterpiece, to pointy, neon nail beds, to the cutest jewel-encrusted animal paint job, here are some serious examples of nail art done right, times 10!
Beauty Marks: Sara's Airbrushed "Summer Block Party" Nail Art
Sara Goodison, Refinery29 Reserve Intern
My Nail-Art Inspiration: "My best friend is a born-and-raised L.A. guru, and she knows the city inside and out. She always comes back to school with the coolest nails. So, when I went to L.A., I begged her to take me to this mythical nail heaven. They had boards and boards of different airbrushed nails, and I wanted to try the most outrageous pattern I could find. This one just felt like a summer block party on my nails and I couldn't say no."
Nail Salon: "CT Nails #9 in West Hollywood. Ask for David, he's the expert!"
My Summer Beauty Mantra: "Minimal makeup, while still staying fun and fresh."
The Beauty Look I'm Dying To Try: "False eyelashes! I've always been really hesitant, but I think under the right circumstances they could be great. My best friend is having a big birthday bash this weekend—it just might be the perfect opportunity."
Bright, Bold Nails Inspired By L.A.'s Best Bloggers—And A Gorge Giveaway
Meet Jazzi, Geri, Jessi, Emily, Natalie, and The Ray and The Ro. No, we’re not talking about L.A.’s top bloggers, we’re introducing you to NCLA’s The Bright + The Bold nail foils inspired by (and designed with) SoCal’s most popular fashion authorities. These lovely ladies have collaborated with L.A.-based nail company NCLA to create a limited-edition line of easy-to-apply foils with gorgeous designs. But don’t just take our word for it—make sure you check out all six styles and enter to win a set of your very own. We promise, with a little help from these fashion-forward foils you’ll have the best nail art right at your fingertips!
R29 Giveaway: Want a set of the freshest nail art in town? Just tell us in the comments of this story who your favorite L.A.-based blogger is and why, and the answers that have us nodding our heads in agreement will get a set The Bright + The Bold foils, stat.
R29 Giveaway: Want a set of the freshest nail art in town? Just tell us in the comments of this story who your favorite L.A.-based blogger is and why, and the answers that have us nodding our heads in agreement will get a set The Bright + The Bold foils, stat.
Kardashian (Nail-Polish) Kolors Are Koming This Kristmas
While the Kardashian's ubiquitous use of the letter "K" can make us a little kantankerous (sorry), the trio is set to launch a series of "Kolors" in their upcoming Nicole by OPI Kardashian collection. And although the word "kolors" makes us die a little inside, Khloé K. recently showed off two of the shades on her blog, and we just got details on the full range. The lacquers themselves—a variety of pinks, reds, blues, and, of course, some sparkles—aren't anything too outrageous or spectacular, but we are surprised that there aren't more unfortunate K-words in the polishes' titles—dare we say that "Khloé Had A Little Lam-Lam" and "Kourt Is Red-y For A Pedi" are actually cute names? What we're not shocked about, however, are how many K's the Kardashians are sure to make off of this line, which will be in stores this Holiday season.
Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolors, $7.99 each, available at Nicole by OPI.
Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolors, $7.99 each, available at Nicole by OPI.
Kristen Stewart Keeps It True Blue With Her Midnight Manicure
We're crushing (Twi-)hard for Kristen Stewart's deep blue nail-polish she was seen rocking at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards this past weekend. In appropriate fashion, Stewart stayed true to her slightly-rock style and brooding attitude with Essie's "Midnight Cami," perfectly complimenting her blood-red Balmain dress and old-school kicks. At just $8 per bottle, we have a feeling that once the Cullen-lovers get wind of this, Midnight Cami will be flying off the shelves. (BellaSugar)
Where To Get The Most Buzz-Worthy Snakeskin Pedicure In L.A.
Everyone has been talking about the snake skin pedicure, and if you’ve been dying to slither into a local salon to check it out, we’ve got you covered! Joseph Martin, the Beverly Hills salon that does some of the best cuts and colors (and blow-outs) in the City Of Angels, has just announced that Rose Riggio, their all-star manicurist, is fully stocked and ready to go with the famed snake skin manicure. While it will cost you—it’s $300 for real snake skin and $150 for faux—it’s worth it because the results will last weeks (anywhere from three to twelve weeks, according to Bio Sculpture Snakeskin Pedicure creator Terri Silacci), and you’ll have the sickest digit design at any bonfire party or BBQ this weekend.
Joseph Martin Salon, 275 North Canon Drive (at Dayton Way); 310-273-5313.
Photos of Bio Sculpture Snakeskin Pedicure (created by Terri Silacci) courtesy of Christine Holding.
The Sisters Kardashian Confirm Their OPI Nail Polish Kollection
The total world domination of the Kardashians continues. After some sneaky tweets from Kourtney, Kim, and mom Kris, it’s been confirmed that the Kardashian Klan is working with Nicole by OPI on a namesake nail-polish line. The Sisters Kardashian claim the colors will capture the “glitz and glam” of their world, so we’re thinking lots of reds and metallic hues. No matter what these dolls do with their digit polish, we’re sure their fans will follow. But tell us, would you rock a lacquer designed by fashion’s fave reality stars? (BellaSugar)
All Hands On Deck: Peep The New Pirates Of The Caribbean OPI Collection
While Cannes may be buzzing about the star-studded premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, we beauty fanatics are pretty stoked to get our hands on OPI’s newly released Pirates nail polish collection. The Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz vehicle is the inspiration for a handful of polishes that call to mind the film’s warm, tropical setting, but our favorite buried treasure in the collection is the limited-edition Silver Shatter nail lacquer. (Lucire)
Perfect 10: The Best L.A. Nail Salons
With a nail salon on almost every corner of our fair city, it’s hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. So, instead of picking at random, we’ve asked our nearest and dearest to share their favorite mani/pedi depots to get a perfect ten all over L.A. From the ultimate Calgel resource to radical nail art, to the most luxe treatment for your hands and feet, we’ve singled out the top ten nail salons a SoCal girl can book now.
Bellagio Nails: Bellagio is known for their everlasting manicure. Whether it’s the topcoat or the technique, we have friends who swear it lasts for weeks.
Bellagio Nails, 15228 West Sunset Boulevard (at Carey Street); 310-454-8841.
CT 3: From coast to coast, this place has the best rep as thespot to get your nail art did. Whether you want palm trees or watermelon slices, this is your jam.
CT 3, 7868 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Fairfax Avenue); 323-656-6189.
CT 9: No, you’re not seeing double... Right next door to CT 9 is another nail art hotspot. Like In-N-Out vs. Fatburger, the dueling nail art depots have the City of Angels divided, so why not check them both out and report back to us on which you prefer?
CT 9, 7854 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Fairfax Avenue); 323-654-9385.
Beverly Hills Nail Design: Not your run of the mill nail salon, this place is a celeb-haven for manis that last at least seven days without chipping once. The service is great, plus they have shatter topcoat in every color—score!
Beverly Hills Nail Salon, 423 North Bedford Drive (at Brighton Way); 310-205-0694.
Bellacures: Sure, Bellacures is a bit on the pricey side, but their pedicures are legendary and their facilities are pristine.
Bellacures, 239 North Robertson Boulevard (at Clifton Way); 310-550-5822.
Check Out OPI's New Pirates Of The Caribbean Polishes And Silver Shatter Release
OPI seems to be positioning itself as a major player in the nail polish collaborator game—their latest with Disney for the fourth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The six limited-edition shades have a tropical bent, with colors reminiscent of a muted caribbean sunset, and OPI's trademark witty monikers make their required appearance, too: Skull & Glossbones (light gray), Mermaid's Tears (sea foam green), Steady as She Rose (pale pink), Planks a Lot (lavender), Sparrow Me the Drama (creamy pink), and Stranger Tides (pale sage). But the collection's true treasure has to be the Silver Shatter: It cracks over any dry polish, giving a dual texture to the nails and taking visual cues from the 2-D look of metallic street art. Savvy?
OPI Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strager Tides Collection, $8.50 each, available in May at OPI
OPI Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strager Tides Collection, $8.50 each, available in May at OPI
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