Mani Monday: SinfulColors Kylie Jenner Nail Polish Collection

SinfulColors – the nail color brand recognized for quality, innovation, and on trend, expansive color offerings {at an uber affordable price} – recently announced a collaboration with Kylie Jenner, international style icon and reality television star, to jointly create limited-edition nail color collections. {Product provided for review/feature consideration}

Coachella Inspired Manicure featuring Deborah Lippmann's New Painted Desert Collection

With Coachella coming up in just a few days, celebrity and fashion manicurist Deborah Lippmann has her pulse on the coolest nail looks to rock at the festival. Check out the full step-by-step below, featuring shades from her brand new Summer 2015 collection, Painted Desert!

Fall/Winter Nail Trends According to Deborah Lippmann

We are currently in the throes of Fashion Week(s)- this week it's Milan, last week was London, and it was all kicked off in New York Fashion the week before that. Her backstage access and time spent working with the designers, stylists, makeup artists, and hair gurus that put the shows together {not to mention her own well-earned authority} has allowed Deborah Lippman to have her finger on the pulse of the hottest trends for Fall/Winter 2014. Here are her notes on the colors that should be graces our tips in the upcoming seasons:

First, the Nudes:

"Nudes are fantastic because they are young, fresh, and playful. Anyone can wear nude!"

Not-so-typical taupe

8 Fall Nail Trends from Nail Expert, Katie Saxton

Katie Saxton is the President of CustomNailSolutions, a renowned blogger, and regular contributor to TV, radio, print and online media, on topics of nail beauty, nail care and trends.  The Custom Nail Solutions Nail System {sent for review/editorial consideration} provides a perfect canvas for the below Fall 2013 nail designs. It is a revolutionary artificial nail product that gives you reusable and chemical-free custom nails that uniquely fit only your nail beds. They are thinner, stronger, and virtually indestructible. You can have lovely, natural-looking salon-style nails on your own schedule and in the comfort of your own home.

Mani Monday-Falcon's Edition! AKA: Anatomy of a Mani

Disclaimer: I am not a nail blogger or professional (so sometimes I color outside of the lines and my cuticles look a bit ragged). I am merely a girl who LOVES nail polish!

As the hubby mentioned in his Game Day recipe post, I'm a diehard Atlanta Falcons fan so yesterday was a big day for me! I decided to show my team spirit in the best (and most stylish) way I could-with a Falcons' inspired manicure! Here's what I used: 

Anatomy of a Mani-An Attempt at Nail Art

Disclaimer: I am not a nail blogger or professional (so sometimes I color outside of the lines and my cuticles look a bit ragged). I am merely a girl who LOVES nail polish!

So I decided to try my hand (ha!) at some free hand nail art and went for a leopard/cheetah print accent nail. I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt, but there is definitely room for improvement for the next time I give it a try (and I will be doing it again). I don't think that I'm adept enough in the terminology to describe how exactly I did this, but I will tell you the polishes I used to do this...

Take Your Tips on a Trip to Oz With LE Nail Lacquers from OPI Inspiredby Disney’s Oz

OPI announces the launch of six limited edition nail lacquers and a new Liquid Sand™ shade, inspired by Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful. With an all-star cast that includes James Franco and Michelle Williams, this highly-anticipated film opens in theaters on March 8, 2013.

“OPI is very excited to take this fantastical journey with Disney,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Inspired by the magic of Oz The Great and Powerful, this SoftShades collection captures the whimsy seen in the film, from glittery shades packed with white, gold and silvery iridescent confetti – Lights of Emerald City, When Monkeys Fly! and Which is Witch? – to soft neutrals in white, beige and pink – Don’t Burst My Bubble, Glints of Glinda and I Theodora You. 

(For pictures and descriptions of all the shades in the line, follow the jump)

Gifts for the Tips! AKA: A Gift Guide feat. NCLA, Julep, and Sally Hansen

Once again, no preamble, just the goods! Here are a few awesome gifts for the nail polish addict in your life...

It's So Glitterful! AKA: December Julep "Unboxing"/Mani Monday!

I was super SUPER excited about this box as soon as I saw the preview! Literally, I was in anxious anticipation of the "shipped" email, and when I began to see photos of other mavens with their boxes, I eagerly awaited the arrival of mine! The offerings this month were so bombdiggity in my opinion, that I even opted to get an add on purchase (which I'll cover in a separate post)! Behold the glory that is the December Julep Maven It Girl Box...

Send Your Tips on a Euro-trip! AKA: OPI's Euro Centrale Collection for Spring/Summer 2013

Classic meets contemporary with Euro Centrale by OPI for Spring/Summer 2013. Celebrating a region where history meets modern design, the collection’s twelve new nail lacquers offer a mixture of glamorous metallic hues; playful bright shades in periwinkle, aqua and pink; and creamy blues in indigo, midnight and aubergine. 

“Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania make up an exciting new fashion hotspot,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “When visiting these countries, you’ll view Gothic churches alongside vibrant graffiti murals, blending two very different aesthetics. This fusion of old and new was also seen in runway looks during New York Fashion Week, where classic styles were reinvented with modern silhouettes and patterns.

Nail the Look-AKA: butter LONDON New York Fashion Week Spring 2013

So maybe I can't fit into a sample size, and perhaps I don't quite have the budget for all the designer duds I would like, BUT I can mimic the exact trend displayed during New York Fashion Week-with my nail polish! And so can you! See how butter LONDON styled the nails of the models for Erin Fetherston, Veda, and Kaelen:

ERIN FETHERSTON

Overall Look: The designer's signature feminine style had a bit of an edge. The collection consisted of flirty, feminine silhouettes with zippers, studs and texture.

Nail Design: The models weren't wearing bracelets or rings because Erin wanted the nails to be the accessory for the hands. Metallic nails mimicked the look of jewelry, lending itself to the ultimate eye-catching accessory. We used Lillibet's Jubilee, a silver metallic colour with a lilac finish that adds a feminine touch to the rock & roll vintage feel.

Details: The nails were naturally rounded for a feminine finish.

butter LONDON 3-Free Nail Lacquer Colours: Lillibet's Jubilee and The Full Monty

Lillibet's Jubilee

Full Monty 

I Loathe Olives, But I Love a Dirty Martini! AKA: From Dusk Til Dawn NCLA Fall 2012

From Dusk Till Dawn-NCLA's Fall 2012 Nail Lacquer Collection

I already waxed poetic on how much I love NCLA's fabulous nail lacquers (it's here, in case you missed it)-from the packaging, to the names, and the superb formula-it's truly become one of my favorite brands. The new lacquer collection for Fall 2012 does not disappoint... once again I want every shade (I may have a problem, lovelies). But who could blame me with shades like these?

Trina Turk + YSL, Oh My! AKA: Julep Maven September It Girl Box

No doubt with Fashion Week on the brain, this month Julep collaborated with noted fashion designer Trina Turk, to create a beautiful collection of nail colors inspired by her Modernist Maverick Collection. I literally had to restrain myself, as I wanted to buy the entire collection-it is utterly perfect for the fall and with all the beautiful creme colors-it's right up my alley! I showed some self control and settled on the It Girl Box, and as usual, I am not disappointed.

The Brits Get Lippy!-AKA: butter LONDON Lippy Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection

I'm all about butter LONDON lately (I'm currently wearing Bossy Boots-a light pistachio creme, and Rosie Lee- gorgeous rose gold glitter, on my nails), so I'm loving everything they have coming out for the fall.

Rosie Lee is on the left and Bossy Boots is on the right

How I put them together :)

I've already shared the line up of new lacquers for the fall, and as promised, here is butter LONDON's Autumn/Winter 2012 Lippy Collection:

Transition Your Look for Fall with Sally Hansen

Sad as I am to admit it (though not really), summer time (and hopefully its oppressive heat) is swiftly coming to an end. Though I will not be totally giving up the neons and brights I have grown to love wearing on my fingers and toes, the change in season has me seeking to incorporate more nudes, neutrals, and warm tones to my ever expanding polish collection. Enter Sally Hansen and the fabulous Complete Salon Manicure line! With 5 steps in 1 bottle (base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, and top coat) and patented Vita-Care technology to give you advanced wear, it is the perfect formula for busy ladies who love to change their polish often (like me). There has even been a collaboration between fashion designer and Sally Hansen; for the second time he was created 3 shades in the Complete Salon Manicure line: Pumice (a mint green), Bandage (a light flesh tone), and Ion (a muted gray). In addition to those 3 limited edition must haves, here are some other colors I plan on adding to my roster in the very near future:

Red Zin 

Plum Luck 

Pat On The Black 

Fairy

Mudslide

Choco-Latte

Nude Now

I envision using the nudes on my fingers with Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colors (stay tuned for a post on those with swatches!) on my accent fingers and the darker tones on my toes. And depending on the formulas for the nudes, I can see some jelly sandwiches going on (you lovelies know I love my glitter, so it'll be neat to incorporate it in a new way)! I'm super excited about finding (and acquiring the Alexander Wang colors. All of the polishes pictured above are available at Target for about $5.99 (the pictures are linked to the product if you are inclined to purchase any of them; they are affiliate links so if you do choose to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission). What shades and tones are you excited to incorporate into your fall wardrobe? Are you looking forward to the changing season, or do you wish it was perpetually summertime? What is your favorite season for beauty and fashion and why? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

Nail Polish for the 1%- AKA: How Much Is Too Much?

I believe that it is fairly safe to say that the nail art trend is here to stay. And as the trend grows, inevitably it evolves so that it becomes even more grandiose with each innovation.

It seems that the next big thing in nail polish is a giant leap past glitter, duo chromes, and holos. Now several big names in nail polish are adding REAL GOLD LEAF into top coats, adding a whole new meaning to "nail bling."

August Julep Maven "It Girl" Box- A Chromatic Anniversary Celebration

My August "It Girl" box from Julep just arrived and it's my favorite one yet! This month marks Julep's  year anniversary, so they sent out an extra special box...

MMM: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro

From l-r: Bare Naked, Steel Grey, Posh Pink, Cherry Fashion, Wild Orchid

I've long been a fan of Rimmel London for their quality, yet inexpensive cosmetics. They have a huge variety of products and such a wide selection of colors in any given category-there's really something there for everyone. I particularly love several of their mascara formulas (including Scandal'Eyes), Match Perfection Bronzer, and I have more than a handful of their eyeliners (the Professional Eyebrow Pencil and Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencils in Jet Black, Pure White and Jungle Green are all things that I repurchase every time I run out). So I was surprised to find out that there was a product in their extensive product line that I was totally unfamiliar with.

MMM: Glitters and Pastels the Sally Hansen Way

Mama's Mani Madness: Glitter and Pastels from Sally Hansen by mamafashionist1 featuring sally hansen nail polish

Sally Hansen is a beauty industry leader, providing anything a woman could need for her nails while remaining budget friendly, fun, easy, and accessible for any style, trend, and skill level. Whether you want to keep your fingers office appropriate, bling out your nails with glitter galore, or find a happy medium, here are a few products from Sally Hansen that can help you get the look that is just right for you!

MMM: Simple Gradient/Ombre Manicure with Essie, Julep, and Sinful Colors

From l-r: essie ridge filling base coat, Sinful Colors in Easy Going (300), Julep  Nail Vernis in Kelly, Hayden, Alicia,
and Sasha, essie luxeffects in Set in Stones, Julep Nail Vernis in Oscar, and Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat (picture taken without flash)