Nailing It

I was sort of over the big nail art trend, but my travels on Pinterest lately have left me desiring a sweet set of digits. These nails are like little works of art that, with a little time and patience, really make an impact. Below is a visual feast that could spark an idea for your next manicure…maybe you’ll get inspired over the long weekend!

I’m so in love with these NCLA ikat nail wraps! Image via Pshiiit.com.

The addition of dainty pink and chunky silver glitter elevate apricot (shade is Essie Tart Deco). Image via Cupcakes and Cashmere.

Not one, but two accent nails (one chevron!) make this mani a hit. Image source unknown; via Pinterest.

A plaid accent nail isn’t nearly as difficult or complicated as it looks, thanks to this great tutorial. Image via The Beauty Department.

Summer Reading For Your Nails

As a writer by day and a blogger by night, I make my living using words. Not surprisingly, I am so enamored with The New Black Typography 4-Piece Nailpolish Set ($16). This takes nail art to a whole new level…with newspaper print. You can rock a mani with words!

The contents of the kit are pictured above. Although the process involves a good number of steps, it’s not difficult to get this look. First, you paint your nails with two coats of the taupe polish (to give it that worn, faded newspaper look) and let dry completely. Then you cut a piece from the transfer roll (the roll of word-printed paper on the far left in the pic above) the size and shape of your nail. Slick on a coat of the transfer solution, covering the entire surface of your nail, and then press the cut piece of transfer paper onto your nail. Slick on another coat of transfer solution on top of the paper, then take an alcohol-dampened cotton ball and gently press it on the nail for roughly 30 seconds. Carefully and gently peel off the transfer paper. You’re going to want to do the transfer portion of the mani one nail at a time. When the first nail is done, cut a new strip of transfer paper, and move onto the next nail, repeating the same process. When all your nails are done and totally dry, finish them off with the included topcoat.

It’s a bit time-consuming, but the upside is that you don’t have to be perfect. If you make a mistake, it just looks like the newspaper is a little more faded.

Whether you’re a blogger, writer, or avid reader, these are the perfect way to show your love for the written word on your tips.Image via Polish You Pretty. Top image via Sephora.

Essie Summer ’12: Poppy-razzi

Essie is jumping on the neon trend, and it looks soooo good. Get ready to bathe your nails in neon brights that are super summery, perfectly on-trend…and practically made for a hot pedi.

Lights (pictured above) is a bright neon pink with cool undertones. Camera is an electric red/coral. Action is a citrusy yellow-orange, and Bazooka is a vibrant true orange. These shades will all look amazing against sun-kissed skin.

Neon polishes look really horrendous when they chip. Rocking a neon mani requires a bit more maintenance than nude or pale shades. Start with a basecoat to help the color adhere better, and always finish with a shiny topcoat. The Essie neon shades that I own (Pink Parka, Punchy Pink) seem to chip so much faster than my other polishes; I’ve had them chip the same day I did my mani. You can touch up small chips by just brushing on polish over the bare spots and slicking on another layer of topcoat. But when the chips multiply, it’s time to start over and redo your nails. Pedis are easier, because they last longer, so go nuts on your toes and don’t give them a second thought for at least a week or 2.

Images via Essie

Thakoon for NARS nailpolish

NARS teamed up with fashion designer Thakoon to create a limited-edition line of nailpolishes. Drawing inspiration from Thakoon’s spring 2012 collection, these shades embrace the warmth of the season in bright, poppy colors that flirt with neon (but don’t quite go all the way). On the NARS website, it says that the ultra-brights were inspired by the “pulsating hues of an Indian spice market.” These colors are reminiscent of far-flung lands, and are totally on-point for summer.

Clockwise from top left: Anardana (azalea pink inspired by pomegranate seeds); Ratin Jot (medium purple with orchid & lavender undertones); Amchoor (warm bright yellow that borders on neon); Lal Mirchi (bright red-orange named after a red chili pepper); Koliary (bright medium blue); Kutki (soft pastel blue).

These are guaranteed to sell out fast, so get ‘em while you can at Nordstrom. Will you be snagging any?

Image via NARS

Zoya Summer ’12: Beach & Surf

To celebrate summer, Zoya has combined 2 amazing micro-collections into 1 big collection: Beach & Surf. Inspired by the warm, sun-kissed colors of the beach and the cool, refreshing hues of the ocean, these shades take the colors naturally found in nature and pump them up about 20 notches. Whether bordering on neon or flirting with shimmer, these shades were made for warm weather. They’re perfect for pretty much any summer occasion (including a weekend at the shore). Pair them with your brightest bikini or maxidress for a trendy, of-the-moment look. Most of the shades in the Beach collection have a creamy finish (except for Tracie, which has a slightly shimmery effect), while all of the shades in the Surf collection are shimmery metallics.

First up, the Beach collection:

Lara: Medium magenta with yellow undertones and a bright, creamy finish.  Tracie: Lime/pistachio green with a faint veil of silvery shimmer infused throughout. Arizona: Think orange sherbet. Or creamsicle. Shelby: Colorful muted pink with lavender undertones. Wednesday: Faded turquoise with a seafoam green base. Reagan: A deep fuschia that borders on purple.

And the Surf collection:

Rory: Medium pink with lilac undertones, and gold and silver reflective metallic shimmer. Meg: Mermaid green loaded with gold and silver shimmer. Kimber: Medium magenta with red undertones and metallic gold shimmer. Zuza: Turquoise with gold and silver metallic shimmer. Myrta: Medium-orange coral with a red base, and gold and silver shimmer. Carly: Red-toned dark purple with red and silver metallic shimmer.

Zoya’s polishes are free of formaldehyde, DBP, camphor, and are suitable for vegans. All bottles are $8 each, or you can get a sampler of each collection for $48 (each bottle is 0.5 oz.).

I personally prefer shimmery shades on my toes, so I think the Surf collection would be fabulous for a summer pedicure. The shades in the Beach collection are so bright and fun. What are your favorites?

Images via Zoya

Ciate’ Caviar Manicure

Move over, nail art; the next big trend is textured nails. You can give yourself a textured mani at home, thanks to Ciate’ Caviar Manicure ($25). Each kit comes with a bottle of nailpolish and a bottle of tiny textured balls (aka “caviar pearls”). First, you paint a coat or 2 of polish on your nails as you would during a regular mani. Then, while the polish is still tacky, you apply the textured balls to the surface of the nail. The tacky/wet polish adheres the pearls to your nail. You can place the pearls in any pattern or design you want, but I think it looks best when the entire nail is covered.

It’s currently available in 3 color combos:

• Strawberry Milkshake (pale pink) polish + rainbow caviar pearls
• Ghetto Fabulous (black) polish + black caviar pearls
• Snow Virgin (white) polish + white caviar pearls

The downside: Sephora’s website makes it sound like these manis don’t last very long; specifically, they say “at least 48 hours.” You can extend the life of your mani by applying a topcoat on the edges of your nails, or even over the entire surface. It seems like a lot of work for very little payoff, but I have to admit, it does look cool. I like how it gives nails dimension and depth.

Ciate’ also offers individual Paint Pots (nailpolish) in 16 shades, each $15. If you get bored with the pre-packaged color combos in these kits, you have the option to buy another color to layer underneath. The polish has supercute, girly names like Cupcake Queen, Skinny Jeans, and Confetti.

What do you think of textured nails? Are they something you’d be willing to try, or is too much effort?

Image via Sephora

OPI Summer ’12: Vintage Minnie Mouse

This post is dedicated to Danielle, the biggest Disney lover I know.

This summer, OPI is paying homage to the original screen siren: Minnie Mouse. The Disney lady steals the spotlight in “Vintage Minnie Mouse,” a 4-piece collection inspired by Minnie’s favorite colors. I especially love the clever display pictured above, which features vintage animation cels wrapping around the polishes. And Miss Minnie, is of course, featured, in all of her polka-dotted glory.

What can you expect from this collection? Variations on pink and red, obviously!

From left: I’m All Ears (shimmery magenta); Nothin’ Mousie ‘Bout It (light pink with fine glitter and pale pink chunky glitter); If You Moust You Moust (pure cool pink); The Color of Minnie (true Minnie red).

If you’re a Minnie fan, why not use these polishes to create a really fun Disney-inspired manicure, like red with white polka-dots? Super cute!

I know Danielle is going to love this! She may have to switch up her normally neutral nails to sport some Disney love on her fingertips. Get your hands on these polishes June 1.

Top image via OPI; product shot via.

Spring’s Prettiest Nailpolishes

Spring is just around the corner, and I’ve been lightening up my nails for a few weeks now to get in the spirit. Now till Labor Day is, in my opinion, the best time to play with your nails! The colors are so fun, and since neon is having a major moment, the options are even more vibrant. Here are a few of my favorite picks for both spring and summer — never too early to get in the frame of mind, right?!

You can’t go wrong with pink! Top row, clockwise from left: OPI Shorts Story (blue-based bright pink); Essie Punchy Pink (bright neon pink); OPI Sparrow Me the Drama (light lavender-pink); Sephora Pink Flamingo (no longer available); Essie Knockout Pout (bubblegum pink); Essie Mod Squad (pink with purple undertones).
Bottom row, clockwise from left: OPI That’s Hot! Pink (true hot pink); Essie Lovey Dovey (cool bright pink); Chanel Organdy (chic “Barbie” pink); OPI Elephantastic Pink (medium pink); Essie Pink Parka (neon pink).

Essie Mint Candy Apple (seafoam green); China Glaze Passion (antique metallic gold); Essie Wife Goes On (rich coral); Essie Tart Deco (pale peach); Maybelline Express Finish Coralicious (orange-based coral); Essie Turquoise & Caicos (turqouise).

What are your favorite warm-weather nail colors?

Essie’s “Go Overboard” Polish

One of my favorite new polish shades is Essie’s Go Overboard. The surprisingly versatile hue is wearable pretty much year-round. Right now, while we’re still battling cold, blustery days, I like it as a darker shade (for me, it’s still too early for pastels and neons). During the spring, it will function nicely as an alternative to the deep burgundys, navys, and purples that dominated the autumn and winter months. And with its rich oceany-blue hue, it’ll definitely be a fitting summer staple. The color is intense and actually really, really pretty.

Image via Nordstrom

China Glaze Hunger Games Collection: Capitol Colours

I am sort of obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. I never got into Twilight, Harry Potter, or any other young adult literary saga, but this particular series was so good. I may just be fighting teens for a movie ticket at the theatre on March 23.

So I’m really excited about China Glaze‘s new Hunger Games collection of polishes, “Capitol Colours.” The Capitol is the ruling entity of the nation of Panem, a place where excess, luxury, decadent food, fantastical fashion, and body modification are the norm. If you’ve read any of the books in the trilogy, you know how dark, sinister, and bizarre The Capitol and its rulers are. I think these colors capture that sense beautifully.

As All Lacquered Up pointed out, the shade names reference the specialty of each of the 12 districts that comprise the nation of Panem. Love that!

The collection hits stores on March 1; the movie hits theatres March 23.

Nailpolish image via China Glaze; movie still of Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen via InStyle.