Beauty Blog

We all want to sparkle and primp from head to toe, but what are the celebrities wearing this season that we can mimic? Surely not those Chanel dresses and thigh-high heels, but what about the nails? Nails are a chic way to make your outfit look put together, and for this fall season there are only two trends to look out for: Nude matte, and midnight-dark colors.

My favorite nail polish company: Essie. They’ve got great trends and super hot colors, a little on the expensive side but it won’t peel like the cheap store bought ones usually do.

Top essie colors of the season:

essie loves diamonds by Judith Ripka Limited Edition Collection: $10.50

Limited Edition, this beautiful nude matte color is going to make you a standout! Available in two much darker shades as well, all designed by Judith Ripka.

essie Cuddle with Color Fall 2009 Colors to Go 6-Pack from Amazon.com: $30.99

A great combo pack of Essie’s hottest fall colors. Great for mixing and matching for every outfit, day or night.

Shop thought a variety of colors of nail polish at Smarter.com.

Image Source: celebritybeautyblog.com & starfashionaddict.com

Sephora’s OPI nail polish color is only $9 and a fun, flirty look for the upcoming season. Now that fashion week in NY is over, we’ve found that the 80s are making a come back in hair style and makeup. These bright new colors will add to the big hair style that’s in season now.  This six piece set is perfect for doing your own nails and still looking fabulous. Who says you need to drop $10-$20 to get your nails done. Spend only $9 to get each color and you can change colors whenever you want–they have roughly 54 colors! You can’t go wrong with bright colors–it’s almost a mood lifter.

The best part of this collection is that they’re high powered in shine. You’ll definitely get a compliment or two. The colors long lasting so you don’t have to worry about the paint chipping away. These colors are fun and flirty–a great statement during this back-to-school season.

So brush on this smooth and easy to apply nail polish and make a statement about you!

photo source: masimstimeout.com

If the recession has held you back in the purchase of fine jewelry, you may find some satisfaction by indulging in diamond infused nail polishes. $15 is pretty expensive for a nail color but not that shabby if you have an insatiable appetite for diamonds on your fingers.

Essie just launched a limited edition three color nail collection with the help of renowned jewelry designer, Judith Ripka. The colors are “Heart My JR Jewels”, a dark-burgundy, “put a Ripka Ring on it”, a soft blush and “Queen of Hearts”, a bright lipstick red.

The diamond dust in the polish adds extra sparkle and glamour hopefully making up for scaled down Tiffany purchases. But there’s hope yet for you to snag that real piece of rock. Essie has announced that three separate bottles of nail polishes that it has sent out, contains one diamond, one sapphire and one emerald each. So I’ll keep my  fingers crossed for all of you…

Shop through a variety of nail polish at Smarter.com.

Today I shall pay homage to the ULTIMATE 1970’s beauty queen: Farrah Fawcett.  Her passing shocked millions, her battle with cancer had been long and hard for the last few years.  Although I remember hearing that Fawcett’s run on the show that really made her famous, “Charlie’s Angels” lasted only one season, she was made an icon after that, not only becoming a beauty and fashion icon for hundreds of women around the world, but a sex symbol as well!  She really was a true beauty.  From that flawless tan skin to her golden trademark feathered hair, Farrah Fawcett was an original beauty trendsetter..

When she emerged as a budding starlet in the 1970’s, Farrah wowed many, men and women, with that amazing hair of hers.  It was big, it was full, it was blonde and feathered!  Those wings became her trademark, and I remember hearing on the news or on the radio that when she did an interview one time, the reporter passed the mic over to a fan that had a very important question, and the question was: “How do you do your hair each week?”  Awesome!  What a beauty obsessed fan.  So then, Farrah in her sweet little voice starts going through the steps starting with how she washes it.  Those wings aren’t too hard to imitate now, its been done time and time again, but there probably are some methods to styling that would make those wings fly!  I like to imagine what styling and beauty tools Ms. Fawcett would have used and this is what I came up with…

To get that feathered ‘do’, you must start with a curling iron.  A big barrel iron will work best for achieving the flip up.  After you flip the hair up, tousle back with fingertips and add a spritz of hairspray.

Conair Instant Heat 1-1/2 inch curling iron: $16.99

Farrah had that amazingly tan skin that always looked smooth, cocoa butter will do the trick.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with SPF 15: $8.29

Who knew Palmer’s made a Cocoa Butter Formula with sunscreen in it?!  If you’re a fan of this stuff like I am, check their website, the selection of products is so big and awesome!  Way better than the three options you normally get at the drugstore.

Last, when I think of peach nail polish, I think of the 70’s so Farrah must have had peach rounded nails at one point right?  I like to think so…

Cover Girl 3-in-1 Nail Color in Copper Penny: $2.99

Image Source: bittenandbound.com, sportingnews.com, photobucket.com, stylespy.files.wordpress.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more curling irons,  cocoa butter lotion and peach nail polish.

If you follow celebrity fashion or keep in touch with the latest music videos, you might be wondering why the nails that the ladies are sporting look extra spunky these days.  It is thanks to a revolutionary new nail treatment called Minx made from flexible film strips applied to the nails using a heat lamp.  The high gloss, long wearing coating takes about 15-20 minutes for application and needs absolutely no drying time, therefore avoiding accidental smudging or denting.  They are supposed to last for 1-2 weeks without chipping.  To remove them at home you just warm up the film with a hair dryer and peel it off.

So, if you are tired of your run of the mill, timid polishes and can’t stand fake nails either, check out Minx’s stunning array of selection.  The solids are anything but boring (think gold metallic like Beyonce in “Single Ladies” or chrome silver) .

The patterns range from intricate, delicate bridal laces to bold and brash animal prints.  You could even custom design a favorite photo into a nail coating.  How is that for a choice?  If you are worried about any harsh chemicals in the formula, you can relax.  Since it requires only heat for application and removal, it contains no harmful substances and is totally eco-friendly.

This hot new trend sported by the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Pink, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Victoria Bekham among others, can now be found at Spa Nordstorm Escape. Or, to find a Minx nail salon in your part of the country, try the spa finder at Minxnails.com.  At Nordstorm , getting a minx treatment would cost you $50 including manicure and just $30 without manicure.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more manicure supplies.

Yesterday at work, a woman came into my shop and asked if we carried “all natural mascara“.  I declined unfortunately because not only does the store carry hardly any eco-conscious cosmetics (it has mostly cool art and eco-friendly home stuff), but I have yet to see a mascara that would fall into this category.  What it did bring my attention to though were the eco-friendly, chemical free nail polishes and nail polish removers that we sell.  I never paid much attention to this line of products while working.  I guess because I am not completely convinced that chemical free nail polish removers work really.  Either way, it sparked an interest in the company that makes them and I started to do some research.  Priti is a New York based company that creates organic, chemical free skin and nail care.  Kim D’Amato, the founder of Priti has a 100% eco-friendly, sustainable, non-toxic, organic spa in New York’s Lower East Side.

The spa offers manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and waxings using only organic products and non-toxic polishes.  In 2005, D’Amato launched Priti Polish, a line of nail polishes that are formulated without DBP and formaldehyde.  The polishes are $12.50 and come in fun colors like Magic Man Iris, White Ballet Dahlia, plus the bottle is completely recyclable.

Along with the polishes, Priti makes a soy-based nail polish remover that is 100% biodegradable, derived from farm crops and does not contain any petroleum ingredients.

4 oz. Soy Polish Remover: $11.25

All products available at PritiNYC.3DCartStores.com

Neon bright colors continue to be a recurring theme not only in clothing this season, but beauty trends as well. Last week we explored electric blue eye shadow with nude lips, a great combo. This week, bring the color to your fingers and toes with a shocking burst of neon pink, purple or lime. Essie has issued a ‘Neon’ Mini Nail Polish 4-pack for a decent price. Essie nail polishes normally retail for about $8 per bottle, so taking advantage of this mini bargain isn’t a bad idea. The colors were created out of inspiration from fashion and art–bold, bright colors like these were seen on the red carpet recently. Check out Michelle Monaghan’s hot pink Versace dress at the Star Trek premiere on May 1st.

Then there is also the technicolor graffitti craze that has been influencing fashion for quite some time now. A great street style that reflects back onto fashion, clothes, style and beauty. Last spring, neon yellow and lime nails were popular. An interesting look to pull off, being both bold and daring. This summer, definitely expect to see bright nails and toes again, but I feel like neon pink is going to be the more popular choice over the others…or perhaps I am just being partial since that is the color I would choose. Nail polishes don’t really come cheap anymore, when they do you can usually expect chipping of sorts. This is a great deal for four colors–Funky Limelight, Flirty Fuchsia, Perky Purple, and Punchy Pink– that will be big all season long.

Essie ‘Neons’ Mini Nail Polish 4-pack: $9.49

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more neon nail polish.

We are officially one month away from summer, which means it will soon be time to reveal those pretty little feet of yours in some great sandals. If you’re feet aren’t looking too pretty, don’t fret. And try not to go out and spend 25 dollars on a pedicure that may not be all that sanitary. Not to gross you out, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Doing your own home pedicure is easy, fast, and simple. It will save you money in the long run, and its convenient. I know, I know, going out and getting your toes did is like a little luxury, a treat for yourself right? I agree, but doing the pedicure yourself is fun!

Besides, the more you do it, the better you become.

1. First start with the soaking. Foot spas are great for cracked heels, the water stays warm, there’s little bubbles and jets to turn on sometimes, and there are usually textured surfaces on the bottom to massage the heels of your feet. Foot baths like the HoMedics Pedicure Spa Salon Foot Bath with Heat are actually pretty luxurious, and one soak in this thing and your feet will be soft and relaxed.

HoMedis Pedicure Spa Salon Foot Bath with Heat: $59.99

Foot baths and foot spas are perfect for DIY pedicures, but they aren’t mandatory. You can easily create a little foot bath in your own tub at home, or in a big bowl of warm water. I always like adding epsom salts, or lavender oils to the water also. Soak feet for about 5-10 minutes, then begin to either scrub or pumice. I prefer the pumice stone especially natural ones like this Earth Stone Lava Pumice by Cuccio $5.95 from BannerTherapy.com.

This will definitely make your feet ultra smooth by gently buffing away dead skin.  If you want to do both, which I often like to do for that little extra something, pumice first, then use a foot scrub.  I’m curious to see how this Sephora Brand Super Foot Scrub works, it’s $22 and has a built in massage head applicator for extra exfoliation.

This would probably be a good purchase since you could use it quickly in the shower or take it while you travel if you didn’t have time to pamper your feet beforehand.  So you’ve soaked, scrubbed, and now its time to moisturize and polish.  Finding a good foot creme isn’t hard, but it’s always good to go with something that has nourishing ingredients like shea butter, or almond oil.  Bliss makes fabulous bath & body products that always smell good like the Aloe Leaf and Peppermint Foot Patrol Creme $26.

I also love the L’Occitane Relaxing Foot Cream in Lavender ($20.50).  I have had fantastic results with this stuff.

Now, time to polish.  Try a bright shade from OPI’s Spring/Summer 2009 South Beach Collection.  My two top shade choices are Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot! ($1.75)–a bright Flamingo Pink and OPI on Collins Ave ($1.75)–a bright red-orange color.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more foot spas, foot creme and foot scrubs.
Discounts on nail polish.

We keep hearing commercials non-stop about getting our bodies swimsuit ready by summer, but how about our feet?  Dry, cracked feet with calluses tend to stick out like a sore thumb in pretty summer sandals.  Here are some great products that I found to be very handy to get your feet flip-flops ready.  A combination of two or more of these depending on the condition of your feet can work miracles to make your feet your best summer asset.

1) Ped Egg Foot File, $9.99:  This is one of the best foot files out there. Diligently scrub away at your dead skin and calluses with these ergonomically designed stainless steel files. Concentrate on the heels, and any other dry and cracked areas of the foot.

2)Avon Foot Works Pedi-Peel, $5: Glycolic acid in these treatment pads helps to slough off the rough, callused layer of skin that covers the heel so your moisturizer can more effectively penetrate the area.

3) Philosophy Soul Owner, $14: Exfoliate your skin with this rich cream filled with salicylic and glycolic acid which is designed to reduce flakiness.

4) Barielle Foot Cream, $22: This luxurious formula works to soften and eliminate calluses as well as heal chapped areas of the feet. Apply twice morning and evening. Wear 100% cotton socks after bedtime application for best results.

5) Footloose Loofah Pedi Slippers, $29.50: These exfoliating pedi slippers made out of terry cloth are designed to ward off dead skin and stimulate a healthy one just by wearing them. This is a great one for lazy souls!

6) Zoya Nail Polish, $5.40: You got to top it all off with some pop of color!  Zoya’s spring 2009 collection of nail polishes reflect the colors seen in the RTW Spring Runways and are long-wearing, natural and best of all free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Now, there is no excuse not to treat yourself to one of those sexy gladiator style or fringy sandals that are making the rounds this spring!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more foot care products.
Discounts on nail polish and foot cream.

I recently went on an all-girls road trip to San Francisco, CA and had a hard time deciding what to wear. This may be fashion season in all other areas of the world, but to S.F., this is foggy season (as it is cold 8 months out of the year there). Thus, girls have to have several different types of outfits on hand: scarves, gloves, and long jackets for daytime wear, sweaters and jeans for after work, and cocktail dresses with a dressy sweater or short jacket for the evening. Although packing my outfit was not my biggest issue; I also had to decide on one polish that could rock EVERY outfit, especially with many different types of accessories & shoes. So what’s a girl to do? Do you take your sultry red polish, sleek black cherry, or a fun pink?

Well all my prayers are answered with FINGR’S nail stickers. Now I’m not talking Lisa Frank looking stickers, with ponies and tons of color, think more along the lines of tattoo’s or decal art for your nails. Yup, Fingr’s has a line called “Edge” for the hardcore nail fanatic. The designs are fabulous and upbeat and they were reasonably priced too! I couldn’t be happier in such a time crunch, since the application process takes only minutes.

I had wished I would’ve known about these little babies for our first night in the city by the bay. We went to Ruby Skye, a chic/hip night club which has a dress-to-impress atmosphere and is located right downtown. I had sported a short black dress with long boots and smoky eyeshadow. Since too many accessories would have been overkill, I could have quickly stuck on some heart shaped press on’s with skull designs or styled some bleeding hearts with wings. And for the super shy in the city, these would definitely have been some conversation starters! Let’s be honest here, ladies, we all know a drink in the hand calls attention to your nails. These would work especially well in a situation where you just got off work, friends want to meet up for happy hour, yet you have no time to make your hands look pretty. Wah-lah, nail beauty with a hip twist!

This new find is not only for the ladies though. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have a line for little girls, called Little Fingr’s “Girlie Nails”. My daughter will be so excited! She absolutely loves coming along for a mani/pedi anytime I hit the nail salon. Since she is only 4 years old, this is way more appropriate (and not to mention cost effective). They come in petite sizes for the little ones and also have age-appropriate stickers, with french-style manicures that have just the right amount of glitter or flowers, so your child’s hand looks classy and not trashy. I am a new big fan of the “California Girl” style also, which come in short lengths for those that are active but conscious of their manicure. Their website shows different fashions for different season’s as well, so check it out and have some fun.