The first polish I tried was the second one from the left shown above, which is a gorgeous glistening magenta called Sure Shot. Part of the 2012 Resort collection, the collection also includes Pink-a-Boo (a micro-glitter sheer), She’s Picture Perfect (a lilac), and No More Film (a deep violet). I love the mix of neutral with jewel tone hues, and both the sheer pink shimmer shade and the lilac (darker than it appears in the bottle, it has a very, very subtle light-reflecting shimmer), are perfect spring-to-summer transition shades.

Next up, I had to try Camera, the neon red pink pictured above. Part of the brand’s just-launched poppy razzi collection, it looks as good on as you might imagine — a beautiful fashion-forward take on a classic. We can thank essie for the bright highlighter shades we’ve been seeing everywhere — from the runways to the red carpets — and, despite countless other brands coming out with their own takes, essie’s shades are still near impossible to beat.

This collection also includes Lights (a bright pink), Action (a bright tangerine), and Bazooka (a bright red-orange).

Images: essie

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What’s this tool, you ask? A dotting tool! I didn’t discover this gadget until recently but, after getting one, I haven’t been able to stop, and polka dot nails have been so much fun to play with. Check out the different polka dot manis that I’ve done over the past few months:

Want to give this look a try? It’s easy! And all you need is:

- Dotting Tool
- Nail Polish (At least two different colors)
- Magazine
- Top Coat

Directions:

• First, paint your nails as you normally would, making sure that they dry all the way through before applying your polka dots.
• Next, drop a little bit of nail polish (in a different color than your base color) onto a magazine, piece of paper, or something that you don’t mind getting nail polish on.
• Dip the dotting tool into the nail polish and make sure to get a pretty good amount, but not so much that it’s gooping off your tool.
• Start with the center dot and then add dots above and below it in a straight line.
• Dot the sides of the nail alternating the spaces of the center dots.
• Wait a few minutes for the dots to dry and then apply top coat.

That’s it! You’re done! Have fun with it — you can try out lots of different color combinations, different nails that the dots are painted on, or even just dot your tips like a dotted french tip. Any way you decide to do it, your end result will be a fun and playful mani that’s perfect for spring!

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I have an obscene amount of nail polish. OBSCENE. I couldn’t even tell you how many, but there are multiple hoarder-like shelves. New polishes always get me excited (obviously…), but few to the point of HIPP x RGB’s latest collection.

Conceived by famed green nail artist Jenna Hipp and L.A.-based RGB Cosmetics, the collection follows up their debut foundation-inspired one that included four hues meant to match a range of different skin tones. The Sophomore collection offers sheer versions of their original opaque tones. Think of the two collections as full coverage foundation versus tinted moisturizer. Use one or two coats of the new nail tints for sheer to medium coverage or you can combine them with a HIPP x RGB Nail Foundation for a look that’s just your own.

The collection includes:

T1: Very Fair to Light

T2: Light to Medium

T3: Medium to Warm

T4: Dark to Deep Dark

I’ve been sporting T1 and apparently so has Miley Cyrus…so much better than tacky nail wraps!

The polishes retail for $16 and you can check them out here.

Image: HIPP X RGB

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The solid colors were inspired by runway trends and they include both full-coverage cream as well as metallic shades:

Cho: Full coverage, vanilla shimmer metallic

Farah: Full coverage, latte beige cream

Bevin: Full coverage, pale sage green cream

Skylar: Full coverage, silvered slate blue metallic

Tru: Full coverage, gilded purple orchid metallic

Lotus: Full coverage, light lotus purple metallic

No matter which of the shades you opt for, they all work well layered underneath one of brand’s new flecked glazes. The glazes can be worn alone but, personally, I always feel like there’s something missing when I wear glazes solo so I would opt to layer them over a full coverage polish. The new glazes this season are:

Maisie: Blue tint with mylar green fleck effect

Opal: Green tint with mylar green fleck effect

Chloe: Pink tint with mylar green and gold fleck effect

Ahh…gotta love the endless possibilities!

My fave combo is Bevin and Chloe, and while I haven’t worn any of these shades long enough to speak for them directly, I’ve worn a ton of Zoya hues and they usually last me about a week (note though that nail chemistry varies from person to person so polishes don’t always last equally long for everyone).

Images: Zoya

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When it comes to nail polish collaborations, it’s pretty much impossible to top OPI. They’ve teamed up with everyone from Katy Perry, to Glee, to The Muppets and, come early 2012, they’ll be launching a killer collection they’ve created in partnership with bright-color-loving singer Nicki Minaj. Seriously, the only performer that could top this is Lady Gaga.

Fittingly, the limited edition collection includes brights and sparkles, my favorite being a neon lime that I’ll be wearing next week when I’m in Miami. I was able to preview the six shades and, like all OPI nail colors, they’re super long-lasting (even the non-glitter ones), and despite Minaj’s out-there style, the hues are surprisingly wearable (seriously, even the lime!). The collection includes five shades and one top coat, each of which is named after one of Minaj’s songs and will retail for $8.50 come January 2012.

What I love about the collection is that it’s perfect for this time of year when so many of us are traveling. It’s literally got all bases covered from classic pink, to party-worthy sparkle, to a sun-and-surf bright. Plus, we’re seeing so many glitter polishes right now that it’s nice to see one that strikes as truly original (see Save Me with its confetti glitter). The shades include:

• Pink Friday (Bubblegum pink)

• Metallic 4 Life (Charcoal with sparkles)

• Save Me (Silver-rainbow glitter)

• Fly (Aqua)

• Did It On Em (Neon lime)

• Super Bass Shatter (Purple top coat)

Image: OPI

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The combo I’m wearing above is Zoya Pandora with China Glaze Medallion. Zoya Anja (the plum shade above) would look great with the gold polish or paired with the China Glaze Silver Lining. Here are a few more options that I think look great together and will be pairing together for my next manicure.China Glaze Traffic Jam paired with Some Like it Haute would be perfect for to match a LBD for your holiday parties! And if you want a fun Christmas mani, try pairing China Glaze Holly-Day with Twinkle Lights.

Are you loving glitter polish, too?  If you’ve been wanting to try it but aren’t 100% convinced by a  full 10 fingers of sparkly glitter, I hope this single-nail trick will inspire you to still try it out!

Image Source: I am Style-ish

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What I love, however, is Fall. It’s not too hot, not too cold, I’m not confronted with a deluge of florals and flip flops, and beauty and fashion finds are brimming with rich jewel colors. I have an affinity for nail polish and have an embarrassingly vast collection that now, much to my delight, includes Duri’s Fall 2011 collection. Launching in September, I was able to preview the shades and love the range of deep, rich colors.

Inspired by wine, the collection is called the Wine Tasting Party Collection and each of the polishes in the six-product range retail for just $5! The collection range includes a warm plum, a shimmery violet and shades of red and deep garnets, all of which are versatile to pair with a wide range of colors and patterns.

The Fall 2011 polishes are:

Cognac – Warm orange-red
Bloody Mary – Classic red
Pinot Noir – Deep garnet
Cabernet Sauvignon – Blackened aubergine
Dragontini – Shimmering violet with fuchsia iridescence
Grape Swirl – Frosted lilac gray

I don’t like black nail polish, but I love dark shades when I’m wearing a black outfit with a lot of bright accessories, so my favorite hue in the range is the Cabernet Sauvignon shade.

All of Duri’s polish are DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde-free.

P.S. If you’re not mentally ready to deal with Fall yet, check-out Duri’s Ultra Brights Collection.

Image: Duri

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The colors we choose to wear can sometimes serve as more than just a trend. They say you are what you eat but, when it comes to style, what you wear can be an expression of who you are and how you feel. But going beyond the closet, your true colors can come through in other ways, such as your nail polish (really!). Have you ever wondered why your outgoing best friend is the queen of hot pink polish, or why your demure office mate stays away from all nail color? Find out in this fun nail color guide and see what your nail polish says about you!

Red

Red has long been associated with passion, love and power. If you love having a red-hot mani and feel your most confident when you do, then perhaps you, too, are like the color. Wearing red polish indicates that you are not afraid to take control and be in command. You are confident, self-assured and passionate about what you do and are often regarded as a go-getter and leader.

Pinks

Light pinks, such as baby pink and cotton candy, are sweet, feminine and youthful. Similarly, if these are your go-to nail color shades, you have an innocent personality and love to see the positive side of things. While you may come off shy, your child-like inquisitiveness keeps you on the forefront of a friendly conversation.

Bold pinks, such as hot pink and fuchsia, are a little more like their red counterparts, although not as aggressive. You are feminine, outgoing and never shy away from being the center of attention. You love being a girl and proudly show it with your feminine and coquettish style.

Blues & Greens

You’re a free spirit and comfortable with yourself. You aren’t afraid to be unique, although you don’t necessarily make the conscious effort to stand out above the rest. At first hand, you may come off as aloof, but only because you like to remain unobtrusive, although you genuinely enjoy a good conversation. You are also closely in tune with and have a great appreciation for nature, music and the arts.

Black

Black has long been associated with all that is serious and the macabre, but when it comes to nail color, it doesn’t always mean you’re in a deeply emotional state. As a staple color in fashion (Hello, LBD and black pumps!), the choice to boast black nails can also indicate non-conformity. You like to push the envelope of style and appreciate unconventional beauty. You are confident and unafraid to stand out, even if it means going against the odds.

Au Naturel

Nails sans color or with a color that resembles their natural state (such as nude), indicates simplicity and straightforwardness. You like to keep things uncomplicated, low-maintenance and are confident with your natural beauty. You have a no-fuss style and take a less-is-more approach to beauty and style.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/zitona/4733601645

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Here’s an example of one of the polish combinations I did.  I didn’t do the full five-finger ombre, but I thought the 3 shades were pretty together.  I also added a matte topcoat on top to make it a bit different.  It’s so fun mixing and matching nail polish colors and, if you are a polish fanatic like me, it gives you the chance to use many more of your colors!  I change my nail colors on a weekly basis and love choosing which color combination to go with next.  Another way to add just a subtle mix is to just paint one finger (usually, I paint the ring finger) a different color.  It’s just a fun and unexpected way to wear your nail polish and reflects a bit of your personality in it!

Readers, what do you think?  Will you try out wearing different colors on your fingers?  What has been your favorite polish trend?

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