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Polished Up: Fall 2011 Nails
Meet the three amigos: Quartz, Peridot & Graphite.
Chanel LE VERNIS Nail Color Illusions D’Ombre (Illusions D’Ombre Fall 2011 Line), $25/each
Typically, I’m not an avid fan of metallic nail color; however, this trio of shades from Chanel Fall 2011 are totally lust-worthy. Quartz is a metallic, warm, sandy-taupe; Peridot is a metallic gold with a bit of a mustard tint; Graphite is a gunmetal, smoky metallic gray. All of them are eye-catching, yet subdued and sophisticated.
Glam and perfect for fall: graphite. Image by Vincent Lappartient
Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel makeup, debuted the new “Graphite” shade (almost chrome-like) at the Chanel 2011 fall runway show. As you can see, it’s a metallic green-gray, and my, oh my, is it hot. I can’t wait to rock it this fall – it’s edgy and exciting.
Stay chic,
Annie
Shellac your heart out
“Say goodbye to nicks, chips and smudges. Say hello to the first hybrid nail color.” – Shellac website
Sounds too good to be true. Is it?
“Shellac” is basically a new type of professional gel nail polish that claims to resist chipping, smudging and nicking for up to 14 days. From the website: “The patent-pending formulation of solvents, monomers and polymers is why Shellac goes on like polish, wears like gel, and removes in minutes. Plus, it’s hypo-allergenic and 3-free, containing no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. Featuring UV3 technology.”
When I first heard of Shellac, I was a bit skeptical. Is this $40 manicure really all it’s hyped up to be? I decided to take the plunge and try it myself. Here’s my review:
I went to Signature Nails in Green Hills (Nashville) on Friday, April 15th, to get my Shellac mani, and once there, I chose a simple, pale, clear-ish pink (after being told by a friend to avoid dark colors because of the regrowth factor). The “Shellac” section of polish is ample. While there aren’t quite as many color options as the regular nail polish, I was still pleased to be confronted with so many choices. The main difference in the manicure application process is that your hands are placed under UV lamps to dry. This solidifies and hardens the gel resin in the polish. The result? Shiny, beautiful, chip-proof nails.
Here’s a picture one day after the manicure (apologies for the fuzzy image – it was taken with my phone):
Boring color, but what can I say? I like pink. I played it safe the first time around.
After five days passed, I was impressed. Not one chip, not one smudge, kink or scratch in my nails. I waited anxiously for Day 14, and…
17 days later (and counting), my manicure remains devoid of flaws. Unchipped, unsmudged, and shiny as new. If you look closely, however, you can see where the new nail as grown out, so there’s a small gap of new nail until the polish starts. If you’re getting a Shellac mani, my suggestion is to go with a color that’s light and natural. Anything darker (pewter, hot pink, etc.) would be too obvious (with new nail growth) after two weeks. However, if you don’t mind the regrowth, stick with your normal mani color of choice.
In conclusion, I’ve loved my Shellac manicure. I can’t wait to try it as a Pedicure (sandals easily smudge my regular pedi polish). I’d suggest doing Shellac for a wedding weekend or vacation when you don’t have the time (or patience) for touch-ups. The downside? Getting Shellac repeatedly will weaken your nails over time. If you’ve ever had acrylics, you know how weak and brittle the natural nail is after removing the acrylic nail. My nails were soft and weak after removing the polish, unfortunately. However, I plan on being a repeat offender for future events and special occasions! This shiny perfection is too hard to resist.
Hate it or love it?
Stay chic,
Annie
Springy Nails
J’adore la ligne de printemps 2011 d’Essie de couleurs de vernis à ongles.
What, you may say? Let me introduce you to Essie’s Spring 2011 line of nail polish, entitled “French Affair” and inspired by 1960’s glamour and the French Riviera. 
Each polish has been dubbed with a flirtatious and exotic name, and the cheerful, feminine and sweet pastel palette flatters a variety of skin tones. What I love so much about these colors is that they’re thick and opaque, as opposed to sheer. Just a couple of coats and your nails are color-concentrated and ready for Easter!
“I think every woman has a little Brigitte Bardot in her, and this palette coaxes her out,” says Essie Weingarten, founder of the eponymously-named brand.
Essie “French Affair” Collection nail polishes Nice Is Nice, Coat Azure and French Affair. Courtesy of Essie
Essie “French Affair” Collection nail polishes Topless & Barefoot, Sand Tropez and Kisses And Bises. Courtesy of Essie
‘Topless & Barefoot’ and ‘Sand Tropez’ work as simple neutrals, while ‘Nice is Nice’ and ‘French Affair’ will compliment a sun-kissed complexion with their bubble-gum tones. I bought French Affair last week, wore it when I went out Saturday night, and literally received a multitude of compliments on this pepto-bismol shade of pink.
One pair of espadrilles, a pair of over-sized sunglasses, a vintage Chanel scarf, and a plane ticket to Nice, please. Dreaming of the French Riviera…
Stay chic,
Annie
Deep & Dark: Winter Nails
If you’ve been searching for the perfect wash of Holiday color for your nails, look no further. This winter, deep wine, merlot, and burgundy shades are making their debut, and as Essie puts it, “Intriguing color is the new sexy.” Sophisticated, mysterious, and warm, this color palette is just in time for Christmas.
With just an ounce of sparkle (for festive cheer), OPI’s “Tease-y Does it” is easily one of my favorites to try. It’s from their new “Burlesque” line of colors which came out in November. It’s a deep, purple-y red with shimmer.
Another color to try is Essie’s “Masquerade Belle,” ($8) a deep wine wash from their Winter 2010 collection.
Essie’s Luxedo, $8 (Winter 2010)
One thing to keep in mind when applying dark colors: keep your nails filed fairly short (to medium) and square. If they are too long, you will look vampy (say no to Elvira nails)!
Stay chic,
Annie
obsessed: gray nails
Back yet once again, this neutral color is the perfect transitional tone for summer to fall. Soft and subtle, yet an excellent alternative to the bright neons and corals of summer.
photo via here
Try:
Dashing Diva “Astor Place,” $8
Opi “You don’t know Jacques!” (Looks like a coppery-brown, but it turns out to be a pretty heather gray on)
Essie, “Chinchilly,” $8
I’m loving gray for early fall – so chic & versatile!
Annie
Nail Alert
If you’re like me, one of the most-anticipated rituals about summer is the pedicure! To keep those fingernails and toes looking polished and pretty, try one of this season’s hottest color palettes.
For toes, blues, teals, and turquoise are the ‘it’ colors for warm summer days – breezy, bright, and totally unexpected.
NARS Blue Lagoon, $16
OPI Torrid Turquoise, $8.50
The trend in finger-nail color is towards blush tones, nudes, and other putty-colored shades. These colors elongate your nails, almost as an extension of your fingers: sweet, simple, and completely natural.
Chanel La Vernis Nail Color: Inattendu, $23
You still can’t go wrong with oranges, corals & hot pinks (my personal favorite) for summer – bold, electric & oh, so fun.
POP Beauty Nail Glam, $10
Sephora by OPI Caliente Coral, $9
What are your favorite nail polish colors this season? What are you wearing?
Stay chic,