Nails

My Manicure Essentials

March 9th, 2016 by Adia Goss 28 Comments

I love doing my nails. It’s relaxing, and I always feel proud of myself afterward for saving a few dollars (so I can spend it on more makeup, obvs).

That being said, I usually don’t have a ton of time, so here are my essentials to get the job done as quickly and easily as possible.

Nail Clippers and File

Pretty obvious choice, but nothing ruins cute polish like ragged nails. I’ve bought more expensive nail files, but I always go back to these cheap ones that come like a dozen to a box. I like being able to stash these at work, in my purse and in my gym bag. I also use the nail file to clean up the polish around the edges of my nails.

Cuticle Remover

I felt like such a pro the day I incorporated Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover into my manicure routine! I never had the patience to soak my nails in water before pushing back my cuticles, so this product is perfect. I squeeze it around my cuticles, lightly, push them back with my fingers, and then rinse it off. It’s easy and really effective. Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover is available at Target for $5.

Base Coat

I’m always looking for the best base coat, and lately I’ve been reaching for Orly Bonder. I think it works well with different polishes, and I love that it dries quickly.

It’s an extra step, but my nails won’t last more than a day without base coat. Orly Bonder is available at Ulta for $10.

Nail Polish

I’m usually choosing between a neutral and a bold color, but I almost always end up going for the neutral. I’m really hard on my nails, so I like to pick something that won’t show the chips. When I sat down to do my nails the other day, I debated between Golden Sand and Cashmere, both by Mineral Fusion.

I ended up choosing the nude, of course! Golden Sand is a neutral tan with subtle silver shimmer. It’s a unique and really pretty shade. I like how it’s close enough to my skin tone to be subtle but doesn’t look muddy or boring.

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The New Deborah Lippmann Sweets For My Sweet Limited Edition Nail Polish Set

March 9th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 16 Comments

Pastel blue nails are my jam. I’ve had my nails painted the same shade (Sugar Fix by Sally Hansen) for about a year now, but when I saw the limited edition Sweets For My Sweet set, mainly that powder blue, My Boy Lollipop, I pretty much lost it.

Pastel blue is my idea of a neutral. I wear a lot of black, grey, and jewel tones, and it serves as a simple surge of energy for any outfit. I like the way it contrasts with red lips, and I think it makes me look slightly tan.

It’s a color that, in my mind, flows through every season. It’s akin to clear skies at the beach during spring and summer and those chilly, but sunny, days during the colder months.

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Hello Kitty and Hello Spring: The Hello Kitty by OPI Spring Collection

March 8th, 2016 by Anna Oh 20 Comments

opi hello kitty spring 2016 — OPI Hello Kitty Spring 2016 Collection

That’s right, everyone, it’s time for spring…nails! Never mind that I am writing this in my fleece slippers while catching up on a particularly gruesome season of The Walking Dead, LOL. I’ve managed to ignore the show for several seasons, but my inner fangirl loves a good binge. My inner fangirl is also super satisfied by this super cute collection by OPI. The new Hello Kitty by OPI Spring 2016 Nail Lacquer ($10 each) collection features 12 amazingly bright and eclectic colors for those ready to kick back in flip-flops.

I have 5 shades from the collection, and in usual OPI style, all of the colors, except for maybe the yellow one, are incredibly opaque and smooth. Spoken from the Heart and Super Cute in Pink, in particular, are what I call “1-coat wonders” and were a dream to apply.

I had a little difficulty with My Twin Mimmy, the yellow cream shade, but, honestly, I’ve never come across a stellar yellow, and after 3 coats it’ll do the job.

Last, but never least, are the surprisingly complex glitters. I get a groovy Austin Powers feel from Kitty White — a super fine icy silver shimmer. This shade was a surprise favorite for me!

Starry-Eyed for Daniel — such an awesome name btw — is an amazing multi-dimensional hot pink glitter. It’s very glittery and very kawaii… I think it’ll be a popular one.

opi hello kitty spring 2016 nail swatches — Nail swatches of the Spring 2016 OPI Hello Kitty Nail Collection

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The Day in Beauty Vol. 14: The Newly Reformulated Chanel Le Vernis Nail Lacquers, Mythical Brow Genies, My New Favorite Necklace by Misa Jewelry, and Waffles at the Witching Hour

February 26th, 2016 by Karen 46 Comments

If there were such a thing as an eyebrow genie that would grant three eyebrow-related wishes, first of all, that would be AWESOME, and second, I’d wish for the following…

1. For the super-skinny brow trend of the ‘90s to have never happened, even if it risked messing with the space-time continuum, because it would save literally millions of brow hairs from being plucked away into oblivion… I’d be like the John Connor of eyebrows.

2. To just wake up one morning and have my brows look exactly like Kiera Knightly’s in this Chanel ad, without having to do any of the, you know, actual work.

Sooo much brow envy right at this moment. You don’t even know. These are pretty much my dream brows, le sigh…

3) A stack of banana pancakes and a large vanilla shake, because I can’t think of a third brow-related wish, and I am SO HUNGRY RIGHT MEOW.

New Chanel Le Vernis

Now, can we take a moment to redirect our eyes away from Kiera’s amazing brows to focus on these nail polishes for a second? — because they deserve some sweet, sweet, lovin’.

These cuties are five of the 15 recently relaunched Chanel Le Vernis nail polishes ($28 each)?

All I have to say is wow!

Chanel completely revamped the formula, which is now billed as long-wearing and 5-free (no dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or camphor), and the new brilliantly shiny, glossy, gel-like finish reminds me of Seche Vite top coat.

The new line of 15 shades includes old favorites like Vamp and Particuliere, alongside some new colors.

Here’s a quick swatchy-poo of the five shades I have…

I asked Tabs for his professional opinion on which one I should wear for a mani, and he picked creamy reddish hot pink Camelia, a decision he relayed to me telepathically, sending his kitty thoughts into my mind.

Yes, we’ve reached that point in our relationship. Cat ladies, I know that you know what I’m talking about (at least I think you do…or I’ve lost my damn mind, which is also a strong possibility).

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The Day in Beauty, Vol. 10: Flamingos, Polka Dots, Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016, and The Pleasure Principle

February 15th, 2016 by Karen 23 Comments

Um…if this teal rash guard (complete with rollerskating flamingos) and matching ruffled polka-dot bikini bottoms are designed for babies, why do I want them so much for myself? 🙂

They’re from Carters, which, coincidentally, is having a 50%-off sale online now.

Obviously, I had to get them for BG (along with matching sun hat).

Obvs.

And, um…here’s to hoping that Baby Girl will actually like to splash around in the water. Yup, I really hope that she’s a water baby (*crosses fingers and monkey toes*).

Jeez, she’s not even born yet, and I’m already researching and plotting different ways to get her to fall in love with the water, haha.

For now I’m indulging El Hub, who thinks that BG is going to grow up to be an Olympic soccer star, but I wouldn’t protest if she said that she wanted to be a pro surfer instead. Because then I’d be able to hang out with her at the beach all the time.

Deep thoughts…

Speaking of beaches, here’s an important (OK, not really) question for you: do you believe that there’s an age after which one should stop wearing a two-piece? (See, I said it was important, LOL!)

My mom-in-law believes that nobody should wear a bikini after the age of 40, but I feel that if you’ve got the swagger, why not? #deepthoughts

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Spring 2016 Afternoon Delight Collection

All this talk of beaches is making me think of another tidbit of paramount importance, and that’s pretty pedicure colors. I love wearing boots, but oh! — I love sandals, flip-flops and wedges at least as much, if not more, because…

TOE FREEDOM!

I’m so looking forward to warm weather footwear. 🙂

I always like to have my toes painted when they’re gonna be out and about because, I kid you not, my toes are freakishly long. Fo’ reals! They’re like little monkey paws…

I’m going to keep these new Deborah Lippman Pro Gel Lab Nail Colors ($20 each) close by so I can paint my toes with them just as soon as I can actually, ya know, reach my feet…

The four here are from the Deborah Lippman Afternoon Delight collection for spring 2016, available now at Nordstrom stores, Sephora and online.

Wearing Deborah Lippmann's Spring 2016 collection on my nails; the purse is by Jetoy USA — Wearing the Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016 collection on my nails (the purse is by Jetoy USA)

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The Sephora Formula X #ColorCurators Edition Nail Polishes for 2016

January 13th, 2016 by Karen 13 Comments

How fun would it be to get a call from someone at MAC, Benefit, Urban Decay or Sephora today saying, “Hi, [insert your name here]! We love what you’ve been doing on your blog and YouTube channel, and we want, in the paraphrased words of Queen Madge, to help you express yo’self!”?

Beauty collaborations. Talk about fun! Seriously, who wouldn’t want to work with one of their fave brands to create their very own lipstick (Lipglass), quad or color?

Sephora’s new Formula X #ColorCurators program is Sephora’s latest beauty collaboration. Each month Sephora will release three limited edition nail polish shades either created or curated by a different mover/shaker in the online beauty, lifestyle or fashion space.

To get the program off to a good start are three people you may have heard of before — fashion blogger Aimee Song of Song of Style, beauty vlogger Patrick Starrr (I watch him on the ‘Tube, and all I have to say is “Slaaaaaaay!” LOL! Patrick cracks me up.) and blogger and author Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere.

Aimee’s shades just launched for January, Patrick’s colors arrive in February, and Emily’s shades debut in March.

sephora formula x nude for you — Nude For You, by Aimee Song of Song of Style

sephora formula x sephora formula x patrick she better werk — She Better Werk, by Patrick Starrr

sephora formula x girls best friend — Girl’s Best Friend, by Aimee Song of Song of Style

So, Formula X. Let’s talk about that. First, the line has been around a while and, if you’ve spent any time at Sephora in the recent past (which, I imagine you have, if you’re on MBB, LOL!), chances are their display of jaw-dropping nail colors and nail doodads has caught your eye. It may have also distracted you from buying dry shampoo, mascara or whatever else you originally intended to buy when you entered the store…

It’s OK. It happens to me too. 🙂

sephora formula x latte run — Latte Run, by Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere

I’ve tried quite a few of these and other Formula X colors, and I like them, particularly their levels of pigment, their drying time (about 10-15 minutes, which is reasonably quick) and wear time, but that last one comes with a catch… I think you really have to pair them with the Formula X accoutrements, namely their base and top coats, to get the most wear time out of them.

sephora formula x peach tea — Peach Tea, by Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere

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Essie Retro Revival 2016 Swatches & Quick (but Sleepy) Thoughts

December 22nd, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

It’s a revival of the fittest over at Essie!

OK, I thought that was very clever at first…but now I see that it doesn’t make a lick of sense.

Haha. I’m sorry, friend, but I barely got a wink of sleep last night. We had a scary storm with 45-mile-per-hour winds and nonstop rain, and it kept me up all night. I got through the day today, but now I’m passing out. Zzz…

I did, however, muster the energy to try on the new new Essie Retro Revival 2016 collection, which will go down in MBB history as “The Collection That Knocked Off My Red Dolce & Gabbana Christmas Mani of 2015 After About 2.5 Seconds.”

LOL!

The collection comes out next month with six $8.50 polishes, all of them throwbacks to colors that were previously released in limited edition Essie launches, so it’s sort of a glance back at the brand’s 35-year history.

In the comments, reader broantza left some dates for when these polishes first appeared in their respective limited edition launches (thank you, broantza!).

Cabana Boy – 2005; Birthday Suit – 1981; Bikini with a Martini – 2006; Sequin Sash – 2005; Life of the Party – 2002; Starry, Starry Night – 1997

It’s also limited edition, so if you see something you like, grab it (the collection’s on pre-sale now on the Essie website).

essie starry starry night swatch — Essie Starry Starry Night (two coats)

I’m excited about this one, especially Starry Starry Night, which is the dark glittery midnight blue, and Sequin Stash, the sheer glittery bronze with tiny flecks of glitter.

What can I say? Glitter — it moves me.

essie life of the party swatch — Essie Life of the Party (two coats)

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This Is a Christmas Mani (not a 49ers Mani)

December 22nd, 2015 by Karen 8 Comments

I like to do red and gold Christmas manis, and I’ve done them a few times over the years. I’ve also been asked a few times, usually by grunting, manly dudes, if I’m wearing 49ers colors on my nails, to which I say, “NO! This is red and gold. It’s a Christmas mani.”

For the longest time I thought this was a weird thing that only happened to me, but I was at the Kaiser lab a few weeks ago to take this really long, intensive glucose test that took three hours, and it was just me and all of the nice lab ladies kicking it old school. Well, Lacey, one of the gals who works there (hi, Lacey!), was wearing a similar manicure with red and gold glitter, and as she was drawing my blood for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day (at this point, we were already BFFs), we got to talking about her mani.

I was like, “I like your Christmas mani,” and she looked at me in complete surprise! Apparently, I’d been the only person to NOT assume she was wearing a San Francisco 49ers mani. She said that everyone, including her husband, all said (and we both said this at the same time), “You’re wearing 49ers colors!”

We had a good laugh.

So, I’m trying again this year, and I’m thinking about making this my latest Christmas mani, primarily because I love this red. It’s Dolce & Gabbana Dora 627 (it’s $27), and it’s from their holiday collection.

The gold on my accent nail is Smith & Cult Shattered Souls (and those Smith & Cult nail polishes sure have amaze-balls wear time).
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