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Nail Polish Collections For Holiday 2008

bellasugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:59 -0800

If you're like me, you're really starting to get excited for the upcoming holiday rush. Have you thought about trying out a new nail polish color to spruce things up? Whether you're looking to add a little sparkle or try a different hue, have fun taking a peek at some of the current and festive seasonal nail polish collections below:

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Do You Stay Polished During Winter?

bellasugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:01:50 -0800

Even though it happens every year, part of me wishes I could avoid winter altogether by hiding in the back of my closet with my summery shoes. Better yet, in a closet of a resort on a tropical island . . . but I digress.When trading sandals for boots, it can be harder to justify spending time (or money) on pedicures. Don't get me wrong, I still treat myself to an at-home buff and polish from time to time, but since my feet hide in boots, it's not a big deal if my piggies aren't perfectly painted. Do you change it up with the switching seasons?Source

Do You Stay Polished During Winter?

Yes, I'm a year-round pedicurist.

No, I don't worry about it.

Other — I'll explain in a comment.

Guess Who's Wearing Dark Nail Polish?

bellasugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:00:16 -0800

Perhaps you've heard of that black nail polish trend. You know, the one that's been going on strong for, like, a year. Celebrities galore have been taking part in the craze, choosing not just black but some other inky colors, too. Take my quiz to see if you can guess which celeb is wearing polish in a deep, sexy hue. After you're done, tell me your favorite.

Question 6

6 of 6

Which British lady is wearing a smoky grayish hue?

The Correct Answer:

Victoria Beckham

It's Victoria Beckham looking rather serious in her gunmetal gray polish and short pixie. Splash News Online

Get the Fall 2008 Look: Yves St. Laurent

bellasugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:00:31 -0800

While looks from straight off the runways are not necessarily meant to be taken literally, I like to incorporate bit of high fashion here and there to enhance my style — particularly on my fingernails.

Each day this week we've been giving away awesome prizes from Yves St. Laurent's beauty line, and that's got me all excited about their fashion lineup. Drawn from YSL's Fall 2008 show, I've got some great nail polish color suggestions so that you can include elements of this minimal, futuristic look into your routine. Take a gander at my widget below for some ideas and check out more of my runway-inspired choices from Karen Walker and Givenchy.

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Get the Fall 2008 Look: Givenchy

bellasugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:00:08 -0800

Do you take your whole look straight from the runway or do you prefer to add a splash of high fashion here and there? However you do it, I have some great nail-polish color ideas inspired right off the Fall 2008 catwalks.

Earlier, I shared some floral tones à la Karen Walker. Today, let's get a bit edgier with a rocker-chick look. Inspired by Givenchy's Fall 2008 fashion show, check out the widget below for some color suggestions so that you can include elements of this trend into your style.

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Get the Fall 2008 Look: Karen Walker

bellasugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:00:49 -0800

Whether you take your style straight from the runway or you prefer to incorporate just a hint of high fashion in other ways, I've got some great nail polish color ideas inspired by this season's catwalks.

In the next few days, I'll be featuring nail polish shades drawn from major Fall 2008 trends. Let's start off with florals. Definitely more modern than your grandma's traditional garb, this new version is lively and bright. Inspired by Karen Walker's Fall 2008 fashion show, check out my widget below for some color suggestions so that you can include elements of this trend into your look.

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Two Ways to Paint Your Nails Smudge-Free

bellasugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:00:51 -0800

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to paint my nails with the opposite hand. Although I haven't become quite dexterous enough to master painting perfection, I have mastered two smudge-proof techniques just by using my little ol' pinky fingers to help me along the way. Try out these two tips below. They really do work, I pinky swear. (Groan.)

Pinky first — Start polishing your pinky nails first. Then, work inwards toward your thumbs. This way, you won't accidentally smudge over any already-painted nails. Frustration over.
Ready, steady — Ever get shaky hands while polishing? Avoid annoying mess-ups by using your painting finger pinky as an anchor. Just place the pinky finger of your wand-holding hand on the table to steady your strokes — kind of like a little kickstand.

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Channel Your Inner Goth With Black Rose Nail Polish

bellasugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:00:43 -0700

Earlier today, I was picking up some candy for the neighborhood kiddies, and took a little beauty pit stop down the Halloween aisle. Lo and behold, I discovered this little gem. Seeing that black roses typically have a negative connotation of hatred or death, I was kinda frightened. But, did you know this deep, dark flower also represents the completion of a long, hard journey? Not so scary after all. And in the spirit of Halloween, I think it's kind of clever and cute — er I mean Goth — to package it up into a nifty black polish. Now that I'm all tricked out with my new treat, why not pick one up for yourself at Walgreens ($2.99) — if you dare?

Let's Try Press-On Nail Polish One More Time

bellasugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:00:02 -0700

Back in September, Tommye from Fashionologie and I were killing time at the San Francisco airport, which conveniently happens to have a Sephora. We were on our way to Fashion Week, and since I hadn't had time to clean up my nails, I picked up a package of Sephora Brand Nail Patch ($10). Even though I've been burned before by press-on polish, I decided to try it again. The idea is simple: You just rub the decals on your nails, smooth out any bubbles, and then be on your way.

Initially, I envisioned applying the decals while in the air. That plan was quickly abandoned when I opened the package; the decals smell like nail polish, so it would be pretty rude to apply them in close quarters. Hours later, at the hotel, I got to work. To see how it went,

Nicole by OPI Nic's Sticks: A Bar Experiment

bellasugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:00:28 -0700

This product has mojo — I mean, it literally became the center of attention on a recent Saturday night outing whilst Mr. Bella and I looked on in amusement. After dinner, my friend, knowing all too well that I'm a nut for products, asked what beauty goodies I had on hand. She wasn't disappointed as I whipped out Nicole by OPI Nic's Sticks in Where's My Chocolate? ($7).

Hmm — fun experiment, I thought. Since it's supposed to be so easy to use, why not have my somewhat tipsy friend give it a try? I mean, if she could easily apply nail polish with this product after a few mojitos, it's got to be good, right? To find out,

Jennifer Lopez Nails It

bellasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:00:07 -0700

When you think of Jennifer Lopez's beauty, you probably think about her famously glowing skin or fragrance empire. That might change now that she's jumping on the celebrity black nail polish bandwagon. Proving that dark polish really is here to stay, she's been wearing Dior Vernis polish ($19) in Black Sequins. The silver-flecked black is more glam than goth, and if you prefer gold over silver, get a similar look with this double-layered manicure.

If you're going to go dark for Fall, a few tips will make your polish go on smoothly and last longer. First, be sure to soak your hands and push cuticles back; this should help you keep paint on the nail bed rather than on cuticles. Always use a base coat to avoid any yellowing from the dark polish, and clean your nails twice when it's time to remove the color.

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Tips For Mixing Your Own Nail Polish

bellasugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:00:54 -0700

Just as makeup artists mix their own colors for fashion shows, so do nail technicians. If all goes well, the colors hit stores in the following season. Until then, though, you can do as they do and make your own color.

"Everyone has half-empty enamel bottles lying around at home," says Roxanne Valinoti, CND Nail Ambassador. "These make it easy to custom-blend new colors from existing colors already in your collection." The trick? Valinoti recommends starting with a lighter color, then adding a darker shade drop by drop until you get the hue you're hoping for.

Alternatively, you can use a piece of waxed paper as your "palette," blending polishes there for a one-off manicure. (That's what I did for the picture you see here; sorry that my finger looks like Lowly Worm.) When you're done, you'll have a nail color that's uniquely yours — unless, of course, a trend-spotter sees it and decides to put it into production.

Chanel Gets Haute for the Holidays

bellasugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

It seems like the holidays keep getting bumped up earlier with each passing year. (Target's holiday section was out in full force last week.) But when Chanel does it, somehow I'm ready to do eggnog shots if it means I'll get to play with new beauty goodies.

I had a chance to check out this new color collection, and while it's all pretty, these items wound up on my lusting-after list:

Rouge Allure lipstick in Nude, a slightly shimmery, pale nude with just the slightest hint of peach. It gives you that Françoise Hardy look, effortlessly.
Poudre Précieuse, a lightweight loose gold powder that can go on the face, shoulders, and décolletage.
Le Vernis nail polish in Haute Chocolat. This shade was developed by a Wisconsin high-schooler, and if she wants a career in cosmetics, she'll do very well. It's a warm brown shade with subtle gold flecks — nothing flashy, like "It's 1992; I'm going to a rave!" or anything. Just a lovely color, especially if you're tiring of classic reds and trendy blacks.

Inkjet Printer That Gives Manicures

bellasugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:55:22 -0700

Behold! The Inkjet Printer That Gives You a Mani Are the latest nail color trends just not enough for you? Are the airbrushed designs offered by nail artists not creative enough? Then hit up this salon in Oakland, which now houses an Inkjet printer with the ability to print digital images on your nails. You can bring in any JPEG, they upload it, and you put your hands inside the printer and voila. Printed nails!

Bella Quiz: Nail Polish History (and More) Quiz Part Two

bellasugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:00:22 -0700

I had so much fun doing research for the nail polish history quiz a few weeks ago, that I decided to put together another set of questions. This time I've changed it up a bit, and expanded the topics to include not just polish, but other interesting nail care facts, as well. So, take my quiz below, to see if you can achieve great lengths, or if you are short on knowledge.

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Do You Know Your Nail Polish History?

bellasugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:00:40 -0700

When I was a freshman in college, I was so into nail polish that I painted my nails a different color each day to reflect what outfit I was wearing. Blue shirt? Blue nails — no joke.

Looking back on it, how did I find the time to actually study between my polish changes? Somehow I managed, and my love for nail polish is still going strong (although not quite as strong as my collegiate years). This trip down memory lane got me to thinking. How did nail polish come to be, anyway? Well, take this quiz to find out more about this common beauty staple.

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Black Gold! Dark Nails Get a Sparkling Update

bellasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:00:49 -0700

It's safe to say that when it comes to nail polish, black is the new neutral. But if glossy darkness is beginning to bore you, here's a cool way to update it. I ran into a friend the other day and loved her nail polish so much that I had to snap a picture:

She got this look by using a base coat, then slicking on two coats of Essie nail color ($8) in Licorice. After that, one coat of glitter polish (such as Essie's Golden Nugget) adds a not-too-crazy amount of sparkle. On short nails, it keeps that rocker-girl attitude in a color that's now considered a safe-bet neutral.

Do You Match Your Nail and Toenail Polish?

bellasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:00:59 -0700

My friend works for a company that manufactures all sorts of beauty products. Somehow she got her hands on an old training manual, and boy, is it a treat. Some of the antiquated rules are as follows: hair should be worn above the shoulders, makeup should never be dark, and lipstick and nail polish should always be tastefully done in a coordinating color. It all sounds a little old-fashioned to me, don't you think? This got me to thinking about my own personal nail polish matching habits. Somewhere along the line, I felt the need to always make my fingernails complement my toes somehow, even though I know it's probably just a little quirk of mine. Tell me about your coordinating/non-coordinating ways. Source

Do You Match Your Nail and Toenail Polish?

Yes

Other — I'll tell you in the comment section below.

Mena Suvari Nails It

bellasugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:00:28 -0700

Coordinating your nail polish shade to your clothing can feel too matchy-matchy, especially for a big event. Mena Suvari, at New York's Rockefeller Center for the launch of the new Piaget jewelry collection, got it right by going for a shade a little bit pinker than her purple cocktail frock. For a similar shade, check out Sephora Multi-Action Nail Color ($6) in Red Light 6.

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Essie's Energetic Autumn Collection Has Arrived!

bellasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:00:09 -0700

Get a load of these six, sexy, shiny, and rich fall nail polishes from Essie. They sell for $8 each or you can buy the set for $45. Instead of being ultratrendy — think neon, dark, or metallic — the colors are a collection of modernized classics. I like to think of them as a mix between Fall and Spring shades, which I guess proves my point about them being traditional and suitable for wear all year round.

For details and close-up product shots of each of the shades,

Lippmann's Fall Shades Are So Very Rocking

bellasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:00:12 -0700

It's not even August, but the new Lippmann Collection Autumn colors are already available online. The four Fall shades are bold, rich in color, and perfectly fine to wear even before the weather cools down. The polishes are formulated to dry quickly and are made with green tea extract and proteins to keep your nails strong and shiny.

Deborah Lippmann is once again inspired by pop culture, and she named these new shades after popular songs. My favorite of the group is Pump Up The Jam, a dark and edgy shimmery metallic aubergine that contains flecks of iridescent gold. For a description of each of the colors, the songs that they were inspired by, and for close-up individual product shots,

Trend Alert: Vixen Violet Nail Varnish

bellasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:00:30 -0700

I just picked up an old issue of one of my favorite tabloids and noticed that Heidi Montag was wearing purple nail polish while frolicking on the beach with Spencer.

Since the girls of The Hills are huge trendsetters, this means that purple polish is likely making its way into the world right about now. Below are a select couple of cool violet nail varnishes.

Bermuda Shorts ($7) is part of the Essie Summer Neon Collection. This shiny bright purple is flirty, fun, and h-o-t!

To check out a lighter and shimmery purple nail polish,

OPI Nails It With 90210-Themed Nail Polish

bellasugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:00:31 -0700

The early '90s were an ugly time, at least when it came to hair and makeup. Claw-shaped bangs? The mullet? We have Beverly Hills, 90210 to thank for spreading those trends.

Now that the show is being remade, expect a nostalgia fest, starting with a forthcoming 90210-inspired collection of nail polish from OPI. This brand is known for its cheeky names — some of which sound kinda X-rated — and I can't wait to see what will pop up this time. A blood-red shade called Emily Valentine? A sparkly color named after the Peach Pit? A nude called Brenda Va à Paris? A gold named Dylan's Liquor? The possibilities are endless.

I'll keep you posted on news as I find out about it, but for now, amuse yourself by watching David Silver do the Roger Rabbit. For a good laugh, just

Trend Alert: French Manicures

bellasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:00:29 -0700

I've got a hefty laundry list of qualities I don't like about Heidi Montag, but what I do love are her gorgeous nails. Whether they're gold or burgundy, they are always long and perfectly manicured.

I thought that French manicures were on their way out, but then along comes Heidi and Britney Spears bringing this classic back again. Most of you think they're tacky and should be saved for formal occasions only. For the rest of you who are still loyal fans, here are two great at-home French manicure kits I think you'll love.

Sephora Easy French Manicure Duos ($8) is a double-ended nail varnish that houses either a beige or a pink color on one side and a clear base and topcoat on the other. However, if you're looking to create the white tip, you still need another product. I suggest this French Tip Pen ($8) since it's so easy to use.

For one more easy-to-use French manicure kit,

Anna Sui Has Sweet Scented Nail Polish

bellasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:00:08 -0700

The other day, a friend of mine stopped by with a bottle of Anna Sui Nail Color ($13). Instead of her getting excited over the shine, the shade, or about its long-lasting quality, she was kvelling about the smell. I reluctantly took a whiff, sure that the fumes would knock out the next generation of growing brain cells, but I was pleasantly surprised that the scent was masked by a floral scent.

Apparently, most of Anna's products are enhanced with tea rose and peony extract. She has a fondness for roses — remember those wicked lip gloss rings I talked to you about last year?

Tea rose has been proven to help alleviate stress, calm nerves and revitalize and uplift the senses. It also helps reduce the symptoms of hay fever and allergies (sounds like it contains a natural antihistamine). Peony extract comes from the foot of the flower and it helps moisturize and keep your nail beds healthy.

My friend gave herself an at-home manicure and she's reported that it's already day four and so far there's been no chipping or peeling — it must be the flower power! Are you interested in checking out any of the 39 colors in Anna Sui's nail color range?

A Little Slice of the Italian Riviera Right Here at Home

bellasugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:11 -0700

Recently, I introduced you to the new world of Borghese nail lacquers and their awesome double brushes. Since I'm such a fan, I thought you'd like to hear about the most recent Summer 2008 launch called Portofino Del Sole. The collection includes six shimmery shades that were inspired by the breathtaking landscape in Portofino, Italy — a Mediterranean port and destination for the rich and lavish.

I'm not much of a shimmer fan when it comes to my nails (especially reds or lavenders), but I'll rock just about anything on my toes. After trying out Florentine Gold, I'm smitten. Not only do I love the authentic, yellowy pale gold color, but I gave myself a quickie pedicure last night and was pleased that it didn't streak at all and that the polish dried relatively quickly. Also, I'll remind you again that the lacquers are free of DBPs, toluene, and formaldehyde — and they leave you with a long-lasting shine. What else is there to say besides, bellissima!

To read a description of each of the shades in the collection,

Trend Alert: Grenadine-Colored Beauty Products

bellasugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:00:11 -0700

Grenadine is a sugary, pomegranate-colored syrup often used in cocktails to give them a sweet flavor and a pink tint. It's a popular mixer that has been around for ages, so it's really no surprise why cosmetic companies are inspired by its allure. Here are a few new Summer 2008 grenadine beauty products for you to check out.

Chanel Sheer Lip Colouring Pencil ($27) is a bright, yet sheer poppy (coralish-red) colored lip liner that glides on creamy and stays moist. It's great to wear alone (I like mine with a clear gloss on top, so it looks more like a stain) or under a lipstick to create depth and definition. Also, I love that it comes with its own sharpener.

Nailtini Grenadine Nail Lacquer ($12) is a bright pink DBP-, toluene-, and formaldehyde-free nail polish that can be layered with either a black- or white-base coat to make nails lighter or darker. I love this concept and the fact that Nailtini polishes dry so quickly. To check out more cocktail-inspired shades from this line, click here.

L'Oreal Infallible Lip Color in Grenadine ($7.99) is a shiny brick brownish-red lip color that is intended to last all day long without having to be reapplied. It involves a two-step process — first you apply a slick color and wait for it to dry and then you apply a clear topcoat. Check out pictures of my lips to judge for yourself if this is something you'd be into.

New Product Alert: Addicted To Speed

bellasugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:00:57 -0700

Brand-new from the Lippmann Collection is a quick-dry polish called Addicted To Speed ($20). Despite its strong smell (P.U.!) and hefty price tag (that's 20 bills for a top-coat, sheesh) it really does work to get your fingertips functional again in a few minutes.

Although your nails won't be thoroughly dry, they'll be touch dry and non-tacky which means that you can put on your coat, dial the phone and begin to go on with your day (a nice change from the waiting game of manicures).

The directions say to hold off for about two minutes after you've applied your final coat of colored-polish and then paint on an even, thin coat. Tip: You don't want to glop it on like you would with other brands; this is important for optimal results. It provides a high-shine finish and it contains UV protection to help preserve your polish color. All things considered, are you excited to try Addicted To Speed?

Trend Alert: Orange Nails

bellasugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:00:13 -0700

We've been seeing a lot of hot pink nails lately and we've heard everyone go on about neon nails, but the only one who's really been wearing any of the other super-bright shades has been Rihanna.

I predict that all of this is about to change. With the warm weather setting in and Lindsay Lohan getting on the orange-nail bandwagon, something tells me that this trendsetter is going to jump-start a neon-nail bonanza. Here are two new bright Summer orange lacquers I think you'll love.

Essie Mini Shorts ($8) is part of the Summer Neon collection. Out of all four colors, the orange is by far the most fun and the boldest.

If you're scared to test it out, just close your eyes and think of it as a really bright coral or melon shade. Or, you can try it on your toes (like I did). It's vibrant, but addictive.

To check out one more neon orange nail polish,

Bella Brand: 'Tini Beauty

bellasugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:00:08 -0700

At the end of 2004, Southern Californian Michelle Olsen decided to launch her own beauty brand that has evolved into what we now know as 'Tini Beauty. The concept was inspired by Michelle's love of cocktails and has its own unique twist — everything is layerable. Much how like you can blend your own ingredients to create your own signature drink, all of the items can be mixed and matched to customize your nail and lip colors.

Nailtini contains nail lacquers in 22 colors, two mixer shades in white and black (which can be used as a base coat to lighten or darken the polish), nine toppers, and a base coat. Also, new for Summer is the Margarita collection, which contains three shades of Rita (Classic, Mango, and Strawberry) and Sugar Rum (sparkling clear) topper.

Liptini contains 12 lipsticks, 11 topper glosses, 10 lip and cheek stains, five shimmer stains, and six mixer pencils that can you can apply as a base to help alter any of the lip colors. The most interesting to me are Banana Flip, a bight yellow creamy pencil that can warm up or cool down a lip tone and Ice Water, a lip balm in a pencil form that makes any of the lip products appear more sheer. I think this idea is fun and is something that you and your girlfriends could play around with together. Do you think you'd be interested in becoming a makeup mixologist?

Product Review: Borghese Nail Lacquer

bellasugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:00:25 -0700

Earlier this year, Borghese launched a nail care division, and they have created a collection of amazing products. Without going into each and every item, the main event is their nail lacquer ($7.59). The creamy and self-leveling polish (this means that it manages to somehow side-step streaking) comes in 48 shades that range from pale pink to deep melons and browns.

What's great is that they are free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde, but what makes them stand apart in a crowd is the coolest brush I've ever encountered.

They call it duale curve tip, because it contains two brushes that are fitted side by side in the handle so that it covers your entire nail bed in one fell swoop. OK, so I'm exaggerating a little bit — it covers all of my nails besides my wide thumbnail all at once.

The polishes contain proteins (to hydrate and strengthen), olive leaf extract (to seal in moisture), ground up semi-precious jewels (for intense shine) and Vitamin E (for a silky texture). The lacquer is creamy, brilliant and dries fairly quickly. For the large bottles, I also think the price is fair. Think you'd be interested in trying out a new Borghese nail polish?

Trend Alert: Bright Pink Nail Polish

bellasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:00 -0700

More and more celebrities are jumping onto the summertime neon nail polish bandwagon. We've seen hot pink shades since April, but it seems like they are brighter and more popular than ever now. Rihanna likes pink, orange, and yellow, and yesterday we spotted Lauren Conrad and Christina Aguilera both wearing electric pink. How cute would it be if Lauren had on Whitney from Zoya's Hills-inspired collection? For those of you who like to match your nails to your lipstick, check out this bevy of pretty pink polishes to go with your favorite bright pink lipstick — have fun!

Bauer-Griffin Online and Pacific Coast News Online

Trend Alert: Summertime Neon Nails

bellasugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:04 -0700

Check out the neon nails on Diane Kruger! Ever since the Costume Institute Gala I've been dying to talk about how she matched her shoes to her nails.

Celebrities and especially teenagers are going bonanza over the new fun, pop-colored nail polish quads from Essie and Chanel. They contain four minisized bottles of pink, yellow, orange, and either a blue or purple high-shine varnish. I'll be the first to admit that these electric '80s-inspired shades are fresh, but I think I would only dare to wear them on my toes. Are you confident enough to cruise around in these colors?

Color Power from Essie ($15 for four) is a great way to brighten up your fingers or toes for summertime. The white box has bright flowers printed on it and houses a red, yellow, orange, and a shimmery opalescent, bright-blue lacquer with flirty names such as cool click, flirty girl, crush, and txt me.

The Chanel Robertson Collection ($25 for four) is set to launch online in July. This minirange is named after Robertson Boulevard, the young and hip shopping street in Los Angeles where Chanel has just opened a boutique.

The collection includes a pink, purple, yellow, and tangerine polish and each shade is named after other famous streets nearby like Melrose, Rodeo Drive, LA Sunrise, and LA Sunset. Ain't it grand when beauty and fashion can collaborate like this!

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Back to Basics: The Best Base Coats

bellasugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:10 -0700

Finding the right base coat is a critical first step in creating the perfect at-home manicure. If you use one that doesn't have a decent adhesive quality, then the color you've just applied is likely to peel off quickly.

An instant peel or chip on your freshly manicured hands feels like a big waste of time. Here are three brilliant base coats that I've been using for years — and as always, if you have a favorite of your own, please tell me what it is in a comment below.

As far as base coats go, I've always considered Nailtiques Nail Protein Formula 2 ($9.50) a treat because it's fairly expensive. Also, I think it's nothing short of a miracle worker on weak, peeling nails, so if I can muster up the self-control to let some actual white tips grow in, I reward myself with a coat of this keratin enriched base coat. If you're a first-time user, it is recommended to apply one coat every other day for a week without color, and then apply it as a base coat and a top coat to your next manicure.

Borghese Brilliante Base & Top Coat ($6.74) dries quickly while providing a thin, yet adequate base for your manicure. It contains granules of gemstones for added shine, proteins to help your nails grow stronger and it seals in moisture for healthier nails. Also, it's toluene, DBP and formaldehyde free.

For one more drugstore base coat option,

Essie's 2008 Summer Color Craze

bellasugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:06 -0700

Although the new Summer 2008 Essie Nail Polish Collection isn't inspired by the girls of The Hills, the colors are similar to the Zoya Gossip collection. The range contains six sexy coral, rose, orange and pink shades perfect for adding a punch of happy color to your nails or toes. Don't let the provocative names scare you off; even good girls need to shake things up a little bit in the summer. My personal fave is secret stash, a bright, glossy magenta. What color is catching your eye?

To read a description of each of the colors,

Do You Prefer Your Nail Polish With or Without Shimmer?

bellasugar — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:00:31 -0700

I'm not sure why, but I am much more inclined to put a shimmery polish on my toes than on my nails. There's something distracting about having luminosity on my fingertips that deters me every time I'm about to give myself a manicure. Do you have a strong preference toward plain or glittery nail varnishes?Source

Do You Prefer Your Nail Polish With or Without Shimmer?

I like a little shimmer in my polish.

I prefer a matte polish.

I like both equally.

Undecided

Coming Soon: OPI Mod About Brights Collection

bellasugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:00:57 -0700

The next OPI Collection does not fool around when it comes to color. The shades are spot-on renditions of the season's brights trend. Yellow? Check. Green? Check. Melon? Check. The colors are definitely not for the faint of heart.

There's nary a hint of shimmer or silliness in these colors; they are just pure, true, bright shades. The colors are more sheer than you'd expect, which is surprising considering how pigmented they look in the bottle. You definitely need two coats to achieve a solid color on your nail, but this helps them look subtle instead of severe, translating otherwise garish colors into something that's feminine and pretty.

I've been wearing Mod-ern Girl, a gorgeous salmon pink. To see which cutesy names OPI came up with this time,

Do You Match Your Lipstick to Your Nail Polish?

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:59 -0700

When I went to college, I noticed that students from the South matched their lipstick to their nail polish. It's what their mothers taught them was the prim and proper way to beautify. I always thought it was a little bit much for me, but they definitely looked more put together than I ever did.The matchiness made me notice the details of beauty products more, and I started to appreciate how nail polish can be an accessory to complement any outfit. Over time, I find that I coordinate it with my clothes more than I do with the rest of my makeup, though. As a general rule, do you match your lipstick to your nail polish? Source

Do You Match Your Lipstick to Your Nail Polish?

Yes, always.

Sometimes I do, but not always.

I never do.

Other — I'll tell you in a comment below.

New Product Alert: Nars Orgasm Set

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:00:22 -0700

Ah, it's here: the Nars Orgasm set ($30). If you're not aware, Orgasm began as a beautiful pinky-peach blush with a hint of shimmer (and a long list of celebrity fans). It later became a Nars multiple, a lip gloss, and now it's a limited-edition nail polish.

The blush really does live up to the hype: It gives a great glow with just the right amount of color, so it's my daily go-to shade. (Psst, Revlon makes a clone that's pretty close, too.) I bought the lip gloss a couple of years ago, and while it's a pretty color, it isn't as much of a must-have. But now that the polish is available, I've ordered the set. At $30, it's actually a good deal for Nars — and the way that shade looks in the bottle is reason enough to have yet another Orgasm.

Psst! Zoya Has Some Summer Gossip

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:00:43 -0700

Looks like The Hills is unstoppable. Zoya has created six new shades of toluene-, formaldehyde- and DPB-free nail enamel and three new shades of sheer shiny lip gloss. They're named after LC and company.

It makes sense, especially since Whitney and Heidi are setting nail trends of their own. You'll appreciate that these colors are much more likable than some of the characters, and they're perfect for your upcoming party circuit. My favorite shade is Elodie, a vibrant melon-colored polish. Check out the colors below and let me know what color you like the most. Even if it turns out to be Heidi, I'll forgive you.

For a description of each of the nail polishes and lip glosses,

Bella Bargain: Free Butter London Nail Polish

bellasugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:09 -0700

If you're concerned about carcinogens in nail polish, you'll be excited about this news. From now until May 15, when you turn in three polishes that contain formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP, you'll receive a Butter London "three-free" polish in exchange — no strings attached. Butter London is one of many companies that have ditched those three chemicals, and their colors are always on-trend.

To get your freebie, go to a Butter London boutique or a participating boutique and turn in three toxic polishes. (They don't have to be new — they can be the crusty bottles you've had for years.) You'll then receive a coupon for a free Butter London polish of your choice. It's a pretty good deal for your budget, and an excellent way to protect your health.

Trend Alert: Melon Nails

bellasugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:00:42 -0700

Get ready to see many more melon-colored nails this spring. Check out Kristen Bell promoting her new movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall. While her fingernails are a quite bright, there are tons of varying raspberry and fruit-punch colored polishes to choose from. Here are three of my favorite juicy melon-colored nail lacquers.

L'Oreal Pro Manicure Nail Polish in Mango Get Em ($4.99) is a quick-drying, toluene- and formaldehyde-free polish that claims to last seven days without chipping. It also contains a strengthening pro-keratin ingredient and results in a high-shine finish.

For two other melon-colored nail polishes,