One of the best times of the year to experiment with manicures is during the winter. Because most of us cannot show our toes, decking out our hands can be fun and add some extra interest to our wardrobe on a daily basis. Also, getting a smooth and sexy manicure is the perfect way to put the finishing touches on your holiday party look.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect shade for yourself or stocking stuffers for friends, make sure to go natural. Some of the worst kinds of beauty product toxins are found in nail polish, and you can really save yourself from major exposure to harmful ingredients if you opt for polish that is toxin-free. Look for polishes that are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.

These colors are great for this season and healthy, too!

Kendal by Zoya

This is the perfect neutral for the season. It’s laid-back for day, sexy enough for night, and has a tone that feels fresh, rather than a repeat of the pinky beiges that were popular all summer. This shade will go great with any neutral, as well as the hot jewel tones coming out this season. Or pair with a grey snakeskin print and get compliments all day.

Holly by Zoya

Speaking of jewel tones, this sexy green shade from the new Gems and Jewels collection by Zoya is super modern and has that quality that just catches the eye. Pair it with a huge, soft knit in a brown or beige, or try it with a jewel tone print.

Red Ace Rose by Priti

You can never go wrong with a shade of red, and this dark, dusty version feels perfect this season. Wear it with anything! Just make sure not to try to match it with your shoes or bag…

Priti French Manicure Kit

Buy it for yourself or as a gift. These are the perfect French manicure shades and will go with absolutely anything. If you’re doing your own nails, try nixing the French manicure look and just using one of the cream shades as an all-over color with a shiny top coat. If you’re heading out to treat yourself to a manicure, bring this kit along and ask the manicurist to use it for your treatment.

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online courses.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7 @gmail.com.

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Beauty products have come a long way through the ages. Back in the times of ancient Egypt, women in power used milk to treat their skin and pigments to stain their nails, while today women perform home glycolic peels and sport chip proof shellac. Products such as these continue to improve and evolve. The future may see truly chip proof nail polish that is also healthy for the nails and promotes growth, while a non-invasive fat freezing machine is likely to be one of the next big things in beauty.

Below are 6 common beauty products and procedures that have come a long way through the ages and will continue to evolve well into the future.  In many cases, such as in the case of increasingly natural and gentle hair color, the evolution is of benefit to beauty lovers. But in some cases, such as in the formulation of hair spray, evolution of the product may result in something less desirable for the consumer, but will be more beneficial for the environment.

Nail Polish

Nail polish dates back to ancient Egypt where women of rank colored their nails with dark red pigments. Women of lower rank were limited to use of pale shades. The Chinese developed a colored lacquer that was left on the nails for several hours and then removed, leaving a stain behind. Nail color later evolved into easier to use tints and stains, and women took to buffing tinted nails to also make them shiny. But it was the advent of the automobile and the technology of the paint for it that led to the nail polishes that we see today.

In recent years, nail polish technology has grown immensely. Now standard polish is seen in holographic, glitter, and matte shades. Magnetic polish that is applied and then altered with a magnet in the cap is also available for an interesting look. But the largest evolution is in gel polish and shellacs which, as Linda Massey of Rick and Company Salon and Spa in Sioux City, IA, notes, can last for two weeks without chipping. However, they are a bit hard on the nails and are not the easiest of products to remove. With shellac being in its early stages, one can expect the technology to continue to evolve to the point where chip proof polish that is also healthy and easy to change will become the norm.

Exfoliation and Peels

The use of substances to keep skin soft and blemish free also dates back to ancient Egypt, when women of power discovered the power of lactic acid in milk for skin care. Over the years, women have used all sorts of substances to exfoliate the skin, many being rather abrasive. But the past 20 years have seen an increase in the ability to exfoliate gently, yet effectively. Devices such as the Clarisonic, now use sonic technology to clean and  exfoliate skin, while more gentle glycolic peels, such as the Brazillian Peel, can now be performed at home.  Microdermabrasion is no longer limited to the dermatologist’s office, with devices no available for microdermabrasion at home. In the future, expect to see less and less invasive ways to obtain clear skin through the use of light therapy, sonic therapy, and increasingly gentle, yet powerful chemical peels.

Shaving and Hair Removal

Women began shaving around 1915, when an ad campaign targeting underarm hair as unsightly appeared in Harper’s Bazaar and was coupled with the rise in popularity of sleeveless dresses. Over time, women also moved to shaving their legs and various other forms of hair removal, such as through the use of depilatories. In the 1980’s the painful epilady was introduced and waxing started to come into fashion. Since then, epilation and waxing, while still uncomfortable, have been improved, but the biggest development has been laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is effective for those with lighter skin and preferably darker hair. People with dark skin cannot use it, as the laser targets pigment and is not safe for use on darker skin.  The past 5 years have seen a rise in popularity of effective home laser hair removal devices, such as the Tria Laser, with many reporting permanent hair removal after six to nine months of regular use.  In the future, watch for developments in permanent hair removal for people of color, either through new developments in laser technology or through improvements to alternate devices, such as the Verseo eGlide, which purports to permanently remove hair through the use of a galvanic current, making it safe for people with darker skin.

Fat Loss

One of the most interesting advancements that may be just around the corner is in the area of fat reduction. Over the years, numerous weight loss methods targeting fat have been developed and, with the exception of normal dieting and liposuction, have generally failed. It is generally understood that fat cannot be vibrated or rolled away, despite the popularity of machines in the 60s,70s, and 80 that promised to do so.  Liposuction, which became popular in the past 25 years, does work to remove fat, but it is painful and invasive. However, a new evolution may be just around the corner.

According to Debra Jaliman, a New York Board Certified Dermatologist and author of the upcoming book, Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist, Coolsculpting by Zeltiq is a non-invasive way of freezing fat in order to slim and contour the  belly, love handles, and back. Patients spend one to four hours with a cooling device on the area of fat that they want to eliminate and the fat disappears two to four months later. The product is expected to be available in a hand piece soon to treat the arms and thighs. Kathleen Stegman, Founder of Midwest Medical Aesthetics, predicts that similar home machines will be developed and become popular, given that obesity is a growing issue.

Hair Color

Synthetic hair color came about in 1907 from the French chemist Eugene Schueller. His commercial hair dye went on to become the well known name of L’Oreal. Hair color evolved from there to dyes that penetrated the hair shaft for longer lasting results, leading to the formation of the Clairol company. But early hair color products often appeared false and were harsh on the hair.

Over time, hair color has evolved into products that are more gentle and less damaging to the hair and skin, while also providing more realistic color. Organic products, and even gluten free products, have become available for those who desire them. According to Mark Kuzma, owner and educator of Laboratory Hair Studio in Morristown, NJ, we can expect to see further developments in the area of gentle, yet long lasting and vibrant hair color.

Hair Spray

Developed in the 1940s, hair spray used to be anything by soft and manageable. Originally called resin, it consisted of a substance similar to shellac, which created a sticky film when dry. “Helmet head” was the norm with older styles of spray.

In the 1970s, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) aerosols were phased out to protect the ozone layer, and Alberto VO5 went on to become the first brand to provide a CFC free aerosol. During recent years, hair spray has become softer and more manageable, with many products focusing on light hold so that the hair retains a natural look and movement.

Very recent developments, however, don’t bode as well for the favorite sprays of some stylists. Hairspray normally contains alcohol and sometimes other ingredients that are known as Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs), which are implicated in the formation of ozone and affect global warming. As a result, restrictions on the use of VOCs have increased over the years. As Kuzma explains, new VOC limits effective in January 2012 will require hairspray manufacturers to change their formulas to increase the amount of water in the formula, leading to a wetter spray. He states that “some of us will be losing our favorite sprays because that will not work in some cases.”  So in this case, evolution of the product is beneficial for the environment, but perhaps not so beneficial for consumers who use the products.

Interested in learning more about beauty technology? See Our related articles:

Home LED Light Therapy

Laser Tattoo Removal

Light Therapy For Rosacea

Home Laser Hair Removal Guide

Home Microdermabrasion Guide

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Halloween Nail Polish? Absolutely!

Halloween is almost here! Time for cinnamon, clove, and spiced-pumpkin, warming smells filling the frosty air. Time for leaves to change their color. Time for the long-awaited coolness, wearing sweaters, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, eating festive goodies of all sorts, and cozying up with the little ones indoors with soft, warm blankets watching good movies. Time to get those decorations out and time to get your costume together.

But what to do with your nails you may ask? Red is very festive for Christmas, pastels great for spring, vibrant colors for summer… but alas, for Halloween? What Halloween nail polish do you use? If the thought of freakish colors doesn’t bode well for your garb, never fear. There is an array of colors and tips on painting your nails that will match your wardrobe and still give a Halloween feel.

Opt for colors like burnt orange, persimmon, different hues of brown, and dark burgundy. Paint your nails one color or do vertical or horizontal stripes with up to four different shades. You’re sure to match any of your autumn ensembles with a mixture of different colors. Also look for fun pre-made tips in Halloween shades.

Make Halloween nail polish fun. Paint all your nails black and with a white nail polish pen, write “B” on your ring finger and place an “O” on your middle and another “O” on your index finger for the left hand. Paint little ghosts on your pinky and thumbnails. Reverse the order for the right hand.

Want a classy french manicured look with a goth feel? Instead of painting the tips of your fingers white, use black. With a glossy clear-coat sheen on top, your nails will be stylish and appropriate as Halloween nears. If black is too drastic, use another dark color such as burgundy which naturally enhances any skin tone.

When it comes to Halloween, don’t feel you’re limited to gaudy, freakish shades. Thank goodness nail polish comes in a wide-array of colors for every occasion, even Halloween!

Still nee a costume? Shop For Halloween Costumes and Supplies and Spirit of Halloween.

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If you read our sister site Girl Gloss, you may have already seen this one. Although I rarely use blue nail polish, I liked the shades in the Les Jeans de Chanel line that was put out for Fashion’s Night Out. So I grabbed a bottle of the shade Blue Boy. I do rather like the shade. Below are my Les Jeans de Chanel Blue Boy swatches.

Next is in indoor light:

There are three limited edition shades in the Les Jeans de Chanel collection and they are selling rather quickly. At last check several were sold out online, but you might check your local Chanel beauty counter.

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Here are three MAC Me Over nail polish swatches from the fall 2011 collection. I had limited time to do these, so I just made very quick swatches of thumbnails, but it at least gives an idea of the shades.

Below is Quiet Time. If I have enough of that later today, I might try to do a full manicure in this.

Next is MAC Me Over Fatigues. This is not my personal preference in nail polish shades, but regardless, I do kind of like it. I didn’t get the best coverage with this one though. That is two coats in the swatch. There also is no pearl or anything to this polish. To the extent it looks that way on the bottle in the photo, it is just the lighting.

Here is a swatch of Purple Majesty. I love this shade, but I chip polish so fast that I hardly ever wear dark colors. I might put this one on my toes later though!

I tend to be a fan of MAC polishes. They usually apply and wear pretty well and MAC always seems to come up with interesting shades. The MAC fall 2011 collection will be available on August 25, 2011.

Disclosure: This post is based on products provided by a representative of the company. For more, please see the disclosure page.

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The Best Summer Nail Polish Colors

Many women look forward to the summer season, since that is a time when they can wear summer nail colors that are bright and eye-catching. The nail polish colors that will be trendy over any summer include classic colors such as pinks, oranges and reds, along with bright blues, greens and even darker shades of gray.

When choosing a nail color that will be trendy for summer 2011, there are plenty of choices to choose from. While the colors may vary, one of the main nail trends for 2011 is bold colors that are bright and intense. Classic colors such as red and pink will always be trendy for summer, but for a different look, it is worth trying different shades such as bright greens and blues. The previously mentioned nail products all feature a variety of shades, so a person can mix and match their nail color for a variety of occasions during the summer. The following lists several types of summer nail colors that will be on trend for the season.

Givenchy Vernis Please! Nail Lacquer

This vibrant orange shade by Givenchy is exclusive to Sephora and is a trendy summer nail polish color. Since bright and colorful shades are always on trend for summer, this Givenchy shade will give nails a perfect summer look. It features a chip-resistant formula which will ensure that the color will remain bright and vibrant for long wear. get it here: Givenchy Vernis Please!

Sephora Collection Nail Lacquer

With nearly 60 different shades to choose from, these nail polishes by Sephora make it easy to have nails that have the perfect summer shade. Choose shades such as Lime Cocktail, Bubble Bath, Valentine and Samba in Rio to achieve nails that feature bright and vibrant shades that are on trend for summer. These nail colors dry quickly and give a high-shine color for the look of glossy nails. Buy it here:  Sephora Nail Collection

Sephora by O.P.I. Going Nude, Eh? Nail Colour

Nude nail colors are a timeless classic and they are always perfect for the summer season. This nude shade by O.P.I. is exclusive to Sephora and is chip-resistant so it will be long-lasting on nails. You can buy it and other Sephora OPI polishes here: Sephora by OPI, Going Nude Eh?

Illamasqua Nail Varnish

The collection of colors from Illamasqua feature many of the top shades that are perfect for the summer season. Choose summer nail polish colors such as DWS, Force, Ruthless, Collide and Gamma for nails that will be on trend for the warmer months of summer. There are nearly 30 different shades to choose from, and most of the colors are bold and bright for the perfect summertime look. Buy it here: Illamasqua Nail Polish

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Selections from the MAC Cosmetics holiday collection, A Tartan Tale, just landed on my doorstep. Right off, I was interested in the nail polishes because, new for MAC this year, is a gift tin with five mini nail polishes in it. I love MAC polish, and the idea of getting 5 at once thrills me. On top of it, if you missed MAC’s popular green shade, Beyond Jealous, when it was out last year, here is your shot at getting it again!

I didn’t have time to swatch the collection on my nails yet, but here are swatches of the MAC holiday 5 Naughty Little Vices Collection nail polish shades on white cardboard in sunlight:

From left to right:

• Vice is Nice: Metallic Gold
• Beyond Jealous: Deep Forest Green
• Nocturnell: Black
• Asiatique: Bright Cherry Red
• Vintage Vamp: Deep Blood Red

Vintage Vamp is my personal favorite and, yes, Beyond Jealous, really is so deep in color that it is almost black.  That is not an issue with lighting.

Here is what the gift tin looks like:

The MAC holiday collection launches on October 28.

Disclosure: This post is based on product samples sent to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see the disclosure page.

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MAC Cosmetics’ Venomous Villains Collection includes three unique nail polish shades with multi-changing pearl hues. All three are found in the Maleficent group of the Venomous Villains Disney Collection.  I hate to say it since I am usually a big fan of MAC nail polish, but I’m not real keen on these. The lacquers go on very sheer and don’t really seem to look right until three coats are applied. I suppose that is mainly due to the multi-changing pearl effect. That effect is interesting, but I can’t say that I personally care for it all that much.  But of course others may love this sort of look.

Below are swatches of the three MAC nail polish shades:

My favorite of the three is the shade Formidable, which is described as a teal green with pink multi-changing pearl, but it really looks mostly purple. It was the only one of the three that covered OK in two coats and I liked it mainly because it is an attractive shade that looks more normal.

Next is Bad Fairy, which is described as red with red pearl, but it looks more copper in color. This one probably needed more than two coats to look right  I also generally liked this shade, but I don’t want to have to apply three coats.

Last is Mean and Green. I’m not really a fan of this shade at all. The changing hue looks a bit off to me and the shade took three coats to even come close to looking right.  Heck, it still looks pretty sheer in the picture with three coats on. Now, I know that some folks like sheer polish, and that is fine, but this one really doesn’t look good sheer in my opinion. One note though, the changing color effect does show better in real life than it does in photos, so the polish looks slightly better in reality than as reflected in the swatch photo.

The MAC Venomous Villains Collection, featuring four Disney characters will be available beginning September 30, 2010 and will run through October.   To see my previous swatches and photos of the makeup collection look here: MAC Venomous Villains Swatches.

Disclosure: This review is based on products provided to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see the disclosure page.

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The MAC Cosmetics Alice + Olivia Collection, due to be released on July 8, 2010, has some great nail polish shades that I swatched. I have the Dazzle Glass swatched here at Girl Gloss: MAC Alice+Oliva  Dazzle Glass Swatches.

The shade Military is a dark gray with a suede finish and it dries incredibly fast. I put the swatch on my thumb, walked outside with the camera, and it was dry by the time the picture was taken! For some reason, I had a heck of time getting the camera to focus on this one though. All of my shots were a bit blurred but it still shows the shade fairly well.

So Rich So Pretty is a nice shimmering purple

Morning After is a lovely turquoise shade.

Morning After reminded me quite a bit of the MAC eyeshadow shade Parrot, so I went and dug mine out to see. The swatch on my thumb is Parrot. The swatch on my hand is the pigment shade Partylicious, which is also part of the MAC Alice + Olivia Collection. It is just slightly darker than Parrot.

Disclosure: This post is based on products given to me by a representative of the company. For more, please see the disclosure page.

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Way back, I picked up a set of four polishes from the OPI For Sepohra Modern Flowers Collection. I really like the light purple shade Iris I Was Thinner, swatched below:

Then, for fun, I put on the glitter shade It’s Bouquet With Me over it as shown in the below swatch.

The overall look is rather fun, but perhaps not quite fitting for my age. I picture this as being more popular with the 25 (or even 20) and under crowd.

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