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Nov 8, 2012

Blogging Against Bullying: Zoya Purple Manicure

November 8, 2012 By Carleenp 2 Comments

Bullying and general negative behavior toward fellow bloggers has cropped up as of late in beauty blogging circles and particularly in the nail polish blogging circles with groups picking on less than perfect manicures. As a response to this and against bullying in general, nail and beauty bloggers are posting purple manicures and dedicating today to pledge to work to stop bullying and encourage diversity. I am happy to take part.

So, I did a nice manicure using a purple from the Zoya Tru Collection. Then I promptly smeared it by accident. Story of my life! I decided to publish it anyway, given that something imperfect seems particularly fitting! Plus I don’t think it actually shows up that much. So here are my purple Zoya nails (I love this shade, by the way)!

And the common statement among the bloggers taking part:

Bullying is not funny. It is not cool. It is not right. And more importantly, it is not okay.

Most of us are, thankfully, residents of countries that support tolerance and many of our families have settled in these places simply for that reason. Generations later, it is our responsibility to perpetuate that message of tolerance across our new social platforms, including the internet.

As members of the nail polish blogging community, we all share a love of beauty, color, and lacquer. Other than that, we are remarkably different: from our race to our religion to our hair color...even to our polish application techniques. To marginalize anyone because of those differences is completely unacceptable and today I take a stand against that. I refuse to allow other people's view of "normal" dictate how I behave, believe, and blog.

In solidarity with a multitude of bloggers linked below, my purple manicure represents my proud commitment to the No H8 movement. Today, November 8, I dedicate my post to ending bullying of any kind and to encouraging diversity and imperfection among our colorful community.

See below for more purple manis!

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Filed Under: Nail Products Tagged With: Editorial, Nail Polish, Nails, Zoya

Nov 5, 2012

Six Top Fall and Winter Nail Polish Shades

November 5, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

As the seasons change, so should nail polish. The bright, bold colors of spring and summer may not work as well when the leaves start to turn. Consider switching to a new polish for fall and winter. There is an array of colors that are stylish and reflect the color palette of the season. Fall and winter colors are full of bronze, red, purple, gold and brown hues. Here is a list of six fall nail colors that are sure to make anyone’s nails sparkle.

1. Gray

Gray may seem like a drab color, but this year’s selection of grays are far from boring. Gray is a good compromise for people who are tired of the black nail trend. Grays can range from stormy, darker colors to lighter variations. With matte, glossy and glittery options, there will be a lot of people wearing gray this fall. Pictured: Nars Polish in Storm Bird.

2. Gold

Who does not love gold? The color is beautiful when paired with autumn and fits right in through the winter holidays. These colors can make anyone feel like a millionaire. Some gold nail lacquer is made with actual gold flecks, giving nails the truly golden appearance. For those who want a less flashy style, gold nail polish can be found in more subtle tones. Pictured: Butter London in West End Wonderland.

3. Navy and Deep Blue

Navy is a beautiful shade that does not clash with colors commonly seen this time of year. Navy is the perfect shade for people that are seeking a vibrant color that does not have a lot of shock value. It is a color that is suitable for work and play due to its sophistication and elegance. This shade will work well all the way through the winter months. Pictured: Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) La Laque Couture Nail Lacquer in Blue Colbalt.

4. Chocolate

Many people enjoy chocolate daily. Why not extend the love of chocolate to nails? Chocolate is another color that compliments the season. The deep browns add a touch of warmth. Anyone that thinks that chocolate may be uninteresting, consider a glossy chocolate polish or one that has a bit of sparkle. Pictured: Julep Nail Vernis in Olivia.

5. Berry

Berries are a lot of fun. The different undertones produce a spectrum of shades. Berry colors are universal. There is something that works with every wardrobe. A berry polish with black or purple undertones will have an edgier look. A berry with red undertones may be more subtle. Pictured: Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Graphic Berry.

6. Green

Green is probably not considered a traditional nail color, but it is a popular color trend that has survived several seasons. It may be time to pack away the neon green, but more earthy-green hues for the fall and winter are a good replacement. Green is a hip style choice. This season there is a twist. Shades associated with military fatigues are being mixed with metallics to create a glamorous look. Pictured: Sephora by O.P.I Leaf Him At The Altar.

The color of nails has become just as important as a person’s outfit. Wearing the appropriate nail color for the season has become a priority for many. It may be a sad notion to put away everything that reflected the warmer months, but fall and winter colors are just as fun. Wearing anything of these nail colors will reflect a stylish change that reflects the season.

Buy the Shades Pictured at Sephora

Filed Under: Nail Products Tagged With: Butter London, Dior, Julep, Nail Polish, Nails, Nars, Sephora by OPI, YSL

Oct 22, 2012

Halloween Nail Polish Looks

October 22, 2012 By Carleenp 2 Comments

Halloween just begs for transformation. Besides an unforgettable costume, don't forget great makeup and nail polish to really complete your look. Creating a Halloween manicure is simple. All you need are some easy-to-use tools and accessories.

Halloween Nail Polish: How To's

Crackle: Applying the new crackle polishes is a breeze. The polish does most of the work for you in creating a scary look with little effort. Apply a base coat in the color of your choice. It's best to choose solid shades such as red, black, gold or silver. Once this coat is dry, add crackle polish. The unique formulation gives your nails a cracked look that fits right into Halloween. After this coat is dry, apply a clear top coat to keep your manicure looking scarily fabulous for a week or more.

Fun and Dotty: Maybe you prefer a fun nail style that conjures up Halloween with its specific colors. You'll need black nail polish and a bright orange nail polish pen. Apply one or two coats of black polish and let dry. Add dots of orange polish with the pen; simply design a random pattern of polka dots. Let this completely dry and follow up with a clear top coat.

Metallic: For women who want something simple but still eye-catching, take advantage of metallic nail polish. Black metallic is perfect, but you can also top matte black polish with a clear metallic that catches the light. Although short nails are always in vogue, this look works well for very short or longer nails.

Nail Art: If you're adventurous, you can create pictures on your nails with a selection of nail art pens and decals. You can either design the same look on all ten fingernails or you can be random and make every nail different. Some nail art ideas include pumpkins, black cats, witch hats, spider webs and ghosts. Just draw with a nail pen over a dry coat of black, orange, silver or even red polish. If you need help, recruit a friend. Once your manicure is finished, you can return the favor and design a look for her. Of course, if you don't feel like your hands will be steady enough to draw pictures on your own, use stick-on decals.

Whether you prefer festive and fun or scary and bold, there's a nail look for you. Since this is the one night of the year everyone can dress up and fit in, consider going all out with your nail design.