So Fresh & So Clean

Have you ever noticed how a certain behavioral habit or practice can become so overdone that just the mere thought of doing it one more time evokes feelings of nausea? Case in point the emergence of boyfriend jeans. The only way I can begin to fathom the popularity of these shapeless clunkers, more reminiscent of the baggy jean, derrier flaunting 90's highschool boys rather than the sexy Brooke Shields in her Calvin's, is that it is a countermovement and backlash to the played out skinny jeans.

On Monday as I went for my bi-weekly mani/pedi I found myself struggling to grab Springs requisite mushroom, chalky brown polish. My eyes were simply tired and bored of the overplayed color. I needed a fresh change which would nod to the blooming tulips, bright blue sky and warm breeze. I needed a pink but not just any pink...I needed "the one!" After surveying the nail polish bar I realized that I would have to create this unrealized color as my "it" shade didn't seem to exist! Instead I found pinks that were so muted they read neutral or fuschia's so intense it screamed Jersey Shore! Sonia (my go to nail tech) and I set to work to conceive the perfect pink shade. After countless mixing and matching we found it! A hybrid blend of baby pink and marshmallow this shade has the right sophisticated pop. So are you ready for this insider secret on how to create this lustful hue? Listen carefully and guard this secret! After the base coat apply OPI Bubble Bath followed by OPI's new Panda-Monium Pink then seal with a top coat. Et voila! You're starting a polish revolution...can you hear people throwing out their Chanel Particulière and OPI You Don't Know Jacques as they scramble to adorn their nails with this exclusive shade?

Usage tip: For a softer, more neutral hue reverse the order of the polishes to subdue the pink. Nail 101- always allow a minute of drying time between application of each coat to avoid the nasty bubbling effect.

The result: A fresh of breath air for your eyes and hands!

Spring's Hot Accessory

There are some trends that quickly evolve and become reminiscent to the maystorm of the Barney's Warehouse sale; you don’t know how you got there (in fact you never thought of it be so alluring in the first place) but because of sheer popularity and that age old excuse we used as children (whine- “but mom everyone else is doing it!”) you know that you should be there. Otherwise you risk your street status of being a connoisseur of all “in” things. Remember those low rise jeans a certain Ms. Spear's popularized that only flaunted your thong color, while giving new meaning to the visual of a "plumber's butt crack"? Let’s be honest not everyone was blessed with a Michelangelo sculpted taut stomach fit for Victoria Secret model. Instead we ended up revealing TMI about the curves and crevices of our bodies to make those low risers attractive. On the other hand there are other trends that are more reminiscent of the skinny jeans- classic, timelessly appropriate and mother approved.

Enter the new nail color for spring. Reviewed in our first post for 2010, this trend has become so hot that certain brands are wiped clean of inventories and predatory vultures are hawking the elusive polish on EBay for over $100 a pop. Let’s take a step back and visit to the original inspiration. Tastemaking Karl Lagerfield sends models with nails painted in a creamy mushroom inspired, chalky brown with a hint of steel gray polish down his Spring/Summer Chanel ’10 runway. (Remember the feeding frenzy this brand was responsible for with Black Satin or the ‘90s Vamp?). This fresh Chanel color, Particulière, (a welcome change from the tired dark black/purple) not only caused a minor anxiety attack with all the beauty editors as they scrambled to get one but sent a flurry of "me too" remakes. And with good reason. This subtle color takes a back seat to spring's pastel, candy-hued clothes, letting the outfit do the talking. Yet it is impactful and lingering enough that it pulls even the everpresent military jacket together. Is your heart racing yet because this is the new accessory for spring and you don't have it?! If you can't find pony up for the $100 Ebay original try some more pocket-friendly and equally alluring alternatives like OPI's You Don't Know Jacques, Essie's Chinchilly (I wish my job was to brainstorm nail polish names!) or Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Laquer in Commander in Chic. But hurry spring is right around the corner and you don't want to leave your nails envious and bare!

Usage tip: This color looks immaculate on shorter, square-shaped nails. Long and pointy/curvy only spells Jersey Shore (no offense to my NJ friends).

The result: Love at first sight (yes it's possible)....this color stopped hearts on the runway!

New Year, New Color

So it is officially 2010 and time to turn a new leaf or as the saying goes "out with the old and in with the new" (a motto used to justify a plentitude of things from bed hopping antics to new season shopping splurges). However in this case I'm referring to a house cleaning of that polish you've been dangling from your nails for oh the past year or two. Ladies and...well ladies it is time to banish the vampire, gothic colors better known as Lincoln Park After Dark, Black Satin or Noir Metallic (frankly the silly names go on and on) for something fresher yet equally seductive. Let's be honest the black polishes have become overplayed , overdone and overexposed like the Kardashians. How many more times can you paint those nails the same tired color or hear about those girls' new workout habits? Especially when there's a new lady of the house!

It's time to open your hearts, switch the tv station and fall in love with OPI You Don't Know Jacques! This multi-faceted color reminds you of a creamy slate (think the counter color you've lusting after for your dream house), bold enough to make a statement yet soft enough to seduce and entice. Compatible with every skin tone, this dreamy color reads blue undertones in some lights and a dirty martini inspired olive hue in others. Available in both the traditional glossy and new industrial matte finish, it is that breathe of fresh air you've been waiting for. And true to it's name, I've been dreaming of this new color as it haunts me like an unrecognizable lover each time I get my nails done and now that I've finally discovered it I do have to wonder how did I ever not know about Jacques?

Usage tip: Remember to always paint the tips of nails which are the areas first prone to color chipping, This color is best flaunted on short to mid-length nails and keep it modern with a square, rounded edge nail.

The result: Trendsetting nails, a fresher alternative to the "oh you again" black polish.

DIY Spa Worthy Mani Pedi

My high school best friend is getting hitched this weekend and I'm lucky enough to be one of her bridesmaids! Very exciting but a lot of beauty prep work needs to be done leading right up till the moment she says her "I do's" and even continuing through the reception and late night celebration. Of course this week, like most, has been wacko crazy with work demands leaving very little time to get ready. So I find myself 12 hrs before my flight needing a mani/pedi. And not just any mani/pedi but a truly incredible one (read: lasts for awhile, polish is on the nails, fingers and toes radiate)! Easy I think, I will call my favorite nail technician, Sonia, at the neighborhood salon and get one of her fabulous, chip-free, 2 week lasting mani/pedis while I sit back, relax and catch up on my celebrity gossip. Well of course that would just be too convenient...apparently Thursday's are Sonia's day off! In a great panic I try to figure out what to do. I need to get my nails done but have never had much luck with the other nail techs or salons, so I figure I will do it myself. After all I have only watched Sonia do it a million times and if she can do it so can I (there's the competitve edge in me!). Well fellow beauty lovers I'm thrilled to report that my makeshift, homestyle nail salon has resulted in a pretty unbelievable DIY mani/pedi. Listen, in a blind survey I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between what I did and Sonia's work! So I'm compelled to share my technique with you!

1. Shape the nails. Be sure to file in one direction only to avoid causing micro tears that could eventually catch onto something and lead to breakage.

2. Buff nails to remove any ridges.

3. Soak nails in a lukewarm water bath infused with some aromatic bath salts (I like lavender!).

4. Gently push back cuticles but don't cut them, this only causes the cuticle to grow back thicker.

5. Pedi only: with a pumice stone and body polish exfoliate the soles of the feet concentrating on callused areas. Rinse.

6. Clean the nail surface again with nail polish remover. This step is the most important! It removes any remaining moisture, oil or residue allowing the polish to directly bind to the nail surface.

7. Apply OPI Base Coat. I love this product so much I take it with me to nail salon. As in step 6, the key to a long lasting mani/pedi is the foundation. This base coat not only helps create a smooth surface for the polish but also creates a great barrier protecting nails from the yellowing effect. Sonia comments on this during the winters when I'm permanently wearing the darker polishes. She is amazed that my nails don't turn yellow!

8. Apply a thin coat of your desired nail polish making sure to cover the edges and tips of the nails. These two areas are the first places where chipping occurs so it is essential to protect them.

9. Allow 2-3 min (the amount of time it takes to paint the rest of your nails) and repeat step 5.

10. Apply my other absolute favorite product (and another one I take to the nail salon), MiraCote Super Fast Dry Through Top Coat. This little gem not only dries my nails in 5 minutes flat but it is like a sealant protecting my nails from any chipping whatsoever. A mani/pedi is incomplete without this nail changing product.

Usage tip: To maintain the longevity of your $50 looking mani/pedi touch up the tips and edges of the nails with polish 2-3 days later and reapply the top coat to restore that glossy shine and reinforce the polish. This minor step will extend your mani/pedi by days!

The result: Spa/salon worthy nails for free! Just look at this picture of my own feet!