Category: nails

Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquer in Mink Brulee

I don’t usually splurge on nail polishes, but on a recent trip to Neiman Marcus, this color really caught my eye and I just couldn’t resist. I was under the impression that most nail polishes were equal in staying power. Turns out this might not be the case. Mink Brulee has beautiful texture, with an opaque nude finish. It only required two coats and had a shinny, glossy finish. But the real treat was when this color perserved through days of my normal hand abuse. I applied the color using my normal routine:

Instagramed Manicures

Here is a little recap of some of my recent manicures, as seen on Instagram. Follow me @bellebellebeauty.

  1. Avon Carnival Collection – I liked these so much, I had to put one color on each finger! I was channelling my 80’s pre-teen years and I liked it.
  2. Essie Brooch the Subject – For a change of pace, an opaque nude that was just the perfect color.
  3. Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor Strike a Pose – I may not be crazy about the Kardashians, but admit I loved this bold coral/red.
  4. NARS Space Odyssey – For a metallic, this was perfect. It required three coats but had that perfect foil look.
  5. Deborah Lippmann Mermaid’s Dream Nail Lacquer – Rumored to be largely sold out, Mermaid Dream is already a cult favorite. I did see some on shelves at Neiman Marcus recently.

Nails Across the Pond

There is something alluring about European beauty. Don’t even get me started on the damage I would do in a French Pharmacy. So, when my friend and fellow blogger, The Madam Editor, agreed to do a post on nails in London, I couldn’t resist! Make sure you check out her tumblr for a witty (and incredibly well written) look at fashion, shopping and life of a writer.

Nails; uptown, downtown, London town.

Let’s face it I know nothing about beauty. Nothing about beauty products, I don’t even know what kind of tinted moisturiser is good for my skin tone…that’s a tale for another day but what I do know is a thing or two about nail polish. I love a good manicure, at 3am even better (don’t ask) but a good manicure, that perfectly polished nail, makes me something giddy and I am forever searching for the perfect lacquer hence I have an array of pretty pinks, brights and darks. When Lindsay asked me to do a post on things we London girls enjoy that can’t be had just yet across the pond, well my go to was nail polish; the uptown, downtown kind. Barry M for the more hip Downtown chick and the Champagne Nail bar in Harvey Nichols…you know that’s how uptown girls roll.

Barry M is a drugstore and widely loved brand sold in Boots and Superdrug and other very good drugstores in and around the capital. They have an amazing collection of long lasting nail paints in the prettiest colours and most inventive styles; croc effect nails anyone? Pardon the ghastly dryness of my skin but you get the gist, and such a breeze to apply too. Their colours are always fun and popping especially for the spring summer and for £2.95 a pop you cannot go wrong and did I say they are long lasting, chip resistant. Yes please.

For the more uptown chichi chick we have the Champagne nail bar in Harvey Nichols courtesy of nails inc. I love everything about this place and the concept, like an exclusive beauty salon, you sip on champagne whilst having your nails and feet pampered to prim perfection, with sex and the city or the September issue etc playing in the back ground. With services like the “Lady who lunches manicure”, “the front row manicure”, “well heeled pedicure” and “the crystal pedicure” with real Swarovski crystal that lasts up to three weeks…what’s not to love? Luxury comes at a price but it’s a price well worth it, besides it still won’t break the bank. Check in to Harvey Nicks on your next hop stop to the Big smoke.

Thakoon for NARS Nail Collection

In honor of the holiday weekend, wanted to send a little Easter eye candy. NARS has partnered with Thakoon to create a vibrant, beautiful six polish collection. Thakoon was inspired by the vibrant colors found in Indian spice markets. The highly saturated, high-shine shades come in an opaque finish, perfect for spring. Shades include:

  • Anardana – Azalea pink
  • Ratin Jot – Orchid purple
  • Amchoor – Bright yellow
  • Kutki – Powder blue
  • Koliary – Cyan blue
  • Lal Mirchi – Mandarin red (only available at NARS 413 Bleecker Street Boutique)

PRICE: $18 each

AVAILABILITY: Beginning May 1, 2012 on www.narscosmetics.com

Happy Easter/Passover weekend to you all!

Essie Spring Collection 2012 – Orange, It’s Obvious! Nail Polish

To accompany my recent acquired “tan” thanks to Xen-Tan, I need a shock of a bright color for my manicure. It is finally spring, after all. I picked up one of my bottles from the Essie Spring Collection – Orange, It’s Obvious!. The shade is perfectly on trend and looks great with darker skin tones.

If the orange shade doesn’t suit you, the spring collection is full of other options. Rock mint green with Navigate Her. I love the fuchsia shade, Tour de Finance. Or the timeless neutral, A Crewed Interest.