nail polish

Best Uses For Clear Nail Polish
Nails

10 Unusual Uses For Clear Nail Polish

It's likely you have a few bottles of clear nail polish lying around in your manicure kit, whether it's a speedy top coat or a full lineup of prep, prime, and polish essentials.
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It's likely you have a few bottles of clear nail polish lying around in your manicure kit, whether it's a speedy top coat or a full lineup of prep, prime, and polish essentials. Now it's time to expand the horizons of your trusty clear lacquer into other areas, from furniture to fashion.

You'll want to keep clear nail polish on hand because it . . .

  1. Makes labels smudge-proof and weather-resistant by sealing in markers and paint. This comes in handy when labeling expiration dates on your cosmetics.
  2. Stops runs in stockings right in their tracks when you dab polish at both ends. This way you can get more wear out of your hosiery, even after a tiny tear.
  3. Keeps buttons from popping off. Just paint the threads in the center for reinforcement. Clear nail polish also protects shoestrings and other threads from unraveling thanks to its dries-hard finish.
  4. Eliminates rings in the bathroom. Simply coat the bottom of metal cans (hair spray, shaving cream, etc.) to slow the progression of rust and keep those unsightly red stains at bay.
  5. Reinforces envelope seals so that your most important missives (bills, love letters, and the like) remain safe.
  6. Waterproofs matches if you're going for a hike: dab clear polish on the tips to keep them safe from moisture. This is also particularly useful if the hike involves a candlelit picnic.
  7. Prevents nail darkening caused by deeper-toned lacquers. While yellow nail polish is cool no matter the season, yellow nails are not. Use clear nail polish as a protective base coat to prevent yellowing. Even better, clear polish preserves your manicure for longer, particularly when applied to the free edge of tips. Think of it as one of those extra beauty steps that's absolutely worth it.
  8. Coats splinters in furniture so you don't rip or snag your clothing or worse.
  9. Acts as a base for a DIY glitter top coat: just pour in multicolored confetti for an inexpensive embellishment that rivals Deborah Lippmann's genius.
  10. Relieves the itch of a bug bite: this tried-and-true remedy isn't quite scientific but it works as long as you don't have any open scratches.
Source: Flickr user kimberlyac
Studded Nail Art
Nail Polish

Try a White-Hot Nail Art For Summer

Amp up your striking white nail polish look with gold studs at the base for a simple but impactful touch.
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Amp up your striking white nail polish look with gold studs at the base for a simple but impactful touch. Opaque white nail polish packs quite the punch, but it also tends to show mistakes a lot more than other polish hues. So to make sure it looks its best, first file your nails for a perfect shape and trim your cuticles to ensure clean lines around the edges.

To create the look, I started off with Butter London Nail Fertilizer ($18) as a nutrient-rich base coat. Then, I painted on two coats of Chanel Le Vernis in Eastern Light ($30) for pure white coverage. While the polish was still wet, I added a gold stud from The New Black Rock and Roll Royalty Set ($24), which comes with various polish hues and a bottle of edgy accents, including gold studs and black and clear rhinestones. To finish, I topped this look with Essie Good to Go ($8) to seal in the stud and give my nails a glossy finish. If you have any messy edges, go back with a brush dipped in polish remover to clean up any stray polish.

Ciate Very Colourfoil Manicure Set | How-To
Nail Polish

How to Create a Colorful Foil Manicure

Ciaté is known for taking the nail-art trend from the streets to the comfort of your own home with its easy DIY kits, like this Very Colourfoil Manicure Set ($25).
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Ciaté is known for taking the nail-art trend from the streets to the comfort of your own home with its easy DIY kits, like this Very Colourfoil Manicure Set ($25). The end result is a colorful and intricate design that looks far more complicated than it really is. To see how to use this genius kit, just keep reading.

Dark Nail Polish in the Summer
Nails

Noir Nails: Whose Dark Polish Did You Like Best?

Although Summer is the season of bright colorful nails, it seems some manicures are sticking to vampy neutrals — at least that's what it looked like in Hollywood this week.
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Although Summer is the season of bright colorful nails, it seems some manicures are sticking to vampy neutrals — at least that's what it looked like in Hollywood this week. Katharine McPhee (top) adorned her nails with a shiny black lacquer, while Katie Holmes (bottom left) reached for a similar shade. And Anna Paquin (bottom right) opted for a midnight blue hue. These colors are usually kept to cooler temperatures, but whose dark Summer polish did you like best?

Metallic Nail Polish Trend | Summer 2013
Nails

Try the Metallic Nail Trend For Summer

The best accent to a Summer glow is a metallic manicure, and there are plenty of new lacquers with sparkling metallic finishes.
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The best accent to a Summer glow is a metallic manicure, and there are plenty of new lacquers with sparkling metallic finishes. From holographic and chunky glitters to glistening metals, we're rounding up the best new metallic shades you'll want to try on your toes and fingertips.

Source: IMAXtree
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Celebrity Nails From the Red Carpet | 2013
Nail Polish

New Photos! Zoom In on the Hottest Celebrity Manicures

From movie premieres to party appearances, celebrities have perfected their looks down to the last detail: their nails.
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From movie premieres to party appearances, celebrities have perfected their looks down to the last detail: their nails. With the most exclusive access to top nail artists and not-yet-released polish shades, stars know how to create plenty of polish trends. So take note from these tastemakers on everything from pastel colors to intricate designs. Plus, our close-ups show you how to coordinate your fingertips with clutches and jewelry, too. Click through to see our favorite star nails of 2013!

— Additional reporting by Kaitlyn Dreyling and Maria Del Russo

Florence Welch Jessica Szohr Gwen Stefani Paris Hilton Brandy Norwood Lake Bell Kate Beckinsale
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New Nail Polish For June 2013
Nail Polish

June's Best New Nail Polish Shades

'Tis the beginning of sun and sandals, which means it's time to book your pedicures, and we have the best new color options to take your fingers and toes into Summer.
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'Tis the beginning of sun and sandals, which means it's time to book your pedicures, and we have the best new color options to take your fingers and toes into Summer. What are you waiting for? Find out our favorite new lacquers for June, when you keep clicking!

Source: IMAXtree
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Oscar de la Renta Nail Polish | 2013
Nail Polish

Outfit Your Next Summer Manicure in Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta may be known for fashion, but this Summer we are most excited about the designer's new nail polish offerings.
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Oscar de la Renta may be known for fashion, but this Summer we are most excited about the designer's new nail polish offerings. We first spotted the three floral shades on the Spring 2013 runway, and now they're finally available for purchase exclusively at NET-A-PORTER.com. See how these shades look out of the bottle, and get an easy nail art idea that combines all three colors.

Oscar de la Renta Beauty Envy, Flirt and Shock - Set of three Nail Polishes, 9ml Oscar de la Renta Beauty Shock - Nail Polish, 9ml Oscar de la Renta Beauty Flirt - Nail Polish, 9ml Oscar de la Renta Beauty Envy - Nail Polish, 9ml
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