Orly

Break-ups are bad news, but they can also be a good excuse to give yourself a makeover, pamper yourself, and come out of the whole ordeal looking fabulous. And lately, I've noticed a number of cosmetics companies making break-up themed makeup to help you along.

So I bring you Part I of my Break-Up Makeup series, which today features a few kitschy nail lacquers to help you polish away your pain. (Thanks to Kiss and Makeup for the tip.) Now stop your whining and pamper yourself with a nice little mani/pedi.

The Essie Starting Over Collection ($7 per bottle) includes six pink and red shades with super-cute and highly appropriate names: E-nuff is E-nuff, Starter Wife, Wife Goes On, My Way, Pinking Up the Pieces, and Red-y-Set Ex.

For two more break-up inspired polish collections, read more

Ever notice how your nail polish sometimes turns an icky shade of yellow after a day at the beach? That's because the combination of nail polish plus sunscreen plus ultraviolet rays causes your nail color to oxidize. So keep the regular sunscreen away from your manicure and try this Sunscreen for Nails by Orly ($7).

A must-have for protecting your precious polish, this clear topcoat is made from a light-absorbent formula that keeps your nails from yellowing. It has an intense high shine to it and will ensure that your manicure stays the shade you love.

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The French manicure has a regal connotation to it that represents class, elegance and a sense of high quality grooming. Having said that, plenty of people today feel that the French manicure is out of style and would even consider it cheesy. Whichever way you decide to go, I still think the French manicure is the quintessential way to paint your nails for your wedding day. It's soft, understated and shows that you pay attention to detail.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the French manicure, I have pictured it here for you. A white stripe is painted to the tops of the nails (I prefer a soft, square cut nail with a thin stripe) and then a sheer, pale pink or beige toned polish is applied on top. Here are a few French manicure kits to choose from.

Bourjois French Manicure Kit, $20, is a three piece French manicure kit. It includes a curved brush designed especially to create the most perfect and even white nail tips, a light pink polish which is so sheer that you can apply one or two coats depending on your taste, and a clear topcoat to ensure shine and protection to your manicure. In no time you'll look like you just waltzed right off the Parisian runways!

For two more D.I.Y. French manicure kits, read more