BellaSugar

Trend Alert: Summertime Neon Nails

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:04 -0700

Check out the neon nails on Diane Kruger! Ever since the Costume Institute Gala I've been dying to talk about how she matched her shoes to her nails.

Celebrities and especially teenagers are going bonanza over the new fun, pop-colored nail polish quads from Essie and Chanel. They contain four minisized bottles of pink, yellow, orange, and either a blue or purple high-shine varnish. I'll be the first to admit that these electric '80s-inspired shades are fresh, but I think I would only dare to wear them on my toes. Are you confident enough to cruise around in these colors?

Color Power from Essie ($15 for four) is a great way to brighten up your fingers or toes for summertime. The white box has bright flowers printed on it and houses a red, yellow, orange, and a shimmery opalescent, bright-blue lacquer with flirty names such as cool click, flirty girl, crush, and txt me.

The Chanel Robertson Collection ($25 for four) is set to launch online in July. This minirange is named after Robertson Boulevard, the young and hip shopping street in Los Angeles where Chanel has just opened a boutique.

The collection includes a pink, purple, yellow, and tangerine polish and each shade is named after other famous streets nearby like Melrose, Rodeo Drive, LA Sunrise, and LA Sunset. Ain't it grand when beauty and fashion can collaborate like this!

Source

BellaSugar's Guide to Halloween Nail Polishes

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:56 -0700

Earlier today, the girls around the office and I were discussing how much we love Halloween. "I love Halloween parties, but it's not like they just grow on trees," quipped my deskmate. I couldn't agree more - I need some more make-believe in my life. This got me to thinking about how I will celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year, and the answer lies partially in nail polish. For Halloween, it's more than just your typical black nail lacquer. It's all about glitter, shades of green, orange, bold neons, and other distinctive colors. And that's why I've gathered together some nail polish ideas to get you in the spirit of the ghoulish season ahead. So bust out your most evil laugh, and get ready to glow in the dark.

View Slideshow ›

Do You Wear Fake Nails?

BellaSugar — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:00:18 -0700

Back in college, I had a love/hate relationship with fake nails. While I loved that my nails almost always looked polished and pretty, I hated the upkeep - and the fact that I could never seem to get the relief I needed when I had a scratch. Do you hear me on that one?

Maybe you prefer a natural looking fake nail, or perhaps you like to make a statement with the bold, like these soon-to-be-available Neon Limited Edition French Nails from Kiss ($6), for instance. Give us the scoop. Do you wear nail enhancements? And if so, how colorful do you go with your color and design choices?

Trend Alert: Orange Nails

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:00:13 -0700

We've been seeing a lot of hot pink nails lately and we've heard everyone go on about neon nails, but the only one who's really been wearing any of the other super-bright shades has been Rihanna.

I predict that all of this is about to change. With the warm weather setting in and Lindsay Lohan getting on the orange-nail bandwagon, something tells me that this trendsetter is going to jump-start a neon-nail bonanza. Here are two new bright Summer orange lacquers I think you'll love.

Essie Mini Shorts ($8) is part of the Summer Neon collection. Out of all four colors, the orange is by far the most fun and the boldest.

If you're scared to test it out, just close your eyes and think of it as a really bright coral or melon shade. Or, you can try it on your toes (like I did). It's vibrant, but addictive.

To check out one more neon orange nail polish, read more.

Color Club Nail Color in Amp'd Up ($1.99) is part of the Flower Power Neon collection. All of the colors in this range are outrageous and bright (perfect for Summer). The polishes are fast drying, free of toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP, and they dry to a high-shine finish.

Source

Deborah Lippmann Talks Nail Trends

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:00:53 -0700

Deborah Lippmann, founder of Lippmann Collection, had a busy New York Fashion Week. After giving Mariah Carey not one but two manicures during Fashion Rocks (Mimi wore Fashion during the Stand Up To Cancer performance and then for Rhapsody in White for her solo), she did the nails at Rodarte, Zac Posen and Zegna (which, if you read my post on nail techs during FW, you know is no small feat). Still, she took a minute to talk to me backstage about a multitude of nail topics, the first being trends. To find out the fate of the French pedicure and whether you can stop asking for "squoval" nails read more.

OK, here's your chance: What nail trends do you never want to see again?
Deborah Lippmann: Neon is done; it's a quick trend. As for pedicure trends, the French pedicure is done. Done! It’s so over. And also, no length on the toenails. They shouldn’t go over the toe - maybe even have a little bit of flesh showing. The chipped nail polish trend is over too.

What nail shape is in coming into style?
Deborah Lippmann: It’s going a little softer, more feminine, not square. Not oval, not squoval, somewhere between an oval and, if you have a little bit of a length, an almond shape. That’s what I do on all the fashion shoots, that’s what all the photographers want.

What's are the upcoming trends in nail color?
Deborah Lippmann: It’s matchy matchy. Matching nails on hands and feet are coming back. We’ll be seeing lavenders and lilacs with a little bit of twinkle. For Spring, sheer nail polish is not happening. You can still wear a neutral nail, like something flesh-toned. But for neutrals, it's not a twinkle, not a sparkle, not an iridescent.

To find out how to find your neutral, check back on Wednesday!

Bella Interview: Dr. Carolyn Siegal, Beverly Hills Podiatrist

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Dr. Carolyn Siegal takes care of the well-heeled-literally. She's a podiatrist in Beverly Hills, where she's also launched her own collection of foot care products. After seeing patients who picked up infections from unclean nail salons, she launched the Dr. Carolyn Collection, a line of nail supplies meant to provide a safer pedicure. The smartest product is the savvy nail kit, which contains buffers, a nail clipper, a cuticle pusher, a disposable tub liner and other essential nail implements that you can tote to your nail salon.

Yesterday I spoke with Dr. Siegal about how to keep your feet healthy and safe. She's passionate about her work, and she also knows the value of a good pedicure! Read on for the interview.

What's the sign of healthy feet?
Clean and normal colors-like what you'd see on a baby. There shouldn't be any yellowing or thickening, or signs of lesions or warts. Healthy feet have clean, well-hydrated skin with no cracks in the heels. And, of course, no pain.

For the entire interview, including information on the pedicure tool you should avoid at all costs, read more

How can you tell if a spa or salon is safe and clean?
Well, my kits were developed because I was seeing so many patients who had infections. You can imagine that the corner nail shops-they're cheap, they have neon signs, the staff doesn't speak English-are not necessarily so clean. There are those salons that obviously don't seem up to code, but there's a risk with all salons when tools aren't cleaned-and by the way, those blue UV light boxes don't necessarily sterilize the tools. It's not the way the medical community cleans its tools.

Aren't Jacuzzi tubs more dangerous than stainless steel bowls?
Yes; most Jacuzzi-type tubs are not supported by the medical community. First, you have to understand how fungus grows. It thrives in moist, warm places: showers at the gym, poolsides and tubs. So if someone with athlete's foot or a fungus uses a tub, once that happens, you have a problem because a lot of tubs with Jacuzzi jets have water that gets recycled. The tub gets refilled with water, and the next person can get nail fungus. You need a free-standing bowl made of stainless steel or glass, and a liner.

For those of us who do our pedicures at home, how can we get soft feet?
Don't use sharp blades on rough heels. I recommend that you don't use credo blades-they're illegal in 22 states. Instead, use a pumice bar or a foot scrub. I developed a foot scrub with pumice in it; you can put it on a washcloth. Follow it with a cream. My Velvet Crème is really ultra-moisturizing. It has urea, which doctors use; I lowered the concentration to an over-the-counter level. Follow this routine three or four times a week and you'll have softer feet.

Are nail ridges normal, or are they a bad sign?
The nails tell a lot about your systemic health. You can get ridging if you've had a shock to the system. But it can also mean nothing, especially if you're young and healthy. If you've had significant changes in your nails, go to your doctor.

Can nail polish stain your nails?
Yes, certain nail polishes have dyes that can stain. A good base coat is important. There are nail polishes that are free of dyes. OPI is a good brand, as is Rescue Nail Lounge.

And is it bad for your nails to always have polish on them?
I wouldn't say it's bad, but it's often good to take a break every few months to let the nails "breathe."

Trend Alert: Turquoise Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:00:20 -0700

Among the many qualities that make Whitney Port (of The Hills) so lovely is that she has her own style. I've always thought of Whit as someone who sets trends as opposed to following them. So when I spotted this style star sporting shiny turquoise nail polish, I was excited.

For anyone who's willing to try out a wild new water-colored varnish, get ready for the next big nail trend. You can always go back to my China Glaze review, and here are two more aqua nail polishes.

Nic's Sticks by OPI in Baby Go Bye-Bye ($6.99) is a vibrant turquoise color. This relatively new and easy-to-use nail polish pen is great if you are looking for a quick color fix. I haven't tried them, but there are 30 colors and from what I understand, the only drawback is that they are a little runnier than the original OPI formula. The advantage: the polish dries in just one minute.

For one more turquoise nail polish, read more.

Attention all neon lovers: Creative Nail Design in Hot Pop Blue ($10) is a bright aqua nail lacquer for you. There are also two more Hot Pop colors in the collection for those of you who dare to wear bold pink or orange polishes. Two coats and a top coat are all it takes to create sexy, shiny, chip-resistant nails.

Source

Trend Alert: Vixen Violet Nail Varnish

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:00:30 -0700

I just picked up an old issue of one of my favorite tabloids and noticed that Heidi Montag was wearing purple nail polish while frolicking on the beach with Spencer.

Since the girls of The Hills are huge trendsetters, this means that purple polish is likely making its way into the world right about now. Below are a select couple of cool violet nail varnishes.

Bermuda Shorts ($7) is part of the Essie Summer Neon Collection. This shiny bright purple is flirty, fun, and h-o-t!

To check out a lighter and shimmery purple nail polish, read more.

Chanel Robertson Collection Nail Polish in Rodeo Drive comes packaged together in a limited-edition set for $25 for all four shades. The polishes are miniature-sized and are named after famous Los Angeles shopping streets - and as The Hills girls will tell you, Rodeo Drive is the place to be.

Pacific Coast News Online

Psst! Zoya Has Some Summer Gossip

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:00:43 -0700

Looks like The Hills is unstoppable. Zoya has created six new shades of toluene-, formaldehyde- and DPB-free nail enamel and three new shades of sheer shiny lip gloss. They're named after LC and company.

It makes sense, especially since Whitney and Heidi are setting nail trends of their own. You'll appreciate that these colors are much more likable than some of the characters, and they're perfect for your upcoming party circuit. My favorite shade is Elodie, a vibrant melon-colored polish. Check out the colors below and let me know what color you like the most. Even if it turns out to be Heidi, I'll forgive you.

View 9 Photos ›

For a description of each of the nail polishes and lip glosses, read more.

Nail Enamel ($6 each)

Audrina is a creamy purplish red.
Whitney is a bright fuchsia shade.
Lo is an electric bubblegum pink.
Elodie is a pop of poppy melon.
Heidi is a fruity, neon orange.
LC is a soft and shiny summer red.

Lip Gloss ($6 each)

Brody's Girl is a sheer red shade.
Datenight is a deep vinyl red which is actually available for order now.
KissKiss is a glossy purplish mauve.

Trend Alert: Bright Pink Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:00 -0700

More and more celebrities are jumping onto the summertime neon nail polish bandwagon. We've seen hot pink shades since April, but it seems like they are brighter and more popular than ever now. Rihanna likes pink, orange, and yellow, and yesterday we spotted Lauren Conrad and Christina Aguilera both wearing electric pink. How cute would it be if Lauren had on Whitney from Zoya's Hills-inspired collection? For those of you who like to match your nails to your lipstick, check out this bevy of pretty pink polishes to go with your favorite bright pink lipstick - have fun!

Bauer-Griffin Online and Pacific Coast News Online