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Manicure Monday: The Easiest Polka-Dot Nails Ever

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:05:00 PDT

If you need cute, conversation piece nails in a hurry, these Kiss Pink Color Change Sticker Nails in Belle ($5) fit the bill. While they're actually meant for kids (as the whimsical packaging suggests), because they're cut down to a reasonable length and size, they'll also work for smaller adult hands. Tip: as an added measure to help them stay better, try brushing nail glue on your nails before applying.

Did I mention they change color? The base shade goes from white to pink when exposed to sunlight, and the multichrome polka-dot pattern on top is equally attention grabbing. Everyone who has noticed them has thought they were both expensive and all kinds of trendy. They hit the season's nail art craze on the dot.

Man Sues Nail Salon Over a $10 Manicure

Jaime Richards — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:31:50 PDT

A Maryland man is suing a nail salon for $200,000 because last December, he went in for a manicure only to discover that the salon charged one dollar more than what a woman would pay. "I feel I'm being discriminated against based on my gender," customer Norris Sydnor III proclaimed. "There's nothing to say my hands or my nails are any different than a woman's nails."

While a judge has since ordered an injunction that the offender, Rich's Nail Salon, not charge different prices based on gender (they were charging $10 for a man's manicure and $9 for a woman's), we'll learn the final say after the suit goes to trial next month. But here's the thing: Women have been paying more for things like haircuts and dry cleaning for ages, and that's on top of the gender-based wage gap that leaves women earning less than men. So does Sydnor have a case, or is this just a lawsuit waiting to be thrown out?

Learn This Cool Colorblock Manicure

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:05:00 PDT

OnSugar blogger Lesleykat always features the most clever manicures, and her latest one is no exception. Regarding her inspiration for this look, she explained, "When I sat down to do my nails for the week, I couldn't decide between the two colors, so I did them both."

To achieve this cool split-color look, Lesleykat began by applying two coats of Zoya's Areej, a creamy fuchsia pink, to one side of each nail, followed by Gosh's Peachy, a bright coral, to the other side.

Would you like to write about beauty (or any other topic for that matter), too? Why not start an OnSugar blog of your own? You might just be featured here on BellaSugar, too.

How to Get Rid of Lingering Nail Polish Stains

OnSugar Blog — Sat, 28 May 2011 06:00:00 PDT

Lemons are good for more than just iced tea and meringue pies. OnSugar blogger Beautiful Basics tells us how to get rid of pesky nail polish stains with the citrus fruit.

I know I’ve posted a lot about the power of lemons in the past, and today’s post is no stranger to the yellow citrus fruit that I love so much! In the Spring and Summer I never go bare - nail wise, that is. I always have to have a bright, fun color on my toes and fingers. If you’re like me, you may notice that sometimes bright, or even dark nail polishes, can stain the surface of the nail and leave a not so pretty mess behind.

Well, lemons are the easy fix for stains. All you have to do is cut a lemon in half and stick your nails in it for five minutes. This trick will help brighten your nails instantly, leaving you with a stain-free natural nail! Easy, huh? Now you can feel free to experiment with stubborn colors this upcoming season!

Want to see more? Start following Beautiful Basics now, and while you're at it, why not start an OnSugar blog of your own? We'd love to feature you right here on Bella.

5 Affordable Ways to Get a Trendy Snakeskin Manicure

Jaime Richards — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:12:36 PDT

Move over, leopard-print manicure, there's a new animal-themed nail art look in town: the snakeskin. There's been lots of talk (in Parseltongue, of course) about these serpentine designs, but the problem is that the real snakeskin manicure is beyond pricey at $300. And if you're not into using animal products, this could also pose a big problem. Luckily there are plenty of affordable options available so that you can easily slither your way to awesome nails. To see more, just keep reading.

Learn This Dazzling Fuchsia and Fade-to-Gold Manicure

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

OnSugar blogger Lesleykat always has the cutest nail art ideas, like this one, inspired by Indian textiles.

To achieve this fade-to-gold manicure, Lesleykat began by applying two coats of Zoya's Areej, a creamy fuchsia pink, as a base. Next, she added two sheer layers of Petites by Scherer nail polish in Universe, a sheer gold shimmer with gold flakes. To deepen the gold near the cuticle, she then applied Gosh's Gold nail polish, followed by a couple of layers of Sally Girl's Gold Glitter (which has both small and large hexagon-shaped glitters) to the entire nail. A swipe of Seche Vite topcoat provided hold and shine.

Want to see more? Start following Lesleykat now. And when you're through, why not start a OnSugar blog of your own? You might just be featured here on BellaSugar, too.

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Manicure Review: A Week Later

Jaime Richards — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:07:10 PDT

Last week, I was singing the praises of Sally Hansen's Salon Effects stick-on nails in Misbehave, a gold shade with a black fishnet stocking pattern. But, was I singing its praises after wearing them around for a week? As promised, find out how well they wore when you keep reading.

You'll Be Surprised How Pretty a Fishnet Stockings Manicure Can Be

Jaime Richards — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:01:59 PDT

Sally Hansen recently launched Nail Effects, precut, stick-on nails in varying colors and patterns. But these aren't your ordinary hard and plasticy fake nails. Nope, these adhesives are thin and stretchy, molding to the shape of your natural nail. And after admiring the eye-catching Misbehaved pattern ($9) on a DailyCandy writer, I knew I had to give them a try.

At around $9 a pop, depending where you get them, these temporary nail designs aren't exactly cheap. They're supposed to last for up to 10 days, so check back later for my report on the eventual wear and tear. But after having them on for just a few hours, I'm surprised at just how pretty a gold-and-black fishnet-stocking manicure can be. See what else I thought when you read more.

How to Survive a Cheap Manicure Experience

Emily Co — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:05:08 PDT

A while back, I was super stoked to find this shop near my workplace that offered $10 manicures. So far, I've been there a couple of times and shared this gem with my friends, and most of them have loved it. There are one or two people who didn't care for the lower prices, because they would rather pay more to ensure quality service, impeccable treatments, and a soothing atmosphere. I'm the kind that just likes to get the job done and can do without the extra frills. Before you take my lead, you gotta know what you're getting into. Read this quick guide to find out more on how to maximize your cheap spa experience:

Read Reviews: Don't walk into a store blindly and do your research on sites like Yelp. If hygiene is a question, do not risk your health for a cheap manicure! For example, if you learn that they don't clean the equipment, you're better off doing your nails yourself.
Lower Your Expectations: Don't go in expecting that your $10 will get you a $100 spa experience. Your dollar can't stretch that far. A deal is a deal and usually you get a little more than what you pay for. If you expect a five star treatment, you're going to be very disappointed. Go in with a realistic mindset.

For more tips, read after the jump.

See Oscars Nail Trends and Manicures Up Close

BellaSugar — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:37:34 PST

The 2011 Oscars were a classic affair, at least when it came to manicures. Unlike the Grammys nail trends, the look here was simple and timeless - lots of pale pinks, beiges, and the occasional retro red. Read on to see some of the highlights.