BellaSugar

Get Ginnifer Goodwin's Lilac Nails

BellaSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:00:12 -0700

If I had to wager on it, nail polish trends this season will be bright and bold. Think Agyness Deyn's royal blue polish and Natalie Portman's taxi cab yellow tones. I'd also venture to say that we'll be seeing a lot of matte finishes, as well as subdued hues like khakis, grays, and even polish-free nails for a low-maintenance look.

That's why I'm digging Ginnifer Goodwin's smoky lilac nails she wore to a Bulgari bash earlier in the week. This flattering, toned-down shade, which is reminiscent of the insanely popular Sephora by OPI in Metro Chic ($9), uniquely combines the bold with the subdued, and the matte with a creamier finish.

Think you might want to get painted purple? Get some inspiration below, and tell me what lovely lilac shades are your favorites.

Source

Trend Alert: Purple Reigns

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Deep, dark and edgy purple nail polish is the new it colour for Winter. It's the star shade of the brand-new Chanel Bohemian Fantasy collection (more on this later), it's the most vibrant varnish from Essie's Her Royal Hotness range, and Nails Inc. has named this newbie Dover Street Market, after a chic and hip Mayfair shop.

The best part about these purples is that they pack a lot of punch. They aren't safe, wine-coloured burgundies or vampy blood-reds from year's of goth past. These purples are powerful! Hail the rocker chick in you for the naughtiest new nail trend.

Vendetta from Chanel (£15) is actually a part of the Spring 2009 collection, but it's set for a January launch (perfect for winter-time nails). Take my word when I say that this is going to be the end all be all of nail varnishes. Don't believe me? The gals at Chanel HQ have to share a bottle since the press caught wind of its release. If they can't even keep samples in stock, my bet is that it will be flying off the shelves once it hits stores!

To read more about Dover Street Market and Sexy Divide, read more.

Dover Street Market from Nails Inc. (£10.25) is the brightest of the bunch. This sleep, shiny purple polish is a perfect way to add a little sass to your hands and feet. I've tried and what I love most is that it dries quickly and dries to a true purple.
Sexy Divide from Essie (£8.50) is nothing short of electric. The shade has been categorized as a violet varnish that contains a little bit of shimmer with a lot of impact. Will you dare to wear purple nails this season?

Beauty Mark It! A Deep Purple Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:02:33 -0800

A friend of mine gave me a bottle of NYX Nail Polish in Carol, $4 (bottom row, fourth polish from left) over the holidays. I've been using it since December (mainly on my toe nails) and believe it or not, it is already running out!

What I like about it is that it is still pretty trendy since it's dark, but it's not so dark that it looks black. Also, when you take it off, it doesn't stain your nail beds like some other lacquers do.

Let's all go beauty marking to find a new fabulous deep purple nail polish! Be sure to come back and tell me when your Beauty Marks are up, or just tag your choices with deep purple polish. To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.

To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

Saks Beauty Place
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Sephora
Beauty.com
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Bergdorf Goodman

Beauty Marked! A Deep Purple Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:04:33 -0700

Last week I told you I needed a new purple nail polish. While I like the color Carol from NYX that I told you about last week, I am running low and would like to try something new.

I asked you all to go beauty marking to help me find a new deep purple polish. To see all the beauty marks for deep purple polishes click here. To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.

Beauty Mark #1 found by LuckyGrl83 and PartySugar, is a fab purple color called Dark Pleasure's Nail Polish in Blacker Laquer by Revlon. This polish is dark, seductive and mysterious! Ooh la la. It is pearlized which also adds dimension and allure. Available in six other deep, blackened jewel-toned shades.

For two more beauty marks, read more

Beauty Mark #2 found by baltimoregal and dollfacedot14, is called Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. This nail enamel is part of the classic purples collection. This polish is shiny and a little bit brighter than mine. I think I'll give it a whirl. Thanks for the suggestion!

Beauty Mark #3 found by lilxmissxmolly, is called Purple Pain Nail Polish by Manic Panic. It is an iridescent purple gloss that really reminds me of the 80s. This would be a great shade for your toes or for a fun girls' night out on the town.

Mena Suvari Nails It

BellaSugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:00:28 -0700

Coordinating your nail polish shade to your clothing can feel too matchy-matchy, especially for a big event. Mena Suvari, at New York's Rockefeller Center for the launch of the new Piaget jewelry collection, got it right by going for a shade a little bit pinker than her purple cocktail frock. For a similar shade, check out Sephora Multi-Action Nail Color ($6) in Red Light 6.

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

Product Review: Butter London HRH Nail Polish

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Butter London is one of those beauty brands that is fast becoming cult property. Although the company is actually based in Seattle, it offers a thoroughly British experience with quirky names such as Old Blighty and Chimney Sweep. Their creative director, Nonie Creme has worked on numerous A-list nails, including Kate Moss, as well as creating looks on campaigns for Vogue, H&M, and Jimmy Choo. This is one nail polish brand with serious fashion credentials.

I'm also pleased to note that it's not all about image. Butter London has a strong commitment to making non-toxic polishes. All of the polishes are free of the "big three" - toluene, DBP, and formaldehyde. It's a relief to know you needn't worry about toxicity in the quest to be beautiful.

In terms of colours, these are bang on-trend. After checking out my girl Bella US's favourite shades, I found it very hard to choose between Butter London's gothic glam black, patriotically called Union Jack Black and the royal looking HRH. I plumped for HRH, which is a rich purple that has a fantastic sheen. For how the varnish stood the test of time, just read more.

Firstly I have a confession, I'm actually rubbish at applying my own nail colour. Sometimes I feel more akin to a child playing with a paintbox than a wannabe makeup artist. I found the oblong shaped lid quite tricky to use as a brush, being used to a round-lid applicator. The brush itself is good though and again it does seem worth splashing out for more pricey polishes as cheaper ones often have brushes with loose bristles that get stuck in your artwork.

I was blown away by the colour; bright, glossy and with a depth that made it look as though I had amethysts for nails. Although purple nails certainly turns heads, the shade was sophisticated enough for work and a meeting with my bank manager. Plus it seemed to go with all my clothes, from a black lace cocktail dress to a red and grey striped top with jeans or a classic taupe-coloured coat. After five days of washing up, typing, pumping up the tyre on my Vespa and opening post there wasn't a chip in sight. Definitely fit for Her Royal Highness.

Can't Get Your Hands on Chanel Jade Green? You've Still Got Options.

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:24 -0700

Every year, there seems to be a highly coveted nail polish shade or two that hits the market with a frenzy. One example is last year's Metro Chic ($8) from Sephora by OPI, a perfectly muted smoky purple. Another example is Chanel's Le Vernis Nail Color in Vamp, so popular, in fact, it even has its own Wikipedia entry.

This year, there's a big to-do with another Chanel shade. The brand's Jade ($25), a green with a slightly hazy undertone, sold out almost immediately after it launched in September. In fact, it's now going for some pretty crazy prices on eBay - upwards of $117. Wowza. But that doesn't have to stop you from wearing an almost-identical match. While some of the options below might not be exact replicas, they're pretty close. Have you tried any of these Jade Green dupes yourself? Which ones are your favorites?

For more options, keep reading.

The Look For Less: Nars' Hot Fall Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:18 -0700

Every time I hit Sephora, I gaze longingly at Nars Tokaido Express nail polish ($16). It's a deep, sophisticated purple with subtle gold flecks that a cool girl like Kim Gordon might wear if she were invited to a fancy-pants brunch. If you're looking for a similar shade at a smaller price, you're in luck. I've found a drugstore dupe that's pretty close to this shade. To hop aboard that train, just keep reading.

How Old Were You When You First Went to the Spa?

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:01:11 -0700

The most recent story focusing on girls heading to the beauty parlor at younger and younger ages comes to us today from Lebanon, where requests for chocolate facials and purple manicures are becoming the norm. "It's not about spoiling our children," Maya Hilal, owner of Beirut's Spa-Tacular, told the AFP. "It's a matter of maintaining their cleanliness. It's hygiene. It's feeling good about yourself," she added. In another Lebanese salon across town, the clientele, some as young as four, get blue and pink manicures in the colorfully decorated setting, all while wearing their pink robes and glittery eye shadow. But how young is too young? While I dabbled with toy makeup and kiddy nail polish in my youth, I didn't have my first true spa experience until well into my twenties. What about you?