New Year's Eve Nail Looks

(Note: This is a sponsored post for SheKnows Experts Among Us, the opinions -- and nails -- are all my own.)

To celebrate the launch of the new beauty counters at Kohl's in almost 300 stores, I tried 3 sparkly manicures -- perfect to celebrate New Year's Eve. 

Brand: Essie Nail Lacquer & Luxe Effects

Shades: Smokin' Hot & Set in Stones

(deep purple gray color with glossy finish, clear color with silver glitter finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
This ombre glitter look is easy to do at home. Start with 2 coats of a glossy (or matte)  polish.  Then paint a coat of glitter, stopping halfway down your nail.  Finish up with a 2nd coat of glitter just at the tip.  Essie Luxe Effects gives an extra-special touch with glitter pieces at all different sizes.  I got lots of compliments on this look -- you will too!

Brand: Candie's Nail Polish

Shades: My Kinda Teal & Over the Rainbow

(teal green clear color with glossy finish, clear color with green, bronze & silver glitter finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

Bright green was such a popular color in 2013.  Give it a fond sendoff with this manicure, then add an accent nail coated in glitter so you are sure to twinkle well past midnight.

Brand: ELLE Nail Lacquer & Sugar Nail Frosting

Shades: Fuchsia Fusion & Confetti

(hot pink color with glossy finish, clear color with pink, blue, and silver glitter finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
Doesn't this one just look like a party?  Try this retro look and pretend it's 1999, when the hair was big and the nails were bright.  Happy New Year!

Nail Polish Stocking Stuffers

(Note: This is a sponsored post for SheKnows Experts Among Us, the opinions -- and nails -- are all my own.)

To celebrate the launch of the new beauty counters at Kohl's in over 250 stores, I've tried 5 nail polish sets -- perfect to stuff in a stocking.  Plus, I earned Kohl's Cash too!

Brand: Essie's Best 5-Piece Nail Lacquer Set

Shade: Forever Yummy 

(cherry red color with glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

Essie's most popular colors are here, including the one that started the nail polish craze: Ballet Slippers.  Red is a holiday classic but for a twist, try Turquoise & Caicos, Chinchilly, or Wicked if you're on the naughty list...

Brand: Jelly Belly 5-Piece Nail Polish Set

Shades: Green, Red & Pink

(lime green, bright red, and pale pink colors all with glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

Who doesn't love getting the Jelly Belly 40-flavor gift box?  Let your nails in on the fun with this cute set, which also includes mini bottles of Orange and Blue and a toe separator.

Brand: Candie's Nail Polish Duo Ornament

Shades: Champagne Frenzy & Dinner Party

(clear color with gold glitter finish, wine red color with glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

How cute is this?  This box has a gold loop on the top so you could actually hang it on a tree.  These shades are perfect for entertaining, and a gold accent nail gives a festive touch.

  

Brand: Academy of Colour 3D Manicure Set

Shades: White & Pearl Beads

(metallic white color with satin finish, iridescent color with textured finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

Let it snow! It's a winter wonderland on your fingertips. Caviar manicures are great for special occasions.  For best results, don't add the beads until the night of your party.

Brand: Simple Pleasures Scented 6-Piece Nail Polish Set

Shades: Cherry & Coconut

(cherry red color with glossy finish, clear color with iridescent glitter finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

When this is dry, it has a faintly fruity scent.  A great gift for a tween, or anyone who wishes they were 10 again.  It also includes Strawberry, Mint, Vanilla, and Raspberry-scented polishes. 

Holiday Nail Looks & Video How-To's

(Note: This is a sponsored post for SheKnows Experts Among Us, the nails are all my own.)

To celebrate the launch of the new beauty counters at Kohl's in almost 300 stores, I've created 3 video manicure tutorials -- perfect for the holidays. 

 

Brand: Amanda Knight Colour Couture Get the Look Nail Art Set

Shades: Coral & Gold Glitter

(coral orange color with glossy finish, gold with glitter finish)

Cost: $$$

Check out this video how-to:
 

 

Brand: Amanda Knight Colour Couture Get the Look Nail Art Set

Shades: Purple & Multicolor Beads

(electric purple color with metallic finish, pastel caviar pearls with textured finish)

 

Cost: $$$

Check out this video how to:
 

 

Brand: Amanda Knight Colour Couture Get the Look Nail Art Set

Shades: Silver & Blue Glitter

(silver color with metallic finish, royal blue loose glitter)

Cost: $$$

Check out this video how-to:
 

 

Winter Nail Polish Trends: Metallics & Gemtones

(Note: This is a sponsored post for SheKnows Experts Among Us, the nails are all my own.)

To celebrate the launch of the new beauty counters at Kohl's in almost 300 stores, I've created 4 manicures in metallic and gemtone shades -- totally on-trend for winter. 

Brand: ELLE Cosmetics Nail Lacquer

Shades: Dancing Queen & Chain Mail

(silver color with iridescent metallic finish & charcoal gray color with metallic finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

What better brand to choose for a trend post than ELLE?  Not only are their shades super fashionable, they are also available exclusively at Kohl's.  Here, I started with 2 coats of the dark gray on my whole nail and let that dry overnight. Then, I used painter's tape to mark the diagonal stripe and finished with 2 coats of the silver color. 

 

 

Brand: ELLE Cosmetics Nail Lacquer

Shade: Amp It Up Amethyst
(violet purple color, metallic finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

If you're trying to find a way to brighten up a gloomy winter day, look no further than your nails.  This rich purple shade is bright in sunlight, and takes on a cool edge at night.  For an extra pop, don't match it to your outfit. 

 

 

 

 

 

Brand: ELLE Cosmetics Nail Lacquer

Shades: Gold N' Glitz & Shock It To Me
(gold color with metallic finish & magenta purple color with glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

Nails are quickly becoming the star of the runway at Fashion Week, so here's a scene-stealing look: Jazz up a manicure with an accent nail.  It's the easiest nail art you can do.  Here, the gold and magenta colors are perfectly festive for the holidays. 

 

Brand: ELLE Cosmetics Nail Lacquer

Shade: Sapphire Sophisticate
(cobalt blue color, metallic finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

I wear blue all year round, but I especially love it in the winter.  And I think it looks best on shorter nails.  This shade is a slightly darker, metallic version of Pantone's 2014 color of the year, Dazzling Blue.  It's the perfect cold weather hue!