Sally Hansen in Birthday Suit & Halloween Nailthins

Brand: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

Shade: Birthday Suit & Top Coat, plus Halloween Bat Nailthins
(beige-nude color, glossy finish, black bat)

Cost: $$$ (for the polish + the gel topcoat) and $ (for the appliques)

The Scoop:
I get to do some cool stuff at work.  Tomorrow, I'll throw an elegantly spooky Halloween party. We'll be doing bat-icures for our guests, so of course I had to try it for myself. Loved Sally, liked the Nailthins, but they're a bit hard to apply and look better from afar.

Nails Inc in Sloane Street & Knightsbridge

Brand: Nails Inc. 2 in 1 Pop Art Polish

Shades: Sloane Street & Knightsbridge
(bubble gum pink color with glossy finish & pink and blue confetti matte glitter with clear finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
Remember last week I wore a shade only suitable for girls 13 and under? Well, chalk another up for the tweens. I will say, this one looks more fun than it is. The pink needs a boost of gloss and the confetti needs to be applied so many times to actually cover your nail. Not worth the time, or money.

Julep in Lucky & Margot

Brand: Julep Nail Color

Shades: Lucky & Margot
(grass green color with glitter finish & pure gold color with shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
What better time than March to put the luck of the Irish on your fingertips? I think this pot of gold shade is a subtle tribute with a 4-leaf clover-colored accent nail. But the glitter was especially stubborn to remove.

Sephora in Infatuated

Brand: Sephora Formula X Color

Shade: Infatuated
(pale light blue color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:
The holidays are over, but my nails weren't ready to quit cold turkey. So, this manicure was born. A little bit fancy with the appliques (from Red Carpet Manicure). A little bit seasonal with the icy shade of blue.  Happy 2015!

Essie in On a Silver Platter and No More Film

Brand: Essie Nail Lacquer

Shades: On a Silver Platter & No More Film
(silvery gold shade, blue and iridescent glitter with metallic finish & deep navy blue color, glossy finish

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
Did you know that today's a holiday? It's 10/10, the Perfect 10 Manicure Day! In honor, I'm posting one that combines all my favorite things: navy polish, something sparkly, and an accent nail.

ELLE in Pink About It & Bright Young Thing

Brand: ELLE Nail Lacquer

Shades: Pink About It & Bright Young Thing

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
I got a dotting tool because it looks so easy to use on Pinterest. It's not. Looks blobby and took forever to dry. Maybe I need a YouTube tutorial...

Next Shade: Marc Jacobs in Blue Velvet

Sephora in Cherries & Cherry Popsicle

Brand: Sephora by OPI Trend Tips Nail Lacquer Strips & Sephora 5-Day Shine Nail Lacquer

 

Shades: Cherries & Cherry Popsicle

(white color with red cherries and glossy finish & bright red color with glossy finish)

 

Cost: $$$ & $

 

The Scoop:

My Easter nails were inspired by cherry Jelly Bellies, my favorite jellybean. This would be cute for a summer picnic too!
 

Next Shade: Michael Kors in Envy

H&M in Purple Mist & Prim & Proper

Brand: H&M Nail Polish

 

Shades: Purple Mist & Prim & Proper

(light lilac color with metallic finish, pink & silver color with glitter finish)

 

Cost: $

 

The Scoop:
I don't shop in H&M very much, but whenever I pop in there, I can't resist the cheap polish by the register. These shades didn't photograph very well, no matter what I tried, but they are light and springy.

 

Next Shade: Wet & Wild in Sunny Side Up

Essie in Lapis of Luxury & Stroke of Brilliance

Brand: Essie Nail Lacquer & Essie Luxe Effects

Shades: Lapis of Luxury & Stroke of Brilliance

(cornflower blue color with glossy finish, and blue glitter finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

This picture makes the combination look more speckled than it actually is.  In real life, the glitter is the color of the polish so it's a far more subtle effect.  Maybe someone can teach me how to take a good picture, and I can teach them how to paint their own nails!

Next Shade: Nail Rock Caviar in Venus

OPI in Aphrodite's Pink Nightie & Minnie Style

Brand: OPI Nail Lacquer

Shades: Aphrodite's Pink Nightie & Minnie Style

(semi-sheer cotton candy pink color with metallic finish & pink, red, white glitter with clear finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

It might be odd to mix a color named after lingerie with one named after a Disney character, but whatevs. This look isn't really for me, but maybe Mickey would like it.

Next Shade: Victoria's Secret in Start the Party

Orly in Tiara & Berry Blast

Brand: Orly Nail Lacquer

 

Shades: Tiara & Berry Blast

(silver color with glitter finish, bright pink color with iridescent finish)

 

Cost: $$

 

The Scoop:
Good thing I didn't have these shades when I was 16 because I would have worn them every day.  I especially liked the silver sparkles -- like a million little diamonds, which is probably what Orly was thinking too when then named it Tiara. Nice work!

 

Nest Shade: H&M in Matte Silver

Revlon in Bubble & Charmed

Brand: Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel

Shades: Bubble & Charmed

(hot pink color with glossy finish, bright orange color with shimmer finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:

Our company sales conference was this week, so I chose these shades to show some team spirit on my fingertips.  Plus, it was in Scottsdale, AZ so this seemed like the kind of color you should wear when palm trees are involved. It went on thick with the first coat, but dried pretty quickly, as the name would indicate. Overall, the perfect look for this occasion.

Next Shade: Avon in Dozen Roses

Sinful Colors in Purple Diamond & Frenzy

Brand: Sinful Colors Professional Nail Color

 

Shades: Purple Diamond & Frenzy

(lavender color with metallic finish & blue and purple color with glitter finish)

 

Cost: $

 

The Scoop:
I think I picked these up at Harmon's. Fun colors, went on nicely, didn't chip, and they were cheap! This color combo is a bit young for me. After all, I'm closer to having a Sweet 60 than a Sweet 16, but who's counting?

 

Next Shade: Sephora in Grapefruit

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!

Ciate Caviar Manicure in Fit for a Queen & Stop the Press

Brand: Ciate Paint Pot & Caviar Pearls

Shade: Fit for a Queen & Stop the Press

(light silver color with metallic finish, gray/silver/raspberry caviar pearls with textured finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:

The effect of a caviar manicure (which these super creative gals invented) is stunning.  Much like beauty, though, this too is fleeting.  Why?  The pearls pop off.  As in, I think I accidentally ate a few when I had a cookie.  Still, a very festive holiday look.

Next Shade: Chanel in Cinema

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. 

Milani in White on the Spot & Gold Glitz

Brand: Milani High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula & One Coat Glitter Nail Lacquer

Shade: White on the Spot & Gold Glitz

(snow white color with glossy finish & gold glitter finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:

The good news is that promises made on the bottle are mostly true -- the white dried very quickly (though it needed 2 coats) and the gold did go on this thick with just 1 coat.  The bad news is this is a really ugly holiday color combination.  What was I thinking?   

Next Shade: Sally Hansen in Red-io Active

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!

Avon in Saturn & Gold Glimmer

Brand: Avon Cosmic Nail Enamel & Mosaic Effects Top Coat

Shades: Saturn & Gold Glimmer

(terracotta color with shimmer finish & gold metallic color with crackle finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:

It's kind of crazy to me how inexpensive Avon cosmetics are, and their nail polishes are no exception.  Both of these were good quality, and the orange shade had beautiful shimmery flecks in sunlight.  A really great value! 

Next Week's Shade: Clinique in Black Honey