All Lacquered Up

OPI Suede Collection Preview

2009-07-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

It looks like OPI is following up the Matte collection with set of satin metallic finish polishes along the lines of the Zoya Matte Velvets. Dubbed Suede by OPI it's another reworking of existing shades only this time they're mattified with shimmer. So those of us that were let down by Russian Navy Matte not having any sparkle, this may be just what we were looking for. Get the full deets after the jump!

Be Per-Sueded!

OPI Introduces Nail Lacquer Shades with a Suede Finish OPI brings the look of lush suede to the ultimate accessory – nails – with new Suede by OPI Nail Lacquers in six best-selling OPI shades.

“Suede by OPI elevates nails to a new dimension of fashion, as exciting as a pair of stiletto-heeled suede pumps,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

“The rich suede look is a stunning complement to fall fashions, and is meant for the woman who is confident about her style and wants to stand out. Suede by OPI does not wear as long as original OPI Nail Lacquer – but it is a totally original look you’ll want to own this season!”

According to Suzi, you can wear any of the Suede by OPI shades on its own, or create your own look by mixing it with the traditional gloss formula of the same OPI color. “Wearing both textures together is like wearing a fabulous suede jacket with a sexy silk blouse,” says Suzi. To maintain the Suede by OPI finish, do not use any base coat, top coat, drying drops, or hand lotion when wearing these lacquers.

Suede by OPI is available in six iconic OPI shades:

Russian Navy - Wait until you see this deep-sea indigo!

You Don’t Know Jacques! - If you don’t know how trendy this taupe is!

Lincoln Park After Dark - Where midnight meets purple. Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees - Our color “mogul” loves this deep blue-grey. OPI Ink. - Make your mark with this sparkling violet-blue.

We’ll Always Have Paris - Rendezvous with this romantically rich coffee-plum.

Suede by OPI will be available beginning September 2009 in salons including national chains like Trade Secret, Ulta, Regis, Beauty Brands, and JCPenney. Polishes retail for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN).

So will you embrace the suede? Which look do you think you'll prefer Matte or Suede? Or Neither?

I'm hoping to get a look at the collection while I'm in Vegas so stay tuned for updates.

Greetings from Vegas

2009-07-18T16:45:00.004-04:00

I made it to Vegas for the CosmoProf show safe and sound. I'm all checked in to my room at the Mandalay Bay and it's lovely.

I was told I had a pool view but that doesn't even begin to describe the "beach" at Mandalay Bay. Isn't is gorg?? There's even more than I couldn't fit in the shot, like a lazy river. Too bad it's like 180 degrees outside and my skin will probably fry like bacon. But if I get time, I just may have to indulge.

So for the next few days I'll be at the show checking out what all the salon brands have brought to exhibit and unlike the saying; what happens in Vegas... shows up on ALU. I'll be live blogging, tweeting and twitpic'ing from the event so be sure to check back for updates throughout the weekend and Monday!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend Fanatics!!

Web Snob Wrap Up - 7-18-09

2009-07-18T15:51:00.002-04:00

Allie is Wired covers Kim Kardashian's new Twilight look.

Bag Bliss adores Michael Kors' Hamilton - everyday chic with a reasonable price.

Bag Snob loves the easy chic of the Easy Studded Tote from YSL!

Beauty Snob takes the Glowelle 30 day challenge!

The Daily Obsession covers Louis Vuitton's tribute to the 40th annivesary of the Lunar Landing and looks forward to the next 40 years of space travel.

eye4style is giving away AmorePacific's luxe Treatment Enzyme Peel.

I'm Not Obsessed did a little digging and found the make for 3 of Lindsay Lohan's favorite shoes.

The Jet Set Girls test drive MySkins Nude Lingerie.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wanting, and wanting Jimmyjane Ember Candles On Sale.

Second City Style took some time recently to Party With Poppy in Chicago!

Shopping and Info loves the black strapless dress worn by Angelina Jolie last week.

Stiletto Jungle checks out Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall's Bluefly line.

Vote for your favorite emerging designers at StyleBakery.com and you could win a Hayden-Harnett tote!

Stylehive shows you had to take inspiration from Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" music video... without looking like a robot.

The Beauty Stop attacks the "toner myth."

The Shoe Goddess chats with shoe designer extraordinaire, Ruthie Davis!

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Sweepstakes

2009-07-17T15:40:00.004-04:00

Happy Friday Fanatics! Let's kick off the weekend with a fun sweepstakes you can enter. To celebrate the launch of their new HD Hi-Definition line, Sally Hansen is hosting a giveaway on their website.From now through September 15th you can enter to win:

* Grand Prize winner will be randomly selected to receive a 32inch HD TV
* An iPod Nano will be awarded each month to a randomly selected winner
* 10 winners total will be randomly selected to receive a Sally Hansen gift bag

note: contest open to US residents only

And check back on Monday for a fun giveaway sponsored by Sally Hansen just for ALU readers!

The ALU Archives - OPI Cozu-Melted In The Sun

2009-07-16T11:37:00.005-04:00

The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.

So I'm leaving for Vegas on Saturday. If you're my Facebook friend or follow me on Twitter you know already that I'm going for the CosmoProf show. It's this huge convention where tons of salon brands come together to introduce their lines and new products. Needless to say I'm uber-excited.

Preparing for the trip got me daydreaming of our next vacation. The Boyfriend and I decided that we're over cruises so we talked about heading to Mexico with some friends come Winter. I know that's a long way off but it got me thinking our last trip to Mexico and how I wore one of the OPI Mexico collection polishes, Cozu-Melted In The Sun, so I pulled it out for this week's Archives. Take a look!

Cozu-Melted In The Sun is one of the few polishes in my stash that The ALU Mom and I both agree on. A lover of all things metallic (bronze, silver, gold, copper, etc), she borrowed it from me and undoubtedly wanted to keep it but I'm not giving this beauty up! Cozu-Melted is a light pinky, peachy, coppery glitz bomb.

The base color is filled with silver micro-glitter that catches the light even indoors. The formula is pre-3Free so it spreads like a dream but is on the semi-sheer side. Even after three coats over a ridgefiller I can still see my tips but I love the shade enough that I can live with it.

OPI Cozu-Melted In The Sun is discontinued but TransDesign.com has it listed for sale and I saw some bottles on Amazon.com and Ebay.com as well. As always check out any seller before buying and consider emailing first to confirm availability. Some smaller sites are slow at updating inventory.

Who else has a forgotten bottle of Cozu-Melted in their stash? Or maybe not-so-forgotten? Thoughts?

Illamasqua Hectic and Strike Nail Varnish

2009-07-15T13:31:00.006-04:00

In honor of the upcoming Illamasqua launch at Sephora, I thought I'd share a couple more fab shades from their Nail Varnish line. In case you missed my post last week, Illamasqua is coming to the US and will be sold on Sephora.com starting July 21st. That's only SIX days from now!! Yippee!! Now I can make all the REST of their polishes mine.

I'm also looking forward to snagging a few eyeshadows and lip glosses to try. The packaging is just so amazing I want it all. The eye quads are especially tempting. I could just go on and on but you're here for the polish, right? Let's take a look!

As with all the other Illamasqua's I've tried, the formula is phenom. On the thick side but spreadable and smooth. Strike was pigmented enough to only need two coats but Hectic's semi-sheer jelly-ish consistency required three coats to go opaque.

Strike - Is a bright, metallic turquoise. In the bottle it looks like it has a bit of gold flash but that's just a reflection off the metallic particles. On the nail that pearly effect creates dimension and unfortunately, a bit of brush stroke madness. It's not so overly stroke-y that I can't deal though.
Hectic is an army green/pea soup creme. It's like so fugly it's cool, if that makes sense. I love its funky look as it reminds me of RBL's No More War but on the lighter side of that. Color me smitten!
These along with all the other Illamasqua Nail Varnishes will officially go on sale at Sephora.com on July 21st and in their Times Square location on July 30th. The polishes will retail for $14/ea and should be in stores across the country come fall.

If you need some more Illamasqua enabling check out my previous swatches HERE!

So who else is counting down the days, plotting their first Illamasqua order? Which colors are you dying to try?

The All Lacquered Up Collection from Barielle - Part 2

2009-07-14T12:52:00.004-04:00

Who's ready to see the second half of the Shades by Barielle All Lacquered Up Collection? If you're looking for more color than the neutral palette I showed in Part 1 (Falling Star being the exception) then these colors are for you!

With these polishes we're getting into richer, more opulent tones filled with glitters, shimmers and pearls (oh my!). Check out what Elle and I came up with, after the jump!

I commented briefly on the formula in the shade descriptions yesterday as each polish applies a bit differently. With these darker hues, all the polishes are perfectly pigmented two-coaters. There is no unevenness in the consistency, they are all smooth like buttah!

Pin Up was inspired by the gorgeous tomato red lip MAC's Gregory Arlt created for the Twinkle presentation using Lady Danger lipstick. He gave the models an updated retro look, reminiscent of the classic Pin Up girl (hence the name) or modern day Dita Von Teese. It's a lip shade that's just CRYING for a matching nail. We added a hint of gold fleck to add warmth and character.

Lava Rock is a semi-sheer black with red pearl that looks like a blackened plum in natural light and burns deep dark ember-y red in the sun.

You know I'm a girl that loves a good brown. One that isn't too red or too "special dark" and Make It A Latte is just that. It's a mid-tone cocoa with a glint of golden reflect.

What do you get when you combine the best parts of Chanel Nuit de Russie and China Glaze Blk-Bila-Bong? Blackened Bleu! It's got all the bling of BBB with the uber-pigmentation of NdR. Packed within its semi-sheer black base is a massive amount sapphire glitter to create a polish that's smooth, glossy and high on glam.

Since the collection spans the Fall and Winter months, it wouldn't be complete without a fab holiday red. Enter Glammed Out Garnet, a deep wine sparkler that packs the same glitzy punch as Blackened Bleu.

I told you there would be a green and this one is a gem. Polished Princess is vivid mossy green shimmer. We wanted to go to the golden side of green with a vibrant, bold hue and I'm just so in love, love, love with it. Now I can see you reaching for your keyboard, ready to ask and no, this is NOT a Zoya Irene dupe. This is much brighter and more yellow based.
The Shades by Barielle All Lacquered Up collection goes on sale in August on Barielle.com. For those of you that have asked, I don't have international release info yet but I will post anything I hear.

The polishes retail for $8/ea but take advantage of their Buy Two Get One Free deal to stock up on your favorite Shades. Oh and if you sign up for email updates, you'll get a discount code for your order.

So now that you'll seen the entire ALU collection, what do you think? Which ones are must haves? If you missed the first half view it HERE!

The All Lacquered Up Collection from Barielle - Part 1

2009-07-13T14:59:00.008-04:00

The wait is over Fanatics. I can finally show you the All Lacquered Up collection from Barielle. In case you missed the original announcement, this collection is a collaboration between myself and Celebrity Manicurist Elle, Creative Director for the Shades by Barielle line.

We pooled our color inspirations straight from the runway and came up with a palette of shades that are fashion forward yet accessible. They are all very chic and wearable. Check out the first half of the collection after the jump!

Collaborating with a nail trendsetter like Elle was such a thrill. With her years of experience working in editorial and alongside more celebrities than you can count, she really has her finger on the pulse of the beauty and fashion world. One trend we noticed was lot of muted, neutral tones with random pops of color, like Falling Star (below). Based on many phone convos about shades and perusing runway images, Elle custom mixed samples of our collection for the chemists to reproduce.

Now I know some of you commented that you were expecting all kinds of craziness from me and though this is the All Lacquered Up collection it's not like I had license to do whatever I wanted. Shades by Barielle is about bringing fashionable shades to the masses so while there is a lot of me in this collection, it's as much about being on trend and incorporating Elle's color concepts. It's a collection I am proud to attach the ALU name to and I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

Slate of Affairs - when I was backstage at Reem Acra with Jamie from The Beauty of Life, I just about drooled at the site of her luxe designs. I wanted to dive in to the rack of dresses head first. It was her sandwashed steel blue gown that inspired this shade. A stunning slate blue grey, the polish has a subtle hint of pearl that adds a bit of light blue flash depending on the light. The formula on this one is somewhat jellyish and thick so I used three coats to get it perfect.

Get Mauve-ing is based on another Reem Acra dress. While I'm not typically one for mauve hues, I was so drawn to the gown's shade that I felt it just needed to be in this collection. This one is a richly pigmented creme and applies evenly in two coats.
Grey tones like U-Concrete-Me were popping up on just about every runway. Undoubtedly a sign of our somber economic times, grey is still very much "in" for nails come fall. U-Concrete-Me is a two-coat, dolphin grey creme.
Putt-E On Me fits in with the neutral/grey concept only this warmer, muddier shade will please those of you that feel that grey washes them out. This mid-tone mushroom-y hue is another two-coat creme.

Out-Grey-Geous is the answer to what comes between $OPI Run With It and OPI Brand New Skates. A grey with gold fleck is just what I've been looking for but the $OPI was too putty-ish and BNS was too charcoal. Out-Grey-Geous is just perfect; a medium grey shimmer with gold micro-glitter.

They say you save the best for last and Falling Star definitely fits the bill. Remember that bright pop of color I mentioned? It's like the primary colored dresses at Chris Benz but with a twist. I had thought of adding gold micro-glitter but it was Elle who felt copper particles would make it truly unique and she was dead on. They look like fiery stars falling from the sky. Application with this one is a bit tricky. The thick jelly like consistency makes this one a three coater for me.
The All Lacquered Up collection from Shades by Barielle will launch in August on Barielle.com. The polishes retail for $8/ea and, as always, Buy Two get One Free.

So what do you think Fanatics? How'd we do? Make sure you check out Part 2 where you'll get to see, can you guess, a GREEN!

Web Snob Wrap Up - 7-11-09

2009-07-11T14:30:00.000-04:00

Allie is Wired has the details of the Lindsay Lohan fake tanner lawsuit.

Bag Bliss talks with handbag designer Danielle Nicole.

Bag Snob- Prada goes back to basics for Fall 2009.

Beauty Snob- Home made hair masks that really work!

Coquette goes beyond the big floppy sun hat and picks the best stylish summer hats.

The Daily Obsession speaks with celebrity trainer David Kirsch to get some answers to those common workout questions.

What do designers like DVF have to say about Brüno? eye4style has the scoop!

Got your mind on beauty? Head to Fashion Pulse Daily for a chance to win this Givenchy beauty skin care duo, worth $85!

I'm Not Obsessed can't get enough of Emma Watson in this Christopher Kane dress.

The Jet Set Girls are lusting after Jimmy Choo's new shoes and bags!

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Brent Black Panama Hats.

Second City Style hopes it's not really the end for Christian Lacroix because we loved his final couture swan song.

Shopping and Info loves Jessica Alba’s cowl neck tunic.

Stiletto Jungle solves the too long jeans dilemma with denim hem tape.

The StyleBakery editors share 100 things they're loving this summer

Stylehive has nine ways to get beachy waves and sun-safe hair this summer.

The Beauty Stop takes a close look at YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick.

The Shoe Goddess loves Megan Fox in these fabulous Lola pumps from Brian Atwood!

V-Style is giving away AminoGenesis’Perfect Reflection to the reader who wants to fight the signs of aging.

butter London Fall/Winter 2009 Fashionista's Favourites Sneak Peek

2009-07-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

OK so you remember that ah-mazing green from butter London that I spotted backstage at the Vena Cava show during New York Fashion Week? At the time, it seemed like forever until we'd get the chance to wear it. Well, the launch date is getting closer and closer and I have a preview of British Racing Green and the rest of the Fall 2009 butter London collection.

Nonie Creme, butter London Creative Director:
Designers were firmly focused on retail-friendly clothes this season. The collections were monochromatic, with shape, drape, and structure being the main story and lace used across the board for lingerie style details.

Nails will be a huge part of your F/W wardrobe this year. Interesting nail colours with specific “personalities” will give you an opportunity to reinvent the many black, grey, and neutral outfits on offer.

I designed a broad spectrum of colours for the Fall/Winter 2009 Fashionista’s Favourites.

British Racing Green - The international motor racing colour of Great Britain. This green used to be the standard paint colour on all Formula One racecars in the days before sponsorship.

Dark, “hunter green” that was the backstage darling when used at the F/W 2009 shows.

Minger - British street slang for an ugly person. “Did you see that face? What a minger!”

An edgy burnt orange like the one featured on the Philip Lim and Prada catwalks. This shade “ups” the fashion factor of any outfit.

Scoundrel - An unprincipled, dishonorable person, villain, or scamp. Your ex-boyfriend, your builder, and your boss rolled into one.

A medium tone purplish-mauve that can appear darker or lighter depending on what clothing you are wearing.
Pearly Queen - A Pearly Queen is a woman dressed in a traditional Cockney costume covered in mother-of-pearl buttons.

A winter white with an added pearl sheen for softness and depth, making it beautifully wearable.

Rosie Lee - Cockney Rhyming slang for a cup of tea. “Put the kettle on Love, I fancy a Rosie Lee.”

A parade of pale pink glitter that will lift your spirits AND your outfit.

I won't have actual samples to show you for a bit but according to Nonie, we should expect new packaging with this collection. Hmm, I wonder what it will look like. The bottle of Thames I have from over two years ago was square with a thin rounded cap, then came the flat wide bottles & caps.

Any predictions on how the shape will change? Which colors tickle your fancy? Share!

Sula Paint and Peel Polish Swatches and Review

2009-07-10T13:12:00.007-04:00

A number of you have inquired about Sula Beauty's Paint & Peel Nail Polish. I must admit I was hesitant because the idea of peeling anything off my nail beds seemed unhealthy but in the name of research I was willing to give it a go.

If you haven't seen this brand at your local ULTA yet, Sula is a water-based nail polish that you can remove by peeling. Being water based, it is safe for pregnant women and ideal for those fanatics who are looking for non-toxic nail color. Check out my swatches and full review after the jump!

I had the opportunity to test Sula's Modern Mauve nail color and Metallic Base/Top coat. Both are water based and non-toxic so it is recommended that if you do not use Sula's base/top coat, you wear the polish on naked nails.

I wore Modern Mauve for a week to give it a thorough trial run and when my friend Jewels spotted it on me, she of course asked about the brand. I told her it was a peel off polish and her response was, "like that old school Bonne Bell peel off polish?" Let's just call this is the grown up version of that.

Application: To say the polish applies streaky is an understatement. Without the chemicals that make traditional polish flow, you have to be very careful to keep the finish from being lumpy. Even after three coats, Modern Mauve was a bit uneven regardless of using their base coat. The bottle instructs you to avoid hot water for 3 hours after applying.

Tip: Wait time between coats is essential to avoid severe streaking. The polish dries with a rubberized finish and is completely dry and touchable in minutes.

Modern Mauve looks like a pale lilac in the bottle but on the nail it dries darker and more vivid. It's very eye catching. For me, it's dark enough to avoid my light purple "alien hand" syndrome.
The Metallic Base/Top Coat applies milky but dries perfectly clear and doesn't alter the polish hue in the slightest. It's not so much a metallic as a micro-glitter top coat. The particles are very small pieces of silver glitter that dry smooth. There's no gritty texture here.

I did a 5 day wear test with Metallic Base/Top on my index and ring fingers and just the polish on the middle and pinkie fingers. As you can see, my middle finger suffered the worst wear. The rubberized finish is mostly to blame. Similar to how Minx start to lift after a couple days, this polish's slightly tacky surface snags on things and will start lifting. Otherwise the wear was impressive. I expected it to look much worse after five days.
Removal: According to Sula, you can safely peel the polish off your nails. It takes a bit of picking to get the polish started but tears off in decent sized chunks. I'm sure my fidgety fanatics out there will revel in the removal process.

My experience: I had WAY too many people tell me how easy it was to remove Sula and how it wasn't AT ALL damaging to their nails. Though after testing Sula myself I wonder if those people wore the polish for any length of time or were just swatching it for fun. Because when I went to remove the polish after 5 days, I saw actual pieces of my nail bed rip off and I was left with severely dehydrated tissue. Halfway through removal I used acetone remover and saw no damage to my remaining nails.
Modern Mauve was one of Sula's original Paint & Peel shades but now they have 13 additional Trend Collection polishes to choose from.

Final Verdict: Sula is a unique product. It's not the first paint & peel polish on the market but it's more accessible than other brands I've heard of. It's great for fanatics who want fun nails but need a non-toxic polish. It's an ideal diversion for people that tend to pick at their cuticles as long as they don't leave it on too long. In terms of extended wear, I just HIGHLY recommend removing with a polish remover. I don't want to see any of you taking off layers of your nail.

Sula Paint and Peel Nail Polish retails for $9/ea and is available online at SulaBeauty.com and Anthropologie.com and in stores at ULTA.

Have any of you tried these polishes yet? What has your experience been? Have you tried other peel off polishes?

The Arsenal - Zoya Remove+ Polish Remover

2009-07-09T14:00:00.001-04:00

I get a lot of questions and comments regarding the tools and treatment products I use to keep my nails healthy and in tip top shape. Since my routine changes as I test new products, I've launched, The Arsenal, to share with you the items that are "must haves" in my nail kit.

If you were to take a peek at my polish room, one thing you'd notice is the numerous amount of polish remover bottles hanging out on just about every surface. I couldn't swatch colors without them. And even though I try a bunch of different brands, my staple and nail life line is Zoya Remove+. I'm never without a bulk 32oz bottle on hand to refill my Big Flipper. If, like me, you go through a lot of remover due to constant polish changes you should seriously consider switching to Remove+.

What so fab about it, you ask. Well, the fact that it's one of the only acetone based removers I've used that doesn't dry out my nail beds like they've been living in the Sahara. That's huge!! As you know, most fanatics prefer acetone because it quickly removes anything you throw at it. But acetone can be so drying and damaging. Thanks to the added Glycerine, my nails stay healthy through numerous swatching sessions.

When you're testing polish as often as I am, you need the gentlest yet most effective remover you can find and for me, it's Remove+. It has a pleasant lavender scent and a very simple ingredient list: 2-Propanone, Water, Glycerine, Fragrance, D&C Violet #2 (for color).

You can pick up Remove+ on the Zoya.com site. The Big Flipper retails for $9.99 and the 32oz refill bottle sells for $25.

Which nail polish remover is your favorite? Where are my fellow Remove+ fans?

The ALU Archives - China Glaze C-C-Courage

2009-07-09T11:36:00.006-04:00

The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.

You asked for HTF's well you're gonna get them. Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll last week. An overwhelming majority of you want to see some of my favorite discontinued polishes pop up in the Archives. For those of you that weren't a fan of the idea, not to worry, you'll still get plenty of available shades to ogle.

I decided to kick off the DC'd Archives with China Glaze C-C-Courage. Check it out after the jump!

C-C-Courage was released as part of the Wizard of Ooh Ahz collection. With Wizard of Oz themed names and colors the collection also included Cowardly Lyin', Dorothy Who?, Good Witch?, The Ten Man and the lone core collection survivor Ruby Pumps. I owned Good Witch? at one point thanks to a special MUA friend but I decided she belonged with the queen of all things pink, NikkNack.

My WOOA shades (pictured above): C-c-courage, Cowardly Lyin' and Dorothy Who?

It's the multi-sized glitter in these polishes that make them special. C-C-Courage has tonal shimmer and silvery light purple glitter trapped in a semi-sheer grape hued base. Though don't let semi-sheer scare you off. This one is totally opaque in 2-3 coats. It does dry a bit flat and satiny so I am showing it with a glossy top coat.

Now because this collection was released prior to AII Beauty acquiring the brand, the formulas were lost. But I have it on good authority that China Glaze has been working on re-creating the colors so if you would like to see these beauties make a triumphant return, let them know. Leave a comment here or email them directly through the contact form on the China Glaze site.

Have any of you run across the Wizard of Ooh Ahz collection? Do you own any of the shades? What do you think of C-C-Courage.

Exciting Illamasqua News

2009-07-09T02:10:00.003-04:00

Guess what fanatics?? Illamasqua is coming to the USA!! That's right, the edgy UK brand that has been wowing bloggers with their insanely cool color palette and high quality products will now be available in the States.

As I read on the Sephora Blog, Illamasqua is launching on Sephora.com on July 21st and at their Times Square location on July 30th. By fall they'll roll out to Sephora stores across the country. How freakin amazing is that??

As Amazing As Polish - Urban Decay Pocket Rocket

2009-07-08T15:00:00.008-04:00

It's time for another installment of As Amazing As Polish, my opportunity to gush about the products that I feel truly are as AH-MAZING as nail polish.

Lip gloss junkies you must, MUST, get yourself a Pocket Rocket! OK that sounds dirty. I'm talking lip gloss here people! Get your minds out of the gutter (cuz you're crowding me out). One of my fave makeup brands Urban Decay introduced Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss last spring and I'm loving it! I seriously can't get enough of this stuff. See why after the jump!

What is truly genius about the Pocket Rocket is the packaging. It's clever, fun and totally unique. Each one features a hot guy on the cap who undresses down to his skivvies at the right angle AND the tube is flat to fit in your pocket with no unsightly bulge.

Now I don't know about you girls but when I go out I hate carrying a purse. I'm a lover of big purses and hauling one around on a night out is a PITA so I'm a strict M.I.L.K. (money, ID, lippie, keys) carrier. The shape of the Pocket Rocket is ideal for that. It's longer than most glosses but the flat design and smooth casing make it easy to stash in the front or back pocket of your jeans.

Even better than the exterior is the yummy gloss inside. I picked up David a few weeks back at my local ULTA and have been wearing it everyday since. If you're looking for a fab non-sticky gloss, you've found it! Smooth and silky, it glides on with ease.

Even though I was intimidated by the deep mauve color in the the tube, on my lips it's just sheer enough to not be overwhelming. It's just pretty and girly. Very much my ideal hue. Oh and the scent, I can't get over the scent. It smells like Golden Grahams, one of my fave cereals ever. Delish!
You can get your own Pocket Rocket for $19/ea online at UrbanDecay.com, Sephora.com and Beauty.com or in stores like ULTA and Sephora.

Who's a UD fan? Anyone else swooing over the Pocket Rocket? Sound off!

Best of Orly Spring & Summer 2009

2009-07-08T12:46:00.005-04:00

For Spring and Summer 2009, Orly hit us with three, count 'em THREE, colorful new collections; Prepster, Carnivale and Tiki Time.

While all three have some fun colors, none of them wowed me as a whole so I chose my favorites to show to you. Check out my Top 5 of the season after the jump!

One thing I noticed is that most of the bold creme shades are jelly-like in texture. They're semi-sheer but buildable and have that glossy, rubberized look that makes jellies so cool. I know the sheers in the Prepster collection are great for layering but they just weren't doing it for me.

Cashmere Cardigan is a stunning periwinkle blue creme. It's well pigmented but looks best with three coats. To me this shade looks a lot like Essie Huckle Buckle, minus the shimmer.
I knew I would love Mint Mojito before I even saw it. I'm all over this bright spring green. It also needs three coats but who cares. It's lovely. It's actually more vibrant in person but it's really hard to capture. Actually you should check out the manicure Brittany (aka Clumps of Mascara) did with Cashmere Cardigan and Mint Mojito. She did it herself and it's way gorg!
Festival Lights is a beautious melon tinged orange. Like a perfectly ripe canteloupe, it's vivid but not BRIGHT.
Country Club Khaki is the shade celebrity manicurist Jenna Hipp raved about when I interviewed her for WOYN? and it's no wonder. This is a great neutral mushroom hue. It's like the spring version of You Don't Know Jacques.
Finally the shade that made my heart skip, Calypso Breeze. I can't think of a blue in my stash that looks quite like this and I don't even know how to describe it. It makes me think of lake water, the sky before a storm and denim all mixed together.
All these polishes are limited edition but still available online at Head2ToeBeauty.com and TransDesign.com. Orly is also carried at Sally Beauty Supply but seasonal collections tend to sell out fast so availability will vary by location.

So what did you think of the Orly Spring/Summer collections? Which colors did you pick up?

Introducing Rescue Beauty Lounge Mismas

2009-07-07T15:30:00.003-04:00

Fanatics, I am beyond thrilled that I can finally reveal MISMAS, my signature nail polish from Rescue Beauty Lounge. Releasing as part of RBL's Fall 2009 collection, Mismas (pronounced miss-mass) is one of three shades that are part of Ji's "blogger dream nail polish color" concept.

For the upcoming Fall season, Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Ji Baek takes customization to a whole new level, with a limited collection of colors designed by nail polish bloggers and a transforming true matte topcoat.

The beauty rebels behind nail polish blogs are serious about their polish. They’re the ones who not only embrace the trends, but inspire them. So how do you reach them with something truly avant-garde?

If you’re Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Ji Baek, you let them share with you their very own dream nail polish color. “These women have literally hundreds of colors in their polish wardrobes,” said Baek. “I was interested in finding out exactly what color they are still searching for—what color are they missing?’

Ji really did create my missing color and I hope you'll love it as much as I do. Check it out after the jump!

When Ji approached me with her idea of creating my ultimate fantasy color I was shocked with disbelief. I mean what an opportunity. How did I get so lucky? Even now, looking at the bottle, it seems surreal.

Of course a million ideas ran through my head and it felt like such a daunting task to come up with one shade. One color that would represent me and fulfill a dream. Now I'm sure most of you expected a green from me but I wanted do go a different route. The way I see it, over the past couple years so many amazing greens, including RBL Recycle, have come out that I couldn't imagine competing.

So I looked at my polish stash and the RBL lineup and came up with a shade I felt was missing from both; a deep purple creme. Ji does cremes like no other so I knew I was playing into her strength. And while I have many purple shades I love, they're mostly shimmers/glitters. All of my cremes are either too sheer, too red, too blue, too bright or too "almost black" and so with that in mind, Mismas was born.

All I can say is Ji nailed it. Like seriously nailed it. I sent her a few pics as ideas for the color and she got the shade on the first try. It was just a little too pigmented. On round two we had perfection. It's utterly gorgeous and I am PROUD to put my name on it.

Ji also created a Matte Top Coat to accompany this collection.

Completing the collection is a Matte Topcoat. “The sea of neon brights and ‘80’s styles on the runways left me baffled. Then there was Lanvin, with its gorgeous play of textures in black-on-black.”

Baek set out to create a truly matte topcoat that not only protected your polish color, but would leave your nails with a rich flat finish, like bisque china. Of course it’s without Touluene, Formaldehyde, or DBP.

The collection launches in September. The polishes retail for $18 and can be purchased online at RescueBeauty.com.

Now head on over to Scrangie.com to check out her creation. A shade she describes as "sparkly, fascinating, beautiful and a bit unusual."

Steph from PolishAddict.com will hopefully be posting her color for us to see soon as I know she's been busy and on a blogging break. I hope to have the other blogger creations to show you soon.

What do you think? Will you be picking up a bottle of Mismas?

ALU Featured in Scratch Magazine

2009-07-06T17:59:00.006-04:00

Fanatics, I'm so excited to be featured in this month's Scratch Magazine.

First of all, I owe a HUGE thank you to reader and fellow blogger Lina-Elvira of Pretty Perfect Beauty for telling me about this article and allowing me to republish her scan of it.

Secondly, thanks to AII Beauty's Anne Moratto for her extremely flattering words about nail blogs and yours truly. It's a thrill to see nail blogging get some well deserved attention.

Click on the image to read see the article in full.

So Fresh and So Clean - The White Nail Trend

2009-07-06T13:32:00.009-04:00

This past weekend P. Diddy hosted his annual 4th of July fete, The White Party. It's always great for celeb watching as the Hollywood set gather to celebrate Independence Day and support a cause decked out in their finest white garb. This year Diddy co-hosted with Ashton Kutcher to benefit Malaria No More.

With a strict "white only" dress code I knew there would be some fab white nails on parade like the ones on my fave Kardashian sister Khloe. I just LOVE her. Khloe, as Chelsea Handler so eloquently put it, "you're a real bitch and I like it!"

But Khloe isn't the only celeb who's been sporting bright, white tips, the trend has been spreading like wildfire. Over the past couple weeks I've tested a whole mess of shades so if you're looking for suggestions on the best whites to buy for summer, read on.

Even style icon Gwen Stefani who's known for her retro chic makeup & hair has ditched her signature red nails in favor of white and I'm liking it. Like black, white goes with everything and it can accent a look by making it more mod, fresh, funky, etc. It's a statement color in spite of its neutrality.

Take Gwen and Lea Michele, star of my new fave fall show Glee. On Gwen white tips look rocker and edgy. On Lea the color adds a girly, upscale feel.

Though one thing plagues most white polishes... application. I've found that all white polishes I've tried have one of two major issues:

1. Thick, chalky and streaky
2. Thin, milky and semi-sheer

So you're either putting on three coats to get the thick lumpiness even or you're applying four coats to get the polish opaque. Even my all time favorite, China Glaze White Kwik Silvr (below), needs three coats and it's the BEST white I've ever used. Yellows have the same problems so I believe it's just a side effect of trying to make light colors opaque.

So what can you do to wear white tips with ease? My best suggestion is to wear a shimmery/glittery hues because they hide flaws better than cremes. White Kwik Silvr and Orly Gogo are hands down my favorites in the shimmer/glitter category. WKS brings on the bling so if you want to kept it subtle, opt for the Orly.

China Glaze White Kwik Silvr
Orly Gogo

If sparkle isn't your thing, look for a softer white. Yes, you need multiple coats to get it opaque but the formulas on these are easier to control and even with 3-4 coats they don't look thick. My faves are Essie Marshmallow and OPI Peace Baby!. Peace Baby! doesn't offer as much coverage but it's workable.

Essie Marshmallow

OPI Peace Baby!

If you're dead set on the stark, creamy look then go for it full-on. You need a Wite-Out shade that isn't overly chalky. It has to have major shine or else you may as well just paint your tips with correction fluid or, you know, OPI Alpine Snow Matte. Of all the truly opaque whites I tested these three are your best bets for decent application that won't make you want to throw the bottle against the wall.

China Glaze White Out

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On

Shades by Barielle Enduring
What do you think of this trend? Are you on board or jumping ship?

Do you have a favorite white that I didn't mention? Have you found one with perfect application that's still in production? I'd love to hear which ones tickle your fancy.

"What's On Your Nails?" with Carla from Product Girl

2009-07-06T08:00:00.001-04:00

What's On Your Nails? is a series focusing on my fellow beauty bloggers and industry insiders, their favorite nail polish and other hot nail topics.

Another week, another WOYN? and this week we've got Carla from Product Girl who is FINALLY sharing her NOTD with us (j/k Carla). Kids, this girl is a true "product girl" as her knowledge astounds me. Her love of makeup is deep and real and she can recall color names, collections, etc. like no one I've met. This girl has it down!

Since we chat regularly on IM I get to hear about her beauty hauls which makes me want to run to the mall and spend, spend, spend. That's the last thing the boyfriend wants to hear. I can't justify $45 for La Mer lip balm but hearing her rave about it is extremely enabling. For that reason alone I'm avoiding the La Mer counter.

Read on to learn more about "Product Girl", see her favorite red and learn which Sally Beauty find is her go-to top coat.

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about you and your blog.
I started Product Girl in September of 2005. I had a personal blog for years and I found myself talking about my beauty purchases more and more. Eventually I decided that those posts needed their own home because I really enjoyed talking about beauty products and that's how Product Girl was born.

What is your favorite nail polish?
I am absolutely in love with Chanel's Lotus Rouge nail polish. I'm a sucker for a red, especially blue reds and this red definitely has quite a bit of it. Unfortunately, I don't wear it as much as I would like to simply because I only have 1 bottle but you actually suggested some shades that help me make do. :) Plus reds make me feel good, they make me feel a little glamourous.

What is on your tips and toes right now?
Right now I have Essie's Geranium on my tips and my toes are bare. Geranium is an almost perfect duplicate of NARS Hunger, Hunger has a little more orange to it but you wouldn't pick up on that unless you compare them side by side.

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
To me, it's an accessory... for now. I'm a reformed nail biter and for years I didn't really give much thought to what was on my nails. I also got the short end of the stick when it comes to nails. Everyone else in my family has these gorgeous broad, long nails and I have short, stubby, weak ones. I'm starting to work on them though and I definitely have started building a collection of polishes.

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
I don't have an exact count on how many bottles I own, mainly because I have products scattered all over the place but I know I have at least 40 of them right now. For the most part, they are different hues of red, mauves, nudes and browns. I'm starting to expand into grays and some more adventurous colors.

How often do you change your nail polish?
Sadly, not as often as I should. It took me about a month to do my nails this time. It's one of those things that gets put on the to-do list but somehow never gets done until it's the wrong time. Like this time, I decided to do my nails right between loads of laundry.

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
Right now I'm loving INM's Out the Door top coat. As I mentioned, I often decide to do my nails at the wrong time, like right before bed, and I'm very impatient when it comes to drying time so a speed dry top coat is a must for me. I tried using Seche Vite and didn't like its consistency so then I started using Poshe. That works like a charm for me but I saw Out the Door in a beauty supply store and picked it up on an impulse. This works even faster than Poshe.

What do you think will be the big nail trend for summer?
It always seems to go back to bright, vivid colors which is great but it seems like I'm seeing more pinks and oranges around this time it seems. I'm not really good at predicting trends though, I just know what I like and what works for me. :)

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
I do not understand why a person would get a French pedicure, that just seems ridiculous. Just because it looks nice on your fingertips, doesn't mean it belongs on your toes. Seems like a lose lose situation; either your nails are too long and have the white tip (which then can be uncomfortable) or your nails are too short for the white tip and that just doesn't look cute either... to me anyhow.

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Walking around with horribly chipped nail polish, so badly chipped that there's barely any color left. This is something I'm guilty of doing myself from time to time but at a certain point, your nails are just begging for the nail polish remover.

My thanks to Carla for letting me bully her into showing off her nails. Fanatics make sure you visit Product Girl and see if Carla can enable your next beauty purchase.

Web Snob Wrap Up 7-4-09

2009-07-04T23:59:00.003-04:00

Allie is Wired fashion face-off: Carrie Underwood vs. Whitney Port.

Bag Bliss Find: Summer clutches for under $90!

Bag Snob- Alexander McQueen Glove clutch is bizarrely cool.

Beauty Snob loves Motives Liquid to Powder foundation for flawless skin!

Coquette loves the modern dresses with tribal patterns and Ikat prints.

Daily Obsession has the first look at Posh and Beck's steamy new campaign for Emporio Armani.

eye4style reports on the new line from Beyoncé and Tina Knowles - is Sasha Fierce on your shopping list for fall?

Fashion Pulse Daily can't get enough of Phillip Lim's eco-conscious collection, Go Green Go

Looking for a personalized mom necklace? I'm Not Obsessed shows you a celebrity favorite.

The Jet Set Girls found three great Fouth of July outfits for under $160!

Second City Style discusses what's hot in accessories right now with eBay Style Director, Constance White.

Shopping and Info found the pink floral skirt worn by Vanessa Hudgens.

Stiletto Jungle plans out an inexpensive at home facial.

Stylehive is still not over Blake Lively's bright CFDA awards dress, and has found a few that might just do the trick.

The Beauty Stop explains how to get fast and easy hairstyles for summer.

The Shoe Goddess revisits the 80s with these fabulous Jimmy Choo studded leather boots!

My 4th of July Manicure - A Nail Art Extravaganza

2009-07-04T15:31:00.007-04:00

Happy 4th of July Fanatics!! I hope all my US based readers are enjoying their holiday weekend. We've been having a lazy day around the house; cooking out, relaxing, enjoying a few beers. We'll be heading out to see fireworks later as long as the weather holds up. The clouds are rolling in but I have hope that we'll get a reprieve from the rain.

In the meantime, I decided to give myself a little Independence Day manicure that evolved into a nail art experiment. See its evolution from simple to all out crazy after the jump!

Let me clarify that this is not necessarily a recommendation of how you should wear your nails but rather ideas you could try on their own.

What I used:
*Nubar Sexy Red
*Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
*OPI Dating A Royal
*Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Blue
*Dotting Tool

So I started off very simple with a multi-colored manicure. It's got patriotic spirit and is very user friendly. You don't need nail art skills to make this happen yet it's festive.
Because Steph has been encouraging me to attempt polka dots, I finally took the plunge, adding some white ones using the dotting tool. Steph's application tip: Pour a bit of polish onto aluminum foil to let it thicken. Dip the dotting tool in the polish and gently tap onto the nail, holding the tool perpendicular.
Since I was so proud of my dots (this is truly my first effort), I added some to the red as well. Though I think that nail looks more like Toad from Super Mario Brothers than 4th of July.
Now what would a 4th of July mani be without stars? So I broke out the nail art pen and drew a hasty star at the base of my nail. Application tip: Make sure your polish is completely dry or use a quick dry top coat, like I did, before you start to draw or else you'll damage the color underneath.
That star looked lonely so I gave it a friend. Note: The bonus of using these nail art pens is that you can wipe off any mistakes with water and not ruin the polish below. So don't be afraid to experiment. Just be careful when you wipe to avoid skin contact because the color can stain.
Finally, I added stripes to go with my stars. Because the special paint in the nail art pen dries matte, I applied top coat to protect the design and add shine.
Now I realize this look is WAY over the top but we're talking about a holiday where people paint stars & stripes on their faces so who really cares. If you want something a little more tame, try adding just one of these elements to your manicure for a little 4th of July pizazz.

Have a FANTABULOUS 4th everyone!

Butter London Fashionista's Favourites

2009-07-03T15:12:00.007-04:00

Happy Friday Fanatics! I hope you're gearing up for a fun weekend and 4th of July celebration (for US readers). Today I have the butter London Spring/Summer Fashionista's Favourites to show you. It's a lineup of five new colors, four cremes and one metallic, created by high fashion manicurist and Creative Director Nonie Creme. Take a peek after the jump!

As I've come to expect from bL's 3 Free formula, the consistency is on the medium-to-thick side yet the polishes apply very smooth and even, with one noted exception (Muggins). The lacquer dries fast and glossy and even though pulling off the outer square cap can be a struggle, it does make application much easier using just the round inner cap.

You saw Artful Dodger on me when I discussed Miley Cyrus' nails. It's my favorite shade in the collection and it's been sitting on my desk for a few weeks now so I can stare at it while I work. It's just such a happy color, a shade I'd LOVE to see in the sky if these darn rainclouds would ever vacate the CLE. So I'll continue to stare at Artful Dodger and wait for some much needed sun.

The Old Bill is a warm old gold metallic. You know how I feel about the issues metallics bring to the party but guess what?? The Old Bill isn't plagued by them. There's no streaking, no monster brush strokes, no weird pooling or anything. It applies like a freakin' dream in two thin coats. LOVE IT!!

Muggins is my problem child of the bunch. I'm already leery of pale purples but this one applied terribly. After three streaky coats I gave up. I tried with this one but for a color I know won't work with my skin tone, it wasn't worth it. I even added top coat to try and even it out and it STILL looked lumpy. PASS!

Cheeky Chops is perfect for the whole yellow trend that's happening. It's a vibrant banana pudding type shade. Bright but not neon, buttery but not pastel. Pretty dead on perfect if you ask me.

Blowing Raspberries doesn't really blow my hair back, no pun intended. It's a rich berry red creme not overly unusual. Though what did impress me was the application and pigmentation. It's almost a one coater and so damn smooth. I'd call it a goof-proof red.
The butter London Fashionista's Favourites are currently on sale through butterLondon.com or Beauty.com. Individual polishes retail for $14 or you can buy the entire set for $45 (bl) or $50 (Beauty.com).

So what do we think fanatics? Who's got big plans for the 4th? Or just fun plans in general?

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY CHANEL GIVEAWAY THAT ENDS TONIGHT!

Coming Soon - Misa I'm Only Human Collection

2009-07-02T16:35:00.003-04:00

If you've been wondering, like I have, what's next from Misa I've got the deets.

Knock me down, I’ll pick myself up. Ask me about my alluring, bedroom eyes, I’ll coyly wink but won’t give away my secret. Spoil me, today is my birthday—I deserve it! I am fabulous, flawed but most of all, intoxicatingly feminine—forgive me for I’m Only Human.

Introducing “I’m Only Human,” the new sexy and vibrant nail collection for Fall/Winter by Misa Cosmetics. This collection celebrates the power and ambition of women who recognize and embrace their own humanity. It offers a rich palette of colors that signify key elements of being human.

Check out the bottle pics and color descriptions after the jump!

Can’t Nobody Take Me Down: For centuries women have been praised for their mighty resolve in the face of adversity. Today’s modern woman can exude this same level of confidence and power by wearing this inspiring, brick brown colored hue designed to spice up any look year round.

Forgive, Forget, For Me I Will: Versatility, honesty and authenticity, describe the meaning behind this vibrant red-orange shade. Women possess the ability to relate to others in an honest, real way. This color celebrates the humanity and femininity of women.

That’s My Little Secret: A crush no one knows about, the black dress that accentuates just the right curves, a beauty product that seemingly produces magic results. Women love the thought of keeping those little treasures to themselves—however that last little secret? Apply this salacious cherry shade to accent your favorite little dress and your secret just might escape you!

Sorry, Just Can’t Help It: Okay, we admit it. There are certain things in life we just can’t help. Our chocolate addiction, our love of gossip, our fascination with window shopping. This rich violet purple color signifies those things which women love to apologize for.

Today is my Birthday!: Presents, party time and pizzazz! We may not like turning another year older but we love the attention…even when we say we don’t. Today is my Birthday. Cue the gorgeous pink hue and the celebration!

I’m Going to Love Myself: Brilliantly magenta, this color creates a luster that puts the world on notice, that as women we may devote much of our time to work, family and friends, but above all we are committed to loving ourselves for the fabulous, flawed, and ferociously feminine beings that we are—for after all, We Are Only Human.

The I'm Only Human collection will launch on August 1st. You can buy Misa polishes online at MisaCosmetics.com and our favorite polish e-tailers.

The ALU Archives - NYX Thunder

2009-07-02T11:34:00.005-04:00

The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.

For this week's Archives I wanted to dig out a polish I've never used before. Because I'm an impulsive shopper, I have way too many untried colors in my collection. It's sad, I know. All those bottles sitting there, wanting to be loved. Well this week NYX Thunder is getting some attention.

I picked up Thunder at the Tulalip outlets north of Seattle when I was visiting friends over TWO years ago. I was so excited to see a NYX polish display in person, I could hardly contain myself. Check out this treasure after the jump! (Oh and make sure you vote in my Archives poll)

Thunder is a slightly muted sky blue shimmer. It's not bright, not soft but somewhere in the middle. It applied smooth and even and I love the wide flat brush. Their brush is thinner than OPI's so it makes applicaton easier for those with small nail beds. The only downside is the sheerness as it required three coats.
I purchased NYX Thunder at one of the fragrance stores at the Tulalip outlets but it's available online for $3.50 to $4 at NYXCosmetics.com and CherryCulture.com

OK so here's the deal. I try to only post available older shades for the Archives so that you can actually go out and purchase them. However, I have so so many discontinued and HTF colors that I'd love to share with you but it almost seems like a tease if they're not readily available. So my question to you is... do you want to see them anyway or just stick with what I've been doing?

I would continue to post available polishes but mix in some DC'd ones as well. I know there are a lot of "dusty hunters" and ebayers out there so if including some HTFs would be of interest to you, speak out!

Do You Want To See Discontinued/HTF Polishes in the Archives?(survey software)

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY CHANEL GIVEAWAY THAT ENDS TOMORROW!