All Lacquered Up - A Nail Polish Fanatic's Resource

Strange Things Are Afoot At The Circle K

2009-11-11T08:25:00.000-05:00

Hey Fanatics! Totally random title, I know, but it's been going through my head as ALU is preparing for a big transition. I don't know why but I've always loved that line from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Even more so when I moved to Cincinnati for college and saw my first Circle K. I had no clue they actually existed.

Getting back on task, I wanted to give you all a heads up to some changes here at ALU. I'm finally taking the plunge and moving off of Blogger and over to Wordpress. What does that mean? Well not much in terms of what you'll see but it will definitely be important on the back end. It "should" mean faster load times and better functionality with the site. Oh and I'm adding a new feature that I'm sure you all will love. What is it? You'll just have to wait and see.

Over the next few days the site might look odd or not load but all will be back to normal before you know it. I just wanted to warn you so you don't think something is wrong. Stay tuned for an improved ALU!

7 Tips For Avoiding Nail Polish Stains

2009-11-11T07:30:00.001-05:00

Even though I get excited when fall comes and I break out my favorite deep, dark polishes, there's always one caveat to wearing them... staining. Whether it's during application or removal we've all experienced the irritation of polish stains on the skin. If you've ever worn a deep blue, you KNOW what I'm talking about. OPI DS Fantasy, I'm looking at you! Smurf hands aren't cute except maybe on Halloween and even then blue skin isn't exactly the hotness.

So one of my missions while backstage during New York Fashion Week was to get some tips from the pros working behind the scenes. I've combined their best advice with a couple of my own ideas and a quick tutorial video to help you wear your vampies with ease.

Application
Avoid polishes containing toluene. Even pale/sheer polishes will stain nails yellow if they contain toluene. - Elle, Celebrity Manicurist

When applying base coat allow it to touch the cuticle. Apply polish just inside the cuticle line and should it touch the skin, the base coat will prevent staining. - CND's Angi Wingle

Remove polish mistakes by applying a bit of top coat to each spot. The top coat will help loosen the polish so you can easily remove it with an orange stick. - Elle, Celebrity Manicurist

Removal
Apply CND Solar Oil on, around and under the nail prior to removal. If there are chunky looking bits of polish post-removal, it's probably dead cuticle stuck on the nail. Use CND Cuticle Eraser and a cuticle pusher to free it. - CND's Angi Wingle

Move your removal pad in one direction pulling from the cuticle to the tip. Do not go back and forth or push back down towards the cuticle. This causes chunks of polish to get stuck under the nail in addition to staining the skin. - All Lacquered Up

Apply a layer of polish/top coat (not quick drying) over old polish to soften/liquefy, making a one swipe removal easier. - All Lacquered Up

One thing all the manicurists I spoke with agreed on is saturating the cotton and not reusing the same piece. Elle, Angi, Sheril Bailey and Deborah Lippmann all stressed this point. For that reason I suggest buying rolled cotton (as demonstrated in the video below) so you can tear off a nail sized piece rather than waste an entire cotton ball/pad on each finger.

I saw Deb backstage at the Julie Haus show during NYFW and as you'll see below, when asked for her polish removal tip she did a quick tutorial for me to share with all of you.

What you might not have heard as she turns from the camera, is that she saturates a second piece of cotton to remove the piece she left soaking on the nail.

You can see more of Deb's manicure tips and tricks in the video on her site, DeborahLippmann.com.

My thanks to Elle, Angi Wingle, Sheril Bailey and Deborah Lippmann for imparting their wisdom on us.

Do you have a great tip to avoid polish stains? Or stain removal advice for when all else fails? Let's hear what works best for you.

Katy Perry's Blinged Out Nails by Kimmie Kyees

2009-11-10T13:29:00.007-05:00

It would be safe to say that I'm involved with Twitter. I love seeing what all my blogging friends are up to, interacting with fellow Fanatics and, being pop culture obsessed, keeping tabs on my fave celebs, especially ones with a passion for polish.

Katy Perry is a perfect example since she posts shots of her nails on the regular. Remember her groovy flower power Minx manicure I wrote about last July? Well she has topped herself this time Fanatics. Last week, Katy showed off the blingtastic look that she wore as host of the MTV EMAs in Berlin.

With that amount of sparkle going on, her nails should come with a warning to wear shades before viewing. We're talking full-on glitz. Being the nosy nelly that I am, I had to get the deets on this look and thankfully Celebrity Manicurist Kimmie Kyees was available to answer all my questions.

Get the scoop and see my modified version of Katy's nails after the jump!

Check out that sparkle! I told you it was blinding. Just imagine what it looked like in person. I'm sure she got plenty of compliments that night.

Kimmie created the look using a base coat of CND Silver Chrome nail polish. She then attached Swarovski crystals using gem glue and a toothpick. There are 76 crystals on the thumb alone!! To make sure she didn't inhibit the effect, she did not add any form of top coat.

Observant Fanatics will know this isn't the first time Katy has rocked this look. She donned the bling for the VMAs in September. Katy flipped for a demo set Kimmie had on display so she recreated it using Swarovski's from RhinestoneShop.com. As Kimmie says, "It takes some patience because its one nail at a time...but its so worth it." Agreed!

Now I don't know about you but I don't generally have thousands of Swarovski crystals on hand but there are times when a blinged out mani sounds fun, say NYE. What's a girl with a need for glam and no stockpile of nail gems to do? Do what I did and add a top coat that looks like crushed diamonds. Check it!

I started with a layer of CND Silver Chrome. It's so pigmented that I only needed one coat. Plus, with brushed metallics I find that the fewer coats, the better. You end up with less stroke marks.
SunlightFor the top coat, I tried a few including all the CND Effects, China Glaze Wireless Holographic Top Coat and Nubar Tiara (from the Gems collection). What worked best for me is the now discontinued CND Disco Ball. The glitter reflects color like a crystal would though one coat (below) just wasn't enough.
Adding a second layer of Disco Ball definitely made a difference and gave the look I was going for. Is it as special as Katy's nails? No, but it's easier and more user friendly.
CND Silver Chrome is available now at salons nationwide and online at our fave e-tailers. Unfortunately CND Disco Ball is discontinued but I did find one bottle online at GoIndulge.com for $2. Race for it Fanatics!

Now I'm sure there are other glitter top coats that give a similar effect as Disco Ball, it's just what I happened to have on hand. What top coat would you suggest to get this look? What do you think of Katy's nails? Would you have the patience to attach all those crystals?

images: Katy Perry (via Twitter) and Celebutopia

CND Monday - Bloodline Colour & Crimson Sparkle Effect

2009-11-09T16:22:00.004-05:00

Welcome to CND Monday, a new feature here on ALU. Each week I'll be sharing a new layering combination from CND Colour & Effects to show you the versatility and creativity of the line.

It's another reader request on CND Monday. A fellow Fanatic requested to see a look featuring Crimson Sparkle and I'm here to oblige. Up until now I had played with all the sparkles except Crimson so I was happy to have a reason to pull it out. Rather than layer it over a complementary color, like green, I decided to keep it in the same family selecting Bloodline as my base. Check out how well they play together after the jump!

There's something about the dark cherry look of Bloodline that I love. It's definitely in the same range with some of my fave red cremes OPI Got The Blues For Red and China Glaze Masai Red and I'm not the only one who's smitten with it. I've mentioned the boyfriend's propensity for red polish in the past. Well Bloodline was an instant hit with him.

As with all the other cremes I've tried in the Colour line, this polish packs a lot of pigment in a relatively thin consistency. The formula is self leveling, drying to a smooth even finish. Though for some reason this one dried a bit flat so I added a layer of top coat.

Add a swipe of Crimson Sparkle and we've got something close to the famous China Glaze glass flecked finish. It's not jelly-ish but it has a Ruby Pumps quality. LOVE IT!!

Application tip: Adding a layer of top coat before applying Effects will prevent your brush from picking up bits of pigment from the base color. Over time that can alter the Effects' clear base.

You can find CND Colour & Effects at salons nationwide and online at our fave e-tailers (see sidebar). Colours retail for $9/ea and Effects retail for $11/ea.

What do you think of Bloodline? Are you loving Crimson Sparkle as much as I am? Do you have a fave combo with Crimson Sparkle to share?

"What's On Your Nails?" with Monique from Beauty Girl Musings

2009-11-09T12:45:00.005-05:00

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.

Fanatics, I'd like you to meet Monique Hankins the beautiful brains behind Beauty Girl Musings. I met Monique over a year ago in LA and was immediately taken aback by her bright, sparking smile and ridiculously glossy mane. She's seriously stunning. But more than that, she's one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet, stylish and looks way too young to be married with two children. If she wasn't so charming, you'd hate her.

Between BGM and her Beauty Editor position at Style Bakery Beauty she's one busy bee and extremely beauty savvy which includes a healthy polish obsession. Learn more about this glam-mom blogger and see which OPI shade is tops on her list, after the jump!

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about you and your blog.
Hi everyone, I'm Monique! I'm married (almost 11 years!) and have two kids (6 and 9). I started Beauty Girl Musings a few days before my 28th birthday in 2008 simply because I needed a creative outlet. I'm a licensed esthetician and love the whole realm of skincare and beauty. I didn't actually intend for BGM to turn into a "beauty blog", but found myself writing about a lot of beauty-related products!

Being a wife and mom is a full-time job, and my life isn't what most people would call "glamorous", LOL! I get glammed up everyday anyway-- even if the only place I'm going for the day is around the house to clean it. It may sound a bit selfish, but pampering and taking care of myself has always been a priority and it keeps me feeling good. I love sharing that with my audience of readers. We all have stressful lives and take care of others, so we need to spend time on ourselves, too. In addition to beauty, I also like to incorporate style and health-related posts because those are passions of mine as well.

About a year after starting BGM, I became the Contributing Beauty Editor at StyleBakeryBeauty.com, and now a year later, I'm the Beauty Editor.

Why is OPI's Pompeii Purple your favorite?
It's an amazing pink-- I love pink!-- with a fabulous purple iridescence, making it the perfect mix of pink and purple-- two colors I love to wear. BTW, I just discovered that one of OPI's Dell computers is available in the same shade! :)

What is on your tips and toes right now?
Right now I'm wearing RBL's Mismas! It's such a fab purple that everyone should own. My toes are decked out in China Glaze Fly (from the Kicks collection).

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
I would have to say mostly it's a necessity-- without it, hands and nails look so sad. No one should be without it! It can also an accessory because it can be changed to compliment or contrast (but not match-- I'm not a fan of being "matchy-matchy") whatever you plan to wear during the week (or that day!).

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
A little over 70. I actually only really got the nail polish bug earlier this year-- now it just won't quit! Plus since I'm licensed, I can shop at beauty supply stores and buy my polishes at a discount!

How often do you change your nail polish?
I change the color on my tips it at least once a week, twice when I can. Once a month I treat myself to a manicure in a salon. I always have my toes done every two weeks (I'm not a fan of painting my own toes, strange as that may sound).

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
I LOVE Orly Glosser top coat-- it dries fast, prevents chips and leaves nails looking super glossy.

What do you think will be the big nail trend for fall?
I think this season the rules have changed. We don't have to be in a box of only deep tones. Rich hues of everything from neutrals to jewel tones are fabulous and sophisticated. And like Sarah (StyleIt) pointed out-- nail art is definitely a huge trend now!

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
UGH-- Acrylic French tips. I am so over them, although I will admit I wore them-- ten years ago, LOL!

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Not taking care of their nails at all. It's not hard to file your nails and brush on a sheer pink polish (I really like Milani's Creme Brulee) once a week. I think women sometimes don't think it will make a difference, but it does, not to mention is the best way to play with color.

Thanks a million Monique for sharing your gorg pics and polish ponderings with us. I'm extremely flattered to get a shout out for Mismas on BGM. Fanatics, make sure you visit Beauty Girl Musings for the latest beauty news and reviews.

Fanatics, I've never tried Orly Glosser but knowing that Monique is a fan I must try it. What are your thoughts on her top coat of choice?

This Week in ALU Pol-history 11-8-09

2009-11-08T23:09:00.005-05:00

Welcome to This Week in ALU Pol-history a series where I transport you a la Mr. Peabody's WABAC (wayback) Machine to check out my favorite past polish posts. Newbies and old school Fanatics, take a look and see what you've missed!

November 2008
I recapped my visit to the NYC Lancome Boutique and shared pics of their C'est Magnifique Holiday polishes and my vampy lipstick discovery.

Givenchy's Purple By Night from the Nightlights holiday collection made my purple loving heart swoon.

I discovered an amazing brand of haircare, New York Streets, that is so good it get's my "As Amazing As Polish" stamp of approval.

November 2007
We discussed the fashion crime known as "Toes & Hose" and a solution to stop the insanity of it all.

I helped my fellow blue polish lovers out with a comparison of OPI's best blues of the year.

The 2007 Sephora Holiday catalog caused a frenzy when they used NARS Zulu on their cover girl.

As I stated yesterday, I experienced my first roller derby bout last night. I went to watch my friend (aka Holly Huntress) compete with the Black team in a charity bout benefiting Toys For Tots and Coats For Kids. It was a lot of fun and in the very last seconds, Team Black pulled out a victory by 1 point.

I have to say, watching the "fresh meat" play full contact musical chairs was probably my favorite part. Those girls were not playing around. I heard the announcer say, "there's blood on the floor and the chair," while the refs ran out with towels. That's no joke!

Right now, I'm testing a new brand of polish that I can't wait to tell you about. I'll share more on that later in the week. In the meantime, what's on your nails Fanatics?

Let's Whip It, Whip It Good!

2009-11-07T13:50:00.009-05:00

A few weeks ago, my friend invited me to a special screening of Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut about the world of roller derby. You see, my friend is a member of the Burning River Roller Girls and they were at the screening to explain more about derby and their experiences in the league.

Of course, as with any movie I watch, I'm always on the lookout for some stand out nail color. With the amount of makeup and costuming involved in derby, I expected to see some crazy colors on screen. What I didn't expect was to find the most interesting polish pop up on the only non-roller girl in the movie, Alia Shawkat's character Pash.

One of the first things my friend and I commented on after the movie was her electric blue nails (she's a fanatic too). That set me on a mission to find out more about the color and thanks to Makeup Department Head Eryn Krueger Mekash I've got the scoop!

Not only was the movie fantastic but hearing the different league members speak about why they joined and how it has changed their lives was empowering. Some of the women stood up to introduce themselves showing the diversity of the group. A concert pianist, a grad student, a stay-at-home mom, a local bar owner, an engineer (like my friend). Women of all shapes, sizes and ages. There is no typical roller girl. If I had even a modicum of coordination, listening to them might have compelled me to lace up my skates and join.

I'm actually heading to see roller derby for the first time tonight as the Burning River Roller Girls host their 4th Annual Black & Blue Charity Bout to benefit Toys For Tots. I hear the "fresh meat" (aka newbies) participate in full contact musical chairs. Sounds like a blast!!

Since Alia's character cheered on Ellen Page's Bliss wearing blue nails, I'm going to scream and shout for my pal wearing the same shade Pash donned in the movie... No-Miss Biscayne Blue.

If you're not familiar with the No-Miss cosmetics line, they're dubbed "Healthy Alternative Products." They can be found in stores like Whole Foods and are Big 3 and Camphor Free. I reviewed their Tamarac Tangerine polish a couple years ago.

Biscayne Blue's consistency is a bit thin with a brushed chrome metallic finish. It reminds me of those old China Glaze Classic Chromes. Anyone remember those? I needed three coats and the finish is pretty brush stroke-y but the electric sky blue hue is very pretty.

To minimize brush strokes I have two suggestions: 1. Wait 5 minutes between coats (a tip from Deb Lippmann). 2. Instead of a typical middle-side-side 3-stroke application, try side-middle-side (a tip from CND's Angi Wingle).
You can find No-Miss polishes at Whole Foods for $9.99/ea though the in-store color selection doesn't compare to online. I bought Biscayne Blue from NoMiss.com where the polishes retail for $6.99/ea.

Thank you to Eryn Krueger Mekash for helping me solve the blue polish mystery. You may remember she also helped us find out what Tina from Glee wears on her nails. You can view more of Eryn's work at Famehog.com including some of the amazing bruise work she did for Whip It and the incredibly detailed tattoo work she did on Justin Timberlake for Alpha Dog.

Have any of you tried No-Miss? What did you think? Who else saw Whip It and loved it? Do I have any roller girl polish fanatics?

images: FanPop

Web Snob Wrap Up - 11-7-09

2009-11-07T12:47:00.004-05:00

All About the Pretty is coveting this new bag for her winter travel jaunts thanks to Lululemon.

Allie is Wired has the scoop on the Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Bazaar cover.

Bag Bliss loves the reduce-recycle-reuse concept behind Novella Royale Handbags

Bag Snob reminds you that a great way to get out of a funk is to shop vintage.

Beauty Snob features the Jonathan Product Beauty Water Shower Purification System, which is an advanced shower water filtering system.

Coquette wants to get bundled up in one of Soïa & Kyo's coats.

The Daily Obsession uncovers what may be the perfect pair of undies.

Cutting Edge or Questionable? eye4style tells all about a new plastic surgery iPhone app.

Fashion Pulse Daily provides a sneak peak at the fabulously affordably world of Charlotte Russe, the holiday collection

Real vs. Steal: Sienna Miller's faux fur look. I'm Not Obsessed will show you both options.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Halston draped-back top.

Second City Style thinks that footwear often holds more trend-setting influence than the clothes in Strutting With Style.

SheFinds is ready to get you perfectly dressed in time for any and every holiday event with their guide to an array of festive attire.

Shopping and Info wants this ruffled shearling coat on sale from Diane Von Furstenberg.

Stiletto Jungle explains how to blowout hair at home, perfectly.

StyleBakery.com created the ultimate fall shopping list with some help from their favorite fashion bloggers and editors

Stylehive found lots of boyfriend-inspired looks for less than $50, because stealing from your boyfriend's closet all the time isn't nice.

The Beauty Stop shows how to get an easy 3-color eyeshadow look.

The Fashion Bomb finds hundreds of coats, shoes, boots, and accessories to fabulously update your Fall / Winter Wardrobe.

The Shoe Goddess is obsessed with Christian Louboutin's latest black patent pump!

Get The Look - Blake Lively in Marie Claire

2009-11-05T09:00:00.013-05:00

Everyone's favorite Gossip Girl, Blake Lively, is on the cover of December's Marie Claire and what's the first thing I notice? Is it her perfect flowing locks, the subject of hair envy worldwide? Is it her flawless complexion that makes me curse ever going near a tanning bed? Is it her sparkling blue eyes that make my almost-black peepers seem boring? Of course not! It's her nails!

Finally some nail color on a cover! Not just another boring nude. Even if it's just a thumb I'll take it because that means you'll see more inside. Maybe it's just me but Marie Claire seems to be one of the few mags that doesn't shy away from color on their cover girls and to that I say bravo. Of course it also helps to have my genius pal, Celebrity Manicurist Elle, on set to influence that decision.

Thanks to Elle, I've got the scoop on Blake's nail color straight from the set. Find out what she's wearing and discover Blake's penchant for polish after the jump!

Since Marie Claire has been venturing into nail color for its covers, Elle felt it was time to, "move past the gray realm and onto something new and different." And Blake is, "that perfect, young girl who can carry it."

According to Elle, Blake is a fellow nail fanatic with a collection that can rival any polish enthusiast. She guesstimates that her collection tops 200 bottles and shares that she's in the process of installing racks to display them as art. I would LOVE to see that!

I asked about Blake's input regarding her photo shoots and according to Elle, Blake definitely has her own opinions in regards to style. Stating that she is her own stylist. While some celebrities rely on stylists, Blake is really confident in who she is and knows how to pull a look together. She referenced last night's Chanel benefit and the genius way she attached a broach to her necklace. That's all Blake!

For the Marie Claire shoot, Elle chose Slate of Affairs from the Barielle All Lacquered Up collection and Blake loved it. To think, a shade we created together was worn by Blake Lively!! I'm sorry, I need a minute.

Moving on. If you haven't picked up a bottle of Slate of Affairs yet, you are seriously missing out. And I'm not just saying that because I had a hand in its inception. It truly is a unique blue and the slightly grayed out feel is perfect for the season.

Slate of Affairs can be purchased directly from the Barielle.com website for $8/ea. As always, Shades by Barielle polishes are Buy Two Get One Free. Oh and Barielle is holding their monthly contest and for November they're giving away the entire ALU collection. Run on over and enter.

image credit: Marie Claire and FanPop

RGB Cosmetics Fall 09 Swatches & Review

2009-11-04T16:08:00.005-05:00

I discovered RGB Cosmetics when I saw their Pre-Fall Collection polish, Steel, featured in Allure. Of course, "Pre-Fall" meant there would be more polishes coming our way for the season. The Fall collection recently launched and includes Cognac, Crimson and Doll.

Quite a few Fanatics have inquired about the Fall shades and they have a more traditional feel than what we saw in Pre-Fall. With the popularity of dark green and metallics this season, I was hoping to see a bit more edge though I did find myself drawn to Cognac (far left). Check it out along with the rest of the collection after the jump!

You can view my complete review of the RGB formula and packaging including my 5-Day Wear Test HERE. With the exception of Crimson, these polishes all apply well in two coats. Crimson was a bit thin so it required three coats. I was actually surprised at how smooth and pigmented Doll is. Usually with light colors the two are mutually exclusive.

Cognac is rich and creamy. It dries significantly darker than the bottle color and reminds me of roasted chestnuts. It would actually make a fab autumnal mani/pedi with OPI Ginger Bells since that polish channels Crayola Burnt Sienna and Cognac has a Burnt Umber feel.
Crimson is a deep blue blood red but without that super berry base we're used to seeing in the first coat. It stays pretty true to the bottle shade, darkening with each layer. For that reason I wouldn't necessarily describe this shade as cool/warm. I think it could work on a lot of skin tones.
Doll is described as "calamine pink" but I see it as a neutral light beige. It appears a bit more pink in my image than it actually is. On me it gives that "mannequin hands" effect. Very work friendly.
RGB's Fall collection is on sale now at RGBCosmetics.com. The polishes are 3-Free (including Formaldehyde Resin) and retail for $14/ea.

What do we think Fanatics? Has anyone tried RGB since I wrote about them? I'd love to hear your experience.

OPI Holiday Wishes Collection Swatches & Review

2009-11-03T15:55:00.008-05:00

Is it just me or does OPI reserve their most interesting nail polish shades for the holiday season? 2003's Holiday On Broadway brought us the beloved La Boheme. 2006's Kick Up Your Heels collection included a slew of home run hitters. I Get A Kick Out of Gold and Opening Night Champagne are still faves of both my mom and I and we RARELY agree. Not to mention the range of winners from Holiday In Toyland and Holiday in Hollywood. On that note, this year's Holiday Wishes collection is doing its predecessors proud.

I was happy to see a nod to the "flakies" trend in this collection. Flakies, a nickname for irregularly shaped glitter particles, have been popular in the nail fanatic community for some time now. It's nice to see mainstream brands, like OPI, acknowledging that. Check out Holiday Wishes after the jump!

It seems the OPIs I gravitate to most often come from holiday collections, with a few exceptions of course. Espresso Your Style is a usual pedicure shade and Hollywood Blonde is one of the few pale semi-sheer shades I'll wear. Though OPI, I have one small complaint. Where did the glitter top coats go? Gold Lang Syne, Sugarplum Yum and Paris Couture For Sure are treasured favorites amongst OPI enthusiasts. I'd love to see a return.

Oh and since I'm complaining, can we talk about the formula? While I love the majority of these shades, dark colors are expected to be well pigmented. For me, these missed the mark. All except Ginger Bells required three coats over a ridge filler to be truly opaque. I get that glitters require a semi-sheer base but that doesn't explain the cremes. Ever since the India collection, I've come to expect more from OPI . Regardless of the opacity some of these shades just bowled me over.

Sapphire In The Snow instantly drew me in. The vibrant, burple (bluish-purple) shade just beckoned me. On the nail it dries a bit darker, which is to be expected, and in low light it can look somewhat blackened but it's still full on love.

Holiday Glow is another standout for me. The rich dark chocolate base with its sugar crystal-like, gold glitter feels chic and glam.

Ginger Bells is an unexpected winner. In the bottle it looked like dried pumpkin pie filling. The glass bottle does it no favors. Applied, it takes on a richer, more vivid tone like a piece of pumpkin hued earthenware.

Thank you OPI for continuing to give us unique purples a la Who Are You Wearing? Merry Midnight is a special flower indeed. Granted it's semi-sheer but the red-grape jellyish base is the perfect medium for the blue/purple shimmer and red flakes of glitter.

All A-Bordeaux The Sled is a berry-based, browned, wine creme. It comes across as a warm chocolate. Much warmer than Holiday Glow above. It's nothing we haven't seen before and considering the opacity issues, this one is a "pass" for me.

I am at a loss when it comes Shim-merry Chic. Is it supposed to be a metallic, a brushed chrome or what? All I know is that next to my skin tone it's a fail. The tan base color takes on a slightly greenish cast from the green micro-shimmer and whereas the red particles worked in Merry Midnight, it doesn't in Shim-merry Chic.
The OPI Holiday Wishes collection is on sale now and includes 6 reds in a finish range from creme to glitter. You can find OPI at salons nationwide and online at some of my favorite e-tailers (see sidebar).

What do we think of the OPI holiday colors Fanatics? Are you on the "flakies" bandwagon? Who want to counter my Shim-merry Chic dislike with a tale of how fab it is? Let's hear it!

CND Monday - Dark Ruby Colour & Jade Sparkle Effect

2009-11-02T16:35:00.004-05:00

Welcome to CND Monday, a new feature here on ALU. Each week I'll be sharing a new layering combination from CND Colour & Effects to show you the versatility and creativity of the line.

This week's CND Monday look is a reader request from Fanatic Strawberimilk. She wanted to see how Dark Ruby would look with Jade Sparkle layered on top. In my head I was thinking it sounded holiday-ish; red and green but I was way off base. Check out the combo after the jump!

Dark Ruby is a black cherry shade along the lines of Essie Wicked, only darker and more pigmented with an extra shot of berry in its base. It doesn't really read as a ruby to me. It definitely fits into the vampy, almost-black category.

Add a coat of Jade Sparkle and you get this foil-like effect where each particle catches the light as you move your hand. Depending on the angle it can read green, gold or somewhere in between. It's similar to a past CND Monday combo, Raisin in the Sun and Gold Shimmer, except it had a more uniform, brushed metal look.

You can find CND Colour & Effects at salons nationwide and online at our fave e-tailers (see sidebar). Colours retail for $9/ea and Effects retail for $11/ea.

Strawberimilk, I hope this was helpful. Fanatics, what do you think of this combo? Have any of you purchased Dark Ruby yet? What is your favorite Effect to layer over top?

"What's On Your Nails?" with Sarah from StyleIt

2009-11-02T08:51:00.006-05:00

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.

Sarah Conley from StyleItOnline.com is one of my oldest and dearest blog friends. She is literally the first person to befriend me in a world where it's easy to get lost in isolation. She showed me the ropes and what it means to be part of the blogging community. If it wasn't for her advice-filled chats/phone calls leading up to my first NY Fashion Week experience, I probably wouldn't have had the guts to step on the plane.

When it comes to the fashion world most of us are just bystanders but Sarah lives and breathes it. Seeing her, giddy like a kid the night before Christmas, spot one of her fave models stomping the catwalk or gushing over the latest MAC launch, her passion is infectious. With the recent revamp of her On The Plus Side series, documenting her daily outfits in all her plus-sized glory, she has amazed me once again.

Learn more about Sarah and see what layering combo is on her nails, after the jump!

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about you and your blog.
Hi dearies - I'm Sarah! During the day, I help fashion & beauty brands find their place in social media and by night I write StyleITOnline.com.

What is your favorite nail polish?
My favorite polish is always changing. Right now I love MAC's Cool Reserve and D&G's Stromboli (mostly because I loved the way Pat McGrath said Stromboli to me!) !

What is on your tips and toes right now?
On my nails is a coat of MAC's Seriously Hip & D&G's Stromboli. My toes are too embarrassing to discuss.

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
An absolutely necessity. I grew up with a beauty-crazed mother and one of her biggest must haves was painted nails. She can spot a chip or a bubble a mile away.

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
Way too many to count! When I left Arkansas a couple of years ago, I left my collection with my mother (who I knew would appreciate it) and started from scratch. Now I have two drawers full and I just keep adding! The brand doesn't matter - I'm an equal opportunity polisher.

How often do you change your nail polish?
Once a week. I can't repeat similar colors back to back and I can't go without color on my nails.

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
I really love using Barielle's Nail Rebuilding Protein and I am also currently loving Lisa Hoffman's Hand & Foot Butter. The packaging is fab!

What do you think is the big nail trend for fall?
Nail art! A plain coat of polish just isn't cutting it anymore!

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
Whoever decided that chipped polish is appropriate and means we're "busy women" should get a reality check & a manicure pronto.

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Not stepping out of their comfort zone to try color. C'mon - what's the worst that can happen?

My thanks to Sarah for finally sharing her thoughts on all things polish (just teasing hon!). Fanatics make sure you visit StyleItOnline.com for your daily dose of fashion and beauty.

So now that we know what's on Sarah's nails, what's on yours?

image credit: Kimberley Williamson for StyleIt

This Week in ALU Pol-history 11-1-09

2009-11-01T19:17:00.006-05:00

Welcome to This Week in ALU Pol-history a series where I transport you a la Mr. Peabody's WABAC (wayback) Machine to check out my favorite past polish posts. Newbies and old school Fanatics, take a look and see what you've missed!

October 2008
I was bowled over by the release of two amazing GREENS from Sally Hansen.

I introduced the "As Amazing As Polish" series with my mascara obsession, Estee Lauder Turbo Lash. It's still my #1 mascara.

I shared my theory about Smoky Nails replacing the Smoky Eye for fall.

October 2007
The Essie Winter 2007 collection debuted including charcoal stunner Over The Top.

I offered my tips for preventing air bubbles in polish.

OPI's Holiday in Hollywood collection introduced me to one of my fave pale shades, Hollywood Blonde.

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend and that those of you who celebrate Halloween had fun dressing up and decorating your nails. The biggest effort I make on Halloween is a themed manicure and passing out candy to the kids.

I do love that we have an abundance of tots in the under 7 age group. They're so darn cute in their costumes it almost (ALMOST) makes me want one of my own. The moment is fleeting at best. The Boyfriend institutes the candy distribution rules and the cuter and younger you are, the more he hands out. He's a sucker for the little ones that can barely squeak out "trick or treat."

I was going to share my Halloween manicure with you but it went south before Trick-or-Treat even began. I applied the orange from StrangeBeautiful Vol 1 (my order from LuckyScent just came in) and added a layer of China Glaze Ghoulish GLOW on top. I've been wanting to try glow-in-the-dark nails and is there ever a better time? Well, Ghoulish GLOW was a major fail for me. It took forever to dry so I ended up with dents, marks and whatnot AND it didn't even glow! Color me disappointed.

I hope your Halloween manis turned out better than mine. Share what you did or just your current NOTD (Nails of the Day) in the comments!

BCA Month Wrap-Up & Giveaway Winners

2009-11-01T13:56:00.004-05:00

Before we get to the fun stuff, let me first thank all of you for your support of my BCA Month efforts. Your comments and donations truly help make a difference towards finding a cure for breast cancer. Even in a time of economic crisis we managed to raise more money than last year for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and for that I am truly grateful.

We raised $758 through the Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway with a total of 152 entries.

Combine that with my personal donation of $150, due to your support of my Comments For A Cure Campaign, and that's a total donation of $908. Incredible!!

Now for the giveaway winners. Valerie D. is our Grand Prize Winner and Karin H. and Lisa B. take home the Runner-Up gift packs. Congrats ladies! Enjoy your prizes!

Web Snob Wrap Up - 10-31-09

2009-10-31T16:50:00.002-04:00

55 Secret Street weighs in on Newsweek's Zahara Jolie Pitt hair controversy and wants to know, "Are We All Really "Team Zahara?".

Heidi & Spencer dress as Jon & Kate for Halloween - Allie is Wired has the pictures.

Bag Bliss loves the latest arm candy by Felix Rey.

If you are looking for just one all around great piece for the season or for the year, Bag Snob has it!

There is so much talk about lash enhancers, but what about the brows? Beauty Snob has the product.

Coquette wants to dress up her MacBook and iPhone in the upcoming new Mulberry accessories for Apple products.

The Daily Obsession shares a never published before beauty tip.

eye4style has the scoop on what's next for New York City's legendary Limelight (hint: it involves shopping!).

Fashion Pulse Daily has teamed up with Manhattanite to give away a Nip & Tuck Hollywood Basket, full of Foot Petals, Miss Oops, and Hollywood products!

The Jet Set Girls pick the best black nail polish for Vegas.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating the Salvador Dali "Bird In Hand" compact.

Second City Style takes a look at Where The Wild Things Are on the runway and the real way.

From ankle height to over the knee, SheFinds has all the best flat boots to let you walk, run, and skip through fall in style and comfort.

Shopping and Info found the best black cashmere cowl neck sweater.

Stiletto Jungle thinks a wrap sweater you can wear 6 ways is perfect for fall.

The StyleBakery.com editors share their Top 10 Picks for Fall, totaling over 100 must-buys for every budget

Stylehive is thinking the basic little black dress has been a bit too nice lately, and is loving black leather dresses for fall...

The Beauty Stop dishes about Reese Witherspoon's beauty secrets.

The Shoe Goddess has fallen in love with this pair of amazing Azzedine Alaia Buckle Boots!

V-Style Loves Thakoon's Mirror Mosaic Booties for fall.

Last Call for the Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway

2009-10-30T16:03:00.005-04:00

The Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway ends tomorrow so don't miss your chance to win and help support a worthy cause. All donations go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

So far you have helped me raise $668. Amazing!! Combined with the $150 I'm donating, thanks to your support of Comments For A Cure, that's over $800 going towards finding a cure. Who wants to go for $1000? Here's a look at what you could win. Don't forget there are TWO runner up prizes as well.

China Glaze 'Loves You Snow Much' Holiday Swatches & Review

2009-10-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That seems to be the China Glaze adage for Holiday 2009 and I totally get it. I mean how much did we all freak out over Emerald Sparkle? It's the ultimate in green glitter gorgeousness. And how many of you regretted not getting a backup?

Well China Glaze obviously "Loves You Snow Much" to bring it back with a brand new friend. They've expanded last year's Sleigh Ride trio of Tinsel, Ruby Pumps and Emerald Sparkle to include the way apropos 5 Golden Rings. Check out the new kid on the block and refresh your memory as to why Emerald Sparkle is an utter must-have.

Like her sister Tinsel, 5 Golden Rings packs a whole lot of glitter love into a golden semi-sheer base. I wouldn't ID it as one of their glass flecks, rather it has a foil-like quality with glitter particles that sparkle like crushed gems. It's a shame the camera lens can't capture its brilliance. It's also more of a true yellow gold than I'm able to show. My only disappointment is the opacity. I used three medium-thick coats and still see my tips.

Tinsel is an explosion of silver glitter. Like 5 Golden Rings, it also exhibits a semi-sheer appearance after three coats.

Of course by now most of us are familiar with Ruby Pumps. The lone survivor of the original Wizard of Ooh Ahz collection, she really does Dorothy's slippers justice. Long before all the other brands introduced their take on those iconic shoes, Ruby Pumps was already a fan fave.

Emerald Sparkle, what can I say about this gem that hasn't already been said? I've had my original sample bottle for over a year and a half and it still makes me swoon-y on sight.
The China Glaze Loves You Snow Much collection is on sale now. You can find it at Sally Beauty stores and online at e-tailers like Head2ToeBeauty.com and Transdesign.com.

Would you like a chance to win the Loves You Snow Much collection along with a ton of other great polishes and pink ribbon themed products? Then don't forget to enter the Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway to help support Breast Cancer Research. It ends tomorrow so don't miss out!

So what's your take Fanatics? Are you happy to see the Sleigh Ride colors return? Would you have preferred something new? Who's backing up their Emerald Sparkle?

The ALU Archives - Shu Uemura P665

2009-10-29T14:08:00.004-04:00

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

A sweet reader, Faye, emailed me quite some time ago about how she visited the L'oreal Company Store and spotted two GREEN Shu Uemura nail polishes that I just had to have. I was floored and flattered that she thought of me and was kind enough to send them my way. The generosity of strangers, I tell you!

One of the polishes is a dark green creme a la NARS Zulu and the other is such a unique hue, words fail me to describe it. Take a peek after the jump!

I tried my first Shu polish (sounds like I'm saying shoe polish) last year when I picked up their gorgeous fall shade during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. I was instantly sucked in by the formula and pigment packed color. By the time I got my hands on Tanzanite Aquarium from the holiday collection I was hooked. The formula is flawless and they really pile on the glitz and glamour.

So why am I seeing the nail polish listed in the discontinued section of the Shu Uemura website?? Say it isn't so Shu!!! Just when I found you, you leave me? What the H people?

Here's hoping that by posting this glorious green shimmer we can generate grassroots support for a revival of the nail polish line. This beauty is named P665, so boring. She deserves a much more creative moniker, no? The silver shimmer and muted, spring green hue make this one a winner in my book. I haven't come across another polish anything like it.
Flash
Sun (we have sun in the CLE today, yay!)

So where are my fellow Shu polish fans? Do you have any favorite shades you just can't live without? Anyone else disappointed to hear the line is in the DC'd bin?

ALU and the FTC Regulations

2009-10-28T15:11:00.007-04:00

By now some of you may have heard about the FTC regulations regarding bloggers and their relationships with brands. You can read all about it including the 80+ page guideline document HERE. Basically any blogger, regardless of their niche, must disclose if they received payment or a product sample in relation to a product review. They consider receiving a sample as a form of payment for the review. I haven't spoken about this until now because I wanted to read all 80+ pages of the guidelines and any other articles I could find on the subject to see what is actually required and decide how I want to address it here.

Some of you probably care less about all this so feel free to skip this post. If you want to hear my long winded thoughts on what's happening and how ALU will address the regulations please read on.

Bloggers Receive Product Samples
In case you were unaware, bloggers receive product samples and not just beauty bloggers. Mommy bloggers, tech bloggers, food bloggers, garden bloggers, etc. In regards to beauty blogs you'd be hard pressed to find a blog with a loyal readership and 6+ months of posting under their belt that hasn't received a press sample(s).

Bloggers are treated the same as magazines, receiving samples of the newest products to test. How do you think we get collections before they hit shelves? Only for some reason the FTC feels the magazines don't need regulating even though they are influenced by advertisers. You know those product recs to get the cover model's look? Paid for! So really the fact that the FTC is coming after us is quite a joke! And I've heard a number of bloggers say F-U to the regulations. They aren't abiding.

I Was Clueless Too
Here's the thing. Like a lot of you, when I first started my blog or even before that when I was just reading blogs, I had NO CLUE that brands sent out samples. I thought those women were independently wealthy or about to file for bankruptcy. Being the first nail blogger on the scene, I never dreamed I'd get an email offering to send me product for review. I mean, who was I? Just some girl with way too much nail polish and an idea to focus on a niche that no one else was covering. I blogged for a really long time before that first email arrived and brands started to take notice of me.

Who Can You Trust?
The main rumbling I've heard is how can readers trust bloggers if they're getting free product? Are their reviews biased because they don't pay? How can they distinguish the "swag whores" from the true and honest fanatics? All I can say is trust your gut.

From the beginning, I've posted about what I want, when I want. I don't make promises to brands regarding reviews. I don't post only positive reviews. Look in the archives, you'll see that not every color gets high praise. Yes, I do run ads as a form of income but I have no formal relationship with the advertisers or agreements in regard to my content. My ad network handles the management and sales aspect but my content is purely up to me.

How I Deal With PR
The fact of the matter is that every single day I get more press releases in my inbox than I know how to deal with. The majority are totally unrelated to my blog (hello designer bra straps!). With each press release is the offer of sample product. I'd say 95% of those releases go in the trash. The small percentage that do relate to ALU with things I think either you or I would like, I accept product for. But does that guarantee a review? Not by a long shot! If something doesn't thrill me or apply well or just doesn't meet my standards, I don't review it. I'm not going to waste our time on that.

So no, I didn't post the second half of the OPI Spain collection. Why? It didn't excite me. I didn't post the Essie Neons because they applied terribly and all I heard was complaints about the wear. I skipped Chanel Rouge Allure Laque because the colors were kind of "meh." I'm not out to post every single collection on the planet because I only want to share with you the things I think are actually worth it. And even then, there are some stinkers in the bunch and I'll let you know that too.

What Happens Now?
The regulations go into effect on December 1st. As of that date or prior to, I will have a formal disclosure page so that even if someone comes here for the first time, they'll know the deal. Also, at the end of each post you will see a short disclosure statement letting you know how the product was obtained with a link to my disclosure page.

Why Are You Just Doing This Now?
I've never hidden the fact that I receive press samples and openly told anyone that has ever asked about it (and lots have). The first time I got a collection early I saw posts about it on MUA with members commenting that brands send out product to bloggers. I didn't feel the need to brag or rub it in anyone's face that I have the privilege of getting polish from brands to share with all of you. We all know it's basically free advertising for the brands but for me, it's the chance to share my passion for polish. I take that seriously which is why I don't just post everything offered to me.

Questions? Comments?
Let's go ahead and open the floor for questions and comments. I want to hear what you have to say and am happy to address any concerns you have. If you aren't comfortable commenting, feel free to email me directly editor[at]alllacqueredup[dot]com or use the comment form HERE.

Think Pink - Estee Lauder World Pink

2009-10-28T13:46:00.007-04:00

Breast Cancer Awareness month is coming to a close but you can still make a difference. I appreciate all of you that sounded off to support my Comments For A Cure campaign. The turnout was even better than last year but there is more we can do to raise awareness.

*Remember to do monthly self breast exams. You know your body best and doing regular self exams is your first line of defense.

*Encourage your friends to do the same. The more you talk about this issue, the less power breast cancer has.

*Talk to your doctor about mammograms. Only you and your doctor can determine the best time to start regular mammograms. Make sure he/she has all your medical history, including family members, and discuss what age you should start the uncomfortable but essential process.

*Support breast cancer research through donations and pink product purchases but do your research. There is a lot of "pink washing" in the retail sector and just because something dons the pink ribbon doesn't mean there is a charitable contribution behind it.

The Estee Lauder family of brands has a lot of wonderful pink ribbon products that support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. If you're going to shop for beauty anyway why not make a difference with your purchase?

Since they have generously donated four of their products to the Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway (don't forget to enter!), I wanted to highlight them for you.

AVEDA Hand Relief ($21) - I reviewed this hand creme last October (click to view) and can't say enough good things about it. I've always been an Aveda hair care girl but thanks to Hand Relief I've begun exploring other parts of the line.

Aveda will donate $4 from each sale of the Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund environmental research to help find a cure, with a maximum donation of $300,000.

CLINIQUE Lipgloss Key Chain ($18.50) - A cute trio of pink Long Last Glosswear shades. I've been obsessed with this formula for months now. The LE Honey Shimmer shade is my go-to everyday gloss and it really does last.

$10 per Lipgloss Key Chain purchased during the month of October will be donated to The
Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

ESTÉE LAUDER Jeweled Pink Ribbon Pin ($12.50) - Show your BCA Month support with a little glitz factor. This pin is affordable and adorable.

Estée Lauder will donate $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

PRESCRIPTIVES Pink Ribbon Palette for Cheeks and Eyes ($48.50) - With four eyeshadows and two blushes in flattering pinks and chocolates, this would be great for travel just to carry in your purse.

Prescriptives will donate $20,000 in connection with North American sales of the PX Pink
Ribbon Palette for Cheeks and Eyes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

If you want to WIN all four of these items, make sure you enter the Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway before October 31st. In addition to these great EL goodies you could win 30+ bottles of nail polish and other beauty booty. Don't miss out!!!

Zoya MatteVelvet Winter Collection Swatches & Review

2009-10-27T11:03:00.005-04:00

Keep On With The [Mattes] Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
lyrics by Michael Jackson (altered by moi)

As long as you keep loving the Mattes, its seems Zoya will keep pumping them out. And if they're as hot as the Winter MatteVelvets, sign me up.

You all know that I'm a fan of the matte top coat vs. matte polish but some colors are worth the short wear time. For me, that color is GREEN! Big surprise, I know. Throw in my other love, purple, and we've got ourselves one helluva matte party. Check out the Winter MatteVelvets after the jump!

You know from my NYFW NOTD Challenge that I've had the Winter MatteVelvets for a while. I waited until now to post them because I was informed that the finish of my Veruschka sample (the green) was too shiny and being reformulated before the official launch. You want to see the actual polish you're buying, right?

Now I don't know if the finish is the only change with these mattes but for the most part, they applied FLAWLESSLY. Savita was my only problem child (see below). I was seriously impressed. They flowed so much better than the fall collection, especially Verushcka, providing a larger margin for application errors and a more even result. Well done Zoya!

Veruschka is obviously my fave in this collection. Like an evergreen tree she is a shimmering goddess of the forest. There's something about the shimmer in the Zoya mattes that give them a "lit from within" look that doesn't translate on camera. Very magical.
Savita is without question a stunner. A true grape hue, it's right up my alley. What disappointed me was the consistency. This was the only polish in the set that I had difficulty with. It had a somewhat chalky quality that made for an uneven, chunky application. It's not totally unworkable, it just wasn't the dream Veruschka was.
Harlow's berry/magenta hue has glow that looks like I'm wearing fabric on my nails. With a glossy top coat it reminds me of one of my fave OPI Designer Series polish, Extravagance, minus the holographic glitter.
The Zoya MatteVelvet Collection is on sale now. Polishes retail for $7/ea and can be purchased online at Zoya.com. To find a salon carrying Zoya near you, try their salon locator.

Who's planning to get the Winter MatteVelvets? Who already bought them? What do you think of them? Have you discovered any tricks to making them last longer?

CND Monday - Muddy Rose Colour & Raspberry Sparkle Effect

2009-10-26T18:45:00.008-04:00

Welcome to CND Monday, a new feature here on ALU. Each week I'll be sharing a new layering combination from CND Colour & Effects to show you the versatility and creativity of the line.

When I first saw the Colour & Effects line I naturally gravitated towards the primary and secondary hues. You know, "me" colors. It wasn't until I had some time to play with the line at home that I've begun discover all this line has to offer. Muddy Rose is one of those discoveries.

I've been on a mauve kick for fall ever since I saw the Reem Acra dress that inspired Get Mauve-ing from the Barielle All Lacquered Up collection. Now I'm on a full fledged dusty pink/rose/purple spree and Muddy Rose fits the bill. See it on its own and paired with Raspberry Sparkle after the jump!

I got my first glimpse of Muddy Rose in action when it was being used backstage at the Carolina Herrera show during Fashion Week. I was instantly drawn to its muted rosy hue. I couldn't wait to get home and try it myself. The polish is so heavily pigmented that it barely needs two coats though it's not at all thick or tricky to maneuver.
Adding a layer of complimentary Effect, Raspberry Sparkle, lightened the shade adding a smattering of bling. I love that the sparkle family of Effects dries smooth and glossy with no texture. The glitter lies flat but gives a multidimensional look. I remember this particular Effect being an editor fave during the CND launch at Cosmoprof and I can definitely see why.

As I mentioned above, Muddy Rose made its runway debut on the models at Carolina Herrera. It was used in a layering combination over CND's black, Blackjack, to create a muted-out mauve. Carolina chose the combo to complete the overall look of her collection that was inspired by woven Japanese baskets and included a lot of texture, maroon and luxe gowns.

Diane Kendal for MAC gave the girls a "fresh, pretty, timeless" look consisting of a soft smokey brown eye and natural lip using one of my fave lip colors MAC Twig as a stain. Orlando Pita for Moroccan Oil created a romantic, lavish updo incorporating gold and silver metallic beads woven through the hair. It was definitely one of my fave hair looks of the week. Simply stunning and innovative, something I've come to expect from Orlando.

CND's Angi Wingle was leading the team in polishing the fingers and toes on all the models. Application Tip: When layering, apply the base color leaving a small space between the color and cuticle to avoid the polish peeking out behind the top layer.

You can find CND Colour & Effects at salons nationwide and online at our fave e-tailers (see sidebar). If you're looking to stock up on some of your old CND faves GoIndulge.com is clearancing out a lot of their stock for only $2/ea!!

So is anyone else having a mauve moment? What do you think of Muddy Rose?

"What's On Your Nails?" with Dina from eye4style

2009-10-26T12:08:00.005-04:00

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.

Fanatics, I have a treat for you today. Dina from eye4style is sharing her latest nail polish find with us. It's funny, I virtually met Dina what seems like forever and a day ago. She quoted me in an article about French manicures back when only a few of you knew I existed.

Since then, I've had the pleasure of meeting Dina at random NYC events and she's a big ball of fabulous. With a biting wit and a flare for fashion that includes her love of fun footwear (a "party on the feet" as she calls it), Dina is a blast to be around. Remember when I told you about her CalGel gradation from NYFW? The girl obviously has an "eye for style"! Though it's her charm and humor that make eye4style one of my must-reads so if it's not on your blog reader, hop to it!

See the polish Dina discovered on her recent trip to London after the jump!

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about you and your blog.
Hi All Lacquered Up readers! I'm Dina - by day, I work in social media and by night, I'm the beauty and fashion-obsessed blogger at eye4style (which is my own site) and Makeup Minute (which I write for b5 Media.)

What is your favorite nail polish?
It is SO hard to pick a favorite. There are a few polishes that I just love. One is Rainy Day by MAC - it's the most amazing metallic pewter and it flashes purple and blue in the sun. I also love a bright berry polish for Summer, like essie Raspberry. And of course, my life would not be complete without the perfect red and the perfect nude - I like a Jessica polish for the latter and for the former, I have a wardrobe of at least 30 reds for when the mood strikes. Bad answer, I know:)

What is on your tips and toes right now?
On my tips, I'm wearing Miss Sporty #60 - it's a shimmering light purple that I just picked up in London. I'd never heard of this brand before but I was tempted by a few of their cool colors when I hit Superdrug today.

On my toes, I'm wearing Zoya's Yasmeen, which is just a stunning dark shimmery purple, I'm going to try it for a mani next. As you can see, I am having a purple moment.

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
Honestly, I'd have to say both. I'm one of those women who just does not feel polished (haha!) without a manicure. So, for me, it's a necessity. But at the same time, I've become more and more open to having fun with color, so it's an accessory too.

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
Oh boy, this is usually embarrassing...but I have a feeling I'm in the company of friends here...easily 150. Maybe more. Honestly, I'm not sure if I want to know.

How often do you change your nail polish?
One of the only things that's inexpensive in New York City is a manicure! So, I have a salon manicure once a week, it's my Sunday ritual. I rarely change my polish myself - when I do, I wind up obsessing about the imperfections. Instead, I bring my fave polishes to the salon.

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
Nailtiques Formula 2. I doubt that's a revelation for anyone but it's AMAZING stuff. One of the few beauty products that really delivers as promised. If you have weak or peeling nails, you need a bottle - as a bonus, it makes a great topcoat. Manis last forever with no chips!

What do you think will be the big nail trend for fall?
I really think that nail art is making a big comeback - from "crazy" colors to Konad to Minx to Calgel - I see more girls going beyond the traditional pale pink or red manicure. I love it! It's such a fun little way to express yourself.

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
Don't hate me. Black nailpolish. Yes, it's neutral. Yes, it's vampy. But honestly, I don't think it looks great against most skin tones and it's a little too goth girl for me.

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Oh, this one is easy - the French Pedicure. Why? WHY? A French manicure is designed to make nails look longer and healthier. Who wants their toenails to look LONGER? I will never understand it (and perhaps it's better that way...)

OK seriously, how many of us need to admonish the French pedi before it finally goes away?? Thanks Dina for joining in the crusade and for sharing your passion for polish with all of us. Fanatics be sure to visit eye4style and Makeup Minute on the regular!

Have any of you come across Miss Sporty polish in your travels or swaps? Know of a US resource?

Comments For A Cure 2009 Ends Today

2009-10-23T16:38:00.006-04:00

There's only a few hours left in ALU's 3rd Annual Comments For A Cure campaign. Please take a few moments to leave a comment on ANY post to help me raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. So many of you have commented already with your support, let's keep it up.

To brighten this gloomy, rainy Friday and keep the BCA Month spirit alive at ALU HQ, I'm burning the Altru Appreciation Collection Aromatic Incense. Throughout October, Altru honors BCA month by donating 20% of proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for ANY Appreciation product.

I'll admit that I haven't burned incense since I was in college. My roommate always had one going. So when the reps for Altru offered to support my Think Pink - Donate & Win giveaway with three sets of incense I got a bit nostalgic for my U of Cincinnati dorm days. The Appreciation scent is definitely better than the cheap incense we burned from the head shop near campus. It's floral with a bit of sweetness. Not at all granny-ish. Very soothing. Makes me yearn for spring blooms.

The Altru Appreciation collection is available at Neiman Marcus and AltrubyGamillah.com and includes: Soy Blend Wax Candle ($48), Interior Fragrance Oil ($65) and Aromatic Incense ($15).

Want a chance to win some Altru Appreciation Incense along with a ton of other goodies that would make any Fanatic's day? Make sure you enter the Think Pink - Donate & Win Giveaway before October 31st. We've already raised $555 for the BCRF. Can you help us reach the $1000 mark?