Category Archives: Nails

SPRING NAIL ART CONTEST

Enter JINsoon’s nail art contest and you can be one of 3 winners to receive the JINsoon x Tila March Collection.

To enter: Design your own nail art using nail polish only (no stickers or ornaments), tag @JINsoon & hashtag #jinsooncontest

Deadline for entries in 4/15/15.

courtesy of JINsoon

courtesy of JINsoon

Butter LONDON Nails It Again!

You can never go wrong with a classic red nail look. Just ask Emmy Rossum who donned just that at last night’s 2014 Costume Institute Gala.  Katie Jane Hughes, butter LONDON Global Color Ambassador, worked with Emmy to create a bespoke red nail, perfectly suited for the Met Gala theme, “Charles James.”

The Scoop: By blending two butter LONDON nail lacquers, Ladybird and Pillar Box Red, Katie created a bold, red color for Emmy to wear. “We mixed together this amazing red color to complement a shade in Emmy’s Carolina Herrera dress,” said Hughes. “The blend had a hint of orange in it which looks gorgeous with Emmy’s skin tone.”

Nail Look How To:

·         Katie began by using butter LONDON’s Patent Gel Tops & Tails Base Coat.

·         She then applied one coat of butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Ladybird followed by one coat of butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Pillar Box Red.

·         Katie completed the look with the butter LONDON Patent Gel Top & Tails Top Coat.

·         To ensure Emmy’s hands looked smooth and moisturized throughout the night, Katie used butter LONDON’s Backstage Basics Signature Lotion.Formulated with Shea Butter and antioxidant Vitamins A, D and E, this lightweight lotion is the best pick-me-up for dull skin.

The Power of Red

Colors have different meanings in different cultures and they’re even known to change over time but right now in the U.S., researchers have found this to be true about RED:

  • Red is an intense, extreme color known to affect all who see it.
  • Men and women are seen as more attractive when wearing red.
  • Red is the color of confidence but too much can be interpreted as aggressive.
  • In clothing, decor, wildlife and more, red always gets attention.

The best way to reap the benefits of red without inviting negative reactions is to take your red in small doses. Just a hint will make you that much more appealing, add visual interest and jump-start any outfit. Check out these ruby red accent pieces:

Zoya Nail Polish in Tamsen, $9 at zoya.com. I love this for fingers and toes. Orange undertones make it a Spring/Summer staple.

Eugenia Kim Chiara Headband, $90 at shopbop.com. The ombre shading and center-knot take this to another level.

Gahara Links Transfixion Necklace, $58 at anthropologie.com. Go global with this Rwandan made, hand-beaded pendant necklace.

Super Ciccio Eyeglasses, $169 at madewell.com. Oversized, retro frames in a “notice-me” color.

Cole Haan Jen & Oil Mary Jane Suede Platform Sandal, $125 at lastcall.com. Because red, grown-up Mary Janes are hot!

Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Nail Look

I’m crazy about this cool runway nail look: the negative space diagonal nail design mani created by Naomi Yasuda for essie. Clearly, the inspiration behind the nail look for Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter ’14 collection was the asymmetrical clothing in rich green, blue and gray tones.

essie nail products used: “first base” base coat, aruba blue polish, go overboard polish, master plan polish, “good to go” top coat

To get the look:

  1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails.
  2. Once dry, apply one coat of aruba blue, go overboard or master plan (depending on color preference) to the pinky on left hand and ring finger on right hand.
  3. Next, apply preferred polish shade at an angle across each additional nail and fill in the space to make a diagonal design (each nail from the thumb to ring finger should have a different ratio of color to natural nail).
  4. Finish with good to go top coat.

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photography courtesy of essie and vogue.

Trend Alert: New Nail Look

I love the black with white tips mani Jin Soon Choi created for Tess Giberson’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Show — a modern take on the french manicure.

To do:

  1. File and clean nails, removing all traces of polish.
  2. Apply a base coat like JINsoon Power Coat base coat.
  3. Next, apply two coats of dark gray/metallic black nail polish. Let dry. (Jin used a shade from her upcoming JINsoon Fall/Winter 2014 Tess Giberson Collection)
  4. At tip of the nail, apply a thin arc of white. Jin used JINsoon Kookie White.
  5. Finish by applying a shiny top coat such as JINsoon Top Gloss.

JINsoon products available at sephora and sephora.com.

JINsoon at Tess Giberson Fall/Winter 2014

 

Sole Searching?

Brrrrrr…it’s cold out there! When I’m chilled to the bone, one thing I do to stay warm is to hold a piping hot drink. Works like a charm! Which is why the timing was perfect for an invite to experience Sweet Lily’s Vanilla Latte Pedicure. I had a feeling it would do for my feet what holding said drink does for my hands, and then some.

Upon entering this respite from the hustle and bustle of  Tribeca I was led to an oversized comfy-cushy chair so a skilled manicurist could work her magic. My feet were soaked in a hot whipped cream concoction, scrubbed soft with a coffee bean scrub, wrapped in hot towels and massaged with a fresh vanilla bean body butter before being painted to perfection in a gorgeous plum shade of environmentally-friendly and health-conscious Zoya nail polish. Ahhhhh…sweet bliss!

This was by far the most soothing, relaxing, pampering and sole saving pedi I’ve ever received. I loved every second of it…so much so that it tops my holiday wish list. Maybe I’ll see you there…

Sweet Lily Vanilla Latte Pedicure, $74 / 60 minutes

Sweet Lily, 222 West Broadway, NYC. Call 212-925-5441 to make an appointment or for more information.

 

In Good Hands!

If you knew you could have a gorgeous manicure that would look as great on day 20 as it looked on day 1 wouldn’t you jump at the chance? Sounds like what we all did with gel manicures, that is until we discovered the potential consequences of lengthy exposure to the dangerous UV light that these required. I’m not willing to risk my health for a manicure and there’s no reason you should either.

Lucky for us then that SPANAIL just opened their first overseas shop of Japan’s prestigious salon Nail Quick where their safe Parfait Gel Manicure starts at $50. The process is similar to the usual gel manicure, a base coat followed by two color gel coats, optional sparkles, gems or other art and a topcoat, but each coat of gel is followed by up to only 5 seconds under the touch activated safe LED light instead of way more time under a UV light. I’m ecstatic with my Swarovski crystal studded, super-super-shiny, extra-durable, safe and chip-free-for-close-to-a-month results! Feel free to choose neutral tones (like I did) or get “notice me” nails in bright, fun, extra-creative colors and designs. Make an appointment at SPANAIL, 120 Sullivan Street, NYC. 646-476-3271, www.spanail.net.

If you’re not in the NYC area or are more the do-it-yourself type who’s just looking for beautiful colors with incredible shine I highly recommend SinfulColors’ SinfulShine with Gel Tech. It’s a self-curing polymer formula that’s five times glossier than patent leather! At only $2.99 with 32 shades to choose from you’ll want to snap them all up. Connect with their facebook page or purchase SinfulColors’ SinfulShine with Gel Tech exclusively at Walgreens and walgreens.com.

 

All-American!!!

Nothing like a little red, white and blue to show your star-spangled-pride. Today, I’m loving Pure Ice’s appropriately named “Freedom” nail lacquer with red and blue sparkles plus silver stars twinkling up my toes. It looks great layered over red polish.

Twinkle Toes!

Though my manis tend to be neutral…I have an “anything goes” attitude when it comes to my toes!

Take a walk on the wild side in summer’s hottest hues! Go bright…and if you’re feeling extra bold, top with a kalaidescope of colorful glitter.

Layer your brights over pure white so your color will really pop. Essie Blanc is perfect for this beauty trick, but my favorite way to wear Blanc is with Pure Ice Sexy Mama on top!

From left to right:

  1. Neon Green: Essie Shake Your $$Maker
  2. Electric Fuchsia: Essie Bottle Service
  3. Bright Blue Hue: Pure Ice French Kiss
  4. Multi-colored Sparkles: Pure Ice Sexy Mama

 

3Floz.com. Because size matters!

You don’t have to be a world traveler to appreciate 3Floz.com. This online shop for those-in-the-know features luxury beauty products exclusively in travel-friendly sizes (3 oz. or less) but it’s also perfect for those looking to try something new without spending a lot of cash…a great way to find a new favorite before splurging on the full size!

3Floz.com  carries over 50 luxe brands, including Fekkai, Phyto and Murad, sized right for a hassle-free baggage check and priced right for minimum commitment. Browse through their curated selection encompassing everything from face and hair care to body lotions, treatment products, products for kids and men and even aromatherapy. Cherry-pick whatever catches your eye or go for the themed kits and best-sellers.

Coming this Fall 2013, 3Floz.com will be in select US airport terminals, carrying the same products available on on their e-commerce site.

photo courtesy of 3floz.com