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Recently, I have become more and more addicted to nail polish and the realm of nails. In that spirit, I have started posting more and more about this new obsession. It's starting to take away from the focus of Beauty School Blog, which should be on makeup and learning how to use it. So... there will be no more coverage of nail polishes, manicures, and pedicures on this blog going forward.
Oh by the way: I now have a nail blog!
So please go check it out! And tell your polish friends about it!
Do you like the hats? It's important to protect yourself from the sun! ;)
Swimwear designer Lisa Curran is inspired by the places she visits and their cultures. This year, she took one whiff of collaborator LaVanilla's Lavender line and was reminded of the lavender fields of the South of France. We clearly run in different circles! But anyway, when it came time to plan two sets containing products from both purveyors, clearly lavender was the way to go!
The result are these two sets, available on both Lisa Curran's and LaVanilla's websites:
LaVanilla is "100% healthy" with no petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, or other baddies. Lisa Curran exclusively uses Italian fabrics in her high-end swimwear
PS: I tried the body butter and it's GREAT. It's such a nice consistency - nice and light but quite hydrating. And the scent is a nice soft lavender - not cloying and overbearing at all. I quite love it, and can't wait to test out the rest of the line. I'm not in the market for a bathing suit, but may just check out the Beauty Kit!
(gorgeous afghan courtesy of my friend, Greg)
On Sunday, my best friend and I went to get pedicures at a local salon called Sassie Deluxe. I'm not so sure how "deluxe" the experience was, but I feel sassy!
Pros: Quiet time away from the kids; beautifully decorated and large shop; lots of people on staff and tons of pedi chairs; aprox. 1 kajillion polishes to choose from (China Glaze, OPI, and Color Club); shop seemed clean; lots of massaging and pampering. My shade was an unlabeled white Color Club, and it seemed to go on well - it's certainly opaque and she only did 2 coats.
Cons: My pedi massage wasn't nearly as good as my friend's - but that's just the luck of the draw with the nail tech, I suppose; pricey, but it was much more pedi than the usual salons found in shopping strip malls; I still have rough feet; my cuticles are covered in polish (what!?).
But all-in-all, I'm pleased. I didn't know there was a white polish trend 'til I read it (see related reading below), but I suppose I am just that good at being fashionable!
I couldn't resist a little salon-style nail art on the big toe. I can't make such pretty designs.
Related reads elsewhere:
Recently Twittered pics from singer Katy Perry:
Love her! Love her music, love her style. And now I love her nails (and her cute little strawberry tattoo)! Isn't that Minx nail treatment (on the left and the right) so adorable!? The middle pic is of her friends, who have fancy 3-D nail art. I'm too hard on my hands for that.
More Minx on Katy can be seen here.
I dare you not to check out her nails the next time you see a pic of her! ;)
image sources: left, right, below
( I love the white nails in this pic!)
You can follow Nail Ninja and Beauty School Blog on Twitter, if you're so inclined.
We're: twitter.com/fiftycenthead
(prelim info courtesy of Specktra.net)
27 Aug 09 [US/Canada]
Sep 2009 [international]
Backstage and Front Row, Nail Trend has arrived! More than a colour statement, an of-the-moment approach that dazzles with innovation and style. How to do it? Enter Jin Soon, much-sought-after nail guru who has worked the shows and with the best celebs, collaborating with us to create six nail colours exclusively for MAC. Fashion addicts won't be able to survive without them this Fall.
Nail Lacquers: (LE) $12.00USD/$14.50CAD
I recently got sent two nail products. I knew one was coming and had high hopes, while the other was a complete surprise. BOTH items immediately became treasured members of my Top 5 For Nails list, and I wanted to do a quick post to show you both
Indigo Paris, part of Lancôme’s Fall Collection, is a fabulous blue shimmer that is nearly metallic! It's immediately getting the "Holy Grail" status fro me, because I've been looking for a blue comparable to my beloved China Glaze Coconut Kiss. Meanwhile, Essie's Matte About You topcoat taps into the matte trend by overlaying any polish you have with a sexy satin finish.
I did a mani with Indigo Paris and then layered Matte About You over it on the ring fingers. I then went back with Indigo Paris and painted a French-style stripe on the tip. On the thumbs, I reversed that - shiny nail bed, matte French tip.
Here are the swatches - plain ole Indigo Paris on the left and on the right is the mattified version. Look how radiant this polish is, even with the matte top coat!This is just the perfect blue shimmer (and it wears well, too)! The formula is perfect - no gloppiness, not terribly runny. Nothing to complain about!
And here are some more examples of Matte About You at work:
I used the colors above (pardon the terrible pics) because I thought many of the colors were familiar. Below, skittles nails before Matte About You, then after 1 coat was applied:
A closer look at ♥ matte Coconut Kiss ♥ and Aruba Blue:
A closer look at China Glaze Ruby Heels and Lubu Heels,
and a peek of OPI Shootout at the OK Coral (2009 version):
Matte About You dries in a hot second, leaving behind what can only be described as "yumminess". I wasn't sure how I felt about the matte trend, as only a few of the pre-made colors I've seen were really eye catching. But now I have to say I'm quite interested in the experiments I can do with my current collection of polishes, and I LOVE doing a mixed matte-shiny mani. I may give a second look to Fall's matte collections, now that my eyes have been opened, but all I really need is Essie's Matte About You!
Note: Some of the matte polishes on the market come with a lot of rules. They say "don't use a base coat" and "don't apply lotion" or the formula will degrade. Not with Matte About You! I used my normal base coat and the appropriate number of color coats for the particular shade. In fact, I even topped that with Seche Vite to dry it all quickly (in case I had to change a diaper!). Matte About You glided on top and dried quickly and flawlessly. Using lotion or cuticle oil de-mattifies the topcoat temporarily, but once the oils sink in or rub off (whatever) the finish is back to satiny goodness.
Lancôme’s Indigo Paris comes in at a pricey $18 US, but in my opinion it's worth it!
Essie's Matte About You finisher is only $10 US, and I'll definitely be getting a few more bottles!
Hey there! I'm *Jen, from Beauty School Blog. I'm a makeup artist with a serious case of nailpolishitis. I noticed I'm covering more and more nail stories and hogging up BSB with them! In an effort to keep BSB more makeup-oriented I decided to channel my nail obsession to another venue. Hence the birth of Nail Ninja. Just like a Ninja, I promise to use all of my wiles and skills to track down the best of the nail world, and I'm not afraid to resort to violence! (just kidding) (sort of)
I hope you enjoy Nail Ninja! Let us know what you'd like to see here, and we'll be glad to accommodate your requests! And please sign up to follow this blog and Beauty School Blog, so you're always up-to-date!
Courtesy of Cosmetosaur, a new fave blog of mine, some swatches of MAC's upcoming Dazzleglass Cremes. Please visit the Dino - it's a great blog!
That's two of the 6 featured (there will be 9 in the collection). Naturally, I pulled the two I must have. :)
Wanna see more? Go to Cosmetosaur!
Every July, Nordstrom celebrates its anniversary with a sale on items for Fall. The sale features many exclusive items that will not be out elsewhere 'til Autumn or are only sold at Nordstrom. MAC always goes all-out with their own exclusive collection to honor the department store that first sold their products.
Here is this year's selection of goodies:
Graphic Garden Collection
09 Jul (The Bay) / 17 Jul (Nordies) 2009 [US/Canada]
UNK 2009 [international]
collection details via Specktra.net / Nordstrom.com - all others as noted
image source for image @ right
Brush Bags: (LE) $49.50USD
A black and white twill bag with a separate brush holder featuring a rose or poppy pattern. There will be two types of bags:
Define & Blend Brush Set
View Face Charts for Graphic Garden @ Specktra.net!
Look in a Box Collection
09 Jul (The Bay) / 17 Jul (Nordies) 2009 [US/Canada]
UNK 2009 [international]
collection info courtesy of Specktra.net / images courtesy of Nordstrom.com
Area of Distribution: This is an anniversary collection that will only be available at The Bay, Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com.
Look Box: (LE) $59.50USD
A black carton featuring a photo of a model wearing the look (these are
north america only). These will also include a face chart and a
step-by-step how-to facechart.
Sun Siren Look Box
(prelim info courtesy of Specktra.net)
27 Aug 09 [US/Canada]
Sep 2009 [international]
Backstage and Front Row, Nail Trend has arrived! More than a colour statement, an of-the-moment approach that dazzles with innovation and style. How to do it? Enter Jin Soon, much-sought-after nail guru who has worked the shows and with the best celebs, collaborating with us to create six nail colours exclusively for MAC. Fashion addicts won't be able to survive without them this Fall.
Nail Lacquers: (LE) $12.00USD/$14.50CAD
(prelim details courtesy of Specktra.net)
27 Aug 09 [US/Canada]
Sep 2009 [international]
We're dramatically lashing out with the help of a pre-eminent authority on the subject: Academy Award-nominated Hollywood makeup artist, Christina Smith, who's developed this innovative collection of glamorous Silver Screen style lash looks just for MAC, and that means you're that much closer to the secrets of being red-carpet ready, runway-ravishing. Part of our continuous commitment to collaborating with the most incredible talents working around the globe, these lashes will step it up and set it off!
False Lashes: $12.00USD/$14.50CDN
I recently got sent two nail products. I knew one was coming and had high hopes, while the other was a complete surprise. BOTH items immediately became treasured members of my Top 5 For Nails list, and I wanted to do a quick post to show you both
Indigo Paris, part of Lancôme’s Fall Collection, is a fabulous blue shimmer that is nearly metallic! It's immediately getting the "Holy Grail" status fro me, because I've been looking for a blue comparable to my beloved China Glaze Coconut Kiss. Meanwhile, Essie's Matte About You topcoat taps into the matte trend by overlaying any polish you have with a sexy satin finish.
I did a mani with Indigo Paris and then layered Matte About You over it on the ring fingers. I then went back with Indigo Paris and painted a French-style stripe on the tip. On the thumbs, I reversed that - shiny nail bed, matte French tip.
Here are the swatches - plain ole Indigo Paris on the left and on the right is the mattified version. Look how radiant this polish is, even with the matte top coat!This is just the perfect blue shimmer (and it wears well, too)! The formula is perfect - no gloppiness, not terribly runny. Nothing to complain about!
And here are some more examples of Matte About You at work:
I used the colors above (pardon the terrible pics) because I thought many of the colors were familiar. Below, skittles nails before Matte About You, then after 1 coat was applied:
A closer look at ♥ matte Coconut Kiss ♥ and Aruba Blue:
A closer look at China Glaze Ruby Heels and Lubu Heels,
and a peek of OPI Shootout at the OK Coral (2009 version):
Matte About You dries in a hot second, leaving behind what can only be described as "yumminess". I wasn't sure how I felt about the matte trend, as only a few of the pre-made colors I've seen were really eye catching. But now I have to say I'm quite interested in the experiments I can do with my current collection of polishes, and I LOVE doing a mixed matte-shiny mani. I may give a second look to Fall's matte collections, now that my eyes have been opened, but all I really need is Essie's Matte About You!
Note: Some of the matte polishes on the market come with a lot of rules. They say "don't use a base coat" and "don't apply lotion" or the formula will degrade. Not with Matte About You! I used my normal base coat and the appropriate number of color coats for the particular shade. In fact, I even topped that with Seche Vite to dry it all quickly (in case I had to change a diaper!). Matte About You glided on top and dried quickly and flawlessly. Using lotion or cuticle oil de-mattifies the topcoat temporarily, but once the oils sink in or rub off (whatever) the finish is back to satiny goodness.
Lancôme’s Indigo Paris comes in at a pricey $18 US, but in my opinion it's worth it!
Essie's Matte About You finisher is only $10 US, and I'll definitely be getting a few more bottles!
Introducing the newest Lip Tars,from l to r: Anime, Hush, Conquest, Petty Beige, Fondue and Botanical.
And the newest Loose Color Concentrates, from l to r: Authentic, Frigid, Glazed, and Spectral.
I will snap up several of these Lip Tars, definitely! I will start with Hush, Conquest and Anime. Here are the color descriptions:
• ANIME: Beyond neon pink. Pageant pales by comparison.
• HUSH: Antique, bridal pink. A match for OCC Skin Airbrush Blush in Hush.
• CONQUEST: Pale, polished ivory. Great for mixing or Mod Makeup.
• PETTY BEIGE: Opaque and true, deep toned ecru.
• FONDUE: Intensely dark chocolate - think 91% cacao dark!
• BOTANICAL: It's not easy wearing green, but it's great to tone down red.
And the LCCs:
• SPECTRAL: Frosty white with blue duochrome.
• FRIGID: Dead of winter, pale sky blue.
• GLAZED: Rich bronzed, plum.
• AUTHENTIC: Intense, true copper shimmer.
We bloggers spend a lot of time talking about what to put on our face, but we often neglect discussing taking it off! As a makeup artist and a makeup junkie, I have a need for effective, thorough facial cleansing and I'm really picky. I look for:
The easiest way I've found to hit the first 3 is to use makeup wipes! Let me share with you some of my investigative reporting:
Rodial Glam Balm Wipes | I just got sent a sample of these wipes, and took them on my recent trip. You get 25 wipes per package for aprox. $19 USD. Each wipe contains chamomile and Vit E, so it's nice and gentle. And they really are gentle! My skin felt great after using them! Downsides: the price is on the high end for this type of product and the stingy feeling on the eyes wasn't so hot. Another bummer was the eye makeup I found on my eyes the next morning.
Alcone Makeup Remover Cloths | These are individually wrapped wipes soaked in "mild makeup remover". They're marketed towards makeup artists, though there's no reason you shouldn't snap them up! Check out the prices, which range from 12 for $6 or 50 for $22. Or you can really save and get 500 for $200. These really get makeup off, and don't sting my eyes, but they do leave my skin feeling tight. Nothing a quick run with the good old moistuizer won't fix.
MAC Wipes| Most people are familiar with these, though they may not know that each wipe is two-sided. In other word, it's a thicker cloth that can be used on both sides for superior mileage on those really heavy makeup looks. At 45 for $17; 100 for $25 they're on the moderate-to-expensive side of the price list. Natuarlly, as a former MAC artist, I'm most familiar with these. I'd say they're probably the best at really pulling off the makeup - even the most stubborn stuff ends up on these cloths! Too bad they break me out if they aren't followed by a proper cleansing. Oh, they sting my eyes, too.
Biore Deep Pore Cleansing Wipes | For a mere $8.99 for 25, we're moving to the more economical products on the list. This wipe is textured, and therefore "exfoliating" and is part of the Biore complexion-perfecting line. I doubt these are meant to be used to remove eye makeup, hence the burning when I tried it. Doh! I didn't feel clean, either, though my skin was really dried out (or "exfoliated"?).
Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes | When you read that these have chamomile, Vit E, Antioxidants, and are alcohol-free, you'd figure they were going to be great. Too bad they were the worst of the bunch in my book, drying out my skin while they broke me out, and leaving eye makeup behind, too. Get 50 for about $5.50.
So what will I buy again? MAC Wipes are so convenient, and I like that they're all in one package (less waste) but Alcone's wipes are individually wrapped and oh-so-affordable! I will probably stock the Alcone for my kit (for hygiene's sake) and use MAC's product for home (followed by a good clean wash-up with something else afterwards).
I just tried a new salon last week, and fell in love. Seems I'm not the only one, as it just got mentioned as one of Elle magazine's Top 100 Salons in the US! Imago is located in Richmond, Virginia's historic and charming Fan District. The stylists specialize in Curly Girl hair - they do a combination wet-then-dry cut that is guaranteed to bring out the best in your curls! Rest assured, straight-locked ladies: they can cut your hair, too. See?
Before, my hair was just getting shoved into a ponytail every day...
But now I've got style!
My new angled bob is courtesy of Audrey, who was fab! She cuts splendidly but confessed her true love is doing color (she's trained in Balyage, which I may hit her up on next). She really listened to what I wanted (manageable, cute, not too trend-slavish, and still something I could pull off of my face). I got it! The back is layered perfectly (can't find my cowlick! YAY!) and I can wear this style straight, wavy or curled. I can pin back the long bangs if I wish, or tuck back the front behind my ears, but the cut really sings when it's styled straight and hanging just-so in that sexy angled way!
Audrey, I may go shorter, I may change the color, but whatever happens you're my girl, so don't let your Top 100 status get ya too over-scheduled to fit me in. You're #1 in my book!
Since its launch in the
UK last November, Illamasqua has caught fire with beauty aficionados
thanks to its unique night-time make-up concept and extraordinary color
range – and has now become the hottest, most buzzed-about brand in
the industry. Thousands of professional make-up artists, club kids,
beauty junkies, industry insiders and even cutting-edge celebrities
like Sienna Miller, Lily Allen, Adele, Beth Ditto and Karen O. are clamoring
for the newest, best and latest colors and textures from Illamasqua.
In fact, it’s this global
demand for Illamasqua that prompted the brand to finally bring its top
200, best-selling products to the United States through Sephora, the
ultimate beauty authority. Its much-anticipated debut will be at Sephora’s
newest location, 5 Times Square, on July 31st,
as well as on Sephora.com. 26 additional Sephora stores throughout the
country will carry Illamasqua in October of this year.
News of the Illamasqua launch leaked and spread quickly among fans, including beauty bloggers who were among the first to post about the launch with rabid anticipation, sharing the news of this one-of-a-kind, make-up line with their readers. This loyal, cult-like following is not just because of the professional quality and range of products to choose from, but because of the unique point of difference as a night-time make-up brand that encourages self-expression and the unleashing of the alter ego.
Created with the eye of world
renowned make-up artist Alex Box, and developed by a team of leading
chemists and manufacturers of stage and screen make-up, Illamasqua offers
everyone – from London club kids, visionary make-up artists and global
fashion icons, to the passionate everyday beauty consumer – the tools
to create the most striking, expressive looks possible.
A huge range of Illamasqua’s best-selling colors will be available in the U.S., including 40 different eye shadow shades, 22 high-performance nail varnishes, color-intense lipsticks, lipglosses, lashes and much more, creating a kaleidoscopic, pigment rich palette sure to seduce with its heady mix of color, creativity and limitless imagination.
ALEX BOX
Artistic Director
(image source, pic on right)
Alex Box studied fine art at
Chelsea College of Art and Design. Her installation-based work challenged
and explored the relationship between the body, environment and desire
to a pure form. As well as her site specific installations, Alex has
exhibited in numerous London and international art galleries.
Alex is also a regular contributor to
Show Studio, where her own work as well as collaborations with Nick
Knight and Gareth Pugh is to be seen. As a makeup artist Alex went on
to explore the relationship between art science nature and the magical.
Today, Box creates avant garde looks for designers ranging from Gareth
Pugh, Karl Lagerfeld and Alexander Mc Queen to Stella McCartney and
Chanel.
Leading the field in experimental
beauty, Alex is a regular contributor to global style titles including
Vogue, Numero, id, Dazed and Confused, Another Magazine and V.
ILLAMASQUA U.S. PRODUCT LIST
Lips:
| Product | Description | Shades/Price |
| Lipstick | Creamy, long-wearing color | 26 shades/$20 |
| Sheer Lipgloss | Transparent glossy color | 10 shades/$19 |
| Intense Lipgloss | Opaque glossy color | 9 shades/$19 |
Eyes:
| Product | Description | Shades/Price |
| Powder Eye Shadow | Long wearing, silky color | 40 shades/$20 |
| Pure Pigment | Rich, striking color | 8 shades/$24 |
| Eye Liner Cake | Long-lasting cake eyeliner | 3 shades/$21 |
| Volume Mascara | Thick, full, defined lashes | 1 shade/$23 |
| Eye Brow Cake | Dramatic, blendable brow definer | 3 shades/$18 |
| Sealing Gel | All-over sealant for smudge-free makeup | $12 |
| False Eye Lashes | From subtle enhancement to pure drama | 10 styles/$16 |
Face & Body:
| Product | Description | Shades/Price |
| Matt Primer +SPF 20 | Pre-foundation primer with a matte finish | $28 |
| Satin Primer +SPF 20 | Pre-foundation primer with a satin finish | $28 |
| Rich Liquid Foundation | Creamy makeup for flawless skin | 9 shades/$30 |
| Cream Foundation | Full coverage makeup with a silky finish | 9 shades/$30 |
| Powder Foundation | Matte finish in a convenient powder compact | 9 shades/$30 |
| Concealer | High coverage to erase any imperfection | 9 shades/$18 |
| Powder Blusher | Rich color for a beautiful flush | 15 shades/$23 |
| Cream Blusher | Smooth, silky color that blends easily | 5 shades/$23 |
| Illuminator | High-shine reflection that lasts all night | 5 shades/$18 |
| Liquid Metal | Rich, highly pigmented metallic cream | 2 shades/$24 |
| Bronzing Duo | Silky powder bronzer for sun-kissed color | 1 shade/$27 |
Nails:
| Product | Description | Shades/Price |
| Nail Varnish | Long-wearing, chip resistant nail color | 22 shades/$14 |
| Base Coat | Optimal pre-polish base coat | 1 shade/$12 |
| Top Coat | Shine-enhancing, sealing top coat | 1 shade/$12 |
Hey, ya'll. How is everything today? It's gorgeous weather here, but I'm a tad bummed: I sliced open my finger last night (emergency room and stitches ensued). Lovely ginormous bandage cramping my style (and mani!).
Anyway, I wanted to play, so hopped over to Polyvore.com to create a look for the imaginary night out I'm having. :)
I thought it would be fun to start with a makeup look (here, a facechart from MAC's Color Craft) and see what outfit it inspired, rather than the more traditional outfit --> accessories --> makeup progression. Do you ever start with the makeup?
Now I'm kinda depressed I'm not out partying instead of changing diapers and my finger bandage. :)
Have you Polyvore'd yet? Share your designs with the class!
The family and I took an impromptu vacation for a few days, and while we sure had a great time... I missed you! What's new in beauty!? I hate to think I missed anything!
