Sparkly Digits

This mani is seriously fancy! When it comes to sparkle, you can never have enough. (At least, in my opinion.)

Backstage Beauty at NYFW: Badgley Mischka

I head backstage to talk hair, makeup & nails at New York Fashion Week for typeF!

Nail Files

To kick off TV Guide's new show, Nail Files, starring celeb manicurist Katie Cazorla, a pretty posh pampering party was held this week at The Painted Nail Salon in Sherman Oaks. Not only did I get to gab with (uber-animated and adorable) Katie about life in the fab lane and soak in all of the sparkly, girly wonderment of her popular nail haven; but I also got treated to a decadent mani, too. I opted for a ridiculously gorgeous bright magenta purple sparkle polish (Petunia Sparkle from NuBar) and have been getting compliments ever since.

Might just need to add this polish to my personal stash...







Nail Files kicks off on June 21st at 10PM EST on TV Guide.

Neutral Nails

I just saw the screening of Something Borrowed last night, and I'm hooked. It was such a cute chick flick--it wasn't super cheesy and actually funny. The cast included some of my favorites-- Ginnifer Goodwin, who I've interviewed several times and is as sweet as you'd imagine, Kate Hudson and more. At the premiere, Ginnifer (and Kristin Cavallari, who's not in the movie, but simply showed up) rocked pretty pale nails in barely there blush shades. Try Essie's Wedding Collection for a similarly lovely look.

You Little Minx.

While at a fabulous event last week, I tested out a new manicure trend from Minx: shrink-wrapped foil nail designs that are applied to your nails through heat. Offering tons of funky designs (ranging from leopard print to hounds tooth to stripes and more) the Minx station attracted quite a crowd of stylish girls who wanted to dress up their nails with a downtown edge in no time.

The Bliss Spa manicurist only had time to do two fingers per guest, so I've awkwardly been sporting eight sparkly nails (from my previous manicure), and two metallic Minx leopard prints (see pic below.)




It's been a week, and I have to say they've held up quite nicely. Next time, I'll spring for a design for all ten tips, and I've already got my eye on the lace design. How chic!




Minx manicures available at Bliss Spa at W Hollywood, approximately $55.

Introducing...Hime Nails!

My little sister, trend-setter that she is, is just a little smitten with all things revolving around Japanese style. And by a little, I mean a lot.

She devours Japanese fashion magazines because of their funky fashions and unabashedly bold standards of beauty (lightened hair, colored contacts, long lashes, ornate nails, etc.) and has managed to transform herself into a mirror image of some of the models in the magazines.

Interesting, right? It's a cultural study for both of us, actually: she absorbs Japanese culture like there's no tomorrow; and I curiously observe her undying devotion to assimilate to another culture's standards...despite all that is available and accepted here in the U.S.

Though we clearly have our differences when it comes to quality content in fashion magazines, my sis and I do agree that Japanese nail art (known as 'Hime') is pretty freakin' amazing. She's been getting her nails gussied up for a few years now, and today I caved and went with her and got mine done, too.

The designs are glam, ostentatious and all-out girly (if that's your thing...which it is ours!), despite the fact that the process takes hours and can be a little pricey. On the upside, your nails will definitely stand out in a crowd, and they last for about four weeks.

Check out what I'm talking about:












(images compliments of HimeNail.com.)

Fun, right?

Nail It

Here in L.A., perfectly-pedicured toes are a summer necessity. There was a lot of buzz a few months ago when Chanel opened its Robertson location, and with it came an exclusive nail polish collection boasting four bright rainbow shades, retailing at $25 a pop.


The polishes flew out of the store, and for a while there, I couldn't go anywhere without overhearing someone talking about their highly-coveted designer enamel.

Interestingly enough, Essie popped out a few identical shades for a fraction of the price at just $7 a bottle.


Either way, I have yet to jump on the bandwagon with the neon nail trend. While the yellow isn't terribly wearable (or flattering), I do think that L.A.'s new cult-favorite shade is purple. I've seen plenty of gals rockin' the regal shade this season, and when done correctly, is actually quite pretty.

OPI has a number of purple polishes that inspired me:





I'm a fan of lighter shades of lavender for a modern manicure. Keep the color sheer and the nails short, and you've nailed the look!

Beauty Junkie

Shout out to my FAVE, tried-and-true nail polish of all time: OPI's Hawaiian Orchid.



Sheer, shiny light pink that's actually flattering on my tan skin tone (take that, Essie!) I got my nails done over the weekend, and was more than dismayed when they swiped on not one, not two, but three coats of a goopy way-too-pale pink that looked heinous (I think she thought more coats would somehow improve the look, but obviously it did just the opposite.) It smudged by the time I got to the car, leaving me no other option than to rifle through my bottles of polish at home for a fast fix.

I haven't painted my own nails in years (!!), so it took some getting used to, but I managed to pull off a professional-looking (ish) manicure thanks to my beloved Hawaiian Orchid hue. Next time, please remind me to just stick to what works.