Nail Polish :The Fashionable Housewife

5 Party-Ready Nail Polishes for the Holidays

December 20th, 2011 by Denise Shively

If you want your nails to look as good as the rest of you this holiday season, try one of these party-ready nail polishes to complete your festive holiday look.

Sephora by OPI Spark-tacular Top Coat

Dubbed “jewelry for your nails,” this sparkly top coat from Sephora by OPI adds the perfect finishing touch to your manicure. Simply use your favorite nail color, then add a coat or two of this festive top coat over tips for a party-ready mani in a flash.

($9.50, Sephora)

OPI Las Vegas Collection Royal Flush Blush

This pinky-blush hue shows you don’t have to go overboard for fantastic holiday nails – it’s the perfect “neutral” to show off on fingers or toes! I think it would look especially fantastic peeking out of peep-toe heels, and it adds just the right amount of color without being too in-your-face. Plus, anything with “Las Vegas” in the name has got to be party-worthy.

($8.50, drugstore.com)

Lancome ‘Le Vernis’ Golden Hat Holiday Nail Color

Five shades are available from Lancome’s Golden Hat holiday nail collection, but my favorite is the one at left (Golden Hat 101.) It’s the perfect juicy berry shade, and I think it would go great to liven up a little black dress. Put it on fingers and toes for a mani/pedi that will be perfect for the holiday season.

($15, Nordstrom)

Forever21 Plum Glitter Nail Polish

I’m partial to this shade – purple is my favorite color – but it’s also a fantastic alternative to traditional red or silver polish for the holiday season. This deep royal plum shade contains plenty of sparkle to make sure your tips and toes are as festive as the holiday party you’re heading to. Plus, it’s incredibly budget-friendly.

($2.80, Forever21)

Deborah Lippman Nail Color in Boom Boom Pow

Finally, this party-ready and incredibly festive gold glitter polish from Deborah Lippman is a great shade to wear for Christmas or New Year’s! Wear it alone for a subtle sparkle, or let this polish really shine as a top coat over a complimentary metallic gold shade. However you choose to wear it, you’ll definitely make a splash.

($20, drugstore.com)

No matter where the holiday season takes you, these five nail polish shades are completely party-ready and totally fab. Which one is your favorite?

Posted in Beauty Products, Nail Polish, Recommended Related Topics: Deborah Lippman Boom Boom Pow, drugstore.com, Forever21 nail polish, holiday nail polish, Lancome Golden Hat Holiday Nail Color, Nail Polish, nordstrom, OPI Las Vegas Royal Flush Blush, party ready nail polish, Sephora, Sephora by OPI Sparktacular top coat

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OPI Touring America “Get In The Expresso Lane” Nail Polish

November 12th, 2011 by The Fashionable Housewife

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The Touring America collection from OPI had some amazing colors in it. My favorite shade in the whole collection was definitely “Get In The Expresso Lane” – a creamy dark chocolaty espresso brown. It’s the perfect shade of brown and a great alternative to black. Perfect for Fall and Winter!

This is very shiny, even without a top coat. More shiny than most OPI shades. I used 2 coats, but you could get away with only one if you apply it right. It’s not too thin…

I really love this shade, BUT………. it’s staying power is less than acceptable. This is the third time I’ve tried it too. I’ve tried it with and without a base coat and with and without a top coat. Nothing seems to keep this nail polish on for more than 24 hours with chips starting. After a week, it’s completely disgraceful.

This is after 5 days…

That was 2 coats on top of Orly Primetime Primer Basecoat and a touch up coat on several nails after 2 days.

This seems to be the typical result the three times I’ve used this color. Not all OPI nail polish is like this. In fact, this is the first time this has happened to me, this bad. Most dark colors don’t last as long and are more likely to chip than light colors, but this one seems particularly bad.

Another color in the Touring America collection is “I Eat Mainely Lobster” and I’ve had that on my toes for about 3 weeks with no chips at ALL. It hasn’t even started wearing off on the edges.

So while I LOVE LOVE LOVE this color, it doesn’t make for a long lasting manicure. I would wear it for special occasions if I could polish my nails within 2-3 hours of the event.

Get Opi “Get in the Expresso Lane” on Amazon.com.

You can also find it on Drugstore.com and EbonyLine.com

* The product for this review was provided to us free of charge for the purpose of product testing. This does not effect our opinion of the products in any way. We only write about products we personally like and use, regardless of how they were acquired.

Posted in Nail Polish Related Topics: Get In The Expresso Lane, Nail Lacquer, Nail Polish, nail polish review, opi, OPI Nail Lacquer, OPI Touring America

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New OPI Spring 2012 ‘Holland’ Collection Debuts in February

November 12th, 2011 by Denise Shively

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If there weren’t already plenty of reasons to be excited about spring’s return, the new collection from OPI seals the deal! Their Spring 2012 collection draws inspiration from Holland, with vivid colors and their trademark witty polish names.

Colors included in the collection are:

Red Lights Ahead…Where? (A gorgeous coral-red)
A Roll in The Hague (bright, vivid orange)
Vampsterdam (Deep purple)
Thanks a WindMillion (Sea green)
Did You ’ear About Van Gogh? (bisque)
Kiss Me on My Tulips (Vibrant hot pink)
Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI? (Plum)
I Don’t Give a Rotterdam! (shimmery steel blue)
I Have Herring Problem (shimmery green-blue)
Pedal Faster Suzi! (pink/lavender shimmer)
Wooden Shoe Like to Know? (Shimmery chocolate brown)
Gouda Gouda Two Shoes (Rose).

The collection will be available for purchase February 8, 2012. Which one is your favorite?

Posted in Beauty Products, Makeup, Nail Polish, New Products Related Topics: Holland collection, new OPI collections, OPI Holland Collection, OPI Holland Spring 2012, OPI nail polish, OPI Spring 2012 Collection, spring nail polish

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China Glaze Debuts Six New Glitter Polishes for their Winter 2011 Collection

November 9th, 2011 by Denise Shively

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As a huge fan of China Glaze nail polish, I am very excited to show you their upcoming “Eye Candy” winter 2011 collection! This particular collection is actually very special, and marks a nail industry first with the introduction of 3-D glitters, an innovative nail technology that adds some serious sparkle to your manicure.

The multi-size/shaped glitter particles are so unique that they create a 3-D effect on your nails, and are inspired by Marilyn Monroe and her timeless allure and beauty. The new polishes are available in six eye-catching shades that are perfect for the holiday season. The new shades are:

Love Marilyn: A vivid red with silver glitter particles

Blonde Bombshell: Multidimensional gold

Lorelei’s Tiara: Sterling silver with blue glitter

Material Girl: Gorgeous pink with holographic bubblegum glitter

Some Like It Haute: Graphite grey, holographic glitter

Marry A Millionaire: Amethyst with multi-tonal fibers

For more information on these gorgeous new nail colors, including purchase information, visit ChinaGlaze.com. What do you think of the new collection? I am in love with all of them, so there’s no way I can pick a favorite – can you?

Posted in Beauty Products, Nail Polish, New Products Related Topics: 3-D Glitter Nail Polish, China Glaze nail polish, China Glaze Winter 2011 collection, Eye Candy China Glaze, Nail Polish, winter 2011 nail polish

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Are Gel Manicures Dangerous?

November 1st, 2011 by Sara Cornell

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Image courtesy of CND

As if it weren’t hard enough to keep a good manicure, now dermatologists are raising concerns about the safety of gel manicures. Shellac, a polish by Creative Nail Design , or CND, is painted on like regular nail polish, except that it’s hardened under a UV light. With Shellac’s rise in popularity, there is discussion in the medical community about the cancer concerns associated with UV lights.

According to an article written by consumer advocate Jenn Strathman of NewsNet5.com in Cleveland, “…In the medical journal, “ Archives of Dermatology,” doctors wrote about two women who got skin cancer on their hand, even though they had no family history of the disease. The article stated that the women visited nail salons and received UV nail light exposure to dry the nail polish. According to the article, one woman had a 15-year history of twice monthly UV nail light exposure while the other woman had exposure eight times in one year before developing skin cancer. ”It’s a mini sun tan power to your fingers,” Bass said.

Creative Nail Design disagreed and said an independent study showed UV nail lamps are safe. In a news release the company said, “Recent reports fail to properly measure UV light rays, overestimate exposure from UV nail lamps and incorrectly attribute skin cancer.” CND said the study showed the amount of UV-B light in 10 minutes of exposure to a nail lamp is the same as spending an 30 extra seconds in the sun every day for the two weeks between salon appointments.”

My personal jury is still out on gel manicures. I love the way they last, and my nails don’t chip and split when I am wearing the Shellac polish, but there is something about the chemicals used in the removal process that bothers me and makes me feel like I’m taking a step backwards in the nail health department. What about you? Are you a fan of Gel Manicures or do you think there is a legitimate concern? Leave us a comment and tell us your thoughts…

You can learn more by following this link.

Posted in Beauty Products, Hands & Feet, Nail Polish, Personal Care, Skin Care Related Topics: CND, Gel manicures, Manicures, Shellac, Skin Cancer

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Zoya’s Fall 2011 Nail Polish Line

October 18th, 2011 by Amanda Davis

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It’s no secret that we are very, very interested in nail polish from the least expensive to the super pricey. We are always trying and testing new colors from our favorite lines… one of those lines? Is Zoya, we are sure you have heard of it. Their Fall colors do not disappoint. Check out our favorites amongst their Fall 2011 line and be sure to weigh in on what you think!

Zoya Smoke Collection

Jana, Petra, Codie, Anja, Cynthia, and Dree

Zoya Mirrors Collection

Nimue, Marina, Tao, Yara, Neeka and Jem

Posted in Makeup, Nail Polish Related Topics: Fall 2011, Nail Polish, Zoya, zoya nail polish, zoya.com

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China Glaze Haunting Collection Fall 2011

September 24th, 2011 by Amanda Davis

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China Glaze captures the spirits lurking in the dark in six sexy, sophisticated shades that are on trend, exciting and will be on every costume crafter’s “must have” list. Whether a look is dark and mysterious, or bold and dramatic, China Glaze’s HAUNTING collection pulls together any ensemble and will undoubtedly make heads turn – just like China Glaze’s celebrity followers (Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Nicole Ritchie and Dita Von Teese, to name a few)! Colors in this collection include:

· Haunting: Shadowy black with shimmering silver glitter

· Crimson: Deep purple crème with a hint of blood red

· Near Dark: Rich mossy green crème

· It’s Alive: Vibrant green glitter

· Ghoulish Glow: Glow-in-the-Dark top coat

· Black Mesh: Crackle Glaze top coat for a cobweb-like crackle effect

The China Glaze HAUNTING collection will be available as open stock colors, 18 piece counter display, and as part of a special “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” set featuring China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

Posted in Makeup, Nail Polish Related Topics: China Glaze, China glaze Haunting collection, fall 2011 nail polish colors, halloween colors, Nail Polish

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