ALU’s Year In Review July – December 2008

Yesterday, I shared my favorite posts from the first half of the year and now let’s wrap of 2008 with my faves from July through December.

July
I shared the deets on my brunch with the ladies of China Glaze and previewed the green sparkly hit of the year, Emerald Sparkle.

Neons were all the rage last summer for both tips and toes and Essie and Orly both hit the trend hard.

The fish pedicure that I first spotted on Ugly Betty made its way stateside and caused a media frenzy. Everyone from Tyra to Diane Sawyer dipped their toes in the fishy water soon after.

August
I hit a personal and blogging high when my name & ALU appeared in Glamour Magazine as part of my favorite column, Andrea Pomerantz Lustig‘s Beauty Q&A.

August was a huge month for collection debuts including Rodeo Diva with the Hay Ride and Flannel Fixation color palettes and comic book themed Operation Colour from China Glaze.

OPI’s La Collection De France hit shelves and standouts Parlez Vous OPI? and You Don’t Know Jacques became staples of many nail polish wardrobes.

When word of the Sephora By OPI collection got out, stampedes of women trekked to Sephora to scoop up sell-out shade Metro Chic from the Autumn & Eve collection with much of the Core Collection selling out soon after.

September
Metallics were one of the biggest nail trends of the fall with Chanel Kaleidoscope leading up the charge.

In an unexpected twist, China Glaze released a set of tropical themed blues for winter to take away the chill followed by the holiday Sleigh Ride collection with my beloved Emerald Sparkle.

The Nail Files series took you behind the scenes at NYFW with CND in a three part series. Catch up on parts 1, 2 and 3.

Chanel delivered a warm, rich brown just in time for the cold holiday season with Haute Chocolat.

October
ALU participated in BCA month with its Comments For A Cure campaign and Donate & Win giveaway which helped raise over $700 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Amazing As Polish feature launched with my pick for best mascara of the year, Estee Lauder TurboLash.

With all the great muted nail shades coming out for fall, it was clear that Smoky Tips were an emerging trend.

Rescue Beauty Lounge pumped out four amazing cremes for fall including the incomparable Teal and No More War.

November
I discovered hidden treasure when the Shades by Barielle Fall Affair collection crossed my path.

A Fanatic Feedback discussion on men wearing nail polish brought out extreme opinions from ALU’s readers.

I went on a major purple kick when I brought home Shu Uemura’s Tanzanite Aquarium and Givenchy’s Purple By Night, both from their holiday collections.

December
I got a first hand experience with Minx nail coverings. The hottest nail art trend amongst celebrities.

As part of my annual gift guide, I shared the 21 Hottest Holiday Polishes, including traditional choices in red, green and metallic mixed with more trendy options like gray, brown and purple.

I gave you a sneak peek into spring when I showed off my NOTD from the Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen collection for Spring ’09.

Well, that’s it. 2008 in a nutshell. Do you have any favorite posts or nail polish happenings that I missed? Share in the comments!