“What’s On Your Nails?” with Fiorella Valdesolo

What’s On Your Nails? is a series focusing on my fellow beauty bloggers and industry insiders, their favorite nail polish and other hot nail topics. You may remember my little freak out over being in the April edition of Glamour Magazine. The article’s writer, Fiorella Valdesolo is a freelancer that contributes to Glamour, their website and other publications like the New York Post. And as the Beauty Director for NYLON Magazine she even wrote a book, Pretty: The NYLON Book of Beauty. After reading many of her nail related posts on the Glamour beauty blog, I just had to ask about her polish tastes. So read on to learn more about Fiorella and check out what NARS polish tops her list of faves.

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about your beauty background.
I have been working as a writer and editor for various women’s magazines since moving to New York in 2000. Most recently I spent four years at Nylon magazine, where I was the beauty director/deputy editor, before leaving in the fall to pursue a freelance career.

Why is NARS Jungle Red your favorite?
When I first saw The Women—the original 1939 version, not the ridiculous remake released last year—I thought that “Jungle Red,” the color of choice in the film’s nail salon, had to be the coolest shade name ever. Apparently Francois Nars agreed, and after starting NARS, he created his own version of Jungle Red lacquer. While the name is amazing, the color, a deep, warm-toned, totally sexy scarlet, is even better. (If I had to pick two runners up for favorite polish they would be Chanel’s Vamp, and NARS Candy Darling.)

What is on your tips and toes right now?
Jungle Red on my tips, and nothing on my toes. Sadly, my feet remain very neglected in the winter months. [editors note: she responded when it was still cold and snowy]

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
For me, there are very few absolute beauty necessities—toothpaste, sunblock, soap, shampoo—so I consider nail polish an accessory. That said, I am a total accessory junkie.

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
Currently around 25… and I just cleaned.

How often do you change your nail polish?
Twice a month.

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
I love Creative Nail Design’s Ridge Out Base Coat. My nails, particularly on my toes, are not perfectly smooth, so this product does a great job of filling in the tiny ridges before I apply polish.

What do you think will be the big nail trend for spring?
Deep purple, totally matte shades, and flesh tones.

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
Black nails, and, I know I’ll get heat for this, but traditional French manicures.

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Can I say public clipping? That really grosses me out.