“What’s On Your Nails?” with Monique from Beauty Girl Musings

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.Fanatics, I’d like you to meet Monique Hankins the beautiful brains behind Beauty Girl Musings. I met Monique over a year ago in LA and was immediately taken aback by her bright, sparking smile and ridiculously glossy mane. She’s seriously stunning. But more than that, she’s one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet, stylish and looks way too young to be married with two children. If she wasn’t so charming, you’d hate her. Between BGM and her Beauty Editor position at Style Bakery Beauty she’s one busy bee and extremely beauty savvy which includes a healthy polish obsession. Learn more about this glam-mom blogger and see which OPI shade is tops on her list, after the jump!

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about you and your blog.
Hi everyone, I’m Monique! I’m married (almost 11 years!) and have two kids (6 and 9). I started Beauty Girl Musings a few days before my 28th birthday in 2008 simply because I needed a creative outlet. I’m a licensed esthetician and love the whole realm of skincare and beauty. I didn’t actually intend for BGM to turn into a “beauty blog”, but found myself writing about a lot of beauty-related products!

Being a wife and mom is a full-time job, and my life isn’t what most people would call “glamorous”, LOL! I get glammed up everyday anyway– even if the only place I’m going for the day is around the house to clean it. It may sound a bit selfish, but pampering and taking care of myself has always been a priority and it keeps me feeling good. I love sharing that with my audience of readers. We all have stressful lives and take care of others, so we need to spend time on ourselves, too. In addition to beauty, I also like to incorporate style and health-related posts because those are passions of mine as well.

About a year after starting BGM, I became the Contributing Beauty Editor at StyleBakeryBeauty.com, and now a year later, I’m the Beauty Editor.

Why is OPI’s Pompeii Purple your favorite?
It’s an amazing pink– I love pink!– with a fabulous purple iridescence, making it the perfect mix of pink and purple– two colors I love to wear. BTW, I just discovered that one of OPI’s Dell computers is available in the same shade!

What is on your tips and toes right now?
Right now I’m wearing RBL’s Mismas! It’s such a fab purple that everyone should own. My toes are decked out in China Glaze Fly (from the Kicks collection).

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
I would have to say mostly it’s a necessity– without it, hands and nails look so sad. No one should be without it! It can also an accessory because it can be changed to compliment or contrast (but not match– I’m not a fan of being “matchy-matchy”) whatever you plan to wear during the week (or that day!).

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
A little over 70. I actually only really got the nail polish bug earlier this year– now it just won’t quit! Plus since I’m licensed, I can shop at beauty supply stores and buy my polishes at a discount!

How often do you change your nail polish?
I change the color on my tips it at least once a week, twice when I can. Once a month I treat myself to a manicure in a salon. I always have my toes done every two weeks (I’m not a fan of painting my own toes, strange as that may sound).

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
I LOVE Orly Glosser top coat– it dries fast, prevents chips and leaves nails looking super glossy.

What do you think will be the big nail trend for fall?
I think this season the rules have changed. We don’t have to be in a box of only deep tones. Rich hues of everything from neutrals to jewel tones are fabulous and sophisticated. And like Sarah (StyleIt) pointed out– nail art is definitely a huge trend now!

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
UGH– Acrylic French tips. I am so over them, although I will admit I wore them– ten years ago, LOL!

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Not taking care of their nails at all. It’s not hard to file your nails and brush on a sheer pink polish (I really like Milani’s Creme Brulee) once a week. I think women sometimes don’t think it will make a difference, but it does, not to mention is the best way to play with color.

Thanks a million Monique for sharing your gorg pics and polish ponderings with us. I’m extremely flattered to get a shout out for Mismas on BGM. Fanatics, make sure you visit Beauty Girl Musings for the latest beauty news and reviews.

Fanatics, I’ve never tried Orly Glosser but knowing that Monique is a fan I must try it. What are your thoughts on her top coat of choice?