ALU NYFW NOTD Challenge SS11 – Day 7
Initially there wasn’t going to be a Day 7 in my NYFW NOTD Challenge. Even though I was in NYC for seven days I purposely didn’t schedule any shows or meetings for the last day so I could wander the city. Every time I go to NYC for blog business I pack my schedule so full I never have time to just explore and I made sure to leave time for that on this trip.
Then I got a call from my pal, Celebrity Manicurist Elle, on Day 6 inviting me to come visit her on a photo shoot. You don’t have to ask me twice. Naturally I was curious to check out her kit and see what she brings to a shoot. While I was there, Elle offered to give me a manicure and I couldn’t pass that up. When she started dragging out her Nfu Ohs and playing with different layering combos I knew I was in for something fun. Check it! |
Elle goes to set with a wheeled carry-on containing her bags of polish, manicure supplies and tools. Being that a lot of her shoots for editorial and celebrity covers require a natural nail look, she carries a LOT of sheers/nudes that she uses in different combos to create the perfect clean manicure. I know that’s the job but how boring. Show me the colors!
Elle’s collection of nail polishes was like a treasure trove. Old school Dior, Chanel and NARS polishes, Jill Stuart and other Asian brands we can’t get here. It’s an amazing sight. When the Nfu Ohs came out and I spied colors I haven’t ordered yet, Elle started playing.
We both liked the green base and foil flakes in 55 but what to put underneath. Elle originally tried a yellow, no go, and China Glaze Flyin High, a fave of mine, but we both loved how 55 looked over the teal creme 528. Think of it as a deeper version of China Glaze Aqua Baby/Shower Together.
Elle proceeded to give me one of the best manicures I’ve ever had, even in spite of my constant hand talking and the lack of lighting. She called it “Elle’s manicure in the dark.” Seriously though, she got my nails in such great shape that you wouldn’t guess that I swatch polish on a daily basis. Thanks to her magical bottle of Orly Cutique, she was able to get up a lot of the yellowing that had been plaguing my swatching nails. She swears by that stuff and I can see why.
Using two coats of my beloved CND Stickey to avoid staining and a new secret top coat, my nails were dry before I knew it. When we headed out to grab a bite to eat I was worried about wrecking my mani but it was completely dry. AND it held up like a champ. After five days that included packing, hauling luggage and housework my nails barely showed any tip wear.
Nfu Oh polishes can be purchased in the US at FabulouStreet.com for $12.50/ea with FREE SHIPPING. Can’t beat that!
Have any of you tried this combo? What do you think of the look? Am I like the last nail fanatic on the planet to discover how amazing Orly Cutique is? Where HAVE I been?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
That is stunning. Love it.
That is soooo pretty!! I have never owned a Nfu-oh polish before but I always look at swatches, and the swatches are ALWAYS so pretty!!! Elle (I think that is the manicurist’s name) did a good job on your nails
I like them a lot 
Let us in on the top secret top coat!!! Love the swatch!
I’m sorry I don’t have any info for you. It was a lab sample.
::sobs:: NOOOOoooooooooo
Tell us about this secret top coat! I just ran out of my favourite Rimmel one, and then read on your site they conduct animal testing so I am in need of a new idea!
You read that on my site? Where? I don’t remember commenting on Rimmel in regards to animal testing. You may be thinking of another blog.
The top coat was a lab sample and I don’t have any more info as to whether it will come out.
That is an absolutely ah-mazing combo. So beautiful. My jaw literally dropped when I saw the pic!
<3
Wow! Nfu-Oh do have some unique polishes isnt it? I just wished they had it here in Malaysia and not costing 5 times more than in the states:-(
Nice to see that held up that good with everything that you did! Wow!
No, apparently I am the last one to have heard about Orly Cutique. Thanks for the tip!
Wow it’s very beautiful !
Hmm, I have a bottle of Orly Cutique in my stash that I’ve only used once. I remember it being good but haven’t used it since. I think I’ll have to pull it out for my next mani.
That color combo is AMAZING!! Looks so awesome on you :D. Glad you had a great time.
That combo looks lovely. I have those two colors so I may have to give this look a try.
Thanks to you I now am the Proud owner of many Nfu Oh’s and love them.
What is CND Stickey?
i have also noticed that after many mani’s my nails – all of – them started breaking off way below the quik. Very painful until a manicurists on FB told me to dip my fingers in water and then white sugar. Also good for curing ingrown nails. Let me tell you that it worked!! After the throbbing stopped and the sugar hardened I washed the sugar off and my fingers had stopped hurting. Not only was I amazed but I could type again. She also said that cotton gloves dipped in honey and worn as long as possible would help. I need to get the gloves to try this.
I do not know why my wonderful long nails went the way they did. Do you have any suggestions? I miss them and want to put my Nfu Oh on nails other than stubs.
Stickey is a base coat by CND. It dries tacky so it grips to the nail and polish. I find it helps my manicures last longer. Orly Rubberized Bonder is a similar product. Though it might not be ideal for you if you have dry nails. I’ve read complaints that both products are drying.
Regarding the other issue, I have no clue why that is happening but I’m happy to hear you found a trick to help. You may want to see a doctor because it doesn’t sound right that your nails are breaking off.
Really, this sounds bad. I’ve never heard of anyone’s nails being this brittle. It sounds like you are very dehydrated, have you been sick recently? Are you at least drinking enough water everyday? I agree with ALU, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Would RBLTeal work?
I think Teal is too dark but maybe the new teal from OPI, Ski Teal We Drop, would be a good substitute. Unfortunately there is no substitute for the Nfu Oh flakies. With the exception of Nubar 2010 & Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure, I haven’t seen another brand use this type of foil glitter.
Ok, thanks for the alternate color suggestions! One more question…hehehe… Is the anyway to save a nail that has a split on the side? Or do you just “cut” your loses (pun intended, lol)?
Beautiful mani! Just wanted to add that GOSH have made a flake polish that’s like Hidden Treasure.
WOW! I honestly think that is one of the prettiest manis I’ve ever seen… GORGEOUS!
Can’t wait to learn more about the secret new top coat!!!
Great layers! I love the depth of color!
I absolutely have to have those colours!! I loooooooooooooove your mani. I think Elle is a genious…tell her, she deserves it.
After all this drooling I think I’ll get serious and buy myself a bottle of Orly Cutique. If only I could also get my hands on that magic top coat…sigh!
Wow, that’s a lot of polish! I really like this color too. It makes a bold statement!
~Sophia
Nice colors…but sure doesnt look like they were shaped or polished by a professional they are different lengths AND uneven.
As I mentioned in the post, she was polishing in the dark since we were on set AND I asked her not to file down my nails. I had a couple breaks and I’m waiting for them to catch up rather than file them all down. That was my preference, not hers. But thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you liked the colors.
WOW! Gorgeous color(s)! Amazing! Stunning! The best! And what is the big deal with the top coat, ladies? As though we haven’t seen and tried enough great top coats – none of them is perfect anyway… Any of our favorite top coats (SV, OPI, Essie GTG, Quick & Slick, etc.) goes well with Nfu-Oh flakies. BTW, maybe it’s just me but those flakies look more like Nfu-Oh #56, not 55 which is green with gold flakes. Are you sure it was #55?
I think you might be right because i bought this combo and it shows up far more green than the blue the is pictured
I saw the colors and had to have this combo…i just discovered this blog today and already im ordering the Nfu Oh flakies! I cant wait to get mine in the mail…thanks for being awesome and giving us all these great tips i look forward to reading your other articles!!!!!!!
The color does have so much depth, it’s like having little swimming pools at the ends of your fingers!
As soon as I saw the swatch I said “Yaaaaay she swatched another Nfu-Oh!” I find that layering a polish from the “flakies” collection on top of a solid color looks amazing, and lasts really long. I don’t do anything too crazy but my last mani lasted almost 2 weeks with minor chipping. Try layering #49 over black. They also look cool with a matte topcoat
Cutique is an amazing product!! I have been using it for years (since Kathi from Nailbasics- the “gel guru” has introduced it to me).
I can’t imagine doing a manicure or a pedicure without it!
I have a stash of 3 refill,, 4 oz size bottles “just in case”
Beautiful manicure! I love the colors!!
If you ever in Toronto area let me do your manicure! It’s my treat
Anna Lajourdie
647-898-8504 (www.polished.ca)
Love your blog!!! LOved the combination!!
Thx for the tip on Orly Cutique, going to get one. I know this is an old blog, but really want to ask what nail polish remover you use or recommend.
She uses Zoya Remove. If you look back in the archives on here you’ll find one of her “Arsenal” posts about it. I remember it because I recently ordered a bottle myself after reading it and LOVE it! Its acetone-free, but removes almost just like an acetone remover only without all of the damage acetone causes plus its lavender scented!
Holy crap, I need this. NEEEEEEED. Thanks for making me want this
xoxo
Victoria Stanell
That almost looks like Deborah Lippmann’s “Across the Universe” with more turquoise hue. Gorgeous!