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Deborah Lippmann

The ALU Archives – Lippmann Nefertiti

The ALU Archives is a new series focusing on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.

After my experiment with Minx during the holidays, I’ve been really feeling the whole gold nails thing. Of course, the shiny chrome look of Minx is a bit much for everyday so I pulled out my fave from the stash, Lippmann Nefertiti.

It’s funny, I was talking with a couple of my fellow beauty bloggers about the emerging gold trend for Spring and both times I had to recommend Nefertiti as my go-to gold. Why, you ask? Because it’s one of the few metallics I’ve found that doesn’t show brush strokes. There’s something about its frosty shimmer that creates this matte, gold-leafing effect on the nail, instead of streaky stroke marks. And because the shimmer is gold and silver, the hue isn’t too warm or too yellow. It’s pretty perfect if you ask me.

What you see here is two layers with no top coat. Actually Nefertiti is so densely pigmented that you barely need the second coat but it’s just habit that I apply two.

Nefertiti retails for $15 and can be purchased online at LippmannCollection.com or on counters at Nordstrom.

What’s your favorite gold?

Lippmann Collection Purple Rain for Spring 2009

Spring 2009 for Lippmann Collection is a total 80s flashback. Deborah created shades named for songs from two of the biggest artists of the decade, Michael Jackson and Prince. P.Y.T., a sheer peachy-pink creme, and Purple Rain, a metallic lilac, are the latest additions to the Lippmann lineup.

I had the pleasure to test out Purple Rain before it launches to the public and when I first looked at the bottle, I could see the metallic finish staring at me. Taunting me. Saying, you’ll never apply me smooth and even.

You know the drill with metallics. They look amazing in the bottle, come in fantastic colors but become brushstroke city on the nail. What’s a girl to do? Well, as I told Andrea in Glamour’s September issue, I have a little trick to make application better. Not perfect but better.

Application Tip: Apply a tacky base coat (CND Stickey or Orly Bonder). Put a glossy top coat on next (I used CND Air Dry). Then apply your metallic polish and finish with another layer of top coat.

The glossy finish of the top coat will give a smoother surface than a traditional base coat, allowing the polish to glide on the nail.

See the finished results, after the jump!


Purple Rain made its first appearance at New York Fashion Week last September on the Zac Posen runway. Deborah custom blended the lavender shade, which was at the time unnamed, to accent the bold purple lips on the models. That shade and a layering combo of Whatever Lola Wants over holiday’s Icing On The Cake added a frosty touch to the overall look.

Purple Rain


So what do you think girlies? You know light purples don’t play well with my skintone but I’ve been getting compliments on my mani with this shade. My mom, who loves anything frosty, will be expecting this bottle to be hers. I know it already.

The Spring Lippmann Collection polishes will launch next month and retail for $15/ea. You can purchase online at LippmannCollection.com and Beauty.com and in person at Nordstrom department stores.

Golden Globes Nail Watch – Kate Winslet

Last night’s Golden Globes ceremony was all about Kate Winslet as she swept the film acting categories and rocked the red carpet. I’m not gonna lie, I teared up when she won her second statue of the night. For someone as accomplished and talented as Kate, she was so humble and sweet. And I laughed my butt off when Ricky Gervais said, “Well done Winslet, I told you, do a Holocaust movie and the awards come, didn’t I?” which is a reference to her stint on his short lived but HILARIOUS HBO series Extras.

Andy: I’m an actor as well. If there’s a line going in this film, I’d love to be part of this also, because I’d just like to say you doing this is so commendable. You know, using your profile to keep the message alive about the Holocaust.

Kate Winslet:
My God I’m not doing it for that. I mean, I don’t think we need another film about the Holocaust, do we? It’s like, how many have there been? No, we get it, it was grim, move on. No, I’m doing this because I’ve noticed that if you do a film about the Holocaust, guaranteed an Oscar. I’ve been nominated four times. Never won. The whole world is going, “why hasn’t Winslet won one?”

Andy:
Def—yeah.

Kate Winslet:
That’s it. That’s why I’m doing it. Schindler’s bloody List. The Pianist. Oscars coming out of their arse.

Seriously, if you haven’t seen the episode, you MUST MUST MUST rent it just to see her give advice about phone sex while dressed as a nun.

Getting back to the nails…

Kate worked with celebrity manicurist and nail polish guru, Deborah Lippmann who chose Rhapsody in White to complete her overall look. The result…absolutely stunning.

“We don’t say it out loud but I am always picturing my client holding the award so finding a shade that wont detract is paramount,” says Deborah who styled the nails of Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet. Deborah used Rhapsody In White on Kate’s hands and feet to complement her YSL dress.


Lippmann Collection Rhapsody In White from the fall collection retails for $15 and is available online at LippmannCollection.com and Beauty.com and on counters at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Bath & Body Works flagship stores.

Deborah Lippmann on Martha Stewart

So I was getting my morning Martha Stewart fix and I was so excited to see Deborah Lippmann as a guest, discussing holiday nail trends and winter manicure maintenance. I’ll admit, I wasn’t the biggest Martha fan but I started listening to her daughter’s talk show on Sirius radio and seeing her through Alexis’ eyes intrigued me. Realizing that she’s not always perfect, just a real person with flaws like the rest of us (except with a ton more money), made me a Martha fan. Knowing that she’s also Deborah Lippmann fan makes me like her even more.

Deborah was wearing fall favorite Pump Up The Jam on her tips, which were appropriately short, while she gave her best tips for keeping up your manicure during the cold winter months. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before but certainly something a LOT of women fail to do.

Use a base coat – Why people skip this step, I have no idea. The oils on your nail will destroy your mani right quick!

Use a top coat – I know a lot of polishes dry shiny but think of it like waxing a car, you’re sealing and protecting the color while giving it shine.

Hydrate your cuticles – What’s the point of having an amazing paint job if the frame (your cuticles) are tore up? Put a mini cuticle oil/balm/cream in every purse you own. Your skin will thank you.

Wear gloves when cleaning – All the chemicals in cleansers are damaging, protect your skin and nails so you don’t end up with leathery hands by the age of 40.

In regards to color trends Deborah talked about dark nails like the color she was wearing, Pump Up The Jam, a dark berry shimmer. She also gave a great tip for punching up your holiday manicure. Those of you who have read my post, Frankenpolish and The Art of Layering are already familiar with layering but I really loved her idea of popping a wash of red over a sparkly silver to give your tips a jelly, candy apple red look.

Of course, I had to try the look for myself. I picked out a couple reds, including Holiday from Deborah’s holiday collection, to test. I layered them all over Fingerpaints Easel Come, Easel Go!, a foil like silver shimmer.
As you can see in the lower “After” image, having silver underneath really upped the glitz factor. With the creme I chose, Rescue Beauty Lounge Chinoise, the effect was subtle with little hints of glitter peeking out like stars. I think because RBL’s cremes are so pigmented (think one coat red), a more sheer creme would give more bling.

Did anyone else catch Deborah’s Martha segment today? What are your favorite holiday layering combos?

Lippmann Holiday Sets Starring "Party Like A Rockstar"

By on November 20, 2008
in Berry, Blue, Creme, Deborah Lippmann, Glitter with 7 Comments

So you’re looking for that perfect gift or stocking stuffer for your BFF or fellow fanatic. Maybe you’re doing an online secret santa through MUA or another forum. Well if your giftee is a nail girl like me, you really can’t go wrong with a present from Lippmann. Deborah Lippmann always comes up with the cutest sets and this year is no different.

When I saw the Party Like A Rockstar ($24) set online, I just had to get my paws on it. Mini LE Lippmann’s in a fun, sparkly bag, I’m sold! Plus it comes with Addicted To Speed top coat which I’ve been dying to try after reading raves on the MUA nail board.

Good Girl Gone Bad should definitely become a permanent shade in the Lippmann lineup. It’s a gorgeous berry sparkler. A heavily pigmented jelly type formula, this baby is packed with gold and red micro-glitter that dries smooth and shiny. I actually wore this for five days with NO top coat and it looked fresh the entire time with minimal tip wear. I honestly can’t praise this one enough. Please Deborah Please! Make This Perm!!

Devil In A Blue Dress is a dark blue-black creme. It’s ultra vampy but unless you’re in direct light, you’d never know it’s a blue. As you’ll notice in the pic, I had some pulling at the cuticle on my ring finger. I did this mani relatively fast and didn’t have time for a retry so it’s probably due to my own impatience. The other nails came out perfect. Does this color thrill me? No but, I have more blues than I could ever need. If your collection needs rounding out, this would be a great fit.
For me, Good Girl Gone Bad, Addicted To Speed and the cute bag (it’s now living in my purse filled with makeup) are reason enough to pick this set up. Addicted to Speed is a great quick drying top coat that, unlike others in its class, isn’t thick. So there’s no application tricks necessary and it wears like a dream. It really is a winning top coat even though the full size price tag is a bit hefty ($20). For now, I’ll just hoard the mini for times I really need to be dry in a flash and have my mani last.
So instead of an everyday pair of slippers, why not give something a little more pampering and luxurious like the Footloose ($29.50) loofah pedi slippers. They have natural loofah insoles that gently exfoliate your feet to ward off dead skin and stimulate soft, healthy skin. Or a pair of Bootylicious ($48) warming spa booties. You just warm the removable lavender sachet in a microwave oven for one minute and place in the booty for a hot aromatherapy treatment. They’re definitely going on my wish list.


If the Party Like a Rockstar colors aren’t quite what you were looking for, Lippmann has a bunch of different gift sets to fit any nail style.

The Pump Up The Jam Trio ($40) comes with Sarah Smile and Hard Rock hydrating nail hardener so you can go pretty and pink for day and dark and vampy at night.

The Superstar Trio ($40) and Holiday Trio ($40) both come with Rehydrating base coat and On A Clear Day top coat. Superstar and Holiday, from the limited edition Holiday color collection, are great choices for that blinged out party look.

Then there’s the Material Girl Essentials Set ($49) which includes Rich Girl hand and cuticle cream, 3 Stripper To Go pads and bottles of Cuticle Oil, Sarah Smile, My Old Flame and Hard Rock all in the plush Material Girl bag. It’s a great way to introduce your friends and family to Lippmann products with great classic nail shades.

For the more subtle nail look lover, pick up the An American In Paris ($21) french manicure set with bottles of Prelude To A Kiss, Amazing Grace and a Top/Base coat combo.

Right now LippmannCollection.com is offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders, for a limited time, and any order over $99 receives a set of Heaven In My Hand hand warmers (a $39.50 value). You can buy Lippmann products in person at Bath and Body Works flagship stores and Nordstrom.

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