Celebrity
Dior Holiday 2008 – Black Diamonds
On my recent trip to NYC one of the stops on our “beauty tour” of the city was the LVMH offices for a visit with Dior Beauty. We were treated to a viewing of the current and upcoming Dior collections and, of course, I was most intrigued by the Vernis nail lacquer. I don’t have pics to share of the spring and summer colors but I can say I spotted a few winners coming our way (think bold for summer).
One of the gifts of creating this blog has been discovering brands that are new to me, testing polishes I normally wouldn’t encounter. Dior is certainly one of those brands. It’s not that I live in a bubble in the middle of nowhere but I never really considered prestige or department store lines when shopping for polish. I figured they were an add-on item and assumed the quality would be no match for salon lines. Well, you know what they about ass-uming.
Similar to brands like Chanel, YSL and N.Y.C. the chrome cover pulls off Dior bottles to reveal a “CD” embossed, slightly rounded, ribbed cap. The brush is flat (think OPI or NYX) but extremely firm making application precise and accurate. It was the easiest application I’ve had with a new brand in a long time. No trial runs necessary. The lacquer just flows on the nail and dries relatively quick while still maintaining its glossiness. Though I did my five day wear test with one nail minus top coat and it was chip city! So no forgetting the Seche Vite when I wear Dior.
Black Sequins has been getting tons of celebrity buzz. In fact Jennifer Lopez, who is known for wearing a neutral nail, donned the black sparkler for Elle Magazine’s Women In Hollywood Tribute. Similar to Sephora by OPI Never Enough Shoes minus the gold flecks, Black Sequins’ jet black base is so pigmented that even the silver micro-glitter that’s peppered throughout doesn’t lighten its appearance. Plus, it dries smooth. Bonus!
Pure Diamonds looks just as the name implies, like crushed diamonds on your nails. It’s so glitzy, it’s almost iridescent. The only issue is opacity. I needed three coats to get there which would make this a good option for sheer lovers who want just a thin coat of icing on their nails. Or you could use it for layering to bling out your favorite creme.
Poison Blue stirred up all sorts of craziness when it debuted last year (and quickly sold out). You know how I feel about blues so I was disappointed that I never got my hands on it then but, when I heard that Dior was bringing it back for holiday, I jumped at the chance to test it out. Regardless of any semblance of shimmer you may see in the bottle, for all intents and purposes, Poison Blue is a dark blue creme. As I learned from the masterminds at CND, shimmer can be used for depth and reflectiveness yet still dry as a creme.
Of course I had to test this one against its rival, Chanel Blue Satin, and what I found is that Blue Satin is darker, more black based yet its shimmer actually does show up in bright light. Poison Blue has a much lighter base that is similar to Lippmann Rehab, resulting in a less blackened final result.
Unfortunately, finding all three polishes in the same place won’t happen. Each polish is carried by different retailers and sells for $19. Black Sequins is exclusive to Sephora and still available on Sephora.com (direct product link). I found Poison Blue on Dillards.com which means you should be able to buy it at your local department store Dior counter while Pure Diamonds is carried at specialty stores like Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
image credit: WireImage
Rachel Bilson on Page Six Magazine
ALU reader Megan contacted me regarding Rachel Bilson’s recent photo spread in Page Six Magazine. She wanted to know if I could pinpoint Rachel’s nail polish shade.
My immediate thought, that she’s wearing Chanel Kaleidoscope. Considering how unique the shade is and its sellout status, I was willing to bet on it. Fortunately my Chanel contact was able to confirm that the former O.C. princess, who I’ll always think of as Little Miss Vixen, is indeed sporting Kaleidoscope on her tips (see below).
And while Kaleidoscope can only be tracked down on eBay (those damn scalpers) and is a hard shade to dupe, I suggest you try its distant relatives (you know, the ones we don’t talk about at reunions); Essie Steeling The Scene or Boots No 7 Molten (found at Target). Or for something a bit more champagne but in the same metallic vein, Orly Too Much Bubbly.
Do you know of a good Kaleidoscope twin Megan can try? Leave your suggestion in the comments.
Fanatic Feedback with Gossip Girl – Does Nail Color Define Us?
 OK so I’m watching the Gossip Girl premier Monday night (I’m a total teen drama whore) and what is the first thing I notice? A set of vampy nails running down Nate Archibald’s (Chace Crawford) chest. And immediately I think, rut-roh, someone is messing around with a bad girl. I didn’t even need to see Madchen Amick (as Catherine) to know Nate was up to no good. And I was totally right. Here’s this 17 year-old boy (a smoking hot one but still) screwing around with a married older woman. |
 It got me thinking, what was it about just her nail color alone that made me think she was trouble? Do I judge people based on their nail polish of choice? Do other fanatics? I mean, I know we’re not supposed to judge people at all but let’s get just a tiny bit real here and admit that we all do it in small ways. |
Let’s look at Jenny (Taylor Momsen). She’s a girl from a more bohemian background than her Upper East Side classmates. And while her overall style reflects her passion for fashion and utter girly-ness, she lets a little bit of Brooklyn edge peek out in her nail color. Check out the funky, electric blue shade she was sporting on set while filming a future episode. When you see someone wearing an eclectic nail color, what do you think?
 Or what about Serena (Blake Lively)? She rocked the dark nail when it was in vogue but she’s moved on to light metallics. Very on trend for Fall. Combined with her ultra-chic wardrobe, Serena gives off the fashion plate vibe, no? |
 Blair’s need to be the perennial good girl certainly shows in her baby pink tips. No matter how bitchy she is, no matter how vindictive, she always wants to put on that air of perfection, sweetness and class. She actually reminds me a lot of the women I saw while getting my nails done on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. There I am wearing blue polish in a sea of light pink and sheers. Blair would totally hang with them. |
And then there’s Vanessa (Jessica Szohr). She is confident and spunky and I feel that the bold red nails she dons enhance her persona. When I see a woman wearing red nails “confident” is the first word that comes to mind.
Obviously the Gossip Girl makeup, hair and wardrobe team meticulously plan each look to define the character and that certainly includes choosing their nail polish. So what does that say about nail color and how we’re judged? Do you ever consider what outsiders will think when they see your shade of choice? Do you think it affects how people perceive or treat you? Weigh in fanatics!
images: GossipGirlOnline.net, HomeOfTheNutty.com, Celebrity-Gossip.net
Isn’t Sheeee, Pretty In Pink (Creme)
I’m not a girly pink loving kind of girl. I give that title to my girl Nikki who is pink personified. However, this summer in addition to my major orange fetish, I’m all about a glossy pink nail. But I’m not talking about baby pinks or sheers here. No it’s all about bright, bold, hot pink cremes. Creme finishes give these vibrant hues a chic spin that keeps them from being too garish.
And I’m not the only one feeling this trend. Celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Vanessa Mannillo and Miley Cyrus have all been caught rocking the pink. And even though the hamsters on Big Brother 10 have only been streaming live for a couple days now, one of the contestants, Keesha, has already delved into the nail polish stash to pinkify her nails.
If you want to join the Pretty In Pink-ness here are the shades I recommend. For a slightly softer pink that still makes a splash try: Wet N Wild Dreamy Poppy, Essie Movers & Shakers, OPI Elephantastic Pink, Essie Guilty Pleasures, Orly Butterflies, Nubar Camelot Blossom
And if you want to go for full-on bright, in-your-face fuchsia look for CND Hot Pop Pink, Zoya Jewell, OPI That’s Hot Pink, NARS Schiap, Lippmann Angel Eyes and Nubar Geisha Blaze. (Note: Geisha Blaze & Angel Eyes have extremely subtle shimmer but it doesn’t show on the nail)
Now the trick in pulling this look off is perfect application. Any bubbles, dents or ridges will only be magnified with a creme so prep is the most important step. If you aren’t going to a salon (I don’t) make sure you buff out any flaws and use a great ridge filling base coat, like Seche, to give the lacquer a smooth application surface.
The Nail Files – Kimmie Kyees Celebrity Manicurist
In this installment of The Nail Files, I had the opportunity to interview Kimmie Kyees a celebrity manicurist with an insane roster of clients. To name just a few; Rhianna (including her Umbrella video), Kelis, Jenna Jameson, Paris Hilton and Jennifer Hudson on the night of her Golden Globe win!
So when I first saw pictures of Rhianna on the Grammy red carpet, I just had to know about that shocking neon orange shade on her tips and who did it. Thanks to my friends at China Glaze who hooked me up with the 411. The shade – China Glaze Japanese Koi. The artist – Kimmie. Naturally I had to track her down and get the scoop on her background, career and favorite products.
Why did you decide to become a manicurist?
I wore long fake nails and back when I was 16, while on a Sally’s beauty shop run for my manicurist, I said to my friend Kayla, “I could probably just buy the stuff and do my nails myself.รขโฌย She bet me that I couldn’t so, a small purchase of Alpha 9 nail products later and I was on my way to winning!
Kayla was my guinea pig; she endured torture and wore those hideous รขโฌลjust learningรขโฌย nails for me. Then my best friend Sacha decided to go to cosmetology school and dragged me with her! We worked in 2 different day spas for over 7 years back in Ohio. So the license and career I owe to Sacha, my passion and drive come from Kayla for making that bet with me!
I see you’re a fellow Buckeye, what prompted you to make the move to California?
My youngest sister Tiffany lived in LA and sheรขโฌโขd say how much fun it would be if I moved there but I always had a boyfriend and loved working with my best friend and clients. One day there was no more boyfriend and my best friend got married so it was now or never. I can do nails anywhere so I figured if I hate it Iรขโฌโขll just move back to Ohio!
Editorรขโฌหs note: Regardless of Kimmieรขโฌหs previous Ohio address, she is a UofM Wolverine fan at heart. This Buckeye fan agrees to peacefully co-exist.
Tackling the entertainment and editorial world is quite a challenge. What pushed you to make that leap and how did you break into the industry?
I was working full-time for Burke Williams Day Spa and part-time at the Mondrian Hotel Spa Agua when I was introduced to Mobile Spas by fellow nail tech Debbie Love. It was a slow start but the flexible schedule and better pay were worth it. One mobile job could pay nearly as much as a whole day at the spa. So I took the leap of faith, quit my jobs and prayed that I would stay busy freelancing.
Opportunities started presenting themselves and I met manicurist Melissa Bozant. She taught me about portfolios and the importance of keeping records about the celebrities I worked on and photographers I worked with. That helped get me on my way and by the end of last year I had my own agent.
You have quite a large celebrity clientele. What is the biggest challenge in working with celebrities? And who do you feel are the biggest risk-takers in terms of nail fashion?
Hands down Rihanna is the biggest risk taker. She looks for the brightest, most fun colors! She always finds one in what I call my รขโฌล80′s Party Bag!รขโฌย It’s a bag full of neons and รขโฌลplugged inรขโฌย shades; mostly China Glaze or Color Club.
Working with celebrities was not something I originally wanted to do. I thought theyรขโฌโขd be fickle and too irregular with their constant traveling. It wasn’t until I met Kelis that I changed my mind. If celebs love you they could be in town for 4 hours and find a way to get an appointment! It’s so flattering.
Back in the early freelance days I got a message from Jenna Jameson, I couldn’t believe it. I had to listen twice and had no idea how she got my phone number. She thought we worked together on a FHM shoot even though I hadnรขโฌโขt worked for FHM at that time. I just went with it and set an appointment. Iรขโฌโขve worked with her for a couple years now and she has become a really great friend! Turns out I worked on a Playboy commercial with her makeup artist, Michelle, a few months earlier. She had my card so when Jenna asked her about a manicurist, she recommended me.
The only challenge with celebs is that their schedules change, things run late or they have to cancel last minute but once you have a good relationship itรขโฌโขs easy to deal with and you adjust your schedule. Also it is very important to know your boundaries with celebrities. They are in the public eye and you are working with them privately. They invite you into their home so you have to build and earn their trust.
Where nail fashionistas are concerned you can’t get much hotter than Rihanna. How did you connect with her and where does the inspiration for her nail looks come from?
I met Rihanna the morning of the 2007 Grammys at LaMontrose hotel in West Hollywood. She loves to be bold and different and make a statement with her nails. Rihanna is so gorgeous with a unique, fashion forward style that it only makes sense that she wouldn’t be wearing the traditional french manicure everyday. I recently got the new Essie bright yellow (Shorty Pants) and as soon as I saw it I knew she was gonna love it. It’s such a great color! Three days later when I did her nails, that was her choice.
As a freelance artist you have to be a traveling nail salon. How do you cart all your products from location to location and how much polish do you carry for most jobs?
I have a Fred Segal Samsonite rolling suitcase! It’s a beautiful perfect monster. I carry approx 125 bottles of nail polish bagged according to color; reds, pinks, lights, darks, gold & silvers, purples & blues and of course the 80′s bag. Aside from the obvious mani/pedi supplies, I bring magazines, an ipod and speakers, candy, a table, a stool for myself, a fuzzy bath mat and so much more!
What are your 5 favorite products? Treatments, tools, etc.
I am not branded to one line in particular and I like the things that I like so I mix it up
Your 5 favorite polish shades?
I like so many colors I would feel bad choosing just five
What do you think are the big mistakes us amateur at-home manicurists make?
SANITATION and remembering to bring a lamp. Sometimes clients like the dark so my $10 Ikea desk lamp is my best friend.
What is the best nail tip or trick that most people don’t know about?
Using EZBOND by EZFlow before applying base coat – it preps the nail so the polish lasts forever!
Do you see any big nail trends emerging? What nail looks need to just pack up and move on?
For a while the reverse French but with Summer coming, brighter colors are big again. Neons are in full force and smokin hot! Though I like all the trends – they all seem to come back eventually. Even chipped nails make a statement. I always say dark, black nails are high fashion runway when they are fresh and new. Once they chip youรขโฌโขre an edgy, grunge rock star!
How do you unwind at the end of a crazy day?
At the end of my crazy days, which from time to time actually don’t end til the sun has come up, I like to see what my TIVO has waiting for me.
What was the last polish shade you had on your tips? your toes? Or do you never have time to do your own nails?
My toes are Bizerk Turq from Color Club. I gave it to Rihanna to take on tour. I try not to have “naked toes” but my hands are a different story. My left hand has a pink pinky, two different shades of yellow on the ring and middle fingers and a green pointer! I never polish my nails, they are display pallets for my clients. People always get a good laugh at my รขโฌลcrazy nailsรขโฌย look.
Share with us a great nail moment from your career.
Most recently it was being with Rihanna at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards watching her first Grammy win! It was also my one year anniversary of working with her so that was super exciting. I was so happy for her. When she came back to the dressing room we all exploded into applause and began calling her รขโฌลGrammy Award Winning Artist Rihanna!รขโฌย Her whole group is like a family and they truly care about her. We all get along and work very well together so it was quite a celebration!
Thank you Kimmie for such an incredible interview. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and learn more about your life as a celebrity manicurist. For more information on Kimmie check out her website, http://www.kimmieknails.com/.
Lisa N.
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