Gold
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?
Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Spring 2009
 Are you kids ready to dive into Spring? I know I am. I’ve been sitting on the Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Spring collection for way too long and I’ve been dying to gush. With a heavy floral inspiration these shades came straight from the runway to the bottle. I couldn’t be more excited about these polishes if I tried. Every one is a winner. Even the yellow!
You know, I’m not sure why but every time I use a creme from the SH Salon line, I am so impressed with the formula and how it applies. As if I didn’t already know how fantastic it is. It’s so weird. I’m sitting there, painting my nails thinking, “My word, this is outstanding! Why am I not wearing these more often?” Riddle me that and you win a prize (not really but you know what I mean). Seriously, these polishes are all hyper pigmented, smooth and glossy. The hues are vibrant. The tones are true to bottle color. Shall I go on? I could just keep yammering away but seeing will make you a believer. |
Tassel was the shade selected for the Tracy Reese runway show. This rich, warm gold was the perfect neutral complement to Tracy’s designs. You have no idea how happy I am to find a metallic that applies smoothly. No brushstroke city. No streaking or unevenness. I did need three coats to get it opaque and perfect but it was worth it.
I showed you Night Hydrangea in a NOTD post a few weeks back. For me, this is pretty much the perfect purple shimmer. It’s that elusive “purple in every light” we’re all looking for and it does so without hitting neon territory. I KNOW tons of you will be hunting this one down.
Nasturtium brings out my love of coral that has been hiding the past few years. You don’t even know I was such a coral fiend. One of my first bottles was Essie Carousel Coral and it set me off on a streak for pretty much an entire summer. Nasturtium is just so effortlessly spring and casual that I can’t help but love it.
Honeydew – THANK YOU Tracy Reese for throwing in something for us green lovers. It has this light, watery feel that isn’t full on green yet not blue either. Does that make it teal? Aqua? Blue-green? Green-blue? Does it matter? It’s stunning! Naturally, Honeydew is the shade I popped open first and all I could say was, “come to momma you gorgeous thing!” This is the only one whose shimmer does more than add depth. It’s clearly visible.
When I saw Forsythia, all I could think was, “Oh no! Pantone’s color of the year, Mimosa, has leaked into the polish world!” My polish fears had come true. But you know what? Forsythia is a lot less golden than Mimosa and much more flattering than I expected. Its muted tone differs from the day-glo yellows we’ve seen in years past. Is it the easiest shade to pull off? No but I’m oddly drawn to it.
Beet Stain is a kissing cousin to Fall’s Night Lily, only a tinge more red so, if you missed out on it last season, now is your chance. It seems the berry trend that was so prominent in makeup last season is carrying over to spring for nails. Zoya put one in their spring collection as did OPI.
Azalea is a bold red-pink creme. It’s a bit softer than what you’d think of as a “hot pink.” A perfect pedicure shade for when we finally get to break out our sandals.
The Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Spring color collection is set to hit shelves in March but you know the drill. These babies aren’t easy to find and when they finally go on sale, they’re gone in a flash. So keep your peepers on your local drugstore displays and let us know when you find them. We all want to know!
images: Vogue UK, Janice from Specktra.net and All Lacquered Up
Essie Winter 2008 Collection
 As much as I would love to jump ahead straight to Spring, the gross, gray weather and piles of snow outside my door keep reminding me that it’s still Winter. Spring seems a far cry away which too depressing for words. Is one day without a visit from the plow guys too much to ask?
Before I start inundating you with Spring collections, let’s take a look at Essie Winter since most of us are still wearing dark shades and haven’t started the seasonal transition. I must admit, Essie’s winter collection surprised me. I’ve come to think of Essie as playing it safe, targeting the conservative consumer with more reds, pink and sheers than you can shake a stick at. So to see a collection with purples and gold made me happy. Very on trend Essie! |
My only disappointment was with the pigmentation. All the shades, with one lone exception, required three coats. Es no bueno! Though I was pleased to discover that, for the most part, application was phenomenal. I wasn’t sure how the first batch of shimmers in the new toluene and DBP free formula would hold up but they fared well.
Sexy Divide – let’s start out with a bang, shall we? Sexy Divide is by far my fave of the group. She is everything I want in a purple; deep and rich without crossing over to that dreaded “almost black” territory. If you buy one Essie this year, this is the ONE!
Shift Power was my problem child. No matter how hard I tried or how many times I tried, I just couldn’t get this one to work out. The application was a major pain. I so wanted to love this golden beauty but as you can clearly see, it was not a winner.
It’s Genius has these amazing ribbons of gold running throughout its deep mauve-y base. The shimmer gives it a metallic look yet it applies smooth like a shimmer. Truly a fantastic polish. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite shades, China Glaze Steppin Out.
Rock Star Skinny was as much a surprise for me as it was for reader MooeySullivan. She’s totally right. Looks like nothing special in the bottle but on the nail… Ka-pow! Luscious, deep and captivating. This browned burgundy shimmer is a “rock star” though it really doesn’t translate in photos. You have to see it on the nail to understand.
Bold and Beautiful gets the snore award for failing to wow. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with it. It’s a classic Essie creme. Nothing we haven’t seen before. Probably thrown in to appease the more classic nail gal.
There’s something about Damsel In A Dress. I can’t put my finger on it but somehow this blackened plum has won me over. It could be the subtle silver shimmer, the way it reminds me of a grape popsicle or just the fact that my purple phase is still going strong but I’m totally diggin’ it.
The Essie Winter collection is on sale now and can be found at chain salons/stores like ULTA, Trade Secret and Regis or online at Essie.com and Head2ToeBeauty.com.
Thoughts? I’m sure some of you have indulged by now. Which ones are your favorites?
Chanel Paris-Moscou Collection
From Russia with love I fly to you
Much wiser since my goodbye to you
I’ve travelled the world to learn
I must return from Russia with love
“From Russia With Love” lyrics by Lionel Bart
I don’t know about you gals but when I laid my glitter loving eyes on the Chanel Paris-Moscou collection, my heart skipped a beat. Talk about polishes sent “from Russia with love.” Feel free to groan at my cheesiness all you want but a collection of black based glitter bombs from Chanel is pretty unique.
Though in traditional Chanel style, Global Creative Director Peter Philips made the look upscale with super fine micro-glitter that lays down to leave a smooth glossy finish. By encapsulating the glitter in a black base, the shade isn’t as in your face as say a Ruby Pumps. Now I’m not knocking my fave red by saying that but when you consider the stereotypical “Chanel Woman”, Ruby Pumps probably isn’t her thing.
Continue Reading »
Bling Your Nails Like Beyonce With Minx
Minx Nails are the latest trend in celebrity nails. A flexible polymer that is heated then applied to nails, like a sticker, they are a mess free, green alternative to nail polish and fake tips. I first discovered Minx last January when Nails Magazine celebrated their Silver Anniversary by featuring silver lightening Minx on the cover. Since that time, Minx have exploded on to the celebrity and fashion scene. They’ve been popping up at red carpet events, in music videos and on the runways. Celebrity manicurists love Minx for their fashion forward designs and ease of use.
Chrome Minx – Forget trying to get that perfect mirror finish with a chrome/metallic nail polish. It’s NEVER going to happen. Well never say never but you know what I mean. Minx Silver and Golden Lightening is the only way to get a true chrome look on nails without going the fake/press on route.
Custom/Patterned Minx – For the nail art lover or fashionista, designer Minx is the way to go. With over 100 different patterns to choose from, there is a Minx for every occasion but for a very specific look, Minx can create custom designs. You can even have your favorite photos turned into a Minx nail coating. For example, during the election, celebrity manicurist Lisa Logan requested custom Obama Minx; one set with his last name and one with his face.
Fashion Shows – At LA Fashion Week, Christian Audigier called upon celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees to design plaid and American flag tips for his American Lord show. With practically no notice it was Minx to the rescue. Working through the night, they were able to create and deliver custom designs for 300 tips. It took 8 hours and help from Minx’s LA trainer Naja Rickette, celebrity “green” manicurist Jenna Hipp and her friend Steph to apply the coating in time but they got it done. Could you imagine if they tried to paint the designs by hand? Impossible!
Having read about Minx for quite some time now, I was itching to get them on my hands. A few months ago I checked the Minx Salon Finder to see that my closest Minx Pro was in Pennsylvania, a two hour drive from the Cleveburg. Boo! Fortunately, I’m persistent and kept checking the site only to find that a few weeks ago a new Minx stylist was added in my area. Yay!
So this past Saturday, despite the falling snow and slippery roads, I trekked on down to Stow, Ohio to meet with Telia Anderson at the Gavin Scott Salon & Spa. Telia has been using Minx on herself and her co-workers for quite some time now but I was pleased to be her first real Minx client. Since it’s the holidays and because Minx is known for their chrome look coatings, I had to get Golden Lightening. As you can see below, the coatings come on a sheet with various sizes, similar to the Avon Instant Manicure or Sephora Nail Patch.
What makes Minx different from the nail stickers you can buy in the store is the material and the adhesive. I don’t know about any of you but I’ve tried the Avon and Incoco versions and could never get them to stick or lay properly. Plus, they just looked cheap. Minx is definitely a higher end product.
Application – A basic manicure is performed before application and the nail plate must be cleaned of all oils and residue. The coatings are heated under a lamp or hair dryer to make them flexible and warm the adhesive. The tech then lines up the rounded edge with the cuticle and, while lightly dragging, presses the coating onto the nail. Telia used a hair dryer, after applying, to help the coatings seal onto my nails, like shrink wrap, before using the Minx glass nail file to remove the excess.
And here is the final result….
How incredibly cool does that look? I mean, talk about bling!! I’ve been getting compliments left and right. I think Telia did an amazing job, especially since I was her first. You know, I’m not normally into this type of look but since my nails are short it’s not gaudy or crazy looking. On long nails, I think it would be extremely tacky and over the top. Best left to the editorial world.
Now while I’m loving look of Minx and think Golden Lightening is super fun, there are definitely some pluses and minuses to wearing them.
Pros
- Easy to apply – There’s no mess, no wait time, no accidental smudging or sheet marks
- Looks you can’t acheive with polish – True chrome, intricate patterns, your dog (if that’s your thing)
- Perfect for pedicures – They last forever on toes. With no drying time they’re ideal for winter pedis. You’d never have to leave the salon in flip flops with frozen toes. FYI – I saw Telia’s toes with Golden Lightening and they looked beyond fab!
- A “green” product that doesn’t use chemicals for application or removal. Just a little heat and some gentle peeling takes Minx right off.
Cons
- No matter how much you file, the edges are never truly smooth
- On tips, they start lifting after a couple days
- The line at the cuticle is rounded so they won’t match every nail shape
- Cost – The $40 I paid is at the low end of the price range which makes them great for special occasions but not practical for everyday wear.
If you want to try Minx for yourself, look for a salon using the Minx Salon Finder. Cleveland area fanatics can call Telia at the Gavin Scott Salon & Spa (330-650-4450) to book an appointment.
What do you think kids? Would you try Minx? Have you tried Minx? Is the gold fun and hip or not so much? I want to hear what you think.
image credit: Minx Nails, Kimmie Kyees and All Lacquered Up.
***Please do not republish without permission.***
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
