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Fall 2009

China Glaze Fall Preview – Retro Diva & What’s Your Color?

By on June 5, 2009
in China Glaze, Fall 2009 with 16 Comments
china glaze, nail polish, fall 2009, retro diva, what's your color?, horoscope, nail colorIf you’ve been wondering what’s next from China Glaze, I’ve got the answer. One brand new collection, Retro Diva, that takes us back to the bell bottom wearing, pet rock days of the 70s and a collection of existing China Glaze shades repackaged with a Horoscope theme named What’s Your Color?

They’re actually a perfect fit if you think of all those cheesy 70s flicks where sleazy, hornball guys ask “chicks” what their sign is. Ah men, such the pickup artists.

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m quite the disco fan so I’m all over this concept. I do own Pure Disco 1 & 2 and various Abba CDs. So give me some Saturday Night Fever, Thank God It’s Friday w/Donna Summer & The Commodores, Roller Boogie (tell me I’m not the only one who’s seen it) and I’m good to go. I mean I totally embraced Swingtown last summer, in spite of Grant Show’s horrid porn ‘stache. FYI, Swingtown is re-airing on Universal HD every Friday at 10pm. You’re welcome!

So let’s check out these groovy collections, shall we?


china glaze, nail polish, fall 2009, retro diva, what's your color?, horoscope, nail color
Cords – rustic gray shimmer
Short & Sassy – a deep burgundy shimmer
Let’s Groove – rich eggplant purple shimmer
Stella – rich purple/pink berry shimmer
Skate Night – rich mahogany red shimmer
Far Out – light neutral brown with gold shimmer
Stroll - deep red with a small particle of gold glitter
Thunderbird – rich red shimmer
Drive In – orange/red shimmer
Street Racing – deep copper shimmer
Free Love – brilliant orange shimmer
Cruisin’ – golden orange shimmer

Maybe it’s just me but as soon as I set eyes on this collection, I flashed back to that hilarious 80s commercial for Freedom Rock. I’m sure you younger fanatics have no clue what I’m talking about but it’s a classic. You can’t tell me Leo‘s character from That 70s Show wasn’t based on this dude. Check it and have a good Friday laugh.

china glaze, nail polish, fall 2009, retro diva, what's your color?, horoscope, nail color
As a typical switchy, curious, chatty Gemini, I’ve always been into the whole Astrology thing. The ALU mom is too. She even went to have our star charts read by famed Cleveland astrologer Sandra Leigh Serio when I was younger. Supposedly I was born under a Grand Trine which has its good and bad points. Anywho, here are the polishes paired with each sign, I’ve linked back to shades I’ve previously reviewed. Just click the name to view.

Aries: Salsa – Red is the color of love, fertility and energy. You are courageous, you persevere and you love to be part of the action.

Taurus: Rich & Famous – Pink protects and brings peace of mind. You’re a social butterfly, secure in yourself and with a warm personality.

Gemini: Solar Power – Yellow signifies agility of mind, intellect and inspirational thought. Mellow and contented, people come to you for advice.

Cancer: Platinum Silver – Silver suggests optimism. Peace flows from you and around you.

Leo: Code Orange – Orange emits positive vibes of well-being, warmth and optimism. You keep life interesting with your sunny outlook and love of motion.

Virgo: Bermuda Breakaway – Navy instills self –confidence and helps steady nerves. Virgo, everyone wants you on their team.

Libra: Spontaneous – Lavender acts a as a tonic, balancing the mind, body and spirit. Somehow, you keep everything together, even in crazy times.

Scorpio: Heart of Africa- Dark Red gives power, strength and sociability. Yow, you’re a lover, not a fighter.

Sagittarius: Coconut Kiss – Purple denotes creative energy and spiritual wisdom. You keep your head when all around lose theirs.

Capricorn: Unplugged – Brown is for protection and a sense of being surrounded and secure. Rock steady and sure.

Aquarius: Custom Kicks – Turquoise helps to quiet the mind and soul. If you want something innovative and new, consult an Aquarius.

Pisces: Passion in the Pacific – Sea Green indicates knowledge, self respect and spirituality. Because you take time to reflect, you are compassionate and non-judgmental.

So, she asks with a wink, what’s your sign? And what do you think of these collections? I’ll be working on swatching these over the weekend with a full review up soon. So stay tuned!

And don’t forget… My B-Day Chanel Giveaway ends this Sunday so ENTER NOW!!!!

Coming Soon – The All Lacquered Up Collection from Barielle

Exciting news fanatics! I’ve been dying to share this beyond thrilling development with all of you. For the past I don’t know how many months, I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate with top Celebrity Manicurist, Barielle Spokesperson and Shades by Barielle Creative Director, Elle, to create their fall and winter collections!! Can you even? Seriously, it’s like a dream come true. Believe me, if you had told me that someday I’d be dreaming up polish colors for a major brand like Barielle, I would have slapped you silly.

After spending a week backstage at New York Fashion Week and talking trends with Elle, we came up with 12 amazing straight-from-the-runway shades that will blow your mind. We just finalized the names last week and I’m hoping to have the finished polishes to show you soon. I’ve seen samples and let me tell you, they’re GORG.

Now you know because it’s named after ALU that there’s a green, right? And if I said gray, would that surprise you? Well, you haven’t seen a gray like this. And if I told you I named a color Falling Star could you imagine what that might look like? I wish I could spill more but I’ll let you salivate on that for now. More deets to come soon. I promise!

Coming Soon – Zoya Truth or Dare for Fall 2009

By on June 1, 2009
in Fall 2009, Zoya with 12 Comments
Zoya Nail Polish lets you decide what fashion is right for you this fall. Will it be Truth or Dare? Should you? Would you? hmmmmmmmm…

As if the MATTEVelvet collection wasn’t enough to look forward to, we’ve got our first look at Zoya’s TWO fall collections as well. Launching just after MATTEVelvet, on July 15th, the Truth and Dare collections have a little something for both sides of our nail fashion personalities. Are you a Truth or Dare girl? Decide when you see the colors, after the jump!


First up Truth, a set of SIX glimmering metallics

Penny – copper gold metallic
Kalmia – rose copper metallic
Salma – scarlet red metallic
Isla – venetian red metallic
Anaka – fuchsia metallic glimmer
Drew – mauve rose metallic

Then we have DARE a lineup of SIX cremes (with one jewel blue exception)

Vanessa – blue red cream
Ciara – burgundy plum cream
Demi – purple mauve cream
Pinta – inky violet cream
Envy – gleaming Jade green
Ibiza – gleaming Sapphire blue (with a little shimmer too)

So which one are you? A Truth or Dare girl? Or a little bit of both? You know I’m marking Pinta, Envy and Ibiza as “me” territory but Penny and Klamia pique my interest as well.

And don’t forget to enter my CHANEL GIVEAWAY!! You only have until Sunday to get your name in the hat.

Coming Soon – OPI Matte Collection

By on May 22, 2009
in Fall 2009, Matte, OPI with 24 Comments


Get ready glossy nail lovers, for it looks like matte is the emerging trend for fall. When OPI is on board, you know it’s gonna blow up. I bought my matte top coat (Orly) back when I saw CND buffing a matte finish on nails at NYFW and now more and more companies are catching on to the trend. Set to launch in July, the OPI Matte collection takes six popular existing shades and mattifies them for a unique look.

OPI unveils a new look in nail color – an edgy new matte finish that is daring, trend-setting, head-turning! New OPI Matte features six of OPI’s most in-demand shades in this must-have new look.

Get the full deets after the jump!

“OPI Matte is cutting edge for nails in terms of sophistication and style,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “An all-matte nail is fresh, confident, and very fashion runway, and OPI Matte is meant for those moments when you want to make a major fashion statement. OPI Matte does not wear as long as original OPI Nail Lacquer – but its impact is long remembered!”

Suzi also suggests wearing OPI Matte together with the traditional gloss formula of the same OPI color. “You can do a matte nail with a matching gloss tip, or a gloss nail with a matte edge. It’s like mixing different textures of the same color in an outfit.” To maintain the OPI Matte finish, do not use any base coat, top coat, drying drops, or hand lotion when wearing these lacquers.

OPI Matte is available in six iconic OPI shades:

Alpine Snow – A fresh crisp white.

Russian Navy – Wait until you see this deep-sea indigo!

La Paz-itively Hot – A hot pink perfect for when you’re Bo-livia la vida loca.

You Don’t Know Jacques! – If you don’t know how trendy this taupe is!

Lincoln Park After Dark – Where midnight meets purple.

Gargantuan Green Grape – Green kissed by the summer sun.

I REALLY love Suzi’s tip about mixing the textures. It’s a new twist on the funky french. It reminds me of the black on black nails the CND team created to show Kimora Lee Simmons for her Baby Phat show a few seasons back.

I know the MUA girls have been all over matte polishes but will you buy or just mattify the polishes you already own? Since these can’t be worn with a base, top or treatment product I do wonder how they’ll wear. Thoughts?

News on the MATTE Front – MATTEVelvet From Zoya

By on May 6, 2009
in Fall 2009, Matte, Zoya with 16 Comments

This just in… Zoya is going matte for fall.

After working with hundreds of matte formulations and color options, the ZOYA color experts are happy to announce three perfect LIMITED EDITION, exclusive MATTEVELVET* shades for Fall 2009…

Loredana – gunmetal gray matte shimmer

Dovima – black matte shimmer

Posh – wine matte shimmer

Designed to appeal to a multitude of matte color trend lovers; including every metro mod, vintage stylista, retro pin-up, goth beauty, glam rocker, street chic fashionista and color junkie out there, ZOYA MATTEVELVET* shades deliver the new color of fashion. Get all of the color, none of shine with MATTEVELVET*, Zoya’s exclusive blend of matte base and subtle shimmer resulting in utterly wearable and truly stylish nail polish.

*MATTEVELVET nail color by ZOYA is not intended to be worn with a base coat, top coat or speed dryer of any kind. Due to the unique matte formulation, color is not as long-wearing as traditional nail color. A completely clean, dry nail surface yields the best results for matte nail color wear. For best results make sure to always prepare nail with ZOYA Remove + (3-in-1 nail polish remover, nail plate cleaner and new color prep.) prior to applying color.

CND has created matte looks for several designers the past few seasons and with matte lacquers from niche brands ManGlaze and KnockOut Cosmetics becoming cult hits with the nail fanatic crowd, it seems the look is finally coming to the mainstream.

Since the formual is not longwearing, I’ll be curious to see what kind lasting power it has. The MATTEVelvet collection will launch on July 1st on Zoya.com. Will you be embracing the matte look?

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