Trends
NY Fashion Week Nail Watch – Thakoon
To compliment Thakoon’s sexy, provocative collection for Spring 2009, CND created what I think is the coolest nail look of the season. A reverse moon manicure. Totally funky, unique and innovative. Would you expect anything less from CND? They certainly know how to put a twist on traditional nail styles.
The CND team took the 20s-style moon manicure and flipped it on its ear with a black moon on a nude base. For those that are unfamiliar, the moon manicure was originally created in the 1920s by a manicurist at MGM studios as a twist on the French manicure. A traditional moon manicure leaves your lunula (that white half moon at the base of your nail) bare or white and the rest of the nail dark and vampy.
Get the look: Reverse Moon Manicure
For advice on how to recreate this style, I went straight to the expert, CND Education Ambassador Roxanne Valinoti. Here’s her 5-step technique:
- Coat the nail with “Stickey” base coat.
- Apply 2 coats of “Serenity” enamel.
- Use a small detail brush, or the corner or the enamel brush with “Voodoo” to outline the half moon at the cuticle of the nail.
- Use the detail brush dipped in enamel, or the enamel brush lightly dotting in enamel to fill in half moon for full coverage. Be careful not to apply to much enamel.
- Let dry for 3-5 minutes before applying “Airdry” topcoat.
The Fish Pedicure Has Hit the U.S.
Some of you may remember me talking about the Fish Pedicure last year after seeing Wilhelmina Slater plunge her feet into a tub of “Dr. Fish” on Ugly Betty. Well, as I discovered on the Solessence blog this morning, those little skin eating babies have made their way Stateside.
Previously found only in Turkey and Asian countries, the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon in Alexandria, Virginia is the first location in the U.S. to offer this treatment. Owners John Ho & Yvonne Le have brought in more than 1,000 garru-rufa fish to serve their clientele. The service costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes and is followed by a standard pedicure.
Now I’m sure that like me you’re wondering how any of this is sanitary or regulated. Unlike the communal pools seen overseas, the state board required the owners to create individual tanks in which the water is changed for each customer.
So how many of you are dying to try this out? The customers interviewed all said they just felt a bit of tingling or slightly ticklish sensation. Maybe I stand alone but I’m so ready to hop a plane to D.C. and try it out.
Images and info: FoxNews.com
Nail Trend Alert – Orange
Rihanna is the one celebrity I can rely on to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to nail trends. She isn’t afraid to be bold or take risks. While most of the red carpet clan is playing it safe with french manicures and sheers, there are few that dare to be nail fashion forward.
Rihanna’s red carpet look at the 2008 Grammy Awards in February was one of those stand out nail moments. Her fiery tangerine hued talons were most definitely noticed. If you want to be in vogue this summer you’ll want to rock a similar look. Personally, I’m not a fan of long bright nails so I’ll be sporting an active length version.
My top picks are all cremes and range from muted mango to blazing traffic cone orange so there’s something for everyone. With such a bold shade you don’t need the extra glitz just high shine so cremes fit the bill. It’s more chic and modern.
(clockwise from top) China Glaze Orange Knockout, OPI Osaka-To-Me Orange, China Glaze Japanese Koi, OPI Tangerine Scene, Orly Crush On You, Nocti Bikini
The featured China Glaze, OPI and Orly polishes are all available on http://www.8ty8beauty.com/ and http://www.head2toebeauty.com/ and Nocti can be purchased online at http://www.nocti.com/.
What are your feelings on the orange look? Fun and sassy? Too bold? Not flattering? Share your thoughts in the comments.