Borghese is feeling festive this season, and their newest limited-edition holiday Nail Lacquer collection, Festivo, proves it. Dominated by cool metallics and rich jewel tones, what I like most about this collection is its wearability .

For a flashy effect (think New Year’s Eve!), choose from shades like Prima Platinum – a sleek silver infused with glitter, and Gusto Golddust, a rich, yellow gold with a sparkle finish.
For a bolder look, choose from shades like Ecstasi Indigo – a deep blue with a hint of shine, or Brava Blackberry – a rich, shimmering shade of maroon. For classic red holiday nails …read more

Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, has pulled together a surprising palette with this fall’s Jade Nail Collection. It’s comprised of  two limited edition nail enamels – “Jade” and “Jade Rose” – that debuted during the Ready-to-Wear Autumn/Winter 2009-2010 runway show. These mineral-inspired shades recall the jade jewelry and the pink knit and pistachio tweed of the collection.

“For the nails, Karl (Lagerfeld, Chanel’s designer) wanted a green shade to evoke the jade notes of the collection. I worked with our laboratories to offer him a monochromatic palette of 10 green shades. We chose the color that most resembled …read more

Fall’s runways were dominated by two words: bold and feminine. Strong shouldered and form-hugging silhouettes, extreme heels and provocative thigh-high boots, and a color palette of classic hues turned up a notch to Technicolor volumes. These trends also illustrate the NARS Fall collection.
“For this collection, I wanted to create something fragile and strong, and seductive but not aggressive,” said François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics. The combination of strength and refinement has become a hallmark of the brand, and is particularly fitting this season as the brand celebrates its 15th anniversary.
Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

NARS Fast …read more

I’m an equal opportunity lover of all things beauty. So when I discover a drugstore line that delivers high-end results, I get a little excited.  The perfect example is Sally Hansen, whose stellar nail polishes are a staple in my stash.
This month, Sally Hansen is introducing HD Hi-Definition Nail Color, a totally new nail color experience. This unique, patented formula with real liquid crystals translates the clarity of High Definition into an unprecedented nail lacquer.

HD Nail Color offers eight spectacular shades with pure, vivid pigments, multi-dimensional color and extraordinary brilliance. And of course, like all other Sally Hansen polishes, …read more

If you appreciate the beauty of art and design, you’ll appreciate my latest nail discovery, StrangeBeautiful.  This luxe lacquer is sold exclusively in sets of eight - a Library of Color – and packaged in an engraved handcrafted Lucite box.

Jane Schub, the creator and designer of StrangeBeautiful, is a Rhode Island School of Design graduate who derives inspiration from some unusual places – including the Ettore Sottsass Red Valentine typewriter and Josef Albers Color Theory (a far cry from runway inspiration, right?)
Her color choices are bold and unusual – among my favorites are a rich rust creme and an intense olive green. Lacquers …read more

Did you know that lung cancer kills more women than any other kind of cancer?  In fact, it’s more deadly than the six next largest cancer killers combined.  My own mother passed away of lung cancer earlier this year, after decades as a smoker, so it’s a cause that’s close to my heart.
OPI aims to do their part in the battle against this deadly disease with Breathe Life, a pearlescent pale blue nail lacquer that donates proceeds from each sale to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.
For me, it’s nice to look down at my nails, admire the beautiful color and …read more

Designer collaborations began in the world of fashion but have quickly become au courant in beauty as well – think MAC and Emanuel Ungaro or Smashbox and Tokidoki. Essie Weingarten, founder of essie cosmetics, has been a busy bee this Spring in particular, with three collaborations announced within weeks of one another.
 First up, essie & Havaianas teamed up for a very special event recently that celebrated the Brazilian brand’s latest styles of flip flops as well as essie’s Spring Neon color collection. In fact, I’m still loving Perky Purple with my new silver Havaianas Fit.
Then, this week, the launch of a new …read more

When it comes to nail polish, I’ve tried them all – from cheapie Wet n Wild to the ultra high-end Rescue Beauty Lounge. Duri Cosmetics is the perfect mid-priced range.  The new “Berry Ready for My Close-Up” Collection features six, romantic movie-inspired shades that are perfect for spring and summer.

My favorite lacquer from the collection is the coral (pictured left) – this bright, poppy hue looks amazing with a tan and the Duri formula glides on nicely and lasts for several days without chipping.  Check out the line over at www.duri.com -each polish retails for $5.00 while the brand’s award-winning topcoat, Rejuvacote, …read more

Spring is in the air and the biggest runway-to-real-way trend is statement florals. Jessica’s latest collection, the Botanical Collection, is inspired by flora and foliage, and offers up six seasonal hues that remind me of lush floral bouquets. 
From left to right: Birds of Paradise (my personal fave – a shimmery metallic purple), Rosy Romance, Loving the Lilacs, Coral Reef Daisies, Color Me Calla Lily (a bright pink that’s fab on tips or toes) and Butterfly Kisses. 
Jessica’s polishes are formulated with Vitamin A to help condition nails, as well as UVA & UVB protection. They’re also eco-friendly, eschewing toluene, formaldehyde and phalates.
Jessica Nail Lacquers retail for $7 each. If …read more