Image: Priti

Thakoon went nude, creating an illusion that the nails were “an extension of the skin.” They used the shade Shirley Temple Peony and a applied a matte base coat over it. I have seen several women doing this at the nail salon as of late. Instead of a traditional clear top coat, they uses a base coat to tone down the color.

Carlos Miele also used the base coat on top trick but did it over two coats of the nude color – Chilean Bamboo. Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger and Philosophy di Alberta also stuck with the nude shades. Isaac Mizrahi used an opaque violet color Susan Azalea. He layered a coat of Shirley Temple Peony on the top, which created a purplish nude result.

Rachel Roy used Snapdragon (orange-red), while Devi Kroell got bold with vibrant magenta-berry.

Basically what I learned about nails by watching the runways is that pretty much anything goes for spring. Whether you prefer the subtlety of the nude and natural shades or want to make a statement with brights, they are all on trend for the spring season.

Priti nail polishes are completely non-toxic. They do not contain toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP’s. They are safe for mothers-to-be, kids and everyone else too!

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Priti Nail Polish at Fashion Week

The offer is available online or in the stores. If you shop in the store, you can download the coupon here. To redeem online, use the savings code 9685 at checkout.

Avoid those fingernail emergencies while on vacation. Bath & Body Works has everything you need for a manicure on the go with their True Blue® Spa kit – The Model Manicure.

Hand it over! Everything you need to have the model manicure. Includes a nail file; True Blue® Spa 4-in-1 Nail Block; .5 oz. Disappearing Act Instant Cuticle Remover; cuticle trimmer and pusher stick; Seal the Deal Base Coat, Top Coat, and Nail Strengthener; 1 oz. Look Ma, New Hands!™ Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin; 2 oz. Just a Minute™ 60-Second Manicure Scrub; and a soak bowl.

 Image credit: Bath & Body Works.com

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Free Spa Item From Bath & Body Works

Image: Essie / Judith Ripka

Since diamonds are a girl’s best friend, the collaboration of diamonds with cosmetics is a no brainer. The collection will include three fabulous colors:

• Put a Ripka Ring on It (Blush Pink)
• Heart My JR Jewels (Dark)
• Queen of Hearts (Red)

The polish will be in nail salons in August 2009. Three lucky Essie customers will also win an actual diamond, emerald and sapphire. And when you shop online at judithripka.com, you will get a discount when entering the UPC code from your nail polish bottle.

Look for more info about this new dazzling diamond limited edition polish in salons near you next month.

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Essie Love Diamonds by Judith Ripka

Image: Sephora

A few weeks ago, I tried Calvin Klein’s Splendid Color Unstoppable Color Nail Enamel in Bombshell and Barefoot. The Bombshell is a true red (I’m partial to dark shades rather than pastels). The color is bold and it’s very glossy, even with just one coat. This polish lasted quite a while without any chips — and I type all day every day.

The other color I tried, Barefoot, is very pretty for summertime. It’s a “mauve beige” that shimmers with flecks of sparkles. Personally, it’s too light for my taste but it’s definitely beautiful.

CK Splendid Color Unstoppable Color Nail Enamel is available at Sephora in six shades including the two I mentioned, plus Pearly (white pearl), Crushed Rose (shimmery medium pink), Carnation Pink (soft pink) and Silver Streak (shimmery light silver). Priced at just $10 a bottle, it’s worth a look.

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Calvin Klein Nail Enamel

Image: China Glaze Hope Chest

China Glaze has created a terrific selection of nude polishes that will complement any skin tone.

China Glaze I: Creamy and pale beige with a mineralized finish
China Glaze II: Light tan color with a mineralized finish.
China Glaze III: Pale mocha that would look lovely on darker skin tones.
China Glaze Heaven: Pale pink nude with a white frost undertone.
China Glaze Hope Chest: Personal favorite of Demi Moore! Extremely pale and almost white in color.
China Glaze Wink: Peachy pale with a slight frost added.

China Glaze nail lacquer is available at Sally Beauty ($6.50), as well as at salons and beauty supply stores.

China Glaze has a celebrity following that includes Lindsay Lohan (opts for Sleek), Avril Lavigne (rocks out in Salsa), Eva Longoria (she goes for Pure Torture), Mischa Barton (favors Limbo Bimbo), Courtney Love (loves Ruby Pumps), Angela Basset (prefers Always A Bridesmaid) and Kelis (her pick is Ruby Pumps), among others.

Go nude this summer with a fabulous nude nail polish!

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Get Nude Nails from China Glaze

Image: ULTA

Though some other nail polish brands actually dry in 60 seconds too, the color is oftentimes flat. With this Rimmel London nail polish, the color is really rich, shiny and vibrant. With just one stroke, you get hot color that dries in 60 seconds and actually lasts.

I usually end up adding a second coat and top coat later. But when you are in a dash to get out the door, this is the best quick-dry polish that I have found.

What nail polish do you use? Leave a comment here or hop on over to the Splendicity Community to talk about it with others.

You can get Rimmel London 60 Seconds Extreme Nail Polish at most drug stores for around $3.50. If you are shopping online, it’s available at ULTA. Right now Ulta.com is offer 20% off on any one item. Just use the promo code 27164 at checkout.

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Quick-Dry Nail Polish

This $14 green pedicure set includes:
* Nail clippers
* Foot file with brush
* Toe separators
* Moisture socks
* Tropical green mesh bag with zip

Green Pedicure Set

Here’s a cute mini orange floral manicure set with a stainless steel scissors, mini clippers, nail filer and the orange case. $12.

Orange Manicure Set

(Images : The Body Shop)

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Colorful Mani/Pedi Sets

Revlon Pedi-Expert

My first thought upon seeing the commercial was, “ooooh, that’s perfect for the Summer“. It is almost that time of the year when we’ll be wearing flip flops or frolicking by the beach barefoot. I don’t know about you but I like my foot smooth and free of calluses, heh.

Here’s Walgreens’ description of the Pedi-Expert Pedicure Kit :

# Removes calluses & smoothes feet.
# Quick, easy and mess-free.
# No need to purchase replacement blades.
# Exactly 190 precision micro-files gently remove calluses and dead skin fast and gently.
# High quality stainless steel finishing file smoothes skin for softest touch.
# Unique ergonomic design provides comfort and grip for better use.
# Skin catcher keeps Pedi-Expert mess-free.

The kit comes with a nail clip and nail file which can easily be stored on the base of the Pedi-Expert base. Before using, make sure you read the instructions because your skin must be completely dry before treating your feet. You can find Revlon’s Pedi-Expert Pedicure Kit at Walgreens for only $9.99.

(Image : Revlon)

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Revlon Pedi-Expert Pedicure Kit

In addition to The Scented Life, I’m also a writer at Dating Dames.  A DD reader recently mentioned reading an article about the four things that a man is looking at when he first notices you. Apparently, one of the ways you can catch his attention is to have clean, pretty hands. The reader mentioned that she is a nail biter and she wanted to work on beautifying her hands. 

Hhmm, that got me thinking…… We’ve got a whole network of experts here on the b5media Beauty and Style Channel. 

SpaBeautifully suggests a combination of frequent manicures and the use of Develop 10 nail products. For details on how the Develop 10 system works, click here.

Aly, at eBeauty Daily suggests exfoliating, “….then, before bed, mix avocado oil and primrose oil in equal parts, apply a few drops to hands and feet, cover with gloves and socks, and go to sleep.”  This is just one of 24 tips Aly shares in her post “24 Steps to Look Younger in 24 Hours.” 

Liberty, at the Teen Style Lounge shares a quick tip for setting your polish in a hurry…….”After smoothing on your polish, allow your nails to air dry for one minute, then dip them in ice water for 3 minutes. The cold water will essentially freeze-dry your polish.” 

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As your nails grow out, keep them smooth by filing in one direction only, with a good quality emery board. Avoid picking at your cuticles and use a good moisturizer to keep the skin around your nails healthy.

Growing up, my lovely mom always kept her nails neatly shaped and painted a light color – usually a frosty white or very light pink color. She used a rose-scented moisturizer that I haven’t seen in years, but Jurlique has something similar in their new Rose Hand Cream. It’s an intense moisturizer that uses rose, calendula, and viola in it’s unique formula.

Develop 10 image credit – Amazon.com

Jurlique hand cream image – Sephora.com

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Help For Your Hands

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Need help for your dry hands?