Here at Audrey, we have the privilege to try out new products on our Thursday beauty days. Last week we tried on nail polish from MAC and Estee Lauder. With fall approaching soon, the shades we tried on are perfect for all your fall wardrobe choices.
My nails were getting a little…janky.
I mean, I know hobo hipster chic is in right now but this was getting a little out of hand. (Please excuse the pun).
Because I’m a poor writer, I couldn’t afford a manicure and was a little too lazy to lather on some new polish myself, I decided to try these Nail Couture LA nail wraps.
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As if waiting for the new episode of Glee wasn’t painful enough for us Gleek fans, Sephora by OPI decides to add another thing for us to look forward to by launching the Sephora by OPI goes Gleek Chic collection tomorrow, February 3.
We all know Sephora offers the hottest new beauty products, and what’s hotter now than this show that has earned 19 Emmy nominations and four Emmy Awards with more than 18 million song downloads? This limited edition features bold colors inspired by the show’s essential elements such as its diverse cast, addictive music numbers and comedic references.
Embody the characters and show your inner “Miss Bossy Pants” (a rich raspberry) or even “Diva-in-Training” (a poppy pink). Or you can choose to “Gleek Out” (a lime, glittery green) while saying “Hell to the No” (a bold purple). You can even tell your friends that you’ve been “Slushied” (an opaque blue) or that you “Express Yourself to Yourself” (a shimmering coral). Of course you can even go for a “Mash-Up” (a pearlescent green-gray) or the “Celibacy Club” (a glimmering, diamond top coat). But don’t forget to join in on “Sue Vs Shue” (a navy blue); and lastly, “Who Let the Dorks Out” (a peacock green)?
As an ultimate Glee fan, you should get your hands on this collection that is exclusively sold at all major Sephora locations including those inside JCPenney’s. You can own these 10 new nail color shades (some which only come in a six-piece mini-set collection) and three print nail design appliqués (easy-to-apply, precut strips in different Glee-inspired designs) starting tomorrow, February 3, a few days before the launch of the special episode of Glee that will air following Super Bowl XLV this Sunday on Fox.
Also, look for a preview of the Sephora by OPI Glee polish on some of the characters in the upcoming Valentine’s Day episode on February 8. Also, stop by the Sephora at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles on February 12 from 2 pm – 4 pm for the in-store launch event that will host Naya Rivera (Santana). One lucky winner will get an on-site make-over!
Be vibrant, creative and bold and bring Glee into your beauty routine!
When it comes to getting my nails done, I’d like to say that I’m my own manicurist. It’s not that I’m always able to make them look professionally painted but somehow I resort to doing them myself because of the price of a manicure. An average manicure is about $15 – $30, which is not a whole lot, but considering they only last a week a so, the cost really adds up if you keep getting them redone. A good quality nail polish costs about $6 – $9 and you can probably use it for more than ten times. Let’s say you also buy a base coat and a top coat, that will add to about $18 – $27; if you get a manicure done by a beautician ten times, that’s $150 – $300. That’s a huge price difference. I understand that you get the whole package at a salon, including filing, buffing and cuticle treatment, but I guess nothing beats the comfort of my own home personally.
Nails I did myself over the holidays.
That being said, it does take some practice until you’re able to get your nails nicely done by yourself, but we do have some tips!
The Basics:
1. Start with a layer of base coat – this is to protect your nails from the colorful nail polish and prevent them from turning yellow
2. Paint two layers of your favorite nail color – it is necessary to do two layers to bring out the color and cover your natural nail color (if you’re using something opaque and not sheer)
3. Seal with a top coat – this gives your nails a glossy shine and helps them last longer
Tips:
1. Don’t worry too much about painting within the lines; you can always wipe the sides with a Q-tip soaked with nail varnish
2. Do your nails the day before a big event, not the day of. Anything painted outside the lines tend to disappear within a day so it looks as if you made no mistakes.
3. Use a glittery polish if you’re a beginner. Mess-ups are less obvious with glittery polish than with solid colored ones.
4. Always thin out your nail polish if it’s getting thick. It’s really hard to apply goopy nail polish. Here’s how to do it properly.
5. If you messed up a little, you can always conceal it with some nail art. You even get more compliments! But don’t forget to add another layer of top coat after applying your nail art.
How to apply nail art:
1. Some nail arts come with adhesive, so you can just put it on your nail directly. Though this is simpler, it does come off more easily.
2. If there is no adhesive, I recommended using tweezers. Get your top coat and apply it to the bottom of your nail art before placing it onto your nail.
3. I am personally incapable of doing anything with my left hand, so I use toothpicks instead for rhinestones. I dip the tip of the toothpick in my top coat so that it’s able to pick up the rhinestone and the rest of the process is the same (applying top coat to the bottom and then placing onto the nail).
4. When you’ve achieved your desired design, seal it with another layer of top coat and you’re done!
To purchase some nail art, you can visit The Nail Superstore, Nail Delights and Gel Nails.
Save the ta-tas and save yourself (and your monthly bill) from having to buy your own hygiene and beauty products. One lucky winner will be sent this amazing goody bag all donated by companies with proceeds going to charities raising breast cancer awareness.
Vonny Tote, $78.00; Elemis Sparkling Beauty Collection, $95.00; Emily Elizabeth studs, $50; CHI Helmet Head, $14.99; China Glaze Nail Polish Collection, $6.50/bottle.
Inside the Vonny tote bag are not only convenient compartments, but also four additional products. What a treasure chest!
Just between you and me, China Glaze nail polish is what the professionals use because it contains China clay as a hardener.
I would die for a hairspray bottle of CHI because it tackles my stubborn and straight black hair by putting it in place.
The Emily Elizabeth pink ribbon gold earrings are discreet but send out a powerful message. And lastly, the Elemis Sparkling Beauty Collection can top it all off and give you the Asian glow.
Don’t take my word for it, I cannot guarantee immediate results with these items, but it’s guaranteed that all of these products are advocates for the research and fight against breast cancer!
Enter our TGIFree Friday Breast Cancer Awareness Edition to win these treats and help raise awareness for the treatment of those diagnosed with breast cancer. Please comment or tweet “Hey @audreymagazine I love pink [insert your fav. pink noun]” to be eligible to win. Don’t wait till November 3, 11:59 p.m. to comment. You must have a U.S. addy to win. (Apologies to our international readers!) For more details on products, check here.
FYI: Breast Cancer Awareness Month ends in two days, but the fight goes on!
It may be still too early to break out the strappy sandals (at least without chunky socks, anyway), but I’m dreaming of warmer weather right now. Till I can get myself to Maui later this year, I’ll satiate my tropical yearnings by planning my Kaanapali look now. Like this dress from Indian American designer Bibhu Mohapatra. High fashion meets oceanside wedding.
Bibhu Mohapatra.
I am in love with the moody, brooding, textured nails created by Sally Hansen for Tracy Reese’s fall 2010 show. It so epitomizes the look for fall 2010. Check it out:
Sally Hansen's nail creations for Tracy Reese.
