At-Home Pedicure from Skyy Hadley of As "U" Wish Nail Spa

We all know that winter is our skin's enemy, no matter your skin type, it's always dry during the cold winter months. We're really good at keeping our bodies moisturized but we tend to forget about our feet during the hustle and bustle of this season. Skyy Hadley of As "U" Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ has come with some great tips to keeping our feet soft, supple and looking good.

TIP ONE: Milk It

After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.

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CND's Fireberry for Christmas

I know this might be a bit predictable but I've decided since it's Christmas, why not wear a beautiful red. While some people are going all artistic with nail designs from ornaments to Santa dancing (I'm guessing), I decided to capture the true Christmas red with CND's Fireberry, a gorgeous creamy opaque red.

I did try out the CND Teal Sparkle over my pinky to see the effect but I preferred just the Fireberry because it's such a beautiful standout red (apologies for the messy handiwork but had a slight hand accident - major nail damage too - difficult to apply nail polish when pain is involved).

Until next time (and a bit of healing) - Merry Christmas

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Rapido Fast Dry Lacquer Spring Collection by BORGHESE

Borghese introduces nails in sixty seconds with their new Rapido Fast Dry Lacquer launching this Spring in bold brights and chic Italian neutrals. Evoking the vivid colors of a garden in bloom, and the sophisticated hues of city style, Borghese’s new nail lacquers complement every spring wardrobe.

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Sinful Colors Holiday Minis - New Year's Eve Nails

We ll think about what we're going to wear and where we're going to party on New Year's Eve to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new but do you think about what you're wearing on your nails? Sinful Colors has Five Holiday Mini's: tiny holiday-inspired polishes which retails for a mere $.99 each that would compliment any New Year's Eve party dress

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CND Nail's Colors & Effects

CND (Creative Nail Design) has come out with amazing complimentary nail color called Color & Effects, their rich, creme nail colors paired with Effect layer that changes the look of your nail color a little or a lot. CND offers 50 Creme Colors and 15 Effects which come in three groups:

Pearls - fine opalescent pearl

Shimmers - a more dramatic

Sparkle - a super flash mica sparkle suspended in clear nail Colour

CND describes the Colours as the clothes and the Effects as the accessories, the best part is you can mix and match the colors and effects how ever you want which in turn gives you a vast amount of nail colors. One of the effect I tried was Teal Sparkle - a bluish green effect that creates a chic day-to-night manicure

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Color Play - Triple Color Franken

Once again, I get to play with my toys (yes, my nail polishes are my toys). This time I experimented with three nail colors to create a glittery sunset franken.

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Nailcare - NeoStrata Hand and Nail Cream

I love trying new nail polishes and in a week, I can change my polish seven times. While its fun to do so, I sometimes forget that this practice can damage my nails and unfortunately I haven't been very good at taking care of my nails. Fortunately, Glasgow from My life on and off the Guestlist noticed this and gifted me with a terrific moisturizer that is healthy for both my hands and nails - NeoStrata Hand and Nail Cream.

NeoStrata is "designed to moisturize, condition and soften hands and cuticles while reducing the visible signs of aging on dry, sun-damaged hands. Fragrance-Free and hypoallergenic. Formulated with 8% Gluconolactone, Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5."

One 1.75 oz tube of NeoStrata retails for $19.50 and can be purchased on Neostrata.com. This product should work wonderfully because lord knows I need some help with my cuticles and I am a bit afraid of going to a nail salon to get them cut and possibly get an infection - yes this is a real fear for me. That is why I've always done my nails but sometimes I forget maintenance.

Below is a photo of my hands and nails after second use (my nails are bare here - no bottom or top coat - just NeoStrata). I must also state that NeoStrata has been amazing in keeping my hands continusously soft and supple even after exposure to the ferociously cold NYC winds.

I look forward to younger looking hands and diminished cuticles.

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Spend $100, Get Deborah Lippmann The Princess Bride Set for Free!!

Got your attention, didn't I. You read correctly ladies, starting today, December 6th, when you spend at least $100 on DeborahLippman.com (that's at least 4 or more fabulous Deborah Lippman Nail lacquers), you will receive the 3-pc The Princess Bride Nail Lacquer Set for FREE - that's a savings of $26.00

This dreamy Wedding Set includes (from left to right):

LIKE A VIRGIN (new) - sheer bright white
BRING ON THE BLING (new) - divine diamond shimmer with real diamond dust
PRELUDE TO A KISS - sheer misty pink

and will make the perfect celebratory token or Christmas stocking stuffer for the Bride-to-Be (I know a few of you know some December brides). But you must hurry quickly because this offer is available exclusively online at http://www.deborahlippmann.com/ and is valid from December 6, 2010 – December 8, 2010.  But the savings don't stop there, all orders of $35 or more receive free shipping, so you automatically save even more.

Make yourself even more invaluable to the Bride-to-Be by sharing these nail tips courtesy of deborah Lippman:

Deborah's Bride Guide:


Classic French: Create a soft French manicure by applying Like A Virgin to the tips of your nails and layer Prelude To A Kiss over top. Clean: Wear Like A Virgin or Prelude To A Kiss over the entire nail.


Modern: Take your Classic French (Like A Virgin on tips and Prelude To A Kiss Over top) to the next level by adding a coat of Bring On The Bling over top or for the simple modern bride wear two coats of Bring On The Bling.


Modern French: Apply two coats of Like A Virgin and then use Bring On The Bling as the French tip.

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Beyonce Heat Solid Perfume Ring

I know my previous posts have only been on nail polish but since, like nails, rings are another form of hand decoration, I'd say covering it makes perfect sense.

Beyoncé Heat is described as a sensual, sexy, and sophisticated fragrance for the modern woman. The fragrance is available in a 3.4oz EDP Spray, 1.7oz EDP Natural Spray, 1oz Natural Spray, 6.7oz Body Lotion and of course the Solid Perfume Ring - on set with the trend of perfume jewelry and a natural product for for hit song, "Single Ladies".

This limited edition solid perfume comes hidden in a ruby-colored cocktail ring. The ring itself is an attention getter as the stone is quite rich in color and set against a cool gold metal finish - perfect for anyone with an outgoing personality. It also comes encased in an adorable mini black pouch with an embossed gold metal B on the zipper. This solid perfume/ring makes a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who is already a fan of the Beyonce Heat fragrance (but doesn't want to tote around an full bottle of the fragrance) and of course cocktail rings.

I decided to let the ring stand on its own beauty, so I am wearing Sally Hansen's Pink Slip from the Complete Salon Manicure line on my nails.

The Beyonce Heat Solid Perfume Ring retails for $35.00 and can be purchased at Macy's (this hot item is sold out on Macy's.com as I'm typing this, so a personal visit will definitely have to be made).

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Nars Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Nail Kit

On a recent makeup haul (I got lucky because it was a sample sale haul), I got really lucky to come across this gem of a nail polish set from Nars Nails. I normally cannot afford this treat because the word budget is now permanently attached to any bit of cash I have (this includes credit cards). So when I found out about his sample sale, of course I jumped at the chance to score some great makeup at discounted prices.

This set, called Drop Dead Gorgeous Set, makes a great stocking stuffer. It normally retails for $30.00 but I got it for $7.00 (Score!!! Though I'm still kicking myself for not getting more because my sister and cousin would die over this)

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Color Play - Sally Hansen Frankenstein Color: Hi-Def Byte

Sometimes out of boredom, amazing creations happen. I experienced this while trying to tidy up my apt and stopped to Franken (Frankenstein - a combo of different parts) a few of my colors. Most didn't work (I realized I need more sheers in my nail arsenal) but I did fall in love with a franken of two Sally Hansen Ultra HD Hi-Definition Nail Colors - Hi-Def (green) and Byte (fuschia)

Rather than mix the two in a bottle (I believe Hi-Def would overpower Byte), I applied two coats of Hi-Def and one light coat of Byte. I'm sure results would vary if more or less coats were added but either way, I am very happy with the results and have gottem many compliments on it.

What do you think of the color?

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20% Off Deborah Lippman Products

This is a high alert ladies. We have less than 24 hours to save 20% off all orders of Deborah Lippman products that are $35 and up thanks to the extended thanksgiving sale.

I'm giddy with excitement at getting the All That Jazz Trio (which retails for $40) at a nice $8 off

or Today Was A Fairytale (below left) or/and Boom Boom Pow (below right) for $16 instead of the normal $20.

yes that's right ladies, you can save on Deborah Lippman's newest holiday shades. All you have to do is enter the code turkey20 when you checkout.

Happy Shopping!!

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Coty Now Owns OPI

Coty Inc., which currently owns a massive amount of fragrance, skincare and nail care companies has added another gold nugget to its vast mine. Ladies (and a few gentlemen), Coty now owns OPI. This deal comes on the heels of Coty's purchase of skin care brand Philosophy.

I stopped mid track while getting dressed this morning when I heard this on 1010Wins and couldn't help but look at my nails and wonder - what's in store for my darling nails? How does this affect such collaborations such as Sephora for OPI, will the $9 retail pricetag for OPI be reduced, etc. I almost chocked when they said the deal cost Coty about $1 Billion - wow!!

Well, it seems like Coty is taking over the beauty world and definitely not slowly, it's like they're buying a new company every week - funny thing is, they are working on acquiring another. So, um, excuse me while I go research creating a beauty business.

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Sinful Colors is Wild About Holiday - Part 2

Here we are on the another Holiday Gift set from Sinful Colors. This set called It's Holidays with Holiday Color Nail Art and includes five shades of nail polish and three shades of nail art, each retailing for $1.99 each. I got a chance to try two of the Nail colors and the three nail art shades.

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Color Play - SEPHORA by OPI Already Famous

While taking advantage of Sephora's recent VIB Event, I happened upon this interesting metallic Champagne with a lot of shimmer called Already Famous, from Sephora by OPI's Rocker Chic Collection (shown below).

Already Famous is described as a sheer pewter with medium champagne and silver glitter. Funny enough, it looks different in the bottle than on my nails. As you can see with the first photo (with no flash), it looks more like a frosty gold and in the second photo (with flash), its a glorious pewter and you can really see the silver glitter (which must be micro glitter).

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Sally Hansen Color Quick Chrome Pens

It was love at first sight when I laid my eyes on the newest gems from Sally Hansen - The Color Quick Chrome Pens.

I only got five but these fast drying metallic nail colors come in eight fabulous shades (shown in order in photo - last three not shown): Fuchsia Chrome Frost, Green Chrome Frost, Gold Chrome Frost, Purple Chrome Frost, Silver Chrome Frost, Turquoise Chrome Frost, Red Chrome Frost and Pink Chrome Frost. These travel friendly colors will keep your mind at ease when toting your fave colors to the salon for your manis (I've had a few disastrous handbag accidents due to nail polish bottles opening up).

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Color Play - Sinful Colors Mini w/ Stripe design

So after reviewing the Sinful Colors Wild About Color Holiday Set, I decided to experiment and practice my design capabilities. It's no where near a "Next Great Artist" design but its cute and I think I did a good job at keeping a steady hand. Anyway, I used the Deep Wine Mini from the Sinful Colors Wild About Holiday Set, along with the Sinful Colors Nail Art in White (Which is also for Holiday and which I will review next) - consider this a preview

Funny enough (or maybe its just the lighting), the deep wine looks much more chocolately under the white stripes which is perfect because I thought the white would be too stark against a chocolate polish.

What do you think of it?

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Sinful Colors is Wild About Holiday - Part 1

Sinful Colors has introduced three festive sets for the holiday season. Each set is filled with colors to fill you with the holiday spirit. Some will make you joyful while others will put you in a mistletoe kind of mood. I will feature each set individually starting with the set surely to put you in the party mood - Wild About Color

 

This mini kit includes five twinkling shades in an adorable mini tote which would make a perfect stocking stuffer for any nail polish addict. And while some individual nail polishes cost up to $9.00 per bottle, this gorgeous set of five colors, which will take you from Christmas to New Years, will retail for a mere $4.99. Now lets talk color shall we. Please note, none of these have names as they are minis but hopefully at least some will be added to the main line.

The above deep wine is both creamy and sparkling at the same time - the deep shine doesn't come from glitter, it seems to have an inner gleam.

This vivacious candy apple red basically speaks for itself. Its rich, deep and bold. A perfect color for any holiday party.

This sheer glitter gold is just a clear polish loaded with gold glitter. Its a great way to add shine and shimmer to any color.

My favorite color from this mini kit, this metallic steel Grey beauty is a duo chrome with purple and blue iridescence shinning through.

Last but certainly not least is this emerald joy, loaded with shimmer. It's great alone or as an accent color (great to use if you're doing an ornament design on your nails - mine didn't come out so great - I'm still working on my steady hand).

Sinful Colors is available at major stores and mass market stores nationwide such as Walgreens, Select Targets, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, etc.

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New Nail Polish Shades from American Apparel

American Apparel, who only launched their nail collection last year, introduces 12 new cool nail colors inspired by what else - Los Angeles.

The new American Apparel Nail Polish, are named after things very close to the heart of the brand, such as the neighborhoods where the company opened its first stores Echo Park and MacArthur Park, Army Jacket and Trenchcoat are inspired by their iconic garments. the other colors include Cameo Blue, Rouge, Mannequin, Port, Raccoon, Cocoa, Make Up, and African Violet.

The nail polish is toluene and formaldehyde-free, a bottle retails for $6 but you can grab a 3 pack for $15, or 7 pack for $32 and is available at all American Apparel Stores or online at AmericanApparel.com.

"Nail polish is our favorite category for exploring color. We planned on releasing only six new shades, but we felt so strongly about all of these that we decided to release a full dozen. It's difficult to pick a favorite--they all complement wardrobes in different ways. We can't wait to see the looks people create with them," said Marsha Brady, a creative director for American Apparel.

I haven't tried the colors yet but i am very curious to do so, the colors all look like yummy creamsicles. I especially want to try Army Jacket, a greyish-green similar to split pea soup - my favorite.

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LAQA & Co. Nail Lacquer Pens

I love finding innovative nail products and colors and thanks to Glasgow (and Red Light PR), I have found a fantastic combination of the two; great, creamy color in an unusual form - a pen. Introducing LAQA & CO. Nail Pens, "a range of bright, high gloss nail lacquers in a pen. They work just like a real pen, only these pens let you quickly and neatly do your nails anywhere in a few clicks."

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New Purchase - Sephora by OPI's Already Famous

Sephora had a V.I.B event today and being a V.I.B (I have over 1000 points), I had to check it out. I was sent an invite with me and a friend to enjoy 20% off our purchases, Godiva chocolates, Holiday makeup lessons and a free Sephora Collector's Tote (it greatly saddens me to say that we missed out on the tote because they ran out - and we went to two Sephora locations). Though I missed out on all the great things being offered, I did pick up a great new nail color - Sephora by OPI's Already Famous

As you can see int he above photos (first photo is without a flash and the second is with flash) the color is a metallic nude. Sephora describes it as a "sheer pewter with medium champagne and silver glitter". I can't wait to try it.

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Twilight's Ashley Greene Rocks mark. Nail Polish

Twilight's Ashley Greene has been named as mark. Cosmetics's Brand Ambassador and she made an appearance on mark.'s new Inside the mark.Studio which was shown live on mark.'s Facebook page.

After her interview, she did a few interviews and photos and this allowed for the awesome shots of her and her nails (shown below)

 

I was told that her nail polish is by mark. and it's a new Spring 2011 Duo. From the photo, it looks like a pearlized Vanilla (I may be wrong). I wasn't given the name or the exact launch date but hopefully I will have that information soon.

Until the next......

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Color Play - Sinful Colors's UFO

I'm so excited to try Sinful Colors's UFO and tonight's the night. I've done most of the weekly prepping work - evening out uneven or chipped nails, then smoothing out my nail bed. I actually love to brag about my nail file because it's glass and is decorated with Swarovski Crystals (how girly, yes I know). I also applied a wonderful base coat - Nutra Nail's Brittle Nail Strengthening Base Coat. I use this base coat because I tend to talk with my hands a bit dramatically and always end up hitting one or the other hand and breaking a nail or two (as you can see one nail is much shorter than the others) so I must be prepared. I applied two coats.

Now on to the gorgeous UFO. I'm going to do this in coats, the first photo will be one coat, the next two and so on. The color is so pale, I shot it against white to pop. So here goes UFO after one coat:

UFO - INDOORS/NO FLASH 1 COAT

UFO - INDOORS/WITH FLASH 1 COAT

 As you can see, the clear nail polish is actually tinted orange with multiple colored glitter. I see iridescent pink, blue, green, silver, etc. The next photo is UFO after two coats:

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Dazzle Dry Lemongrass Nail Polish Remover

If you're like me and love having healthy nails, then you're going to love this nail Polish remover from Dazzle Dry. And if you're a nail polish blogger, like me who has to try several different colors, then this polish remover is perfect for you as it can be used everyday without damage.

The Dazzle Dry Lemongrass Nail Polish Remover has Lemongrass and clove essential oils which provides a healthy and moisturized nail bed. It also has a clean fresh scent and anti microbial properties. This baby takes off the toughest nail polish (hello Glitter!!) without drying your nails and cuticles.

An 8oz bottle retails for $10.50 and can be purchased at DazzleDry.com.

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Giveaway - Borghese Bellini Peach & Manic Panic Mirror Mirror

Since I'm new I figured I'd do a giveaway of some of the nail care products I don't use. I will begin with nail polish this time. So here goes, I will begin with nail polishes. One lucky winner will win two polishes, first is Borghese's Bellini Peach, a pearlized peachy pink and Manic Panic's Mirror Mirror, a clear polish packed with colored glitter (gold, purple, green, red and blue)

To enter just do the following:

1. leave a comment on your love for nail polish
2. follow this blog
3. follow me on twitter - @polishexchange

Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, November 16th.

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