Celebrities like Katy Perry and Beyonce have recently made patterned nails all the rage, originally developed and marketed by MYNX, these have seen growing popularity over the past several months.  Now you can even get these graphic nails right in your local drug store!

SALLY HANSEN Salon Effects
With over 23 colors/patterns to choose from, you are sure to find something for you, from "misbehaved" to "wild child" these easy-to-apply colors are the perfect Spring accessory! TIP: Add a clear top coat for longer lasting color!

$11 - Drugstores Nationwide

Another trend we are seeing is currently only in salons: UV hybrid nail color!  With scientifically engineered polymers, these colors go on like a lacquer, wears like a gel, but comes off in minutes!  These colors really last about two weeks with absolutely no chipping!!!

CND Shellac

$25- Salons Nationwide www.cnd.com

Ever find yourself spending hours trying to decide on your next nail color, or wondering what your nail color might say about your personality?  This hand guide will take the guesswork out of choosing your perfect color!

FAIR SKIN
Go for bright pink and coral colors, or, if you prefer nudes, go with a pale pink!

TRY ESSIE Spring 2011 Collection

$8 - Essie www.essie.com

MEDIUM SKIN
Looks great with jewel tones! Try a light brown for a subtle look!

TRY O.P.I. Texas Collection
$9 - O.P.I. www.opi.com

DARK SKIN
Orange and bright blue are ideal knockout colors, with a dark chocolate being a great neutral look!

TRY ORLY Plastix

$7 - Orly www.orlybeauty.com

EVERYONE
Everyone can pull off red, but another great switch is to swap your red for a royal purple!

TRY CHANEL Vendetta

$24 - Fine Department Stores Nationwide

A few simple additions to your mani/pedi routine will kick your experience up a notch!

ADD A SCRUB
A great foot scrub can work to exfoliate both hands and feet.  Sugar scrubs are great, especially if you have cracked hands and feet, but look for one loaded with essential oils.

TRY H2O Pumice Foot Scrub
Loaded with marine botanicals to soften and condition the skin!

$15 - Ulta Beauty www.ulta.com

ADD A MASK
Believe it or not, masks for your hands and feet actually DO exist! This will infuse the skin with moisture and ward off environmental stresses!

TRY OPI Manicure / Pedicure Cucumber Mask
Apply to hands, wrists, feet and ankles and then wrap with a warm, damp hand towel and leave on for ten minutes.  Rinse afterwards.

$15 - O.P.I. www.opi.com

TRY A WAX
You may have heard of expensive paraffin wax treatments for hands and feet at the spa, but now you can even do this at home with a paraffin bath.  Dip each foot and hand into the wax 5-6 times, allowing a few seconds between each dip.  When the wax hardens, peel it off and moisturize.

HOMEDICS ParaSpa Plus Paraffin Bath

$30 - Amazon.com

Though effectively the same, there are some tricks to giving your feet something extra special!

PREP
Using a non-acetone remover, remove old polish, then file nails straight across in one direction with an emery board.

SOAK
Using a foot bath or plastic tub, soak feet in warm water.  TIP: Make a mix of warm water and whole milk (equal parts) to help exfoliate rough or tired feet.  For a more luxurious experience, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or epsom salts.

NEATEN
Using a wooden stick, gently push back cuticles, trimming if necessary, but don't overdo as the cuticles are live tissue and can get easily infected if trimmed too low.

SMOOTH
Using a foot file or a pumice stone, smooth around the base and edges of your foot and heel.

RINSE
Rinse feet and dry thoroughly, using a small amount of nail polish remover to remove excess oil, which will prevent polish from sticking.

SEPARATE
Using a toe divider, separate nails.

PAINT
In the same method as finger nails (base, two coats of color, top coat), apply lacquer to nails.  Allow these to dry for AT LEAST an hour before putting any socks or shoes on.

It can be intimidating, but with the right tools, and a little patience you can perform a manicure at home with even better than spa results!

CLEAN
The biggest mistake people make when cleaning their nails is using an acetone nail polish remover, which can leave nails dry and brittle.  Dip a cotton swab into the remover and, avoiding the cuticle, swipe the nail from base to tip, removing polish.  (This may take several passes).  When all traces of polish are removed, wash hands and dry completely.

TRY KARMA ORGANIC Lavendar Nail Polish Remover

$12 - Karma Organic www.karmaorganicspa.com

SHAPE
Using an emery board, file and shape the nails, using a singular-direction movement towards the tip. (Sawing back and forth can tear the nail)  Your best guide for the shape should be your cuticles, and mimicking that oval shape works for every hand.  TIP: For longer nails, you can check to see if they are shaped well by looking at them with your palms up!

MOISTURIZE
Apply a cuticle cream to soften this delicate tissue.

SOAK
Soak fingertips in warm water with dishwashing liquid.  TIP: For a spa-like experience add a few drops of healing rose oil to this bath.

SCRUB
Using a nail brush, gently clean nail beds and the top of fingers.  This will exfoliate to remove dirt and dead skin.

PUSH
Gently push back cuticles with a wooden cotton swab (often called an orange stick).

CLIP
Clip only cuticles as any other clipping can damage the delicate tissue around the nail.

BUFF
Using a buffer in one direction can improve nail texture and increase the longevity of your lacquer.  TIP: If you aren't using polish, using a jewelers polish will leave nails extra shiny!!!!

APPLY
Base coat, two color coats, and top coat.  You should be able to coat each nail in three strokes, center and each side.  Take your time to ensure that no polish gets on the cuticle or skin.  Allow each coat to dry thoroughly in between coats.  TIP: A good test of polish dryness is to touch you tongue to your nail, and if you taste polish it isn't dry yet!  TIP: If you make a mistake, tap a non-polished finger onto a paper towel soaked with polish remover and blend polish in a circular pattern to smooth and apply another coat!

You are at the age where pink lip gloss and green eyeliner starts to look a little silly, but you still want to look energetic and glamorous.  If you were smart, you have been taking care of your skin for AT LEAST the last ten years, but if not, there are some fabulous products out there that may work for you!

Nail Lacquer and nail polish remover can be extremely drying to nails and cuticles alike, which an result in brittle, broken nails.  Many people don't realize that cuticles are live tissue and cutting or drying out this tissue is the same as peeling the skin off your finger tips, so this tissue must be taken care of! Try This:

SEPHORA by O.P.I. Brush On Cuticle Oil
Imbibed with 5 hydrating oils and vitamin E in an easy, brush on applicator.

$9 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

$9 - Ricky's NYC www.rickysnyc.com

Think that your dark nail polish would go out of style this Spring? Think again....this season continues with the dark nail trend, adding shine to what was once matte, so try one of the hot Spring colors, or add a metallic topcoat to your existing shades.

TIP: This Spring, stay away from black nails.  instead, opt for navy, brown, and silver...a more stylish counterpart!

O.P.I. available at Ricky's NYC www.rickysnyc.com
Chanel available at fine department stores nationwide

If you haven't heard about the latest UK import and cosmetic rockstar, ILLMASQUA, you need to get into it! Dubbed "Make Up For Your Alter Ego," this brand evolved from the underground club scene and pairs fiercely pigmented colors with professional quality products.  Only around since 2009, this brand has exploded on the worldwide makeup scene and is now available in the US at Sephora.

ILLMASQUA Nail Varnish
From neon yellow and pink to metallic silver and glitters to die for, these colors will be sure to bring out your inner rock star! 26 Colors to suit your every mood!!!

$14 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

ILLMASQUA Pure Pigment
These pigments provide shine TO DIE FOR with a silky-smooth finish.  Use to pump up the volume on your everyday eyes or use for contouring for a REALLY dramatic effect.  One thing is for sure, when using these, you WILL get noticed!

$24 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

So you just finished painting your lacquered nails, and they look FABULOUS! You are so impressed with your steady hand and even coats....and then....you haven't even touched anything and you have a huge smudge across one nail!

It happens all of the time, and there are a few ways to reduce the occurrence of the dreaded smudged manicure!

TIP #1 APPLY THIN COATS
The key to flawlessly smooth nails is applying thin, even coats. Thick coats take longer to dry and therefore result in a greater chance of a smudge or chip. Also, if your nail lacquer is thick or gloopy, it means that it is old and should be replaced for optimum results. Use a basecoat, two coats, and a top coat

TIP #2 BLOW DRY BETWEEN COATS
With your blow dryer on the "cool" setting, speed up the drying process with 1-2 minutes under the cool air.

TIP #3 FINISH WITH A QUICK DRYING TOPCOAT
Use a top coat such as ORLY "In A Snap" to finish off your nails in s thin coat for that ultra shiny finish.

$8 - Drugstores Nationwide

TIP #4 USE A QUICK DRY SPRAY
A spray such as O.P.I. RapiDry Spray over the whole thing will really aid in drying time.

$17.50 - O.P.I. www.opi.com

TIP #5 ICE WATER
After drying for 2 minutes, dip the tips of fingers in a bowl of ice water for another 1-2 minutes to solidify that rock-hard lacquer finish! Easy AND cheap!

Now I know that stomping all over town in your Louboutin's can do a NUMBER of your feet, causing callus development and blisters as well as ruining your pedicure.  Luckily, there are some easy ways to get a great pedicure AND manicure at home with minimal stress and cost.

PEDICURE:
1. SOAK. There are many foot salts available on the market, but I find that using standard epsom salts work just fine.  You can also add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice for aromatherapy.  You can find many varieties of massaging foot soakers etc, which are all great, but if you don't have or can't afford one, a simple plastic tub will be sufficient.  Let your feet soak for approximately 5 minutes to soften skin and nails.

2. EXFOLIATE. Using a dry file, such as a PED-EGG, you can remove calluses and dry, tough skin to reveal softer, smoother skin.  After you have used the file, I like to take it one step further with a coarse scrub infused with essential oils such as the Sweet Feet Foot Scrub from ANAKIRI, which leaves feet SILKY smooth.

$10 - Drugstores Nationwide

$32 - Anakiri www.anakiri.com

3. TRIM and FILE.  Using a straight-edge clipper, trim nails in three cuts each, as a single cut can get too close to the skin and lead to infection.  Smooth out edges with a fine-grit emery board.

4. MOISTURIZE with a rich cream on the top and bottoms of feet and in between toes.  Make sure to massage well into the skin and nail beds for ultimate absorbtion.  I really like KAIA HOUSE ORGANICS Shea Head-To-Toe for this.

$8 - Kaia House Organics www.kaiahouse.com

5. POLISH using a base coat, two coats, and a top coat, making sure to separate toes with a foam divider.  Use PERFECT FORMULA's Gel Coat to strengthen as a base and follow with a great fall color like Chambord.  Finish with My Favorite Topcoat.

$24 - Perfect Formula www.perfectformulas.com


$15 - Perfect Formula www.perfectformulas.com


$18 - Perfect Formula www.perfectformulas.com

6. DRY for at LEAST 15 minutes before slipping on any open-toed shoes.  Full drying can take up to two hours, so make sure you either have some time, so can wear open shoes!

MANICURE:
1. SHAPE with a fine-grit emery board, never removing sidewalls.  This is a better alternative to cutting as trimming with scissors can lead to brittle, easily-damaged nails.  If you skip soaking, it will help your color last longer.

2. APPLY a cuticle CREAM and gently push back cuticles.  Massage cream into nails first and NEVER cut cuticles.  Cutting the cuticles can lead to infection and actually cause a buildup of cuticle tissue.  I really like the Nail and Cuticle Cream from GLYTONE, which contains glycolic acid to gently minimize cuticles after use over time.

$24 - Glytone www.glytone-usa.com 

3. APPLY a cuticle OIL such as the SALLY HANSEN Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil.

$6 - Drugstores Nationwide

4. BUFF the nail with an ultrafine buffer to remove ridges.

5. DEHYDRATE the nail with an acetone-based nail polish remover.  This preps the nail for lacquer and will promote a longer wearing color.

6. PAINT with the same process as toes, using a base coat, two coats of color, and a super-shiny topcoat.
Start with the O.P.I. Natural Nails Basecoat, and follow with a great fall color such as ESSIE Limited Addiction.  Finish with a Super-Shiny top coat such as O.P.I. RapiDry Topcoat.

$9 - Amazon.com


$8 - Essie www.essieshop.com


$9 - Amazon.com

They aren't makeup, skincare, or haircare...but the following items just might register on your radar this fall.

CHANEL Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Lacquer $25 - Select Department Stores
Designed by Peter Philips exclusively for Fashion's Night Out, these military-chic colors are the perfect complement to your fall wardrobe.

VERDICT: WANT!
Though they are chic and Chanel has some fierce nail colors, the $25 price tag is pretty steep.

GUCCI Guilty Eau de Toilette $55-$95 Select Department Stores
An enticing oriental floral scent, Gucci Guilty embodies rich amber and freshness of lilac.  This fragrance is about pushing boundaries and being a bold, independent  woman.

VERDICT: NEED!
Darker and more subtle than many summer scents while still having a carefree, fun attitude, this is your must-have fragrance for fall!

TOM FORD Black Orchid Lipstick $45 Saks 5th Avenue www.saks.com
With richly colored pigments and a semi-gloss finish, these are the lipsticks on everyone's mind this fashion week.

VERDICT: CAN'T HAVE!
Unless you are party of the Vogue beauty team or managed to snag one of the 20 available on Fashion's Night Out, this fabulosity doesn't go on sale until September 20th! Get in line ladies, because they are sure to sell out!

So the week is coming to a close, so I decided to finish off my summer beauty week with my top ten products that every girl (or boy) should keep in their arsenal to look trendy, fresh, and gorgeous this summer!

1. FEKKAI Beachcomber Leave-In Conditioner
Overexposure to the sun's damaging rays, combined with salty air can wreak havoc on your gorgeous locks. With Fekkai's leave in, you will never have this problem again! Fortified with marine peptides (protein) and algae, it adds softness and strength without weighing hair down.

$23 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

2. O.P.I. Brights Collection Nail Lacquer
These fun and funky colors are perfect for brightening up your summer, with the quality that only O.P.I. provides. With colors like "In My Back Pocket", "Shorts Story", and "No Room For The Blues", you certainly won't get bored!

$8.50 - Ricky's NYC www.rickysnyc.com and Drug Stores Nationwide

3. LALICIOUS Brown Sugar Vanilla Souffle
From sun exposure to temperature changes, avoid chalky skin by keeping your body exfoliated and moisturized with this luxurious sugar scrub. There is a continuous debate between sea salt scrubs and sugar scrubs and the choice is up to you. I like this one because it contains coconut oil, vitamin e oil, and almond oil to nourish and replenish the skin's moisture (with a decadent scent). Whether you choose this one or another, a body scrub is a MUST for smooth summer skin!

$32 - LaLicious www.lalicious.com

4. MENAJI Glycolic Skin Toner
A perfect repair treatment to tackle those signs of aging caused by the sun! This toner features glycolic acid, as well as a rich blend of nourishing botanicals including aloe and lemon. It helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and enlarged pores while releasing ingrown hairs and preventing blemishes. The complexion becomes smoother, brighter and younger-looking.

$26 - Menaji www.glow.com

5. YSL Touche Eclat
A MUST-HAVE for EVERYONE!!!! If you wear no other makeup or buy no other product this summer, buy this product. This highlighter is your INSTANT cure to tired, puffy eyes, and is an instant 8-hour night sleep! Simply apply a line under each eye, the bridge of the nose, and across the forehead for a refreshed, bright, clean look!

$40 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

6. PHILOSOPHY Supernatural Gloss
Beauty experts are finding that lip gloss is harmful to the delicate skin of your lips because it MAGNIFIES the suns rays! If you are a gloss addict as I am, you don't have to compromise. This gloss has SPF 15 to protect your lips from the harsh rays.

$17 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

7. TARTE Naural Cheek Stain
Tarte cosmetics use only all natural ingredients that nourish the skin. Available in several shades to complement any skin tone, this stain gives the faces a healthy glow while avoiding the caked on look that many powder blushes can leave.

$30 - Tarte www.tartecosmetics.com

8. URBAN DECAY Midnight Cowboy Body Shimmer Lotion
For those summer evenings when you just need that little extra glamour, this nourishing moisture lotion has micro-gold shimmer to leave you looking like a million bucks! Pay extra attention to shoulders, collarbone, and top of breasts to really emphasize that dewy summer glow!

$28 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

9. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes
These waterproof eyeliner pencils come in 25 colors to enhance any mood or outfit! Its summer, so get creative, especially at night! My favorites for summer are taupes, blues, and gold. Combine colors for an even more extreme effect! Go aheah, go swimming...this eyeliner will not budge!

$20 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

10. DIOR DiorShow Waterproof Mascara
Dior set the standard for fierce catwalk lashes and is now available in a waterproof version! Whether you are swimming, splashing, or sweating, this mascara gives you all day glamour. Try brown for a fresh daytime look, and switch to black for that smokey lash every girl dreams of!

$24 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com