Archive for January, 2008
Taking Nail Art To The Next Level
I was browsing through the submissions for the Nails 2008 Cover Tech Contest and came across this unique and exotic entry. I love the intermixing of old world body decoration with modern nail art technique.
Much to my surprise, when I looked at the name of the artist that created the look, I discovered that it was done by local nail technician and mehendi artist, Julie Heinrich. I met Julie a couple months ago through MySpace so I was very excited to see that her design came in 3rd place out of all the entries (even though I would have voted it #1).
I asked Julie to share her inspiration and technique with us and here is what she had to say:
For my NAILS cover submission, I wanted to do something to combine nails with mehendi (my other love). Mehendi is done on the skin in the Middle East for special occasions, like weddings or pregnancy. The paste can also be applied to the natural nail which stains them a vibrant orange that lasts many weeks. For this shoot, I wanted to incorporate traditional and modern decoration so I came up with this idea…
For the cover look, I specifically chose an ethnic model. Lindsay is Egyptian and Native American, although the cover shot doesn’t show her face. (pictured below)
First I sculpted clear enhancements with Entity acrylic. The polish had to be just right, and to match her dress so I did 2 coats of OPI’s “Peace Baby! followed by one coat of OPI’s “I Only Drink Champagne” to get the exact shimmery shade of off white. I then used Seche Vite as a topcoat.
Next was the 3-D Mehendi. I did her hands, then nails. I always mix my paste fresh the night before and put it in a squeeze bottle with a very fine tip. After the design is completed, you can add another layer of Seche Vite. (I didn’t for the shoot so the flash wouldn’t reflect on the design).
Even though I’m not a fan of Peace Baby’s application, I love the combo of a white creme base with a semi-sheer gold over top to create an off white shimmer that isn’t too nude or dirty looking.
Image credit: Julie Heinrich
Rescue Beauty Lounge Under The Stars
Rescue Beauty Lounge, the salon and product line, is the creation of the uber-stylish Ji Baek. For Ji her previous life working in the hospitality industry, spending countless hours on her feet in high heels, led to her love of pedicures. But all the salons and spas she encountered were either unsanitary or too high end/high priced.
So being a self proclaimed “germ-o-phobe” and wanting to save her excess cash for shoes, Ji set out on a mission to open a salon dedicated to nail care that was fun, reasonably priced and above all, clean. So in 1998 the first Rescue Beauty opened it’s doors. Inside you’ll find hospital standards of cleanliness and the Rescue Beauty Lounge line of bath & body products and nail lacquer.
The RBL lacquers have a cult following and until now, I’ve never had the opportunity to try one. I’ve only seen beauties like Revamp, Black Russian, Concrete Jungle and Dead Calm in online swatches. So when a nail buddy surprised me with a bottle of my biggest RBL want, Under The Stars, I shrieked.
Under The Stars is a blue-black shimmer. I know, I know, you’re groaning already. Not another blue-black. You’ve seen of ton of them already. If you’re not a blue lover and collector this one might not wow you. BUT, and I do mean that to be a big but, what makes Under The Stars unique to me is the gorgeous light blue glitter. It leaves the nail surface with a bit of texture but it’s totally worth it.
The formula is of a medium-thick consistency, flows smoothly on the nail and is Big 3 Free. Not only that but it’s highly pigmented, requiring only one coat to achieve bottle color.
I normally only test a formula’s wear for five days but Under The Stars performed so well that I left it on for seven. I was also just enamoured with the color (and a bit lazy). There was noticeable tip wear, more than I’d normally allow myself to be seen in but, no chips. And considering how long I’d been wearing the shade it held up well.
Rescue Beauty Lounge polish retails for $18 and can be purchased at a RBL salon or on the company website.
Sponsored Link
Buy Rescue Beauty Lounge Polish
Chrome-tastic Nails
To celebrate their silver anniversary, Nails Magazine had nail tech Tom Bachik create these mirrored silver tips.
Quite a few of you have been wanting to find a polish that dries to a perfect mirror finish. Regardless of the various “chrome” polishes that have come and gone on the market, nothing has ever come close to these.
The look was created using a product called Minx; a solid nail coating that comes in foil and sparkly metallics, photo-quality designs, and any color under the sun. Minx is made of film and not polish so they can be customized with any picture, photo, or logo.
Celebrities, including Beyonce at the American Music Awards, have had the coatings applied to complete their red carpet looks.
An added bonus to using Minx; they are a green product requiring only a heat source and gentle side-to-side peeling to remove them. You can leave the nail polish remover behind.
Minx nail services are only available at salons and spas so check out their Salon & Spa Finder for a location near you.
photos: Nails Magazine and Getty Images
Weekly Beauty Read
Here you go my lovelies, the best reads of the week from my pals at the Beauty Blog Network
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds a cure for her winter skin issues!
All Lacquered Up tests the claims of the “As Seen On TV” product, the PedEgg Pedicure File.
Check out A Touch of Blusher’s wish list for the new Calvin Klein makeup line, available now at Sephora.
Beauty and Personal grooming tells you about some terrific foot soothers
Beauty Anonymous brings you an innovative way from Japan! Prettia Bubble Hair Coloring uses foam to dye hair fast and evenly
The Beauty Blog Network is mentioned in a book! Find out which one!
Missed the premiere issue of The Beauty Ideal? Check out the most popular article so far….
The Beauty of Life is so ready for spring after testing out the new Sugar Coated line from Orly!
Canadian Beauty tells you what brushes to apply your mineral makeup with.
Elke reviews AquaTan and LOVES it.
Face Candy shows you the newest beauty trend: Moody Lip Glosses.
Girl Gloss shows you how to create a cranberry red lip look using three CoverGirl lip products.
Glossypink takes a look at Spring Beauty looks from the Runway!
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog gives you a sneak peek of Origins Spring Makeup Releases, complete with color swatches and product pics galore.
makeup loves me helps you achieve the gossip girl look , xoxo.
Makeup Moxie reviews the new Revlon Mineral Makeup.
The Muse reviews Benefit’s Thrrob Powder!
Savvy Skin tells you how you can Get a $125 Wrinkle Cream for 99 Cents.
Spoiled Pretty turns her brown eyes blue. Find out how…
Stylish Opinion says to say it with chocolate.
Temptalia has a tutorial on how to get an amazing neutral eye with a pink kick!
China Glaze Spring 2008 – OMG! 2BHOT
And now for you warm toned gals, the China Glaze OMG! 2BHOT Collection. I keep trying to convince myself that I’m neutral because I love warm and cool colors equally but I think it’s clear that the 2BKEWL colors work better on me. What do you all think?
Since the formulas are the same for both sets in this collection, you can check out the 2BKEWL for my review.
The 2BHOT set includes:
Comparison images are in the works. I just have to find my bottle of OPI Day At The Peach.
In the meantime, which set is your favorite? Will you cave on just one or both?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
