Archive for the 'Black' Category
 MAC is hitting us with a lot of nail color this spring. Almost all the collections include nail polish and Riveting, MAC’s ode to 80s rocker chic, is no exception. They’re hitching their wagon on the matte polish train with three true, flat mattes. Unlike the Jin Soon polishes that were rumored to be matte (they were cremes) these are matte polishes as we’ve come to know them.
One thing that is a bit different about the Riveting nail polishes is that, unlike other brands that included one finish per matte collection, Riveting has two cremes (think OPI Matte) and one shimmer (a la OPI Suede). If you still don’t have your fill of the matte look, take a peek at these after the jump! |
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 A perfect addition to your special occassion Orly’s newest set of matte colors, Metal Chic, includes three metallic shades that will add a fun twist to your party look. Iron Butterfly, Glam Rock and Solid Gold are in the same vein as the OPI Suede and Zoya MatteVelvet polishes in that they contain metallic shimmer to add a bit of bling to what could be a very flat, wall paint-ish polish.
Even though I’ve been a proponent of using a matte top coat versus a matte nail polish, there is one HUGE advantage in the matte polish corner… dry time!! Even though I love painting my nails, I don’t always have time to execute the perfect manicure. Case in point, last night. I was heading downtown for a charity event but was running late, per usual. It was bad enough that my tips were naked during my charity beauty sale but two nights in a row was unacceptable. So I threw on a quick coat of Iron Butterfly and not only did it give great coverage, it was dry before I got out the door. Talk about convenient. Check out these last minute manicure wonders along with some comparisons, after the jump! |
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 Just when I thought I was having all my matte needs met, along comes the Mind.Body.Spirit collection from SpaRitual. I have been longing for the purple from this set ever since I first spotted it on the SpaRitual rep at Cosmoprof in Vegas. It’s a big ball of fabulous. The collection includes:
Put your Mind at ease with matte champagne
Give your Body an edgy boost with matte black
Let your Spirit soar to new levels with matte purple
Check them out after the jump! |
As we’ve discussed in the past, matte polishes are not long lasting. They’re like the temporary tattoo of nails. Lotion, water, base and top coat will all affect its wear and finish.
In spite of those issues, I think SpaRitual got it right with this collection. The formula is very smooth and easy to work with. Those of you that have feared the unforgiving nature of matte polishes will have better luck with these. The consistency isn’t as thick as other polishes giving you the ability to even it out.
Added Bonus: the dark colors don’t stain when worn sans base coat. Score!
Mind is honestly not my cup of tea. On my hands this shimmery pinkish nude makes my nails look dead. I thought I was looking at a corpse’s hand. The yellow base in my hand’s skin tone just didn’t play well with the hue. However, if you’ve been wanting to try matte but are disappointed by the lack of light colored options, this is definitely a work safe version.
Body surprised me because it isn’t an empty, lifeless black. It dries to a more satin finish that reminds me of BBQ briquettes. Comparing it to Orly Matte Vinyl, I can’t tell them apart except for the formula differences. I feel Body applies better.
Spirit is a total love at first sight situation. I couldn’t wait to wear it this past weekend, it’s just so gorgeous. The finish is somewhat unique in that Spirit falls somewhere between Mind and Body in that it isn’t a shimmer yet it isn’t totally flat. There’s a graininess to it that prevents it from falling flat.
The SpaRitual Mind.Body.Spirit Collection will be available starting October 2009 for $10/each at salons and spas such as Spa Halekulani, Canyon Ranch, and the Mandarin Oriental or online at SkinStore.com and AveYou.com.
Who’s loving the SpaRitual matte polishes? Who prefers to just use a matte top coat? Will a certain color of matte polish cause you to give in? Have you been looking for a light version like Mind? Share with the group!
 For the Julie Haus Spring 2010 show, Beauty.com assembled quite the rocking glam squad when they brought in Stila, Deborah Lippmann, Oscar Blandi and ARCONA to prep the models. Messy bedhead hair, smudgy eyes and deconstructed nails were combined to create a slightly punky complement to Julie’s edgy yet feminine designs. See how the look came together and check out who I saw backstage, after the jump! |
 Sarah Lucero from Stila wanted to focus on the eyes for this look. The skin was clean with muted lips and natural brushed-up brows. It’s her philosophy that when there is a sheen on one part of the face, like the eyes, the rest should have a healthy, matte finish. She noted that while the coming season is all about pretty glamour, the techniques should be simple. Your makeup should take you 5 minutes, not 25. Using a double sided brush, Sarah packed on shades of pomegranate and berry that she then applied wet as liner before piling on the mascara.
Recreate the look using Boquet (as base) and Pigalle eye shadow pans and the Montmartre quad. |
ARCONA was on hand to prep the models’ skin. Bethany Wojtech for ARCONA explained that because the makeup look was so clean, the skin had to be perfect. Since ARCONA has no chemicals, fragrance or dyes, the skin stays calm, fresh and dewy. It was then that she introduced me to my new bedtime BFF, the Triad Pads. An all-in-one cleanser/toner/hydrator, makeup artists keeps these pads in their kit to remove any traces of makeup from a model, even waterproof mascara. With claims that bold I had to put them to the test and I can tell you, these babies are no joke. Just one pad removed ALL my makeup without sucking the moisture from my skin. Color me impressed!
Now on to my fave part of being backstage, talking nails with Deborah Lippmann. I’ll never pass up a chance to see Deb so when I heard she was doing the nails for Julie Haus, I grabbed my pal Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic and ran right over.
To complete the rocker chic look, Deb applied Hit Me With Your Best Shot, the shade she created with Pat Benatar, but she didn’t stop there. Instead of giving the models her typical flawless manicure, she went for a deconstructed smudged look by messing up their nails 20 or 30 minutes later. As Deb so cheekily put it, “so she maybe got back into bed before her nails were dry.” I think we know where she’s going with that.
Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic, Jamie from The Beauty of Life, Deborah Lippmann and me!
What do you think of the punky, messed up nails? We’ve talked about intentionally chipped manicures in the past, are they making a comeback or should they stay on the runways?
 Because Matte is the New Black! Orly’s tagline for the new Matte Couture collection totally nails the trend, no pun intended. Everywhere I look in the polish world, there is a new matte collection or top coat to check out. If there’s a brand that hasn’t embraced matte yet, I’ll bet they will soon.
I can hear many of you, channeling Elle Woods, saying, “whoever said matte is the new black is SERIOUSLY disturbed, ” but I’m starting to believe in matte’s staying power. As much as we hear that it’s a fad, a blip, a small moment in nail culture I can’t help but wonder if that’s just a wish rather than a prediction.
Check out what Orly is bringing to the matte table after the jump! |
Unlike other matte polish collections, Orly is the first brand to suggest using a base coat under the lacquers. I tried these on bare and base coated nails and the application over both was relatively smooth. Granted mattes are still unforgiving if your technique is uneven but I found this formula to be thinner and easier to work with than the OPI or Zoya mattes. Also, these shades are extremely pigmented so you barely need two coats.
FYI – A reader asked on Twitter if applying a matte top coat over matte polishes would extend their wear. I tested Nubar’s matte top coat over their Modern Matte polish and had major chipping after one day. A great suggestion but unfortunately not a solution.
Blue Suede isn’t a true matte and I LOVE that. I was expecting flat, lifeless wall paint a la OPI Russian Navy Matte but instead I was treated to a lovely dusty hue with a suede-like finish as the name suggests.
As I applied Purple Velvet I started to pick up on the theme. This shade has a slight hint of shimmer giving it a (say it with me kids) VELVET finish. This one lies on the red-grape side of the purple spectrum but I’m digging it anyway.
Matte Vinyl is definitely the most matte shade in the bunch. Looking at it, I can’t help but think of that chalkboard spray paint I’ve seen used on old episodes of Trading Spaces. It’s a bit too much for me but I think with a glossy tip I’d be all over it. Want to see what I mean? Check out a modified matte manicure on my friend Sara from Bit By the Beauty Bug.
The Orly Matte Couture collection launches in September. The polishes retail for $7.50/ea and can be purchased online at OrlyBeauty.com and our fave etailers (see sidebar) and in stores like Sally Beauty and ULTA.
What do we think? Are you liking the different finishes on these? Which colors struck your fancy? Am I slowly breaking down the matte haters? Let’s here it!
MAC is hitting us with a lot of nail color this spring. Almost all the collections include nail polish and Riveting, MAC’s ode to 80s rocker chic, is no exception. They’re hitching their wagon on the matte polish train with three true, flat mattes. Unlike the Jin Soon polishes that were rumored to be matte (they were cremes) these are matte polishes as we’ve come to know them.
I’m wearing Rimmel’s 60 second nail polish in Camouflage. My first time...
