365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. One of my favorite things about Fashion Week is when the nail brands and designers come together to create custom mixes.  Whether it’s to match a swatch of fabric or an inspirational image, I am always inspired to come home and franken up a new color or two. Every so often, one of those backstage blends makes it into production which saves my mixing bottles for other creations.  That was the case with Dashing Diva Tibi Couture.  At last year’s Fall 2010 runway show, Tibi’s Amy Smilovic requested a greyed mushroom hue for her model’s nails and Dashing Diva’s Pattie Yankee came up with the perfect mix.

Formula & Application: Dashing Diva nail polishes are 4-Free (including formaldehyde resin).  The square glass bottles come with a long, smooth plastic cap and a thin, round brush that is a bit longer than the norm.  The bristles are pretty flexible so covering the nail is pretty easy.

The polish feels kind of squishy when you apply it but it’s not watery or lacking pigment.  In fact, Tibi Couture gave me great coverage in two coats.  It dried so even, flawless and glossy that I didn’t even need to apply top coat before photographing it.

Tibi Couture was created backstage by mixing Dashing Diva Astor Place and West Village.  The original backstage color photographed very grey but the shade that went into production is much more mushroom than taupe.  I’d say it’s a few shades darker than what we think of as greige.  Something about it feels like the spring version of all those dark taupe greys that have been so popular (eg Chanel Paradoxal).

Bottom Line: Dashing Diva has a great formula and some unique colors.  If you follow fashion and like to emulate the looks from your favorite shows, this one is worth picking up.  Personally, I’m torn.  I like the color but don’t know if it’s something I would reach for over and over again.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: I’m at a stalemate.  I don’t think I have a dupe for Tibi Couture but I don’t know if I NEED it.  I’ll let you help me decide.  Tell me… would you Stash or Share?

Dashing Diva polishes are available at Dashing Diva salons and online at DashingDiva.com.  Nail polishes retail for $8/ea for a .5oz bottle.

What do you think of Tibi Couture?  Are you a fan of Dashing Diva polishes?  Have you been to a Dashing Diva salon?  I’ve been to a few and have always been impressed with the service I’ve received.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided by Dashing Diva.  For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

Katy Perry is one busy lady. Between her recent wedding to Russell Brand, the launch of her own fragrance, Purr, and the free concert she put on for the release of the Windows Phone she is probably going blind from all the camera flashes in her face. Being photographed at so many public, and not so public, appearances means your makeup, hair and nails have to be on point.  To keep her digits looking perfect, Katy has been relying on Manicurist Pattie Yankee, Executive Technical Director for Dashing Diva. I spoke with Pattie to find out more about Katy’s candy coated tips from the performance and the glittering gray nails she wore to the Purr launch event yesterday in NYC.  Keep reading to find out how each look was created.

To go with the candy themed concert for Windows Phone launch, Katy asked Pattie to give her “Candyland” nails. Pattie showed Katy the options below and Katy chose the center design, a multi-color sprinkle covered nail.

Get The Look: Pattie coated Katy’s nails in a layer of clear CalGel and dipped them in the sprinkles before curing for 2 minutes. She then applied a layer of Dashing Diva Soak Off Top Gel.

Pattie noted that this is where she would have stopped had Katy not been playing guitar later that night. At Katy’s request she encased the sprinkles in multiple layers of CalGel to prevent any pieces of candy from popping off while performing.

As you can see in the pic from Katy’s Twitter account, the nails are pretty thick due to the extra CalGel.  Those sprinkles are going NOWHERE!  While the nails are much thicker than I would wear, I do love this look.  It’s so whimsical and Willy Wonka-esque which, based on Katy wearing Oompa Loompa Minx, may have been an inspiration.  And can I just say how happy I am to see a celeb rocking nail art on short nails? I’m so sick of the talons. I’m looking at you Rihanna!

Shortly after the concert, Katy began the press tour for her fragrance, Purr. This time Pattie gave her a sparkly gray manicure.

Get The Look: To ensure a long lasting manicure Pattie used Dashing Diva Gelife Color Gel in Astor Place at Dawn, a new shade. Like OPI Axxium, DD Gelife is a soak-off gel polish.  She used three coats and then added a layer of Gelish Water Field to bring on the bling, sealing it with a layer of DD Gelife Top Gel.

Recreate The Look: Astor Place at Dawn isn’t available in the Dashing Diva Polish line but they have a color called Astor Place that you could use as a substitute though any light gray polish would work. Think RBL Concrete Jungle, Barielle U-Concrete-Me, MAC On The Prowl, Orly Mirror Mirror, Maybelline Gray-T Glamour.  Top your polish with a clear based glittery silver top coat. CND Silver Sparkling or Nicole by OPI Wink of Twink come to mind.

Which of Katy’s latest nail looks do you prefer?  Would you wear candy on your nails?  What nail polish combo would you use to recreate Katy’s glitzy gray tips?

image credit: Pattie Yankee, WireImage and Katy Perry via Twitpic. Do not republish without permission.

Oh hello there!  I didn’t forget about the challenge.  I’ve just been running around NYC like a madwoman.  I returned late Wednesday night and literally slept my Thursday away.  A week of only sleeping four hours a night will do that to you.  I could actually crawl into bed right now, I’m that tired. Not that you want to hear about any of that.  I was having an absolutely fabulous time so a little sleep deprivation is a small price to pay.  So Day 4 for me was Sunday.  It’s always one of my fave days at NYFW because it kicks off with the triple threat beauty team of Deborah Lippmann, Sarah Lucero from Stila and Ted Gibson backstage at Lela Rose. Since I knew I’d be seeing Deb, I concocted a layering combo using her holiday color Today Was A Fairytale.  I’ve been pretty obsessed with it ever since I wore it to an Emmy watching party.  This time instead of using a pale blue underneath I opted for something a little more industrial and gritty, the new Dashing Diva Penthouse Views from their fall color collection.

My day actually started an hour before the Lela Rose show when I went backstage at Derek Lam and got to see the talented Jin Soon again. She showers me with more love than I deserve and always compliments my nail color. We have very similar taste when it comes to nails so getting a compliment from Jin is very high praise.

The base color of this manicure, Dashing Diva Penthouse Views is a metallic gunmetal gray. It looks more shimmery in the bottle but on the nail, you see those telltale metallic streaks.  I hadn’t actually worn this color on my nails prior to this so I was disappointed in the application and VERY happy to be layering something over it.  The consistency was pretty thick and while the color is very pigmented I wouldn’t wear it on its own simply because the finish is so streaky.

However, applying a coat of Deborah Lippmann Today With A Fairytale on top really saved the day. The streaks were still there but the glitter and hexagonal sequins masked it for the most part. Unless you held my nails up to your face, you weren’t going to see any problems including the oops I made on my pinkie finger when I accidentally bumped the polish with an orange wood stick. At 2am mistakes are bound to happen!

Deborah Lippmann Today Was A Fairytale is available now at Barneys NY stores and will be coming to DeborahLippmann.com in October. Dashing Diva’s Fall 2010 nail color collection is available now on DashingDiva.com and at Dashing Diva salons.

What do you think of this combo?  Do you like Today Was A Fairytale better over the light blue-grey or this gunmetal shade?  What colors would you suggest putting underneath it?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by Deborah Lippmann and Dashing Diva. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

Brian Wolk and Claude Morais, the designers behind Ruffian, have declared the “moon manicure” their signature nail.  After two seasons of incorporating the moon mani into their runway look, the nail world went nuts for the crescent moon inspired design from their Fall ’10 show (shown left). Each season it’s not just about a moon manicure it’s about invoking a specific look or reference.  The Fall ’09 ruby colored moon (below right) was inspired by a vintage Vogue cover while the Spring ’09 raspberry and black art deco design (below left) was pulled from a tapestry. For Fall ’10 the nail came together in a magical way. After meeting with the designers, CND’s Jan Arnold was walking the Manhattan streets when she looked up to see a crescent moon glowing against the midnight blue sky. The moon had a golden cast to it and she was immediately inspired. When she spoke to the designers, they had also seen the moon and had the same thought to translate it onto a nail.

What makes this version of the moon manicure so unique is that instead of a half oval moon it has an upside down crescent shape.  It’s as though your cuticles are smiling up at you.  That small sliver of gold really pops against the matte navy tip.  So how do you recreate this look at home?  Well it’s easier than you think.  While I can’t paint a traditional moon to save my life, my amateurish nail art skills were able to pull this off.

There are actually two ways you can recreate the Ruffian Manicure.  One is how CND actually did it and the other is their suggested at-home method.  If you watch the video below you’ll see the way they created the runway nails using pre-made chrome tips, like the Dashing Diva Design Nails I told you about.

I recreated the look using the same Dashing Diva Gold Digger tips I posted about yesterday with Orly Blue Suede on top. I chose to use Blue Suede because it gives the same satin finish of the CND version without the need for two products. I’m all for simplification.

Application: I did each layer in 5 strokes.  Start with a minimal amount of polish in your brush.  Stroke 1 – Place brush in middle of nail about a 1/4 inch from the cuticle line.  Sweep in a curved motion to the side of your nail.  Stroke 2 – Sweep in the opposite direction. Stroke 3 – Fill in the middle.  Stroke 4 & 5 are optional.  I needed them to even out the surface.  Repeat with a second coat of polish.

If you don’t have chrome tips on hand try CND’s DIY method.  They suggest using CND Gold Chrome, Inkwell and Super Matte Top Coat.  My bottle of Gold Chrome is M.I.A. so I used Milani My Network from their new Liquid Metal line.  This is the same application process as above only you put down a layer of the gold polish first.  Make sure it’s dry before applying Inkwell so it doesn’t pull any of the gold.

Add a layer of CND Super Matte for that satiny finish.  For some reason Super Matte dried somewhat uneven and milky over inkwell which is odd because it’s been very smooth over other colors.  It could just be my application.  Alternate satin finish top coats include Barielle Matte-inée and Orly Nails For Males (their Satin is dc’d).

While I really loved this look on the models, I’m not digging it on my nail shape. It makes my tips look even shorter and fatter than they already are. I think if I had a more length or a rounded shape it would look better.

CND products can be purchased at salons and spas nationwide. Orly Blue Suede can be found at Head2ToeBeauty.com and Dashing Diva Gold Digger tips can be purchased on DashingDiva.com.

What do you think of the Ruffian Manicure? Have you tried it yourself? What variations on the look have you come up with? I’m thinking of trying a one color matte & glossy version.

Disclosure: Products from CND, Orly and Dashing Diva were furnished to me by the brands. I purchased Milani My Network. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

Ever since Beyonce made Golden Lightening Minx an international hit, nail fanatics worldwide have been looking for a way to replicate the look at home. Brands have been putting out “Minx-like” polishes but no lacquer can truly achieve that blinding chrome finish. Now thanks to Dashing Diva’s Design Nails on the Go… you can bling your nails like Beyonce for a fraction of the Minx service price.  These full coverage stick-on nails come in range of chrome finishes and animal prints. I had the good fortune of running into Pattie Yankee, Product Development Advisor and Lead Educator for Dashing Diva Professional, backstage during Fashion Week where she showed me these fun tips.  She sent me home with a set in Gold Digger to try out and they are just what I was looking for.

As you know, I tried Minx over a year ago when the service first came to Cleveland.  While I loved the look and zero dry time, I had wear issues and wasn’t jazzed over the cost.  So to find a product that can give me the same look for a quarter of the cost is music to my ears.

Package Contents: Each Dashing Diva Design Nails on the Go… kit comes with 28 tips in a range of sizes, a Nail Prep Cleanser Pad to help with adhesion and an orange wood stick.

Application: Just like with any press-on nail, you want to remove any polish with remover, push back cuticles using the orange wood stick, prep the nails with the cleanser pad and press on the nail.

I had no problem finding nails that fit me and they easily pressed onto my nail beds.  The drawbacks for me are the thickness of the nails (they don’t look natural) and the long square shape.  Though since these are somewhat of a novelty product I don’t mind the thickness.  How real can chrome nails look anyway?  The shape was really bugging me though so I was happy to discover that the nails can be shaped without damaging the finish.

Customization: I used a coarse grit file held at a 45 degree angle under my nail to shape the tips.  I wanted them to be shorter and more round.  I finished with a smooth buffer to make sure there were no jagged edges.  There was quite a bit of dust so work over a surface that you can easily clean.  Of course, I ended up scratching the surface of two of the nails in the process but that’s my damage, not any fault of the nails.

Wear and Removal: I wore these for a day to see how they hold up to everyday tasks. Um, they don’t. Taking a shower or washing dishes without gloves (not that you do that) will cause the tips to come off. Since they are removed by soaking in warm water you want to avoid extended exposure to water at all costs. My suggestion, apply them just before you go out so they won’t come off while getting ready.  Oh and don’t worry about nail damage. The nails came right off and didn’t take any of my natural nail with it.

Bottom Line: I have always considered Minx to be a special occasion product due to it’s iffy wear time and over-the-top designs. So to get the same look for a fraction of the price is definitely worth it. The fact that they come off so easily is a downside but they’ll make it through one night which is all I’m looking for.

Dashing Diva Design Nails on the Go… retail for $8/set and can be purchased on DashingDiva.com. Now Sephora was carrying some special designs on their site but I only see the Black French left.  Those are available at Sephora.com for $10/set.  I bought the Skull & Crossbones set a while back and they are too adorable.  I hope they bring them back.

Are you loving these chrome press-ons?  I totally want the blue and red metallics to alternate for the 4th of July.  It’s a shame Sally Hansen stopped selling their chrome tips.  They would have been a sell out hit right now.  How many of you wear full coverage nails on the regular?  Will having options like chrome and animal print encourage  you to start?

Disclosure: A product sample was furnished to me by a representative from Dashing Diva. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

It’s that time again Fanatics.  New York Fashion Week has kicked into high gear and I am here in NYC once again to bring you the nail scoop as it happens.  I’m kicking things off tonight at the Charlotte Ronson show where Cleveland based manicurist Julie Kandalec (from Jennifer & Co. in Mentor) will be keying the show using China Glaze colors.  I can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with! NYFW officially started two days ago and unfortunately I was still in the Cleveburg while some hot nail fashions rocked the runway.  butter London, CND and Dashing Diva all put out some stellar looks over the past couple days and I’ve got a quick recap on what we’ve missed after the jump!

First up, Nonie Creme of butter London worked with Vena Cava to create a unique purple with a milky film. She custom blended the shade right on site after their initial test run of a burgundy nail fell flat. Check out these behind-the-scenes videos where Nonie talks about the look for Vena Cava and how the color was created. I have to say I’m uber bummed about missing this show because she always creates such unique shades for Vena Cava. British Racing Green came out of last February’s show so I hope that means this polish will be making its way to us come fall.

Follow Nonie backstage on Twitter @NonieCreme or @butterLondon

Next we’ll take a look at the Ruffian show where CND created a custom tip using a matte navy blue with a chrome moon. I love that Ruffian is so into nails. They chose a deep red moon manicure last February and a unique raspberry and black design to match a tapestry last season so it’s really no surprise to see another one-of-a-kind look from the CND team.

Follow Jan and the CND Team on Twitter @CNDWorld and check out Jan’s blog for daily recaps.

via MAC’s Heather Park on Tweetphoto

Finally, Dashing Diva upped the ante when they pulled out these glass metallic nails. Designers Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs collaborated with Pattie Yankee to create a look of raw elegance, by using a gritty, animalistic texture for the nails. Pattie used Dashing Diva Chrome Press-On Nails with an appliqué of crushed glass glitter in black and silver to give out-standing texture to nails.

via MAC’s Keri B. on Mobypicture.

Well, I’m off to the tents and then out to dinner with some of my fave beauty & fashion bloggers.  I’ll be back with more updates and even some live blog posts throughout the week.  And my NYFW NOTD Challenge is back on.  I’m taking on the task of changing my nail color daily so stay tuned to see what I’m wearing.

Last February I had my first experience with what is now becoming a major trend in nails; Soak-off UV Gel Nail Polish.  You see my pal Heather Park from SeoulDiva had been raving for months about this NYC salon Sakura and showing off her wicked cool nail art designs using the CalGel brand of soak-off polish.  Heather has managed to get more than a few of her friends hooked on Sakura including MAC Artist Keri B. who has posted some her designs on Twitter. You can read about my experience and see some more CalGel designs HERE. Since that time Fanatics have emailed asking about CalGel and the other brands of soak-off polish on the market, including OPI’s new Axxium product so I’m giving you the 411 on the whole soak-off phenomenon after the jump.

What is Soak-off Gel Polish?
Unlike a traditional nail polish, soak-off gel polish is painted on with a brush and each layer is “cured” under a UV light to dry. Soak-off Gels come in a wide array of colors and finishes and like our “frankenpolishes” they can be mixed to create new colors. The purple on my tips (above) was a custom blended shade.

What are the benefits?
Dry time – The UV light dries the polish within minutes which means no dry time, no smudging, no dents. Talk about the perfect winter pedicure choice
Long lasting – Soak-off Gel lasts from 2-3 weeks with no chipping.
Less damaging – Unlike traditional enhancements you don’t have to fear the drills or filing down of your nails.
Works on natural nails – While you can add length if you choose, Soak-off Gel Polish can be used over a natural nail like traditional polish.
You can layer polish on top – If you want to change your color mid-manicure, you can. Paint right over Soak-Off Gel with regular nail polish and remove it with non-acetone remover.

What are the negatives?
Cost – Soak-off Gel Polish can only be applied by a professional and the service is more costly than a traditional manicure. If you are really skilled, you can buy a UV light and gel polish online but it’s not a cheap set-up.
Removal – While Sakura offers fill-ins, if you want to change your color, you must completely remove the polish every time. You can either pay to have the polish professionally removed or do the soak-off process (or to the MUA nail board “foil method”) at home. Soak a piece of cotton in acetone and then wrap the nail with aluminum foil. For me, even after soaking, I still had to file some of it off.
Nail growth shows – One of the reason’s my pal Heather tends to wear CalGel designs with a clear base is because it makes nail growth less obvious. If you choose a dark, solid color, by week two, growth will be very apparent.
Time – Getting a Soak-off Gel manicure can take longer than a traditional manicure. Especially if you are getting a gradation, nail art or using a dark color. I’ve heard with the darker shades, you need quite a few coats to get it the right color.

Brands
Several brands make a soak-off product with a wide array of colors. The most talked about brands include Akzentz, Bio Sculpture Color Gel, CalGel, Dashing Diva Gelife, IBD, and OPI Axxium.  Akzentz, Bio Sculpture, CalGel and IBD come in a range of colors and finishes including glitter. Gelife is currently offering sheer, natural shades to enhance the nail’s natural beauty but I hear they intend to offer additional colors.  Axxium comes in 26 colors based on existing OPI polish shades including You Don’t Know Jacques, Russian Navy, I’m Not Really A Waitress, Lincoln Park After Dark and Bubble Bath.

Where can I get a Soak-off Gel Manicure?
I suggest contacting the companies to locate a salon near year using their products but make sure you investigate the salon and ask how long they’ve been using the product.  If you are interested in nail art or gradations, ask about their experience doing those as well and inquire about a website or online gallery of their work.

I emailed CalGel and found a salon on the west side of Cleveland and my salon John Robert’s Salon & Spa just started offering OPI Axxium.  The last time I was there all the stylists I talked to who were wearing it, were really pleased.

And if you’re in Rhode Island, I suggest you check out the Nail Gallery from Gel Essentialz and book an appointment with Gina Silvestro ASAP. My friend, Celebrity Manicurist Elle, told me about Gina and she creates some sick designs.

So how many of you are curious about Soak-off Gel Polish?  Have you tried it?  Tell us about your experience, including which brand you used, in the comments!

Hey kids! Guess who’s got the scoop on the new Dashing Diva collection? That’s right, moi! To celebrate the new year and a successful five years in New York, Dashing Diva is launching The Manhattan Collection which just happens to coincide with the opening of their 8th New York location on Long Island.

The Manhattan Collection
Central Park After Dark – a soft wine, burgundy

East Village – chocolate brown

NYPD Blue – true dark navy blue

The Red Carpet – true bright red

And just in time for the holidays, Dashing Diva released two new metallics. Rich and sparkling to add a bit of flair to your party look, Golden Opportunity and A Silver Lining are pure bling.

Dashing Diva products can be found at their salons and online at DashingDiva.com. Right now, they have a bunch of colors on sale for 25% off, including one of my favorite blues ever… Stellar Ella, so check it out.

Full reviews of The Manhattan Collection are on their way so stay tuned.

I swear, I need to live on a “coast”. That’s where everything fun happens. This time it’s the NYC gals turn. Dashing Diva, the most pink-tastic nail salon I’ve ever seen, is hosting a party that I can only describe, in Elle Woods speak, as “super fun.” The Legally Pink Pedicure Party including a Bend & Snap competition. Here are the deets:

Who: Dashing Diva and the female cast of Legally Blonde the Musical, including lead actress Laura Bell Bundy

When: Thursday June 26th 4-6pm

Where: Dashing Diva nail spa, 149 3rd Avenue, between 14th & 15th Street

Bend & Snap Competition
The female cast members from Legally Blonde will be judging the best Bend & Snap move with prizes going to the first THREE winners: 1st prize wins a pair of 2 tickets to the hit Broadway musical, Gift Certificate for one Elle of a Pedicure, and a gift bag with Dashing Diva and Legally Blonde musical goodies; 2nd prize wins a pedicure and goodie bag; and 3rd prize wins a stuffed goodie bag.

And in case you’re unfamiliar with the Bend & Snap, here’s a little tutorial.

If you go… take pics and report back! Share your pics with the group by emailing them to me at alllacqueredup@yahoo.com. We all want to hear about it!

A trip to New York isn’t complete without a stop at Dashing Diva. It’s the perfect destination for a little pampering and a girly good time. So when I was in the city for Fashion Week back in February, I had to pencil in a manicure with some of my beauty blogging pals.

This time we visited the Upper West Side location and I had a chance to replace my broke down four day old mani with a fab cobalt blue; Stellar Ella (see left). Pictured with me is Julia from All About the Pretty and Erika from Makeup Bag. We were joined by our fearless Beauty Blog Network leader Elke and the fabulous and charming Sam from Dark PR who made the excursion possible.

Of course in the sea of conservative french manicures and pale pinks my tips stood out but I’m sure they would have been right at home with the funkier clientele at the downtown locale. But you know me, I’ll flash my bold nail personality anywhere. And the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and professional. As expected the service was top notch and extremely hygienic which just makes my desire for a Cleveland Dashing Diva even stronger. Are you listening TPTB?

I took my time perusing the massive polish display and fell in love with a few shades that I just had to make my own. They’re not necessarily Spring season appropriate but they’re must haves for my collection.

Black Diamonds – I first wore this shade back in November and I regretted not bringing a bottle home. And while the gunmetal gray trend may not be as strong this coming fall, I still think this color is relevant. It’s got a bluish, slightly lavender base that softens the dark gray pigment. Super shiny and a relatively brush stroke-less metallic, Black Diamonds is mesmerizing.

Merlot Luscious Molly caught my attention with its subtle gold shimmer that weaves throughout this deep wine inspired shade. It’s even richer in person and in warm, incandescent lighting takes on a pretty rust colored cast.

Northern Lights is a no brainer “me” hue. A blue based green with gold shimmer that is peppered with bronze, blue and green glitter, this polish is truly unique. Depending on the lighting it can lean towards either blue or green. And while it may not appeal to the mainstream, I’m in love. Though if it were up to me, this color would be called Under The Sea. It’s the color you’d see while scuba diving, looking up at the sun sparkling on the surface.
Dashing Diva polishes retail for $7.99 and can be purchased online or in the salon. For more information go to their website, http://www.dashingdiva.com/.