Welcome to CND Monday, a regular series here on ALU. Each week I’ll be sharing a new layering combination from CND Colour & Effects to show you the versatility and creativity of the line. As New York Fashion Week draws near I wanted to share with you the nail looks from my favorite show from the Spring 2010 season, Diego Binetti.  As CND’s Jan Arnold told me, Diego gets nails and really understands the importance of incorporating them into the overall look. Now in season’s past, the CND team has used a lot of custom blends but with the launch of Colour & Effects they challenged themselves to use layering as much as possible to create the exact shade each designer wanted.  For Diego Binetti, they took on the task of translating his Thailand inspiration onto the models’ nails using various combinations of CND Copper Chrome, Electric Orange, Brilliant White, Buff, Inkwell, Ice Blue Shimmer and Gold Pearl with some very intricate nail art.

I spoke with CND Education Ambassador Roxanne Valinoti backstage about the two sides of Binetti’s collection and how the nails worked into that theme. There were two very distinct stories happening on the Binetti runway; Thai Day and Thai Night.  Inspired by the land, the people, the fabrics, etc. the CND team played with the idea of sunrise and sunset for Thai Day while incorporating jewels, beading and an electrified sapphire into the look for Thai Night. For Thai Day each model wore nails that corresponded with different points in the sun’s rise and fall using Brilliant White, Electric Orange, Buff and Copper Chrome Colours and Gold Pearl Effect.  The models were even “inked” on their wrists with the time of day they represented. Thai Night was all about luxury and opulence.  Beads, crystals and foils were intertwined with a layering combination of Inkwell and Ice Blue Shimmer to bring a sense of mystery and fantasy.

Thai Day

The sun in the Thai Day nails was created using Electric Orange as a base.  Part of the CND secondary shades, Electric Orange is a very pure reflection of the color wheel.  It’s vivid without being neon and as I would expect from CND, it’s well pigmented and smooth.

To tone down the boldness of Electric Orange, a layer of the creamy, sheer Buff results in a soft melon hue.

Since I have no business picking up a nail art brush, especially compared to the genius work above, I opted for the easy way out; a simple modified french to represent the sunrise.  CND used a base of Brilliant White under their suns as did I, though I have to say this is the first polish from the collection that doesn’t score a 10 in application.  I needed three coats to avoid streaks.  After applying a line of Electric Orange to my tip, I used a wash of Buff to mellow out the look.

To represent the sunset, the CND team started with a base of Copper Chrome.  Copper Chrome is an extremely pigmented metallic that applies very smooth though a bit brush stroke-y.  Nowhere near as bad as some metallics I’ve used but you can still see the lines.

They then added a layer of CND’s Super Matte to take off the shine.  To me, Super Matte is not the most accurate name for this top coat since it leaves a more satin finish than other matte top coats I’ve tried but if you don’t want an uber-flat finish this is a great option.

The sunset nails that include hand painted suns have an added layer of Gold Pearl to give an iced cappuccino effect.  It reminds me of the old CND duo-chrome Make A Wish.

Thai Night

I was honestly amazed when I saw this beam of vibrant blue staring up at me.  I couldn’t believe it wasn’t some sort of mix though I hadn’t yet tried the Shimmers from the Effects line.  Sure I was wowed by Sapphire Sparkle after my trip to Cosmoprof but I didn’t know the transformative powers of the Shimmers.  I couldn’t wait to get home and try this new-to-me combo of Inkwell and Ice Blue Shimmer.  As you can see below, it’s simply stunning.

You can find CND Colour & Effects at salons nationwide and online at our fave e-tailers (see sidebar). Colours retail for $9/ea and Effects retail for $11/ea.

What do you think of these looks Fanatics?  Which one is your fave?  Have you tried layering CND Colours without Effects?  What is your favorite combo?

Disclosure: A product sample was furnished to me by CND. For further information view my Disclosure Policy.

Welcome to CND Monday, a new feature here on ALU. Each week I’ll be sharing a new layering combination from CND Colour & Effects to show you the versatility and creativity of the line. When I first saw the Colour & Effects line I naturally gravitated towards the primary and secondary hues. You know, “me” colors. It wasn’t until I had some time to play with the line at home that I’ve begun discover all this line has to offer. Muddy Rose is one of those discoveries. I’ve been on a mauve kick for fall ever since I saw the Reem Acra dress that inspired Get Mauve-ing from the Barielle All Lacquered Up collection. Now I’m on a full fledged dusty pink/rose/purple spree and Muddy Rose fits the bill. See it on its own and paired with Raspberry Sparkle after the jump!

If you missed my detailed review of the new CND Formula, Bottle and Brush check out CND Colour, Effects and Henna? for a recap.

I got my first glimpse of Muddy Rose in action when it was being used backstage at the Carolina Herrera show during Fashion Week. I was instantly drawn to its muted rosy hue. I couldn’t wait to get home and try it myself. The polish is so heavily pigmented that it barely needs two coats though it’s not at all thick or tricky to maneuver.
Adding a layer of complimentary Effect, Raspberry Sparkle, lightened the shade adding a smattering of bling. I love that the sparkle family of Effects dries smooth and glossy with no texture. The glitter lies flat but gives a multidimensional look. I remember this particular Effect being an editor fave during the CND launch at Cosmoprof and I can definitely see why.

As I mentioned above, Muddy Rose made its runway debut on the models at Carolina Herrera. It was used in a layering combination over CND’s black, Blackjack, to create a muted-out mauve. Carolina chose the combo to complete the overall look of her collection that was inspired by woven Japanese baskets and included a lot of texture, maroon and luxe gowns.Diane Kendal for MAC gave the girls a “fresh, pretty, timeless” look consisting of a soft smokey brown eye and natural lip using one of my fave lip colors MAC Twig as a stain. Orlando Pita for Moroccan Oil created a romantic, lavish updo incorporating gold and silver metallic beads woven through the hair. It was definitely one of my fave hair looks of the week. Simply stunning and innovative, something I’ve come to expect from Orlando.

CND’s Angi Wingle was leading the team in polishing the fingers and toes on all the models. Application Tip: When layering, apply the base color leaving a small space between the color and cuticle to avoid the polish peeking out behind the top layer.

You can find CND Colour & Effects at salons nationwide and online at our fave e-tailers (see sidebar). If you’re looking to stock up on some of your old CND faves GoIndulge.com is clearancing out a lot of their stock for only $2/ea!!

So is anyone else having a mauve moment? What do you think of Muddy Rose?

In case you were wondering, the mint green train isn’t stopping anytime soon. I know some of you feel it’s too light for Fall/Winter but I’m so all over it, I can’t stand it! In fact, Essie is introducing her twist on the minty nail trend in her candy-themed Winter 2009 collection. I had the privilege of meeting Essie backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. In fact, I saw her two days in a row. How crazy is that? A friend introduced me in the backstage area and we chatted for a few and then the next day she hosted a press event for the limited edition Capri Blue polish she created for MBFW. That’s when I first laid eyes on the Winter colors and you KNOW I fixated on that green. Get all the details and see the colors, after the jump!

First of all, let me say that Essie is a doll to chat with. I was uber-intimidated to meet such a giant in the polish industry and her statuesque figure only adds to her presence. She’s one tall drink of water. But my butterflies were unwarranted because Essie is very down-to-earth, extremely inviting and so in love with color. When asked what colors she loves to wear, Essie admitted that while she’s normally a Bordeaux girl when it comes to her toes, she wore Lacquered Up all summer. And because she spends a lot of her time in meetings, she prefers to keep her fingernails pretty and safe. She wears combinations of sheers and pales, changing her look each week. Some fave combos include Ballet Slippers with Mademoiselle and Fed Up with Blushing Bride though she’s currently loving Mademoiselle with Blushing Bride.

For Fashion Week she collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create a polish to match their Capri Blue metallic paint. Essie Capri Blue was available exclusively in the Mercedes-Benz backstage lounge but you can get a similar look wearing Midnight Cami from the Fall Cuddle With Color collection.

For Winter, Essie wanted something whimsical, fun and refreshing. She created these confections with that in mind.

Rock Candy is your typical Essie pink sheer. It’s a bit milky and I ended up using three coats to get it even. You know I’m not one for sheers so it’s not really my style.
Lollipop is unique in that it applied like a glaze. Not jelly-ish and not creamy more like a lip gloss. Though in spite of its texture the color is opaque in two coats. Very unusual and candy-like for such a traditional red hue.
Mint Candy Apple is the pièce de résistance. You know how I’ve swooned over the other mint greens to date and this one is in a class all its own. This really does look like pastel after dinner mints. Oh how I love those. So delicious and melty in your mouth. This beauty is creamy, slightly blue and unfortunately for your wallets, utterly unique. Even though it took three coats for a completely even, opaque finish, I. Don’t. Care. It’s gorgeous!

I swatched it next to every mint green I own and not a one comes close. Lined up against its predecessors it totally stands out.

What do we think Fanatics? Who’s up for mint green-a-palooza this winter?

Known for his love of color, Chris Benz’s Spring 2010 show did not disappoint. His collection included bright pops of yellow, pink, purple and blue in shapes both feminine and strong. To compliment the clothes the teams from Lancome and Redken were on hand to create the makeup, hair and nail looks. Find out how it all came together and get a real life look at the next Lancome Pout-A-Porter lipstick after the jump!

Lancome Makeup Artist Daniel Martin created the doll-like face on the models. He likened it to Raggedy Ann minus the flaming red hair. He wanted to create a neutral palette to balance against Chris’s colorful collection. Pale, hydrated skin paired with pumped up lashes and a single pop of color on the lips are the essentials to this doll-face. The key products to creating the look are Shu Uemura Nobara Foundation, Lancome Ageless Minerale Translucent Powder, Lancome Pop ‘N Cheeks in Coral Flirt (launching Spring 2010), Lancome Hypnose Mascara and Lancome L’Absolu Rouge lipstick in Chris & Tell.

John Ruidant for Redken is a man that knows how to wield a curling iron and as a curl challenged girl, I LOVE that about him. John said that because Chris’s collection has a lot of texture and color, he played off that idea creating a very textured hairstyle. He began by spraying Fabricate 03 and power drying it into the hair. After creating a side part he curled the entire head with a 1 1/4 inch iron, spraying each section with Hot Sets 22 and slightly backcombing the piece to set in some roughness. John said it wasn’t about creating a perfect, smooth curl. That he wanted disheveled, haphazard sporadic waves with no brushes or combs involved. Finally, he mixed Outshine 01 & Glass 01 together and ran his fingers through the hair. On the girls wearing low-cut tops he added a side twist to show off the shape of the clothes. He noted that it’s a very user friendly style that we can all replicate at home.

On the nail front, Editorial Manicurist Sheril Bailey tended to the models tips and toes. She created a flattering round nail shape which follows the theory from her book, The Sheril Bailey Complete Manicuring and Nail Care Handbook, of mimicking the cuticle line. She feels that a rounded nail is more feminine than a flat square.

In terms of polish, instead of a matchy-matchy look, which I rarely do, she opted for a coordinated color combo with a lighter bright hue on the hands and a deeper, bold shade on the feet. The lacquers, launching this November, are called Bon Bon Strawberry (fingers) and Mademoiselle Grape (toes). They are part of a very special Lancome project that I can’t wait to tell you about.

The biggest beauty news of the day was the unveiling of Chris & Tell, the 5th lipstick in Lancome’s Pout-A-Porter series. Chris & Tell is a collaboration between Chris and Daniel that came about after many hours of brainstorming in Chris’s studio. Daniel told me, “we initially wanted to do something that was beige but being that we are both from Seattle, we wanted color. We were drawn to this orange, this coral and it just manifested itself.”

The year before, Chris designed Elettra Rossellini-Wiedemann’s dress for The Met’s “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” gala and Daniel custom mixed a lipstick for her that ended up becoming the springboard for Chris & Tell.

According to Daniel, even though the shade is bold, it has a pink undertone that makes it very wearable. And the L’Absolu Rouge formula allows you to wear it as a stain or a full color lipstick. I put my sample of Chris & Tell to the test the very next day and received many compliments. Here are my swatches of the shade.

FYI, the waiting list for Chris & Tell is now open so if you want a tube of this limited edition lipstick when it launches next Spring, I suggest you call the Lancome Boutique at (212) 362-4858.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the lipstick and the overall look. I’m definitely going to try to replicate the hair. I’m obsessed with how beautifully messy it is. What about you?

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.

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?

After 7 long, tiring, fun-filled days in NYC, I returned home with one desire… to recoup!! Fashion Week takes a lot out of a girl. I have so many exciting things I want to share with you from my trip but let’s start off with the results of my NOTD Challenge (click to read part 1). In case you missed it, I challenged myself to wear a different nail color every day of NYFW. While I failed to change my color EVERY day, I did make a valiant effort.

Hear tales from my trip and see what colors I picked after the jump!

When we left off I was wearing Zoya Savita on the day of the Total Beauty Blogging Summit and Fashion’s Night Out. Wouldn’t you know it, I ended up being invited backstage to a show and seeing Deborah Lippmann while wearing another brand. The horror!!

The next day, Friday, I had a visit to the Chanel offices planned so naturally I wore Jade. It launched the night before at the Chanel SoHo Boutique for Fashion’s Night Out and I spotted it on many ladies backstage that day. Considering the torrential downpour outside, Jade brought a bit of sunshine and light to a very gloomy day. Can we say rain-soaked shoes and a ruined blowout? Good times!

I was running late on Saturday, no time for a change. Luckily Roxanne Valinoti from CND was there to freshen up my look. She added a coat of Jade Sparkle from the new Effects line to totally bling me out! And once Jan Arnold set her sights on the shade, they started layering different Colours trying to duplicate the hue. Using Green Scene as a base, they came very close but not dead on. I hope they’ll keep working to find a twin.

Saturday night I went to a fab blogger party hosted by Lianne from The Makeup Girl and Paul from Beyond Beauty Basics. I was running so late that I didn’t even realize it was THE Ted Gibson holding the door for me at the W Hotel until the next morning when he asked if I enjoyed the party. What a memory he has. But seriously, how oblivious can I be? The man is a tall drink of gorgeous! Though I did get to meet his brilliant partner and hair color genius, Jason Backe, who said to me, “YOU’RE All Lacquered Up?” as though I’m someone to know. I was beyond flattered, to say the least.

Anywhoodle, post party and late night diner run I did this slightly drunken mani with Barielle Slate of Affairs in preparation of seeing my pal and ALU collection collaborator, Elle, at the Reem Acra presentation. Reem contacted Elle after reading that Slate of Affairs was based on one of her Fall collection gowns and asked her to do the nails for her show.
Monday was my uber-crazy seven show day and it started at 8am so as I’m sure you can guess, there was no color change. It wasn’t until I stopped by the CVS Beauty Lounge at Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab on Tuesday that my nails got a much needed switch.

Not only did I get to do a little people watching, like Top Chef guest judge and former Queer Eye food guy Ted Allen and Miss J from ANTM but I got a little pampering too. Jake Bailey from CoverGirl, who is so adorable, was doing touch-ups and helped me find a foundation that doesn’t just sit on my skin (Simply Ageless) while Sally Hansen was giving manicures. I decided that for my last day in the city I wanted a little party on my nails so I went with a layering combo of Xtreme Wear Disco Ball over In The Navy.
So that pretty much wraps up my own personal nail story at NYFW but not to fret there are many more updates to come. I spent the weekend processing everything I saw so I can bring you the best of the best in Fashion Week nails. Stay tuned!!

At every New York Fashion Week I’ve attended, one of the shows I most look forward to is Tracy Reese. I’ve been a fan of her colorful, feminine designs ever since I saw Lauren Ezersky interview her on Behind The Velvet Ropes. Oh how I pine over Style canceling that show. But it isn’t just the clothes that draw me in season after season. It’s her recurring partnership with Sally Hansen. For the past eight NYFW’s they’ve teamed up to bring runway ready colors to the masses and they’ve done it again with a brand new line called Complete Salon Manicure. Read on to view the chic, layered nails, get a peek at the new collection and see my first on-camera interview!

Tracy’s collection was all about contrast, embellishment and intense colors. Bringing together hard edges and soft shapes, layering opaque and sheer fabrics. It’s the layering that became the focus for the hair and nail teams. I spoke with Jeanie Syfu the hair stylist working with Tresemme (you may have seen her on Project Runway) who shared that she used Tracy’s concept of layering to create this sky high hair. Syfu explains, “There looks like there isn’t a lot happening but there is.” Using Tresemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse and Finishing Spray, she created three stacked ponytails that she pulled into a loose bun to keep the sides sleek and avoid restricting the height. For the at-home stylist, she recommends teasing the crown and gathering hair into a chignon. She added that teasing hair and then curling it with a 1″ iron creates fluffy volume. Meanwhile, Charlotte Willer for Maybelline went for a modern 20s makeup look. She wanted edge and got it with exaggerated penciled-in brows, glossy lids and heavy under-eye liner juxtaposed with sweet, pink lips. She used Shiny-licious Lip Gloss on the lids, Eye Studio shadow palette (launching in January) under the eye, Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara, Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush in Fresh Plum and Color Sensational Lip Color in Make Me Pink.

Of course the nails are what really caught my eye. Using the new Complete Salon Manicure line, set to launch this Spring, Sally Hansen Nail Expert Dana Caruso and her team painted the models’ nails with a rich black (Midnight In New York) topped with a sheer glitter (Hidden Treasure) that when combined look like burning embers in a pitch black night.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Boraczek, SVP of Marketing for Coty (Sally Hansen’s parent company), who told me that he often polls employees not connected to the line for their take on new shades. That when he asked about Hidden Treasure, his favorite description was that it looks like “crushed gems”.
Bill spoke of Tracy’s aversion to “frost” in creating the Spring collection. That she wanted to avoid the outdated look our mothers wore. So even though the vivid teal and bright yellow have been softened with a pearlescence to make them wearable, they’re still bold enough to be modern.

While backstage I was asked to do a quick interview about Sally Hansen and the nail trends I was seeing at Fashion Week. I was extremely nervous but flattered to have the opportunity. The footage has been used in a great recap of the show that includes interviews with Tracy Reese, Bill Boraczek, Dana Caruso and actress Gabrielle Union. Check it out!

image credit: Style.com and All Lacquered Up

My New York Fashion Week adventure is coming to close and I have so many exciting nail stories to share with you but today’s tale has nothing to do with the runway. Because some of the most outrageous and interesting nails are found behind the scenes on the manicurists, hair stylists, publicists, etc. It’s all about standing out and taking risks when it comes to nails at Fashion Week. Yes, there are a ton of safe, sheer pinks running around on the socialites and celebs in the front row but it’s backstage where all the nail magic lies. I spotted everything from blinged out glittery tips, funky CalGel designs and futuristic sculptured nails. Check out the utter creativity after the jump!

A highlight of every NYFW season is seeing CND’s Jan Arnold and checking out her latest nail concept. I can always expect something unique and innovative and this season was no exception. The clear tips remind me of the futuristic nails from the Barbie show last February. Very space age with an extremely feminine shape. And don’t you just LOVE that ring?

p.s. Check out Jan’s Fashion Week Blog and CND’s Facebook page for all the latest backstage scoop. There just might be a little something about ME mentioned there!
Fanatics, I was so excited to meet a new manicurist on the NYFW scene, Julie Kandalec. You see, I wrote about Julie way back in the day when I spotted her entry in the Nails Magazine 2008 Cover Tech Contest and realized she lived in my area. Now she’s taking on Fashion Week and rocking some glittering, sequined nails.
Backstage at Charlotte Ronson, my pal Sarah from StyleIt and I couldn’t help but notice Avon hair stylist Tippi Shorter‘s fab curly locks and gorgeous smiling face. It was when we had the chance to interview her that her nails caught my eye.
Tippi blinged out her digits with a gold sparkler from KleanColor that she just happened to have in her bag for touch ups. Smart girl!
Of course you’ve heard all about my pal Heather Park the Sakura CalGel queen. Here’s an up close and personal look at her bejeweled design.
It was Heather who introduced me to another CalGel artist backstage at the Jeremy Laing show. Look how precise and crisp her lines are! The detail is amazing.
What do you think Fanatics? What kind of nails would you wear to Fashion Week?

The biggest news on the lipstick front is the collaboration between Lancome and designer Chris Benz. It’s the fifth installment of the Pout-A-Porter series and I’ve got the scoop. Following in the footsteps of innovative designers like Thakoon, Peter Som, Benhaz Sarafpour and Proenza Schouler, Chris worked with makeup artist Daniel Martin to create a gorgeous shade that does total justice to the P-A-P series.

In a true stroke of genius, Lancome and Chris Benz involved their fans in the launch with a Facebook contest on Chris’s fan page to name the shade. The winner receives five of the lipsticks and a $500 Lancome gift card!

You may remember that I broke the news of this collaboration in my review of Declaring Indigo. Now, thanks to my friends at Lancome, I have the privilege of sharing the name and first look of this amazing lippie with all of you before its debut at New York Fashion Week.

Chris & Tell is the name Chris chose for the opaque peach color. Isn’t that adorable? Such a fun play on words. They used the color for the first time last week during the hair and makeup test as shown on model Elettra wearing one of Chris’s Spring 2010 dresses.
If you want your own tube of Lancome Chris & Tell, and why wouldn’t you, you better hop to it. The waiting list opened last Thursday during Fashion’s Night Out. Call the Lancome Boutique at 212-362-4858 to make sure you don’t miss out!

Hola from Fashion Week Fanatics!! I arrived in New York City on Wednesday and it’s been a whirlwind of activity ever since. Not only am I here to cover backstage nail, makeup and hair trends for a third season but I also had the pleasure of participating in some fun beauty blogger activities with Total Beauty. Between all of that and visiting some of my favorite brands, I’m one tired nail fanatic!

As if I don’t have enough things on my plate while I’m in town, I decided to tack one more to-do on the list. This season I challenged myself to wearing a different nail look each day. Take a peek at my Day 1 & 2 manicures after the jump!

You may remember that I visited the now famous Sakura last season to get a gel gradation manicure. It was great for a long week like this when I don’t have time to deal with chipping nails and tip wear. However this year I decided to switch it up on the daily.

You see I was inspired by my pal Heather from MAC. She initiated a NY Fashion Week Makeup Challenge to all us bloggers which is really fun but hard to pack for. My makeup bag can only carry so much. So while I’m doing something a little different each day I’m no wizard with a brush. BUT I can do something similar with nails. Enter the NOTD Challenge.

BT-dubs you MUST check out the FAB Sakura manicures my girls Heather, Dina and Sarah did for this week.

Day One – I flew in early Wednesday after being up all night, my usual pre-trip packing nightmare. Some time in the wee hours of the morning I did a quick mani with RBL Orbis Non Sufficit from The Blog Writer’s Colors collection. Since I’m wearing Mismas on my toes I wanted a strong green creme to pair with it and this one fit the bill.
Day Two – I received the new Zoya MatteVelvet Winter colors but didn’t have a chance to review them before leaving. Knowing I’d want to bring some matte looks to the party, I had to pack Savita. This is not my proudest photographic moment but it’s proof that I did the change.
Be sure to check back for more looks from my NYFW NOTD Challenge and stay tuned for lots of fun backstage coverage. It’s just getting started!