For Spring and Summer 2009, Orly hit us with three, count ‘em THREE, colorful new collections; Prepster, Carnivale and Tiki Time. While all three have some fun colors, none of them wowed me as a whole so I chose my favorites to show to you. Check out my Top 5 of the season after the jump!

One thing I noticed is that most of the bold creme shades are jelly-like in texture. They’re semi-sheer but buildable and have that glossy, rubberized look that makes jellies so cool. I know the sheers in the Prepster collection are great for layering but they just weren’t doing it for me.

Cashmere Cardigan is a stunning periwinkle blue creme. It’s well pigmented but looks best with three coats. To me this shade looks a lot like Essie Huckle Buckle, minus the shimmer.
I knew I would love Mint Mojito before I even saw it. I’m all over this bright spring green. It also needs three coats but who cares. It’s lovely. It’s actually more vibrant in person but it’s really hard to capture. Actually you should check out the manicure Brittany (aka Clumps of Mascara) did with Cashmere Cardigan and Mint Mojito. She did it herself and it’s way gorg!
Festival Lights is a beautious melon tinged orange. Like a perfectly ripe canteloupe, it’s vivid but not BRIGHT.
Country Club Khaki is the shade celebrity manicurist Jenna Hipp raved about when I interviewed her for WOYN? and it’s no wonder. This is a great neutral mushroom hue. It’s like the spring version of You Don’t Know Jacques.
Finally the shade that made my heart skip, Calypso Breeze. I can’t think of a blue in my stash that looks quite like this and I don’t even know how to describe it. It makes me think of lake water, the sky before a storm and denim all mixed together.
All these polishes are limited edition but still available online at Head2ToeBeauty.com and TransDesign.com. Orly is also carried at Sally Beauty Supply but seasonal collections tend to sell out fast so availability will vary by location.

So what did you think of the Orly Spring/Summer collections? Which colors did you pick up?

Last week I showed you the first half of the new Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition collection and now I’m wrapping up the back end and including a couple comparisons for you. I should note that I was not aware that there are actually eight shades in the collection. A reader pointed out that I am missing a pink named Digital. I incorrectly assumed that Opulent Cloud was the eighth polish in this lineup but it will actually launch closer to fall. Check out the rest of the colors, after the jump!

Lite has got to be one of my favorite yellows of late. It’s the yellow brick road in a bottle. I love how it glows on the nail and its pigmentation is way more impressive than its HD sisters.
Looking through my collection of yellows, OPI Lemonade Stand By Your Man is a very close twin to Lite. The only major difference is opacity. After three coats, the OPI still has a VNL (visible nail line). And just for funsies I threw in China Glaze Yell-O-Neil which is way more French’s mustard than the rest.
Three D is a warm coral that flashes hot pink. It’s not quite as vibrant as the other HDs and therefore not really wow-tastic. Of all the colors in this collection, this is the one I’d pass on.
Hi Res is much more rosy in person and extremely vivid, not an easy one to capture. It’s packed with pigment so three coats were barely necessary, though I did it anyway for consistency.
After seeing Blu in part one, reader moonchaii asked to see it next to Illamasqua Fern and China Glaze Frostbite. I’d say it falls somewhere in between the two.

The Sally Hansen Hi-Definition Nail Color collection ($5.95) officially launches in July at drugstores and mass retailers like WalMart, KMart and Target though readers have already begun spotting them on shelves around the country.

So now that you’ve seen all the shades, which ones are your favorites? Which ones are a pass?

Remember the Sally HD Hi-Definition line I told you about back in March? Well the wait is almost over. The collection will be on store shelves soon, July to be exact, and come in a rainbow of shades. The Tracy Reese designed, Opulent Cloud (click to view), will launch along with seven vivid, liquid crystal filled polishes. Are you scratching your head about how HD and nail polish go together? Unlike other HD beauty products, this isn’t going to make your nails look slimmer or flawless like a high def foundation intends to do. It’s working off the theory that liquid crystals, like those used in Hi-Def LCD TVs, will produce a true, vibrant multi-dimensional hue. Take a peek at the first half of the HD rainbow after the jump!

The first thing I noticed about the formula is how thin and smooth it is. Using the same bottle shape and brush as the Lacquer Shines, the polish applies extremely even and dries quickly. The only downside is the pigmentation. I needed three medium coats to go opaque and even though it dried glossy, the first and second coats were a bit satin-esque. Odd. The overall finish looks like a cross between metallic and shimmer. It’s not all that brush-strokey yet not 100% blended either.

The end result is stunning. When Sally Hansen says vivid, they aren’t kidding. It’s not that the actual hues are uber-unique it’s just that they’re so alive. Pictures really can’t do justice to the vibrancy. The shades play with the light, changing at each angle. Not necessarily a duo-chrome effect more like they’re lit from within.

Cyber is a shimmering grape with a slight pink undertone. You know I love a purple so I’m all over this one.

Blu was the hardest shade to capture. To quote Danny Zuko, “it’s electrifying!!!”

Pixell Pretty is a pretty true Turquoise, a little bluer than Honeydew.

Hi-Def is a bright green apple that reflects gold. I can’t tell if it’s just the liquid crystals catching the sun or if there is actual gold shimmer in the color but it’s a very fun.
The Sally Hansen Hi-Definition Nail Color collection ($5.95) launches in July at drugstores and mass retailers like WalMart, KMart and Target.

Stay tuned for my review of the second half of the collection. In the meantime, what do we think? Is HD the future of polish or just a gimmick? Are there any colors you’re just dying to own?

This spring and summer, color meets fashion as OPI’s brightest new shades for nails “pair up” with Paige Premium Denim. Bright Pair by OPI includes six trend-setting new Brights by OPI Lacquers, which perfectly match the bright new hues of Paige’s Roxbury Ankle Skinny and Canyon Shorts. When I first previewed the Bright Pair collection I was unsure of how this latest addition to the Brights by OPI summer collections would stack up against seasons past. Especially considering how much I loved the Mod Brights from last year. This year OPI added a twist by teaming up with Paige Premium Demin to create a line of six shades to match the bright hues of Paige creator Paige Adams-Geller‘s summer palette. Read on to check out the polishes and pics from the launch party hosted by the Ron Herman boutique in West Hollywood.

If only I lived in LA. I can’t help thinking that when I hear about an event like the Bright Pair launch that occurred a couple weeks ago. Especially when I learned OPI Artistic Director, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann was there. I would LOVE to meet Suzi. Well who wouldn’t really? Suzi was joined by Paige Adams-Geller, actress Jessica Lowndes, 90210‘s Adriana, and socialite Nicky Hilton at the Ron Herman boutique where nail techs gave complimentary manicures to shoppers.

Created to compliment the denim, shoppers that bought a pair of jeans that day went home with a bottle of the matching lacquer. They’re not really something I would wear but I love the blue and purple. I have to say that formula-wise, OPI has impressed me again. They just keep making it better and better. All of these shades applied smooth and even, the consistency thin but well pigmented. Two coats and you can stick a fork in it!

No Room for the Blues is a mid-tone sky blue that is just a tad darker than Just Groovy (summer 2007) and Misa Right Here Now, No More Later. They’re close enough to not need all three but if I had to choose, I’d go with No Room For The Blues based on its formula and pigmentation.

On the Same Paige is a brick red-orange, emphasis on the orange, creme. It’s fiery and vibrant but has just a touch of that slightly muted brick feel. Reminds me of brand new paver stones before the sun and weather wash them out.

Over the Taupe is described as a mushroom and I see that but it reminds me of watered down hot chocolate. When I saw the promo pic a few months back, all I could think was, it’s a summer version of You Don’t Know Jacques!. But here’s the thing, YDKJ! was new and fresh when it came out and Over The Taupe feels tired.

Shorts Story isn’t your typical hot pink. It has a touch or raspberry to my eye. It’s bright but I think the creaminess keeps it from being too overpowering.

A Grape Fit! – Can I just complain for a second? OK seriously, where have these amazing mid-tone purples been all my life? I’ve been suffering for years trying to make lavender somehow work when dark plums weren’t cutting it and now I’m being hit with an onslaught of amazing grapes. Between this, Lippmann Call Me Irresponsible, FP Lavender Highlight and RBL Purple Haze I am SET!

In My Back Pocket feeds my love of orange for summer but because it’s SUCH a dead ringer for Osaka-To-Me Orange it’s not a necessity in my collection. However, if you missed out on Osaka its first time round, don’t make that mistake again.
The OPI BrightPair collection is available now. Bottles retail for $8.50. OPI is carried at professional salons including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta.

images: Wire Image and All Lacquered Up

I had heard rumors a few months back that NARS planned to re-release some of their discontinued but not forgotten shades. Could this be the grand triumphant return of Zulu? Could all those that missed out on the great Zulu Sephora collaboration of 2007 have a reason to rejoice? Unfortunately not.

I just learned via Twitter that the NARS Vintage 2009 Nail Polish collection is now available online and while I’m totally digging a couple of the shades, I’m sad to report that there’s no Zulu to be found.

The collection includes:
Blue Lagoon – Iridescent powder blue
Hunger – Hot orange red
Zizi – Clear with peach and gold glitter
ChaChaCha – Semi-sheer tangerine with gold reflections
Tallulah – Rich grape
Adelita – Shimmering pearlescent pink (not pictured)

NARS polishes retail for $16/ea and can be purchase online at NARSCosmetics.com

Did any of you own these colors back in the day? Thoughts?

Yellow is popping up everywhere these days. Celebs like Natalie Portman and Cassie have been spotted recently sporting bright yellow manicures. And who could forget Rihanna’s lemon smiley faces from last winter (below)? Granted, yellow isn’t exactly new for nails. We’ve been talking about it here since ALU began and the writers over at one of my fave daily reads, the Nylon Blog, have been obsessing over it since early 2008 but it seems that right now, yellow is having its moment.

The only major downside is that yellow is not an easy color to pull off. Wearing it will draw attention and choosing the wrong shade can make you look downright sickly. On the upside, a punch of lemon on your tips or toes can be the perfect accent to your summer wardrobe. Are you ready to make the leap and try the trend for yourself? Then you’ve come to the right place. My top yellow polishes are listed after the jump.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Last summer, the image of Selma Blair in InStyle rocking Chanel L.A. Sunrise from the Robertson Boulevard Collection was worth way more than a thousand bottles as nail fanatics flew to scoop one up the day it went on sale. This fanatic even went so far as to order two, the first time in years I’ve bought a backup. Soft, buttery shades like this one are definitely the most flattering form of yellow and the least intimidating for newbies to the bright nail scene. You can still pick up a bottle of L.A. Sunrise on Chanel.com or opt for one of the alternatives below.

Each year Pantone, the authority on color, names its Color of The Year and for 2009 it’s Mimosa. A warm, golden shade chosen for the hope and reassurance it expresses, I was bit leery of Mimosa leaking over into the polish world. It’s a bit too warm for my skintone making me look sallow but against olive or dark skin it’s fantastic. My top rec’s for Mimosa-esque shades are…

Finally, if you’re ready to throw caution to the wind and really go for it with something sunny and vibrant, you can’t miss with one of these beauties.

Yellow is popping up everywhere these days. Celebs like Natalie Portman and Cassie have been spotted recently sporting bright yellow manicures. And who could forget Rihanna’s lemon smiley faces from last winter (below)? Granted, yellow isn’t exactly new for nails. We’ve been talking about it here since ALU began and the writers over at one of my fave daily reads, the Nylon Blog, have been obsessing over it since early 2008 but it seems that right now, yellow is having its moment.

The only major downside is that yellow is not an easy color to pull off. Wearing it will draw attention and choosing the wrong shade can make you look downright sickly. On the upside, a punch of lemon on your tips or toes can be the perfect accent to your summer wardrobe. Are you ready to make the leap and try the trend for yourself? Then you’ve come to the right place. My top yellow polishes are listed after the jump.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Last summer, the image of Selma Blair in InStyle rocking Chanel L.A. Sunrise from the Robertson Boulevard Collection was worth way more than a thousand bottles as nail fanatics flew to scoop one up the day it went on sale. This fanatic even went so far as to order two, the first time in years I’ve bought a backup. Soft, buttery shades like this one are definitely the most flattering form of yellow and the least intimidating for newbies to the bright nail scene. You can still pick up a bottle of L.A. Sunrise on Chanel.com or opt for one of the alternatives below.

Each year Pantone, the authority on color, names its Color of The Year and for 2009 it’s Mimosa. A warm, golden shade chosen for the hope and reassurance it expresses, I was bit leery of Mimosa leaking over into the polish world. It’s a bit too warm for my skintone making me look sallow but against olive or dark skin it’s fantastic. My top rec’s for Mimosa-esque shades are…

Finally, if you’re ready to throw caution to the wind and really go for it with something sunny and vibrant, you can’t miss with one of these beauties.

A couple weeks ago when I announced the news that Illamasqua is now shipping to the States, I posted a preview of their summer collection, Sirens, with new teal and coral nail varnishes. When I first got word of their new colors, the rep from Illamasqua told me they made her “want to cry they are so beautiful!” Color that brings you to tears?? Sign me up! After all these years of playing with polish I still get jazzed about new colors but it’s the rare bird that causes a major reaction like crying. Could Muse live up to the hype? Find out after the jump!

OK so I didn’t cry but when I opened the box to see the smokey teal but I did shriek a bit, freaking out our kitties, before I raced to the polish room to give it a whirl.

Everything about Muse is fantastic. Loads of pigment, check! Smooth, creamy formula, check! Two coat coverage, double check! High gloss shine, you see where I’m going with this, right? Its deep blue-green hue reminds me of this Gap cardigan I owned forever and a day ago that I just LOVED and kind of wish I still owned, just for wearing around the house of course.
Since I had to bail on the swatch requests last weekend, I thought I’d head you off at the path with some Muse comparisons. As you can see, Muse is deeper than China Glaze Shower Together (Aqua Baby’s twin) and nowhere near as dark as Rescue Beauty Lounge Teal which I swear looks more teal in person.
The Sirens collection is available now on Illamasqua.com and on shelves at Selfridges in the UK.

Thoughts? Anyone know of a good Muse dupe? Share in the comments.

SUNBelievable = Summer sun + unbelievable style! Sunbelievable by OPI captures all the sizzling color and casual attitude of summer style in four playfully pretty shades for nails. I’m loving all the fun yellows coming out this season. Whereas neon orange seemed to be the hit of Summer ’08, yellow is making its presence known this year. And even though blue has become relatively mainstream, I’m a sucker for anything offbeat so this collection is totally dialed into my taste.

I suspect OPI may have tinkered with its formula for this collection. It applied a bit different than I expected. The polishes are all thin and semi-sheer almost jelly-ish in consistency. With one noted exception, they all required three coats.

Sea? I Told You is what I had hoped the sheer Can’t You Sea? from the 2006 Brights collection would be. It’s a micro-glittery aquamarine gem that dries with a foil-like finish.

I’m His Coral-friend is the most pigmented of the bunch, the lone two-coater. I haven’t been into corals in a while but this one strikes a chord with me. I don’t know if it’s the finish that looks like I dipped my fingers in a bowl of thick jam or that it’s just a change of pace but I’m diggin’ it.

Banana Bandanna screams summer. This buttery creme looks like it’s supposed to have a shimmery sheen in the bottle but dries glossy and creamy on the nail. I wouldn’t call it a full on lemon yellow like Finger Paints Yellow Bikini. It’s more like the softer version of Chanel L.A. Sunrise.

If The Fuchsia Fits is a pretty typical hot pink shimmer along the lines of Ladies and Magenta-Men and Flashbulb Fuchsia. It applies well but is the most sheer of the bunch. It has a fun light pink flash but it’s not overly unique.
The Sunbelievable collection officially launches in June 2009 but I’ve heard that some stores already have them on shelves. OPI nail polish retails for $8.50 and is carried at professional salons including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta.

Whatcha think kids? Is it SUNBelievable?

You asked for it and you GOT IT!! Illamasqua is now shipping to the US. No need for a petition, just some clicking and shopping. I just received word that Illamasqua’s online shop will start shipping to the US for a flat rate of £12.50. That’s a bit steep I know, so team up with your nail fanatic buddies and get some group orders going. If you need some enabling, check out: For My UK Fanatics – Illamasqua St Patty’s Day NOTD 2009 – Illamasqua Elope More Illamasqua Fun with Fern, Milf and Rampage Also, I have the deets on Illamasqua’s summer collection, Sirens, after the jump!

Inspired by the powerful beauty of the Sirens, the captivating, brutal nature of their appeal and the undeniable pull of their decadent existence, Illamasqua has created a new make-up collection designed to glorify the divine being within us all. The collection provides a cornucopia of sumptuous shades, from shimmering corals and aquamarines, to luscious golds and bronzed metallics. With products to enhance the face, eyes, lips and nails, Sirens lets you indulge your alter ego, and ensure that your summer nights are even hotter than the days. Included in the collection are two hot new Nail Varnishes, Muse and Lament (below). If you look closely at the model’s nails, you’ll see that they used the shades to create a summery funky french. I’ll have swatches for you soon.

The Sirens collection was launched at the beginning of April as a Selfridges exclusive and is now available online.