Fall Winter 2010 Nail Trends | OPI Swiss Collection

Last week OPI sent us their latest Swiss collection and we were going ga-ga for the fabulous rich jewel tones. The Swiss collection by OPI offers wearable but still eccentric shades of blue, including one of my favorite shades for fall/winter 2010, teal ("Ski Teal We Drop"). We also love the rich deep aubergine shade, "William Tell Me About OPI" which I actually used for my last mani. Featured below are our four favorite shades from the collection. For more information and to view the entire collection please click here.


Copyright ©2010 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Mimi's Little Black Book | Best Places to Primp

When it comes to looking and feeling fabulous maintenance is a must. Here are my favorite spots to primp and pamper yourself.

Best Nail Salon Dashing Diva
Dashing Diva is probably the hottest nail spa in NY. I highly recommend them for the perfect detail oriented mani and pedi. The glamourous pink interiors also add a touch of glamour to the whole experience. Try their UV Gel setting which makes nails look super glossy and perfect.

Dashing Diva

149 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10003

212.228.9999

Best Hair Color & Cut Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
I am obsessed with dying my hair and believe me I've been up and down fifth avenue trying to find the best colorist and I have finally found him. Greg at Red Door Spa is the most talented colorist in the world. He gave me the best chestnut brown with golden highlights color that I am raving over. The service at Red Door is unsurpassed.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas
691 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212.546.0398

Best Wax Shobha NYC
I usually go to Shobha for all my waxing needs. They are very good at what they do and I have always been happy with my results and the exotic ambiance is always a plus. Shobha was voted as New York's best Brazilian was. Ask for Miranda.

Shobha

594 Broadway

New York, NY 10012

212-931-8363

Beauty Buzz | Become Nail Strengthener and Nail Nourisher

When I meet someone for the first time I take a peak at their hands. Beautiful nails are a beauty must have and with Become's Nail Strengthener and Nail Nourisher your nails will look magazine worthy in a few weeks. My nails tend to break quite a lot but after using the nail strengthener I've seen a difference in how strong and resistant my nails have become. The nail strengthener can either be worn alone or under your chosen nail color. It's a sheer pink that look great on everyone so dare to wear it alone and bare it all. I also use the nail nourisher once a week to hydrate my nails since they do get rather dry from nail polish removers and other harsh chemicals from manicures. It includes key ingredients including herbal extracts, vitamins and UV filters to keep nails and cuticles top notch. For more information about Become Beauty click here.

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Get Minxed...

At the Honey Mag event last Thursday, I was introduced to a revolutionary nail product that will forever change my beauty regime--- Minx Nails. Worn and adored by celebrities like Fergie, Lady Gaga, and Leighton Meester, Minx is a solid nail coating that adheres to your nails. The whole process was astonishing, and quick! The best part is that you don't have to worry about waiting for your nails to dry or clumsily ruining them right away! The Minx covering can last about four to eight days on your hands and four weeks on your feet. The metallic nails designs are vibrant and a definite conversation starter. With so many patterns to chose from, you'll never have to fallback on traditional polish.

OPI South Beach Collection

Sizzling South Beach is home to some of the hottest bodies and and now the inspiration behind OPI's latest nail color collection. Filled with vibrant pinks, oranges, and neutrals this collection is right and trend and will assure your nails are in line with this season's trendiest pieces. Our top picks are:

• Suze and the Lifeguard A baby pink tha is perfect for everyday wear.
• Feelin' Hot Hot Hot A haute pink that looks great on toes.
• Sand In My Suit A beige that will instantly make your hands look longer.

Beauty Basics, Tips For Gorgeous Hands

You can tell many things about a woman by looking at the state of her hands. Hands play a huge part in your overall look and if you have been neglecting them, it's really time to take notice. The best way to keep your hands looking flawless is to get a weekly manicure at a salon like my favorite, Dashing Diva . Or DIY by buying a manicure kit and a selection of nail polishes from the best nail polish companies, Essie and OPI. Don't forget to pick up a base coat and top coat

I've recently started using this great Rejuvenating Hand Cream by Become Beauty. I love it because it has some amazing ingredients like orange oil and peppermint that are clinically proven to improve the appearance of your hands. I also adore how fast it's absorbed and also pleased that the formula is non-greasy. I recommend slathering it on at night and then secure with cotton gloves to wake up with supple beautiful hands. Then apply it religiously during the day. Get your tube of Become Rejuvenating cream here.

Parlez-Vous OPI?

The new Frech Collection by OPI is very sexy. The colors are subdued but graceful. The collection captures the je ne sais quoi of French women. For effortless style try 'Tickle my Francy." This color is a luxe lavender that is neutral enough to match every color in your wardrobe. If you love black nail polish but would like an update try "You don't know Jaaques!". It is a pewter that looks ridiculously luxurious yet edgy on short nails. For a holiday party I suggest "We'll always have Paris." Which is a beautiful dark plum which is definitely on trend with the season. Click Here To Find A Retailer.

The Neon Nail Polish Collection By Essie

I love these neon nail lacquers by Essie because they add so much fun to your usual pedi. They look great on all skin tones especially a great summer tan. My favorite? "Short Shorts" the shocking neon pink. Get your Essie Neon mini collection here from Nordstrom.

Nail Color Tips and Trends for Spring and Summer

Natural long nails painted with Nubar in "Pink Elegance"

The "rules" of fashion are not what they were 20 years ago, and neither are the rules for nail polish. At the present time, as long as a manicure is well-groomed and not tattered and worn, just about all colors are appropriate year round. Some colors are more seasonal than others. I myself don't use a calendar to decide on a nail color, I go with what my craving is at that particular moment. For example, dark browns tend to be put on the shelf once signs of Spring start showing. Dark browns are especially nice in the summer on well-tanned tips and toes. Focus on your skin tone to choose the most suitable color for you.

The collections that have come out for Spring have been mixed. Some companies are going all pale (Essie and Orly) while other companies are full of neons, holographic, and drab colors (China Glaze). OPI's collections usually are a mix of light and dark colors be it their Spring/Summer collections or Fall/Winter collections. Supplemental collections are more popular than ever. It seems like every month something new is coming out! China Glaze just released three collections and are already planning three more for summer. The same goes for OPI. A French manicure is always appropriate and timeless. I am not a fan of pales so I go with medium colors. Medium colors are also good for camouflaging nails that become stained. Whimsical (different color on each nail etc.) manicures are appropriate in the right setting, as well. The dark navy blue trend is still going strong with the darker purples being pulled into the craze.

Nail and Cuticle Care Tips:

Good health and cuticle care are essential to long and strong nail growth. My favorite cuticle drenching oil is Nubar Cucumber Cuticle Oil. To remove cuticles, Blue Cross Cuticle Remover is an amazing product you can try that gets rid of unwanted skin, gently. If you are in a hurry and need to get rid of cuticles at lightening speed, try Poshe AHA Cuticle Care Revitalizer.

Nail Polish Application Tips:

Start off with a nail hardener such as China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier or Salley Hansen Triple Strong Advanced Nail Fortifier. You can also use a ridge filler to fill in ridges and strengthen nails even more. After these two products, its time for your base coat. My favorite base coat product is Color Club Milky White Base Coat.

Next comes the lacquer: I am a habitual three-coater. Most people just do two but with my job requiring 8-10 hours a day on the computer I find three coats reduces chippage. With the first coat, I also make a horizontal swipe of the nail brush across the tip of my nail which reduces shrinkage when the polish dries. I don't concern myself too much if any gets on the top side of the nail as I have two more coats to smooth it out.

Finally, the top coat: The best of the best in my opinion is Seche Vite. It is available at retail but a bit pricey. Online retailers sell it considerably cheaper. Again because of all the typing I have to do, I use two layers. Seche Vite provides a really nice wet look and when dry is slick to the touch.

For those times when I need a polish change but don't have the time to do one, I use a sparkly top coat as a refresher which extends my manicure another day or two. My favorite for this is Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in the shade of Diamonds #5.

Here are a few examples of what that looks like:

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Diamonds #3 over CND Hot Pop Blue

Chanel Peptie over Nars After Dark

Online retailers that don't require a license:
http://www.transdesign.com/

http://www.head2toebeauty.com/

http://www.8ty8beauty.com/

Travel tips: I recently experimented with my manicure when I went to Las Vegas. Knowing I would not be able to redo my manicure, I picked a medium red with shimmer which is a timeless color and strangely versatile. I added an extra layer of base coat between the 1st and 2nd layers of lacquer and an extra layer of top coat. This makes the polish on the nail a little thicker but I had no problems with chippage and my nails looked just as good when I got home as when I left. I was unable to do a polish change for five days. The downside is the thicker the polish, the longer it takes to get off.

Nail Lacquer colors that I recommend for Spring and Summer:

1. CND "Studio 54"

2. Color Club "Blue Light"

3. Finger Paints "Make a Scene"

4. CND "Hot Pop Orange"

5. China Glaze "Linger"

All images used with permission and curtesy of Carla Gaughan on Flickr.

- Carla Gaughan

Pedicure Perfect With Essie

So now that you've gotten your Jimmy Choo's out, it's time to get a perfect pedicure. Spring pedicures call for airy whites, sheer pinks and ultra violets, the specialty of the sexy, girly and romantic Essie nail lacquers. I am going mad for their new Spring collection which includes my new must have shade, High Maintenance (an "innocent" sheer pale pink). I'm also a big fan of Body Language (the new neutral: a little grey, a little pink, a lot of style). Don't you just love their titles, they sound as if they're juicy chick lit novels. The rest of the collection is also fabulous and will complete your summer goddess look so make sure you check them out at your salon or spa. http://www.essieshop.com/