Nails | beautycism

Posted on September 11, 2012 by bmpinja

Last Call: Which Summer Beauty Trend Are You Still Rocking?

OK, guys, you’ll have to forgive me because I did something borderline unacceptable for someone who claims to love beauty trends. I went through the entire summer without getting a single neon manicure. Gasp! Shocking, I know. But I decided to FINALLY get with the DayGlo nail polish program, even though it’s a bit late in the game. Why the sudden urge? I blame Serena Williams.

While she ~~destroyed~~ beat her opponents during the US Open, she wore a neon yellow-ish green headband with her tennis outfits.

Here’s how Serena looked during the 2nd round.

She also wore a bright band for round three.

And she sported the same poufy ponytail + neon band look when she won the final on Sunday.

As I stared at the sweatband, I was thinking (a) Serena has never looked better on the court and (b) the color of the band would make a really great nail polish color. And then I remembered that already own one that matches almost exactly: SinfulColors Nail Enamel in Neon Melon ($1.99). I brought it to Polish Bar of Brooklyn (my college friend Tricialee’s salon) and got this manicure:

I paired my fluorescent nails with Minx appliqués on my ring fingers for a little edge. Like it?

The SinfulColors shade might be hard to find now, but Love & Beauty By Forever 21 Nail Polish in Neon Yellow ($2.80) is another good option.

Did you miss the boat on any summer trends? Which summery looks are you still clinging to?

Posted on August 10, 2012 by bmpinja

Let’s Give Props To The Original Queen Of Olympic Nail Art: Florence Griffith-Joyner

The designs! The colors! The flags! Thanks to P&G and their pop-up nail salon at the Olympic Village, some of the medal ceremonies at the games are like one big ad for nail art—and I love it. But we can’t talk about sports and manicures without mentioning track and field star Florence Griffith-Joyner. She was clocking record-setting times while rocking bold polish long before anyone ever dreamed that celebrity nail trendspotting—or even mainstream nail art—would become so huge. The woman deserves credit for being well ahead of her time.

Flo-Jo, who won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, was as famous for her flashy style as she was for being the fastest woman in the world. I’ve been thinking about her as I’ve been oohing and ahhing over all of the awesome Olympic-themed nails I’ve seen online and during the NBC broadcasts. Like when I watched Sanya Richards-Ross win the women’s 200 meter semifinals on Monday night. This great moment after Sanya’s race, when her hands were on full display, kind of reminded me of Flo:

If Flo-Jo were alive today, I wonder what she would think of the ubiquitous patriotic manis at the London Olympics. I’m guessing she would give them two lacquered thumbs up.

P.S.: Is it just me, or is nail polish now sold EVERYWHERE?

Posted on July 3, 2012 by bmpinja

Is It Just Me, Or Is Nail Polish Now Sold EVERYWHERE?

I’m starting to wonder if soon we’ll be able to buy nail lacquer at McDonald’s, Starbucks, a bodega or maybe even at a gas station because those might be the only places left that don’t already carry it.

It’s no secret that the nail category has become huge. Like $710 million dollars in sales huge. Which is probably why non-beauty focused retailers are trying to get in on the action by positioning polish as an impulse item in their stores. I feel like I’m seeing it more and more everywhere I go. Here are six places where I’ve spotted it:

1. GAP

2. Urban Outfitters

3. Payless

4. American Apparel

5. J. Crew

6. Forever 21

And those are just the stores that I’ve walked into recently–I’m sure there are more displays out there I haven’t seen. And it’s all proof that nail polish is quietly taking over the world.

Have you ever bought nail polish somewhere other than a drugstore, makeup counter or beauty supply store? Would you consider it?

Posted on May 17, 2012 by bmpinja

My Friend Made Her Own iPhone Case (You’ll Never Guess What She Used!)

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Tricialee, is known for being an iPhone case hoarder. I swear, every time I see her, she has a new one. So, I guess it was only a matter of time before she started creating her own. Take a look at the brilliant design idea she came up with.

Tricialee, who owns two nail salons in Brooklyn, covered her iPhone with a bunch of different Minx nail appliqués to make one cool, quilt-like pattern. It’s obviously not a protective case, but it’s definitely cute! It’s also a great way to make use of any leftover nail art stickers you might have laying around—the packs usually include extras. Minx strips are only sold to pros, but here are a few fun patterns you could buy if you want to D.I.Y.:

Nail Bliss Bling Nails in Heart U ($5.99 for a pack of 18)

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Kitty, Kitty ($9.99 for a pack of 16)

O.P.I. Pure Lacquer Nail Apps in Girly Glam ($11.95 for a pack of 16)

Kiss Nail Dress in Peplum ($6.99 for a pack of 28)

I like the mix of different designs on Tricia’s phone, but you would still get an eye-catching effect with just one pattern all over. Think you’ll copy her idea?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by bmpinja

The Unexpected Thing That Made Me A Red Nail Polish Convert

We all get beauty ideas from magazines, the runway and celebrities, but sometimes something completely random can create the urge to try something different. That happened to me recently and the result was this bright red manicure. I chose the color after I saw this:

Twice in one week, in two different areas of Brooklyn, I passed by graffiti written in a gorgeous orangey-red paint.

This was on a wall in Dumbo.

And I saw this on Bedford Avenue in Bed-Stuy.

I love walking around by myself. It helps me think and clear my head. New York City is such a great place for strolling because there are so many crazy and weird things to see if you’re paying attention. I like to snap photos of interesting stuff I spot on the streets or the subway. I’m especially drawn to words–like funny signs, posters or notes. These particular scrawls caught my eye not only because of what they said, but also because of the color of the writing. It’s probably not a coincidence that both messages are about love and they’re written in red, the unofficial color of the subject.

I thought the crimson shade would make a really pretty nail polish or lipstick color so, the next time I got my nails done, I looked for something that matched the paint. I went with Essie Nail Polish in Lollipop. I know red lacquer isn’t exactly a new idea, but I tend to gravitate toward egdy shades or neutrals for my manicures. This foray into red was entirely graffiti-induced. Is it inspiring you too? Here are three great red beauty products you could try: