Tag Archives: cnd

by | September 9, 2012 · 9:16 am

New York Fashion Week Is In Full Effect: A Nail Look We Love At Nicole Miller

With NYFW carrying on full steam this week, I’m going to show you the best of the new (and sometimes not new) trends and expert tricks in hair, makeup and nails for spring 2013. First up on the block: nail art created by CND. Candice Manacchio, nail and fashion expert for CND, explained how to get the look they call Galaxy Glam: an iridescent diamond surrounded by jet black. It’s super chic and a little futuristic. To get the look, they sporadically sponged-on mint (a custom blend), sparkle (CND Sapphire Sparkle Effect, $11) and white (CND Colour in Studio White, $9) along with pink (the specific shade used will be launching spring 2013). Once that dried, each nail was edged out in black (CND Colour in Blackjack, $9). Sounds like it would take forever to do yourself? Probably. But that’s when a pretty amazing tip came in. These nails were all painted on self-adhesive nails, and then taped on the models before they hit the runway. Perfect for those who don’t have a steady hand or time to sit and let the cool nail designs dry. You can do that, right? Try Kiss Ever Lasting Color Square Nail Kit, $6.

They gave me one to play with and I think it looks awesome by itself too.

— Carrie Stern Kleiner

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by | August 15, 2012 · 6:00 am

The Ten Minute, No-Fuss, At-Home Pedicure

Though we all would love a weekly pedicure, there are times (many times) that it just doesn’t happen and we’re left with dry heels and ghastly chipped polish. So do you have ten minutes? That’s approximately how long it takes to get your feet in fighting form with a no-frills, no-fluff, just-make-my-feet-look-presentable pedicure. Here’s how:

Step 1. Prep feet in the shower: Instead of actually soaking your feet in a fancy footbath like at the nail spa, you get the same effect if you start your pedi post-shower. The shower will clean your feet and soften your cuticles, says Kristina Saindon, CND nail professional based in Denver, CO

Step 2. Remove Calluses: Smooth rough heels by using a callous smoother like Sally Hansen Sole Control 2-Step Foot File, $5. Saindon suggests using gentle circular motions to get the best results.

Step 3. Moisturize: Massage a small amount of a thick foot cream into the dry and cracked areas of your feet and heels. Try CND Cucumber Heel Therapy, $15 to restore elasticity and quickly repair dry feet.

Step 4. Clean Nails: Wipe nails with a cotton pad dipped in acetone to remove leftover polish, oil and lotion. Pure acetone works fastest, says Saindon, adding that squeaky clean nails also give your polish longer wear.

Step 5. Paint: Apply a thin layer of base coat, like CND Sticky Base Coat, $9, then one to two thin layers of polish. Thin layers prevent bubbles and help the polish dry faster, explains Saindon. Then top with a fast-dry top coat like Essie Good ToGo! Fastest Drying Top Coat, $10.

- Carrie Stern Kleiner

Image: styleheroine.com

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by | March 19, 2012 · 7:32 am

How to Spice Up Any Solid Nail Color

I recently waxed poetic about orange nail polish and how I’m loving the shade for spring. Although orange polish is fun, fresh and eye-catching, the more you wear it, the less unique it seems. That’s why last night when I painted my nails in CND Colour in Electric Orange, $9 I decided I needed to add a little somethin’, somethin’ to make it a little bit different. That’s when I reached for Zoya Fleck Effect Nail Top Coat in Chloe, $8. It’s an almost clear, but slightly pink-based top coat with multi-hued, mylar flecks.

I considered topping the CND orange with the blingy top coat on every nail, but decided to swipe it only on my ring finger nails. It adds a little something unique (though the photo doesn’t do it full justice, unfortunately) and might make people do a double take when they check out my nails. And, even if they don’t notice it, I do (and you will), which makes it even more fun. If you don’t have a mylar top coat like this, glitter would have a similar effect.

Now tell me: How do you spice up your go-to nail polish shade? Any tricks you want to share?

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by | March 13, 2012 · 8:40 am

Beauty Mood Booster of the Week: Crafty Crayola Nails

Though these psychedelic bright nails were seen backstage at the Nicole Miller Fall 2012 New York fashion show, they are the perfect way to brighten up an almost-spring day.

Not only will the finished look bring a child-like grin to your face, but the process of creating these colorful swirls will be a blast. Mostly because the key to the look is that it shouldn’t be perfect and instead look homemade. Refreshing, huh?

To create the look, start by laying down a fuchsia base color like CND Colour in Raspberry Parfait, $9 (after applying a base coat, of course) then — using a fine art paintbrush — start creating coils of color with each of the following shades: yellow (try CND Colour in Bicycle Yellow), $9, orange (try CND Colour in Electric Orange, $9) and blue (try CND Nail Colour in Anchor Blue, $9).

Let the lacquers dry for a couple of minutes and finish with a clear top coat. Fun, right?

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