Va-Va-Voom Looks for Valentine's Day: Luscious Lipsticks & Nail Lacquers

Photo by Sture Jonasson

Cupid goes a little cra-cra today, so you know what that means? It's Valentine's Day! Not only do couples have a chance to express their love for one another, they also get to spend the evening under the glow of a full moon this year. 

It's been said that the lunar spectacle may prompt intense emotions and behaviors. This creates the ideal setting to take part in the most romantic day of the year and everything that the celebration typically yields--candlelight dinners, candies, cards, champagne, jewelry, flowers and heartfelt sentiments. 

Photo by Sean McClean

Since the evening sky will be filled with bright moonlight, you should glow too. Luckily, it doesn't take a lot of time or effort to design a dynamic duo effect with your lips and nails. Check out these luscious lipstick, gloss and lacquer looks. They're color coordinated to create the perfect pucker and mesmerizing manis.

Pouts and polish make a great team--just like you and your lover, and a full moon and Valentine's Day!   

SHINE: Alba Botanica Mineral Terragloss. BEAUTY: Make your pout stand out with this tantalizing trio of lip glosses--Garnet (pinot noir shimmer), Bloom (pink shimmer) and Blaze (red shimmer). BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, phthalates, artificial colors and silicones. Supports Farm Sanctuary.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish. BEAUTY: Create lots of memories and manis with Rekha (bold blood red with a glossy cream finish), Sweet (pale bubblegum pink cream) and Maura (electric crimson cream). BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.

SHINE: Hemp Organics Lipsticks. BEAUTY: Sneak a smooch with your significant other in Pink Satin (shimmering pink) and Rose Petal (sheer light pinkish red). BEACON: No animal testing and USDA Organic certified. Free of gluten, artificial fragrances, parabens, SLS, phthalates and FD&C colors. Supports The Library Project.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish. BEAUTY: Love will conquer all with these captivating colors--Jolene (pink cream) and Zanna (light rose-mauve cream). BEACON: No animal testing. Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.

SHINE: Pacifica Coconut Kiss Creamy Lip Butter. BEAUTY: Create a kissable moment wearing Stardust (silver nude). BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Free of parabens, petroleum, carmine and FD&C colors. 

SHINE: SpaRitual Lacquers. BEAUTY: Make a style statement with Silver (metallic shimmer) and Twig (light latte). BEACON: Vegan, and free of toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate and camphor.  

SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Perfect Performance Lip Color. BEAUTY: Make your lover's heart melt with this hot shade--Perhaps (light pink shimmer with hints of gold and silver). BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Noreen Fraser Foundation and Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish. BEAUTY: The champagne will be sparkling and so will your mani with this chic shade of Shimmer (light pink with gold and silver glitter undertones). BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.

SHINE: SpaRitual Lip Glosses. BEAUTY: Set the mood with these sultry and chic shades--Radiant (red shimmer), Glow (pink shimmer) and Clarity (nude shimmer). BEACON: Free of sulfates, fragrances, GMOs, gluten, petrochemicals, phthalates, triclosan and parabens.

SHINE: SpaRitual Lacquers. BEAUTY: Keep the romance alive with candles, candies and lots of color--Intention (red shimmer), Love Is In The Air (bright pink cream) and In The Buff (nude cream). BEACON: Vegan, and free of toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate and camphor.  

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lipsticks and Mighty Shiny Lip Gel. BEAUTY: Put a little pop in your pout with Tangelo (orangey/red), Flaunt (brilliant pink with a hint of golden shimmer) and Blushing Nude (pink caramel beige). BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, alcohol, and artificial fragrances and colorants.

SHINE: Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: All you need is love and these lively lacquers--In Theory (bright coral), Warhol (expressive pink) and Nature's Way (light latte). BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde. 

National Polka Dot Day Nail Art: 3 Spotted Manis Serve Up Little Spheres of Style for Your Digits

If you're seeing spots today, don't try to adjust your vision. It's National Polka Dot Day!

These stylish little spheres can't help but make you smile. Maybe it's because there's nothing stuffy or formal about them. Instead, polka dots promote a playful repetitive pattern of spots that can appear on anything from attire, such as blouses, dresses, socks and nylons, to serving ware sets, wallpaper and furniture.

For beautynistas, spots and polish go together as well as itsy bitsy teenie weenie bikinis and yellow polka dots. They not only perk up your digits with a pop of color, but they also lift your spirits. So, in honor of National Polka Dot Day, we've created three spotted nail art manis. They're bright, bold and beautiful--just like you! 

Use a professional nail dotter, the tip of your polish brush or a rounded toothpick to create your polka dots. Plus, don't forget to apply base and top coats to these manis. You'll be a diva dotter in no time.

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Tranquil Gray (medium gray), Smitten (light beige), Midnight Express (black) and Cotton Candy (neon pink). BEAUTY: Apply two coats of gray lacquer to your index, ring and pinky tips. Paint another two layers of beige on your thumb and pink on your middle finger. On your ring finger tip, layer beige lacquer over two-thirds of the nail. Then draw pink dots and a black stripe to complete the look. Do the same on your pinky finger, but use a black backdrop with beige dots and a pink stripe. 

BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

SHINE: Color Club Where's the Soiree (black), Poetic Hues (cream), Feelin' Groovy (neon green) and Peace Out Purple (radiant orchid). BEAUTY: Apply two coats of black polish to each nail. On your ring finger tip, paint a confetti of contrasting colors--green, purple and cream--in a tight polka dot pattern. 

BEACON: Free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde. Vegan and no animal testing.

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Smitten (light beige), Midnight Express (black), Cotton Candy (neon pink) and Watermelon Slice (bright dark pink). BEAUTY: Apply two coats of beige lacquer to each tip. Layer another two coats of neon pink polish over half of your nail from top to bottom. Then paint three black dots along the inside edge of the neon pink polish and four bright dark pink dots along the other side to create an interlocking effect.    

 BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

Photo by Alex Proimos

Hot Nail Art: Morning Coffee Manis

Java, cup of joe, morning mud, jitter juice... No matter what you call it, coffee serves as the go-to beverage of choice for those looking for a fresh roasted flavor fix each morning. 

Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee on a daily basis, according to some estimates. Not only does the aroma perk up your senses, but its tasty goodness also warms your body and soul. Many describe the flavor as chocolatey and nutty with hints of citrus and caramel. 

Coffee seems to taste better this time of the year--especially on a cold winter morning. I've been snowed in twice since I arrived in Lake Arrowhead, Calif., on Christmas Eve. My hot steaming cup of java juice became my BFF as I watched the frozen flakes fall. 

The last snow storm inspired me to create several Morning Coffee Manis using Zoya Nail Polish. They're bright and lively just like their namesake, and require no caffeine. 

So rise and shine. You'll be brewing up beautiful nail art for your tips in about as long as it takes to prepare your coffeemaker for the first cup of the day. Enjoy!

LATTE WITH A FOAM MILK HEART

Photo by Nevit Dilmen 

Nail art by Natalie J. Wilson

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Helen (latte) and Christinna (foam milk heart). BEAUTY: Apply a base coat and two layers of Helen. Next, paint a heart with Christinna on one accent nail. Finish with a top coat. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

VIETNAMESE ICED COFFEE WITH SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Gretchen (coffee and condensed milk poured over ice), Angelina (coffee) and Minka (condensed milk). BEAUTY: Apply a base coat and two layers of Minka. Then paint two coats of Angelina over two-thirds of each nail. Complete the mani with two layers of Gretchen over each tip and a top coat. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

COFFEE TOPPED WITH FOAM & CINNAMON

Photo by Lotus Head from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Ginessa (foam), Raven (coffee) and Richelle (cinnamon). BEAUTY: Start with a base coat and two layers of Raven. Next, place large dots of Ginessa with the tip of the nail brush. Just before it dries, run a toothpick through the lacquer to add texture. Finish with tiny dots of Richelle and a top coat. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

ESPRESSO WITH FOAM

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Raven (espresso) and Austine (foam). BEAUTY: Apply a base coat and two layers of Raven. Then paint two coats of Austine over each tip. Complete the look with a top coat. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

Mardi Gras Manis

Let the fun and frivolity begin. Today's Fat Tuesday, which means it's all about the Big Easy, Bourbon Street, beads--and maybe a few brews.


Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, falls on the day before Ash Wednesday on the Catholic calendar. In the 12 days leading up to it, dozens of celebrations take place in the French Quarter of New Orleans with parades of fancy floats, and face-painted revelers wearing elaborate masks, wild costumes and tons of colorful beads. Call it Halloween on steroids with lots of sparkle. 


In honor of Fat Tuesday, we've created four shimmering Mardi Gras Manis. The traditional colors of the festivities--gold, purple and green--serve as the inspiration. 

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Grape Lollipop (purple), Sahara (yellow) and Emerald (green jewel effect). BEAUTY: Parade around in a purple mani featuring two accent nails of yellow (ring finger) and green (pinky).

BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or nitrocellulose. 

Mani model/nail artist: Natalie J. Wilson

SHINE: Milani Nail Lacquer High Speed Fast Dry Yellow Whiz (warm canary cream) and Milani Nail Art Purple Outline (purple glitter). BEAUTY: Unmask the glory of yellow digits with shimmery purple tips.

BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: SpaRitual Disco Inferno Shimmer (iridescent purple), Enlightened Soul Creme (bright yellow) and Earth Matters (green glitter). BEAUTY: The party never ends with this color block mani. Begin with a top coat and then paint each nail with two coats of yellow. Next, apply two layers of green to the top two-thirds of each digit. Finish with two coats of a wide purple bar down the center of the yellow block and a top coat. 

BEACON: Vegan, and contains no synthetic dyes, dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

Mani model/nail artist: Natalie J. Wilson

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Holly (gem-toned, metallic green), Charisma (neon magenta/purple cream) and Creamy (bright yet soft banana peel shade of yellow). BEAUTY: Enhance the fun and festivities of Fat Tuesday--or any other day of the week--with a sparkling green mani accented by a purple/magenta ring finger nail with a yellow tip.

BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate.

Wear Red Day Nail Lacquers

Katrina Bowden

Red catches people's attention. Perhaps it's because this bold and beautiful color symbolizes everything good in life--courage, loyalty, honor, success, fortune, fertility, happiness and passion.

It has also become an effective tool to raise awareness for women's heart health. The first Friday of February has been designated as Wear Red Day to kick off National Heart Month and recognize worthy efforts such as the Go Red For Women movement by the American Heart Association. So if you're not sporting a red dress, blouse, sweater, shoes, lips or nails today, you might get pinched a la St. Patrick's Day. 

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. More die from it than from all forms of cancer combined. Plus, experts estimate that 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

Today's an ideal opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with your health--and nails. Consider the following luxurious lacquers to honor Wear Red Day. 

 SHINE: Babor Ultra Performance Nail Color Baccarat. BEAUTY: Formula designed to provide quick-drying and long-lasting benefits. BEACON: Contains no methylbenzene or formaldehyde. Also supports Dolphin Aid. 

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Garnet. BEAUTY: Part of the Jewel Effects collection, which also includes Ruby. BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or nitrocellulose. 

SHINE: Milani Techno Red Neon. BEAUTY: Top your tips with a pop of brilliance. BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: Sally Hansen Right Said Red. BEAUTY: Micro-encapsulated time-release technology infuses nails with advanced wear and shine ingredients. BEACON: Contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

SHINE: Scotch Naturals To Hell With Swords & Garter. BEAUTY: Water-based formula serves as an alternative to solvent-based polishes. BEACON: Hypoallergenic, 100% biodegradable, vegan and cruelty free. Also contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, acetone or heavy metals.

SHINE: SpaRitual Stiletto Shimmer. BEAUTY: Formula blended for better shine, dry time and coverage. BEACON: Vegan, and contains no synthetic dyes, dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

SHINE: Sumbody It's My Party. BEAUTY: Become the life of the party with this confetti shimmer look. BEACON: Contains no animal oils, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals.

New Year's Eve Sparkle Manis

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six ... The countdown soon begins to 2012. 

New Year's Eve brings out the best in all of us. We look forward to the possibility of having new prospects, people and places in our lives. The celebration also allows us to shimmer in our finest sequined, beaded or metallic cocktail dresses.

Your tips should sparkle too. So when the clock strikes midnight, be prepared to reflect, renew and radiate with the following manis (apply a base coat, two layers of color and finish with a top coat). 

Here's hoping for a healthy and happy 2012!

DAZZLE DRY

SHINE: Sapphire and Tanzanite (pinky finger). BEAUTY: Precious jewels for your tips.

BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

MILANI NAIL LACQUER

Mani model: Natalie J. Wilson

SHINE: Disco Lights and Red Sparkle (ring finger). BEAUTY: Pretty in pink with a pop of red.

BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

OPI PRODUCTS

Mani model: Natalie J. Wilson

SHINE: Divine Shine. BEAUTY: Strike a pose in purple.

BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene. Also supports Leukemia Research Foundation through the Schaeffer Family Foundation.

ZOYA NAIL PRODUCTS

SHINE: Luna and Richelle (index and ring fingers). BEAUTY: Turn your tips into timeless treasures with gold and silver. 

BEACON: Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.