Easter Basket Nail Colors: Transform Your Tips with A Mani Makeover

Shades of spring: Celebrate the season with SpaRitual Love Is In the Air Creme (thumb), Delight Creme (index finger), Lucid Creme (middle finger), Idyllic (ring finger) and Eye of the Beholder Creme (pinky).

Are you in the mood for a makeover? Spring is a great time of the year to do it--whether it's in your personal or professional life. People seem more open to renewal due to the change in weather, blossoming flowers, and the celebrations of Easter and Passover.

Many of you will be attending sunrise services this Sunday for Easter. You'll also be spending more time with your families and friends. So, in honor of this special season, we'd like to present several transformative nail colors that will revitalize your look and soul. They're ideal for a mani makeover. 

May your Easter basket overflow with these lively lacquers.

 SHINE: Butter London Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Teddy Girl (pink), Bossy Boots (pale green), Cheeky Chops (yellow), Cream Tea (white) and Squatter (bright green). BEACON: Formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or parabens.

 SHINE: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Dawning Desire (purple), Pea Pod (green), Citrus Streak (orange), Girlishy Giddy (soft pink) and Morning Sky (blue). BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

SHINE: Essie Nail Polish. BEAUTY: Flawless (mauve), Mint Candy Apple (creamy green), Lilacism (pastel purple), Better Together (soft pink) and Borrowed & Blue (baby blue). BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: LCN USA Nail Polish. BEAUTY: I Love Mint (soft green), Vintage Rose (pinky orange), Soft Daisy (light yellow) and Lilac Blossom (pastel purple). BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene.

SHINE: SpaRitual Lacquer. BEAUTY: Eye of the Beholder Creme (pear green), Idyllic (sheer pink), Delight Creme (creamy aqua), Love Is In the Air Creme (soft bubble gum pink) and Lucid Creme (lilac blue). BEACON: Vegan, and free of synthetic dyes, dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish. BEAUTY: GeiGei (pink metallic), Piaf (yellow metallic), Blu (baby blue), Neely (creamy green) and Julie (soft purple metallic). BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

Halloween Candy Manis

Photo by Evan Swigart

Do you know what you're wearing for Halloween yet? I recently attended a Happy Hour Friday Party at Dtox Day Spa in Los Angeles, where guests were encouraged to come in costume. Some dressed as a butterfly, black cat, swamp monster, pirate and witch, while others arrived as Little Bo Peep and Richard Simmons. 

Many shared their favorite childhood Halloween candies during the evening. Most remembered savoring the delights of candy corn, lollipops and licorice when they returned home from trick-or-treating. However, I've always been a chocoholic, so I usually ate the Hershey's Kisses first.

The discussion inspired us to create several colorful Halloween Candy Manis. So whether you choose to be a mummy, ghost or zombie, your tips will still be drop dead gorgeous.

What's your most beloved Halloween treat? Please tell us in the comments section below.

DAZZLE DRY

SHINE: Have a hoot and a howl while enjoying Tootsie Pops, and orange, purple and red tips. BEAUTY: Citrus Streak (orange), Grape Lollipop (grape) and Rapid Red (cherry).

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

DEBORAH LIPPMANN

SHINE: Unmask the pleasures of candy corn, and yellow, white and orange digits. BEAUTY: Like a Virgin (white), Lara's Theme (orange) and Yellow Brick Road (yellow).

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

ESSENCE

SHINE: R.I.P. stands for Reese's In Pieces, and serves as the inspiration for an orange, a brown and a yellow mani. BEAUTY: Wake Up! (orange), Date With the Night (brown) and Mellow Yellow (yellow).

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

ESSIE

SHINE: Have a devilishly good time with Good & Plenty Licorice Candy, and pink and white tips. BEAUTY: Marshmallow (white) and Splash of Grenadine (pink).

BEACON: Contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

OPI PRODUCTS

 SHINE: Cross over to the dark side with Hershey's Kisses, and shimmery purple and silver digits. BEAUTY: Grape...Set...Match (dark chocolate purple foil) and Your Royal Shineness (milk chocolate silver foil).   

BEACON: Supports Gilda's Club Worldwide through the Schaeffer Family Foundation.

SPARITUAL

SHINE: You'll always be in high spirits with some scary good Skittles and a rainbow mani. BEAUTY: Disco Inferno Shimmer (grape), Hot Blooded Creme (strawberry), Moss (lime), Revere Shimmer (orange) and Enlightened Soul Creme (lemon).

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

ZOYA NAIL POLISH

 SHINE: Trick and treat yourself to Starbursts, and red, yellow, orange and pink tips. BEAUTY: Sooki (cherry), Pippa (lemon), Jancyn (orange) and Sweet (strawberry).

BEACON: Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month

When you think about the color pink, different things come to mind. For many, it signifies the arrival of a baby girl. For others, it represents a rock star. This month, it stands for healing and hope. 


October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The designation gives us the opportunity to honor victims and survivors. More than 230,000 American women will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and almost 40,000 women will lose their lives to it, according to the American Cancer Society.


As we reflect on these humbling statistics, the beauty industry renews its commitment to help find a cure. The following manufacturers support the fight against breast cancer by donating all or a portion of proceeds from sales of their products. We're overwhelmed with their generosity.

SHINE: Infiniti by Conair You Curl is part of the 2011 Collection of Power of Pink products, which donates $1 per sale to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BEAUTY: Create curls in a single wrap with no clamp and tourmaline ceramic technology. BEACON: Also supports American Red Cross.

SHINE: Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sales of Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Resurface Stem Cell Reconstructing Serum will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition this month. BEAUTY: Stem cell extracts from the Swiss Alpine Rose help stimulate protein production and neutralize environmental free radicals. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sales of Dixie Bits Triple Treat Gift Set will be donated to the American Cancer Society this month. BEAUTY: Indulge the senses with Rave in Beauty Soothing Body Wash, Whippa Peel Exquisitely Rich Moisturizing Body Lotion, Sweet Sugar Darlin Skintoxicating Brown Sugar Scrub, Ramie Wash Cloth and Bathin Beauty Body Brush. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Also free of parabens, phthalates and petrolatum, and utilizes recyclable containers.

SHINE: A portion of sales from the limited edition Elemis Think Pink Beauty Kit will be donated to Breast Cancer Care. BEAUTY: Reduce the depth of wrinkles and increase hydration with Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust, and Skin Nourishing Shower Cream. BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no animal-derived collagen, synthetic fragrances or colorants, mineral oil or alcohol.

SHINE: Twenty percent of online sales from Elizabeth Grant Light Up Your Lips Sweet Pink (top) will be donated to breast cancer awareness programs this month. Also pictured: Light Up Your Lips Baby Pink. BEAUTY: An LED light and small gold mirror help refresh lips in any situation. BEACON: No animal testing. Also supports the Children's Diabetes Foundation and Hollyrod Foundation. 

SHINE: A portion of proceeds from the sales of limited edition Essie Raise Awareness will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. BEAUTY: Feel empowered and pretty in pink from tips to toes. BEACON: Contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

SHINE: All profits from the sales of iS CLINICAL Poly-Vitamin Serum will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Coalition this month. BEAUTY: Improves skin tone and elasticity with hyaluronic acid, bilberry extract, and vitamins A, B3, B5 and E. BEACON: Also supports the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center.

SHINE: For each purchase of Mama Mio Skincare Boob Tube Bust & Neck Firmer this month, $1 will be donated to Look Good...Feel Better. BEAUTY: CoQ10, shea butter and avocado oil help minimize sagging and wrinkles on the neck and chest. BEACON: Contains no parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sodium laureth, sodium lauryl sulphate, colorants, synthetic fragrances or xenoestrogens.

SHINE: Twenty percent of proceeds from SpaRitual In Pink 2011 will be donated to Cancer Schmancer Movement. BEAUTY: Formulated with diamond powder, In Pink 2011 shades include Strength (shimmering pink), Knowledge (golden pink) and Clarity (sheer glittering pink). BEACON: Contains no toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.

Monday Morning Blues Buster Manis

I live near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The landmark stadium not only attracts major sports events, but it also serves as a gathering ground for local fitness enthusiasts who like to jog, cycle or speed walk around its perimeter and an adjacent golf course.

During a recent Monday morning workout, I met a woman exercising with her dog. She introduced me to Sonny, whose energetic canine personality instantly won me over. Sonny also impressed me with her style sense by sporting a cobalt blue pedicure (paw-dicure in this case). It lifted my spirits and gave new meaning to banishing the Monday morning blues. 

Sonny's tips inspired me to create several cheerful blue manis. Here's hoping they brighten your Monday morning--and week. Enjoy!

ESSIE

SHINE: Sparkle from the inside out with this gorgeous gradient. BEAUTY: After applying a base coat, start from the center with the middle finger by painting two layers of Mesmerize (medium blue creme). Then work your way out to the index and ring fingers with two coats of Lapis of Luxury (ocean blue), and pinky and thumb with two layers of Borrowed & Blue (pastel blue). Finish with a top coat.

BEACON: Contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

OPI PRODUCTS

SHINE: Put this mani together in a snap, and watch it crackle and pop. BEAUTY: Apply a base coat, two layers of Road House Blues (indigo creme) and one coat of Blue Shatter (cobalt) over each nail. Complete the look with a top coat.

BEACON: Supports the Leukemia Research Foundation through the Schaeffer Family Foundation.

SPARITUAL

SHINE: Checkmate--you win! BEAUTY: Create a checkerboard look by applying a base coat on each nail and two layers of Circle of Life (electric blue) on the index and ring fingers. Then paint two coats of It's Raining Men (sky blue shimmer) on the thumb, and middle and pinky fingers. Finish with a top coat.

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

ZOYA NAIL POLISH

SHINE: Fade to matte. BEAUTY: Show your style spectrum by applying a base coat, two layers of Tart (blue metallic shimmer) on the thumb, Tallulah (aqua shimmer) on the index finger, Breezi (cerulean blue creme) on the middle finger, Yummy (sky blue creme) on the ring finger and Phoebe Matte (electric blue with violet shimmer) on the pinky. Complete the look with a top coat (use a matte top coat for the pinky finger). 

BEACON: Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

Color Blocking Nail Art

Has color blocking jumped the shark? The retro fashion trend of mixing large chunks of pastels or bold color wheel shades may have recently crashed and burned. Katy Perry took the concept a little too literal at the VMAs by sporting a huge golden cube crown, prompting many style critics to dub her a cheese head. 

Inspired by the contemporary art world (hellooooo Mondrian), the trend first appeared on runways last spring. Marc Jacobs, Etro, Gucci and Diane von Furstenberg rocked the block in eye-popping palates of turquoise, purple and green; wine, purple and orange; and black, turquoise and green.

We're still working our way around the color wheel, so we're not ready to retire the trend. As summer gradually turns to fall, check out the following color blocking nail art combos.

ESSIE

Mani model: Rachael Maria Simon

BEAUTY: Apply two layers of Vermillionaire (orange) on top of a base coat. Using a flat watercolor brush, paint two coats of Pretty Edgy (green) over the top half of each nail. Clean the brush and then apply two layers of Velvet Voyeur (purple) to create a color block in the top right half corner. Complete the look with a top coat.  

BEACON: Contains no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde.

OPI PRODUCTS

BEAUTY: Over a base coat, apply two layers of Need Sunglasses? (yellow). Paint two coats of Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? (orange) over the top half of each nail using a flat watercolor brush. Clean the brush and then apply two layers of Pamplona (purple) to create a color block in the top left half corner. Finish with a top coat. 

BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene. Also supports the American Heart Association and Gilda’s Club Worldwide. 

SPARITUAL

BEAUTY: Apply two layers of Twig (sandstone) on top of a base coat. Using a flat watercolor brush, paint two coats of Knowledge Is Power (neon pink) over the top half of each nail. Clean the brush and then apply two layers of Street Smart (black) to create a color block in the top right half corner. Complete the look with a top coat.  

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

ZOYA NAIL PRODUCTS

Mani model: Rachael Maria Simon

BEAUTY: Over a base coat, apply two layers of Raven (black) on the pinky finger, Tangy (apple green shimmer) on the ring finger, Creamy (yellow) on the middle finger, Sweet (pink) on the index finger and Purity (white) on the thumb. Finish with a top coat.

BEACON: Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.