Merry Macaron Manis: Start Your Own Nail Art Trend this Holiday Season with Pretty Pastry Party Polishes

Photo by Nurit Gazit

Move aside cupcakes, there's a new sheriff in town. Macaron mania has swept the country--and just in time for the holidays. Call it confection heaven!

Think of these pretty pastries as a somersault for your senses. A generous amount of ganache, buttercream or jam layered between two meringue-based almond biscuits sends your taste buds into a tizzy. Even better, these decadent dessert sandwiches come in several colorful creations--mint, pistachio, coffee, lemon, raspberry, coconut and chocolate.

The festive flavors inspired us to present playful party polishes for one-of-a-kind Merry Macaron Manis. Winter whites, noteworthy neons, mighty mochas and pretty pastels come together to make bold style statements. Alternate the shades on each digit, create a polka dot accent nail, or paint eye-popping half moons or French tips. 

This is the best time of the year to be a beautynista. So have yourself a holly, jolly mani season!

Photo by Louise Docker

SHINE: Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Twiggie (retro green), Warhol (neon pink) and Almost Famous (bright yellow). BEACON: Free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde. Vegan and no animal testing.

Photo by Louise Docker

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Cotton Candy (bright pink cream), Broadway Beige (medium tone taupe cream) and Pea Pod (light yellowish green semi sheer shimmer). BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

Photo by Keven Law

SHINE: Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Age of Aquarius (turquoise), Blushing Rose (pink), Almost Famous (bright yellow) and Killer Curves (daring brown). BEACON: Free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde. Vegan and no animal testing.

Photo by Nurit Gazit


SHINE: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Strawberry Macaron (light pink cream), White Lightning (white cream) and Sahara (bright yellow cream). BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

2013 Glow Gift Guide: Festive Skin, Hair, Cosmetics & Nail Products for the Beautynistas in Your Life

Photo courtesy Nandaro

Sleigh bells start ringing early in my household. Each year, my family begins craving classic confections during the holidays--brownies, brittle, cakes, candies and cookies. We call it, "The Santa Sugar Rush."

Another rush takes place at about the same time for all of us--shopping for the ideal gift. If you can't decide between electronics, jewelry or clothing, consider a sweet treat for the face and body, such as cosmetics, nail, hair and skin gift sets and kits. These beauty products appeal to a variety of ages and lifestyles. They can also be purchased online, so you don't need to trudge through the snow or combat crowds at the mall.

Take a look-see at our favorite beauty brands in our bi-annual Glow Gift Guide (the next one appears during Mother's Day month). These festive sets and kits are designed to brighten the holidays for you and your loved ones--and release the inner beautynista in all of us.

Have a safe and sweet celebration this season.

COSMETICS

SHINE: BareMinerals from Nordstrom Beauty Show Me the Shimmer Set. BEAUTY: Six spellbinding sparklers for your smoochers--Crowd Pleaser, Superstar, Icon, Scene Stealer, Head Turner and Femme Fatale--give you a glamorous glow. BEACON: No animal testing. The parent company, Bare Escentuals, supports BE Cares, Lupus Foundation of America, National Rosacea Society and The Skin Cancer Foundation.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Holiday 2013 All About Eyes. BEAUTY: Glam your gaze with Outrageous Lashes Mineral Lengthening Mascara (Blackout), Extreme Pigment Eye Liner Pencil (Blackest Black) and Eye Impact Quick Recovery Eye Cream (sample size). BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, alcohol, or artificial fragrances and colorants.

HAIR

SHINE: Neuma The Gift of Moisture Kit. BEAUTY: Create standout, stylish strands with neuMoisture Shampoo, neuMoisture Condition, neuStyling Smoothing Creme and neuRepair Argan Oil. BEACON: Contains no synthetic fragrance, phthalates, neurotoxins, sulfates, aluminum or ammonia compounds, parabens, laureths, glycols, benzyl alcohol, SLS, petrochemicals or synthetic coloring agents.

SHINE: Number 4 Hair Care Knot-ty or Nice Holiday Collection (Mighty Hair Spray, Fluoro5 Elixer Restore & Repair Oil and Maddyloo Hair Band Set). BEAUTY: Add texture, shine and style to polished or messy updos and ponytails, or soft flowing waves. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of sulfates, gluten and parabens.

NAILS

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Mini Kit with 4 Xtreme Glitters. BEAUTY: Have yourself a merry metallic mani with these four festive lacquers--Caught Red Handed, Cold As Ice, Gold Digger and Pixie Green with Envy. BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

SHINE: Deborah Lippmann from Nordstrom Beauty Holiday Color Duet--Fast Girls and Addicted to Speed. BEAUTY: Dazzle your digits with lively lacquers, and base and top coats that come with a glamorous glittery carrying case. BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate.

SKIN

SHINE: Fleur's Moisturizing Duo Gift Set Scrub & Cream Duo (Golden Peel and Intense Moisturizing Cream). BEAUTY: The peel gently exfoliates and restores radiance to your skin with papaya enzymes, while the rose oil enriched cream helps create a dewy complexion. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of fragrances, dyes, sulfates, petrolatum, alcohol, mineral oil and parabens.

SHINE: From the Lab AM/PM Cleanser No. 586. BEAUTY: Minimize signs of premature aging, as this oil-free facial cleanser utilizes willow bark extract, lactic acid and winged kelp extract to tighten your pores, purify your skin and stimulate collagen production. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: Jack Black Lip Balm Balm Squad. BEAUTY: For the men in your life, four flavors of Intense Therapy Lip Balms SPF 25--Natural Mint & Shea Butter, Grapefruit & Ginger, Black Cherry & Pomegranate and Asian Pear & White Tea--keep his lips softened and shielded from the sun all year long. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates and colorants.

SHINE: MyChelle Dermaceuticals Hello Beautiful Collection (Age Defense). BEAUTY: Take a stand against signs of premature aging with this six-step regimen--Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser, Fruit Fiesta Peel, G2 Instant Firming Serum, Fruit Enzyme Mist, Revitalizing Night Cream and Sun Shield SPF 28 Unscented. BEACON: Cruelty free. Contains no gluten.

SHINE: Pacifica Natural Body Butter Trio. BEAUTY: Protect and pamper your skin with these must-have moisturizers--Tuscan Blood Orange, Indian Coconut Butter and Hawaiian Ruby Guava. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, gluten, petroleum or FD&C colors.

SHINE: PevoniaPro Celebrate Radiance Micro-Retinol Repair Gift Set. BEAUTY: Get a deep skin, gotta-have-it glow with Spa Clinica Micro-Retinol Essential Moisturizer, Spa Clinica Micro-Retinol Essential Cleanser and Spa Clinica Micro-Retinol Essential Serum, as well as a white quilted cosmetics bag and gift box. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, urea, formaldehyde, artificial colors and sulfates. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Phytocéane Holiday Body Beauty Gift Set. BEAUTY: Enjoy silky, smooth and scented skin with Toning Shower Gel and Rich Smooth Body Cream. BEACON: No animal testing. Treats wastewater from the production site using an eco-friendly process called Filtration Gardens.

SHINE: PrecisionMD Vivatia Advanced Skincare System Level 1. BEAUTY: This Gentle Cream Cleanser, Active Repair Complex, Brightening Complex and Restoring Moisturizer have been designed with a proprietary foam delivery system that helps minimize the appearance of fine lines, and maximize tone and texture. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: Refineé Purifying Travel Kit (Exfoliating Fruit Cleanser, Soothing Floral Toner, Citrus C Purifying Mask and Line Stop Wrinkle Inhibitor). BEAUTY: Mend and moisturize your skin to maintain a youthful appearance with this restorative four-piece collection. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Sanítas Skincare Holiday Nourishing Body Duo (Nourishing Body Balm and Nourishing Hand Cream). BEAUTY: Soothe, smooth and soften hands, elbows, feet, cuticles and knees with this set by utilizing sunflower oil, vitamins A, C and E, and lemon essential oils. BEACON: Free of paraben and preservatives. Supports the Cinderella Foundation. 

Photo by Mike Pennington

Candy Cane Couture: Merry Mint Manis

Sing along: "Follow me in merry measure... Fa la la la la, la la la la... While I tell of yuletide treasure... Fa la la la la, la la la la."

Yuletide treasures abound during this time of the year--especially when it comes to tasty treats. Who can resist homemade holiday cupcakes, cookies, pies, truffles, tarts and cakes? Plus, we get a calorie-free pass (at least, that's what I've been told). 

It's also the perfect opportunity to enjoy stylish seasonal treats for your tips. Festive red and white manis not only spread holiday cheer, but they also put more pep in your step. We like to call them candy cane couture. 

Here's how to create your own merry mint mani: Paint each nail with a base coat and two layers of red polish (or alternate between red and white). Select one tip as an accent nail and coat it with two layers of white lacquer. Carefully use the brush to paint one wide red band and two slimmer side-by-side ones. Finish with a top coat over each nail. 

Voila! Your tips can now fa la la la la their way to the next holiday party. Special thanks to my niece Natalie J. Wilson. She served as our mani model and nail artist. Enjoy!

SHINE: Dazzle Dry Rapid Red, Linen Lace and Garnet.

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

SHINE: LCN Bowl of Cherries and Milky Way. 

BEAUTY: Peppermint paradise. BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene.

SHINE: Pure Ice Platinum and Siren.

BEAUTY: Dandy candy digits. BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene.

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.