Lady Gaga Sunny-Side-Up Manicure

Someone forgot to tell Lady Gaga that it's the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese culture--not the Year of the Chicken. Nevertheless, the pop music icon managed to make a grand entrance in an egg at the Grammy Awards earlier this month. For the most part, it went over well--or, shall we say, over easy--with fans and critics.

Her sp-egg-tacular arrival inspired SHINE Beauty Beacon to create a Sunny-Side-Up Manicure. We recommend wearing it during a brunch date, Lady Gaga's next concert or while participating in an Easter egg hunt. The video below illustrates how to do it in five easy steps, and the image beneath it shows you what the full manicure looks like.

Protocol for the Sunny-Side-Up Manicure:

Step 1: Apply a layer of base coat to each nail.

Step: 2: Coat each digit with yellow lacquer.

Step 3: Apply another coat of white lacquer to each nail.

Step 4: While the lacquer is still wet, use a toothpick (or dull implement) to carve out a circle in the middle of each nail. This allows the yellow lacquer (or yolk center) to emerge from beneath.

Step 5: Gently place a dollop of yellow lacquer in the center of each nail to enhance the yolk, and then apply a top coat to set and brighten the look.

BEAUTY: The Sunny-Side-Up Manicure features CND Bicycle Yellow and Brilliant White Colour lacquers. BEACON: These products are "three free," which means they don't contain toluene, formaldehyde or DBP (dibutyl phthalate).

Ice, Ice Baby!

Valentine's Day, otherwise known as National Bling Day, has arrived--and diamonds are a girl's BFF.

Fergie whet our appetites during her Super Bowl halftime performance last weekend. She sported $2 million worth of dazzling diamonds courtesy bling business pioneer Harry Winston. Her sparklers included emerald-cut diamond ear studs valued at $1.2 million, stacked emerald-cut diamond bracelets featuring 435 stones and a five-row emerald-cut ring spotlighting almost 100 stunning stones.

Fortunately for us wanna-be rock stars, the beauty industry formulates lots of products with diamonds and gemstones. Here are a few of our favorites:

BEAUTY: B. Kamins Diamond Radiance Illuminating Eye Cream contains anti-aging ingredients, vitamins, botanicals and diamond powder to give your orbs renewed sparkle. BEACON:  B. Kamins supports Grace Church School, which specializes in its commitment to diversity.

BEAUTY: OPI Products Designer Series DS Mystery Dark Violet combines dazzling diamond dust with ultra-saturated color pigments. BEACON: OPI contributes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

BEAUTY: For extra luminosity, själ Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask contains crushed pearls to polish the skin, and sapphires, diamonds and amethysts to promote vibrational balance. BEACON: själ supports Love Heals.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Remember when you were young, and you experienced your first snow day of the year? You got to sleep in, and wear your slippers and robe all day--almost like a spa/salon visit in the comfort of your own home.

Those living in the Northeast received the fifth major storm of the winter last week. It set snowfall records from Virginia to Maine, paralyzing commuters and forcing many to stay home from work.


What's a girl to do? Soak in a warm bath, wash her hair and moisturize her entire body.


BEAUTY: Jadience Herbal Formulas Skin Rejuvenation Soak utilizes Asian herbs, such as licorice root, comfrey and mulberry, to nourish and revitalize the body for an unforgettable bathing experience. BEACON: Jadience is devoted to recycling and composting its raw materials in an effort to reduce global warming and pollution.

BEAUTY: Abba Hair Care Pure Shine shampoo and conditioner repair dull, coarse or brittle hair with natural ingredients. Extracts from papaya, green tea and banana, along with mica crystals and rice bran oil, make both feel and smell like a spa treatment. BEACON: Abba uses 100% vegan ingredients and no synthetic dyes, DEA or sulfates. 

BEAUTY: Vita Rich Body Lotion from Sanitas Skincare provides relief from full-body dryness and scaling. Jojoba oil helps soften while Shea butter gloriously hydrates. BEACON: Sanitas supports Dolls for Daughters, which provides hundreds of toys to children in need in Colorado.

Monster Manes

Halloween hair is the latest Hollywood craze. 


Scarlett Johansson made a monstrous style statement with a "Bride of Frankenstein" 'do at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month. Fortunately, no angry villagers gathered, and it won approval from most critics (fast forward to the 50-second mark in the Golden Globe Awards 2011 video below). [UPDATE: Did you see Nicki Minaj's "Blackenstein" 'do on "Saturday Night Live"?  Check it out on YouTube.]

On the other hand, Helena Bonham Carter sported a "Psycho" 'do. Many style watchers said it looked more like a bird's nest on steroids--perhaps a nod to Alfred Hitchcock's classic '60s suspense horror film "The Birds."

"Jersey Shore's" Snooki pouf may have started the trend. Some say she looks a lot like the long-lost daughter of Norma Bates and Frankenstein's reluctant bride.

BEAUTY: To achieve these to-die-for 'dos, use a hairspray with long-lasting, super holding powers. Paul Mitchell Extra Body Firm Finishing Spray dries quickly without creating any stickiness or added weight.


BEACON: Paul Mitchell supports a number of charities and causes, including Grow Appalachia. It provides Appalachian families with the skills and resources needed to grow sustainable, nutritious food.

Caught Red-Handed!

Red evokes passion and empowerment--and there’s no better way to begin 2011. 


To kick off the new year, SHINE celebrates with a big bottle of champagne and a little bottle of red hot nail polish. Both help brighten and lighten the mood of a cold winter night.

While we’re on the subject of French bubbly, we hear that Essie plans to take us on a European vacation this spring. Its St. Tropez nail lacquer collection features six subtle but sassy colors, including French Affair (cotton candy pink) and Topless & Barefoot (opalescent nude). Oui can't wait!

BEAUTY: In the meantime, enjoy crimson classics such as Lacquered Up by Essie. May your New Year’s resolutions include red lipstick, red hair, red shoes, red wine--and most of all--red nail polish.  BEACON: Essie supports ovarian and breast cancer research.