The best of the best...

A dear friend of mine just gave me OPI's best of the best collection as a thank you for watching her little girl.  She knows me too well..I just love nail polish. This collection comes with 10 mini sized best sellers from OPI...

The colors included (in order) are: Alpine Snow, Bubble Bath, Tickle my Francy, Strawberry Margarita, Cajun Shrimp, Big Apple Red, I'm Not Really A Waitress, You Don't Know Jacques, Russian Navy and Lincoln Park After Dark.

It's such a great way to try out some new colors, or continue using some of your all time faves!

"Greige"

from the Chanel runway, via 

This is how I would describe this nail color by Chanel.  It's kind of a cross between a gray and beige, don't you think? The real color is called Particuliere #505, and it is all the rage right now. I have seen it on, and I really love the color. It's perfect for fall, and to be honest, I am kind of over the super super dark nails. Although I know I will be busting out my vamp and wicked at some point.

California Wife found a very similar color by Sonia Kashuk, and I think it might fit the bill! $39.95 is a lot for a nail polish, and I believe this is probably around $7.

via 

what do you think? pretty or pretty heinous? 

Beauty Buzz

I've added a few new items to my beauty bag and thought I would share them with you. I am a cosmetics junkie, and so I love it when I find new products that just WOW me!

A good friend of mine is a beauty buyer and let me sample Tarte's new lip stains. If you love the cheek stain, then you will ADORE the version for your lips. I have never had anything stay on my lips as long and that are actually moisturizing.  In fact, this product has been clinically proven to moisturize lips by 6000%!!!! That is quite a statistic! I own Lust (the red shade) and it is a great natural, rosy red. It's such a light shade of red, I really think you could wear it every day. $24 available at Sephora or at Beauty Brands

Another great Tarte product is their primer with Wrinkle Re-Wind technology. Not only does it minimize pores, but it also decreases lines and wrinkles and increases the appearance of your skins firmness by 47%. I love that it  makes your makeup go on more evenly and will help it stay put throughout the day. It's under $35 which is also great for a primer. $32 on Sephora or at Beauty Brands.

I mentioned this product very early on in my blogging. I have not used Duri Rejuvecote  for 2 years, because nobody in Kansas City sells this. I was trying to avoid having to order it and pay shipping...it seemed silly for a nail polish. But my nails were paying the price! They started to chip again, not grow as fast and just overall they didn't look as good. I bit the bullet, and I am glad I did. This product is amazing. If you do your own nails, it's a wonderful base and top coat. If you get manicures, it will extend them much longer just by putting it on each day after. It's $12 (plus shipping) but SO worth it!

Lastly, this is my favorite "end of summer" color. It's called Flirt by Essie and it is a wonderful color to transition into fall. It's in between coral and red, and it looks great when you still have a tan without looking too summery. I believe it is an old color, but I never seem to tire of it! available HERE 

Make it Wicked with a touch of Vamp

About the time that I bust out my fall boots is when I also make the change to darker nail polish. I kind of love it...it's such a change from my usual candy colored toes and soft opaque nails. Over the years I have perfected the dark nail. Keep them super short, somewhat square and these high-maintenance dark nails REQUIRE a good top coat to keep them from chipping. My fave is Duri, but any top coat will do.

Here is my evolution in the range of dark nails...I started off with the classic Chanel Vamp (a deep red with a touch of shimmer)...

and then I graduated to Essie's Wicked (a FAB deep dark red)

Then I got a little daring with OPI's Eiffel for this color (Wine shimmer)

When I got bored with all of these I moved on to Lincoln Park After Dark (Matte) A midnight meets purple super dark polish...

Oh and if you are not sure what it would look like on your nails, OPI now has a FABULOUS "try it on" application on their website. It's pretty amazing, and it saves you the trouble of wasting a whole bottle on something you don't like!!!

she makes a pretty good hand model doesn't she?...