PopSugar

Learn How to Polish Like a Pro With This DVD

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:00:16 -0800

The other day, I told you about the Bring It Home Beauty DVDs, which were produced by a professionally licensed mother-and-daughter team. The premise? To help you save money by teaching you how to do beauty services at home, with the help of their instructional videos, of course.

Much like the Hair Edition Volume 1 DVD ($24.95), the Natural Nail Care DVD ($24.95), has a low-budget feel. However, the hour-long video is quite comprehensive, covering everything from basic (and spa) manicures/pedicures, a men's manicure, a French manicure, polishing, and repairing broken nails.

Is it glamorous? Uh, no. Super close-ups on toes and heel shavings might make you squeamish, but who said beauty is always easy on the eyes, anyway? For me, I suppose the drier nature of the material is somewhat like watching paint dry - literally. While I prefer their hair video much for its content and better overall value, I'd recommend this natural nail care DVD for anyone who really enjoys doing manicures and pedicures on yourself or others, or for anyone who wants a basic grasp on nail care.

Trend Alert: French Manicures

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:00:29 -0700

I've got a hefty laundry list of qualities I don't like about Heidi Montag, but what I do love are her gorgeous nails. Whether they're gold or burgundy, they are always long and perfectly manicured.

I thought that French manicures were on their way out, but then along comes Heidi and Britney Spears bringing this classic back again. Most of you think they're tacky and should be saved for formal occasions only. For the rest of you who are still loyal fans, here are two great at-home French manicure kits I think you'll love.

Sephora Easy French Manicure Duos ($8) is a double-ended nail varnish that houses either a beige or a pink color on one side and a clear base and topcoat on the other. However, if you're looking to create the white tip, you still need another product. I suggest this French Tip Pen ($8) since it's so easy to use.

For one more easy-to-use French manicure kit, read more.

Barielle French Manicure Set ($16) contains an opaque white, a clear and a pale pink polish that allows you to create a French manicure in five simple steps.

Source

French Pedicures: Chic or Tacky?

BellaSugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:00:10 -0700

About two thirds of you say that French manicures are classy, but what about French pedicures? They're not my favorite, but I see quite a few women wearing them now that it's flip-flop season. What's your take?
Source

User Review: I Am Elle on Sally Hansen 5 Minute French Manicure Pen Kit

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:00:35 -0700

Reader I Am Elle recently tried out Sally Hansen 5 Minute French Manicure Pen Kit (about $8.75). It's a nail kit that comes with light polish and a white polish pen for the tips of the nails. Take it away, I Am Elle:

Personally, I was semi-satisfied with the product. The pen is fun to use, and I really love the light pink tint of the nail color. The downsides: My nails are a little shorter than I would like, so it was difficult to apply the white nail polish neatly. It was hard to keep the line straight, so as you will see in the picture below, it is not perfect (and I am a perfectionist when it comes to my nails!). The white tip of my thumb is too thick for my liking as well, but I was too lazy to fix it. Sticking out tongue Since it was my first time using a French manicure pen, maybe I just need some practice! In the future I might use the French manicure guides until my nails are longer and easier to paint.

You can see her handiwork in the full review. And if you have something to say, don't be shy! I want to hear about which products you love and don't love. Write your own reviews in the Beauty Product Junkies group, and I might post yours on BellaSugar too.

How Do You Feel About French Manicures?

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Some people think French manicures are the epitome of class, while others deem them completely cheesy. What do you think?

Source

Wedding Nails: The Quintessential French Manicure

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:12:22 -0700

The French manicure has a regal connotation to it that represents class, elegance and a sense of high quality grooming. Having said that, plenty of people today feel that the French manicure is out of style and would even consider it cheesy. Whichever way you decide to go, I still think the French manicure is the quintessential way to paint your nails for your wedding day. It's soft, understated and shows that you pay attention to detail.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the French manicure, I have pictured it here for you. A white stripe is painted to the tops of the nails (I prefer a soft, square cut nail with a thin stripe) and then a sheer, pale pink or beige toned polish is applied on top. Here are a few French manicure kits to choose from.

Bourjois French Manicure Kit, $20, is a three piece French manicure kit. It includes a curved brush designed especially to create the most perfect and even white nail tips, a light pink polish which is so sheer that you can apply one or two coats depending on your taste, and a clear topcoat to ensure shine and protection to your manicure. In no time you'll look like you just waltzed right off the Parisian runways!

For two more D.I.Y. French manicure kits, read more

Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit, $6, includes a really cool feature. Inside are a set of stickers for you to apply to your nails so that you can create professional looking, no mess white tips. Once you apply the tips, peel off the stickers and then apply the soft colored nail polish on top. The kit also includes a topcoat and super clear and easy instructions.

Orly French Manicure Kit, $6, will give you a very natural looking manicure! This kit includes a polish, a base coat, white tips (you can choose from two different styles; straight or half moon) and a quick drying topcoat. Available in four different sheer shades.

Source

Love It or Hate It? Reverse French Manicure

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 05:26:44 -0700

I was browsing Retail_Therapy's blog and found this picture of her reverse French manicure. She says she was inspired to try it after seeing it on Lindsay Lohan in the new issue of Elle. "I thought it looks kind of weird," she says; she and I thought we'd ask all of you Bella readers if you agree. What do you think?

Akiko Ogawa Takes a Twist on the French Manicure

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:09 -0800

Even though these pink nails were shown for a Fall collection, I think Akiko Ogawa's runway manicures would be a great way to welcome springtime. French manicures normally aren't my favorites, but Alisha Rimando created a fresh version by using four colors (Dashing Diva polish in Headliner, Dashing Diva, Cosmopolitan, and Debutante).

View 4 Photos ›

To get the look at home, read more.

While the polish is wet, apply Dashing Diva to the top third of the nail. Make sure that the color blends or fades well into the nail.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 on each nail.
Start with the first nail and apply Headliner to the edge of the nail.
Using very little polish on the brush, apply Headliner to the very tip of the nail, blending or fading it onto the Dashing Diva pink color. You'll want to apply it to about ⅛ of the nail edge.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 on each nail.
Apply Debutante over all nails. Finish with topcoat.

Of course, if you don't want to go the DIY route, you can always head to a Dashing Diva salon if you're in New York. (Much easier.)

Photos courtesy of Alexei Nemchenko

Doing Drugstore: Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:00:28 -0700

I've loved this stuff since it first came out, and if there's a drugstore product that deserves a post, it's this one. Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Polish ($5) has, on many an occasion, saved me from losing my mind waiting for polish to dry and ruining an entire manicure out of sheer frustration.

When I looked in my drawer this morning, I had seven bottles of the stuff, ranging from bright, sunny yellow to teal to perfect French-tip cream. I'm not saying they have the most gorgeous colors, because they're not all that special, but for five bucks and only two minutes for fully dry hands, this stuff absolutely can't be beat. This is my day-to-day nail polish. Sure, I might throw on something luxe, beautifully hued, and boring as all get-out to wait on when a new episode of True Blood is on and I'm going to be glued to the couch anyway, but Insta-Dry is what keeps me a happy and productive member of society. Thanks, Sally.

How-To: The Two-Minute Crescent Manicure

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:00:41 -0700

French tips may be timeless, but sometimes even the classics need a little shake-up, and that's where this fresh take on the manicure comes in. The crescent manicure has been around forever, but it's all over the runways and glossies this season, and it's one of the best ways to liven up a look without much time or effort. There are only three steps, and once you know a couple of tricks, application's a snap.

View Slideshow ›