ORLY Sweet Collection

Yesterday, I got the itch to change up my mani. Last week, I wore Chanel Le Vernis in Particuliere. But the recent wave of warm weather had me craving a punchier polish. After sifting through my nail polish cache of about 125+ bottles, I still couldn't find a shade to get excited about. So I decided to postpone my polish change. But then the funniest thing happened. A sample of ORLY’s new spring 2010 Sweet Collection showed up in my mailbox and Pixy Stix had me at hello.


This collection of vibrant, candy-inspired pastels includes:

Gumdrop: pastel turquoise crème
Cotton Candy: baby pink crème
Lollipop: pastel purple crème
Pixy Stix: salmon crème
Snowcone: baby blue crème
Lemonade: pastel yellow crème

And each polish in this collection comes with a free matching flavored mini lip gloss key chain.

To achieve my manicure, I used Essie First Base base coat, followed by two coats of ORLY Pixy Stix then a coat of Seche Vite.

All ORLY nail lacquers, including the Sweet Collection, are free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde resin. Oh…and you got a love the rubberized ‘Gripper Cap.’

The Sweet Collection ($7.50 per bottle) is available now at orlybeauty.com, Sally Beauty, and Ulta.

Peachy Keen

I don't look good in peach, so I was pleasantly surprised that it looks good on me. Case in point: two of Chanel's offerings from Cote d'Azur, the brand's summer 2009 collection.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Orange Fizz drenches nails in a vibrant, orange creamsicle shade that looks gorge against golden tanned skin...which I happen to have (year-round, I might add). Oh, don't hate...appreciate! Two coats of Orange Fizz followed by a layer of Seche Vite creates a pretty pedi that looks 'just-did' for 2 weeks!

And I'm absolutely head over heels for Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in In Love. At first glance, it seems a doppelganger for NARS Orgasm Blush. But upon closer inspection, you'll find that the pigment is less sheer and sparkly. Light brown girls who have been disappointed by NARS' best-selling blush will absolutely swoon over In Love's peachy glow.

Thank Heavens For Seche Vite!

As usual, I waited until the absolute last minute to paint my nails, in preparation for my 10! Show appearance. I feared I might have to fall asleep with my hands carefully resting on my chest (as not to awaken with a sheet-marked manicure). But my beloved Seche Vite came through in the clutch and dried my two coats of MAC Hello Kitty Nail Lacquer in On The Prowl before my klutsy self had a chance to mess it all up.