There are several nail colors that will be big for fall - and one of them will be berry hues. They’re popping up in collections everywhere! I’ve been testing Chanel’s version for the past month or so, and I have to say…I really enjoy it.

I adore how this polish applied. It was smooth and flowed easily, which sometimes can be a challenge. Chipping was minimal with a base and top coat (but my nails take a beating!). The formula has a bit of shimmer in it, so this looks really pretty in the sun or reflected in any light. I also loved how you could vary the hue a bit, depending on how many coats you applied - from a dark magenta to a deep wine. Dubbed “Fantastic,” this is definitely a great hue you’ll enjoy not only this fall - but throughout the entire year.

Available at Chanel counters or at Nordstrom for $20.

Ladies, I want to be a lawyer. So for that and other obvious reasons, I’ve always felt an affinity towards the Legally Blonde stories. So I am super excited about the new Broadway show (which is on tour, by the way, for all of you that don’t live in NY). I also jumped at the chance to try out the new pedicure that Dashing Diva is tying in with the show - An “Elle” of a Pedicure. While this pedicure (sadly) won’t get me any closer to Harvard Law, it was a very fun and refreshing service that left me feeling much better after hours (or weeks or months) of exam studying and applications.

Dashing Diva is the only nail salon that I’ll go to “off the streets” because of their high standards of cleanliness. I am incredibly skeptical and paranoid of most nail salons, but Dashing Diva has made a name for itself due to their superior hygiene and sanitation. The “Elle of a Pedicure” is one of their deluxe pedicures so it’s an hour of pampering that leaves you with happy feet in addition to happy toes. It starts with the Jelly Bath, which is one of my favorite parts of the pedicure; the jelly is so fun and squishy between your toes! (more…)

…but I do love Laura Mercier’s Gold Digger collection. This new collection is a limited edition for spring/summer ‘08, so be sure to check it out! As the name suggests, the Gold Digger collection contains several sleek, metallic shades — but they are far from tacky or gaudy. The colors are warm, rich, and look and feel very luxe. I had the chance to try a few of the products, and here are my faves:

• Lip Glacé in Bronze ($22): This is a copper-bronze shade that is very shimmery. My lips are a slightly darker pink, so on me this really brought out pinkish-brown undertones with a lovely shine. The consistency is not too sticky, and the gloss has a lot of staying power.
• Nail Lacquer in 24 Karat ($15): 24 Karat is a pretty, shimmery gold color. One coat gives you a soft gold and two, a shiny champagne-hued shade. I honestly don’t vary my nail colors much (always sheer pinks or dark reds and plums), but this shade changed my mind.
• Eye Colour Pot in Bronzed Gold and Solid Gold ($32): The Eye Colour Pots are little double-deckers — the top is a cream color and the bottom is a loose powder. I liked both the Bronzed Gold (a copper/bronze color) and Solid Gold (a more yellow-gold color) shades. Make sure you have the right brushes and you can use both to a sleek effect.

Take a look at the entire Gold Digger collection at lauramercier.com or fine department stores near you!

Deborah Lippmann is a true leader in the nail care industry. She’s legendary as a manicurist and known for her innovative products. Additionally, as an accomplished jazz singer, she incorporates her love for music into her brand, naming each product in the Lippmann Collection after popular song titles. Her expertise has drawn in a loyal clientele and fans from around the world - including celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Faith Hill, Demi Moore and more. Plus, she’s worked with brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Gap, Christian Dior, Valentino, as well as magazines like Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar. Her influence is undeniable! So, want to know what this innovator is currently loving? Find out here! (more…)

When I got my bottle of Dream a Little Dream of Me from our perennial favorite brand Lippmann Collection, my intitial reaction was: this reminds me nail polish with blue and pink sparkles from middle school. I think I’ll pass.

So my polish sat in its box on my drawer for a couple of months until one day my nails grew to that awkward length when I had to remove my dark polish, but they weren’t quite long enough for a French manicure. So I thought to myself that I would give this polish a try…and it instantly became a favorite.

Though you can’t tell in this image, the polish does look a little bit like the sparkly stuff that you would’ve worn in middle school. There is actually a lot of blue and silver in it. But rather it is an haute version; the sparkles are so finely milled that the effect is a multidimensional shimmer. Depending on how the light catches it, your nails change from light pink to light purple to light blue. Of course it is all very subtle and very, very pretty - the perfect summer color. It is also easy to apply and virtually foolproof because the shimmer distracts from any imperfections in application and the light color doesn’t make spill-over noticeable.

Dream a Little Dream of Me turned from a hasty dismissal to one of my favorite shades. It is the perfect go-to polish when you need to glam up your nails instantly.

All Lacquered Up is one of the best resources for nail polish news and reviews online, so when we got the opportunity to interview its creator, fellow blogger Michelle, we jumped at the chance to talk to her about why she decided to start blogging, how much time her (very impressive!) polish swatches take to create, her all-time favorite nail colors, and much more. Check it out!

The Daily Obsession: Why did you decide to create All Lacquered Up?
Michelle Mismas: It all happened on a whim with very little planning, which is very much my style. I had been posting on the Makeup Alley nail board for a couple years and even though it is a great resource for polish information, the message boards are hard to search. I was an avid blog reader, especially Blogdorf Goodman, so I decided to start a place of my own to share info on new collections, colors I love and nail related news. It all just evolved from there.

TDO: You spend a lot of time swatching colors and photographing them for your site. How much time do you spend on this process? Tell us more about it.
MM: Sometimes I wonder if I’ve dug myself into a hole by focusing so much on sharing nail polish swatches. It’s very time consuming and there just isn’t enough time in the day to share all the colors people want to see. But ultimately I do what I do to help my readers, and I feel that without seeing the shade on the nail, it’s like shopping blind. In the bottle, nail polish can be very deceiving, so I hope I’m doing a service with my images. (more…)

I always love hearing about new(er) beauty brands coming onto the scene. And Butter London is definitely a brand to take note of. I tried their polishes for the first time this past month, and I have to say that I really enjoy them.

First of all, the polishes are non-toxic and “3 Free.” In other words, they are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP — which can cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive damage among other things. The polishes themselves apply smoothly and dry quickly (though the rectangular cap can make application tricky). They also come in 45 fun shades! I tried Tea with the Queen, which is a pale pink that borders between nude and tan. All in all, it’s very proper and ladylike. If you’re feeling a bit wicked, try Chimney Sweep - a sexy charcoal shade that is flecked with metallic shimmer.

Want to test it yourself? Until May 15, you can turn in 3 bottles of old polish in exchange for a fresh, toxic-free bottle of Butter London! Details can be found at www.butterlondon.com.

There’s nothing like a little bit of Chanel to make your day better - whether it’s the classic Chanel 2.55 or simply a Glossimer. There’s aren’t too many other brands that will instantly make you perk up. Since we can’t exactly afford one of their beautiful bags right now…we’ll happily settle with one of their luxurious beauty products.

Currently, I’m wearing one of their latest polish shades, Antilope, and can’t stop staring at my nails. It’s described as a “frosted golden brown.” To me, the color is an iridescent pale peachy gold with a tinge of barely there peach. It goes on smoothly and easily. Two coats will easily achieve the color in the bottle. The color looks so luxurious that it feels like I’ve dipped the tips of my fingers into champagne. (Side note: To minimize chipping and tip wear, use a base and top coat.) Simply, it’s just a pretty sheer that you could wear all summer long! Plus…there’s nothing better than looking down and seeing a little Chanel on yourself. Get your limited edition bottle at Chanel.com for $19.

P.S. Many thanks to the lovely Michelle from All Lacquered Up, who graciously snapped photos for us; look for her own review soon!

Since Laura Mercier debuted their limited edition Seduction Collection, I’ve been coveting the nail lacquers - and I finally recently sampled them. It promises to give nails “long-lasting, chip resistant, protective colour and high shine.” My results? The polish itself applies quite evenly, but you must apply three coats to achieve the color in the bottle. I’ll be honest though…I was really enticed by the hues: Avante Garde and Daring.

Avant Garde is this wonderfully lovely dark grape hue that has a slight silvery shimmer — really quite beautiful! For those who like purples, it’s a must-try. Daring is a matte deep cranberry red that is great for everyday wear. In fact, I’ve had Daring on my toes for about two weeks and there is almost zero chipping, only some minor tip wear. The color is still super shiny and just a fabulous red that I’ll be reaching for on any chilly day. (Isn’t it funny how colder temperatures make you want to wear darker polish colors?)

For more info or to purchase, visit www.lauramercier.com.

One evening after a long day at work, a friend and I ventured over to l.a. vie l’orange to relax and unwind with pedicures. As one of LA’s best hand and foot spas, l.a. vie l’orange is the perfect little bungalow-esque escape.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a smile, led into the waiting area and offered our choice of beverage (wine, water, etc.). The gracious staff set the evening off on exactly the right foot, and it definitely helped enhance my overall experience. We chose the Walk On The Beach pedicure, which perfectly matched the beachy atmosphere of the spa. (more…)