You’ve Got Nail

May 8, 2012 | By

The Internet: A place where people find out news, connect with friends, and collectively worship good manicures.

There are approximately 2.9* billion blogs based entirely on nail art (exhibits a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n…), and an estimated 8.6%* of all Internet and mobile bandwidth is said to be reserved for the purposes of sharing recent manicures, breaking news on nail polish collaborations with upcoming movies, and featuring roundups of cool manicures found on said Internet. *Numbers are estimates based entirely and vaguely on recent RSS, Twitter and Instagram feed.

Well, I fully succumb to the beast. Manicures aren’t just pretty and pampering… they can be life-changing too! Remember, my decision to sponsor a Filipino child? It came moments after my decision on which OPI nail polish I was going to spend my week with. Manicures are an easily accessible luxury and serve as a mental, physical and sartorial break from life, and talented nail artists are in hotter demand than ever before.

Nastygal.com‘s May lookbook was chock full of irresistible nail design, and they interviewed nail artist Madeline Poole, who created all the looks. Of course, she has her own nail blog too, exhibit o.

Check out the photos below and the interview here. Rock on, nail goddesses!

Tell me below – what is your favorite nail blog?

Filed Under: Beauty & Style Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Nail Art Obsession: The French (Manicure) Renaissance

January 25, 2012 | By

There’s a French Renaissance happening, and it’s got nothing to do with the art and cultural movement that started in the 15th century. A few of us were sitting in the conference room this morning going over some (TOP SECRET SUPER-EXCITING!) stuff happening here at Spa Week in February, and being the girly girls we are, the topic turned from spa travel destinations to the resurgence of French Manicures. They had been relegated to boring nail-doers for many years in shades of Ballet Slipper, and over the past couple years have been reborn, now disguised in color, metallics, glitter, patterns… MUSTACHES!.. FRUIT!… and mindblowing innovation on the young and trendy set.

Our own Dina’s nails (above) are an all-gel clear manicure with orange French tips and glitter on top, which  inspired our French-obsessed meeting tangent, and this blog post.

All these are photos you’re about to see are ones we pinned on our new Pinterest account (follow us!). Check out our Mani Madness inspiration board for these and more.

TOP PICKS OF THE FRENCH (MANICURE) RENAISSANCE:

The contrasting matte/glossy blacks make these black nails anything but goth.

Anything or anyone with mustaches is hot right now. Especially this guy. Not only is this manicure on trend, it’s a great conversation piece.

Stay in the same color family for your French tips (just add glitter) and keep the shape classic for a subtly playful manicure.

For a more intergalactic rockstar look, try a totally contrasting glitter that fades from tip to bottom.

Use a jewel tone glitter on your base and pair with a glossy black tip – for a tres-glam combo.

Check out Chloe’s nail blog for more on her gradual blackout concept here:

Make a point.

Break it up and ditch the French pattern altogether while still being French-ish, but way edgier.

Neutral polish is having a big moment; bright pastels on the tips makes it playful and even more on-trend.

Go TETRIS! Need I say more?

Choose oozing and electric – this choice is not for the timid. 

The same idea – in white and pastel – is a totally different look.

Say HELLO to kitty, or pick another one of your favorite characters to poke out the tips of your nails.

Try in-versing the colors from one hand to the other.

The only way a traditional French manicure is still relevant… is if it’s attacked by a leopard.

 

REVERSE IT! The reverse French is a hot ticket – especially if it’s reflective.

The “balloons in the sky” look is the perfect birthday manicure.

We could pin cool manicures ALL DAY! But we have work to do. Tell us below: What’s the edgiest French manicure you’ve ever had? Link us to a picture of it if you have one!

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P-P-P-Poker Hand Manicure

September 16, 2011 | By

The only thing better than all aces in your poker hand… is all aces on your poker hands.

I’d like you to meet Yukie Natori, co-owner of Spa Martier in NYC, who spends half her time here, and the other half on the other half of the world, teaching at her very own Empire New York Nail School of Tokyo. At their popular nail and spa destination in Midtown East (this is home of the 24K Gold Facial) Yukie oversees a team of 3 nail technicians who can execute just about any nail design imaginable.

At our FashionIndie/Spa Week Break Room party on Monday, we were lucky to have Yukie and one of her assistants creating artistic masterpieces on our overworked fingertips. Some guests went for Chanel or Dior polish (Martier only uses the finest), some opted for some of the patterned gel designs, and I decided to take a gamble. I wanted Poker Hands.

This was no quickie 20 minute mani. My Poker Hands took both Yukie AND her teammate over an hour to complete the manicure. They used long-lasting gel polish by Bio Sculpter, known as Cal Gel for short. Martier also offers Shellac.

The manicure was done in many layers of color, art, glitter and crystals. In between each step I dried that particular nail under the UV light for about 10 seconds.

Ready for my closeups!

blackjack nail art

This manicure in no way matches the yellow flowery dress I’m wearing to my friend’s wedding tomorrow, but I’m committed for 3 weeks. Committed to unchanging poker hands… and all the compliments that come with it.

Nail art at Spa Martier ranges from $80 – $130.

Visit Spa Martier for Spa Week! For $50 they’re offering…

  • 55 Min Rolling Stone Massage
  • 55 Min 24k Gold and Amber Facial
  • Shellac Gel Manicure and Pedicure

Spa Martier
1012 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10022
646.781.9758

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Picking the Perfect Treatments for Your Bridal Party

March 23, 2011 | By

Ever been accused of being Bridezilla? Imposing crazy demands on your wedding party has everyone at their wits end. The best way to bring them all back to a state of peace is by showing your appreciation. Without the help of your dedicated bridesmaids, groomsmen or even the flower girl your wedding wouldn’t be what it is. Let everyone know how much you care by giving them a chance to unwind at the spa. For those of you with a wedding on the horizon, your gift of appreciation comes in the form of $50 treatments during Spa Week. With the help of our Everything Bridal Channel partner, The Wedding Channel, we’ve assembled a list of special treatments fit for every member of your bridal party below.

For Your Flower Girl

Little girls love feeling like grown-ups, so why not treat your flower girl to a working-woman fave: the “mani-pedi.” Painting her pretty fingernails and toenails a calm shade of pink or her favorite color will keep her grinning from ear to ear. Plus, since she probably won’t want to stay put for long, the 20 or so minutes it will take for her manicure and pedicure to dry shouldn’t leave her antsy.

Tip: If you plan to let her pick the color, be sure to get it approved by Mom first. In fact, it will be a good idea to invite her along too so there will be someone around to keep your flower girl under control while the rest of the group is being treated.

$50 Spa Week Treatment Ideas:

120 Min Spa Manicure and Pedicure, Ayna Day Spa & Salon – Jon’Ric of OakBrook, Oakbrook Terrace, IL (630.261.9880)

60 Min Manicure and Express Pedicure, Canyon Falls Spa & Salon
Scottsdale, AZ (480.998.0333)

70 Min Classic Manicure and Pedicure, Spa 23 The Westin Hotel, New York, NY (212.201.4679)

For Your Bridesmaids

If you’re looking to treat all your girls to the same experience, consider a group treatment. Many spas offer great packages for groups. We recommend picking one that provides cocktail service and a special relaxation room for downtime — that way, the girls can catch up and unwind together before and after their treatments. Massages are always a no-fail option, but if you want to treat them to something out of the norm, consider slimming treatments, those that use chocolate, or some sort of exotic scrub.

Tip: Before you book a risque or exotic treatment plan for the group, check with all the girls to make sure everyone’s comfortable with what you’re signing them up for. You’ll want to know if they have allergies to the products that will be used and if they’re okay with the type of procedure and the sex of the person who will be performing it.

$50 Spa Week Treatment Ideas:

75 Min Package: 45 Min Body Slimming and Toning Transformer Treatment, followed by a 30 Min Massage Coastal Therapy Group, Lawndale, CA (310.542.0200)

90 Min Slimming Body Wrap Whole Health Wellness Center & Medspa, Alexandria, VA (571.357.2229 )

45 Min Chocolate Mint Scrub with Soothing Vichy Shower Eternal, The Spa, Babylon Village, NY (631.321.4422)

For Your Groomsmen

More and more spa locations are catering to a man’s relaxation needs. Look for spas that offer a men’s lounge or special treatment menus for the guys. An intense back massage will certainly sit well with some of the guys, but choosing to gift them with shaves, haircuts, or scalp massages instead could be a more memorable treat.

Tip: The guys are far less likely to feel the need to head to the spa with the entire group, so if it’s too much work to get them all together, consider booking one-on-one appointments for each.

$50 Spa Week Treatment Ideas:

Beverly Hills Shave, including, Series of Hot Towels, Pre Shave, Straight Razor, Hydrating Mask, and Hand, Scalp & Neck Massage, The Shave of Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310.858.8281)

Spa Week Exclusive 50 Min Dermalogica Men’s Pre-Shave Skin Treatment, Slope Suds Salon and Spa, Brooklyn, NY 11215, 718.788.7837 (SUDS)

45 Min Swedish and Deep Tissue Combination Massage with Vegan Lotions and Oils, Includes 15 Min LED Light Treatment, Skinplicity, Wyckoff, NJ (201.847.7727 )

Filed Under: Bridal, Spa Treatments, Spa Week Event Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,