this weeks nails

nail strengthener, nails, OPI, this weeks nails

This Weeks Nails: A Simple Step

March 13, 2014 No Comments

No matter what your taste is in nail polish, you should at least be applying a nail strengthener.

I know that a different hue every week may not be your thing, but having a little bit of sheen to your nails in the form of OPI’s nail strengthener will do you a world of good.

All you have to do is paint a quick coat over each nail. By the time you’re done with the last finger the first one should be dry. That’s how easy it is. You don’t even have to do this everyday, just once a week and it will really help your nails look/feel/be strong.

No more peeling or chipping. Just strong pretty nails that I hope to maybe one day convince you to file down and add color to…but to each his own!

You may have heard me say this before, but it truly is amazing how confident well manicured nails can make you feel. So take one small $8 step and get this strengthener. Then write me the moment you look down at your gleaming nails and think to yourself, “Elizabeth was right, it really does feel good!”

I’m talking the moment you think that, you write me and tell me.

I plan to have a full inbox ;)

OPI, sarah, this weeks nails, wedding

This Weeks (Very Special) Nails

March 6, 2014 No Comments

This weeks nails are special.

Every time I go to pick a color for the week, I think about the events I’ll be attending/what’s on my roster. Last weekend when I painted my nails, I had one very special event on the calendar.

It was time for my sister’s bridal shower.

It’s such an exciting time, and I’m thrilled to get to celebrate along side of her.

So no pressure, but this weeks nails had to look good.

I decided to go with a simple gold color, my new one from the Gwen Steffani OPI line. I love it because it’s got that gold shimmer, but it acts a lot like my favorite polish of all time (seen here) in that it can look great in one coat or two.

It was the perfect choice when I had a million things on my to do list.

Soft, classic, beautiful. A lot like her.

She’s going to make a beautiful bride :)

nails, this weeks nails

The Most Flattering Shape for Your Nails

February 28, 2014 No Comments

It’s my goal in life to get you to paint your nails on a regular basis.

Not because I own stock in a nail company (although I should) or that they’re paying me to (I wish they would), no, it’s simply because I know first hand the confidence inducing power a well manicured hand can produce.

In an effort to get you a step closer, here is a look at the best (and most flattering) ways to file your nails. If you do nothing else with them this week, at least file them into a flattering shape!

Picture courtesy of beautylish.com

Oval:
This shape flatters both wide and narrow nail beds. To achieve it, file down the sides of your nails first, then slightly round out the edges. Make sure that both sides of the nail turn out evenly.

Square:
The square shape is something to try if you have a bigger nail area, but stay away from it if your nails are small. It also helps flatter nails that are really narrow, by making them appear wider (isn’t it amazing how this all works?). To achieve this shape file the sides, then flatten out the top. I like to take the file and brush down on the edge of my nail so that the ends aren’t so sharp.

Square/Oval (Squoval or Ovuare):
This is the most universally flattering shape, but the nails that receive the biggest benefit are the wide ones. Start the same way you would when forming the square shape, then afterwards round your corners just slightly.

Round (Men’s wear):
This shape works the best if you like your nails short or if you’re a man. If you fall in neither of these categories skip to the bottom ;) By rounding your shorter nails, it helps to make them look thinner. File your nails into a short square shape, then really round out the edges.

Almond:
If you are a hard core almond shape lover, you probably need to allot extra time for typing. That’s the downfall to this shape (that and you share the same nail shape as Lady Gaga – which you may consider a blessing, I don’t know). The benefit to this shape is that it does cause your fingers to appear long and lean (like a great little LBD). I would recommend this shape be done with acrylic nails.

I hope this gets you that much closer to having a regular nail regimen. Feel free to email me if you have any questions elizabeth@thespiff.com

Have a beautiful weekend!

nails, OPI, Tasmanian devil made me do it, this weeks nails, winter

This Weeks Nails (And Who Else had my Brilliant Idea)

February 6, 2014 No Comments

After a series of really dark nail colors, I thought it would be good to break out some color.

I’m not a fan of red but I will wear it if it’s more of an orangey red, and that exactly what OPI’s “Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It” has to offer.

It’s bright, it’s the perfect red/orange combination and it injects a dose of happiness against my dark winter clothing – it’s perfect for this time of year.

Think about taking a color you love (or hate) and looking for it in a fresh way. Like this red, or go for a purple with some sheen. I have a dear friend that told me she tried the black nail polish but got it with sparkles because she likes sparkles. That’s perfect!

Put your own twist on something that’s on trend or that’s outside of your comfort zone and see what you think. You never know, it may introduce a color into your wardrobe that you never thought you’d try. And starting with a simple nail color that’s cheap and can easily be removed, is a great way to dip your toe in the water.

Apparently Zooey had the same idea I did…we’re totally #twinning cause we’re #besties ;)

Hey all you out there who don’t think you have time to paint your nails, listen up! Later on this month I’ll be talking about how to pamper yourself in 20 minutes! That’s all it takes for some highly refreshing you time, so stay tuned!!

nail polish, this weeks nails

January 23, 2014 No Comments

The first time I ever wore black nail polish, I did so because I was playing a demon in a church play.

I remember feeling so scandalous as I stood looking at my nails in guest services at Target (where I worked at the time). It was a thrill (I was a really good kid, so other things I considered thrilling were, and not limited to, the following: returning library books at midnight of their due date, wearing white the morning after Labor Day but not in the afternoon, and Brussels sprouts).

Fast forward 12 years and admittedly the thrill is gone, but it’s been replaced with effortless cool. Black nail polish has certainly come a long way and not just in my world.

It really hit the scene hard several years ago when the fashion world started wearing it, making it way less goth a lot more fashionable.

I feel like a simple coat of shiny black polish is akin to donning some shiny black patent leather pumps. Classic. Cool. Goes with everything.

It’s still a bit edgy, sure, but it’s not so edgy that people are going to look at you like you sacrifice squirrels in your back yard. If you are one to often wear bow rings or mounds of pink, I would suggest a little black polish to balance the whole picture out.

This version is from Maybelline’s Color Show line. And just an FYI, I painted my nails last Saturday night and today they still look this good. For three bucks, that’s not a bad deal. Try it! All the cool kids are ;)

Previous page Next page