Nails are one of the easiest fashion accessories to change. Last week, I introduced you all to Custom Nail Solutions, which are custom acrylic nails. Well, if acrylics aren’t your thing, then a good polish should be! My ever-growing nail polish collection just gained some new favorites: Ciate nail polish.

Ciate is one of the UK’s hottest nail polish brands, and it has made its way across the pond to Sephora. I tested them out for you guys, and I was not disappointed…

On my face: Painted Earth Pore Perfecting Primer, MAC Studiofix powder, NARS Multiple in Orgasm,  Urban Decay Naked palette in Buck and Sidecar, Maybelline One on One Mascara

On my nails: Ciate Budoir, OPI Gift of Gold on right ring finger

In my hair: Victoria’s Secret So Sexy De-Tangler, Hana Shine Shield, Free Your Mane Baobab Brilliant Restorative Hair Oil

When I was in high school, acrylic nails were the big thing. Everyone had them, and then when I got to college I realized that my mom was no longer going to take me to get my nails done every few weeks. So budgeting obviously took the priority. Plus, acrylics are really damaging to your nails regardless of how long you wear them. I haven’t worn acrylics since my senior year of high school and my nails are extraordinarily healthy. Well, Custom Nail Solutions asked me to try out their nails, and I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised.

They send you a kit where you make molds of your nails and then send you custom acrylic nails fit just for you! You can put them on or take them off at your leisure without damaging your nail bed, which is the most important thing. Check out my review below!

On my face: Painted Earth Pore Perfecting Primer, MAC Studiofix powder, NARS Multiple in Orgasm, Maybelline One on One Mascara

On my nails: Custom Nail Solutions

In my hair: Victoria’s Secret So Sexy De-Tangler, Hana Shine Shield, Free Your Mane Baobab Brilliant Restorative Hair Oil

In the last few years, collective buying sites like Groupon and Living Social have become increasingly popular. The concept is fairly simple: a daily deal is offered with a set minimum number that must be sold in order for the deal to become available. Examples of the types of deals offered through these sites include 50% (or more) off food at a restaurant, 2-For-1 tickets, and one-month unlimited gym passes.

SpaRahRah! provides a twist on the collective buying model: it offers exclusive deals on spa, beauty and wellness at up to 75% off their original prices. It’s run through SpaFinder, the “Global Spa and Wellness Resource.” Each deal is available for purchase for one week, unlike most other sites of this type, which only give you 24 hours to purchase a deal (great news for those like me who have a hard time making decisions).

I had a chance to try out a SpaRahRah! deal for myself: a one-hour yoga class, followed by a foot soak and reflexology treatment, at Creative Chakra Spa in Marina Del Rey, California (FYI: for anyone living in or visiting the Los Angeles area: you have to try this place! It’s not like your usual quick-appointment salon/spa — it focuses completely on healing). Since no one else had signed up for yoga that evening (the owner noted that the classes are usually small anyway — that way every student gets attention), I ended up having a private lesson, which was wonderful since I’m still a Yoga beginner. The class was the perfect way to relax at the end of a stressful day and stretch my body, which spends so many hours hunched at a desk behind a computer. After I was fully relaxed from my class, I was wrapped in a plush robe and proceeded to have a warm foot soak with aromatherapy salts and a reflexology treatment with Sandie, the friendly owner. My experience was nothing short of amazing, and I’m sure I’ll be back there soon.

After such a good experience, I’m definitely excited to see what other types of deals SpaRahRah! has to offer in the future. It’s a great way to be pampered — on a college girl’s budget!

[SpaRahRah was kind enough to provide Laura with these services for free. So thanks SpaRahRah!]

Oh manicures, we love you.  But why do you smudge when I’m reaching for my keys in my bag?  Or chip after I clean my dishes in the sink?  I think we need to talk.

Manicures are great!  Who doesn’t love getting their hands massaged and painted by a stranger?  I personally prefer to do my own nails, but that’s because my roommate turned me into a nail polish hoarder (hey Kel!).  While I can do my nails in about 10 minutes, I know a lot of people struggle.  Especially when painting your dominant hand with your non-dominant one.  Fortunately there are products like Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects nail strips that might be able to save you some trouble.

I was sent these strips in zebra stripes and a butterfly print, and I immediately thought of the one finger nail trend that’s been happening lately.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.  I was pretty skeptical about these things, but it’s been almost a week and they haven’t chipped, smudged, or budged.  It does take some practice and patience since the nail shapes aren’t really accurate.  You have to take the time to trim them once you put them on, which was kind of a pain.  I think I’ll be using them more for fun trends like my one nail, but if you aren’t good with nail polish or you don’t have a lot of time, then you should try this one out!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my website and follow me on Twitter!

Lucky for me, I moved in with a girl (Hey Kelly!) who has a habit of painting her nails multiple times a day if she’s bored. So I developed a new appreciation for nail polish and nail care, leading to a perfected at-home manicure. In this video, I’m taking you step by step and giving you some of my tips to make your nail polish last!

Oy.

We ladies spend a lot of our time making ourselves beautiful. Between the haircuts, the tweezing, the manicures, the bronzers… it’s exhausting. And it could all be a waste of time, according to a poll over at Glamour Magazine. They asked some guys what they thought of our beauty tricks and the boys let it all out.

Turns out they’re not fans of super thin eyebrows, over-tanning, claw fingernails, and caked on makeup.  To most women, this seems fairly obvious, but since there were pictures accompanying this article (i.e. photo evidence that these beauty blunders actually happen), it might not be as obvious as I thought.

Being a lady who writes for ladies, I thought I’d do everyone a service and break down beauty’s seven deadliest sins and share why you might wanna put the breaks on that daily GTL.

OVER-TANNING is like nails on a chalkboard for my eyes, but yet, as I live and breathe, I see bronzer accidents all over the place.  Guys are not really that interested in your tan’s status, and for most, that’s a good thing.  I have friends who are gorgeous and fair but they still use the self-tanner, which inevitably either turns them orange or streaks something fierce, or (gasp) turn to tanning beds.  What could possibly be less attractive than a leathery oompa-loompa coming up to you in a bar?  I have never met a guy who turned down a girl because she was too pale.  I have, however, known guys who turn down these scary “bronzed” creatures.

CAKED ON MAKEUP.  If a guy can see where your makeup ends and your face begins, it not only looks bad, but it could make most men wonder what it is you’re hiding under that 3 inches of powder.

SUPER THIN EYEBROWS.  I don’t even know how looking like a surprised RuPaul can seem like a good idea to anyone.

CLAW FINGERNAILS.  People declaw cats for a reason – because they hurt. You think lady-nails are any different? I’m not surprised these things turn guys off; who wants to end a date rubbing Neosporin all over their bodies?

INSANE EYE MAKEUP.  The neon Cleopatra look may fly on Mardi Gras or the NYFW ruwnays, but on a regular Saturday, not so much.  A guy who looks at the Gaga-like sparkle-fest happening on your face will likely completely dismiss you as super high maintenance… or a drag queen.

REFLECTIVE LIPS.  People shouldn’t be able to check their makeup in yours.

BIG HAIR.  Guys like hair that looks like they can run their fingers through it, not hair that will swallow their hands whole. Just like most girls can’t stand a guy with Pauly D levels of gel and product in their hair, guys can’t deal with the whole extensions, hairspray, volumizer, pouf deal either.

I’ve missed my sandals. I missed them so much that I dragged them out of the back of my closet a month ago, only to gaze longingly at them every day, sigh, and pull on another pair of warm socks. After a long, hard fall, winter AND spring of boots, rain boots, and snow boots, I am dying to leave the house in nothing but a kick ass summer dress and a fantastic pair of gladiator sandals.

Before that happens, though, I have to take care of one teeny problem. You know that long hard winter of boots I mentioned? It has left my feet looking….less than pretty. So, in preparation for the day when all my sandal dreams come true, here are some step-by-step instructions for an at-home pedicure that will have your feet ready to see the sun before you know it!

Step One: Polish Prep
Soak a cotton ball or cotton pad with nail polish remover and remove all your old polish that has been on there since last August.

Clip toenails straight across. Seriously, DO NOT cut anything but straight across. If you try and clip down on the sides you risk a seriously painful ingrown toenail. Ouch!

Use a nail file to smooth the edges, and if you want to round down the sides a little, this is the time to do it.

Step Two: Soak It Up!
(Side note: if I’m pressed for time, or just feeling lazy, I’ll skip this step and pumice my feet in the bath or shower before I polish).

Fill a low, wide bucket with hot water and add a half cup of Epsom salt, which eases muscle tension and de-puffs tired feet. If you’re feeling super-indulgent, toss in some scented bath salts or elixir – anything with a scent you really enjoy.

Soak your feet for 5 minutes or so, and after they’re good and soft, take a pumice stone or a foot file and use it to slough the rough bits of your feet: the balls of your feet, your heels, and the outer edges of your big toes and pinky toes.

When you’re smooth, pat your tootsies dry with a towel. If you would like, push back your cuticles (don’t cut em! Another recipe for ingrown toenails!) with the edge of an emery board, and then slather both feet with a super moisturizing foot lotion or cream.

Step Three: Time To Polish

Wash the moisturizer off your toenails with soap and water and let them dry.

Use a foam toe separator to create space between your toes. In a pinch, I have been known to use neat little rolls of paper towel between each toe for that purpose, but believe me, the foam spacers are way nicer and pretty cheap.

Apply one coat of base coat, two coats of color and one coat of top coat. I try and do one wide stroke down the center of each nail, and then two thin ones down each side.

Use a Q-tip dipped in nail-polish remover to clean up any messy edges or other polish mishaps.

Now, this is the most important part: Let your polish dry COMPLETELY before putting on close-toed shoes. This means several hours. If you’ve got to go asap, caaaaarefully slip on some sandals. Apply a new coat of top coat every three days or so, just to keep your polish fresh and chip-free until you’re ready for a new paint job!

1. Drink enough water.

You’re giving the weather a head start if you don’t properly hydrate yourself. Just because you’re not sweating from the summer heat doesn’t mean you can cut down on your h20 intake. Continue to drink plenty of water, and limit your fizzy soft drinks and alcohol, which will dehydrate you faster than you can say “blizzard.”

2. Invite skin care into the shower.

One thing’s inevitable: you have to shower, right? So purchase soaps and body wash that won’t dry you out. According to About.com, bar soaps are more likely to dry out your skin, whereas emollient-rich cleansers will actually battle the effects of dry skin. Try Dove Delicate Cream Body Wash, or look for the word “butter,” as in “Shea Butter,” “Cocoa Butter,” or just plain “Body Butter” when you’re selecting your next lather. Your hands feel the cleansers you use the most, since they are slathering the stuff all over your bod.

3. Dream away dryness.

If your hands are so dry it’s painful, you may want to pull out the big guns. Put an extra-strength lotion or vaseline on your hands, and then sleep with knit gloves or socks over your hands. This way, you can’t smear the moisturizers all over the place or inadvertently wipe your hands on your sheets while you sleep. The gloves will trap the lotion overnight, meaning your skin cells get the most help.

4. Wear your effing gloves.

Seriously. Invest in a few pairs so that even if you’re running late and forget to grab one pair, you have a backup in your messenger bag, or keep a pair in every room of the house so that they’re always accessible. Get the thickest, warmest gloves you can find – a cheap knit pair won’t do much to keep your hands warm (and moist) this season.

5. Protect your nails.

For nail care, make it a point to keep your routine manicure appointments. If you can’t afford a professional manicure, at least take care of your nails every week by clipping and filing them to keep them in check. When you wash your hands, make sure you clean underneath the nail to prevent germy build-up, and use a nail brush if possible. Don’t be afraid to soak your hands for a bit – a warm handbath can make you feel better after you’ve come in from the biting cold! And, of course, use that lotion you’ve been saving for the back of your hand on the area around your cuticles to prevent irritation and hang nails.

So, I told ya all what the best options for making your face look flawless this summer; now I’m gonna help you complete the look by revealing this summer’s hottest trends in hair and nails. While traditional styles stand strong, fun & funky details in make-up, hair and nails are a staple of the next few months. It’s all about encapsulating the fun of summer and reflecting that in your look, so whether you want to look like a classic beach beauty a la the 40′s and 50′s, or an edgy, rocker chick, embrace your look and run with it.

HAIR:

The Bob: Back again, the focus this year is on strong graphic outlines and catering the look of the bob to the individual’s personality. Utilize curves and sharp lines, go for an asymmetrical style, mix lengths gradually and if you want to soften the look, backcombing and wisps are both great ways to do so. If you don’t wanna chop off your lovely locks, just roll your hair from the bottom with the ends on the inside of the roll, bring the roll to the nape of your neck and pin it up, you’ll get a fantastic bob without having to sacrifice your hair.

Fringe Cuts: These are still hot and like the bob you can use them to their maximum potential for your face shape and personality…soft and wispy, choppy and bold lines are all popular now. No matter what you choose, going for the fringe is about feeling sexy and confident.

Sexy Waves: Perhaps the most fashionable trend this year, going wavy can give you any number of looks. Going with kinkier waves gives the look of a day at the beach, while soft flowing waves are much more old school glamour and great for those nights out on the town. Remember also, that volume is key to this style.

Super Short Do’s: They’re not for everyone, but if you feel you can rock an uber-short cut, go for it. Crops and masculine looks such as the 50′s rockabilly ‘do and the short & spiky punk cut are all an acceptable way to let go and have a little fun.

The Bun: Buns are all over the place this year and it’s no wonder, they’re chic while at the same time keeping you cool. They can easily transition from day to night and you can do different things with the height of the bun, your part and even bangs; go for the loose-fitting romantic bun, the tight, high bun, or be bold and give the old staple your own twist.

NAILS:

As usual, pink and red nails are a summer must, but this year pretty much anything goes when it comes to color. You’re allowed to be brave and venture out into colors you never thought about using; teals, greens, yellows, oranges. They’ve been spotted on runways, celebs and fashionistas everywhere.

Neon Colors: Whether it’s hot pink, bright purple, vibrant orange or lemon yellow, neon nail polish is a way to get involved in the neon trend without having to leave your comfort zone too much, and it’ll make your nails stand out. China Glaze, OPI, Orly and Color Club have some crazy and fresh hues to choose from.

Navy: Navy is the alternative to black this summer and it’s a great way to do a dark shade, without the heaviness of black. Chanel’s “Blue Satin” has been flying off shelves, but OPI’s “Russian Navy” is a very similar shade at a fraction of the cost.

White: Whether it’s matte (again, Chanel’s got a popular shade, but you can find the same shade, “French White Cream/#449C” by Wet ‘N Wild for just 99 cents), opaque, or pearly (I love Orly’s “Platinum”), white is a great way to go with a minimal and classic, yet unique look.

As I said before, summer’s a time to shine, so whatever look you go for, own it and let your fierceness shine brighter than that afternoon sun.

I may be living on a McDonalds budget these days, but growing up with some of the finer things in life have left me with some Caviar taste.

I am not talking about yachts or private jets; more like pretty handbags and a little bit of pampering. And while I can’t always afford the things I adore, I have become quite deft at finding deals on some of life’s little luxuries. Like the manicure. Nothing makes me feel good at the end of a rough week like a good finger soak and coat of Wicked.

But, even with the low prices at many nail shops these days, throwing away $12 on something that is going to chip, crack and have to be re-done in a week is hard for a lady on a budget.

Doing it yourself, though, is easier than you think and will save you tons of money without having to sacrifice a sexy set of hands.

In order to do your nails like a pro, you need to get the right tools: nail polish remover (duh), cotton pads, emery board, Vitamin E oil, orangewood stick, buffer, base coat polish, color polish, top coat. This may seem like a big investment now, but it will save you big time down the road.

Now for the steps:

1. Whether you think you have polish on your nails or not, take a cotton ball dipped in remover and run it over your nails. Once the polish is gone, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to get rid of excess remover from your hands and nails. The cleaner your nails the better the manicure. Tip: If your nails are yellowed from the polish, soak your hands in lemon juice for 10 minutes. Voila! Clear nails again!

2. Shaping your nails comes next. When filing your nails make sure to file in only one direction; the back and forth motion will ruin them. You can make them any shape that suits you (oval, square, round), but keep in mind that the longer they are, the weaker they are. Once you finish filing, soak your nails in warm water to rinse off the nail-dust and soften those cuticles.

3. After soaking, rub Vitamin E oil (or Olive Oil!) into your cuticles and use the Orangewood stick to gently push the cuticles back. Your cuticles keep bacteria from entering your body so be nice to them and never cut them. Tip: If you keep them moisturized between mani’s there will not be a need for much cuticle maintenance, anyway.

4. Wash your hands thoroughly again. Left-over oil will keep your polish from adhering to your nails.

5. Buffing the nails separates the crappy mani from the professional. Run the buffer back and forth over your nails to smooth out any ridges and provide a better surface for the polish to stick to.

6. Now that your nails are finally prepped, it is time to add some color to those digits. Start with a clear base to protect your nails from staining and provide a foundation for your color. Let the basecoat dry completely before moving onto your color. Brush two (dark colors) to three (light colors) coats onto your nails letting each coat dry in full before adding the next. Finally, brush on a light coat of top coat. And let it all dry.

The hardest part of the at-home manicure for me is the waiting, but moving on too soon and smudging those nails is a waste of all that time and hard work. Just sit still, let it all dry, and enjoy your beautiful (and budget) manicure.