Fall

Another season. I like how they're just long enough for everyone to be excited about a new one. It does mean a change in routines. I can feel my hands already starting to reach their winter dry phase. Gotta stay healthy!

Here's what some of the offerings are for this season:

Philosophy "I Love Candy Corn" 3 in 1 shower gel: Candy corn does have a shelf life for me, but this product would make a nice addition to the shower. Sometimes Philosophy can veer too sweet with these products, so I'm thinking this is no different. I wonder if the gel stays separated in the correct color formation over time? Or is that just the bottle??

Sidenote: Thoughts about Trends...It's hard to really understand all the emphasis placed on "trends". In large part I feel like it's the creation of the fashion magazines in order to promote certain brands and certain magazine issues season after season. (That being said - I love the Allure Best of Beauty List issue every year. I love to see what products I already own/have thought about owning.) After reading Fall is about "earth tones" and rich "purples" year after year or Spring is about "pink" and "corals", I just think it becomes cyclical and not really worth putting stock in. I think most are pretty standard, no one wants overdone makeup unless you're going to the Oscars. The basics seem to be dark eyes, light lips or vice versa. Or are these just my thoughts??

With that said, apparently bold lips are in again for fall. Reds, dark reds, purples, etc. It's interesting because I've thought red lipsticks have been making a comeback for awhile. Especially with certain age groups. Aka mine. I'll admit to buying a few reds to try on, but I can never find the right color. MAC's Ruby Woo shade gets a lot of buzz, but I haven't purchased it yet. Also, their Dazzleglass Creme looks cool...like an extra wattage lip gloss with MAC colour.

Metallics and shimmers are big again. I'm a Nars fan and I love their Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow color. Also, the Brumes duo looks good if you want something a little darker and not metallic.

Nars has also made me want to break out of my OPI rut. Check out their new Tokaido Express Nail Polish. Apparently it's named after Japan's most popular high-speed rail route. It's a great color and a part of the purple trend.

Late Summer/Early Fall Nails

Does anyone have any ideas...for an end-of-summer nail polish? We're coming up to August and I wonder what people are wearing for this time of year. I've freshly repainted with my old standby, Keys to My Karma. But we all know that was from the India Collection for Spring/Summer 2008. AKA time for me to update. On OPI they are advertising matte for Fall 2009. I guess it makes sense...but matte is so boring sometimes. Although I do like the slate color in the far upper left if I had to choose. AND maybe the pink on the bottom. Maybe with a nice top coat I could work with them.

Just some thoughts on nailpolish...

Yesterday, I was watching a segment on the CBS Early Show called "Summer Looks that Pop" The one item in particular that caught my attention was the "minx coat manicure." It's kind of like a semi-permanent stick-on earring for your nails to jazz it up (with metallics!) for a night out on the town. Or you could wow your friends and coworkers with pink cheetah toenails. I mean, the idea is nice - no waiting for polish to dry, no chipping...but I can't help but wonder how this lasts the 4 weeks it claims to. Wouldn't you have some significant nail growth in this amount of time? I can't imagine it makes the bottom of the nail bed look very flattering after week 2, but hey, maybe I'm the only one that cares. What do you think? As they mentioned in the CBS video, you can have this procedure done at Bliss Spa.


Also, as I was walking around DC last week looking for apartments, my feet started to really hurt after hours of walking in my fashionable sandals. So, I found a place called Toe Tally Nails and figured, what the heck, might as well get a manicure/pedicure to cap the day. I was going for a 4th of July theme, but almost regretted it when I looked at the girl next to me who just had her toes done in OPI's Koala Berry. It looked really great! Next time I go in for a pedicure, I will definitely get this color!

Essie

I get overwhelmed choosing the color for a pedicure. What if I hate it and then I'm stuck staring at it for weeks?? It's hard to tell the color sometimes! Normally I just stay in the red/coral color line. Boring but true. Last week I took the suggestion of the lady doing my nails. She picked out Essie's Secret Stash. Not a radical change from red/coral but at first I was like - way too fuchsia for me. It is a little on the bubble gum side, but I liked the name, and after looking at the color for awhile, I was ready to commit to it. Best decision ever. I am really pleased with the color, and I got slightly (v. v. slight) tan at the beach, and it makes the color really look good. If I really worked on my tan this summer the color would be really HoT.

I know people like Essie, but this was my first experience with the brand. Usually I like the OPI selection. Does Essie have more selection or better colors? Or is it just a matter of personal preference?

Keys to My Karma

Fall colors are everywhere. Check out OPI's new fall colors in their France collection. I like it. Very fallish. I went to get a pedicure last week and chose the OPI Keys to My Karma color which I learned is part of their India collection. Whenever I choose the color I always have doubts because usually I go in with an idea of what I want and then I can't find it. I took it as a good sign that half the color was gone because it was popular. I don't know what the lady did, but she had to add something to the polish to - I guess? - make it last longer? I wasn't quite sure. End result - I love the color and can't stop looking at my feet. I want to invest in the color for home use. It's just a really great red. Not too pink or blue. I also just like the OPI brand because I like the bottles and the cap.