MANICURE MUSE: Marni for H&M

Ever since the Marni for H&M collaboration was announced, the countdown to March has been painfully slow. Luckily, we’re in the homestretch. The collaboration finally hits stores March 8th. The complete lookbook has already gone viral giving us much to look forward to (I’ll take one of everything, please). Even better that everything is reasonably priced with most pieces under $100. 

I used Urban Purple by Rimmel London, Summer Peach by American Apparel and Stolen Sapphires by Topshop. 

To get these Ladyfingers:

1. Paint your full nail a burgundy color

2. Using a dotter tool- I used Orly’s Dotter Duo tool (available here)- make two rows of peach dots across the middle of your nail

3. Make a line of vertical dots aligning with a column dots you made on the right side of your nail

4. Clean your dotter tool and start again dotting with dark blue. Create a dotted vertical line on either side of your peach vertical line

5. Clean your tool again and apply more peach dots at the top and bottom of your nail

6. Seal off with top coat and voila!

MANICURE MUSE: Custo Barcelona AW’12

“It’s a fusion of colors, graphics and materials,” said Custo Dalmau of his eclectic Fall collection. There was no shortage of everything under the sun. The collection included fringe, fur, sequins, prints, lame and leather (say that three times fast), but somehow it all worked. Eye-popping color radiated off the models, who were an after-thought to the clothes. Shown here is my favorite look from the show. 

To recreate, I used Case Study by Essie, Royal by Love & Beauty, Blingtastic Gem Crush by Sally Hansen, and White and Black by Color Club.

To get these Ladyfingers:

1. Start with a taupe colored base

2. Apply a line of metallic blue down the center of your nail

3. Once dry, layer blue glitter on top of the blue line

4. Using a white nail art brush, draw two lines on either side of your nail 

5. Using a black nail art brush, apply two small diagonal lines on either side of the blue connecting to the white vertical lines

6. Fill in a small amount of black at the very top on either side of the blue

7. Top it off with Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat 

(Photo: elle.com)

MANICURE MUSE: Peter Som AW’12

We’re in the heart of NYFW and, so far, there’s little to be disappointed about. Paisley is on the rise and white is definitely the new black. Peter Som’s shows are typically filled with colors and prints, but this year, he threw off the crowd with a very different collection. A slew of white and ivories kicked off the show, followed by two breathtaking full fur looks inspired by old Hollywood muses Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich. The luscious, vibrant colors add to the extravagance and seriousness associated with fur, though the seemingly random pattern makes it fun and flirty. Not to mention the acidic oranges and reds clearly already on my radar for Spring. 

To emulate, I used Brilliant White by CND, Viola by Julep Nail Vernis, Choco-Latte by Sally Hansen, Orange Creamsicle by Avon, and Goin’ Back to Cali by Ginger+Liz.

To get these ladyfingers:

1. Start with a fully white nail

2. Using your dark brown, paint two brush strokes at the bottom of your nail creating a loose “V”

3. Layer taupe on either side of the brown you just made, let them layer if possible

4. Using your pink, paint a reverse “V” with the tip towards the top of your nail

5. Layer orange on either side of the pink you just made allowing it to overlap with the brown if possible

6. Top it off with Color Club’s Zero to 60 fast dry top coat

Backstage at Vivienne Tam AW’12

I finally got to meet fashion industry nail pro, Jin Soon, who did the nails for Vivienne Tam’s Fall collection. Using Revlon’s “Elegant”, Jin explained the chalky neutral was used to accent the Tibetan-inspired collection, rather than compete with the looks. Bonus: this is the perfect skin tone match, which worked perfectly on each of the models. 

(Photo: Taryn Multack, Miss Ladyfinger)

MANICURE MUSE: Querelle Jansen in Pringle of Scotland for Exit Magazine

If this look reminds you of Balenciaga, I would tell you “you’re on to something.” The newly appointed design director of Pringle of Scotland, Alistair Carr has a resume that includes four years at Balenciaga, which would explain the sharp edge. The bold mock neck jacquard pays homage to 60s mod, while showcasing digital prints and technical fabrications. Fun fact: Carr was inspired by the fabric on the London tube. To recreate this look, I used “Mitzi” by Zoya, “Brilliant White” by CND World, and a black nail art pen. 

(Photo: fashiongonerogue.com)