MANICURE MUSE: Preen AW’12

For Fall ‘12, abstract expressionist art made its way into the Preen collection. The series of looks with the wide brush stroke prints translate perfectly to nail art. Yes, the canvas may be a tid-bit smaller, but the beauty of it all is that we’re all artists. Grab your brushes, ladies, and get inspired.

To recreate this look, I used Cotton by American Apparel, Black by Mattese Elite and Brown by H&M Nail Lacquer. 

To get these ladyfingers:

1. Start with a white nail

2. Using a black nail art brush, paint a wide brush stroke across your nail

3. Paint over the black brush stroke by layering a brown brush stroke on top allowing a peek of black to show through

(Photo: elle.com)

MANICURE MUSE: Balmain AW’12

Olivier Rousteing may only be two seasons into his reign, but he’s certainly no stranger to the craftmanship inherent to Balmain. Apart from the iconic Balmain shapes and structures, Rousteing carried the rocking body-con minidresses into Fall, but this time dripping in crystals and pearls. I’ll take one of those, please! 

To recreate this look, I used Office by American Apparel, Case Study by Essie, and Got My Groove Back by Ginger+Liz.

(Photo: elle.com)

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MANICURE MUSE: The Addison Story

To be on the cusp of spring, for me, means a tantalizing wait until music festival season. Luckily I keep myself busy by daydreaming about the perfect festival outfits. If you, too, are beginning your research, simply look to The Addison Story. This versatile maxi is perfect to throw on and get you from day to night. The spring collection hits stores in a couple of weeks, so be on the look out. 

I used: Cute as a Button by Essie, Lapis of Luxury by Essie and Summer Peach by American Apparel. 

To get these Ladyfingers:

1. Divide your nail into three sharp triangles… two down the center and one across the bottom of your nail

2. Paint peach in the triangle on the left side, blue on the right, and pink across the bottom. It’s ok if it get’s messy, we’ll go over the lines

3. Once all three colors are applied and dry, use a white nail art brush to paint a thick line over where the colors meet

4. Paint two black lines using a black nail art pen following the lines you made

5. Top it off with Seche Vite’s Fast Dry Top Coat

(Photo: The Addison Story)

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: Prabal Gurung SP’12

I hate the color purple. I don’t know why, but I always have. With that said, Prabal Gurung’s Spring ‘12 collection is the only exception. This intoxicating collection is by far one of my favorites of the season. To emulate one of my favorite looks from the show, I used Sexy Divide (Essie), Jamaica Me Crazy (Essie), True Blue (Orly), with Cotton (American Apparel) as the base. 

I could go on and on and on, but do yourself a favor and watch the collection on style.com.

(Photo: vogue.it)

MANICURE MUSE: Matthew Williamson SP’12

As the weather gets colder and we can only dream of a warm sunset in an exotic land, let’s turn to Matthew Williamson’s SP’12 collection to get us through these winter nights. The sun-burnt palette featuring luxe tailored pieces definitely had me drooling, but this blurred print dress with the subtle floral detail called for a Miss Ladyfinger feature. Used here: Power Clutch (Essie) and Office (American Apparel).

(Photo: Stylecaster)

MANICURE MUSE: Burberry Spring ‘12 

The reign of Christopher Bailey for Burberry never fails at showing anything short of fabulous (still pining over last Fall’s shearling btw) and this spring was no exception. Spring ‘12 played homage to craftsmanship featuring artisanal details of beading, crochet, weaving and braiding in rich vegetable dye colors. While the accessories have already topped my Lust List— namely the striped baseball caps and raffia clutches, the tribal looks totally caught my eye. This look is one of my faves and features Midnight Cami (Essie), Cotton (American Apparel), Mimosa (Chanel), and a red nail brush.

(Photo: style.com)

MANICURE MUSE: Yves Saint Laurent Spring ‘12

Never underestimate the power of a first impression, because I couldn’t get YSL’s opening look out of my mind. The boldest among a collection of dark purples and French navys, this graphic topper unprecedentedly stood alone. I love the hand-drawn effect of the print and had loads of fun doodling this nail art. I used Office by American Apparel ($6 at americanapparel.com) as the base and topped it off with my trusty nail art pen and Vinyl by Orly.  

(Photo: style.com)

Summer Peach:

Summer Peach, American Apparel $6 (2 Coats)