MANICURE MUSE: Ali Stephens for Flair April ‘12

Well, I’m back from a much needed vacation and tanner than ever. Mission accomplished! If you need a visual, you can refer to Miss Ali Stephens for Flair magazine. Meanwhile, I’ll pretend that the picture-perfect body and Burberry cropped parka are, in fact, mine. 

To emulate this look, I used Pretty Edgy by Essie, Brilliant White by CND and Baker Street by Nails Inc. 

To get these ladyfingers:

1. Paint your full nail green

2. Using your white and a thin nail art brush dab on sporadic small dots

3. Using a different nail art brush, apply 1 to 3 irregular squares and rectangles on your nail with dark blue

4. Clean up the edges of your squares with your white nail art brush

5. Outline the white edges with a black nail art pen applying just a thin line

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

(Photo: fashiongonerogue.com)

MANICURE MUSE: Proenza Schouler AW’12

Two words best describe Jack and Lazaro’s Fall ‘12 collection: oversized and angular. This season Proenza Schouler pushes silhouettes forward with scaled-up varsity jackets and kimono-wrapped skirts fully equipped with karate-inspired black belts. I’m pining over this look in particular which has an oriental yet all-American vibe. 

This post is dedicated to Jena of chicityfashion.com, who not only is a fellow Chicago gal, but also shares my love for Proenza Schouler. Check out her Miss Ladyfinger interview here!

To emulate this look, I used Brilliant White by CND, Glenn by Julep Nail Vernis and Vinyl by Orly.

To get these ladyfingers: 

1. Paint your full nail white

2. Using a nail art brush, paint thin red vertical stripes across

3. Apply a black tip along the bottom of your nail

4. Paint a red stripe down the center

5. Using a nail art brush, paint a thinner black line in the center of the red

6. Using a dotter tool (or a bobby pin), apply black dots in between the thin red lines

7. Top it off with 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

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)