MANICURE MUSE: Altuzarra AW’12

No need to board a plane to take a trip to North Africa. Let Joseph Altuzarra take you there with his dizzying trip of a Fall ‘12 collection. One of my favorites this season is Altuzarra’s collection that fuzed Moroccan carpet patterns and ethnic pom poms/coin embellishment (who needs jewelry when you can wear it?) with military-inspired jackets and French-style skirts. The stand-out was the outerwear featuring cropped sailor pea coats, shearling lined toggle coats, velvet blazers, and this black and white ikat beauty donned with a massive fur white collar. 

To emulate this look, I used I Will by L’Oreal, Vinyl by Orly, and black and white by Color Club Duo. 

MANICURE MUSE: Diane von Furstenberg AW’12

Last July I had the opportunity to attend the New York Times event, Times Talk, hosted by Diane von Furstenberg, Prabal Gurung and Norma Kamali [to read more about it click here]. Sitting among fashion leaders was an amazing opportunity, but listening to Diane speak about fashion and business was beyond inspirational. 

For Fall ‘12, her collection featured seducing dresses, bold color and a dash of surrealism. Among my favorite looks is this bold-printed comma? apostrophe? overcoat and matching skirt. Needless to say, this lady is my ultimate muse… and you can quote me on that. 

To emulate this look, I used Mitzi by Zoya and Vinyl by Orly.

To get these ladyfingers:

1. Paint one nail of your choice lime green and the rest black

2. Using a dotter tool (or a bobby pin), create dots using the opposite color

3. Paint a little tail along the dots using the corresponding color

4. Top it off with top coat

(Photo: elle.com)

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Manicure Muse: Boushie Sandal by Nine West

It’s always my pleasure to bring runway fashion directly to your ladyfingers, but let’s be real— there’s only so many splurges a fashionista can make. That’s why I’m excited to present a look that won’t break the bank, but will still keep you on trend. The Boushie sandal from the #flashingourbrights collection is bright and perfect for summer. Get the Boushie sandal here.

To emulate, I used Mitzi by Zoya, Notting Hill by Nails Inc, L’Orange by L’Oreal, Carnaby Street by Nails Inc, True Blue by Orly Instant Artist and Blue Collar by Orly. 

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: Prada Spring ‘12

Because you can never have enough Prada. 

To emulate, I used Cruising by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Too Too Hot by Essie, and Vinyl by Orly. 

To get these ladyfingers:

1. Paint your full nail gold

2. Paint a red line down the center of your nail

3. Once dry, apply tape horizontally covering the bottom portion of your nail

4. Paint exposed area black

5. Using a dotter tool, apply red dots on either side of your red line

6. Apply smaller black dots in between the red ones just made

7. Use a black nail art pen to apply tiny dots in the center of the red dots

8. Finish by drawing a very thin black line on either side of the red line

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

(Photo: elle.com)

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: Milly Spring ‘12

You heard it here first: hot rods are back, ladies. Take a moment to re-watch to Grease Lightning’s big win, because fashion is taking a retro turn. Car motifs are turning up everywhere; the most obvious place being Prada’s leather circle skirts (Prada post to come). In a less obvious way, the prints in Milly’s Spring ‘12 collection seem to have elements of race car flags. Just saying…

Anyway, I love this geometric top- more particularly the blue hue. To emulate I used Blue Collar by Orly, White by Color Club, and a black nail art pen. 

(Photo: Elle.com)