IT'S CRACK!

Now this is dope.

And what's more, BYS is an Australian company/brand.

I've been using BYS for a minute now and I LOVE their range - the colours are onpoint, consistency is extremely workable AND they retail for $4 a bottle.

Get into this concept. You paint a base colour (hot pink in this set) and then follow it with the special black varnish designed to crack and show the pink through it.

There are 3 sets in this collection all with varying base and cracking polish colours.

View all images and the full story at http://www.fashionaddict.com.au/fashion-blog/index.php/cracked-nail-polish-is-a-new-and-funky-look-for-your-nails/

Image courtesy of http://www.fashionaddict.com.au/

GET ME BODIED.

Don't hate me 'cause I stan.

In line with my obsession with all things Sophy Robson-related, I (re-)present the latest polish offerings from dope cosmetics beast, Illamasqua.

The collection is aptly named 'Body Electrics' and this just reiterates that I really need to get into some online ordering.

Full article over at http://www.alllacqueredup.com/2010/04/illamasqua-body-electrics-nail-varnish-preview.html

Images courtesy of alllacqueredup.com

GETTIN THAT VISUAL??

Them jokesters over at Bleach Black have done it again with the release of their latest polish colour.

Described as a 'pearlescent, milky white' - it's been crowned 'Jizz'.

Hilarious.

...You may have heard of Bleach Black before, due to their attention-grabbing debut polish colour around Christmas time - a deep, metallic teal, entitled 'Dickweed'.

I love these girls.

These articles are equally bemused -

http://www.buzzfeed.com/scott/jizz-nail-polish

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/04/style_bloggers_share_their_new.html

http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-whats-that-on-fingernails-oh-just-my-jizz-nail-polish/

Images courtesy of refinery29.com

COLLABO

MAC have gotten Alice + Olivia onboard with a range that I can get with.

Not sure when Oz will see it (we're just getting the Liberty of London collection right now.... )

Anyway - pics are pretty.

Full article over at - http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/the-thread/THREAD-Alice--Olivia-Designer-Tries-Her-Hand-at-MAC-90762599.html

Image courtesy of nbcnewyork.com

GREAT MINDS...

Some people (alot, infact) initially didn't quite get the point of the BRONZ'D for Minx Nails launch at Laruche a couple of weeks ago.

Just to reiterate - if you have or express a creative idea or notion, don't let the naysayers knock your momentum. Keep on pushing.

Tracey Lee (dope NY nail tech) is currently doing Minx Nails launches at the ACE Hotel (New York City) each Saturday.

http://newyork.metromix.com/events/article/minx-mania-nailing-the/1849118/content

http://newyork.metromix.com/events/shopping_event/minx-manicures-at-opening/1812137/content

ACE hotel is fresh.

I have the excellent fortune of having a BF who's close association makes me seem like I constantly have a clue - and because of her influence I happened to stay (with her) at ACE hotel last July when the hotel was just 2 months past it's extensive refurbishment.

As you can see from the images above, it's an amazing space.

Let me just say this - ACE+TraceyLee+MinxNails = GOOD LOOK.

I knew I was on the right track...

SHANGHAI SURPRISE

Following hot on the heels of that last dis - I will (and must) acquiesce just this once.

My faith has been temporarily restored. This is beautiful.

Thanks for bringing it back (finally!), KL.

full story at http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/03/best_bet_striking_gold.html

Image courtesy of nymag.com

WELCOME BACK

Grazia Australia March 1, 2010

Vogue Australia May 2010

I, for one, (obviously) am hyped to see tanning coming back into high fashion photo shoots - and I am not talking about new season bags and shoes.

THIS is what an official spray tan looks like. Act like you (cottdamm) know.

And the Vogue Oz shoot is precisely why (spray) tanning should be perennial. I do not care if you can only see my face in winter - seeing ANY skin is reason enough, thank you very much.

Holla if ya hear me.

Images courtesy of Grazia Australia and Vogue Australia.

P.s. Would take any, and all, of these garments.... Ridiculous.

BRONZ'D+MINX+LARUCHE=HOT

BRONZ'D did it up for Minx Nails at Laruche bar and supperclub on Wednesday night and.... it was official.

All the freshest came out to celebrate Bronz'd tanning+nails' foray into the Minx phenomenom.

There were models dressed by Project Runway's Juli Grbac and BO+ARRO boutique, Tracey Gillinder witnessed ...and then documented for Diary of a Shoe Addict

http://diaryofashoeaddict.blogspot.com/2010/04/get-your-saucy-minx-on.html

Angela Taylor, Chief Minx Master for Australia manned the pop-up nail bar and kept all the guests laced with a sneaky taster of what is to come at their next nail appointment and Brisbane's own Sunday Mail showed up to get in on the action

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/galleries/social

Amber Long gave an extremely generous gift of a Jean Brown Gallery voucher as the lucky door prize and everyone left with swag bags stashed with serious goodies including Sara Happ cinnamon lip scrubs, cupcakes by Vas and complimentary Pilates sessions by Tina Gilbert.

Special thanks to Minx Australia, Sandra Robbins, Jessica Bruton and every single person that contributed to the success of this launch - it was literally a team effort - it would not have happened without all of you.

Onto the next one!

All images courtesy of Callie Marshall http://www.calliemarshall.com/

(more pics at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Brisbane-Australia/bronzd-tanningnails/177587337391?ref=ts)

CUSTOMIZED

O.P.I.'s web toy.

O.P.I.'s app for iPhone.

While we're on the O.P.I. trail, let's go this way!

Okay - so this is one of the FRESHEST things I've seen in a minute (I'm late, I know...).

Go to http://www.opi.com/ . Click on the 'TRY ON THIS COLOUR' button on the top banner.

Get onto this - you can choose your skin tone and nail length and then suck through about 42 mins of your lunch break sampling everything O.P.I.'s got for ya.

Wow.

No, really.

This is GREAT.

BUT WAIT - what is this?! They've ALSO developed an app for iPhone using the same premise?? (!?!?)

Ridiculous.

Check THIS out... http://www.bellasugar.com.au/Review-iPhone-OPI-App-7623653

O.P.I. is a monster -don't ef with 'em.

...but, you know... ef with them (of course).

Images courtesy of http://www.opi.com/ and http://www.bellasugar.com.au/

WORK

Some images from a shoot (Stradbroke Island) - BRONZ'D tanning in the house! (...or on the beach actually....)

Thanks to Israel and Nat for making my work look soooooo good... ;)

Seriously, though - these are 2 extremely talented artists that I've been sincerely fortunate to be involved with.

Images courtesy of Natalie Lynn (check her link on the right side bar) with MORE coming really soon!

C.R.E.A.M.

...get the money, HUNDRED dollar bills, y'all.....

Now THIS is how it's done.

Rih is on point once again - this was her choice for Grammy night - IT'S MONEY, baby!!

Image courtesy of http://www.thehouseofpretty.com/

PEEP TOM

This has got to be one of Tom Ford's tamer campaigns... It actually suits him!

Spring/Summer 2010 - very cute and cheeky and cool.

I'm submitting this one 'cause I LOVE the tan lines.

See a fuller collection of shots over at http://www.thehouseofpretty.com/

HOUSE OF PRETTY

The above bunch of posts come courtesy of inspiration (and images) drawn DIRECTLY from THEHOUSEOFPRETTY.

Let me be crystal clear - I cannot stan enough for this website (forgive me, Aja...).

Let me also remind you, it's all about the nails (well, maybe not...) just here - 'LOVE' magazine Spring/Summer 2010.

Get the #$*! over to http://www.thehouseofpretty.com/ to see ALL the goodness....

YOU NEED THIS

As we consummate consumers of vast, varying arrays of beauty products are acutely aware, many times you can read a review, get a recommendation - even see something someone else is wearing - and think "I NEED that! (...immediately - if not, sooner!)", only to get home, crack it open, put it on (in the harsh daylight) and need some post-traumatic stress counselling.

Whatever it was that you just spent your month's disposable income on (with the to-die-for packaging) is actually a piece of crap - and WHAT do you do with it now because it's been 'used'?!? (..besides sit and watch that feeling of euphoria (that is almost better than the perfect product) go hurtling toward the dumpster where it would soon be followed by the offending 'beauty' product...)

If you are into bronzers, I am here to guide you (actually, my BFF is here to guide me to guide you - aficionado, arbiter, authority, devotee, specialist are terms not sufficient to describe her 'skill'...).

DuWop Revolotion is the product you've waiting for your whole life (I am not overstating this). It is a bronzer, moisturiser and SPF all in one. All I can say in regard to this product, is - refer to the title of this post.

I must warn you though, before you become completely enamoured with this miracle -to add to its extreme allure, procuring a tube can be one of the most arduous journeys you'll ever make in your personal beauty regime career - BECAUSE - it's not just a matter of getting a tube of DuWop Revolotion.

There are 2 different colours.

One makes you look how you look in your dreams when you are wearing a Herve Leger bandage dress and Louboutins toying with David Beckham/Pharrell Williams/George Clooney/Ashton Kutcher's emotions (nooo..... remember? Rob Patterson does NOT dig the bronzed effect...). Aaaand, THE OTHER?

Well, it makes you look as though you've been spat out of a community-college pottery-turning class (and Patrick Swayze REALLY ain't coming to your assistance, either...).

Trust me on this - you MUST only purchase the 'deep' colour of this product. You do NOT want the 'medium' colour.

That said, hop onto http://www.sephora.com/ , dedicate your life to checking religiously when the 'deep' stock is in and get in line - I just may see you there...

FRESH

Dunno who's collection this is or who did the nails - but, I DO know I want that clutch!

Image courtesy of http://www.thehouseofpretty.com/

TWEETIE PIE

To commemorate my (ridiculously delayed) induction into the Twitter phenom, let me post these little gems that could be homemade, but have had an EXCELLENT chop at looking somewhat professional. (pinkie looks like a widdle tandoowi bunny wabbit...)

2 thumbs up!! (not toe thumbs, either...)

Come follow! :)

http://twitter.com/brnzd

(Props to the owner/creator of this nail art... would credit it - but have lost where it came from. Apologies....)

DON'T FRONT ON THE LACE

Had to post this because the concept and image is so beautiful (plus, the McQueen minaudiere is bananas....*sigh*)

These gorgeous ones were done by Elle, celebrity manicurist, who has worked with just about every celebrity, top-tier photographer and magazine worth it's glossy pages you can think of.
http://barielle.blogspot.com/2009/02/get-to-know-elle-our-celebrity.html

Big respect to All Lacquered Up.com for the lead. If you love polish and you want a comprehensive breakdown of just about every brand and colour, style and trend on the planet, they've got you. (There's also a tutorial on there to recreate these lacy lovelies...)

image courtesy of http://www.alllacqueredup.com/

MANNEQUAN?? YES! WE CAN!

The nudist movement is gaining serious ground (almost critical mass) with many, many references to 'mannequin' hands (UPDATE - Feb 2010 - this term and look came from Soph Robson who did the nails at LV - official) popping up over the last weeks.

Reports from Louis Vuitton S/S 2010 runway (top image) mentioned MH's in stark contrast to the cr-aaziness sweeping the rest of the collections (in regard to nail design), and just about everyone had a go at the Golden Globe awards last week,

here... (about 1/4 way down the page)

http://www.thehouseofpretty.com/search?updated-max=2010-01-19T09%3A42%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=20

and here...

http://www.alllacqueredup.com/2010/01/mannequin-hands-golden-globes.html

And let's not forget, Vanessa Cruz, nudin' it right out there (2nd image) for L'Official Magazine - (also, it looks like, leading the charge with the backlash against spraytanning....sheesh (as divine as she is - no hate...)).

This is, by no means, the first nude-inspired photoshoot - they've been everywhere for a looong minute now, but it certainly is a nice one.

Cop the rest of it here...

http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/s--Vanessa-Cruz-LOfficiel-Brazil-October-2009-4257-1.html

P.s. ...maybe some of you can help settle an arguement for me? Have a little look there at Ms Cruz - cameltoe or a seam? Perspective/opinion could tend to be gender-biased....

Back on track!....I've been loving this part of the 90's revisited since probably late '08 and have been trying to push the nude since then. It's been real slow to gain ground, but I think it's safe to assume that all the kids have gotten the update.

Not only is it beautiful, but just about everyone can find a shade they can easily wear (as evident at the G.G.'s..).

Yay, nude!

Vanessa Cruz image courtesy of http://www.fashionising.com/