A blushing taupe with patina undertones, inspired by a grunge girl all grown up, says lead nail artist Angi Wingle for CND. The colors used to create the look were Desert Suede, Copper Shimmer and Sheer Rose Water, finished with Super Matte Topcoat & Solar Speed Spray for a sueded effect.

After the pastels required Easter holiday, something within me kicked into overdrive and demanded I join the candy-colored club. My choice for the week? Ginger + Liz's Boy Toy. Not only is it an amazing color (somewhere between a robin's egg & Tiffany blue with a dash of seafoam), but couldn't we all use a little boy toy in our life?

What inspired your nail color choice this week?  I want to hear ALL about it!

Photo by Felicia Sullivan

Let's face it.  New York Fashion Week is hectic - it's mania - and mostly, it is unsurviveable, especially from a nail polish perspective.  My nails are one of the few things I want to spend time worrying about and yet somehow I always end up with a wrecked manicure 2 days in.  When my dear friend Heather Park turned me onto the cult of Calgel (I use cult with affection, because she has created a cult!), I as a bit gunshy of the price tag. You want me to pay how much?

Heather has gotten her fair share of manicures over the past few months and over time, I've learned that they can actually last a good three weeks if you take care of them properly.  Around the NYFW time of year, a three week manicure sounds like an answer from the heavens.  At left, you'll see my first step into the world of Calgel, as gently guided by Heather.  Fellow Calgel virgin Dina & I went last Friday for our first NYFW design. We are both totally in love and impressed with the quality.  We both even think we should go MORE elaborate next time.

To keep your Calgel nails lasting as long as possible, remove your topcoat with a non-acetone remover & reapply a topcoat once a week as long as you keep your design.  It is possible to remove Calgels from your nails with an acetone remover.  Heather says it can take about 20 minutes to remove them compltely.

Sakura Nail Spa is currently running a 20% discount in honor of Heather & NYFW. Click here for more information.

Have you had Calgels? I want to hear about your experience (or your dream experience) in the comments below!

I was beyond thrilled last Thursday when I was given the opportunity to receive a Minx manicure at the launch of Tone's Blueberry Body Wash (more on that soon).  Initially, I was mesmerized by the alternating silver and gold disco balls on my nails.  Could these be the nail covering I had always longed for?

While receiving the manicure, I asked how long they were supposed to last - I was told up to 2 weeks. To be honest, the application was similar to that of the nail polish stickers from Avon or Sephora.  A shiny topcoat and sticky backside were maneuvered and cut to fit my nail.  I couldn't imagine how these would last a week, but I loved that I had truly metallic nails.

My nails were set under a heat lamp and I was turned loose without so much as a topcoat.  None of the other ladies received a topcoat either.  All night long I treated them gingerly as to avoid any peeling or pulling.  They were great all day Friday and most of Saturday, until on Sunday I began to put away laundry.  This was when the aggravation happened.

The ends began to pull back from the edge of my nail, and the sides were coming up.  Once that started, the edges were losing color and splitting. After chatting with two other beauty bloggers who told me they peeled theirs off, I knew I had to do the same.  There was no way I was surviving until my next manicure when I was snagging on everything in sight.

These nails are amazing if you are a performer or have a special occasion.  They are quickly applied by a professional and are designed to Wow! those who see them, but they are definitely not meant for day to day wear, especially when compared to the cost - a Minx manicure will run you around $40 for the set.

I would like to thank my manicurist for the evening, Mai Kiyotake.  If you are interested in receving a Minx manicure or CalGel service, call Mai at 718-570-1982 or email her at kiyomai77@gmail.com.

Have you tried Minx nails? What did you think of them?

Lippmann Collection Nail Color, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

$15.00 by Lippmann Collection at Beauty.com

The instant you hear the name, Pretty Young Thing, you mind races to the Michael Jackson song, and the words stick in your head.  After a swipe of Lippmann Collection's PYT, and the phrase takes on a whole new meaning.

The shade is Spring-worthy, evoking memories of the snowcone and sherbert creations craved before the weather is warm enough. In different light, PYT can deepen from a pale orange pink to a sheer orange/coral.

If you're not craving neons and brights this Spring, a saturated sheer like PYT is worth a look.  Lippman Collection polishes are always unique, with a fantastic color selection.

Besides, who doesn't want a polish to make them feel like a Pretty Young Thing even on the dreariest of Spring days?

Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein

$17.50 by Barielle at Skin Store

Ever since I've had a certain nail procedure, my nails haven't been the same.  They've been weak and easy to break which means I couldn't keep polish on them to save my life.  Then one day a magical product appeared - Barielle's Nail Rebuilding Protein. My nails have gone from flimsy to fab in a week flat.  The instructions say to apply every 2-3 days and you can even use it as a polish base.  The result?  Substantially stronger nails that have lasted a full 2 days without a topcoat. Winner, indeed.