Julia DiNardo | Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 277

January 23, 2013

Easily Go From Your Home to the Red Carpet with A Gel Strips Manicure

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[Getting my first-ever Sally Hansen Insta-Gel Strips Mani at the Golden Globes Viewing Party]

You know what the only thing better than watching the rep-carpet arrivals for the Golden Globes is? Getting a fabulous gel manicure at the Style Coalition Lounge, courtesy of Sally Hansen, while simultaneously taking in all of the fashion and the glamour on the red carpet! Are gel manicures the secret to the impeccable nails the starlets always seem to have? It MUST be! I can’t imagine them taking the time to get their nails done every week.

I was recently introduced to the amazing, innovative new at-home gel manicure system from the brand that brings the high quality, professional salon results into your home for a fraction of the price with several easy steps with the Sally Hansen Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kit. Watching the manicurist apply the strips on myself and fellow Style Coalition online publishers while we sipped on signature cocktails and nibbled on delectable treats was a divine way to experience my first-ever gel strip manicure (see here and below for a behind-the-scenes video of the night).

[My freshly done digits taking a walk on the “red carpet” in Spot on; image courtesy of Style Coalition]

I initially wrote about it in December as a great gift-giving option for the holidays, but now that the season has passed, I think it is fair game to gift yourself one of these great, portable kits. In a nutshell, you’ll get INCREDIBLE shine, long-lasting, chip resistant perfect nails (up to two weeks!) and virtually no dry time. You’ll first use the nail cleanser pad and buffer to wipe off any dirt and oil, then buff your nails gently and wipe again with cleanser pad. Then apply the strips making sure that they go right to the edge of your nail bed.  Apply a gel top coat, and quickly cure under the Mini LED lamp (which automatically turns off after 30 seconds).  Finally,  swipe with cleansing pad for that perfect gel shine.  The durable strips are also infused with Vitamin E to treat your nails.

[Image Courtesy of Style Coalition — Sally Hansen Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kits available in Shell We Dance, Red My Lips, and Wine Not]

Simulate a fast and easy gel mani at home with these kit-included essentials:

-16 gel polish strips (8 size choices for the perfect fit)
– Quick-cure gel top coat
-Mini LED Light
– Application Accessories: Cuticle stick, buffer and alcohol cleanser pads

Intimidated by all of this professional, long-lasting nail chat? Don’t be! I SWEAR it’s easy and foolproof. Make sure you follow each step. I think the best reference to learn how to apply and remove is via Sally Hansen’s how-to videos. Check out the Insta-Gel Strips application and Insta-Gel Strips removal videos for a clear visual guide and step-by-step of the process. Once you’ve bought your starter kit, you can continually create a new nail look with the individually sold 24 fun color and pattern options, and try your luck with the  Show & Gel App on Facebook  along with the hashtag #SHOWANDGEL on Instagram or Twitter  in order to win some Instal-Gel Strip hues (see Facebook site for deets)!

[Image Courtesy of Style Coalition]

 Which Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips are your favorite: solids or patterns?

-Julia DiNardo

Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, in which Fashion Pulse Daily/Julia DiNardo has received compensation for her time involved and content posted for this campaign.

January 23, 2013

Chanel Spring Couture 2013 Inspired Hair

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[Image via WWD]

As gorgeous as the fairy-like makeup and hair accoutrement details were, I couldn’t stop staring at the hair from the Chanel Spring Couture 2013 show. Both romantic and messy, the textures were mixed between sleeked back a puffy updo — a very playful and modern evolution of the hair styles seen on the runways, and in real life, the past few years. I wanted to duplicate the hybrid of textures look, and wear it to the office all day long – would it work? Continue reading…

January 23, 2013

The Best of Tory Burch’s Ballet Flats

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There is often a mile-wide divide between fashion and function. A stiletto may be sexy and stylish, but it’s not exactly the most practical (or comfortable) shoe for running errands or spending a day at the office. But you don’t have to choose between looking amazing and wearing a shoe that will last the day with you. A classic ballet flat is a chic and fashionable alternative for the woman who needs designer shoes that will keep up with her busy life. Tory Burch shoes have an array of ballet flats that are perfect for every occasion. Here are some standouts in her collection:

Pacey Ballet Flat

For the woman whose style is understated yet sophisticated, the neutral color palette and sleek lines of Tory Burch’s Pacey Ballet Flat is a stellar choice. The glossy sand-colored patent leather body of the shoe is accented by a matte leather toecap and gold gilded accent band. A statuesque style leader like Michelle Obama would rock these shoes with a simple black sheath dress and pearls during a dinner with foreign dignitaries or with jeans and a cardigan while she cheers for her kids at a tennis match.

Caroline Ballet Flat

Just like every woman needs a little black dress, a little black shoe is a wardrobe necessity. The black leather Caroline Tory Burch Flats fits the bill perfectly. Not only can it complement a variety of looks, its elastic trim and soft sole ensures that it will mold perfectly to your foot. You might have found a similar shoe on iconic performer Audrey Hepburn in her Funny Face days paired with slim black pants and a black boatneck top. These days, you’d be likely to see them matched up with jeans and a cropped motorcycle jacket on seasoned young actress Dakota Fanning or finishing off a polished pantsuit sported by royal family in-law Pippa Middleton.

Eddie Ballet Flat

Ballet flats are not just relegated to the daytime. They can also add glitz to any nighttime look. The Tory Burch Eddie ballet flat in platinum diamond-cut snake printed leather will bring the sparkle. Fashion designer, author, and reality show sweetheart alike might wear these dazzling flats with a fun and flirty frock from her own fashion line.

Designer shoes don’t have to feature sky-high heels in order to make a killer fashion statement. Whether you’re checking out produce at the farmer’s market, standing in line at the bank, or striking a pose on the red carpet, ballet flats can help you achieve a look that is chic but still comfortable. No matter the occasion, Tory Burch has a ballet flat that will help you become a style icon in your own right.

Full Disclosure: This article is a sponsored post.

 

January 22, 2013

DIY NAIL Art Tutorial: The Braided Look

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Our nail art aficionado, Victoria, shares how to get the DIY braided nail look in several simple steps below!

Braided hair has always been an easy way to make hair look polished, and now there is a simple way to use nail polish to achieve this eye-catching braided look for your fingers!

What You Need:

 

How to do it:

Apply the base coat. Then apply two coats of the metallic polish. Let your digits dry for about fifteen minutes.

Slowly rotate your finger and apply the pearlescent polish in a diagonal stripe going right.

Then create a metallic stripe directly below the pearlescent stripe.

Next, cross a stripe going to the left of the neon polish over the pearlescent color.
Cross a pearlescent stripe beneath the neon one. Then add another neon stripe over the pearlescent.

Add a final stripe of the metallic polish below the pearlescent. This design should have three stripes on each side of the nail for the best possible effect.Seal the design with a fast drying top coat to add an element of shine to your nails.

–Victoria Garcia

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