Summer 2013: essie Naughty Nautical Collection.

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For me, summer nails are bright. Add in some subtle sparkle, and I am even more drawn to them. That's pretty much why I am loving the super fun colors in essie's new summer Naughty Nautical collection.

essie Naughty Nautical Collection

"There's nothing more calming than a cruise to paradise, it completely rejuvenated mind, body and soul. This collection is for women in a sunshine sate of mind," says Founder and Creative Director, Essie Weingarten. "Inspired by breezy chiffon cover-ups and cashmere pastel evening looks, these six shades make the perfect wardrobe for any journey."

I am definitely in a sunshine state of mind just looking at the brilliant new shades:

  • Rock the Boat - Shimmering French Periwinkle Blue
  • Naughty Nautical - Brilliant Marine Blue-Green Shimmery Teal
  • The Girls Are Out - Soft Fuchsia Peony Sparkle
  • Sunday Funday - Bright Tangerine Coral Crush with Soft Shimmer
  • The More the Merrier - Juicy Lime Green
  • Full Steam Ahead - Pearlescent Punch of Lilac

I can see myself wearing all of the shades at some point or another this summer. While I've never thought of wearing a lime green on my nails, it could be fun as an accent nail with Sunday Funday (the bright coral) or The Girls Are Out (fuchsia).

Of course, I am still in this orange phase where I am still obsessed with everything orange. Sunday Funday is the first color I just had to try. The sparkle is very subtle and really only shows up out in bright sunlight.

essie Sunday Funday

essie's Naughty Nautical collection retails at $8.00 per bottle and is available at essie.com and selected beauty retailers such as Nordstrom.

essie Rock the Boatessie Rock the Boat

essie Naughty Nauticalessie Naughty Nautical

essie The Girls Are Outessie The Girls Are Out

essie Sunday Fundayessie Sunday Funday

essie The More the Merrieressie The More the Merrier

essie Full Steam Aheadessie Full Steam Ahead

A Different Nail Enamel from Clinique.

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Did you know that you can be sensitive to nail polish? I am not talking the paint or fumes, I am talking a very serious skin sensitivity to nail polish, and it is not around or even near the nails. The most common place to be sensitive to nail polish is the eyes. I never even realized this until I read that nail enamel can cause irritation and even contact dermatitis on the the skin around the eyes. If your upper or lower eye lids ever get red or swollen, it is probably due to your nail polish. Yes! I was just as shocked. Knowing that on average we touch our eyes about 200 times a day, it makes total sense.

As an allergy tested and 100% fragrance free cosmetic brand, Clinique scientists challenged themselves to develop a nail enamel formulated to minimize unwanted reactions to the nails, and skin and eyes. It took over six years to develop, bit they created on and it is a first in the nail polish industry. Meet Clinique A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins.

The formula is not only proven to be safe on women with both sensitive skin and

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Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit.

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Are you as hooked on gel manicures as I am? I rarely paint my nails anymore because I just can't deal with the drying time and changing my polish every 3 - 5 days. I know! Nail polish just doesn't last on my nails and I have been getting gel manicures on the regular for a few years now. But they are costly. A gel manicure costs me $45 + tip.

I have done my gel manicure at home too, but I will be honest; the systems I have used in the past are not salon quality as far as color selection and lamps go. I am thrilled to report that I did find a salon quality at-home gel manicure polish kit and it is not limited in any way. This is the Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit.

Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit

Couture Gel Nail Polish is made without the use of harmful chemicals, and they have over 75 stunning shades to choose from in various finishes  like shimmer, creamy, sparkle and glitter. Couture Gel Nail Polish lasts up to three weeks, and is extremely chip resistant. I get 3 weeks wear out of this polish and I have every time I have used it.

Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit

The Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit includes everything you need for a salon-quality gel nail polish manicure at home:

  • Your choice of 3 Couture Gel Nail Polish colors
  • Plus base coat and top coat
  • A professional 36-watt Salon Quality Curing Lamp (big enough for your entire hand, unlike others)
  • Instructional DVD and brochure
  • Zippered carrying case for easy storage
  • Salon nail care kit

There is a new Couture Gel Polish collection for spring that came out since I received my kit and it contains 28 brand new shades, perfect for spring. I need to get my hands on a few.

  • Mardi Gras
  • Fairytale Fling 
  • Pillow Talk 
  • Tiffany's Secret 
  • 5th Avenue 
  • Naughty-cal 
  • Sweet Cheeks 
  • Million $ Tweet 
  • Skinny Dip 
  • Lavender Lace 
  • Off the Shoulder 
  • Milano 
  • Sweet Caress 
  • Tres Chic 
  • Come On Barbie! 
  • Glam Squad 
  • St Tropez 
  • Seduce Me 
  • Dance 'til Dawn 
  • London's Fog 
  • Pretty Little Liar 
  • Teal the Show 
  • Aloe-Very 
  • Share My Yacht? 
  • High Maintenance 
  • Stay-cation 
  • Red Carpet 
  • Vintage Denim

You have to be very careful to follow the directions carefully. I highly suggest watching the DVD. If you do not "top off" or "cap" the tips of your nails in each step, air and water will get beneath the nail and cause the color to peel off.

The cost for the entire kit Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit retails for just $129. I can't even get 3 gel manicures at the salon for that price. Check it out online at couturegelnailpolish.com.