I like the grass-green nail polishes being released for spring/summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

Essie Nail Polish in Navigate Her, $8

butter London Nail Lacquer in Dosh, $14

Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel in Bonsai, $8

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Green With Envy, $3

Love 21 Nail Polish in Avocado, $2.80

Add some holiday cheer to your cosmetics bag with a few of the red and green items featured above.

1. Rimmel London Eyeliner, $3.19
2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Certainly Red”, $8
3. Deborah Lippman Glitter Nail Color in “Ruby Red Slippers”, $18
4. Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser, $39
5. Pre de Provence Red Currant Soap, $8
6. NARS Nail Polish in “Zulu”, $17
7. butter London Nail Polish in “Come to Bed Red”, $14
8. Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips, $15
9. Tarte Natural Beauty Cheek Stain, $30
10. Lola Cosmetics High Shine Lip Gloss, $18
11. Sephora Collection Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain, $12
12. The Body Shop Green Apple Bath & Shower Gel, $6

I’ve honestly never been tempted to pick up these Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips until now. These holiday colors and patterns are adorable (how cute would it be to do one on the disco nail and the rest plain red?).

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips Holiday Collection, $10 each

You may have noticed that lately among nail polish shades, the brighter or more saturated the color, the more popular it is. But what about for those times (a meeting at a conservative workplace, for example) when bright pink fingernails won’t do? Or when you’d prefer to have something subdued, but not boring? In other words, how do you achieve a clean look that’s not Essie Ballet Slippers or a French manicure?

Meet my new obsession: Revlon’s Matte Suede Nail Enamel in Powder Puff ($4.79). The matte texture classes things up, while the slightly off-white shade looks clean and minimal. (Check it out in action here.) For the most modern look, keep nails short and tidy.

New nail polish and colorful marker pens constitute a successful Target shopping trip by my standards.

One of the least expensive and most fun ways to perk up your look is with a nail polish change. Although Essie’s Fall 2011 collection might take some getting used to after the bright pinks, reds and blues I’ve been wearing all spring and summer, I’m dying for the greenish gray Power Clutch and the camel Case Study shade.

(Clockwise, from top left)

• Carry On, $8 - “Deep romantic burgundy”
• Case Study, $8 - “Rich camel beige” 
• Glamour Purse, $8 - “Alluring almond taupe”
• Very Structured, $8 - “Classic burnt sienna”
• Power Clutch, $8 - “Striking deep gray green”
• Lady Like, $8 - “Elegant soft mauve”

Which shades are your favorite?

The Glitter Guide did a post today about how to do ombre nails and I decided to do my own version (purple on purple!):

Here are the shades I used:

• Butter London Nail Lacquer in Scoundrel, $14
• Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Rockstar Pink, $3

Have you tried out ombre nails? What are some other color combinations I should try?

As you can see below, there’s a lot of different interpretations of what the shade coral is supposed to look like, but in general, coral makeup looks like a cross between pink and orange shades. (Sometimes it leans more to orange, sometimes more to pink.)

A lot of people are afraid of coral, especially in lipsticks, because it brings to mind that very orangey lipstick we’ve all seen on ourselves or others and cringed at. (Orange lips are usually not flattering.) The trick is to find a coral that works with your skin tone. If you have a cooler skin tone, find a warmer shade of coral and vise versa for warmer skin tones.

P.S. Confused about how to tell what skin tone you have? Go to a room that has natural light and hold your arm palm-side up and find the veins that run on your wrist into your hand. If they’re green, you have a warm skin tone. If they’re blue, you have a cool skin tone. If you have both green & blue, or they look greenish-blue, you have a neutral skin tone that can take almost any makeup shade or hair color.

1. Forever 21 Coral Nail Polish, $2.80
2. TopShop Blush in Neon Rose, $12
3. OPI Nail Lacquer in Monsooner or Later, $8
4. Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in Kiss Me Coral, $7.99
5. Stila One Step Makeup Prime Color in Capri Coral, $22
6. NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover, $24
7. Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate, $10
8. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in Cabo Coral, $24

An affordable way to add some color to your wardrobe is to take advantage of all the fun nail polish shades available right now. I love the bright pinks, reds, yellows and blues I’m seeing everywhere. These bright shades look best on shorter nails (trust me, I’ve tried them when my nails are longer and they’re a little reminiscent of Cruella-esque talons). They’re equally fun on fingers or toes and will match your friendship bracelets perfectly.

Here are a few of my favorites right now:

1. Essie Nail Polish in “Geranium”, $8
2. butter London in “Artful Dodger”, $14
3. Deborah Lippmann Nail Color in “Yellow Brick Road”, $16
4. NARS Nail Polish in “Schiap”, $17
5. POP Beauty Nail Glam Nail Polish in “Grass”, $10
6. Deborah Lippmann Nail Color in “I Know What Boys Like”, $16
7. butter LONDON in “Primrose Hill Picnic”, $14
8. Essie Nail Polish in “Watermelon”, $8

What nail polish brands/colors are you wearing right now?

Chanel Nail Colour in Mimosa (not yet available)

Everyone’s been buzzing about Chanel’s upcoming must-have nail color for spring and summer. The bright, cocktail-inspired color is perfect for hands or toes (or both).

When the weather gets hot this summer, throw on this light, easy dress, a pair of barely-there sandals and show off your newly-minted Mimosa pedicure.

P.S. I’m loving that adorable straw handbag from Aldo as an alternative to the standard straw beach tote!

1. (Throw your hair up in a messy bun!)

2. Aldo Straw Tote, $50

3. Cheap Monday Dress, $70

4. Forever 21 Hat, $10.80

5. Vestique “Chain of Events” Necklace, $21.50

6. Ecote Sandals, $29

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