Nail Essentials

Well-groomed nails say a lot about a lady. Ever since I can remember I’ve been totally obsessed with keeping my nails clean and tidy. Manicures and pedicures are a weekly must. I think I started going to the salon to have my nails cleaned as early as 14. But polish was a no-no until I was in college, even then my nail colours were limited to the shades of tan and beige.

While back in the day, CANS (California Advanced Nails and Skin Care) was the only decent nail salon we could go to; now there are several salons specially designed to pamper and treat our hands and feet with luxurious treatments. There’s Nail Spa, Tips ‘n Toes, Posh Nails, and Dashing Diva to name a few. Likewise, salons are also giving more importance to the quality of nail polish they have. For the “mani-ped” set the variety of nail polish in each salon has become as essential as the premium of their stylists cut. I’ve noticed that salons are gradually changing their local nail polish to designer nail polish. Heck, nail polish has become so hot there’s a waitlist to get your hands on Chanel’s Black Satin.

Read it here: http://blogdorfgoodman.blogspot.com/2006/10/more-ramblings-about-black-nail-polish.html

Dark nails have also been elevated to cult status for Fall; “Not since Chanel introduced Vamp polish in 1994 have dark nails been so alluring. Stars are suddenly flaunting burgundy, eggplant, and chocolate shades. A style tip: Keep the look discreet, lest you veer in the direction of full-on Goth. Nails should be short and chic, longer nails can look trashy” – InStyle Sept 2006

With that, I give you my top picks for:

Nail Polish/ Nail laquer
1. Essie (tried and tested)
2. Chanel
3. OPI
4. Orly
5. The Face Shop (shiny, quick drying, and sells at P99)

Salons for your nails
1. Emphasis Salon, Rockwell (because they have an extensive selection of Essie, Chanel & OPI)
2.Nail Spa, Gamboa st. Makati (capital L for Luxury in relaxation and private space)
3.Basement Salon, Shangri- La Mall
4.F Salon, Greenbelt (quality service for those on a budget)

Nail Colours ( based on my fave, Essie)

A Bare Affair

1. A lot of Shekels

2. Cafe Forgot

3. Ballet Slippers

Not for the faint at heart

1. Wicked

2. Poor lil Rich Girl

3. Macks

4. Vintage Wine

5. Licorice

3.1 Philip Lim

If Philip Lim's designs are being sold in Thailand and Malaysia, dont you think we should have it in Manila too? Knock Knock to the retail giants.... Fashionista's would looovvveee to have Philip Lim's designs accesible in Manila. I know I love his designs! So chic yet so simple..

"Feminine, cool, polished and effortless, Lim has mastered the way women want to dress."

(photos from style.com)

Philip Lim's astronomical success happened in 2 short years. He debuted his eponymous collection, 3.1 phillip lim, in the fall of 2005 to instant success, both critically and commercially. Now in its second year, the line is available in over 250 boutiques and department stores nationwide, and represented in 26 countries worldwide.

Well what do you know...Nicolas Ghesquière

THE Nicolas Ghesquière's who recently made a quick stop in Manila over the weekend is making waves AS ALWAYS in the House of STYLE. Balenciaga's goggles are the cult buy of Spring 2007.

Hmm... I wonder if Homme et Femme is taking orders as early as now???