Spring Nails

     Although I love wearing colorful nail polish all year round, it's especially beautiful during the season of spring (perfect for summer as well of course!). I decided to make a post, showing what colours I really enjoy wearing going into spring. Keep in mind that I definitely wear these colours during summer, fall, and winter as well (including neutrals and dark shades), but just in case you are looking for a little inspirations, here are a few of my picks! 

     In the spring, i especially love lighter, paler colours of nail polish because it reminds me of the Easter season. I feel that pastel colours have been very trendy this year, especially. You will notice that i also included some brighter colours as well, just because I LOVE them! Ha ha. But spring nail trends for 2011 that you could expect to see are creamy, pastel colours with very little to no shimmer.

Each colour in the photo above - Starting from the OPI colour (orange), going clockwise.

• OPI - In My Back Pocket (a softer, but bright orange from the paige denim brights collection in 2009) 
• OPI - Ogre the Top Blue (a rich electric blue from the Shrek collection)
• OPI - Rumple's Wiggin' (from the Shrek collection - this polish is actually not mine, I borrowed it from a friend but I think its gorgeous for spring! looks JUST like Lilacism by Essie, LaceyLilac by Salley Hansen Xtreme Wear, and Light as Air by China Glaze)
• Rimmel Lasting Finish - Steel Grey (it's a greyish-brown shade, a PERFECT dupe of Sephora by OPI's Metro Chic)
• Color Club - Orange Revenge (a gorgeous, very vibrant neon orange)
• Color Club - Sexsea (an amazing coral-red colour)
• Color Club - Twiggy (a beautiful soft leafy green)
• L'oreal Paris - 606 Ocean Breeze (this was limited edition from a summer collection, but it's a bright but soft looking baby blue. Looks a lot like 27 Brisk Blue Insta-Dri by Sally Hansen)
• Sephora by OPI - I'm Wired (given to me for my birthday last year. It's a really pretty pinky coral color - also great for summer!)
• China Glaze - For Audrey (one of my new favourite nail colours! It looks just like the tiffany blue colour, also very similar to Essie's Turquoise and Caicos)

Left to right: Steel Grey, Rumple's Wiggin',
Ogre the Top Blue, In My Back Pocket

                                         

Left to right: 606 Ocean Breeze, Twiggy, Sexsea, Orange Revenge

Left to right: For Audrey, I'm Wired

Since I am currently wearing one of the colours mentioned above, here is Rumple's Wiggin' on my nails! 

      

     Here are more nail colours that I absolutely love and would totally recommend for the spring time as well. Since I unfortunately don't own any of these colours, I found these photos online to show you. Here they are:

OPI - Canberra't Without You
A peachy nude, perfect if you're looking for a nude but with just a hint of colour.

OPI Pink-A-Doodle 
A pale, muted pink. 

China Glaze - Refresh Mint
A very creamy, clean pastel green.
(Slightly similar to For Audrey by China Glaze (listed above),
but more green, rather than sea foam blue.)
*A great, cheaper dupe for this shade is Minted by Relvon.

China Glaze - Something Sweet
A girly pale pink with a hint of lilac purple. (Almost a very muted bubble gum pink)

China Glaze - Lemon Fizz
A pale (but slightly brightened) lemon-yellow.

                                                      

Essie - Mint Candy Apple
Quite similar to Refresh Mint by China Glaze, but slightly more
of a very pale green with hints of blue. 

have fun painting your nails! 

xoxo, Bianca.

Spring 2011 Makeup Trends

The colours become brighter, and the weather will be warming up! SPRING is in the air and a new season calls for new trends, new looks, and a new you! With a little bit of observation and browsing the internet, these are some trends that you should expect to see during spring this year! (never feel obligated to follow a trend that you don't feel has "YOU" written all over it, whoever "YOU" may be!)

BRIGHTEYES
Out with the neutrals and in with the colour! Bright eye shadow colours are seen almost annually in the spring and summer, but here are some ways to wear colour without looking like you just got in a paint fight!

Colour on the bottom, neutral on top! This look can easily be achieved by smudging a bright colored eye pencil or eyeshadow to your lower lash line. When using a pencil, it is a good idea to set it with the same coloured eyeshadow so that it won't smudge throughout the day! 

Light wash of a bright eyeshadow could be very flattering. One thing you must remember to do: BLEND! The key to this bright eye is a light wash of the colour. Bright shadows can sometimes be harsh on certain skin tones, and to get a look that is still intense but wearable, blending out the entire look -but mostly the edges of the colour- will give you a beautiful wash of the shadow and give you just the right amount of colour! You want it to be vivid, but not harsh. I really like the look of using one eyeshadow and blending it out, skipping the extra steps of crease and outer corner colours. If you find that the color looks flat, try using a washed out, deeper version of the eyeshadow that you applied over the entire lid to add dimension. 

(images http://www.elle.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/sandbox/spring-makeup-trend-turquoise-eyeliner/4544950-1-eng-US/Spring-Makeup-Trend-Turquoise-Eyeliner_articleimage.jpg,  http://makeupforlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/oscar-de-la-renta-spring-2011-green-eyeshadow.jpg)

LIPSTHATPOP

Bright lips are perfect for spring! From oranges to corals, to reds to bright pinks, pucker up and make a statement!

Even though i'm not one for the bold lip looks, pairing a bright, bold lip with muted eyes is perfect for spring. If you want something a little extra, try a brighter lip with a soft and sultry smokey eye! (like in the photo above) If you're not comfortable wearing an opaque bright lip colour, using a bright colored gloss will add a glossy touch of brightness to your look! (I suggest Lancome juicy tubes and Covergirl wetslicks fruit spritzer lipgloss)  :)

BRONZEDBABE

This look is definitely amazing for spring (and summer, and winter, and fall) and it's very easy to accomplish! Key parts to the bronzed look would be dewy skin, bronzed cheeks with a subtle sheen, and smudgy smokey bronzey eyeshadow! 

The one thing I love about a look like this is that it's quick! Also, a look like this is universally flattering. Keep in mind, with something like this, it's easy to double up your bronzing powder as an eyeshadow! 

Product ideas/mentions:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=3MOZVI11PBIXCCV0KQLRPIQ?id=P44800&categoryId=S6100&shouldPaginate=true
http://www.narscosmetics.com/Bronzing-Powder-C40_makeup_7.aspx
http://www.narscosmetics.com/Highlighting-Blush-Powder-C404_category_3.aspx
http://www.covergirl.ca/en_ca/beauty_products/eyeshadow/eye_enhancers_3_kit_shadows/
http://www.urbandecay.com/categories/247EyePencil.cfm
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=3MOZVI11PBIXCCV0KQLRPIQ?id=P198600&categoryId=S6100&shouldPaginate=true