Just like food products and batteries, make-up products have a shelf-life too and keeping them for too long will allow products to go bad or will make them work inefficiently. This means that make-up does expire, too. So, as you begin to gear up for spring an think of your spring cleaning, take a minute to rummage through your make-up bag and see what can stay and what’s go to go. On the back of each product you should be able to see a tiny image of a jar and a number written next to it, such as “36 MOS”. This means that the product stays fresh for three years from the time it is opened. Unopened packages always seem to remain “fresh” for longer, but remember it is never a good idea to use expired makeup on your skin because it can lead to irritation. As a guide, here are some products and their freshness dates.

Foundation: If it is oil-based, it should last up to 18 months, while water-based foundation will weaken and dry out within a year. Often times, women may use two different shades of foundation depending on the time of the year. If your water-based foundation begins to dry out before its expiration date, add a few drops of alcohol-free toner to the bottle and shake to mix it in. Oil-based foundations often begin to separate when they go bad.

Lip-Liner: These little puppies can hold you for up to three years. To update your make-up bag, avoid push-up lip liners. They are expensive and break easily, which will lead you to spend more money on make-up than is necessary.

Concealer: Rock this for up to 12 months before you think about chucking it.

Pencil Eye Liners: They should be sharpened regularly and will last up to three years.

Eyeshadow: These usually last for up to three years. As a money saver, eyeshadow can double as eye-liner, so you can save money buying another product by using a super thin brush to apply it to the lining of your eyes.

Lipstick: When it starts to reek, dump it. They usually last about 1 to 2 years. Want them to last longer? Store your lipstick in the refrigerator.

Mascara: It seems like there are endless tubes of these because they dry out the quickest. They also expire the quickest and need to be tossed after four to six months. If you don’t want the product to last longer, don’t pump your mascara wand in and out of the bottle to quickly because it exposes it to drying air.

Nail polish: Most nail polish lasts for about a year to two years, depending on the quality. When the colors begin to separate, its time for them to go.

Don’t forget to clean out the tools that you use to make-up your face! If you use sponges frequently, make sure you wash them weekly and discard them monthly. Make-up brushes should be washed every two to three months with a mild detergent.

In her post for the BVX, Yannique Benitez asks a question that much of the fashion world is asking as well: “Is Asian The New Black On The Runway?” Benitez writes:

“For the past few decades black models have fought to gain more representation in the fashion industry. Iconic models like Naomi Sims, Beverly Johnson, and Iman have paved the way for Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and now Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn. But there is a new push for not only black but Asian faces on the runway… Asian models have become the new ‘exotic’ in fashion shows and are appearing in more and more general market ads.”

As the global market becomes more and more in Asia’s favor, many businesses have revised their strategy to appeal to their new customer base.  Just last year Forbes interviewed Bernard Arnault, CEO of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy group on his strategy to expand his business in the developing world.  Speaking on new markets in Asia, Arnault is choosing to venture, explaining, “Today it’s clear that the world is driven by the growth of Asia and emerging countries.”

As the audience of luxury buyers changes, so have the women modeling the clothes. However, lest we get caught up in the recent waves of all Asian model editorial spreads and casting for shows- let’s all take a moment and reflect here.

Fashion is notorious for having all-black everything moments, so the latest Asian emphasis has to be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.  Last month when a cast of women of color were featured in Vogue Italia’s “The Black Allure” spread, Faith Cummings of Poshglam made a timely point, writing:

“The Black Allure” might not be the most appropriate title and is controversial in its own right. Is there really an allure that draws people to black women? Why must our color be a fetish and not something that is embraced and included in traditional notions of beauty? Is this an actual step in the right direction or is fashion having a moment in which shows and spreads are just featuring models all belonging to one ethnicity?”

Reducing ethnicity to a fetish isn’t empowering to any race.  Fashion’s love for the exotic is a complicated one to understand- is it about the women or are designers treating the women under the clothes as just another interesting texture? I’m beyond exhausted with everything being the ‘new’ black.  As a non-fashionista, it’s hard for me to take seriously, these industry spurts of racial love.  This industry, like every other one may have to concede that its misplaced artistic expression is no substitute for committed reform.

What do you think ladies?  Are Asian models the fashion industry’s new muse or just another ethnic obsession?

Stretch marks develop when skin grows at an abnormally fast rate, hence why adolescence or periods of weight gain are notorious for allowing these lines to shine. Skin is naturally elastic, but when it stretches to quickly, the skin is unable to react quickly enough and the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, rips. These tears basically turn into those lovely lines that we all know as stretch marks. Stretch marks are most often found on the breasts, stomach, hips, or buttocks.

Although unsightly, they must be embraced because stretch marks are bodily scars that do not go away–they simply fade slowly with time. They are also in many ways a symbol of birthing and life through their association with pregnancies. Surgery is the only way to have them removed however there are some safer options that help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Although many over-the-counter creams claim to make stretch marks disappear, there are some that lessen their appearance. Sunless tanning products and body makeup can also be used sparingly to cover them up for one-time events or photo shoots. However, the best bet is good old fashioned diet and exercise to maintain weight; this is your best preventative measure from gaining unnecessary stretch marks.

Shea butter was one of my staples, and really still is but now it’s mixed in the various products that I use. But just ‘plain old’ Shea butter can be used on your hair and body, and for those who don’t particuarly like the smell, it can be easily mixed with scent as well.

Shea butter originates from the Karite Nut tree, also called the Mangifolia tree, found in the semi-arid savannahs of West and Central Africa. The Karite Nut tree, also called the “tee of life” can live for 300 years and almost all parts of the tree have some practical use. The bark is an ingredient in traditional medicines against certain childhood illnesses and minor scrapes and cuts. The shell of the nuts can repel mosquitoes.

The fruity part of the nut, when crushed, results in a vegetable oil that can be used in soap-making, cooking, and skin and hair care. The oil extracted has a relatively high melting point and is used in rural areas in the making of foods, traditional drugs and cosmetics. Shea is mainly exported as smoked kernels and can be used as an extender in chocolate as its properties are similar to cocoa butter.

Although in the last few years, Shea butter has become popular in the US, it has been used by the women of West Africa for centuries. Shea butter can also help to protect the skin against the damaging effects of the sun, while repairing cellular degeneration. It contains vitamins A and E, and has demonstrated both antimicrobial (kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoa), and anti-inflammatory properties.

In most parts of West Africa, destruction of the Shea tree is prohibited because the nut provides a valuable source of food, medicine, and income for the population. In fact, Shea butter is sometimes referred to as “women’s gold” in Africa, because so many women are employed in the production of Shea butter.

Shea butter may also help treat skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis; however, keep in mind that you should always consult a physician or dermatologist about serious or persistent skin problems. Shea butter is not recommended for people with nut or latex allergies.

As the many moisturizing hair/body products that I have purchased over the last few months run down, I am going to make a commitment to go back to basics and replace them with good old Shea butter, then I’ll have tons more room on my bathroom shelves as well as more money in my pocket.

Places to Purchase Shea butter:
Oils by Nature
Wholesale Supplies Plus
From Nature with Love

More Information:
The Shea Project
Treasured Locks
Pioneer Thinking
How to Pedia

I, too, sing Beauty

I am the darker girl.
They said I was “pretty to be dark”
When I open a magazine or stroll the street,
But I laugh,
And look within,
And move on.

Burgundy, plum and gold once ruled the makeup bags of dark-skinned girls. Vivid colors were deemed unflattering to ebony complexions and sales associates at our favorite beauty counters frowned upon purchases.

Industry embraced and culturally dismissed

Much like the late Pop artist Andy Warhol, dark-skinned Black women were first abhorred for their use of color and later praised for it. Now popular glossies highlight the hottest makeup trends guiding its readers through the illustrious world of Pat McGrath, a Black makeup artist whose resume includes Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana and most recently, Procter & Gamble, where she serves as the Global Creative Design Director.

Black women have a tormented past with makeup. Our ability to find new and edgy lip colors and foundations with a flawless match is a relatively modern idea.

Today dark-skinned girls rock fluorescent colors and dare anyone to say something. And they often do. These fearless women face resistance from the old guard and at times, family and friends.

How do we move beyond a contentious past with skin tone and makeup?

Taking the bold & brighter step

Every woman has a cool or warm undertone in her skin. It determines what colors look great against your skin and what just won’t work. To find your skin’s undertone, look at the vein closest to your palm– if it appears bluish, you have a cool undertone– if it’s greenish, you have a warm undertone.

So when you’re trying on colors, look for its coolness or warmness instead of focusing solely on its pigment, as there are just as many cool oranges as there are warm pinks.

These 10 shades are summer-ready

Pinks

Wet n Wild Silk Finish in ‘Hot Paris Pink’ – $1
M.A.C in ‘Girl About Town’ – $14
Urban Decay in ‘Jilted’ – $22
Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Pink Collection in ‘Sheer Electric Pink’ – $23
Nars in ‘Funny Face’ – $24

Oranges

Milani in ‘Mandarina’ – $4.99
Sephora Rouge Collection in ‘It Girl’ – $12
Lancôme Color Design in ‘Studded’ – $22
Shiseido Perfect Rouge in ‘Day Lily’ – $25
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté in ‘Indian Orange‘ – $34

Do you think bright colors are still taboo for dark-skinned girls?

Have you ever had a negative experience with a beauty counter or family/friend when trying brighter shades?

The response was overwhelming, hundreds of pictures (and counting) poured in from women as well as men – BGLH’s post was a success.

Leila shares with Clutch readers how it all began…

Well, there has been a lot of news coverage lately about the fact that 42% of black women have never been married. And then Jill Scott wrote an article for Essence talking about how disappointed she is when she sees successful black men with white women. I just felt that it was a depressing and disappointing media atmosphere for young black women like myself.

My website, Black Girl with Long Hair, already exists to resist media messages that discredit kinky/curly hair. So I figured I’d take it a step further and use it as a platform to discredit the notion that black women are helpless and hopeless when it comes to love and relationships.

I’ve been natural for three years and very active in the online natural community for two, and I’ve noticed  a high percentage of natural women are married and engaged women. So I asked my readers to send in photos of themselves with their significant others. I threw in a prize (a vintage ring for a winner selected at random) and I titled it the “Love is in the Hair” giveaway.

After I had finished writing the post I went back and forth for a really long time on whether I should post it. I wondered if people would find it too intrusive or off-topic, or feel that I was making light of a serious issue. After hemming and hawing, and talking to my fiancé at length, I put up the post around midnight, sandwiched another post on top of it and had a couple posts for backup in case the giveaway was an absolute bomb.

When I woke up 8 hours later I had 20 “Love is in the Hair” entries in my inbox. I left my computer for several hours that afternoon and came back to 46 entries! By the end of the first day I had received 73. I extended the series for another day and received 50 more entries. The giveaway ended a week ago and I’m still getting entries!

I was absolutely shocked at the response. I’ve run a lot of contests and giveaways on my blog and NONE have had this kind of response. It lets me know that there is a deep, deep hunger for us as black women to know and see that we are loved because there are so many media messages to the contrary.

Many women who emailed me their pictures also thanked me. Some saying, “You know, no one ever gives me the chance to celebrate my love.” That really struck me. It made me even more convinced that an acknowledgment of young, black love MUST become a part of the media script when we talk about black women and relationships.

I’ve been getting great feedback. A lot of people tweeted and blogged about the post, or put links to it in their Facebook statuses. Many, many people have asked me to make it a permanent fixture on my blog. I have some plans to that effect :) And of course, I’m super excited that Clutch was interested in doing a piece!

BGLH “Love is in the Hair” Submissions

More Information on BGLH
BGLH website
Love is in the Hair Post
BGLH Twitter
BGLH Facebook

Sun, salt, sand and chlorine are all harsh on your hair. The best way to protect your hair from these elements is to cover it. When you are going to be outside in the sun for long periods of time i.e. a trip to the beach, outside concert or fair, use a silk/satin scarf, silk/satin lined cap or hat, or even an umbrella to protect your hair.

Another step you can take to protect your hair from summer elements is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Sun, salt, sand and chlorine all rob your hair of moisture, which is an integral part of maintaining healthy hair.

Make sure to use a leave-in conditioner as a part of your hair care routine. In the summer months implement more deep conditioning and hair masks as well, which will help prevent damage by coating the hair shaft so that there is a protective barrier between your hair and the elements.

Also make sure to use moisturizing products geared toward sun protection (SPF products). Several hair product lines like Jason, Macademia, Aveda etc. have products that cater to UV protection. You can also make your own UV protection products. Shea butter contains cinnamic acid which is an organic UVB filter and therefore can be used to help protect your hair from the sun’s rays.

Oils such as Sesame oil, Avocado, Jojoba, Coconut, Aloe Vera, and Macadamia Nut oil are all natural sun screens that can provide UV protection. And remember, after washing your hair rinse with cool water to close your hair cuticle (the outer coating of the hair) to make it smooth which helps with frizz and adds shine without the need for silicone products which will cause product build-up.

Make it a goal to stay away from heating appliances, flat irons, blow dryers etc. and opt for wearing protective styles such as braids, twists, updos, sew-in weaves and wigs to protect your hair in the summer months. Also remember to trim your hair when needed, and seal your ends for extra protection. Of course, a healthy diet and exercise also help with overall hair health. Vitamins A, C, D, E, H, Selenium, Beta Carotene, Zinc, and Potassium also help with conditioning and protecting your hair.

When it comes to swimming the best way to protect your hair from the effects of chlorine is to wear a swim cap (silicone vs. lycra for the best water protection). Many natural hair wearers, also condition their hair before putting on the swim cap, some by placing a plastic shower cap or even plastic wrap over their conditioned hair before putting on the swim cap.

If wearing a swim cap is not an option, conditioning your hair before swimming will help protect your hair from the effects of chlorine. Also, before getting into the pool, take advantage of those pool showers and rinse your hair before getting into the water. By rinsing your hair you will allow your hair to absorb chlorine-free water, thereby keeping the saturation of the chlorine-filled water to a minimum.

Also rinse or wash you hair if needed after swimming and even sweating to get rid of the chlorine and salt. Try doing a leave-in hair tea rinse – Chamomile, Green Tea and Calendula tea rinses can help sooth and cool your scalp as well as protect your hair from the sun .

You can even fill a spray bottle with your tea rinse, add a little of your favorite essential oil and/or conditioner to make a spritz to be used to cool your hair after being out in the sun all day or used before you go out. Leave your rinse in the refridegerator to keep it cool and you can also pour a little in a mini spray bottle to take it with you to use throughout the day.

More Info:
Hair Mask Recipes
Silicone Swim Caps
Swimming
Swimming
Exercise and Sweat
Macademia Natural Products
Jason Natural Products
Aveda UV Protection

What to Do When You are Thinking about Turning Back to the Perm…

We all have been there – sometime along our natural journey we began to consider turning back to the perm. Whether it’s because of hairstyle boredom, looking for a change or just simply missing those ‘bone straight’ days, no matter what the reason before you make a ‘permanent’ decision take the following intervention steps into consideration.

Recommendation 1: First of all, before you make any drastic decisions I would suggest that you put your hair in a protective style, braids, twists, bun, headwrap etc. and don’t touch it for a few weeks. And remember, you’re not alone. Many naturals go through this ‘phase’ throughout their natural hair journey.

When I look back on my decision to turn back to the perm (three times) after deciding to wear my hair natural, I truly wish someone would have done a ‘Natural Intervention’ for me. The first time I decided to turn back to perming I had made up my mind that I had ‘run out’ of style options – I got tired of wearing the same old two-strand twists (funny – now their my staple) and felt with a perm I had more overall choices.

Recommendation 2: If seemingly lack of style options is one of the reasons why you are thinking about turning back to perming consider this: natural hair can be worn in straw-sets, updos, chignons, pin curls, spiral curls and more, so the styles are really limitless.

Recommendation 3: Run – don’t walk to the nearest computer and click on your favorite natural hair website and browse through the photos for inspiration. Pay special attention to styles worn by people who have the same hair texture as yours, and look for short and long hair styles that will represent each stage of your hair growth, even if your transitioning. Create a hairstyle picture board or journal of possible styles you would like to wear and keep it where you can look at it each day.

The second time I went back to perming I just simply got bored with my natural hair, and felt that perming it would give me a ‘new look’.

Recommendation 4: If you’re seeking a ‘new look’ think about a hair cut or even enhancing your hair color with henna. Accessories are also a way to add some excitement to your hair style. Go on an accessory shopping spree or save your money and make your own.

Recommendation 5: If it’s just a straighter texture you want to achieve, consider the non-chemical options. For some, braiding or banding to stretch their hair may not be enough. Therefore, treat yourself to a professional hairstyle like a sewn-in weave (where your hair is cornrowed underneath), human hair individuals or even a wig. These are also great protective styles that will aid in the overall health of your natural hair.

The last and final time I was drawn back to perming was because of outside influence; people were hinting that they’d like to see me with straight hair and others were telling me how my old straight hairstyles were so cute. Not surprisingly, none of these people were naturals.

Recommendation 6: Surround yourself with like-minded people. Seek out a support group of naturals and read and re-read their journeys. Don’t be afraid to start a discussion on the topic on your favorite site – maybe something like, “Help! The perm is calling my name!” or even, “Tell me why you decided to stay natural.” Having a network of like-minded naturals is very encouraging, and will keep you in a natural state of mind.

Inevitably, not two weeks later after each of my re-perming sessions, I regretted turning back to the perm. Not to mention the time and maintenance, but I would leave the house with my permed style and a second later spot a model-looking natural, sporting a huge ‘Fro’ or swinging twists and immediately I wanted my natural hair back. All those times I re-permed, I really didn’t take the time to think it through.

Recommendation 7: Ask yourself  why? If your answer is similar to any of the reasons above, follow the ‘intervention’ steps – follow all of them if you have to. Make a list of all the reasons why you like being natural, and a separate list of all the reasons why you want to go back to the perm. Which list outweighs the other? Is going back to the perm really worth it?

“My mission is to promote a healthy, holistic approach to beauty by creating handmade hair, body and bath products made from a diverse selection of the highest quality natural ingredients from around the world. I firmly believe that health, beauty and wellness are entwined and so nature supplies us with all of the ingredients we need to create products to enhance your natural beauty. “- Karen Tappin Saunderson – of Karen’s Body Beautiful

Karen Body’s Beautiful Boutique and soon- to-come spa is located in Brooklyn, New York. But no need to worry if you can’t make it to BK, because you can experience her wonderful natural goodies with a few keystrokes by visiting the store website – karensbodybeautiful.com. Her most popular hair products are Hair Milk and Luscious Locks Moisturizing Hair Mask. The most popular scent is Pomegranate Guava.

Karen Tappin Saunderson’s hair story…
At around the age 13 or 14 – as most young girls do, Karen began getting interested in boys. She noticed that the boys were paying more attention to the other girls – the ones with perms – so she wanted one as well, but her mother was not having it. At that time Karen viewed natural hair, like her mother’s signature teenie-weenie-afro, as a style for older people. So although her mother told her she could not get a perm, Karen went behind her parents’ back and put one in herself.

Years later, her soon-to-be husband and Co-Founder of KBB, Damani Saunderson, and his family and friends, influenced Karen to stop perming her hair. Karen noticed that his family and circle of friends all wore their hair natural and it was beautiful. One day when she announced to him that she was going to get her hair “done”, he asked her, “Why?” That “why” although it was just one word, it carried a lot of weight with it. Karen began to ask herself “why” too.

Why do I perm my hair? Why alter my hair at (literally) all costs? What message am I telling the world by covering my natural hair with perm? Karen also felt that she was damaging her hair at all costs. She has since been natural for 10 years. Karen says that she understands that not everyone wants to wear their hair natural, but advises women to seriously ask themselves the question “why?”

“Can you look in the mirror and be happy with yourself 100%?” she asks. “Be true to yourself, do what’s most comfortable for your lifestyle, she added.

Karen’s Boutique …
Deciding at an early age that she wanted to be her own boss, at the age of 17 Karen was the CEO of her own mail order business, selling care packages. Karen’s Delicious Deliveries provided gourmet food gift baskets. Karen began paying attention to the labels of the items that were sold as a part of the baskets. As she read and studied the ingredients, she found that many of them were made with potential harmful chemicals such as carcinogens. She began replacing the items with natural ones, dropped the gourmet food and KBB was born.

In February of 2004, Karen and her husband opened Karen’s Body Beautiful, and after having to get up hours early before the shop opened to make her products in her home and then transport them to the shop on a daily basis, they added a kitchen within the shop. “I decided, why not work at work?” Karen shared.

Karen and her husband are also adding a spa to the back half of the shop that will offer manicures, pedicures, waxing, massages and body treatments, both for men and women. KBB is also planning a completely new look as far as product packaging – “It will be really fly and gorgeous,” Karen assures.

As far as switching to natural products Karen suggests finishing the products you have and as you run out, replacing them with natural ones. “Once you use them you will realize your hair and skin will benefit so much. You will see the difference in your life and your health. You’ll get inherent nutrients for your hair and body just as you do when you eat healthier. To me, it’s a rational decision,” she said.

More info on Karen’s Body Beautiful:
Website - www.karensbodybeautiful.com
Facebook Fan Page - www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/Karens-Body-Beautiful/173856026169?ref=nf
Twitter: twitter.com/karensbeautiful

Premier Nail Treatments, the Truth About Minx & the Next Best Thing! We’ve Got the Skinny on Spring-Summer Trends from Tricialee Riley, Beauty Expert and Owner of the POLISH BAR BROOKLYN!

Face it, nails are important. These days you can walk into a nail salon and find loads of brands and polishes to choose from. Nail brands like OPI and Essie are releasing seasonal collections like designer ready-to-wear. Nails are a major feature on contemporary runways and celebutantes are the messengers that help propel the trends we see. Real women however, with a conscious for style and expense are interested in three things: long-lasting options, glam-on-the-go and what’s next.

Spring is around the corner and your nails are the wild card that can take any look to new heights. Whether it’s a simple mani or an exotic Minx display, nails are a critical extension of a fashion head’s personal style. For our Spring-Summer 2010 Nail Trend Report, we get the scoop from beauty insider Tricialee Riley. In the industry since the age of 19, Tricialee is a certified beauty junkie and the owner of New York’s lacquered nirvana, The Polish Bar Brooklyn.

MAKE THE INVESTMENT: The Best Base + Top Coats

“Make the investment in brands that specialize in treatment not color”

“Women wonder why they’re nails are chipping within two days. The key to long-lasting manicures is your base and top coats.” Tricialee discourages the use of a cheap base and top coat brands. She urges us to make the investment in nail brands that specialize in treatment, not color. “My personal favorite is a product by treatment company, Nails Alive called, Gooey ($11.50). It’s super thin and has an adhesive base that sticks to the polish.”

Top coats are equally as important. There are many to choose from, but Tricialee happens to live for a local nail brand that manufacturers their products in the heart of Brooklyn. Duri’s Rejuvcote Nail Growth System ($12) is an all-in-one treatment great for a top or a base coat with contents that grow the nail.” Tricialee also loves Zoya’s Armor ($7) and Seche Vite’s Dry Fast Top Coat ($9.99). To extend the life of your mani, grab these brands at your local drug store and don’t leave home without them. If your go-to nail salon doesn’t carry them, bring it with you and urge them to use it!

GET CREMED: Spring-Summer ‘It Colors’

When we asked Tricialee about choice colors for Spring-Summer she became giddy with girly excitement! “Spring-Summer colors are all about pastels and softer hues. Those harsh neon looks are yesterday.” Tricialee spotlights a nail line that we deemed the “Ultimate Sleep-On Nail Brand.” China Glaze is a brand that everybody overlooks but has been innovating colors for years. China Glaze’s “Something Sweet” could easily be the muse for the “it colors” of Spring 2010. Tricialee shares, “When China Glaze does a color, most major nail companies won’t catch on until seasons later.”  Essie’s new “Art of Spring” collection presents a charming palate of what to expect this season. OPI gets mod introducing an array of unexpected hues in primary colors like, “Jade is the New Black” for their “Hong Kong” collection. Tricialee does promise that brighter nail colors in fuchsias and corals will remain a mainstay.

Here’s a preview of our fave Spring-Summer Colors:

China Glaze “Something Sweet”
Essie “Lilacism”
OPI “Suzi Says Feng Shui”
Ginger + Liz “Boy Toy”
Zoya “Lana”
CND “Plumville”

THE POLITICS OF MINX: When to Wear + Making it Last

“Minx is a luxury service, it’s not for everybody”

We experienced the Minx craze last spring. Beyonce dazzled us with her gilded nails in performances and on red carpets. Dispersed throughout the entertainment and beauty industries, the trend was quickly adopted by other starlets like Rihanna, Solange and Lady Gaga. The Polish Bar Brooklyn (PBB) was one of the first nail salons in the country to offer the Minx service. Tricialee’s manicurists were especially trained by Minx specialists and tested various techniques to make this $55 manicure last. With a life expectancy of the expensive Minx merely lasting a hopeful week, women across the country are asking themselves is it worth it. Clarifying the misconceptions, Tricialee says, “Here’s the thing, Minx is a luxury service, it’s not for everybody.”

Tricialee reveals the infamous service was tested on Beyonce. “Your average woman is scrambling through files in the office and washing dishes at home. How many dishes do you think Beyonce is washing?” So there it is ladies! If you think the $55 mani should stretch for your buck– your dead wrong.

It’s all about the application and Tricialee says there is hope. “When we first received the product, I sent one of my specialists home and told her, ‘figure out how to make it last.’” PBB offers four Minx tips:

1. Apply a clear top coat on the edge.
2. Buff nails to line with the product.
3. Use UV gel to seal the top of the product.
4. Think luxury and get the manicure for your special events only.

HIGH-END DESIGNER NAIL BRANDS: Is it Worth It?

High-end designers from YSL to Chanel are cashing in on the nail explosion with polishes retailing for as much as $18. We asked Tricialee about the hype and if it’s worth spending an extra dime on a designer polish. “There is no real difference between a Chanel polish and an Essie polish.” Tricialee explains these major designer brands recognize the branding and trending perks of releasing seasonal colors. These colors however were already released by brands like China Glaze and Ginger and Liz before Chanel or YSL caught the hint. Tricialee also says, “Most of the popular colors like the Chanel’s “Blue Satin” for example were released as limited editions so people went wild for them.” Be aware of major retailers like American Apparel and Forever 21 who have recently launched nail polish lines. Save your buck and invest in what counts like your top and base coats.

WHAT’S NEXT: UV Gel Polish + Mixing + Nail Shapes

Tricialee reveals the future of long-lasting wearability is the new UV gel polish. Ladies, if your looking for the ultimate lasting manicure in pop colors, you want the acrylic and polish mix that UV gel nail color offers. Known as “crystal nails” or “calgel nails,” this technique costing about $40 “cures and bakes” the polish on the nail. Tricialee says this option can last for weeks and can only be removed by an in-salon treatment. According to Tricialee, “Nails will begin to outgrow the polish, but the polish lasts and lasts.”

The next big thing in nail fashion is mixing. Last spring, everyone from Necole Bitchie to Solange experimented with color mixing. It’s punctuating that pop color on the index or pinky fingers while using a muted color on the rest of the nails. In Spring-Summer 2010, we’re taking it to the next level with mixing  featuring a Minx design, matte color and the additions of materials on single fingers. How about this amazing nail trend spotlighted by Glamour magazine in September? The additions of materials like lace on nails is a fierce way to amplify any textured or print dress this spring. While matted colors alone are now a chipping drab, flip it with a matte and gloss french manicure a la Kim Kardashian! Kim’s black gloss tips on a matte finish was an explosive sighting last fall. Play with this look by using a pastel or a classic coral hue.

Say goodbye to those extreme square or rounded nails. Tricialee encourages a rounded square nail shape. Are long nails back? We see the revival of our mom’s long and rounded nails featured on Rihanna and other celebrity women. Commenting on the budding trend Tricialee says, “It’s not realistic. It may be great for editorial but not for real women.” Tricialee further states, “Women today are texting and typing more. Professional women look for functional glam on the go. Nail companies are striving to develop products adapting to women’s changing lifestyles.”

The Polish Bar Brooklyn has ongoing specials like the “2-week Manicure” and “Green Gals.” PBB also has a February promotion on Minx designs for $40!

To learn more about The Polish Bar Brooklyn and Tricialee Riley check out polishbarbrooklyn.com. Follow them on Twitter at: twitter.com/polishbar_bklyn.