Enter Essie’s First Ever Nail Art Awards “The Essie’s”

We have exciting news to share! Essie has just announced it's first ever nail art contest (the essies) hosted on YouTube and essie.com featuring an exclusive series of nail art challenges to discover the next great nail artist. Essie fans and nail artists can enter the contest for a chance to win the grand prize - a $20,000 partnership with essie, a spot at New York Fashion Week with Celebrity Manicurist, Michelle Saunders, and much more! The final two winners will be determined through a combination of online fan votes and essie’s panel of experts, including:

• Carolyn Holba – General Manager, essie worldwide
• Jenny Fox – Founder of Jenny Claire Fox, a top nail art and beauty Youtube channel
• Katie Rodgers – Artist and Creator of Paper Fashion
• Michelle Saunders – essie celebrity manicurist
• Rebecca Minkoff – essie Global Color Designer and industry fashion leader

The essies will run from January 2016 through June 2016 and be broken into four phases:

Phase 1: Qualifying Challenge (January 6th – February 22th)
Qualifying submissions will open to all participants. Contestants will be required to upload two videos to essie.com, including: an “All About You” video and a “Show Us Your Skill” video, creating any nail look using essie nail and care products. The first 1,000 entries will receive essie’s gel.setter kit and the creators of the top ten videos, as selected internally by essie, will move on to phase two.

Phase 2: Spring Trend Challenge (February 22th – March 28th)
In this phase, the top ten contestants will receive essie’s spring 2016 collection and challenged to create the ultimate spring trend inspired nail art look. Videos will be uploaded to Youtube.com where online fan votes will determine the top six semi-finalists moving to phase three.

Phase 3: Dream Getaway Challenge (March 28th – May 2nd)
Six lucky semi-finalists will receive an essie branded polish rack filled with 90 shades, and be tasked with creating a nail art look inspired by their dream getaway. The top three finalists, as chosen by online fan votes, will move to the last phase.

Phase 4: Blank Canvas Challenge (May 2nd – June 6th)
The three finalists will be flown to New York to film their last video in Youtube’s studio. For this challenge, they will be given a blank canvas and challenged to get expressive. essie’s expert panel will select the top two winners who will be announced on June 1st.

One Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by the judging panel. One Fan Favorite Winner will be chosen by the public voters and receive a $1,000 prize. For complete contest rules and information, please visit essie.com/theessies.

I can't wait to see all the entries!

NYFW Backstage Beauty: Essie At Nanette Lepore SS15

Nanette Lepore's Spring/Summer 2015 collection channeled California and the south of France in the 1960's. Julie Kandalec for essie created gradient nails using two shades - a mint green & a sheer white. We can't wait to try this look come spring! 

How-To Steps:

1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails 
2. Next, apply two coats of mint candy apple
3. Once dry, dip a makeup sponge in blanc and blot polish over the tip of the nail
4. Then, take the makeup sponge and gently press halfway up the nail creating an opaque gradient away from the tip; less blanc pigment should be applied the further up on the nail you go
5. Follow with good to go top coat

NYFW Backstage Beauty: Essie At Altuzarra S/S 2015

Essie created the nail look for Altuzarra's Spring/Summer 2015 collection at New York Fashion Week. Michelle Saunders kept nails chic & feminine nail by using the same nude shade on both hands and feet. The most popular trend of the S/S 2015 season is clearly naked, fresh nails, and Essie's Spaghetti Strap is one of the top shades we recommend. 

Step-By-Step To Achieve The Look:

1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails 
2. Once the base coat dries, apply one coat of spaghetti strap
3. Follow with good to go top coat

#NYFW Backstage Beauty: Essie At Altuzarra Fall/Winter 2014

Ladies, the french manicure is back... at least that was the scene backstage at Altuzarra's Fall/Winter '14 New York Fashion Week show. The nails by Essie were elegant and perfectly complemented Altuzarra new collection, which included bold pops of color and contrasting textures. To create the classic french Essie first applied first base coat to clean, filed nails. Next, they applied one coat of ridge filling base coat to create a creamier, neutral shade. Using allure, brush on a neat arc across the free edge of the nail and let dry. Finish off the look with good to go top coat.

Viola! Soft, classic nails and a subtle french.

#NYFW Backstage Beauty: Rebecca Minkoff S/S 2014

Pictures of Bianca Jagger in Mexico and Frida Kahlo lead to the inspiration for Rebecca Minkoff's S/S 2014 collection. She channeled this inspiration by creating feminine garments in bold print florals, embroidery, and bright colors. This influence was literally seen from head to toe, from the criss-cross headband braid by TRESemme to the skull nail art by Essie.

Make-Up by Stila Cosmetics:

Brows: Stay All Day Waterproof Color
Eyes: Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner – Deep Burgundy (available Spring 14), Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Dark Brown, Kajal Eye Liner in Tigers Eye, and In The Know Shadow Palette.
Lip & Cheek: Convertible Color Lip & Cheek in Camellia

TIPS:
Surprisingly, start with mascara. The mascara will open up your eyes and giving you a point where you can stop your cat eye. For the perfect cat-eye, start with lightly getting tracing the outline of your cat eye by using a liquid eyeliner. Once you have your outline then you can darken the cat eye. Use a base eyeliner under the eye to connect with the top of your cat eye line. Then go over the bottom base eyeliner with the smudge eyeliner. To make a dramatic and undone look take a small eye brush and start to smudge under the eye.

Backstage At Monika Chiang SS13 | New York Fashion Week

Backstage At Rebecca Minkoff SS13 | New York Fashion Week

Essie Navigate Her Spring 2012 Collection Review + Swatches

Nail launches are getting more and more exciting each year. I'm loving all the color this Spring. Bring on the bold and bright colors. From pastel to neon, Essie has you covered. They recently launched their Navigate Her Spring collection which include six shades -- Navigate Her, A Crewed Interest, To Buy Or Not To Buy, Tour De Finance, Ole Caliente + Orange, It's Obvious. Gorgeous finish and colors to swoon over.

Pantone's Color of the Year 2012 Is Tangerine Tango -- Learn How To Incorporate This Color In Your Everyday Style!

Pantone is the world renowned authority on color and they've chosen Tangerine Tango as the color of the year for 2012. Tangerine Tango is a reddish orange that proves to be bold, bright and beautiful. Makeup brands are all over this trend especially Sephora who collaborated with Pantone on a few very special limited edition products such as eyeshadows, blushes, brushes, eyeliners and more. Incorporating this look into your own personal everyday day is as easy as adding a quick orange lipstick, a touch of eyeshadow or a pop of blush. Below are a few products to help you achieve any look to match this year's hottest trend.

More Pantone...

 

Have you tried this trend yet?

Nail Love: Essie's Mint Candy Apple

I've been obsessed with my nail varnish in Purity from Illamasqua, but I've been wearing it for weeks and decided it was time to stop being so boring and change it up a little. I bought Essie's Mint Candy Apple last summer and had yet to wear it. Needless to say, it's GORGEOUS. I all about pale pastel colors and this one definitely delivers. It's perfect wear for the summer months and it makes me feels kind of adorable. Haha. I love wearing colors that really stand out and grab attention in the summer and this one definitely catches eyes. Onto the photos...

Retail: $8 at Ulta

This color also feels a little retro to me. Like this kitchen...

Or this adorable toaster:

You can actually purchase this at Target but it's extremely expensive: $239.99! Yikes.. I have a diner themed red kitchen, so if this came in red... we might have a problem.

Have you purchase any nail polish you loved lately?

NYX Cosmetics, Sephora, OPI Mini Haul

I recently stopped by a beauty supply store in the city that I heard had NYX Cosmetics on sale. I decided to take a trip to see what they had to offer.  Here's what I picked up...

Oooo goodies.

I immediately spotted the nude glosses (figures) and shatter polish. 

Retail: $5.50 Mega Shine Lipgloss sold at NYX Cosmetics

A nude lipstick (of course!) in 630 - Pumpkin Pie

Retail: $4.00 at NYX Cosmetics

I been on the prowl for a perfect gold shimmer pigment and I found it! PANIC, Chrome Loose Eye Shadow, is the perfect gold shimmer for any collection.

Retail: $6.00 at NYX Cosmetics

More Glitter!! I've become obsessed with anything glitter lately. This color definitely caught my eye. Its called Crystal Silk. 

Retail: $4.50 at NYX Cosmetics

I've heard great things about NYX Cosmetics eyeliners so I figured I'd give them a try. No complaints over here.

Retail: 608 Cottage Cheese - $4.50 at NYX Cosmetics

       931 Black Brown - $3.50 at NYX Cosmetics

I ADORE Nivea Creme for my makeup bag. It's perfectly hydrates hands without leaving a sticky, nasty feeling. Also, it kinda smells like suntan lotion. Yum.

Retail: 99 Cents at Ulta

I spotted this polish right away! I wasn't really into the whole "shatter" nail polish trend as I feel it makes your hands look messy. However, it's growing on me slowly. I was interested in trying this polish with an Essie color I have called Mint Candy Apple.

Retail: $6.99 at Nail Polish Collection

I think it's gonna be super cute.

I just needed a refill on my Sephora Waterproof Makeup Remover. It's one of the best I've ever used and the cheapest at that. My favorite is Lancome's Bi-Facil, but when I'm on a budget this is the next best thing.

Retail: $9.50 at Sephora

What have you purchased lately?