She Wore Blue Satin

When I heard that Chanel’s Blue Satin was the most coveted nail color for Spring 2008, I couldn’t run to the store quick enough, wrap my digits around a bottle, and bring it home with me. Normally, I would balk at paying $19 for nail polish. But when every magazine and website is promising it’s going to change my life, what’s a beauty junkie to do?

Blue Satin goes on smoothly, and the pigment is remarkably rich - so you only need one coat. In very bright light, the polish vacillates between sparkling sapphire and inky indigo. But most of the time, it just looks black. And not even a shimmery obsidian, either…just flat, matte black.


All I’ve read is rave reviews about this color…so I really wanted to buy into the buzz. Regrettably, I cannot. I expected the shade to pop more against my skin tone, which it didn’t in the slightest – and I’m convinced that it’s much more complimentary to paler complexions.

I’m going out on a limb – and you can take this review with a grain of salt – but I don’t think this lacquer lives up to the hype. In my humble opinion, the propaganda is outta control…some ebay sellers are charging $45 for a single bottle!

If Blue Satin cost half of its actual price, it might get more of an endorsement. But for my money, I’d rather buy three bottles of Essie, OPI, China Glaze, or Creative Nail Design.

I’ve got the blues.

She Wore Blue Satin

When I heard that Chanel’s Blue Satin was the most coveted nail color for Spring 2008, I couldn’t run to the store quick enough, wrap my digits around a bottle, and bring it home with me. Normally, I would balk at paying $19 for nail polish. But when every magazine and website is promising it’s going to change my life, what’s a beauty junkie to do?

Blue Satin goes on smoothly, and the pigment is remarkably rich - so you only need one coat. In very bright light, the polish vacillates between sparkling sapphire and inky indigo. But most of the time, it just looks black. And not even a shimmery obsidian, either…just flat, matte black.


All I’ve read is rave reviews about this color…so I really wanted to buy into the buzz. Regrettably, I cannot. I expected the shade to pop more against my skin tone, which it didn’t in the slightest – and I’m convinced that it’s much more complimentary to paler complexions.

I’m going out on a limb – and you can take this review with a grain of salt – but I don’t think this lacquer lives up to the hype. In my humble opinion, the propaganda is outta control…some ebay sellers are charging $45 for a single bottle!

If Blue Satin cost half of its actual price, it might get more of an endorsement. But for my money, I’d rather buy three bottles of Essie, OPI, China Glaze, or Creative Nail Design.

I’ve got the blues.

OPI's Holiday In Hollywood

For Holiday 2007, OPI takes you to the place where glamorous begins and fabulous never ends – Hollywood! With twelve stunning Nail Lacquers (Glamour Reds and Dazzling Darks & Neutrals), Holiday in Hollywood makes you the star this season!


From the photo, above, you can see that my lovely nails are ready for the red carpet. What are they wearing, you ask? Hollywood Blonde, a pale gold shimmer.

To see the nail color on another skin tone, check out my friend Michelle’s product pic at All Lacquered Up.

The Holiday In Hollywood collection is available at Ulta stores and Ulta.com.

OPI's Holiday In Hollywood

For Holiday 2007, OPI takes you to the place where glamorous begins and fabulous never ends – Hollywood! With twelve stunning Nail Lacquers (Glamour Reds and Dazzling Darks & Neutrals), Holiday in Hollywood makes you the star this season!


From the photo, above, you can see that my lovely nails are ready for the red carpet. What are they wearing, you ask? Hollywood Blonde, a pale gold shimmer.

To see the nail color on another skin tone, check out my friend Michelle’s product pic at All Lacquered Up.

The Holiday In Hollywood collection is available at Ulta stores and Ulta.com.

Polished, But A Bit Rough Around The Edges

I’m a woman who likes to look polished, but never seems to have the time to pull it off. So on a trip to Sephora last week, I picked up their Professionnel Electrical Buffer. This battery-operated, nail buffer promises professional, salon quality results at home. It includes three detachable buffing pads: a heavier grit for shaping, a super-fine grit for smoothing, and a foam pad for adding luster.

This gadget is ideal for smoothing nails in preparation for polish, and for creating a natural buffed shine. Unfortunately, the filing attachment leaves much to be desired; with this tool, it might take you all day to file down a snagged nail – so don’t throw out your trusty emery board just yet.

All things considered, it was $20 well spent…and used in tandem with my OPI Ridge Filler, my nail routine is going to be smooth sailing.

Polished, But A Bit Rough Around The Edges

I’m a woman who likes to look polished, but never seems to have the time to pull it off. So on a trip to Sephora last week, I picked up their Professionnel Electrical Buffer. This battery-operated, nail buffer promises professional, salon quality results at home. It includes three detachable buffing pads: a heavier grit for shaping, a super-fine grit for smoothing, and a foam pad for adding luster.

This gadget is ideal for smoothing nails in preparation for polish, and for creating a natural buffed shine. Unfortunately, the filing attachment leaves much to be desired; with this tool, it might take you all day to file down a snagged nail – so don’t throw out your trusty emery board just yet.

All things considered, it was $20 well spent…and used in tandem with my OPI Ridge Filler, my nail routine is going to be smooth sailing.

Patience Is a Virtue (That I Don’t Have)

I go to the hair salon every six weeks and I get my eyebrows waxed every four weeks, so you would think that I’m the type of person who gets a manicure regularly. Not so. The only time I really get my nails done is for special occasions - so nine times out of ten, I’m doing them myself. Why? It’s because I just can’t justify spending $10-15 on a manicure when I can just do my nails myself and use the money to buy a fabulous new lipgloss.

Anyway, the problem with doing my own nails is that it seems to take forever. Filing, buffing, and painting are a huge pain in the butt…but waiting for them to dry is the bane of my beauty existence. Frankly, I think that there is something in my DNA that makes it impossible for my nails dry in a reasonable time. You can't even imagine how many times I've gone to sleep with my hands carefully placed on my chest because my nails haven't dried in time for bed.

In the last few months, I’ve picked up some great products that cut my routine in half. And now, I’m happy to share my secrets with you.

OPI Ridge Filler contains natural silk to gently smooth out uneven natural nails when used prior to nail polish application.


Creative Solar Nail Oil is a light, penetrating natural blend of jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin E that softens the cuticle area and promotes strong, flexible nails.

Seche Vite is widely acknowledged as the world’s best top coat. Its patented formula allows it to penetrate to the base coat, forming a single, solid bond for a much more durable manicure which will not discolor or yellow. Helps dry nails in two minutes flat. In Style Magazine named Seche Vite a “Best Beauty Buy” for the past 10 years.

Sally Hansen No More Mistakes Manicure Clean-Up Pen is an innovative felt-tip pen that instantly erases nail color mistakes with just one stroke. Quick and precise, it won't ruin freshly applied nail color. As an added bonus, it’s refillable and comes with 2 extra replacement tips.

And for those times when you don't have any time at all, try...

Sally Hansen Natural Shine Instant Nail Finish is the ultimate low-maintenance nail tool, this translucent alternative to polish gives nails a healthy-looking, buffed shine in just one coat. It’s odorless, dries instantly, and the portable purse size is perfect for mini-manicures on the go!

Patience Is a Virtue (That I Don’t Have)

I go to the hair salon every six weeks and I get my eyebrows waxed every four weeks, so you would think that I’m the type of person who gets a manicure regularly. Not so. The only time I really get my nails done is for special occasions - so nine times out of ten, I’m doing them myself. Why? It’s because I just can’t justify spending $10-15 on a manicure when I can just do my nails myself and use the money to buy a fabulous new lipgloss.

Anyway, the problem with doing my own nails is that it seems to take forever. Filing, buffing, and painting are a huge pain in the butt…but waiting for them to dry is the bane of my beauty existence. Frankly, I think that there is something in my DNA that makes it impossible for my nails dry in a reasonable time. You can't even imagine how many times I've gone to sleep with my hands carefully placed on my chest because my nails haven't dried in time for bed.

In the last few months, I’ve picked up some great products that cut my routine in half. And now, I’m happy to share my secrets with you.

OPI Ridge Filler contains natural silk to gently smooth out uneven natural nails when used prior to nail polish application.


Creative Solar Nail Oil is a light, penetrating natural blend of jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin E that softens the cuticle area and promotes strong, flexible nails.

Seche Vite is widely acknowledged as the world’s best top coat. Its patented formula allows it to penetrate to the base coat, forming a single, solid bond for a much more durable manicure which will not discolor or yellow. Helps dry nails in two minutes flat. In Style Magazine named Seche Vite a “Best Beauty Buy” for the past 10 years.

Sally Hansen No More Mistakes Manicure Clean-Up Pen is an innovative felt-tip pen that instantly erases nail color mistakes with just one stroke. Quick and precise, it won't ruin freshly applied nail color. As an added bonus, it’s refillable and comes with 2 extra replacement tips.

And for those times when you don't have any time at all, try...

Sally Hansen Natural Shine Instant Nail Finish is the ultimate low-maintenance nail tool, this translucent alternative to polish gives nails a healthy-looking, buffed shine in just one coat. It’s odorless, dries instantly, and the portable purse size is perfect for mini-manicures on the go!

The Devil Wears OPI

Ever since I first watched The Devil Wears Prada, I have been fruitlessly searching for the nail polish Emily Blunt's character wears in the movie. An indescribable merger of black and purple with a hint of sapphire, I had almost given up in my quest. Well, more than a year after its release, it seems as if I've been granted an early birthday present.



Russian Navy and Midnight in Moscow from OPI's Russian Collection are my inky indigo dreams realized. And I'm not even going to wait until Fall to wear it. I'm a trendsetter, so I'm gonna rock it now and be the envy of my peers. They'll cautiously hang on to their corals and pinks for a little while longer, wishing they had the courage to join the darkside.

I'm heading to Moscow...who's with me?

The Devil Wears OPI

Ever since I first watched The Devil Wears Prada, I have been fruitlessly searching for the nail polish Emily Blunt's character wears in the movie. An indescribable merger of black and purple with a hint of sapphire, I had almost given up in my quest. Well, more than a year after its release, it seems as if I've been granted an early birthday present.



Russian Navy and Midnight in Moscow from OPI's Russian Collection are my inky indigo dreams realized. And I'm not even going to wait until Fall to wear it. I'm a trendsetter, so I'm gonna rock it now and be the envy of my peers. They'll cautiously hang on to their corals and pinks for a little while longer, wishing they had the courage to join the darkside.

I'm heading to Moscow...who's with me?