nail polish

M·A·C COSMETICS NAIL TREND F/W ’09 COLLECTION
Q&A WITH JIN SOON CHOI

Q: M·A·C and Jin Soon – it feels like such a natural match for your first-ever brand collaboration. How did the collaboration come about?

A: It was important to me to partner with a brand that embraced bold trend-driven colours and had a strong tie to fashion – and M·A·C is all about that. From the beginning with M·A·C, everything flowed naturally, and there was a real connection in the development of this collection. As soon as we started working together, I was able to unleash my vision and really express myself through these fashion-forward colours. M·A·C really got the direction I was going in and encouraged me throughout the whole process.

Q: What was first on the agenda with this collaboration?

A: I’ve opened three Jin Soon Hand and Foot Spas in New York City over the last 10 years, with that I have a direct connection and knowledge about the colours and textures real women want for their nails. In the past couple of years women have forgone beige, neutral colors and instead, opted for colours that were once thought of as experimental, shades only a celebrity or model would wear – I’m talking about blues, blacks and deep purples. Now, women are pushing the envelope even further when it comes to nail colours. I wanted to take that one step further and expand the colour range with this collection, giving women even bolder nail colour choices.

Q: Mission accomplished with these colours – what helped inspire the range?

A: My husband is an architect, and I am constantly drawing inspiration and colour ideas from his creations. I also have tons of exposure to fashion trends through my work at the fashion shows and on magazine shoots. I wanted to create colours that were not only incredibly fashion-forward and edgy, with an editorial feel to them but also were totally wearable for the everyday women. I love all of the colours but am especially excited about the green hues: Dry Martini and Beyond Jealous. I think come Fall ‘09, green is going to be
THE colour.

Q: Beyond Jealous is the green shade we saw on the models nails at the Doo.Ri Fall/Winter 2009 show?

Click "Read More" below for the answer to this and other Qs posed to Jin Soon Choi....

I have a new love. It's pretty serious. We met and it was like fireworks. My husband will just have to understand. The object of my desire? I'm talking about Cool Reserve nail lacquer from MAC's upcoming F/W Nail Trend 09 collection.

Jin Soon Choi got the height of manicuredom for a reason and that reason is utter genius! Remember all of the muted greys and lavenders of seasons past that we all adored? Cool Reserve nail lacquer is all those best-in-show polishes mixed into one brilliantly, amazing colour. It will be one of your spot-on fall faves. Neutral, yet edgy. Perfection.

Swatches:

Top row, L-R:, OPI's You Don't Know Jacques, OPI for Sephora's Metro Chic, MAC's Cool Reserve, MAC's Love and Friendship

Bottom row, L-R:, OPI's Done out in Deco, MAC's Hello Kitty's On The Prowl, OPI's Parlez-Vous OPI, OPI for Sephora's Call Your Mother

What do you think, loves?

I had to take a moment to share my love for butter LONDON polishes. They have stand-out colours, they are big-3 free, they last and they made fall trends their bitch in the below vid. Whilst they are more expensive than OPI at $14 each, they fall far below the $30 some of us *cough cough* have dished out for certain "it" Chanel polishes. I have posted some of my fave rave colours above for your peeping. You can find these at Beauty.com.

Any butter LONDON fans out there? What's your must-have butter LONDON colour? Any colours you want to try?

Fall’s runways were dominated by two words: bold and feminine. Strong shouldered and form-hugging silhouettes, extreme heels and provocative thigh-high boots, and a color palette of classic hues turned up a notch to Technicolor volumes. These trends also illustrate the NARS Fall collection.

“For this collection, I wanted to create something fragile and strong, and seductive but not aggressive,” said François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics. The combination of strength and refinement has become a hallmark of NARS, and is particularly fitting this season as the brand celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Click "Read More" below for product details and photos....

Nail Lacquers: (LE) $11.00USD

Cool Reserve - Mid-tone grey lavender
For Fun - Rich purple
Dance All Night - Brick red
Rich Dark Delicious - Rich blackened brown
Dry martini - Khaki olive green
Beyond Jealous - Blackened blue green

All of the lacquers are a cream finish and will be available when the collection launches on 27 Aug 09.

Photo: jedroot

Quick! You only have a few more months to rock those summer brights before the arrival of this fall's dramatic, dark shades.

If you are looking for a good summer bright, check out Pop's Nail Glam polish. There is a great selection of shades ranging from ballet pinks, sexy reds and basic black to almost neon brights. Each of the shades is Big 3 free (yay for the gals with allergies) and non-occlusive (so it won't stain nails). The polish also contains nylon, creating a strengthening non-chip barrier.

If you, like me, find some of these colours a tad too bright, try them on the tootsies for a quiet little burst of summer.

You can find these at Beauty.com for $14/bottle.