Dazzling Displays
The new winter collections prove that there are no rules when it comes to colors. From bold and sparkly to pastel and neutral, there are shades to satisfy the needs and desires of all clients.
CND
Prepare to be dazzled by the new CND Starstruck collection, which consists of six jewel-toned Shellac shades. The collection, which was inspired by the glamour of Old Hollywood, includes Emerald Lights, Garnet Glamour, Alluring Amethyst, Starry Sapphire, Blushing Topaz, and Dark Diamonds. “Comprised of dazzling jewel tones, the precious and faceted palette effortlessly channels red-carpet elegance,” says Jan Arnold, cofounder and style director at CND. “The jeweled, short nail of the season embodies the tension of grace, power, and risk of the era, while pairing perfectly with today’s little black dress or pristine winter-white cashmere.”
China Glaze
The neutral shades in the Active Colour collection offer clients hues that complement a variety of skintones for a natural look. The six creamy shades combine treatment and color in one, as they help to repair, rehydrate, and revitalize nails. The collection includes Retreat Yourself, For Coral Support, Made for Peach Other, Preserve In Pink, A Nude Awakening, and Set In Greystone. “What we’ve seen historically is that clients tend to want a natural color palette for winter; they want to be revitalized from the deep-saturated hues from fall and the heavy glitters from the holidays,” says Regina Mendoza senior brand manager at China Glaze. “We specially formulated each shade to provide color-correcting properties to instantly brighten, warm, or soften the appearance of the nails.”
Dazzle Dry
Dazzle Dry’s Winter Collection, which includes Lit, On Fleek, Savage, Flawless, Swag, and Boss, is all about creating nail color #goals. Says Vivian Valenty, Ph.D., president of VB Cosmetics, “We thought that it would be a good idea to celebrate millennials and chose to use their generationally coined words in naming the collection and the colors."
Deborah Lippmann
The Her Majesty collection of Gel Lab Pro Color polishes was inspired by recent couture shows, which featured heavily ornate embroidery, faceted jewel tones, and lots of metallic. The collection includes Emperor’s New Clothes, Ever After, King Of The Road, Blue Blood, Crown Velvet, If I Ruled The World, Hard Rock (a nail-strengthening base and top coat), Reign Of Love, and Queen Of The Night. Says founder and creative director Deborah Lippmann, “The regal blues and purples, mixed with brighter jewel tones and surrounded by antiqued metallic finishes felt too indulgent and majestic not to share with the world!”
Duri
Clients can satisfy their craving for beautiful nails this winter season with the Sweet Affair collection. The 12 nail polishes in the range are inspired by the aroma, look, and colors of some of the most decadent desserts. From deep reds to neutrals, this collection offers a taste of it all. With options like Flambe Orange, Pavlova Beige, Lavender Meringue, Red Velvet, Choco Silk Pie, and Blue Cake Cap, this collection is sure to make mouths water. Says Duri's Tatiana Dubrow, “Now all those sweet desires are satisfied on gorgeous nails—not on the hips.”
Essie
Inspired by the femininity and grace of a ballerina, the Ballet Nudes collection, which is part of the Gel Couture line, features six nude shades ranging from a Champagne ivory to a misty rose pink and a periwinkle powder blue. What’s more, the neutral, longwear shades—Satin Slipper, Lace Me Up, Hold the Position, At the Barre, Perfect Posture, and Closing Night—feature a patent-pending brush that allows for precise application.
Londontown
The Time Out Collection consists of four sophisticated shades—BRILL-ant, Buckingham Blue, Natural Charm, and True to Form. “Our fall/winter ‘16 collection offers timeless colors with a hint of something unique; colors that stand out but will never go out of style,” says Londontown's Liliana Pennington. “These colors emulate the feeling of elaborate nail art without the effort. We wanted colors that are sophisticated, alluring, and uncompromising, capturing the essential qualities of a cosmopolitan woman. This is a collection that can transition from day to night and look amazing on any age group.”
OPI
OPI’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s collection is inspired by the Paramount Pictures movie starring Audrey Hepburn. The wide range of shades, which are available in nail lacquer and GelColor formulas, capture the elegance and playfulness of Hepburn’s character in the classic film—from timeless reds to glitter shades. The GelColor collection includes Can't Tame A Wild Thing, I'll Have a Manhattan, Girls Love Pearls, Party at Holly's, I Believe in Manicures, and Ring The Buzzer Again.
SpaRitual
The Inhale Collection will be available in February. It’s a range of creamy neutral and pink nourishing vegan colors that contain a blend of red tea and seaweed extract to help strengthen nails and help them grow while also extending a manicure’s wear. The collection includes Harmony, Inner Peace, Renewal, Slow Beauty, and Tranquility. “Inhale is inspired by slowing beauty and getting back to basics,” says Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual. “I wanted a palette that was clean, calming, and versatile with any style.”
Zoya
The Enchanted Holiday 2016 collection is truly magical. It consists of four glittery matte shades and two color-flip metallic shades (the polish changes hues depending on how the light hits it) that reflect the beautiful colors of the holidays and the winter season. The range includes Alice, Olivera, Elphie, Saint, Lorna, and Waverly.
Take Care
These tried-and-true products are sure to be a helping hand when it comes to hydrating and nourishing skin and nails this winter.
1. Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil absorbs quickly to instantly condition skin and protect it from dryness. www.essie.com
2. Duri Herbatherapy contains a blend of natural oils and herb extracts to help soften damaged, dry cuticles and moisturize the nail plate. www.duri.com
3. SpaRitual HandPrint Hand Salve features hydrating butters and oils to moisturize and repair skin. www.sparitual.com
4. China Glaze Orange Cuticle Oil helps soften, nourish, and heal dry, damaged cuticles with a blend of jojoba, rice bran, and vitamins A, C, and E. www.chinaglaze.com
5. Deborah Lippmann Marshmallow: This new whipped hand
and cuticle scrub smoothes rough cuticles and helps hydrate skin. www.deborahlippmann.com
6. CND Spa Collection Gardenia Woods is a four-step treatment that includes a soak, a scrub, a mask, and a lotion to hydrate and soften skin. www.cnd.com
Chill Factor
Winter can be harsh on the hands and nails, as the cold weather can deplete both of essential moisture. This winter, at-home hand and cuticle products—and spa treatments that aim to hydrate and nourish nails and skin—are just as important as the color of polish chosen for the nails. Therefore, it’s important to provide clients with hydrating and moisturizing treatments and products, in addition to on-trend colors, for the ultimate nailcare experience. “In winter, you’re constantly moving between the heat indoors and the cooler temperatures outdoors,” says Faina Ritz, vice president of Duri. “These extremes can reduce the moisture level in your nails, leaving them dehydrated. Washing dishes and using hand sanitizers or nail polish removers will more likely make nails very unhappy. Replenish that moisture and keep nails hydrated in the winter."
Brush with Fame
Colors and formulas are key when it comes to nailcare, but the type and quality of brush should not be overlooked. “As any nail technician knows, brushes are a very important part of an amazing manicure,” says Tatiana Dubrow, director of marketing at Duri. She says that Duri nail polishes feature a high-count flat brush made out of high-quality bristles for a uniform and smooth application. The new contour brush included in the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color has a rounded tip to follow the nail shape and create the perfect curve at the base of the nail. “Brushes have come a long way,” says Deborah Lippmann. “It used to be that you only had one shape of brush for all nail polishes. Now, you can really customize the shape, length, and bristle count.”
One of the newest advancements in brush technology is the innovative swirl stem and circular brush tip of the Essie Gel Couture polishes. “It allows for the optimal amount of polish to flow onto nails for a controlled application,” says Gino Trunzo, director of education for Essie. It also features a high bristle count to provide a cushion-like, sensorial application, and a tapered brush cut to allow for precise coverage. “The flat stem and tapered bristles allow the brush to contour perfectly to the nail, providing full coverage in fewer strokes, saving time,” he says. He recommends using the seamless swipe technique to apply the Gel Couture polish, which requires pulling the brush in one straight stroke from the cuticle to tip. Then, tilt the brush and use the edge to fill in the color with one additional stroke on each side and allow to dry for one minute before applying the second coat, followed by the Gel Couture top coat for durability and high-gloss shine.
Even though alternatives like polish pens and sprays are being introduced by some nailcare brands, traditional brush application continues to be the polish option of choice among nail professionals and clients. “Nail polish sprays have made a debut, but professionals and at-home consumers are not actually turning away from the traditional nail polish brush application,” says Liliana Pennington, director of education and business development for Londontown. However, she adds, “it’s really about brush strokes now and adapting painters’ brush strokes from a canvas to a nail.” Pennington suggests the smoke stroke, which has a smokey appearance, and feather stroke, which is a delicate and light application, to create beautiful nail art effects.
Trends to Follow
Nails continue to be a fast-growing segment in the beauty industry. From innovative formulas and technology to new colors and nail designs, we have the scoop on what’s hot this season.
Healthy Nail Polish: Nail polishes that contain natural ingredients and those that are considered 3-, 5-, 7-, and even 9-free are making their way into spas and salons.
Gel Alternatives: Safer methods are on the rise, such as the use of LED lights instead of ultraviolet (UV) lights to cure color and better education on removing gel polish. And hybrids that are less harsh on the nails and do not require the use of UV lamps and can be removed with any nail polish remover continue to be a popular trend. “More and more people are starting to realize the importance of nail health and the damaging effects of gels,” says Londontown's Liliana Pennington.
Acrylic Alternatives: Healthier options are also entering the acrylic market. ProDip by SuperNail Acrylic Dipping System, for example, includes 30 finely milled and lightweight powders that allow nail artists to create durable acrylic nails on clients in half the time of traditional powders. What’s more, the dipping system can be applied to either the natural nail or over nail tips. It’s odorless and doesn’t damage the nail bed. Similarly, Cuccio Naturalé’s new Powder Polish Dip System features more than 30 shades that offer a natural-looking and durable result. While not a dip, Young Nails SlickPour is another alternative to traditional acrylics. The odorless formula features the strength of acrylics and lasts up to three weeks, but it is easy to apply and remove, and no light is needed to dry. Plus, its base contains calcium and vitamin E to promote healthier and stronger nails.
Color Trends: As for colors, everything from bold to nude shades are hot. “The evolution of the nude nail has arrived, complementing all skintones from light to dark,” says Essie's Gino Trunzo. In addition, chrome and metallic shades are back and are making a statement, according to Pennington, as are powdered pigments that create chrome and holographic finishes.
At Your Service
Nail colors and brushes help nails look great, but for an even better-looking and longer-lasting manicure or pedicure, it’s important to nourish the cuticles and skin on the hands and feet. Therefore, many spas have figured out a cure for cold feet (and hands) this winter by introducing special treatments that help to nourish nails and skin and keep them in tip-top shape. Here are a few examples of some manicures and pedicures available this season:
The Wine & Unwind Pedicure (starting at $100, 80 minutes) at The Spa at Pelican Hill (Newport Beach, CA) helps reduce inflammation and exfoliates and revitalizes the skin using SpaRitual (www.sparitual.com) and Body Bliss (www.bodybliss.com) products. It includes a sugar scrub; a lemongrass, organic ginger, and red clay mask; and a soothing massage in addition to cuticle care, nail filing, buffing, and an application of nail lacquer.
The Peppermint Mocha Manicure & Pedicure (starting at $140, 1 hour 50 minutes) at The Spa at The Hotel Hershey (PA) features a peppermint mocha scrub by Makes Scents Natural Spa Line (www.makesscentsspaline.com) and an application of The Spa At The Hotel Hershey’s private-label brand ultra-moisturizing cocoa body lotion.
Utilizing FarmHouse Fresh (www.farmhousefreshgoods.com) products, the Gingerbread Manicure & Pedicure ($89, 80 minutes) at SiSpa at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa (FL), which is available through January, includes a hydrating butterscotch effervescent vitamin soak with chicory root and sweet almond oil followed by a brown sugar polish to exfoliate and revive dry winter skin. After a massage with warmed spicy caramel body milk, nails are prepped and polish is applied.