Posts tagged nail polish
Rock Spring’s Hottest Colors…On Your Nails
Apr 4th
I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with nail polish. I’m not joking when I say I have at least 50 bottles. I spend more time perusing the nail polish aisle of CVS and Sephora than any normal person should. I don’t know why or how this obsession started, but there’s no stopping it. And, just like clothes, nail polish colors go in and out of style, meaning I’m always looking for the newest hue to paint on my fingers and toes.
When the weather gets nicer, we discard our harsh black winter coats and thick gray sweaters for lighter, sunnier clothes. Nail polishes are no different. If you’re not afraid of a little color, this season is the time to go for it! Pastel nail colors are a great way to transition from winter to spring without worrying about your nails looking too bright. My favorite pastel colors are mint green and lilac, but if wearing nontraditional nail colors isn’t work-appropriate, pale pink is just as lovely. Want your fingers and toes to stand out a little more? Orange is one of this season’s hottest colors, and looks fantastic on the nails. If you’re even more daring, give a neon manicure a try. Neon colors are one of spring’s biggest fashion trends, and automatically add a pop to any outfit (remember my earlier post about all-white monochrome? Imagine that with a hot pink manicure—awesome!).
Not so much into highlighter or Easter egg-colored nails? Spring nail polish trends don’t just stop there. Nude polishes are just as trendy, and add an air of sophistication to any manicure; plus, they make fingers look longer and slimmer (and you don’t have to worry about clashing with your outfit!).
Whether you choose to rock a color or keep it chic and simple in a neutral shade, make sure your nails are just as ready for spring as you are!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: http://fashion-ocd.tumblr.com/, obaz.com, flare.com, pinterest.com, sarahpatricia.com.au)
March Madness: Spring Trends
Mar 13th
It’s March Madness time again, but why does basketball get to have all the fun? This year we’re turning our attention to spring 2012 trends, and pitting them against each other in our ultimate style challenge. Each week we’ll bring you the rundown from the fashion competition, as we start the games with 16 major spring players. Stay tuned as the competition unfolds, it’s going to get cutthroat.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Meet the Sweet 16
1. Neons
Likened to a “Career Trend,” it has a hidden superpower to turn into colorblocking at a moment’s notice.
Celebrity Nail Polish Lines
The latest in noteworthy nails is the influx of celebrity-based lines. In its corner is the Kardashians for Nicole by OPI, Nicki Minaj for OPI and the Hunger Games Capitol Couture for China Glaze. If nothing else, at least the Hunger Games knows how to fight.
3. Mixing & matching
You can mix prints, you can mix metals, you can colorblock by mixing solids. A solid competitor with a driving street style force behind it.
4. Crop tops
A former superstar in the ‘90s with a taste for 21st century vengeance.
5. Hi-low hemlines
New to the style game (unless you liken this to a mullet hemline…which we don’t), but it’s taking the street style world by force.
6. NBC’s Fashion Star
In its corner is a singer/designer, a model/designer, a reality star(?)/designer and a real designer. Let’s just say it’s got a lot of designing power behind it.
7. Top knots
A hairdo that has the ability to go messy or sleek, a key attribute when worn by a woman who has to look good with limited time. Which is every woman.
8. Day clutches
Another switch-hitter that has come into the running. With its larger size and diverse details, this opponent has a killer A-game.
9. Marni for H&M
A designer with a cult following. A store with a universal following. The combination will prove very hard to beat.
10. Peplum
This daring competitor has brought women everywhere a way to disguise their midsections and hips. Opponents beware.
11. Graphic prints
A new superpower has risen from basic pastel florals and springtime prints. Has the backing of designers like Altuzarra and Prabal Gurung.
12. Jennifer Lawrence
The one who took on Katniss Everdeen is out to prove she’s a style star as well.
13. Shorts/Menswear
What used to be reserved for casual wear has taken a daring turn into the formal arena. Has a leg-up with special reinforcements like tuxedo details, satin finish and a full-leather armor.
14. Mint
Saturated pastels are big this spring, and mint is definitely their all-star.
15. Pleats
This multi-faceted competitor that can go long or short when needed
16. Art Deco Jewelry
Sharp, angular designs make this competitor almost deadly, and it has additional strength when stacked.
Rank your favorites with our blank bracket below, and let us know what trend you want to reign supreme on our Facebook www.facebook.com/staconsignment.
Eighth Day of Style - Just Add Sparkle
Dec 29th
The holiday/NYE season is all about the glitz, and wherever I can get away with wearing a little extra sparkle, I’m all over it. From using a glitter topcoat on your nails to busting out the baubles, there are tons of great ways to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a little sparkle. Breaking out the sequins for a party is a great start, but add a little of that shine to your casual look, and it’ll make everyday a mini celebration.
A Pinch of Glitter From Your Head to Your Toes 
When the weather gets colder, it’s easy to slide into a dark-colors-only wardrobe. Don’t worry, you can still do that and not look like you’ve become seasonally depressed. An all-black or all-navy ensemble can look great with a multi-colored or silver glitter flat. To pull together a casual – yet polished – look, start with the pair of dark denim of your choosing (boyfriend, distressed, skinny, etc.). Pair your jeans with either a black tank/blazer, or with a dark cashmere sweater. Finish off the look with a thin, sparkly headband and either a sleek blowout or a messy up-do. Glitter flats also work great with darker jewel tones, such as cranberry or forest green. For a modern look, pair your jewel-toned corduroys with multi-colored glitter flats, topping off the look with a white button-down or a lace top.
For an even subtler look, try a black glitter belt paired with an all-black, fitted ensemble. Or you can always go with solid-color flats that have a sparkle cap toe. It’ll add just a tiny dose of glam to a basic outfit. Sparkle tights have been popping up everywhere as well, and they range from slightly shiny to full-on gold sparkle. Find what you’re comfortable with and add them into your tights rotation to spice up your normal work or nighttime attire.
Layer the Glitz In With Your Basics
Got a sequin or embellished tank that you usually reserve for after the sun goes down? Make the most of it and wear it during the day! Layer it over a basic black or gray long-sleeved knit top and pair with jeans, basic pants or a neutral skirt. Dress it up with heels or dress it down with minimal accessories and a blazer for a day at the office. The neutral layers will balance out any embellishment, and the glitzy detail will provide the same accent that your jewelry normally would.
You can also break out your sequin sweaters during the day as well. Pair any sequin sweater with contrasting neutral pieces for a fresh take on timeless chic. Lighter sequins tend to work better for daytime, but a black sequined cardigan, styled with a white cotton tank and dark denim, is a great casual option that can quickly go from day to night. Got a metallic sweater that doesn’t resemble a basic cardigan and you don’t know what to do with it? You can always layer it with a blazer or other indoor-appropriate jacket to tone down the sparkle, but these pieces are also great seasonal transition items. Pair a gold sweater with a pastel skirt (see below) for a winter-sparkle-meets-spring-awakening look, which will help you transition in style by using the best of both seasons.
Sequin skirts are usually reserved for nighttime activities, but if you own a sparkly skit in a lighter color, you can also work them during the day. Pair knee-high, flat boots with a cream sequined skirt and a cream cashmere sweater for a winter white ensemble that is daytime-appropriate and wonderland-esque.
Remember, fashioniSTAs, probably the easiest way to subtly sparkle in style is to brush a glitter topcoat across your nails, it’s quick and will complement any ensemble!
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
Halloween Everyday (of this week at least…)
Oct 26th
Happy hump day ladies! We only have to endure three more days this work week before our alter egos get to come out to play! Can’t wait till then to spread some Halloween fear? Don’t fret, we’ve come up with some fun and affordable ways you can incorporate your Halloween spirit into everyday wear!
Bewitchy Jewels
Try adding a touch of creepiness to your jewelry this week. Remember those neon green and orange spider rings we wore as kids, why not bring ‘em back and pass them around the office? Or for a more grown up look, mix a little scary-glam into your accessories. Betsey Johnson has a ton of Halloween inspired jewelry – actually in true Betsey fashion, we’re gonna have to guess that this jewelry is most likely part of her regular line. From rhinestone encrusted skull earrings (shown below, right) to spider adorned bangles, you can count on Betsey for a funky, one of a kind piece to add to any outfit. Or if you’re looking for pieces you can wear over and over again, check out Stella & Dot’s Renegade line. Mix the Renegade cluster bracelet (shown below, left) with a rhinestone snake wrap for a touch of Halloween creepiness, then after the holiday is over, mix it with all your other bangles throughout the fall and winter seasons for an edgier look.
Spooktacular Makeup
Sure being at the office or out running an errand or two may not warrant full on face paint, but there are simple make up tricks that can bring a little haute to Halloween makeup details. To glam it up, try cat-like eyeliner, glittery eye shadow, false eyelashes or some colored mascara – but not all at once, we are going for subtle, not clown-like here! Nail polish is also a great way to add a little Halloween spirit to your everyday outfits. Paint all your nails black, leaving one blank, then paint that nude nail orange and add a dash of sparkle to one or all of your fingers. If you’re looking for something a little more fun, try out a candy corn, ghost or jack-o-lantern design.
Haunting Finishing Touches 
To add a dash of fun to your outfit on Monday, pair a Halloween themed tee, like one with a skeleton or pumpkin print, under a blazer. A tee paired with a fitted blazer is always a yes, especially when that tee has an awesome print on it. If your work is more professional and less business casual, pair a skirt with spider webbed or animal printed stockings and a taller boot to show off just a hint of Halloween spirit.
Channeling your inner good girl? Dig out those ruby red slippers you wore when you were Dorothy that one time in college and pair them with navy cropped pants and a white button down. Top off the look with traditional pig tails with a curl at the end or a sparkly red headband.
Feeling a little wicked? Nothing gets you in the spooky spirit like coordinating different black pieces to create a chic homage to witches everywhere. Go with tight black pants, a sheer black top and a chunky black sweater, accenting your look with a sparkly statement necklace and green nails to bring out your inner Elphaba (right). Top off your look with your favorite betwitching headpiece – whether it’s a black feathered headband or a fedora. You can also go the extra witching mile with pointy-toed shoes in black patent or matte leather.
Remember, for a quick fix, mix black with some sparkle for an instant boost of Halloween glam!
~Kristen, FashioniSTA