J'adore le new Essie SS '11 collection!

Last year we all fell head over heels for Essie's mint candy apple shade, it was extremely popular and hit a fashion high on the chic-o-meter on pretty much all beauty blogs. This spring/summer, Essie has gone 'oooh la-la' over the launch of their new feminine range called 'French Affair' . Expect to see dreamy shades right off the glitzy shores of St. Tropez, with influences from famous 50's icon, Brigitte Bardot.

From top left-right: Sand Tropez, French Affair, Topless & Barefoot
Nice is Nice, Coat Azure & Kisses & Bises

Whilst I love a subtle hint of barely-there colour on my nails for when I don't want my nails to go naked (which is all year round by the way), I often like to opt for colour. The shade I want to get my tootsies in right now is Essie's 'Coat Azure'. I'm also excited about checking out 'Kisses & Bises' which apparently has a sheer shimmery sparkle which can be applied either under or over any shade to give it a cooler hue along with a silent sparkly touch.

What are you all wearing right now and what you be wearing at the first glimpse of sunshine when it's sandal weather? I'm wishing we had Deborah Lippman glittery goodies over here, sigh....

Greece has just launched the new Essie range, so you should be able to pick up a bottle via here at 12.50€ or from the US site at $8 usd via here.

Nailing it!

I'm having a nail envy moment, wishing that mine looked more like these (below), I'm dazzled by the cool colours and contrasts! With Autumn/Winter around the corner, muted neutral shades are oh so chic for the day, but I want to show off bejewelled colours for a wild weekend or evening!

via Marie Claire, Greece

I'm getting giddy all over just thinking about teaming these 2 colours together
or even Purple with teal tips!
YSL Manucure Couture £24 or 32.35 euros

Or even:
I love a manicure with a bold twist, something I have loved ever since I saw nail hero, Sharon Stone aka Ginger Mckenna in Scorsese's Casino donning a cool mani with blood red tips!

Barry M is launching a new collection 'Instant nail effect' at the end of September, great timing as I shall be back in London around then! Woo hoo!
I know it looks like normal black polish, but once you apply it over another shade it starts to crack slightly, showing the shade underneath. From £3.95 ref: Grazia
Barry M

Another neat little trick that has this kind of effect is using a plain solid colour polish followed by a layer of chunky glitter polish in a bold contrast colour with a clear base, this will show specks of the colour underneath too.

Both Essie & Nails Inc have created very similar and delicious collections for Autumn/Winter, with shades of mulberry, pewtery green, browns and khaki's.
For the Essie range see here and for Nails Inc here.

£22.50 via Nails Inc

La vie en Rose

I love pink, who doesn't? With Spring bouncing into full bloom, like anytime now... it's time to show off a touch of pink, even nudey pink or soft candyfloss, yum.

If the weather is kind in the evenings, (you know the soft, balmy you can flash a bit of flesh kind and still not feel cold) i'd be flaunting one these stunning numbers from ASOS.com. The mission is on to find something as cool & stylish without the hefty price tag in Greece, but i just love the one shoulder number by Aqua at a reasonable £95. I'm also on the look out for 'The dress' that screams 'awesome' under a simple, stylish white blazer too. Where? Where? Where in Athens?

Aqua one shoulder ruffle dress £95 from ASOS & twised slinky 1 shoulder dress £38

Ruffle bandeau dress by Iska at ASOS £38 & Organza edge bound shift dress £45

As a sucker for nail polish I'm loving some of the new colours by Essie - Lilacism (far left) & Pop Art pink (far right) and some of their more well known pinks - Bachelorette (2nd from left) and Gucci muchi Pucci (next to Bachelorette) - what a cool name!