Red Pedicures: Super Classy & Ultra Chic!

There is nothing quite as timeless as the classic red polished pedicure, so make sure you've got a killer one in your repertoire. First popularized in the 1940’s thanks to sultry screen sirens such as Marilyn Monroe, red polish attained icon status as the staple for fun and flirty pedicures.

Seventy years later and this look is still super classy and ultra chic! Modern red polished pedicures know no rules and the variety of shades are rivaled only by the unique women that wear them. Celebrities such as Megan Fox, Keira Knightly and Kate Bosworth own this look that works for both femme fatale and innocent ingénue alike. Red polish is available in a multitude of shades and finishes and can be dressed up with glitter and jewels or toned down with a matte top coat.

How to Nail Halloween

It is no secret to anyone that knows me...Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. The costumes, makeup and nails blend together beautifully on that one night of the year where everyone gets to partake in the magic of make-believe. Ever since I was little, I've looked to Hollywood for fun, fashionable and frightful Halloween-inspired nails to complete my transformations. Classic film and television characters are always popular inspiration for costumes and no look is complete without the proper manicure to put the finishing touches on it. Those that always made an impression were the wild and wicked Morticia Addams and Lily Munster, who always rocked pointed red stiletto nails to compliment their goth ensembles. My personal favorite, Queen of Halloween Elvira's nails are always long and rounded in a shiny black hue. Those with a softer sensibility, such as fairies and princesses can take their cues from "I Dream of Jeannie" with her flawless French Manicure. And for costumes that don't have a specific "nail-look" to reference? Follow the lead of Halloween enthusiasts Kim Kardashian and Heidi Klum, who always tailor their manicures to complement their specific choice of costume. 

Glamour's Ode to Nails!

As compared with hair and makeup, nails often get the short end of the stick when it comes to media coverage. There are many consumer magazines dedicated to hairstyles and cosmetics, but there is not one consumer magazine that focuses solely on nails. A handful of professional publications geared towards Nail Technicians exist, such as Nails, Nailpro, Scratch and VietSalon magazines. However, these periodicals aren't sold on newsstands or in book stores and most of the general public aren't aware of them.

That's why I get extremely excited on the rare occasions when a fashion or beauty magazine takes a moment to focus on nails, which is exactly what Glamour magazine has done in their October 2011 issue. Their "10 Things We Love in the Nail Universe" list is an homage to what is hot in the nail industry right now. It includes mentions of several of my personal favorites including fatigue green and classic red polish, what they refer to as "nail polish rings," which are actually called Finger Bands (created by the amazing Nonie Creme of butter London), boys with neat nails and the talented Patricia Yankee of Dashing Diva.

I was backstage with Nonie as a member of the butter London Nail Tech team for the Vena Cava runway show when she introduced Finger Bands to the world and knew they were going to be an instant hit. Barely minutes after the show ended the press and audience members in attendance were frantically tweeting about the look acheived by painting perfect circlets of nail lacquer around two or three fingers of the hand. It's a lot more difficult than it looks and requires a steady hand and attention to detail.

In the past couple of years, celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Beyonce and Rihanna have been making bold fashion statements with their manicures. Nails as fashion accessories are becoming the norm as celebrity trends trickle down to the general public and into neighborhood nail salons. Hopefully the media will catch up with the rest of us and put the focus where it should be a little more often...on the nails!