Who Is The Boss? Essie's 2012 Wedding Collection, that's who.

I am seriously in love with Essie's 2012 Wedding Collection. There are four gorgeous colours, and I had a hard time choosing one for today's manicure. Who Is The Boss stood out today with its dreamy dusty silvery green colour. I LOVE it. I say silver only because of the impression it gives- this is a cream colour without a hint of shimmer or frost. I can already tell this will be a staple, and may even be the stand-in for the Unicorn of Dusty Teals, Essie Absolutely Shore. Yes, it's that awesome. Formula of Who Is The Boss is outstanding and gave me opaque non streaky coverage in 2 coats. It reminds me of the exquisite Essie Sand Tropez that was basically the perfect formula. I was rushing a little bit so this could be a neater mani, but you get the idea.

from left: Who Is The Boss, Love & Acceptance, Like To Be Bad, Instant Hot

Verdict? Love. If you can find this collection anywhere, grab it!

The Lemony Loveliness of LUSH Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

How have I not written about this incredible stuff? I say that a lot as I go through my daily high maintenance routine, pulling up my Holy Grail items, and realize how little new stuff I have to acquire in order to share my beauty love & expertise. Heh heh, my beauty prodz hoarding tendencies are a whole other post....

Anyways, as we are all Mad Manicure Ladies in da hizzouse ( I am the mother Emilie of The Beauty School Dropouts, after all!) of course we take care of our hands. Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter is probably the best cuticle treatment that I've used as well as an amazing value. At around $15 for a 50g jar that will last you ages, your money is well spent. I remember the first time I used it grabbed a huge blob of product to rub in and it was almost enough to grease my whole body down. Use caution, dear reader, as Lemony Flutter is rich and concentrated and a wee bit goes a very long way. I like to use it at bedtime for transformed cuticles when I wake up. And it actually improves the looks of your hands immediately upon application as well. The zingy lemon scent makes your hands smell yummy & clean too. 

One thing you need to know about a cuticle treatment and why they are so important- it is not just for the health and strength your cuticles but for your nails as well. A quality cuticle treatment is made of certain oils that have a certain molecular structure that can penetrate the nail bed, as well as a carrier for other oils. Oils also act as water repellers. Too much water in the nail bed area weakens the nail as it expands. Lemony Flutter is full of rich ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil, mango butter, glycerin flaxseed oil and lanolin. You know how wonky your nail shape becomes after a bath or doing the dishes? I actually hold my hands above the bath water when I soak. So- protect them and coat them with good stuff, like Lemony Flutter. You will see a huge difference in the health and appearance of your cuticles and nails.

Veruschka! I coveted my bff's big sister's bottle of Cutex Opaline 

LUSH products are available in their boutiques or you can shop online. You can even order a catalogue, if you are into that kind of thing.

Holiday Mani Pedi Courtesy of Lippmann & Essie

"Now listen gals, holiday nails must have glitter!"

Just a quick little post to share my fun mani-pedi. The mani is the stunning navy blue Essie Bobbing For Baubles from the Holiday 2011 collection. It is a creamy almost dusty blue and I just love it. Not flashy or bizarre, just elegant. The toes...well. Inspired as always by my Lippmann Guru, Elena, I opted for Lippmann Naked on the base and Lippmann Some Enchanted Evening on top. The gorgeous perfect nude with delicate rose glitter on top is beautiful! Perfect for holidays at home, and also will work perfectly with open toe shoes and flip flops on the beach! Goodbye snow.....

Beauty School Dropouts!

Emilie and Kristina

My incredible daughter and her friend Kristina (also incredible) have finally started their own blog! After amazing all their friends and family with their mind blowing manis, they have decided to share their art with the world! Go to The Beauty School Dropouts and check it out! Follow them and tell your friends!