OPI

Office Appropriate Nails

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I’m all for bold colours and decorative nails all day everyday. Even in the office. But sometimes, on the day of a presentation, the day you meet the boss’s boss, or the day of a rather important interview, less is more. Just like you wouldn’t walk into that room with a bold va-va-voom lip colour, you should probably avoid the crazy and outlandish nail colours as well. First impressions are important and as much as it sucks to say it – your clothes say a lot about you before you even open your mouth. But the same is true about all aspects of your appearance. When you go to shake a hand, make sure you have office appropriate nails.

Now everyone can judge variations of this based on their office environment. I for one can’t think of a nail colour or design that would not be appropriate in my laid back office. But for some, the bright greens, floral designs, or even the stiletto shaped talons I envy so much would be highly unprofessional and inappropriate. So for those of you who are in that category – I have some solutions that are still fun! Or at least I think so.

I’m a big fan of neutral nails. I know their not for everyone, but I love the ‘nude’ nail look. And it’s incredibly subtle. I love the fresh and clean look of it and I think it’s highly professional for any office or business situation. I love Orly Dare to Bare for my nude nails. Moving on to a bit more colour, I think that the subtle pinks and dusty rose colours are the perfect shades. As long as you don’t go to barbie or bubblegum, the light dusty pinks are quiet enough to be professional as well. I am a big fan and slight hoarder of the dusty rose shades, but one of my favourites is O.P.I Gouda Gouda Two Shoes. And finally, lets get you a bold nail. If you want to add colour and a little BAM! then go for red. Red nails are the classic femme fatale. The bold and sexy, yet appropriate for every situation type of nail. For summery red I love Essie Fifth Avenue but for Autumn and Winter I tend to take my reds more to the burgundy side of things and go for Sally Hansen Insta-Dri CinnaSnap! 

What are your thoughts on office appropriate nails?

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My Favourite Winter Nail Colours

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Nails are a touchy subject with me (I’m not able to paint my nails) I get it…the food service industry requires clean, un-polished nails, and I’m okay with that! But thinking back to my school days I would be painting and re-painting about three times a week. I had an un-dying love of polish and a passion for painting. So now when I have a few days off I jump right on the nail care and riffle through my collection to pick my favourites, even if only for a few days. On one of these recent occasions I had trouble picking and I realized I had quite a few favourites for Winter nail colours!

Now keep in mind I haven’t kept up with any of the new polishes out there. I’ve been relatively polish-free for about two years and all of my favourites are at least that old. I have recently moved on to love Orly polishes, as well as Essie and Sally Hansen, yet my favourites all happen to be O.P.I. I love the range of colours and textures, keeping it on the warmer and darker side for the shorter days and colder weather.

From left to right:

1. O.P.I. You Don’t Know Jacques! (French Collection) A grey/brown neutral tone that I love for autumn and winter

2. O.P.I. Russian Navy (Russian Collection) A deep blue/purple that can look almost black after two coats (similar to Lincoln Park After Dark)

3. O.P.I. Ski Teal We Drop (Russian Collection) A perfectly muted teal for those blue snowy days!

4. O.P.I. Vesper (James Bond Collection) The perfect maroon/burgundy for the warm cozy nights, textured with sand.

5. O.P.I. Just Spotted the Lizard (Spiderman Collection) Amazing contrast and light refracted colour changes. A fiery illusion to warm you up

What are your favourite colours for the winter weather?

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Haul – Shopping in America

ImageI broke my promise. I gave in to my shopping desire. While in New York State for a work assignment last week, I bought beauty products. I just couldn’t help myself. With cheaper prices at Sephora and the new discovery of the beauty heaven that is Ulta, I’m surprised that my credit cards didn’t melt. I didn’t go too crazy, but I did get some pretty amazing things.

Ulta: Ulta is kinda like a mix or Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart. One side of the store has all of the amazing drug store brands at amazingly low prices, and the other side carries all of the pricey brand names that you’d find at Sephora…..maybe even more. The store also has an amazing nail, hair and waxing salon. I loved the place so much that I was there twice in one day and the ladies there gave me an Ulta Points Card. This is what I got at Ulta:

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– OPI Nail Lacquer in Gouda Gouda Two Shoes

– OPI Nail Lacquer Liquid Sand in Vesper

– NYX Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

– NYX Blush in Mauve

– Revlon Brunette Duo Brow Pencil

– Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

– Revlon Matte Lip Balm in 225

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Now Sephora is where I really hit the jackpot. I’ve had my eye on the Sephora Favourites Superstars box for quite some time…a $336 value being sold for $90 at Canadian Sephoras. Now the Canadian and American dollar is not very far off, but the same box is being sold in the States for only $75. So…I bought. And what amazing things comes in the box?! ALL FOR JUST $75

–  Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

– Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

– Deborah Lippmann Treatment-Infused Nail Colour in Cleopatra New York

– Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

– Nars Blush & Bronzing Powder Duo in Orgasm and Laguna

– Nars Lipstick in Dolce Vita

– Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff

– Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Light

– Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

– Too Faced Better Than False Lashes – Lash Extension System Base and Top Coat

– Too Faced Better Than False Lashes – Flexistretch Nylon Fibers

– Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin & Mushroom

– Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Rollerball