Punctuated in Purple

Nails by Lee Barnes, Nails N Flight, Lanham, Md.

Behind the Scenes: Egg-ceptional Nails

Orange, Calif.-based celebrity manicurist and international educator Elsbeth created these perfect Easter egg-inspired nails for this month’s cover. Elsbeth, who travels in the United States and abroad to teach classes on celebrity nail styles and trends in color, has been especially busy lately, even doing Britney Spears’ nails for her new album cover.

How can nail techs be sure they aren’t compromising the strength of an enhancement by adding too many embellishments?

A current trend is to add glitter, mylar, and other embellishments to nail enhancements, but how can nail techs be sure they aren’t compromising the strength of the enhancement and causing premature service breakdown by adding too much? Sometimes the glitter tips I’ve sculpted break off at the free edge, causing clients to doubt my abilities. (This occurs more often in gels than acrylics.)

Catwalk Queen Polish Collection

Color Club’s Catwalk Queen Polish collection for Spring 2009 brings the high-fashion look to six colors.

Dazzle Dry Sanguinity Collection

VB Cosmetics’ Dazzle Dry has a new spring collection, Sanguinity, with shades that span the color palate.

Prepster Collection

The new Orly Prepster Collection capitalizes on the current headband, polo shirt, and mini skirt rage for spring and summer 2009.

Boudoir Collection

Color Club’s Boudoir Collection offers professional stripers, sprinkles, and rhinestones in only black and white.

Extreme Tips

INM’s new Extreme Tips have a deep C-curve and smile line for the professionally sculpted look.

Ceramic Nail Drying Drops

CHI’s Ceramic Nail Drying Drops dry nail lacquers in just minutes.