You Need to Try This: Lomasi Mani Pedi Gel, an At-Home Nail Gel Kit

I can’t keep up with weekly manicures, but my at-home polish changes chip too quickly. Any longer-lasting solutions you know of that I can do at home? –Julia

First of all, I envy anyone who can keep up with weekly manicures. Second of all, I’ve got the perfect solution, and I’ve been dying to share my discovery.

Skip the salon for your next OPI Axxium or CND Shellac gel session. Order the $85 Lomasi at-home nail gel kit from L.A. For a microscopic slice of the price–factor in 20 manicures for that $85–you can get the same 2-week results. Every tool necessary for application and removal comes in the kit; all you need to bring is a sturdy hand for painting.

Jump for more details.

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Lavender Locks and Purple Pedicures at Daireds Salon & Spa Pangea for Domestic Violence Awareness

Gemma Ward photographed by Craig McDean for Vogue Paris August 2004 and Butter London's HRH polish

I dream of having lavender locks. I swoon when I see violet strands tied up on bows on Tumblr. I Pin and re-Pin purple hairdos thinking one day, I’ll get the guts to do it myself. Until then, temporary purple hair extensions could be the ticket at Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa during their Women in Purple campaign.

Throughout the entire month of October, the Arlington salon is raising awareness (and money) to fight domestic violence with purple beauty services. Grab a purple extension or two for $15 a pop and a manicure ($35) or pedicure ($55) in Butter London’s shades of purple polish, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a local domestic violence resource center and women’s shelter.

Where: Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa
When: October 1-31, 2012
To Book: 817-465-9797

Martinis & Manicures with The M Spaah at Aloft Hotel Downtown Dallas

Martinis and manicures. Is there a more perfect combination? On Thursday, June 7 from 5:00-8:30 pm, Aloft Hotel Downtown Dallas and The M Spaah mobile spa are mixing the two to create the ultimate girls’ night out. Pampered guests will sip on martinis while indulging in mini-manicures. Plus, there are plenty of gifts to win, including a “Martinis & Manicures” event of your very own (exclusively for you and four of your closest friends). If you’re ready for a little rest and relaxation to kick off the weekend, $25 tickets are available for purchase here. Call 469-546-7224 for additional information.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.

My New Favorite Pedicure…And I Haven’t Tried It Yet

Watermelon nail art not included. (photography courtesy of beautybloggingjunkie.com)

It’s the 50-minute Watermelon Lime Pedicure at V Spa:

Cool off with a complimentary watermelon slush to sip on. Relax while your feet soak in the refreshing scent of Watermelon. Rejuvenate with a lime zest sugar scrub and moisture application. Choose your polish.

Who doesn’t love watermelon, pedis, and slushies? (If you seriously don’t, ignore this post.) This pedi sounds like heaven. It’s just $50 at V Spa on their new summer menu.

Best Mani/Pedi in Dallas? You Tell Us.

Take our Best of Big D: Services Readers’ Choice survey and tell us all your favorite local beauty spots.

Sweet as Sugar: Our Favorite Spring Nail Polishes

Click to get closer up. (photography by Matthew Shelley)

I can break my beauty product addiction down into a much more specific breed: nail polish addiction. Limited edition collections of polish let you feel festive with each season and allow you to try out trends. (Subtly.) Brightly colored denim makes you feel like Peter Pan, you say? Try the hue on your fingertips instead.  Finding spring Prabal Gurung prints a bit dizzying from head to toe? Try them out on your nails.

Now check out my absolute favorite of the spring polish collections from Essie, Estee Lauder, NARS, Le Metier de Beaute, Tom Ford, and Chanel.

1. MAC “Pinkly Fresh,” a creamy pink with a hint of blue, $16 (NorthPark’s MAC Pro Shop, Dillards, Nordstrom, and Macy’s)
2. Estée Lauder “Molten Lava,” a dark mauve with gold and copper shimmer, $19 (Neiman Marcus, Dillards, Macy’s, and Nordstrom)
3. Essie “Orange, It’s Obvious,” a dark neon orange, $8 (CVS, Target, and Walgreen’s)
4. Tom Ford “Silver Smoke,” a metallic silver with pearl shimmer, $30 (Neiman Marcus)
5. Chanel “Distraction,” a coral with micro pink shimmer, $26 (Chanel Boutique, Stanley Korshak, or Neiman Marcus NorthPark)
6. NARS “Diamond Life,” a metallic lilac with silver shimmer, $18 (Sephora and Neiman Marcus)
7. Le Métier de Beauté “Yield to Yellow,” a slightly sheer, bright mustard yellow, $18 (Neiman Marcus)
8. Essie “Navigate Her,” a sweet spring pastel green, $8 (CVS, Target, and Walgreen’s)

Jump for a close-up of each swatch.

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Grand Spa in Addison is Bigger, And, Well, Better

I’m going to start visiting Addison more often. One, it’s not as far as I thought. It seems like Oklahoma, but really, it’s a quick 10 minutes via tollway. (Make that 15–I’ve got a lead foot.) Two, it’s got Grand Spa, a really impressive spread with separate women’s and men’s wings (couple stuff is available, too), seven pedi chairs, huge, comfy waiting areas, two Vichy showers (which is a big deal), and the ability to cater to groups like no other spa I know of. (We’re talking creating bars and rearranging furniture.) Plus, it’s practically its own product boutique with rows and rows of glorious grooming goods.  Kristin’s got more details on BridalBuzz.

Polished Giveaway: Score Essie’s “Cocktail Bling” Nail Polish Collection

photography courtesy of Essie

That’s right. You scream, I scream, Courtney Kerr screams for Essie nail polish. And how could you not with their chic color selection and reliable formulas? The Cocktail Bling fall/winter collection, inspired by cocktail jewelry, showcases a bright red “Size Matters,” pastel lavender “Bangle Jangle,” green gray “School of Hard Rocks,” pale gray “Cocktail Bling,” gray blue “Bobbing for Baubles,” and a creamy nude “Brooch the Subject.” (Think they were thinking of Dallas when they decided on gaudy jewels as the theme for this line?) These six bottles may have been created for the cool weather, but these classic colors will work beautifully through spring and summer, too. Enter here to win this set. We’ll draw a random name on Tuesday of next week.

The Colors of Fall in Nail Polish Terms

photography from StyleSheet

StyleSheet’s pretty post featuring fingernails full of a dusty rose mauve polish made me want to compare the fall polish collections of some of my favorite brands and where you can buy them in Dallas: OPI, Duri, Rescue Beauty Lounge, Essie, and Button London.

By the way, if you purchase OPI’s Pamplona Purple (see the StyleSheet comments section) in hopes of duplicating this nail look, you might be disappointed to find the formula in real life is more purple. I recommend e.l.f. in “Mod Mauve” (see swatch here), Barielle’s “Get Mauve-ing” (see swatch here), or my favorite option, Butter London’s new “Toff.” (See swatch here.) Can you tell I love nail polish?

Let’s start with Duri’s Wine Tasting Party collection. Wine shades of red are the talk of fall fashion, and this is the perfect collection to match the trend. Buy each polish for $5 a pop at Park Plaza Salon in the Plaza at Preston Center.

Jump for the rest.

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Do You Know the Ritz-Carlton’s “Pedicure Prince”?

The Pedi Prince at work. (photography by Kristy Alpert)

He’s 200 pounds, an ex Army officer, and loves to give pedicures. Did you know this former soldier was practicing some of the best pedis in town at the Ritz-Carlton Spa? Me neither. But reporter Kristy Alpert’s got the scoop:

Bryant Arthur is not your average pedicurist. Aside from his striking, bouncer-like stature (5’10” and 220 lbs.), the only time you’ll see him light up with excitement is when he’s talking about his wife and giving pedicures. His passion for feet earned him the nickname “Pedicure Prince,” and what he can do to your toes in less than one hour is other-worldly.

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Polished Nail Salon is Coming to Dallas and I am Stoked

photography courtesy of Amy Severson (thanks, Amy!)

This fav salon in Frisco and Plano is finally making it’s way to Dallas, opening doors toward the end of the month. I’m so ready for my super hygienic mani/pedi. Plus, word on the street is they’ll be offering blowouts, as well. If you’re in the ‘burbs, there’s exciting news for you, too.  You can now book Polished appointments online. Good news all around.

A Mani & Pedi for Only $45?

Touring America collection (photo courtesy of OPI)

Men might look at this headline and say, seriously? “Only” $45? That’s a lot! But we ladies know better. Unfortunately, $45 is a deal. That’s why I’m posting this: to save you a few bucks on your next trip to the polish swapper. Head to Nail Bar on McKinney for this mani/pedi combo every Monday and Wednesday. Check out OPI’s new Touring America collection while you’re there. Yay or nay?

Quite Cute Trio of MAC Polishes Up for Grabs

This nail polish bundle comes to you from MAC’s limited edition “Quite Cute” collection. We’ve got all three to give away today to one lucky reader. Enter here to win ‘em!

Should Toddlers Sport Nail Polish?

Hopscotch Kids polish is made for wee ones.

I noticed this question on iVillage, and I thought I’d mention it here. Dallas mommas, do you paint your kiddos’ mini digits? I certainly would. What’s the problem?

Ps. Sorry for my absence yesterday. The flu got me.

OPI Didn’t Do Dallas, But We’re Still Diggin’ the Texas Collection. Come and Get It.

Remember my rant about the fact that OPI left Dallas out of the cutesy color names in the new Texas collection? Well, I’m still a little ticked, but, look, forgiveness is healthy. Plus! I’ve got a set to give away, and the colors are pretty fun. Call me crazy, but I love the bright orange and sparkly blue, and the berry pinks and purples are classic colors that’ll last you a lifetime. (Well, at least the lifetime of the polish bottle.) Enter to win the entire set here.