Category Archives: Press Releases & Promo Pics

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Hallowe’en Nails

Halloween Nails imPRESS Manicures

This week, I’m going to share my new step-by-step tutorial for how to create very easy Hallowe’en nail art that anyone can do with little time and just a few supplies most nailphiles already have in their collection. (Hint: It involves just two colours!)

However, in case you wanted to sport more intricate designs on October 31 and don’t have time, I thought I’d show you some of the fun Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Hallowe’en Nails.

Although I don’t wear press-on nails on a regular basis, I have worn them a handful of times as a novelty for special occasions. For Hallowe’en, I may wear a combination of the ones I’ll show you in this post.

What I really enjoy about them is that they fit the size of my nails, which, believe it or not, are small. My fingers are very thin and long, and my nails are therefore proportionately small as well. (But when you see my photos on the blog, keep in mind that you’re seeing them in a photograph that blows them up larger than life. Actually, some readers have voiced their surprise when they meet me in person. They expected my nails and hands to be much bigger, but I’m a petite woman in general.)

To find press-on nails that fit my baby finger, which is extra small, isn’t common. So I appreciated the fact that I can even wear the Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-ons! Plus they’re really easy to apply. You don’t need nail glue. All you do is peel off the tab and stick them onto your nails. (The adhesive is already on the underside of the press-on nail, which is really convenient.)

In this post, you’ll see photos that PR was kind enough to send me, as well as the official press release with more information. They show all the Hallowe’en designs including spider webs, ghosts, candy corn, and more. (You may remember seeing a few that I sprinkled in an Instagram post I shared on the weekend.)

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Essie at New York Fashion Week: Day 4

Jenny Packham Essie NYFW Butler Please

It’s time for another ‘nails during New York Fashion Week’ post! 🙂

For this instalment of Essie at New York Fashion Week: Day 4, we get a glimpse into the Diane Von Furstenberg and Jenny Packham shows.

The eye looks at the Diane Von Furstenberg show were mystical and mermaid-like with a youthful aura, so the nails didn’t compete and were kept looking clean and neutral. (When I was in my early twenties, I remember wearing bright turquoise and aquatic eye shadows. Still love the playful accent, and maybe I’ll give it a go again.)

For Jenny Packham’s show, cobalt made a statement on the nails, which made me smile. I love a bold manicure, and I appreciated how the blue contrasted against the clothing instead of blending in.

Check out the rest of this post to see more amazing photos courtesy of Essie. (At the end, there’s also a photo of Rita Remark, Essie’s Global Lead Educator, who I was honoured to meet at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto previously.)

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Essie at New York Fashion Week: Day 3

Brooks Brothers Zac Posen SS16 Essie NYFW

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is when nailphiles like me get excited because not only do you gain colour inspiration from talented fashion designers, but you can see upcoming nail, style, and beauty trends.

You probably visit Swatch And Learn because you’re a fellow beauty fan, and, if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy seeing the nail polishes and other beauty products we love in action. Witnessing how all the elements play a salient role to pull an entire ensemble together truly makes runway shows art in motion.

Since some of you enjoyed my posts on the blog and social media about NYFW Days 1 and 2, I’m going to post more.

Today’s post features looks from Essie New York Fashion Week Day 3!

My favourite look from Day 3 is the one above, which was from the Brooks Brothers by Zac Posen show.

I’m a fan of combining red (or orange) and blue because they’re strong shades that create a powerful manicure. (Together, they make me think of Superwoman! I’ve been known to combine the shades in my fashion, too, like in my Instagram photo here.)

Check out the rest of this blog post for additional photos from the Alexander Wang, Brooks Brothers by Zac Posen, and Altuzarra shows. (All photos in this post are courtesy of Essie.)

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Zoya Matte Velvet Winter/Holiday 2015 Collection

Zoya Matte Velvet Collection Winter Holiday 2015

The temperature dips, and fall is in full swing! Hehe, to a nailphile, we know what that means – winter and holiday collections are already coming out for us to enjoy.

The latest down the nail-polish pipe? The Zoya Matte Velvet Winter/Holiday 2015 Collection, which is currently available.

It includes six new shades with their popular matte velvet finish that’s both luxurious and edgy:

  • Aspen
  • Sue
  • Amal
  • Iris
  • Yves
  • Honor

I put together the collage image above to show you what the sampler pack and store displays look like.

Clearly, this nail junkie was drawn to Honor, the rich evergreen. (No surprise there! Green nail polish and I are tighter than skinny jeans accidentally thrown into the dryer on high heat.) My next pick would be Yves, a saturated sapphire.

In the rest of this blog post, check out the official photos and press release that Zoya’s PR sent me. Let me know which shades make you resemble the emoji with hearts for eyes!

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Contessa 2016 Canadian Hairstylist of the Year Awards

Contessa Awards 2016

The other day, I received a goody bag filled with tons of amazing professional hair products and some nail polishes, as well as an official invitation to attend the Contessa Awards in November from PR and Salon Magazine! (If you followed me on social media, you saw this photo of the goody bag and this photo of what was in it.)

For the past two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend, and I remember them being a blast.

They start off with cocktails, and you can check out photos of the hair, makeup, and nail designs from talented Canadian professionals who are nominated. Then, the gala starts with a dinner and some performances. Throughout the night, they announce the award winners, and the winners give their speeches.

When I go, I’ll be sure to share photos and video clips live during the event, so it’ll be like we’re there together. 🙂

In this post, I share more details about this year’s theme (exotics), the host (Noah Cappe from the Food Network’s Carnival Eats), and background information about the Contessa Awards, which are owned and produced by Salon Communications Inc. (Salon Magazine, Elevate Magazine, etc.).

To follow information about this year’s event, look up #Contessa2016 on social media. (Yes, 2016 and not 2015.)

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I’ll Be Attending IMATS Toronto 2015 Today

I’ll be attending IMATS Toronto 2015 today, and if you’d like to see live coverage (before I do a recap of the experience on the blog later), be sure to follow me on my social media:

The social-media platforms I’ve indicated with an asterisk (*) are the ones that I’m going to focus on during the trade show.

If you want to see the most photos and/or videos when I’m there, those are the ones to watch more closely. 🙂

In case you don’t know what IMATS is, it’s the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show, which is held all over the world including Toronto, New York, Vancouver, London, Sydney, and Los Angeles.

You don’t have to be a makeup artist to attend. (I’m not a makeup artist.)

See the rest of this post to read the official IMATS Toronto press release, which contains information about the events that will be taking place at the trade show, as well as key speakers and admission prices.

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Essie at New York Fashion Week: Days 1 & 2

Wes Gordon NYFW Essie 2Praying for nail inspiration? 😉

I find it very interesting to see nail polish in action, complementing a designer’s clothing style, and I hope that you will enjoy this post highlighting Essie at New York Fashion Week: Days 1 & 2!

You’ll see looks for Spring/Summer 2016 by the following designers: Wes Gordon, Sally LaPointe, and Rebecca Minkoff. (The colours used are listed, in case you want to recreate the manicures.)

All the nail creations at the Wes Gordon and Sally LaPointe shows were designed by Rita Remark, Essie’s new Global Lead Educator.

The nail art from the Rebecca Minkoff show was done by Michelle Saunders.

All the photos and information are courtesy of Essie.

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