Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit.

Are you as hooked on gel manicures as I am? I rarely paint my nails anymore because I just can't deal with the drying time and changing my polish every 3 - 5 days. I know! Nail polish just doesn't last on my nails and I have been getting gel manicures on the regular for a few years now. But they are costly. A gel manicure costs me $45 + tip.

I have done my gel manicure at home too, but I will be honest; the systems I have used in the past are not salon quality as far as color selection and lamps go. I am thrilled to report that I did find a salon quality at-home gel manicure polish kit and it is not limited in any way. This is the Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit.

Couture Gel Nail Polish is made without the use of harmful chemicals, and they have over 75 stunning shades to choose from in various finishes  like shimmer, creamy, sparkle and glitter. Couture Gel Nail Polish lasts up to three weeks, and is extremely chip resistant. I get 3 weeks wear out of this polish and I have every time I have used it.

The Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit includes everything you need for a salon-quality gel nail polish manicure at home:

• Your choice of 3 Couture Gel Nail Polish colors
• Plus base coat and top coat
• A professional 36-watt Salon Quality Curing Lamp (big enough for your entire hand, unlike others)
• Instructional DVD and brochure
• Zippered carrying case for easy storage
• Salon nail care kit

There is a new Couture Gel Polish collection for spring that came out since I received my kit and it contains 28 brand new shades, perfect for spring. I need to get my hands on a few.

• Mardi Gras
• Fairytale Fling 
• Pillow Talk 
• Tiffany's Secret 
• 5th Avenue 
• Naughty-cal 
• Sweet Cheeks 
• Million $ Tweet 
• Skinny Dip 
• Lavender Lace 
• Off the Shoulder 
• Milano 
• Sweet Caress 
• Tres Chic 
• Come On Barbie! 
• Glam Squad 
• St Tropez 
• Seduce Me 
• Dance 'til Dawn 
• London's Fog 
• Pretty Little Liar 
• Teal the Show 
• Aloe-Very 
• Share My Yacht? 
• High Maintenance 
• Stay-cation 
• Red Carpet 
• Vintage Denim

You have to be very careful to follow the directions carefully. I highly suggest watching the DVD. If you do not "top off" or "cap" the tips of your nails in each step, air and water will get beneath the nail and cause the color to peel off.

The cost for the entire kit Couture Gel Nail Polish Kit retails for just $129. I can't even get 3 gel manicures at the salon for that price. Check it out online at couturegelnailpolish.com.

Spring 2013: Guerlain Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shine Collection.

Get ready for a new little lipgloss and polish collection coming to your department store this week; it's a real beauty. From Guerlain, this is Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shine.

Inspired by the 1960's pin-up girl, this collection captures everything about her, which was more than just a pretty face. She is witty, elegant, playful and secretive all at once.  She is incomparably charming and has perfectly mastered the art of femininity.

The collection includes Gloss d’Enfer and Le Vernis.

Gloss d’Enfer - $30.00
Gloss d’Enfer is a beautiful lipgloss that gives lips a shimmering, radiant and plumping finish.  Maxi Shine’s oil composition creates a moisturizing barrier to ensure an intense softness, while the ergonomic applicator makes application precise. The 20 new permanent shades vary in coverage and pigment, but are all perfect for spring and summer. 

• 400 Gold Tchlack
• 401 Praline Blop
• 402 Browny Clap
• 403 Brun Buzz 
• 420 Rouge Shebam
• 421 Red Pow
• 440 Coral Wizz
• 441 Tangerine Vlam
• 460 Rose Splatch
• 461 Pink Clip
• 462 Rosy Bang
• 463 La petite Robe Noir
• 464 Guimauve Vlop
• 465 Bubble Gum
• 466 Dragée Bomp
• 467 Cherry Swing
• 468 Candy Stripe
• 469 Fuchsia Ding
• 470 Magenta Waouh
• 471 Prune Zip

Le Vernis - $23.00
These ultra-vibrant shades incorporate adhesive resins to offer a perfectly even sheen that lasts for days. The extra-flat and widened brush helps to create a shiny and beautiful nail look with ease.  The new polish collection also includes a Protective Base Coat and High Shine Top Coat which are  designed with a silicone derivative to strengthen, reinforce and protect the nail. There are ten new, permanent shades.

• 00 Lingerie
• 64 Gemma
• 121 Rouge d’Enfer
• 125 Vega
• 143 Nahema
• 165 Champs- Elysées
• 168 L’Heure Bleue
• 280 Jardins de Bagatelle
• 263 À la Parisienne
• 463 La Petite Robe Noire

Guerlain’s Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shine Collection is available now at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.  Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shine will also be available at select locations of Sephora beginning in May.

Beginning this Wednesday, April 24th and running through April 30th, the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Boston (which is open) will have the ground floor all decked out in color to celebrate this launch with an exclusive "I Want Candy" event. The first 200 customers at the event will receive a mini MaxiShine Gloss D'Enfer in Candy Stripe. Additionally, each customer will have the chance to get their "candy look" makeup done by a Guerlain color expert, along with take home a souvenir photograph.

Candy Stripe is a beautiful wearable fuchsia shade, with a lustrous shine. It will definitely be on my lips a lot this summer.