09.01.2013
Join me and New Beauty magazine for a #TeaTimeBeauty Chat

Make sure to join me with New Beauty for a #TeaTimeBeauty chat about nails! I’ll be joining OPI, Custom Nails and Anna from New Beauty to discuss and three lucky winners will receive an OPI San Francisco Collection (see above for details).

September 4th at 2pm PST/5pm EST

Follow @NewBeauty and @ItsJamieStone on Twitter for details on how to join the #TeaTimeBeauty chat, hosted on Google+ HERE

You can ask questions via Twitter (#TeaTimeBeauty) or Facebook!

08.28.2013
5 Things I Love Right Now

1. Michael Popp #Poppaganada shirt: You may have read my post back in December where I mentioned a long-time friend was diagnosed with cancer. Well, I’m happy to report that while he’s not completely out of the woods, he IS doing well. He’s selling these rad shirts to help with the cost of his recent battle with leukemia and his even more recent bone marrow transplant.

2. La Fresh Nail Polish Remover Acetone-Free Pads: Every time I’m traveling, I always seem to notice that my nails look absolutely awful; it’s like kind of comedic at this point. With that said, I got SUPER excited when I discovered these little travel pack nail polish remover pads! I mean, I’m just going to leave them in my “to-go bag.” Done.

3. Clinique A Different Nail Enamel For Sensitive Skin in “Yellow Genius”: I blogged about the Clinique nail polish line before but I’m really into this limited-edition shade, inspired by Clinique’s original “yellow genius,” its famous moisturizer.

4. Stella and Bow “As If” bracelet: I don’t need to explain my Clueless obsession, or why I love this bracelet. End of story.

5. NUANCE Salma Hayek Lasting Wear Gel Eyeliner: I have a rough time finding an eyeliner that doesn’t run down my face, true story. However, I recently tried this gel version from NUANCE Salma Hayek and I LOVE it. It’s awesome.

08.13.2013
6 Steps To the Perfect Manicure

Nails have never been my thing, gotta be honest…but recently, I got to exploring the tools that you actually need to get a good mani. There are like 5,000 tools on the market but, in reality, you only need these babies:

1. A Good Nail File: This is easier said than done. Find a good nail file that not only looks cute, but also actually FILES your nails properly.

2. Cleansing Soap: I’m sooo not a fan of bar soap, but nail artists all say that bar soap does a better job of cleansing hands than anything else. So, if I HAVE to use it, it may as well be CHANEL.

3. Tweezerman’s Pushy and Nail Cleaner: Stop using your other fingers to push back your cuticles! This tool will do it for you, and better.

4. Cotton Pads: I’m totally guilty of using cotton balls and they’re just NOT as good since they shed everywhere and stick to your nails. These pads are the business.

5. Base Coat: The Sally Hansen version serves as a base coat AND a top coat (two for one!). I recently found out the importance of using a base coat (e.g. use one so your nails don’t turn yellow).

6. Polish: Et voila. Top off your mani with your favorite nail polish of the moment. Right now, I’m loving all things Deborah Lippmann.

05.31.2013
The 4 Products You Need for Your Nails

With thousands upon thousands of nail products on the market, all claiming to solve ALL of your problems, it can definitely be confusing as to what you actually need to achieve your best nails possible. Here, I break down for you the four products that you should be using, no matter what. Trust me, use these four and you’re good to go!

1. All-In-One Treatment

When you’re crammed for time, it’s best (and easiest) to use a strengthening base and top coat in one. Hydrating panthenol will smooth and glaze nail beds, while also preventing your nails from chipping. Make sure to first apply this treatment to clean, dry nails as a base coat and let dry. Then brush on one to two coats of your favorite nail color and let dry. Finish with the Double Duty treatment as a shiny top coat.

Favorite: Sally Hansen Double Duty

2. Polish Remover

I prefer a polish remover with a light, calming scent (like lavender), which will swiftly and effectively take off your darkest, most glittery polish just as fast as you applied it. Sure, in a pinch cheap or generic polish remover will do, but I really love the version from Zoya, which smells great and actually gets all of my nail polish off.

Favorite: Zoya Remove Plus

3. Nail Strengthener

This calcium-enriched formula toughens nails, without altering the color of your polish! It’s recommended for use twice a week and will definitely help strengthen nail beds within a few weeks time. I can’t recommend this strengthener enough. The fact that you can actually apply it OVER your nail polish is truly amazing and I’ve definitely noticed a huge difference in the health of my nails.

Favorite: O.P.I Nail Envy

4. Cuticle Oil

Cuticles simmer down with just a drop of this cure-all product. Infused with sweet-almond, jojoba and vitamin E oils, your nails will never be softer. This is my secret weapon! For anyone who gets dry cuticles, this oil is your best bet.

Favorite: CND Solar Oil

05.15.2013
how to get dark nail polish off your nails!

I will never forget the moment when a guy said to me “what are you goth now? Why are you wearing black nail polish?”

The answer? It was 2006…and CHANEL “black satin” was all the rage. I mean, sure, mine was totally the Wet n’ Wild version (cause I’m cheap and lazy) but still…black nails were SO HAUTE that he didn’t even know it. The problem is this: when you wear black (or really any dark nail polish color) it gets stuck in the corners of your nails. For real. I thought it was just me, cause I’m sloppy, but turns out…it’s everyone. Here’s a trick that I recently picked up from a manicurist:

Use an old makeup brush, dipped in nail polish remover, to scrub off the remnants of your dark polish! I’m liking Stila Double Ended Smudge Brush #28 since you get TWO choices: one is flat and short, and the other is long and thin…making it easy to get into every nook and dark polish cranny.