This summer, nail polish is all about being bold and trying on new, intense shades in anything from bright yellow to orange to shades of fuchsia and hot pink. Bright, glossy colors are extremely trendy and look great on your hands and (why not) toes, but the more intense the color, the more unpleasant it will look when you happen to chip a nail playing volleyball at the beach or simply swimming and enjoying the sunshine with your friends. Save a lot of effort and a great deal of frustration by having a look at a few easy tips that will help you keep your manicure and pedicure in perfect condition.

First of all, we all tend to do our nails after having a shower or a long, relaxing soak in the tub, complete with a massage with our favorite moisturizer. For a lasting manicure, make sure that there are no emollients left on your nails, and clean the nail bed twice using an acetone-free nail polish remover. It’s essential to have a clean surface for any subsequent efforts. Step two is applying a base coat - if you use a protein-based one, so much the better. This will effectively prevent the polish from becoming chipped and will help keep your nails strong.

Step three - it’s time to add the color. Don’t be afraid to go for bright shades, such as the Essie Summer Collection (as an extra tip, they also have a shade of yellow Hot Pop Nail Polish that you could try). Apply at least two coats of nail polish, then apply a basic top coat - if you have a choice between a classic and a quick-dry one, go for the classic, as it’s sure to help your manicure last longer. As a final (optional) tip, pushing back cuticles rather than cutting them will also help keep the nail polish shiny and new for longer. Have fun selecting your favorite color, and have fun putting it on.

Article Courtesy of http://news.softpedia.com/news/Make-Your-Manicure-Last-87050.shtml

Lucie Doughty and Maureen McCarthy Share What’s BIG For Spring

Times of big change require times of big hair. Paul Mitchell Editorial Director Lucie Doughty and Master Associate Maureen McCarthy recently joined forces to shoot a mélange of fresh Spring looks inspired by the 1960s influenced shapes found on the Spring 2009 runways.

One big hair look for Spring 2009 is the Beehive.

Look #1- The Beehive Buzzes Back

Inspired by Spring 09 runway looks from designers prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, and Max Mara.

The beehive is reinterpreted for the season as either a smooth , more glamorous version or a more textured, sex kitten-ish look depending on the behive’s placement or balance on the head.

Look #1: Steps (Model Sabella)

A.   Apply Paul Mitchell Quick Slip^TM to model’s naturally thick, wavy hair to smooth and add texture.

B.   Separate the back of the head from the front using a diagonal part ear -to-ear over the round of the head.

C.   Clip the front out of the way. Next, backcomb the hair at the back of the head and mold hair into an elongated French Twist to create height on the crown.

Note: For details on back brushing, combing or teasing check out: Backcombed Hairstyling Tips

D.   Spray with Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Finishing Spray® and pin into place.

E.   For the front, use a Paul Mitchell 413 Sculpting Brush to backcomb all the hair except the front hairline. Mold all the hair back to shape over the crown and tie into the back.

F.   Finish with Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Firm Finishing Spray^TM.

Beehive Hair Image and Instructions Provided by Paul Mitchell

Hair: Lucie Doughty, Paul Mitchell Editorial Director and JPMS Master Associate Maureen McCarthy
Photographer: Brian Hayes
Make up: Kelsey Deenihan
Wardrobe: Kelli Hobson for Maria Inez