5 minutes, 5 questions with michelle mismas of all lacquered up

I recently had the insanely amazing opportunity to interview the ultimate authority on nails, Michelle Mismas.

Her blog, All Lacquered Up, has a beyond-huge following and is filled to the brim with everything you need to know about anything nail related.

And I mean everything.

Things like nail tips, new nail collections, reviews, nail color comparisons...the list goes on and on.

Did I mention her gorgeous swatches that make it so easy to figure out which shade you are going to run out and buy?

Plus she's super-nice, smart, funny, and beautiful.

You just can't help but love her for taking the time out of her uber busy day to answer a few questions...


1. What nail trends/colors are you just in love with right now?

As the self-proclaimed Queen of Green I'm bursting at the seams to see green nail polish having a moment. From the pale mint greens like Chanel Jade and Essie Mint Candy Apple to the dark blackened greens like Lippmann Don't Tell Mama and butter London British Racing Green I'm one happy green-loving nail polish fanatic. And even though it's not necessarily a crowd pleaser, I'm loving the matte polishes and top coats. I'm all about trying something new and while the matte thing was done back in the 90s, I welcome its return with open arms. Matte top coats are great for creating subtle nail art patterns like polka dots and stripes. Nail art is huge right now but not necessarily my thing, so using matte and glossy top coats to create designs is a fun alternative.


2. Can you give my readers some pointers on getting their manicure to last?


1. Water kills a manicure like there's no tomorrow so please, please, please buy gloves to use when cleaning.
2. Getting the polish to adhere to the nail plate is your biggest battle so make sure it's clean of all oils. A simple swipe of white vinegar or a pH balanced nail prep product, like Seche Prep or OPI Chip Skip, will do the trick.
3. I can't stress this enough, apply thin coats. The thicker the layers of polish, the more prone you are to chipping.
4. Finish each layer of your manicure by swiping the free edge of your nail with base, polish and top coat to help prevent tip wear.
5. Reapply top coat after two days to extend the life of your manicure and restore glossiness.


3. Your nails and hands and cuticles always look fabulous...what's your secret?

Oh it's all smoke and mirrors. A good parlor trick. All kidding aside, I'm fanatical about more than just polish. I'm obsessed with cuticle creams and oils. I carry a Sephora Cuticle Oil Pen everywhere I go. I have them stashed around the house too. They're portable, TSA friendly (for travel) and don't leave you feeling all greasy. At night I like to slather my hands in a rich hand cream, apply a heavy cuticle cream, like Lush Lemony Flutter, and put on cotton gloves to let it all sink in. I honestly don't know if the gloves make that much of a difference, but it keeps my TV remote from being covered in oils.


4. What five beauty products can you not live without?

Oh that's a hard one. I live for lip balms and have been obsessed with Tracy Stern's SalonTea line for a while now. I love makeup but consider mascara and eyeliner my essentials. I can't imagine a mascara better than Estee Lauder's Turbo Lash and I've been involved with MAC's Graphic Brown Fluidline for years. I stockpiled jars of the discontinued color when I ran across it at a CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet). Is it terrible that I want to wear my signature shade of nail polish, Rescue Beauty Lounge Mismas, like all the time? It's my perfect purple. Oh and New York Streets shampoo and conditioner is my hair's BFF. It's a small, relatively unknown line but so, so magical on my tresses.


5. Can you share a favorite beauty tip?

I don't know how often this applies to most people but it's a fun discovery I made based on a reader request. She had asked if there was a way to remove pen marks from a manicure. I decided to try the same remedy people use for clothes, hairspray, and it totally works. Just spray and buff the marks away with a cotton pad.


I am sooooo applying her tips for a lasting mani, asap.

Plus that Lemony Flutter cream just sounds ridiculously marvelous and perfect don't you think?

And that last trick?

Genius!

Be sure to check out her product picks by clicking on the links above!

editor's note: i have not actually tried any of the above products, nor did i receive anything for reveiw...the picks are actually those of ms. mismas.  this is after all an interview.  but, because she kicks butt in regards to anything nail related, i plan on purchasing at least three of those products mentioned.  really more than three to be honest with you.

Summary only...

holiday hair with pantene and tippi shorter

Are you the hostess with the mostest?

Is your house spot-on ready for the holiday party, but your do' just ain't cutting it?

Well fear no more, Celebrity Stylist, Tippi Shorter has given me the steps to create an easy holiday bun for hair that is shoulder length or longer.

It takes minutes to do and will leave you looking all effortless and chic in no time.

Read on...

Here’s a quick, festive style for a night out. Play around with the look and see what works best for you. You can always try a deep side part, or pull hair straight back for more lift on top. You can also leave strands flowing in front for a more feminine, romantic touch. Have fun with this look, and happy holidays! - Tippi Shorter


Start your style with clean hair, blow dry with a paddle brush.

Once hair is dry, separate into two sections front and back from ear to ear.

Clip the front out of the way and secure the back into a low ponytail.

Unclip, and use a 1 inch curling iron to curl the top section of hair.

Add a little serum (like the Pantene Pro-V Smooth Serum) to your hands and run fingers through hair to separate the curls and add shine definition.

Gently pull the hair back toward the ponytail and secure with hairpins.

Wrap the hair under the ponytail to create a bun full of voluminous curls.

Finish with a light hold hairspray to hold the style and seal frizz...and you're done!


Here's a little bonus, just for you.

A little recipe to spice up your party.

Totally works with your new do.

Spiced Candied Pecans

from

Padma Lakshmi’s

Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet:

A World of Recipes for Every Day

These nuts are a sweet and savory snack that can be made hot on the spot with just a few minutes in the oven…The pecans will keep in plastic bags, once cooled, for up to 2 weeks, and are great sprinkled on top of spinach or arugula salads as well. -Padma

You'll need...

· 1 cup of whole pecans

· 1/4 cup maple syrup

· 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Then you...

Preheat oven to 375 and line baking sheet with foil.

 Arrange the pecans on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Try to keep the individual nuts from touching each other.

In a small bowl, whisk the maple syrup and chili powder together with a fork.

Now drizzle the syrup over the pecans.

Try to coat the nuts completely by sliding them around on the baking sheet so all the syrup is used.

Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the syrup has just begun to brown or blacken;

don’t let the nuts burn.

Remove and immediately arrange the pecans on a dish, making sure they do not touch one another;

if you leave them in a pile, they will cool into a brittle.

Serves 2

FYI I am soooo making this tonight.

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la mer the hand treatment

So, clearly I've been on a little blogging hiatus.

Did you miss me?

No?

Wow.  Thanks.  Thanks a lot.

Anyway...

Did you get anything great for Christmas?

Maybe you did, or maybe you didn't.

Or maybe you got one or two of my favorite gifts of all...gift cards.

Nothing brings a tear of joy to my eye faster than a gift card.

A fact of which you'd figure that my mother-in-law would have figured out by now.

Just saying.

In case you did get one or two and you're looking for something lux, yet you want to keep your lux under the $100 mark, La Mer The Hand Treatment ($70) is something to check out.

Yes.

I know.

It's definitely a splurge as far as hand cremes go, but such a treat for your dry hands during the colder months.

It's rich, so you don't need a lot to work...and your hands don't feel all greasy after rubbing it in.

Keep it on your nightstand, or keep it in your makeup bag for on-the-go application.

My dry hands are drinking it up right now.  Between the freezing cold, the frequent hand washing and the constant use of hand sanitizer, my hands could easily be as dry as a bone.

This keeps the dryness at bay.

And that's what makes this worth a splurge...or at least a look-see next time you're at the La Mer counter.

Find it at cremedelemer.com as well as specialty department stores.

Summary only...