4 TIPS FOR MAINTAINING THE FRESH FEEL OF A MANICURE

Katie admits, "Unless you really want to feel spoiled, you could do a great service at home." It's tempting to spoil ourselves time and time again by going to the salon, but sometimes we have to bite the bullet and work a little magic with the nail file ourselves.

Exfoliate and exfoliate more

"That's the number one thing. Especially during the summer when skin gets very dry," says Cazorla. She always tells clients to make sure they're sloughing away dead skin. The idea: If you exfoliate right, you'll rid your skin of dead cells and be left with a gorgeous, glowing hue.

Quality cuticle oil

Next up, invest in a top notch cuticle oil. "Cuticle oil can refresh your manicure; it can keep your cuticles from pulling and getting dry." Katie even goes as far as to reccommend daily use of cuticle oil on the bottoms of your feet, tops of toes, knuckles, elbows and around your fingers. According to Katie, "It's a miracle worker."

Top coat protection

"Another great thing to do to maintain, when you polish your nails, is top coat. If you put top coat on your nails every 2-3 days, you can really extend the life of your manicure." Think about all those summer activities that take a toll on a fresh mani-pedi and how a simple top coat can salvage the beauty on your fingertips.

At-home scrub

Katie comments that she loves the all organic vanilla peppermint scrub in her own line but no matter what scrubs you have lying around, she urges you to scrub-a-dub away. For an at-home recipe that will bring on the shine, she says to combine brown sugar and oil. Or try this beauty find: A brown sugar and vanilla scrub >>

the polish radar: hot shades and nail art

Blues are back! Electric blues to be specific. "Anything that has a blue shimmer or bright, fun blues that pop." Katie is also noticing a nail trend that shows off more than one shade. "Painting one nail a different color than the rest is a very trendy, fun thing to do."

Of course, anything with glitter will be a hit. "You're wearing open toed shoes all summer long," Katie points out. Why not sport a little sparkle? Finally Katie leaves us with some final words of mani-pedi wisdom, "Corals and oranges are super hot."

More nail polish trends

Accessories inspired by top nail color trends
What your manicure says about you
6 Must-have nail polish colors

Introducing the opi muppet collection

Inspired by Disney's The Muppets, which hits theaters November 23 nationwide, comes a line of shades that are just as colorful and bright as the Muppets they're named after.

OPI has concocted joyous, bright, fun and fashionable colors for their Muppets Holiday Collection. The new holiday collection will be available starting in November 2011 at professional salons and places like ULTA, Beauty Brands, Dillard's and others for $8.50 each.

The collection colors include Animal-istic, Meep-Meep-Meep, Wock Wock!, Pepe's Purple Passion, Designer, de Better!, Warm & Fozzie, Rainbow Connection, Excuse Moi!, Gone Gonzo!, Fresh Frog of Bel Air, Divine Swine and Gettin' Miss Piggy With It!

about the holiday collection

The Muppets include a star-filled cast with actors like Jason Segel, Amy Adams and fan-favorite Muppets including Miss Piggy and Kermit.

The line includes six shimmery reds and neutrals, as well as six glitter-infused shades. Miss Piggy is a collection favorite according to Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Executive VP and Artistic Director for OPI.

"The fashionable Miss Piggy lends her name to three high-shine pink-based hues, ranging from bold red flecked with silver to a multi-dimensional strawberry shade," said Weiss-Fischmann.

Among the collection, colors such as Excuse Moi!, Gone Gonzo! and Divine Swine are glitter-packed with bright pink, aqua-blue and magenta to make your little piggies come alive. And if you're a glitter loving girl, Rainbow Connection will be a fast favorite of yours.

More from sheknows

4 Animal-inspired nail designs
Nail Files' salon owner gives mani-pedi tips
OPI's new Pirates of the Caribbean collection

Getting a mani-pedi is expensive and time consuming, so when you opt to do them yourself, make sure you're protecting your nails with the right nail strengthening product. There are two basic kinds of strengtheners -- hardeners and hydrators. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each type, you'll be able to pick the one that's right for you.

How hardeners work

Cross-linking hardeners: This kind of hardener works on the inside of the nail with ingredients that react with the protein in your nails. When your nails are weak, the protein is like a ladder with broken rungs -- the ladder feels loose and wobbly. But you can make the ladder sturdier by adding extra rungs to connect the two sides. That's what cross linkers do to your nails. They create chemical bonds that tie the protein chains together, thus making the nails harder.

Reinforcing hardeners: This kind of hardener works on the outside of the nail with ingredients that coat the nail. This kind of hardener works like a a splint on a broken bone by adding a layer on top of your nails that reinforces their natural structure.

Issues with hardeners

The issue with cross linkers is that the nail can become so hard that it becomes brittle and unable to bend. If this happens, the nail will break more easily. The issue with reinforcers is that they wear off and need to be reapplied often to continue to be effective. Three great hardeners are Sally Hansen's Nail Nutrition Green Tea and Bamboo, OPI's Maintenance Nail Envy Nail Strengthener and Nutra Nail Strengthener with Green Tea.

How hydrators work

Hydrators work with ingredients that moisturize the nail to keep it flexible so it bends rather than breaks. These products are oily and waxy materials mixed with water.

Issues with hydrators

Hydrators need to be used on an ongoing basis for maximum effect. As with any moisturizing product, they need to be reapplied because they wear off over time and wash away. Great hydrators for nails include Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream, Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream and Ecrinal Nail Cream.

Hardener or hydrator?

Use a hardener if you want a quick fix that is a more permanent solution. Just be aware that your nails may become more brittle over time. Use a hydrator if you want your nails to have more flexible strength and you don't mind having to apply the product several times before you see much of a difference.

Choosing a strengthener

Now that you know how strengtheners work, you can look for the one that's best for you. Unfortunately, most products do not tell you which type they are. We'll teach you how to tell which type of strengthener is which with these three answers below.

Is it a hardener or a hydrator?

• Look at the product: If it's clear, it's a hardener. If it's creamy like a lotion, then it's a hydrator.
• Shake the product: If it's thin and shakeable like a nail polish, then it's a hardener. If it's thick like an oil or a cream, it's a hydrator.
• Look at the package: If it's a brush-on type, it's a hardener. If it's in a tube or a jar, it's a hydrator.

If it's a hardener, is it the kind that makes your nails brittle?

If you see any of the following ingredients on the back of the bottle, it works by cross-linking nail protein which can make nails more brittle:

• Formaldehyde
• Calcium

Is it the kind that leaves a reinforcing layer?

If you see any of the following ingredients , it's a reinforcer.

• Nylon
• Sulfhydryl protein
• If the ingredients look like a typical nail polish ingredient list, it's most likely a reinforcer type as well.

Purchase the "Can You Get Hooked On Lip Balm?" book here >>

More nail tips & trends

Katie Cazorla from Nail Files gives SheKnows tips on how to make a manicure last and what polish colors are trendy.

More beauty tips

Top 10 ways to sparkle this fall
Looking for cool nail designs?
Get Nina Dobrev's Emmy Awards makeup look

We always knew Giuliana Rancic was a fighter. The Fashion Police star and E! News host was recently diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, and she's vowed to fight the disease. But Rancic is doing more than just fight her own battle against breast cancer; she's giving back to the cause in a fun way.

Rancic's Fab Fit Fun has partnered with Nail Files star Katie Cazorla to offer "Mani-Cure for Breast Cancer," a fundraising initiative that will benefit Rancic's own breast cancer awareness charity, Bright Pink. The Nail Files star is donating 50 percent of proceeds from her clients' mani-cures to Bright Pink.

Manicures and charity... sounds pretty great to us!

Photo credit: Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Check out more ways to give back to the breast cancer cause >>

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More Giuliana

Giuliana Rancic will win cancer fight says Bill
Giuliana Rancic fashion flashback
Giuliana Rancic diagnosed with breast cancer

Still questioning the whole DIY manicure and pedicure? Don't. The following tips, courtesy of nail expert and Orly Educational Manager Catherine Baek, break down the process so you can achieve flawless nails yourself — without having to shell out cash and head to the salon. Trust us — we were skeptical too, until we tried these savvy manicure and pedicure tips. The key? Be patient, don't expect perfection the first time and don't rush the steps.

Out with the old

First, prep work is very important. Begin by removing all the old nail lacquer from your nails. Use Orly's Slip-it Off Gentle to easily erase the left over lacquer with a sponge removal system. "It's quick, easy and you don't need messy sticky cotton balls," says Baek.

Groom

Follow up with trimming and cutting your nails. Pick a desired length and shape, and use Orly's Buffing Trio to file, shape and smooth your nails. "There are three sides. First use the 240 grit to determine your shape," Baek explains. "You should always use 180 or higher to prevent from shredding or damaging the free edge of the natural nails. Smooth with 400 . Very important: Try to keep all of your nails the same length. Keep in mind that shape can determine if it looks professional or not."

Not sure how to file your nails? Here's how, according to Baek: File flat to the tip and do not angle the file as you shape. You want the tip of the nail to be as thick as possible for strength, and filing at an angle will weaken the edge. Also, file one direction from each side to the center of the nail.

Maintenance

Keep your cuticles nice and clean. When your cuticles have been pushed back, it creates a clean and professional look. Apply a drop of cuticle oil and lightly massage your cuticles. Then soak your fingers in a bowl of warm water. Next, brush on cuticle remover, such as Orly Cutique, wait three minutes and then push your cuticles with an orange wooden stick. Then, rinse with water. Make sure you remove any residue with nail polish remover as it will affect how the polish stays on your nails.

Prime it

Just like you apply a primer for your foundation, it's best if you apply a base coat for your nails. A base coat helps the nail polish adhere to your nails and prevents discoloration of your nail plate.

Be an artist

Follow with a thin application of nail polish of your choice. Start with one hand first and paint one nail at a time. Then move on to the other hand. Repeat with a second coat of polish. Finish it off with your favorite top coat to seal the polish.

Apply thin coats and do not apply two coats at a time. Also, remember to seal the edges with polish and your top coat. It prevents chipping.

Fake it like a pro

After your application, double check your work. Most likely, you've applied your nail polish slightly onto your skin. Don't worry. You can "fake it like a pro" with Flawless Fixer Corrector Pen. It will correct any mistakes, including the hard-to-reach grooves around the nails, with an easy to use precise tip.

Crystallize it

After correction and careful inspection, add a couple drops of Flash Dry or any quick-dry nail polish to your nails. It will instantly dry your nails and will prevent any other mistakes.

More beauty tips

DIY pumpkin facial mask
Bright and bold accessories to punch up your look
Orange style picks in honor of Halloween

If you're looking for something closer to home, below are some paw-fect ideas for a spa day routine!

Up next: Teach an old dog new tricks with doga >>

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Teach an old dog new tricks

Humans aren't the only ones who can benefit from yoga, with their own special version of "doga." Seattle doga instructor and owner of Barking Buddha Doga Brenda Bryan shares why doga is a great way to bond with your pooch, as well as how to do her favorite pose.

SheKnows: How does doga work?

Bryan: Doga incorporates our dogs into all aspects of the [yoga] class, through massage, stretching, breathing and being fully present with our doga partners. Since dogs are naturally heart-opening creatures, we can use doga as an activity that opens us up to feeling a deeper connection to our dogs, ourselves and hopefully bring the feeling of a deeper connection to those around us and into the world.

SheKnows: What are the benefits of doga?

Bryan: Besides promoting relaxation and muscle health, doga can deepen the already strong bond we have with them, as well as teach trust and focus. Most dogs do well in doga because they love working with and being with their human.

SheKnows: What's your favorite doga pose?

Bryan: There are so many, but this is how to do the wheelbarrow pose:

1. Stand behind your dog with your feet hip-distance apart. Lift your chest and extend your tailbone to make your back flat like a tabletop. You'll be in a half-forward bend, or "half-uptail," as we call it in doga. Lift your shoulders up and back slightly so you feel a nice opening of the back and shoulders. You can also lift your leg bones up and back so you get a gentle opening of the hamstrings. Now it's time to bring our dog into the pose.
2. Place your hands on your dog's back haunches and make gentle circles with your hands to begin loosening the hips. If you are able to lift your dog, reach under the hip creases and lift, placing the back paws on the front of your legs . Mind your back! Engage your core and micro-bend your knees to protect your low back. If your dog is too heavy to lift or has any physical issue that may prevent stability in this pose, then simply massage the hips. They will benefit from the hip massage even without the abdominal stretch the lift provides.

More ways to pamper your pooch

Eco-friendly pets: Green pet pampering
Grooming tips for stylish dogs and cats
7 Ways to bond with your pet

Nail techniques

Ombre
Ombre hair was trendy in 2011 and for 2012, we will see more ombre nails.

"My personal favorite trend at this moment is ombre. It looks professionally done if you have the patience for it, and all you'll need are two different shades of polish. I always recommend using a top coat and a base coat, and find that having a makeup sponge handy can help to clean up any mess and tighten up the edges of the colors," says Creative Director of Pretty Woman USA, Aija Vilemsonne. Execute this trend at home with this ombre nail tutorial courtesy of Vilemsonne and www.PrettyWomanUSA.com.

• First, make sure that your hands are moisturized, clean and dry. That's the first step to any successful manicure, and should be a standard practice.
• Apply your base coat and the base color -- Vilemsonne recommends two coats, depending on the polish used. This will show as the lower color on your nail, closest to the cuticle.
• Use a paper bowl to pour a small amount of the second color , and dab a tiny amount on your makeup sponge. Do this slowly and carefully, never applying too much at a time. This will help to keep the mess manageable.
• This is important: make absolutely certain that your nails are fully dry before applying the second color. Dip the makeup sponge into polish and dab the tips of your nails in quick, short strokes. Make sure to cover the end of your nail.
• The top coat becomes a blending tool with this style. It will act as a re-wetting agent to bleed the two colors together, and keep your color lasting and solid.

Stripes
"Stripes are a trend that is slightly more time consuming, so save it for the weekend or a stress-free night," explains Vilemsonne. "Even though they take a little longer to apply, the look is complicated and beautiful, and looks very well put together in any situation. Whether you're at brunch or out for a night on the town, stripes can work with any look."

Glitz
For a night out, try ultra shiny nails with all-over sequins or chrome holograms. Look for a nail salon that specializes in Minx. Minx nails have been hot for a couple years now and will be going strong in 2012. Celebrities from Beyonce to Katy Perry wear Minx nails for special occasions, performances and events. Applied in a salon like stickers and set under a heat lamp, Minx nails can deliver amazing designs you never thought possible.

Nail colors

Neutrals
The most popular shade of nail color this fall will have little color at all. Shades of cream, white, light gray and very pale pink will grace the fingertips of ladies around the globe.

Cherry
Cherry-red nails and matching lip color will be all the rage in spring 2012. We saw a little sneak peek of this look from Christian Dior.

Chartreuse
Unexpected colors take center stage, particularly in the yellow family. Look for yellow shades ranging from an amber orange-yellow to a green-tinted chartreuse.

Nail collections

For 2012, one of today's hottest artists is teaming up with OPI to bring you fun nail colors with lots of style. The Nicki Minaj for OPI Nail Lacquer Collection 2012 features shades like Super Bass Shatter, Fly, Metallic 4 Life and Pink Friday among others.

In the Chanel 2012 Spring Harmonie de Printemps makeup collection, we will see three Le Vernis nail colors dubbed April, May and June. Our favorite is June -- a limited edition pastel apricot. This fresh color is light enough to almost be a neutral, especially if you just wear one coat.

Whatever nail polish you are wearing in 2012, make sure you touch-up your nails often. Chipped nail polish is definitely not in style for the New Year.

More nail tips and trends

Go funky fab with these nail trends
How to: 5-minute manicure
Inspiration for cool nail designs

Nailing it

Did you spot Kaley Cuoco's cute, quirky manicure on the red carpet at last night's People's Choice Awards? We sure did!

When you think of manicures, you usually envision two hands with the same color polish on each nail, right? Well, if you're Kaley Cuoco, not necessarily. The Big Bang Theory star and People's Choice Awards host showed off her unique manicure on the red carpet last night and got us rethinking the meaning of a manicure.

The sexy star sported her trademark "lucky" manicure with two-toned nails styled by OPI celebrity manicurist Beth Fricke. Cuoco opted for OPI Nail Lacquer in Bastille My Heart on all her nails, except on her two ring fingers, which were colored with Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer in Follow Me on Glitter.

What a cute, fun way to spice up a manicure, huh? We've been seeing new nail trends this whole year -- Katy Perry's nail art and the ever-popular half-moon manicures come to mind right away -- but this manicure is a really quirky kind of idea.

More People's Choice Awards

Ginnifer Goodwin looks pretty in pink at People's Choice Awards
Get the look: Ashley Greene's People's Choice Awards hair
Best and worst dressed at the 2012 People's Choice Awards

Buy something you've wanted for a while

Never underestimate the power of retail therapy. What have you had your eye on for a while that you just can't justify purchasing? That purse that is about $60 too much? Those awesome shoes you'll never wear outside the house? That four day weekend in Las Vegas? The very premise of Valentine's Day is rooted in frivolity. So be frivolous. An irresponsible and indulgent act of this nature, where no one but your credit card balance gets hurt, will make you giggle every time you think of it. You'll be celebrating this gift to yourself for some time to come.

Let someone else spoil you

When in a relationship, one of the perks of Valentine's Day is getting spoiled. So if you're single, or you're with someone who is more about being spoiled than spoiling others, you have no choice but to hire someone to spoil you. This means scheduling a hair appointment , a manicure, a pedicure or a full-body massage. Sometimes we just have to take matters into our own hands -- or in this case, take matters into someone else's hands.

Spoil yourself

If you don't want to hire someone to spoil you, then you are going to have to do it yourself. So if you could do anything for one day, what would it be? Once you figure that out, take the day off from work and do it. Maybe that will mean sitting around in your pajamas all day, drooling in front of reality TV. Perhaps it will mean catching up on laundry and other things that are stressing you out . Still others will play all day, indulging in hobbies and a lunch date with a friend.

Recharge your batteries

Is there a cool town just an hour or so away from where you live? A change of scenery can provide a welcome distraction. Pal up with someone else who is treating herself on Valentine's Day and do it up right, somewhere else. Eating different food, seeing different people and shopping in different places can go a long way in restoring a healthy attitude.

All ideas related to treating yourself on Valentine's Day center around giving yourself permission. The first step is to stop pouting that you have to treat yourself on Valentine's Day instead of having someone else do it. The second step is to tell yourself it's okay to focus on you for a day. The third step is to have an amazing time by creating a Valentine's Day you won't soon forget!

More Valentine's Day ideas

10 Love quotes for Valentine's Day
Wild chocolate trends for 2011
Ways to make Valentine's Day even sweeter

We might not love Zooey Deschanel's 2012 Golden Globes dress, but we love, love, love the manicure she rocked at the show.

"I am wearing a gown but my nails are wearing tuxedos!!!" she tweeted, along with a close-up photo of the cute look.

The cute take on nail art first showed up during Fall 2011 Fashion Week. Ruffian designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais teamed with CND Nails to create a moon tuxedo manicure.

How to create a Zooey Deschanel tuxedo manicure

Want to try this look at home? It's actually really simple.

Paint one to two coats of white nail polish on your nails. We like Zoya in White, but you can use whichever white polish fits your fancy.

Carefully add a thin strip of black polish to the tips of your nails, either using tape or a French manicure kit.

"The simplest way to assure perfect smile lines is to divide the nail in half and then paint from side to middle," celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein told Stylelist of creating the perfect French manicure. "This allows a perfect line...If you can't paint those perfect lines, Sally Beauty sells great guides for French manicures. Use them to create the lines, but super important: Wait until polish is set before removing!"

Add the bow tie and buttons to each nail using a black nail polish pen. This is where you can get creative. Deschanel's tuxedo manicure includes buttons of varying sizes, along with a simple bowtie.

Take a little time to practice and add the dots to your nails. Better yet: Get a friend to help for red carpet-worthy nails!

Image courtesy WENN.com

What are your tips for creating stunning manicures for formal events?

More on manis and pedis

Kaley Cuoco's quirky People's Choice Awards manicure
Giuliana Rancic's mani-cure for breast cancer
Leaked from celeb nail files: Mani-pedi tips and polish trends

Rihanna is known for spending mega-bucks on her looks. The "We Found Love" singer reportedly pays upwards of $23,000 a week to her hair stylist, Ursula Stephen.

"Rihanna likes to pioneer new styles but it's costing her a fortune," a source told the UK Daily Mail.

However, her strand spending pales in comparison to the gold manicure she rocked during the 2012 Grammys. The heavily-tatted singer ended up wearing the Amor 24 gel nail polish from Red Carpet Manicure, a hue that goes for $5,000 a bottle!

Why the big price tag? It has small bits of real gold in the bottle, according to the company. RiRi's reaction to the polish? She promised the brand that she would "guard it with her life," according to People Style Watch. It was a good promise to make, especially because the color went so well with her gorgeous Giorgio Armani dress and Neil Lane jewels.

Red Carpet Manicure nail polish is becoming one of the go-to lines for celebrity red carpet events, thanks to the company's presence at the various gifting suites held before awards shows. Kate Beckinsale and Joy Williams also wore the line on the Grammy Awards' red carpet, according to RadarOnline.

We love that celebrities are spending more time on their nails for red carpet events — a good color or design can really ramp up a designer gown for just pennies.

We're never going to spend that much on our nails, so it looks like wearing polish from Red Carpet Manicure is just a pipe dream, right? Not so fast! The company also offers an at-home LED starter kit that retails for $60 with an additional 54 shades at $10 a bottle. Not enough options? Another 18 colors are set for release on April 1.

Or, we can all chip in on a bottle and then sell it to Cash4Gold when we're done. They say they buy all gold, so why wouldn't they take gold-flecked nail polish?

We kid, we kid .

See how to get Rihanna's red carpet manicure

Image courtesy Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Do you like Rihanna's $5,000 manicure?

Read on for more celebrity manicures

Get Zooey Deschanel's tuxedo manicure
Kaley Cuoco's quirky People's Choice Awards manicure
Giuliana Rancic's mani-cure for breast cancer

Manicures

Katniss Everdeen was first introduced to Capitol audiences wearing a sparkling dress made of actual fire. The rich hues of yellow, orange and red are eye-catching, making them perfect colors for your nails. The nail polish geniuses at butter LONDON created a "Girl on Fire" manicure inspired by our heroine in The Hunger Games. It's so simple to recreate at this manicure at home .

China Glaze releases The Hunger Games-inspired nail polish >>

Makeup

The rich hues of Katniss' fire dress look can also be a striking makeup look. We saw this makeup tutorial from Ronnie at the blog Bows & Curtseys and thought she captured "The Girl Who Was on Fire" look perfectly with the use of reds, oranges and blues on the eyelid, along with a pale face and red lip.

To create the eye makeup look, Ronnie uses:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• NYX Eyeshadow in Red Head
• NYX Eyeshadow in Rust
• BH Cosmetics 120 Palette in Yellow, Orange and Metallic Blue
• NYX Pencil in Brown
• Pixi Gel Liner in Onyx Black
• Ardell #120 Demi Lashes
• Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

Her cheek color comes courtesy of Hard Candy Fox in a Box Blush in Spicy and Sweet, while the lips are NYX Round Lipstick in Snow White.

Tutorial: Get the Girl on Fire makeup look

More on The Hunger Games style

Jennifer Lawrence's Hunger Games red carpet style
The Hunger Games style: Tribute-inspired fashion
The Hunger Games: Get Katniss’ hairstyles

Photo credit: Lionsgate/Murray Close, butter LONDON

nail art

nail designs you can actually do

Nail art is everywhere right now, from the pages of top fashion magazines to the nails of that cool girl who works at the coffee shop on the corner.

It’s even popping up on the red carpet .

Nail art can be intimidating at first, but don’t worry, you can totally do this! You don’t need an artistic background or a particularly steady hand – all you need is creativity and a touch of patience.

We’ve put together three nail art designs that anyone can rock, whether you’re a nail art newbie or a manicure master. You’ll learn how to create an easier-than-it-looks geometric manicure using Scotch tape , a neon French manicure that is subtle enough to wear at the office and an eye-catching splatter nail design.

You don’t need to buy expensive nail art tools – almost all of the supplies we use can be found around the house, like Scotch tape, bobby pins and Q-tips.

Step 1: Paint each nail with a neutral polish such as a white or nude. We love bright white polish, so we used Sally Hansen xTreme Wear in White On.

Step 2: You don’t need to buy a fancy dotting tool – you can get equally great results with a pointed Q-tip, a bobby pin or an unfolded paper clip. Collect a small dot of polish on top of the Q-tip or other tool and create small dots across the tip of each nail with the five colors of your choice.

Step 3: Avoid smearing by allowing the dots to dry completely before adding a top coat. This is an understated yet trendy way to rock the neons that are so hot this season.

Step 1: Begin by painting your nails with a light-colored polish. We used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls.

Step 2: Dip a slanted makeup brush or small paintbrush in a bright, saturated polish. Next, quickly dip the polish-covered brush in a bit of nail polish remover to thin it out.

Step 3: Channel your inner preschooler and pull back on the brush to splatter polish across your nails. It’s a messy process, so make sure you’re working on a covered surface!

Step 4: Continue splattering with as many polishes as you’d like .

Step 5: Now comes clean-up. Begin by using a remover-soaked cotton ball to wipe away the splatters on your hands and fingers. After most of the splatters are cleaned up, switch to a small remover-dipped makeup brush to clean up the skin right around your nails.

Step 6: Add a top coat and get ready to answer “How did you do that?” for the rest of the day. This is such a fun, unexpected look!

Step 1: Paint each nail with the polish of your choice. Add a good top coat and allow your nails to dry completely. If possible, give yourself a few hours of drying time before moving on. We started with RGB Too Red.

Step 2: Apply three pieces of Scotch tape to your dry nails. Apply the first piece of tape at the bottom of your nail so the corner points up toward the center. Overlap the other two pieces at the top of your nail to create the chevron shape in the center of the nail. Press down firmly on the edges to make sure you have a tight seal.

Step 3: Paint over the Scotch tape with a contrasting polish. We used China Glaze Frostbite, a vibrant blue.

Step 4: While the polish is still wet, slowly remove the tape to reveal your design. Once the second color is dry, apply a top coat. You can stop here with this fun two-toned mani or keep on going!

Step 5: Overlap two pieces of tape to section off a triangle at the base of each nail. Fill in the triangle with a contrasting color – we used Sally Hansen xTreme Wear in White On.

Step 6: Remove the tape to reveal your finished look. Add a top coat for shine and protection, and get ready to show off this fun, modern mani.

Here are a few manicure tips to master these nail designs:

• Sheer colors and “jelly” polishes are great for regular manicures, but highly-pigmented colors are best for nail art. Fewer coats = fewer mistakes.
• Always use a base coat and finish with a glossy top coat for shine and protection. These are like primer and powder for the face – essential for staying power!
• Cleaning up polish that ends up outside the lines takes an at-home manicure from amateur to professional. After painting my nails, I dip an angled eyeliner brush in remover and run it along the cuticle line. This cleans up messy brushstrokes and creates a clean, smooth line.
• Don’t worry if your finished nail art isn’t perfect – mine never is. Nail art isn’t about perfection; it’s about being creative and having fun with your nails. No one else will notice if your lines are a little crooked or your polka dots aren’t all the same size, I promise! You’ve got this.

More on nails

4 Ways to sparkle up your nails
Nail art photo gallery
4 Animal-inspired nail designs

Santa Margherita wine is known for crisp and refreshing pinot grigio, and now they'll be known for their chianti, prosecco and sparkling rose -- with the help of matching nail polish!

an unlikely pairing

Read on to find out more about how these two seemingly separate items go together,

Primp and wine

You've heard of wine pairings, right? It's usually a white, light wine with a tasty cheese or zesty vegetable -- but have you heard of pairing your wine with nail polish?

Santa Margherita Italian wines are partnering with The Beauty Bar while promoting their new line of wines. Ladies can get their nails done while drinking a glass of their notable pinot grigio or their newer wines like chianti, prosecco and sparkling rosé.

The nail polish will be available in seven Beauty Bar markets: New York, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver and Austin, Texas. When you attend one of these events, you'll automatically receive a free wine-inspired nail polish with a glass of Santa Margherita wine. Details of the event are available on the Santa Margherita Facebook page.

The four limited-edition nail polishes are inspired from their prosecco, pinot grigio, chianti and sparkling rosé.

The prosecco is a shiny, sparkling silver with hints of gold. The pinot grigio is light, creamy and almost white -- perfect for a French manicure!.The chianti is a deep red color that will take your nails from bare to bold. If you're looking for a girly, feminine color, then the sparkling rosé will be your new favorite. It's light, pink and sparkly with a hint of metallic.

Forget wine and cheese, we're so into the wine and nail polish pairings!

More fun with wine

5 Creative ways you can reuse your wine corks
Boxed wine handbag: Genius or crazy?
It's National Wine Day: Easy-to-enjoy wines from California to France

If you work in a conservative office, you need to be careful about how you look -- from your hairstyle to your clothes to even your nails. Fortunately, some of the season's hottest nail trends and colors work both at the office and out on the town.

Top nail trends
for the office

Check out these mint green mother-daughter outfits >>

Learn about these ways to sparkle up your nails >>

Read more about ombre nails and other hot nail designs >>

Statement manicure

Another unique trend that has emerged this year is the statement manicure — painting your ring finger nail a different color than the rest of your nails. Though this look can be very dramatic , it can also be more subtle. Consider painting all your nails in a pale shade of pink with the ringer finger in lilac or the aforementioned light blue.

More about manicures

Nail trends to try in 2012
Rihanna's $5K Grammy manicure
Zooey Deschanel's tuxedo manicure

Finding some time to pamper yourself is important for your mental health and your overall happiness. Though it can be difficult to find time for yourself, it's certainly essential.

Get some much-needed pampering

We talked to a variety of real women across the country to find out how they pamper themselves.

Mani-pedi

Most of the women that we talked to mentioned a mani-pedi as one of their favorite ways to get pampered.

"Before becoming a mom, I was great at pampering myself," says Laura Willard, SheKnows Parenting Editor. "And then I slipped into that pattern I swore I never would — always putting everyone else before myself. I recently committed to taking care of me again, so I started by going for manis and pedis every two weeks. I don't answer emails or do any work, and I don't have my kids with me. It's nothing huge, but it's an hour and a half of quiet time, and in the end, pretty toes and fingers make me feel better about myself."

Drive time

Several women mentioned escaping in the car. Not for a weekend getaway, but just for an hour or so of peace.

"Every Sunday, I take a trip to the farmers market, which is about a 45-minute drive," says Veronica Garcia, Texas mom of three "It's all about me, playing whatever music I want as loud as I want on the way there. And then of course, shopping for healthy food for my family is a big bonus."

Chicago mom and writer Lisa Steinke agrees that sometimes it's the drive rather than the destination that matters. "I drive an hour to get my hair done. It's as much about the alone time in the car as it is about the hairdresser."

Meditation

It's important for all of us to take time out to relax, reduce stress and recharge our batteries. One of the best ways to do that is with meditation. Meditation provides peace of mind, lowers your blood pressure, decreases muscle tension, reduces anxiety and can even cure headaches.

"I used to have incredible, debilitating stress headaches," says Crystal Davis of Dallas. "Then, one of my friends got me into yoga. I can't explain to you what a world of difference it has made in my life. Now, not only can I function again, but I feel happier and healthier than ever."

Spa day

When you need a break, there's nothing like letting someone else take care of you — even for an hour. Many women enjoy the pleasures of a spa day, or at the least, a trip to the salon for a mini makeover.

"Whenever I'm feeling exhausted or stressed, I head to the spa," says Caryn McMichael of Florida. "Between work, family and everything else, it's easy to get burned out. But there's nothing an afternoon at the spa can't fix. Every month, I get a massage or a facial. And I have a standing appointment at the salon every two weeks to get a mani-pedi and my brows under control."

More about manicures

Nail trends to try in 2012
Rihanna's $5K Grammy manicure
Zooey Deschanel's tuxedo manicure

Hot celebrity nail trends

Looking to do something a little different with your nails? Get inspired by today's hottest celebrities with these trendy manicure inspirations.

More about manicures

Nail trends to try in 2012
Rihanna's $5K Grammy manicure
Zooey Deschanel's tuxedo manicure

Photo credit: Andres Otero/WENN.com

Durable and beautiful nails

Easy gel mani/pedis

Gorgeous color that lasts for weeks is easy to achieve at home with gel nail polish for perfect mani/pedis!

Having a beautiful manicure and pedicure is a little luxury that finishes your look, but often women simply don't have the time or feel comfortable with the expense of regular salon appointments for the upkeep necessary to maintain their nails perfectly. Enter gel nail polish.

These smart new formulas for home manicures are easy to use and deliver gorgeous, glossy color that lasts without chipping. Best of all, you can do the manicure yourself for a fraction of the salon cost and get flawless results!

Ready, set, sensational

Prep your nails as you would for any manicure — remove cuticles and clean hands and nails to get rid of any oils and build-up of lotions. Gently buff each nail until they are no longer shiny — this helps the gel polish stick to the nail to ensure a longer-lasting manicure. Don't over-buff as it will weaken your nails. Wash your hands to remove residue from the buffing. When applying the color, always avoid the cuticles so the polish doesn't lift away as the cuticle begins to grow out.

What color will you choose?

Try the salon-favorite OPI brand for their iconic colors in the new gel formula. These deliver intense shine with a fast application and quick curing time. Much like a normal manicure, you will apply a base coat before the color, then sweep on the first coat of gel color — sealing the nail tip by extending the color past it. Allow a minute of drying time for each nail under an LED light. These drying lights are inexpensive to purchase at a beauty supply store or online, and are a good investment for women who will be doing home gel applications. By the time you've applied color to the second hand, the nails on the first hand will by dry and ready for the last coat of color. Give your nails two coats of color on top of the base, and let the color cure for a full minute with each application. Many women finish off with a clear top coat, again allowing nails to cure and dry.

No more chips!

You now have gorgeous color that dries hard as plastic and doesn't chip! There's no sitting around waiting for your color to dry only to smudge or smear a freshly-painted nail as you fumble for your keys or a credit card. The shine is brilliant and your gel color should last up to three weeks.

By choosing an OPI color, you'll also have the option to touch up nails as they grow out with a coordinating nail color in their regular line. These gels are really easy to apply and are self-leveling for smooth results. When you want to remove them, they soak off in as little as 15 minutes.

More beauty tips

Tropical-inspired nail designs
Summer-ready accessories we love
Perfect candy-colored look

Nail designs

If you love the neon trend but don't want to take the risk, Katie Cazorla from TV Guide's Nail Files demonstrated a neon manicure that is much more subtle. It packs a punch without going sour.

A tutorial with Nail Files' Katie Cazorla

Did we mention that Katie serves wine and cocktails with her mani and pedi services at The Painted Nail? So now you know: She knows what's up. Her salon is a favorite to many of Hollywood's female stars and we can't get enough of this adorable manicure. Watch the tutorial to recreate it at home.

"A lot of people want to try neon nails but don't want it to be crazy bright and they are afraid to go bold. Doing a French is a more subtle way to go into the whole neon [nail trend]."

Once you decide to take a chance and give this new neon manicure a try, it's easy to overlook the base coat... especially when you're in a hurry to finish your at-home mani. Katie says not to leave out the basecoat because it helps fill in the bridges and gaps you might not see and prevents the polish color from staining your nails.

After you've chosen your colors, don't worry about painting perfectly. It's better to get the color set, and then go back before the polish dries all the way and shape your paint with a separate brush.

Choose a fast drying top coat for at-home manicures and re-apply a few days in to refresh the paint job and make it look new.

Watch more of Katie's nail tips

More nail art

How to: The accent nail
Nail designs you can actually do
Olympic-inspired nail designs