Beauty and the Drink

I spotted this place on my way to the CalTrain station one day. I tried to sneak-a-peek inside, but was in a hurry, so I convinced some of my co-workers to come with me later that week and give the Polished Lounge a try.

Here's what I loved about the place:
* Salon was calm and serene. I couldn't hear any noise from the outside world.
* Music was at a good volume, so that one could sit back and relax or have a conversation amongst friends (a plus!).
* Big, soft cushy chairs to sink into.
* Friendly staff immediately offered soda, tea and water. Bonus: A warm wrap for your neck.
* Candy dishes strewn across ottomans in the middle of the room.
* The BEST nail polish selection I have ever seen. I'm talking Essie, OPI, Creative, you name it, they had it in any color you could imagine. Love the color? No problem, they most likely have an unopened bottle available for purchase.
* Basic mani included softening soak, warm-lotion massage, cuticle care, file and shape, followed by buff and polish - all for $17 bucks! STEAL.

My hands looked BEAUTIFUL!

I highly recommend the Polished Lounge in San Francisco to anyone looking for a salon that is quiet and relaxing. And it's so cute, it will make you wanna hold a little afternoon tea party there!

Image from The Polished Lounge website.

When I'm tired of all the nail colors out there or just can't seem to find the color I want (like the rocker purple polish that Gwen Stephani had on during her last tour)....I just create my own! You can mix and match just about any color or if you're really artistic, get a small paint brush and draw a cool design. The point is, you don't have to replicate what I have below...just be creative and have fun with it! Sure there will be some mishaps but that's what nail polish remover is for. Happy experimenting!

Here are some examples, starting from the pinkie: Bottom coat is OPI-Alpine Snow/Top coat is Princesses Rule!; Bottom coat OPI-Light my sapphire/Top dot OPI-Alpine Snow; Bottom coat OPI-Italian Love Affair/Top coat OPI-Princesses Rule!; Bottom coat MAC-Nocturnelle/Top coat Nicole-Fanatical Fuchsia; Bottom coat is OPI-Lincoln Park at Midnight/Top coat is a glitter top coat called I love the Holidays!

WOW. Now I can get my favorite color of blush in a nail polish! I'm soooo excited...
NARS Orgasm nail polish

Recently, my girlfriends and I had one of our beauty/fashion parties and the theme was "Discover Something New". We each brought a beauty product from our daily regimen that we adored and loved, then we picked numbers out of a hat and gave them away for someone to try. Of course, this task was difficult for me as I am always trying something new...so I thought it would be fun to bring something that the girls hadn't tried before. Anyway, this is where I was given my very first tube of Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black. Oh how I loved the big thick wand that caught every lash!! I Love it - thanks Amara! So naturally when I heard that they had a waterproof version (Diorshow Waterproof Mascara)...I'm thinking it's a perfect world after all and I wanna try that stuff.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to try new nail polish. Sure I sometimes get into a rut and stick with my always trendy and fun Chanel Black Satin or OPI Italian Love Affair, but I'm game to try something new or mix polishes together anytime! So now I'm on the hunt for one of these cool shades by Chanel. Click here to see the LA limited edition hues. Ohhh la la ...I so can't wait til June.