In this soon-to-be-a-fall-trend face-off, which one wins a bigger place in your heart? In this corner, we have a lovely purple as seen over the weekend on Drew Barrymore:

And in this one, we have Dianna Agron’s blue polish.

Which one do you predict you’ll be wearing more often come fall? That eye-catching blue? That grape-y purple?

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I was super excited over July and August’s Nail Polish Picks of the Monthbecause I’m all about bright hues for the summertime. I’ve always thought of dark nail polish as a strictly fall/winter season thing. (Maybe because the darker months make me feel a little more moody, who knows!?) But these three cute Hollywood ladies are out to prove me wrong:

Last summer, we saw a few celeb beauties trying to make the dark nail look work by pairing them with bright clothing. Emma Roberts tries to rekindle the dark/bright contrast with black nails paired next to her neon green dress:

On the other hand, it looks like Kim Kardashian didn’t have any second thoughts about matching her dark-as-night-nails to her black dress:

Nor did Ashley Benson (who you may know from “Pretty Little Liars”) with her matching black clutch:

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THE Mad Men franchise is set to continue its expansion with a new nail polish line, according to WWD. Produced in collaboration with Californian-based nail polish brand Nailtini,Mad Men‘s costume designer Janie Bryant has come up with four limited-edition nail shades, inspired by the sumptuous fabrics used for making cocktail dresses during the early Sixties. The Mad Men TV series, currently airing its fourth season in America, has spawned everything from clothing lines to Barbie dolls, and has even been credited with inspiring the trend for a more womanly silhouette on the catwalks, led by the likes of voluptuous modelLara Stone.

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There’s been a lot of chatter lately about Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera’s latex outfits.

But really, all this “who wore it first, who wore it better?” banter is moot, because the real answer is that twenty years ago, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper were the originals.

As always, everything old is new again, and evidently the recent 1980s style revival shows no signs of slowing: witness the new Plastix Collection from Orly.
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My first official pick is a Zoya color from their Flash Summer 2010 Collection called Robyn, a bright blue that I picked after being inspired by the turquoise nails I spotted on Ke$ha and Katy Perry recently.

Plus, didn’t you hear that turquoise is going to be everywhere this summer? True story.

Anyway, what I love about it is that it looks different in different light–it’s more milky in the sun (like you see on my toes) and indoors it turns brighter (like you see on my hands). I can’t stop looking at it.

What do you guys think? Is this your cup of tea? A little too much for you? Can’t wait to try it? Tell me what you think of my first try at picking a nail polish for the month. And what would your pick be?

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Try an easy side braid:

Amanda Seyfried smolders in smoky eye makeup and this summer’s hottest hair trend—a big, loose braid—like the ones seen on Alexander Wang’s spring 2010 runway. Not only is this braid gorge, it’s super easy to whip up. Simply pull hair gently to one side and braid loosely—the more unkempt it looks, the better. To add some oomph to your plaited prettiness, spritz in a volumizer like Fekkai’s Coiff Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel.

Update your lip look with a summery orange hue.

If you go for a look-at-me orange lip color, there’s no need for heavy makeup—a good thing on summer’s steamy, sticky days. Take cues from Marion Cotillard, who stepped out with just a swipe of mascara and the trendy, spotlight-stealing color on her lips.

Pile up your hair—like way, way up.

We’ve debated whether high buns are a Do or a Don’t, but it looks like Hollywood has decided they’re here to stay…at least for summer! So give in and take your knot to new highs. The key to Vanessa Hudgens’ look? Don’t worry about being too perfect—the messier the sexier. And who doesn’t love that idea when you’re up against humidity and temps almost as high as your hair?

Skip the intense eye looks and dust on purple shadow instead.

When the weather is scorching, who wants to worry about smoky eyes smudging off? You can create a less-complicated, heatproof version with some purple shadow. To get pretty in purple like Keke Palmer, sweep lilac shadow (like Estee Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow in Lavender) across your lids, up to the brow bone and under the lower lash line. Add some romantic, face-framing curls like she does here and you’re ready for a sunset summer date.

Color your nails the It shade: teal.

Summer 2009 was the year of the neons—yellows and pinks reminiscent of highlighters poking out of platforms and flip-flops. But 2010 is sure to be marked by a shade that’s just as bold but not nearly as blinding. Swipe on an aquamarine hue, like Essie Nail Polish in Turquoise and Caicos, to get a so-right-now mani à la Keri Hilson.

Give your blow-dryer and straightener a summer vacation.

Why fight curls as cute as Alicia Keys’? Embrace your hair’s natural curves instead of trying to beat the heat and humidity with flatirons. Got frizzies and flyaways? Tame them by scrunching a lightweight styler into damp hair, like L’Oréal Paris Vive Pro Glossy Style Glossy Curls Mousse, and air-dry. Top off all that texture withEase Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hairspray to keep tresses in place even when you’re seaside.

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Finally technology companies are coming up with fun new ways to target women – other than just making everything pink. Dell has teamed up with OPI so that you can match your new Dell laptop to one of the brand’s statement nail polishes. Buy any Studio 15, Studio 17 or Inspiron Mini laptops (prices start at £249 for the Mini 10), and for an extra £69 you can customise your hardware with one of the 26 OPI colours available in the Dell Design Studio. “Match your nails to your emails” as Dell suggest and choose from 21 classic colours.

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Have you seen these awe inspiring HD Nail Colors from Sally Hansen yet? I mean, you cannot really miss them, especially when on displayed together.

This unique, patented formula with real liquid crystals, translates the clarity of High Definition into an unprecedented nail lacquer. HD Nail Color offer spectacular shades with pure, vivid pigments that provide multi-dimensional color and extraordinary brilliance.

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I absolutely love tanned toes painted in funky colors for the summer! That’s why I love the Splendid Glam Mini Nail Enamel Collection from Calvin Klein, available exclusively at Sephora.

Four bottles of .6 oz of polish in Indigo Blue, Aqua Splash (a sassy teal blue), Heartbreaker (bubble gum pink) and Hint of Pink (a super sheer pink).

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If you’ve ever lost your sense of balance upon seeing a new Chanel nail polish for the first time (hellooo, VAMP?), you’re not the only one!

I almost passed out at the counter a few months ago when I first peeped deep, shimmery violet Vendetta — so frickin’ hot!

And before that, after seeing fall’s Haute Chocolate, a shimmery deep brown, I almost dropped to my knees.

But with the new Cote D’Azure collection, Chanel seems to have taken a quieter approach, with two fairly basic summer shades ($23 each): Orange Fizz (a creamy coral) and Golden Sand (a shimmery, peachy gold).

The colors still have an elegant, summery vibe that I think stays true to the Chanel brand.

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Here are some basic nail care tips.

• Wash hands with mild soap, using a nailbrush.
• Soak the hands in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles (the bits of skin at the bottom of the nails).
• Very gently push back the cuticles if they are long and ragged.
• Trim the nails to the same length, cutting off any snaggy or spiky bits.
• File the ends of the nails to smooth them off.
• If your hands are dry, apply some hand cream (it doesn’t have to be the girly stuff that stinks of flowers, lads).

Don’t Bite!
Nail bitting isn’t exactly seductive, try an anti-biting nail paint. Tastes absolutely disgusting, but will stop you putting your fingers in your mouth so often.

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In order to boast healthy nails and cuticles just follow these simple rules and methods:

• After taking a shower or a bath massage your cuticles gently with warm olive oil. Use your finger tips for massaging the cuticles. Alternatively, you can also use a mixture of two teaspoons of Eucalyptus oil and 1 teaspoon of Jojoba oil and massage the cuticles with your finger tips. This will protect your cuticles from getting dehydrated.
• Always use an orangewood stick and a good cuticle remover for softening the cuticles properly. Remember, a cuticle oil or cream is not enough for softening the cuticles and only a cuticle remover is appropriate for this.
• Once you have applied the cuticle remover, push back the cuticles gently with the orangewood stick by moving it in small circles around the base of the nail. This will help you in removing the dead skin around the nails. It is advisable to repeat this process for a minimum of three times for each nail.
• Wipe the dead skin away with a cotton ball and moisturize the cuticles.
• Avoid over grooming your cuticles. Too much of manicure may damage your cuticles leading them to get thick and overgrown.
• Do not use metal instruments while tending to your cuticles as they might be harmful for their delicate skin.

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