There are few people who know nails like Mme. Lippmann herself. So few, that no one actually comes to mind at this exact moment to be honest. We know the holidays are here, and we know you also haven’t nailed your holiday look (because truth be told, no one has finished anything that has to do with the Christmas.) Anyway, to get you ready for what I feel is to be the most productive, successful, new year possible we did a little nail talk with Deborah Lippmann to, you know, make sure our nails were ready at least!
With the holidays quickly creeping up on us, what are some styles that are festive, yet still easy to maintain?
I love glitter…it’s just a little bit of happy! Accenting your manicure with a glitter nail provides a festive, yet subtle sparkle. It’s easily worn from day to night, in office settings and at parties. The holographic honey gold glitter, “Can’t Be Tamed”, from my Fall 2015 ROAR collection is densely packed with high-impact glitter and incorporates my signature tinted jelly base, used in all my glitters, making it the perfect topper for an accent nail. This season, elevate the contrasted look by pairing a metallic silver or gold with a red in a brick shade, like “Respect”, also from my Fall line.
What will be making a comeback come 2016?
Nudes have always been classic, but we’ll see a more opaque, finished nail in Spring 2016. Nail art is still on everyone’s mind, but it will come into play a bit differently with textures, like with the feathered look we created for Public School at NYFW. More understated designs like negative space will lead the way for those wanting to experiment with nail art yet maintain a simpler aesthetic. I also think consumers will take a greater interest in natural ingredients and using products that deliver nourishing benefits for nails. Our brand strives to create lacquers and treatments that not only work to strengthen and protect nails, but also provide that long wear and high shine we all want.
What are the most common mistakes in proper nail care do individuals overdo or ignore?
- One of the most common mistakes I see comes from the assumption that you just need a top coat, no base coat. It is always important to use a base coat like my All About That Base CC Base Coat so that it adheres to nails, protecting them and preventing staining.
- Too often, I see a misconception and misuse of cuticle oils vs. cuticle removers. First, you must apply an exfoliating cuticle treatment, like deborah lippmann Cuticle Remover, massaging it into the cuticles and pushing back gently. Not only does it help to gently push the cuticle back from the nail plate, but it also helps get rid of dead skin cells safely and effectively. A cuticle oil should be used afterward, rubbed onto the base of each nail as nourishment. A cuticle oil is NOT a cuticle exfoliator and should not be used as such. Imagine using moisturizer to try to exfoliate your face – it’s just not going to take off the dead skin.
- When in a rush doing our own manicures, I often see women simply swiping nails with a bit of polish remover, then either soaking nails in water or applying cuticle oil before polishing. This type of prep is already a recipe for a manicure that simply won’t last. You absolutely must cleanse the nail plate of all oily residue if you want your polish to truly adhere and last. I created my 2 Second Nail Primer solely for this purpose – after shaping, exfoliating and treating nails, apply 1-2 drops to each nail for a clean, dry base before beginning your nail lacquer application.
Lastly, what are the most important items for an on-the-go nail kit
I keep deborah lippmann The Cure and Rich Girl Hand Cream with me at all times to make sure my hands are moisturized all day long and Smooth Operator 4-Way Nail Buffer for any nail fixes on the go.