Holiday Beauty Series: Party-Ready Nails

‘Tis the season for holiday parties, reunions, and get-togethers. If you’re bracing yourself for the party season heading your way, I come bearing gifts–in the form of a holiday beauty trend guide that is.

In the sea of cocktail dresses, of course, you’d want to set yourself apart right? A standout ensemble isn’t your only way to get noticed and remembered, your holiday beauty look will score you major points and make your look one to remember as well. From your tips to your toes, I’ll give you some trends that you should try to elevate your look for the holiday parties to come. I’m sure that you’re going to rock each trend like the true trendsetter and fashionista you are.

I’m going to start my holiday beauty series with the party-ready nails that’ll finish off your look with a trendy flourish. Here are my top picks for nail trends this holiday season:

Shattered Glass Nails

If punk rocker chic is your aesthetic, shattered glass nails is the trend made with you in mind. I love the futuristic and edgy feel it gives, and it will truly take your LBD to new heights, especially when paired with chrome rings and/or bangles or cuffs.

Image from Refinery29

Metallic Half-Moon

Forget French tip, when you rock the metallic half-moon nail trend on your digits, you’re earn second looks for sure. Metallic colors are a guaranteed hit for party ready holiday beauty, since the sheen already puts you in the festive mood. Taking your metallic colors into a half-moon design adds to the fashion forward feel of your look.

Image from Harper’s Bazaar

Get The Blues

Now, reds and pinks might be your safe and easy bet, but you should consider bright and vibrant metallic or frosted blue hues to accentuate your holiday looks with. Just don’t pair it with a matching blue eyeshadow to avoid looking too 80s or over-the-top.

Image from Fashionisers

Goldfinger

Deck your digits out in the gilded brilliance of gold glitter and metallics. There’s nothing like gold nails to spell instant glam for your look. If you’re decking your digits in gold, avoid wearing bold accessories in your hands and arms and instead opt for thin and delicate pieces.

Images from Harper’s Bazaar

Glittering Nail Beds

This season, your cuticles are getting more attention as far as nail trends go. Too much glitter can read juvenile so a little sprinkling of glitter on your nail beds is a great way to add some sparkle to your mani, while maintaining a sophisticated aura.

Images from Harper’s Bazaar

Modern Lines

For a mani that stands out and truly goes the distance, get geometric with it. Modern lines and abstract art-inspired tips really hint at your inner fashion renegade. What’s great with this trend is you can choose more muted colors if you’re more conservative, and bolder colors if you fancy yourself a beauty risk taker.

Front Row Style @ Fashion Week 2015

Fashion Week isn’t just about the style being paraded down the runway. The fashion on the front row is especially noteworthy too. The front row is where the fashion elite, editors and celebrities alike, congregate to take their prestigious seats right at the top of the fashion pecking order. You can learn just as much about trends and styling on the front row.

If you’re suffering from fashion week withdrawals, front row fashion is the cure for you. Here are my top picks for the best in front row style for Fashion Week 2015:

Olivia Wilde and Naomi Watts at Michael Kors

Photo from Refinery 29

Liu Wen, Maggie Q, and Jessica Alba at Tory Burch

Photo from Refinery 29

Ciara at Cavalli

Photo from Vogue.com

Kiernan Shipka and Hailey Baldwin at Rag and Bone

Photo from Refinery29

MIranda Kerr at Louis Vuitton

Photo from Vogue.com

Maria Sharapova at Chanel

Photo from Vogue.com

Elizabeth Olsen at Dior

Photo from Vogue.com

Suki Waterhouse at Topshop Unique

Photo from Vogue.com

Alexa Chung at Topshop Unique

Photo from Vogue.com

Jourdan Dunn at Versace

Photo from Vogue.com

Amanda Seyfried at Givenchy

Photo from Vogue.com

Julia Roberts at Givenchy

Photo from Vogue.com

Bella Thorne and Kylie Jenner

Photo from Refinery29

Julianne Hough, Jennifer Hudson, and Christina Hendricks at Marchesa

Photo from US Magazine

Gillian Jacobs, Jamie Chung, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Ashley Madekwe at Monique Lhuillier

Photo from US Magazine

Style Icon: Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner stormed the runways with a purpose this year. Renaming herself, simply Kendall, she was determined to be taken as a serious, high fashion model this year. Often quoted saying that being a Kardashian has been the opposite of beneficial for her modeling career, Kendall’s stellar success this season is proof that she is slowly making her way up to Karlie Kloss modern supermodel status. The VS Angel rumors are a good indication of a budding and promising career in the modeling world.

Kendall had a lot of memorable turns at the runway this Spring 2015, and even more than that, she has shown that she has the fashion chops to pull of the ever elusive and highly coveted model off duty street style. I give you the rundown of her top 5 runway appearances and her top 5 off-duty looks.

The gingham-filled Diane Von Furstenberg collection got a lot of mentions and accolades from the fashion press. Kendall’s runway look is one of the best in the show, this DVF frock is classically timeless and feminine.

Kendall wowed on the Tommy Hilfiger show with a youthful and flirty bikini, with equally playful and adorable star tattoos.

Almost unrecognizable in a blunt bob wig, Kendall stomps down the Marc Jacobs runway in golden and glimmering sporty slides that continue to echo that shower sandals/chunky flatform trend.

Radiant and resplendent on the Ports 1961 show at Milan Fashion Week, this sheer gossamer ensemble looks gorgeous on Kendall. This look is perfect for summers on the Italian riviera.

Of course Kendall had to walk down the Balmain runway. She’s best buds with Oliver Rousteing after all. Thin bands hold together this tough looking dress, with a definite rock n’ roll vibe.

Runway Images from Teen Vogue

You can’t call yourself a bona fide model if you can’t pull off a classic white T-shirt, and make it look glamourous. Major style points for you Kendall, your strappy heels and leather leggings are the perfect pieces to go with your casually cool white tee.

The best way to balance a sky high sexy side slit? With a boxy fur vest, of course.

Ladylike with a touch of mod, this is the right way to do a matching printed pantsuit while still looking young and chic.

Another model off duty style trademark? Wearing menswear-inspired footwear with almost everything. Kendall’s gold captoe monk strap brogues instantly upgrade her white trousers and slouchy tee outfit.

Kendall flaunts her legs for days in the perfectly nonchalant afterparty outfit, an oversized tee worn as a dress with over-the-knee slinky suede boots.

Style Images from Refinery29

What looks did you love from Kendall? I loved watching her style evolution this year!

Sporty Looks for Summer

Alexander Wang was definitely one of the pioneers and trailblazers for the resurgence of the athletic trend that is sweeping the fashion industry at the moment. Gray sweats, sneakers, and mesh tops are moving out of the confines of the gym, and are now firmly planted in the style spotlight. Sports luxe have been spotted on the backs of the most stylish set, like Miroslava Duma, Olivia Palermo, and Chiara Ferragni to name a few, this fashion trend show no sign of slowing down.

You can count on more sportswear detailing and materials propping up even in the most classic of silhouettes. From Gucci to Marni, DKNY to Marc Jacobs, locker room wear is a trend that’s here for the long haul. Incorporate this sought-after look into your wardrobe, and get inspired with my top 10 picks for the best sporty summer looks:

Wearing your sneakers with a relaxed tee and tote in a matching color is an advanced style move that makes your casual attire look a little bit more polished and pulled together.

Trousers with a single vertical white stripe is an understated nod to jogging pants. Take it to another level by using it to diminish the dressiness of the sequin top and studded heels.

Mesh details are hot, hot, hot this season. Turn up the volume on this sporty material when you wear it with distressed jeans and menswear inspired loafers.

The drawstring and pocket detail of these shorts allude to its gym attire origins, but the ankle strap sandal and oversized camel coat make it look updated and super chic.

Change up your crop top, and go for a sports bra instead. Wear with a high-waist pleated skirt, and give a fresh and twist on the athletic trend.

You won’t look a like a dad when you wear sneakers with jeans and a blazer. Just bear in mind that your separates should be tailored and not baggy.

A striped sleeved T-shirt gives a subtle nod to sportswear. Topping it off with a crystal statement necklace and lucite heels makes it unique and personal.

Never downplay the value and impact headwear can add to your ensemble. Just by simply wearing a baseball cap, you can dip your toe into the athletic wear trend. Opt for baseball caps done in a more luxe material, like this leather cap, and avoid sports insignia at all costs.

You need not be limited to blazers and boxy jackets when choosing a piece to complement your favorite graphic print pencil skirt. A varsity jacket is the way to go, when you want to add a bit of sporty glam to your street style.

 

Gray sweatpants must always be paired with something more formal or a more rigid or tailored shape to it. By using a leather vest to layer the look, you don’t look like you’re lounging at home or sweating it out on the treadmill.

Why not try this trend out for size? You might be surprised at how many chic points you’ll score!

Images from: WhoWhatWear, Fashion Magazine, Valley Magazine, Lauren Messiah, GlamAsia, Pinterest, Refinery29