While caviar and velvet manicures may have been hot beauty news in 2012, next year is all about the concrete nail varnish.
After Alexa Chung’s leather polish went on to sell out in seconds, Nails Inc have unveiled the concrete manicure and it looks set to be just as popular.
The experts at Nails Inc. explain how their latest polish adds “urban appeal” to its cult collection of nail polishes.
When the polish dries it has a matte, concrete-like consistency and appearance, which the brand maintain is perfect to pair with this season’s military trend.
Famous fans of textured nail varnish looks include Blake Lively, who wore velvet nails on her wedding day with Ryan Reynolds, Rihanna, Katy Perry and, of course, fashion muse Alexa Chung.
The £12 ($18) bottle is available from Selfridges in neutral “London Wall”, a deep red “Marble Arch”, a pastel green named “Monument”, as well as “Stonehenge”- a vibrant blue hue.
While caviar and velvet manicures may have been hot beauty news in 2012, 2013 is all about the concrete nail varnish
Interviewers make all sorts of snap judgments about a candidate’s character based solely on their grooming regime, according to a survey of British bosses.
One in four said that chipped nail varnish quickly takes the shine off an applicant’s chances, as it makes them appear nervous or unprepared.
A fifth of managers see split ends as a sign of laziness, and one in six said smudged mascara made them fear hiring a “party animal” who would be quick to escape the office for the bar.
A deep tan leads bosses to the conclusion that a candidate would gladly abandon their duties for the pleasures of a beach break, while bright red lipstick, heavily pencilled eyebrows and overpowering perfume are considered indicative of an overconfident and cocky personality.
The common scenario of lipstick smudged on to teeth apparently suggests carelessness, while foundation that hasn’t been blended properly is seen to highlight a lack of attention to detail.
Even going for a natural look isn’t without risks, as certain bosses believe an absence of mascara indicates an emotional wreck who worries that it would all be cried off within hours.
But it seems women cannot win – with an immaculately made-up face making some recruiters fear this candidate means business and will be snapping at their heels for the next promotion.
Sara Stern of Debenhams, which carried out the survey of 2,000 executives, said: “Clearly the application of make-up and fragrance is just as important as making sure your outfit is clean and ironed ahead of an interview.
“It seems a more natural-looking middle ground is the way to go for sure-fire success.”
Madonna appears to have forgotten about her pedicure despite her groomed exterior while launching her new fragrance Truth or Dare in New York yesterday.
Madonna, 53, suffered a bout of temporary amnesia when it came to nurturing her feet, confidently strutting onto the red, or rather black, carpet wearing a see-through chiffon skirt and peep toe heels.
She may have tried to deflect attention from her lower half by showcasing her svelte figure in the sheer black lace dress – but the large toe on her left foot stood out as it appeared to be painted gold while the others were simply decorated with a clear nail varnish.
Though her upper body was clad in a bodysuit, her legs were visible underneath the flimsy skirt with her bare ankles poking out the bottom.
Madonna completed the seductive ensemble with a heavy cross pendant.
Madonna launched her new fragrance Truth or Dare at Macy’s in New York
Though it is now 22 years after her documentary, Truth or Dare, was filmed in 1990, Madonna debuted her fragrance of the same name at Big Apple department store Macy’s.
Daughter Lourdes threw her support behind her mother with an appearance at the launch.
Despite her groomed exterior, Madonna appears to have forgotten about her pedicure
Fragrance specialists Coty Inc. signed an agreement with Madonna’s MG Icon company to launch her perfume.
Coty already have several celebrity endorsed fragrances on their books, including David and Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss, Beyoncé and Kylie Minogue.
Madonna’s fragrance is aimed at women aged 25 to 45, with the 35-45 group as primary aim.
Speaking about the fragrance, Madonna told Women’s Wear Daily: “I have always been obsessed by fragrance…
“For years wanted to create something personal that was an expression of me, but that other people could relate to as well.
“Something classical and timeless and yet modern. My oldest memory of my mother is her perfume. I carry it with me everywhere.
“She always smelled like gardenias and tuberose, an intoxicating mixture [that was] feminine and mysterious.
“I wanted to recreate this scent, but with something fresh and new about it as well.
“Something honest and yet daring – hence the name Truth or Dare.”
According to reports, Madonna was deeply involved in the process of making her perfume.
She worked with Stephen Nilsen, a perfumer at Swiss fragrance company Givaudan, to create a “composition of white flowers on an intensive gourmand background”.
The scent is described as both light and dark, opening with notes of gardenia, creamy tuberose and neroli.
While at its heart there is jasmine, benzoin and white lily, based on vanilla absolute, caramelized amber and sensual musk.
The fragrance comes in two sizes – as 50 and 75 ml Eau de Parfum – along with body lotion and shower gel.
Perhaps her scent will sell as well as her recent album did.
Madonna scored the biggest selling debut album of 2012 in America when it was released last week.
MDNA sold an impressive 359,000 units, making it her eighth album to top the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Madonna is set to embark on her US tour this summer.
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