Trend-Filled Thursdays: Side Braids

If you're an avid watcher of The Hills -- and this beauty chick most definitely is -- chances are you've seen Lauren Conrad rocking the side braid. The Heidi-esque (no, not that Heidi) style has become a fixture in this gal's arsenal of beauty looks. But Lauren isn't the only celeb who's gotten on board with this sweetly innocent hairstyle -- fashion-and-beauty-forward chicks like Mary-Kate Olsen, Hayden Panettiere and Jessica Alba have all shown up to recent events with their own takes on the trend. Read on to find out how you can get the look -- no tears over a fight with Audrina necessary.

For a look like Hayden Panettiere's, your tresses should be sleeker-than-sleek. The best way to get lush, shiny locks without a hairstylist at the ready? Definitely an at-home blowout with the T3 Bespoke Evolution Dryer ($300). Not only does this dryer literally cut time in half, it makes every strand glisten! After blowdrying your hair in sections with a round brush, finish with a shine spray like Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist ($22.50) to lock in shine.


Now for the fun part -- the braid! Grab a one-inch section of hair from the left side and start French braiding over to the right. The braid should continue around to the side and finish beneath the hair so it looks like it travels and disappears into a mass of gleaming tresses. Secure the braid with bobby pins like Scunci Hair Pins ($2.99 for 100), which will be hidden beneath the masses.
The more popular style right now is definitely a braid that disappears into an updo. Jessica Alba, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Mary-Kate Olsen all have displayed variations of this style at recent red carpet events. The key is to keep the updo slightly messy and the braid tight, which creates such an interesting dichotomy of a look that is totally chic but with a bedhead vibe. I'm actually really digging Mary-Kate's version of the style -- the curled tendrils at the front lend a romantic air to an otherwise more severe take on the look.

Messy, subtly tousled and beachy waves will create a fantastic foundation for this version of the style. Mist your locks with a spray like Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Beach Waves ($22), which will add a hint of sexiness and undone-ness to your tresses. The major difference between these styles and Hayden Panettiere's is where the braid begins. Rather than starting it at one side and pulling all the way over to the other, these have the braid begin in the middle. A sharply drawn center part -- try the Goody Tortoise Versa Comb ($2.99) -- will pull the hairs just-so. A two-inch section of hair pulled from the center and French-braided around to the back creates a subtly chunky look.

Beauty Questions: How Do You Wear Your Lipgloss?

So I've decided to implement a new column on The Beauty of Life. Look forward to Beauty Questions -- where I'll be asking the nitty-gritty questions you all wonder about but might not ever think to answer!

So for the first installment, I'm asking this important question. How do you wear your lipgloss? Do you wear it alone, or layer it over lipstick? I used to be a lipgloss-only gal, but recently I've taken to layering Stila Lip Glaze in Starfruit and M.A.C Dazzleglass in Comet Blue over Lancome Color Fever Shine Lipstick in Pixel Pink. I love seeing how colors can blend and change!

I'm dying to know your answers -- so leave them in the comments!

Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Frederic Fekkai Glossing To Go

If you're like me, your summer is booking up pretty fast. When I last glanced at my calendar, I discovered that I only have about four free weekends from now until August! But one thing's for certain -- I will definitely not travel anywhere without my trusty Frederic Fekkai Glossing To Go products.

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Traveling in Style with Jaqua

Want an excuse to travel? Then you definitely need the new travel bags from Jaqua. On my recent trip to L.A., I wasted no time in packing my Getaway Bag, Necessary Bag and Treasure Bags chock-full of all my favorite beauty goodies.

Each of these bags is the utter epitome of chicness. The Getaway Bag and Necessary Bag are designed in vibrant pink nylon oxford and accented by a stylish brown jacquard pattern, while the Treasure Bags coordinate with the opposite color scheme. They're even water-and-stain-resistant, so you don't have to fear losing them to opened products or huge raindrops in a freak thunderstorm!

The Getaway Bag is my favorite of the three, with its collapsible silhouette that unfolds to fit everything from my vintage Levi's jean jacket to my Manolo Blahniks -- and, of course, my Jaqua shower syrups and body scrubs! The Necessary Bag is perfect for holding all of my oversized beauty products, while the three Treasure Bags are ideal for toting around my jumble of mascaras and lipglosses.

Prices are as follows:

The Getaway Bag: $38
The Necessary Bag: $25
The Treasure Bags: $20

Each is available on Jaqua's website. Looking chic has never felt quite so fabulous!

Two-For Tuesdays: Philosophy Thank You

The two most important words my mom taught me? "Thank You." They come in handy literally every single day -- saying these two words is one of the easiest ways in the world to look polite and genteel. So a great way to repay my mom for teaching me these fabulous words is, of course, with the Philosophy Thank You gift set. This beautiful set contains two 3-in-1's -- which can be used as shampoo, shower gel and bath bubbles -- in two of Philosophy's most popular scents. Amazing Grace is the headier of the two, with a mix of fresh blossoms accented by a hint of musk. Pure Grace is a crisp, clean blend of bergamot, water lily, lavender, jasmine, cool greens and musk. Both are beautifully lovely and delicate -- which, when you're saying "thank you" to someone, shouldn't that be the case? The two 8oz. bottles come packaged in one of Philosophy's signature gift boxes, and the set is available for $25 on Philosophy's website. Saying "thank you" has never felt so good.

Chipped Nail Polish: A Do or a Don't?

In Thursday's New York Times, there was an article about chipped nail polish. In the article, entitled I Love What You Didn't Do to Your Chipped Nails, beauty industry insiders like nail polish guru Ji Baek of Rescue Beauty Lounge and Lancome's VP of Public Relations, Kerry Diamond (who, coincidentally, worked with this beauty chick at Harper's Bazaar back in the day) face off on whether this trend should stay or go. And while I believe a manicure should always look flawless, let's face it -- what beauty chick has time to run to the salon every time her polish chips? (Case in point: the picture at top left is, sadly, my week-old manicure.) In today's busy world, running around with chipped polish seems to have become a much more accepted way of life. The article discusses the ins and outs of this trend -- noting people that have even gone so far as to show up to interviews with less-than-perfect tips! (I would definitely never do that.) What's your take on the trend? Is it a do or a don't? Let this beauty chick know in the comments!

Must-Have Mondays: Pureology Nanoworks Luxury Hair Masque

Are your tresses in need of some good old-fashioned TLC? Then you are definitely in the market for a hair mask that will rejuvenate, revive and revitalize those strands. And if you're like this beauty chick, you'd like it to keep your color vibrant and shining at the same time. Look no further than the Pureology Nanoworks Luxury Hair Masque -- this tub is filled with a deliciously creamy formula that will make your locks glisten and gleam with the best of them.

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Trend-Filled Thursdays: Sulfate-Free Shampoos

The word on the street? It's time to give up those shampoos that are formulated with dreaded sulfate. While sulfate is used primarily to help your shampoo foam and lather -- thus helping in the "lather, rinse, repeat" invocation that's been ingrained in our brains for so many years -- it can also irritate the scalp, dry out your hair and cause split ends. But that's not all -- sulfate can both initiate hair loss and strip your tresses of color and shine. Pretty horrible, right? Luckily, there are tons of shampoo options out there these days that are sulfate-free. No, your locks won't foam with the best of them -- but at least you'll know you're protecting your head! Check out the options you should be trying.

Ojon Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser ($32): Not only is this sulfate-free, it's rich in antioxidants and cacao to refresh lifeless strands. It can even be used as a body wash!

Pureology Purify Shampoo ($23.95): This clarifying shampoo is 100 percent vegan and works to remove buildup from products and chlorine. Plus, it makes strands silky smooth.

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo ($8): I'm totally loving the price tag on this one -- Burt's Bees always feel so luxe and rich, but at a fraction of the price. Tons of delectable ingredients like grapefruit and sugar beet extracts, coconut and sunflower oils, soy protein and honey really leave tresses shining.

Alterna Caviar Blonde Shampoo ($34): Do blondes really have more fun? They do if they're using this shampoo, formulated especially to eliminate brassiness for light-colored strands.

DevaCare No-Poo ($17.95): Vitamin C and orange peel extract are enriched with conditioning agents to keep curly locks shiny, bouncy and frizz-free. My best friend swears by this stuff!


And while you're thinking about going green, don't forget to enter the Total Beauty Totally Green Sweepstakes!

A Little Floral, A Little Zesty: The Fabulousness of the Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint Candle

I've died and gone to heaven. Or at least, that's how I feel every time I take a lighter to the wick of my White Jasmine & Mint Scented Candle by famed perfumer Jo Malone. Described by Jo Malone as being inspired by "a sun-drenched morning in an English country garden," this candle is honestly one of the most enchanting I've ever come across.

Every time I light it, I am instantly more tranquil and at ease. Even if my day has been horrendous, all it takes to calm me and put me in a better mood is a few minutes locked in my bedroom with this candle burning and I immediately feel better. No small feat, right?

I love everything about this candle, from the simple-yet-chic glass holder to the creamy white wax that's liberally saturated with the infatuatingly delectable scent. Heady floral notes of jasmine, lily, orange flower and rose combine with the tangy, fresh scent of mint to create such a provocatively sensual, yet elegantly sophisticated aroma that wafts into the nostrils so delicately. Far from being cloying or annoying, this scent has just the right amount of presence.

The Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint Candle retails for $65 at jomalone.com.

Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Victoria's Secret Beauty Clearance

While perusing the utterly fabulous Makeup and Beauty Blog yesterday, I came across a deal that sounded too good to be true. Victoria's Secret Beauty is currently running an absolutely fabulous sale on tons of products -- four pages full of them, to be exact! And the best part? Many of them are available for under 10 dollars! What better way to celebrate Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays than with the products below, I ask you?Vincent Longo Diamond Lip Gloss (normally $22, now $8.99): Nine shades of this sparkly, shimmery gloss are up for grabs. My faves are definitely Starlet Pink (glitter-flecked bubblegum), Coral Cabana (glistening peach) and Via Veneto (sparkling cabernet).Lippmann Collection Nail Polish Sampler Kit (normally $21, now $6.99): These sets are absolutely fabulous. Choose from French Manicure, which contains the two perfect French manicure shades and a topcoat; or Red and Pink Shades. Each is packaged in an adorable terrycloth makeup pouch!Anna Sui Eye Color (normally $17, now $6.99): I'm always sold on Anna Sui products just on packaging alone ... but these eyeshadows are so fantastic. The 11 hues are all super-pigmented and look so chic and glam inside the black lacquered case embossed with Anna Sui's signature logo. I can't wait to try Feminine Purple, Turquoise Blue and Coral Pink.

Victoria's Secret Pink on a Rope Sudsy Soap in Sweet & Tart (normally $10.50, now $6.99): Seriously, how cute is this? The combination of pink grapefruit and sugar sounds so delicious for a morning scrub -- and I love the bow-shaped soap that hangs from a vibrant pink rope! Such a fun update to the classic Old Spice soap on a rope.

Enjoy the deals and happy shopping!

Just Because It's Spring: HUGE Giveaway!

To all my lovely beauty chicks out there, listen up! Things are about to get pretty interesting over at The Beauty of Life ... because in honor of the beautifulness of spring (this beauty chick's fave season), I'm sponsoring a huge, massive, not-to-be-believed giveaway. The value of all the products in this giveaway is a whopping $824! One lucky winner will receive all of the following amazing products...

Vera Wang Princess Flower Princess Eau de Toilette
24.7 Skincare Targeted Wrinkle Treatment
Too Faced Lights, Camera, Glamour
Hard Candy metallic pink pencil case
Essiespa Sea Mineral Glow
Avon Advance Techniques Anti-Frizz Capsules
Calgon Hawaiian Ginger Body Mist
Ralph Lauren Fragrances Ralph Wild Eau de Toilette
Sonia Kashuk Bare Minimum Pressed Powder Bronzer in Golden-48
Sonia Kashuk Golden Summer Spray Bronzer
Sonia Kashuk Sheer Lip Color in Passion Fruit and Hibiscus
Bliss Super Slough Scrub
L'Oreal Skin Genesis Multi-Layer Cell Strengthening Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate
Wellness by Clean Eau de Parfums in Harmony and Purity
Sephora Peach Blossom Body Scrub
St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Advanced Body Moisturizer
Skin Milk Shaving Milk
e.l.f. Peony Petal Nourishing Body Lotion
Jonathan IB Revitalizer Overnight Oil Treatment Spray
Orly Nail Lacquer in Bon Bon, First Kiss, My Beau and Secret Admirer
Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Lot-A-Lilac
Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Liquid Glitter Eyeliner in Platinumania
Lancome Colour Fever Gloss in Burning Up
Bourjois Effet 3D High Shine Lipgloss in Rose Symphonic
Estee Lauder Lip Shaping Gloss Pencil in Sheer Tawny
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Sheer Lip Tint in Fuchsia
CoverGirl WetSlicks Fruit Spritzers Lipgloss in Grape Splash
T3 Narrow Wet-Or-Dry

Now, I know you're thinking there must be some pretty big hoops to jump through in order to win all this. But you would be wrong! All you have to do is enter your name and email (for prize verification purposes only) in the box below. One lucky winner will be selected on June 1. May the best beauty chick win!

Two-For Tuesdays: Tocca Candele de Viaggio Holiday Box

If you're like me, then you absolutely love Tocca candles. At one time or another, I've tried every scent -- in both the small and large sizes -- and I've literally loved them all. There's something about the elegant presentation of delicate white wax poured into a glistening glass holder that just makes me happy every time I glance at one of the many iterations littering my apartment. (At last count, I had at least 10 scattered around my bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen.) So it comes as no surprise that I would immediately fall in love with the Tocca Candele de Viaggio Holiday Box.

I'm completely enamored of the box alone -- the sturdy white canvas is emblazoned with a splashy brown polka-dot pattern that was inspired by Tocca's 2006 Resort collection and just looks so fabulous as a centerpiece on the bathroom vanity or in the boudoir. Once you untie the red ribbon and open the box, however, the real fun begins. Two Tocca Candelinas lie within the box, and each is so utterly enticing that it's impossible not to fall head over heels instantly.

I love both of the scents included in the box -- Vittorio is created with rosemary and pine, while Cortina is infused with Elemi wood and a blend of spices. They both make me feel warm and fuzzy when lit -- they actually make me long for cool fall evenings when the leaves just start to turn colors and I can light my first fire of the season in the fireplace.

Each of the Candelinas in this set measures 2.8oz. and has a 20 hour burn time, which is definitely worth the $48 price tag on Tocca's website! You'd better hop to it if you want to purchase this set, however -- it's limited-edition, so you know it will go quickly!

Must-Have Mondays: Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath

Some people don't like beauty products that smell like food. My friend Susan, for example, thinks that products scented like vanilla or chocolate just smell too darn good and she'll get hungry using them in the shower. This beauty chick is not of that mindset at all. The more decadent and dessert-like it is, the more I want it in my shower. Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath is one such product.

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A Resounding Yes for Yosh

The BFF (Katie) and I recently decided to attend Sniffapalooza in NYC. What is Sniffapalooza, you ask? Only the most intense fragrance event I have ever attended. We went to the fragrance counters at Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Takashimaya and bluemercury to sniff, smell and otherwise destroy our olfactory senses with more fragrances than I've ever smelled at one time in my life. And of everything we experienced that day, one of our favorite perfumers was Yosh Han.

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Korres Lip Butter

My lips have found their savior, and its name is Korres Lip Butter. While I've tried my fair share of lip balms, I've never experienced one quite like this. After each application, my lips feel soft, smooth and supple and -- let's face it -- they look utterly kissable.

Each miniature tub (they measure just .21oz., but they each pack a mega-watt punch!) contains an intriguing formula that is free of mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine. What does it contain, then, you ask? This balm is formulated with shea butter and rice wax to hydrate, moisturize, repair, rejuvenate and nourish even the most chapped of pouts.

What you'll be left with after application is a pucker that feels velvety to the touch, and the feeling lasts for hours! Reapplication is not necessary all that often, though the tub is so adorably tiny that you can stick it in your purse and go. And it comes in four delectable flavors:

Quince
Guava
Pomegranate
Wild Rose

I've been alternating between Guava, which slicks on clear, and Quince, which leaves behind the subtlest rosy sheen.

Korres Lip Butter retails for $12 each at sephora.com.

Products To Get in Every Color: What Are Yours?

There are a lot of products I can't only not live without, but need in every single color. Here's what I seriously would spend my entire paycheck on if possible!

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Two-For Tuesdays: Bliss Supershine Shampoo + Conditioning Rinse Set

Getting treatments at Bliss is one of my favorite pastimes. Even if I am in the worst possible mood, a massage or facial at one of the Bliss locations -- especially Bliss 49 -- cheers me up immediately. And part of what makes the experience so special is the amazing stone showers filled with -- you guessed it! -- Bliss products.

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Shameless Plug: Featured on Glam.com Again!

Sleeping in on Sunday? Fun. Playing with makeup every day? Exciting. Finding out a story of mine is featured on Glam.com? Priceless. That's right, another of my features for StyleBakery Teen is on the Glam.com homepage today! Head to Glam.com to check out my Solid Perfumes story (link #5 on the homepage). You'll "solidly" enjoy it!

Must-Have Mondays: Trish McEvoy Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle

On a recent trip to beauty mecca bluemercury with my very best friend Katie, I wasn't sure where to look first. The abundance of skincare, makeup and fragrance was truly overwhelming! But then I happened upon the Trish McEvoy Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle, and suddenly nothing else seemed to matter.

With a single intake of breath, I felt as though I had been whisked away to a sensuous bedroom lair complete with velvet bedding and dim mood lighting. In all seriousness, this candle really and truly is one of the most amazing candles I have ever had the opportunity to smell. The fresh scent of blueberry intertwines with the intoxicating aroma of vanilla to create a feeling of raw, intense opulence and decadence. I decided right there on the spot to plunk down the $46 for the huge 11oz. size and take it home with me.

This was a month ago, and I have literally lit it for an hour or two every day since. The lead-free wick keeps it from smoking even if I forget to trim it now and then, and the seemingly endless burn time -- there's still over half the candle left! -- makes me super-happy and excited. But what I really love is the scent. It just hasn't gotten old! I keep this candle in my living room, so that the beautiful aroma envelops me as soon as I walk through the door after a long, hard day. I can honestly say this is one of the best items I have ever purchased -- it makes it into my top five favorite candles of all time by far!

A total must-have? Most definitely. Get ready to be magically whisked away to a sensuous fantasy of your own.

The Trish McEvoy Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle retails for $55 at neimanmarcus.com.

Wallet-Friendly: Curel Targeted Therapy Foot Therapy

Sandals season is fast approaching, and you know what that means -- time to show off those tootsies whether you're ready to or not! But months of trekking around in Uggs and not getting routine pedicures can definitely wreak havoc on your feet. That's where Curel Targeted Therapy Foot Therapy comes in.

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Beauty Giveaway: Gen Art Pulse's Night of Style

Have you heard of Gen Art Pulse? If not, you're totally missing out. This fab ezine covers events and happenings from New York to San Francisco, and their snarky, tongue-in-cheek tone is always fun to read. (This beauty chick has even contributed a bit to their fashion section!) And now, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Styles International Runway & Awards Show on May 19 (which features 30 designer finalists -- out of a massive 800 that submitted entries! -- strutting their stuff on the catwalk at the Hammerstein Ballroom), they are offering up a major giveaway. What's up for grabs in the fabulous "Night of Style" gift pack? Check out these goodies:

dinner for two at East Broadway
one pair of VIP tickets to the show and after-party
a gift bag with loot from Diptyque, CB I Hate Perfume, Lulu Guinness, NARS, Urban Decay and Vincent Longo
an 8GB Red Zune Original with work by graphic designer Laurent Fetis and pre-loaded tunes from the fashion show

Is this fantastic or what? To enter, all you have to do is head to the Gen Art Pulse site. You'd better believe this beauty chick is entering -- I want some NARS and Vincent Longo! Good luck!

Two-For Tuesdays: Clinique Perfectly Happy Duo

You know what makes this beauty chick perfectly happy? Spritzing on a bit of Clinique Happy and following that up by slicking on Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine lipgloss. But up until now, I had to resort to using two separate bottles or tubes to get the job done. Not so anymore, with the brand-new Clinique Perfectly Happy Duo.

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Must-Have Mondays: Care by Stella McCartney Nourishing Night & Day Cream

Looking for a moisturizer that's not only skin-friendly but environmentally-friendly too? Then look no further than Care by Stella McCartney Nourishing Night & Day Cream. I've been using this for the last two weeks -- which, given my complete and total obsession with Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme, is a feat in itself -- and all I can say is WOW. Not only has my skin never felt more hydrated, my complexion has never been more even or had less blemishes.

This rich, beautifully scented cream (it gives off a scent of aromatherapy-like goodness that makes me feel like I'm at a fancy day spa) is positively loaded with ingredients that are both good for you and good for the environment. Vegetable extracts repair damaged skin and provide a natural protective layer from the environment, cupuacu butter and blackcurrant buds nourish and soothe, and Brazil nut oil offers anti-aging properties. It sinks into the skin and even has a slight cooling effect, so it just feels so luxe and lush.

My one complaint is that it does leave skin feeling greasy for a bit, so don't touch your face too much directly after applying or you'll get a bit of sheen on your hands! Best of all, this lotion is 100 percent organic and officially Ecocert-certified as organic and ecological. The packaging is simplistic yet luxurious -- the white bottle rests within a silver cardboard tube that feels a bit like it came out of the space age.

Now, this cream doesn't come cheap -- it's $80 on Sephora's website. But trust this beauty chick when she tells you it's SO WORTH IT. A moisturizer that not only makes you look fabulous but makes the earth more fabulous, too? That's what saving the environment is all about.

And while you're thinking about going green, don't forget to enter the Total Beauty Totally Green Sweepstakes!

The Brush Off: Eco Tools Makeup Brushes

I am always, always, always on the lookout for new makeup brushes. Not that I don't love my eyeshadow brushes from Shiseido and Smashbox -- I do, and I'm very loyal to them. But after awhile, there's just so much shadow and gunk that can build up on them before they take a cruel and unusual beating. Luckily, I recently discovered the fabulousness of Eco Tools.

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Trend-Filled Thursdays: Orange Nail Polish

The color that will be on everyone's fingers and toes this summer? Bright, vibrant, vivacious orange. We have Rihanna to thank for this trend, who sported a remarkably turned-up version of the hue at the Grammy Awards. And whether you want to go bold with tangerine or want a more muted shade like pumpkin, there's something for everyone. Check out the hues I just can't wait to get my hands on this season -- pun intended!

Sephora Nail Polish in 60 ($2): The creamy, vibrant shade will look perfect for summer pedicures -- and the miniature bottle means you can cart it around easily for quick touch-ups!

Zoya Professional Lacquer in Lianne ($6): I'm super-excited to get my hands on this bottle -- not only is it the absolute to-die-for shimmery color I want to sport on my tips, but it's named after one of my favorite fellow bloggers, TheMakeupGirl herself!

OPI Nail Lacquer in Don't Socra-tease Me! ($6): The philosopher himself would have wanted to get his hands on this bottle, which holds such a fiery, hot tamale shade of orange.

Essie Nail Polish in Alligator Purse ($8): Almost burnt sienna in color, this one lends such a dramatic finish to your next evening out.

Milani Nail Art in Juicy Glo ($3.29): I am so in love with everything about this polish, from the amazing price to the traffic-stopping neon hue. I can't wait to, well, stop traffic when I sport this on my nails!

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Orange Knockout ($2.99): You'll score a total TKO with the gorgeously creamy, lustrous finish of this lacquer on your fingers and toes.

Shades by Barielle Nail Polish in Spirited ($8): Sparkles glitter and glisten in this polish, making it such a glam choice.