Not only is pink the color of October birthstones, but the shade has become synonymous with raising breast cancer awareness. Help support the cause in style with polishes that donate a portion of proceeds to breast cancer research, like vibrant Essie Pink Happy; pastel OPI Mod About You; and glittering Morgan Taylor Fight Like A Lady. cnd.com; essie.com; morgantaylorlacquer.com —K.H.
Essie - Pink Happy, OPI Mod, About You, Morgan Taylor - Fight Like a Lady
CLEAN MATTERS
The white and airy space filled with spa chairs and chandelier crowns at Nail Bar & Spa might be the initial attraction for customers, but guests consider the upscale bar their one-stop-shop because of more than its looks. Lucie Garabedian, president of the salon, opened the location in June in Foothill Ranch, CA with the goal to create a clean and safe atmosphere. "Our technicians wash their tools per use, place them in an autoclave machine and put them into a sterile pouch,” General Manager Frankie Bahnassi says, adding that all supplies, such as files and buffers, are single-use and liners are replaced in the pedicure bowls after every appointment. In addition to Nail Bar & Spa's squeaky clean reputation, customers fall head over heels for services like the Champagne Mani/Pedi combo, which includes an OPI sugar scrub and mask treatment, hot paraffin wax, lotion massage, polish application with Essie or Zoya, and a glass of champagne for the ultimate relaxation. —D.C.
Cult Classics
Smith & Cult, the new nail brand and brainchild of Hard Candy creator Dineh Mohajer, is launching this month with 30 long-wear nail lacquers, plus a top coat and base coat. The shades are inspired by moments in a woman's life, which Mohajer depicts and describes in her Diary of a Beauty Junkie, available on the company's site. Whether it's Bridge & Tunnel, She Said Yeah or Feed The Rich (seen here), there's an intriguing story behind every color. Available to salons nationwide, Smith & Cult polishes are five-free—formulated without dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or camphor. smithandcult.com —C.R.