Party season is upon us, which means you can pile on the glitter and totally get away with it. But if gilded lids and lips aren't your style, there's enough sparkle in the season's new lacquer collections to nail the holiday spirit without ever going overboard.
Mariah Carey Holiday Collection
Mariah Carey may be best known for her vocal range but this season, thanks to a new holiday lacquer collection presented by OPI, a range of 18 polish hues inspired by Carey are making news. And like a Mariah Carey greatest hits album, the holiday collection has boasts something for everyone. "All I Want For Christmas" is a classic crème red while the sparkle set will like "My Santa Suit," a red shimmer. But there's much more than classic crimsons in Carey's makeup bag; "Kiss Me At Midnight" is a blue and silver liquid sand that's loaded with sparkle while "Sleigh Ride For Two" is a dark shimmery maroon with vamp to spare.
Encrusted Treasures
Essie's Encrusted Treasures collection of nail textures and glitters serves up nail art inspiration galore in hues ranging from "Lots of Lux," a deep blue texture with hints of gold shimmer to "Belugaria," a black texture polish with holographic glitter. For those who prefer their polish sleek and shiny, Essie's Winter 2013 collection offers up six simple yet stunning shades of opaque lacquer like "Shearling Darling," a mahogany red, and "Mind your Mittens," a black teal lacquer. Shop the Essie collection online at Essie.com.
Revlon Parfumerie
Revlon's latest lacquer collection, Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel, is a grown-up version of the peel-off, bubble gum-scented polish you loved as a child. From the design of each bottle, currently available in 19 shades and three families of scents including Sweets & Spices, Freshes, and Fruits & Florals, these lacquers are lightly scented and also, more importantly, deeply pigmented. Autumn Spice is a deep chocolate polish with bronze and copper sparkle to spare. Plus, the scent is all Fall — think cinnamon and spice. Another one to try is "Italian Leather," an olive green lacquer with subtle shimmer in gold and copper and a light woodsy scent. Shop the Revlon Parfumerie collection at Ulta locations.
Sparkle by Dior
Revlon's scented polish may be reminiscent of younger days, but there's nothing immature, or inexpensive, about Dior Beauty's Sparkling Holiday lacquer collection. The limited-edition set, sold exclusively at Nordstrom for $48, comes replete with a clear fixing base and two sparkling powders, one gold and one black, that are brushed over the base to create eye-catching nail art and ombre effects that Dior likens to couture jewelry for nails.
— Carolyn Brundage is the founder of PrettyCity.com, a guide to the best in local beauty. Need beauty advice? Tweet up with Carolyn at @tampabaypretty.