Glitter Toes: Who Wears Them? What Are They? Where Can I Get Some?
While April showers would have us think otherwise, sunny days are here again, at least intermittently, and feet everywhere are looking to come out of hiding. While this means pedicure – stat! – there are other ways to bring sunshine into your life via toes: Glitter Toes.
That’s G-L-I-T-T-E-R!
Who Wears Them?
Glitter Toes are for everyone. Most recently I’ve done a “Something Blue” set of toes for a bride-to-be, created a blueberry/green holographic for a woman leaving to intern in Nicaragua for a month, created a matching hand & foot pink gradient fade for a doctor’s wife vacationing in Europe, and created white gold toes on for a conference speaker. This is a popular option for people in professions where a more overall conservative look is needed during the week (my multitude of attorney clientele) but the client likes to have fun once they kick off their heels. Glitter toes are also popular options for children as they are durable and last during most vacations. My youngest clients start at 5 years old and go up from there – it is that trouble free.
What Are They?
Glitter Toes are glitter embedded into gel. It is a simple 30-60 minute procedure (depending on glitter & pedi selection) layering glitter onto the nails, ending with a super smooth and shiny top coat. There is some cuticle cleanup and nail shaping in this procedure, but if your feet are really in need of TLC, a pedicure should be scheduled a week or so prior. Pedicures can be performed same day after Glitter Toes but not before, because the water will cause the nail to swell, interfering with adhesion. It is best to maintain the look with daily application of cuticle oil or lotion to help keep nail bed hydrated.
Once your final layer is cured, you are ready to go. There is no additional dry time. The product lasts 3-5 weeks. It can actually grow out with the toes, but it is best to schedule removal. However, the look is so affordable and fun, you will probably find yourself selecting new colors and styles instead of going bare!
The owner of these toes exclaimed, “It’s like jewelry for your feet!”
Where Can I Get Some?
In the Milwaukee/Whitefish Bay/Mequon/Shorewood area:
2317 E Capitol Drive, Shorewood WI
A multitude of colors and embeds are available. I’ve done gradient art with multiple color (I sported a gradient black/pink/purple for Karen Rabinovitz’s HSN launch) to match mood or event. Give it a try!
Bonus Round: How does this differ from a glitter polish?
There are great glitter polishes out there (China Glaze’s limited release Ruby Pumps is one of my fav) but there are distinct differences between the types:
Glitter Polish
Not meant for long term wear
Prone to chip, crack, peel
Limited color selection
Glitter Toe Gels
Long term adhesion perfect for low maintenance, vacation mode
Rarely chips, cracks or peels
Unlimited color – can make custom colors on the spot
Multi-dimensional color that is highly pigmented
Super shine top gloss
Glitter Toe gels give a high end look to your digits, I really can’t explain it otherwise. You also can’t beat the durability.
Through April 18th, you have the opportunity to tell Pantene why you should be the first reality hair star by uploading a video to www.pantene.com/realitystar.
America will have the chance to vote on their favorite videos to help choose the winner and fan favorite videos will be chosen daily. All video submissions will be evaluated and 12 semi finalists will be flown to NYC for an in-person test shoot in May.
Don’t forget, all applicants must add at the end of the video: “That’s why I am the first reality hair star!”
The first-of-its-kind LIVE television ad will air on May 25th on a major national network and will be hosted by Pantene’s spokesperson, stylist Stacy London.
To be eligible:
Applicants must complete an online registration form and submit a video entry no longer than one minute at www.pantene.com/realitystar
The video entry must tell why you should be the first reality hair star and show your hair’s personality
Applicants must add at end of video: “That’s why I am the first reality hair star!”
Open to legal residents of the 49 U.S. states & D.C. (excluding Maine) and Canada (excluding Quebec), who, as of date of entry, are 18 or older; for official rules visit www.pantene.com/realitystar
While the hot pro offerings at America’s Beauty Show were L’Oreal ‘s INOA coloring system and CND’s Shellac (a product five years in the making – more to come), one of the sleeper hits was a super simple idea that is available to the public: Bling String.
Bling String is little more than tinsel applied as a hair extension, but as the day wore on it was clear something was appealing to the audience. Almost everywhere I turned I saw little glimmers of light in hair. Look! Shiny! So Pretty! When I chanced upon the booth, I got in line:
Applying Bling String yourself looks like a bit of a challenge, but to have someone else weave a few strands into your style shouldn’t be a problem. Bling String should then be cut to flatter your style and blend, not lay directly on top of the hair. I’m sporting copper to match my gold/red/copper colors and I am stopped everywhere I go and asked about them.
They really do withstand washing, blowdrying, brushing.
This product is an As Seen On TV item but their video doesn’t do the product justice.
Yesterday was a crazy exciting and exhausting day at American Beauty Show in Chicago, Illinois. I have so much product information to share with you! One of the highlights was stopping by the trade magazine booths, where the April issue of Day Spa Magazine was being given out. There, on page 14, is a feature on eco-friendly spa services, and my waterless manicure is given a big mention:
Thank you so much to Day Spa Magazine. I am so very pro organic and natural in beauty products and this is a wonderful issue for Earth Month full of natural ‘remedies’ done spa style.
Milwaukee/Mequon/Shorewood area: Make your appointment now for this waterless manicure online or call (414) 964-9311
This is a great treatment all around, especially if you have dehydrated nails.
L’Oreal USA, a 35% share owner of Shu Uemura since 2000, is shutting down all US locations for the premiere Japanese brand.
Shu Uemura is best known for the cult favorite eyelash curler (in 24k gold even), gorgeous assortment of false eyelashes, and lavish cleansing oils.
The beauty industry has been hit especially hard during this economic downturn, and very high priced brands like Shu, as beloved as they are, are not weathering well. The company was known for ingenious and unusual use of ingredients, seemingly sparing no expense to add to the line. For their deep sea water, which is a claim to fame, Mr. Uemura had a special pipe drilled and fitted to bring up the liquids from a depth (nearly 3300 feet) which he felt would satisfy. The water is piped in to his exclusive Japanese spa as well. This kind of product quality and care is difficult to sustain in down times.
As much as this announcement will strike fear into beautyphiles, I don’t think it will do much harm. Most Shu fans in the US have probably never been to a Shu store, and buy merely on reputation and word of mouth. Would it be nice to saunter up to a counter to experience items first hand? Of course. But unless L’Oreal is intending to kill brand competition here, there is a chance the Shu legacy can actually improve by using luxury marketing’s oldest trick: increased desirability through limited accessibility.
March 25 & 26 Coomi Trunk Show and Personal Appearance Meet Coomi Bhasin as she presents her jewelry collection featuring 20K gold and rose cut diamonds. Her signature style combines a feeling of ancient and modern, ornate yet delicate designs. 10 am to 4 pm Precious Jewels Salon – First Floor For more information, please call (312) 642-5900 ext. 4036
March 26 & 27 Cella Trunk Show and Personal Appearance Cella’s collection of delicate, feminine, one-of-a-kind hand made designs use only 14kt to 22 kt gold and a variety of stones. Cella’s designs are widely featured in many magazines and she has a long list of celebrity admirers including Renee Zellweger and Jennifer Garner. She can also customize necklaces, bracelets and earrings based on the occasion and meet special sizing requirements. 10 am to 5 pm Designer Jewelry – First Floor For more information, please call (312) 642-5900 ext. 2417
March 27 Shoe To Do Chicago stylist George Fuller emcees a spring fashion show featuring spring’s hottest trend in designer shoes. Enjoy refreshments and get the lowdown from a fashion expert on how to step out in style. 2 pm Shoe Salon – Second Floor For more information or to make a reservation, please call (312) 642-5900 ext. 4030
March 31 Kaufman Franco Trunk Show and Personal Appearance Meet the darling designer duo of Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco as they present their Spring 2010 Collection. 11 am to 3 pm Couture Salon – Second Floor For more information, please call (312) 642-5900 ext. 2050
Through April 18th, you have the opportunity to tell Pantene why you should be the first reality hair star by uploading a video to 
To be eligible:
The beauty industry has been hit especially hard during this economic downturn, and very high priced brands like Shu, as beloved as they are, are not weathering well. The company was known for ingenious and unusual use of ingredients, seemingly sparing no expense to add to the line. For their deep sea water, which is a claim to fame, Mr. Uemura had a special pipe drilled and fitted to bring up the liquids from a depth (nearly 3300 feet) which he felt would satisfy. The water is piped in to his exclusive Japanese spa as well. This kind of product quality and care is difficult to sustain in down times.
As much as this announcement will strike fear into beautyphiles, I don’t think it will do much harm. Most Shu fans in the US have probably never been to a Shu store, and buy merely on reputation and word of mouth. Would it be nice to saunter up to a counter to experience items first hand? Of course. But unless L’Oreal is intending to kill brand competition here, there is a chance the Shu legacy can actually improve by using luxury marketing’s oldest trick: increased desirability through limited accessibility.
March 25 & 26 