This fall you’ll notice the colour are more intense for fall 2009 makeup trends. I’ve noticed that many of the cosmetic lines are showing darker eyes and red lips. In some cases, we’ve seen the dramatic lips and the dramatic eyes paired together and in other cases models have been sporting dramatic eyes with nude lips and nude cheeks.

As usual, I’ve created a trend sheet so that you can have all the major make-up brands and the make-up trends in one easy and convenient spot!

I think for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, you’re going to have to play it by ear and I’d recommend you consults a makeup artist because dark lips and dark eyes might not look flattering. You might have to bring down the intensity on the eyes and play it off a medium dark lip.

I think a classic look that is always a winner for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s is the simple black eye liner, dark mascara and red lips. There are soooooooo many shades of red lipstick to chose from AND you can also opt for a sheer red lips stick that will give you the stain without the intensity.

1) Cover Girl Fall 2009 makeup trends: Pat McGrath has done it again! I’d say the most influential trend from Pat would have to be the dark dramatic eyes. It’s all very sexy! You know that with Cover Girl, you’ll be able to achieve the look without breaking the bank!

>>> You can download the Cover Girl Fall 2009 makeup book here!

2) NARS Cosmetics fall 2009 makeup collection: Lolita Collection:

I can tell you that when I saw the Mekong Eyeshadow, I gasped. This is such a rich chocolate brown that will honestly look divine this fall. It’s a rich espresso that will be great with purple shades! Obviously, there is much more goodness from NARS in this collection. I also loved the Silk Road duo eyeshadow and the Brumes Duo eyeshadow. The Tokaido Express nail polish in an opulent blackened amethyst is divine! Simply put, I love the new fall 2009 collection from NARS!

3) Lancôme launches a new collection in collaboration with Aaron de Mey for the fall 2009 makeup collection

I adored my spring 2009 collection from Aaron de Mey and I can assure you that I’m not one bit disappointed by the fall collection. Fall is all about indigo and gold at Lancôme. In fact, they’ve translated that all the way to the nail polishes – they have one gold nail polish and an indigo blue nail polish! Lancome and Aaron de Mey picked Canadian model Daria Werbowy as the face of the new collection. This collection will surely suit women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s because you can wear a much less dramatic and intense look and still look incredible in Lancôme’s and Aaron de Mey’s “Declaring Indigo” collection!

Here’s a great backstage peak at Chris Benz applying Lancôme’s and Aaron de Mey’s “Declaring Indigo” collection on a model:

4) Christian Dior Jazzclub Fall 2009 makeup collection

The must-have of this entire Christian Dior collection is the compact eye shadow palette shaped like a chic handbag! This is not only the perfect everyday palette, but the perfect little kit for any business or leisure travel. Inside the bag are cream liner, brow powder, matte eye shadows, duo eye shadows in pearl and shimmering eye shadows. The bag also comes with two-tipped applicators: an eye shadow brush and a smudge sponge brush. Dior is pairing dark eyes with dark lips.

5) Givenchy Lip Gloss fall 2009 makeup collection

As a lipgloss junkie, I can tell you that I respect Givency for having the foresight to put out 15 new shades of lip glosses for the new season! Liv Taylor is the new face for the launch of Gloss Interdit line of 15 shades! If you love lipgloss as much as I do this collection will be like Nirvana for you!

6) Chanel Les Noirs Collection fall 2009 makeup

I could go on in details about how incredible the new Chanel collection is, but why not see it for yourself with these amazing promotional shots:

7) Dolce & Gabbana Romantic Collection’s Pinks fall 2009 makeup collection

This super feminine makeup collection by Dolce & Gabbana will turn heads! The Dolce & Gabbana Romantic Collection’s Pinks is comprised of the 13-piece collection for eyes, lips and cheeks. The colours range from subdued to bright and share the spotlight with a mix of other bright shades. Regardless of your mood, you’ll find a colour that you like in this collection!

#8) Bobbi Brown Ivy League fall 2009 makeup collection: I quite like Bobbi Brown’s eye gels because they have staying power. For fall 2009, Bobbi Brown is introducing a new shade to her collection – forest green! Bobbi Brown’s new Forest Shimmer Ink Long-Wear Gel eyeliner is perfect for the fall season and it will look stunning on hazel coloured eyes.

>>> Bobbi Brown Nudes Collection fall 2009 makeup collection: Along with a gorgeous new shade of eyeliner, Bobbi Brown is also introducing a new collection of nude shades for fall 2009. I think the collection will look incredible on fairer complexions, but I fear that darker skin beauties will need to look to other fall 2009 makeup collections that offer a bit more colour vibrancy. That said, Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick is always a great makeup item to have and if the shade of the Nude Shimmer Brick suit you, I’d highly recommend it!

9) YSL Yves Saint Laurent Beauty fall 2009 makeup collection

Yves Saint Laurent makeup has always been for me the ultimate luxury! I’m not going to pretend that I don’t know there is a recession and that most readers have surely cut back on their makeup purchases, but if you want to spoil yourself with one piece of luxury in your makeup case … YSL Beauty always does it for me!

The fall 2009 makeup collection is bold, assertive and feminine.

I have to say that the blue-grey nail polish is quite original. I’m not sure I’d actually go for it, but I’m sure it will be massively popular.

Take a look at these photos and tell me this collection is not amazing!

Photo by dreamglow

Our Editorial Assistant Colleen takes a look at one of my favourite things: nail polish!

I’m going through a nail polish phase again and I’m feeling good about this new Nicole by OPI series of nail polish that came out last month.

These 15 new Nail Lacquer shades are sure to fit any of your activities in your daily life.

A detail that I liked about this nail polish is that you won’t have to worry about dangerous chemical toxins in this nail polish because it doesn’t include harsh chemicals like DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde.

The new Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers include:

“Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers have all been named to inspire women to reach their goals and to remember that anything is possible.” – Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

1) Have a Heart: This is a bright pink in a sheer glitter perfect for the office.

2) Love Your Life: This is a multi-colored glitter with light pink hearts for a fun girl’s night out.

3) Dream Maker: This is the dreamiest sweet pink glitter that you can wear for a fancy date or when you want to glam up.

4) You’re a Star: This colour has a silvery sparkler with a rainbow shimmer that you can wear to feel like a million bucks.

5) Imagine If…: This glittery silver is a fun colour for brunch or a cocktail with friends over the weekend.

6) Do Good … Feel Good: This feel-good shade of baby pink is good for day of relaxation.

7) Reach Out: Hmmm, this pinky-peach will add a warmth of colour to your nails.

Find Your Passion: You’ll be pretty in this rich pink-coral fitting for a day at work.

9) Play Fair: Here’s a light purple that’s playfully perfect for an adventurous night in OR out.

10) Light a Candle: This shade of silver-lavender will be nice for a brunch out or just to take the kids to their swimming lessons.

11) Positive Energy: Want to go for an exciting night out? Try adding this silver chrome colour to your nails to get you charged up.

12) It’s Possible!: For a switch up from the regular red try this metallic rose.

13) I’ve Got the Power: This strong shade of red-pink is good for any occasion.

14) Keep It Real: A really riveting red colour sure to catch anyone’s attention.

15) No Limits: This rich black colour is a shade that I’m into lately. It’s a good change from the pink and shiny colours to create a more solemn look.

The nail polish collection is available at a variety of retail locations such as Target, Wal-Mart and Shoppers Drug mart for $9.99 CAD/$7.00 US.

For spring 2009, we’re seeing a variety of trends. There are of course, your typical light-fresh pinks and coral, but you’ll also find some blue shades, greys and even black nail polish!

Here’s a quick overview of the biggest trends of the season to help you chose the perfect nail polish colour!

1) OPI spring 2009 nail polish collection: OPI’s South Beach Collection is already making me cry. This collection has a shade for all of your summer moods … from browns, to pinks, to purple to medium plum shades. Paint my toes Mojito Red, OPI on Collins Ave. and Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot! are my faves!

2) Zoya spring 2009 nail polish collection: Zoya is still pushing blue nail polish as a strong trend and they’ve also put out a grey shade. These two more neutral shades contrast the bright colours in this spring 2009 collection.

3) Essie spring 2009 nail polish collection: Essie’s collection has some really pretty coral shades and you’ll also find a very bright blue shade!

4) Chanel spring 2009 nail polish collection: I love Chanel’s purple-blue shade. Chanel has been giving us one shade of blue for many seasons now and this more vibrant shade is PERFECT for spring and summer.

5) Lancôme spring 2009 nail polish collection: Lancôme is bringing black nail polish to the forefront with its “Pink and Black” make-up collection created by Aaron De Mey.

6) Deborah Lippmann Collection spring 2009 nail polish collection: Deborah Lippmann is going WAY back in time with these two shades. She’s created two very retro colours with retro names: Pretty Young Thing is a soft pink homage to the King of Pop Michael Jackson, while Purple Rain is a nod to the Prince of Purple … Prince!

Photo by by Joe Shlabotnik

I’ll break away from all of this talk about weight loss to talk about OPI’s new great collection for the New Year!

I’m not a fan of the old or revised 90210 show, but I can tell you that the perspective of new nail polish made me take note of this new collection.

That said, fans of “Beverly Hills 90210,” the iconic 1990 – 2000 TV series about growing up rich (mostly) and beautiful (totally) in Beverly Hills and those who are addicted to “new” 90210 will be excited about the launch of three hot nail polish shades inspired by the show!

The new shades are inspired by the lead female characters on the show – Silver, Annie, and Naomi – these much-anticipated nail polish shades are here, but only for a limited time!

You’ll find these three dazzling colours:

1) Queen of West Web-erly: This is a sexy purple shimmer that will help you deal with the January blues.

2) Sweet as Annie-thing: If you like red … this is your shade!

3) Pretty & Privileged: This is a more intense red that I believe can be worn year-round.

90210 by OPI Nail Lacquers contain no DBP, toluene, or formaldehyde!

OPI nail polishes retail for $8.50 US/$9.95 CAD and I doubt you’ll have any difficulty finding them because they are sold at most salons and many retail outlets.

You’ll find more information on all OPI products on their web site: OPI Professional Nail Care.

Have you seen the new Retro Fun in the Sun colours? They are OPI’s Pin-Up Perfect Shades for Summer.

I really love the little elastic ponytail holder that comes with each bottle that is reminiscent of the pin-up girl. It reminds me of what my grandmother used to put in my hair to manage my massive mane.

This summer’s collection from OPI is playing on a few trends: vibrant colours, blue nail polish and bright neon-like colours.

Here’s the twist, the shades are super-glamorous and there are shades that women of any age can play with. Some of these shades might be better suited for a pedicure in my opinion, but they are all fun and flirty and it’s up to you to decide how bold you want to be with your nails for this summer.

The Retro Fun in the Sun collection is made up of six shades. My personal fave is “Give Me a Coral Sometime”, you’ll surely find the perfect shade:

* Give Me a Coral Sometime (a bright shade that looks like the perfect cross of orange and pink)

* Peach-a-Boo (a neutral peach shade)

* Sit Under the Apple Tree (a bright apple green shade)

* Lemonade Stand by Your Man (a bright shade of yellow, but it’s not a neon yellow)

* Sea Ya Later, Sailor (a bright turquoise blue)

* Calendar Girl (a bright reddish fuchsia shade)

I’ve been saying this for years now, but I think the person who is in charge of naming the OPI shades has the best job in the world!

I was recently flipping the pages of Elle France when I noticed an ad for Sephora’s nail patch.

I’ve always been big on nail polish and I can never get enough of any new trend or new colours. That said, when you need to run to a last minute event, not even quick dry can help in some occasions when you are pressed for time and you still have to take care of hair and makeup.

Sephora’s Nail Patch kits are like “press on colour” strips that allow anyone to have a full manicure in a matter of minutes. You simply stick on the patches and you’re done – it’s that easy.

You’ll have to select the appropriate size for your nail, pull off the clear protective strip, and place the rounded side at the nail base. Smooth onto the nail surface, and remove the surplus by folding the nail sticker under the nail. The excess easily tears away!

When it comes to removing your Sephora Nail Patch colour, you simply have to use traditional nail polish remover.

The Sephora Nail Patches come in four colours: Red Night (dark burgundy red), Red Carpet (deep red), Absolute Pink (the name says it all) and Nickel Chrome (a sparkling silver).

The kits are $10USD and they are quite practical for those last-minute events where manicured nails are a must.

You’ll find more details on the Sephora Nail Patch at Sephora.com.

It’s true that I will now have to watch “The Hills” in order to track beauty trends for my new weekly beauty posts on SeenOn.com, but you don’t have to be 22 and you certainly don’t have to be a fan of the TV reality show that inspired this collection to be excited about this new summer collection from Zoya!

For summer 2008, Zoya has created a collection of six new shades of nail polish, which by the way are toluene, formaldehyde and DPB-free!

Unless you are a fan of the teeny-bopper smash hit “The Hills”, these names might not mean a thing to you, but that should not prevent you from enjoying these tropical shades that will add a shade of vibrancy to your wardrobe.

The shades of this Gossip Collection from Zoya are all about purples, fuchsias, pinks and melon shades: Audrina (purplish red), Whitney (bright fuchsia), Lo (bubblegum pink), Elodie (poppy melon), Heidi (bright neon orange) and LC (soft summer red).

My excitement index is at peak levels since I laid eyes on Essie’s Summer 2008 nail polish collection!

This season, pinks and corals are very popular and if you are one of those women who just doesn’t like to play with colour, then the next best thing is to add the colour trends of the season via nail polish!

If you love playing with colour like I do, then this Essie Summer 2008 collection will just add to your playfulness.

This rage of Essie tropical colours comes in six flirty coral, rose, orange and pink shades to add a punch of joyful colour to your mani or your pedi.

When I read the names of the shades, I realize how ingenious (unless it was pure coincidence) Essie was in choosing “Risky Business” as one of their shades, given that 2008 marks the 25th anniversary for Tom Cruise’s coming out role in the blockbuster movie “Risky Business” … which made him the big star he is today.

Escapades, which is a shade of reddish-coral, is my favourite one from the collection, but you’ll find the perfect shade for your summer events among the other five shades: Risky Business, My Place or Yours, Guilty Pleasures, Movers and Shakers or Secret Stash.

If you like these Essie tropical shades of pinks, corals, mauves … you might also want to check out the new Zoya 2008 ‘Gossip Collection’.

Blue nail polish has been on beauty trends radars for a decade now … the fade as been in-and-out and in-and-out. Well it’s in again and this summer and there are a lot of great shades of blue to choose from.

To answer my earlier question: should women over 35 wear blue nail polish? … I’m saying yes … why not!

One thing is certain, black nail polish that was quite popular last summer is not as appropriate to women over 35 in my opinion. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann also encourages women over 35 to choose a dark plum or dark blue as opposed to a trendier and younger black nail polish.

OPI: One trend you’ll notice when it comes to nail polish is that dark blue and bright blue shades are back. I didn’t quite adhere to blue nail polish the first time around, but OPI NAILS has a shade of blue called Yoga-Ta Get This Blue in their spring/summer 2008 India Color Nirvana collection, that might just get me to change my mind because it’s so deep, intense and decadent. I’m not sure if I’ll have the courage to wear “Yoga-Ta Get This Blue” on my hands, but I’ll try it on my toes.

Deborah Lippmann - Rehab (a dark navy shade) is the colour of choice from the Lippmann Collection. Deborah suggests that you either wear one coat for a sheerer finish and you can apply two coats for a dark ink look.

More on Deborah Lippmann

Christian Dior: Dior’s Blue Poison nail polish is now available in North America. It was only previously only being sold in Europe, but you’ll find it at Sephora in North America. Just like Deborah Lippmann’s Rehab, you apply only one coat of Blue Poison to get the look of the season. Actually, applying two coats of Blue Poison might make it look more black than blue so one coat is definitely the way to go.
Celebs like ex-James-Bond-girl Eva Green and Oscar Award Winner Charlize Theron are both fans of : Dior’s Blue Poison!

Chanel: Since Chanel is showing a lot of blue shades for spring as part of their “Blue Aurora Collection”, it only makes sense there would be a blue nail polish to finish the perfect make-up! Chanel’s blue is a dark blue that’s along Deborah Lippmann’s Rehab.

Manicure shops are about to be super-busy with women begging to get their cuticles under control for party season. If you don’t have time to book a manicure, the next best thing is to do your own manicure. Just like make-up or skin care, it’s all about having the right know-how and the right tools. When most big name celebrities are looking to have perfect hands for a photo shoot or before stepping on the red-carpet, they speed dial Deborah Lippmann’s private line and fly her in.

Deborah Lippmann has been creating some of the most trend setting manicures for major international fashion magazines such as In Style, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Vogue for over a decade. She’s also created sophisticated nails for the cast of “Sex in the City” and the presenters at VH1 Divas, and the 1999 Academy Awards® and Emmy Awards®.

If you’ve not yet been lucky enough to try Deborah’s line of nail polishes, you are surely missing out on an easy and almost-foolproof way to a perfect home manicure.

Deborah has a collection of intense and vibrant nail colours. While other companies have quirky names for their polish, Deborah’s polishes are all named after jazz song classics … which is perfectly fitting given Deborah’s successful moonlighting career as a jazz singer (I’ve heard her sing and it’s incredible that so much talent can be found in one person!).

Deborah’s best advice to having red-carpet nails for this party season is to keep them short and dark. While black nail polish is all the rage among teens and 20-something girls, 35+ women should consider deep dark shades like aubergine as a more grown up alternative.
Among Deborah’s favourite from her own Lippmann Collection she picked Rehab (a dark navy shade), Dark Side of the Moon (an intense aubergine colour) and Bitches Brew (a mulberry shade) as three shades women should gravitate towards.

If you’re looking for the candid option of a longtime nail polish junkie, I’ve got to admit that the Lippmann Collection has some of the most intense shades I’ve ever worn. I absolutely love (L-O-V-E) Bitches Brew. I’ve been looking for that shade for years. A friend of mine who used to work for L’Oreal Paris before moving to London to work for Chanel gave me a Maybelline colour that I cherished for years and would only wear on special occasions once it was clear that I’d never be able to find a comparable shade among any other nail polish company. When I discovered Bitches Brew, I was happy beyond belief. It’s funny what the perfect shade of nail polish can do to a girl.

Deborah Lippmann’s nail polishes retail for $15 retail in the U.S. and you’ll find a location near you by visiting Deborah’s store locator. You’ll find Deborah’s nail polishes at Holt Renfrew across Canada ($19/bottle). You’ll also find a number of spas and shops that also sell Lippmann Collection. You’ll find them at Deborah’s store locator.

Deborah Lippmann’s nail polish collection can also be purchased in Germany, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong and Sweden.