Great Nail Polish Finds That Won’t Break The Bank

In this day of exploding gas prices and struggling investments, you might not have the inclination to blow $20 on that bottle of Chanel Rose Tourbillion (although it is completely stunning). However, this doesn’t mean that your nails have to be anything less than amazing. And if you’re a classic red-and-pink lover, there’s a huge range of choices.

E.L.F., a.k.a. “That Brand Where Everything Costs a Dollar,” has a line of polish that includes two standout shades: Light Pink, a gold-shimmer-infused petal pink, and Light Red, a true, blue-based red. These colors take a bit of work to get opaque – the pink took three coats, while the red took four, and it didn’t take to every basecoat (although Orly Bonder worked really well). Wear is average. (Side note: E.L.F.'s offering a code until July 15th—10% off purchases of $20 or more with code EGANNIVDS.) 

If you’re looking for something from a line you’re more familiar with, check out Essie’s Who’s She Red (a retro lipstick red) and Sugar Daddy (a clear, cool pink). And at $8 a pop, neither of them will break the bank.

Get both Essie colors at amazon.com for just $4.75. Or online beauty supply store Head 2 Toe Beauty offers Essie for $3.50. It's reliable and ships quickly – making these offers ones you might not be able to refuse.

Global Trendsetters: Which One Will You Be Taking Back To The States?

We've had a ball the past week scouring the globe - or at least our sources around the globe - for the latest fashion trends beyond the states. After all, it's often elsewhere (meaning not the U.S.) where the edgiest trends begin. Below is a round-up of what we found in our virtual travels. Which one would you bring back to your hometown?

You'll rarely see such a fashionable people as the residents of Buenos Aires. So what's taking Argentina by storm right now? Converse sneakers.

French Vogue has declared those 80’s denim stand-by styles-- acid-washed and ripped jeans—to be back. Who knew Motley Crue and White Snake would ever be in vogue again?

According to our sources in Cape Town and Durban, South Africa's trendy chicks are keen on mid-calf leggings topped with flowing, knee-length cotton dresses. 

Break out your BeDazzlers  - jewels are back among Japanese women who are adorning themselves with sparkling bags, belts, bracelets, and the like. 

This Week In A-Cups: Pasties For Non-Stripper Civilians

What: Bristols 6 Nippies ($10 for two pair)

Why: I am not a pasties kind of gal. Truth be told, I wear a lot of pastel sundresses. But when you have the (lack of) goods to wear these sorts of things, why not? After wearing them for a full day of work and play, I can attest that, quite simply, Nippies rock.

The crème-colored lace x’s were totally undercover with a cotton halter dress. A crazier pink-and-metallic pair was undetectable underneath a black strapless number, but made me feel kind of badass anyway. And no, they don’t hurt when you pull them off, thanks to a circular cotton pad that keeps your actual nipple from having to touch the sticky stuff. My only complaint is that you can’t re-use them.

Get Yours: Bristols6.com

Taste Test: Which White Dress Is The Brighter Buy?

These two form-fitting dresses are striking and sleek, with shiny black belts to add contrast and emphasize an hourglass figure. One is on sale for 60% off, and still costs more than the other. Can you tell which one’s which? Click on the images to see what they really cost.

Test your Fashion IQ with other Taste Tests.

There’s Money Sitting In Your Closet--Find Out How Much Thanks To Ztail

What: Ztail.com

Why: Remember the Sex and the City episode where Carrie realizes that her shoe collection is worth $40,000--the exact amount she needs to put a down payment on her apartment? While Ms. Bradshaw's shopping addiction may be more severe--and pricier--than yours, I'm sure all of you SheFinds readers have at one point speculated about the same thing. How much, exactly, have you spent on clothing and accessories over the past few years? What's your closet worth? Perhaps, in these tough economic times, the pack rats among us have glanced at their stuffed wardrobes and wondered: what could I buy if I sold all this?

Well, SheFinds has good news for you. Ztail.com has compiled a huge database of pricing information for new and used clothing, accessories, shoes, and anything else you might have sitting around at home. Ztail hopes to become the source for assessing the worth of everything in your closet. The site also links through to eBay, so you can sell your Manolos when you need to make rent. Or if you discover that your old jeans are priceless (literally), you can also donate those Luckys to some lucky kid.

Deal Of The Day: Up To 50% Off Designer Jeans At Pink Mascara

Sure, new styles of jeans come out all the time and sure, stores want to make room for new denim inventory. But a good-fitting pair of dark jeans is pretty evergreen, and they’ll probably stay in your closet at least until the wash fades. Probably longer.

A great going-out pair, the Stephenson Johnson 5 Pocket in Creek ($91.50, was $183) has cute contrast stitching and an ultra-dark wash. And it's still available in a ton of sizes. I'm wondering why exactly it's on sale.

I’m wearing a pair of Joe’s Jeans right now, and I’m sitting in my living room. Goes to show you how comfy these jeans are – plus their Twiggy Jean ($87, was $174) has cute swirl detail on the back pockets.

Citizens of Humanity’s Genera Avedon Skinny Jean ($132.30, was $189) has a bit of stretch in it to ensure that perfect skinny-jeans fit.
 

More deals we found this week:
 
15% off all items at Fashion Chateau with code couture15.
 
Free shipping this week at Benefit when you purchase Boo Boo Zap. Enter code BZAPSHIP at checkout.
 
Save 40% to 75% off discontinued styles at Danskin.

25% off Ines del Castillo jewelry as seen in our SheFinds Forum.

Peruse our Denim Guide - you just might find your new favorite pair of jeans. 

Latest Blog Posts From MomFinds

Deal of the Day: Up to 75% Off Select Tea Collection Styles

• Tea Collection, one of our favorite globally inspired children’s clothing company, is having its semi-annual online clearance sale to make room for its fall collection.

• A fifth-generation beach family must have had it with brushing off sand, and created Powder Pouch. This is a very cool way to safely and softly remove sand and it’s kind of fun.
  

• We’re giving one lucky reader $100 to spend as they wish at Madallie.com, one of the best travel stores for kids, chock full of everything you need to keep the kiddos entertained while going from Point A to Point B. 

What To Pack For: A Weekend Beach Getaway

Summer is--gasp--one-third gone already, so if you haven't escaped for your first weekend beach getaway, now's definitely the time. But remember: airlines are charging up to $20 for checked bags, so if the threat of lost luggage wasn't enough, now you have even more reason to fit all your goods into a carry-on. Your best bet for maximum overhead bin usage? A rolling duffle. They're squishy and compact, but have wheels like a suitcase. We like Samsonite's Hommage II ($300).

You can carry it by hand when you don't want to wheel, or stop, drop, and roll when you do. And the 29.9"x12.6"x14.2" dimensions are airline approved.

1. Swimsuit: If you're digging the current one-piece trend (à la Sex and the City), try this retro Diane von Furstenberg design ($220). Or peruse our Swimsuit Guide for more trendy picks

2. Sandals: If anyone knows beaches, it's the Brazilians--which is why their preferred brand, Havaianas ($13.99-$20), is popular both there and around the world. Plus, flip-flops are so flat and malleable, you can shove them into whatever free space you've got left after packing.

3. Saress: Don't you dare show up on the beach this summer in that tired old sarong. This season's craze is the saress ($35). You don't have to worry about it getting wrinkled during travel--but unlike its outdated cousin, you can walk to the bar (or even dinner) in it later on and not feel foolish.

4. Travel Toiletry Kit: Carry bath and body products in this clear plastic travel kit ($10.49).  It comes with four reusable bottles, which you can fill (and refill) with the products you use at home.

5. Sunscreen: A new product from L'Occitaine en Provence is their "do Brasil" ($30) line. It's organic and highly protective, and entirely manufactured and developed in Brazil - the only country where my mediterranean skin has ever gotten burnt to the point of peeling (i.e., I trust their sunscreen more than ours).

And be sure to enter this week's travel-themed Freebie Friday - Tell us what the TSA took, and you could win a box of beauty booty from the SheFinds closet!