The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Cynthia Rowley Spring 2013 Nail Looks with Deborah Lippmann




To achieve a strong and edgy nail look at Cynthia Rowley's Spring 2013 presentation, celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann opted to layer two shades on short, rounded nails as I discovered backstage. Pairing Billionaire, a creme hunter-green and Wicked Game, an iridescent lavender-grey shade, Deborah and her team brought not only an eye-popping color that changes with each shimmer of light, but completed the entire look for Cynthia's playful presentation. I sense a trend with this nail look and might just even try this at home. What do you think? —by The Budget Babe Correspondent, Megan Zietz

Backstage Beauty with Deborah Lippmann at Badgley Mischka SS13


Modern Love swatch

Backstage at Badgley Mischka, I caught up with the Deborah Lippmann to discuss the nail looks her team created for the Spring 2013 runway show. Inspired by the 1930's film "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the collection features lots of muted pastels, so the designers opted for a neutral nail to complement the color palette, as well as dewy makeup and slightly disheveled hair. The polish of choice? Modern Love, a dusty mauve creme that Deborah is calling "the new nude." On short, rounded nails, two coats of Modern Love was applied, then finished with a high-shine top coat called Addicted to Speed. "Mauve is the new nude!" reveals Deborah. While I love a good neutral, I'm worried this color won't read "high fashion" when I wear it. What do you think?

Keep reading for more of my backstage photos, and check out the short video I shot of Deborah talking about the inspiration for the nail looks after the jump.


Backstage Beauty with Mally Roncal at Tracy Reese SS13




Backstage at Tracy Reese, I caught up with Mally Roncal to talk about the ever-so-slightly '80s inspired beauty look her team created for the Spring 2013 show. Mally focused on clean, fresh skin paired with a soft, smudgy eye and a Brooke Shields-y eyebrow. Think slept-in-my-makeup chic. "There's something really beautiful about just letting it go, and letting it be that way," says Mally. "Everything doesn't have to be so perfect all the time." Amen to that.

Follow more of my NYFW coverage on Twitter and Instagram (search for budgetbabe).

Kate Spade Spring 2013 Nail Looks by Deborah Lippmann


This morning, I headed to the city bright and early to kick off my first day of New York Fashion Week with a visit backstage at the Kate Spade Spring 2013 collection presentation. There, I caught up with nail guru Deborah Lippmann to talk nails. This was my first time meeting Deborah (she's great, as you'd expect) and I was dying to find out what she would create this season. The burning question on everyone's mind (okay maybe just mine): Could she top the polka-dot nails presented at Kate Spade's Fall show? Well, suffice to say, it's hard to pick a favorite - but Deborah and her team definitely upped the ante with a bold gingham print that made everyone smile, even the models!