Take the talented and sought-after Tolani Rosa, a nail tech at The Laq Lab in Brooklyn. She uses her love for creation to curate the most beautiful nails you’ll ever see. Lucky for us, we got the chance to sit down with her to talk about nail design trends that we must try before summer slips away from us. "Mix [and] match nails would be number one on my list of trends right now," she tells xoNecole. "The girls are getting into having different designs on each finger which transcends all seasons depending on the colors used. Because the summer is the perfect season for fun nails, I’d encourage women to try it before fall.”
Courtesy of Tolani Rosa
When it comes to shapes, Tolani says the almond nail shape is by far the shape of the season, making it the top-tier shape for summer. “A few years ago I’d say it was a coffin [nail shape] but a lot of clients have been changing over. I feel like almond elongates the look of anyone’s fingers as well as its versatility in allowing you to choose a rounded almond or more pointy almond.”
And she’s spot on because during my visit to The Laq Lab she slayed a colorful, almond set for me. It’s one of those sets that have you looking at your hands every five seconds and using your fingers to point at unnecessary things non-stop.
Keep reading for more nail design trends Tolani recommends we try before the summer ends:
Colorful French Tip Manicures
Courtesy of Tolani Rosa
You deserve some creativity at your fingertips. And what better way to get creative than with the classic French tip style? The colorful French tip manicure is a favorite because of its nod to a never-fail manicure classic that offers a modern take that dares to be more daring and bold.
Bright Colors
Courtesy of Tolani Rosa
Speaking of color, the time is now for colors that are as bright as our futures. Tap into your inner child by playing with electric neons and soft pastels. Take your dip into the bright side of the nail color pool another step further by incorporating another summer nail trend. You can experiment with color while experimenting with mixing and matching, like the nails pictured above.
3D Nail Art
Courtesy of Tolani Rosa
It’s time to take your nails to another dimension by embracing more than vibrant colors. One of this summer's most beloved ways to rock an eclectic manicure is by adding a pop of dimension with 3D additions. From nipple rings to acrylic architecture, there is a slew of ways to make your nails elementally unique.
The Perfect Nude
Courtesy of Tolani Rosa
If despite all the colors, you're still in search of the perfect nude nails, there's a place for that in this summer's nail trends as well. A Black girl and her quest to find the right nude could be a best-selling mystery novel. But once you find it, you’re golden.
Which trend are you ready to copy and paste before September 22 when hot girl summer ends?
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Featured image courtesy of Tolani Rosa
Check it out below:
Vogue/YouTube
Cleanser:
Before starting her makeup routine, Normani washed her face with iS Clinical Cream cleanser. “I have struggled with acne for like the last 10 years and it really has been a journey,” she revealed. Next, she put on 111Skin Sub-Zero De-Puffing Energy Mask Box and used a face roller to rub the mask in. “I’m definitely the girl on the plane with the acne stickers. I’ve definitely worn pimple cream in the airport,” she said, continuing to talk about her skin journey. “I don’t care. I’m comfort over everything.”
She followed up the mask with iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ which she said helps with hyperpigmentation and iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum for the “glow you want.” Lastly, she applied sunscreen and eye drops before moving on to makeup.
Vogue/YouTube
Makeup:
First things first, the “Fair” singer brushed her eyebrows and then used Anatasia Beverly Hills' brow pencil to achieve natural strokes. The last step to her brows involved her using Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Styling Wax. As stated earlier, the 26-year-old deals with hyperpigmentation and so she uses MAC Studio Fix Conceal & Correct palette to help even her skin.
While applying her concealer she shared how her mom influenced her approach to beauty. “I also grew up watching my mom do her hair and makeup and I wanted to be just like her,” she said. “So, I think that’s where that fascination and love for makeup and hair come from.”
Vogue/YouTube
Normani also shared how her parents helped her feel confident in herself. “I was also one of three Black kids in elementary school so that was really hard for me,” she recalled. “I remember just going home and be like mom, ‘can you press my hair? I wish my skin was lighter. I wish I had colored eyes.’ But my parents really encouraged me that my superpower was my Black girl melanin and my Black girl magic.” And so she makes sure to pass the same message down to younger Black girls.
Vogue/YouTube
Next, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch setting powder is applied followed by Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation. For eyes, she used Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick for her eyeshadow base. When describing her technique, she said “So, what I’m doing is I’m starting from the outer and working my way in so I can create more space and just create a more snatched look.”
Vogue/YouTube
When it comes to liner, she likes using the brown shade from KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner for a more natural look, and then she goes back in with the Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Face + Eye Bronzer & Highlighter palette for the eyeshadow.
“I feel like I always try to give ‘90s actress vibes when it comes to my makeup,” she said. “I love Nia Long, even Toni Braxton. Just regal and brown and let it be about skin and light contour.”
She added, “I love a good ‘90s lip though. I be on my Mary J. Blige.”
Vogue/YouTube
She used Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over brightening pen in a lighter shade to “add more dimension” to her face. She then added a cream blush and debunked the myth that Black girls can’t wear blush.
“There’s such a misconception too, especially with dark skin women,” she said. She added more foundation, this time using MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation.
To make her eyes pop, she used Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara on her bottom lashes.
To top off the perfect ‘90s look, she overlined her lips with Rokael beauty lip liner and matte lipstick. And for a twist, she used Dior Addict lip glow oil on her eyelids and Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glowing body oil to achieve a ‘90s bronze look.
Normani's ’90s-Inspired Makeup Routine | Beauty Secrets | Vogue
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Featured image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Episode 5 "Express Yourself"
This post is in partnership with Ulta Beauty.
Jazzmyne Jay has some pretty epic stories to tell. But even more epic is her approach to beauty. The content creator and model is a firm belever in walking in your truth, which is probably why she's amassed almost a million followers across Instagram and TikTok. Our good sis loves to break the rules when it comes to style and beauty, so our founder Necole Kane sat down with this social media star for a glam tutorial that we'll never forget.
Jazzmyne, who hails from the midwest, recalls growing up as the only biracial kid in her area. Though she didn't have much access to peers who looked like her, what she did have were two loving parents who instilled in her the magic in being different and encouraged her to stand out from the crowd. It was this celebration of uniqueness in Jazzmyne's household that birthed a natural instinct to let her star shine. Besides, she says, trying to fit it in is just too much work. "I am not a good actor," she jokes.
During this fun and out of the box makeup tutorial, Jazz goes for a glamorous beat with a few beloved products from brands like NARS, Fenty Beauty, and Urban Decay. She swaps out classic black eyeliner for a glittery eye look, solidfying that a pop of color is always her signature ingredient to a finished look.
Watch as Necole and Jazzmyne talk makeup, self-expression, and forging your own path in this inspiring episode of Beautiful Soul.
Scroll through the gallery below to shop Jazzmyne's products from Ulta Beauty.
Jazzmyne's Skincare Faves
Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation is a buildable, full-coverage foundation with up to 16 hours of lightweight, natural, fade-resistant wear.
Photo Finish Primerizer + Hydrating Primer
Photo Finish Primerizer + Hydrating PrimerSmashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer delivers a fresh, dewy look while defending skin and perfecting makeup; infused with a Silkscreen Complex, Triple Hyaluronic Acid, + Niacinamide.
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream BlushOlori 3 Eyeshadow Palette
Olori means Queen in Yoruba, a language spoken by the Yoruba Tribe in West Africa. Indulge and be intrigued in the Juvia's Place Queen series which holds 6 highly pigmented shades that will take your look to the next level.
Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick
The FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick is a longwear makeup stick with a light-as-air shimmer formula to highlight, blush, and enhance.
Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna's Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is the ultimate gotta-have-it lip gloss with explosive shine that feels as good as it looks-the essential finishing touch to any look.
Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner
All the glitz of glam rock (without the spandex or bad hair). Urban Decay's Heavy Metal Glitter Eye Liner is a water-based, buildable liner that contains super-fine glitter in a clear base that dries down quickly and REALLY stays put.
