From Rihanna’s nails to fall polish trends, celebrity nail artist Kimmie Kyees shares her top manicure tips
See the new Quo by Orly GelFX Duo-Chrome Shades »
It’s common knowledge that Rihanna doesn’t wake up looking the way she does when she hits the red carpet. From hairstylists to makeup artists, an entourage is key to getting our favourite Barbadian songstress camera-ready. But have you ever wondered who does her nails? (The megastar is credited with setting the pointy nail trend, after all!) Well, the talent behind the look is L.A.-based nail guru Kimmie Kyees.
Kyees, whose Instagram is flooded with images of Ke$ha, Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian (you know, the usual), has a list of celebrity clients as long as Rihanna’s pointed talons.
While she seems to follow her clients wherever the red carpet takes them, we recently caught up with Kimmie Kyees in Toronto. The celebrity manicurist was in town to promote the Quo by Orly nail polish collection for Fall 2013 and talk about celebrity nail art trends.
A backstage regular at award shows (Kyees styled Adele’s nails at last year’s Golden Globes, Grammys and Oscars) she revealed that the colour of the dress being worn is usually what influences the choice of nail colour. When asked to bring up an awards show memory that stands out, Kyees recounted doing both Rihanna and Katy Perry’s nails at the Grammys one year, having to run between dressing rooms all evening long. And beyond the red carpet, Kyees has worked with numerous publications such as Glamour and Vogue and has contributed to ads for Sears, among others.
With 19 years of experience under her belt, Kyees also had plenty of tips for aspiring manicurists and nail art aficionados. “Always use polish remover and cuticle oil,” she advised when asked to comment on manicure essentials. As for when you’re wearing a bright shade, it’s best to “put a white base on to make the colour pop.”
On the nail polish agenda for fall, Quo by Orly is adding five new warm jewel tone shades to its roster of core nail polish colours, as well as a MegaPixel FX collection, which consists of 7 ultra-glittery quick-dry polishes. Finally, for the gel lacquer lovers amongst us, 20 new colours are being added to the Quo by Orly Gels collection including four stunning duo-chrome shades. Itching to get your hands on the new products? The polishes, as well as a new compact LED lamp, hits Shoppers Drug Mart stores mid-August.
Quo by ORLY Magenta Violet Chrome
Quo by Orly GelFX Duo-Chrome in “Magenta-Violet Chrome” ($10, at Shoppers Drug Mart in August 2013)
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