Style Play Polish: Suit & Tie

Ladies, there is no need to limit yourselves. We can be just as dapper as the handsome suited gentlemen out there. Once again our favorite childhood boy band beaux never fails to leave an imprint of adolescent memories on our hearts or in this case on our nails.

This week's Style Play Polish was inspired by none other than Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie", but this wouldn't be LBS if we didn't put a little feminine spin on it. Don't panic! The 8 steps to achieving this look are simpler than they look.

What you'll need:

• A white or cream polish (Essie's Sand Tropez)
• Any metallic polish (preferably blue or green) (Essie's Trophy Wife or Essie's Aruba Blue)
• Black polish or Black Nail Art Pen
• Dotting tool
• Scissors
• Tape

Shop The Products:

Step 1: After prepping your nails, polish on 2 coats of your preferred white or cream colored polish.

Step 2: Using small pieces of tape, place them at angles from your cuticles creating an upside down triangle.

Step 3: Apply 2 coats of your metallic color and allow the nail polish to dry.

Step 4: Use your black polish/nail art pen to outline the metallic color on your nails.

Step 5: Create 2 black lines parallel to the metallic outlines forming a smaller triangle. You can leave the design as is, but if you're feeling a bit more on the creative side, continue to steps 6-8.

Step 6: Paint a horizontal X on your nail as a guide for your bow-tie.

Step 7: Use your dotting tool to fill in both sides of the X with your metallic color. Also add 2-3 dots going down your nail vertically.

Step 8: To clean up the design, go over the X once more with the black polish and close off the sides. Create black dots on top of the previous metallic dots for buttons.

Before you know it, you'll be creating nail art like the pros. Stay tuned for next week's Style Play Polish, and don't forget to tag us on Instagram @LoveBrownSugar with your Suit & Tie inspired looks!

- Gracie J

Style Play Polish: Kenzo-Inspired Nails

Screw diamonds - fashion is a girl's best friend! Some of us will go without necessities just to look and feel good in the clothes that we buy. Since most of us don't have the funds to get our hands on all our favorite celeb designs, we can definitely improvise and rock the look on our nails by using what we already have lying around the house.

This designer's leopard prints have been spotted (no pun intended) on some of our favorite celebrity crushes, from Solange Knowles to Beyonce to Brandy & Rita Ora:

We're gonna show you how to get the look in 4 easy steps!

What you will need:

• Yellow Polish (Zoya's Pippa)
• Ginger Colored Polish (Spoiled Designated Driver)
• Dark Blue or Dark Violet Colored Polish (Honk if You Love OPI)
• Lilac Colored Polish (Sally Hansen's Lacey Lilac)
• A pen with a round clicker top 
• A piece of a make-up sponge 

Step 1: After you have applied your base coat, color your nails with 2 coats of yellow polish.

Step 2: Using the ginger colored polish, paint one or two strokes across your nails in which ever direction you choose.

Step 3: Using the clicker part of the pen as a dotting tool, create polka dots on your nails using the lilac colored polish.

Step 4: To create the textured fuzz like spots, use your make-up sponge to create comma shapes around the polka dots. Seal with a top coat and you've got Kenzo!

Expensive taste on a budget? No problem - we got you!

Keep it sassy, classy, and creative. Get a little busy and switch up the colors, tag us on Instagram @LoveBrownSugar with your Kenzo inspired looks.

- Gracie J

Style Play Polish: Great Gatsby-Inspired Nails

A lady should always treat her nails as she does her hair, never get caught slippin'. We know a thing or two about nail DIYs and looking extravagant without extravagant pockets. Speaking of extravagance, the week's Style Play Polish nail design is inspired by raved-about blockbuster film, "The Great Gatsby." Here are 4 easy steps to achieving the perfect Gatsby inspired nails:

What you will need:

• Royal Blue Polish (Sinful Colors' Midnight Blue)
• Gold Polish (Butter London's MARBS)
• Black Polish (Essie's Licorice)
• Silver Polish (Essie's loophole)
• Detailing Brush (MASH Nail Art Kit)

Step 1: Paint your nails 2 coats of the royal blue polish to assure a darker opacity. (Remember! Always apply a base coat before applying your base color).

Step 2: Using the black polish, freehand a V-shaped stroke pointed towards the tips of your nails.

Step 3: Using your detailing brush, trace along the line where the black meets the blue polish. Paint 2 other lines parallel to the original lines. Don't worry about the lines overlapping, we will fill that in later.

Step 4: Use the silver polish to create a half moon design near your cuticles, as well as filling in the sides and top of your nails where the black polish is exposed.

Gatsby is known for his expensive taste and bringing his wild imagination to life. If you have a Gatsby nail inspiration you'd like to share with us, tag us on Instagram @LoveBrownSugar.

- Gracie J

Steal Her Chic: Model Nazanin Mandi at Billboard Music Awards

The first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting to having a problem, and Nazanin Mandi stylishly contributing to our leather obsession is SO not helping. Spotted at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas with her long time love & musical sensation Miguel Jontel Pimentel (we just had to put his full government in there, has a ring to it) she was rocking a simple leather tube top and Saint Laurent chain-trimmed leather mini skirt complimenting her shape and personal edgy style.

Showing so much skin has never looked so minimal and tasteful. She topped her look off with silver ankle strapped heels. We loved this look because it was edgy, yet appropriate. Not to mention her flawless natural make-up. 2 snaps and a twirl! The skirt alone was over $2,000, but you all know how we do it here, ballin' on a fab LBS budget. Steal her chic? Why not if you can get it for less and still feel good about your pockets. Hover over the links below to shop the look:

Would you wear this look for a night out?

- Gracie J

5 Ways to Protect Curls from Sun & Heat Damage

Aren't you guys extremely excited about how warm the weather has been?! On a scale of 1 to 10 we're at 20 right now - that is until it gets too unbearable to part from the AC. As the temperature rises, we are continuously reminded of how important it is to protect our skin and sunscreen becomes a top priority.

While putting all the focus on our skin, we tend to overlook protecting one of our most valued assets - our hair! The sun can cause just as much damage to your tresses as excessive ironing and blow-drying.

Here are 5 ways to protect your hair from sun and heat damage while stylishly weathering the elements:

1. Turban It Up: Take advantage of the turban trend. It will keep the sun from deep frying your hair. Just wear a silk bonnet underneath and you're set! There are no limits to which colors and patterns you can rock. Need a little inspiration? Stylists June Ambrose & Joy Adaeze are known for their turban-wear.

2. Hats Off To Ya: As curly girls we tend to make excuses as to why we aren't able to wear hats. Newsflash ladies! Natural hair artist Janelle Monae knows how to rock a hat or two. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. A cute bowler hat or any hat of your choice will shade your hair and prevent any unwanted crispy split ends.

3. That's A Wrap: You don't have to completely tuck it all in. Head wraps are hassle free, cute, and simple. This method keeps your hair out of the way and can also serve as an alternative to sprucing up an old hairdo. Just make sure the exposed hair is well moisturized and sealed with a natural sunscreen.

4. Betcha didn't know! Avocado, Sesame, Jojoba, Coconut and Macadamia Nut oils are all natural sunscreens. Stumped?! Yeah, we were too. If you're not into the whole head-wear shabang, this little piece of info will go a long way.

5. Gimme Moisture: Natural Hair Care 101: Moisture is your hair's best friend. Keeping your hair moisturized is crucial, especially in hotter & drier weather. It's simple, use your favorite H2O-based leave-in or moisturizer and seal in with one of the oils listed above.

Snag our cheatsheet below so you don't forget!

How do you protect your curls? Soundoff below!

- Gracie J

Style Play Polish: Summer Festival-Inspired Nails

LBS is going to Coachella (she's actually on her way now)! YAY x100! For those of you who have no idea what that is, no biggie. It's only the biggest art and music festival on the West-Coast! One of the first things that comes to mind when someone says Coachella are bright & vibrant colors, from stage set ups to spectator's sense of fashion. For this week's Style Play Polish segment I decided to paint a little ode to Coachella 2013 in 5 easy steps:

What you will need:

- Base coat (Butter London Nail Foundation)
- 3 bright, pastel, or neon colors of your choice (Sephora's "I Want Candy" 3-piece set)
- A round tip pencil or pen
- Top coat (Butter London Hardware Quick Topcoat)

 Step 1: You can choose to paint your nails different colors, or use the same uniform pattern.

Step 2: Using one of the colors, polish 3 free hand strokes over the first color creating a ruffle like pattern on your nail.

Step 3: After each layer dries, continue with step 2 until you are satisfied with your design.

Step 4: If you want to take your nail design a step further, use the tip of your pen or pencil (or a dotting tool) to create a lace like effect on each ruffle corresponding with the color underneath.

Step 5: As always, let dry, and apply your top coat to seal it in seal it in!

Stay tuned for next week's post! Music video inspiration anyone? Don't forget to share with us your Coachella inspired nail looks @LoveBrownSugar on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

And speaking of festivals, click HERE for a chance to win the ultimate LBS Summer Festival Survival Kit. 

- Gracie J

Style Play Polish: Spring Chevron Nails

We're at it again! Spreading some LBS love with fun spring nail art. How many of you have welcomed spring with open arms? *Raises hands* How many of you are dedicating a lot more time to sprucing up your lady fingers? *Raises both hands*

With this design you will be dedicating less time in exchange for a simple, hassle-free polish look using a nail applique as the accent nail.

What you will need:

• 1 white nail lacquer (Essie Blanc)
• 1 nail applique of your choice for the accent nail (Forever 21 Floral Nail Appliques)
• 2 nail lacquer colors to match your applique (Butter London Primrose Hill Picnic and Trout Pout)
• 1 champagne or gold nail art pen (Nordstrom)
• Base coat (Butter London Nail Foundation)
• Top coat (Butter London Hardware Quick Topcoat)

Apply one of the nail sicker appliqués to an accent nail of your choice to base your design on. A base coat is not necessary for this step.

Apply 2 thin layers of the white polish on top of your already prepped nails.

It should look like this once finished. This another cute and simplistic nail look you can leave as-is.

Step 3: Using the lightest of your colors, create a two sided chevron like effect on your nails. 

Step 4: After the first color has completely dried, create a top layer leaving the bottom color exposed.

Step 5: Using your nail art pen, separate the two colors where they meet. This creates a contrast between the different shades making them stand out more.

5 easy steps, 5 pairs of happy fingers! Don't forget to come back next week for another segment of Style, Play, Polish!

- Gracie J

Shop The Products:

Check out some of our other Style Play Polish Tutorials:

Mondrian-Inspired Nail Art

Glitter-Dipped Nails

OPI Black-Spotted Mani DIY