Why We Use "Clean" Nail Polishes and What That Means

All Jewelry Svelte Metals

If you follow us on Instagram you've probably noticed I love changing up my nail polish color. What you might not realize is that I (pretty obsessively) stick to brands that are "5 Free". 

I started out doing this at the recommendation of a nail tech because I wanted to get my nails into tip top shape. After just one horrible encounter with an electric drill file my nails were left thin and damaged for almost five years. Needless to say, once I realized that sticking to cleaner ingredients didn't mean sacrificing my weekly polish change I was hooked. In addition to keeping my nails healthier, choosing polishes without the below harmful chemicals means I'm no longer willingly putting those chemicals on my body (which inevitably seep into my body). Win-win.

The Dirty

All nail polishes contain chemicals, but certain ones have been identified to be "toxic". These cleaner polishes have been deemed either "3 Free" or "5 Free". 

3 Free brands are formulated without: dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde. 

5 Free brands are formulated without: dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor.

Let's just say there's a reason these chemicals are labeled as toxic and we don't want to be coming into contact with them daily. There is a lot of scary information out there regarding these ingredients, but I'll spare you the gory details because by simply switching polish brands you avoid said chemicals.

Safer and Longer Lasting Manis

Making the switch might mean you have to bring your own polishes to the nail salon, but doing so is more hygienic and you'll have the color on hand to patch any chipping. Because over time your nails will become healthier in the absence of those harmful chemicals they will also be less likely to tear and break. You'll finally be able to grow them out!

Brands We Trust and Where to Buy

NCLA- www.shopncla.com

RGB- www.rgbcosmetics.com and Amazon

Mineral Fusion- www.mineralfusion.com and Whole Foods

Spa Ritual- www.sparitual.com and Amazon

Priti NYC- www.pritinyc.com

Deborah Lippmann- www.deborahlippmann.com and Bloomingdales and Sephora 

*Note: Deborah Lippmann has so many colors and is easily available, but I have found them to be slightly drying

Zoya- www.zoya.com

Chanel- www.chanel.com and your favorite department store

*Note Chanel recently quietly reformulated and is now 5 free!

We're looking forward to discovering new polish brands and colors and can't wait to share more of our favorites with you. Head over to Instagram to see what I'm wearing this week!

How to be the Best Dressed Wedding Guest This Season

There are certain fashion rules you must abide by as a wedding guest: Never upstage the bride. Never wear white. Don't show up underdressed. Don't dress too sexy. 

I must say, I'm not all that motivated by "Don'ts". Instead, I've come up with some fashion guidelines which are sure to make you the best dressed wedding guest at this season's festivities. 

Statement Shoes
No one will ever fault you for fabulous shoes, but you can be sure they'll be talking about them! Shoes are a nonthreatening way to elevate your look and stand out. I'm loving sexy strappy sandals this season. I love the Nunaked from Stuart Weitzman for neutrals, but am also coveting the below to spice things up.

Manolo Blahnik | Jimmy Choo | Sandro | SJP

Color!
Special occasions are a great excuse to step out of your color comfort zone. Personally I feel most comfortable in all black in my day to day life. It's easy and chic and I never feel underdressed wearing it. When it comes to buying an occasion dress you can make the dress your statement and keep the accessories simple. When selecting a colorful dress I make sure to pay attention to fit, fabric, and construction. This is something worth the splurge because colored fabrics do not hide flaws as well as black.

Cushnie et Ochs | Zimmermann | L'Agence | Zimmermann

Complementary Jewelry
Jewelry is my passion, of course! I love the unexpected look of double Svelte Metals cuffs with a cocktail dress. I also love necklaces and earrings that feel special without overpowering the look.

Chloe | Jennie Kwon | Lulu Frost | Maiyet

Happy dressing! I would love for you to share your wedding style with me over on Instagram! You can find us @SvelteMetals.

Our #NYFW Picks for Fall '15

With all eyes on New York Fashion Week, we're feeling very inspired by Fall '15. Check out our favorite RTW looks below and the Svelte pieces we think complement the looks perfectly! 

3.1 Phillip Lim | BARTEL CUFF

Badgley Mischka | WELLS RING

Cushnie Et Ochs | MACON CUFF

Mixing Metals This Holiday Season with Svelte Metals x Wai Ming

We've team up with contemporary designer, Wai Ming, again! Emily's Brady Koplar's latest collection features perfect metallic pieces for those holiday parties (and beyond!). As you know, we love #MixingMetals and were stoked to see she styled the collection with Svelte for Wai Ming's lookbook yet again.

Diane Dress | Cobb Cuff | Lancaster Ring

Eva Jacket | Savita Skirt | Cobb Cuff

This season's metallic pieces pair perfectly with Svelte! So perfectly in fact, that we co-hosted an Instagram contest this month with Nichole Ciotti of Vanilla Extract. The winner received $200 to both collections to spend on a new holiday look. Our personal favorite combo is Emily's Ashley Skirt with a couple of stacked Crawford Cuffs.

We also adore how Nichole styled the Emma Top with our Wells ring, Chamberlain ring, Hoxton ring, Jackson ring, and Cobb cuffs. 

Happy Holidays from Svelte!

Svelte Street Style: September '14 Roundup

After watching the new My Burberry campaign on repeat two things are very clear. Firstly, we're convinced that there has never been a hotter duo than Kate and Cara. Finally, we need a trench. Like yesterday. 

This month, we're excited to share with you looks from our favorite bloggers in none other than trench coats and Svelte jewelry. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!

The Chriselle Factor: Double Macon Cuffs

With Love From Kat: Lancaster Ring

Vanilla Extract: Nova Cuffs | Lancaster Ring | Lancaster II Ring | Cobb Cuff | Wells Ring

Eat Sleep Wear: Nova Cuff

Peace Love Shea x Steve Madden

Ready to refresh your shoe-game for fall? Look no further than the newly launched collection from Peace Love Shea x Steve Madden! We are so excited to see Shea pairing multiple cuffs from Svelte in the campaign along with the shoes she designed exclusively for the collection. Check out the looks below!

Double Tifton Cuffs | Macon Cuff

Double Tifton Cuffs

Double Tifton Cuffs

Bartel Cuff 

Want to get your hands on the collection? Better move fast, many of the styles are selling out!

Introducing the Lancaster II

We're so excited to officially unveil the new Lancaster II! The two-tier ring is the perfect companion to the Lancaster; it can be stacked on top or beside it (as shown in the below video by our fab friend, Nichole Ciotti of Vanilla Extract). 

As always, we love seeing how you style your Svelte! Don't forget to tag #SvelteMetals for a chance to be featured across our social channels @SvelteMetals.