From Rihanna and Dita Von Teese to the models at New York Fashion Week, the half-moon manicure is a favorite amongst the stars. And with endless (and eye-catching) color combos, it’s easy to see why. Create your own with these quick and easy steps, below.

What you’ll need:
• Two nail colors (I chose butter LONDON’s The Full Monty and essie’s Bahama Mama)
• Three-ring binder reinforcement stickers
• Scissors
• Clear top coat

The how-to:
1. Paint two coats on your nails with the color you want for the base. This will be the color of the half moon.
2. After your nails are completely dry, place the reinforcement stickers as far above your cuticles as you would like. (Tip: cut slits in the reinforcement stickers so they lie flat on your nails.)
3. With your second color, paint two coats on the top half of your nail.
4. Once the polish dries, peel off the reinforcement stickers from right to left. Doing this will keep the edges looking clean and prevent the nail polish from bleeding.
5. Finish with a clear top coat.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Did you attempt the half-moon mani? Give us your tips in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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From velvet minidresses (1990s-inspired, of course) to velvet leggings (in a bevy of hues), this rich fabric is on my holiday must list. But even if you’re not quite ready to go all-out with velvet, it’s easy to incorporate this plush, seasonal fabric in a subtler way – just check out the Ciaté “Berry Poncho” manicure below.

The polish is available at Sephora and includes step-by-step directions. But, if you ask me, this tutorial on Ciaté’s website is even better.

A few tips:

1. Paint each nail with two coats of polish. Immediately after adding the second coat, powder on the
velvet – it will hold to the polish much longer.
2. Put some velvet powder in the “catch-all” tray provided and roll each nail in it, making sure to coat the nail completely.
3. Place some paper towels underneath your manicure station, because that velvet dust will wander.
4. DO NOT DO YOUR MANI NEAR A FAN! (See wandering velvet dust, above.)
5. Get used to friends asking to pet your nails – it’s going to happen more than you’d think.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

What’s your go-to holiday manicure? Share it in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.