September 2009's Best Beauty Products

Manicure Madness

A few (slightly odd) nail polish innovations recently landed on our desks. The first, Sula Paint & Peel (Crush; far right; and Blush; second from right; $9; SulaBeauty.com ), is just right for a wild night out—paint on two deep plum coats of Crush in the evening and then peel off the water-based formula before work the next morning, no polish remover needed. The second is OPI's new matte collection (La Paz-itively Hot, far left; $8.50 each; OPI.com), which offers six of its best-selling shades in a no-shine finish. We found Shrek-like Gargantuan Green Grape and whiteout Alpine Snow too weird for our taste, but darker shades, like You Don't Know Jacques! matte brown (second from left), have an almost classic look—an interesting diversion from the glossy berry shades you typically see in fall. If you want to mattify the polish shades you already own, Essie's new Matte About You Matte Finisher ($10; Essie.com), a clear topcoat, instantly deglosses any color. — Kate Sandoval