Hockey Team Manicures: Chrome Girl NHL Nail Polish

Nail art is not easy and although DIY team manicures sound awesome in theory, they're extremely difficult to pull off without a professional nail tech. That's why convenient kits like Chrome Girl's new NHL Nail Polish collections are a necessity for manicure-loving sports fans. Just pick your favorite hockey team and all the official colors you need are literally right at your fingertips.

5 Things Auburn Fans Can Do Today to Prepare for Tonight's BCS National Championship Game

It's the most important day in college football because by this time tomorrow, a new national champion will be crowned. With their teams in the spotlight, FSU and Auburn fans have a little extra stress in advance of tonight's 2014 BCS National Championship game, especially coming off the busy holiday season. Since The Style Ref already tackled Championship Style for the Seminoles, it's the Tigers' turn to get a little helpful advice.

College Gameday Nails: University Nail Pax

College football season is only weeks away, so if you're looking to jump start your team spirit, a new manicure might be just what you need. University Nail Pax offers custom-designed nail foils for collegiate fans that seem too good to be true - no mess, no fuss and no nail tech required.

2012 TSR Rankings: The Year's Best in Fan Fashion & Style

You might have heard of the BCS Rankings, but those won't mean much come 2014, so here's a brand new list to dissect and debate: The 2012 TSR Rankings. This one has nothing to do with teams or records; it's all about the best in fan fashion and style in 2012. If you've been reading The Style Ref this year, you can probably guess a few favorites that made the list, but don't let that spoil the fun! In the spirit of New Year's Eve, let's take a look back at the big winners of 2012 as we look forward to 2013...

1. Team Dresses 

2. Nail Art

3. Fan Footwear

4. Go Team USA

5. Fan Jewelry

6. Olympic Gold Style

7. Fact: Women = 45% of NFL Fans

8. Change is Good

9. Vintage is Always In

10. Shrink It and Pink It is So Over

Do you think the 2012 TSR Rankings got it right?

XO & Happy New Year,

The Style Ref

A Little Sparkle for the Season

In a landslide victory, nail polish wins the award for standout fashion accessory of 2012 with more colors, textures and designs than ever before. For stylish sports fans, nail polish is yet another way to express your team pride on game day and every day. With the holiday season upon us, everything seems to have an extra touch of glitter and sparkle, so why not add a little bling to your nails, too?

Both TSR-tested and approved, the Maybelline New York Color Show Sequins limited edition collection is the answer to achieving a glittering manicure. Select from eight luminous shades to match your favorite team, including Ruby Rhinestones, Lavender Sparks, Silver Gleam, Gold’s Night Out, Sea-Quins, Rose Bling, Sapphire Masquerade and Cocktail Dress, for a glamorous look that can take you straight from the game to a holiday party in style.

Check out TSR's manicure using Maybelline New York Color Show Sequins in Ruby Rhinestones (perfect for Alabama Crimson Tide, Miami Heat or Atlanta Falcons fans):

TSR applied three coats of polish, but you can add more or less to adjust to your desired amount of sparkle. Pick up a bottle or two in your favorite team's colors and send TSR a picture of your glittering manicure!

Are you going to try this nail polish?

XO,

The Style Ref

Gold Medal Manicures

You may have noticed some of your favorite Olympic athletes sporting some seriously fashionable nails in London and wondered whether that was some freak coincidence. Nail art is certainly the top beauty trend of 2012, so much so that it found its way to the world's premier sporting event where manicures would usually be the furthest thing from people's minds. Olympians competing in sports from archery to weightlifting are getting noticed for more than their athleticism. Instead of asking, "How did they do that?" everyone is wondering, "Who did their nails?"

For London 2012, London-based nail artist Sophy Robson teamed up with P&G to provide competing athletes with nail services at the Olympic Village in Stratford. Robson and her team of nail artists, collectively known as NailPorn, have become an overnight success, performing 10-15 manicures per person, per day at the Olympics. With 207 different nail designs to choose from, the nail techs report that the majority of athletes choose to have their national flag painted on their nails.

Canadian Soccer Player Robyn Gayle, right, gets her nails done
at the Athletes’ Village at the Olympic Park in London.

Robson's work has made the rounds at the Olympics as world-class athletes compete with manicures worthy of a gold medal. Check out some photos of 2012 Olympians and their patriotic polish:

British Swimmer Rebecca Adlington

British Archer Amy Oliver

French Basketball Player Emmeline Ndongue

USA Swimmer Missy Franklin

German Cyclist Kristina Vogel

Colombian Swimmer Carolina Colorado Henao

USA Tennis Star Venus Williams

Mexican Archer Aida Roman

Lithuanian Swimmer Ruta Meilulyte

Japanese Badminton Player Reiko Shiota

Mexican Weightlifter Luz Mercedes

Which Olympian's nails are your favorite?

XO,

The Style Ref

Make Your Nails Cheer for Team USA

There are only two days left to go until the London 2012 Summer Olympics, but there's still plenty of time to get your nails prepped and pretty in honor of Team USA. Nail art is a popular trend and the Internet is abuzz with inspiring ideas for displaying your red, white and blue using polish, stickers, sparkles and a little imagination. TSR gathered the top Team USA manicures to take your patriotism to the next level, so browse these designs and get your nails ready to shine in time for the Opening Ceremony!

Need some no-fail nail color in just the right shade of American red, white and blue? Try OPI Nail Polish ($7) in Blue My Mind, Big Apple Red and Alpine Snow.

If you try one of these designs or come up with your own, be sure to share your Team USA manicure with TSR on Facebook or Twitter!

XO,

The Style Ref

Read My...Nails?

Nail art is a hot trend, especially when the weather warms up and our fingers and toes can finally come out and play together. Do a quick Google search and you'll see endless nail designs in every color of the rainbow, some so intricate it's hard to believe something that perfect could fit on such a small space.

Sports fans are getting in on the action, too, with eye-catching nail art that does all the talking. So the next time someone asks, "Who are you rooting for?" or "What's your favorite sport?" you can let your nails answer for you.

Here are some of TSR's favorite sports-themed nail designs from around the Web:

Football Nails

LSU Tigers Nails

Basketball Nails

New Orleans Saints Nails

L.A. Lakers Nails

Baseball Nails

Vancouver Canucks Nails

New England Patriots Nails

World Cup Soccer Nails

Tennis Nails

Detroit Tigers Nails

Montreal Canadiens Nails

Japan Soccer Nails

Tennis Nails

Summer Sports Nails

If you're brave enough to attempt any of these designs, make sure to pick up the right polish in your team's colors. Luckily, there are NCAA, NFL and MLB team-specific sets available to ensure you're representing in the right hues.

Houston Texans NFL Nail Polish Set

University of Virginia Game Day Girls! Nail Color Set

Colorado Rockies MLB Two-Pack Team Colored Nail Polish

Are you going to recreate any of these designs on your nails? Give it a try and share a picture with TSR!

XO,

The Style Ref