March 14, 2013

Nail Artist Leeanne Colley

DEBORAH FULSANG chats with go-to runway nail artist Leeanne Colley of Tips Nail Bar in Toronto about her favourite scents, from Jello to Womanity.

QUESTION: What is the first fragrance you ever wore and why did you choose it?
COLLEY: Exclamation! “Make a statement without saying a word.” I’d have to say the commercials and the fact that it was extremely inexpensive. I’d douse myself with it—probably went though a bottle a week.

QUESTION: What fragrance are you wearing now and how long have you been wearing it?
COLLEY: I have a few fragrances I use now but I’d have to say that my favorite would be Womanity by Thierry Mugler. I’m on year two of wearing it and I can’t seem to move on. A full bottle lasts me a little under a year and I usually leave the empty one sitting in very obvious place for gift ideas.

QUESTION: How important is fragrance in your life?
COLLEY: Very important. Fragrance is your signature and being complimented on it is a bonus.

QUESTION: How many fragrances do you own and how many do you regularly wear?
COLLEY: I own about 10 fragrances but I am stuck on the same one so the others sit there lonely.

QUESTION: What does your home smell like?
COLLEY: I am a plug-in maniac but it’s hard to make everyone in the house happy. My son really dislikes anything with sandalwood and my husband can’t stand florals. Ones that work are fresh cotton or ocean breeze.

QUESTION: If you could bottle something from nature, what would it be?
COLLEY: If I could bottle autumn, my life would be complete. There is nothing like the smell of leaves changing. It is almost a sweet smell. It reminds me of class trips as a child to Pioneer Village when we collected maple syrup.

QUESTION: What is your favourite fragrance or scent memory from when you were a child?
COLLEY: I loved the smell of powdered Jello. Anytime I make Jello it takes me back. We used to eat it straight out of the box.

QUESTION: The smell of nail polish: love it or hate it and why?
COLLEY: I’ve always loved the smell of nail polish. Some are definitely stronger than others, however I am so used to it now that I don’t actually smell it anymore.

QUESTION: If you could change the smell of nail polish to any other scent, what would it be?
COLLEY: Cotton candy would make me very happy.

QUESTION: What is the best-smelling city or place that you’ve visited? What did it smell like?
COLLEY: New York City around the holidays. The smell of roasting chestnuts.

QUESTION: Do you have a favourite scent memory that relates to your mother?
COLLEY: Applying Noxzema was my mom’s nightly ritual, because of this I actually love the scent of menthol.

QUESTION: How did your mother’s choice of fragrance influence you?
COLLEY: My mom was never a huge fragrance user. She usually stuck with the same fragrance, Elizabeth Arden Red Door, and wore it for years. I guess that influenced me in a way, since I stick with the same fragrance that I love.