The burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese is doing everything in her power to be recognized as a beauty authority: following a beauty bible and the announcement of a signature fragrance, Von Teese has released retro-inspired press-on nails.

Partnering with nail brand Kiss, her nail strips "offer a shortcut to obtaining the nail style that I have been wearing for the last 20 years," Dita says. "If you look very, very closely, the most glamorous and iconic portraits of the 1930s and 1940s show the half-moon manicure," a style that leaves the moon of the nail beds bare.

Nail strips, shunned until recently for their "drug store" image, are currently making a comeback, thanks to brands like Sally Hansen that have collaborated with designers as cutting-edge as Alexander Wang and are releasing press-on nails at the same time.

The Dita Von Teese Nail Set by Kiss costs US$10 and can be purchased at her shows as well as online. --AFP RELAXNEWS

Visit www.dita.net for more details.