Girly Summer Swap @ dot...dot...dot...

Hey Girls! I am hosting my very first swap over on my blog. If you wanna play along with us, please come take a peek and sign-up! Have a wonderful weekend!!

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NOTD: Sephora by OPI Caribbean Cocktail

Sephora by OPI Caribbean Cocktail

This shade is from the Havana Nights collection, and when I did a skittles mani of a few of the shades last week, this one stood out to me as a quick fave.

Isn't that pretty? I've been so busy lately that this is a two day old mani, three coats, topped with Seche Vite, of course!

Giveaway- Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure

The nail board has been going crazy lately with everyone looking for Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure- a really neat polish that adds a really cook flaky effect when used on top of other polishes. It's been very hard to find since the display only has spots for 2 of these. You can see Brooke's swatches here- gorgeous!

I found a lone bottle at Walgreen's last week, but haven't had a chance to try it.

I ran to WalMart just now to pick up something, and lo and behold, another bottle! So I picked it up to give away here on Manicure Mommas.

To enter: Tell me your absolute favorite nail polish ever. This rule is a must! This is your first entry.

For additional chances to win:

•Follow this blog (if you already do, that counts)...leave a separate comment telling me
•Tweet the following: Follow and RT to win @SashaSaysBlog is giving away SH Hidden Treasure! www.manicuremommas.com (leave a separate comment including your tweet link)
•Post about this contest on your own blog...leave a separate comment about your post

Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments!

Contest ends Friday, 5/28 at 10pm CST and is open to US residents only.

Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

Good luck!

NOTD: Nicole by OPI I Have a Plumb Thumb

Nicole by OPI I Have a Plumb Thumb

This was my first Nicole polish to try and I am so pleased with it! The above picture was taken on day 3 of the mani and it still looks good. If the word "Plumb" in the title is supposed to mean Plum, I am a bit confused as I found the polish to be more pink than purple....

This is two coats topped w/ Seche Vite. Application was good, smooth and even, and dried lightning fast with SV.

On another note, I am testing Instant Artificials as my basecoat and so far I am loving it. I had a crazy week last week and didn't get to paint my nails for a few days, but 2 coats of Instant Artificials made then nice and strong, and the clear polish didn't peel off as I find clear polish often does after a day or so. I went almost 5 days with my chipping/peeling of the polish.

Disclosure: This Nicole polish was provided to me by a PR firm for review purposes.

Sephora by OPI Havana Night Skittles

Outdoors, overcast, no flash

Outdoors, overcast, with flash

Left to right, from the Sephora by OPI Havana Nights collection

Havana Dreams (3 coats)
Caribbean Cocktail (3 coats)
Teal We Meet Again (2 coats)
Read My Palm (2 coats)

I am absolutely in love with this collection- I have two more shades to show you later. Right now I think Caribbean Cocktail is my favorite- how gorgeous is that shimmer?

The formula on these was nice- the only one I had problems with was Havana Dreams (light blue)- next time I may try it over a coat of white to see if that helps with the streakiness- and I think one more coat of the color might have solved the problem.

These retail for $9 each from Sephora.

NOTD: Essie Turquoise & Caicos

Essie Turquoise & Caicos

I want my Canon Rebel back! I cannot get a good pic with my P&S.....

This is the third shade I got from the new Essie Resort Collection. Of the three, this is my least favorite, although I do like it.

I had some application issues- this was a very sheer polish and was barely noticable after one coat. I applied two thicker coats over the first and still had some lighter spots, but I just didn't have time for four coats.

NOTD: Essie Splash of Grenadine

Essie Splash of Grenadine

Sadly, this shot is a little out of focus. I left my big camera at my parent's house, so I just had a smaller P&S.

But I do love this shade, which is part of Essie's Resort Collection. This is three coats topped with Seche Vite.

I didn't think the formula on this was quite as smooth as Lapis of Luxury, but it was nothing that bothered me- it was just a bit thicker, but not problematic.