Tuesday, October 30, 2012

NOTD: nails inc. Special Effects Sprinkles Nail Polish in Pudding Lane

nails inc. Special Effects Sprinkles Nail Polish in Pudding Lane
teal with navy and gold sprinkles

I just couldn't crop the cupcake out of the picture! So cute. I am still loving these Sprinkles shades. Note that I did need 3 coats on this one to get complete coverage of the teal base.

Details
Brand/Name:  nails inc. Special Effects Sprinkles Nail Polish in Pudding Lane

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 3 coats color topped with 1 coat of Gelous and 1 coat of NYC Grand Central Station

Price: $9.50

Purchased from:  www.sephora.com

Collection: The Special Effects Sprinkles Nail Polish collection was released in Summer 2012 and includes:
  • Sugar House Lane (pastel grey with monocrome sprinkles)
  • Sweets Way (listed as Sweets "Away" on Sephora's site - white with pastel blue, pink, and silver sprinkles)
  • Puddling Lane (teal with navy and gold sprinkles)
  • Topping Lane (pink with cerise, silver and purple sprinkles)

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Monday, October 29, 2012

NOTD: Elle Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Dancing Queen

Elle Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Dancing Queen

Can you see the pink and turquoise shimmers on my pointer finger? Gorgeous! Click on the pic and you can see it better. Shades of gray seem to be all the rage this fall, either because of, or in spite of, summer's hottest read.

Elle Cosmetics is a new brand to me. It's sold exclusively at Kohl's for $10. I got great application and wear in just two coats. Very impressed.

Have you tried this brand? Other colors I need to try?

Disclosure: This polish was sent to me for review purposes.

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Friday, October 26, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Roguish Red topped with Glitter Goblin

China Glaze Roguish Red (3 coats)
topped with China Glaze Glitter Goblin (2 coats)

Both Roguish Red and Glitter Goblin are from China Glaze's Wicked Collection for Halloween 2012. I thought that Glitter Goblin would look great over Roguish Red, and it did! Note that it's a very hungry glitter- I did two coats of Gelous to help smooth it out.

I tried quite hard, but wasn't able to capture fully the holo glitter. It is so pretty and glows when the light hits it just right.


Details

Brand/Name: China Glaze Roguish Red topped with Glitter Goblin

CollectionWicked Collection for Halloween 2012

Retail price: The set of four shades that I purchased at Sally's is priced at $9.99, $8.99 for Club Members

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NOTD: China Glaze Roguish Red

China Glaze Roguish Red

Roguish Red is from China Glaze's Wicked Collection for Halloween 2012. I picked up a set of four from the collection at Sally's recently, and tried this one after Bizarre Blurple. My brush was a bit wonky, but it didn't really cause too much of a problem. This shade applied nicely and was almost opaque at 2 coats, but I added a third to cover the visible nail line. It leans a bit orange on me.


Details

Brand/Name: China Glaze Roguish Red

CollectionWicked Collection for Halloween 2012

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 3 coats color topped with 1 coat NYC Grand Central Station

Retail price: The set of four shades that I purchased at Sally's is priced at $9.99, $8.99 for Club Members

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Swatches: Orly Naughty or Nice Part 2

Part 2? you ask........ It's been so long since I did part 1, I know! September 7th. Oh well, here are the last three and I'll go ahead and show the first three I did here as well.



 Orly Angel Eyes
3 coats

I think this would make a good layering glitter. Coverage was pretty good at three coats, but you can see, especially on my pinkie, that coverage at the tips was sparse.

 Orly Halo
3 coats.

Again, I think this would make a good layering glitter.

Orly Miss Conduct
2 coats

HOLD THE PHONE! This is GORGEOUS and there is holo glitter in there and application is divine. An instant favorite. If I had a Top 20, it would be on there!

Devil May Care

(I am embarrassed to say I forget whether I did 2 or 3 coats but I am leaning towards 2...... either way, coverage is pretty good and I don't think you need to layer this over a solid red.)

Torrid
2 coats

This is definitely more red than the promo pic makes it appear.

Unlawful
2 coats

Details

Purchased From: www.transdesign.com ($25.50 for the set of 6)

Collection: All are from Orly's Naughty or Nice collection for Holiday 2012. The collection includes:
  • Angel Eyes
  • Devil May Care
  • Halo
  • Miss Conduct
  • Torrid
  • Unlawful

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Swatches: Halloween Sally Hansen Real Nail Polish Strips

Have you seen the new 2012 Halloween prints for the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips? They are SO cute! Today I've got two of the prints to show you and will have the other two I have to show you in the next few days.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips
 Batty For You

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips
How Corny

I always get better results and find the lighter background prints to be easiest to apply, so How Corny is my favorite of the two shown above. I liked Batty For You as well, but the darker background prints require a little more patience since it really shows if you don't get perfect application on the tips. I think I did a good job, but I spent a bit more time with Batty For You than I did with How Corny. Both are so fun and I got quite a few "How cute!" comments when people saw my nails.


THINK: Quick color, shine and design.

WHAT IT IS: No dry-time, nail polish strips for instant glam. For years you’ve looked to Sally Hansen for the best in nail color. Now, the color authority delivers trend-setting nails thatthink outside of the bottleNew Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips offer DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde Free, no dry-time nail looks for style that lasts up to ten days. This easy and affordable at-home nail technology puts bold color, high- shine, and intricate design at your fingertips—just peel, apply, file, and go.

Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate. Choose from three statement-making collections:

These Halloween nail strips are the easiest way to get in the holiday spirit or just accessorize your fall looks with something fun and edgy!

THE PATTERNS: Numbskull, Spun For You, Batty For You, How Corny, Patch-O-Lanterns



WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99.

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Disclosure: These nail polish strips were provided for review purposes.

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Monday, October 22, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Bizarre Blurple

China Glaze Bizarre Blurple

Bizarre Blurple is from China Glaze's Wicked Collection for Halloween 2012. I picked up a set of four from the collection at Sally's recently, and this was the first one I tried. It is absolutely gorgeous and I got several comments on what a cool color it is.

I love that the name reflects exactly what the color is- a combination of blue and purple.


Details

Brand/Name: China Glaze Bizarre Blurple

CollectionWicked Collection for Halloween 2012

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 2 coats color topped with 1 coat NYC Grand Central Station

Retail price: The set of four shades that I purchased at Sally's is priced at $9.99, $8.99 for Club Members

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Friday, October 19, 2012

NOTD: nails inc. the thames topped with Pop Culture Cosmetics Supernatural

nails inc. the thames (2 coats)
topped with Pop Culture Cosmetics Supernatural (1 coat)

Denise from Pop Culture Cosmetics sent me some of her gorgeous glitters to try, and after I put on the thames I realized that Pop Culture Cosmetics Supernatural would be a great addition.

I used a dabbing method to get the glitter place, and I love how it turned out.

Here's Denise's description of Supernatural:

Supernatural is very hard to see in pictures, it is very complex. The base is a translucent black jelly polish, but when the light hits it it can appear to take on a purple, turquoise or green shimmer/tone to it. It is super sparkly and full of glitters in several colors, shapes and sizes.

All of the polishes from Pop Culture Cosmetics are 3-free....they do not contain Toluene, Formaldehyde or Dibutyl Phthalate.

Disclosure: Both shades in this post were provided for review purposes.

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

nails inc. the thames

nails inc. the thames

(By the way, do we capitalize nails inc. names or not???? They are not capitalized on the bottles..... let me know if you know!)

Forget the translucent nude polish, ombre style or wild designs of summer… This fall, nail art is simple, bold and mysteriously dark. Models on the fall runways flaunted the smoky nail trend while September’s blockbuster magazines have the sultry look splashed across their beauty pages.
 
Shades ranging from gunmetal to metallic set the tone for this season’s modern monochromatic story. Those with fairer skin should go for steely tones, while those with darker complexions will want to choose paler versions.
 
I really like this shade! Coverage was absolutely PERFECT in two coats, and a dream to apply. I continue to be impressed by nails inc. even if I'm unsure about the proper way to write the product names!

I got several comments on how this was a very on-trend shade. In fact, the nurse at urgent care last night loved it. (Yes, I've got a lovely sinus infections. However, a bonus of being in bed all day was catching up on my DVR!)

Price: $9.50 each, Available at Sephora and on Sephora.com
 
Disclosure: This shade was provided for review purposes.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Two shades from the L'Oreal Project Runway collection

This fall, L'Oreal launched a line of Project Runway-branded makeup, which included 8 shades of nail polish. (You can see the full collection here.) Walgreen's was having a nice sale a few weeks ago, so I picked up two shades that caught my eye.

 L'Oreal the queen's might
3 coats

The formula on this one was nice and even, although it's a bit sheet and you can still see a visible nail line even after 3 coats. There's some silver veining in the bottle that doesn't translate to the nail.

L'Oreal the mystic's fortune
2 coats

The formula on this one was somewhat lacking- after one coat it was a streaky mess but luckily a second coat evened it out just fine. In the bottle you can see some small pink and aqua shimmers, but they don't really show once applied.

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

Giveaway for BCA Month: Stila Positively Pink Set

I recently received Stila's Positively Pink Cheek Palette to review and I've been wearing it pretty much everyday! It's a gorgeous pink with lighter pink embossed BCA ribbons in it that give the powder the slightest glow. Note that it's definitely not glittery!

I'm excited to say that I also have one to giveaway- and it's in a cute set with a Lip Glaze as well.



Stila Positively Pink Cheek Palette
This multi-colored pressed powder blush has a luxe, velvety finish and embossed pink ribbons for a positively glowing flush. For each purchase, $1 of proceeds will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Price: $16, Available in October 2012 at www.stilacosmetics.com

Stila Positively Pink Set
This collectible, multi-colored, pressed powder comes paired with a Stila Lip Glaze to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For each purchase, $1 of proceeds will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Price: $18, Available in October 2012 at www.stilacosmetics.com


a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck and thanks for entering!  

Disclosure: These products were provided to Sasha for review purposes.

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Saturday, October 13, 2012

Swatches: Pop Culture Cosmetics Disintegration Collection

Denise from Pop Culture Cosmetics was nice enough to send me some of her indie creations to swatch. I was excited to see that she had a collection based on songs by The Cure. These three shades, from the Transforming and Magical section of her store, are from the Disintegration Collection and are all one coat of her polish over plain black.

Pop Culture Cosmetics Just Like Heaven

Pop Culture Cosmetics Last Dance

Pop Culture Cosmetics Lovesong

I think these are just gorgeous and were so so easy to apply. Denise sent me a few of her glitters as well, and I am excited to give them a try too!


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Friday, October 5, 2012

NOTD: L'Oreal Eiffel For You topped with Silver Sparkle

L'Oreal Eiffel For You 
topped with Silver Sparkle

bottle shot 
L'Oreal Eiffel For You

bottle shot
L'Oreal Silver Sparkle

 I based this mani on an Emmy mani that L’Oréal Paris Consulting Nail Expert Tom Bachik created for Ashley Judd. 

First, Tom applied a deep taupe violet color, Colour Riche Nail in Eiffel For You, as the base color. Then, he gilded the tips with a chunky silver sparkle, Colour Riche Nail Diamond Collection in Sparklicious (he only gilded the tip vs. a full on French manicure for a long slender look).

I had received Eiffel For You to review, and I already have a similar sparkle shade, Silver Sparkle, in my collection, so I decided to add that on top.

It's quite rainy and gloomy here, so I wasn't able to get my typical sunlight shot, but I think the overcast lighting really lets you see the different colors of glitter in Silver Sparkle. It's really gorgeous and eye-catching. The finish is also super-smooth after just one coat of topcoat.


Details

Brand/Name: L'Oreal Eiffel For You topped with L'Oreal Silver Sparkle

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 2 coats color topped with 1 coat of glitter topped with 1 coat NYC Grand Central Station

Source: Eiffel For You was provided for review purposes, and Silver Sparkle was purchased by me for my collection from CVS in the spring

Retail price: L'Oreal polish retails for approximately $4.99 at drugstores

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Hollywood If I Could

China Glaze Cherry Crystal
accented with
Sephora by OPI Hollywood If I Could


macro shot

Last week I was trolling Sephora and ran across some new shades and Hollywood If I Could looked interesting so I ordered it. It's described as "clear with pink/purple/blue tinsel glitter".

To me, the bar glitter is just reflective.... so it's going to show lots of colors depending on the light. In indoor light, it tends to look more green and yellow, and outdoors in the evening light you can see gold, some green, and a bit of pink and blue. Regardless, it's pretty!

It appears that it's part of the Tinsel Town Collection, although there's not really good information on Sephora's website showing exactly what is included in this collection. Part of it looks to be re-promotes, because the Tinsel Town Eight Piece Set contains shades that don't appear to be new: 

- Mr. Right Now (opaque classic wine) - repromote
- Merry Me (opaque red with micro red glitter) -repromote
- Keep Me On My Mistletoes (opaque champagne gold with fine glitter) -repromote
- Bare To Be Different (sheer warm ecru) -repromote
- Chamomile-ion to One (sheer pink beige with fine gold glitter) -possibly new?
- Thyme For a Mani (opaque light khaki) - possibly new? could be from Spice Market collection
- Mash-Up (opaque metallic green purple duo chrome) - repromote from Glee Collection
- If You've Got It , Haunt It (opaque black with chunky glitter) -repromote from Halloween 2010

However, you can sometimes find the newest shades by looking at the first or last shades in their listing of all colors. I found these eight shades which appear to be new, and do go along with the Tinsel Town movie-type theme.

Ruby Without A Cause - opaque chrome wine-burgundy with two tone effect
What Film Noir You In? - opaque metallic rich deep magenta with fine shimmer
Here's Lilac In' At You, Kid - opaque chrome blue-violet with two tone effect
Is She For Reel? - opaque smoky grey with fine silver & gold iridescent glitter
The Golden Age - clear with chunky & fine gold/silver glitter
Light, Glammer A, Action! - clear with chunky & fine gold/silver/teal glitter 
Mauve-ie Star In The Making - Clear with chunky & fine pink/purple/gold glitter
Come To Paparazzi - clear with chunky & fine gold/orange/black glitter
Hollywood If I Could - clear with pink/purple/blue tinsel glitter

So here's my question... why aren't the NEW shades in the eight piece mini set????? So very strange Suzi! You are making this too much work! You need a new marketing rep at Sephora!

Details

Brand/Nameaccent nail- Sephora by OPI Hollywood If I Could

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 2 coats topped with NYC Grand Central Station

Purchase info: $9.50 from Sephora.com

More info: from Fall 2012's Tinsel Town Collection

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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Cherry Crystal

China Glaze Cherry Crystal

Somehow this very very old China Glaze was in my un-trieds! This is so old, I know I bought it either during college or very soon after I finished. For reference, I graduated from college in the mid-90s.

Unbelievable, this didn't even need any thinning! It was in great shape. I did find that it took a bit longer to dry than newer China Glaze shades dry. I went to bed about 30 minute after painting my nails, which is normally not a problem, but I had slight sheet marks on them when I woke up this morning, so I added another coat to cover them.


Here's a pic of the price label still on it. I forgot how to read Beautyco labels... does the 99300 mean that it was 1999? Could be I suppose.


Details

Brand/Name: China Glaze Cherry Crystal

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 3 coats topped with NYC Grand Central Station (would have been fine with two, but I added a second to cover slight sheet marks)

Purchase info: Looks like I purchased it for $5.99 from Beautyco in the 90s!

More info: Cherry Crystal is still available as part of China Glaze's core line

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