Monday, April 30, 2012

NOTD Sally Hansen Smooth & Perfect Color + Care in Air

Sally Hansen Smooth & Perfect Color + Care in Air

I was recently sent some shades from the Smooth & Perfect Color + Care line to try, and after Sorbet I chose Air to try next. I think Air is gorgeous I really like the way it looks with my skintone. Two people actually stopped me yesterday and asked what color nail polish I was wearing.

For this mani, I did a base of CND Stickey, 3 coats of color and topped it with Seche Vite. I am on day 3 and it still looked fabulous.

The shades in this line retail for about $5.50.

THINK: Let your nails breathe


WHAT IT IS: Creamy color and porcelain-smooth perfection in one beautiful polish. The latest trend to hit your fingertips. Nearly naked, barely-there color with plenty of shine. The ultimate in understated elegance, sheer shades and healthy even shine work for every occasion. That’s why Sally Hansen created a chic collection of nude nail polishes that marries the two, Smooth and Perfect Color + Care, the ultimate fusion of perfecting polish and beautifying care.

Designed to hide ridges and imperfections, the uniquely breathable formula promotes stronger, healthier looking nails with a patented technology that allows for up to 20% more oxygen to reach the nail. The result? Ridges and imperfections are virtually erased and nails are left looking smooth, shiny and porcelain perfect.

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

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

NOTD: Diamond Cosmetics Amethyst & Diamonds

 Diamond Cosmetics Amethyst & Diamonds

How pretty is this? It's a beautiful sunny day and I couldn't resist putting on a shade with multi-colored shimmers that I knew would come alive in the sun.

I've had this one for a few years, but it looks like it's still available for $2.75 on the Diamond Cosmetics website.

The above swatch is two coats and is perfectly smooth with one coat of Seche Vite.

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Fur-Ocious Vocals

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips ... $8.99
In with this fun print!!
Super easy to apply, these nail polish stickers went on smoothly and quickly. Total manicure time took about 20 minutes, although I am a newbie at this. I was never interested in purchasing these strips because a) the price is a little steep in my opinion, and b) I never found a print that I adored enough, or couldn't re-create with polishes I already own.
I was at Walgreens last night and the box was whispering at me from a distance. Flashes of my current fave color and current animal print of choice sealed the deal on the purchase. This style is called Fur-ocious Vocals and is supposed to last up to 10 days. I applied a top coat to add a little extra protection, as I have had friends say this little trick helps the wearability last longer.
The kit comes with everything you need to accomplish your designer manicure, including easy-to-follow instructions. Coupons circulate every now and then and are definitely recommended to help with the $8 to $9 price tag.
Have you tried Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Polish Strips?

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

NOTD: Sephora + Pantone Universe Tangerine Tango Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Tangerine Tango Creme
two coats

Today I am wearing the creme shade from Sephora's Color of the Year Nail Enamel Set ($24).

And I think it's gorgeous! I have always loved colors like this on us warm-skinned gals and was excited to see this shade named as Color of the Year. There is a bit of visible nail line, but I wasn't bothered by it enough to do a third coat (check in: Lazy Party of One!).

Hopefully the sun will stick around this week and I can get swatches of the other shades.

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Swatches: OPI NYC Ballet Soft Shades Collection

After I saw several bloggers post PR swatches of the OPI Ballet Collection last month, I was obsessed with getting it for myself. They were so light and pretty, and jellies! I was especially excited about the grey.

But after trying them for myself, I wonder, were the PR samples thicker than the bottles sent to the general market? I did three coats of all, leaning towards medium to thick coats as I have read suggested, and still have some areas of uneven color and streakiness and definite visible nail line. Who has time and patience for 4 coats? For me, the more coats I apply, the more likely it is to peel.

As I said, all swatches below are three coats of color, and I topped alternating fingers with one coat of the glitter topcoat from the collection called Pirouette My Whistle.

And don't think I am not pleased with these- I still they think are quite pretty, and especially love the effect the top coats gives, and the grey is definitely my favorite. I just wasn't able to duplicate the opaqueness that bloggers with PR samples had in their three-coat swatches.

 Barre My Soul

Care to Danse?

 Don't Touch My Tutu!

 My Pointe Exactly

You Callin' Me a Lyre?

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose, this collection was purchased by Sasha.

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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sally Hansen Gem Crush Swatches

We've been having lots of overcast days lately, which is not great for a nail blogger who likes to take swatch shots outside!

But yesterday the sun was out after I got home from work, so I got out some Gem Crush shades sent to me for review and got some quick swatches done.


Left to right, 2 coats each
Razzle Dazzler- light rose-toned pink with silver glitter
Be-Jeweled- light purple with pink glitter
Big Money- gold with light purple glitter
Showgirl Chic- silver with blue glitter

Although these are great on their own, I also think they are cool to use as a glitter coat on top of a coordinating shade.
Sally Hansen Gem Crush in Glitz Gal (2 coats)
over 1 coat of Orly Iron Butterfly

Sally Hansen Gem Crush in Cha-Ching! (2 coats)
over 1 coat of Sally Hansen Hard As Wraps in Heartbeat Cream

Sally Hansen Gem Crush in Lady Luck (2 coats)
over 2 coats Sephora by OPI It's My Pink

One thing to note is that these are very hungry glitters.... they eat topcoat, so I have found that adding a coat of Gelous before using Seche Vite really helps smooth them out.

Disclosure: These Gem Crush shades were sent to me for review purposes.

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Comparison: Avon vs. Chanel vs. Revlon- I'm Perplexed!

When I saw Avon's new Enchanted Spring collection, I ordered two shades, Illusion and Perplexed Purple. It didn't quite hit me that Perplexed Purple was a take on Chanel Paradoxal until I tried it.

Avon Perplexed Purple - Chanel Paradoxal - Revlon Perplex

It really depends on the light- I found that in some light they look more similar, although it's obvious that Avon's version has more purple. Definitely not a dupe, but pretty nonetheless.

Colors like this are hard to photograph- there are hidden shimmers and colors that only show up in certain angles and light.

Avon Perplexed Purple - Chanel Paradoxal - Revlon Perplex

Avon Perplexed Purple - Chanel Paradoxal - Revlon Perplex


Although they definitely aren't dupes, if you missed out on Paradoxal or Perplex, Perplexed Purple might just quench your thirst.

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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

NOTD: Avon Perplexed Purple

Avon Perplexed Purple

We've got rain rain rain here this morning, so no outside pic. Although this is a flash pic inside, it's pretty color-accurate.

With "Perplexed" in the name, I wondered if it was a version of Chanel Paradoxal or Revlon Perplexed. Tonight I'll try to pull mine out and see. From first glance at pictures I've taken of both for the blog, I'd say Avon's version is more purple at first glance, and similar, but not a full-on dupe.

And Avon has a great deal right now- 3 polishes for just $7.99 and they are also offering free shipping on just $10 with the code FSAPRIL. Also, going through ebates will get you 3% back.

So even if Avon's version is not quite a dupe, I'd imagine it's similar enough at just $2.66 to satisfy a craving for Chanel's $23 Paradoxal.

Disclosure: This post contains an ebates referral link.

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Monday, April 2, 2012

NOTD: Avon Illusion

 Avon Illusion

This one was a bit hard to photograph- there is a gorgeous purple shimmer that shows up in sunlight.... and I think I caught it a bit. But it's just gorgeous in person. The above swatch is three coats.

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