Wednesday, July 31, 2013

NOTD: a england Fated Prince

a england Fated Prince
2 coats

Description from a england: "The tempered steel of a hero's blade" - a mysterious grey base hue with deep olive undertones, throwing off valiant prismatic flashes to herald the arrival of a certain destiny

Here is the fourth shade from this collection that I have tried, and I love this one too! I think the holo in this one is the strongest so far. 

Although the first three shades I tried in this collection were almost opaque in one coat, Fated Prince definitely needs two coats. One coat is a bit streaky because this shade is a bit runnier. But a second coat makes it perfect, and look at that holo!

Details

Brand/Name: a england Fated Prince
Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 2 coats color topped with 1 coat of NYC Grand Central Station


Purchased from: Color4Nails- their new website should be up now but I ordered earlier in July by messaging them on Facebook

Collection: Fated Prince is part of the Burne-Jones Dream collection, released in June 2013, along with Briar Rose/ Sleeping Beauty, Rose Bower, Sleeping Palace, and Briarwood.

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Monday, July 29, 2013

NOTD: a england Briar Rose

 a england Briar Rose/ Sleeping Beauty
2 coats
Description from a england: a cranberry/scarlet base hue bearing a slight milky sheen and a gently ladylike prismatic demeanor, evidence of a still-beating heart.

This is the third shade from this collection that I have tried, and I love this one too! Basically, knowing that I will love the other two shades, I have to say that Adina really created something special with this collection.

Details

Brand/Name: a england Briar Rose/ Sleeping Beauty

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

Purchased from: Color4Nails- their new website should be up later today (7/29) but I ordered earlier in July by messaging them on Facebook

Collection: Briar Rose/ Sleeping Beauty is part of the Burne-Jones Dream collection, released in June 2013, along with Fated Prince, Rose Bower, Sleeping Palace, and Briarwood.



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Friday, July 26, 2013

NOTD: a england Rose Bower

a england Rose Bower
2 coats 


Yesterday I showed you a England's Sleeping Palace, and today I have another shade from the Burne-Jones Dream collection, and this one is which is full of holo-goodness too. I ordered these earlier this month from a england's newest US stockist, Color4Nails.

Rose Bower is a gorgeous red with a subtler holo effect than Sleeping Palace, but it still beautiful. The formula is fabulous and you might be able to get away with one coat if you are careful. I did two to make sure I got perfect coverage.



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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

NOTD: a england Sleeping Palace

a england Sleeping Palace
2 coats




This summer I started seeing so many bloggers swatching a england's new Burne-Jones Dream collection, which is full of holo-goodness. Each time I saw pictures, I wanted them more and more. But every US stockist was out of stock! I was so disappointed!

I had surgery on July 3rd and was home resting on the 4th while my family enjoyed a neighborhood BBQ. Of course I was trolling Facebook, and a england posted about a new US stockist, Color4Nails. And it just so happened that Color4Nails was having a Fourth of July sale! Although their website was not up yet, I was able to message them on Facebook and place my order that way. They sent me a Paypal invoice to pay from. I got all 5 in the collection for $44, which included shipping.

Color4Nails shipped my order almost immediately and I got it very fast. I was also impressed with the packaging- they did a great job protecting these beauties with bubble wrap.

But now back to Sleeping Palace..... it's just one of the most beautiful holos I have ever worn. Absolutely stunning. Plus perfect application! I did need two coats. I used NYC GCS as my topcoat and was pleased with how fast it dried.

Can't wait to wear the other 4 shades!

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Monday, July 22, 2013

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots in Pretty In Polka

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots in Pretty In Polka (1 coat)
over Sephora by OPI Access 24/7 (3 coats)

A few weeks ago, ALU did a post reviewing Maybelline's Polka Dots line and I was disappointed to see how sheer they were. But of course I still felt like I *needed* to buy at least one, so I settled on the pink Pretty in Polka.

Seeing just how sheer it was, I decided to use it on top of a similar pink shade, and Sephora by OPI Access 24/7 fit the bill perfectly- plus it was an untried so I got to knock one off that list.

I just used one coat of Pretty in Polka and felt like I easily got pretty darn good glitter coverage. One coat folks! For good measure I applied a coat of Gelous before I did my QDTC and it was pretty darn smooth. 

Have you tried any from the Polka Dots line?

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Friday, July 19, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Access 24/7

Sephora by OPI Access 24/7
3 coats
 
I recently purchased the pink Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots (Pretty in Polka) and when I saw ALU's swatch and saw just how sheer it was, I knew I wanted to do something underneath to get better coverage.
 
And in an effort to knock another polish off my un-tried list, I found Sephora by OPI Access 24/7 and thought that might work great.
 
Access 24/7 is somewhat sheer itself, but I found that with 3 coats I got pretty good coverage.
 
I really hate that this line was discontinued- these were some of my faves and this line definitely had one of my favorite brushes!

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Thursday, July 18, 2013

NOTD: OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

I'm a big fan of completing things, and realized this weekend that I never finished swatching the OPI Suedes. Russian Navy Suede is absolutely gorgeous and I can't believe I saved it for last, AND waited to long to wear it!

Here's a list of all the OPI Suede shades:
  • Here Today…Aragon Tomorrow Suede
  • Ink Suede
  • Lincoln Park After Dark Suede
  • Russian Navy Suede
  • Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees Suede
  • We'll Always Have Paris Suede
  • You Don't Know Jacques! Suede


All were released in Fall 2009 with the exception of Here Today...Aragon Tomorrow Suede, which was released in Fall 2010.  The "suede" finish followed the matte craze, and is more of a semi-matte effect, with added shimmer.

Although it was suggested that you not use base or topcoat, I have found that using an adhesive base coat and allowing it to dry completely (about 10 minutes) doesn't cause any adverse effects, and actually extends the wear a bit. Of course, using a topcoat totally changes the suede effect, but it is quite pretty.

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Saturday, July 13, 2013

Updated: Favorite Nail Products




I thought I'd update you a bit today and blog about my about my current favorite nail products. NYC Grand Central Station has officially replaced Seche Vite as my fast-dry top coat!

1. Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remover. To have a long-lasting mani, you've really got to prep your nails. Removing cuticle overgrowth is a key step. I apply this all around my cuticles, wait a bit (you can wait longer that it says), then use the thumbnail of my opposite hand to push back/scrape the cuticles. I typically do this twice. Find this at drug stores and mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.

2. Orly Bonder. This rubberized basecoat overrides any oily residue on your nails and gives your polish something to stick to, another secret of a long-lasting mani. Find this at Sally Beauty.

3. NYC Grand Central Station. This is my new HG topcoat... it works just as well as the pricy Seche Vite, but it's only $2! You know I love a bargain. Find this at drug stores and mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.

4. Poshe Cuticle Care.  Keeping your cuticles neat and free of hang-nails is another secret to making your manicure last longer. This product is fabulous and I massage this into my cuticles twice a day to prevent hangnails and prevent cuticle buildup. Find this at Ulta.

5. Nail Polish Remover Dip-It. I change my polish pretty often, and this little treasure makes it quick and easy. Inside this tub are plastic bristles that really help scrub the polish off. Find this at mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.

Photobucket

Now, if you are trying to remove a glitterbomb polish, that's another issue, and you'll need to visit this post on my nail blog to see the trick for that.

Do you have any nail products to recommend to me?

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Friday, July 12, 2013

NOTD: Chanel Taboo

Chanel Taboo
2 coats



The thing about $27 nail polish..... it's just got to be fabulous or you're kicking yourself for buying it.

Luckily, Taboo is a dream polish- applies wonderfully, in fact, almost perfectly. It's almost a one-coater too. I did use 2 coats because for some reason it's hard not to.

So glad I don't have to regret buying this one!

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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Skittles Mani: Wet n Wild Color Wave


A few weeks ago I spotted one of the Wet n Wild Color Wave mini sets at Walgreens and since it was only $3.99 I decided to purchase it. I have seen this one referred to as the "blue" set, although the shades lean more green to me.

I decided to do a skittles (or ombre) mani using all of the colors. Since they don't have names, I numbered them so we can discuss. Side note: #5 is the only sheer shade- all the rest are fine on their own. Since #5 was so sheer, I decided to use it as a topper for the white shade #1.


Thumb: 3 coats #6
Pointer Finger: 2 coats #4
Middle Finger: 2 coats #3
Ring Finger: 2 coats #2
Pinkie Finger: 2 coats #1 topped with 2 coats #5

Better, in focus shot of color of thumb

I'm actually pretty impressed with the set- especially for the price. The brushes were actually pretty nice and application was easy.

Have you purchased this Color Wave set or any of the others like it? I know there is a pink one too.



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Thursday, July 4, 2013

Another 4th of July mani

Sasha's 2012 4th of July manicure featuring nails inc.
red = st. james (classic blue red)
blue = baker street (cobalt blue)

I just remembered how much I loved last year's 4th of July mani. I got so many compliments on it and Baker Street had become so popular I just had to include it.

Each color required only 2 coats to get perfect coverage. I continue to be impressed with nails inc. Creams are usually hard for me to apply for some reason, but I had absolutely no problem with these.

nails inc shades are available at Sephora and retail for $9.50.

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

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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Happy 4th of July!

Pure Ice Siren with accent of Pure Ice Superstar! on ring finger (2 coats of each)
topped with Pure Ice Freedom (1 coat) 

I was recently contacted and asked if I would like to try some shades from Pure Ice's Stars & Stripes collection. How fun!


This glitter topper is great! I only needed one coat to get the great coverage you see above. Although I only got one star out, I still loved the look I ended up with. Note that Siren does stain your fingers a bit upon removal.

All Pure Ice nail enamels are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP and contain a patented salon long-wear formula for a look that will last. Retailing at only $1.99, these polishes are the perfect way to bring chic looks from the runway your way with out breaking the bank! Pure Ice nail enamels are available through www.pureicecosmetics.com and Walmart stores nationwide. 

For more information, please visit www.pureicecosmetics.com/ or follow OfficialPureIce on Facebook
Twitter (@OfficialPureIce) and Instagram. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #PureIce

Disclosure: The shades featured above were provided for review purposes.


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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

NOTD: OPI Suzi's Hungary Again!

OPI Suzi's Hungary Again!
3 coats 


Suzi's Hungary Again! is from OPI's Spring 2013 Euro Centrale Collection. It's a medium warm pink that I really like with my skintone. The slight shimmer that you see in the bottle isn't really apparent on the nails. I know some bloggers just did 2 coats of this one, but I felt I needed 3 to get complete even coverage.



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