Thursday, January 31, 2013

NOTD: OPI I Have a Herring Problem

I recently swatched OPI I Don't Give a Rotterdam, and so I thought I'd make my way thru the Holland Collection.

OPI I Have a Herring Problem

The above swatch is two coats. I definitely think I could have gotten better coverage with 3- see the patchy areas on my ring and middle finger? 

I Have a Herring Problem is the darker version of I Don't Give a Rotterdam. They are so similar, it's interesting that they are in the same collection. 

OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!

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Monday, January 28, 2013

NOTD: Color Club Harp On It

Color Club Harp On It

On Saturday I painted my nails with the other Club Club I have from the Halo Hues collection. And when the sun came out for a bit on Sunday, I rushed out to take a pic. And grabbed the wrong bottle for the shot. 

The bottle pictured above it Cherubic.

But the polish is 2 coats of Harp On It. Isn't it pretty? Again,these are no-fuss holos. No special base or buffer needed, no special topcoat needed either.

For comparison, here's my Cherubic shot.
Color Club Cherubic

Harp On It is definitely silver-based, and Cherubic is more gold. But they do look quite similar. Yes indeed.

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Saturday, January 26, 2013

NOTD: OPI The Impossible

Today I have another one of OPI's Liquid Sand shades to show you. One of OPI's latest innovations is "Liquid Sand", which is basically a matte, textured glitter meant to be worn without topcoat. There are four shades of liquid sand released as part of the Mariah Carey collection. I picked up the mini set at Ulta to check what I thought.


Macro shot of OPI The Impossible
3 coats

OPI The Impossible
3 coats, no topcoat


OPI The Impossible
3 coats color, 3 coats of Gelous and 1 coat NYC GSC added

left: no topcoat                         right: topcoat

Again, I wore this for a day before I added topcoat and it wore great. I absolutely loved it so much more with topcoat, it is gorgeous.

I do want to note that I do not think I got a single piece of star glitter in my bottle of The Impossible. Now, maybe that is because it's a mini bottle and there was just less of a chance of getting some in there? After I did all 10 fingers with 3 coats and didn't get one, I turned the bottle every which way and search to see if there was any in there and I did not find a single piece. A bit of a disappointment.

Overall, I really liked the Liquid Sand polishes. I love being able to change the look of my polish on the second day, and adding a topcoat is a fast and easy way to do that.

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Friday, January 25, 2013

PR info: China Glaze Avant Garden Collection

I received some PR info on China Glaze's Spring 2013 collection called Avant Garden. I am most excited about the coral shade called Mimosas Before Manis- it just screams Spring to me!


The delectable palette flows between soft hues and vibrant pops of color, offering an unconventional bouquet of cheerful and vivid shades. Take a stroll down the China Glaze® path, passing a bubbling brook of light and bright blues. Take in the view of the mossy green meadow and stop to enjoy the fragrant flowers of soft pink and white.  Let Avant Garden take you away to a playful, romantic field of color and innovation this Spring.  


The Blooming Brights colors are:
·         Budding Romance: moss green
·         Sunday Funday: bright blue
·         Fancy Pants: indigo with pink and purple shimmer
·         Snap My Dragon: bright red with pink shimmer
·         Passion for Petals: bright salmon-pink
·         Mimosas Before Manis: coral with a light wash of shimmer



The Pastel Petals colors are:

·         Life is Rosy: blushed mauve
·         Pink-ie Promise: iridescent baby pink
·         Tart-y for the Party: light lavender creme
·         Fade Into Hue: periwinkle creme
·         Keep Calm, Paint On: sea foam green
·         Dandy Lyin’ Around: shimmery vanilla icing

China Glaze® Avant Garden will be available March 2013. Individual shades retail for $7; 6-piece collections retail for $42.

China Glaze® is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze® nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze® on Facebook (@ChinaGlazeOfficlal), Twitter (@ChinaGlaze) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).


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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

NOTD: OPI Stay the Night

Today I have another one of OPI's Liquid Sand shades to show you. One of OPI's latest innovations is "Liquid Sand", which is basically a matte, textured glitter meant to be worn without topcoat. There are four shades of liquid sand released as part of the Mariah Carey collection. I picked up the mini set at Ulta to check what I thought.


Macro shot of Stay the Night (3 coats)

This is matte black with shiny pink glitter. Definitely my favorite of the set so far (I still have The Impossible left to swatch).

OPI Stay the Night
3 coats, no topcoat

I wore the shade with no topcoat for 24 hours and again got no chipping and minimal tipwear.

Stay the Night
with topcoat applied (3 coats of Gelous, 1 coat of NYC GCS)

I actually think I love it even more with topcoat- it's absolutely glowing!

left: no topcoat                         right: topcoat


This shade was a bit harder to remove, and I actually probably should have just used the foil or Reesa method. I used my scrubby tub and had to scrub quite a bit on each finger- it probably took me at least twice as long to remove as the purple and blues liquid sand shades did.

Come back tomorrow for swatches of The Impossible!

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

NOTD: OPI Get Your Number

Today I have another one of OPI's Liquid Sand shades to show you. As we discussed yesterday, one of OPI's latest innovations is "Liquid Sand", which is basically a matte, textured glitter meant to be worn without topcoat. There are four shades of liquid sand released as part of the Mariah Carey collection. I picked up the mini set at Ulta to check what I thought.



Macro shot of Get Your Number (3 coats)
 

OPI Get Your Number
3 coats, no topcoat

OPI Get Your Number
3 coats, no topcoat
 
As you can see from the blurry pic, there is some seriously gorgeous holo glitter in  there that is so so pretty in the sun.
 
This shade did need three coats to reach full opacity, especially at the tips. Again, I wore the shade with no topcoat for 24 hours and again got no chipping and minimal tipwear.
 
Get Your Number
with topcoat applied (3 coats of Gelous, 1 coat of NYC GCS)
 
 
I love this both ways- with and without topcoat. It's eye-catching.
 
left: no topcoat                  right: topcoat
 
I also wanted to speak on removal- although it took a bit longer than a normal creme polish, this bumpy glitter came off just fine in my scrubby tub. I was afraid I might need to use the foil or Reesa method, but I had no problems getting every last piece of glitter off without scraping or having t o work too hard.
 
So far I am loving these Liquid Sand shades.


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Monday, January 21, 2013

NOTD: OPI Can't Let Go

One of OPI's latest innovations is "Liquid Sand", which is basically a matte, textured glitter meant to be worn without topcoat. There are four shades of liquid sand released as part of the Mariah Carey collection. I picked up the mini set at Ulta to check what I thought.



Macro shot of Can't Let Go (2 coats)

OPI Can't Let Go
2 coats

I was very impressed with the coverage I got in just two coats, so I stopped there. I am so used to using a quick-dry topcoat, so it was hard for me to leave the topcoat off and let them dry on their own. I would estimate it took about 10 minutes for them to feel dry and like I wouldn't mess them up if I touched them.

I have seen some swatches of the liquid sand polishes taken before they have had a chance to completely dry and reach their final texture. Those swatches don't look quite as matte. I really think it really helped show the effect for my swatch to be taken on the second day. I have also seen some people mention that they felt applying lotion dulled the matte effect, but I didn't find this at all.

I was also pleasantly surprised with the wear- I went a full 24 hours without a single chip and barely any tipwear- and I work with paper all day in my job and did business as usual.

I also thought the texture might bother me, but it kinda felt cool, so I didn't mind it at all.

Can't Let Go with topcoat applied (2 coats of Gelous, 1 coat of NYC GCS)

On the second night, I applied topcoat to see how that changed the appearance. This photo was taken the next afternoon. I actually loved it with topcoat too- the topcoat made the glittery super-shiny and gorgeous in the sun.

left: no topcoat                        right: topcoat

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Friday, January 18, 2013

OPI At the Golden Globes


Actress Claire Danes walked the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards red carpet wearing sheer pink OPI nail lacquer in Passion to complement her bold red Versace dress. Danes won Best Actress in a Drama Series at last night’s award ceremony, and the show in which she stars – Homeland – was also given top honors as Best Drama Series.

Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley joined presenter Jason Statham on the red carpet, also wearing the soft hue Passion.

“Both Claire and Rosie wore bold dresses – Claire in rich red and Rosie in dramatic black – and the sheer pink, ultra-feminine lacquer shade Passion gave their nails a classic, polished look,” said OPI celebrity manicurist Beth Fricke.


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NOTD: OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!

OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!


Still sitting sadly in my untried drawer are the shades I purchased from the OPI Holland Collection. I picked OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam! to do first for no reason other than it was at the front of the drawer.

The above swatch is 2 coats and applied easily. It's a very dusty slate blue, but what makes it beautiful are the shimmery flakes in there- hopefully in the macro shot you can see how pretty they are.

It looks like last March I swatched Wooden Shoe Like to Know?, and I also have full-sized bottles of I Have a Herring Problem and  Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI?. My spreadsheet tells me I also have the mini set called Dutch Treats, which inclues I Have a Herring Problem, Kiss Me on My Tulips, Pedal Faster Suzi!, and Red Lights Ahead... Where?. This may be the next project I tackle... Holland!

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Giveaway Winner!


Congrats to shenez, the winner of the giveaway! shenez, watch for an email from me!

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Golden Globes Nails

Did you watch the Golden Globes? I always love seeing what the stars wear on their nails! They are always on-trend and so fashionable.

Three actresses were sporting Sally Hansens Complete Salon Manicure shades.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is an all-in-one formula that combines all the 7 benefits of a professional salon manicure—a base coat, a strengthener, a growth treatment, rich color, top coat, gel-like shine and chip resistance —in a single multi-tasking polish ($7.99).

Naomi Watts


Arm Candy

Celebrity nail expert Tracey Sutter created the look for Watts, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture--Drama. Tracey used Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Arm Candy to create a natural effect.

To get the look, Sutter filed down Naomi's nails very short before applying Sally Hansen's Cuticle Instant Remover. Next, Sutter applied 2 coats of Sally Hansen's new Complete Salon Manicure Nail Color in Arm Candy - giving Watts just the right amount of color she wanted.


Jennifer Lawrence


Sheer Ecstasy

April Foreman was the expert behind Lawrence's nail look, using Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Sheer Ecstasy for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture--Comedy or Musical nominee

To get the look, Foreman shaped Lawrence’s nails “sqound” giving both a square and round look. Keeping her hands hydrated, Foreman applied Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect Hand Crème before applying 2 coats of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Sheer Ecstasy.


Adele


Copper Penny



Celebrity Manicurist, Kimmie Kyees used on Adele a sheer coat of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in So Much Fawn with two coats of Complete Salon Manicure in Copper Penny layered on top. Kyees finished off the look with an exclusive topcoat created for tonight that had gold in it to help enhance the color in Copper Penny for the best Original Song, Film nominee.

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UPDATE! Giveaway! Buxom, Too Faced, Stila

Update 1-16-13 LAST DAY TO ENTER!

Update: I'm adding another item- a brand-new unopened bottle of OPI Simmer & Shimmer. I ended up with two and we all know I don't need dupes with all the polish I have!



Today I've got a fun giveaway to do- these products are all brand-new and things I don't think I will have a chance to use anytime soon, so I thought I'd pass them on!

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Dolly

I believe I got this in Allure Beauty Box I purchased in 2012. Buxom Lips in Dominique is one of my faves for topping lip stains, but I don't know that this is a color I'd use. It's described as "shimmering muted plum". This is a full-size .15 fluid ounce gloss that retails for $19 at Sephora.


 the Balm blush in Down Boy

I received this in a giveaway during 2012, but I had already purchased one myself that I absolutely love. It's a beautiful baby pink and has great pigmentation. It is a full-size product that retails for $21 on the Balm's website.

Stila Lip glazes in Grapefruit, Bubble Gum, Pinkle Twinkle, and Lights

These came in various kits and I believe one was a freebie I got at IMAT in 2012. Although these colors are gorgeous, I'm just not much of a gloss girl. Surely someone else can use them more than me! Grapefruit is a full-size .08 fluid ounce gloss that retails for $22 on Sephora. Bubble Gum, Pinkle Twinkle, and Lights are all .05 fluid ounces and that size typically retails in trios for around $12 at Sephora.

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

Giveaway is open to U.S. resident only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Blew My Curfew topped with Step Off, Sister!

Sephora by OPI Blew My Curfew topped with Step Off, Sister! 
(overcast day, outside w/ flash)



 (overcast day, outside, no  flash) 



My Blue My Curfew mani still looked good, so I decided to add a shade from the A Brush With Fate Nail Polish Set that was part of Sephora's Disney Cinderella Collection as a topper. I thought Step Off, Sister! would look great.

I added 1 coat of it and found it covered well and evenly. I topped it with one coat of NYC Grand Central Station and it was actually quite smooth- not gritty at all.

Scrangie showed Step Off, Sister! by itself and I think that looks great too. Scrangie also pointed out something I found interesting too- Sephora referred to this shade as "glittery purple" and there's not a bit of purple in it! 

It looks like this set is out of stock, but here's a list of the shades included:

- So Totally Enchanted (glittery silver) 
- Step Off, Sister! (glittery purple) 
- Blue My Curfew (glittery royal blue) 
- Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Pink! (glittery pink) 
- Self-Maid Millionaire (glittery gold) 
- Rags to Rhinestones (glittery bronze) 

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Monday, January 14, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Blew My Curfew


Sephora by OPI Blew My Curfew


Macro shot of nail- see the purple flash?


Macro shot of bottle to show purple flash

Here's another shade from the A Brush With Fate Nail Polish Set that was part of Sephora's Disney Cinderella Collection. Of course, the last few months have been crazy busy with the holidays so I am just now getting around to trying them out.

I used 2 coats and found it covered well and evenly. I topped it with one coat of NYC Grand Central Station.

But what I loved most about this shade was the purple that flashed in the sun. At first glance all I saw was a blue shimmer base with turquoise and silver blue crushed flake glitter. But in the sun- purple pops out! So so pretty!


It looks like this set is out of stock, but here's a list of the shades included:

- So Totally Enchanted (glittery silver) 
- Step Off, Sister! (glittery purple) 
- Blue My Curfew (glittery royal blue) 
- Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Pink! (glittery pink) 
- Self-Maid Millionaire (glittery gold) 
- Rags to Rhinestones (glittery bronze) 


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Saturday, January 12, 2013

My 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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