Friday, March 29, 2013

NOTD: Dermelect Pretentious

Dermelect Pretentious
3 coats

I recently received two shades from Dermelect's ME line for review purposes. I was drawn to this shade, which they describe as "purple passion" because purple is my favorite color. This shade did not disappoint! I love this color.

I did find that I needed three coats to get even coverage. 

Info from Dermelect:
HOW IT WORKS
The first coat instantly bonds to the nail, while the second fuses with the base coat to create a flexible web of color that resists chipping and improves brittleness.  The ME colors combine fast drying, high shine and a healthy ‘green’ dose of vitamins, peptides and moisture, offering a colorful solution to the contemporary woman’s beauty concern—aging nails and hands. 

KEY INGREDIENT
·         ProSina Protein Peptide-Hydrolyzed Keratin extracted from New Zealand sheep’s wool that strengthens the nails and moisturizes the skin.  

BENEFITS

·         Strengthens weak, brittle nails
·         Restores nail flexibility
·         Helps nails resist chipping and splitting
·         Provides long-lasting, high shine and bold color
·         Water and detergent resistant
·         Protects against UV rays
·         Formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene FREE
·         Cruelty FREE (no animal testing)


Dermelect’s ME Core lacquers, available April 2013, retail for $14.00 and can be purchased online at www.dermelect.com and at high-end apothecaries, beauty boutiques, salons, spas, medi-spas and doctors offices.

Disclosure: The polish featured in this post was provided for review purposes.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Pink! and Collection Wrap-up

Sephora by OPI Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Pink! (2 coats)
over Sephora by OPI So Totally Enchanted (2 coats)

Oh my gosh, I FINISHED swatching the Cinderella minis! I am so glad to have that done- I have lots of new pretties but felt like I couldn't wear them until I made it through this set! (I'm a bit OCD about projects once they are started.)

As I said with Rags to Rhinestones, I find glitters that are in clear bases wear better on me when I layer them over a solid color.  Since I already had on So Totally Enchanted (silver) I decided to try Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Pink! over it and I think the combo was OK, not my fave, but I didn't *dislike* it.

Unlike So Totally Enchanted, Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Pink! was very textured. And also hard to remove. I should have used the foil or Reesa method, but I just used my scrubby tub and, well, scrubbed.

I thought I'd go ahead and do a collection wrap-up in this post.



The A Brush With Fate Nail Polish Set was part of Sephora's Disney Cinderella Collection in Fall 2012 and retailed for $24.50 for 6 mini bottles. 
(Sephora descriptions in parenthesis)


So Totally Enchanted (glittery silver)
2 coats

Sephora by OPI Step Off, Sister!  (glittery purple)
1 coat
over Blue My Curfew (glittery royal blue)
2 coats
(overcast day, outside w/ flash)

Sephora by OPI Blew My Curfew (glittery royal blue)
2 coats

Sephora by OPI Self-Maid Millionaire (glittery gold)

Sephora by OPI Rags to Rhinestones (glittery bronze)
2 coats
over Self Maid Millionaire (glittery gold)
1 coat

Overall, I really like this collection, but the shade descriptions are really not at all correct. They've labeled every shade as "glittery" even though only 3 shades have glitter in them. The others are more of a foil. I'm also unclear on where they got "purple" because there is absolutely no purple in Step Off, Sister!

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI So Totally Enchanted


Sephora by OPI So Totally Enchanted
2 coats

From the A Brush With Fate Nail Polish Set that was part of Sephora's Disney Cinderella Collection in Fall 2012.

See the turquoise and pink shimmers in this macro shot? Gorgeous!

Although pretty, this shade has frustrated me so much! This is the fourth time I have worn it an attempt to swatch it. The lack of sun gave me fits one day, and then I had several problems that probably had to do with painting too fast and my basecoat being old. Foils are finicky! But this time I got it! :-)



It looks like this set is out of stock, but here's a list of the shades included:
note: they really need to work on their descriptions.... not all are glittery, some are foils!

- 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, March 25, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Rags to Rhinestones over Self Maid Millionaire

Sephora by OPI Rags to Rhinestones (2 coats)
over Self Maid Millionaire  (1 coat)

Both of these shades are from the A Brush With Fate Nail Polish Set that was part of Sephora's Disney Cinderella Collection in Fall 2012.


I have found that if I layer glitter polish over a solid color, it will last much longer on me. A clear with glitter usually chips on the first day, but I am working on Day 4 of this combo and it still looks great!
 
This is a great glitter because it is not  textured at all! It's absolutely smooth, and with just one coat of NYC Grand Central Station, it is smooth as glass.

Scrangie has swatches of Rags to Rhinestones on it's own and it's pretty, but I like it this way better.


I just snapped this with my iphone here in my indoor office to give you a better idea of what it looks like in most light. In sun, the gold glitter really stands out and almost looks like a different color, but indoors, it blends together so nicely and is just a gorgeous glitterly gold- the base color and the glitter are almost the same shade. I love this combo!




It looks like this set is out of stock, but here's a list of the shades included:
note: they really need to work on their descriptions.... not all are glittery, some are foils!

- 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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Friday, March 22, 2013

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show in Coral Glow

 Maybelline Color Show in Coral Glow
from the Spring 2013 Electric Nights collection
 

I AM SO READY FOR SPRING! I had to shout, because Mother Natures keeps teasing us here in the Southwest! We'll have a beautiful day in the 60s, then it goes right back to freezing overnight and is cold and overcast the next day. Blah!

Coral Glow is a super springy shade with a gorgeous orange shimmer. This was the first Maybelline Color Show shade I purchased and I am pleased. I paid around $4 for it and it seems like a great value. I got great even coverage in just two coats.

Any other shades from this line I need to try?

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

OPI Announces Bond Girls collection


(click pic to enlarge)
left to right


Solitaire
This diamond-sparkling white is totally engaging.

Pussy Galore
This light feminine pink has the purrrfect amount of shimmer.

Tiffany Case
A classic light blue worth investigating.

Vesper
A mysterious and intriguing deep purple.

Honey Ryder
Take a ryde on the wild side in this shimmery gold.

Jinx
This mesmerizing matte coral has lucky sparkle.


Since I really liked the OPI Mariah Carey collection (both matte and with a topcoat), I am excited for more Liquid Sand shades!  These will be available in May 2013. I am especially excited for Tiffany Case and Jinx- these look gorgeous! Are any of these shades calling your name?

Press release info:
                  
               OPI announces the launch of Bond Girls, a collection of six new Liquid Sand™ nail lacquers featuring a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle fitting the allure surrounding the Bond Girls.  In hues of white, pink, blue, purple, gold and coral, Bond Girls offers a range of shimmering shades with the distinctive Liquid Sand finish.

 “OPI is extremely excited to partner again with EON Productions,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI co-founder & Artistic Director. “Following the success of the holiday promotion with the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, it’s been a thrill to create colors for the women who’ve captured Bond’s attention over the last five decades.
“The six shades are named after some of the most iconic – and my favorite – Bond girls, including: SolitairePussy GaloreTiffany CaseVesperHoney Ryder and Jinx,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “Worn without top coat, these Liquid Sand lacquers give nails a pebbled, matte finish worthy of the captivating ‘Bond Girls’ name.”


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NOTD: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant in Amethyst



Earlier this month, a reader named Tess left me a comment on a post I did last April comparing Avon's Perplexed Purple to Chanel Paradoxal and Revlon Perplex. 


...almost a year later, but I wanted to share that I found another possible Paradoxal drugstore dupe. This time it's in the Chanel-shaped bottles from Covergirl. The color is Amethyst and while I can't put my hands on my Paradoxal or Perplex, this looks awfully close. No one's blogged this potential dupe yet but I'm very curious whether you've seen it, since you have the best and most complete comparisons I've seen.


So of course I had to go find the CoverGirl! I desperately want to do a post comparing all four on the nails, and also throw in Sephora by OPI Metro Too Chic just because the shimmer is so pretty they make me think of them together. Maybe the sun will be out this weekend and I can get that done.




Amethyst was my first purchase from CoverGirl's new Outlast Stay Brilliant line. Although they say the topcoat is built in, I of course ignored that and added a coat of NYC GCS. I got a good five days wear out of this before I started to see chips, and I think two days of indoor swimming pool had something to do with the chips starting.

So I'm pretty impressed with this line! Any other shades I should try out?



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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Collection Revisit: China Glaze Vintage Vixen- 6 more shades

Today let's revisit the other  six colors from the Fall 2010 China Glaze Vintage Vixen collection.

For Fall 2010, the China Glaze Vintage Vixen Collection captures the vivid and saturated hues of the 1940’s with this seductively complex palette. These classic shades of the season recreate the timeless tableau of movie land mystique, perfect red pouts and steamy nights where swing was the scene!

Classic Camel РKhaki cr̬me with gold micro glitter

I really thought this might look good on me since my undertones are olive/yellow, but it did not look good. at. all. It reminded me of Grey Poupon. I need to search for a pic on this on someone very dark-skinned, I bet it would look gorgeous.


Ingrid – “Greige” crème with copper micro glitter

Very pretty, very dark. Reminds me of a collection Revlon came out with about 10 years ago with varying shades of chocolate.

Swing Baby – Taupe frost with silver micro glitter

This was absolutely my favorite so far- and totally going to be my first full mani of this collection. Stunning in the sun.

Hey Doll – Rose frost with shimmer

I typically don't like anything "rose" but I was pleasantly surprised by this color. There was enough brown in it versus pink that it looked really nice against my skin tone.


Jitterbug – Grey chrome with silver micro glitter


Goin’ My Way – Brown frost with copper shimmer

All of these swatches are two coats and all applied wonderfully.

Disclosure: These colors were sent to me for review. All opinions expressed are my own.


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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Revisit: China Glaze Vintage Vixen Collection

I was thinking today about collections I love that I don't hear much about and the China Glaze Vintage Vixen collection from 2010 came to mind. Here are six of the twelve and I really love them all. You can see the other six swatches here.

For Fall 2010, the China Glaze Vintage Vixen Collection captures the vivid and saturated hues of the 1940’s with this seductively complex palette. These classic shades of the season recreate the timeless tableau of movie land mystique, perfect red pouts and steamy nights where swing was the scene!



Riveter Rouge - deep red shimmer


Midnight Mission - navy blue frost with silver micro glitter



Note: This is ONE coat folks! Fabulous coverage!



Foxy - burgundy frost with shimmer


First Class Ticket - deep purple frost with shimmer


Emerald Fitzgerald - turquoise green frost with shimmer


Bogie - plum frost with shimmer


Formula on the entire collection was FABULOUS! Not a single complaint. Such a great collection!

Disclosure: This collection was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Metro Too Chic


Sephora by OPI Metro Too Chic



Back in 2008, Sephora by OPI released Metro Chic, which started a mushroom nail polish revolution. I really like the original color so when I spotted the Metro Too Chic set on Sephora's website for $24.50 in January and knew I needed to have it, and that Metro Too Chic would be the first shade I wanted to swatch.

Sephora by OPI Metro Too Chic set

Left to right:
Pale is the New Tan
Arose Beyond Shimmer
Metro Too Chic
Keys to My Hybrid
Nifty Shade of Grey
Tweet You Later!

Metro Too Chic did not disappoint at all. I love the shimmer in the sun- and it's quite pretty indoors as well. Looking forward to wearing the other shades in the set soon.




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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Nail Mail

Last week I placed an order from Sephora and now that it is here all I can think about is dashing home to swatch! Sadly, today after work looks busy since my daughter has gymnastics and my son has baseball practice. Maybe I can take these with me on Spring Break and do some swatching there.


This is the Sephora by OPI One is Never Enough set from the Jasmine collection. Since I have the Cinderella collection I figured I needed this too. It contains 6 minis and retails for $24.50, although it doesn't appear to be in stock right now.

I also ordered the Sephora + Pantone Universe Mini Graphic Effect Lacquers set in this year's Color of the Year- Emerald. It retails for $18 and contains 3 minis. Again, I figured since I had last year's Tangerine Tango set, I needed this one too. :-)

Have you picked up either of these?

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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Dermelect: New Core Shades and Contest

I recently received some information about the release of Dermelect Cosmecuticals's 12 new color colors. They are running a really fun contest right now and are giving one blogger and one reader all 12 shades!

There are two ways to enter:

Go to their Facebook and Twitter pages and submit a post saying I referred you. 

Example: "Loving the new Dermelect colors- ManicureMommas.com sent me!"

The contest run until 3/19/13. Winners will be selected randomly on 20th and will be notified via the social media outlet entered.




Dermelect Cosmeceuticals, the company that introduced the 1st peptide-infused, anti-aging lacquer treatment, announces the launch of ME’s Core collection.  Designed for women who desire to grow out long, strong, natural nails without compromising fashionable fingertips, ME’s technologically advanced, salon-strength formulations are 3-Free and contain ProSina, a pure protein extract derived from New Zealand sheep’s wool that strengthens the nails and nourishes the skin.

Though the ME collection was introduced in 2012 with six summer and three resort on-trend shades, this is Dermelect’s first complete color lacquer collection.  Dermelect turned to Celebrity Nail Tech, Elle, who is on Dermelect’s Board of Advisors to create a cohesive collection forME.  “Elle’s stellar reputation in the industry, as well as her tremendous fashion flair provided for an excellent opportunity to synergistically get involved with our innovative, anti-aging nail treatment colors,” says Amos Lavian, Founder of Dermelect Cosmeceuticals.

The 12 hues in ME’s Core collection include your staple nudes, pinks and reds in crème, sheer and metallic finishes, along with trend-setting blues, greens and purples, which Elle considers must-haves.  “By adding in more vibrant, fashion-forward colors, this will allow you to create texture and your favorite nail art,” says Elle.

Just like Dermelect’s cosmeceutical collection, all of the ME anti-aging color treatments are named to evoke the esteem of the person who uses it:

·         PRETENTIOUS-purple passion
·         SWAGGER-autumn royal plum
·         INDULGENCE-translucent pink
·         RED-ICULOUS-classic chinese red crème
·         VIVACIOUS-verdant pine green
·         PHENOM-egyptian blue 
·         SO SUPERB-magnificent creamy mauve
·         BLUE BLOOD-rich crimson with blue undertone
·         DEBONNAIRE-opaque nude
·         OPULENCE-french porcelain white
·         STUNNER-metallic mocha blend
·         DECADENCE-metallic espresso with green undertone

HOW IT WORKS
The first coat instantly bonds to the nail, while the second fuses with the base coat to create a flexible web of color that resists chipping and improves brittleness.  The ME colors combine fast drying, high shine and a healthy ‘green’ dose of vitamins, peptides and moisture, offering a colorful solution to the contemporary woman’s beauty concern—aging nails and hands. 

KEY INGREDIENT
·         ProSina Protein Peptide-Hydrolyzed Keratin extracted from New Zealand sheep’s wool that strengthens the nails and moisturizes the skin.  

BENEFITS

·         Strengthens weak, brittle nails
·         Restores nail flexibility
·         Helps nails resist chipping and splitting
·         Provides long-lasting, high shine and bold color
·         Water and detergent resistant
·         Protects against UV rays
·         Formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene FREE
·         Cruelty FREE (no animal testing)


Dermelect’s ME Core lacquers, available April 2013, retail for $14.00 and can be purchased online at www.dermelect.com and at high-end apothecaries, beauty boutiques, salons, spas, medi-spas and doctors offices.

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

NOTD: OPI I Eat Mainely Lobster

OPI I Eat Mainely Lobster (2 coats) 


I Eat Mainely Lobster is from OPI's Fall 2011 Touring America Collection and I love it! I think it's the shimmer in it that has me obsessed with this- look below and see the gold and pink shimmer that shows up in the sun.


Even though Pantone told us it was the Color of the Year last year, I am not over it in 2013. I placed an order from Loft this week, and was all over the coral. It's everywhere!

I didn't have any application issues with it, even though I saw some other bloggers say the formula on this one wasn't so hot. I got perfect even coverage in just two coats. I have a bit of VNL, but not much so I'm not bothered by it.

I think this may be the only shade I picked up from this collection. Do you have another favorite from Touring America?

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

NOTD: Darling Diva Polish Slutty Pumpkin

Darling Diva Polish Slutty Pumpkin
 
The moment I saw this polish, I had to order it! If you are a fan of How I Met Your Mother, you know what this polish name means. (If you aren't, you can read about it here.) I love the reference!
 
And on top of loving the name- I love the polish.  It's a linear holographic orange with varying sized black hexes. The above swatch is two coats and was so easy to apply. I didn't worry about where the glitters were placed- I just did my mani and let it turn out how it was going to turn out.
 
I cannot wait to wear this again!
 
Slutty Pumpkin retails for $12 and shipping for one bottle is $3.

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