NOTD: nails inc 4th of July mani

Sasha's 4th of July manicure featuring nails inc.

red = st. james (classic blue red)

blue = baker street (cobalt blue)

Included in my recent samples from nails inc were two shades that I thought would be perfect for the 4th of July holiday. I'm not talented enough to do nail art, but I figured I could definitely manage the accent nail trend!

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.

NOTD: nails inc. Cheyne Walk

nails inc. Cheyne Walk

from the Special Effects Mirror Metallic line

Today I have another nails inc. shade to show you.

Brand new irresistible mirror metallic polishes with a highly reflective finish. These polishes ave been created with new mica pearls that give depth of color, mirror shine and a color flip effect.

Cheyne Walk (purple with gold undertones) is part of the new Special Effects Mirror Metallic line that launched this summer at Sephora and retails for $9.50. The other new shade in this line is Stratford (Bronze with antique pink undertones).

The above swatch is just two coats and I was so pleased that it covered so well. In the sun this is just gorgeous. There are some visible brush strokes, but not anything that bothered me.

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

NOTD: nails inc. royal arcade

nails inc. Royal Arcade (Sapphire Nail Jewelry)

from the Nail Jewelry line

Nail polish that adorns your nails like jewelry in four stunning shades. Who needs diamonds when you have nails that sparkle like precious jewels?

I was recently sent some shades from nails inc. and I was so excited to try them- the brand is new to me, but I have heard great things about it.

Royal Arcade is part of the new Nail Jewelry line that launched this summer at Sephora and retails for $9.50. The other shades are Burlington Arcade (Diamond), Piccadilly Arcade (Emerald), and Princes Arcade (Pink Diamond).

The above swatch is just two coats, which amazed me! Since the base to this glitter polish is clear, I assumed I'd need at least three coats to get some opaqueness. However, after the second coat, I decided I was done and loved how it looked. I topped it with a coat of Gelous to get a smooth finish.

What's your favorite nails inc. shade? Some suggestions for me to try?

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

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Read My Palm

Sephora by OPI Read My Palm

from the Havana Nights collection (2010)

Loving this muted mint green. It was a bit patchy at two coats, so I added a third and it was perfect. Sometimes this type of color seems to give me lobster hands, but Read My Palm seemed to work just fine with my warm coloring.

NOTD: China Glaze Surfin' For Boys

China Glaze Surfin' For Boys

from the Summer Neons collection

I ordered a few shades from the China Glaze Summer Neons collection and was dying to try this one first.

The formula on this is leaps and bounds better than the formula on China Glaze's Poolside collection from 2010.... this applied like a dream, with no white coat needed on bottom to get this great pop of color and great coverage in just two coats.

I think it's the slight hint of shimmer that makes the difference in the formula. Although it dried matte, I used Poshe as my topcoat and it dried super-fast. Scrangie mentioned that hers were too thick and she recommended using thinner first- but I had absolutely no problem with my bottle.

Have you tried any from the Summer Neons collection? What's your favorite? I also ordered Pink Plumeria and Flirty Tankini.

NOTD: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips in Sticks and Stones

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips in Sticks and Stones

from the Rock of Ages collection

How fun is this print? Fun trivia: Yesterday the check-out clerk at Braum's told me that the print was the same print as Eddie Van Halen's guitar. I googled and of course he was right! How perfectly does that tie in with the Rock of Ages theme? Love it.

It had been awhile since I had last applied nail strips... but once I got going it went great. These are much more foil-based than the other prints I've tried and so eye-catching. Can't wait to try the other prints I got- Zip It! and Fingerlace Gloves.

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

NOTD: Nicole by OPI Nothing Kim-pares to Blue

Nicole by OPI Nothing Kim-pares to Blue

These Kardashians... they are everywhere. On my TV, in my gossip mag, and now on my nails! I had some Extra Care Bucks at CVS that were about to expire, so I grabbed this on a whim because I was thinking this was what I had hoped Essie Bikini So Teeny might be- a periwinkle blue with a noticeable shimmer.

And I hate to admit it, but I really like this Kardashian Kolor (oh it pains me to type that!). I might even buy some more....... :-)

NOTD: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede topped with Nicole by OPI Extra Snowflakes Please

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede (2 coats)

topped with Nicole by OPI Extra Snowflakes Please (1 coat)

For some reason I wasn't loving the LPAD Suede after I got it on, so I topped it with the NOPI holo topcoat- and it looked gorgeous in the sun!

However, this combo did not wear well at all- of course being at the lake may have had something to do with it, but it was chipping on the second day.

NOTD: Essie Bikini So Teeny

Essie Bikini So Teeny

(three coats)

I was really really hoping the slight shimmer that is visible in the bottle would translate onto the nail... but no, it did not. Just looks like a pretty periwinkle cream on the nails.

I did three coats because there was some sheer-ish spots after just 2.

NOTD: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Grandma

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Grandma

Last month at IMATS, one of the booths I was dying to visit was Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. I had never tried their products, but was oh-so-obsessed with picking up a Lip Tar. And while I was there, like any good nail blogger, I purchased a few nail polish shades too.

The name of this shade makes me laugh- it is totally NOT a Grandma color! It's actually quite on-trend and gorgeous!

The above swatch is three coats, topped with my newest favorite topcoat, NYC Grand Central Station.

Swatches: Sephora Tangerine Tango set

Yesterday was a beautiful day so I took the opportunity to do some swatches of Sephora's Color of the Year Nail Enamel Set ($24). These Tangerine Tango shades are gorgeous, and I especially think they suit warm skin tones like mine.

Left to right: Glitter, Creme, Matte, Shimmer (all three coats)

I think the Glitter shade might work well as a topper too, so I think I may try one coat over the Cream shade to see how that looks next. Hope you are having a great day and nice weather where you are!

NOTD: Essie She's Picture Perfect

Essie She's Picture Perfect

I picked this one up from the 2012 Resort Collection because I thought that hidden shimmer was so pretty. 

The above swatch is three coats, topped with a new (to me) top coat that might just be in the running for Best Value Ever- NYC Grand Central Station.

I think it was either $2 or $3 and I'm pretty darn impressed. It seemed to dry the polish as well as my beloved Seche Vite.

Have you tried it? What do you think?

NOTD: Revlon Whimsical over Sally Hansen Air

Revlon Whimsical over Sally Hansen Air

Ok, so I really had no idea how sheer this one was. I knew it was a take-off on Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air, but Whimsical is actually much more sheer than Temptalia's swatch of GitA. In fact, this was pretty much the sheerest sheer ever, with some glitter thrown in.

So after I had applied one coat of Whimsical, I went back and did a coat of Sally Hansen Air, then topped that with two more coats of Whimsical.

Phew.

I really haven't gotten into the whole indie glitter-topcoat thing, and I'm not sure that this is going to start me down that path. I do think this is pretty, but all those coats were work! :-)

But I do like the end result. So maybe, just maybe, I'll get on board.

NOTD: OPI DS Original

OPI DS Original

It's basically already summer here in the Southwest, and I am absolutely consumed with thoughts of gorgeous holos in the sun. I have many many untried in my collection right now, but I just couldn't resist wearing this beauty again- it is just gorgeous!

What's your favorite holo?

NOTD: L'Oreal Silver Sparkle

L'Oreal Silver Sparkle (3 coats- sun)

L'Oreal Silver Sparkle (3 coats- shade)

I picked this up last week at CVS because it was $5.99 and there were $2 coupons on the display, and I'm a sucker for a $4 polish.

Be sure and click on the pics to enlarge them so you could see the multi-colored glitters.  There are so many shades, and they are almost color-shifting. I see mint green, light blue, pink, copper, and gold.

I thought it was really pretty by itself, but I'll be trying over a vampy shade soon to see how it works as a topper.

NOTD: Bling Cosmetics MpressMe

Bling Cosmetics MpressMe

April and May are my busiest months at work, but I have been trying to get everything done so I can blog about IMATS! My husband surprised me with a trip to NYC and a ticket to IMATS, just because he knows how much I love makeup and nail polish. Isn't that sweet?

I was on the lookout for new products that were eye-catching, and oh boy did I ever find it!

Check out this bling! Bling Cosmetics (aptly named!) grabbed my attention. This line is just gorgeous and I have never seen anything like it. Look closely at the bottom of the stock pic from their website and you'll see  a really neat feature- the top of the bottle has a light that is aimed towards your nail! So unique.

The mission of The Bling Collection from The House of Simone is to establish the first full-line of cosmetics that marries the unique concept of jewelry with make-up. The line represents top quality products in lighted and “blinged” casings for makeup and accessories. Each item is encrusted with the Patented “Wall of Bling” design.

I met super-sweet Malaika at IMATS and she spent some time telling me about their line and even provided me with the shade I swatched above to try. The above swatch is two coats, and this shade applied like a dream. Topped with Seche Vite, it was much smoother than I thought it would be given the amount of glitter in the polish.

The retail price of their polish is $25. But girls, this is truly a luxury line, perfect for gift giving for the makeup and nail polish lover who has everything. I may have over 400 bottles of nail polish, but I have none as stunning as my bottle from Bling Cosmetics. Looking for a Mother's Day gift for a nail polish lover? I think Bling Cosmetics would be a perfect fit.

Where to find Bling Cosmetics:
Online: BlingCollectionOnline.com
Facebook: facebook.com/BlingCollectionOnline
Twitter: twitter.com/BlingOnline

Disclosure: The shade swatched above was provided to me for PR purposes.  

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.

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.

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.

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.