BeautyGnome

Fun in the Sun Multi-Blogger Giveaway!

2013-05-23T13:12:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I'm delighted to be participating in another multi-blogger giveaway, this one hosted by Jen from Musings of the Wife of a Jedi! She is one of the most organized people on the planet, so who better to keep track of all these amazing bloggers and prizes? Be sure to enter, there are some amazing goodies up for grabs! Good luck! :)

There are 27 US only prizes and 9 US and international prizes up for grabs! You can see all of these listed below! Because of the two categories, there are TWO RAFFLECOPTERS, so please be mindful of which one you fill out. There are tons of entries available, so enter to win and discover some phenomenal new blogs and shops while you're at it! Ends June 12th!

US ONLY Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US and International Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US ONLY Prizes

Prize 1 from Things I Love At The Moment

Girly bits Boo-berry, Colorama Gota and Sombra, Jindie Nails Mini Swoon

Prize 2 from Pointless Cafe

ButterLONDON Champers and Poole

Prize 3 from BeautyPopShop

Shop exclusive Maya H2pOp polish and a Do-Mo Panda Coin Purse

Prize 4 from Cosmetish

Coastal Scents Reach Mascara, NYX Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait, NYX Lip Cream in Strawberry Parfait, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Strawberry Milk, Revlon Scented polishes Strawberry and Cherry

Prize 5 from BeautyGnome

$15 Llarowe Gift Certificate

Prize 6 from Princess Polish

China Glaze Bump and Grind and In the Rough

Prize 7 from College Polished

Zoya Yana and Bobbi

Prize 8 from Galactic Lacquer

KBShimmer Vegas Bomb, Pretty & Polished Phoenix, and

Nicole by OPI Strike a Pose and Ladies in the Limelight

Prize 9 from Polished10

Orly Space Cadet, Essie Leading Lady & OPI Meet Me On The Star Ferry

Prize 10 from Beyond Beauty Lounge

THE NEW BLACK NEONS SET

Prize 11 from Manicurator

Dior Vernis Riviera

Prize 12 from Rain Down On Me Beauty

$20 Gift Certificate to Sephora

Prize 13 from Above The Curve Nail Polish

Your choice of ATC colour from bigcartel site

Prize 14 from SoFlaJo

Two full size polishes from upcoming collection

Prize 15 from Jindie Nails

Jindie Nails polish from jindienails.com

Prize 16 from 6 Harts Craft Company

Full size bottle of 6 Harts Bat Crap Crazy and 6 Harts Sea Glass

Prize 17 from Girly bits

Franken Starter Kit

Prize 18 from Lacquistry

Polish from Lacquistry

Prize 19 from Literary Lacquers

Polish from Literary Lacquers

Mystery Prize

Prize 20 from Musings of the Wife of a Jedi

Prize 21 from Polished Cousins

Prize 22 from Pretty In Paint

Prize 23 from The Nail Files

Prize 24 from Colorsutraa

Prize 25 from Jilltastic Nail Design

Prize 26 from Mandie's Manicures

Prize 27 from You Had Me At Makeup

US and International Prizes

Prize A from The Lacquerologist

$15 Gift Card to Llarowe

Prize B from Glisten & Glow

$25 Gift Certificate to Glisten & Glow

Prize C from Puzzled & Polished

Two custom polish pieces

Prize D from My Life In Polish

$20 Gift Certificate to Llarowe

Prize E from Ashley Is Polish Addicted

Illamasqua Raindrops

Prize F from Girly bits

Polish from new upcoming collection

Prize G from Cosmetic Sanctuary

Prize H from Love For Lacquer

Prize I from Musings of the Wife of a Jedi

The Digit-al Dozen: Bling Week Day 5- Forget You Not

2013-05-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

Day five of Bling Week! For the last day, I did a glitter bob mani with a twist. I started with a base of Zoya Julie, added a gradient with OPI Spark De Triomphe, and the covered the whole thing with two coats of Lynnderella Forget You Not. I like this twist on a glitter mani, I think it has a lot of dimension!

Be sure to check out the day 5 manicures from the other Digit-al Dozen ladies! :)

The Digit-al Dozen: Bling Week Day 4- Black on Black

2013-05-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Day four of Bling Week is here and I have a little bit of understated bling to share with you today! Using one of my favorite polishes as a base (Manglaze Matte is Murder), I applied a few iridescent black sequins on freshly polished nails for a sophisticated look. I love the black on black with different textures and finishes!

Be sure to check out the manicures from the other ladies participating in the Digit-al Dozen! :)

The Digit-al Dozen: Bling Week Day 3: The manicure from SPACE!

2013-05-15T16:09:00.001-07:00

Day 3 of the Digit-al Dozen's Bling Week is here, and I've gone space age with today's manicure! I started with a base of Layla Mirror Effect polish in Metal Chrome, then painted China Glaze Fairy Dust onto the tips and then placed large star-shaped glitter into the wet polish. I don't think this mani is practical for everyday wear, but it gets David Bowie's "Starman" stuck in my head when I look at it so I love it.

Be sure to check out the blinged out manicures from the other ladies in the Digit-al Dozen! :)

Digit-al Dozen: Bling Week Day 2- Rose Gold

2013-05-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Today is Day 2 of the Digit-al Dozen's Bling Week! I love today's manicure, I think it is really subtle but still pretty and very bling! I started with a base of Zoya Tinsley and then added Zoya Gilty on top. I really like the look of yellow gold layered on rose gold, the mixed metal look is so lovely. What do you think? Be sure to check out the manicures from the other ladies participating in the Digit-al Dozens Bling Week! :)

The Digital Dozen: Bling Week! Frosted Gumdrop Gradient Manicure

2013-05-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

This month's Digit-al Dozen theme week is.. BLING! I'm starting off the week with a super sparkly gradient manicure. I used two colors from the new Julie G Frosted Gumdrops collection - Blueberry Fizz and Crushed Candy. I started by painting my nails with Blueberry Fizz and then sponged on the Crushed Candy to create the gradient.. Easy peasy and very blingy!

Be sure to check out the blinged out manis from the other ladies participating in the Digit-al Dozen challenge!

$95 Ulta Gift Card Giveaway!

2013-05-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I've teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to give away an amazing prize to one of our followers- a $95 Ulta gift card!!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below- and leave a comment telling me what you would use the card for.. I'd love to know what your current beauty crushes are! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW Stained Gloss Lip Tars from OCC - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics! Swatches and Review

2013-05-05T17:12:00.001-07:00

Later this month Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics will release the next incarnation of their cult-favorite lip tars.. Stained Gloss! I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek this weekend at The Makeup Show in New York, and let me tell you- this is the lip product of my dreams. Sheer, glossy, yet ultra-pigmented, these new lip tars are phenomenal. The finish is beautiful, you can wear them sheer or build them up to a more opaque gloss. There will be six available, ranging from yellow to burgundy. All just as bright and blendable as the originals. I've swatched them below.

From left to right: Voyeur, Androgyne, Jealous, Meta, New Wave, Rhythm Box

Top to bottom left: Voyeur, Androgyne, Jealous. Top to bottom right: Meta, New Wave, Rhythm Box

They are all wearable on their own, or mixed (I'd use the yellow for mixing mostly but if you're braver than I am, go for it!). I've swatched them lightly on my lips here, but all can be built up considerably (as seen on my arm swatches).

I love love love these! How amazing are these colors for Summer, especially?

Get them May 23 at occmakeup.com and Sephora!

*some of these were gifted to me, others I purchased myself. All opinions are my own.

NEW Stained Gloss Lip Tars from OCC - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics! Swatches and Review

2013-05-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

From left to right: Voyeur, Androgyne, Jealous, Meta, New Wave, Rhythm Box

Top to bottom left: Voyeur, Androgyne, Jealous. Top to bottom right: Meta, New Wave, Rhythm Box

I love love love these! How amazing are these colors for Summer, especially?

Get them May 23 at occmakeup.com and Sephora!

*some of these were gifted to me, others I purchased myself. All opinions are my own.

Illamasqua Summer 2013 Paranormal Collection

2013-05-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to see a press preview in NYC of Illamasqua's new collection for Summer- Paranormal. In usual Illamasqua style, this collection features bold, statement-making colors and as always a few surprises. The collection was presented to us by Joshua Heald, the US Brand Ambassador for Illamasqua and Fleury Rose, their U.S nail ambassador. Josh showed us the gorgeous new makeup- beautifully textured, bright eye shadows, creamy bronzers and more. Fleury of course focused on the nails! In this collection are four intensely pigmented, slightly metallic colors..and a black light reactive top coat! So fun for Summer!

Here are some of the new products:

And some images from the event, including Fleury's nail art wheel!

Such cool ideas! Can't wait to recreate some of them... Stay tuned for swatches and demos!

What do you think of the new Paranormal collection? As Illamasqua says.. Why be normal when you can be Paranormal?

Spring Fling Giveaway!

2013-05-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I'm back from a brief blogging hiatus with some good news.. I'm participating in a multi blogger giveaway! Using the Rafflecopter widget below you can enter to win one of over 40 prizes, including the one I contributed- a 15 dollar gift card to shop.llarowe.com . Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zoya Summer 2013 Pixie Dust Collection - Swatches and Review

2013-04-23T07:04:00.001-07:00

Pixie Dust fans, rejoice! Zoya is back with another collection of their unique, sugar-sparkle polishes - The Summer Pixie Dusts! Zoya sent these to me to review last week and I am thrilled with them. These are a brighter take on Pixie Dusts, compared to the softer colors in the last collection. I love these! Just when I think polish companies can't come up with anything else, Zoya surprises me with these beauties. They are just amazing. Application is perfect and they dry down to a gorgeous sparkle. They last forever, too! Clockwise from the top left the shades are: Solange, Beatrix, Miranda, Liberty, Stevie, and Destiny. Standouts for me are Solange (THE perfect yellow-gold polish), Beatrix (this orange just glows!) and Liberty (what an amazing blue!). But I really can't pick a favorite.. this is an outstanding collection. Which color do you like best?

Thank you so much for reading!

*Polishes were provided for honest review.

Earth Day Manicure using the Zoya Stunning Collection!

2013-04-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

I had an idea for an Earth Day manicure kicking around in my head, and then when I recieved the Zoya Stunning collection for review this week I realized the bright, cheery colors were perfect for it! Zoya is a great choice for an Earth Day manicure anyway, as the polish is Free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP and Camphor. Zoya is a really environmentally friendly company too, even offering customers the opportunity to send back their unwanted nail polish this week to be disposed of in a safe manner and exchange it for their greener polish at a discount. Find out more about the exchange program here. I created this mani using Darcy, Thandie, Micky, Yana, Rocky, and Josie, all from the Stunning collection. I also used a black nail art pen, and I painted some of the designs over white to really make them pop since the background was orange. I think it came out cute! I'll have swatches of all these colors up on the blog in the next couple days, so come back and check it out!

*these polishes were provided for honest review :)

Digit-al Dozen: Animal Week: Zebra Print Manicure!

2013-04-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

For the last day of Animal Week, I decided to do a classic print with a twist. I free handed a zebra print using Essence Grey-t to be here and a white nail art polish from Sinful Colors. I love this manicure! I think using the grey and white makes it funky, chic, and subtle all at the same time.

I loved this theme week! Check out the manicures from the other ladies in the Digit-al Dozen!

Animal Week: 'Lil BUB Manicure!

2013-04-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

I am unreasonably excited about today's manicure. I love 'Lil Bub! Who is 'Lil Bub, you ask (is this your first day on the internet)? Bub is a very special little cat with a funny and adorable face. You can read more about her on her website, lilbub.com.

image from LilBub.com

Isn't she an amazing creature? I think she has mind powers. She has a documentary coming out with Vice Magazine called "Lil Bub and Friendz" next week at the Tribeca Film Festival.. because Bub's a big deal.

I painted her portrait using two browns from The New Black's Walrus ombre set, Cult Nails Nevermore, Cult Nails Tempest, Barielle Lily of the Valley, Zoya Neely, and Zoya Belle. The gold background is Butter London West End Wonderland, and the letters were done with Tempest and Nevermore. I can't do justice to her adorable little face, but I tried nonetheless! Be sure to check out the other animal week manicures from the ladies participating in the Digit-al Dozen.

The Digit-al Dozen: Animal Week Day 3- Pastel Leopard Print

2013-04-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Day three of Animal Week! I couldn't let this week go by without a leopard print manicure. I think it is one of the cutest (and easiest!) nail art designs you can do. I used Zoya Neely* as a base, with Zoya Nyx* spots and Cult Nails Fetish for the black accents. Be sure to check out the nail art from the other ladies in the Digit-al Dozen! :)

*press samples

The Digit-al Dozen: Animal Week- Lake Monster Manicure!

2013-04-09T06:49:00.003-07:00

Day two of Animal Week is here and I'm still on my cryptozoological kick with this lake monster manicure. The most famous lake monster, of course, is the Loch Ness Monster.. but I'm partial to Champ, the prehistoric monster that roams the deeps of Lake Champlain in Vermont.

I used Sally Hansen Barracuda as a base, then painted the scenery with Sinful Colors Nirvana and Zoya Godiva. I used Cult Nails Tempest and Nevermore for the white and black detail, and Barielle Lily of the Valley for the monster. The water was done with Orly La Playa and Sinful Colors Neptune.

Check out the manicures from the other ladies in the Digit-al Dozen! :)

The Digit-al Dozen: Animal Week - Yeti Manicure!

2013-04-08T07:10:00.001-07:00

The theme for this month's Digit-al Dozen manicure challenge is animals! Some of the manicures I do may be a little more on the cryptozoological side.. And this first one is no exception. Some call him Bigfoot or Sasquatch, but I think it's safe to call this northern cousin a yeti. I used a base of New York Color Raindrop, Cult Nails Tempest for the snow, China Glaze Immortal for the grey accents, and Cult Nails Nevermore for the black. I think he turned out pretty scary. What do you think? Do you think there's a creature like this roaming around the frozen tundra? Probably not. Unless you're on Hoth.

Check out the awesome animal manicures from the other ladies participating in the digital dozen!

Artsy Wednesday: Graffiti-Inspired Manicure

2013-04-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

The theme for Artsy Wednesday this week is graffiti. I see lots of it on the train ride to work in the morning (some of it awesome, done by really talented artists, and some of it not so great) so I had plenty of ideas. I painted my nails with a base of Cult Nails Tempest, then did my initials in a graffiti font and some arrows and circles using a black nail art pen. I colored them in with Cult Nails Lava Lamp, Essence Lets Get Lost, and Sinful Colors Neon Melon. I then posed my hand super-awkwardly with a can of spray paint, for dramatic effect.

Be sure to check out the graffiti inspired nail art from the other Artsy Wednesday ladies! :)

Pretty Purple Polish - Maria's Nail Art - Unnaked Nails - Nail & Polish - LabMuffin- An Accent Nail - Valiantly Varnished

Revlon Aquamarine Swatch and Review

2013-03-26T10:53:00.001-07:00

I have a pretty cool polish to show you today- Aquamarine from Revlon's Chroma Chameleon collection. This polish shifts from blue to "blurple" to purple depending on the lighting and angle. It was hard to capture the shift on camera, it is more apparent in person. Shown is three thin coats. I did need the three for full opacity, but drying time wasn't a problem and application was smooth. You could layer this over a dark blue or black to eliminate a coat (although you'd get a slightly different look). All in all, a very pretty polish from Revlon!

*I purchased this item myself for review.

Artsy Wednesday: Easter Manicure!

2013-03-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

Today's Artsy Wednesday theme is Easter! I did a basic Easter Egg manicure, using a base of Cult Nails Tempest. I drew and decorated eggs with Essie Where's My Chauffer, Zoya Julie and Tracie, Barielle A Boquet For Eva, Color Club Flamingo, and OPI La-Pazitively Hot. I also used a black Kiss nail art pen.

I think it came out pretty cute! Be sure to check out the Easter manicures from the other Artsy Wednesday ladies:

Pretty Purple Polish - Maria's Nail Art - Unnaked Nails - Nail & Polish - LabMuffin- An Accent Nail - Valiantly Varnished

Bloggiversary Giveaway #2- Lynderella's One Nutty Fruitcake!

2013-03-19T20:33:00.001-07:00

This month marks my one year "Bloggiversary", and as promised.. here is another surprise to celebrate! I'm giving away a bottle of Lynnderella's One Nutty Fruitcake. Enter using the rafflecopter below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Prize purchased by me. Giveaway is open to U.S Residents only. See full rules in the "Terms and Conditions" on the Rafflecopter widget)

Geek Week Nail Art Roundup!

2013-03-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Last week's Digit-al Dozen challenge was one of my favorite ones yet- Geek Week! I had lots of fun creating this geek-themed nail art, but it was hard to contain all of my geekiness into just 5 manicures! I have a feeling I'll be revisiting this theme soon.

Clockwise from top left (click to go to each manicure's or:

Which was your favorite manicure in this challenge? I'm partial to The Hobbit! :)

Milani ColorStatement Lipsticks in Nudes and Browns Swatches and Review

2013-03-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

(From left to right: 25 Naturally Chic, 26 Nude Creme, 27 Dulce Caramelo, 29 Teddy Bare, 30 Candied Toffees, 31 Bronze Beauty, 36 D'Oro, 37 Chocolate Berries, 38 Double Espresso, and the two liners in Spice and Cocoa. )

More lovely new lipsticks from Milani today, these are the Nude and Brown shades in the ColorStatement series. You can see the Reds and Oranges here and the Pinks and Corals here. The formula on these lipsticks is so creamy and longlasting, they are really pigmented and not drying at all. I love this series because the colors are so wearable on a wide variety of skin tones. Nude Creme is a personal favorite, it matches my natural lip color really well for a "my lips but better" sort of look when I'm wearing minimal makeup. The gold shade, D'Oro is gorgeous but doesn't work well on me because I'm so pale. It would look stunning on a lady with a darker complexion. These are some of the best lip liners I've ever used.. they are really creamy but not too soft, and don't drag on the skin at all. Lots of different finishes in this set add plenty of variety. Another great set of pretty, wearable lipsticks from Milani!

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Nail Art!

2013-03-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hello and happy Saturday! I just wanted to share with you some quick nail art I did for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. I started with a base of Butter London's West End Wonderland, then painted a little shamrock as an accent using Barielle Lily of the Valley, Revlon Rainforest, Cult Nails Tempest, Zoya Yara, and a black nail art pen.

Simple and quick, but pretty! Have a safe and fun St. Patrick's Day!