Prim and Polished: A Nail Polish Blog

SinfulColors: Daddy's Girl and Out of This World

2012-01-25T09:20:00.000-05:00

Good morning my friends! I hope you're all doing well. It's my first post since the 49ers lost to the Giants :-( Steve really thought this was their year but he was happy to see them get so far anyway. It was a good run. Silly mistakes and a back up kick returner did them in. I am just sad that I despise BOTH Super Bowl teams this year. If I had to pick one to root for it'd be the Pats though because I was born a Giants hater ;-) I used to really hate Tom Brady but after watching The Brady 6 on ESPN I have grown to like him a little.

Oh well, on to the polish...

Today I have two colors to show you from the SinfulColors holiday collection. Clearly I am late posting these and I want to apologize for that. However, I have seen these colors in the permanent display at my local drugstores so I think you'll still have no trouble getting your hands on these.

First up is Daddy's Girl it's a semi sheer purple shimmer. I used three coats for the opacity shown and as you can see there's still a bit of VNL. I think this color might benefit from a base coat of something more opaque but it is still really pretty on its own. The shimmer is so pretty in this and it has a wet look to it that I really enjoy.

Next I have Out of This World which is a shimmery silver/white/pearl color. I didn't think I'd like this but I am quite happy to say I do! It's actually really beautiful on the nail and I only needed two coats for the opacity shown in the photos. I think it's a great color when you want something a bit understated but still interesting. I am a fan!

There are three more colors from this collection that I will share with you soon. I really enjoy SinfulColors. I adore that they are just $1.99 and really good quality for the money! What are some of your favorite SinfulColors colors?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

Let's Go 49ers!

2012-01-22T11:53:00.001-05:00

It's Sunday which means football. Tonight it's the 49ers vs. The Giants and hubby and I are rooting for the Niners. My husband Steve has been a 49ers fan since he was a kid so he's excited that they're doing so well this year. Tonight we're going to his brother Phil's house to 1) celebrate Steve's upcoming birthday and 2) watch the game. Phil and his wife are huge Giants fans so there will be some tension tonight I am sure.

I have showed you my 49ers nail polish in a previous post but I thought I'd show you today's nails in honor of the game tonight. I used my official Niners polish and then I used a SinfulColors nail art polish in the color Flower Girl and a white nail art polish from Claire's in my lame attempt at nail art. I suck at nail art LOL.

Are you watching the game tonight? Who are you rooting for!?

Orly: Androgynie

2012-01-21T10:44:00.001-05:00

Ugh, there's tons of snow here in Connecticut and I do not like it at all. Steve and I are supposed to watch our nephew, P.J., tonight, but if they don't make any attempts to plow (they haven't yet) IDK what we're going to do! I hate snow, it makes me angry. It looks pretty at first but then it's a damn mess of slush and MUD. Ugh.

Anyway, today I have a polish from Orly to share with you. I picked Androgynie up a few weeks back at Sally Beauty Supply when I spied it on the discount table for $3.99. I was so excited for this color because in the bottle it's stunning. It's a deep chocolate brown with tons of silver microshimmer and holographic larger hex glitter. I wanted to love this. In the bottle it's perfect, I could stare at it all day... on the nail... well....

The large hex glitter is very difficult to get onto the nail, it just doesn't come out of the bottle. When it does it doesn't really show up anyway. I feel like it drowns in the base color so even when it is there it is covered in the brown and doesn't show up.

Now the photos are deceiving because you can see the hex glitter. I think that's because I used a flash. When the light hit the nail the larger glitter did show up... in normal lighting though it looked more like a speckled brown with some random hex sparkles (like 2 per nail). Have a look at the final photo of the bunch for the most accurate photo of what this looks like most of the time.

I used three coats in the photos. It was pretty opaque but I did experience some balding upon application.

So I do like this color still but I just want it to work! Please give me some tips for how to make this as amazing as it is in the bottle on my nail!

OPI: Holland Collection (press release)

2012-01-19T14:34:00.000-05:00

Color with a Touch of Dutch

OPI Launches Holland Collection for Spring

Summer 2012

OPI celebrates color with the Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Inspired by the country’s range of stunning shades – as seen in vivid tulips, windmill-dotted hillsides and bustling canals – the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented brights.

“Holland has a very unique, vibrant beauty to match its open-minded nature,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Spring is the season of color, and the Holland Collection provides an array of pink, coral and orange hues that capture this energy. The bright lacquers are married with neutrals in new variations like red clay and sea green.”

A sequence of electric brights, including a sun-lit orange (A Roll in The Hague), a hot coral-red (Red Lights Ahead…Where?) and two perfectly pretty pinks (Kiss Me on My Tulips and a light-catching Pedal Faster Suzi!) complement their cooler counterparts in hues of glistening purple (Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI? and Vampsterdam), while elegant neutrals (Gouda Gouda

Two Shoes, Did You ’ear About Van Gogh? and Wooden Shoe Like to Know?) meet two shimmer-laced blues (I Have a Herring Problem and I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!) and a creamy sea green (Thanks a WindMillion).

“Wearing these colors on fingers and toes will accessorize the season’s hottest trends,” remarks Suzi. “The varied palette of colors accentuates the looks that walked the runway, from colored pants and ladylike frocks to long, blousy- sleeved tops and dramatic patterns.”

Holland by OPI includes the following shades:

A Roll in The Hague: Take advantage of this frisky little orange.
Red Lights Ahead…Where?: This coral-packed red is the hottest in the district.
Kiss Me on My Tulips: A smooch-worthy shade of hot pink.
Pedal Faster Suzi!: This pink lavender shimmer will have you “wheeling.”
Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI?: All of Holland hollers for this crowd-pleasing plum.
Vampsterdam: A deep purple for a divine diva.
Did You ’ear About Van Gogh?: Rumor has it…this sandy bisque is a work of art.
Thanks a WindMillion: You totally deserve this breezy sea green.
Wooden Shoe Like to Know?: It’s no secret…everybody loves this shimmery chocolate-brown.
I Have a Herring Problem: What’s that you say? I need to “sea” this shimmery green-blue?
I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!: This sassy steal-blue shimmer means business!
Gouda Gouda Two Shoes: Take a walk on the wild side with this robust rose.

Holland Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Holland Collection by OPI will be available February 8, 2012, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($9.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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ABOUT OPI

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily- pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

All info and images provided directly from PR. I arranged the images into the collage myself.

OPI: Nicki Minaj Collection (Press Release)

2012-01-19T14:14:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I have a quick press release from OPI to share with you. This is regarding their Nicki Minaj collection. I am not a huge fan of Nicki but I think she's got some great talent. I saw her in concert with Britney Spears over the summer and I have to say she completely rocked the house. Her nail polish collection looks as fun as she is!

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Pink Everyday!

OPI Partners with Platinum Recording Artist

Nicki Minaj to Launch Limited Edition Lacquers

OPI announces the launch of six new limited edition shades inspired by hip hop sensation Nicki Minaj, including a purple Shatter! Inspired by Minaj’s unique style, love of bright colors, and her debut album Pink Friday, the Nicki Minaj by OPI promotion will feature an array of bold hues, from neon lime green to pink.

“OPI is so excited to work with Nicki in releasing these six new nail lacquers,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Nicki has taken the hip hop world by storm, but her music is only part of the equation. She’s also become a fashion inspiration, noted for her daring costumes and hair color both on and Nicki’s eclectic look made including a new hue in OPI’s bestselling Shatter coat a must for this collaboration. The purple Super Bass Shatter (a record-setting purple that “shatters” before your eyes) is inspired by graffiti art and works when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Super Bass Shatter from matte to glossy in The line features five nail lacquers in addition to Super Bass Shatter, ranging from fantastic pink, rainbow confetti glitter and charcoal sparkle hues to two green shades in lime and teal:

Pink Friday: Kick off the weekend with this pop! of bubblegum pink.
Metallic 4 Life: This charcoal sparkle flies with the stars in the skies.
Save Me: I drove for miles just to find this silver-rainbow glitter.
Fly: I came to win, to fight…and to wear this aqua.
Did It On ‘Em: A lusty little lacquer that loves the “lime”-light.

Nicki Minaj by OPI nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. This limited edition promotion will be available beginning January 2012 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer. For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

***

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high- quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/ pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

All info and images provided directly from PR. I arranged the images into the collage myself.

Pink Wednesday: Gosh: Light Rose

2012-01-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

On Wednesdays we wear pink and this Wednesday I am wearing Light Rose by Gosh. A wonderful friend of mine, Alexis, who lives in Canada kindly sent me a holiday package of Gosh polishes since I can't buy them anywhere here in the United States. Thanks Lex!!!

This is my first Gosh polish and I have to say, I really like it! The color of this is a very light, almost white pink color. It's a really nice clean and professional color to wear. A nice pallet cleanser if you will.

I used three coats for maximum opacity but I do think you could get away with just two. I used three just because there was a very slight visible nail line. In all honestly though I am just a freak about nail lines LOL. I had no issues with application it actually went on so easily and evenly. I put this on on Sunday night and I am still wearing it and it hasn't chipped at all and I have almost no tip wear either. I am impressed with the wear.

Do you have access to Gosh nail polishes where you live? What do you think of them? What are some of your favorite Gosh colors?

San Francisco 49ers Nail Polish

2012-01-15T20:33:00.001-05:00

The San Francisco 49ers got the win over the Saints yesterday so what better time to show off my 49ers nail polish? My husband Steve has been a 49ers fan since he was a small child and this Christmas he got me the official San Fran nail polish! You can purchase this polish for on the NFL Store and it's $14.99 for TWO, which I think is a great price point. These polishes are the official team colors which is so much fun!

The 49ers set comes with two polishes, an awesome metallic gold and a shimmery crimson. Both polishes are great quality and went on perfectly. The gold was nearly opaque in one coat but I used two for good measure. The crimson was an awesome finish, it was sort of jelly but not as sheer. I used two coats for full opacity and it had a really high shine finish. The crimson has some microshimmer which is really pretty in the light.

If you're into football I suggest picking up your favorite teams colors. I think it's so cool that they sell these and they make a great gift for any major fans in your life. I plan on sporting these next week when the Niners take on the Giants (ew). Maybe I will even try my hand at some "SF" nail art. We shall see.

What is your favorite football team? Who do you want to see in the Super Bowl? If you're not into football which team has your favorite colors?

Finger Paints: Twisted (Flakie!!! Over Black)

2012-01-13T18:26:00.000-05:00

TGIF! I know this will be my third post of the day but those were press releases and tags so I fell like some nail polish porn is needed to even it out :-)

The other day I was near one of the better Sally Beauty Supplies in my area and I hit the jackpot. They had all the new flakies (I only picked up the three I was interested in, Twisted, Asylum and Motley). I was lucky because they only had one of each of the ones I wanted! Score!!! Then on the clearence table they had two Orly's I have been looking for Androgynie and Rock Solid! It was a good shopping day!

I had to try Twisted right away! I ran home and layered it over black. It looks amazing over black. It's a multicolored flakie. It's perfection! I am so happy with it. I think it will look amazing over any dark polish! It has red, orange, blue, purple and green flakies to my eye. I just love it. I used two coats over one coat of a basic black creme:

Do you love this one as much as I do? It's so pretty! I paid $5.99 each for them at Sally Beauty Supply. I am so happy because my Sally's never has the good stuff.

Cute Blog Award

2012-01-13T17:27:00.000-05:00

The wonderful Ashesela of Art Evolve tagged me in the Cute Blog Award! Thanks Ashesela! I love your blog too!

For this award you:

1. Link back to the person who awarded you

2. Answer the award questions

3. Tell something about yourself that you haven't told anyone on your blog yet

4. Award as many blogs as you think are worthy of this award

5. Make sure to let those you gave this award to know that you awarded them.

The Award Questions:

1. What is your go to makeup product?

- Tinted Moisturizer. I hate my skin so I love tinted moisturizers as a quick easy way to even out my skintone. I usually conceal and powder after but sometimes I am too lazy and just used the TM.

2. What was your favorite fashion trend of 2011?

- I am not huge into fashion per-se, my job requires me to wear business attire so I can't have that much fun with my daily wardrobe. I guess I will comment on nail polish trends. I hated crackle glad it's on the way out. Love the glitters that have come out, especially holo and multicolor.

3. What is your favorite dessert?

-This is so hard for me. I love my mom's Red Velvet cake with Cream Cheese frosting, I love creme brulee (especially the top), I love cheesecake of all types, good ol' chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes from a bookstore near my work and Seven Layer Bars (my mom's version of them, she calls them magic bars).

4. Favorite color?

-Green. Peridot/mint is my favorite... or seafoam.

5. What is your middle name?

-Marie, yes Italian... Gina Marie

6. What was the last song that you listened to?

-Madonna's Like a Prayer which came on in the car not once but TWICE. Made my day!

7. Cats or dogs?

-Cats fo' shizzle.

8. Something about myself that you don't know:

Well I am sure you all know I am Disney obsessed so I am not sure that counts.

I love to read.

I collect rubber duckies.

I am 60% deaf in my left ear (it's a pain in the butt).

I am a lawyer.

I am always hot, even when it's cold.

I tag you all! Have fun and answer the questions in the comments!

China Glaze: ElectroPop (Press Release)

2012-01-13T16:34:00.001-05:00

Los Angeles, CA - (January 2012): Where heavy metal meets rocker chic, China Glaze® introduces the Spring 2012 collection, ElectroPop. Inspired by all things girly, edgy and fun, the 12 shades of ElectroPop bring out the inner rock star in all. For flash and glam this spring, China Glaze® hits the stage in style!

ElectroPop Shades include:

Kinetic Candy – Touch the sky in light blue crème
Electric Beat – Periwinkle nails for a wink worthy performance
Aquadelic – Pool blue for nighttime gigs and daytime fun in the sun
Gaga For Green – Green lacquer for the girl craving the limelight
Sunshine Pop – Shine in the spotlight in bold yellow
Make Some Noise – Rock the mic in tangerine
Wicked Style – Party cocktail tropical punch
Fuchsia Fanatic – Fuchsia pink for the rocker diva in us all
Gothic Lolita – Steal the show on girls night out in seductive purple
Dance Baby – Hit center stage in cotton candy pink
Sweet Hook – Blow a kiss in dreay lilac
Techno – Glitter confetti polish for a dazzling topcoat finish or all over finger tip bling

ElectroPop is also available in:

6 Piece Collection of “Brights”: Techno, Aquadelic, Sunshine Pop, Gaga for Green, Make Some Noise and Wicked Style

6 Piece Collection of “Lights”: Fuchsia Fanatic, Dance Baby, Electric Beat, Kinetic Candy, Sweet Hook and Gothic Lolita

12 Piece 3D Counter Display
36 Piece Rack

ElectroPop will be available February 2012. 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, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook and Twitter:http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries

For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.

All information and photos provided by PR. I arranged the photos myself.

Kaley Cuoco Sports "Lucky" Manicure While Hosting the People's Choice Awards

2012-01-12T15:17:00.002-05:00

Last night, The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco hosted the 2012 People's Choice Awards at L.A.'s Nokia Theatre, wearing her now trademark “lucky” manicure with two-toned nails styled by OPI celebrity manicurist Beth Fricke. Cuoco wore OPI Nail Lacquer in Bastille My Heart on all her nails, except on her two ring fingers, which were painted with Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer in Follow Me on Glitter.

Cuoco also sported a similar two-toned OPI manicure at the 2011 Emmy awards; this look was hailed as one of the evening’s best accessories to walk the red carpet.

So what do you think of this look?

If you're anything like me and you are obsessed with Beauty Guru videos on youtube you might be familiar with Lorraine of TheCurrentCustom... she's been sporting a glitter nails for years now! What a trendsetter!

Info provided directly by PR. Images made into a collage by me.

Zoya: Bevin (True Collection)

2012-01-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Another Monday already! Time just seems to fly lately. I hope you all had a nice weekend. Steve and I went to see Disney on Ice on Saturday (don't laugh I loved it). It was such a cute and fun show. I cannot get enough Disney! Yesterday we went to a close friend's surprise 30th Birthday party! That was great! I've never been to a surprise party before and Sarah's husband pulled it off without a hitch! Overall it was a great weekend for Steve and I.

Today I want to share another color from Zoya's True Collection (Spring 2012). This is Bevin which is a teal toned dusty green creme. Now you all know this is one of my all time favorite colors and this polish is no exception. It's really beautiful. For reference, it's much lighter and more pistachio green than OPI's Mermaid's Tears.

This was a perfect two coater. I found it was easy to apply and looked flawless. I am a real fan of this polish.

So, do you love this as much as I do?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

Zoya: Farah (True Collection)

2012-01-07T11:04:00.003-05:00

The weekend is here! The weekend is here! What are your weekend plans!?

Today I want to show you another polish from Zoya's True collection. This is Farah and to my eye it's a grey toned khaki beige nude creme. I am a huge fan of colors like this. I tend to favor them in my collection, I am not sure why!

Now I mentioned yesterday that while this color seems close to Cho it actually is not. Do you see what I mean when comparing the two. Completely different! This is a true creme and is much less yellow than Cho.

I used two coats for full opacity which I love. I had no issues at all with application, this went on perfectly.

So is this your kind of color!?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

Zoya: Cho (True Collection)

2012-01-06T22:10:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in posting, it's been a tiring week for me. How a 4 day work week can seem so long is beyond me. Yesterday was my 3rd wedding anniversary! I cannot believe it was three years ago that I married my best friend! Time flies which is extremely depressing!!! This weekend we're going to go to Disney on Ice. I know, I am such a loser. We'll probably be the only couple there without kids. My husband is a great sport supporting my Disney addiction!

Now on to the polish...

This is Cho which is part of Zoya's True collection. This is a creamy yellow toned nude color which has a subtle silver microshimmer. It's actually a pretty unique nude in my collection. I like it much more than I thought I would. I thought it would be too yellow but I think it suits my skin tone just fine.

This is the only polish from the True collection which required three coats for full opacity. It went on smoothly and I had no issues with streaking or balding.

You might think that this looks similar to Farrah from the same collection but I assure you they are very different. Farrah is much more grey toned while this is much more yellow/beige. See my previous post to see them side by side.

How do you like this one? What's your favorite nude?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

Zoya: True Collection Sneek Peek

2012-01-02T20:56:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2012 is starting off positive for you all! I just wanted to come on and give you a quick sneek peek of the polishes I will be featuring this week. This is Zoya's True collection. Be on the lookout for full reviews on each color this week. For now enjoy a collage of all the colors. Which is your favorite?

This collection features:

Cho (ZP585): Full coverage, vanilla shimmer metallic
Farah (ZP586): Full coverage, latte beige cream
Bevin (ZP587): Full coverage, pale sage green cream
Skylar (ZP588): Full coverage, silvered slate blue metallic
Tru (ZP589): Full coverage, gilded purple orchid metallic
Lotus (ZP590): Full coverage, light lotus purple metallic

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

OPI: Stranger Tides (Pirate of the Caribbean Collection)

2011-12-29T09:56:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I had a great Christmas with my family and they all spoiled me with the most amazing presents. I am so grateful to have such amazing people in my life! I hope you all have amazing people in your lives to share the holidays with.

Today I have a color to share from OPI's Pirates of the Caribbean collection. I know this is an older collection but too bad! I love this collection and just got it a few months ago so I am going to share it ;-)

This is Stranger Tides which is a gorgeous dirty sea foam green creme. It's just the perfect green. This is my all time favorite color in general, not just in nail polish. (I actually favor purple nail polish more than green even though I favor green in everything else). I just adore the color of this polish and I think that while many brands seem to have put out a color like this this year this one is at the top of my list.

The formula is perfection! It's a rich creme that just glides on perfectly with no streaking or balding to be found. It's smooth and shiny at the finish and lasts forever. I never wear polish more than a few days but I rocked this one for 6 whole days with no chips and minimal tip wear. I am impressed!

Beauteous right?! I love it!! What is your favorite green? Do you have this one?

Let me know in the comments what you did for the holidays! I'd love to hear!

Early Christmas Presents and Holiday Party Nails

2011-12-23T11:44:00.001-05:00

Is everyone ready for Christmas? (If you celebrate). My husband and I are silly and already exchanged gifts and I am so happy we did because my husband is amazing and got me the best gifts ever. If you've been following my blog for a while now you know that besides loving nail polish I am Disney OBSESSED. Disney World in Orlando, FL is my favorite place on this planet and my husband and I were even married there in 2009. Well my husband managed to combine my two favorite things into one awesome Christmas present! Here's what he got me!

First, how cool is this? NFL nail polish!! How well does he know me?! I didn't even know this existed! He got me the San Francisco 49ers colors. Be on the lookout for a review soon. There is a fabulous molten metal gold color and the classic San Fran crimson (which appears to have a touch of gold micro shimmer)! I can't wait to use these.

Second, the most fabulous gift! My husband knows me so well! I have been eyeing these bags for so long and never wanted to splurge on myself. I love both Dooney & Bourke and Disney and Dooney Disney bags are my favorite! I was so shocked when I opened the package! I am so spoiled! Steve did so well picking the style of bag too. He had it down to the right size and the right straps. :-)

So a big thanks to my husband Steve for making Christmas awesome! You really went above and beyond and I appreciate everything you do for me. I will enjoy this bag for years to come and can't wait to wear the polish in the playoffs!

When you open your presents come back and tell me all about them! I love hearing about what makes you happy!

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Last week was my office Christmas party so I wanted to share the manicure I wore to that. I wore an eggplant colored dress and gold seemed to both work with that color and be festive at the same time. I did a lot of layering to achieve this look.

I used one coat of OPI's Glitzerland and then one coat of Color Club's Take the Stage topped with one coat of Milani's Jewel FX Gold then one more of the Color Club and one more of the Milani. It was so blingy!!!

NYX Advanced Salon Formula: Enchanted Forest

2011-12-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

Hello readers! Today I have a festive green color to share with you. This is Enchanted Forest from NYX's Advanced Salon Formula line. I purchased several bottles from the line during Cherry Culture's recent 20% off sale. I have seen only a handful of reviews for these polishes so I thought I'd try them and see what I think.

Unfortunately the only two things I like about this polish are the bottle shape (pretty much the same as Deborah Lippmann's polishes) and the color...

The color is stunning, it's a medium toned shimmery green/gold. It's absolutely gorgeous and eye catching. The formula however was an epic fail for me.

First, this color is so sheer it required three coats for the opacity shown and four might have been better. I can usually deal with that but the formula was also so annoyingly thick it was difficult to work with so the extra coat just pissed me off. It kept gunking up on the side of the opening which was a major pain.

Second, it just would not dry. I used Seche Vite on top as I always do and applied the polish the same way I apply all of my polishes and this thing just would not dry. Hours, literally hours later it was so tacking to the touch that I was able to scrape right off!! I just scratched it off all of my nails because it was like thick goo and never dried, even with the Seche. That is a major turn off and I really hope the rest of the polishes I bought don't have the same issue.

At least it's pretty right?

Have you used this line of polishes? What do you think of them? I bought several so I hope this is the only dud.

Zoya: Holly & Rina (Gems and Jewels Collection)

2011-12-21T11:16:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Today I have two colors from Zoya's Gems and Jewels Holiday Collection. I think this was a really festive look for the season. I layered Rina over Holly. Let's start with Holly:

Holly is a (wouldn't you know) Holly green color. It's a shimmery sort of frosty finish and has a nice sparkle to it. While it's somewhat frosty in finish I did not have any issues with brush streaks at all. I used two coats for the opacity shown and had no bald spots. I think this color alone is a great festive holiday color. I just love green!

To push the look over the top for the season I added two coats of Rina on top. Rina is a green and holographic bar glitter that sits in a clear base. I think it absolutely needs to be layered because the base is much to sheer for my liking to be worn alone. The glitter is mostly green but every once in a while the holo particles flash mostly blue to my eye.

I think this looked pretty cool layered over Holly but in all honesty I am not a fan of the bar glitter, I just don't think it's pretty. It looks sort of like Easter grass or something. This is just a personal preference and does not have anything to do with the quality of the polish to me.

So what do you think of these two polishes together and alone?

Do you like the bar type glitter? Am I the only one who isn't digging it?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

Layla: Magneffect Nail Polish in Black Metal

2011-12-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Good morning my friends. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods! For those who celebrate, are you ready for Christmas? I still have some last minute shopping to do, I am ridiculous!

Today I have a nail polish from the brand Layla and it's a "Magneffect Magnetic Effect Nail Polish". The color I have is Black Metal. I am sure you have seen these types of polishes around lately, I know Nails Inc. makes one and some other brands as well. This type of polish is basically instant nail art. Here's how it works:

The nail polish comes with a magnet on the top of the brush applicator. You apply one coat (which is all I needed for the opacity shown) and immediately place the magnet above the nail; about 1cm away for the nail, for at least 10 seconds. Magnets in the nail polish react wit the magnet on the applicator to create the nail art you see on my nails below. (At least that is what I think happens LOL)

This is the first time I used the product so the results are not 100% perfect. I think with practice I will have a better outcome but I do think it still looks pretty cool!

What do you think? I think it's pretty neat! And one coat for full opacity works for me. I did find it chipped very quickly so I am not sure if it's because of the one coat or what but it's something to be mindful of. You can purchase this brand at Drugstore.com for $15.50 each, which is quite expensive considering you're only getting .33 fl. oz.

China Glaze: Colours From the Capitol (Hunger Games)

2011-12-14T14:51:00.001-05:00

I don't typically like to bombard you with press releases since so many bloggers also receive them but this is a collection I am very excited for so I had to share. Here's what China Glaze has to say about the collection:

This collection of 12 new nail polish shades is inspired exclusively by one distinct setting in The Hunger Games- the Capitol of the nation of Panem. Awash in lavish fashion, food, and entertainment, Capitol citizens enjoy extreme cosmetics and body modifications, bold wigs, and outlandish costumes.

I cannot tell you how excited I am for this collection. I am a HUGE Hunger Games fan and if you haven't read the books then GO GET THEM NOW! LOL but seriously they are so wonderful!

Which are you the most excited for? I can't wait to see Fast Track and Luxe and Lush.

Information and photos received directly from the company's PR.

Color Club: Sugar Plum Fairy (Under the Mistletoe Collection)

2011-12-14T13:23:00.000-05:00

Howdy! Today I have a color from Color Club's Under the Mistletoe collection to share with you. This beauty is called Sugar Plum Fairy and it's a light purple/silver/holo glitter. It's absolutely stunning in almost all lighting. I kept staring at my nails, holo glitter will do that to you! The color is just beautiful.

It's a pain in the bum to apply. It was thick and goopy and really annoying. I used three coats and it was mostly opaque, maybe one more would do better but it was so obnoxious to apply I stopped at three. I had to keep closing the bottle and shaking it to get the globs and globs of glitter off the brush. I topped it with Seche Vite to smooth it out and I found it worked well enough.

It was also a pain to remove. Typical must soak glitter.

While it was annoying to both apply and remove I do love this polish. It's so pretty! I am a sucker for holo glitter.

All this glitter for the season is killing my nails! I really need a glitter break!

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

The Top Ten Award Tag

2011-12-14T13:12:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by the lovely and talented Art Evolve to do the Top Ten Award Tag! I love tags and this is a fun one so here are the questions:

1. Favorite Cuticle Cream: I am a big fan of the Dr. Dobb's Tropical Blend Cuticle and Nail Salve with mango and lemon butter. It's a solid balm that comes in a cute tin and it smells divine! I just love it!

2. Favorite Cuticle Something Else (lol): For intense hydration and an overnight miracle for dry cracked cuticles I really love California Mango Mend. This stuff is an overnight wonder. I swear if your cuticles are beat up and dry from too much acetone or the cold weather just dab a little of this stuff on before bed and you'll wake up with noticeably hydrated skin. It's a holy grail product for me.

3. Favorite Perfume: I am going to go all old school on you now and say Davidoff Cool Water for Women. I have been wearing this perfume since middle school and I still have a bottle on stand by. I think the reason I love it so much is because it just brings back old good memories. I wore it on my first date with my husband and I wore it on our wedding day. It's fresh and clean and for some reason just hits it off really well with my body chemistry. I have many perfumes in my collection but this one consistently appears and I never go without it. Notes: "citrus, pineapple, and woody notes, blended with the scent of ocean air". Honorable mentiones: Aquolina: Pink Sugar, Philosphy: Baby Grace and Pure Grace, Moschino: I Love Love and Donna Karen: Black Cashmere.

4. Favorite Lip Products: I am going to break this down into categories because I am nuts:

Favorite Lip Balm: I am going to have to go with another Dr. Dobb's product here. My favorite lip balm of all time is Dr. Dobb's Peppermint Tingle. I used to be a huge Burt's Bees lip balm fan until one day at my law school's co-op I picked up Dr. Dobb's Peppermint Tingle; it's been my go to balm every since. It's just like Burt's Bees by more emollient and not as waxy. It's got a refreshing peppermint scent and it's cooling to the lips. If you ever see it pick it up because it's incredible stuff. Honorable Mentions: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Original or Lemon/Chamomile. I also love Nivea Lip Balms.
Favorite Tinted Lip Balm: I can't get my hands on there here in the US but Labello tinted lip balms are awesome!!! They are the smoothest tinted balms I have ever seen. I won one in a giveaway once and I have been dying for more since.
Favorite Gloss: I am not huge on lip gloss but I do like Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses. They're not sticky and come in some really beautiful colors.
Favorite Lip Stick: This is a tough one. I will have to say I miss MAC's Bare Slim Shine, why oh why did they discontinue it! I also love NYX's Thalia Round Lipstick which is only like $3 or less!

5. Favorite Nail Polish Brands: I love so many brands this is a tough one but if I had to pick only one I guess I'd say China Glaze because China Glaze products were some of the first in my collection and they've never let me down.

6. Favorite Top Coat: I have to go with Seche Vite. I know it thickens and you have to buy Seche Restore or toss 1/2 of the bottle but it's always worked best for me as far as drying time and shine.

7. Favorite Hand Cream/ Lotion: I am really picky with hand creams because I hate greasy stuff on my hands. I love the Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere & Silk Hand Cream. It smells lovely and is not greasy at all.

8. Favorite Base Coat: Nail Life Gripper is a great one and it comes in a giant bottle and isn't very expensive.

9. Current Favorite Nail Polish Collection: This is so hard! Why must I be put on the spot!?!?! This year I really loved OPI's Pirates of the Caribbean Collection so I'll go with that! I loved all of the colors in that one.

10. Favorite Facial Moisturizers: Easy, for me it's Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel. It feels so nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

TAG! You are ALL tagged.

Link this post back to me if you do it!

OPI: Pepe's Purple Passion: (Muppets Collection)

2011-12-12T09:45:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Can you believe we're 12 days away from Christmas Eve? Where did the time go!? Honestly, this year flew by for me! Insane!! I still have not completed my Christmas shopping. Ugh!

Today I have another color from the Muppets collection to share with you. This one is called Pepe's Purple Passion and it's not really purple at all! To me this reads way more burgundy/maroon/plum than purple and it's packed with pretty red shimmer flecks. It's stunning! The shimmer absolutely makes this one for me. I am getting more into shimmer these days. Without the shimmer this color is basic but the red glass like flecks really make it fun to me.

The formula was a touch thicker than normal but not that difficult to work with. I did find that without a top coat this color lacked shine so be sure to top this one off. I used two coats for the opacity shown and I am happy with the results.

So, who is Pepe? Good question! I really love the Muppets but I guess I am not as big a fan as I thought I was because I really did not have a clue who Pepe was. Upon looking him up I have to say that I still have no clue who he is! So let's learn together:

Apparently Pepe is a prawn, not a shrimp, a prawn. He does not like being called a shrimp so get it right! He is of Spanish descent and speaks with an accent. You can learn more about Pepe here. To be honest, he kind of scares me ;-) He's creepy but his polish is pretty so he gets a pass.

So hit or miss for you? I really like it. I think it's completely work appropriate too without being boring!

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.

On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Color Club: Fame & Fortune (Backstage Pass Collection)

2011-12-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

Hi lovelies! This Pink Wednesday I have a crazy color from Color Club's Back Stage Pass Collection to share with you. This beauty is called Fame and Fortune and it's a hot pink jelly packed with varying sized glitter sheets... yes, sheets, I can't think of any other way to describe them.

Now this was not easy to apply and took some time to get right. I used three coats for the opacity shown. The glitter is a pain in the butt to work with because the shape. The jelly base is really beautiful but I find it to be thick and, well, jelly like so I found myself periodically pausing my application to close and shake the bottle. Eventually I got it on and looking good. I only had some of the glitter sticking up in an obnoxious way but I tamed it with an extra thick coat of Seche Vite. I think the results are worth the trouble because this one is unique and really pretty.

One of you mentioned you'd like to hear more on removal of glitters. Well this one is just as much a pain as most others are. It's a soaker. I did find as well that, like many glitters in my collection it chipped very fast on me... like not even one day before it began to chip. No bueno.

What do you think of this one? Worth the trouble applying and removing for you? Let me know in the comments!

For me, it's worth the hassle. I think it's super pretty and unique!

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy.