Essie Trophy Wife has a silly name.

(Side note: I’d love to see a nail polish called ‘Trophy Husband’. If I could design it, it would be a deep blue with gold and black glitter.)

This is another one of those polishes that really comes alive in the light – it’s glowy and dramatic!

For a long time, I hardly blinked an eye (or two since I have more than one) at Essie. But ever since they started adding colours that aren’t traditionally feminine (e.g. pinks, reds, sheers), that’s when I sat up and took note. Then I began salivating like Pavlov’s dogs.

(Another side note: If you haven’t seen Ivan Pavlov, you’ve gotta check out this photo. The dude has awesome facial hair. I wish that more men would sport something like that. Haha, it would give you more reasons to smile each day! )

Essie Trophy Wife Pictures

Flash

Natural Light

Flash

Natural Light

Essie Trophy Wife Ingredients

Essie Trophy Wife Swatches

All swatches have:

• Seche Clear Crystal Clear Base Coat
• 3 coats of Essie Trophy Wife
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Flash Photos

Natural Light Photos

Claim: TRUSTED

√ Deep teal pearl

Key Notes

• Name: Essie Trophy Wife
• Amount: 13.5 mL (0.46 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by Natali Products. Retails for $8 USD.)
• Where to Buy: Natali Products (if you’re an industry professional), Nailsupplies, Beauty.com, Head2Toe Beauty & Trans Design

Essie Trophy Wife Review

Colour

Trophy Wife by Essie is a bluish green that reminds me a little bit of mermaid fishtails (not that I’ve seen one, but I keep hoping for miracles)!

It’s as lively on your nails as a song that takes it up an octave for the final verse. This is my kind of colour – vivid and fierce.

If you’re a fan of green or teal nail polishes like I am, I bet my bottom dollar that you’d like it, too. (Heck, I’d also bet my top dollar.)

Finish

Essie describes Trophy Wife as having a pearl finish. I guess it is a bit pearly, but I think it can also be called frosty since there’s a noticeable metallic quality. And since it’s frosty, yes, there are noticeable brushstrokes, however, they aren’t in-your-face.

Application & Formula

The formula surprised me. For a colour that’s this saturated, I was expecting it to be very pigmented in a single coat. That wasn’t the case at all! The first coat was sheer and somewhat streaky. With a second coat, it looked much better, but I felt the strong need to apply a third coat.

My bottle of Trophy Wife by Essie was thin and watery, so I had to be careful not to accidentally flood my cuticles. Other than that, the formula was great and easy to control.

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

I kept looking down at my nails (like a vain peacock) when wearing this manicure. It’s another hue that I would definitely classify as a ‘comfort colour’ – i.e. I found it super easy to wear because it didn’t stray out of my comfort zone.

Even though it required 3 coats for me to get it the point where I was happy with the way it looked, I think that extra coat was worth the effort!

Do you buy your Essie polishes at the drugstore, salon/spa, or beauty-supply store? Don’t you just love the sophisticated and minimalist shape of the Essie bottle?

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Deja vu? Nope, but close!

Yes, yes, yes…here is another Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter!

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Red Velvet was one of the shades I wanted the most when I first caught wind of these bad boys.

The reason? I don’t wear red lipstick and prefer gloss, but I wanted to experiment with one. A pigmented lip butter seemed like a happy middle of the road, so I pounced on it.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Red Velvet Pictures

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Red Velvet Ingredients

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Red Velvet Swatches

Bare Lips for Reference

Natural Light

Flash Photos

Natural Light Photos

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Buttery balm
√ Shiny colour
√ Makes lips look healthy
? Boosts lips’ moisture by 156%

Key Notes

• Name: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Red Velvet
• Colours Available in the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Collection: Peach Parfait, Red Velvet, Lollipop, Pink Truffle, Sugar Frosting, Raspberry Pie, Tutti Fruitti, Brown Sugar, Fig Jam, Candy Apple, Cotton Candy, Berry Smoothie, Cupcake, Gumdrop, Creamsicle, Cherry Tart, Strawberry Shortcake, Sugar Plum, Sweet Tart & Creme Brulee
• Amount: 2.55 g (0.09 oz.)
• What I Paid: $8.99 CAD (Yup, I paid full price before there was a sale on it!)
• Where to Buy: Well.ca, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, some Loblaws & select drugstores

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter Red Velvet Review

Colour

This red is deep and reminds me more of the kind you would wear around the fall and winter. In the summer, I picture people wearing brighter reds like cherries. But…since I was trying to specifically experiment with a deep red, that’s why I chose this shade.

Sadly, I didn’t fall in love with this colour because it’s too ‘serious’ for me. I was way more a fan of Lollipop because it looks lively and has this playfulness that brightens up your entire face. (In fact, the first time I wore it to work, right after I said, “Good morning!” to a co-worker, she immediately said, “That colour looks so good on you!” When you get an unsolicited compliment like that, you know it’s the real deal.)

But, I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy Candy Apple (which is the brighter red). Bright reds tend to make me look clownish. So I guess I’ll be sticking to bright pinks if I’m craving a red. :S I dunno…Any suggestions for a rich red you think would work with my yellow undertones?

Is It Moisturizing?

Yes, I found this as moisturizing as other Revlon Lip Butters. It feels nice and smooth going on your lips, but it’s not enough to replace a good lip balm.

It feels very comfortable on your lips and not dry like how some lipsticks can feel.

Finish

I love the finish – it’s shiny and catches the light. There’s no glitter or big chunks in it, so you get pure, wet shiny goodness!

Application

I applied the Revlon Red Velvet ColorBurst Lip Butter straight from the tube, and it glided on easily and smoothly. However, with a colour that’s dark like this, you have to pay more attention to how you apply it, or it’ll look messy.

What Is the Wear Time?

If I didn’t eat, drink, or talk a lot, Red Velvet lasted me a good 3-4 hours. That’s very good, considering that this isn’t a lipstick and considering that most glossy lip products usually aren’t long-wearing anyway. I’m very happy with it, and I’ve found (so far) that the darker the Lip Butter is, the longer it seems to wear on me.

Packaging

While I like the quilted pattern on the tube and how the tube itself corresponds to the actual shade inside, I’m not in love with the packaging.

Sometimes the cover is tricky to remove, and that’s because the base of the lip butter is so short. If that bottom part were taller, it would be a breeze to pull the lid off.

One thing I really like about the packaging? The clear window at the top. When I browse the Revlon Lip Butters in the store, it’s nice to be able to see the actual colour instead of just a computerized colour swatch.

Availability

Red Velvet doesn’t seem to be too hard to find, so you should have no problem getting your hands on it. Also, these Lip Butters are a permanent collection, so don’t worry if you can’t find it now. When they restock, you’ll get it. Yay for good products not being discontinued fast, right?

No Fragrance

Some people have expressed their wish that the Lip Butters would smell as delicious as their names. But I’m glad that they aren’t scented. I have a sensitive nose, and if a scent rubs it the wrong way, that’s a major deal-breaker for me, especially since lip products are worn close to your nose.

It’d be cute if they came out with a limited-edition set of the Lip Butters that are scented, but I’d prefer that the core collection remain as is. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?)

Final Verdict: 7/10

While I liked the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Red Velvet, it’s not a colour that I’ve found myself reaching for often. I find that bright pinks (that are close to red) do wonders for my complexion, but deep reds like this make me look tired for some reason.

Even though it wasn’t the best for me, I can see how this would look killer on someone else. So, if you like it, give it a try. You never know if you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Did any of the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter shades disappoint you? If so, which ones? If not, have you tried any colours that were out of your comfort zone?

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Essie Aruba Blue is the kind of blue that I feel anyone can pull off because it’s a jewel tone.

This decadent colour seems to have that lit-from-within feel because the middle of your nails are lighter than the edges.

I imagine that if there was a robot designed by The Smurfs, it would be exactly this colour. Or maybe it could be the colour of blueberries eaten by cyborgs in the year 6000. It’s also the colour I picture an enchanted pool in fairy tales should look like.

What does Essie Aruba Blue remind you of? Smurf tears? A blue moon? The galaxy? A frosty winter’s night? (Haha, I could go on and on and on…)

Essie Auba Blue Pictures

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Natural Light

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Essie Aruba Blue Ingredients

Essie Aruba Blue Swatches

All swatches have:

• Seche Clear Crystal Clear Base Coat
• 2 coats of Essie Aruba Blue
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Flash Photos

Natural Light Photos

Claim: TRUSTED

√ Frosty sapphire blue

Key Notes

• Name: Essie Aruba Blue
• Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.) – but some Essie bottles that are the same size say 13.5 mL (0.46 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by Natali Products. Retails for $8 USD.)
• Where to Buy: Natali Products (if you’re an industry professional), Trade Secrets, Beauty.com, Nailsupplies, Head2Toe Beauty, Trans Design, NailPolishCanada & Victoria Nail Supply (if you’re an industry professional)

Essie Aruba Blue Review

Colour

Aruba Blue by Essie is a saturated blue that’s strong like a muscleman attracting attention from the ladies. It knows that it’s got the goods, and it isn’t shy about showing off. This isn’t your scrawny, anemic blue, that’s fo’ sho’!

And, boy oh boy, does it ever get attention wherever it goes. Not only did a co-worker ask me what colour it was, but one of my friends and even a stranger asked me, too!

It seems to be the type of colour that catches the eye of people of all ages and both genders, which I think is very interesting.

I consider this to be a vivid jewel-tone blue. In fact, Essie even describes it as ‘sapphire’, which I think nails it right on the head.

Finish

The finish is a bit metallic with shimmer, so you can call it a frost like Essie does. And it shows a little bit of brushstrokes (nothing major…and only really noticeable if you look for it), which is one of the tell-tale signs of a frost finish. (Other people who look at your nails from afar won’t be able to see the brushstrokes. And, if they look at your nails that close, well, I don’t know what to tell you. Haha! They must reallllllly like you! )

Application & Formula

The formula was on the thin side, so pay extra care when applying this, or you could easily get some on your cuticles. (As you can see in my above swatches, I tried to apply this in a lazy fashion, and the result was a messy manicure.)

It went on smoothly, and as far as pigmentation goes, I found that I only needed 2 coats to fully cover the nail line.

Since the finish naturally tends to show a bit of brushstrokes, try to take your time and paint with straight strokes for the best results. (Or, you could paint it like me and still enjoy the manicure. We’re human, and your nails don’t have to be perfect! The most important thing is that the nail polish makes you happy.)

Final Verdict: 9/10

Aruba Blue by Essie is the kind of blue that I love to wear because it has a bold personality. (Some people like subtle nail colour, but the stronger a colour is tends to make my heart beat faster.)

And you’re in luck! This shade is very easy to get hold of, so if you want it, finding it won’t be a headache!

Do you have a preferred nail-polish finish? Do you remember what the first blue nail polish you ever wore was?

Mine was one by NYC, back in the 1990s. It was in the old cylindrical bottle with the long white handle. That shimmery navy blue was a colour I wore so often that I almost finished the entire bottle in a couple of years! And I used to layer it under a silver-glitter polish a lot because it reminded me of a night sky.

I also remember the second blue nail polish I wore. It was really a white polish that I added blue food colouring to and turned it into a murky pastel blue.

P.S. Whenever I think of “Aruba”, I always think of the song Kokomo by The Beach Boys. That’s one of my favourite songs to play in the summer.

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Zoya Zuza from the Beach & Surf Summer Collection was one of the first colours I immediately took note of.

Aside from true greens, this is what I consider to be my ‘comfort polish’.

This aquamarine is pretty in the bottle, but it’s equally beautiful on the nail, too! No trickery here!

If you like turquoise nail polish, I highly recommend you get this.

It has a terrific formula, a colour that I think is flattering on the majority of skin tones, and the finish is great for concealing ridges and nail imperfections.

Zoya Zuza Pictures

Sunlight

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Sunlight

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Zoya Zuza Ingredients

Zoya Zuza Swatches

All swatches have:

• Seche Clear Crystal Clear Base Coat
• 2 coats of Zoya Zuza
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Sunlight Photos

Flash Photos

Natural Light Photos

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Aquamarine
√ Foil metallic

Key Notes

• Name: Zoya Zuza
• Collection: Zoya Beach & Surf Summer 2012 Collection
• Press Release: Click here to see the Zoya Beach & Surf Summer 2012 Collection Press Release
• Colours Available in the Zoya Beach & Surf Collection: Wednesday, Reagan, Lara, Shelby, Arizona, Tracie, Rory, Carly, Kimber, Myrta, Meg & Zuza
• Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was sent to me by the company. Retails for $8 USD.)
• Where to Buy: Zoya website & Trade Secrets

Zoya Zuza Review

Colour

Zuza by Zoya is an aquamarine that’s fun to wear. It’s bright and playful, and it reminds me a lot of mermaids, the ocean, and summertime.

Green and blue polish fans should get a jolt of joy when wearing this. (I sure did!)

And although I was able to capture Zuza in 3 different lighting conditions, I wasn’t able to get the golden shimmer to show up in my photos! Trust me – this has very fine gold throughout that you’ll notice most in the sunlight. This makes it shimmer.

A colour like this would work on a wide variety of skin tones, so I think this is a big winner in the Zoya Beach & Surf Summer Collection!

Finish

Zuza by Zoya has a foil-metallic finish that gives you some sparkle without making you struggle to remove it like a stubborn glitter polish.

In dim natural light, your nails will have this cool, speckled effect. But in bright sunlight, it shimmers subtly.

Application & Formula

This was extremely pigmented in just a single coat! I did use 2, though, just to even everything out, but with one coat, it covered nearly everything!

The formula was a little thick, but nothing that was unruly to work with. You’re able to apply it exactly where you want it to go.

Final Verdict: 10/10

I really love Zoya Zuza. It’s the perfect hue for the summer (or anytime), and it’s so easy to wear.

Did you pick up any of the Zoya Beach & Surf Collection? What other foil-metallics do you have in your collection? Isn’t it fun to say the name “Zuza”?

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Back in 2006 or so, I used to be obsessed with Coach handbags. Not only did I stalk the website and boutiques, but I even joined forums to talk about them! Haha, yes, I was part of the whole community that would do live reveals and share photos of purchases.

And because even back then I was really into reviews and doing solid research prior to making a decision, I would read everything I could about Coach purses before making a purchase. I even studied all the tips and tricks for spotting a fake.

But the love affair cooled off after I bought all the Coach purses I think I’ll ever need. (In fact, I’m thinking about selling many of them if I can find anyone who’s interested.)

In 2008, I stopped ‘collecting’ Coach items (because I also bought their wristlets and handbag charms) and began collecting nail polish. Haha, let me tell you, becoming a lacquerhead was much more economical!

For this week’s Smorgasbord Sundays post, I’ll share just the photos of the Coach handbags I currently have.

Here are my babies…haha!

This denim tote is the one that I wear 90% of the time because it’s comfy and the size is perfect for my small frame. And, yes, I wear it with the 2 Coach charms even if it’s a bit tacky.

I bought the apple, but the cherries were purchased for me by my ex-boyfriend. (To put the apple on, I had to borrow the Coach tag from my brown purse, which is why you’ll see it missing in the picture later on.)

Below is the plum leather Carly that I had been drooling over for some time. I was going to get the signature jacquard (i.e. fabric) version, but then I read on the forums about how those frayed like something fierce. The leather one doesn’t have that problem, it has the same nice slouchy shape, andddd (most importantly), it’s purple!

My ex-boyfriend surprised me with this for a Christmas gift one year.

This is my second most-worn Coach purse.

Now, this next Coach purse is the most expensive one I own. Strangely, though, I’ve only worn it a few times, so it’s still in near-perfect condition.

This tiny little satchel is the one I love to use in the summer when I don’t want to bring much with me. I love the shape, and the short handles.

Here’s a better look at the shape.

This is my only black purse. When I was in high school, all my purses were black. So in university and afterwards, I wanted to stay as far away from black purses as possible because I got bored of them.

However, I bust out this purse a lot for more formal occasions. It’s one of my ‘serious purses’.

I love how it’s very structured and I can hold it in my hands or carry it over my shoulder. Also, it has metal legs on the bottom to protect it when you put it down somewhere.

This brown Coach handbag was purchased on a whim. I browsed the Coach store one day, and then caught sight of it. During that time, I was really feeling the chocolate colour because it went with a lot of things in my wardrobe. Up until that point, it was the most expensive spontaneous splurge I ever had!

This bright Heritage Stripe Tattersall Tote was really fun-looking, so it caught my eye. But I only ended up wearing it 3 times before storing it in its dust bag to protect it. (It was too big for my small frame. I like to carry smaller purses.)

Below was the first Coach purse I ever bought. I remember being so excited to buy it, but then I ended up not liking the shape of it after I wore it a few times.

This was the second Coach purse I ever bought. It’s a denim patchwork pouch, so it’s very tiny. It’s pretty much like a large pencil case. I never use this anymore because I need to carry around more than this has the capacity for. Also, I’m not into patchwork as much as I used to be.

Were you ever obsessed with handbags to the point where you started collecting them? Before you got into nail polish, did you collect anything? Do you rotate your purses, or stick to one?

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I’ve never tried nail-polish strips before. Have you? What has been your experience with them? Do they last as long as a regular manicure? I’m curious like a cat!

All these questions were sparked because of the press release that PR sent me about the new OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps. They’re pre-cut nail strips made of actual polish. You can put them on and not have to wait for your nails to dry.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever try nail-polish strips because I enjoy actually painting my nails. And if I want nail art, I tend to freehand or stamp it myself. That being said, it’s great for those who aren’t so polish obsessed like I am or who don’t have an arsenal of nail-art products. Plus this seems like a fun way to test-drive an intricate design.

Official press release sent to me by PR:

Precut Designs Offer Easy, Instant Nail Art

OPI Announces NEW! Pure Lacquer Nail Apps

May 2012 – OPI launches Pure Lacquer Nail Apps for instantaneous manicures and pedicures created using precut nail strips made of 100% real nail lacquer – providing a high-gloss finish, long-lasting wear and zero dry time. Offered in both cream and shimmer finishes, Nail Apps are available in 14 different styles – ranging in design from edgy snake print and fishnet to feminine gold lace and floral.

“Nail art has become increasingly popular, with both consumers and trained professionals,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

“Pure Lacquer Nail Apps provide the perfect way to get a one-of-a-kind look that simply cannot be replicated by hand. Each nail strip is made of 100% real nail lacquer for a flawless final look with easy application.”

Combining base and color in one convenient product, Nail Apps adhere to nails in seconds and can be stretched for a perfect fit. Each pack contains 16 strips to ensure perfect sizing for all finger and toe nails. For best results, this product should not be finished with top coat. Simply remove with an acetone polish remover like OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover before trying a new design.

“To make Nail Apps last even longer, upgrade your service by having your manicurist cure the nail strips with a GelColor Top Coat. With this addition, Nail Apps will last up to two weeks,” explains Weiss-Fischmann. “If you chose at-home application, place each Nail App carefully, trimming where necessary. Top coat is not recommended. Within minutes, your nails will be uniquely designed like never before!”

Pure Lacquer Nail Apps will be available this month at Professional Salons and Spas for the suggested retail price of $14.95.

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

Do any of these nail designs appeal to you? Is there a design you would like to see them put out? Have you ever worn nail-polish strips from any brand before? What do you think of the $14.95 price tag?

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Did you ever have an aunt who pinched your cheeks?

None of mine ever did that. (Thank goodness!)

And I wonder how that gesture even developed. Who was the wise guy who thought that we should pinch someone’s cheeks?

The only pinching I do is with pennies. I press them so hard that they split into two.

And one way to get more bang for your buck is with blushes by NYX. That brand is so good about providing a lot of colourful options for prices that don’t make your piggy bank squeal louder than even coming face-to-face with a strip of bacon!

The NYX Powder Blush Pinched is one that really got my attention because it’s demure and catches the light. I thought that this would be an easy-to-wear shade. But was it? Dun dun dun!

NYX Powder Blush Pinched Pictures

NYX Powder Blush Pinched Ingredients

Yay for crooked labels! Haha!

NYX Powder Blush Pinched Swatches

Sunlight Photo

Natural Light Photo

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Soft colour
√ Sheer & easy-to-wear shade

Key Notes

• Name: NYX Powder Blush Pinched
• Amount: 5.2 g (0.18 oz.)
• What I Paid: $3.60 USD on sale
• Where to Buy: NYX CA website, Cherry Culture & some Rexalls

NYX Powder Blush Pinched Review

Colour

I just love blushes like this because they’re no-brainers. You don’t have to really pay attention to matching the colour to your lip gloss or lipstick. Pinched by NYX is a very natural-looking flush.

It’s a delicate pink with a bit of a golden sheen. Sometimes, Pinched also looks like it has some peach to it.

This is like Your Cheeks But Better. You get a healthy glow without looking like you have obvious blush on. It’s stealthy blush!

Finish

I really like how there’s a sheen to this. Even though I’m big on matte blushes, there’s something about this one that catches the light nicely and adds dimension to your cheekbones. It’s kind of like a blush and highlighter in one.

It looks like there’s mainly tiny shimmer, but I think I saw a few pieces of glitter. Don’t worry – the glitter is still small, and it won’t make you look like a disco ball.

Application & Formula

Yes, cream blushes are all the rage, but I’ve never tried any (yet). So, right now, I’m a big fan of powder blushes. Since I have combination skin (that sometimes becomes oily in the summer), I find that the powder stays on well.

I like how the formula is sheer, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally packing on too much. I still apply it lightly and then build it up a bit. It’s always easier to put more on than remove blush, after all.

When I applied the NYX Powder Blush in Pinched in the morning (haha, I was ‘pinched’ in the morning! Oh boy…yes, I’m soooo mature, aren’t I? ), it lasted for a good 4 hours before it started to fade.

And then by the time I got home from work, it looked like it was completely gone. That may be a deal-breaker for some people, but I really don’t mind. Since I never really wear any blush super dramatic, the fading isn’t bad. I could always re-apply it, but I just don’t bother. For me, 4 hours of having flushed cheeks is good enough.

Packaging

I love the simple and clean packaging of the NYX Powder Blushes. There’s a clear window so you can see the actual colour inside. And the product has a 3D quilted texture that I think looks classy.

It’s also nice how it doesn’t come with a brush. Most times, I don’t use the free brushes that come with blushes since I have my own brushes that I like to use instead.

Final Verdict: 9/10

The NYX Powder Blush in Pinched is one of my favourite blushes to wear because I don’t have to be precise about applying it and blending it out. I can sweep it on without even looking in the mirror and be confident enough to walk out the door. (Especially when I’m rushing in the morning, this is a major plus for me!)

If you like low-maintenance blushes like I do and don’t really go for wild or dramatic cheek colour, this is the perfect, natural choice that’s also the affordable choice.

Do you wear blush daily? What colour family do you prefer for blushes? Do you favour powder blushes over cream blushes?

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A long time ago, a friend bought me The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel, and it’s fine time that I reviewed it!

This is actually the first product from The Body Shop that I’ve tried since the 8th grade, and I’m not sure why because they’re always having tempting deals on great products.

I usually carry a bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse. You never know when you’ll need it. Although I don’t slather it on all the time, sometimes when I take public transportation, I find that it comes in handy. And I like to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on my desk at work because after using the public washroom, I feel better knowing that I’m killing more germs. (At home, though, I don’t bother with this since I easily wash my hands.)

The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel Pictures

See how much bigger The Body Shop hand sanitizer is compared to the one from Bath & Body Works?

The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel Ingredients

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Smells of sweet mango
√ Sanitizes hands

Key Notes

• Name: The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel
• Amount: 60 mL (2 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (A friend bought this for me. Retails for $4 CAD.)
• Where to Buy: The Body Shop stores, The Body Shop CA website & The Body Shop US website

The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel Review

Fragrance

My nose is very picky about scents. Ones that are too strong instantly give me a headache.

The Mango Hand Cleanse Gel by The Bottle Shop has a moderate-strength scent that definitely smells like sweet mango. There seems to be a hint of a perfumey note that I’m not crazy about, but it didn’t give me a headache.

If you wear perfume, it’s important to know that the scent of this hand sanitizer will interact with it. And the scent lasts for about an hour or two…at least on my hands. I was really surprised because I’ve never used such a potent-smelling hand sanitizer before.

Texture

I’m used to the Bath & Body Works hand sanitizers that are runny and that have little round beads. The Body Shop Hand Cleanse Gel is very thick – almost like hair gel! It’s clear and doesn’t contain any beads.

When I rubbed it on my hands, at first when it slightly dried, it felt tacky, but as it dried more, the stickiness went away.

Packaging

As you can see in one of the photos above, The Body Shop hand sanitizer is larger than the one by Bath & Body Works. It’s still small enough to throw in your purse, and it’s nice that you won’t have to keep buying new bottles of it. One will last longer than The Bath & Body Works hand sanitizers.

The top is a simple flip-open cap, and you just have to squeeze the bottle to dispense the product.

No Triclosan

On the label, it says that there’s no Triclosan in this product. I had no idea what this ingredient was before, so I looked it up. According to Wikipedia, it’s an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Triclosan safety is currently under review by the FDA and Health Canada.

The concern with triclosan that I’ve read about is that its overuse could cause resistant strains of bacteria to develop.

This isn’t something that concerns me because I don’t use hand sanitizers a lot. If you constantly use it, then, yeah, it’s possible that some sort of super bacteria could develop.

If this is an issue that concerns you, maybe go on the safe side and buy only hand sanitizers without triclosan. As for myself, I’ll continue buying regular sanitizers.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10

The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleanse Gel is nice, and I’ll continue to use it until I finish it, but I won’t be repurchasing it because (I’m ashamed to admit it), I have maybe 20 bottles of Bath & Body Works hand sanitizers that I need to get through before buying anything new. (I swear that I’m not a hoarder! I blame Bath & Body Works for their sales on bulk purchases! Haha )

Do you use hand sanitizers? Does the issue of triclosan concern you? Which is your favourite hand sanitizer?

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Although I often shine the spotlight on nail-polish colours as they tap dance across the stage with their top hat and cane, it’s important to remember that wearing a good base coat is vital for any manicure to go the distance. And what works for one person could be Chip City for another.

Over the years, I’ve worn many different base coats, and since I’m reaching the bottom of my OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, I thought I’d better review it now while you can still see a bit of product left in the bottle!

If you’re a regular Swatch And Learn reader, you may have noticed that I like to rotate the base coat I use. For this reason, it’ll probably take me forever to finish all the bottles I’ve accumulated. (Hehe, when I first started collecting polish more seriously in 2008, I also started collecting base coats!)

So did the OPI Natural Nail Base Coat impress me? Let me go into further details!

OPI Natural Nail Base Coat Pictures

(In case you’re curious, click here to see my SpaRitual Earth Matters Swatches & Review here. It’s what I was wearing in the above photo.)

OPI Natural Nail Base Coat Ingredients

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Prevents staining of natural nails
 ? Promotes a long-lasting manicure

Key Notes

• Name: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
• Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: $4.25 USD (bought on eBay years ago)
• Where to Buy: Trade Secrets & NailPolishCanada

OPI Natural Nail Base Coat Review

Application

The Natural Nail Base Coat by OPI goes on flawlessly. It’s thin and watery enough so it flows onto your nails with minimal effort. Just keep in mind that because the formula has that consistency, you have to take care so it doesn’t flood your cuticles.

You’ll notice that in the bottle, the liquid is a translucent pink. When I used this on my nails, I didn’t notice any significant change in the colour of my nails, so I don’t think the pink is enough to alter any colour of lacquer you paint on top.

Dry Time

For me to score a base coat high, it must have a fast dry time. If I have to wait forever for it to dry and it’s just the first step in the manicure process, that’s a no go!

I’m pleased to report that the OPI Natural Nail Base Coat dries quickly. By the time I finished painting the last finger on my second hand, the first finger on my other hand was dry enough to paint my first coat of colour.

Finish

While a lot of base coats dry with a tacky finish or a matte finish, the Natural Nail Base Coat by OPI dried shiny and smooth. It wasn’t tacky to the touch at all.

Performance

I’ve worn this under tons of OPI lacquers as well as nail polishes by other brands. Even when I wore blues, yellows, or reds, I didn’t notice any major nail staining, so that’s a good sign that this base coat is doing its job at protecting my nails.

My manicures usually last quite a long time. (I hardly have issues of polishes chipping in a day or two. Before I started blogging, I could easily wear the same polish without re-touching it for 5 days straight, and I type on the keyboard daily at work!)

With this base coat, I didn’t notice any reduction in my manicure mileage. But, I also can’t say that this increased the wear time because ever since I started blogging, I began painting my nails more often – typically 2 times per week or so. And I don’t consider wear time of 3-4 days to be outstanding in my specific case.

Final Verdict: 10/10

I’m very pleased with the Natural Nail Base Coat by OPI. Haha, and you can tell that it’s been working well for me by the bottle pictures, which show it as being nearly done!

That being said, I probably won’t repurchase this, but only because I have a ton of other base coats to finish first before buying anything new.

Also important to note is that even if you try a base coat that doesn’t extend your manicure mileage, you should consider playing around with a different top coat. Sometimes a base coat and top coat that don’t play well together can make your manicure chip a lot faster. You have to experiment to see what works for you. It seems to be different for different people.

What is your trusted base coat that never lets you down? Have you discovered your winning base-and-top-coat combination?

Edit: Yay! OPI retweeted my blog post to their Twitter followers!

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If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read my tweet a while ago gushing over the Essie Poppy-Razzi Collection. Anytime I hear about neon polishes being released, I get as excited as a carbonated beverage that’s been shaken vigorously.

Haha, I think that Essie Camera was competing with my camera (well, and my eyes, too), because while it looks coral in the bottle, it became tangerine on my nails!

While this caught me off-guard, thankfully I still ended up liking this colour a lot. (I don’t have too many bright oranges, so it was really fun to wear, especially on sunny days.)

Allow me to tell you more about this quirky lacquer!

Essie Camera Pictures

Sunlight

Flash

Natural Light

Sunlight

Flash

Natural Light

Essie Camera Ingredients

Essie Camera Swatches

All swatches have:

• Seche Clear Crystal Clear Base Coat
• 3 coats of Essie Camera
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Sunlight Photos

Flash Photos

Natural Light Photos

Claim: TRUSTED

√ Neon red pink (This claim is true of the bottle colour. But the colour on my nails was more orange.)

Key Notes

• Name: Essie Camera
• Collection: Essie Poppy-Razzi Collection 2012
• Colours Available in the Essie Poppy-Razzi Collection: Lights, Camera, Action & Bazooka
• Amount: 13.5 mL (0.46 fl. oz.)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (This was provided by Natali Products.)
• Where to Buy: Trade Secrets, Natali Products (if you’re a licensed industry professional), and select spas & salons

Essie Camera Review

Colour

Although that Judy Garland song called Get Happy was way before my time, I’m very familiar with it because my father was a music lover, and he played lots of songs from the 1950s and 1960s. (He passed away in early 2010, which is why I say that he ‘was’ a music lover. I bet he’s blasting his favourite Elvis songs up in heaven right now.)

Get Happy has lyrics and a melody that certainly make you feel happy: “Forget your troubles. Come on, get happy! You better chase all your cares away. Shout Hallelujah, come on, get happy! Get ready for the judgement day!”

Essie Camera is the kind of polish that I can picture dancing to such a song. (Yes, I sometimes picture polishes dancing. Continue reading the words of a crazy person…haha!)

Essie Camera is a bright coral in the bottle, however, on my nails, it definitely looked like tangerine because of my yellow undertones, I’m guessing. It’s such a happy-go-lucky shade that’ll bring a smile to your face and that reminds me of eating orange Popsicles in the backyard in the summertime.

While it doesn’t burn your retinas like my beloved China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy in terms of brightness, it’s still a brazen shade that’s sure to attract attention!

Finish

A lot of neons I own tend to have a matte finish, and you need to use a shiny top coat. However, Camera by Essie took me by surprise – it’s a neon jelly! What does that mean? It has a ‘squishy’ look to it, and when you put a top coat over it, it looks ridiculously shiny!

Application & Formula

Since it’s a jelly polish, it’s more translucent than a creme polish. I used 3 coats, and as you can see, there’s still VNL (Visible Nail Line).

When it comes to jelly polishes only, visible nail line doesn’t bother me. However, if it’s not your cup of iced tea, feel free to layer it over a white nail polish. Also, if you do this, the neon will pop even more.

Final Verdict: 8/10

Camera by Essie is exactly the kind of shade that reminds me of the summer and the sunshine! It’s a spirited hue that is refreshing for me since I don’t own too many oranges.

Although I wish that this polish was actually a coral like it looks in the bottle and even though it’s not the brightest neon I’ve ever worn, I still very much enjoyed sporting this manicure!

Have you tried any polishes from the new Essie Poppy-Razzi Collection? Have you tried layering neon polishes over something other than white?

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