Superstar Walk the Red Carpet

My last Superstar, and I saved the best for last!  Walk the Red Carpet is a red glitter, much like China Glaze Ruby Pumps - I think all brands have a red glitter!  I really am a fan of red glitters and this one is no exception.  I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Walk the Red Carpet and a top of Seche Vite.  Formula was super smooth and pretty.

Here's a sun picture - as with most red glitter suspended in a red base, it just looks gritty, but it definitely isn't. This polish did soak up my Seche Vite but it left my nails smooth.

Here it is in the shade - still lovely!  I think the bottle is my favorite (and most accurate) of what this color looks like.

Indoors with flash it almost looks like a gold shimmer but I think that's just the bad lighting.  I see a bit of bald spot on my middle finger but didn't notice it any other time.


You can purchase Superstar for $10 a bottle or by calling +1 (517)-214-7201.  Their website appears to have had an overhaul since I last looked in October, so please do check it out.  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Superstar Skinny Vanilla Latte

Here's another from SuperStar, the brand created by Ariana Pierce.  It's pretty aptly named Skinny Vanilla Latte and is a nude creme for the City collection that looks as good as coffee.  I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite.  The formula was good but my bottle did have a bit of a strong smell.  I think I need better ventilation overall in here.

The one down side, as seen in the sun is that all my ridges show.  This is a great nude for me, as you can see it works well with my skin.  It does have some peach and yellow undertones to it.

Here it is in the shade - a little darker but still a solid nude.

And finally indoors with flash - tada!

You can purchase Superstar for $10 a bottle or by calling +1 (517)-214-7201.  Their website appears to have had an overhaul since I last looked in October, so please do check it out.  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

What was your name again?

I pride myself on having a good memory, especially when it comes to things I really like.  I used to know every single bottle of nail polish in my collection (that's what we're calling it), and could remember what the finish, collection, everything about it.  Now?  Not so much.


I tried using nail wheels (purchased online or at Sally's) to try and keep track of everything but I found that the polish was literally cracking off - not really sure why.


Finally last week, I decided to try something else, based off what I saw at a beauty expo.  I purchased a package of Cala Royal Salon #3 Nails in Natural (87-050N is the only option at my Sally's which is 50 tips) for $1.89, a box of regular rounded toothpicks, and a glue gun (because everyone needs a glue gun) and decided to just simply glue my nail to the toothpick - really pretty simple, nothing new or fancy.

I first tried to paint the nail and then glue it, but it was a bit hard to paint without getting it on my hands.  The other thing you have to be careful with is that the glue (while hot) can melt the nail a bit.


So far I've only done a handful - the China Glaze Island Escape and OPI - Brights Pirates of the Caribbean... Here is Superstar Nail Lacquer Walk the Red Carpet and Zoya Edyta, both upcoming reviews.

Now I just have to figure out how to label them.  I'm thinking maybe just by using a number, and then adding that number onto my spreadsheet.  I'm going to have to figure something out sooner than later.  :)  I also decided (after the above picture) to add a top coat to each one since I always wear top coat (unless it's a holographic polish).  I hope to have this project done by the end of the year!  I think I'm going to buy some Styrofoam to stick the toothpicks in - that's what they had at the beauty expo and it worked just fine.


**Update!  I figured out how to label them!  I'm using Avery Removable Color Coding Labels 1/4" round (mine are neon because that's all the store had) and writing a number onto my spreadsheet that corresponds with the sticker.  Then I'm putting the sticker on the back of the nail and sealing it with some Seche Vite.

Here's my progress so far.

Barielle Tight Knit

The final gem from the Barielle "Style in Argyle" Fall 2010 collection is Tight Knit a purple brown creme.  This is another bottle that separated on me as far as the color goes but came out proper on the nail.  I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite.  The formula was good and even.

No sun on this day, and wow - check out the difference from that bottle to the nail.  The purple brown shows on the nail despite the yellow brown shown in the bottle.  I don't know how to mix it better (because I shook it like it owed me money), but I'll figure it out.

In the shade you can really see how purple shines through at the very top of the bottle but also the undertones on the nail.

And finally indoors with the flash shows off a nice smooth formula that looks a tiny watery but was actually a nice creme.

Barielle retails for $8/bottle.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Groupon: Island Day Spa, Flour Bluff/Corpus Christi, Texas

Let me start by saying I love Groupon**.  It's really taken off in the past 6 months, offering everything from restaurants to cruises!  Back in December, my local area was having a 1-Hour Swedish Massage to the Island Day Spa for $35 ($70 value) as well as a 1-Hour Microdermabrasion with Facial for $60 ($125 value).  Over 122 of them were purchased - three by me (2 of the massages, 1 for the microdermabrasion).


Because this location is over 60 miles northeast of where I live, I've put off using them until the last moment.  I was going to use one of the massages for myself and the other massage and microdermabrasion for my Mom.  With the expiration date fast approaching, I decided to call last week to see if we could schedule all 3 services for one day and was told we could (great!).  Wednesday, I called again to see when we could get all 3 services scheduled and surprisingly their schedule was pretty open.  It took a total of 3 phone calls before I finally got everything scheduled because I had to coordinate with my Mom but finally it was done.  I was semi-interested in having an extra service done because my Mom was scheduled for 2 hours, and I was only scheduled for 1, but I couldn't make up my mind on what I wanted, so I just said I'd pass on anything extra.


Now, by no fault of their own, the Island Day Spa is showing up in the wrong location on Google Maps and on the Groupon iPhone app itself.  I'm glad I left early because where the map said this location was and where the spa actually was were a few miles apart from each other (it's located OVER the JK Causeway, but the maps had you take a turnaround before getting on the bridge).  I do wish their website had some kind of map or directions on it.


When we got there, we walked into a naturally lit front area that had AVEDA products on the left with their receptionist table and two chairs to wait in, and their manicure & pedicure stations on the right which were richly draped in red and black fabrics and did look very luxurious.  They had the OPI Texas Collection out and I snuck a look at some of their other polishes - a few CNDs (old design) and a bottle of FingerPaints and even a couple of Essies in the background.  Colors were all fairly new and recent collections.  The back half of the spa was sectioned off by partitions with fabric and pretty dimly lit.  I did visit the restroom which had slightly damp toilet paper (which was kind of weird - still not sure why), and an area to get spa sandals and they had one white robe hanging up.


We were given forms to fill out and offered something to drink.  They ask that you speak quietly and turn off your cell phones.  The place had a neutral fresh smell (remember, AVEDA products) and was playing vocal New Age/World music.  We were asked who was getting what service and if we'd like to add any services today but we both declined.


Here where things got a little...  uncomfortable.  While my Mom's massage therapist was there on time (and we were 10 minutes early ourselves), my massage therapist was over 15 minutes late.  Instead of starting my Mom's service, they had us both wait until my MT showed up.  When she did, I was taken into a room with a door, but my Mom was taken into one of the sectioned off areas in the back that is only covered by a curtain.  I changed and was told there was a place to hang my clothes behind the door but it was actually an oversized beach bag that was hanging from an over-the-door hanger.  I folded my clothes and put them inside, but it would have been nice to have a hanger available.  I laid under the linens and waited another 6+ minutes for my MT to come back in.  The music was being piped directly in the room so I went through 2 songs (which is where I'm getting my 6 minutes from).  I would have preferred something less vocal and more organic in the music, but that's a personal preference for all.


My MT came in and started the massage.  The lotion that was used was not very thick or moisturizing for me - it was almost like a dry oil that was completely dry on my skin by the time we left the spa.  I had listed on my form that I wanted a firm massage with some focus on my hurt right shoulder and hurt left ankle.  I need to mention that within the first 5 minutes, her cell phone started vibrating.  It was quite loud and ON her physically, so I had to endure that for a good 30 seconds.  She started with my back and sides, then moved to the shoulders and arms, down to the legs and then asked me to turn over.  No special attention was placed on either my right shoulder or left ankle and while the pressure was okay, it would definitely not be called "firm", especially for a Swedish massage.  Once turned over, my shoulders again were massaged, then moved into the aromatherapy lotion on the face (which did smell good) and scalp massage where I actually fell asleep.  I woke when she moved to my arms and then my legs and finally the feet where I fell asleep again.  The one thing that was uncomfortable for me here was that while she was massaging my legs, she would put the bottle of lotion between my legs over the sheet, weighing down the sheet.  It was just a bit uncomfortable - most MTs I've been to wear a belt that allows them to have their lotion attached at all times.


The massage felt entirely too short when she covered my feet back with the sheet, but I always say that.  I was asked again if I'd like a facial, manicure or pedicure but declined again.  While I did feel better, I still had some ankle pain and some shoulder pain - but since no extra time was dedicated to either, I expected that.


I got dressed and walked to the front, hearing my Mom's voice from another sectioned off area where she was getting her facial.  Because the Groupon did not cover any tax or gratuity, I wanted to make sure I took care of that before she was finished.  I tipped 20% on the original price of my massage (not what I paid for it), 20% on the original price of my Mom's massage and 12% on her microdermabrasion original cost (a math error on my part because I forgot how much it cost).  In all, I paid an extra 35% on what the Groupons cost - more than I normally tip but what I felt should be fair for spa services.  I wasn't even through an entire magazine before my Mom was already done.  We were thanked for our time and walked out.  I hadn't looked at the time at this point and my Mom asked me if they offered me a discount or rebate.  She HAD been watching the time, and her massage didn't start until after 1:25 (because my MT was late), and it was stopped at 1:55 because her esthetician was "ready".  My Mom didn't receive a scalp, hand or foot massage which she really likes those three.  This means that my massage was also approximately 30 minutes long instead of the hour that was scheduled.  In addition, we left the location before 3 p.m., so she did not get an hour long facial/microdermabrasion either.  Now, that may just be the alloted time in case of any problems, and not the actual procedure time but I don't have the answer for that.


At this point, I was ready to walk back in there and ask to see the manager but we were both tired and wanted to drive home.  Plus based on this experience, neither one of us wanted to make the drive again to this location.  While I mostly enjoyed the massage, I'm extremely disappointed in the actual execution, especially not being given our entire time for the massages.  I spent more time on the road than I did on the table (which was going to happen anyway), but knowing that I only got half my services was frustrating.


Would I go again?  Probably not.  The drive alone was a bit much when I can go somewhere closer in the city and there is one MT in my town that always pays close attention to what you say is ailing you at the time.  I almost want to go again to check it out, possibly using a Groupon and NOT tipping so much (I need to watch the time, etc) but at this point, I'm left with a sour taste in my mouth.


Disclosure: The services in this post were purchased by me through Groupon.  The spa did not know I would be blogging about my experience but will receive a copy of this blog posting via US Mail.  For more information, please read this post.


**The above following link is a referral link.  I will receive $10 if you sign up for Groupon using my unique link.

CPNALV Exclusive: Layla Cosmetics - Italy

Here's my first CPNALV (Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas) exclusive!


Layla Cosmetics, an Italian company based in Milan and the only Italian company that manufactures and markets its nail polish will be launching this year at Discover Beauty at CPNA!  They call it "Graffiti Effect" but you and I know it as Shatter/Crackle!  ^_^  You can check out their YouTube Channel for videos and more!

Layla Cosmetics – Italy
Layla Cosmetics has been creating trend setting and cutting edge products from Milan for over 70 years. Fusing the latest in technology along with an Italian fashion influence, Layla reveals their newest collections for the first time to the U.S market unveiling ground-breaking innovation and nail art to the industry. http://www.luxcongroup.com 
=================
I really hope this means more of Layla Cosmetics will be coming to the US!

Nicole by OPI Texture Coat

Please enjoy the following release from Nicole by OPI!

Create Instant Nail Art!

Nicole by OPI Introduces Texture Coat

Nicole by OPI announces the launch of Texture Coat, a line of graffiti-style nail art products inspired by OPI’s bestselling Shatter. Available in six chic shades – Gold, Silver, Red, White, Turquoise and Black – Texture Coat offers a simple way to create unique, unpredictable patterns on nails with a quick, at-home application.

“Fans of Nicole by OPI are fun, fashion-forward women who love experimenting with trends and using nail lacquer as a form of self-expression,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Texture Coat offers an easy way to create your own completely customized nail art. Whether you choose pastels, darks, glitters, shimmers, or sheers to pair with Texture Coat, the endless options will accessorize every look.”

To use this product, start with Base Coat Plus, followed by two coats of any Nicole by OPI nail lacquer. Let the lacquer dry completely before applying Texture Coat. Complete the manicure with Top Coat Plus for a high-shine finish.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde.  Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality, with products featuring the Perfect Stroke brush for streak-free, even coverage. Texture Coat will be available July 2011 for $7.99 each at ULTA, Target, Meijer, Harmon, Wegmans, Sears, and H-E-B. Texture Coat will be available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart and Loblaw.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan! 

OPI Glam Slam! England

Please enjoy the following release from OPI!

Get “Unbeatable” Sparkle!

  

OPI Unveils Three New Shades from

Serena Williams’ Glam Slam! Series

OPI joins tennis superstar Serena Williams in announcing the latest three lacquers in the Glam Slam! collection.  To celebrate the world’s oldest, most prestigious tennis tournament, Glam Slam! England features two duo-packs filled with sparkle.

The first Lacquer set includes Your Royal Shine-ness, a metallic silver shade, paired with Servin’ Up Sparkle, a shimmer-packed silver glitter. The second Lacquer set also features Servin’ Up Sparkle, along with Grape…Set…Match, a metallic purple.

 “England’s premier tennis tournament warrants colors with extra glitz and glamour,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The next big trend in nails is making lacquer look 3-dimensional by adding different micas and glitters, turning fingertips into jewelry. With two bold metallics and a sparkling glitter, these colors are fit for royalty.”

“For stand-out nails, I love experimenting with different glitter shades,” explains Serena Williams. “The new Glam Slam! England lacquers can be worn alone for a bright pop of color, or layered with Servin’ Up Sparkle to create a textured effect.”

Serena Williams has received the World Number One in singles ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association on five separate occasions, along with being listed as sixth on the all-time greatest champions list.  Additionally, she has won two Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles and has earned 27 Grand Slam titles to date. Serena is the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously and only the fifth woman in history to do so. 

New shades in the Glam Slam! collection will be introduced to coincide with each of the four major tournaments, beginning with the Australian Open in January 2011, followed by launches in May 2011 for the French Open, June 2011 for Wimbledon and August 2011 for the US Open. As with all OPI Nail Lacquers, the Glam Slam! collection contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Glam Slam! England will be available beginning June 2011 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $14.95 ($20.95 CAN) suggested retail for each duo-pack. 

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

Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas 2011

Okay I really can't contain it anymore - I'm really excited to say that I'm going to be attending Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas 2011!  First established in 2003, this is an exclusive business-to-business beauty trade show where all lines of beauty come together and preview their new collections/products, educate the next generation of industry leaders, facilitate one-on-one introductions between manufactures and distributors and I feel they really celebrate all things beauty.


Deborah Lippmann is co-leading a conference "Creativity and Passion: Fueling the Brand Story" on Sunday that I'm really hoping I get to watch where she will talk about doing what she loves.


In addition, there are other bloggers that I know that are going and I'm super excited about being able to meet.  We're talking totally giddy fan girl here :]  Being able to meet people that not only understand what I'm talking about when it comes to nail polish (and beauty!) but who also inspire me is such an honor.


In the next 60 days as I prepare, I'll be posting things here and there - starting today!  I'm alI'm so stoked to be able to cover this event and at the same time hopefully see some of Vegas.  I've never been so this is going to be a real treat.  Last convention I went to was in Maryland in 2008 and I spent the entire time in the hotel asleep or the convention center, so I'm going to stock up on some 5 hour energy drinks to make this the most productive 3 days ever!  :]


60 days...

Nfu-Oh 51

I've said it before - I really don't have "lemmings" but Nfu-Oh 51 was my lemming because it was the #1 best seller of Nfu-Oh from FabulouStreet which is the only retailer of Nfu-Oh in the USA.  It's sold out a lot (but it's currently available for sale!).  It's this mix of blue, purple, red, green, yellow flakes in a purple base.  I decided to pull out my makeshift lightbox to try and capture the awesomeness that is this color.

Mmm.


Because this is best used as a layering polish, I tried over CND Blackjack and then over OPI Alpine Snow.  I'm still looking for my perfect 1 coater white, but I don't know that it exists.  I used 2 coats of Nfu-Oh 51 over each color.

This is indirect sun.  Over black, you get either a red or a green flash.  Over white, you really only see a pink flash but the purple base seriously shows its true self.

In the shade, you really only see that burning red over the black, and again a light pink flash from the flakies.

Indoors with the flash - again, lots of red.

Here's indoors without the flash - more of the red/green color.  It reminds me a bit of Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure but this is way more packed with flakies.  I love it!


Nfu-Oh is available for $12.50 at FabulouStreet in the US.  To find out where to find Nfu-Oh in your country, please visit their Community Page.

Zoya Touch

Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya!

2011 limited edition nail polish colors

TOUCH

soft sensual sexy

Zoya Nail Polish presents 3 new, full coverage nude creams - softly kissed with a bit of metallic to make them ultra wearable.

Zoya TOUCH Collection

Minka (ZP561) - latte beige cream with a metallic kiss

Shay (ZP562) - desert rose sand beige cream with a metallic kiss

Pandora (ZP563) - mauve beige cream with a metallic kiss

Zoya is the new color of fashion... The Zoya TOUCH collection was designed to recreate the custom looks developed for and inspired by the runways of New York Fashion Week - Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2011 collections.


Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth
defects.


Find Zoya TOUCH as well as over 300 other ultra high-fashion Zoya shades at http://www.zoya.com. As always, each and every Zoya color is made for women so we name them after women.


TOUCH by Zoya - available for pre-order now - ships June 1, 2011
Sug. Retail $8.00 per 0.5 fl.oz. bottle (US)

Flying and Nail Polish

Google, you let me down a bit today.


So I'm getting ready to take a trip.  And you KNOW I have to have nail polish.  Last time I flew with nail polish, I had it in my purse - right there, sitting upright.  No one said anything - I didn't even THINK about it.  I realized it when I got to my hotel and my bottle was a bit bubbly.  Not THAT big of a deal, but it wasn't too fun to wait for the bubbles to all go down (it was a bottle of China Glaze Tickle My Triangle for those interested).


My first search hit from Google was from SeatGuru.com {link removed due to 404 error} - a website I've never heard of...  Not sure when this page was even posted but their Copyright hasn't been updated to 2011, so yeah it's out of date.  But it said that nail polish and nail polish remover were not allowed into carry-ons but could be placed in your checked baggage.


After some Tweets back and forth about it, I decided to call the TSA.  You know - go straight to the source.  I didn't spend that long on hold - and I listened to their automated menus for a bit before realizing if you don't press ANY buttons, it takes you to a live person (oops).  I didn't catch my agent's name but I did have to give my full name and phone number (joy).  He said that as long as it's under the 3.5 ounce requirement and in a quart sized zip lock bag, you can bring your nail polish (and nail polish remover!) in your carry on bags.  No requirements are necessary for your checked luggage.


Then he told me something kinda awesome (for nerds like me).  On the TSA home page, there is a box on the right side that says "Can I bring" and you enter your keyword and hit search.  Now it's not perfect - it just gave me basically the same information as found on their Prohibited Items list, but it was nice to see that.  I've never had a problem with the TSA to date, and this will be my first time traveling with the new body scanners - and I don't even know if the airports I'm flying to/from have them yet...  regardless.  Pack your nail polish and enjoy!

China Glaze Tickle My Triangle

Guest Blogging

While I'm celebrating my 4th year at work (WOO!) and getting ready to post a LOT of Zoya reds (!), I also found some time to write a little something for Kim over at Overall Beauty!  Please do go check it out - click here now!

Claire's Blacklight

Last time I was out at Claire's, I spied this purple with silver glitter polish that is labeled only as Blacklight, so I jumped on it.  The Zumba class I go to turns on the blacklights and party lights on Thursdays, so I was excited to try it out.


Okay, first disappointment, this polish was SUPER thick.  I didn't want to add any thinner in case I messed up the blacklight properties somehow, but I did add 3 ballz to help shake it all up.  I used a base of Seche Natural and it took me 3 coats of polish to just have an even surface to work with.  I did not use a top coat.  The formula was very messy (and thick) and it dried matte and very gritty.

Here's my semi-sunny picture.  The glitter looks silver/blue which is cool but you can see hot gritty it is.

Shade picture - more grit, more purple...


Okay the worst part?  Under the blacklight, this polish did nothing.  No glow, nada.  I was really disappointed.  :[


Claire's is available world-wide and online.  You can Like their Facebook page and Follow their Twitter pages.

FingerPaints Outta Sight Orange

Last in the FingerPaints "Peace, Love & Color" Summer 2011 Collection is Outta Sight Orange, an orange glitter.  I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of OSO and a top of Seche Vite.  I loved the formula on this one, and oddly enough, the color as well.  Normally I shy away from orange (it's like yellow for me) but not this time.

Reminds me a little of orange juice and I MIGHT have a dupe for this, but I am putting dupes on hold for now  while I get reviews done.  BUT YAY SUN!

I especially loved this color in the shade - check out how the bottle almost looks like there's some pink in there near the logo!  Very vibrant color.

Finally indoors with the flash.  This was definitely a lovely surprise color for me to check out and I would totally buy it again.


FingerPaints can be found in Sally's Beauty Supplies stores and online for $4.99 USD each.  They are a Sally's Beauty Supply exclusive brand, so you can follow Sally's on Twitter and like them on Facebook as well as follow their blog.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI Never Give Up

The final color from the Nicole ♥ Walmart collection is Never Give Up, a "persistent plum."  However, I found it to be more of a plummy red with lots of rainbow micro-glitter.  You can see a bit of it at the bottom of the bottle.  This color hated being photographed - go figure.  Doesn't help that I had a cloudy day.


I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Never Give Up and a top of Seche Vite.  The formula was nice despite not getting a lot of the rainbow glitter that I love so much.

Boo shade.

Boo clouds!

Indoors with the flash - look at all that glitter at the bottom!

A 6500K Natural Lightbulb was used for this picture... you can finally see that glitter but it's very ... well... micro.  Still a lovely color, just not what I hoped for.


Speaking of not what I hoped for - check out what the press image was for this.

I'm glad it wasn't this purple - because I seem to have a lot of this shade of purple.  The rainbow micro-glitter was a nice surprise!


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.