Press Sample
Who doesn't love berry pinks? Maybe some of you out there aren't a fan but I love me some berry pink. I decided to wear Prettier In Pink, a core color from Morgan Taylor, for my recent presentation at work and I just can't help but smile at this happy little color.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. The formula was pretty dang fantastic and I didn't have any issues with staining, pooling or dragging. In fact, I had very little clean up too!
Seriously? LOVE. This wanted to photograph more red but it's definitely in the berry family for me. It's also not a neon but just a happy little creme. Yay cremes!
Morgan Taylor [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube] is available at CosmoProf for $8.50 a bottle. Online, non-professionals can purchase Morgan Taylor at Ulta Beauty.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
So I'm working on getting my cuticles to be pretty and camera ready and today I have Red Carpet Manicure Cuticle Balm by my side to help me out! This professional salon strength cuticle balm instantly nourishes and conditions rough, ragged cuticles.
This 15 mL/0.50 fl oz balm is seated inside of a glass jar and contains sunflower seed oil, palm oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil and many other ingredients that are all about hydrating and nourishing.
Don't be scared by the green - it goes on clear. You may need to stir the pot a little as some of the oils may have settled. Then apply a small amount onto your cuticles until completely absorbed. If desired, use a cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles.
Naked nails! You can see some shine... while this is promoted as a non-greasy formula, it is a little oily. I was leaving residue on my desk and keyboard up to 30 minutes after applying. This is probably best used before bed so you don't transfer oils everywhere.
You can purchase Red Carpet Manicure Cuticle Balm at Ulta Beauty, Ulta.com and RedCarpetManicure.com Join the conversation on social media with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
Have you heard of ella + mila polishes before? This line was named after the founders' twins who I got to sneak a look at while at Cosmoprof North America last year... I saw the twins, she saw my Squish who was just 2 months old at the time. Moms love sharing photos of their kids! Well, not only does ella + mila have super cute packaging (who doesn't love elephants?) but they are also eco-friendly, 5 free, cruelty free, vegan and proudly made in the USA. They have a range of colors including today's light turquoise creme, ibiza breeze from the love collection.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. ella + mila features a round brush but features a good formula that almost covered in one coat but I used two to be safe. The second coat self-leveled nicely especially when I added my top coat. This color just screams Miami to me - don't ask why... I just feel like I need to be in Florida, on a beach, this polish on and a fruity adult drink in my hand.
Just look how beautiful this color is. I really think it may be my next pedicure color which is VERY out of left field for me (I normally stick to pinks and reds) but I just love these color so much! Again, paired with a nice applying formula makes me happy.
ella + mila may be purchased on their website for $10.50 for 16 ml (0.54 fl oz). Join them on social media: Like on Facebook, Follow on Instagram, Follow on Twitter, Subscribe on YouTube and Follow on Pinterest!
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
Are you suffering from dry hands this winter? Our weather has been all over the place - 30s in the morning and then jumping to 70s in the afternoon. All that equals havoc on my hands and nails. Today I'm trying Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Cream in Coconut Lime.
This hand cream has a list of natural ingredients to help repair the skin, moisturize, promote elasticity, promote anti-aging, reduce sun damage, polish, condition and rejuvenate the skin. Whew. That's a lot coming from a hand cream. But with Certified Organic Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Lime Extract, Coconut Extract, Avocado Oil, Safflower Seed Oil and Chamomile Extact, it's easy to see how they can pack so many claims into a 3 ounce bottle. Did I mention the cost is only $5.99?
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Lotion is also paraben free, no DMDM (a preservative), made in the USA AND doesn't test on animals.
But let's be real, I wonder "Does it smell good?" and "Is it greasy/oily"?
From the above photo of the cream on my hand, you may be worried.
Amazingly, this is definitely a non-greasy, non-oily hand cream while giving a feeling of moisturizing and conditioning. I was able to type within 10 minutes of applying. And the smell? Pure Heaven. Now, I love both coconut and lime, so that helps but it doesn't smell fake or artificial. It's also not so strong that you just smell like sunscreen and a margarita. A+ in my book.
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Lotion may be purchased in retail stores found through their website in three scents - Coconut Lime, Moroccan Rose and Tropical Mango. Because of the price point, I'm seriously looking and picking up the other two. And if you check out the retail store locator, you may be surprised - I'm able to find this hand cream at my local Wal-Mart! I didn't realize it was so readily available.
Tree Hut has lines of scrubs, butters, sun protection, lotions, soakd and washes/soaps in a variety of scents. Join the conversation on social media by Liking them on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest and Following on Instagram.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
I feel like I should call this series "Red-y For Monday"! Well, technically two weeks ago I posted a lavender that leaned a little pink so not really red. Regardless, today I have Morgan Taylor A Touch of Sass from the Fall 2015 Urban Cowgirl collection.
I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. I am absolutely obsessed in love with the wide flat brush that comes with Morgan Taylor. It's perfect for my nails. In fact, on my shorties, I'm able to pretty much cover my pinkie in one stroke. The formula on this polish was pretty fantastic but because it's SUCH a deep red, pay attention to your cuticles. It won't stain your nails but it will leave a red pigment behind that just needs a good hand washing.
I love this red. I love this type of red. It has a level of sophistication that's office appropriate but is also one of those colors that I'm sure my Grandmother would have whispered about. Lovely staple to pick up if you don't have one like it.
Morgan Taylor [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube] is available at CosmoProf for $8.50 a bottle. Online, non-professionals can purchase Morgan Taylor at Ulta Beauty.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
Let's talk cuticles. There are so many different products out there to help soften, cut, clean up and remove your cuticles. There are just as many techniques. No matter how you do it, cuticle care helps keep your hands clean, soft, and healthy. Today I have the newest addition to the Weleda family: Pomegranate Nail Care Pens.
Now, please note that the press samples I received were in the German packaging. The products launching this month here in the USA are written in English.
This is a two part system that can be used alone or in combination with the Weleda Pomegranate Firming Hand Cream. You can also just use the Cuticle Softener Pen or the Nail Care pen independently of each other.
First I have the Weleda Cuticle Softener Pen ($17, 0.1 fl oz). This is a hard wedged shape sponge that is automated soaked with the cuticle softener (you do not "pump" the tip like some softener pens). The pen contains a rich blend of plant oils featuring 98% organic ingredients to help condition and remove cuticles. Apply the pen to your cuticles, allow to absorb briefly and then carefully push your cuticles back using the tip. Again, it's a hard wedge so feel free to apply a bit of pressure. The pen includes 3 replacement tips on the bottom that are covered by a protective see-through cap. Replace as needed.
No doubt about it, my hands are in rough shape. I normally get a professional manicure once a month but with the holidays, my Dad's illness, and work, I just haven't had time. Instead, I'm left to my own devices and so this is my before photo. I don't have incredibly overgrown cuticles but they are definitely there.
I followed the directions and carefully pushed back my cuticles. Can you see a difference? While some of my cuticle is still attached to the nail, it did help - especially on my middle finger which was overgrown.
Next is the Weleda Nail Care Pen ($17, 0.07 fl oz). So this is an easy-to-use brush application with 91% organic ingredients including vitamin-rich plant oils and moisturizing shea butter, as well as chamomile extract and beeswax.
To use, twist the bottom end of the pen until you see a bead of oil, massage into your hands and cuticles until absorbed.
After application - shiny happy hands! I was surprised that the Nail Care Pen was more of a wax oil than an oily oil. That's good for me because I don't like oily hands. As the hour went by, I noticed that my hand really did look healthier - because I compared it to my Cinderella hand (you know, the hand that does all the work but never gets photographed?) which is still dry, rough, and without nail care.
Now, at $17 each, this is a little pricey for a nail care system but considering how little you have to use at each application, I can see that these pens will last you at least a couple of months if you're applying daily, and then the price point becomes more manageable. I especially feel that these are great to keep at work because it requires little maintenance and dries without being oily.
Weleda products can be purchased on their website. Join the conversation on social media by subscribing to their YouTube, follow their Instagram, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow on Pinterest.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Nothing To Disclose
So if you didn't know, China Glaze was my first love with nail polishes. I started with the Summer Daze collection back in Summer 2009 and just went wild. In fact, this blog was almost called "China Glaze Galore" until a dear friend advised against it. Now, one thing I love/hate about China Glaze is they put out some massive big collections each year, and a lot of them. It's a lot to keep up with! The Holiday 2015 Cheers! collection is one of those massive collections with 12 lacquers ranging from pearls, to cremes, shimmers, and of course, glitter. Today I have Better Not Pout, a berry pearl.
I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 thin coats of polish, and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. Formula was a little thin so I had to be careful not to glob the polish on and take my time instead. I still ended up getting some on my cuticles because I have to retrain myself with the China Glaze brush which is round and thin vs flat and wide.
Okay, seriously? Look how pretty this is. Now originally, I thought this was a shimmer but there's not really any shimmer inside - it's more of a pearl like their PR has suggested but thankfully there's no crazy pearl brush strokes. That's the #1 reason why I hate pearls normally... the brush strokes tend to look like Grandma pulled out a streaky polish from the 70s. But nope! China Glaze somehow figured out how to have the pearl consistency without the gross brush strokes. I'm glad I bought this polish and I can see myself using it throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Press Sample
Happy Wednesday! Today I have a nail care product to share with you that is my happy answer to another "nail cream" that I do not care for.
Nail Butter is an all natural, zero preservatives, FAMILY SECRET! butter for nails. Yes, really. Founder Christina Cole's grandmother was a dental hygienist who had weak, thin nails and dry cracking cuticles due to frequent hand washing. So Christina's dad Frederick developed a proprietary blend of natural ingredients that both enhances nail growth by stimulating circulation to the nail matrix while also restoring moisture to nail beds and cuticles.
To use, apply a small amount to each of your nail beds and massage with an upward motion for 30 seconds. Now, for best results, you are to apply Nail Butter twice a day for 30 days, and then once a day after that. I currently don't have a set schedule of when I apply but it would be good to get on board with this.
Not only is this all natural, but it's also made in the USA - homemade on the Cole farm in Athens, Georgia! It's also cruelty free, is NOT tested on animals, paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free, free of artificial dyes and you can even recycle the packaging.
Nail Butter comes in a frosted glass pot, naturally scented with either Gardenia, Lemongrass or Lemon + Gardenia.
I received the Lemongrass scent. Now, there's a certain "flutter" out there that comes in a black pot that nail bloggers have RAVED about for years. I was really excited to try that stuff but MAN to me, it smells like old bandaids inside of a garage. I can't get behind it. Nail Butter, on the other hand, isn't nearly as offensive to me with their lemongrass scent. Good news for those of you super sensitive to any fragrances... they are working on a fragrance free version. Their alternative right now is to stir your pot, leave it open for a few hours and the scent should start to dissipate.
This is an older photos (hence the long nails) taken 5 minutes after applying Nail Butter. You can see that my hands are slightly shiny but not overly oiled. After about 15 minutes, I feel safe to type on my keyboard again and do not leave any residue behind. This is more of an "at home" product for me, particularly when I'm headed to bed.
Nail Butter is available on their website for $24.00 with free shipping located in the USA but international shipping is available as well for a cost. You can also check their Retailers tab on their website to see where else you can purchase both in the USA and Internationally.
Keep up with Nail Butter on social media: Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Follow on Instagram and Follow on Pinterest.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
So last week I showed you the "Rose Quartz" inspired polish by Milani called Pink Beige. Today I have the "Serenity" inspired polish named Peri-Wink.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. The formula on this polish was a little thinner, a little streaker, and that's why I needed three coats. Also this polish has this teeny tiny blue shimmer that it's really hidden but also makes the polish dry slightly matte. I always wear top coat unless the polish is supposed to be matte like with Zoya or some of the China Glaze polishes. Typically even then, I will put top coat and a final coat of polish to give the matte effect without compromising in long lasting polish. However for this polish, I felt like it needed top coat for shine and to allow that shimmer to MAYBE show through.
This is definitely a more baby blue than I expected originally but it's still pretty. I think I can get away with wearing this in the office as it's not too in your face. I do wish the shimmer came across more.
You can visit Milani on their website and purchase directly or buy it in stores like CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens for around $3.99. You can Like them on Facebook, follow their Twitter, follow on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Nothing To Disclose
Last year, I decided to purchase a mystery grab bag of indies, not knowing what brands or colors would be included. In my bag was Pretty & Polished Rust Have Red, a brownish red holographic polish. At first I didn't want to keep it but I swatched it on a nail wheel and was pleasantly surprised.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. Even though this is listed as a "jelly", I didn't need more than 2 coats of polish to be opaque on the nail.
This photos is from my light box, and it's how it looks most of the time - a rusty red. It's pretty unique in my collection, as I can't think of any other colors like it off hand. I wonder if this was inspired by the Marsala, the 2015 Pantone color of the year, or if this was more of the 2012 trend of oxblood red. Either way, it's a pretty little thing and office appropriate for me.
This polish also needs a shot in the sun to show off all the holographic sparkle - scattered if you will. Overall this polish ended up staying with me, and I'm looking forward to wearing it more often.
Pretty & Polished is available through their website where she also has bath & body products for sale. Follow Pretty & Polished on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Press Sample
It's been a LONG time since I've visited with Milani. Like... four and a half years long. But I'm slightly obsessed with the Pantone Colors of the Year Rose Quartz and Serenity, so when Milani said they had a Rose Quartz inspired color on the market, I had to try. Today I have Pink Beige, a rose creme.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. The formula was awesome - smooth without flooding. I could have almost gotten away with one coat!
I'm definitely a fan of this rose. It's darker than my other "Rose Quartz" colors but it's very office appropriate and a nice palette cleanser for me. I feel that this new bottle shape (new to me), the wide flat brush and this formula will have me pulling for this color more often.
You can visit Milani on their website and purchase directly or buy it in stores like CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens for around $3.99. You can Like them on Facebook, follow their Twitter, follow on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
Yesterday I showed you the new defy & INSPIRE polish by Target that was the Pantone Color Of The Year Rose Quartz inspired shade called Made. Today I have the Pantone Color Of The Year Serenity inspired shade called Bachelor, a periwinkle blue creme.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. This polish was thicker than Made and really wanted to be one coat but I used 2 thin coats after wiping the brush off several times. If you have a polish that tends to be thicker or the polish got up the neck of the brush, be sure to also clean the neck of your polish bottle before you close your bottle up or the polish can "seal" itself shut, making it hard for you to reopen.
I love these happy blue cremes. This may not be the most office appropriate but I think I could get away with it on my nubs. I'm going to test this theory sometime soon.
defy & INSPIRE will be available in Target stores and at Target.com starting January 17, 2016. They are 5-free to include camphor and sell for $7.49 in 38 on-trend shades in addition to a base and top coat.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
Last week, Target announced that starting on January 17, 2016, they would be launching their first ever private nail brand defy & INSPIRE, a new affordable collection of high-shine, wear-resistant nail lacquers.
Not only are they releasing, they are releasing 38 on-trend shades in addition to a top and base coat - all of which are available for $7.49. Each shade name is inspired by pop culture, and today I have Made, a rose pink creme that is perfectly on trend for the Pantone Color of The Year "Rose Quartz." The pop culture reference, I believe, is in reference to the MTV reality show that started in 2003 and is relaunching this summer.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Top Coat. The bottle is the same type used for the H-E-B exclusive "Orchid Professional Nail Lacquer" but Orchid is distributed by Parkway Mft & Trading Company in San Antonio, Texas and defy & INSPIRE is distributed by Beauty Partners LLC in Hauppauge, NY. The brush is a flat wide brush, much like an OPI ProWide or Morgan Taylor brush (which I LOVE by the way).
The first coat of polish was slightly streaky-thick but my thin second coat quickly self leveled itself out and covered up any issues. It really was a buttery smooth application overall. Because I do not have the top and base coat, I am unable to give an accurate wear time on the polish. All defy & INSPIRE polishes are 5-free to include camphor, and remove with any traditional nail lacquer remover.
A beautiful addition to my collection if I may say so myself. I love the clean look and opacity of just 2 coats. It's also a great office neutral and palette cleanser polish if you're looking to take a break from holos and glitter.
The full defy & INSPIRE collection will be available in all Target stores and on Target.com starting January 17, 2016.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Many moons ago, I wrote about a brand called (seed) on the blog Beauty Debutante. Unfortunately the post isn't available anymore but I was reminiscent about it on Twitter last year & the brand reached out to me to see if I'd like to try their Hand Cream. Then life got ridiculously busy and it's been sitting here on my desk saying "USE ME". Finally, tonight after noticing how dry my hands have become, I decided to grab the bottle and USE IT.
First off, (seed) was launched in 2009 by Rebecca and Benjamin Gournay because they wanted to focus on making healthier choices. I originally tried out their soap & body lotions and overall I was happy with it. (Be nice, this photo is 5 and a half years old.)
The Citrus lotion was a great wake up lotion each morning and the Lavender Sage was great for when I was ready to wind down in bed. The soap was a neat addition to my routine, although I'll admit, I didn't use it until it was gone. I'm more of a body wash person.
Body wash you say? (seed) launched their own body wash in 2015 along with new lip oils and custom blend body care. Want to see more? Check out their website!
Back to the Hand Cream! So (seed) says that it's rich and creamy without any greasy after-feel. This was pretty important to me because I type a LOT at work, and I can't have an oily keyboard. Also I hate the greasy feel that happens with many lotions.
So far so good! Then came to rub in and test. I was excited to feel that my hands felt moisturized without feeling greasy. I even put more on my hands just to make sure I had put enough.
(seed) is paraben free, cruelty free, soy free, phthalate free, gluten free and does not contain any artifical colors. As you can see on the front of the bottle, it's grape seed enriched as well. The lavender was just the right amount of flowery goodness scent and I found myself sniffing my hands (as strange as I'm sure that looks) because it truly is relaxing.
And the cost? Only $8.95 for a 3.5 fl oz (100 mL) bottle. When you only need about a dime for both hands, this lotion is going to last you a good while for great quality.
Now what's better than reading my review? WINNING A BOTTLE FOR YOURSELF! And thanks to (seed), I have a bottle of the Healthy Hand Cream: Fragrance Free and a bottle of the Healthy Hand Cream: Invigorating Citrus to giveaway. The giveaway runs today until midnight of 20 January 2016. Open worldwide to those 18 and older. All terms and conditions may be found in the Rafflecopter widget - please wait for the widget to load fully.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
(seed) can purchased on their website. You can Like them on Facebook, follow on Twitter, follow on Instagram and follow on Pinterest as well.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
With a pep in my step and a renewed sense of blogging, I decided today to grab China Glaze Wanderlust from the Spring 2015 Road Trip Collection. This light lavender/baby pink color has this really pretty rose shimmer that hits just when the sun is right.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. This polish is a little thin and I did have some pooling in my cuticles, but a clean up brush and acetone fixes it.
Here in my light box, you can see the base lavender/pinky color but very little of the shimmer. This is a great office neutral and very close to the Rose Quartz color of the year. I think this would be a really pretty base for some nail art!
I was able to get a photo in the sun as well. Here you can see the shimmer both in the bottle and on my nail. It's subtle and dreamy... like wanderlust, right? ;]
I didn't think I'd originally like this color but it's growing on me.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Nothing To Disclose
This past month, I participated in a Secret Santa swap with a $50 indie bracket. As you may know, I have completely gone from "OMG NO INDIES" to "Well, that's pretty much all I buy now." KBShimmer is definitely one of those brands that tends to be a repeat purchase by me and I was lucky enough to get Chilly Pepper as part of my Santa gift. This creme red is perfect for Christmas or really, just any time... which is why I decided to make this my first official polish to wear in 2016.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with KBShimmer Clearly On Top. Honestly, this polish was pretty opaque in one coat, but I went with two to be safe and not have any bald spots. I did get some polish on my skin because I have very short nubs, but it wiped away cleanly with acetone - no staining into my cuticles like some reds can.
Now normally I have a photo in the sun, one in the shade, and one in indirect light but new year, new photos hah. We've had very unusual weather here in South Texas - 80 degrees one day and 42 the next... Sunshine for miles and then grey skies with lots of rain. Because of all that, I decided to just pull out my MyStudio MS20 and let's do this. I'm tired of the weather being my excuse for blogging. I have too much polish here to complain about the rain.
For those interested, I purchased the MyStudio MS20 after reading about it on the Cult Nails blog here. There will be obviously a learning curve as I get photos and I may still reserve my holo polishes for sunlight, but with a basic creme, you can't go wrong.
Speaking of basic cremes - KBShimmer Chilly Pepper reminds me of a VERY special bottle in my collection. The one and only Christian Louboutin "Rouge", the signature red from his red soled shoes. I grabbed my can of swatches and pulled them out to sit side by side.
Can you tell which polish cost $7.50 and which cost $50.00?
No?
Me either.
They are pretty dead on dupes. Both were 3 coats of polish and one coat of top coat. I was very surprised but also a bit happy inside. I'm sure your wallet will be now too.
KBShimmer Chilly Pepper was from their 2015 Winter Collection. Be sure to scoop up this staple red in case it ever goes away.
KBShimmer [website] can be purchased through their website for those in the United States and through Harlow and Co for international sales. Prices range from $5.50 to $8.75. Connect with KBShimmer through their social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
