Nicole by OPI Me + Blue vs Claire's Bright Skies

One thing about the Nicole by OPI's bottle shape - they don't photograph well for me, haha.  When I saw my bottle of Me + Blue, I thought "I own this!" and pulled out the Claire's Bright Skies that I purchased in mid-2010 but have never worn.


For Me + Blue, I had a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 3 coats of Me + Blue and a top of OPI Top Coat.  For Bright Skies, I had a base of Seche Natural, 3 coats of Bright Skies and a top of Seche Vite.

BOO - Blue Skies is quite sheer.  I don't like sheer colors - they just look like you have zombie hands to me. While it has more of the rainbow glitter, it seriously lacks in the opacity of the base color.

Same in the shade - you get the glitter but none of the opacity.  I did layer one coat of Blue Skies over Me + Blue which looked neat because you got the pretty glitter but it didn't want to photograph at all.


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 Me + Blue

Nicole by OPI's Me + Blue from the "One Less Lonely Girl" collection is listed as a metallic deep blue, but in reality it's a medium blue packed with rainbow glitter.  Sadly, the blue base isn't jelly enough to really hold the glitter, so the glitter gets lost in the application.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 3 coats of Me + Blue and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The end feeling was quite gritty, another sad panda moment for me, because I really do like the look of this polish.

You can flat out SEE how gritty this polish is - that's when you know it's bad.  But it is a pretty blue and check out all the glitter in that bottle!

In the shade, the glitter is completely lost but at least you see the blue!  Sorry for the slightly blurry picture here - this baby doesn't like to be photographed!

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.

Nicole by OPI Give Me The 1st Dance

Continuing with the Nicole by OPI Bieber collection (did you see Glee on Tuesday?!), today I have Give Me The 1st Dance, a "sexy silver".  If you think you've seen this color before, you're pretty much correct.  It's a simple silver metallic/foil/frost.  I'm not the biggest fan of frosts because they are hard to photograph.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of Give Me The 1st Dance and then a top of OPI Top Coat.

In the sun, this is definitely a blinging color - almost like a little mirror or something.  You can see a bit of pull near the cuticles on the pinkie - that's because I didn't let the polish dry fully before using my top coat.

In the shade, the color shows off its metallic/foil/frost finish.  Good if you don't own one already but otherwise it's pretty much a "generic" color for me.

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.

China Glaze Crackle

Please enjoy the following press release from China Glaze.

LET’S GET CRACKING

China Glaze Introduces Six New Crackle Colors

Los Angeles, CA – December 2010: Roughed up grunge meets gorgeous glam! China Glaze brings a whole new level to the game with “Crackle” polish! Create endless edgy looks and make a statement with fun, fearless, color. Everyone has asked for it, and now China Glaze is giving it to them! The six different Crackle colors include:

• Lightning Bolt – White Crackle
• Black Mesh – Black Crackle
• Broken Hearted – Pink Crackle
• Cracked Concrete – Grey Crackle
• Fault Line – Purple Crackle
• Crushed Candy – Teal Crackle

An innovative technology allows you to play with a wide array of color combinations and achieve an edgy, new wave look. This unique formula was developed to give your nails a “crackled” design over traditional nail color. Contrasting colors are used one over another to achieve a deconstructed shatter look that takes place right before your eyes. Instant art for your nails!

How do you do it? It’s easy! Apply your favorite China Glaze glitter, shimmer or crème. Depending on the color you are using, apply either one or two coats for full coverage. When the colored enamel is dry, brush on a thin layer of the Crackle color. Allow the Crackle to work its magic during dry time. After approximately 5 minutes when the crackled design has completely formed, apply a top coat to seal the design for prolonged wear.

China Glaze Crackle will be available starting February 2011 at Sally’s Beauty Supply and BSG in 12 piece displays and 3 pack color kits which will include a base color, a crackle glaze (Black Mesh, Broken Hearted or Crushed Candy) and a China Glaze Top Coat.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries

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

CND Daily Nail 2.15.11 Nature's Best Manicures at Jen Kao

Please enjoy the following press release from CND

The CND Daily Nail 2.15.11  

Nature's Best Manicures at Jen Kao 

February 15, 2011 - The Rainforest called...they want their nails back. Today at Jen Kao, CND nails by Kristina Estabrooks were inspired by organic, living things in the swampy depths of nature. Long, almond shape nails were based with Gold Chrome and Midnight Sapphire, and accented with drops of Gold Pearl, Iced Blue Shimmer, and Midnight Sapphire for a psychedelic stained glass effect. An almost aquatic quality took hold to match mind-bogglingly twisted hair, green metallic eye shadow and glittery bronze brows.   

 

 

At Karen Walker, Angi Wingle did black matte manicures using Blackjack topped with Super Matte Top Coat to accentuate leather embellishments on shoulders and sleeves, eccentric floral, and illusion-textured fabrics, and a color palette of orange crush, royal blue, heather gray and mustard yellow. Hair was long, straight and tucked under black knitted stocking caps, and makeup was fresh faced and natural with a dusting of bronze on cheekbones.