NOTD: 1 March 2011

As I mentioned the other day, I absolutely love Nicole by OPI "Count on Me" so I decided to layer it over a single coat of CND Blackjack (with a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Count on Me and a top of Seche Vite).  Check out how beautiful this blue/purple flash is!

China Glaze Rocks the Runway At New York Fashion Week

Please enjoy the following press release from China Glaze:




CHINA GLAZE ROCKS THE RUNWAY AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK


Fall Fashion Shows Feature China Glaze Manicures


Los Angeles, CA – (February 2011): Always a beauty staple backstage at New York Fashion Week, China Glaze made it’s fourth consecutive appearance on the runway at the Tadashi, Ivana Helsinki and Richie Rich shows for Fall 2011. Tadashi went with his all-time favorite again, China Glaze Innocence (a sheer gauzy pink). Manicurist Josephine More said that it was perfect for accenting the understated elegance and angelic look of his Fall 2011 collection.


Ivana Helsinki’s collection consisted of rich velvets, knits, feather prints and chunky boots. While charcoal black eyeliner, beehives and an all together 60’s mod vibe was the theme for makeup and hair, clear nails courtesy of manicurist Indigo Smith and Seche Vite Fast Dry Top coat complimented the overall minimalist designs that were enhanced by different patterns and textures.


Richie Rich, who is known for his outrageous club wear and barely there ensembles, didn’t scrimp in the nail department either. Manicurist Josephine More created “Punk Looks” which consisted of China Glaze Midnight Mission with China Glaze Devotion, Nova and Solar Flare on the King Finger. She also created “Elegant Looks”, which was China Glaze Lubu Heels with China Glaze Passion and Medallion on the King Finger. The men also rocked their own personalized nail looks with China Glaze Devotion layered with Nova and China Glaze Liquid Leather on the King Finger. To top off the show, Jennifer “JWOWW” Farley of “Jersey Shore” fame closed the show with Richie Rich himself.

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.


Seche® is the leading global brand most trusted by professional nail technicians and the women who desire and demand superior quality, exceptional technology, unparalleled performance, and beautiful results for the care of natural nails. For more information, www.seche.com.


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.

essence Studio Nails

Please enjoy the following press release from Essence.


essence “STUDIO nails – better than gel nails”


Beautifully manicured nails? Without a visit to a nail salon? Easy to do at home? From now on, this is no longer just a dream! Because essence is setting new standards with its innovative range “STUDIO nails – better than gel nails”!


As a preview to the new professional range, which will be available in the standard assortment as of spring 2011, essence is already giving you the chance to test the nail salon for your home in February and March 2011. The 6-piece starter kit includes everything you need to achieve a perfect nail style – but even “better than gel nails”. Thanks to the gentle application and simple removal, your nail style is sure to be a success in a manner of moments and can be easily removed at any time – without damaging your natural nails and without the need for an UV-lamp. Simply open up the packaging and get started!




Five easy steps and less than 15 minutes to achieve a perfect studio nail look:


Step 1
It’s important to clean your nails with the essence studio nails – better than gel nails nail file before application. This will remove excess oil and dirt to ensure particularly long-lasting results. The file is available for around 1.99 €*.

Step 2
Next, select a suitable tip-size and stick it onto the tip
of your natural nails using the especially fast-drying
glue included in the set.
Nail tips around 2.99 €*.
Nail tip glue around 1.99 €*

Step 3
When the artificial tip has dried a bit, remove the little tip-handle
by moving it up and down gently. Then file the nails into the
desired shape.


Step 4

Now it’s time to use the base coat: simply apply the transparent base coat on the prepped nails. This ensures that the artificial tips and the subsequent styling have an optimal, long-lasting effect. The base coat is available for around 2.49 €*.

Step 5
And the final step is – your finish! There is a special, glossy top coat
to give your gel-nail look the perfect finishing touches and to seal
it so that it lasts longer. For an especially gorgeous look, apply two
coats. So head for your polish and you’re done!
Top coat around 2.49 €*.
Nail tip remover around 2.49 €*.

The limited starter kit for the essence "STUDIO nails – better than gel nails" range will be available in stores in February and March 2011. Around 9.99 €*.


PLEASE NOTE: As of March 2011, the products from the new essence "STUDIO nails – better than gel nails" range will also be available individually in the standard product assortment!

Blogs of Note

So after realizing that a lot of my blogging buddies had abandoned their blogs for one reason or another, I decided to go through and ax them from my Google Reader.  I feel bad, but at the same time, when someone hasn't updated since August 2009, they just aren't relevant anymore...  They may have good archived posts but as for new collections, colors, finishes - they are way in the back field for me.


That being said, here are 3 more today.


Manicure Mommas has short nails but a lot of good postings.  She also has a spreadsheet where she's listed all her polishes and the posts to each one which I find to be incredibly helpful.  I don't know if she got the idea from me or if we're both geniuses (totally possible) but either way, it makes for some great nail research!


Milan and Vanaily are sisters blogging under one roof ( I think?).  They have some very nice long nails and are pretty awesome, if you ask me.  I love reading their blog for the both the pictures and the commentary.


Last today is My little world of polish by Lily Nail.  She has short nails but does post a good selection.  I do wish her pictures were a little more macro instead of at arm's length but at least you can see the polish clearly.

.rawr.

I have super long nails (for me) right now.  I've broken 3 nails on my non-swatching hand, but have kept the long left hand so I can show you all the pretties in my box.  I've been out all week long and finally yesterday I had a day off AND sun, but I decided I just had to clean my house (it's quite big and all tile floors that need to be vacuumed and mopped sorely).  This morning I woke up to a clean house AND RAIN.


Seriously?!


Tomorrow I'm supposed to have SOME sun, and even better - lots of sun on Tuesday so hopefully I'll get to pump out some more posts soon.  Sorry friends!