China Glaze Haunting

Last month I showed you some pictures of China Glaze Haunting, now here's the official press release! Enjoy!

HAUNTING BEAUTY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

China Glaze Introduces a Daringly Dark Collection of Purely Pigmented Crèmes and High Coverage Glitters for Halloween 2011

Los Angeles, CA – (July 2011): Halloween is all about over-the-top style and China Glaze has just what every girl and ghoul needs to complete their costume.  Put the finishing touches on any look with the new China Glaze HAUNTING collection – a six-piece set of mysterious colors and effects perfect for All Hallows Eve, including a glow-in-the-dark Top Coat and a ‘crackling’ top coat for a cobweb effect.

China Glaze captures the spirits lurking in the dark in six sexy, sophisticated shades that are on trend, exciting and will be on every costume crafter’s “must have” list.  Whether a look is dark and mysterious, or bold and dramatic, China Glaze’s HAUNTING collection pulls together any ensemble and will undoubtedly make heads turn – just like China Glaze’s celebrity followers (Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Nicole Ritchie and Dita Von Teese, to name a few)!  Colors in this collection include:

•         Haunting:  Shadowy black with shimmering silver glitter
•          Crimson: Deep purple crème with a hint of blood red
•          Near Dark: Rich mossy green crème
•          It’s Alive: Vibrant green glitter
•          Ghoulish Glow: Glow-in-the-Dark top coat
•          Black Mesh: Crackle Glaze top coat for a cobweb-like crackle effect

The China Glaze HAUNTING collection will be available as open stock colors, 18 piece counter display, and as part of a special “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” set featuring China Glaze Fast Forward 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: http://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. 

Cala Nail Strips

Please enjoy the following image release from Cala.  Cala was at Cosmoprof, and I got to chat with them for a few minutes.  These nail strips are already available for purchase in stores.

Groupon: Stress Free Massage Therapy - Corpus Christi, Texas

I have another Groupon** posting today.  Last month, there was another massage Groupon in my local area (still 45 miles away) but instead of buying three like last time, I only purchased one.  This was for the Stress Free Massage Therapy at 4925 Everhart Road, Ste. 121, near McArdle in Corpus Christi, Texas.  For $30, you received a 60-minute deep-muscle therapy (a $70 value) or for $45, you received a 30-minute massage of your choice (a $45 value) and a 30-minute coconut-lime feet retreat (a $45 value; total of $90 value).  I went for the 60-minute deep-muscle therapy for $30.  There were 228 Groupons purchased.


Stress Free Massage Therapy doesn't have a Facebook Page, but does have a personal account located here.  I had decided to drive to Corpus Christi semi-last minute so I didn't think I'd be able to get an appointment on the same day I was calling, but I tried anyway.  My call went to a voicemail and within 7 minutes, I was receiving a call back saying that an appointment was available at 2 p.m. (it was almost noon when I called).


This location is inside of an L-shaped one story business building - near the end of the building.  Unfortunately, the signage is located on a wall of the building that you don't see when driving up, so I spent a few minutes in panic trying to find it.  When I walked in, owner Johnny Valenzuela was calming waiting (and reading a Bible sitting in the waiting area) and warmly welcomed me.  The waiting area has a couple of chairs & a small table where I filled out my questionnaire.  We ended up talking for 11 minutes (I timed it) about Groupon, my walking boot/rheumatoid arthritis, and a bit about his business before we went into the next room where his table was set up.  Johnny and his wife love to help others, from volunteering at the soup kitchen, to massage therapy.  Their motto is "Great Strength comes from Faith in GOD".


The massage room was about the same size as the waiting room, high ceilings painted in a forest green with some inspirational words on the wall and a large mirror on one wall.  The mirror was a bit awkward when I was getting under the table because it was so large, but later it would be useful when making sure my makeup wasn't smeared.  (Thank you Urban Decay potion primer & eyeshadow and MAC mascara!)  There was a small wall hanger for my purse and a chair that I could put my clothing but no hanger (which I'm always iffy on hangers anyway - jeans can be very heavy when hung, but if I had on a nice dress shirt, I wouldn't really want to just throw it on the chair...) but he did have a hair clip available which was awesome since I forgot mine.  He gave me a few minutes to disrobe and get under the sheets on the massage table and said to just vocally let him know I was ready.


I had listed that I was having problems with my right shoulder and I had mentioned the edema in my left ankle/foot, so I was hoping those two places would definitely have more time spent on them.  The lotion that was used was very lightly scented (very appreciated) and had enough give to it that the massage was comfortable (unlike the oil from the last experience).  The pressure was just right and there weren't any distractions.  The ambient music was all instrumental and at a calming tempo with the right volume located near my feet, not my head so I could still hear if Johnny asked me about pressure or how I was doing.  The majority of my massage was done while lying on my stomach which was great for the sore shoulder and ankle which both did have extra attention given.  After the back/shoulders were done, he asked me if I would be okay with a hot towel on my back.  I said yes, and three towels were applied at an appropriate temperature before a final draping was added.  During the foot massage, I fell asleep (always a good sign).


For the final 15 minutes of my massage, I turned over and he asked what I would like focused on, and I mentioned the shoulder again.  He spent the whole time working my neck and shoulders (so they were evenly relaxed) and I definitely felt much better than when I walked in.  After he left so I could redress, I checked the time, and I received an entire hour of massage, even though we started over 11 minutes late.  A true testament for me that someone would honor the entire massage time, even when we didn't start on time.  (Please note that they do require you to show up for your appointment time.)


Upon exiting the massage room, I was offered a cold bottle of water and was not pressured to re-book or purchase any extra services.  This is especially valuable to me, as I was on a time schedule and don't like the pressure of purchasing more after a relaxing massage.


Unfortunately, this location does not take debit or credit cards, and I didn't have any cash on me whatsoever, so I was unable to leave a tip.  I did take a business card so I could mail a check in later (he does take checks).  While this is his business, he does have 2 female masseuses available as well.  When I asked him about a tip, he asked that I only leave a review on his website - that was enough of a tip for him.  I have one better - I'm going to be booking another session.  He does offer some price specials if you're a repeat customer (another great incentive) but that wasn't mentioned until after I said I wanted to re-book at a later date using his website.


Overall this location is definitely an A+ for me: relaxing atmosphere, knowledge and polite masseuse, and great customer service.


Stress Free Massage Therapy has a policy that if you are not satisfied within the first 15 minutes of your massage session, you may request to end the massage and you owe nothing.  They are open week days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m and you may call or use their online form to request an appointment.  


Disclosure: The services in this post were purchased by me through Groupon.  Stress Free Massage Therapy did not know I would be blogging about my experience but will receive a copy of this blog posting via Facebook message & on their Reviews section of their website.  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.

OPI Spark de Triomphe

Part of the Glam Slam! collection is Spark de Triomphe which was listed as a monumentally marvelous silver glitter but as you can see, it's definitely not silver - but rather a gold.  This was another in my failed attempt at a black and gold manicure (I ended up wearing Rally Pretty Pink to the game which had nothing to do with school colors, but was just a pretty color).  This color was supposed to be paired with White Shatter which I reviewed back in June.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 3 coats of polish and a top coat of OPI Top Coat.

Definitely not opaque as you can see here.  The "dirty" smile line on my middle finger is actually dried blood from my nail trama on Monday - my fingernail was totally torn off and bled quite a bit.  It's just now getting to the point where it isn't sore to the touch.  Fun times.

In the shade, you can see the microglitter that is part of the sheer base of this polish but you can also see the loads of VNL.  I originally thought this was a gold glitter in a yellow base but it's more of a gold hexagonal and microglitter in a clear jelly base.

Indoors with the flash and again you can just tell how this is more of a layering polish than anything else.  While I would buy it in the set because of the White Shatter, this polish is going to probably see more shelf life than anything else for me.

OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

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 5 Golden Rings

Last night was the first home football game for my alma mater high school, where the school colors are black and gold.  I was attempting a manicure that was a gold bottom and a black crackle over it, but well - I had some issues.  One of the first golds that I thought to wear was China Glaze 5 Golden Rings, from the Loves You Snow Much collection.  I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 3 coats of polish and a top of nubar Diamont.  The formula was a tiny bit thick, but not unmanageable.

As you can see in the sun, this isn't a fully opaque glitter - more of a yellow gold glitter in a slightly yellow base.  While it's not completely sheer either, it just wasn't going to work for the look I was trying to achieve last night.

In the shade, the color looks more opaque but it's still not fully there.  I also pulled the glitter up on my index finger a bit.

Finally indoors with the flash - it really gave me lobster hands for some reason with this color.  I think this would be a lot better as a layering polish than a stand alone.

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].