Lynnderella Connect The Dots

So unless you're a blogger or a frequent blog reader, you may not have heard of Lynnderella before.  She hand mixes custom nail polish creations and when they are available, they are available then only.  This last time that she had a sale, it was $12 a bottle, with a minimum order of 5 bottles.  Gia from Bottles and Bottles of Polish was kind enough to place a large order and ship individually out to each person, so that is how I ended up with this gem - the only one that I knew I HAD TO HAVE.


Connect the Dots is from her Halloween 2010 collection but she brought it back for 2011.  It's a black and white hexagon, square and bar glitter with a slight sparkle in a clear base.


I used the previous day's manicure (China Glaze Rose Tea) and put 2 coats on my pinkie and ring finger, 1 coat on my middle and index finger.  Sealed both with Seche Vite.

I really like the look of just one coat - I tried 2 coats just to see.  On my nail polish stick, I have about 10 coats (I do that) and I just hate the way it looks... with this, less is more.

Shade picture - sometimes the bar glitter wouldn't sit right (as you can see) but you can just push it into place with your brush or a needle.

Finally indoors with the flash.  Very stunning and like Lynnderella has said - it's instant nail art!


For those wondering, this came straight from her blog: 

Lynnderella Lacquers contain cosmetic and other polyester glitters, as well as cosmetic-grade pigments, mica and synthetic mica. There may also be traces of non-B3-free nail polishes used to tint bases. The main ingredient is TKB Glamour Base. Blends may differ from month to month depending on new glitters and ingredients I find for you—they are always evolving and may vary from batch to batch. From the research I have done on glitter, minimum orders from manufacturers are ten pounds per colour and size. If we look at other multi-glitters being sold, it's easy to see that they are less complex than most of the blends offered here. I think that it's unlikely that nail polish manufacturers would be purchasing as many different glitters in ten-pound lots as I am purchasing in smaller amounts from various distributors. Complexity, beauty, colour saturation and luxury are some of the energy ingredients that makes their attitudes unique. Another ingredient is extensive experimentation and research over years. It has been a labour of love that required a significant investment of time and resources. I hope you will all feel that love—and enjoy and luxuriate in it. 


For some amazing Lynnderella swatches, please check out steffel's blog.


Lynnderella is only available through the etailer Llarowe.  Currently, you have to contact Llarowe at the email address lalas.lynn.network@gmail.com in order to get on a shipping list which is sorted in 4 ways, so if you'd like to find out how to order, email that above address.


Lynnderella is available for $15 a bottle.

Nicki Minaj by OPI

When I was listening to The Plastic Diaries' interview with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Kimmi asked if Suzi had a "dream list" and at the time, Nicki Minaj didn't really come to mind, but after watching her in various music videos (thank you Fuse network), I can really see this collection's inspiration.  No more talking - get to the pictures, right?!  Please enjoy the following release from OPI!

Pink Everyday!

OPI Partners with Platinum Recording Artist Nicki Minaj to Launch Limited Edition Lacquers

             OPI announces the launch of six new limited edition shades inspired by hip hop sensation Nicki Minaj, including a purple Shatter!  Inspired by Minaj’s unique style, love of bright colors, and her debut album Pink Friday, the Nicki Minaj by OPI promotion will feature an array of bold hues, from neon lime green to pink.

 “OPI is so excited to work with Nicki in releasing these six new nail lacquers,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Nicki has taken the hip hop world by storm, but her music is only part of the equation. She’s also become a fashion inspiration, noted for her daring costumes and hair color both on and off the stage.”

Nicki’s eclectic look made including a new hue in OPI’s bestselling Shatter coat a must for this collaboration. The purple Super Bass Shatter (a record-setting purple that “shatters” before your eyes) is inspired by graffiti art and works when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Super Bass Shatter from matte to glossy in seconds.

The line features five nail lacquers in addition to Super Bass Shatter, ranging from fantastic pink, rainbow confetti glitter and charcoal sparkle hues to two green shades in lime and teal:

Pink Friday
Kick off the weekend with this pop! of bubblegum pink.

 Metallic 4 Life

This charcoal sparkle flies with the stars in the skies.

Save Me

I drove for miles just to find this silver-rainbow glitter.

Fly
I came to win, to fight…and to wear this aqua.

 Did It On ‘Em 

A lusty little lacquer that loves the “lime”-light.

Nicki Minaj by OPI nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. This limited edition promotion will be available beginning January 2012 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.

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

China Glaze Rose Tea

When Rose Tea came out in the Specialty Collection, I was obsessed.  It's a medium pink with a light green shimmer.  While the shimmer is no where near as apparent in photos, it's what made this color pop for me.


I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite.  The formula on this polish is super smooth, awesome, beautiful.

Sun!  Geez, I love this color - but like I said, it's hard to see that green shimmer.  Still lovely.

Shade is more true to the pink color BUT again, where is that shimmer?  You can see it a tiny bit in the bottle, but man, y'all are missing OUT!

Finally indoors with the flash - and just a bit of the shimmer is showing!  Love love love.


So dipping into my vault... back when I was just using a web camera and a natural 6500K light bulb...  Don't laugh too much.

Ah yes - nice and totally not color corrected.  :]


China Glaze can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty, Sally's Beauty Supply as well as TransDesign.  You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

CND High Voltage Hands

Oh my gosh, we're talking about Spring 2012 already!  Please enjoy the following press release from CND!

High Voltage Hands

CND Rings in 15 Years of Fashion with Spring 2012 Runway Nail Trends

15 years ago, CND pioneered the concept of manicures as runway accessories at New York Fashion Week. This season, CND worked with 21 designers including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Monique Lhuillier and Altuzarra.

"For Spring 2012, manicures are no holds barred - take your nails to the edge with rock star psychedelic designs, sci-fi illuminated finishes, and retro mod brights," says CND founder, Jan Arnold.

NEW ROCK N' ROLL

From the opening power-chord to the throb of the bass, sport outlaw glamour and pure adrenaline-blasted nails. Glam rock mani attitude bursts with sharp shapes, color, expression and creativity! Rihanna meets Grace Jones with manicures in hyper-sensory brights and dazzling sparkle to match hi-tech fabrics in spandex, polyurethane, stretch canvas and metal organza. Get the "Mic Check Mani," as seen at Nicole Miller, with a checkered pattern of CND Colours in Raspberry Parfait and Inkwell. Slick Ice Blue Shimmer Effect over the entire nail for an iridescent finish. Rock a poisonously bright ombré, like the"Lethal Love" nails from Jen Kao, by using CND Colours in Inkwell and Anchor Blue. To achieve the fierce medium to long almond shaped nails seen at many shows on the runway, try CND Liquid & Powder or Brisa™ Gel enhancements.

ORGANI-TECH

Like the sci-fi classic, "The Twilight Zone," this season's manicure is more than immediately meets the eye. Paired with metallic weaves, opalescent chiffon, pleated muslin and paper-light poplin fabrics, seemingly natural nails are infused with radioactive texture in wrinkled cellophane, lattice airbrushing, holograms or transparent glass shards. This other worldly dichotomy takes a neutral or nude backdrop and illuminates with embellishment, like the "Lucite Lace" manicure from Joy Cioci, which was created by air brushing white lattice designs on a clear tip. At Wayne, white nails were feathered with bold CND Colour in Blackjack brushstrokes to shape "Birds of Prey" inspired manicures.

MOD SQUAD   

The swingin' sixties are back! Grab your plaid cropped jacket, tweed pencil skirt and a potent daytime martini to go with retro bright nails in offbeat orange, yellow and persimmon. Recreate the bold and daring "Orange Crush Mani" from Milly with saturated CND Colour in Electric Orange, or opt for a "Murky Mustard" look from Karen Walker by mixing CND Colour in Bicycle Yellow with seven drops of Blackjack. For true power nails, try fiery coral CND Colour in Poppyfield, as seen at Wes Gordon.

CND Colour retails for $9.00 per bottle, Effects retail for $11.00 per bottle, and Base and Top Coats retail for $8.50 each. For CND Colour & Effects e-tailers or regional salon and spa availability, please visit cnd.com.

To read Jan Arnold's daily backstage blog, visit  http://cndfashionweek.com/Spring2012 and check out CND's Fashion Week Tumblr at  http://cndfashion.tumblr.com/ .  

Zoya Pandora

Finishing up the Zoya Touch collection is Pandora, a mauve beige cream with a metallic kiss.  I wasn't too sure what I'd think about this color - it's so office safe...  Plus one thing I adore about Zoya is how vivid their colors are (when I look at my folder of pictures, they are just so beautiful!).


I used a base coat of Zoya Get Even, 2 coats of polish and Zoya Armor as a top coat.  The formula was smooth.

Here it is in the sun - look how close it is to my skin color!  Mannequin hands anyone?  The shimmer is very slight as well.

In the shade the shimmer is mostly lost but the color is still quite alive.  Like I said, not a bad color - just very neutral... which was kind of the point of the collection.

Indoors with the flash kind of made my hands look yellow... not sure what's up with that.  Anyway, nice nude - not really for me but great if you work in an office or like - if your relatives would go crazy if you wore bright yellow...  


So there you have it!

Zoya can be purchased on their website 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.