China Glaze Harmony

Told you I'd review Harmony from the China Glaze Romantique collection!  This is a lovely grape purple metallic.  I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote and 2 coats of polish.  I didn't use any top coat because I was going to be adding some glitter.  ;]

Nom nom nom, I love this color.  It's such a great purple, so smooth, so lovely.

Even in the shade, it's just beautiful.  It's a blurple almost (blue-purple).

Indoors with the flash on kind of freaks out my camera.  Now, you may notice that my bottle is half purple, have blue/purple.  This color had settled after sitting on the shelf for two years, and I had to shake shake shake like crazy in order to mix it up all together.


Want to laugh?  I took these pictures back in the days before I had a blog, and was just photographing my polish... and didn't know how to use my camera (or Photoshop it seems).

Hah.  The last one gives me Hulk hands and weird colored polish.  Even though this polish has been discontinued, you may still be able to find it online or in some salon stores.

China Glaze [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty, Sally's Beauty Supply as well as TransDesign.

PMD Regeneration System

Remember my review on the PMD microdermabrasion system?  Well, now I've been given the opportunity to try the PMD Regeneration System starter kit (retail $39.95 USD).  This is a 4 step system to be used in combination with the PMD microderm tool to help maximize the effectiveness of this system.


I'll be honest, microdermabrasion is a bit rough on my skin.  As I have said before on my blog, I have sensitive skin.  I decided to do a little photo documentation, so you can see what I mean.


First off, here's what you need.

Hello random swollen foot of mine!  Anyway, the microderm tool of course was provided to me earlier, but the Starter Kit has an Advanced Soothing Cleanser (60 ml), a Calming Neuro Neutralizer Toner (60 ml) and a Professional Recovery Moisturizer (15 ml).  You can apply the products with a cotton pad or your fingers.


First, you need to properly use your microderm tool on your face.  Want to see how red it leaves me? 

Lobster!  The boyfriend has been teasing me with how red my face is.  Oddly enough, I did experience more bumps during the month I used my tool (once a week).

Granted, my face has been going crazy lately with stress and dry weather, but still.  I'm only human!


So step 1 is using your microderm tool, step 2 is the cleanser.  It's a slightly thick clear serum, almost the consistency of aloe vera but without a sticky after feel, and no fragrance.


Step 3 is the toner.  It's a clear liquid that doesn't have much of a smell.  While most of it will absorb into your skin, you can wipe any excess off with a clean cloth.

The final step is the moisturizer.  This does have a fragrance to it, that isn't quite medicinal but is unlike any perfumed moisturizer I've ever tried.  It's not unpleasant, but it's not my favorite either.  It almost reminds me of dairy.


While the tool is used once a week, the products may be used both in your morning and evening routine.  The cleanser helps to remove dirt, make up, oils and other impurities.  The toner helps balance your skin's pH as well as preserve your natural oils.  The moisturizer is the awesome stuff - I could bore you with details but the part you probably want to hear is it increases Catalase stimulation over 300% and Collagen expression 164% strengthening tissue and elastins for more vibrant younger looking skin.


So, did it work?  Well you saw my before picture - here's what my skin looks like after applying.

Still red, but not as bad.  My face calmed down and definitely felt better.  Over the month, I did have less breakouts and I was complimented more on my skin than normal.  I have to get into a better habit of moisturizing, but it's great to have products formulated to my microdermabrasion system.  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Motives Wine & Dine

Playing "pick the random polish" again from my untried box, and today is Motives by Loren Ridinger.  I'll be honest, I had never heard of this brand before I'm always eager to try new things!  Motives is a toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) free, as well as gluten-free and is not tested on animals.  They offer a variety of colors and finishes that are long lasting and chip free.  I received Wine & Dine Me, a medium red metallic color that was super popular in Fall 2011.


I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  I didn't have any issues with formula or the brush itself.

In the sun you can see how well this polish applied.  While it's not a true metallic, it's also not a pearl even though there's a bit of streaks. 

In my first shade picture, you can see it's not quite orange, not quite red.  It reminds me a bit of China Glaze Street Racing (which also is staring at me from my untrieds) but I think this is more orange.

This is also a shade color but just different overhead coverage.  I really do like this color quite a bit, and wonder how more of these colors would look!  

Finally, indoors with the flash and it is pretty red hot!  I am definitely happy with this polish and would like to purchase some in the future.

Motives [Website] [Twitter] is available on their website for $5.25 but you also get cash back for your purchases.  The above website link I have provided is from Kalomira, a Motives and Market America Distributor, but other links are directly from the Motives 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.

Beauty Blogger Coalition Valentine's Giveaway!

The Beauty Blogger Coalition is back with another $500 Visa card giveaway! To enter, please allow the Rafflecopter widget to load below. All Terms and Conditions may also be found in the widget. Please visit the following Beauty Blogger Coalition members who are bringing this to you! You may enter using Rafflecopter from any of the below blogs but your entry will only count one time. You may, however, tweet about the giveaway (the last option) once a day for the duration of the giveaway.

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Beauty Blogger Coalition
Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty Info Zone
Beauty Swatches
BlushingNoir
Gems in a Bottle
Madame B Fatale
Moxie Reviews
My Beauty Bunny
PeaceLoveLipgloss
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Polarbelle
polish insomniac
PolishGalore
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Prime Beauty
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Poshe Top Coat & Family

I've been bouncing around with different base and top coats, and now I will be trying another line of products by AII - Poshe!  I know a lot of you have seen or heard of it before, and some even swear by it.  I'll be testing it out for about a month and let you know the results!  Please enjoy the following press release from AII!

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE COMPLETE NAIL CARE

Poshé Promotes Healthy Nails Without Damaging Chemicals

Los Angeles, CA – (February 2012): Formulated without Formaldehyde, Toluene and Phthalates, it’s no wonder that Poshé Top Coat is a five-time winner of Allure Magazine’s “Best Top Coat” award and three-time winner of Nails Magazine’s “Readers’ Choice Award”. Poshé Top Coat, along with the rest of the Poshé family of complete nail care products, is coveted by top-notch nail care professionals and nail fanatics alike.

Products in the Poshé line include:

Image courtesy of AII

Poshé Topcoat: This revolutionary formula dries to the touch in one minute. Remarkable gloss and no shrinking make this top coat one of the best in the business.

Image courtesy of AII

Poshé Nail Strengthening Basecoat: This basecoat promotes hardness and helps flexibility, while working as a ridge filler and conditioning nails at the same time. UV inhibitors protect nails from damaging sun rays.

Image courtesy of AII

Poshé Fast Drying Base Coat: For natural or artificial nails, this fast drying, non-yellowing and chip resistant basecoat helps maintain the beauty of the manicure. Great for pedicures as well, this basecoat also protects from staining.

Image courtesy of AII

Poshé AHA Cuticle Care: A unique blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids and botanicals are specially formulated to exfoliate and hydrate problem cuticles. It can also be used on elbows, feet and other dry areas. Great for preventing hangnails while promoting healthy nail growth.

About Poshé Nail Care

A logical approach to creating strong, flexible nails based on the science of the natural nail, Poshé uses elements found naturally within the nail plate to nourish and condition, without the use of dehydration techniques. The result is strong, long, natural nails that resist breakage. All Poshé nail care products are formaldehyde and toluene free.

www.poshenails.com

About American International Industries

For 40 years, A.I.I. has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women.  Our product lines include 5 Second Nail, Ardell Eyelashes, Andrea Eyelashes, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Correctionist, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, It’s So Easy, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks,  Woltra, Woody’s Grooming and Youthair. For more information, visit: www.aiibeauty.com