FingerPaints Purple Pinstripe

A throwback to Fall 2011 and the Fall Fashionista collection from FingerPaints - here is Purple Pinstripe, a dusty purple creme.  This was one that I was really looking forward to because I'm a sucker for all purples (if you haven't noticed!).  As you can see, the bottom of my bottle has some brown/yellow coloring.  Since this color was sitting on my shelf, the colors had separated so I shook it like a Polaroid (not really, I did a lot of shaking though) until it was thoroughly mixed again.  I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  The formula was smooth and didn't pool into my cuticles.

Now oddly, the color just didn't "stick" well to my ring finger and it doesn't look quite opaque.  I'm not sure what's going on there.  I also need to pay better attention to my cuticles apparently.  I've been using Julep Cuticle Oil more, especially since I have 2 of them now from my Maven boxes.  Seriously, cuticle care is a must for everyone.  Now I just need to sneak oil on my boyfriend's hands...

Here in the shade, the color looks a little less dusty and a little more plummy.  I still love it.

Finally indoors with the flash and again you can see that issue with the ring finger but the other nails are perfectly opaque.  If you don't own a nice purple creme like this, you may have to get it.  :]  It's also a great base for some layering (coming soon!).


FingerPaints [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] [Blog] can be found in Sally's Beauty Supplies stores and online for $4.99 USD each.

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

tiara nails

I originally posted about Tiara nails while at Cosmoprof North America and am proud to say that their website has officially launched in the US!  You may order directly from their website for now, but look for tiara nails to be coming to beauty stores in 2012!  Please enjoy the following press from tiara!  Please note that you can click on the images to make them larger.  Want more tiara? [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] [YouTube]  All images are courtesy of tiara.

TIARA ANTIBACTERIAL NAILS

                                                                                                                                                              

*We may be mindful of the importance of hand hygiene, but often overlook our nails.  

*The medicated formula used in our new antiseptic nails is certified to kill 96.63% of common micro-organisms.

*Sanitizing finish for eating finger foods or even biting your nails – you can trust Tiara Antibacterial nails.

                                                                                      

I would like to introduce you to our TIARA brand; "Beauty from tip to toe".  Our TIARA nails are delicately designed and embellished with the artistry only TIARA designers can create, TIARA fashion nails inspire you to enhance your natural beauty from head to toe.  TIARA nails complement your beauty to perfection.

Tiara is the only brand on the market using green technology.   The first antibacterial artificial nail that offers beauty and safe hygiene!    Typical nails use acrylic plastic.  Our ABS plastic offers women a safer product that they can wear longer than the typical acrylic nail; Acrylic nails grow fungus and bacteria.  TIARA brand is the first to use green technology in our nail products - ever mindful of our own and the environment's beauty.  Discover your style of nails - you can't stop at just one.

Some want a signature look, others to be simply different, but at the same time women need to be elegant and exclusively chic.   TIARA makes a sublime fashion statement - for a complete makeover and a beauty that is not just skin-deep.

TIARA style on nails is a gorgeous mix of soft and tough, sweet and risqué, dreamy and down-to-earth.   Though these seductive nails redefine one word: IRRESISTIBLE.

*TIARA brand offers you five different concepts of nail products to respond to the needs of all ages and occasions*

NCLA Miss Sunset Strip

I first told you about NCLA back in November, now here's the polish!  I received a few colors to review, but I couldn't wait to get Miss Sunset Strip on my hands first - literally!  Now the square caps on these polishes come off to reveal a smaller round cap but I couldn't get my square cap off this polish for some reason, but know that they do come off.  Miss Sunset Strip is a glitter polish with blue and purple microglitter, slightly larger purple and rainbow reflecting glitter, and a clear base.  There's so much glitter that it looks like it's a purple base, but sadly, it's not.  I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  I also used China Glaze Harmony as a base for my index and middle fingers.

You can really see the medium purple glitter in the sun but not so much the rainbow reflecting glitter which is too bad because you can see it in the bottle!  I definitely need a base under this color for it to really shine.

Meanwhile in the shade, you can see more of the rainbow glitter on my ring and pinkie fingers.  :]  LOVE purple glitter.

Finally indoors with the flash - which you pretty much saw already in my NOTD.  It looks wrinkly, but it's not!  It's such a fun manicure that I wore it twice, oh yes!  I can't wait to show you more of NCLA!  Right now, they are offering 20% off your order if you enter the code VALENTINE20.  


Also, they are having their "Light Up The Night" giveaway - three polishes (Bel Air Trophy Wife, LAX Jet Setter and Hollywood & Vine Starlet) given to 3 random winners!  Contest open to US & Canada only - ends 9 February at 11:50 p.m.  Visit their website page here to enter.

NCLA [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] [Tumblr] is available on the website for $16.00 a bottle and in a variety of stores.


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 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.