CND Desert Suede

Considering I'm almost at 1600 bottles of nail polish, you'd think I basically have every color there is.  And on days like today, I'd have to agree.  Today's polish is CND Desert Suede, a "warm opaque nude".  I used a base coat of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  Formula was nice and smooth.


So not quite mannequin hands but quite close!  The color is smooth like butter while still being opaque enough to wear alone.


In the shade, this color tends to wear a bit darker - looking more like milky caramel.  Love it!


And stranger still, inside with the flash, you get more a yellow tint - like butter scotch.  Thank you for the nude fun, CND.  There's a tag line for you.


CND is available for $9 per colour, and $11 per effect and you can find locations to buy here.

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

Stages of Beauty - Toners

Do you use a toner?  I just started using one as part of a face system that I had received last year.  While I'm still not sure what all a toner does (at least I'm honest!), I am always willing to learn - and there are some good facts at the bottom of this release!  Please enjoy the following from Stage of Beauty (images courtesy of Marlo Marketing).



This month, Stages of Beauty launched a collection of four toners, each with ingredients and formulations specific to different ages (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s). Additionally, Founder of Stages of Beauty, Jasmina Aganovic, who is an MIT-trained Chemical & Biological Engineer, shared with us interesting information on incorporating a toner into one’s skincare regimen, below. 

• Tightens pores and reduces pore size

• Restores the skin’s natural pH
• Reverse and defends against free radical damage
• Brightens the skin’s complexion
• Deliver nutrients to smooth and plump the skin
• $19.99 for 4 oz. bottle


Unique Ingredients:


Monk’s Pepper Berry Extract – Anti-oxidant complex shown to dramatically improve the vitality and appearance of skin while fighting signs of aging, promoting a radiant glow and increase hydration.


Red Tea Extract – Found in mountains of South Africa and has been shown to contain SOD, which acts an both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in the body, neutralizing free radicals that can lead to wrinkles and aged skin. Red tea is full of vitamins and minerals that increase capillary strength and promote younger, healthier looking skin.


Western Dock – The extract of the Western Dock plant contain Tyrosinase inhibitory enzymes that lighten the appearance of unwanted dark spots.




Facts on Toners:


• Toners rebalance the pH of the skin after cleansing. Did you ever notice how sometimes your skin is red or pink after cleansing? That’s because cleansing can actually be quite abrasive on the skin. The pH is altered and toners help to normalize the pH on the surface of the skin.


• In Asia, toners are known as the “holy grail” of products – they consider it to be among the most important step in their skincare routine.


• The best way to apply a toner is to dispense (or spray) the toner onto a cotton ball and lightly dab the skin. There’s no need to be rough! Some women feel the need to use the toner again if the cotton ball comes back dirty. That’s not true. All that means is that the cleanser didn’t cleanse effectively or you should exfoliate more often.

FingerPaints Cordur-Orange

Dipping into fall again, today is the FingerPaints Cordur-Orange from the Fall Fashionista collection.  This is a dark orange creme which actually wears darker than what is seen in the bottle.  I used a base of Poshe, 1 coat of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  I was amazed at how opaque this polish was.


Unfortunately, I did not have any sun, but lots of clouds.  As you can see, the polish looks more red on the nail than orange, but it's definitely an orange creme.


Same story in the shade.  I definitely think it's a great wearable color all year round, despite being a fall collection.  In case this is your first time to PolishGalore, the scoop is that I don't care for fall... not cold enough and not sunny enough.  (Yes, I know that's pretty oxymoronic right there.  And yes, I know oxymoronic isn't a real word, but I like it.)


And finally indoors with the flash - the camera wasn't too happy about focusing on the bottle.  Despite the dark background, I'm actually using natural light behind my front door for lighting and the camera uses the flash to add in.


Definitely a nice wearable color - I'd buy it for a good staple if you don't have a dark orange already.  Great possibilities during Halloween for nail art or even an autumn themed manicure.


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.

Beauty Blog Coalition May Day Competition!

We're at it again!  The Beauty Blog Coalition is giving away another $500 (USD) Visa Card!  All terms and conditions may be found at the bottom of the Rafflecopter widget.  Please allow the widget to load in full.  Competition ends 1 May 2012.  You may enter on any of the blogs below - Rafflecopter won't allow you enter twice.  You may tweet about the giveaway (the last option in the Rafflecopter) every day for extra entries!  (All comments have been closed on this post - for any questions, please email me at krystal[at]polishgalore[dot]com!


Please visit the lovely sponsors of this competition!



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CPNALV: Giuliana Rancic to Host the 2012 North American Hairstyling Awards

Cosmoprof North America - Las Vegas is happening in just 3 months and I have a little info on NAHA!  Last year, I totally missed the entire event (by sleeping), and am STILL kicking myself for missing Tabatha Coffey.  Well except I would have wanted to hug her, and she would have kicked me with her high heeled shoes...  While I muse over that one, please enjoy the following!  (All images courtesy of Y! PR)


Giuliana Rancic to Host the 2012 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and Receive the PBA Beautiful Humanitarian Award NAHA 2012 Awards Ceremony July 22, 2012

Las Vegas, Nevada Phoenix, AZ (March 28, 2012) - The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), producers of the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), is proud to announce Giuliana Rancic as the host of the 2012 NAHA Awards Ceremony. 

In addition, Giuliana will receive the 2012 PBA Beautiful Humanitarian Award during the Ceremony for her work in sharing her own experience and educating others about breast cancer, as well as championing many other charitable causes. As a renowned entertainment journalist, Giuliana is known for her work as co-anchor of the E! Networks number one show E! News, and as a beauty and fashion expert as co-host of E!'s hugely popular Fashion Police. Giuliana's energy, personality, poise and all-around beauty make her an ideal choice for both NAHA honors. 

As the professional beauty industry's top honor, a NAHA is the pinnacle award to win, and the NAHA Awards Ceremony is the event of the year. Giuliana, who is a part of every red carpet, mega-event in the entertainment industry and has co-hosted such events as the Miss USA Pageant, will no doubt lend her experience, charm and wit to this year's event. 

"I am thrilled to host the 2012 North American Hairstyling Awards and truly honored to be the recipient of the Professional Beauty Association's Beautiful Humanitarian Award. Beauty professionals are at the heart of making people look and feel their best, and I'm excited to be a part of this amazing event," said Giuliana.

A special part of each NAHA celebration is the awarding of the PBA Beautiful Humanitarian Award. Giuliana and her husband, noted entrepreneur and talk-show host Bill Rancic, are supporters of such charitable causes as Bright Pink, Operation Smile, Dress for Success, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in Chicago, and the Children's Miracle Networks. Furthermore, Giuliana embodies "the American dream." Born in Naples, Italy, in an impoverished neighborhood, Giuliana's parents could not afford a tutor, so she learned English by watching TV. With hard work and persistence, she attended the University of Maryland where she received a B.A. in Journalism followed by a master's degree in Journalism from the American University in Washington D.C. Giuliana is also on the board of directors for NIAF (National Italian American Foundation) and a member of AWRT (American Women in Radio and Television).

In 2011, Giuliana launched FabFitFun.com, a daily newsletter focused on beauty, health and wellness that reaches tens of thousands of readers. She is also a weekly fashion contributor for OK! Magazine where she offers commentary on some of the best looks of the week. She is the executive producer of the hit reality show Giuliana & Bill on the Style Network.

The 2012 NAHA Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday, July 22, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, NV. The event can also be seen live via streaming video at www.hairdesignertv.com.

NAHA is part of PBA Beauty Week, North America's largest, most inclusive beauty event, offering unlimited networking, educational, and professional growth opportunities to all sectors of the beauty industry. PBA Beauty Week is produced by the Professional Beauty Association and is hosted by Cosmoprof North America. For more information, please visit probeauty.org/beautyweek / facebook.com/pbabeautyweek.