I have a stunner today. NCLA has been one of my quiet favorites, ESPECIALLY all their amazing wraps which you can see on their Instagram profile (@shopncla). But let me tell you, their polish really shines as well. This is Rush Hour, a jelly red creme that is something to stop traffic. Man.
I used a base coat of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry. I didn't have any issues with the formula and it went on smooth. Like buttah.
Are you ready for this? RED-Y? Hah. Anyway, in the sun, it's just bouncing off light like crazy, so I turned my back and...
Look how squishy it looks! I'm in love.
This looks terrible but it's what this color did to me in the shade... I love the floating polish in the bottle as well. I think I need to gradient with this soon!
Unfortunately, I couldn't get my camera to cooperate for a picture indoors with the flash but it carried the same squishy goodness. The best part is that it's completely opaque in just 2 coats while giving that squishy look.
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.
Sally Hansen and Spring!
5.15.2012
Raise your hand if it's still spring for you! Okay, well yes, it's getting super close to summer, and I'm sure you've seen these in your local store - now read more about them! I have yet to try any of these below mentioned - my polish budget took a huge dive when I switched jobs. Regardless, please read and enjoy! (All images courtesy of Tractenberg)
Smooth
and Perfect Color + Care ($5.49)
THINK:
Let your nails breathe
WHAT
IT IS: Creamy color and porcelain-smooth perfection in one beautiful polish.
The latest trend to hit your fingertips. Nearly naked, barely-there
color with plenty of shine. The ultimate in understated elegance, sheer
shades and healthy even shine work for every occasion. That’s why Sally
Hansen created a chic collection of nude nail polishes
that marries the two, Smooth and Perfect Color + Care, the ultimate
fusion of perfecting polish and beautifying care.
Designed to hide ridges and imperfections, the uniquely
breathable formula promotes stronger, healthier looking nails with a
patented technology that allows for up to 20% more oxygen to reach the
nail. The result? Ridges and imperfections are virtually erased and nails are
left looking smooth, shiny and porcelain perfect.
THE SHADES: Fog, Linen, Dune, Satin, Whisper, Air, Sea,
Sorbet
Gem Crush™ Nail Color: ($6.95)
THINK: High impact bling.
WHAT IT IS: Vibrant, full-color glitter polish.
Always at the forefront of nail innovation, Sally Hansen presents the
latest in statement-making manicures—the new Gem Crush™ Nail Color.
Unlike other sparkle formulas, Gem Crush™ Nail Color delivers full-coverage,
high-intensity glitter for a brilliant, multi-dimensional manicure
that simply glimmers.
AVAILABLE IN EIGHT DARING SHADES: Lady Luck,
Be-Jeweled, Glitz Gal, Cha-Ching!, Big Money, Razzle Dazzler, Bling-Tastic, and
Showgirl Chic
Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color & Diamond
Flash Fast Dry Top Coat ($6.99)
THINK:
Stop nails from breaking
WHAT THEY ARE: The next generation of Diamond Strength
Nails. Who says you can’t buy yourself diamonds? Sally Hansen is
putting luxury at your fingertips with the latest in glamorous nails—Diamond
Strength No-Chip Nail Color and Diamond Flash Fast Dry Top Coat.
Infused with real Micro-Diamonds, Platinum and Aluminum, these
pampering new formulas deliver brilliant strengthening color, 10-day
protection from breaking and rock-hard, long-lasting shine.
The Diamond Collection includes:
Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color: Featuring 32
ultra-luxe shades, the range includes regal jewel tones, confectionary color,
bold brights and ethereal sheers. Housed in a faceted glass bottle reminiscent
of a real diamond, each formula carries the mark of brilliant strength.
Diamond Flash Fast Dry Top Coat: Get stronger nails
and dazzling shine in just 60 seconds with this luminous, quick-drying top
coat. Packed with real micro-diamonds, platinum and aluminum, the breakthrough
top coat leaves nails virtually impervious to chipping and breakage.
THE SHADES: Flawless, Diamonds, Platinum, Aisle be There,
Glass Slipper, Something Blue, Bride to Be, Together Forever, Brilliant Blush,
Champagne Toast, Sweetie Pie, It’s Chiff-On!, Pink Promise, Pulled Sugar,
Lavendar Marquis, Love Bug, Princess Cut, Must-Have Iris, Fuchsia Bling Bling,
Something New, Heart to Heart, Diamonds and Rubies, Red Velvet, Honeymoon Red,
3K or More!, Nude Shimmer, Antique Bronze, Royal Romance, Wedding Crasher, Save
the Date, Black Tie, Black Diamond
Gradient Manicure
5.11.2012
Where on earth did April go? I feel like I've been pretty out of the loop lately, but one thing that I've loved seeing is the Gradient Manicure, popular on Pinterest and among bloggers. I have yet to see this hit mainstream America (magazines etc), and a friend even said that she asked a nail tech if she could get this look, and was told "No, I don't know what that is or how it's done." To quote Scrangie:
You know what I'm not disappointed in? The Nailasaurus. Not only has she had amazing nail art since, oh forever, but she did this gradient nail tutorial (with tons of pictures) that had even me saying "I can do this."
Then I was reading Twitter when I came across this from The PolishAholic:
I knew that I had to try this NOW.
I decided to use Zoya Zuza and Carly from the Summer 2012 "Surf" Collection. I didn't have any makeup sponges but I had eyeshadow brushes which are the perfect width of my nail. I had a plastic paper sheet protector (like the one from the Nailasaurus tutorial).
I learned some quick lessons.
1: Don't skip steps. I tried to just sponge on Carly and I ended up with this weird LINE of polish. Then I put the colors side by side and swirled with a toothpick and all was right in the world.
2: When in doubt, add Spectraflair. More on this later, but let's just say it took my manicure from awesome to AWESOME.
3: Get photographs next time. (oops)
Here are some iPhone snaps that I did get of my experience!
Now with Spectraflair!
And in horrible light!
I ended up wearing this manicure for 4 days before it started to show tip wear on my right hand so I removed it. I used Poshe base coat, 2 coats of Zuza, sponged Carly, and 2 coats of SpectraFlair mixed with Seche Vite. I did have a little bit of blue staining from Zuza, but a quick scrub under soapy water and a nail brush fixed me up. I can't wait to try this again!
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
May Day Competition Winner!
5.04.2012
Thank you to all who signed up, followed, liked, tweeted and more for the May Day Competition! We really appreciate your love and support. The winner, Susan from the UK has already claimed her prize - enjoy it! Stay tuned for more from the Beauty Blog Coalition!
Thanks again to the lovely sponsors of this competition!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks again to the lovely sponsors of this competition!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
OPI Vintage Minnie Mouse
4.25.2012
While I await my second request to join the OPI Blogger Network, I was at least, allowed back on the media press release list, so please enjoy the following press release about a collection that will be available in salons come June. I hope to take my 5 year old to Disney World in the next 2 years... I went to Disneyland at 7 and was pretty much smitten with Disney for a long time after that. All images courtesy of OPI.
OPI’s All Ears!
OPI Announces New Limited Edition Minnie
Mouse-Inspired, Nail Lacquers
OPI launches Vintage Minnie Mouse,
including four limited edition nail lacquers, for summer. Created in honor of
Disney’s beloved character, the colors encapsulate Minnie Mouse’s irresistible
charm in playful, pretty shades of pink and red.
“OPI is so excited to collaborate with
Disney and draw inspiration from one of the world’s most popular characters,”
explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI
Executive VP & Artistic Director.
“This collection brings together the expertise of OPI and
the iconic style of Minnie Mouse to
inspire the distinct palette of vibrant, feminine shades for summer Nails will pop against summer skin in these
classic, saturated hues – holding their own alongside the bold prints of the
season.”
The line features a pink crème lacquer, one frosted red
shade, a shimmery fuchsia, and a heart glitter confetti:
Nothin’ Mousie ‘bout It
Don’t squeak it – SHOUT IT! This confetti light pink is tops!
I’m All Ears
Tell me how much you love this magenta shimmer.
Don’t squeak it – SHOUT IT! This confetti light pink is tops!
I’m All Ears
Tell me how much you love this magenta shimmer.
If You Moust You Moust
You gotta pink what you gotta pink.
You gotta pink what you gotta pink.
The Color of
Minnie
You had this little mouse at “red.”
As with all OPI nail
lacquers, Vintage Minnie Mouse by OPI contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde,
and features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate
in application.
This limited edition promotion
will be available beginning
June 2012 at professional salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First,
Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA,
for $8.50 ($9.95 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!
ABOUT OPI
As the world leader in
the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing
high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along
with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional
formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented
lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an
affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over
200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features
OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in
application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and
retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing
products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.
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