NYC Top Coats

I love how a top coat can change your manicure instantly.  Mattes turn glossy, glossies can turn matte, crackle, holographic, GLITTER.  The possibilities are endless.  Please enjoy the following from NYC - you can find these out now!  (All images courtesy of Tractenberg).

NYC New York Color Top Coats

Matte Me Crazy ($1.99): Move from shiny to matte in a New York Minute with this transformative new topcoat. Simply top your favorite NYC New York Color polish with a coat of Matte Me Crazy for an instant dose of muted modern style.

Big City Dazzle Sparkle Topcoat ($1.99): Take your nails from the office to after-hours with a quick-drying coat of sparkle from NYC New York Color. Apply to bare nails for sheer shine effect or layer it over your favorite nail color for a bold, eye-catching look.

NCLA Rush Hour

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!

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

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!

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!


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