Layla Cosmetics Fall-Winter 2012

Image Courtesy of Y! PR

It's no secret that I love the nail polishes that come from Layla Cosmetics and that I wish we could get their other lines of cosmetics in the USA, so I was super excited to check them out at Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas again this year.  Once again, Connie and Paula from Luxcon Group (the USA distributors of Layla) were on hand to show all the new lines coming in from Italy, but the big surprise was that Babila Spagnolo, Product Manager for Layla Cosmetics and Tatiana Elleboro (also with Layla Cosmetics) were also there!  It was great meeting Babila and Tatiana and of course seeing Connie and Paula.

Myself and Babila

So, what's new for Layla this year?  Well, first off, major congratulations for winning the Discover Beauty Award for 2012!

A beautiful crystal cube, which didn't want to photograph against anything but black...

But really, let's get to the new lines!  First, somehow I totally missed that 6 new Hologram holographic polishes are launching this fall.

Photo courtesy of Y! PR

I also somehow missed the Mirror Effect display, which are super high shine chrome like polishes. 


But I did see that new Magneffect magnetic colors and four new magnets are on their way!  The heart looks so cute!  This brings the total of Magneffect polishes to 24!

Next is something that I thought was awesome.  First let me say that I love matte polish but I hate how it chips so fast, and if you add a top coat, the matte is gone and you're left with shiny polish.  Layla has the answer.  It's called Softouch and it's the look of matte, without the chipping and a top coat will not alter the matte look!

Here is Babila wearing Ceramic on 2 fingers (shiny) and the Softtouch on the others.  She used a top coat on all fingers shown, but the top coat does not alter the Softouch polish!

Oh but there's more!  Let's take Magneffect and cross it with Softouch and you have my new favorite.  Magneffect Softouch!

I will have swatches coming up.  The following lines will be available in Ulta come fall 2012.  I also found out at Cosmoprof that Ninja Polish sells Layla on their website as well!


For Christmas this year, Layla has a selection of current polishes, laid out in the Christmas in Laylaland display.

Dancing With the Stars, The Butterfly Effect, Killing Red, Green Galaxy and Space Cowboy

How awesome is that purple?!  I feel like it's a lot like Cult Nails Unicorn Puke, but I'll have to do a comparison to find out.  I think Unicorn Puke has more flakie colors in it though.


Layla Cosmetics [Website (Italian)/Website (English) | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube] can be purchased in Ulta Stores or online at Ninja Polish.

SHE by SO.CAP.USA

Before I left for Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas last month, I was contacted by SHE by SO.CAP.USA about a possible meeting with their Director of Sales & Marketing, Joe Guzman.  Even though I'm mainly a nail blogger who dabbles a bit in makeup and skin care, I have a secret passion for hair, so I said I'd love to meet up with Joe.  First off, the man is super passionate about what he does - and that right there is so welcoming of a brand.  He had lots of great information and tips, and loved showing his product to me.  I also got this massive catalog, filled with rich artistic photos and great product pictures, which I will be passing on to a local salon because SHE by SO.CAP.USA is a professionals only product.


SO.CAP originally started in Naples, Italy and came into the USA just five years ago.  They offer strand by strand cold fusion application as well as clip ins.  They have 91 different colors of extensions, all 100% human hair.  They claim to have the most gray colors, the most curly styles, the most wavy styles and the longest hair extensions in the market.  Because they keep two year's worth of inventory in stock, and they ship the day after you order, your extensions arrive super fast.  Extensions come in packets of 10 to 100, and the strand by strand method will last 5-6 months with proper care.


They also offer strands with authentic Swarovski crystal, adding a new dimension of creativeness and color, called the Crystal Line.  I couldn't help but love it for the name but also how beautiful the crystals looked.


The other product that really caught my eye were the "hairpieces".  They are extensions bundled up in a ponytail that wrap around your own ponytail'ed hair and bobby pin into place.  They can add instant straight (Dea) or wavy (Jana) length to your hair in a variety of colors.

Sampling of the wilder colors of SHE by SO.CAP - all 100% human hair!

Some of the more "normal" of the 91 colors.

They also have a line off Argon products called Argan For You which includes a shampoo, mask (conditioner), cream and oil spray.  I'm still new to this world of Argon oil, so I can't talk much about it.

The last thing that Joe wanted to talk about was the Pink Hair for Hope charity, in which they have helped raise $2.3 million for the American Cancer Society.  SHE by SO.CAP donates pink hair to salons, salons donate their time and labor, and the net proceeds go to the ACS.  Britney Spears wore pink hair by She by SO.CAP.USA in her music video "I Wanna Go" (and if you saw the video, you know how vibrant her hair was!).


So!  Where can you find strand by strand cold fusion or clip in extensions from SHE by SO.CAP.USA?  By calling their Customer Service line located on the top of their web page and asking for a salon near you.  If you are a salon interesting in carrying SHE by SO.CAP.USA, you may also contact them through their website.  They are committed to teaching stylists proper fusion techniques via their 20 regional offices where salons can become certified in the product.  They also have telephone "help lines" to answer any technical questions or to offer personalized advice.  They will even customize their pamphlets with your salon's information on the back panel so you can share with your clients and clients-to-be about the services that SHE by SO.CAP.USA offers, from the hair pieces, to the crystal line, clip ins, Argan For You, other accessories and of course the strand by strand cold fusion.

Nail Art - Artistic Expression?

I got this press release in my email and point blank, I was a bit confused and also strangely interested.  Nail art.  We're awesome.  Also shout out to ChalkBoardNails - I recognized her nails immediately!  SERIOUSLY SERIOUS.  Please enjoy the following from PBS Arts.

The latest episode of PBS Arts’ weekly Web series, ‘Idea Channel’ – a program that looks at modern creative enterprises and compares them with artistic movements throughout history – focuses on nail art. According to host Mike Rugnetta, nail art can actually be viewed as an argument in the continuing battle between art and craft.

For as long as art has existed, it has lived alongside other activities that are thought to be creative pursuits, but are considered more functional and lacking in higher meaning. The ongoing argument between art and craft comes down to what the beholder considers to be a “serious idea”, but nail art can transcend that line – to some, the time and thought required of some designs can, at times, go beyond basic craftmaking and push this creative pursuit into the realm of artmaking.

China Glaze Jungle Queen

Even though it's 100 degrees outside here in South Texas, the fall nail polish collections are rolling into your stores.  I swear, if I see Halloween items, I'm going to have to dance in a circle or something (negatively).  I hate feeling rushed through seasons.  Regardless, today, I pulled Jungle Queen from the On Safari! collection brought to you by China Glaze.  This is a smoky purple with this awesome purple shimmer running through it.  Trust me.  I've heard it's a dead on duplicate for Chanel Paradoxal (which I reviewed a year and a half ago) but I think this is more smoky in color.

No, I don't normally paint my thumb nail when I'm swatching nail polish.  I do paint all 10 fingers from time to time.  I'm wearing a base coat of Poshe, only one coat of polish and a top coat of nubar Diamont.  The formula was pretty excellent - no pooling, no spotting.

See that flash of purple?!  Love it.

Here in the shade took some heavy photo correcting because my hands kept looking lobster red.  The reflection on my nails that you see (especially on my index finger) is just me - nothing wrong with the nail itself.  (You can almost see my camera!)

Finally indoors with the flash and that purple shimmer jumps out and wants to eat you.  Rawr.  Jungle Queen.  Put a tiara on it.


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.

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

ICMAD Announces the 2012 CITY Trunk Show Dates

I got a press release today that really had me wishing I lived in New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas.  Or that I just had my own private jet - I'm not that picky.  ICMAD has creatively come up with a way for the winners of the CITY (Cosmetic Innovators of the Year) Awards to really show off their new concepts, packaging and innovation into the beauty world.  If you're in one of the above three cities, do try and check it out!  Some of the companies listed are old friends to my beauty line up, some are brand new!

ICMAD Announces the 2012 CITY Trunk Show Dates

Inaugural Trunk Show Featuring CITY Award Winners

Palatine, IL (August 2, 2012) - The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) announces the first-ever CITY 2012 Beauty Trunk Show taking place this August in New York City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The winners of the 2012 Cosmetic Innovators of The Year (CITY) Awards were announced on June 20th in New York City. Along with this honor, the display is another step to gaining additional exposure for excellence in innovation, packaging and beauty concepts.

An all-new initiative, the beauty trunk show gives the CITY Awards winners a platform to display their award-winning products at national retailers, which include: NewBeauty at Fred Segal, Ron Robinson Apothia, C.O. Bigelow, Henri Bendel New York and Skins 6|2. The CITY Beauty Trunk Show will take place simultaneously at all retailers August 21–28. Elevating its profile, the CITY Awards have evolved into a high-profile program, giving winners "bonus”’ launch pads to success. For the inaugural trunk show, ICMAD created a special unit for the winners so they can be available for purchase at stores and online at Beauty.com. This is just one example of the association’s commitment and determination ~ ICMAD prides itself as the catalyst to growth for their members.

2012 CITY Trunk Show Beauty Brands:

IT Cosmetics - Vitality Cheek Flush Anti-Aging Powder Blush Stain

Murad - Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare- Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body

Lux Beauty Group/Royal Apothic - Holland Park Eau De Parfum

Oribe - Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray

NYX Cosmetics - Haute Jersey Leopard Couture

Hevia MD Skin Care – Hevia Skin Science Line

Dayna Decker - Essence Wash & Lotion

Crafting Beauty - It's Me by Jacomo

Besame Cosmetics - Crimson Cream Rouge

Jack Black - DIY Power Peel Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads

Swedish Skin Care - Razor Burn Freedom for Women