China Glaze Adventure Red-y

Chillin like a villian.  Or something like that.  I decided to be on a red kick for a bit - and what better way then with a China Glaze red?  It's been no secret that China Glaze has and always be, my first love, and as much as I thought I'd be an anti-red nail polish kind of girl, ChG does it RIGHT.  This is Adventure Red-y from the On Safari Fall 2012 collection.  It's a great almost neon red creme, that reminds me a lot of the Kicks Collection from even the Up And Away Collection.  (Did I just walk into a comparison post needs to come up?!)  I used a base of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite.  I did find this polish to be a little thick, so have your nail polish thinner on hand.

By the way, do not thin your nail polish with nail polish remover or acetone.  Granted, I do not have a cosmetology license so everything I say is based on my own opinion but what does acetone do?  It breaks down and removes polish.  So if you're putting it in your complete bottle of nail polish... well.  Yeah so just don't do it.  Please.

Anyway.

Look how lovely this color is!  So smooth, so red.  Nom.

So good that I had to take another sunny picture.  Look at her, she glows.

This is really a true red - no blue or orange pulls to it.  Just red red red-y.

This is indirect sun here.

For fun, I stood next to the red siding on my house which I feel like I can no longer call red.  That's maroon now.

And we end it with a pretty shot of the flash - you can see how opaque this color is and just how well it covers.

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.

Color Club In True Fashion

While I was at Cosmoprof last month, I got to take lots of pictures of upcoming Color Club collections, including the Fall 2012 "In True Fashion"!  I plan to spend part of this weekend getting that post up, along with my last few Cosmoprof goodies that I have to share!  Then it's back to LOTS and LOTS of swatching! Meanwhile, please enjoy the following press release from Color Club (all images courtest of Forsythe).

INTRODUCING IN TRUE FASHION FALL 2012 NAIL POLISH COLLECTION FROM COLOR CLUB

Straight off the Runway Comes this Season's Hottest Collection of All-eyes-on-hue Lacquers

May 2012 - New York, New York - Color Club, the New York based nail color company announced today the debut of In True Fashion, the new fall 2012 nail polish collection from Color Club. Straight off the runway comes what is sure to be this season's hottest collection of all-eyes-on-hue nail lacquers. The Collection features 12 seasonally inspired nail polishes – from Look Book and Personal Stylist to First Looks and Model Behavior – this new vegan, formaldehyde, toluene and DBP-free collection will ensure you are runway ready.

Introducing the In True Fashion Collection from Color Club:

Look Book: Bright Red

Style Icon: Burgundy

By Design: Plum

In the Limelight: Periwinkle

Muse-ical: Gray

Fashion Moment: Eggplant

Editorial: Peridot Duochrome

Port-folio: Purple Duochrome

Personal Stylist: Blue Duochrome

First Looks: Blue Green Metallic

Model Behavior: Bronze Metallic

Show Time: Charcoal Metallic

Color Club’s In True Fashion Collection will be available in August of 2012. All Color Club products are made in the USA and are not tested on animals. Products are available at shopcolorclub.com.

About Color Club

A favorite of celebrity manicurists and nail color fans worldwide, Color Club is renowned for its high performance rich shades and exceptionally safe products. From the brightest neons, to glitter and French, all nail colors are vegan, formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP -free – and made in New York, NY with the best raw materials. Products are available at shopcolorclub.com

Sephora by OPI It's Real 18K Gold Top Coat

When I started PolishGalore back in December 2009, I really had two goals.  One was to get back into writing which I feel I've done well with... the second was to justify my nail polish purchases.  Today, that's coming into effect I feel.

This is It's Real 18K Gold Top Coat by Sephora by OPI.  I found it in my local Sephora last month, was intrigued, bought it (as the fiancé is saying "another bottle of nail polish?!"), and then realized "Holy crap, how much was it?"  This little 0.5 Fl Oz of yes, real 18K gold flakes is $30.00 USD.  That's more than my monthly Internet bill each month.  But I decided that I bought it, mostly for novelty... now - what to do with it?

It comes in a flashy box.

And contains Gold, Silver and Copper Powder (watch out, those with allergies).  Seriously, the box says "This product contains silver, avoid contact with broken or abraded skin."

I decided to use my existing Cult Nail Annalicious manicure because hey, it's a beautiful manicure, and added just one thin layer on top.  I did not use a top coat.

Good news - just one thin layer covers quite well, and as you can see, I still have plenty of gold flakes left in the bottle.  They were not hard to spread on the nail at all.

Here's another sunny picture - gold flakes, check.

Obviously in the shade, the flakes stand out even more.

Again in the shade.

COME MY PRETTIES.

So here's my issue.  Obviously I'd want to wear this over a manicure that I plan on keeping awhile - not just a one day thing.  But then it becomes an issue of do you tell people you're wearing real 18K gold on your nails?  Is this like one of those "I'm wiping my tears with $100 bills" metaphors?  Heh, I don't think it's that bad, but I did question when I'm realistically going to wear this top coat.  Maybe on a gel polish before the last top coat?  (Is that possible?)

The Plastic Diaries had an OPI exclusive that OPI will have a gold leaf top coat this winter in their 007 Collection, and I heard on Zoya's Facebook page that they have a similar prototype in the works.  Cult Nails offers real gold flakes in their store for only $5 for a 1" vile (currently sold out).  

Are you into this gold phase?  Are you hoping for a silver top coat next?

It's Real 18K Gold Top Coat may be purchased at Sephora stores or at Sephora.com for $30 a bottle.

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

CND: Shellac Fall 2012

During my meeting at Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas with CND, I got to see some of the new items coming out for Fall 2012.  While they haven't abandoned their colours and effects line, they aren't expanding it right now.  However, they are coming out with 6 new Shellac shades in the fall, bringing the total of Shellac shades to the perfect number... 42.  Yeah buddy.

The one thing that I hate to part with, but will be giving my local salon, is the Shellac nail card.  This has the current 36 Shellac colors plus a few layered looks.

Oh I love Shellac.

So, more on these upcoming fall colors.  I wasn't able to see them swatched or in the bottle but I was assured they are lovely.  :]

And now, please enjoy the press release that goes with it.

Winter Wonderful: 6 New CND Shellac™ Power Polish™ Shades

Color Palette Extends to 42 Shades of Gorgeous

June 20, 2012 – CND launches six new shades of CND Shellac™, the original Power Polish, available November 2012. The new, luxe line-up features a range of rich tones accented with shimmering metallics designed to perfectly accessorize graphic florals, chromatic finishes and tea stained fabrics inspired by the top looks from the Fall 2012 Fashion Week runway.

CND Shellac helps you accessorize any outfit with the only resilient color that promises non-stop mirror shine, zero dry-time and 14 days of flawless wear. Worn by fashionistas, Hollywood’s elite, everyday women and nail professionals alike, CND Shellac has paved the way for a new category of nail color.


CND Shellac comes off gently with convenient, hygienic CND Shellac Remover Wraps that help to limit skin exposure to acetone by keeping the remover on the nail. Building off CND Shellac’s convenient and gentle ten minute removal process, CND Shellac Nourishing Remover, out in September 2012, will reduce removal time to eight minutes. CND Shellac Nourishing Remover is infused with macadamia and Vitamin E oils to condition nails and softly remove color.

CND Shellac is a professional salon service product. Manicure prices typically range from $25-$45 and pedicures from $40-$60 depending on location. Visit cnd.com to find a salon near you.

About CND
Founded in 1979 and based in Vista, CA, CND (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) is the global leader in professional nail, hand and foot beauty. Deeply committed to advancing the nail care industry, CND devotes significant time and resources to product research and development, education, and customer support. CND is an industry-leading advocate for the role of nail care in personal beauty and fashion.

CND Additives

So the #1 complaint I've heard about CND Shellac is that "there aren't enough colors."  Well, this summer, CND came out with 12 pure cosmetic-grade pigments that can be layered over CND Shellac or mixed into gels or acrylics.  Now you're only limited by imagination.  I tried to go play with these while at Cosmoprof, but as luck would have it, the Additives got locked behind a closed door meeting when I showed up.  Instead, I have the pretty press release!  CND Additives are only sold to professionals, so ask your salon when they are getting them for your next CND Shellac manicure!

Ask for ADDITIVES! CND Introduces ‘‘Additives’’ for No-Limits Artistry at the Nail Salon


July 2012 --- CND introduces an exciting new way to achieve the ultimate nail artistry at your local salon -- Additives. This vibrant collection of 12 pure cosmetic-grade pigments enhances any manicure or pedicure and can be layered over CND Shellac™ or mixed into gels or acrylics, making your nails truly unforgettable. Sophisticated, runway-inspired and chic, Additives are fashion’s hottest way to redefine "nail art." 

"Women like to make statements with their nails. CND Additives let you explore the inventive and personalized world of nail art. Prepare for your nails to get noticed in a whole new way!’’ says CND Co-Founder, Jan Arnold


Now, nail addicts can experience an even more valuable, creative and customized service with CND Additives signature colors, textures and finishes. Ombre, opalescent glass, sparkling finish, nearly neon --- there are infinite possibilities!

CND Additives are a professional-only product launching in salons globally in July 2012.