LVX Ecru

I first introduced you to LVX during Cosmoprof, and now they have launched their summer collection for sale on their website.  Today I was in need of a good "palette cleanser" so I chose Ecru, an opaque pink nude creme - super popular during the spring/summer season this year.  As you can see on the product page for Ecru, LVX was very inspired by the all nude looks that were on the runway.  I used a base of Poshe base coat, 2 coats of polish and a top of Cult Nails Wicked Fast.  Unfortunately, I felt like this specific polish was a bit chalky but it did even out after the second coat.

As you can see in the sun, it's a good color for mannequin hands, a trend I saw a lot last year on blogs.  I did really like how opaque this was in just 2 coats.

In the shade, you can see that it leans more pink than yellow for a nude (it looks more peach in the sun picture) but still is a great color.

This is probably my favorite picture of this polish - it's taken in some indirect light and just looks really smooth and pretty.

LVX [Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram] is available on their website. It is 10-free to include Toluene and Camphor, vegan and cruelty free. Use promo code POLISHGALORE for 20% off your purchase!

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

Nail Files: Pageants & Parties & Plumbers, Oh My! Breakdown

Image Courtesy of TV Guide Network Facebook Page

Okay, seriously, I don't know what's wrong with my DVR, but I'm slightly angry (#firstworldproblems). First it didn't record Nail Files because "no new episode was airing" (uh what?), and then when it was time for the repeat at 11:00 CST, the episode was showing the information for Episode 2 when this is clearly Episode 4. Come on DirecTV, you're killing me here. 

In The Salon
Katie is hosting a party but Jin (the sponsorship guru) is not able to secure any money/sponsorships and Katie is going to have to dish out $10k.  Girl, that's like... a lot of months of work for me.  Sponsorships are definitely important when you're hosting a party.  With just a few days to go, Katie has to really kick it into high gear to get this party started ('on a Saturday night?') but then....

So above the shampoo bowl (are you kidding me?), the bathroom is leaking and a huge water bubble is puckering.  The girls have the bright idea to just pop it, but thankfully they call Katie first who thinks to call a plumber... who fixes the pipe but then leaves a hole in the ceiling.  Katie pulls in some awesome barter skills to get a contractor there TODAY and he pulls through.  No more worrying that your face will be covered in sewage while getting your hair washed.  (Ugh, I'm shuddering at that thought.)

Joyce - man I don't know what to even think about you.  Long story short, after apologizing to Katie for walking out last episode, she then texts Anna and gives a 2 week notice.  Hey real worlders: don't give your 2 week notice via text message.  It's a great way to be blacklisted from other jobs, especially when you do it and you're being filmed for a reality show.  Seriously?

Celebrity Sighting!
The amazing people of Quigley-Simpson.  They are seriously know what they are doing and I am so glad that Katie was able to meet with them.  They have worked with Chase, Oral-B, Olay, & Jillian Michaels to name a few.

In Katie's Life
In case you forgot, Katie was judging the Gold Coast Toddler's Pageant, and one of the pageant coaches was after Katie because she wasn't doing his niece's nails the way he wanted them (French tip).  Enjoy your 15 minutes dude, I'm sure it was worth it.  Meanwhile, the pageant is in full swing and Katie has said what a lot of us are thinking and it rhymes with "mutty."  Oh and time for the zinger - Katie deducted for French manicures on the kids.  HAH!  Can I high five you please?  

The Mish Mash
Katie, what is up with the smashed iPhone screen?  You need an Otterbox, fast.

Ah!!! Okay, so while I was at dinner with Katie, she showed us these 3D nails - and now on this episode she's TALKING about it!  Now, I know they were still in prototype in July but she had several designs in the works.  You can check my post here to see what she had set up - can't wait to see the final product!  (Also, you might recognize a certain someone in the pictures, but my mouth is hush hush on that part in case it's talked about later this season!)

Cult Nails Charlatan

Today I have my absolute favorite new top coat, from the new Cult Nails Deceptive Top Coats, this is Charlatan, a swirly pink and purple shimmer in the bottle but oh, just you wait!

I decided to layer one coat of Charlatan over my existing Nevermore manicure.  I did not use a top coat and still had exceptionally amazing results.

First in full sun, you can see that Charlatan transforms the normal black creme of Nevermore into a bright blue shimmer which is lovely on its own, no doubt.

Then I turned around to the shade and hello.  All of a sudden that royal blue is a light lavender!

Or is it purple and blue?

Multichromal goodness rawr.

I mean really, how lovely is this top coat?

And then I thought - hey, let's see what it looks like in some indirect sunlight.

Bam.  Winner.  Go buy it.

September 1-8, Maria is offering all 5 of the Deceptive Collection top coats for $40 (+ shipping).  If you want to wait, then you can purchase Charlatan for $10.  Definitely a fast favorite for me, and I can't wait to try it on other polishes (not just black).

Cult Nails [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram: CultNails] is available in their shop for $12 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.

Cult Nails Deceptive Top Coat Collection

Image Courtesy of CultNails.com

Cult Nails is coming out with a new 5 piece collection called the Deceptive Collection in September.  These are color shifting, color changing top coats that can be painted over your choice of colored lacquer.  You can see a mini-review on The Glossy Pages of Two Timer and Alter Ego (and buy them on Gloss48.com until the end of the week for $7!)

Here are my 2 teaser pictures for now.

Index to pinkie finger: Charlatan, Two Timer, Doppelganger, & Alter Ego.

One coat of top coat over one coat of Nevermore.  Started with Get It On base coat and sealed with Wicked Fast top coat.

Now for the goods.  Maria is having a special "preview pricing" September 1-8 with all 5 top coats offered for $40 (+ shipping).  Enjoy!

Cult Nails Nevermore

Coming soon to Cult Nails - it's this amazing one coat black creme Nevermore!  This will be launching in September along with the 5 new "toppers" or color changing top coats that Maria hinted about back in May 2012.  Right now, you can sign up for Gloss 48 for free and get 3 of the new toppers as well as many of your other Cult Nails favorites for only $7.  Fortunately, Nevermore is one of the colors on sale right now, so I have to show you how awesome this is.  

I used a base of Cult Nails Get It On, one coat of Nevermore and no top coat.  Yes, I have Cult Nails Wicked Fast but frankly, you don't need it.  Maria put something magical into this polish so that it dries to a super shiny finish - not rubbery, not matte, no shimmer... perfect.  While I love my cheap Sephora black, it's hard to find.  I love my CND Blackjack, but it's also hard to find.  Cult Nails?  Shop online and shipped with reusable cotton balls for packaging?  Fun times.

I have to apologize for the far away photos.  I was using my DSL camera to try and get some good pictures for Gloss 48, and well - I still need to learn how to use it.  Plus I want to buy a macro lens and well - I need to save some pennies up for that one (like 30,000 of them).

Look how amazingly shiny this polish is!  And opaque?  Oh yeah buddy.

To consistently have a one coat black creme for just $10?  Sold.  I'm sure this will be the second polish that I use until it's empty (the first being my CND Blackjack).  Love love love!  I'm a Cultie!

For your first look at the Color Altering Top Coats, please check out the post here written by moi on The Glossy Pages.  I'll be writing about them too but check it out on Gloss48... the sale only lasts until August 31st!

Cult Nails [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram: CultNails] is available in their shop for $12 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.