NOTD: 4 November 2012

While I'm pushing through fall and winter collections, I also wanted to show you a little NOTD that I wore to my alma mater's football game in September.  I took the plunge this year and bought season tickets and got them on the 50 yard line!  It hasn't been the best season for them, but still - I have loved going to each game.  I actually had soon-to-be Mr. PG pick out the blue for this manicure!  He doesn't have much interest in nail polish but will occasionally look at what colors I want to wear and give me suggestions.

I started with a base of Poshe, 2 coats of China Glaze Rodeo Fanatic and then topped with Cult Nails Wicked Fast.  Next I added a thin coat of Nicole by OPI Gold Texture Coat and topped that with another coat of Wicked Fast.  Cleanup was a little messy with a dark blue and then the gold shimmer but it worked for the game.

As you can see, my pinkie didn't fare too well.  I paint my nails from pinkie to thumb, so it was first and the crackle flat out didn't crackle.  If you have a crackle polish that is too thick, add a few drops of your favorite Nail Polish Thinner (Seche Restore, or a generic brand) and roll the polish in your hands (or shake if you're REALLY impatient like me) until it becomes liquid again.

Random Krystal trivia.  I didn't realize that the China Glaze logo was a "C" and a "G" until about 2 years into owning several hundred bottles.  I just thought it was a fire flame or something.  Nerd.

Crackle is iffy - sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it.  For this game, it worked but this manicure didn't even last 24 hours before I took it off.

I purchased Rodeo Fanatic from the etailer,  Head2Toe Beauty and the Texture coat from Nicole by OPI was a press sample.

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

PBA: How to Help after Hurricane Sandy

PBA Disaster Relief Fund Now Accepting Donations and Applications for Aid from Beauty Professionals Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Phoenix, AZ (October 29, 2012) - Since 1955, the PBA Disaster Relief Fund has been there to assist salons/spas and beauty professionals recover and rebuild after devastation caused by natural disasters. As Hurricane Sandy and related storms continue to move across the greater Northeast, PBA is reaching out to beauty professionals and companies to contribute to the PBA Disaster Relief Fund so we can continue to help professionals in our communities rebuild their careers, businesses and lives. "The PBA Disaster Relief Fund is a perfect way for our industry to come together and help support fellow beauty professionals in their time of need," states Steve Sleeper, Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Association. All donations made to the PBA Disaster Relief Fund are tax deductible and 100% of all funds raised go directly to beauty industry professionals in need. Make your donation online, by mail or by phone.   Contributions can be made online by credit card by simply completing the online donation form at: www.probeauty.org/disaster-relief-fund. Check or money order donations should be made payable to PBA Disaster Relief Fund and mailed to 15825 N. 71st Street, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Contributions can also be made by phone by calling the PBA toll free number at 800.468.2274. Please help us spread the word. Salon professionals that have been affected by this natural disaster can apply for assistance from the PBA Disaster Relief Fund by downloading the Application for Aid at www.probeauty.org/disaster-relief-fund.   Please send completed application and any additional documents to: PBA Disaster Relief Fund C/O PBA 15825 N. 71st Street STE 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 The PBA Disaster Relief Fund is a program of the PBA Foundation, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. 100% of donations made to the PBA Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help rebuild careers, businesses and lives. Donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions.

LVX Avireo

I cannot believe I haven't been actively blogging in almost 2 months now.  Being sick really takes it out of you!  My desk is overflowing with pretties, so it's time to get back into it!  With Daylight Savings Time ending this weekend, it's going to be hard to get any swatches done during the week but I'll make it work.  :]

Now, LVX has just announced their fall/winter line but I still have half the collection to show you!  I really think I may have left the best 3 for last because these colors really rocked my world.  First up is Avireo, an avocado green creme.  Now, you may notice that my bottle appears to have "streaks" in it.  Avireo was actually pulled off production to see what the deal was, and here's what the creator had to say.

"Our lab chemists came to the conclusion that this particular color was really heavily pigmented and the ball bearings have a tendency to make marks within the color. However, it in no way does it effect the color or how it performs. If it is mixed or shaken a few extra times, these flaws seen within the bottle disappear.

We had the option to reproduce it with less pigment, however it would most certainly not be the same color. We devoted hours and hours of research of hard work to develop our Summer collection colors and we do not wish to change this hue--doing so would go against our philosophy of only releasing thee top colors of each season.

  

With this being said, you can freely use Avireo, again, the streaks from the heavy pigments in no way shape or form affect the performance or application of the gorgeous green!"

I can attest that it didn't harm application to have some streaks in the bottle.  I used a base coat of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and topped it with Cult Nails Wicked Fast.  The polish was very smooth to apply but I did have a tiny bit of brush strokes in the finish, which you can see in my pictures.

I had just chopped my nails when I took these pictures after ripping my pinkie nail off (ow), so I apologize for the messy hands.  I was in need of a manicure!  However, in the sun you can see how well this applied and how pretty it is.  I know this is a "summer" color for LVX but I think it's wildly appropriate for fall.

Pretty much the same story in the shade.  I absolutely love how glossy the polish looks when paired with Cult Nails Wicked Fast top coat - it's quickly one of my favorite top coats on the market.

Finally I took a picture inside with the flash.  Now, with the flash this polish has much more of a yellow undertone which I don't care for, but thankfully that's just the photography - not the actual polish.  I can't think of another color right off that is like this that I own, so I'm very happy with it!

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.

Cut It Out: Turn Tragedy in to Action

CUT IT OUT: Help Turn Tragedy in to Action to Help Stop Domestic Violence Sign Up Now To Receive Complimentary CUT IT OUT Materials For Your Salon

Phoenix, AZ (October 22, 2012) - Having recently marked the one year anniversary  of the salon shooting tragedy in Seal Beach, California, and now two more tragedies at salons in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Clearwater, Florida, in the past week, domestic violence continues to plague our society and was a root cause in all of these incidents. While sending heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families and the broader salon community, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) urges beauty professionals to pledge their support for the CUT IT OUT program to help end domestic violence. CUT IT OUT is a program of the PBA Foundation and is dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States. CUT IT OUT builds awareness of domestic abuse and trains salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients and fellow salon professionals to local resources. Salon professionals have the extraordinary opportunity to give hope and help to clients and co-workers who are in abusive relationships. What you can do: Go to www.probeauty.org/cutitout. Sign the online pledge form and select the complimentary CUT IT OUT materials for your salon, spa or school. Display the CUT IT OUT materials at your salon / spa's front desk, individual stations, break rooms and the restroom. Materials are discreet, available in English and Spanish and have a toll free number that can be easily removed where victims can call to get help, regardless of their location. Schedule a one-hour CUT IT OUT training for your salon, spa or school. Visit www.cutitout.org/training.html for additional information. Share your salon's involvement in CUT IT OUT by promoting it through social media channels. Using the "power of beauty," our industry can help women and men across this country know they are not alone and help them to get the help they need. PBA urges the industry to come together and support CUT IT OUT so that tragedies like these do not happen again! www.probeauty.org/cutitout

LVX Fall/Winter 2012

LVX has just recently launched their Fall/Winter 2012 collection and I cannot wait to see that teal in person again!  In addition, LVX is offering an amazing 20% off their polishes when you purchase on their website with the code BEAUTYBLOG20.  If you haven't tried LVX yet or are looking to expand your collection, take advantage of this discount!  It went live on 1 November and will continue until the end of the month.

Fashion forward and vegan, LVX launches their second nail lacquer collection for the Fall & Winter season.

Just as LVX shocked us with the unexpected use of black in their Summer collection, you can expect some profound choices for this seasons lavish hues. From bridging neon into Autumn and Winter, to creating luscious autumnal hues with a touch of optimism, LVX has triumphed in giving consumers the top colors for the season. Drawing inspiration from renowned designers such as Ackermann, Balmain, Balenciaga, Galliano, and others, LVX has determined the top shades that are going to define the Fall and Winter
season.

The LVX Fall 2012 Collection includes the following shades:

Greige

The perfect blend of gray and taupe, this dynamic color grounds the Fall & Winter palette.

Prussian

A deep green-blue teal and a perfect transition as we enter the darker and longer nights.

Koko

A rich espresso that is expressive and adds stability to our transitioning wardrobe.

Midori

A muted neon green that bridges our summer hues into the cooling Fall season and provides us with a positive attitude.

Sanguine

A seductive crimson that exuberates strength and drama while maintaining the passion and sensuality of the color red.

Legendaire

A unique majestic hue with complex gray undertones, it offers a romantic and soft touch that will span across the seasons.

The long lasting, chip resistant and non-streak formula is free of harsh and toxic chemicals. LVX products are VEGAN and formulated without the use of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, DBP, Toluene, and Camphor. The brand is dedicated to providing top quality, socially responsible, and eco-friendly, luxury products without compromising quality, durability and finish. LVX nail lacquer is cruelty free. All products are produced in the U.S.A. The new collection will be available October 22, 2012 on www.shoplvx.com.