Nicole by OPI New Lacquers

I'm catching up with emails and spring releases and realized I hadn't shown you these new polishes by Nicole by OPI. I have such a love/hate with these bottles. In one hand, they are supposed to fit in your hand perfectly. On the other hand, they don't fit in my nail polish racks very well.  All images courtesy of OPI.


Colors for Every Occasion!
Nicole by OPI Launches New Lacquers for 2013

Nicole by OPI announces four new classically chic nail lacquer shades for 2013, including Plum to Your Senses!, Please Red-cycle, Totally in the Dark, and Still Into Pink.  Featuring two vibrant crème shades of bright pink and rich red and two shimmering hues of deep plum and glossy black, these elegant lacquers are suited for every wearer and occasion while delivering distinct color with a flawless finish. 
 “Swipe these four new lacquers on nails for intense color with on-trend hues,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “When it comes to style, any look can be enhanced by adding a splash of color, and these fashionable shades can be easily applied to match your mood.  The playful shimmer of Totally in the Dark and bold pigments of Still Into Pink both make dramatic statements, while sophisticated Plum to Your Senses and classic Please Red-cycle give nails a polished, stylish finish.”
The four new lacquers include:

Plum to Your Senses!
You KNOW this deep, dark plum is the perfect choice.

Please Red-cycle
Do the right thing and wear this apple red over and over.

Totally in the Dark
This shimmery black is completely unexpected.

Still Into Pink
Our love for hot pink will never grow cold.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.
These will be available in stores beginning January 2013 for $7.99 each at retailers including select Walmart, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart, Kroger, ULTA, H-E-B, Meijer and Duane Reade locations. In Canada, these shades will be available for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaw, and London Drug.
For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan

Cirque Dark Horse

Today I have Cirque Dark Horse, a handmade nail polish that I heard about from another blogger. This is the name sake from the debut Dark Horse collection. Each bottle is B3 free and holds 0.45 oz / 13.2 ml of product. One thing I didn't know was that organic lavender and clary sage essential oils have been added for a subtle scent after the polish dries. This is a black glitter with rainbow microglitter. 

I used a base of LVX Livid for my ring and index finger and then 2 coats of Dark Horse on all fingers. This polish dries gritty and matte, so make sure you use additional top coat.


I definitely think this is a polish best worn over black as you can see my visible nail under the nails without a base black. I'm quite confused because when I saw Scrangie's post - she said she used 3 coats and it was pitch black. I'm wondering if the formula has changed or what.

Even here in the shade - I just don't see how this is build-able in three coats - but it was fun to wear!

Can you see that it's a top coat eater in this picture? I also had a bit of a problem keeping it on my nails and off my cuticles but I'm working on it.

Cirque [Facebook] can be purchased on its website for USA residents and their stockists page has international options. Dark Horse runs for $13.00 a bottle.

The Painted Nail Color Flash Nails

First thing in the morning, I check my Instagram for what's going on in the world of pictures. Lately, I've been noticing something new and super interesting from The Painted Nail - Katie Cazorla.   
[All images courtesy of Katie's Instagram]

Katie is launching an "instant nail color" system at ShopNBC, and the concept sounds amazing.

"The Nail Pod fits in the palm of your hand, throw it in your make up bag, plug it into your iPad, laptop or go wireless! No primer, bonder, base, top or cleanser!! Just one swipe of color and in under 60 secs, you're out the door! Odorless and removes without Acetone!! Wears like a gel, goes on and off like a polish!"

"Here's the LED light that comes in the Color Flash Kit! Complete with dual USB/wall charger and a little bow with a crystal accent for the button (timer built in)."

"The bottom pops off by magnet so you can cure your toes lightning fast or custom mix your Color Flash with glitter, powders etc."

Now for the colors!  All these duo kits will be under $25.

Jade and Coral
Blush and Noir
Margarita and Citrine
St.Tropez and Monaco
Hot Peach and Bright Violet
Starlet and LaLa Land
The original images all had a launch date of March but last week, Katie posted the following:

"GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! My 'Color Flash' Instant Gel Nail Color Kit (3 colors) with Led Light and non-acetone remover paste just got approved today on ShopNBC to be the "Today's Top Value"!!!! You'll get an incredible price on a new, fun, easy and safe product for your nails! You Deserve This!! Coming 4/30"

No word yet on how glitter removal worked with a non-acetone remover... and no base, no top? Sounds like Layla's concept but I've never been brave enough to wear a dark color without a base coat. I love the concept of a gel that removes like polish - I hate that most gels have to have the top layer filed off to "break the seal". (Granted, not ALL gels, but a good percentage.)

I'll have more as soon as I get it, and follow Katie's Instagram for the most up to date news! 

JulieG Light It Up

The finale from the JulieG Holiday collection is this glitter bombshell called Light It Up! I decided to layer it over JulieG Ornamental - fun times. Lots of glitter in this one - this is 2 coats.

I got a little sloppy on my middle finger and well I just don't know what happened. I feel like I was channeling a Jenna Marbles drunk video or something.

Random door shot - yay! So gold was not the best color to layer this over I don't think, but it's still fun. I know there are dupes for this and honestly I probably own them all. Still working on purging. Kinda.

You can purchase JulieG in Rite Aid stores across the US or shop online at Jesse's Girl Cosmetics which ships worldwide!  JulieG sells for $3.99 for a 0.35 fl oz (10 mL) 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.

Sephora + Pantone Universe

When I was an "aspiring" art student in college, I was in love with the Pantone swatches that we had in the classroom. Last year, everyone was on fire for tangerine - this year the color is Emerald. Sephora and Pantone Universe have partnered with some pretty packaging and some pretty cool products too.  Please enjoy the following press release.


SEPHORA and Pantone proudly announce the 2013 Color of the Year beauty collection featuring PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, available exclusively at SEPHORA.   Sharing a strong passion for how color can transform a face, mood or even an attitude, SEPHORA and Pantone continue to change how you wear, feel and think about color through the second annual installment of this radiant and modern Color of the Year beauty collection. The launch of 2012 Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango, created record breaking results for the retailer, with fans purchasing a Tangerine Tango item every six seconds during the month of launch. In 2013, SEPHORA invites you to discover the color of positive energy and possibility, and open your eyes to the power of Emerald. 

Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum. Emerald, a perfectly balanced green, is a mix of warm and cool, which makes it so versatile and flattering to many skin tones,” noted Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.“ 
Inspired by the many facets of a gemstone, this collection features Sephora Collection’s high performance formulas in modern packaging, designed by SEPHORA and inspired by the iconic PANTONE® Chip.  Each eye shadow, blush, eye liner, lip gloss, mascara and nail polish offers unique finishes like matte, metallic and lacquer to capture the sparkle and play off light unique to an Emerald, the perfect green – blue hue.
“What I love about this year’s Color of the Year collection is it’s electrifying and modern. Emerald evokes power and possibility, which are two things women should feel when they wear makeup,” said SEPHORA PRO Lead Artist Gilbert Soliz. “SEPHORA once again challenges women to envelope themselves in the trend color, from subtle effects to bold saturated statements, Emerald will energize the way you think and feel about color.” 

SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE 2013 Color of the Year PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald Capsule Collection

·         The 2013 Color of the Year Emerald Collection – $68
A comprehensive collection of Emerald beauty
o    1 Color Grid Eye Shadow Block in BIONIC
o    1 Color Code Prismatic Shadow
o    1 Color Cube Lid Liner Stain
o    1 Lightspeed Glitter Dust
o    1 Graphic Sculpt Waterproof Jumbo Eyeliner
o    1 Color Watt Highlighting Mascara

·         Colorbyte Lip Wands - $24
This lip gloss set offers four unique shades, textures and finishes, leaving lips with a smooth and comfortable shine – colors include Touch of Emerald (clear with Emerald sparkle), Crocus (lacquer lilac), Georgia Peach (lacquer peach) and Cameo Brown (lacquer nude)

·         Color Grid Shadow Block  –  $26
Features three color-coordinating eye shadows – this trio allows you to create a variety of on-trend beauty looks
o    BIONIC –  Emerald, White Alyssum and Crown
o    ECLISPED – Emerald Glitter, Amberlight and Olivine
o    ELEMENTAL – Emerald Shimmer, Appleblossom and Camel

·         Color Code Prismatic Shadow –  $22
A revolutionary, water resistant high pigment cream formula for the eyes that goes on easily and lasts all day

·         Color Cube Lid Liner Stain  –  $16
A 3-in-1 mousse cream that can be used as a shadow, cream liner or lid stain

·         Lightspeed Glitter Dust  –  $14
A pot of pure Emerald loose glitter, give your look a subtle shimmer or layer for a powerful pop

·         Graphic Sculpt Waterproof Jumbo Liner  –  $17
Features a proprietary long wearing easy glide formula, with a luminous shimmer finish

·         Graphic Lift Liquid Liner  –  $17
Features a flocked tip applicator and long-lasting formula in metallic shimmer finish

·         Graphic Etch Waterproof Eyeliner  –  $17
This retractable pencil features a waterproof easy glide formula in a soft Emerald pigment finish

·         Glitter Strobe Eyeliner Set  –  $18
This four piece Emerald eyeliner set features finishes in glitter, iridescent, metallic and matte

·         Color Watt Highlighting Mascara –  $18
A richly pigmented mascara in Emerald in a matte finish, wear alone for full color expression or add to tips for a flash of color

·         Color Theory Sculpting Blush   $24
The perfect blush duo to compliment any Emerald color accents featuring Dusty Pink and Pink Mist

·         Color Charged Graphic Lacquer –   $10
The richest pigment of Emerald in a high gloss lacquer finish

·         Mini Graphic Effect Lacquers – $18
A collection of three mini polishes featuring finishes in Emerald (clear with Emerald glitter), shimmer (Emerald and silver) and matte metallic

·         Emerald Tip Nail Ring – $22
The perfect accessory to embrace the 2013 Color of the Year – make a nail jewel statement with this ring, featuring an Emerald and crystal tip

·         Color of the Year Accessories –
o    Color Contour Face Brush Set ($68) This 8 piece brush set with stand provides you with all you need to create any Emerald look: Highlighting Fan Brush, Face Contour Brush, Angled Liner Brush, Short Smudge Brush, Cream Shadow Brush, All Over Shadow Brush, Crease Shadow Brush and Smudge Brush (all synthetic)
o    Spectra Blend Eye Brush Roll ($20) A 3 piece mini travel brush in a magnetic pouch features an Angled Blush Brush, Eyeshadow Brush and Shadow Blending Brush (all synthetic)
o    Color Block Beauty Box ($38) A hard cosmetic case featuring a removable travel box and organizing compartments
o    Prismatic Glitter False Lashes ($10) Luxurious black false lashes featuring a strip of emerald glitter
o    Color Sculpting Kabuki Brush ($22)The perfect travel size kabuki brush (synthetic)
o    Emerald Compact Mirror ($18) A must have travel mirror for touchups, two sided featuring 3x magnification

The SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE 2013 Color of the Year PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald Collection will be available at Sephora stores and Sephora.com beginning March, for a limited time.