LVX Aubergine

Press Sample

Today I have LVX Aubergine from the Winter/Resort 2013 collection. This is a purple creme that is not so Barney purple but not dusty either. I decided to change it up and use the LVX 3-1 treatment which can be used as both a base and a top coat. Please note that the 3-1 treatment is not fast drying, so take care to let all coats dry before applying your next coat.

I used the 3-1 treatment for my base coat, 2 coats of Aubergine and then the 3-1 treatment for my top coat. The first coat of Aubergine was a little rough but the second coat evened things out. Once in the sun though, I wished I had added a third coat to completely have full coverage.

See what I mean in the sun? It's totally not opaque. I don't know if it has something to with the 3-1 treatment, because I've never had this kind of reaction from LVX before.

At least in the shade, it's better! I do need to pay more attention to my cuticles. Proper cleanup makes a manicure complete!

So I really do love this color for winter (can you just imagine it with some silver glitter at the base!) but today it was just a hot mess of unevenness. I'm blaming the 3-1 treatment and plan to use that when I wear naked nails (which happens more than I want to admit).

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.

CPNALV: Zappos Corporate Culture Tour

ZAPPOS CORPORATE CULTURE TOUR  COSMOPROF NORTH AMERICA HOSTS ANOTHER EDUCATION TOUR   To use a simple analogy, fitting into a company's corporate culture is like buying a new pair of shoes.  Shoes should provide comfort, match personal style, and last long enough to get a person where he wants to go.  Zappos is known internationally for their corporate culture, which is now being adopted by many large companies who realize the importance of incorporating this dynamic setting. Many industry executives, including beauty CEOs, take the tour in Las Vegas to see what makes this winning formula of redefining the traditional work-place atmosphere so successful. Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) presents the Zappos Corporate Culture Tour - Tuesday, July 16th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Take a walk in a Zapponian’s footsteps and see the culture first-hand. You will be guided on a 60-minute tour of the Zappos Headquarters and be introduced to many different departments, including their call center.   After the tour, Noelle Raezer, Senior Director of Merchandising at Folica.com (online retailer specializing in the hair category), will host a 15-minute Q & A session about their corporate culture. What can you do to make your business environment more appealing and productive? These and many more topics will be covered as part of a Q&A session after the tour. Zappos Corporate Culture Tour    Date: Tuesday, July 16th   Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.   Cost: PBA members - $125 / Non-members $150   (Bus transportation will be provided, located at the Mandalay Bay Tour & Travel Lobby at lower level) Organizer: Cosmoprof North America is organized by North American BeautyEvents LLC a joint-venture company between BolognaFiere Group and the Professional Beauty Association BolognaFiere Group, the world’s leading trade show organizer in the cosmetics, fashion, architecture, building, art and culture sectors, features in its portfolio more than 80 exhibitions, both domestic and international. SoGeCos Sp.A., a company of BolognaFiere Group, is the organizer of Cosmoprof, an international platform, with events in Bologna (established 1967), Hong Kong (established 1996) and Las Vegas (established 2003).   The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) advances the professional beauty industry by providing our members with education, charitable outreach, government advocacy, events and more. PBA is the largest organization of industry professionals with members representing salons and spas, distributors, manufacturers and beauty professionals/NCA. Visit probeauty.org or call 800.468.2274 (480.281.0424) to learn more.

Hard Candy Launches 45 New Polishes

Word spread early this year that Hard Candy was pulling all their nail polish with a "to be announced" collection. It's now May and I'm STILL waiting for my Wal-Mart to get with the program, but all over America, other Wal-Marts have been receiving the new 45 shades of nail polish by Hard Candy.

Five new collections - nine shades in each.

Crushed Chrome Collection. 

Luxurious and timeless hues embellished with a golden textured finish. This collection boasts refinement and sophistication and is infused with a vivacious luster. 

Itsy Glitzy Collection.
Intense, illuminating, and incandescent hues saturated with the richest and most extreme mica and glitter. Inspired from the runway and now at your fingertips. 

Crystal Confetti Collection.
A unique collection based on artistic expression. Flourishing, adventurous, full coverage shades with various particle sizes and creative textures. Graffiti is revolutionary; it's an outlet to create public art. Now take this artistic and creative expression to your nails.

Candy Sprinkles Collection.
Suspended in a clear top coat, shimmery flecks sparkle brilliantly with different shapes of shiny glitter. Candy Sprinkles is a fabulous top coat over any color. 

Glitteratzi Collection.
The combination of confident opposites and intimate tonalities mixed with the right amount of sparkle creates enthusiasm for the vitality of life. The hues are natural and are becoming more evolved and colored. Tasteful tones with all the personality to satisfy every trend setter.

Each polish is only $3.97 so it's super easy to start your own Hard Candy collection! 

Now, I've heard that you can purchase the polishes from Wal-Mart's website but the one nail fanatic that I saw did so, had them arrive broken and just wrapped in a plastic bag (no bubble wrap), so I can't in good faith recommend that route.

The Hard Candy collection is exclusively available at Walmart and on walmart.com.  In addition to the cosmetics brand Hard Candy now offers customers a line of apparel and eyeglass frames.  The brand can be found on Facebook @Hard Candy; Twitter @HeresHardCandy; Pinterest @ItsHardCandy and on Instagram @HardCandyLife. 

Katie Cazorla Color Flash Instant Gel Nail

In February, I told you about Katie Cazorla, owner of The Painted Nail salon in California, and how she had created a new system called the Color Flash. What I didn't know at the time was that Katie was rebranding as well under her own name and officially closed The Painted Nail to work solely on this new endeavor! 

The Color Flash Instant Gel Nail Color launched last night at midnight CDT on Shop NBC (Channel 73 on DirecTV) and is airing again several times today. I fell asleep last night during the first airing but was able to record it so I can watch Katie because she's one hilarious lady.

Myself, Katie and Judy from BeautyJudy at Cosmoprof North America 2012.

Color Flash - think salon quality but at home. Think gel but only one step. Think instant removal but no acetone. Mind blown yet?

Image from ShopNBC

Here are the two different lamps. The smaller LED POD is perfect for travel and charges via USB - perfect for the on the go woman like Katie.  Because it's LED, the cure time is 60 seconds. The LED POD sells for $39.50 at ShopNBC.

Image from ShopNBC

The larger LED lamp is only available as part of the ShopNBC Color Flash Nine-Piece system. Normal price for the nine-piece system is $108 but today they are having a special 17% off for $89.27.  This includes the LED Lamp (with 12V 0.5A AC adapter), three colors (Perfect Nude, Bordeaux and Classic Red - 0.28 oz each), a buffing block, a nail file, a metal cuticle pusher, "Gone in a Flash Remover Gel" (2.11 oz) and three removal wrap packs (10 wraps in each pack).

Currently, the colors are only available on the ShopNBC website. She has 6 duo sets (0.28 oz each) for $28.00. Unlike gel, Katie's system is an all in one bottle. No base coat, no top coat.  Prep your nail, add one coat of color, cure for 60 seconds (the light automatically shuts off after 60 seconds), then add a second coat and cure for 30 seconds (you'll have to manually time that one out). Then you're done! No sticky layer to remove, no wait time.

Katie says this will last 10-14 days but if you want to change out, removal is easy. Gentle break the seal using the nail buffer, apply her "Gone In A Flash" remover gel to each nail and cover with the foil wraps. Let sit for 5 minutes and the color will flake off. Use an orange stick to remove any left overs.

Please note that all links in this posting are straight from ShopNBC. I was not paid to post the links, nor are they affiliate so I will not receive any kind of compensation if you click on them.  The pricing is special for today, and I do not know how long it will be available.  I believe Katie is planning to eventually sell the product on her website along with other products, but that has not been confirmed yet.

If you're looking for salon quality without having to go to the salon, I would take the chance and invest in this kit. Katie is very dedicated on only putting out quality product that is practical in today's world and market.  Congratulations Katie!

LVX Spring 2013

So I know that Spring is quickly fading into Summer (well, depending on where you live) but I still have some fantastic press releases to share about collections that are currently available. This one is from LVX - a brand that I proudly support and stand behind.  Enjoy.

VEGAN LUXURY NAIL LACQUER BRAND LVX 

 LAUNCHES THEIR SPRING 2013 COLLECTION. 

LVX nail lacquer announces the release of their fourth debut collection. 

Chicago (February 2013): With immense anticipation of an “emerald” release in nail lacquer, LVX debuts the stunning gemstone for Spring 2013. Emerald, named Color of the Year for 2013 by Pantone, is this season’s it color. LVX’s adaptation of this amazing color is vivacious and will intensify any outfit. The luxury vegan brand continues to stun us with their distinct and bold seasonal palettes. 

The top shades that will define the Spring 2013 season will include: 

Viridian

Striking emerald green 

Indigo Bleu 

Ultimate navy blue 

Citrine

Golden citrus

Fantom

Timeless white

Cerulean

Audacious blue

Azalea

Soft and daring lilac

Effective Spring 2013, LVX will debut a new and updated bottle. The new sleek design will display the colors more vividly. The overall size and shape has not changed, however due to the thicker glass, the new fill capacity will be 15ml.

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. LVX is a no compromise nail lacquer that has superior formulation, is socially responsible and eco friendly. LVX nail lacquer is cruelty free. 

All products are produced in the U.S.A. The new collection will be available March 1st 2013 on www.shoplvx.com.