This past month, I participated in a Secret Santa swap with a $50 indie bracket. As you may know, I have completely gone from "OMG NO INDIES" to "Well, that's pretty much all I buy now." KBShimmer is definitely one of those brands that tends to be a repeat purchase by me and I was lucky enough to get Chilly Pepper as part of my Santa gift. This creme red is perfect for Christmas or really, just any time... which is why I decided to make this my first official polish to wear in 2016. I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with KBShimmer Clearly On Top. Honestly, this polish was pretty opaque in one coat, but I went with two to be safe and not have any bald spots. I did get some polish on my skin because I have very short nubs, but it wiped away cleanly with acetone - no staining into my cuticles like some reds can.
Now normally I have a photo in the sun, one in the shade, and one in indirect light but new year, new photos hah. We've had very unusual weather here in South Texas - 80 degrees one day and 42 the next... Sunshine for miles and then grey skies with lots of rain. Because of all that, I decided to just pull out my MyStudio MS20 and let's do this. I'm tired of the weather being my excuse for blogging. I have too much polish here to complain about the rain. For those interested, I purchased the MyStudio MS20 after reading about it on the Cult Nails blog here. There will be obviously a learning curve as I get photos and I may still reserve my holo polishes for sunlight, but with a basic creme, you can't go wrong. Speaking of basic cremes - KBShimmer Chilly Pepper reminds me of a VERY special bottle in my collection. The one and only Christian Louboutin "Rouge", the signature red from his red soled shoes. I grabbed my can of swatches and pulled them out to sit side by side.
Can you tell which polish cost $7.50 and which cost $50.00? No? Me either.
They are pretty dead on dupes. Both were 3 coats of polish and one coat of top coat. I was very surprised but also a bit happy inside. I'm sure your wallet will be now too. KBShimmer Chilly Pepper was from their 2015 Winter Collection. Be sure to scoop up this staple red in case it ever goes away. KBShimmer [website] can be purchased through their website for those in the United States and through Harlow and Co for international sales. Prices range from $5.50 to $8.75. Connect with KBShimmer through their social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
2015 has been really crazy, really scary, and really awesome all at the same time. I had a baby, I quit a really good job but for an even BETTER job, and I've been really busy on the home front. I'm still attempting to balance home, work, and fun but while I'm figuring that one out, I wanted to show you a few "nails in real life" - polishes that I didn't review for the blog but I actually wore. Some were press samples (which is why I've labeled this post as such) but some I bought myself. I tend to post more to Instagram when it's quick snapshots like this but now I hear that even Instagram is limiting what people see (thanks Facebook for buying Instagram and applying the same 'pay for play' business model). In July, I went to Cosmoprof North America for less than 24 hours. Not sure that I will ever put my body through that again, but it was still fun. I really wanted something flashy so I knew I was going to wear ILNP "Mega (X)" from the Summer 2015 collection but I wanted some base creme to layer it over, so I went with Love, Angeline "Did You Say Peppercorn?!" which is a matte grey creme. Add 2 coats of "Mega (X)" and we were in business.
After Cosmoprof I needed something nice but neutral for my job interview so I went with ILNP "Long Walks" from the Summer 2015 collection. It's a dusty purple/taupe with a little bit of bronze shimmer - nothing too flashy but still had something to keep me interested.
After my neutral color, I wanted something flashy, so I grabbed F.U.N. "Goodness Of The Dawn" from the Summer 2015 collection. Only 2 coats and removal wasn't too terrible despite the glitter overload.
So I didn't get to see any of my Cosmoprof beauties for a few days because I had to have them shipped to me (THANK YOU SO MUCH THE DAILY NAIL!) but one that wowed me was Fair Maiden Polish - "Just a Mirage". I already love all things purple and holo but this was a nice plum with red base and only 2 coats.
After getting my new job, I knew I wanted to start off with some color. I blindly picked China Glaze "I Brake For Colour" from the Spring 2015 Road Trip collection. I felt like I wimped out a bit by not going crazy neon holo nuts but I didn't want anyone to think I was too crazy (yet).
My second week of work seemed to be a bit more demanding on my hands, so I opted for Gelish MINI "From Rodeo to Rodeo Drive" from the Fall 2015 Urban Cowgirl collection. It reminded me a little of ILNP "Long Walks" minus the bronze shimmer. This was only 2 coats but I should have used 3.
Then I snapped a few nails so I decided to cut them down to super nubbins - absolutely no free edge. I forgot how liberating they can be, especially when typing! To show off, I used ILNP "Missed Calls" which is a fantastic charcoal black holo that I am obsessed with.
Next I decided to go with Colors by Llarowe "As Rome Burned" from the August 2015 A Box, Indied collection. I seriously want to wear this all the time. NO staining either which is something I was really worried about. Only 2 coats but it did dry matte so I needed a good top coat to bring out the shine.
I decided to go for another Gelish MINI after that - this is "Brights Have More Fun". I was nervous about trying a neon without a white base coat, but you can see it did pretty well on its own.
Two weeks later and my nubs got out of control as well as my cuticles. I also tend to get hangnails on my index and middle fingers and I really try to leave them alone. But to feel pretty, I put on Glam Polish "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Just a short time later, I was heading to Florida for training at my new job. I was super excited to go on a trip so I decided to bring a little ILNP with me. This is "Walking Home" and the purple holo is SO in your face. I was obsessed.
Despite owning tons of ILNP, I hadn't worn any of the multichrome crazy polishes yet so I decided I was going to wear ILNP "Cameo". I ended up going almost a whole week in this polish and couldn't stop playing with the color shift from purple to green to gold. Loved it!
Last week, a friend was eloping, so a bunch of us did manis to surprise her. I wanted something red and holo-y so I used both Morgan Taylor "Ruby Two-Shoes" with Starrily "Poisoned Apple" for this beautiful combination.
And now on my hands I have Polished by KPT "No Makeup Needed" which is a nude holo. After all the red and purple I had been wearing, I felt like wearing something a little neutral. I'm on Day 5 of this mani and while I need to remove it before Saturday (family photos!), it's held up very well.
And there you have it! That's been my "Nails In Real Life" and while I wished I had properly photographed and written a review for the blog, I'm glad that I at least documented them on Instagram. Do you have any favorites from what I wore? Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Pediatric Cancer. Two words that no parent wants to associate with. As the mom of two young boys, I have been lucky to have them both be healthy thus far in their short lives. However, for some families, pediatric cancer is part of their daily lives. La Palmera mall [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Periscope | Pinterest | YouTube] located in Corpus Christi, partnered with the Ready or Not Foundation [Website | Facebook] and other local organizations and created the Ready.Set.Gold campaign [website] to help raise both awareness and funds for all forms of pediatric cancer. Today, I was invited to be a VIP at the Fashion Show held in Center Court. The Ready or Not Foundation was founded in Corpus Christi by Barbara Canales following the 2006 diagnosis of her daughter Jackie's brain tumor at age 6. She ran into a tree, which caused a doctor's visit which ultimately revealed the tumor. As a symbol of everything the Canales family went through, a special fundraising tree provided by H-E-B was placed in Center Court of La Palmera. The branches signified a $100 donation while the golden leaves were $1 donations. Barbara stated that over 1300 leaves were on the tree and this was actually the second time they had filled the tree this month. That's over $2600 in local donations towards pediatric cancer research.
I got to meet Jackie, who's in remission and continues to raise funds and awareness for pediatric brain cancer research.
My afternoon started with valet parking, provided by La Palmera. We rarely use valet parking, but it's something I really would like to utilize this winter with 2 little boys, holiday shoppers, and that price is right. Considering I just paid $42 a DAY for valet parking at the Riverwalk in San Antonio, I am definitely okay with this pricing.
Next we got to meet the models who were going to be walking in the show. Their hair and makeup was provided by Aveda and some of the models had their nails done. Unfortunately, none of the models knew what brand or color they were wearing but gel was the favorite among the ladies.
Then it was time for the Fashion Show! Fashions were featured by Macy's, street-savvy footwear by Journey's, stunning accessories from Michael Kors, and special appearances from Build-A-Bear, Sun Optics and Scrub Hub.
The crowd went wild for this Cowboys Themed dress and Build-A-Bear. Gotta love Texas!
This Twiggy inspired look was one of my favorites. It's just the right amount of black and sophistication that makes me want to Wednesday Adams out.
These black on black patterned pants were everything to me. I'd love to pair it with a white shirt to make it pop!
This local model has been affected personally by pediatric cancer. He was such a joy and rocked the runway!
This white and gold dress on the left model was to DIE for. It featured 3/4th" sleeves and fell just above the knee. The back also had a cut out for a little peek-a-boo effect.
Natalie Sanchez, local style maven who manages the Michael Kors Shop-in-Shop at Macy's helped organize the Ready Set Gold Fashion Show and provided both opening and closing remarks.
Barbara Canales (left), founder of the Ready or Not Foundation closed out the show. You can still donate to the Ready Set Gold through September by visiting this link. After September, you can donate directly to the Ready or Not Foundation by visiting their website. Thank you again to La Palmera for inviting me to be a VIP guest for this show! Disclosure: Some services in this post were provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Color Club has really taken steps to brand themselves in the last few years, starting with the new logo and crisp white caps. This year, they are going even further by enlisting world renowned nail artist Robert Nguyen to help promote their lines which includes gel (and the Halo Hues in gel form!) and they just launched their Color Club Sports website for all those sports lovers in your lives. But recently, I came across a deal on Zulily that included duo sets of the Poptastic Pastel Neon collection for $8 each, so I swooped in and got them all. Today I have Under the Blacklight, a pastel neon yellow. I used a base coat of Glisten & Glow Stuck on Blu!, 3 coats of polish and finished with Digital Nails Ain't Nobody Got Time For That. It took all 3 coats to even out and not be streaky or chalky. I was actually pretty happy with that, as yellows are notorious for being problem children.
Here in my light box, you can see how buttery happy this color is. No white coat underneath needed! I know that this whole pastel neon thing was a thing and I don't hate it but I'm not sure that I love it.
Here in the sun, you can see a little bit of coat build up near my cuticles which is why I stress that you need thin coats when applying any polish. You don't want to see the lines where you've added more.
In the shade, the color really takes on the pastel nature and makes it more eye pleasing to me. My husband thinks it looks more green than yellow in real life and here it almost has a lime look to it.
Finally inside with indirect light, you see that buttery softness again. This is a great addition for nail art or a great base for some nail art but I'm not sure that I would wear it on a daily basis.
To celebrate the birth of the new Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, nubar came out with a mini bottle aptly named Royal Charlotte Pink. This is in the same line as their shade Royal George Blue mini which was introduced after his birth. I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 coats of polish and finished with Digital Nails Ain't Nobody Got Time For That. This is a very sheer polish, even with three coats and has small and medium opaque pink glitter.
Here in my light box you can see just how sheer it is. It's almost a Barbie pink base but it's almost more of a jelly than anything else.
Same story here in the sun. The glitter wasn't too hard to work with. I dabbed the polish on first, then brushed it on, so that some of the glitter would come back onto the brush, but not all of it.
Not much variation here in the shade. I didn't have any issues with the glitter sticking up after just one layer of top coat.
Indoors with indirect light and it's just all the same story - sheer, glitter, jelly-like. I'm not sure how many times I'll be wearing this polish. It's a nice novalty and it's the only pink glitter I can think that I own, but I'm not biggest fan of the jelly like formula. The Royal bottles are available for a limited time for $5 each. Because the nubar website is having problems here at press time, your best bet for ordering is to call them directly at 818-241-0519. nubar [Website | Facebook | Twitter] can be purchased on their website for $8.00 a bottle in the US. They do have international retailers in Russia, Sweden and the UK. Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
