Press Sample
Have you heard of ella + mila polishes before? This line was named after the founders' twins who I got to sneak a look at while at Cosmoprof North America last year... I saw the twins, she saw my Squish who was just 2 months old at the time. Moms love sharing photos of their kids! Well, not only does ella + mila have super cute packaging (who doesn't love elephants?) but they are also eco-friendly, 5 free, cruelty free, vegan and proudly made in the USA. They have a range of colors including today's light turquoise creme, ibiza breeze from the love collection.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. ella + mila features a round brush but features a good formula that almost covered in one coat but I used two to be safe. The second coat self-leveled nicely especially when I added my top coat. This color just screams Miami to me - don't ask why... I just feel like I need to be in Florida, on a beach, this polish on and a fruity adult drink in my hand.
Just look how beautiful this color is. I really think it may be my next pedicure color which is VERY out of left field for me (I normally stick to pinks and reds) but I just love these color so much! Again, paired with a nice applying formula makes me happy.
ella + mila may be purchased on their website for $10.50 for 16 ml (0.54 fl oz). Join them on social media: Like on Facebook, Follow on Instagram, Follow on Twitter, Subscribe on YouTube and Follow on 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.
Press Sample
Are you suffering from dry hands this winter? Our weather has been all over the place - 30s in the morning and then jumping to 70s in the afternoon. All that equals havoc on my hands and nails. Today I'm trying Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Cream in Coconut Lime.
This hand cream has a list of natural ingredients to help repair the skin, moisturize, promote elasticity, promote anti-aging, reduce sun damage, polish, condition and rejuvenate the skin. Whew. That's a lot coming from a hand cream. But with Certified Organic Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Lime Extract, Coconut Extract, Avocado Oil, Safflower Seed Oil and Chamomile Extact, it's easy to see how they can pack so many claims into a 3 ounce bottle. Did I mention the cost is only $5.99?
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Lotion is also paraben free, no DMDM (a preservative), made in the USA AND doesn't test on animals.
But let's be real, I wonder "Does it smell good?" and "Is it greasy/oily"?
From the above photo of the cream on my hand, you may be worried.
Amazingly, this is definitely a non-greasy, non-oily hand cream while giving a feeling of moisturizing and conditioning. I was able to type within 10 minutes of applying. And the smell? Pure Heaven. Now, I love both coconut and lime, so that helps but it doesn't smell fake or artificial. It's also not so strong that you just smell like sunscreen and a margarita. A+ in my book.
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Hand Lotion may be purchased in retail stores found through their website in three scents - Coconut Lime, Moroccan Rose and Tropical Mango. Because of the price point, I'm seriously looking and picking up the other two. And if you check out the retail store locator, you may be surprised - I'm able to find this hand cream at my local Wal-Mart! I didn't realize it was so readily available.
Tree Hut has lines of scrubs, butters, sun protection, lotions, soakd and washes/soaps in a variety of scents. Join the conversation on social media by Liking them on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest and Following on Instagram.
Disclosure:
The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company
for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
I feel like I should call this series "Red-y For Monday"! Well, technically two weeks ago I posted a lavender that leaned a little pink so not really red. Regardless, today I have Morgan Taylor A Touch of Sass from the Fall 2015 Urban Cowgirl collection.
I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. I am absolutely obsessed in love with the wide flat brush that comes with Morgan Taylor. It's perfect for my nails. In fact, on my shorties, I'm able to pretty much cover my pinkie in one stroke. The formula on this polish was pretty fantastic but because it's SUCH a deep red, pay attention to your cuticles. It won't stain your nails but it will leave a red pigment behind that just needs a good hand washing.
I love this red. I love this type of red. It has a level of sophistication that's office appropriate but is also one of those colors that I'm sure my Grandmother would have whispered about. Lovely staple to pick up if you don't have one like it.
Morgan Taylor [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube] is available at CosmoProf for $8.50 a bottle. Online, non-professionals can purchase Morgan Taylor at Ulta Beauty.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Press Sample
Let's talk cuticles. There are so many different products out there to help soften, cut, clean up and remove your cuticles. There are just as many techniques. No matter how you do it, cuticle care helps keep your hands clean, soft, and healthy. Today I have the newest addition to the Weleda family: Pomegranate Nail Care Pens.
Now, please note that the press samples I received were in the German packaging. The products launching this month here in the USA are written in English.
This is a two part system that can be used alone or in combination with the Weleda Pomegranate Firming Hand Cream. You can also just use the Cuticle Softener Pen or the Nail Care pen independently of each other.
First I have the Weleda Cuticle Softener Pen ($17, 0.1 fl oz). This is a hard wedged shape sponge that is automated soaked with the cuticle softener (you do not "pump" the tip like some softener pens). The pen contains a rich blend of plant oils featuring 98% organic ingredients to help condition and remove cuticles. Apply the pen to your cuticles, allow to absorb briefly and then carefully push your cuticles back using the tip. Again, it's a hard wedge so feel free to apply a bit of pressure. The pen includes 3 replacement tips on the bottom that are covered by a protective see-through cap. Replace as needed.
No doubt about it, my hands are in rough shape. I normally get a professional manicure once a month but with the holidays, my Dad's illness, and work, I just haven't had time. Instead, I'm left to my own devices and so this is my before photo. I don't have incredibly overgrown cuticles but they are definitely there.
I followed the directions and carefully pushed back my cuticles. Can you see a difference? While some of my cuticle is still attached to the nail, it did help - especially on my middle finger which was overgrown.
Next is the Weleda Nail Care Pen ($17, 0.07 fl oz). So this is an easy-to-use brush application with 91% organic ingredients including vitamin-rich plant oils and moisturizing shea butter, as well as chamomile extract and beeswax.
To use, twist the bottom end of the pen until you see a bead of oil, massage into your hands and cuticles until absorbed.
After application - shiny happy hands! I was surprised that the Nail Care Pen was more of a wax oil than an oily oil. That's good for me because I don't like oily hands. As the hour went by, I noticed that my hand really did look healthier - because I compared it to my Cinderella hand (you know, the hand that does all the work but never gets photographed?) which is still dry, rough, and without nail care.
Now, at $17 each, this is a little pricey for a nail care system but considering how little you have to use at each application, I can see that these pens will last you at least a couple of months if you're applying daily, and then the price point becomes more manageable. I especially feel that these are great to keep at work because it requires little maintenance and dries without being oily.
Weleda products can be purchased on their website. Join the conversation on social media by subscribing to their YouTube, follow their Instagram, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow on 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.
Nothing To Disclose
So if you didn't know, China Glaze was my first love with nail polishes. I started with the Summer Daze collection back in Summer 2009 and just went wild. In fact, this blog was almost called "China Glaze Galore" until a dear friend advised against it. Now, one thing I love/hate about China Glaze is they put out some massive big collections each year, and a lot of them. It's a lot to keep up with! The Holiday 2015 Cheers! collection is one of those massive collections with 12 lacquers ranging from pearls, to cremes, shimmers, and of course, glitter. Today I have Better Not Pout, a berry pearl.
I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 thin coats of polish, and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. Formula was a little thin so I had to be careful not to glob the polish on and take my time instead. I still ended up getting some on my cuticles because I have to retrain myself with the China Glaze brush which is round and thin vs flat and wide.
Okay, seriously? Look how pretty this is. Now originally, I thought this was a shimmer but there's not really any shimmer inside - it's more of a pearl like their PR has suggested but thankfully there's no crazy pearl brush strokes. That's the #1 reason why I hate pearls normally... the brush strokes tend to look like Grandma pulled out a streaky polish from the 70s. But nope! China Glaze somehow figured out how to have the pearl consistency without the gross brush strokes. I'm glad I bought this polish and I can see myself using it throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
