Press Sample
Happy February! I had this wild idea that I wanted to showcase 14 Days of Valentine's with a different red or pink nail polish each day. So I asked other bloggers what they thought and everyone thought it was an awesome idea and I thought "Hey, let's make it a group thing!" So now there are a bunch of us doing 14 Days of Valentine's - be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the InLinkz at the bottom of this posting. Each day, I will have a different red or pink polish showcased all the way up to Valentine's Day - a mix of indies and mainstreams that I picked at random. My only criteria was that I couldn't have blogged about it before. This way I could finally get into picking some other brands and polishes that I hadn't worn before.
Today, Day 1, I have Jessica Conch Shell. This is a pink creme, that I would call Barbie Pink, from the Coral Symphony collection that was released in Spring 2014. This is also when Jessica launched their new formula that was supposed to flow onto the nails without any streaks.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. The formula on this polish was pretty interesting. So first, I had total streakiness with the first coat. The brush on Jessica is round like China Glaze, so it's a learning curve for me to paint all sides of my nail without getting it into my cuticle. I finally gave up and just painted the whole nail and if some flooded, well that's what a clean up brush is for, right?
The second coat I had to go a little heavy with to both self-level and and even out those streaks from the first coat. I'm not sure if this is a part of that new formula or if maybe my bottle needed to be shaken a little harder to mix back together. It has say on the shelf for 2 years! It also dried slightly matte but since I always top coat, that brought that shine back.
So as you can see I needed to clean up and probably needed to try a little harder on my ring finger. My nails are just barely peeking over my finger tip so it's time to either get them professionally shaped up or just nub them further with a file. I haven't decided based on time and effort. But back to the polish - it's pretty! Nothing extremely unique but a good staple to own.
Jessica is available on their website as well as select salons and spas for $8.40 for 14.8 ml/0.5 fl oz. join them on social media by liking on Facebook, following on Twitter, 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
Who doesn't love berry pinks? Maybe some of you out there aren't a fan but I love me some berry pink. I decided to wear Prettier In Pink, a core color from Morgan Taylor, for my recent presentation at work and I just can't help but smile at this happy little color.
I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and finished with Glisten & Glow H K Girl top coat. The formula was pretty dang fantastic and I didn't have any issues with staining, pooling or dragging. In fact, I had very little clean up too!
Seriously? LOVE. This wanted to photograph more red but it's definitely in the berry family for me. It's also not a neon but just a happy little creme. Yay cremes!
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
So I'm working on getting my cuticles to be pretty and camera ready and today I have Red Carpet Manicure Cuticle Balm by my side to help me out! This professional salon strength cuticle balm instantly nourishes and conditions rough, ragged cuticles.
This 15 mL/0.50 fl oz balm is seated inside of a glass jar and contains sunflower seed oil, palm oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil and many other ingredients that are all about hydrating and nourishing.
Don't be scared by the green - it goes on clear. You may need to stir the pot a little as some of the oils may have settled. Then apply a small amount onto your cuticles until completely absorbed. If desired, use a cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles.
Naked nails! You can see some shine... while this is promoted as a non-greasy formula, it is a little oily. I was leaving residue on my desk and keyboard up to 30 minutes after applying. This is probably best used before bed so you don't transfer oils everywhere.
You can purchase Red Carpet Manicure Cuticle Balm at Ulta Beauty, Ulta.com and RedCarpetManicure.com Join the conversation on social media with Facebook, Twitter, and 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
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.
