China Glaze Magnetix II

I feel alive again! This new antibiotic that my doctor gave me is kind of fantastic. For the first time in a month, I've had energy and cannot wait to get back into blogging. I have so much to show you!!! I'm going to try and space it between reviews and press releases as so much has come out over just the past month. Thank you so much for sticking with me!

Image Courtesy of China Glaze Facebook Page

THE ATTRACTION CANNOT BE DENIED

China Glaze Introduces Second Collection of Magnetic Nail Lacquers

Los Angeles, CA - (September 2012): Magnetic nail art took the beauty world by storm earlier this year, creating a nail art force that was hard for anyone to resist. Following the phenomenal success of its first-generation Magnetix collection, China Glaze® introduces Magnetix II, an expanded second collection of magnetic nail lacquers.

As with the first Magnetix line, Magnetix II by China Glaze® is infused with iron powders that shift when exposed to the China Glaze® Magnetix II Magnet. The China Glaze® Magnetix II collection features six dramatic metallic shades:

Gold Fusion

Rich gold 

 Positively In Love

Gorgeous magenta

Bond-Tastic

Soft rust

Get Charged

Dark lavender

Sparks Will Fly

Chic cobalt blue

Con-Fused?

Lively green

Along with the new shade line up, China Glaze® has created a second, specially designed magnet featuring three additional unique designs – a swirling circle, vertical lines and an intricate lattice. The separate magnet allows more design options, especially when coupled with the original China Glaze® Magnetix Magnet. Alternate designs, rotate the magnet, play with the positioning on the nail – the art creations are endless! 

 To create your own unique China Glaze® Magnetix II manicure: 

1) Select desired magnet design. Choose from circles, vertical lines or lattice effects. 

2) Apply one coat of China Glaze® Strong Adhesion Base Coat to clean nails; allow to dry completely.

3) Designing one nail at a time for best results, apply one coat of Magnetix II nail lacquer. Immediately hold the China Glaze® Magnetix II Magnet over damp nail for 5-10 seconds, positioning so the built-in finger rest holds it steady. (If you happen to touch the magnet to damp polish, simply wipe clean with nail polish remover – it won’t damage the magnet.)

4) Once the design is fully developed and nails are dry, seal with China Glaze® Fast Forward Top Coat. 

China Glaze® has also released a step-by-step video for the Magnetix II collection which can be viewed on China Glaze®’s official YouTube Channel. China Glaze® Magnetix II is available now at salons and beauty supply stores nationwide with polishes and magnet sold separately. The collection will be available in a 12-piece counter display and as open stock colors and magnet. China Glaze® is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. For more information, visit www.chinaglaze.com, follow China Glaze® on Facebook (@ChinaGlazeOfficial) and Twitter (@ChinaGlaze). 

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries. 

About American International Industries

For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, Nail Tek, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.

LVX Livid

Continuing with LVX's summer line was Livid, a black creme that has its own shine.  I originally tried wearing this with one coat over longer nails but I found it a bit thin and ended up making a mess, so this weekend, I decided to retry this polish and give it more TLC.

I used a base coat of Rejuvacote, 2 coats of Livid and no top coat because I was surprised to see how shiny this polish really is on its own.  I am always keeping a bottle of black around my desk but hate matte blacks, so this was great.  I didn't need to clean up too much with careful application but the clean up I did need went away with just a little acetone on a brush.

Here it is in the sun and you can see all kinds of reflections from the sky and even my camera snuck into the picture!  So shiny!  Formula was very smooth as well, which I was pleased with.

Here in the shade, you can see how opaque two thin coats really are.  The green overcast on the bottle is actually the overhead trees.

Finally, I took a picture in indirect light and again - it's just like a mirror and you can see my camera in almost every picture.  While this is on the pricey side, it is definitely a good purchase for a quick, opaque black.

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.

Sation by Miss I Love Miss-self

I have some of these awesome glitters on my desk but I want MORE.  Oh my gosh they look amazing!

The “I Love Miss-self” Reality Show Premiers this Fall

Miss Professional Nail (Miss) announces the launch of its Glitter I Series, the “I Love Miss-self” Reality Show, a sassy, tongue-in-cheek spin on the sensation that has swept the nation off its stilettos. Sation’s glittery gala puts the fun in dysfunctional by saying buh-bye to Brady Bunch banter, and hello to hi-def hair-pulling and backstage drama. Miss’ Creative Director Staci Dao found inspiration for this collection by merging the glitz and glamour of showbiz with the opulent, jewel-toned gems of the season.

From fame-chasers to trophy wives, this humorous race to the Hollywood finish line is a fun, flashy ride into our pop-goes-the-beauty universe. “I Love Miss-self” joins the Fall lineup with a sparkling set of stars, including: Calorie Countess; Miss Pro-nup; Tall, Dark & Has Some; Paparazzi Pet; No Rings Attached and Oh My Gaudy.

The 24-color collection features a cast of multi-glitter and foil finishes: holographic, flakey, bar, kaleidoscope and more. These glitters are ideal for layering over neutrals and staple colors, or simply to play up your signature style. Tune in to ‘I Love Miss-self’ on www.misspn.com, and don’t miss its September debut at your local beauty supply.

All Miss products are free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde.
*Multi-glitters will be sold at a premium price point.
Miss is an MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) certified company.

JulieG Big Red Bow

Today launched the new JulieG holiday polishes!  I was given the opportunity to check them out and man, I'm happy.  This was my absolute favorite one by far - Big Red Bow.  I used a base of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and no top coat.  I didn't need top coat - this shimmery red was perfection.

Sadly, I didn't have any sun on the day that I went to swatch these lovely (I have the whole collection to show you this week!) polishes but can you see that shimmer?!  And look how perfectly it applies!

Meanwhile in some indirect light, you can just see the love.  It's probably has a dupe, I'm sure but right now I'm just keeping it on my desk to love.  I also really want to use this as a base for some nail art!

The formula was absolutely a dream to work with - no pooling in the cuticles or bald spots.

To see more of the JulieG Holiday Collection, head to the Jesse's Girl Facebook page and click on the tab that says "JulieG Holiday Collection" (under the cover photo).  You'll also be able to enter in Jesse's Girl Cosmetics's giveaway to win a complete set of the Holiday polishes!

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.

China Glaze Real Nail Polish Appliques

Image Courtesy of China Glaze

While I was at Cosmoprof this summer, I got to see the China Glaze Real Nail Polish Appliques which are on the trend of instant manicure wraps you've been seeing all year.

Now, if you've watched PolishGalore for awhile, you've seen that I absolutely suck at applying these things.  I never seem to have enough patience to properly align and the biggest part - file off properly.  Either way, Nail Polish Canada was kind enough to send me my favorite design to try - Shake Your Tail Feathers - a peacock inspired blues, purples and greens with a white base.

Shake Your Tail Feathers
Image Courtesy of China Glaze

The strips are sealed in an airtight package because it is real nail polish and exposing it to air will dry the strips out.  This also means that your package is pretty much good for one time use.

Each nail is the same design which is kind of neat - the top has a rounded edge, the strip part where you hold is squared off.  So if you have squared cuticles, well you're going to have problems.  China Glaze also recommends warming your hands before applying but my hands are always warm so I didn't do any other prep work.

This is the hardest part for me - finding the one that is right for your nail.  At this point, there is still plastic covering the sticky part of the applique, so you can't really bend the sticker to form around your nail.

Also enclosed in your package is a mini orange stick and a file to "cut off" the excess.

If you don't saw off the excess at the right angle, it's going to tear.  Like I did above.  Additionally, it's best if your nails have some length so you can kind of tuck the applique under your free edge.

Yeah that whole above "fitting your applique to the nail"?  Fail on my part.

The directions recommend using a top coat so I brushed a coat of China Glaze Fast Forward on top.  My bottle of Fast Forward is the most chemically foul smelling thing EVER.  I seriously don't know why I still have it.  I want to be bad and add lavender oil to it or something (don't do this).

While pretty, this stuff won't last on me more than a few hours.  I kept getting hair stuck under the applique because I didn't press down hard enough and I just need to practice about 234920347 more times to get nail art appliques or stickers to actually sit right.

Sadly, I cannot find my paper to show removal instructions.  As this is real nail polish, I would assume acetone-based polish remover would did it.  I was a terrible person and peeled mine off.  Don't be like me.

You can purchase these China Glaze Real Nail Polish Appliques from Nail Polish Canada from $9 to $11 (depends on the design).  There are 16 nail appliques in each package, the orange stick, file & instructions.  They are reported to last 7 days.

Many thank yous to Nail Polish Canada for their kindness in letting me test these out!

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.