Zoya: Piaf and Jacqueline (Lovely Collection Spring 2013)

Today I have two colors from the Zoya Lovely Collection for Spring 2013. But first I must vent:

Now, I have said it before, but find myself saying it a lot more lately, COME ON ZOYA, what is with these names?! Seriously, I am all for unique, but until you have Gina, which is relatively common, can you spare us the PIAF? Seriously, no offense if it's your name but I have never even heard it before. Weird!!! I looked up Piaf and apparently it is French and means "sparrow" and is a famous French singer. 

So here she is, Piaf. Piaf is a metallic spring yellow. At first I thought it was ugly but now, looking at my photos of it, I actually sort of like it. It's a really pretty color for spring, it's light and subtle. This reminds me of a little chick at Easter time.

The formula on this is a bit strange. Zoya calls it a metallic but to me, while it looks slightly metallic, it's more just textured. It's like it's got a ton of microshimmers embedded in the color. I think it makes for a pretty cool look.

The formula on this one is on the thick side. It goes on without problems though. I only needed two coats for full opacity, which is always a plus in my book. It dries really really fast, not that it matters when you use Seche Vite, but it's something to be mindful of when applying so it does not goop up on you. 

Next up is Jacqueline (a real name!!). This is a really nice, fully opaque creme nude. I love this one!!! I am a sucker for cremes, and nudes, so it's only natural I'd love this one.

This is a really nice and flattering nude, it's a beige/putty colored nude that I think works on a variety of skin tones. It's got no real pink undertones so it doesn't give us pale/olive toned girls lobster hands. This is the perfect wear to work color if you're in a highly conservative office environment.

The formula on this is a dream. I love it. It's the perfect creme consistency. I love cremes that are super shiny and this one fits the bill for me. I only needed two coats for opacity. The first coat was a bit streaky, but as you can see the second just made it perfect, and these photos are without the help of a topcoat so you can see it really applied just beautifully. 

So what do you think of these two? I am shocked by how much Piaf grew on me, well, not the name LOL. I love Jacqueline and I think she'll be in my normal rotation of polishes for sure.

Happy New Year to everyone around the World! I hope 2013 is a fantastic year for all of you. I hope to make the blog even better and more fun for all, stay tuned and thanks for making 2012 a great year. Love you all !

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. Zoya share the love affiliate links were used.  All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Truimph: Turquoise Jewel and Lollipop

Hi everyone! Today I have two polishes to show you from a brand new line of lacquers by Everything Bridal and More. They have just created and are in the process of launching a new line of polishes called Triumph. They sent me two to try out.

First up is Turquoise Jewel (Matte) which is a true turquoise color with tons of pearly micro-shimmer throughout.  It does have a true matte finish but my photos are showing it a bit glosy because I added a top coat. I am not too into mattes, for some reason the feeling of that dry polish surface freaks me out LOL. So I added the top coat and think it makes this one gorgeous. But if you do like matte polishes I assure you this does dry to a true matte finish with no glossiness whatsoever.

I used two coats which gave me full opacity. The formula was typical of a matte polish in that it dried super fast. I had no issues with balding or streaking on this at all.

Sorry for the typo in the first photo. I am too lazy to edit it LOL. My bad!

Next up is Lollipop which is an orange jelly color. It's a well balanced orange in that it's not too red and not too yellow. It's a true jelly finish and requires more than two coats if you want it to be opaque. I love a good jelly, VNL and all, and this one is quite nice. It's got that squishy glass like finish too it. I love the shine on a proper jelly and this one delivers.

Like with any jelly polish you will see your nail line if your nails are semi long. This one isn't to noticeable  maybe on the middle finger, but I only did two coats for the photos.

This last photo is a bit blurry. Sorry!

Overall these are two solid polishes. I have no idea how much they will retail for but I do know they are being put out by Everything Bridal and More. They're good quality and I would like to see the price point/color selection etc.  I will keep my eyes peeled for that information and pass it on when I get it. 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

OPI: You Only Live Twice

Well, it's December 22,  2012 and we all seem to have survived doomsday. Yay us! LOL. So yesterday I featured Die Another Day and today I think it's fitting to show you You Only Live Twice, how awesomely cheesy am I? This is from the Skyfall collection, which may seem endless on my blog since there are just so many polishes in this collection to review. I am reaching the end though, I think!

You Only Live Twice is a really pretty magenta shimmer. It's packed with pink microshimmer and just shines. It's got a beautiful high gloss finish.

I used two coats for the opacity shown. I did not have any issues with the applicaiton, no balding, no streaking, no brush strokes,  and no cuticle pooling. I have said it before but I have to mention it again, this type of finish has come a long way. Gone are the days of horrible streaking on most  good quality shimmers.

Overall this is gorgeous. I can see this on my toes all summer really, it's that kind of pink to me. What do you think?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

OPI: Die Another Day

Hi everyone! Today I have a polish with a fitting title, given that some folks think today is doomsday LOL. Happy Apocalypse! This is OPI's Die Another Day  and it's part of the Skyfall Collection.

Die Another Day is a  shimmery orangy red. It's got a fantastic formula and honestly, I think you only really need one coat. The photos below are just one coat and I don't see any nail line at all. I love when a polish does that! Great job OPI. I had no issues with application at all, this is overall a really fantastic lacquer. 

So what do you think of this color? What color are you wearing for the end of the World? LOL Hey, maybe I shouldn't get too cocky, it's only 8:18 AM here... 

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Last Minute, Easy to Find, Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well and for those who celebrate, I hope you're ready for Christmas. If you're not all done with shopping don't fret, I have a few suggestions for last minute stocking stuffers that should be pretty easy to find. These are a few of my favorite tried and true items and I would love to see any of these in my stocking. This post is not sponsored in any way. I used promotional images from the official websites, I did not take these photos. 

First up is CND Solar Oil. This is a fantastic product that works hard to keep your cuticles and nails looking fresh and hydrated in the cold weather. 

I use this all times of the year as my go to cuticle oil. After removing a manicure, filing and buffing my nails, I slather this all over my nails and cuticles, rub it in for a minute or two then wash it off. If I am feeling super dry I will put some on and keep it on (just using a little less than I would during a manicure). 

This stuff smells divine, like sweet almond oil. It's absolutely beautiful smelling. 

You can pick this up at CVS for around $8.00 to $10.00 depending on your location. 

Photo Credit: CND.com

Next up is my favorite hand lotion from Bath and Body Works. This is the True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere & Silk Hand Cream.  This retails for around $10 from Bath & Body Works but right now it's going for $6.00 in stores and online.

This is one of the best hand creams I have ever tried. It smells amazing, like vanilla and almond with a touch of sandalwood. It's quite a sexy scent. Be warned though if you're sensitive to strong scents you may not like this. The scent will last through several hand washings and lingers for quite some time. I love that but it may be a turnoff for some of you. 

This is one of the only hand creams I can tolerate on my hands. It sinks in quickly and doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy, just insanely moisturized. I love love love the feeling of this cream on my hands and rarely use other hand creams. Nothing has compared to the scent and feeling of this one. It's a real winner in my book. 

 Photo Credit: Bathandbodyworks.com

Next up is the world's greatest quick drying top coat. I cannot live without this in my collection, I just can't. I keep several back ups of it available at all times.

This is a quick drying, high shine top coat that has become a cult favorite though out the years. I have yet to find a top coat to live up to the expectations this has created. It will seriously change your nail polishing life. I swear. It makes giving yourself a manicure so much faster as it cuts down on drying time. The result? Perfect nails in no time flat.

If you haven't tried this, trust me, you need it. It's not a luxury, it's a necessity.

You can find this at CVS, Sally Beauty Supply and a few other similar stores for around $6.99 - $9.99 depending on your location. 
Photo Credit: Seche.com

Next up is a good old lip smacker lip balm in plain ol' vanilla. I have lip balms that I love more than this one but we're talking last minute stocking stuffers so I wanted to suggest a great product that was easy to find in a snap.  I've seen Lip Smacker products anywhere for CVS and Walmart to my local grocery store.

I love the good old classic  vanilla lip smacker. It's actually a pretty great quality balm to have in your purse. It's super moisturizing, smells and tastes great and only costs around $1.75.  I think this little balm would make anyone happy from your little sister to your mom. Can't beat classic.

Photo Credit: Lip Smacker

And last, but most certianly not least is a stocking stuffer for the reader in your life. I know all of my lovely followers are into beauty but I am sure there are some on your Christmas lists that just are not. Well if they are into books, and I mean books, not Kindles LOL, they will love love love my favorite book marks from "Last Line".

I have mentioned these on my blog before but I just love them and wish more people knew about them. They are the best bookmarks and never fall out. They clip to the side of your page and allow you to mark exactly where you left off last time you read.

I get mine at Barnes and Noble for around $1.99 for a two pack. They come in a variety of fun colors too.  I can never have enough of these lying around!

So that's all I have for you today but I hope it helps you make those stockings a little more full this year. 

What are your favorite items to stuff stockings with? 

Images are promotional images and were not taken by me. I have not received any of these products for free  they are just things I love and use.  This post is not sponsored in any way. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Sparkles by Julie: Santa's Bag over Black

Hello my pretties. Thanks for checking the blog today! I have a fun polish from a wonderful Etsy seller named Julie. This is Santa's Bag by Sparkles by Julie. It's such a fun festive glitter!

Santa's Bag is a red, green, gold and white glitter suspended in a clear base. I layered mine over black but make sure to check out the Etsy listing for it to see it over some more festive holiday colors.  The glitter in this is all different sizes and there are even some red hearts in there! I love it! It's everything you'd expect something called Santa's Bag to be! It's full of holiday cheer and love!!

Julie lives in the great state of Hawaii but her polishes make their way to you very quickly. This one is $8.00 which is a pretty standard indie price. I really love the look of this festive glitter.  What do you think of it? Guys, wait until you see the other fabulous polishes I have from Sparkles by Julie, you're going to flip over Graffiti! It's awesome!

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More

Giveaway Winner!

Happy Monday! Thanks to everyone who entered to win the Skyfall Collection. The winner is:

NIKKI A.

Congratulations Nikki!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nikki has already claimed the prize so the giveaway is officially over. If you didn't win this time, don't worry, I will host more giveaways soon. Thanks for your continued support and I hope you enjoy my blog. I work hard to keep my content fresh and interesting. I am always interested in suggestions, tips and constructive criticism, so if you have questions, concerns, or anything else to share with me, please do! Thanks again all and have a wonderful holiday season! 

Pin It Now!

Read More

OPI: The Spy Who Loved Me

Happy Friday ladies and gentlemen!  I hope you all have fun plans for the weekend. I have a packed weekend ahead with holiday parties and a trip to the "North Pole" with my nephew. This is my favorite family tradition that my parent's started when I was just a child and now I am passing it down to my husband's family and my nephew. There's a place not to far with an amazing old Steam Train. This time of year they transform the train into the North Pole Express and visitors get to see ride the train to the "North Pole" to pick up Santa and Ms. Claus. On the way to the "North Pole" elves sing and dance and pass out complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Then once Santa is picked up he comes around and greets each and every child.  It's really adorable and I am so happy to be able to share one of my favorite childhood memories with my husband, brother in law, sister in law and nephew. Can't wait! 

Since Christmas is fast approaching I figured I'd show you all a red today. This is OPI's The Spy Who Loved Me and it's part of the Skyfall Collection. The Spy Who Loved Me is a lollipop red with some subtle gold micro-shimmer. The gold micro-shimmer is more detectable in the bottle than on the nail, once applied it blends in with the red and gives that lit from within glow. 

The formula on this is jelly like but not quite a full on squishy jelly. It's fairly sheer so I would say you'd do best with three coats on this one.  It's got a gorgeous high shine to it that makes it more special than the average red in my book.  While it can be considered a pretty festive red, I do think this works throughout the year and I would consider a color like this classic and safe for most situations. 

Application was beautiful like most OPI polishes. I had no issues at all other than it being a bit sheer which I think is intentional and actually adds to the lacquer's appeal. 

Want to win this beauty and the rest of the Skyfall Collection? Check out my giveaway here.

What are your plans for the weekend? Do you have any fun traditions like my North Pole trip?

Disclosure: This product was provided by PR for review purposes. All reviews are 100% honest and done at my discretion. For more information please see my Disclosure Policy. 

Pin It Now!

Read More