Butter London: Yummy Mummy

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fun weekend.  My weekend was fantastic. My husband's birthday was on the 26th so we continued the celebration this weekend with friends and family. I tried my hand (or maybe feet?) at ice skating for the first time. I didn't do too well, I totally fell twice. I completely wiped it but I had the time of my life doing it. I love fun filled weekends and spending time with my favorite people. 

Today I want to show you my first Butter London nail polish. I purchased this about a week ago from skinstore.com. I order shaving products for my husband from there and they ship so fast! I needed something extra in my cart to earn free shipping so I used that as an opportunity to try my first Butter London polish. I went with Yummy Mummy because it came in a kit with a 2 oz polish remover for just $1  more than the polish! It's called the Quick Change Kit and it retails for $15. The polish alone retails for $14 so I thought for $1 more the kit was worth it. 

Yummy Mummy is a pink toned beige with a super subtle silver microshimmer. It's like the shimmery English cousin of OPI's Tickle My France-y. I love these sort of colors, I think they are perfect when you're looking for something understated.  I think it's a great conservative color for the work place or a job interview. 

The formula was nice. I used two coats for the opacity shown and didn't have any issues with streaking or balding.  I did find that this particular polish did not wear very long without chipping. I am not sure if this is indicative of the entire brand but I didn't get much time out of it. 

I liked this polish but didn't love it. If it wore slightly longer without chipping I might have loved it. When paying $14 for a polish I expect it to last a few days with minor issues.  I think the formula was nice but didn't wear well enough to justify the price.

Do you like Butter London polishes? What are your favorite Butter London colors? Do you find they wear well or did your nails chip quickly like mine did? 

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SinfulColors: Daddy's Girl and Out of This World

Good morning my friends! I hope you're all doing well.  It's my first post since the 49ers lost to the Giants :-( Steve really thought this was their year but he was happy to see them get so far anyway. It was a good run.  Silly mistakes and a back up kick returner did them in.  I am just sad that I despise BOTH Super Bowl teams this year. If I had to pick one to root for it'd be the Pats though because I was born a Giants hater ;-) I used to really hate Tom Brady but after watching The Brady 6 on ESPN I have grown to like him a little.

Oh well, on to the polish...

Today I have two colors to show you from the SinfulColors holiday collection. Clearly I am late posting these and I want to apologize for that. However, I have seen these colors in the permanent display at my local drugstores so I think you'll still have no trouble getting your hands on these. 

First up is Daddy's Girl it's a semi sheer purple shimmer. I used three coats for the opacity shown and as you can see there's still a bit of VNL. I think this color might benefit from a base coat of something more opaque but it is still really pretty on its own. The shimmer is so pretty in this and it has a wet look to it that I really enjoy. 

Next I have Out of This World which is a shimmery silver/white/pearl color. I didn't think I'd like this but I am quite happy to say I do! It's actually really beautiful on the nail and I only needed two coats for the opacity shown in the photos.  I think it's a great color when you want something a bit understated but still interesting.  I am a fan! 

There are three more colors from this collection that I will share with you soon. I really enjoy SinfulColors. I adore that they are just $1.99 and really good quality for the money! What are some of your favorite SinfulColors colors? 

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.

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Let's Go 49ers!

It's Sunday which means football. Tonight it's the 49ers vs. The Giants and hubby and I are rooting for the Niners. My husband Steve has  been a 49ers fan since he was a kid so he's excited that they're doing so well this year. Tonight we're going to his brother Phil's house to 1) celebrate Steve's upcoming birthday and 2) watch the game. Phil and his wife are huge Giants fans so there will be some tension tonight I am sure.

I have showed you my 49ers nail polish in a previous post but I thought I'd show you today's nails in honor of the game tonight. I used my official Niners polish and then I used a SinfulColors nail art polish in the color Flower Girl  and a white nail art polish from Claire's in my lame attempt at nail art. I suck at nail art LOL. 

Are you watching the game tonight? Who are you rooting for!? 

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Orly: Androgynie

Ugh, there's tons of snow here in Connecticut and I do not like it at all. Steve and I are supposed to watch our nephew, P.J., tonight, but if they don't  make any attempts to plow (they haven't yet) IDK what we're going to do!  I hate snow, it makes me angry. It looks pretty at first but then it's a damn mess of slush and MUD. Ugh.

Anyway, today I have a polish from Orly to share with you. I picked Androgynie up a few weeks back at Sally Beauty Supply when I spied it on the discount table for $3.99. I was so excited for this color because in the bottle it's stunning. It's a deep chocolate brown with tons of silver microshimmer and holographic larger hex glitter. I wanted to love this. In the bottle it's perfect, I could stare at it all day... on the nail... well....

The large hex glitter is very difficult to get onto the nail, it just doesn't come out of the bottle. When it does it doesn't really show up anyway. I feel like it drowns in the base color so even when it is there it is covered in the brown and doesn't show up.

Now the photos are deceiving because you can see the hex glitter. I think that's because I used a flash. When the light hit the nail the larger glitter did show up... in normal lighting though it looked more like a speckled brown with some random hex sparkles (like 2 per nail). Have a look at the final photo of the bunch for the most accurate photo of what this looks like most of the time.

I used three coats in the photos. It was pretty opaque but I did experience some balding upon application.

  

So I do like this color still but I just want it to work! Please give me some tips for how to make this as amazing as it is in the bottle on my nail!

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OPI: Holland Collection (press release)

Color with a Touch of Dutch

OPI Launches Holland Collection for Spring

Summer 2012

OPI celebrates color with the Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Inspired by the country’s range of stunning shades – as seen in vivid tulips, windmill-dotted hillsides and bustling canals – the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented brights.

“Holland has a very unique, vibrant beauty to match its open-minded nature,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Spring is the season of color, and the Holland Collection provides an array of pink, coral and orange hues that capture this energy. The bright lacquers are married with neutrals in new variations like red clay and sea green.”

A sequence of electric brights, including a sun-lit orange (A Roll in The Hague), a hot coral-red (Red Lights Ahead…Where?) and two perfectly pretty pinks (Kiss Me on My Tulips and a light-catching Pedal Faster Suzi!) complement their cooler counterparts in hues of glistening purple (Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI? and Vampsterdam), while elegant neutrals (Gouda Gouda 

Two Shoes, Did You ’ear About Van Gogh? and Wooden Shoe Like to Know?) meet two shimmer-laced blues (I Have a Herring Problem and I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!) and a creamy sea green (Thanks a WindMillion).

“Wearing these colors on fingers and toes will accessorize the season’s hottest trends,” remarks Suzi. “The varied palette of colors accentuates the looks that walked the runway, from colored pants and ladylike frocks to long, blousy- sleeved tops and dramatic patterns.”

Holland by OPI includes the following shades:

• A Roll in The Hague: Take advantage of this frisky little orange.
• Red Lights Ahead…Where?: This coral-packed red is the hottest in the district.
• Kiss Me on My Tulips: A smooch-worthy shade of hot pink.
• Pedal Faster Suzi!: This pink lavender shimmer will have you “wheeling.”
• Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI?: All of Holland hollers for this crowd-pleasing plum.
• Vampsterdam: A deep purple for a divine diva.
• Did You ’ear About Van Gogh?: Rumor has it…this sandy bisque is a work of art.
• Thanks a WindMillion: You totally deserve this breezy sea green.
• Wooden Shoe Like to Know?: It’s no secret…everybody loves this shimmery chocolate-brown.
• I Have a Herring Problem: What’s that you say? I need to “sea” this shimmery green-blue?
• I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!: This sassy steal-blue shimmer means business!
• Gouda Gouda Two Shoes: Take a walk on the wild side with this robust rose.

Holland Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Holland Collection by OPI will be available February 8, 2012, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($9.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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ABOUT OPI

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily- pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

All info and images provided directly from PR. I arranged the images into the collage myself. 

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OPI: Nicki Minaj Collection (Press Release)

Hi everyone! I have a quick press release from OPI to share with you.  This is regarding their Nicki Minaj collection.  I am not a huge fan of Nicki but I think she's got some great talent. I saw her in concert with Britney Spears over the summer and I have to say she completely rocked the house. Her nail polish collection looks as fun as she is! 

___________________________________________

Pink Everyday!

OPI Partners with Platinum Recording Artist

Nicki Minaj to Launch Limited Edition Lacquers

OPI announces the launch of six new limited edition shades inspired by hip hop sensation Nicki Minaj, including a purple Shatter! Inspired by Minaj’s unique style, love of bright colors, and her debut album Pink Friday, the Nicki Minaj by OPI  promotion will feature an array of bold hues, from neon lime green to pink.

“OPI is so excited to work with Nicki in releasing these six new nail lacquers,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Nicki has taken the hip hop world by storm, but her music is only part of the equation. She’s also become a fashion inspiration, noted for her daring costumes and hair color both on and Nicki’s eclectic look made including a new hue in OPI’s bestselling Shatter coat a must for this collaboration. The purple Super Bass Shatter (a record-setting purple that “shatters” before your eyes) is inspired by graffiti art and works when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Super Bass Shatter from matte to glossy in The line features five nail lacquers in addition to Super Bass Shatter, ranging from fantastic pink, rainbow confetti glitter and charcoal sparkle hues to two green shades in lime and teal:

• Pink Friday: Kick off the weekend with this pop! of bubblegum pink.
• Metallic 4 Life: This charcoal sparkle flies with the stars in the skies.
• Save Me: I drove for miles just to find this silver-rainbow glitter.
• Fly: I came to win, to fight…and to wear this aqua.
• Did It On ‘Em: A lusty little lacquer that loves the “lime”-light.

Nicki Minaj by OPI nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. This limited edition promotion will be available beginning January 2012 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer. For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

***

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high- quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/ pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

All info and images provided directly from PR. I arranged the images into the collage myself. 

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Pink Wednesday: Gosh: Light Rose

On Wednesdays we wear pink and this Wednesday I am wearing Light Rose  by Gosh. A wonderful friend of mine, Alexis, who lives in Canada kindly sent me a holiday package of Gosh polishes since I can't buy them anywhere here in the United States. Thanks Lex!!!

This is my first Gosh polish and I have to say, I really like it! The color of this is a very light, almost white pink color. It's a really nice clean and professional color to wear. A nice pallet cleanser if you will.

I used three coats for maximum opacity but I do think you could get away with just two. I used three just because there was a very slight visible nail line. In all honestly though I am just a freak about nail lines LOL.  I had no issues with application it actually went on so easily and evenly.  I put this on on Sunday night and I am still wearing it and it hasn't chipped at all and I have almost no tip wear either. I am impressed with the wear.

Do you have access to Gosh nail polishes where you live? What do you think of them? What are some of your favorite Gosh colors? 

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San Francisco 49ers Nail Polish

The San Francisco 49ers got the win over the Saints yesterday so what better time to show off my 49ers nail polish? My husband Steve has been a 49ers fan since he was a small child and this Christmas he got me the official San Fran nail polish! You can purchase this polish for on the NFL Store and it's $14.99 for TWO, which I think is a great price point.  These polishes are the official team colors which is so much fun!

The 49ers set comes with two polishes, an awesome metallic gold and a shimmery crimson. Both polishes are great quality and went on perfectly. The gold was nearly opaque in one coat but I used two for good measure. The crimson was an awesome finish, it was sort of jelly but not as sheer.  I used two coats for full opacity and it had a really high shine finish. The crimson has some microshimmer which is really pretty in the light. 

If you're into football I suggest picking up your favorite teams colors. I think it's so cool that they sell these and they make a great gift for any major fans in your life. I plan on sporting these next week when the Niners take on the Giants (ew). Maybe I will even try my hand at some "SF" nail art. We shall see.

What is your favorite football team? Who do you want to see in the Super Bowl? If you're not into football which team has your favorite colors? 

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Finger Paints: Twisted (Flakie!!! Over Black)

TGIF! I know this will be my third post of the day but those were press releases and tags so I fell like some nail polish porn is needed to even it out :-)

The other day I was near one of the better Sally Beauty Supplies in my area and I hit the jackpot. They had all the new flakies (I only picked up the three I was interested in, Twisted, Asylum and Motley). I was lucky because they only had one of each of the ones I wanted! Score!!! Then on the clearence table they had two Orly's I have been looking for Androgynie and Rock Solid! It was a good shopping day! 

I had to try Twisted  right away! I ran home and layered it over black. It looks amazing over black. It's a multicolored flakie. It's perfection! I am so happy with it. I think it will look amazing over any dark polish! It has red, orange, blue, purple and green flakies to my eye. I just love it. I used two  coats over one coat of a basic black creme:

Do you love this one as  much as I do? It's so pretty! I paid $5.99 each for them at Sally Beauty Supply. I am so happy because my Sally's never has the good stuff. 

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China Glaze: ElectroPop (Press Release)

Los Angeles, CA - (January 2012): Where heavy metal meets rocker chic, China Glaze® introduces the Spring 2012 collection, ElectroPop. Inspired by all things girly, edgy and fun, the 12 shades of ElectroPop bring out the inner rock star in all. For flash and glam this spring, China Glaze® hits the stage in style!

ElectroPop Shades include:

• Kinetic Candy – Touch the sky in light blue crème 
• Electric Beat – Periwinkle nails for a wink worthy performance
• Aquadelic – Pool blue for nighttime gigs and daytime fun in the sun
• Gaga For Green – Green lacquer for the girl craving the limelight
• Sunshine Pop – Shine in the spotlight in bold yellow 
• Make Some Noise – Rock the mic in tangerine
• Wicked Style – Party cocktail tropical punch
• Fuchsia Fanatic – Fuchsia pink for the rocker diva in us all
• Gothic Lolita – Steal the show on girls night out in seductive purple
• Dance Baby – Hit center stage in cotton candy pink
• Sweet Hook – Blow a kiss in dreay lilac
• Techno – Glitter confetti polish for a dazzling topcoat finish or all over finger tip bling

ElectroPop is also available in:

• 6 Piece Collection of “Brights”: Techno, Aquadelic, Sunshine Pop, Gaga for Green, Make Some Noise and Wicked Style

• 6 Piece Collection of “Lights”: Fuchsia Fanatic, Dance Baby, Electric Beat, Kinetic Candy, Sweet Hook and Gothic Lolita

• 12 Piece 3D Counter Display
• 36 Piece Rack 

ElectroPop will be available February 2012. Individual shades retail for $7; 6 piece collections retail for $42.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook and Twitter:http://twitter.com/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, 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.

All information and photos provided by PR. I arranged the photos myself. 

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