Happy Halloween!

 Here's my last Halloween mani for the week.  For this look I tried a layering combination. I used Sally Hansen White Veil over OPI Black Spotted over Maybelline Orange Blazes.

I really like how this turned out. Interesting but not too over the top for work.  

Be safe tonight. Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Week: CopyCat Pumpkins

Today's mani is a recreation of Halloween Nail Art done by the lovely Elvira at Belleza En Tus Manas. This is one of the cutest Halloween mani's I've seen so far this year. I omitted the Halloween stamp, only because I don't have that image plate.

Colors used: Konad Yellow, Konad Green (mixed with white), China Glaze Devotion.

Image plates: BM 229 and BM 204

Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Week: Scary Pumkins

Dusted off my stamper to make these cute and scary pumpkins. I stamped using Konad White and image plate A37 over Julep orange crackle (Sabrina) and dirty blue (Eloise) combo.  

I tried to sponge the crackle on instead of polishing it on.  It made it look very "industrial".

A quick swatch of Eloise alone. 

All of the contents of the October Box American Beauty Box.  I'm excited to try the Quick Dry Drops. They usually never work for me.  Hopefully these will. 

More Halloween manis to come. Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Week: Frankenstein in my Web

I consider this Halloween mani a fail. I thought it was too cute-sy and not scary enough. For the images I used stamping plate D04 (from Chez Delaney) over Sally Hansen Lickety Split Lime. 

Thanks for stopping by :)

Halloween Week: Candy Corn Drizzled with Glitter

Where does the time go? Halloween is about a week away so I decided to do Halloween themed mani's this week.  The first one was inspired by another nail fanatic I noticed on the nail board.  For the gradient I used Wet N' Wild White and then sponged with OPI Hi Pumpkin (orange) and Candlelight (yellow).  Then topped it off with Sticks N' Stones. I love how this turned out and so did everyone at work. 

Thanks for stopping by :)

China Glaze Holiday Season Joy Collection 2012 - Swatches and Review

Happy Monday! Today I have the China Glaze Holiday Collection to share with you. So without further delay, here are the swatches. 

Glitter All The Way

By far my favorite from the collection. A mix of multiple colors and various sizes of glitter. Very pretty for the Holiday but it reminds me of Mardis Gras. I used 3 thin coats. 

A closer view. 

Winter Holly

Emerald green glitter with micro gold glitter accents. I used 2 coats. 

Angel Wings

I was less impressed with the next 3 glitters coming up (Angel Wings, Glistening Snow and Champange Kisses). They all had the same feel but different colors (gold, silver and champagne).  I used 2 coats of Angel Wings, a golden holographic glitter in a gold base.  

Glistening Snow

The silver version of Angel Wings. My least favorite of the 3. I used 2 coats. 

Champagne Kisses

This was my favorite of the 3. I'm not sure if its because it suits my skin tone the best, but I like it. I used 2 coats. 

Pure Joy

Red and gold microglitter with medium gold glitter throughout a clear base. Easy application. I used 1 layer over Cranberry Splash. 

Pizzazz

Another favorite from the collection. A combination of pink, silver, yellow, blue and green glitter. I used 1 coat over Blue Bells Ring.  

Blue Bells Ring

I really love this icy blue. The silver in the base makes it look much lighter in the bottle, but it applies a shade or two darker. Extremely pretty! The application was also flawless. I used 1 coat. 

Merry Berry

My favorite from the collection of reds but probably an easy dupe. I used 3 coats. 

Cranberry Splash

My camera couldn't capture the foil highlights in this polish. Much prettier in person. I used 2 coats. 

Red Satin

I kept thinking Red Satan instead of Satin, LOL. Three thin watery coats with a little visible nail line.  Described as a pure red creme and I agree. 

With Love

Bright orange-red creme with a great application. I used 2 coats. 

Overall I think there's a little something for everyone in this collection.  I really like the glitters but I could have done without so many red polishes. Most of the collection applied smoothly and needed only 2 coats.  The holographic glitters dried matte but the shine was easily renewed with a top quick coat.  My favorites from the collection are Glitter All The Way, Winter Holly, Blue Bells Ring and Pizzazz.

Dr.'s Remedy Breast Cancer Awareness Collection 2012 - Swatches and Review

Get Gorgeous Tips and Give Back During BCA 2012 

  

Pink is the go-to hue this fall as beauty brands tap into every gradation of the standout shade in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Dr.'s REMEDY® leads the way in the fight for the cause by teaming up with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, whose mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.

Purity

Purity is a sheer ballet slipper pink nude. Great to wear anywhere.  I used 3 coats which was enough to give me that pretty in pink look.   

Nurture

More opaque than purity and a shade darker.  Another great to wear anywhere nude. I used 3 coats.  

Hopeful

Bright hot pink described as a Hello Kitty meets bubble gum shade. I used 2 thin coats.  

The formula on this collection was good, they all applied effortlessly.  I had to use several coats on the nude shades but that's to be expected with sheer polishes.  They still built up nicely and covered my nail stains and uneven tips.  Overall it's a cute collection.  A little on the pricey side, but it's made with wheat protein and other organic ingredients.  They will also donate 10% of proceeds to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. 

 Dr.'s REMEDY® is sold online at www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL.

~Sent by PR for an unbiased Review~

OPI James Bond Skyfall Holiday Collection 2012 - Swatches and Review - Part 2

Casino Royale 

Dusty plum creme. Surprise favorite from the collection. I used 3 thin coats to make it opaque. 

Die Another Day

Red shimmer/foil that looks like wrapping paper.  It has a great formula and applied smoothly in 2 coats.

Skyfall

Dirty brick red. Another great creme. I used 2 coats. 

GoldenEye

Golden shimmer foil. I've always been a silver lover but this one changes that. I'll have to wear gold more often. I used 3 thin coats. 

Moonraker

Moonraker goes with the Bond theme, but it was my least favorite from the collection.  It's a metallic silver with a very thin formula. I used 2 thin coats.   

Tomorrow Never Dies

Dark purple with blue accents. Much prettier in person with less visible brush strokes.  I had a hard time capturing the true color but it's a much deeper purple (see the picture above).  I used 3 coats. 

I found myself loving the cremes more in the second half of the collection.  My favorites are Skyfall, Casino Royale and GoldenEye. 

The Skyfall Collection is scheduled to appear at retailers later this month but are beginning to show up now. 

~Sent for Review~ 

OPI James Bond Skyfall Holiday Collection 2012 - Swatches and Review - Part 1

This holiday season, OPI celebrates the 50^th Anniversary of a fellow world icon – James Bond – appearing in Skyfall. Starring Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem, this highly-anticipated twenty-third installment opens in theaters nationwide on November 9, 2012.  

Live and Let Die

Dark emerald green with a golden shimmer. Perfect 1 coater but I used a second just to be sure. I really love this one from the collection. 

The Spy Who Loved Me

Bright candy apple red that gives off a copper hue due to the golden shimmer. Great for the Holiday season. I used 2 coats.

You Only Live Twice

Cousin to The Spy Who Loved Me, but a much deeper red shimmer that almost looks like a foil.  The color is more in the magenta family and not as warm as it looks in the picture.  It reminds me of wrapping paper. I prefer this one over The Spy Who Loves Me, but it required an additional coat, for a total of 3.

The World is Not Enough

Pewter-copper base with light pink and green shimmer. This is a fun one and really pretty in the bottle but I think it's too matchy-matchy for my skin tone. The formula was different from the others in that it required 4 coats. I really wanted to love this one. I'll try it again later. 

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Smokey pewter-blue with green and golden shimmer that's much prettier in person. The formula was on the thinner side and required 3 coats. 

The Living Daylights

  A multi-colored (copper, green and silver) hex glitter top coat.  I thought I would have problems with the application but it applied fairly smooth.  I thought this was a fun surprise to the add to the collection of mostly shimmers.  

My favorites from this half of the collection are: The Living Daylights, Live and Let Die and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 

This limited edition promotion will be available beginning October 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.

~ Sent for Review ~

Nicole by OPI - Kardashian Kolors Holiday Collection 2012 - Press Release

Deck the Halls…Kardashian Style

Nicole by OPI Introduces Six NEW Kardashian Kolor Holiday Glitter and Shimmer Lacquers  

Nicole by OPI announces new, limited edition Kardashian Kolor Holiday lacquers for the holiday season! Featuring six shades infused with dazzling glitters and rich shimmer, these lacquers are the essential accessory for festive fingers and toes. From rich red, deep purple and brilliant teal to shimmery gold, sparkly sliver, and multi-toned blue glitter, these spectacular shades make the perfect gift or stocking stuffer. 

“Whether celebrating the holidays traditionally at home with the entire family or jet-setting the season away, the Kardashians spread cheer with glitz and glamour, starting with their nails!” declares Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The six captivating Kardashian Kolor Holiday shades offer the perfect way to add lots of color to this joyous time of year. Wear vibrant red, purple and teal for a jewel-toned look, or glittery gold, silver, and blue glitter for a classic holiday sparkle – both important trends for the season.”

The new Kardashian Kolor Holiday nail lacquers from Nicole by OPI include:

Kardashing Through the Snow

Jingle all the way in this multi-hued glitter.

Here We Kome A-Karoling

This deep, grape purple will make your heart sing.

All is Glam, All is Bright

This rosy silver sparkle goes with everything.

Keeping Up with Santa

Deep. Rich. Red. Must be Santa.

A Gold Winter’s Night

Baby, it’s warm inside….especially in this blue-flecked gold shimmer.

Deck the Dolls

Accessorize teal you drop!

Limited edition Kardashian Kolor Holiday shades will be available November 2012 for $7.99 each in the U.S. at select Target, KMart, ULTA, CVS, Meijer, Sears, Kroger, H-E-B, Duane Reade, Fred Meyer, Giant Eagle, Harmon, and Winn-Dixie locations.  In Canada, these lacquers will be retailed for $10.99 each in Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaw, and Jean Coutu.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

About Nicole by OPI:

Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based in OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.

Franken Danken

I tried to revive my mani for the week, Sally Hansen Loves Me Not, with a little glitter and a fresh topcoat.  Loves Me Not is great alone, but a little glitter took it to the next level. I love how it came out.  

Thanks for stopping by :)

OPI Pink of Hearts 2012 Collection Swatches & Review

Today I have the Pink of Hearts Collection to share with you.  The set was released in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month and features a classic pink and limited-edition glitter.

I Think in Pink - A sheer and happy bubble-gum pink. I wanted a more opaque look, so I used 4 coats. You can achieve a sheer look with 2-3.

You Glitter Be Good to Me - A girly and glamourous glitter top coat that contains small pink glitter and larger fuschia hex glitter. I used one coat. 

The set is a great tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness.  My favorite from the set is You Glitter Be Good to Me. The Pink of Hearts Collection is now available and can be found at Retailers that carry OPI.

~Sent for Review~