Top 13 Posts of 2013!

Nothing to Disclose

Happy New Year's Eve!  I could not think of a better way to celebrate the last day of 2013 than sharing this year's Top 13 Posts!  Some of these I knew would be here, but some of them surprised me!  Many are from 2012, but were still popular in 2013!

How To Unstick a Bottle of Polish  (from October 2012)

How To – Syrup Nails (from March 2012)

OPI Peace, Love & OPI vs. Essie For The Twill of It

Chanel Peridot vs. OPI Just Spotted the Lizard (from April 2012)

China Glaze Avant Garden

OPI Euro Centrale

Makeup Wars - Favorite Indies

OPI San Francisco - The Shimmers

China Glaze It’s a Trap-eze (from November 2012)

Nicole by OPI Modern Family (December 2012)

Makeup Wars – Makeup Storage

China Glaze Aquadelic Comparisons (January 2012)

China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze

Be Safe and Have A Wonderful New Year!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

My January Wantable Makeup Box (Curated by Love For Lacquer!)

I Bought It Affiliate Link

Today I have my January Wantable Makeup Box to share with you.  I love Wantable for lots of reasons. 

1. I put their “love, like, dislike” system to the test and it PASSED!  Check out the entire process here and the results here!
2. They have EXTREMELY fast shipping!  I ordered this box on Christmas Eve.  I received it on the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!
3. They have GREAT customer service!  My box was missing one item.  I emailed them to let them know on December 27th (which was a Friday) and I received my item today (Monday).  Incredible!
4. YOU CAN RETURN YOUR ENTIRE BOX if you don’t like it to get your money back.  How many boxes can you say that about?
5. They invite really awesome bloggers to curate their boxes!  Last month, it was Christine from 15 Minute Beauty and this month it’s Jess from Love for Lacquer!

Here are the items I received in this month’s box.  I received 5 full size items plus a bonus item:

1. Starlooks Single Shadow Compact in Enter Eden ($14)
2. Starlooks Gem Pencil in Myth ($12)
3. Michael Marcus Prime Foundation Brush ($20)
4. Color Club Rad Nomad ($8)
5. Beauty For Real True Color Lip Cream in Barely There ($22)
6. Kikkerland Glam Girl Matchbox Emery Files (no value listed)

Total value:  $76

I paid:  $19 (Box was $36, I received a $10 discount from them because I created a box but never checked out, and I had $13 from them in referral credits.)

Even If I had paid the full $36, I would have been pleased with this box!  The only thing I wish had been different was the color of the Color Club polish – not that I don’t like the color, but because as I already own it!You can see it swatched here.  I have never used a brush to apply Primer before, but I am happy to have another flat brush in my arsenal.  The lip  cream is very comfortable and a very “me” shade.  And I had never tried anything from Starlooks before, and now I am in LOVE!  Check out how beautiful the shades are:

I love how the eye shades coordinate with the lip!  I am not sure if they did that on purpose, but I can’t wear this as an entire look with a coral cheek!

You can sign up for Wantable as a single box, which will set you back $40, or as a subscription for $36.  If you sign up for a subscription, it super easy to either skip a box or unsubscribe completely with a push of a button – no need to send an email or call customer service!  You can sign up for Wantable here, using my referral link.  If you would rather not use my referral link, you can go to www.wantable.com. 

UPDATE:  I just found out that Wantable qualifies for Ebates!  Right now it's 10% back!!!  (Not sure how Ebates works?  Check out this post!)

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

This polish really is AMAZEBALLZ

I Bought It

Most of you know that I don’t own a lot of indie polishes.  To be honest, I feel overwhelmed by the entire genre.  But somehow Lacquistry Amazeballz ended up on my radar and I found myself on Etsy ordering this polish quickly before I could talk myself out of it.  And I’m glad I did!

This polish is unlike any other polish I own.  It’s not gold.  It’s not silver.  It’s not a glitter or a metallic.  Instead is seems to be soft shards of platinum metal flake in a clear base.  I applied three coats here, but I want to wear it again layered over something like Dior Timeless Gold.  Layered or not, it’s gorgeous!

I picked up Lacquistry Amazeballs on Etsy for $15.00.  The normal size is currently sold out, but you can still pick up the Big Baller size for $75.00!  Which is kinda ridiculous, but I could actually see myself using up this entire bottle… So we’ll see!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

20 Questions!

Nothing to Disclose

The Beauty Spotlight Team has been helping you get to know our bloggers with a Twenty Questions tag, and today's my turn!  Without further ado...

1. What time do you wake up in the morning?  If I have to go to work my alarm is set for 6:00AM, but we tend to hit snooze a few times.  On my days off, or if I have to close that night, I generally wake up around 8:10AM
2. How do you take your coffee?  Until recently I would have told you black with a scoop of vanilla protein powder, but my husband and I bought ourselves a very fancy Keurig for Christmas, so I have been doing a lot of experimenting!
3. Last book you read, or what are you currently reading? - I am currently reading Game of Thrones, the first book in the series A Song of Ice and Fire.  My husband and I bought our selves the first two seasons on blu-ray for Christmas, and now that we have watched them all naturally I need to read all the books!  I downloaded the first five books in a set from iTunes for $19.99!  
4. What was your favorite book as a child - and would you still read it?  My favorite book was Matilda by Roald Dahl and yes, I have read it several times as an adult!
5. Where have you lived, and where do you want to live?  I grew up in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh.  I went college in Boulder, Colorado, and then lived outside of Denver.  When I met my husband, we moved to Des Moines, Iowa for a few years.  I hated it, so we moved back to Denver.  Then from Denver we lived in Eagle, Colorado.  Then back to Pittsburgh.  Then back to Des Moines.  Sensing a trend here?  We want to move back to Denver in the next few years.
6. Last concert you went to?  It's been ages, but I believe it was a Cake concert in Boulder, Colorado.
7. What is your favorite TV show?  I have several, but The Good Wife is my favorite.  Love the writing!
8. Do you have a special talent?  I have been told I give excellent backrubs!
9. Do you have a guilty pleasure?  Yes!  Trashy reality tv (think Real Housewives) and SkinnyPop popcorn.  Preferably at the same time.
10. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?  A business woman, believe it or not.  I wanted to work in a corner office and have my own assistant.  I know think that would be the worst thing for me!
11. Are you a cat person or a dog person?  Dog person, for sure!  Plus I am allergic to cats.  We don't have a dog right now, but both DH and I want to get a French Bulldog.
12. What was your first real job?  What do you mean by real?  My first job was as a lifeguard/swim instructor at the YMCA.  My first "real" full time job was as a Human Resources/Training Coordinator for a now defunct big box store.
13. If you were given a shopping spree at one store, what store would you like it to be?  Nordstrom.  Love their shoe department!  And their beauty department, of course!
14. Heels or flats?  Flats!  
15. What would your ideal job be?  I would love to give up my retail management career and "just blog," but I don't see that happening any time soon!
16. What is your most favorite discontinued item?  Unfortunately there are many!  So many nail polishes I can't count.  To make it simple, I will tell you a lippie.  MAC Spiceflower.  It was part of a set created exclusively for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in 2009.  I almost used up my entire tube this year, but managed to get my hands on not one but two backups!
17. Finish this sentence: Don't start a beauty blog if….  You just want things for free.  Plain and simple blogging is hard work.  It takes you away from your friends and your family.  
18. What is the most difficult part of blogging for you?  I would definitely say my procrastination combined with the overwhelming guilt I feel for not completing reviews fast enough.  Sometimes it becomes too much, and I have to stop blogging altogether.  
19. What type of product is the most fun for you to test and review?  I love testing base coats and top coats.  I also love trying new mascaras!  There is nothing quite like a fresh tube of mascara!
20. What are your favorite types of posts to write?  Definitely dupe posts!  There is nothing as gratifying to me as helping someone find a cheaper alternative to a crazy expensive polish!

What about you?  I tag you with my 20 Questions!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

IT Cosmetics New Year, New You 5-piece Anti-Aging Collection

Press Sample Affiliate Link

This Saturday IT Cosmetics is back on QVC with a another value packed TSV – the IT Cosmetics New Year, New You 5-piece Anti-Aging Collection.  Developed with plastic surgeons, the products are infused with anti-aging technology to give you your most beautiful skin. 

I became obsessed with IT Cosmetics when I tried their last TSV.  I even declared IT Cosmetics my favorite brand during a Makeup Wars post!

IT Cosmetics® will be offering their one –time, limited edition Today’s Special Value® (TSV) worldwide five-piece collection launch for the special low price of $59.96 on QVC™! The collection includes the following products:

• Feel the Moment™ Anti-Aging Ultra Hydrating Sensory Awakening Primer Serum
• Heavenly Luxe™ Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush
• Celebration Foundation® Illumination
• Heavenly Luxe™ Double Airbrush Foundation Brush
• Eyelift In A Tube™ Bye Bye® Under Eye & Hello Light™ Liquid Brightener

Feel the Moment™ Anti-Aging Ultra Hydrating Sensory Awakening Primer Serum with Heavenly Luxe™ Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush – create a spa experience at home by applying this anti-aging serum with the included brush.  I love the fact that the serum and the fan brush have their very own holder to ensure that  you don’t have to worry about the brush touching anything and getting dirty!

The Eyelift In A Tube™ Bye Bye® Under Eye & Hello Light™ Liquid Brightener – This dual ended tube is my new secret weapon.  My favorite concealer is on one end, and an amazing brightener/highlighter is on the other end.  The brightener is so great that I can actually use it as a concealer on the nights that I actually get enough sleep!

Celebration Foundation® Illumination with Heavenly Luxe™ Double Airbrush Foundation Brush – this lightweight powder foundation is a dream to apply to my dry skin!  I have tried several powder foundations in the past, but felt that they all looked obvious and caked up on my dry skin.  This does neither!  A little goes a very long way, as you can see below.

I have a lot of discoloration on my cheeks and on my nose, but a light buffing of the Celebration Foundation Illumination applied with the included brush does an amazing job at covering up – all of this without applying concealer! 

The shade I received was medium, which is slightly too dark for me at the moment.  Luckily I only need a very sheer amount and you can barely tell it’s too dark, especially since I highlighted my face with the Hello Light Liquid Brightener Kim Kardashian style!

If you haven’t tried IT Cosmetics yet, now is the time to do so!  IT Cosmetics New Year, New You 5-piece Anti-Aging Collection is a Today’s Special Value (TSV) on QVC: it’s available December 28, 2013 from midnight to 2:59 a.m. EST the following day exclusively on QVC and QVC.com!  Click here to go directly to the product page!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Picture Polish Aphrodisiac ♥ Swatches and Review

Press Sample

Picture Polish Aphrodisiac is the last Picture Polish I have to share with you, and was the only shade sent to me that was designed by Picture Polish, not as part of a blogger collaboration.

What seems like a simple purple polish in the bottle turned out to be anything but.  I applied this shade on Sunday… which feels like ages ago.  And I haven’t taken it off.  I loved it so much I didn’t even try a Christmas mani this year!

I applied two easy coats of Aphrodisiac.  The formula was fantastic, and even as I type this Christmas night I have no nicks, chips, or scratches.  I truly love this majestic purple!  You can pick it up for yourself for $10.00 from their website, or from your local stockist.

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

The Hungry Asian Holiday 2013 ♥ Swatches and Review

Press Sample

Merry Christmas Eve!  I couldn’t think of a better Christmas-y post to share with you than my favorite Christmas collection of this year – The Hungry Asian’s 2013 Holiday collection!  You may recognize the picture above because I used it in my Makeup Wars Favorite Indies post, where I declared The Hungry Asian to be my favorite hand-mixed Indie polish.  One of the things I love about this collection is that most of the colors can be worn year-round, not just during the Holidays.

From the Lab ♥ A different kind of subscription service

Press Sample

Have you heard of From the Lab?  I hadn’t either when I was sent their Hair Mask #718 for review.  Basically it’s a service that shares brand new products that aren’t on the market yet.  These are products that brands may pick up in the future.  So what you receive has plain white packaging… but it may end up on the shelves later under a brand name for much more $$$!

From Their Website:

From The Lab is a new subscription service that offers its members a sneak peek into the future of the beauty industry by sending up to three full-sized "revolutionary" products every month, straight from the world's top beauty laboratories. Right now they offer an introductory Charter Membership special for $19.95/month + $5.95 S&H (reg. $29.95). All of the products sent out are paraben-free.

I was sent the product from their September box… it’s now the end of December.  With most subscription boxes, if you like the contents you have to hurry up and purchase it before they run out of boxes for the month.  From the Lab is different – you can go back and purchase previously released products!

The product I received was the Hair Mask #718.  What makes this product different from all the other hair masks on the market? 

 

What makes it special

• The Uttwiler Spätlauber Stem Cell Complex harnesses the unique, anti-aging properties of stem cells from an extremely rare Swiss apple known for its resilience and impressive longevity. The bitter taste of the Uttwiler Spätlauber almost led to its extinction before scientists realized the revolutionary potential of the apple’s stem cells in anti-aging skin care. The proprietary Uttwiler Spätlauber Stem Cell Complex combines these powerful stem cells with a biomimetic peptide to provide enhanced anti-aging skin care benefits directly to the scalp, and the double-vector delivery system facilitates the effective distribution of the complex to further promote activation.
• The Cationic Copolymer delivers focused conditioning, allowing it to respond appropriately to varying levels of damage along the hair shaft without over-coating the hair.
• The Hair Conditioning Agent increases gloss, shine, and manageability as it detangles hair and protects against thermal and mechanical damage.
• Improved Functionalized Silicones provide long-lasting conditioning without accumulated build-up.
• Provitamin B5 provides long-lasting hydration, shine, and flexibility to improve the condition and feel of damaged hair; thickens hair and reduces the formation of split ends by offering protection from mechanical and environmental damage.
• Creatine imparts volume and smoothness while protecting hair from the mechanical damage that can result from combing.
• Avocado, Jojoba, Argan, and Brazil Nut Oils nourish and moisturize hair to improve softness and feel.
• Hair Mask No. 718 is sulfate-free.

The mask itself is very creamy and easy to apply.  I applied to it my dry hair for 30 minutes before taking a shower.  After washing my hair, I dried my curls with my diffuser as usual.  My hair was softer and shinier, but I didn’t notice a big difference between this hair mask and other masks.  However, my husband did!  He said my curls were bouncier and springier.  Since I can’t see the back of my head, I am going to take his work on it!

INGREDIENTS – Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Dimethylacrylamide/Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate Copolymer, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Argania Spinosa Kernal (Argan) Oil, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed (Brazil Nut) Oil, Creatine, Parfum (Fragrance), Polyquaternium-11, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), C10-11 Isoparaffin, Benzophenone-4, Disodium EDTA, Ppg-1 Trideceth-6, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Glycerin, Peg-8, Linalool, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica (Uttwiler Spätlauber) Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, CI 15985 (Yellow 6), Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, CI 19140 (Yellow 5), Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide

The list of ingredient in this mask is very impressive - stem cells aren't cheap, even if they come from apples! I was a little hesitant to use a mask with silicones, even when they are found lower in the ingredients list.  However, I did not notice any build up from using it, as promised in their product claims listed above.

Other masks I have used that worked this well are much, much more expensive than the cost of this box.  With that being said, had I paid for this box with my own money, I would have been pleased with the results!  Overall, I think the concept behind From the Lab is unique and intriguing.

You can check out their product page to see what other types of products have been sent out in the past here.  Also, check out Anastasia from Glamorable reviews here!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

PSA: Sephora VIB Rouge - 20% off SALE

Affiliate Link

If you are as demented as I am and earned VIB Rouge, the 20% off SALE items starts NOW.  I just purchased two Tarte blushes for $11.20 each plus tax!  Don't worry, if you don't have VIB Rouge, you can still get 20% off sale, it usually starts the day after Christmas.

Don't forget to use your Ebates!  Right now, Sephora is 8% cash back!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Coming Soon: Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood

Nothing to Disclose

Did you ever think, watching Carrie Underwood on American Idol, that she would end up with her own nail polish collection?  I must admit, although I don’t own any of her albums, the girl has style!  Check out the 15 shades Nicole by OPI will be releasing as part of her collection:

Carrie’d Away

Carrie’s own gold record signature shade.

Lips are Dripping Honey

This multi-gold glitter is sweet on you.

Southern Charm

Frankly my dear, this nude shade looks charming on you.

Sweet Daisy

A bouquet of southern peach blossoms.

Carnival Cotton Candy

This spun sugar pink is all about fun.

Goodbye Shoes

Hit the road, but leave me this standalone gray-green.

Backstage Pass

I want access to this brown with purple nuances.

Sing You Like a Bee

Put some of this frosty ice on that, honey!

Party Bus

Celebrate on-the-go with this party-perfect confetti glitter.

Love My Pups

Let’s “paws” for this adorably sweet pink.

Color Me Country

This soul-ful hot pink makes me want to sing.

Some Hearts

You can’t beat this romantic coral dream.

American as Apple Pie

Tradition runs deep in this classic red.

Fisher Queen

I’m hooked on this deep, deep eggplant.

Which shades are you most excited to see swatches of?  I can’t wait to try Goodbye Shoes, Lips are Dripping Honey, Party Bus and Fisher Queen!

Disclosures: polish insomniac at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.  This limited edition collection will be in newly designed bottles featuring the NEW Nicole logo.  These shades will be available January 2014 for $7.99 each at retailers including select CVS, Duane Reade, HEB, Kroger, Kmart, Ulta, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Meijer, and Harmon locations.  In Canada, these shades will be available for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Target Canada, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, London Drug, and Loblaws.
For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!