Wordless Wednesday: Zoya Katherine Syrup Mani

Zoya Katherine Syrup Mani

Disclosures: I purchased this myself

Mariah Carey by OPI ♥ Swatches and Review Part Two

Yesterday I showed you the 4 “Studio Shades” from the Mariah Carey by OPI Collection, and today I have the 4 Liquid Sands polishes! 

One of the things I truly appreciate when it comes to being a blogger and reviewing collections for brands is the ability to try polishes I would not normally buy.  I would have skipped the Liquid sand polishes altogether because I hate bumpy glitter!  Turns out they weren’t as bumpy as I though!

♥Click on any picture to enlarge♥

Stay the Night was the first Liquid Sands polish I tried.  I wore it for a few days without top coat and couldn't believe the fact that it didn't drive me crazy!  It really wasn't as bumpy as I thought it would be.  Then I applied top coat and fell in love!  I showed it to my husband and he said (and I quote) “that looks like a darker version of Ruby Slippers.”  I ABOUT FELL OVER.  I could not believe my husband could remember the name of a polish!



The Impossible is a bright red “gritty” base with large red hex glitter and pink stars.  To be honest the stars were “impossible” to get out, even after I flipped the bottle over for a few days so that the stars would come to the top!  When I finally did manage to get the stars on my nails I wore the polish without topcoat for a few hours and I was impressed by how well the stars “stuck” to my nail!  I didn't like this polish very much with top coat, but with top coat it was amazing.



Can’t Let Go was a polish that I wanted to love but truly didn’t like.  The blurple base wasn’t opaque after two coats and the purple hex glitter did not appear smooth, even after a layer of top coat.



Get Your Number is my favorite of all the Liquid Sands polishes.  I already love most blue polishes, so loving a polish comprised of a blue base with holographic glitter and silver micro glitter wasn't that hard!

I really wanted to see just how shiny I could make this polish with top coat, so I used my How to Smooth Bumpy Glitters method, with two layers of Barielle Manicure Extender and one layer of CND Air Dry.  I wore this look for days!  With the top coat on it reminded me of a blue version of China Glaze Atlantis, the first glitter polish I ever fell in love with!  I wore it again on its own without top coat below, layering it over a navy blue crème.  Love!



For those of you who have questions about the removal of this polish, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is easier to remove than normal glitter polishes!

Did you pick up any of the Liquid Sands polishes?  Which ones are your favorites?

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.

 
Mariah Carey by OPI is available beginning January 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($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!

Mariah Carey by OPI ♥ Swatches and Review Part One

Are you a Mariah Carey fan?  I can’t say that I really am.  However there is one Mariah Carey CD that I don’t mind listening to - her Christmas one!  I may not like her, but let’s find out if I like her nail polish!

There are a total of 8 shades in the collection - 4 Studio Shades (aka regular nail polishes) and 4 Liquid Sands polishes.  Today I have the Studio Shades to share with you.

♥Click on any picture to enlarge♥

Anti-Bleak is a gorgeous plum crème, however it is not the typical OPI crème formula.  Instead it is kind of thin and patchy.  It was fine after the second coat! 

Pink Yet Lavender (over Anti-Bleak) is a rose gold hex glitter with silver and gold micro glitter in a clear base.  It’s a pretty combo and looks awesome over Anti-Bleak!



Sprung is a fold and copper foil in a pink base.  It’s not my kind of shade, but it is rather stunning on.  It definitely glows!  Please don’t mind the mess I made of my pinky finger, I managed to mess it up before I took pictures without even realizing it!

A Butterfly Moment in the bottle was a shade I was prepared not to like.  However, all of the reviews I read before I swatched it said how amazing it was!  As soon as I swatched it for myself I saw why… It wasn’t a peach frost like I though, but a gorgeous pinky-peach shimmer.  Swoon!  Unexpected favorite from the collection, hands down

Stay Tuned for Part Two!

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.

 
Mariah Carey by OPI is available beginning January 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($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!

Sunday SPAM ♥ New Shades from Nicole by OPI

Nicole by OPI has added 4 new shades to its permanent line for 2013 and today I am here to share them with you!  We have a vampy blurple, a tomato red, a neon pink shimmer, and a black crème sparkled with glitter - something for everyone!



Plum to Your Senses is an inky purple shade that, in the sunlight, is filled with pink and blue shimmer particles.  The formula on this was a little tricky - thin and gritty and the same time.  It did even out on the second coat.



Still Into Pink is a neon pink with shimmer that dries to a matte finish - it’s definitely meant to be worn with top coat!  After you apply top coat, it practically glows!  Shown here with two coats.



Totally In The Dark is a black base filled with silver glitter particles.  I really liked this one because the glitter did not get buried in the black base!  I wore this as a mani and it held up very well!  Two coats.

Please Red-cycle is… drum roll please!  A ONE-COATER!  Woo Hoo!  Gotta love one coaters when you are in a hurry!  I also wore this as a full manicure and it held up extremely well, especially considering it was only one coat!

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.

These new shades will be available in stores beginning January 2013 for $7.99 each at retailers including select Walmart, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart, Kroger, ULTA, H-E-B, Meijer and Duane Reade locations. In Canada, these shades will be available for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaw, and London Drug.  Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.  For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

Beauty Spotlight: Pink Sith's Desert Island Beauty

This week the Beauty Spotlight has abandoned The Pink Sith on a desert island. It was probably Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed that suggested it. While the Sith is pretty ticked off about being abandoned, she is looking forward to the 4 S's of desert island living: Sun, Sand, Surf and Sunscreen!  She has compiled a list of 12 essential items she must have during this exile, and yes, it even includes some beauty items for when she is rescued by Chris Hemsworth (The guy who played Thor) or some suitable facsimile there of.  Enjoy!

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.

New Magazine for Nail Lovers - Nail It!

Until now there haven't been any magazines on the market for regular nail obessed women.  There are a few Pro magazines out there, but they are filled with ads and stories marketed to Salon Owners and Nail Pros.  Now that's changing!

Nail It! Magazine is the first-ever consumer fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine that’s all about nails (from California based Creative Age Publications – they produce 5 of the biggest beauty trade magazines).  Hitting newsstands the week of February 19^th; Nail It! will cover nail art, celebrity styles, tips for nail health and wellness, and the latest trends and products. While nails are the main focus of the magazine, stories will also include beauty, hair and makeup, as well as latest in fashion and accessories.

As soon as I receive my copy of Nail It! I will share my thoughts with you.  Until then, you can follow Nail It! on Facebook.

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: China Glaze Avant Garden Collection

I just got these priliminary images from China Glaze regarding their spring collection.  I gotta say, I am already in love.  It's so gray and dreary where I live I am dying for some romantic pastels and pretty brights!

Life is Rosy: blushed mauve

Pink-ie Promise: iridescent baby pink

Tart-y for the Party: light lavender creme

Fade Into Hue: periwinkle creme

Keep Calm, Paint On: sea foam green

Dandy Lyin’ Around: shimmery vanilla icing

 

Budding Romance: moss green

Sunday Funday: bright blue

Fancy Pants: indigo with pink and purple shimmer

Snap My Dragon: bright red with pink shimmer

Passion for Petals: bright salmon-pink

Mimosas Before Manis: coral with a light wash of shimmer

Which half of the collection are you leaning towards - Pastel Petals or Blushing Brights?

I want them all!

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.

China Glaze® Avant Garden will be available March 2013. 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, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze® on Facebook (@ChinaGlazeOfficlal), Twitter (@ChinaGlaze) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

Makeup Wars: Top 10 Products I Repurchase

This week's edition of Makeup Wars show you what products Beauty Bloggers purchase over, and over, and over!  I have listed my Top Ten items, ones that I have purchased at least 3 times or more.

1. NAIL TEK Hydration Therapy II
2. Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover
3. CND Air Dry
4. SKIN79 Super+ Beblesh Balm BB Cream VIP Gold Collection
5. Kiss Me heroine make Long & Curl Mascara
6. AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel
7. Kenra Platinum Shampoo For Fine Hair
8. Kenra Platinum Color Care Botanical Conditioner for Fine Hair
9. L'Oreal Evercreme Cleansing Conditioner
10. Bumble and bumble Does It All

Keep reading to find out what products the other members of Makeup Wars repurchase!

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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.