Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask

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Lately my skin has been so out of whack!  It’s dry and congested, and no matter what I do I can’t seem to bring the healthy glow back into it.  That was until I tried Radical Skincare’s Instant Revitalizing Mask!

What it is:
A fun-to-apply skin soothing, intelligent mask that foams, pops, and gives radical radiance in minutes while providing hydration, vitamins, and energy to your skin.

What it is formulated to do:
The Instant Revitalizing Mask is the ideal coach for the skin: it delivers the nutrients necessary for hydration and regeneration while teaching it to breathe, stock up on energy, and optimize its oxygen resources in rarefied conditions. It leaves skin amazingly revitalized, healthy, and glowing.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

I applied the mask to my freshly washed (and dried) skin.  When it comes out of the bottle is it a shimmery champagne color, but as soon as it is applied to your skin it turns white.  After a few minutes, effervescent bubble start forming that hydrate and nourish hungry skin with vitamins and oxygen!

Watching the bubbles pop in your bathroom mirror is more fun than I care to admit!

After most of the bubbles had popped, I rinsed my skin and followed with my evening skincare.  I have tried this twice and both times I was left with soft, smooth and glowing skin!  It almost makes me forget this Artic winter we are having!

The only drawback to this product is the price.  Do I think it’s worth $65.00?  You betcha.  But I feel like there is not much left in the bottle after just two uses. I don't know if I used too much, or if there really is more in the bottle!

You can find Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask at Sephora in both the US and Canada.

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: OPI Spotlight On Glitter

Nothing to Disclose

I haven’t heard a peep about this new OPI collection until today!  Six fabulous glitter polishes to die for!  Keep reading to see the individual bottle shots and additional collection information!

Today’s NOTD: Rococo Smitten

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Do you ever have one of those days that no matter how hard you try, you can’t complete a single task?  I am feeling that way today.  I have five or six half-started reviews to share with you, but my mind can’t focus on a single one of them!  So instead, I thought I would share my current NOTD with you:  Rococo Smitten.

Smitten is a gorgeous Tiffany-inspired crème.  It is more blue than other Tiffany-inspired colors, such as China Glaze for Audrey.  In fact, the closest polish I could find in my collection was OPI Can’t Find My Czechbook.  I really enjoy the Rococo brush, it is firm and square, spreading the polish across the nail evenly and easily.  The formula on this particular shade was awesome, almost a one-coater!

This is the second time I have worn Smitten as part of a mani.  The first time I wore it, I layered Rococo Flossy over it, which is a Sheer Gloss polish from their 2014 Spring/Summer Denim Blues collection.

Rococo is a brand that is slightly hard to track down.  In the US, you can find Smitten it at Bloomindales, Beauty.com and SpaceNK.  I have yet to find Flossy available for purchase, but I have another polish from the Denim Blues collection to share with you, but I am going to wait until the polishes are available for purchase!

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.

Out Now – China Glaze City Flourish

Nothing to Disclose

Normally I title my press release posts “Coming Soon” but since these polishes have been at ULTA for what feels like a month I changed it to “Out Now!”  I was so confused when I saw these polishes at ULTA before I heard about them from China Glaze,  I was worried they might be ULTA exclusives or something!  But I am happy to say that is not the case!

The China Glaze City Flourish collection is a mix of crèmes and high voltage neons.  I don’t have individual bottle shots at this time, but will update this post when they are available.

The shades are as follows:

Thistle Do Nicely – Electric pink neon crème

Peonies & Park Ave – Neon bright pink crème

Petal to the Metal – Warm pink coral crème

Spring In My Step – Baby pink crème

Strike A Rose – Watermelon shimmer

Don’t Honk Your Thorn – Nude shimmer

In a Lily Bit – Soft light violet crème

Lotus Begin – Neon purple crème

What A Pansy – Cool periwinkle/indigo blue crème

At Vase Value – Bright baby blue crème

Grass Is Lime Greener – Neon lime crème

Metro Pollen-tin – Neon peach crème

What do you think of this Spring collection from China Glaze?  What shades have you already picked up?

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® 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 (@ChinaGlaze), Instagram (@ChinaGlazeOfficial), Twitter (@ChinaGlaze) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

It's Back... I Hope!

Hello all!  I had some issues with my domain yesterday, so my site may have been down for some people but not others.  If you were unable to access it yesterday, I would love it you checked out my Easy Textured Glitter Gradient post!  I also discussed whether or not we think OPI's Glitter Off will actually work!

Have a great Tuesday!

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 - OPI Glitter Off!

Nothing to Disclose

I am the first to admit that I want products like these to work.  I never managed to try the DIY version with Elmer’s Glue, but I did buy one off Etsy and it didn’t work at all.  As in my nail polish popped off within a couple hours of applying, just like a bad press-on nail!  I am very eager to see if this one is different!

Glitter Off by OPI is a new, peel-able base coat that allows for the quick and easy removal of nail lacquer when applied beneath any glitter or dark nail color.  Glitter Off provides a base for quick one-step removal and protects natural nails, while simultaneously making nail colors brighter. Glitter Off is designed to leave nails polish-free and stain-free in seconds, revealing a clean nail surface without the use of lacquer remover.  

“Women love glitter nail lacquer, which adds a glamorous element to any manicure. However, it can be difficult and frustrating to remove.  Now OPI fans can fully embrace the glitter nail trend without the accompanying hassle.  Simply brush on one thin layer of Glitter Off to bare nails, wait until it dries clear and then apply as many coats of glitter lacquer as needed to get the desired look,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder & Executive VP.  “Glitter Off is designed to last for a few days, allowing for glitter shades to be changed frequently or worn just for a special occasion or night out. It’s so easy to use – and when it’s time to remove it, peel!” 

To remove, use a cuticle stick to gently push and peel the glitter lacquer off the nail. No nail polish remover is necessary for this final step. 

Glitter Off features OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Glitter Off will be available March 2014, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail.

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

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.

EASY Textured Glitter Gradient with Walgreens Beauty and L'Oreal Colour Riche Gold Dust Polishes

Sponsored Post #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

I was asked by Walgreens and Collective Bias to create an awesome look for you, using only products available from Walgreens.  I jumped at the chance to do this, because I knew how easy it would for me to find everything I needed there.  They have everything you could want to create looks from Natural Beauty to All Out Glamour.  Let me take you on a stroll through my local Walgreens, where we can get everything we need for this look!

The day I went shopping we had very unpleasant weather – the rain was instantaneously turning to ice!  What better thing to do on a yucky rainy day than shop for makeup at Walgreens!  As soon as I walked in the door, I checked out the weekly circular and this month’s coupon book.  They always have awesome beauty coupons!

 

When I walk in, I am always drawn to the new release displays, like a moth to the flame!   After wandering around that area for awhile, I headed to the beauty aisle.  I love how the beauty section stretches from the front of the store all the way to the back down one wall!  My husband always knows where to find me!

One thing about Walgreens to remember – always look UP!  The new Essie 2014 Resort polishes had arrived, but didn’t have a spot with the new releases yet.

I knew when I walked in that I wanted to do some sort of sponge gradient.  Believe it or not, I had never really done one before!  I grabbed a 32 count of their house brand, Studio 35 Beauty.

After much deliberation, I finally decided on the L’Oreal Colour Riche Gold Dust polishes.  I had purchased one before and loved it, so I grabbed four more!  They were BOGO 50% off, plus there was a $1 off coupon in the February coupon book, so when all was said and done I got the polishes for just over $4 a piece!  I went home and played around with designs until I found something I liked.

I started off with two coats of Essie Find Me An Oasis, which is a gorgeous but very, very light blue polish from the new Resort collection.  I also applied my top coat now, as I wanted the rest of the look to be textured.  After that polish had dried, I carefully coated the skin around my nails with Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, to create a barrier between my skin and the glitter.  Confused?  It will make sense in a minute!

There are lots of tutorials on how to use a sponge to apply a gradient, but to be honest I just kinda winged it!  I painted the center of the tip of the makeup sponge with L’Oreal Too Dimensional? from the Gold Dust collection.  I didn’t use a lot of polish, it was the same amount of polish I would use for painting one nail.  I concentrated it in a small area, as you can see above.  Doing one finger at a time, I started at the tip of my nail and patted the polish on several times, slowly moving up the nail.  By the time I got to the top, I was only lightly tapping.  I have a short clip below showing what I mean.  (Please ignore the background noise!  I was watching a YouTube video at the same time!)

As you can see, this is a messy process.  But that’s okay, because I prepped my skin with the Neutrogena Hand Cream!  Just wipe away the cream, and follow up with nail polish remover for any stragglers!

Here is the finished look!

What do you think?  I think it’s a very cool, almost icy look.  Perfect for the Artic Winter we are having!  I love the half glossy, half textured look!  Thanks Walgreens, for encouraging me to try something new!

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: OPI Sheer Tints

Nothing to Disclose

Hello all!   I know I am a little bit late with this press release, but I am just so excited I don’t care!  I love jelly polishes – well these are going to be even sheerer! 

This spring OPI takes nail color to the next level with revolutionary Sheer Tints, the brand’s first-ever, pigmented top coats.  Sheer Tints by OPI offers a fresh take on traditional top coats with the introduction of four new vivid hues in Blue, Pink, Yellow and Purple. An infusion of transparent color with high shine, these top coats can be worn alone, with a base coat for a playful sheer or layered over any shade to create an alternate finish for a progressive nail look. 

“Nail color is all about self-expression; apply Sheer Tints over your favorite OPI Nail Lacquer to achieve your dream shade, accent glitters and darks or transform crèmes and shimmers,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder & Executive VP.  “Make a statement by creating an ombre design that is on-trend, then add several coats to create dimension.”

OPI Be Magentale with Me

OPI Don’t Violet Me Down

OPI I Can Teal You Like Me

OPI I'm Never Amberrassed

Sheer Tints will be available March 2014, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.

What do you think?  Imagine the possibilities!
Are you going to go as ga-ga after these polishes as me?

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.

Beauty Spotlight: 12 Questions with Cindy of Prime Beauty

Nothing to Disclose

The Beauty Spotlight Team is asking each of its members to reveal a little something about themselves through a series of questions. It’s my turn, I hope you don’t find me too boring! I love to engage with my readers so please leave me a comment and let’s chat! Here goes…

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 Brand Alert ♥ tenoverten (available at Sephora)

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Have you heard of tenoverten?  I had not either, but this new-to-Sephora brand has quite impressed me with the trio of Spring Shades they sent my way!  Before I talk about the shades, let's learn a little bit more about the brand.  tenoverten is a line of polishes inspired by a salon of the same name in NYC.  In fact, they have three locations - Tribecca, Soho and Midtown.  The salon's approach - making a mani/pedi feel like an indulgence rather than a 15 minute in-and-out job is the same approach they take with their own line.  The are priced at $18 per bottle, which puts them up there with RBL and Deborah Lippmann.

The tenoverten polish collection is composed of gorgeous, long-lasting colors that promote stronger and healthier nails. tenoverten’s color stories are not trend driven but are a response to what is beautiful and what we know customers are looking for. A perfect mix of neutrals, brights, deeps, and metallics tenoverten’s polishes are designed to be smooth and streak-free, allowing for easy application at-home or in the salon. tenoverten’s polish collection is 5-free, meaning each polish is free of five ingredients linked to toxicity- formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor. Additionally, the polish collection is cruelty free and the factory where the polish is produced honors the Leaping Bunny Program manifesto.

tenoverten bottle compared to Deborah Lippmann and Sephora + Pantone Universe.

Fun Fact - each polish in the tenoverten collection is named after a street in Downtown Manhattan!  I was sent 3 colors from their line - Houston (a sheer beige), Spring (a salmon pink) and Prince (a pale lilac).  Although I wasn't feeling the beige, looking at all three colors together made me so happy I decided to wear them all at once, using the beige as a base coat for a dotticure!

I usually am too hard on myself with dotticures and try to make them line up equidistant from each other.  This time I just kinda went crazy, letting the dots lie where they landed.  You can see how pigmented Prince and Spring are!  They applied beautifully, though my camera tweaked the shades a bit.  Check out another picture of Spring on my Instagram, where I will be road testing the shade while I travel back to Pennsylvania.

I hope you don't mind some silence on the blog while I am gone.  I have been swatching like a mad woman, trying to have content up for you while I am away, but I have lost my motivation recently.  The reason I am traveling to Pennsylvania is that my Great Grandomother died last Wednesday.  She was 108 years old and lived a wonderful life.  But I've lost my way in this past week, so I hope you will not mind my silence.

Please do follow me on Instagram, as I do plan on posting there daily while I am away.

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 Sea Goddess ♥ Swatches and Review

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Just when you couldn’t take any more snow (we have another 2-hour delay this morning!) China Glaze has released the Sea Goddess Collection, six “sandy, sunny shore to the depths of the sea where the mermaids play.”  If these shades don’t get you excited for Spring, I don’t know what will!

Wish On A Starfish is a bubblegum pink with gold shimmer.  This is my favorite kind of textured polish – a solid color with a  gold flash!  It looks so luxurious and bright!  It was even after two coats, but I did three for good measure.

Shell We Dance is a deeper pink, closer to fuchsia, with pink glitter instead of gold.  It was easy to apply and once again looked okay after two coats, but again I did three for good measure.

Tail me Something is a lilac base with silver and purple glitter.  The formula on this was hard to work with, very uneven and lumpy.  You can even see a few bald spots on my fingers.  I would recommend giving this one plenty of time in between coats.

Seahorsin’ Around is a bright “pool blue” with gold and cyan glitter.  The formula on this one was impressive after Tail Me Something and covered well in two coats.  I had no issues with staining when I swatched this sans basecoat.

Teal The Tides Turn is a milky mint green with emerld green glitter.  I wanted to like it, but it took four coats!  As annoying as that was, I would wear it again, but layer it over a crème. 

Sand Dolla Make You Holla is the most fun of the bunch, a milky white base filled with magenta, blue and silver glitter.  Unlike Teal the Tides Turn, this one only required three coats.  (Again, you could get away with less by layering it over a crème).  I got so many comments on this one that it looks like candy, and I agree!

China Glaze Sea Goddess is available on Sally.com.  I have also seen it in-store at Sally’s, but it has yet to arrive at ULTA.

Which polish from this collection are you most excited about?

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.