31 May 2014

Beauty Spotlight: Sunny's Perfect Lippies

Nothing to Disclose

It is not easy for Sunny at Mostly Sunny to pick favorites. After all, she keeps hoarding lipsticks! She took a good look at her collection when the Beauty Spotlight Team asked her to feature some of her favorites, and she picked out 10 perfect lippies for spring/summer! Take a look at the corals, hot pinks, and reds that grace her lips when the sun starts blazing down!

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.

30 May 2014

OPI Coca-Cola Comparisons

Affiliate Link
coke_opi
Today I have a few comparisons from the OPI Coca-Cola collection for you.  I have my swatches of the collection complete, but they still need to be edited (though you can check out sneak peaks on Instagram and Facebook).  However, I know a lot of you really wanted to see these comparisons, so I figured why wait?

OPI Vant to Bite My Neck? (Euro Centrale) vs. OPI A Grape Affair (Coca-Cola)

Vant to Bite My Neck? vs. A Grape Affair

OPI Get Cherried Away (Coca-Cola) vs. OPI Anti-Bleak (Mariah Carey)

Get Cherried Away vs. Anti-Bleak

OPI My Vampire is Buff (Euro Centrale) vs. OPI You Are So Vain-illa (Coca-Cola) vs. OPI Did You ‘Ear About Van Gogh? (Holland)


IMG_9450

As you can see, if you already own Anti-Bleak or Vant To Bite My Neck? you may not need to pick up Get Cherried Away or A Grape Affair. 

In different lighting, you can see some differences between the two (Anti-Bleak is slightly more purple than Get Cherried Away, and A Grape Affair is slightly bluer than Vant to Bite My Neck?) but those differences are so slight that the only people that will most likely see them are collections who will buy the whole Coca-Cola collection anyways.

The last three, however, are not similar at all.  You’re So Vain-illa is much warmer than My Vampire is Buff and completely different from Did You ‘Ear About Van Gogh?

What do you think of these comparisons?  Too close for comfort, or will you be buying the new ones anyways?


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.

29 May 2014

The Makeup Show Chicago

Nothing to Disclose
chicago logo strip in

Next weekend (May 7th & 8th) I will be attending The Makeup Show Chicago with my friend Carleen of Beauty & Fashion Tech.  This will be my first beauty trade show and I am super excited to go!  Not only will I be able shop, but I will be meeting up with a lot of my blogging friends at the Blogger Preview Night that so far I have only met through the interwebz!  If any of you are going, please let me know!

I’ve already started a list of things I NEED (Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè, Nars Olympia and Vera Mona Color Switch, just to name a few).  Here are some of the brands that I plan on checking out – check out the full list of brands here.

MAKE UP FOR EVER will be showcasing Rouge Artist shade extensions, with matching Aqua Lip liners. The Makeup Show Chicago is the first beauty event these will be available at, so be sure to make MAKE UP FOR EVER one of your stops.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics will be bringing Tarred and Feathered to Chicago for the first time! Don't miss their booth to pick up this popular product that are sure to sell out! ‘Tarred’ Lip Balm veils the lips with sheer black, giving subtle definition, while ‘Feathered’ Lip Balm creates a gesso-like blank canvas, allowing other lip products to read more true to color.

KEVYN AUCOIN will be selling their new shades of Loose Eyeshadow Shimmers! With a silky smooth formula these eyeshadows blend effortlessly while adding a stunning shimmering highlight to the eyes. Also happening at KEVYN AUCOIN –buy the full range of Sensual Skin Enhancers and receive 50% off the sale, rather than 40%!

For the first time ever, Charlotte Tilbury, will be offering free shipping plus a 20% discount on all orders over 75 pounds. Happy shopping only at The Makeup Show Chicago!

INGLOT Cosmetics will be offering a number of show exclusive discounts, including 30% off (excluding accessories and palettes) and 50% off for selected products.

TEMPTU Pro will be launching Temptu Best In Kit exclusively at The Makeup Show Chicago.  These 6 perfect shades will sculpt, line, define, and highlight. A must have for any pros kit!

About The Makeup Show Chicago

The Makeup Show is owned and produced by Metropolitan Event & Production and travels internationally from LA, NYC, Dallas, Chicago, and Orlando. Bringing each destination over 75 beauty brands, and unique convergence of artists and community, where beauty professionals are sure to find an artistic energy that will inspire any beauty buff, from the passionate beginner to the seasoned professional. Each show offers an unparalleled lineup of education and appearances from top beauty professionals and focuses on career building and networking within the makeup community. The show provides a unique experience for the makeup professional to network directly from the best in the business.

The Makeup Show Chicago will feature over 75 beauty brands including Diamond Sponsor MAKE UP FOR EVER, Platinum Sponsor Crown Brush and Temptu PRO, Silver Sponsor NARS and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Supporting Sponsors Pinnacle Cosmetics, The Powder Group and On Makeup Magazine.

The Makeup Show Chicago will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 9am to 6pm and on Sunday, June 8, 2014 from 9am to 5pm at Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th Street, Chicago. For a complete list of participating brands, educational speakers, schedule of events and prices, please visit www.themakeupshow.com.


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.







28 May 2014

OPI Summer Neons ♥ Swatches and Review

Press Sample Affiliate Link


OPI Summer Neons

We have been asking for them for years, and this year OPI gave us what we wanted… full size neons!  Not only that, but they gave us a special base called Put A Coat On! that does double duty… it’s a base coat AND it’s white which makes your neons to POP! 

I know not everyone likes the idea of putting down a white base when they apply neons, but if you get all the qualities of a base coat at the same time, why not?  Not only that, but the formula on the polishes themselves are so much easier to use.  I feel it’s because the base has something that the neon polishes normally have, and since they didn’t need to add that ingredient to the formula of the colors, the formula is so much easier to work with!  (I know I’m rambling, but does that make sense?)  In other words, the OPI Summer Neons have the best formula of any neons I have ever encountered!

I swatched each of the shades from the OPI Summer Neons collection over two coats of Put A Coat On!  You may be able to get away with just one coat, but as I am struggling with a lot of imperfections in my nails right now, I used two.

OPI Hotter than You PinkOPI Push & Pur-Pull

Hotter Than You Pink – I feel like I say this a lot, but a pink polish has to be something REALLY special for me to wear it.  Let’s just say that when this box arrived, I knew I couldn’t swatch them right away, but wanted to wear one of the shades as a full mani.  Well, Hotter Than You Pink is what I chose!  The bright blue shimmer combined with the hot pink is dazzling.  It looks great without the special base coat too! 

Push & Pur-pull – I’ll just get this out of the way and say that Push & Pur-pull was the worst performing polish in the collection.  It was thin, patchy, and uneven.  It actually took me four coats of polish to get the finish smooth!  That’s why you see the smudge in the picture above – easier to smear when you are wearing too many layers!

It was the only polish in the collection that I had to apply more than two coats.

OPI Life Gave Me LemonsOPI You are So Outta Lime!

Life Gave Me Lemons is a bright yellow with a lot of green in it.  Actually, for my notes I wrote down “brand new tennis ball.”  If you can picture that in your head, then you know what this polish looks like!  The color above is more accurate than the second photo below.

You Are So Outta Lime! is a bright green the color of new grass.  It’s so shiny and happy, you can’t help but love it!

OPI Down to the Core-alOPI Juice Bar Hopping

Down to the Core-al is my second favorite shade in the entire collection.  We all know I am a sucker for corals, especially neon ones!  This shade completely freaked out my camera, so please see the picture below for a more accurate depiction.

Juice Bar Hopping is another shade that freaked out my camera, and I am sorry to say that neither of my pictures are 100% accurate.  It’s a crazy bright, crazy shiny orange that I love and you will just have to see in person!

OPI Down to the Core-alOPI Juice Bar HoppingOPI Life Gave Me LemonsOPI You Are So Outta Lime!OPI Hotter Than You PinkOPI Push & Pur-pull

My picks from the OPI Summer Neons:  Hotter Than You Pink, Down to the Core-al, Life Gave Me Lemons and You Are So Outta Lime!  

Which is your favorite?  Can’t decide?
Don’t worry, OPI gave us the Little Bits of Neon Mini Set too!


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.

27 May 2014

Tune into QVC Tonight for a special deal from Supergoop!

Affiliate Link

Are you following me on Facebook?  If you are, you would already know about this AWESOME deal from Supergoop!





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.

Makeup Wars: The Best Neutral Lips

Press Sample I Bought It Affiliate Link

polish insomniac's favorite neutral lips

This week's edition of Makeup Wars is our Favorite Neutral Lips.  I am not really a bright or deep lip person, so 99.99% of the lipsticks and lip glosses I own are neutral/nude.  These are some of my absolute favorites!  With the holiday weekend, I didn't have time to swatch them all for you, but I linked to several posts down below!



butter LONDON Teddy Boy
butter LONDON Toff - here and here.
Hourglass Femme Rouge in Edition
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Lipsticks in BE02 and PK02 
MAC Peach Blossom
Revlon Pink Truffle - here and here
Rimmel Airy Fairy

What are some of your favorite neutral/nude lips?  Let me know in the comments and don't forget to check out the rest of the Makeup Wars posts below!





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.

25 May 2014

Weekend Reading: Nails – The Story of the Modern Manicure and OPI Switchboard Starlet Swatches

Press Sample Affiliate Link

Nails - The Story of the Modern Manicure and OPI Switchboard Starlet

Nails – The Story of the Modern Manicure (available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble) by Suzanne E. Shapiro covers the history of manicures in fascinating detail.  From ancient civilizations to modern times Suzanne covers information in a way that is easy to understand, yet hard to put down

The book is filled with inspiring images – works of art, advertisements (both new and old) and modern nail art.  It also touches on how nail polish was made over time and even includes photographs from inside the factory where OPI polish is created!

The book is broken down into six chapters.
  • Natural Beauty and Sophistication (Antiquity through the 19th Century)
  • The Rose-colored Rebellion (1900s through the 1920s)
  • Starlets, Scarlets, and Defiant Glamour (1930s through the 1940s)
  • Reigning Red and the Pale Nail Revolution (1950s through the 1960s)
  • Flamboyant Fingertips and Professional Polish (1970s the the 1980s)
  • Adornment Unlimited (1990s through today)

All Lacquered Up (Michelle Mismas) in Nails - The Story of the Modern Manicure
Michelle from All Lacquered Up

Although myself a lover of history (I majored in Classics) my favorite chapter was definitely the 1990s through today.  Old Hard Candy and Urban Decay ads, Uma Thurman wearing Chanel Vamp in Pulp Fiction, Japanese nail art and even nail blogs are just a few of the topics covered.

OPI Switchboard Starlet (only 1000 bottles made!)OPI Switchboard Starlet nail polish

OPI created a very special, limited edition shade called Switchboard Starlet to celebrate the publishing of this book.  Only 1,000 bottles were made, and it is not available for purchase.  Want to win a bottle of OPI Switchboard Starlet yourself?  I’m giving it away here!

OPI Switchboard Starlet - exclusive polish created to celebrate the publishing of Nails - The Story of the Modern Manicure

I highly recommend picking up Nails – The Story of the Modern Manicure for yourself or the polish lover in your life.  It would make a wonderful coffee table book, sure to start many conversations!  It had been temporarily sold out on Amazon, but it’s currently back in stock!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for OPI Switchboard Starlet!


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.

23 May 2014

Win It: IT Cosmetics #ItsGotYouCovered AND IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation!

Press Sample
IT-Cosmetics-ItsGotYouCovered-Instagram-and-Facebook-Contest-2014
Happy Friday!  If you have spent any time on my blog over the past year, you know that IT Cosmetics has become my favorite cosmetics brand.  I know that when I wear any of their foundations, #ITsGotMeCovered!

Enter their #ITsGotYouCovered Contest on Facebook for your chance to show how #ITsGotYouCovered and win the IT Cosmetics Complexion Favorites, pictured above!

When they launch a new product, I know it’s worth getting excited about!  That’s why I was so excited to try the IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation.  This foundation is easy to apply, especially with the IT Cosmetics Foundation Brush, and blends into my skin seamlessly.  I love how quickly I can get ready when I use this - unlike other foundations that if I don’t spend 5 minutes blending look horrible! 
IT Cosmetics IT-O2
I have partnered with IT Cosmetics to allow one of you to win the IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation!  This giveaway is for my U.S. readers only.  Full terms and conditions can be found here.  Please allow time for the Rafflecopter widget to load.  If it does not load for you, click here.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




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.

Giveaway #3 – Two Exclusive OPI Shades!

Press Sample I Bought It




To celebrate four years of polish insomiac, I am hosting two days of giveaways!  In my third giveaway I am giving away two exclusive OPI shades!

The first shades is OPI Switchboard Starlet!  This shades was created exclusively to promote Nails – The History of the Modern Manicure (available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble).  Only 1000 bottles were made!

The second shades is OPI Feel the Mo-heat-oes Green, a gorgeous green exclusive to CosmoProf!
This giveaway is for my U.S. readers only, due to the hazardous nature of nail polish.  Full terms and conditions can be found here.  Please allow time for the Rafflecopter widget to load.  If it does not load for you, click here.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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.

22 May 2014

Giveaway #2 – Salon Perfect Nail Art Kits!

Prize provided by Salon Perfect

Enter to win 6 Salon Perfect Nail Art Kits as part of polish insomiac's 4th annivesary giveaway!

To celebrate four years of polish insomiac, I am hosting two days of giveaways!  This giveaway is for six nail art kits from Salon Perfect which are packed with studs, glitters, foils and more!  Each kit also comes with a coordinating base shade, so you have all you need to create a fabulous look in one kit!

This giveaway is for my U.S. readers only, due to the hazardous nature of nail polish.  Full terms and conditions can be found here.  Please allow time for the Rafflecopter widget to load.  If it does not load for you, click here.

Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




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.

Giveaway #1 - The China Glaze Off Shore Collection!

Prize Provided by China Glaze

Enter to win the China Glaze Off Shore Collection as part of polish insomiac's 4th annivesary giveaway!

Today is the day!  polish insomniac officially turns 4!  To celebrate I am hosting two days of giveaways.  I wanted to start this off with a bang, so instead of saving the best for last, I’m doing it first!  One of you can win the entire China Glaze Off Shore Collection!

This giveaway is for my U.S. readers only, due to the hazardous nature of nail polish.  Full terms and conditions can be found here.  Please allow time for the Rafflecopter widget to load.  If it does not load for you, click here.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




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.

21 May 2014

Win It: Origami Owl Necklace and Sephora Giveaway!

Win It: Origami Owl Necklace and Sephora Giveaway!

Did you know that this week, polish insomniac turns four?  You know what that means:  giveaways!  This is the first of many this week (hint, hint).

I’ve partnered up with a group of fabulous bloggers, lead by my friend Angela of Hairspray and High Heels, to bring this fabulous giveaway to my readers!  I am going to let Angela tell you about the giveaway prizes:

Hi, friends!! I have one pretty epic giveaway for y'all today!! There are THREE prizes up for grabs! I've teamed up 30 other bloggers to bring this to you! I hope you enjoy!! So the way this will work is the first prize winner will receive a customized Origami Owl Necklace $125+ value (pictured below) & 2nd prize will be $100 Sephora gift card and the 3rd prize will be a $75 Sephora gift card!

First prize is a customized Origami Owl Necklace.  Designed by one of my very dear friends Michelle, and if we're being completely honest... I don't want to give this away, I am IN LOVE with it and want to keep it all for myself and just continue to stare at all of it's prettiness! I'm gonna let Michelle take it away and tell you a bit about Origami Owl & this fabulous locket!

Origami Owl Living Lockets® are customizable glass lockets with floating, hand-crafted charms resulting in the ultimate personalized jewelry creations. The interchangeable twist-face locket was introduced in the Spring 2014 line. Keep the white cover on your locket or swap it out with turquoise, pink or black to complete your look! The winner of the contest will receive the following products, valued at over $125:
  • Large Silver Twist Locket with Pure White Face, O2 Blue face, and Perfectly Pink Face
  • 32” Silver Large Flat Oval Link Custom Chain
  • The following charms:
    • Blog
    • Smartphone
    • Camera
    • Laptop
    • Shimmering Blue Crystal Accent Stones
    • October Round Birthstones

And by this point you're ready for us to be done talking and get on with the giveaway, right? Enter the Rafflecopter below! Good Luck!

OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY 18+ OLDER
TERMS & CONDITIONS
a Rafflecopter giveaway


If the Rafflecopter Widget does not open for you, click 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.

20 May 2014

Coming Soon: Sally Hansen ColorFoil Nail Makeup

Nothing to Disclose

They're back!  Sally Hansen ColorFoil Nail Makeup (aka Chromes)

What’s old is new again!  Sally Hansen is bringing back their Nail Makeup line with the new Sally Hansen ColorFoils Nail Makeup.
Achieve high impact drama with high shine, liquid metal looks.  With on-trend shades such as this year’s “it” color, pinky-purple lilac, to must-have mint and essential gold, silver, and copper metallics, each shade delivers a unique iridescent foil gleam finish for a one-of-a-kind nail look. These glinting polishes explode from within with extreme theatrical effect, for a new level of brilliance that fuels today’s desire for over-the-top, outrageous shine.

AKA – They are chrome foils.  They seem to be the old Sally Hansen Chromes reincarnated (thanks KarenD for the detailed comparison).  Which is good, because those puppies go for a big chunk of change on evilBay!
Sally Hansen Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Sally Hansen Minted Metal
Minted Metal
Sally Hansen Leaden Lilac
Leaden Lilac
Sally Hansen Cobalt Chrome
Cobalt Chrome
Sally Hansen Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold
Sally Hansen Purple Alloy
Purple Alloy
Sally Hansen Liquid Gold
Liquid Gold
Sally Hansen Pink Copper
Pink Copper
Sally Hansen Pink Platinum
Pink Platinum
Sally Hansen Titanium Flush
Titanium Flush
The Sally Hansen Chrome ColorFoil Nail Makeup Collection will be available beginning in June 2014, where ever Sally Hansen is sold!  (But it’s already popped up in a few places!  Check out this post by Nouveau Cheap for details!)

What do you think?  Get it or skip it?  I am excited to use them for nail art and stamping!




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.