Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: inspirinquotes.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

OPI So So Skullicious

I was blessed enough to win the So-So-Skullicious mini collection from Noelle at XO, Noelle when she did her "My Favorite Things" Giveaway.  She is such a doll and sent me a plethora of new goodies to try:)

Amongst them was the fun sugar skull inspired collection.  Now I must preface this by saying that while I love OPI full size bottles, formula, and brushes (generally) I am usually less than impressed by their minis.  On top of that there was a yellow in the collection, a color notorious for being a pain to work with.  However, this mini collection surpasses my expectations.  The polishes were not a nightmare to work with due to the teeny brushes, the formula was self leveling, and the yellow was pretty stress-free as far as application goes! See for yourself...

Left to right, Hi, Pumpkin!, A-Rose from the Dead, Mourning Glory, and Candlelight.

The Verdict:
All were 2 coats, except Candlelight which was 3 just to be safe. These had excellent pigmentation.  While these might be the most friendly OPI minis I have used to date, they aren't really that original.  Mourning Glory was just a straight, plain old black.  And these were all cream polishes.  In the end I enjoyed them and they made a fun Halloween-ish skittle manicure.  I would only suggest this collection if you have nothing like it, or if you're in love with the sugar skull decals included.

Seeking Neutrality--Zoya Minka

Ok, so I've shared some off white, greige, and mauve toned nudes this week.  Why not round it out with one that has a hint of yellow?  

Zoya Minka is a polish from the Touch collection and is described as "A pale, milky beige nude with yellow undertones and a hint of pearly silver shimmer."  Based on the recommendations of this collection, this was not the nude recommended for my skin tone.  Pandora is the one recommended for cool toned skin.  This one is for neutral or olive tones.  I decided to go for it anyway.  I know that as the seasons change and my skin tone goes from a cool toned pale skin to a warm freckled complexion that my preference in nudes also changes.  The following picture was taken with my "summer skin" tone.  I don't think I could get away with this nude in the early spring without it looking too yellow, but we shall see:)

Do you gravitate toward certain nudes during certain seasons depending on the season or your skin tone?

Seeking Neutrality--Revlon Gray Suede

Honestly, I was shocked to find out that I had never posted swatches of this polish.  This is a go-to neutral for all seasons.  There are probably hundreds swatches of this from others, but here's another one from me!

Seriously, I adore this.  The taupe-y greige-ish mauved nude changes its hue depending on the lighting, but it's always lovely.  The reason this polish is so incredible is actually the subtle silver shimmer that makes the application flawless while adding dimension to what might otherwise come across chalky.  Seriously, if you don't have this and you like nudes get one.  It's part of Revlon's permanent collection so if you change your mind, it will always be there waiting for you;)

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: observando.net via Kate on Pinterest

Seeking Neutrality--10 Professional Moonlight

Sticking to the neutral trend because of the "October curse" (see previous post), I bring you one of my oldest polishes (which is only a couple years old).  Professional 10 Moonlight was picked up from a CVS 2 years ago when I was tired of my red, pink, and coral polishes.  I went out on a limb (or what sure felt like one then) and tried a "greige" polish.  I fell madly in love.

This polish is so creamy and beautiful.  It has a touch or purple and the above picture shows one coat.  I usually use two or three depending on the day.  I feel as though this polish is a chameleon and it seems to take on other colors in different lighting.  Looking at this picture (yikes!) makes me want to reswatch this for you in various lighting to see how it can be pale lavender, nude, grey, or putty colored in varied lighting.  Maybe I'll wear this one next...

Seeking Neutrality--Revlon Pure Pearl

First off, thank you for your patience with me as I continue to adjust to my new job.

Second, something happens with my body chemistry/seasonally in October that prevents nail polish from lasting on my nails.  I have no idea what it is but the same thing happened last year.  When the "October curse" hits my nail polish takes forever to dry and then if it doesn't dent or get smudged, it chips and peels within 2 days.  Usually my polish lasts 4-7 days before you notice anything.  I'm not sure what it is because I feel like I've been problem solving my brains out.  Does this happen to anyone else???

As a result of this odd phenomenon, I either wear the dark colors and throw caution to the wind, usually changin my polish up after a day OR I stick to neutrals as they are more forgiving.  This week I'll share some of the neutrals in the polish vault of unpublished pictures:)

Today's neutral is Revlon Pure Pearl.

2 coats on nicely shaped, but poorly cleaned-up nails.

This off white frosty sheer is beautiful, if you don't mind brush strokes or frosty finishes.  It actually isn't too bad compared to other pearlescent frosty finishes.  It is a very elegant neutral.  This polish has been prone to bubbling at times, so be careful and wait between coats.

When do you wear neutrals?

Playing with Polish--Purple Glitter Gradient

I recently had my nails painted a deep purple (Barielle Soho at Night) and needed to either, 1.) change my polish, or 2.) update my mani with nail art to cover up the tip wear.  I chose choice 2.  I decided to go for an ever popular glitter gradient using Barielle Purple Hearts.  It was fast and simple and did the trick:)  Here's a peek...

How do you like to fix/update a manicure?

Barielle Runway Fever Collection

Press Samples

Here is the long awaited other Barielle autumn collection, Runway Fever.  While the New York Style Collection was better suited for the transition from summer to autumn, Runway Fever is full-on autumn splendor!

This collection contained 3 creams, 1 crelly (creamy jelly), and 1 metallic.  Feast your eyes on these lovelies: (none feature a topcoat)

Erica's Pencil Skirt is described as a "creamy deep wine color."  This oxblood crelly (cream/jelly) polish is seen above with 2 coats.  I could have used a third, as it looks a tad patchy when photographed.  This polish however was quite self-leveling and VERY glossy.

One Shade of Gray is called "dark gray with purple" by Barielle.  This gray is what I like to call elephant gray.  In certain lighting this gray leans ever so slightly purple, but this is a cream polish and has no shimmer or glitter.  The above swatch shows 2 glossy, self-leveling coats.

Fun Fact: This polish is the same color as the jelly base for Butter London No More Waitey, Katie.

Allie's Lace Cover Up is a "muted dusty pink." This polish is a pale lavender leaning pink and it took 2 coats for full coverage.

Jordana's Skinny Jeans can be described as a "frosted sapphire blue."  A metallic cobalt that took ONE coat.  The brush strokes of this on-trend color are not visible and the shimmery goodness of it makes this deep sapphire blue glow.

Rusted Vintage Boots is rightly called a "creamy rust."  This rusty cognac brown is flawless in 1 coat.


The Verdict:
As in every collection, you have favorites and then you have others that you're less enthusiastic about.  While I loved the application and colors of the entire collection, I thought the names were a tad over the top.  My favorites from this collection are Erica's Pencil Skirt and Rusted Vintage Boots.  I have nothing like either one and I love how spot on they are for this season's trends.  Allie's Lace Cover Up is perfection and has become a go-to palette cleanser between all of my seasonal polishes.  I would highly recommend this collection for anyone looking for on trend polishes.

This collection can be found at the Barielle website and retails for $25.00.  You can also purchase the polishes individually for $8.00.

**REMINDER: Barielle Sweepstakes**

Disclosure: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for consideration.  For more information please visit the tabs below the header.

EPIC Barielle Sweepstakes!

Many of you know about my love for Barielle.  I adore their Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat and the Nail Strengthening Cream.  Their nail polish colors and collections are also wonderful.  The colors are rich and many of their polishes can be one coaters.  I know that many of you do not like multicoat polishes because you lead busy lives and waiting between coats can be a hassle.  Well Barielle may just be what you need:)

Here is your chance because starting at 3pm today Barielle is hosting a Facebook Sweepstakes.  Here's the AMAZING part (because they really never disappoint with their giveaways and sweepstakes): Ten random winners, yes you read that right 10, will be selected for a prize package worth over $100.00. 

The prize package includes:
ANY two of our 5 pack Nail Polish collections (That's 10 polishes folks!)
One piece of Barielle’s Nail Strengthener Cream (full size)
One piece of Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat
One piece of Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender Top Coat

You seriously need to enter this because it is unreal!  Here's where you need to enter: https://www.facebook.com/barielle/app_28134323652

Best wishes to all:)

Click the tag below to see swatches and reviews of Barielle polishes.  Tomorrow I will post one of their fall collections, so stay tuned!

Time Warp Challenge--Day 8

This is sadly the final day of the "Let's Do the Time Warp" Challenge.  I think this was my favorite challenge ever.  It was so much fun and everyone participating was so encouraging.  Thank you to all of you for making this so wonderful.  And a special THANK YOU to Lindsay from Neverland Nail Blog for hosting and creating this challenge.

Today's challenge is... 

Let's do the TIME WARP again!

This challenge was basically to recreate a manicure of another participant.  This was such a difficult challenge.  The manicures were all so amazing and well executed that I was intimidated to recreate any of them.  However, when I saw the manicure created for Day 4 (Lights, Camera, Action!) by The Polished Squirrel I new that this was the one I wanted to attempt.  Stephanie was inspired by the classic fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses.  Here is her incredible manicure & a bit of the story if you're unfamiliar with it.

The version I grew up with was slightly different from the one Stephanie recounts.  The book I remember is this one:

I always loved the story, but the illustrations in this particular book were to die for.  They were so stunning.  The story I remember is different from the one Stephanie told in that the soldier in her story was a gardener in the above tale AND in the one above the princesses were under a curse.  To solve the mystery, the gardener was given a magical golden flower to put into his lapel that made him invisible unlike the cloak of the soldier.  Due to these differences, I changed the manicure ever so slightly to include the flower instead of the cloak.  Below are the trees of the silver, gold, and diamond forests with the magical flower on my pinkie.

 I adore this manicure.  Thank you so much Stephanie from the Polished Squirrel for your inspiration and your beautiful manicure.  I could never do it justice!

Polishes used: SinfulColors Black on Black, Barielle Granite Glitter, Barielle Gold Digger, China Glaze Champagne Bubbles, NfuOh 61, Barielle Green Opal, OPI Stranger Tides, and marquis rhinestones

That's all.  Thank you to all of you for your wonderful comments and support throughout this challenge:)  Here's a quick recap: 

Time Warp Challenge--Day 7

Today's challenge is... 

You're timeless to me!

Styles that have been popular both "then" and now were supposed to inspire this manicure.  Since certain clothing articles/styles have become part of the style cycle (aka. if you keep something long enough it *might* become stylish once again) and regained popularity, I thought this day would be a cinch!  Well, I had extreme difficulty translating what was in my head or on paper to my nails.  So I took the theme literally and used something that is timeless in more way than one...

Image from Fashion in Motion

What is more timeless than a Rolex anyway???  My husband was traveling when I was taking this picture so I didn't have an actual Rolex to use, but a bunch of other watches works, right?

Polishes used: Barielle Granite Glitter, SinfulColors Black on Black

What timeless style/article would you have chosen?