I've Entered the Terrible 2s... (& a giveaway)

Monday was the 2nd Birthday/Anniversary of this humdrum blog:) It is safe to say that I have gracefully entered the Terrible 2s. I really don't know if that means it will be terrible for me or for you!

All silliness aside, I must thank all of you for encouraging me to blog. Your comments are what keeps me posting and sharing on blogger, twitter, facebook, instagram, and tumblr. Without your lovely comments and support I would have given up long ago! You are the reason I blog. To thank you for your time, energy, and comments I have put together a fun little gift for one lucky polish lover!

One lucky ducky will receive the Zoya Birchbox Blogger Trio (limited edition jellies) and Zoya Electra (discontinued prismatic bar glitter). These lovelies, by one of my favorite polish companies, are perfect for layering:)

If you feel so inclined to enter, you may do so below through the widget.

Thank you again and cheers to many more beautiful adventures:)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank You...

Today is about remembering, honoring, and supporting those important people who serve our country. Thank you to the brave, hard working, selfless men and women who serve in the military. We honor and remember those who have fallen, pray for those serving abroad, and support those who work right in our own backyard. Also, a special thank you to those family and friends who support their loved ones in the military. Without your love and backing they would not be able to do what they do.

THANK YOU!

I could not help but to show my thanks and appreciation through a patriotic manicure. My past efforts have been less than stellar, but this one might make another appearance for the 4th of July!

 Happy Memorial Day!

Polishes used: Zoya America, Purity, and Liberty

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: http://pinterest.com/pin/131308145358496414/

Barielle Summer Brights

Press Samples

I love summer. Summer is a time of cookouts, watermelon, sandals, swimming, and sand. Summer polish collections should remind the wearer of the fun of summer. The latest summer collection by Barielle tries to accomplish this through vibrant colors and creme finishes. 

Here are some glamour shots;)
(Please excuse my paper cuts!)

Sweet Addiction is a "creme green." This dusty, light emerald brings the color of the year into the summer. This was nearly opaque in one coat. 

Lemon Drops a "sun yellow creme." This is the color of lemon drops (the candy). It is bright, sunny, and reminds me of lemonade stands. I love that this yellow applied flawlessly in 2 coats!

Pink Flip-Flops is aptly described as a "creamy baby pink." This girly pink reminds me of pink cotton candy and little girls' dresses. This pink is on the warmer side but shows no visible trace of coral or orange.

Cosmic Kiss is called a "creamy deep pink." I think this polish has fuchsia tendencies but this floral quality is what makes it so summery.  

Blue Capri, a"royal creamy blue," is bright with a slight dusty quality. This is a bright, electric periwinkle and was completely opaque in one coat. The added bonus is that there is ZERO staining from this stunner!

The Verdict:

This collection is fun and summery. The application of all above polishes was streak free and smooth. All swatches shown are two flawless coats of polish without a topcoat. While these might not be the MOST unique polishes ever, I do think they have the best formula I have tried for some of these colors. The ones that stood out to me the most were Blue Capri, Sweet Addiction, and Lemon Drops.

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

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Perky Pink

Press Samples

This is the last polish that Sally Hansen sent to me to review and swatch. Meet Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Perky Pink.

Perky Pink is a glitter polish with a clear base. The iridescent light pink and peach glitter is sparsely distributed throughout this polish.

The Verdict:

This polish was not my favorite. I think if the glitter would have been more dense I may have liked it more.  This polish is good for layering but that's about it. I wore it layered and loved it. This might be finding its way to a friend who loves glitter, or I might continue to use it for layering...

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--Please Sea Me

Press Samples

Sea, ocean, sand, beach...all things that remind me of summer. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Please Sea Me is no exception. This cheerful polish, is definitely sand and sea worthy. It also is one of those colors that you can probably get away wearing year round.

Please Sea Me is a medium turquoise cream polish. The picture above shows two smooth coats  without a top coat.

The Verdict:

The formula, brush, and pigmentation of this polish are perfection. This is my favorite medium turquoise cream for the aforementioned reasons. That being said, this polish is not that unique. Many nail polish connoisseurs probably have a shade of polish similar to this already in their stash. But if you are unhappy with it in any way, this polish is perfection. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: http://breakfastatyurmans.tumblr.com/post/49226782382

Saly Hansen Xtreme Wear--Pink Punch

Press Samples

A vibrant pink crelly with long-lasting wear? Count me in! This is exactly what you will find in the next Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polish that I am sharing with you.

Pink Punch is a punchy, in-your-face juicy bright pink. The picture above shows two coats without a top coat. (This polish was sent to me by PR for Sally Hansen, the name on the bottle is incorrect. There was a sticker on the bottle with the correct name and it did not make it into the photos. This is Pink Punch NOT Violet Voltage.)

The Verdict:

This polish is so smooth and easy to apply. It is a summer staple and is one of those polishes that you reach for when you're looking for that perfect mani or pedi color when the temperatures start rising. That being said, this is not the most unique color ever. I am sure that you have a polish like it or nearly like it already. BUT if you're disappointed in the application of your bright pink crelly, this one is for you!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Festive, Glittery Manicure...

Hello, lovelies! Today I have a very random manicure. It was nearly a "playing with polish" post, but it's really just layering. Because I did not know how to share this post, it has sat in my "edited" folder for quite some time, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to be shared.

Today seems like the perfect opportunity to share a glittery manicure. This weekend my husband graduates from medical school, so there is a lot to celebrate! Cue glittery manicure...

Polishes used: Diamond Cosmetics Don't Teal My Heart Away, China Glaze Champagne Bubbles, OPI Spark de Triomphe

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear--Coin Flip

Press Samples

Today I have ANOTHER metallic from Sally Hansen:) If you remember back to last week, you might think I accidentally reposted about a Sally Hansen polish. However, I am here to stress that Coin Flip is in fact different from Golden-I. Coin Flip is Golden-I's bronze sister. It's the exact same finish, just bronze instead of gold.

Coin Flip is a metallic bronze polish. It has the same silvery-pewter base (as Golden-I) with flecks of bronze. The flecks & base make this a very wearable, understated bronze that almost looks like a metallic taupe. The swatches shown do not have a topcoat. 

The Verdict:

Again with the minimal brushstrokes. But this is not at all frosted. The bronze flecks are stunning! I can see this polish becoming an autumn staple. It seems like that perfect "almost neutral" to wear with layers and boots. I love how luminescent this is too, it almost makes your skin glow:)

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes can be found at most pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $2.00.

Zoya Stunning Collection

Press Samples

How can these colors not make you smile? They're so bright and cheery! These happy cream finish polishes comprise the Zoya Stunning collection for summer 2013. Let's take a closer look at these delicious brights. All swatches show 2 coats without topcoat. (These images are HUGE so click on the picture for a closer look)

Darcy is a "sunny yellow cream." This bright, lemon yellow has a slight silvery shimmer in the bottle which is barely visible on the nail. I have a sneaky suspicion that this helps this yellow cream (& three other polishes) to apply evenly.

Thandie can best be described as a "citrus orange cream." This is the color that I was hoping to find in Arizona last year. Arizona has more of a yellow undertone while Thandie has a coral undertone. Thandie is my perfect creamsicle orange. This polish also has the ultra fine, barely there silver shimmer.

Micky is called an "amazing coral cream." Oh Micky, you're so fine. You're so fine you blow my mind. Hey Micky... (you were doing the same thing in your head) Micky sits there right on the border of coral and pink. Being the coral addict that I am, this makes me very happy:) (Also has the fine shimmer)

Yana, a "Geranium pink cream," also has the fine shimmer. Yana is the ultimate bright, summery, magenta pink. The color that is timeless and gorgeous on everyone. 

Rocky is described as a "serene blue cream." This color is so beautiful and relaxing. You can definitely get lost within its beauty. This is the perfect aqua blue with the teeniest touch of green to give it a slight turquoise tinge. This polish has no visible trace (nail or bottle) of any ultra fine shimmer.

Josie is a "grassy green cream." Josie is the most delightful jade polish I have ever seen. This is a fresh take on the color of the year (emerald), making it more summer ready. (no shimmer)

The Verdict:

I adore cream polishes! This collection just makes me love them more! These are all bright, juicy, and fresh while maintaining a classic cream finish. These all applied flawlessly, including Darcy (yellow). While I loved them all, the standouts for me are Thandie, Micky, and Josie. 

Zoya nail polish is available for purchase through their website and retail for $8.00 each.  Sign up for a Zoya account today and receive points that can be redeemed for promotions and discounts.

Sally Hansen CSM--Get Juiced

Press Samples

Many of you are well aware of my obsession with the color coral. I adore coral and have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many coral polishes. To add another delightful coral to the mix, meet Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Get Juiced.

Get Juiced is a crelly coral. The above swatch is three coats with no topcoat. 

The Verdict:

This was a delight to work with. The formula was so smooth and the brush applied it so flawlessly. The crelly (jelly/cream) finish gives the polish just enough dimension while making it look delicious and juicy. I really enjoy this coral. I will have to see if I have any of my other polishes are the same hue. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

Sally Hansen CSM--Black and Blue

Press Samples

I don't know about you, but I am the clumsiest person around. I am constantly walking into things and tripping. (This might have to do with working in a school.) So naturally when I read the name of this lovely nail polish I laughed. All I could think of was a bruise. I sincerely hope that a bruise is not the inspiration for this nail polish color. But the name does fit.

Black and Blue is a shimmering, metallic, dark turquoise duochrome. The swatches shown show two coats and no topcoat.

The Verdict:

The application was smooth and it left nearly no streaks. I think this is beautiful. The polish is mainly a deep turquoise but shifts from navy to purple. I think this will be used a lot this autumn, but I can also see how this could possibly transcend all seasons. I'm already trying to decide how I will wear it next. Maybe as an accent nail or while layering...

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.

A Coppery Gilt Manicure

When I initially opened these neatly wrapped bottles, from Sally Hansen, I could not help but think of pretty pairings. This was one that just seemed natural:

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Gilty Party (base) with Copper Penny (glitter) accent nail.

Sally Hansen CSM--Gilty Party

Press Samples

Another Sally Hansen metallic, this time from their Complete Salon Manicure line. Meet, Gilty Party...

 Gilty Party is a neutral metallic (somewhere between silver and gold) packed with coppery flecks. The pictures show two coats without a topcoat.

The Verdict:
This was easy to apply. I usually don't like large/wide brushes due to my petite nail beds  but the Complete Salon Manicure brushes are not too large or flat or curved on the tip. They made application quite easy. Gilty  Party was quite lovely to work with (& nearly brush stroke free!). The color was pretty and I cannot wait to wear it again:)

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes can be found at many pharmacies and groceries and retails for about $8.00.