Words of Wisdom Wednesday

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Zoya PixieDust Fall Edition

Press Samples

New sparkly, textured nail polishes in rich autumn colors? 

Yes, please!

Top: Tomoko, Chita, Sunshine; Bottom: Carter, Arabella, Dhara

Zoya continues to impress us with their PixieDust formula that features just enough sparkle to make those tips twinkle, while showcasing this trendy finish. This collection is a smorgasbord of fall color, with a great variety. I think that it includes a little bit of something to please nearly everyone (provided that you are a fan of textured finishes)!

Tomoko is described as "a romantic champagne silver." It falls somewhere between silver and gold but it quite captivating in all lighting. This is one metallic that will flatter all skin tones  The swatch shown is two thin, smooth coats.

Chita, "a forest green ," was opaque in ONE coat! The swatch shows one coat of this pigmented blue leaning forest green (no staining). The "glitter" in this polish is a light gold/silver that resembles the color of Tomoko. It kind of evokes feelings of Christmas because it reminds me of frost covered pines. I think this one is a fabulous variation of the Pantone Color of the Year, emerald.

Sunshine has such a perfect description of "a "Van Gogh" navy blue." I love this description of this dusty blue that falls somewhere between sapphire and denim. This polish was also very pigmented and was nearly a one coater, but two coats were used above. There is a silver shimmer/glitter/pixiedust throughout. Also this baby barely stained. Meaning that I don't think it stained but it did take a little extra effort to remove the blue pigment but it did remove with cotton and remover.

Carter is "a royal purple" and looks fit for a king! This polish appears to have an indigo base and is packed with bright purple pixiedust glitter. I was surprised by how elegant this purple was once on. This swatch shows two easy coats (no staining).

Arabella sounds like the name of a little girl whose dream is becoming a princess. How fitting that it is "a rich fuchsia pink." This baby appears to have both hot fuchsia and silver pixiedust glitter. It kind of looks like Arabella could be Bobbi's cool-toned sister (Irresistible, 2013). This was another nearly one coater. Two coats are shown in the above swatches.

Dhara is "a firey orange copper " that reminds me of pumpkin picking, pumpkin spiced lattes, jack-o-lanterns...you get the picture. This pumpkin orange has coral undertones and is lit from within by lots of gold glitter. The above swatch shows two coats. AND I am convinced that she is Amy's textured twin sister (Irresistible, 2013)!

The Verdict:

I love everything about autumn and these are making me long for everything that the season brings. These colors are lovely and I cannot wait to wear them again. If you like textures, these are perfection! They had no problems with application or drying time. The ones that stood out the most to me were Tomoko, Carter, and Chita.

Zoya nail polish is available for purchase through their website. PixieDust polishes retail for $9.00 each.  Sign up for a Zoya account today and receive points that can be redeemed for promotions and discounts.

Tuff Scent Earth Collection

Hello, lovelies! Today I have a collection that I have had for 2 whole years but have neglected to share with you. I have always been too unhappy with my photos of this collection to share them with you. I hope I can do these polishes justice in this post.

This is the Tuff Scent Earth Collection. Tuff Scent is a brand that prides itself on its luxurious scents, celebrity following, and philanthropic efforts. The Earth Collection features four earthy toned polishes ranging from a blackened color to a soft ivory. The packaging includes elegant, slim bottles with pewter-looking rosette caps. Here are the swatches of Guardian Angel, Kiss, Inner Strength, and Hope.

*All swatches are without base or top coats*

"Guide my spirit to greater strength, love, and peace in my quest for happiness."

Guardian Angel is a creamy ivory with subtle peach undertones. It was quite watery and thin so it took 3 coats to reach opacity. Tuff Scent describes the perfume floral scent of this polish as China Lily.

"Symbol of love and kindness."

Kiss is a warm beige-brown that reminds me of coffee with cream. It has a silver shimmer throughout. Although this polish was a little thicker than Guardian Angel, it was still quite thin and took 3 coats to reach opacity. This autumnal color is cinnamon scented. It looks and smells like cinnamon buns!

"Find it, use it, nurture it."

Inner Strength is a creamy, milk chocolate, taupe. It too was thin and took 3 coats to get rid of streaks. This polish was probably the most difficult to apply and still had some thin spots after 3 coats. Inner Strength is almond scented. It reminds me of almond cookies that my grandparents used to serve us.

"Timeless recognition of the soul's guiding principle."

Hope is a dark blackened brown with a blazing prismatic shimmer and scattered prismatic flecks. This polish was the easiest to apply and took 2 coats of the thin polish to reach opacity. Hope has been scented with China Rain which is clean, fresh, and floral.

The Verdict:
I love the luxurious scents, they are much more grown up than the scents of other scented nail polishes. I also love the amount of thought that goes into matching the color, scent, name, and quote for each polish. They are special and would make a lovely gift. I like that they donate part of each purchase to cancer research.

This all being said, there is some room for improvement. The beautiful packaging includes a long, skinny brush that can make for a rather difficult application. Some of the formulas were tricky and drying time was rather long.

My favorites of this collection were Guardian Angel and Hope (although I prefer the scents of the other two polishes). I love wearing them and receive compliments on them frequently.

Tuff Scent nail polishes retail for $10.00 each and can be purchased online.  To learn more visit their website or follow them on social media (although they have not been very present lately).

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/127957670/reserved-item-for-elizabeth-fitzgerald?ref=shop_home_active

Metallic and Bronze

Although this may look autumnal to some, this kind of matches the sweltering summer weather to me. This blazing, copper accent nail adds some flair to a metallic manicure. The metallic polish has teeny tiny coppery bronze flecks, which made this glitter a perfect match.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Coin Flip and Copper Penny (glitter)

What do you reach for when the temperature starts rising?

Jamberry Nail Shields Peacock

Press Samples

I have been fortunate enough to try another brand of nail wraps/appliques/shields called Jamberry. 

In comparison to the other brands of nail wraps/appliques/shields I have tried, these applied quite differently. Jamberry Nail Shields require you to apply a stiff applique by softening it and molding it to your nails through the use of a hair dryer! Here are the full instructions.

The Verdict:

I love the variety of nail shields offered by Jamberry. If they don't have what you want, you can design your own! How awesome is that?!?! I'm thinking it would be an awesome idea for a bachelorette party;) Now, I must tell you that I received ONE nail shield to review so half of it went on the right hand and the other half went on the left hand. The size of the shield dictated where I put the shield. It actually did not fit any of my nails perfectly, the middle finger was the closest. Also, after completing all of the directions meticulously, I could not get the nail shields to apply perfectly flat against my nails (see below photo). There was some rippling and no matter how hard I tried to fix it, it was there to stay. Perhaps it was user error. These were however the longest lasting nail shields I have used to date, they lasted longer than my nail polish (which was quite impressive considering one polish was a texture polish)! And removal was a cinch! I would totally try these again:)

Jamberry Nail Shields can be purchased online or through a consultant for $15.00 per set.

Polishes used: Zoya Song and Solange

Kiss® everEZlashes

Press Samples

Here is what the brand has to say about their product:
"Kiss has introduced a market-first everEZlashes that comes complete with patent pending Application Strings.  Ever tried applying eyelashes but became frustrated when they didn’t position correctly? Only to remove them and keep trying again? Kiss everEZlashes with patent pending Application Strings allow for a perfect application every time! Kiss lashes come in a variety of styles that are perfect for everyday wear, to a formal evening event. 

To Use: Simply apply glue to the lash base and let set for 30 seconds, holding both sides of the lash with the string applicators, and place on the eye-lid along the natural lash line. Allow to set and apply lashes to second eye. Once completely dry, hold & squeeze lashes firmly between thumb and index finger, push in lashes and gently grab one end of string, pulling away. Do the same to the second eyelash.  Both lashes have a perfect fit!

Kiss everEZlashes retail for $3.99 and are available at CVS, Walgreens and Walmart stores nationwide. For more information and how to videos, visit EverEZlashes.com."

I recieved sizes/styles 01 and 03. Although I cannot see me choosing to wear these daily, Kiss does have a great variety of lashes for those who do.

See my attempt on instagram using the 01 style!

The Verdict:
Kiss® everEZlashes are not as easy to apply as it sounds. I had great difficulty in application. i put the glue on the back of my hand and dragged lashes through and I still felt like I looked funny. I had a hard time getting them close enough to my lash line to look "normal." They also felt kind of heavy. I felt goofy, like I have snuffleupagus lashes! That being said, I am completely new to wearing false lashes, so it could be user error. I will try them again some time, I cannot write them off just yet. I would love your tips and tricks to applying these:) This beauty novice is still learning the ropes!

Dr. Scholl's® For Her Ball of Foot

Press Samples

Today is my 4th wedding anniversary! I have been married to the man of my dreams for 4 wonderful years:) 

I am a type A person so planning my wedding was a ton of fun. I loved making lists and trying to make sure I would be prepared for anything and everything. So being the practical person that I am, I did not want to pay for a gorgeous, expensive pair of wedding heels only to wear them for the ceremony. I was especially knowledgable of the fact that my dress was specifically altered (and bustled) to my petite frame while wearing these shoes. Without my heels my floor skimming dress would drag and make me look frumpy.

I went to great lengths to brainstorm how to wear my shoes without hating my life. I came across Dr. Scholl's® For Her Ball of Foot inserts while shopping for my "emergency kit" for my wedding day. I also picked up Dr. Scholl's® For Her High Heel Insoles. They saved my feet!

I wore the High Heel Insoles for the ceremony and photographs (when I knew I'd be standing) and I switched them out for the Ball of Foot inserts for the reception. They kept my feet comfortable for 11 hours of pictures, standing, and dancing. I only took off my shoes 10 minutes before the end of the reception, and it was to get changed, not because my feet hurt!

See my instagram about them!

The Verdict:
If you cannot tell, I love these and I recommend them to all my friends, family, and strangers too who will be getting married! Also I'm a teacher and LOVE to wear heels! Being on my feet all day has been a dream ever since finding these! They easily transfer from one pair to another, they clean easily, they are SO affordable, they are not bulky, and most importantly they are comfortable.

Q-tips® Precision Tips

Press Samples

Have you heard of Q-tips® Precision Tips? They're basically normal cotton swabs with pointed ends. AND they are a very versatile tool.

The ways I have used Q-tips® Precision Tips:

• nail polish clean up
• lip color clean up
• eye liner mishaps
• mascara clean up (sometimes it gets everywhere, I don't know how...)
• eye shadow application (in a pinch aka. when traveling)
• cleaning small, hard to get areas (read: vacuum cleaner filter, around the faucet, my iphone...)

See how I used them in my instagram post!

The Verdict:
They are versatile. They come in great travel-friendly packaging. I have one pack that is living in my purse and I think it is quickly becoming an essential. They are affordable, disposable, and easy to find in stores. I highly recommend them:)

What other ways could I use them?

Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste

Press Samples

I don't know about you, but with the onslaught of gorgeous lip color comes the insecurity of your smile. I know when I wear lip color I want it to be applied perfectly and I want my teeth to look white. Tomorrow's post will help with the precision aspect of the perfect pout and smile. Today we can focus on brightening our smile:)

Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste has been gaining popularity, especially since its "Breakthrough" award in 2011 from Allure. 

Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste is described by its brand as "When you don’t have time for a full whitening regiment, quickly give your mouth the optical illusion of whiter teeth with Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste. After just one brushing, the proprietary Bluverite® formula gives the appearance of a whiter, brighter smile, with results that last for hours. Designed by dentists, NOW! Toothpaste is gentle on teeth, safe for dental restorations and won’t cause tooth sensitivity. With daily use it will even help remove surface stains. And, as the only oral care product awarded Allure Magazine’s Beauty Breakthrough Award, you know that top beauty editors have given it a major seal of approval."

The Verdict:
This toothpaste is BRIGHT blue! It is also extremely foamy. The first time using it was quite hysterical. That being said, I had no tooth sensitivity, it brightened my smile, and it had a somewhat pleasant taste. This toothpaste claims to give your teeth the "optical illusion" of whiter teeth. I am not sure it has many long-term benefits, but I do use it when I plan on wearing a lip color that may make my teeth appear less white. I would love to know if this paste also has the benefits of a plaque-fighting toothpaste. Because of this unknown, I did use my normal toothpaste before using this treatment. But it is a fabulous quick fix when needed:) Let me know if you've ever tried it or if you plan on giving it a try!

Of course the nail polish lover in me is wondering how this would work on stained nails...

Zoya Cashmeres & Satins Fall 2013 Press Release

CASHMERES & SATINS

Twelve sultry new ZOYA Nail Polish colors for Fall 2013.

Six new long-wearing decadent, cashmere creams - five silky, satin metallics - one super luxe gold topper! All created to work together with this seasons most stylish runway designs and luxurious fabric blends. Try the topper as an accent or gild each nail - no matter what this Fall duo has you covered.

  

  CASHMERES

Livingston (ZP697) - Fall Red Cream - Full Coverage.
Pepper (ZP685) - Brick Red Cream - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Peter Som/AW13).

Sailor (ZP696) - Dark Navy Cream - Full Coverage.

Hunter (ZP695) - Dark Sea Cream - Full Coverage.

Flynn (ZP693) - Camel Brown Nude Cream - Full Coverage.

Louise (ZP694) - Chocolate Brown Cream - Full Coverage.

  

  

SATINS
Channing (ZP691) - Rust Red Copper Metallic - Full Coverage.

Mason (ZP692) - Red Violet “Fandango Pink” Metallic - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Zang Toi/SS13).

Claudine (ZP690) - Meteorite Gray Metallic - Full Coverage.

Neve (ZP679) - Sapphire Blue Metallic - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Zang Toi/AW13).

Giovanna (ZP680) - Lush Emerald Green Metallic - Full Coverage (Originally designed for Zang Toi/AW13).

SPECIAL EDITION - SATINS TOPPER Maria - Luisa (ZP662) - Sparkling Cellophane Gold Topper (Originally designed for Rafael Cennamo/AW13).

AVAILABLE JULY 15, 2013

Photo credits: Zoya Nail Polish

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com. 
Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!

$8.00 ea. (US)
Available on Zoya.com