Zoya Cashmeres Collection

Press Samples

Autumn is my most favorite season. I love the brisk mornings, the changing leaves, sweaters, and all of the richness of color that accompanies the season. This means that fall collections are usually among my favorite. Also, Zoya has been known for turning out some head-turning, top-selling fall collections in past years (Smoke & Mirrors; Designer, Diva, and Gloss). This year Zoya brings us the luxurious Satins and Cashmere Collections. Just the names of these collections excite me! 

Today I have the Cashmeres Collection for you. This collection is full of rich, jewel- and earth-toned, creme polishes. Take a peek...

Livingston is a "lush autumn red." This true red applied like a dream. This swatch shows two effortless coats.

Pepper is described as a "brick red cream" and it has warm brown undertones. Two lovely coats made a lovely deep fall manicure.

Sailor is a "classic dark navy cream" that appears to be a dusty indigo in some lighting. This beauty was a one-coater!

Hunter, described as a "dark sea green cream," is somewhere among pine and military green. It too applied beautifully in 2 coats.

Louise is a delicious "rich chocolate brown cream." It exudes the warmth and comfort of a mocha or coffee. This manicure had me craving dark chocolate. And it was a sweet, chocolatey smooth application in two coats. 

Flynn, a "lush camel brown nude cream," was flawless in two coats. It reminds me of something that I just can't put my finger on...coffee with cream? butterscotch? wool camel trench coats? 

The Verdict:

The formula of these is perfection. I love that this collection combines the wealth and beauty of the earth through jewel-tones and earthy browns. The creme polish lover in me (which is a HUGE part of me) thinks that this is my favorite fall collection yet. I love every color and cannot wait to wear them a second, third, fourth...time. This collection is timeless, yet right on trend for the season. It has a little something for everyone. My personal must-haves are Sailor, Hunter, and Louise.

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.

Pure Ice Fall 2013 Press Release

The right color on your digits is everything this Fall! While black still casts its magical spell on nails this fall opt for, new alternatives to the moody hue that were inspired by the darkest shades of the earth and sky. Think oxbloods, midnight blues, amethysts, and mossy and emerald greens.

              

Not Now-  Forest Green Shimmer Finish No Means No- Royal Purple Shimmer

              

Iced Merlot- Oxblood Red with metallic shimmer        All Night Long-Navy Blue Pearl

All Pure Ice nail enamels are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP and contain a patented salon long-wear formula for a look that will last. Retailing at only $1.99, these polishes are the perfect way to bring chic looks from the runway your way with out breaking the bank! Pure Ice nail enamels are available at Walmart.com & Walmart stores nationwide. 

For more information, please visit www.pureicecosmetics.com/ 

or follow OfficialPureIce on Facebook

Twitter (@OfficialPureIce) and Instagram.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: Little Black Bag via http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/88/87/cb/8887cb6c4cced7f29afeb9d1ff20f044.jpg

Zoya Satins Collection

Press Samples

Autumn is my most favorite season. I love the brisk mornings, the changing leaves, sweaters, and all of the richness of color that accompanies the season. This means that fall collections are usually among my favorite. Also, Zoya has been known for turning out some head-turning, top-selling fall collections in past years (Smoke & Mirrors; Designer, Diva, and Gloss). This year Zoya brings us the luxurious Satins and Cashmere Collections. Just the names of these collections excite me! 

Today I have the Satins Collection for you. This collection has the non-creme finish polishes. Take a peek...

Maria-Luisa is a "gold cellophane accent topper." The warm, golden flecks of Maria Luisa are packed within a clear base. This polish, as mentioned before, is meant to be a topper. However, I chose to swatch Maria Luisa on her own to see how opaque I could make this gilded beauty. Above you see that with 3 coats Maria Luisa is nearly opaque! I think on its own it looks very Rococo. Below is a picture of one coat of Maria Luisa Layered over Sailor (Cashmeres, 2013).

I actually think I like Maria Luisa on her own better. I like how her beauty is able to shine through, however this is a beautiful way to add a subtle sparkle to a manicure.

Channing can be best described as a "rusty or coppery red metallic." This beauty almost looks coral on the first stroke. After two smooth coats this coral-leaning orange with golden shimmer dances in the light. This polish is very pigmented and you might be able to get away with one coat if you're careful.

Mason is described as an "exciting red violet or 'Fandango Pink' metallic." I'm not sure what "Fandango Pink" is, but this is a cool magenta base packed with bright fuchsia shimmer. This was two smooth coats. (My camera was not liking how in-your-face the shimmer in Mason is)

Claudine, a "striking dark meteorite gray metallic," is another potential one coater. For the photos above I did two buttery coats. This dark charcoal with silver shimmer is a more chic, wearable alternative to the classic black manicure while still making a statement.

Neve can be best described as "sapphire blue metallic." I would call this a bright navy blue with cobalt shimmer. Neve is brighter than Ibiza but more subtle than Song. Let me know below if you'd like to see a comparison of these three lovelies. (Above swatch is two coats)

Giovanna is a "stunning emerald green metallic." A salute to the Pantone-Color Of The Year, emerald. This reminds me of the Crayola crayon in Jungle Green. Therefore I would describe this as a bright jungle green with the same toned metallic shimmer. It took two coats of this polish for full opacity and smooth finish.

The Verdict:

The formula of these is incredible and some are nearly one coaters. I love that this collection includes some brights that can easily brighten up a fall ensemble or help with the transition from summer to autumn. I really like that these polishes reflect the metallic trends this season. My personal must-haves are Channing, Claudine, and Neve.

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.

SO Much Fawn at the Gilty Party

First, thank you for your patience and understanding over the past month. I have been frantically getting ready for the first day of school and have had little time, if any, to blog. Also, I appreciate the emails and encouraging messages that many of you sent to me. You are truly the most amazing people ever!

Today is the first day of school and to reign in the school year I have an autumn manicure for you. I am sorry that I do not have exciting nail art, but this is lovely all the same.

I love the metallic pairing with a soft, earthy mauve. It's so beautiful and feminine and is flattering against any skin tone. Metallics are perfection for autumn in my opinion.

Polishes used: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure So Much Fawn and Gilty Party

SinfulColors SinfulShine Alfresco

Press Samples

Many of you have probably heard of SinfulColors, a drugstore nail polish brand that is always sending out great colors. I have tried a variety of polishes from this brand and have never been disappointed in the polishes I chose. I know that I have read of others who have struggled with application or wear issues with certain polishes from this brand. 

SinfulColors stepped up to the plate this spring through the launch of their SinfulShine line. This line boasts the same high-gloss finish of a gel manicure without the harmful UV lamps. It contains Gel Tech which is supposed to self-cure the polish to a shine that is five times more glossy than patent leather!

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to receive two SinfulShine polishes to review. Below you will see pictures in the shade and sun featuring Alfresco.

The Verdict:
Alfresco is the most beautiful bright, periwinkle. It, like Rendezvous, has a slight silver shimmer in the bottle. If you look close enough you can kind of see the slight shimmer in Alfresco (it was invisible to the eye in Rendezvous). The photo above shows two flawless coats. I adore the application of these polishes and cannot wait to purchase more from this line. The colors are stunning, the wear time is great, and the finish is high-gloss. Alfresco is my favorite of the two that I tried. It is just the most perfect balance between bright and light periwinkle! I wish I had this years ago when this was my best friend's wedding color! This would have been the perfect pedicure color for the entire bridal party!

Follow SinfulColors on...

Twitter: @SinfulColors_NP

Facebook: Sinfulcolors Professional

SinfulColors nail polishes are made in the USA; Formaldehyde, Toluene and DPB free, never tested on animals. SinfulShine polishes retail for $2.99 exclusively at Walgreens.

SinfulColors SinfulShine Rendezvous

Press Samples

Many of you have probably heard of SinfulColors, a drugstore nail polish brand that is always sending out great colors. I have tried a variety of polishes from this brand and have never been disappointed in the polishes I chose. I know that I have read of others who have struggled with application or wear issues with certain polishes from this brand. 

SinfulColors stepped up to the plate this spring through the launch of their SinfulShine line. This line boasts the same high-gloss finish of a gel manicure without the harmful UV lamps. It contains Gel Tech which is supposed to self-cure the polish to a shine that is five times more glossy than patent leather!

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to receive two SinfulShine polishes to review. Below you will see pictures in the shade and sun featuring Rendezvous.

 The Verdict:

Rendezvous is a pretty, pastel jade green. It has a slight dusty undertone to  it and appears to have the slightest fine, silver shimmer in the bottle. This shimmer does not transfer to the nail but I am sure helps with an even application. The application on this was a dream. It went on so smoothly and effortlessly. I used two coats in the picture above to ensure that it would last me a long time. I love that this polish is so glossy, it makes your manicure look so professional. I cannot wait to try the other color that I was sent to try! I would recommend this as a beautiful, high-gloss option that is very low-maintenance.

Follow SinfulColors on...

Twitter: @SinfulColors_NP

Facebook: Sinfulcolors Professional

SinfulColors nail polishes are made in the USA; Formaldehyde, Toluene and DPB free, never tested on animals. SinfulShine polishes retail for $2.99 exclusively at Walgreens.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

This is a stressful time of year for me, as I am a teacher. So I always find it helpful to take time to relax, regroup, exercise, and have my quiet time. It may sound silly, but it's the hectic times that I like best. They cause me to prioritize and manage my time wisely. That being said, it's always fun to reflect on the wisdom of others...

Source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/93/06/13/93061370bac0b9a266995d7ef657ee52.jpg

Quite similarly, you can be a piece of work or be a piece of art...

Zoya Remove +

Nail polish remover, it is designed to remove nail polish. Not all removers are created equal. Some take forever to soften and remove polish while others are over drying. This is not even noting the SMELL of remover. 

I have tried a variety of removers. After trying pure acetone polish my hands and nails were parched (not to mention my house smelled like a lab of some sort). They were so dried out that my cuticles cracked and my hangnail population increased. I tried nonacetone polish remover which took a while to remove my polish, while still smelling up the place. I was pretty happy with these removing wipes from PritiNYC, but at the price I could not justify them for normal use.  So I gave in and bought myself a bottle of the much raved about Zoya's Remove + (the Big Flipper, of course).

So, do you think I liked it?

The Verdict:
I love how this easily removes polish (including foils, flakies, glitters, and PixieDusts). It does not dry out my hands and nails. Because it is more gentle, I am ok letting it sit on my nails longer for a stubborn polish. It has a slight lavender scent, which is so much better than the heavy chemical stench of other removers. It does contain acetone, but it also glycerin which softens polish while not stripping your skin and nails. I recently tried pure acetone remover again and was so disappointed in its performance in comparison to Remove +. I recommend trying this remover. It is my current favorite remover, despite it being more expensive.

What is your favorite remover?

Zoya Remove + can be purchased online from the company's website for $9.99. I have also found this remover available in ULTA Beauty Stores.

Playing with Polish-- Playing with Patterns

Occasionally I decide to pick out a few polishes, browse my pinterest boards, and become inspired. I usually have one of two intentions: try something new I might like and practice the muscle control of doing nail art. This rendition of "Playing with Polish" is no different. I don't really recall what inspired me other than a variety of runway pictures including monochromatic ensembles in various patterns. I did not want to use black and white, so I chose two more subtle shades that still give a nod to the trend.

A lot of imrprovement can be made, and practice is necessary to gain better control. But it's always fun to try:)

Polishes used: Zoya Jacqueline and Natty

Do you every play with your polish just to hone your skills and try something new?

Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil

Nothing to Disclose

Confession: I have VERY dry nails. I am horrible at consistently treating them with strengtheners, cuticle oils, and creams. This is for a variety of reasons: I never see results, they never absorb, they're messy, I don't have time, they prevent polish from adhering to my nails, or they make my nails worse!

So for the past 6 months or more I have been following Simple Nail Art Tips on facebook. I think I started following because one of my manicures was featured and I thought "Oh, cool! Someone likes what I do!" Little did I know that the mastermind behind this page, Ana, had her own website and company. She created her own nail/cuticle oil out of the purest ingredients. In January she challenged people to buy her oil and not wear nail polish for 3 days to replenish the nail, cuticle, and skin of essential oils. I was amazed by the results, but I was to wimpy to participate.

When I saw that she was running the same three day challenge ("Let's Get Naked Challenge") I knew I needed to participate. My dry cracked skin and nails were begging me to finally be consistent and pamper them with a product that would work. So I gave it a try...

Before and After 3 days of no nail polish, only Pure Nail Oil!

The Verdict:

As a nail polish lover and blogger, I find myself frequently changing my nail polish. In addition to the drying effects of remover, I also have very dry skin. The first time I tried Pure Nail Oil my nails absorbed the oil quite quickly. I was surprised by how dry my nails were. Other cuticle oils I had used did not absorb as quickly or evenly. After the first day I was convinced that the skin around and under my nails was the softest it had ever been. By day three I was noticing more moisturized hands and nails, more flexible nails, and fewer hangnails. It is now weeks since I first tried Pure Nail Oil. 

I have noticed: 

• my nails are stronger
• my free edge is whiter and my nail bed more transparent
• my cuticle/eponychium have shrunk back and gave been more moisturized
• my nails are growing faster and break/crack/peel less
• my hands look younger

This is my "holy grail" cuticle and nail oil. I cannot wait to see how it saves my hands and nails this winter!

You can purchase Pure Nail Oil through the website or through amazon. The many reviews and experiences on the website, facebook, and amazon tell some amazing experiences and include telling pictures. I did my research, and I think I made the best choice:)