SinfulColors Leather Luxe: Leather Loose

Press Samples

One last new release from SinfulColors. I know that many of you may be over both the textured and the matte trend, but remember that you can always add a topcoat! This next polish might even make those of you who are not fans of this trend think twice about writing off this finish. 

Leather Loose is a "safari sinful brown." It took two easy coats of this matte polish for an even, opaque nail. Again, this formula dried quickly, but not so quickly that it impeded application.

The Verdict:

This was ultimately my favorite polish out of the Crystal Crush and Leather Luxe polishes that I tried. I love the richness of the brown base juxtaposed with the glowing, ember-like, bronze shimmer. This polish is gorgeous matte and I am sure is stunning with a topcoat. I love how unique this matte polish is and I wish that more of the polishes from this line contained shimmer. Nonetheless, go pick this one up it is just beautiful!

The Leather Luxe collection is described as "a texture rich, trend-setting collection of stylish matte finish nail polish shades which are richly pigmented to provide a flirtatious way to flaunt your style.  The Leather Luxe Collection features eight weather-warming shades with leather-inspired finishes."

SinfulColors Leather Luxe Collection is available exclusively at Walgreens for Fall 2013. Each polish retails for $1.99.

SinfulColors Leather Luxe: Whipped

Press Samples

Along with the Crystal Crush polishes I received from SinfulColors, I also received polishes from their other new line, Leather Luxe. Leather Luxe is described as "a texture rich, trend-setting collection of stylish matte finish nail polish shades which are richly pigmented to provide a flirtatious way to flaunt your style.  The Leather Luxe Collection features eight weather-warming shades with leather-inspired finishes." Today I have the scandalous Whipped to share with you.

Whipped is a "beguiling black." This polish applied smoothly in two easy coats and dried quickly, but not so quickly that it was difficult to work with.

The Verdict:

Many people love the matte polish trend, but it can be difficult to find a matte polish that is truly matte and not just a satin finish. This polish is truly a matte nail polish. It is in a classic, black creme and would serve as a staple in any polish collection. This would be perfect to combine with my favorite glossy black, SinfulColors Black on Black for a mixed texture manicure. I would love to use this with a glossy black french tip. This would also be perfect for back-to-school as a chalkboard manicure. The possibilities are endless. If you don't already own a black matte polish, I highly recommend this almost-one-coat polish.

SinfulColors Leather Luxe Collection is available exclusively at Walgreens for Fall 2013. Each polish retails for $1.99.

SinfulColors Crystal Crushes: Emerald Envy

Press Samples

Yesterday I shared SinfulColors Ruby Mine from the Crystal Crushes Collection for Fall 2013. SinfulColors describes this collection as "a brilliant collection of gem-inspired nail polish shades with multifaceted 3D texture. Gorgeous matte colors flecked with a reflective pearl finish sure to dazzle your digits and make your heart skip a beat.  The Crystal Crushes collection features eight vivid shades sprinkled with an angel dust finish." 

Today I have another beauty from this collection to share, Emerald Envy. 

Emerald envy is described as a "glint of green."

The Verdict:

I tried this polish after trying Ruby Mine, so I knew to be more careful when applying this thick/thin polish. I applied 2 thin coats to achieve this look. The pigmentation on this was to die for! It was almost a one-coater! Again, the gold shimmer was a beautiful compliment to this bright emerald green. If these two lovelies are any indication of how the rest of the collection is and you love the texture trend, RUN to your nearest Walgreens. 

The SinfulColors Crystal Crush polishes retail for $2.99 at Walgreens for fall 2013. 

SinfulColors Crystal Crushes: Ruby Mine

Press Samples

The texture trend is still going strong and continues to find its way into nail polish collections, from higher-end to drugstore brands. Every brand has its own take on the texture trend incorporating glitter, flecks, metallics, or matte finishes. It is kind of fun to see how they all have a different twist.

This being said, SinfulColors recently debuted its Crystal Crushes, their own line of texture polishes. I love the colors in their range. There are a bunch of vibrant, jewel-toned texture polishes in this collection. Here is the first one that I was sent, Ruby Mine.

SinfulColors describes Ruby Mine as a "ravishing red." The company refers to the Crystal Crush collection as "a brilliant collection of gem-inspired nail polish shades with multifaceted 3D texture. Gorgeous matte colors flecked with a reflective pearl finish sure to dazzle your digits and make your heart skip a beat.  The Crystal Crushes collection features eight vivid shades sprinkled with an angel dust finish."

The Verdict:

The formula on this was a bit odd. It was thick, due to the shimmer and texture particles, yet watery. It applied nicely in two coats. Next time I use this I will err on the thin side for my coats, wiping more polish off the brush before applying. I thin the brush grabbed more polish than I expected, which was user error. The pigmentation on this was beautiful. I adore the gold shimmer in this polish, it compliments the beautiful ruby hue nicely. These texture polishes differ from others that I have tried because they are not completely matte also the texture is more subtle, yet still noticeable. I recommend these polishes to anyone who wants to try this trend. The color range of these is amazing, go out and snag them before they're gone!

The SinfulColors Crystal Crush polishes retail for $2.99 at Walgreens for fall 2013. 

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary...

Yes, lovelies, I created a manicure inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's well-known poem, The Raven. I think this is a very classy way to wear "Halloween Nails" without being too grotesque or juvenile. If you've never read this poem (or the Tell Tale Heart) it is a great, seasonal read. In the poem the mysterious bird repeats "nevermore" as the narrator wrestles with himself. I chose to focus on the eerie message of the raven and use the bird's words as inspiration. Since I am no expert in the field of nail art, I chose to keep it as simple as possible. Here is my take on this haunting poem...

I have to admit, I really love this look despite it having no semblance of a bird. Maybe some day when I have a steadier hand I will be able to create a silhouette of a raven. Until then, this is as good as it gets. I think I will have to recreate this for Halloween, perhaps replacing Dahlia with Dhara:)

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Dahlia, and Claudine (CONFESSION: I used a Sharpie to write the word "Nevermore")

Jewel-Toned Stained Glass

This autumn rich, jewel tones are everywhere. I must admit that I adore this trend. Jewel tones favor my complexion and are very flattering on me. Due to the fact that many polish brands have a bunch of this gorgeous tones in their polishes, it has made choosing a polish to wear ridiculously difficult. So what is better than deciding? Why, wearing all at once of course!

I created this lovely stained glass manicure using beautiful, glowing jewel inspired shades. After painting my middle and ring finger nails black I let the polish dry before dividing my nail into random sections using striping tape as painters tape. I then randomly painted the sections with beautiful metallic colors. Before the polish dried, I removed the tape. After it dried, I applied a clear topcoat to level it out. To avoid too much darkness in this manicure, I painted the rest of my nails with a beautiful textured polish.

I like this and think it adds a bit of flair to an otherwise boring autumn manicure. Besides, I was able to wear all the polishes that I could not decide between:) How do you wear jewel tones?

Polishes used: SinfulColors Black on Black and Zoya nail polishes in Mason, Neve, Channing, Giovanna, and Tomoko

Sugar Skull Inspired

This manicure draws inspiration from the Mexican holiday el Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). This early November celebration somehow makes death and dying a beautiful celebration full of bright colors and flowers. Sugar skulls personify these festivities to me. Here is my festive, colorful rendition...

This manicure was fun and very random. It is one of those things that you probably cannot recreate because you just made it up as you went. The whimsy of this is that no two will be the same (my two hands looked different). While this looks complex, it was rather simple in its execution.

What do you think about this bright, festive manicure?

Spooky Trees

Today's festive fall manicure is simple and straightforward. I love seeing autumn trees covered with colorful leaves, however that beauty does not last forever. Eventually the leaves fall off, giving way to trees that beckon toward the winter sky. These spooky trees were the inspiration for my manicure.

While this may not be my most favorite manicure, I really loved the combination of essie Bobbing for Baubles and Bad Ass Polish Dusk. It also made me rekindle my love for essie Bobbing for Baubles. Dusk adds some light and beauty to the manicure while creating mystery and intrigue.

Do you have a favorite topper that adds more character to manicures, like Dusk did for this manicure?

Festive Fall Leaves

As mentioned on facebook, this week I will be sharing some festive fall manicures. Today I am sharing an easy manicure featuring my favorite characteristic of autumn, colorful leaves!

This quick, easy nail art has a gilded, flakie accent nail and another of abstract leaf shapes. These shorties got many compliments when I wore this manicure about a month ago. It was a fun way to dress up a metallic manicure for fall.

Polishes Used: Sally Hansen Gilty Party, Zoya nail polish in Maria Luisa, Channing, Chita, and Dhara.

Zoya Zenith Collection

Press Samples

Will I have the right words to express the wonder and beauty contained in these elegant glass bottles? Probably not, but I will try...

Zoya created another Winter/Holiday collection that contains a variety of finishes/formulas. There are jelly polishes with holographic flecks, a metallic, polishes with fine metallic glitter flecks, and even a tinted jelly packed with color-shifting bar and teeny glitter pieces. It is a collection that is sure to wow everyone, despite the lack of a red for a holiday collection. 

Many other bloggers said it is nice to see barely any trace of red or green in the Zenith Collection. I agree to a certain extent, but I also always love a new red or green polish with a new twist. On the other hand, it is nice for those who celebrate Hanukkah to have a collection that falls into the color wheel of the holiday celebration. Without further delay, let's browse the beauties...

Seraphina is a "Polaris silver metallic." She is an ethereal platinum hue with fine glittery, foil flecks that are more of a white gold color than silver. It took 2-3 coats to reach opacity with Seraphina, some areas were patchy. 

Cassedy, described as a "celestial pewter metallic," is packed with fine glittery, silver, foil flecks. This pewter shade has the slightest tinge of green in its dark, metallic charcoal base. The above photo shows 2 easy coats.

Belinda, a "cosmic purple metallic," is the only true metallic in the collection. She is a rich, dark, royal purple hue with fine metallic flecks of cobalt and magenta. The above swatch shows 2 streak-free, easy coats.

Payton is a "galactic cranberry with holographic glitter." Cranberry really is the perfect descriptor of this polish. This jelly polish is packed with holographic glitter pieces that are prismatic in almost any lighting. The above photographs feature 2 coats. I let the polish dry between coats due to its squishy nature.

Dream, a "deep space blue with holographic glitter," is one of the most raved about and anticipated colors from this collection. This bright, navy blue, jelly has holographic glitter that likes to appear as icy shards unless they are kissed by sunlight. The above swatch shows two coats (you must let the polish dry between coats to avoid dragging) and left NO staining on my nails!

Mosheen is described by Zoya as an "astro ice blue topper." This clear, light blue base is packed full of miniature bar and glitter in a beautiful iridescent iciness. Above it is shown as an accent nail with Dream. The accent nail is one coat of Dream with two easy coats of Mosheen.

The Verdict:

I adore the nod to astronomy in this collection. I took an astronomy course in college and loved it (probably the only physics class I would ever willingly take). The variety of finishes in this collection, along with the colors, make it something special. I love the flawless application of these and the rich pigmentation. My favorites are Payton, Seraphina, and Belinda. I think everyone should be able to find at least a little something to tickle their fancy in this collection.

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.

Fall Favorites: Unconventional Black

It's the season for dark vampy colors. That includes the mysterious black nail, however there is a right way to do a black fingernail. If you do it the right way, black nails can come across as mysterious and glamorous. If they are done the wrong way they come across as adolescent, grunge, and goth not that there is anything wrong with these.

If going for a conventional, black, creme nail it must be high-gloss, on a mid-length nail (not nail-bitting short or talon long), and on well-manicured/shaped nails. To pull the black nail off without being so high maintenence, it is advised to pick a nearly-black color OR a black polish with pizzazz. One such unconventional polish is the lovely Zoya Dahlia.

Zoya Dahlia is a sugary, sparkly, textured black polish. She has enough character and beauty to come across as a stand-out while still maintaining neutrality. The application was 2 flawless coats and drying time was not excessive. I highly recommend Zoya Dahlia as an alternative to a black polish.

Other fabulous blacks/near black:
Zoya Claudine
Tuff Scent Hope
SinfulColors Black on Black (as seen in this nail art/manicure)
Revlon Plum Night

(Not to jump the gun on holidays, but she's make beautiful "coal" in Christmas nail art)
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.

Fall Favorites: Not Quite White

We all know that white nails were resurrected this past spring/summer. Many people raved about the clean, stark appearance of a beautiful white manicure. If you are looking for the perfect white, here is a post on my favorite white.

Since it is fall, and therefore after Labor Day, many fashion police shun those who don lovely white ensembles. If you are someone who just cannot look past the "no white after Labor Day" tradition, look no further. You can still wear a pale shade that is more of a "winter white" or an ivory than a stark, pure white.

Zoya Jacqueline, a magnolia nude cream, is the perfect autumn alternative to white. It still leaves your nails looking elegant and clean, without looking too harsh against the beautiful hues of autumn. This beauty applied flawlessly in 2 buttery smooth coats. I highly recommend Jacqueline, she is a lovely color to wear year-round. (Another "not quite white" favorite, but this time on the sheer side, is in this post)

Do you have a perfect alternative to white polish?

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

Fall Favorites: Better than...

Neutral

I love a good neutral, they're elegant, glamorous, and quite ladylike. However, sometimes these beauties can feel a little bit boring. I found a cure for wanting to be glamorous and everything but boring. Meet Layla Coral Glam.

Coral Glam is a hologram nail polish that is a soft, pinky-coral color. This is a neutral against my skin so I wear it as such when I want subtle color, but also want a bit of a wow factor.

I must say that this nail polish impressed me greatly. I have other "holo" nail polishes that either take forever to dry or are a royal pain to apply. This lovely was neither, it was beautiful and flawless in 2-3 coats depending on the digit. I love this polish so much, but sadly my little sister recently commandeered it when she was visiting last. It looks like I will be buying a new one:)

What's your current favorite "neutral"?

Layla, an Italian company, shares the breadth of their cosmetic products online. Their products can be purchased anywhere that Layla Cosmetics are sold. I purchased this polish from Ulta.

Fall Favorites: Oxblood

The oxblood trend hit its stride last fall, but I cannot let it go! I adore dark, vampy autumn colors. Add a flawless shine and I could wear this color all fall and not get bored! In my eyes it is an autumn staple and neutral. I can wear a stunning oxblood manicure with any outfit.

A recent favorite of mine is Zoya Toni.

This beauty debuted last fall as part of the fall collections (Designer '12). As you can see, Toni leans a little purple for an oxblood. But in my eyes she still fits the bill. It doesn't hurt that this highly pigmented beauty does not stain and has flawless application. She is lovely and is highly recommended if you have not yet been satisfied by other oxblood polishes.

Other beautiful oxblood hues that I have previously included in other posts are,
Barielle Wool You Marry Me? (browned oxblood creme)
Barielle Erica's Pencil Skirt (deep, nearly black oxblood jelly)
Zoya Vanessa (shifts from bright berry to deep, nearly black oxblood)
Zoya Pepper (browned, creamy oxblood)
AND the perfect topper for your oxblood polish to give it a bit of an edge:
Bad Ass Polish Chocolate Covered Cherry (bronze and pink fine glitter)

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.

SinfulColors Leather Luxe & Crystal Crushes Fall 2013 Press Release

LEATHER LUXE Lustrous Leather Looks that Lure for Fall Tease, taunt and turn heads this fall with the SinfulColors Leather Luxe Collection. A texture rich, trend-setting collection of stylish matte finish nail polish shades which are richly pigmented to provide a flirtatious way to flaunt your style.  The Leather Luxe Collection features eight weather-warming shades with leather-inspired finishes. The best part: they come in every popular base color so there's a  leather-icious look for everyone.    Laced Up: enthralling orange                    Leather Loose: safari sinful brown  Whipped: beguiling black                           Get It On: bravely berry Strapped: scintillating seafoam                  My Turn: stunning steel Cold Leather: enchanting night sky              SinfulColors Leather Luxe, $1.99 exclusively at Walgreens for Fall 2013. CRYSTAL CRUSHES A Daring Way to Dazzle for Fall Sparkle and glimmer this fall with SinfulColors shade collection: Crystal Crushes. It is a brilliant collection of gem-inspired nail polish shades with multifaceted 3D texture. Gorgeous matte colors flecked with a reflective pearl finish sure to dazzle your digits and make your heart skip a beat.  The Crystal Crushes collection features eight vivid shades sprinkled with an angel dust finish.  The colorful trend shades you love fromSinfulColors! Got a Blush on You: flirty fuchsia                Blue Persuasion: sapphire-d up! Orange Crush: twinkling tangerine              Treasure Chest: sea worthy bling Emerald Envy: a glint of green                     Purple Gleam: glistening lavender Ruby Mine: ravishing red                              Face the Facets: banana bling SinfulColors Crystal Crushes, $2.99 exclusively at Walgreens for Fall 2013.