Red Nails with a Hint of Bling

Hi friends! Hope your weekend is going well :) Here is a mani I wore a few weeks ago that really brought a smile to my face. This is such a killer combo, hot red with an accent nail of gold bling!

The red is Sation Overdressed Party and the gold is Deborah Lippmann Shake Your Groove Thing. The gold does take quite a few layers to get total coverage, I think this was five or six coats, but I love the end result. Doing it as one nail helped minimize the effort.

Products provided for review.

OPI Designer Series 2011

Hi friends :) Today I have the two newest OPI Designer shades, released in 2011. These are straight glitters, and unlike a lot of the Designer Series lacquers, not holographic. I think a lot of people aren't happy about that because the DS line has "diamond dust" in them so that equates a higher price and for that people expect something a little extra. However, just because these aren't holo doesn't mean they aren't lovely.

This is DS Temptation, the definition of a glitterbomb! Purple in overall shade with some blue tonality. This has lots of large and small glitter pieces. Really a gritty glitter, you definitely need the Seche Vite for this one to create a smooth surface. Thick but not terribly hard to work with like I've heard from others. This is three coats plus topcoat.

And this is DS Bold, a jelly red base with medium silver and red glitter. This is less dense than the previous glitter but still nicely packed. Very pink at some angles. This is a basically a dupe of China Glaze's Mrs. Claus from their 2010 Christmas collection. This is three coats.

What do you think of these two glitters? How do you feel about the Designer Series in general? Are they worth the price hike?

Products provided for review.

Nicole by OPI Walmart Exclusives for 2012

Another set of Nicole by OPIs today! These are new for 2012, exclusive to Walmart. You got a shimmer, a foil and a crazy glitter. Hold on to your hats folks!

Here is Best Pink Ever, that's the name not my personal opinion haha. This is a thin magenta pink with blue shimmer and glass flecks. Very interesting finish. This is two coats. You can see the edge is looking like it's shrunk from topcoat, but I didn't use any, it's just the formula is very thin. I like it better than I thought I would looking at the bottle, but it's still not my "best pink ever" by far.

The Gold Shoulder is not gold. I'm not sure what they were going for on the name. This is a foil metallic silver with almost imperceptible bronze bits. It is REALLY metallic, take a look at the bottle! Weird huh. It looked like that each time I flippen moved it. This is a miss for me. Two coats here.

And the saving grace of the trio is "Fabulous" Is My Middle Name. Gorgeous thin bar glitter in red, blue, purple and silver with silver microglitter. Love. I again am surprised to see this funky polish from such a big name brand, which is awesome. I have come to really enjoy bar glitter, before I never really tried it and thought it looked weird but I am happy I have. This is three coats.

Here is two coats of "Fabulous" over Di-Vine is Divine. I love this combination.

You can purchase these from your local Walmart for around $7.00. Any favorites guys?

Products provided for review.

Nicole by OPI Target Exclusives for 2012

Hi there and hello! Today I have to show you four new Nicole by OPI nail polish shades for 2012 that are exclusive to Target. I believe they came out around March this year.

First up is Great Minds Pink Alike. This is a sheerish jelly coral tinged pink with violet glass fleck shimmer. I love this one on my fingernails, but wore it as a pedi and it just wasn't as pretty for some reason. This is three coats.

Purple Yourself Together is a medium bright grape purple with gallons of heavy gold shimmer. I believe this to be very similar to Sephora by OPI Hell to the No from the Glee collection, but I think this is more sheer and more of a brighter purple base. This is three coats.

That's Totally Red-ical is a bright raspberry red with super subtle silver shimmer. This one is uber bright and very flattering. I tend to like these more than straight out primary reds I think. Two coats here.

The next shade should be Look at Me, Look at Me, a silver and multicolored glitter polish released for Target with the others, but for some reason I was sent a different one instead haha. Oops ;) This is honestly gorgeous and so I had to show it to you anyway. Di-vine is Divine is a smooth berry purple metallic with red glimmer. Not sure when it was released but I found swatches online from back in 2010 so *shrug* This is two coats.

You can get these at your local Target :) Hope you enjoyed these swatches and we'll talk again real soon.

Products provided for review.

New Nicole by OPI Shades for 2012

Today I want to show you four new Nicole by OPI nail polishes that came out for 2012. They aren't exclusive to any stores, just new additions to the current line.

Vio-Lets Talk About Red is a shimmery thin magenta with red and blue microshimmer. This reminds me of OPI's Miss Congeniality from the Miss Universe collection, maybe a tad brighter? This is two coats. Great formula and though not terribly unique, still lovely.

Shoot For The Maroon is a dark almost brown tinged purple with duochrome shimmer. This is not my favorite polish. It's a little too muddy looking. Makes me think of Nicole Sounds Grape to Me, but more purple toned. This is two coats.

A Lit-Teal Bit of Love is an electric teal blue, reminicient of OPI Swimsuit...Nailed It! also from the Miss Universe collection. I wasn't terribly impressed with this one, the texture is too metallic to get it really smooth. This is two coats.

A Million Sparkles is the stunner of the group, a glitter bomb! The main type of glitter is a tealish blue small round glitter, then there is thin small tealish blue bar glitter, medium-small pale goldish hex glitter, and larger pale pinky bar glitter. This is an interesting combo of glitters, very cool of Nicole. I personally think this would benefit to having brighter colors *shrug* This is four coats.

Here is A Million Sparkles layered over A Lit-Teal Bit of Love. These two work well together. The color of the glitter blends into the blue background seemlessly. I am impressed by the creativity the OPI/Nicole brands have taken the last year or so, never thought I'd see something this funky from a big brand like them. This is three coats of glitter over two coats of color.

These are available for $7.99 each in the U.S. at CVS, Harmon, HEB, Rite Aid, Sears, Stage Stores, Target, ULTA, and Walmart, as well as online at Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com. In Canada, lacquers will be retailed for $10.99 each at Jean Coutu, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Walmart Canada. Do you have any of these new Nicoles? What do you think of them?

Products provided for review.

Zoya Smoke & Mirrors Collections

Hi there friends! I know it's been a little longer than I'd like since I've blogged, but this week was c-razy. My computer was being a total beezy and my cuticles are all cut to hell from filing at work :( Anyway, here is a little blast from the past, Zoya's Smoke & Mirrors. These came out last year for the Fall 2011 season. I got them right around the time I went on my unplanned hiatus and never got around to posting them. Here they are in all their glory!

The Smoke collection starts off with Anja, a rich, deep, vampy red-toned wine purple. I absolutely love vampy colors and this is nice and dark and sexy. This is two coats.

Next is Jana, a medium nude putty creme with grey, mauve and purple tones. Very complex for a crème, as it tends to be a kind of chameleon, changing in different lights. I love the whole grunge purple thing that this has going on. Three coats.

Here is Codie, speaking of vamps, this baby has sexiness in spades! This is a very dark blackened espresso brown. Just dark enough without being black. This is two coats. I should do a comparison between this and RBL Fortissimo...

This is Petra, awesome name, reminds me of Kylie Minogue's character in Bio Dome (90's pop culture anyone?). Another greige purple, this one is darker and more moody. This is two coats.

Dree is a light, dusty drab olive green with yellow tones and a touch of grey smoke. I was sure I would love this when I saw initially saw promo images for the collection and it was no disappointment when I saw it in person. Ugly pretty for sure. Two coats here.

Last in the Smoke collection is Cynthia, a smoky, blackened peacock teal with soft warm undertones. This one has almost imperceptable teal shimmer to it, interesting. I had trouble with the application on this, it was incredibly thick and I got bubbles every time I tried to do a mani with it. Pity because it's gorgeous. This is three coats.

Now for the Mirrors collection, first up is Marina. One of my very favorite female names. This is a super beautiful slate blue silvery grey with a dusty metallic finish. I love how it's frosty but not too frosty so it becomes really brushstrokey, it dries very soft. This is two coats.

Here is Neeka, a lovely smokey amethyst purple with subtle pink duochrome shimmer and gold glitter speckles. I love this, very interesting and unique. I adore how the glitter isn't terribly sparkly, just scattered and makes the polish look very deep.

Tao is a light smoke grey with blue undertones and a muted, softened metallic finish. This gal is along the same lines as Marina, very metallic but not really frosty which is lovely. This is a very sophisticated and classy color. Two coats.

OOOH. Jem is a drop dead gorgeous color, you NEED it. She's a dark red-toned purple base with metallic dark pink highlights and subtle gold duochrome flecks. This would be a sister polish to Valerie from Fire & Ice, both beautiful but this is more my style. Uber velvety texture and sparkle for days! Two coats.

Nimue is another frosty "mirror". This time done in a smoky muted purple with blue and mauve tones. This is just as pretty as the other two frosts, la la love. This is two coats.

I wasn't sure Yara was even a name, but found out it's a pretty popular Brazillian and Arabic name. It was actually the name of one of the drag queen contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race season 3, which I'm addicted to. I watch the seasons over and over again! Anyway, back to the polish. This is another super unique lacquer, same type of finish as Neeka, a medium smoky olive drab with a dash of gold glitter. Same speckled look, reminds me of a dinosaur egg!

You can get these on www.zoya.com for $8 each. Do you have any of the Smoke & Mirrors colors? I realize these are much more suited to fall and winter than the middle of the summer, but hey, everyone needs a break from neons once in a while ;)

Products provided for review.

OPI Boo-Berry

Hi friends! I wanted to show you a close to my heart polish today, OPI Boo-Berry. This is a glow in the dark polish that was released for Halloween in 2007 (I think). This is similar to last years Zom-body to Love from OPI, a kind of grainy looking sheer. The blue color is so slammin' and I've wanted this polish forever. This is three coats. I tried to get a pic showing it glow in the dark but that mission failed.

This polish has lots of my favorite characteristics, it's vintage, it's for Halloween, it has the cutest name, and it's a gift from my favorite gingey, Ang. Thanks sweetie, I love it!

The Hungry Asian - Belle

Hi everyone! I hope you have had a wonderful weekend and are in the mood for the nice bright week ahead. I have a wonderful indie polish to show you from my favorite Etsy seller, Kae of The Hungry Asian! Here is one of her newest creations, called Belle.

This is a milky white jelly with small pink hex glitter and medium brown hex glitter. Very unique and super adorable! I felt very girly wearing this mani. This is four coats with topcoat. I am loving these polishes that give the look of a glitter sandwhich without the layering :) This also looks badass matte, forgot to photograph them though.

You can get this at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHungryAsian, $9.25 for a full size bottle (15 ml) and $4.50 for the mini size (5 ml) which is the one I opted for. What do you think of this?

CosmoProf Spotlights Brands Announced

CPNA ANNOUNCES SPOTLIGHTS BRANDS FOR 2012

A NEW, EXCLUSIVE INITIATIVE TARGETING SMALL BRANDS

Las Vegas, NV (June 14, 2012) – This year, Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) introduces SPOTLIGHTS, an exclusive initiative within the Discover Beauty program. This new exhibit space will allow smaller companies that excel on creativity but seek economic solutions the opportunity to showcase their products at CPNA, the premiere international B2B beauty event.  

Every year, CPNA attracts various indie boutique retail store owners, major salon and spa owners and international buyers from more than 100 countries who come to scout and find new resources to launch in their establishments. SPOTLIGHTS will house small artisan labels that are a prime fit for high-end retail stores, boutiques, salons and spas. 

The 2012 SPOTLIGHTS inaugural line-up includes brands from eight countries: Acquarella, DoshaCare, eyeslices®, greenland, la C C by la Couleur Couture, LaVie Organique, Lily.B Skincare, Line N Grow by Lashious, LVX, Mama Mio, NIA24®, PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, Pure Earth Minerals, Royal Apothic, RSD Group Champs Elysees Paris, Sans New Generation Ceuticals, Senteurs d’Orient, Shea Terra Organics, Trinitae, and Triumph & Disaster Ltd.

ACQUARELLA – USA

Acquarella is the premier water-based nail polish brand that uses highly advanced, water-based technology without harmful petrochemical solvents and chemicals. This green-alternative polish is perfect for everyone, especially discerning clientele, including people that have asthma, allergies, and religious concerns, are pregnant or in cancer remission. acquarellapolish.com

DOSHACARE – USA

DoshaCare natural and organic Ayurvedic products is customizable skincare made easy. Endorsed by the leading authorities in Ayurveda, including the Chopra Center and Ayurvedic Institute, DoshaCare combines modern science with ancient wisdom for a unique approach to beauty.

doshacare.com

EYESLICES® – SOUTH AFRICA

eyeslices® are multi award-winning, innovative, reusable eye treatment masks that use ground-breaking cryogel polymer technology. The professional eyeslices offer an all-in-one solution to puffiness, dark circles, tiredness, redness and wrinkles, while the biotanix eyeslices target different eye concerns. Both provide an instant cooling sensation without a fridge and are reusable up to 10 times.

eyeslicesusa.com

GREENLAND – NETHERLANDS

Greenland, a natural and organic bath and body brand, uses the utmost care when developing its products. The fruit extracts, essential oils, milkies and natural butters in combination with the stunning packaging and design make greenland products not only great for your skin, but also for your senses. Greenland treats your senses, naturally.

greenland.nl

LA C C BY LA COULEUR COUTURE – USA

Fashion forward, sophisticated and urban-edgy, la C C provides vegan-friendly nail lacquers, available in various couture colors. The unique basecoat formula ensures the longest lasting protection for your nails, while the topcoat offers unmatched diamond-like shine. Say goodbye to brittle, yellow nails with la Couleur Couture's protective UV inhibitor

and say hello to gorgeously colored, healthy nails.

laccbeauty.com

LAVIE ORGANIQUE – USA

LaVie Organique is an elegant organic skin care system that encompasses the quality and effectiveness of the finest European spa treatments through a proprietary blend of botanical oils and organic herbal extracts. From hydration and nutrition to sun protection, all the elements of a beautifully balanced complexion are in the jars.

lavie-organique.com

LILY.B SKINCARE – USA

Endorsed by dermatologists, the Lily.B Skincare Collection is simple by design. It is naturally derived, rich in functional, botanical and sea sourced ingredients as well as simply formulated without skin irritating additives like parabens, sulfates, dyes or synthetic fragrances. Lily.B Skincare products focus on optimizing skin health and managing the signs of aging.

lilybskincare.com

LINE N GROW BY LASHIOUS – USA

Line N Grow by Lashious is the first-ever line of all-natural, non-toxic lash-growing eye liners. Available in five shades, Line N Grow also offers a clear colored treatment serum for lashes and brows. Line your way to longer, stronger, beautiful lashes in 30 days... naturally! Made in the USA, all of the packaging comes from a facility that is run on wind energy.

lashiousbeauty.com

LVX – USA

LVX, meaning light; the essence of all color in Latin, is a devoted fashion brand, dedicated to providing a deep understanding fashion. The unique color collections are carefully selected to be the top colors of the season, and will be the perfect compliment to your wardrobe.

shoplvx.com 

MAMA MIO – USA

Mama Mio creates high-performance face, body care and spa treatments to give you beautifully FIT skin. They believe that whatever your shape, age or skin type, if your skin looks firm, smooth and glowing, you will feel gorgeous… and if you FEEL gorgeous, you will LOOK gorgeous!

mamamio.com

NIA24® – USA

NIA 24® Niacin-Powered Skin Therapy delivers a patented Pro-Niacin® molecule deep within the skin's layers to build a stronger, healthier skin barrier from the inside-out that is more resilient and resistant to sun damage. NIA 24® provides complete prevention and protection and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, brown spots and hyperpigmentation.

NIA24.com

PEACEKEEPER CAUSE-METICS – USA

A premier non-violence advocate cosmetics line, PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics’s celebrity/media-driven organic & natural products are rated as one of the safest in the industry. While sourcing certain ingredients from developing world farmers, PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics is supporting these farmers in a sustainable trade. They are the first make-up company in history to donate ALL of its profits, after taxes, to women’s health and human rights advocacy issues. 
iamapeacekeeper.com

PURE EARTH MINERALS – USA / CANADA

Discover skincare treatments that have been used for thousands of years. Pure Earth Minerals researches the best way to extract minerals from around the world by using modern day technology to produce a luxury line of natural skincare products and gives you healthy, younger-looking skin.

pureearthminerals.com

ROYAL APOTHIC – USA

Inspired by a forgotten apothecary manual and landing stateside in 2009, Royal Apothic set out on a mission to bring sovereign luxury to every home with its complete range of perfumes, bath and body care and home fragrances. The exclusive design house, led by noted designer Sean O’Mara, has headquarters in Los Angeles and London.

royalapothic.com

RSD GROUP CHAMPS ELYSEES PARIS – FRANCE

RENOV’SMILE, a latest tooth whitening system for the home, is the only professional, miniaturized device made and developed by the RSD Group Champs Elysees Paris laboratory. RENOV’SMILE was invented by renowned dental surgeon Dr. Marc Arfi, alongside with cosmetic sector engineers and professionals.

www.renovsmile.com

SANS NEW GENERATION CEUTICALS – NEW ZEALAND

Pure and chemical-free, Sans New Generation Ceuticals is a range of highly active super-products designed to regenerate your skin and hair. The line is developed by hair and beauty professional, Lucy Marr, in response to her own uncompromising needs. Sans New Generation Ceuticals is naturally-derived, environmentally sustainable and effective.

sansceuticals.com

SENTEURS D’ORIENT LUXURY SOAP – LEBANON

Senteurs d’Orient is an exclusive luxury soap line, handcrafted using the Mesopotamian soap-making tradition. Triple-milled with glycerin, shea butter and essential oils for an incredibly luxurious lather, these glamorous aromatherapy soaps and bath products are available in 16 enchanting fragrances, presented individually in keepsake gift boxes.

odyssey-collection.com

SHEA TERRA ORGANICS – USA

Shea Terra Organics sources the most potent, organic and wild harvested ingredients from all regions of Africa. This pristine environment, barely tainted by modern pollution, grows some of the safest, unchanged botanical ingredients on earth. Unwilling to compromise, Shea Terra Organics uses whole herbs for its potent, synergistic skincare solutions.

sheaterraorganics.com

TRINITAE HANDMADE DEAD SEA PRODUCTS – JORDAN

From Jordan’s legendary Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, comes Trinitae, a line of luxury handmade bath & body products enriched with Dead Sea Mud and Salt. Trinitae’s indulgent, all-natural creams & lotions, mud masks, bath salts and body scrubs provide a one-of-a-kind aromatherapy Dead Sea Spa experience.

odyssey-imports.com

TRIUMPH & DISASTER LTD – NEW ZEALAND

Built upon old-fashioned values, Triumph & Disaster Ltd offers shaving and skincare products that are derived from nature, but engineered with science to be safe, efficient and highly effective. They try for humility, believe in risk, walk with swagger, and hope to treat Triumph & Disaster, those two imposters, just the same.

triumphanddisaster.com

For high-resolution product images and logos, please contact Maddie Edgerton at medgerton@ypublicrelations.com.

Cosmoprof North America will take place July 22 - 24, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.  Stay tuned for regular CPNA show updates, and for more information, visit cosmoprofnorthamerica.com and Facebook.com/cosmoprofnorthamerica