Don't Shoot Your Eye Out!

I don't suppose you'll EVER guess what my favorite Christmas movie is, will you?  ;)  In the spirit of the holiday, I'd like to share my Christmas 2011 manicure.  My wonderful and generous friend, Crystal, learning of my disappointment in missing out on the Secret Santa exchange in a facebook nail polish group we both belong to, surprised me with a sweet package filled with all sorts of goodies, including two adorable snowman nail polishes.  I don't know the brand and they are unnamed (actually, they are both labeled "Snowman") but they are awesome!  One is a green foil, which looks like it's swirled with silver foil in the bottle but comes out a gorgeous medium green.  The second is a festive green and red glitter combo in a clear base.  Here are some pics for you:

These are the super cute polishes in the bottles.

Two coats of the green foil

One coat of red and green glitter on top

I added a coat of Gelous for good measure and I think that this manicure is a really fun and festive one.  I plan to enjoy it at least until December 26th.  

I wish you all, my lovely kittens, a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa or whatever holiday you choose to celebrate and, of course, a happy and healthy new year!  Hold your loved ones close and let the spirit of the season bring you great joy!

xoxo,

K

P.S.  If you didn't get the title of this post, I highly suggest that you watch A Christmas Story as soon as possible.  It's a true classic!  

China Glaze - Colours from the Capitol

I am so so soooooo excited for this upcoming China Glaze collection, inspired by The Hunger Games.  As the press documentation states: "This collection of 12 new nail polish shades is inspired exclusively by one distinct setting in The Hunger Games - the Capitol of the nation of Panem. Awash in lavish fashion, food, and entertainment, Capitol citizens enjoy extreme cosmetics and body modifications, bold wigs, and outlandish costumes."  I absolutely ADORED The Hunger Games and its subsequent sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay and I cannot wait to see the upcoming feature film.  I would want these polishes just for their association with the books/movie but the fact that they also look A-MAZ-ING is an added plus.  Feast your eyes on the official swatch sheet!

Are you as excited about this collection as I am?  Which ones are you most looking forward to?

SinfulColors Holiday 2011 - Wish

I recently received the SinfulColors holiday 2011 collection, Wish, to review for you.  It features five polishes and two nail art polishes.  Here they are, for your viewing pleasure.

The colors, from thumb to pinky, are Sugar Sugar, Last Chance, Midnight Blue, Daddy's Girl and Out of This World.

Here they are again, with their corresponding bottles, indoors, with flash.

I must begin by saying that I already had several of these colors in my polish stash.  I'm guessing that they are being re-marketed for the holidays as they certainly work together as a jewel-toned collection.  I found them quite easy to work with.  Sugar Sugar and Midnight Blue I would characterize as deeply pigmented and completely opaque in two coats with just a hint of shimmer.  Last Chance was equally pigmented and opaque in two coats but is a true cream.  Daddy's Girl has a bit of sparkle and seems more of a jelly finish to me, far more sheer than the three previously mentioned.  Out of This World is also more sheer and kind of a pearly silver, if that makes sense.  I liked this one very much and I think it would be nice as a layering polish as well. 

These are the two nail art colors, Fashionista (silver) and Flower Girl (gold), striped over Sugar Sugar.

The nail art colors, once again, with their corresponding bottles.

I've got to say, I am not skilled at nail art in any way, shape or form.  I don't even attempt it often, due to my lack of skill.  However, even in my challenged state, I found these two nail art polishes SOOOO easy to apply.  The long thin brushes gave me a great deal of control and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with how my striping turned out.  To my eye, Fashionista is a true glitter and Flower Girl more a sparkly shimmer and I really enjoyed using them and look forward to attempting more nail art with them in the future.  Definitely a great choice for beginning nail artists!

Now a bit of the business.  The following is an excerpt from SinfulColors' press materials:

"SinfulColors surpasses the masses with more than 150 amazing shades of nail polish including the above-mentioned shades.  All hues are available for $1.99 at major drug and mass-market stores nationwide, by calling 1-800-448-0763 or online at www.walgreens.com."

What do you think?  Which shades are your favorites?  Your thoughts are always welcomed!

xoxo,

K

Dr.'s REMEDY Jolly and Joy Collection 2011

Hello, my lovely kittens!  Here is my complete review of the *Dr.'s REMEDY Jolly and Joy Collection.  It features five shades, REVIVE Ruby Red, PASSION Purple, ESSENTIAL Emerald, RESOLUTION Red Glitter and SERENE Silver Glitter.  Pictures are below:

The collection, in the bottles.

Above is two coats of each color, indoors, with flash.

Here they are outdoors.

First up, on my thumb, is REVIVE Ruby Red.  It is a deep red with a bit of shimmer.  I think it's a perfect shade for the holidays if you're not necessarily a fan of "Santa" candy apple red, which, generally, I'm not.  This is a winner, for sure.  Next up, on my index finger, is PASSION Purple.  To me, this color reads far more plum than true purple but I really like it.  It dried almost borderline matte which was kind of a nice surprise.  It can easily be "shined up" with a top coat but the finish makes it quite versatile.  On my middle finger you will find ESSENTIAL Emerald.  This one had a bit of a silvery shimmer and again, it wasn't a "traditional" Christmas green.  I really love this color!  Of course, I'm partial to greens and blues as a general rule but I found this one to be quite unique and I know I'll wear it often.  Next, on my ring finger, is RESOLUTION Red Glitter.  This, along with the pinky finger color, SERENE Silver Glitter, was difficult to capture on camera.  They are both chock full of sparkle and as I mentioned in a previous post, SERENE Silver Glitter, in particular, is a stand-out color.  I don't generally wear glitters alone, unless they are highly pigmented jellies, but these two definitely work for that purpose.  Of course, they would also be fabulous as layering colors, I'm sure.  Though they, like most glitters, are challenging to remove, they are worth the effort. 

Overall, I was quite pleased with this collection.  My favorites are probably ESSENTIAL Emerald and the two glitters, but that's just a matter of my personal taste.  Each of the five was great quality and easy to apply.    You may head on over to: http://store.remedynails.com/ to browse through all of the awesome colors offered.  As always, this blog is nothing without all of Y-O-U and I'd love to hear your thoughts.    

*Disclosure: Where indicated by an asterisk, the product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for review. Please click my disclosure tab for further information.

Press Release - Tuff Scent Holiday Scoop

Tuff Scent Kicks Off The Holiday Season With A Limited Edition Scent and KIIS FM’s Jingle Balls

Reno, Nevada (December 5^th, 2011) – This past weekend Tuff Scent helped kick off the holiday season at KISS FM’s Jingle Balls. In additional to gifting their original shades and scents, Tuff Scent was excited to introduce their limited edition holiday polish “Holly”. Featured in a gold dusted bottle with holly and berries, the spearmint polish was an instant hit.

Celebrities such as Shar Jackson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Gym Class Heroes, Alexa Vega, Nick Cannon, Neon Hitch and Boy Toy Jessie all stopped by to pick up their favorite stocking stuffers.

Tuff Scent is available now for holiday orders at the company website www.tuffscent.com and can also be found at www.shopfinenfunky.com.

Sally Hansen - Star Magazine Contest!

Hi ho, kittens. I just heard the hot scoop today that Star magazine is running an awesome contest with the chance at some amazing Sally Hansen prizes. One lucky grand prize winner will win a trip to NYC for a complete makeover with Sally Hansen Style Advisor Mary Alice Stephenson and fifty finalists will win a red carpet survival kit featuring products Mary Alice uses to prep her celeb clients. Too cool, right? Click HERE for more information.

P.S. I am, of course, in no way affiliated with this contest. I just wanted to pass on the info to you, lovely kittens. If you win, you'd better come right back here and tell me all about it! ;) Good luck!

Dr.'s REMEDY - Winter Wonderland

Though it is typically a brisk 80 degrees around here, lately, I decided that I'd try an atypical approach to my first "winter 2011" manicure, and at the same time, feature two of the Dr.'s REMEDY polishes I received to review for you. This mani features the lovely Dr.'s REMEDY *NOBLE Navy and *SERENE Silver Glitter, the former from the fall 2011 collection and the latter from the winter 2011 collection. I used a top and base coat of Duri Rejuvacote and ONE, yes ONE coat of each color, NOBLE Navy on all but the ring finger and SERENE Silver Glitter for my ring finger accent nail. Feast your eyes:

I have to say that I never EVER go with just one coat of color. Even on colors that border on being "one coat wonders", I typically go with a second coat, just because. However, these two went on so smoothly and effortlessly and had such deep rich pigmentation in just one coat, I decided to go with it. NOBLE Navy is just that, a flawless opaque navy cream. SERENE Silver Glitter is SO much more than you might imagine. Sure, it's silver, but its also got flecks of blue and red and it sparkles like a dream. Truly a knockout and unlike any other polish I own, that's for sure. I LOVE this combination and couldn't be happier with either of these colors.

As always, thanks for looking! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ho ho ho xoxo,
K

*Disclosure: Where indicated by an asterisk, the product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for review. Please click my disclosure tab for further information.

Press Release - Dr.'s REMEDY Black Friday Sale!

Dr.'s REMEDY TAKES THE HEADACHE OUT OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH A SPECIAL OFFER BLACK FRIDAY THRU CYBER MONDAY

Dr.'s REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypoallergenic ingredients. The birth-child of two New York-based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially-perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold exclusively at www.remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-NAIL.

Great sale! Get your shop on!

Press Release - Dr.'s REMEDY Holiday Hues

Dr.'s REMEDY HOLIDAY HUES: JOLLY & JOY Seasonal shades to enchant, inspire, ignite

Holiday cheer is contagious: the spirit is infectious, the charm is encapsulating. It's so divine, in fact, that you wish you could "bottle it up" - savor it, treasure it. Luckily, your friends at Dr.'s REMEDY did just that this year with their holiday collection of hues: JOLLY & JOY. In the lineup, five shades that are rich, riveting, and radiant. And the best part: the colors are traditional in scope but not on scale; meaning red and green - yes, the docs have you covered. See for yourself in the best holiday collection yet: Dr.'s REMEDY JOLLY & JOY for holiday 2011. The holiday 2011 JOLLY & JOY collection of Enriched Nail Polish includes: REVIVE Ruby Red: A shimmer-infused, Wizard of Oz-inspired shade of crimson PASSION Purple: A bombshell-boysenberry with subtle silver meshed throughout ESSENTIAL Emerald: A take on the classic tree-and-plant-inspired gem of a shade, with delicate glimmer and unparalleled amounts of glamour SERENE Silver Glitter: A seasonal sizzler like no other: shine, chic, totally unique in the metallic scene RESOLUTION Red Glitter: A red-meets-copper spin that's sequin-look-alike laden with high-shine and sparkle Dr.'s REMEDY is offering the following special price on selected holiday shades. Purchase ESSENTIAL Emerald, RESOLUTION Red Glitter AND SERENE Silver Glitter for only $14 each while supplies last. Also, free shipping on orders of $50 or more with code: HOLIDAY thru 11/18/11. Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish is available for $17 online at www.remedynails.com. Dr.'s REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypoallergenic ingredients. The birth-child of two New York-based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially-perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold exclusively at www.remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-NAIL.

To like Dr's REMEDY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Remedynails

To follow Dr's REMEDY on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/remedynails

As I stated in my previous post, I recently received both the fall and holiday 2011 collections to review and will get them swatched for you all asap. I have swatched them on my nail wheel and let me tell you, you will NOT be disappointed!  As stated above, you won't want to miss out on the special promotions they are offering, too. SERENE Silver Glitter, in particular, is a stand-out in my book.

Press Release - Dr.'s REMEDY Fall Fever 2011

Dr.'s REMEDY FALL FEVER 2011 Autumn Allure Like Never Before

Fall 2011 will be fierce: leaves will change, for sure, and temps will follow suit. But the real news relates to the hues of this season. Indeed, we're revolutionarily-ready to welcome a crisper, cleaner, clearer collection of colors, kudos to Dr.'s REMEDY insight and excitement over autumn. These hues celebrate the season that screams renewal: a rich bordeaux; a modern burgundy; a navy-meets-royal blue. We welcome you to invite your nails to dance in Dr.'s REMEDY FALL FEVER 2011. The vibrant shade collection of Enriched Nail Polish includes: DEFENSE Deep Red: A rich bordeaux with a mystifying matte finish NOBEL Navy: A sea-at-dusk shade that reflects light and brings dimension to tips and toes alike BALANCE Brick: A modern maroon with body and balance Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish is $17 and available for purchase online at www.remedynails.com. Dr.'s REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypo-allergenic ingredients. The birth-child of two New York-based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially-perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails; their Enriched Nail Polish is the first-ever nail polish on the market approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold online at www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL.  To like on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Remedynails To follow on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/remedynails

I do have these, as well as the Dr.'s REMEDY Winter Shades (press release will be in the next post), in my hot little hands and will get swatches and reviews up asap.

Zoya Neeka...Finally!

Not to put too fine a point on it but for the past two years, I've been in an extremely difficult place, financially. I may have mentioned this in previous posts but basically, times were really tough and polish was (and still is) a luxury for me. So, I really didn't purchase too many, particularly in the past several months. But, fortunately, things are on the slightest of upswings for me now, thank God, and Zoya's Halloween promo (two free colors of your choice, pay only the shipping) came along at a wonderful time. My husband, who has been busting his butt to make our lives better, had a small victory and as a result, decided to treat me to two polishes as a part of this promo (which, coincidentally, coincided almost exactly with the 11 year anniversary of our love's beginning). Anyway, without further ado, here is one of the pretties I chose, Zoya Neeka.

Sadly, a new (better) camera won't be a purchase I can make any time soon (nor, I suspect, will my photography skills improve, I'm afraid) but, here, to the best of my ability, I have captured the lovely and unique Neeka. This is two coats of purple with golden shimmer loveliness. She is definitely unlike anything in my collection (and yes, by the way, I do refer to Zoya polishes, all named after women, as "shes") and I'm so happy to have her. Brian actually picked this one out but, I must admit, I would have had to have her, sooner or later, as I'm honored to say that she was named for a wonderful friend of mine who I was fortunate enough to meet through the Zoya facebook page (and subsequently got to know much better through several facebook polish groups). Like Neeka herself, this polish is a superstar and I'm so happy that she is FINALLY mine.

As always, thoughts are welcomed! Hope you enjoyed!

Press Release - Sally Hansen Holiday 2011 Salon Effects

SALLY HANSEN INTRODUCES A NEW TWIST ON TRADITION
WITH HOLIDAY EDITIONS OF SALON EFFECTS REAL NAIL POLISH STRIPS

THINK: Festive, fast, no-fuss nail color.

WHAT THEY ARE: Limited-edition holiday prints of Sally Hansen’s hit, Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. When Sally Hansen first introduced its peel-and-apply nail polish strips, the manicure breakthrough took the world by storm. Now Sally Hansen introduces trendsetting prints exclusively for the holidays, putting the spirit of the season at your fingertips. Like all the prints in the Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips collection, the five festive prints let you peel, apply, file, and go, delivering a real-polish manicure without mess or stress. Whether you’re playing Santa and stuffing a stocking or heading to the party of the moment, these seasonal strips are the ultimate accessory.

The new prints include Plaid About You (red and black plaid), Peppermint Twist (red and white candy stripe), Snow Bunny (white with red snowflakes), Prep’s Cool (black and silver argyle), and Winter Funderland (black, silver and blue glitter).

Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate.

WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

*Well, kittens, what are your thoughts? As you know, I had a bit of difficulty applying these strips the first time I tried them but I think that the adorability (a word? if not, it should be) of these designs and the convenience of not having to polish frequently during the busy holiday season make these more than worth a try.

Kari Cares - Breast Cancer Awareness

Hi ho, kittens!  Here is my pink manicure for breast cancer awareness.  For this mani, I used two Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes from the limited edition fall 2011 line, *Ballet Rouges and *Courtesan.

I used two coats of Ballet Rouges on all but my ring finger and two coats of Courtesan for my ring finger accent nail.  As these are Complete Salon Manicure polishes, I did not use top or base coat.  I was quite happy with the opacity of these polishes after two coats and, as I've stated ad nauseum, I adore the CSM wide flat brushes.  For me, they make application so much quicker and easier than typical more rounded brushes.  Though, as I've also stated in previous blog entries, I am not a huge fan of pink as a general rule, I thought that these two pinks were quite lovely.  For this important cause, I was more than happy to "think pink."  

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xoxo,

K

*Disclosure: Where indicated by an asterisk, the product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for review. Please click my disclosure tab for further information.

Press Release - China Glaze Holiday 2011 Collection

HO HO HOLIDAY 2011!

Spend the Holiday season with glittering, shimmering, ravishing color in the Let it Snow Collection from China Glaze

 

Los Angeles, CA – (October 2011): Spend the holidays in style with the new Let It Snow collection from China Glaze! Introducing 12 festive shades sure to get anyone in the holiday sprit this season. Specifically created with the wintery season in mind, Let It Snow will have even the biggest Grinch feeling jolly all winter long. Not only a must-have for a holiday manicure and pedicure, Let It Snow is available in 12 seasonal inspired gift sets perfect for stocking stuffers, Hanukah gifts, Secret Santa, co-workers and Teacher’s gifts. China Glaze Let It Snow collection will be available at fine salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide!

Shades include:

·        Poinsettia – Ruby red crème inspired by the traditional holiday plant.

·        Ring In The Red – No Holiday season would be exact without this glittering red polish for holiday gatherings.

·        Winter Berry – Creamy, cranberry-red perfect for sipping hot cocoa by the fire.

·        Velvet Bow – Rich red crème color inspired by your favorite red wine.

·        Glittering Garland – A dazzling glittery green to match the holiday greens of pine trees, garland, and mistletoe.

·        Holly-Day – Looking for a bold color without the glitz? Holly-Day is a rich hunter green without the sparkle.

·        Champagne Bubbles – Sophisticated gold metallic with a golden shimmer.

·        Twinkle Lights – A mix of glittery shades to emblemize twinkling tree lights.

·        Snow Globe – Frosty white polish with flecks of snowy color.

·        Icicle – Smooth silver shimmer with a hint of flash and ice.

·        Tinsel Town – Bold silver, metallic glitter and the perfect match for sparkling night on the town.

·        Blue Year’s Eve – Ring in the New Year with this lustrous, shimmering blue.

The Let It Snow Collection is available in a 12 piece counter display, 24 Piece Lil’ Stuffers Display and a 36 Piece Polish Rack. Gift sets include:

·        Belle Of The Ball: Champagne Bubbles and Tinsel Town with a Festive Ornament.

·        Seasonal Sparkles: Poinsettia, Twinkle Lights and Holly-Day.

·        Meet Me Under the Mistletoe: Ring In The Red, Velvet Bow and Glittering Garland with Lip Lacquer.

·        Santa’s Little Helpers: Ring In The Red, Holly-Day, Twinkle Lights and Velvet Bow.

·        Let It Snow: Blue Year’s Eve and Snow Globe with a Mini Snow Globe.

·        Holiday Spirits: Icicle, Champagne Bubbles and Glittering Garland with a Pewter Bottle Stopper.

·        Berry Sweet: Velvet Bow and Ring In The Red with a Holiday Berry Moisturizing Lotion.

·        Baby It’s Cold Outside: Icicle, Blue Year’s Eve and Poinsettia with Fingerless Gloves.

·        Deck The Halls: Glittering Garland and Champagne Bubbles with Limited Edition Holiday Berry Cuticle Oil.

·        Winter Ice: Blue Year’s Eve, Tinsel Town, Icicle and Snow Globe with a Snowflake Charm Necklace.

·        Holly Bear-y: Holly-Day and Winter Berry with “Holly Bear” Plush.

·        Carry Me Away For The Holidays: Tinsel Town, Poinsettia, Velvet Bow and Icicle with a Manicure Carrying Case with Nail File.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries

For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com. 

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner...Chapter 2

Yay!  I was fortunate enough to win another giveaway a few days ago.  This time, it was over at Madness and Polish Collide.  I won Holly's Halloween Giveaway and I was super psyched because I not only got polish but some amazing Bath and Body Works goodies and some tasty treats, all three things that I love and adore.  Well, take a peek for yourself:  

I'm crazy for B&BW anti bacs and I'm really excited to have five new fall scents, not to mention all the rest of the wonderful goodies.  I just had to share my happy news with all of you.  Times have been rough around here, for quite a while now, but winning this prize is part of what I hope will be a new long-term trend of positive happenings for me and my family.   I hope that good things come to all of you, too!

xoxo,

K

Press Release - Tuff Scent News

Tuff Scent Joins Tracy Paul & Company’s LA Preview

Reno, Nevada (October 4^th, 2011) –Tuff Scent will be joining hosts Petra Flannery, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis and Emma Stone for Tracy Paul & Company’s LA Preview. Founder, Lisa Anrbrister will be hitting the posh L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills next week to showcase the scented sensation. She’ll be providing manis, pedis and samples of Tuff Scent’s most popular colors.

The line which is becoming a fast favorite of celebrities from Vanessa Hudgens to Britney Spears and has recently been featured in People Style Watch is available to purchase at the company website www.tuffscent.com and can also be found at www.shopfinenfunky.com.

Freecycle...I *Heart* Thee!

Okay, this is me REALLY excited!  I was recently introduced to the most fabulous, green, pay-it-forward-inducing organization called Freecycle.  In a nutshell, Freecycle is a website that allows folks to help each other by offering items for FREE to members of their community and also allows folks to request items that they want and/or need.  EVERYTHING on Freecycle is, as the name suggests, absolutely FREE.  Amazing concept, right?  Inspired by success stories I'd read about, I decided to put up a listing requesting new and/or used unwanted nail polishes.  The following is what I received from an awesome lady named Beth who was kind enough to respond to my listing:  

As a true hippie at heart, I love that this not only allows folks to recycle unwanted/unused items, but gives said items a whole new life by sharing them with others who will love and appreciate them.  I must admit, I'm a total packrat.  When I get into a mood to purge (which, alas, isn't nearly often enough), I always donate whatever I can to a goodwill of some kind.  However, this concept works for me just as well, perhaps even better, because you are able to help someone fulfill a very specific wish or need and know for sure that your items are going directly to someone who will make good use of them.  I can't wait to start offering my goodies to folks who will enjoy them.  To check out this awesome site, click HERE and see for yourselves how good it feels to have a wish granted or help someone else in your very own neighborhood!

xoxo,

K

P.S. If you, by any chance, see this post, Beth, I thank you again for making my first Freecycle experience a wonderful one!  

Tuff Scent - Dream and Stardust

Hi ho, kittens!  Today I'm really excited to share my review of two polishes from a "new to me" company called Tuff Scent.  Before I get to that, let me share a little bit of background info from their website, tuffscent.com:
"Relaunch of ‘Tuff Scent’ Scented Nail Polish

Reno, Nevada (July 19th, 2011) – Lisa Arnbrister and 18 year old daughter, Sylvana Barbash, have relaunched ‘Tuff Scent’ scented nail polish and this time they’ve added a charitable edge. The brand which has been previously carried by reputable stores such as Sephora, Nordstrom’s, Saks fifth Avenue, Fred Segal, Planet Blue and so on, will now donate $1.00 of every bottle sold to breast cancer awareness in a commemorative effort to support the cure.

“Scented nail polish has a fun twist, you can apply it, smell it and it brings a smile to your face,” says Barbash, whom originally gave her mother the idea while coloring her finger nails with scented markers as a young child. The mother daughter duo have not only set their brand apart by giving each polish an original scent but they have also given the new line affirmative names such as “Faith”, “Hope”, “Believe” and “Dream”."

Seriously, fun, right?  Now, on to the reviews.  Tuff Scent was kind enough to send me two samples to review for you.  They are *Dream and *Stardust.  First up, Dream:

I do have to preface this by saying that, as a general rule, I am not overly fond of sheer colors or nudes, and Dream, without question, falls under both categories. However, I think it would be lovely for French manicures. It is quite sheer (I applied two coats over a clear base coat) and the formula was quite thin which made it easy to apply. Application was very smooth. Of course, one cannot discuss scent infused nail polish without getting to...the scent. Dream happens to have a Gardenia scent and I have to say, as someone who is also not overly fond of floral scents (go figure), this scent is light and pleasant, not the kind that makes me wrinkle up my nose or gives me a headache, which happens with many florals for me. As the polish dries, the scent is released and it is strong but not overly so. It's kind of a pleasant background fragrance that you catch a whiff of every now and then (unless, of course, you sniff your nails, making the scent much stronger). Overall, I am quite pleased.

Next up, Stardust.

As you can see here, I applied a coat over Dream just on my thumbnail so that you could see the contrast between the two colors. Here is my entire hand with one coat of Stardust over Dream.

Lastly, here is a shot of the same hand with the bottle:

Now, as much as I'm "meh" about sheer pinks is as much as I L-O-V-E holo glitters. This one is outstanding! It is a bit gritty, not unlike most glitters, but not to the point where it really bothers me and certainly less so than many others I've tried. If you want a POW, in your face, gorgeous holo glitter, chock full of rainbow shine, this would be a great choice for you. I absolutely ADORE this color and I can't wait to try it out layered over some darker colors. Trust me when I tell you, this color will be worn and worn often! This one is infused with a scent called "Ocean Breeze" and while it is difficult to describe, it is certainly, in my estimation, fresh, clean and lovely. Again, not overpowering but a pleasant background fragrance.

Overall, I love Tuff Scent's adorable bottles, the caps of which look like beautiful flowers. I think the concept of scent infused polish is fun and unique. While Dream would not have been a color I would have chosen for myself, that, in no way, reflects the quality of this product, any more than the fact that Stardust is one I definitely WOULD have chosen for myself does. However, my general opinion, based on my experiences with these two polishes, is that Tuff Scent makes some fabulous stuff. I look forward to trying out other colors in the future.

Tuff Scent polishes retail for $14 and can be ordered directly from the website HERE. As of this publishing, they also offer FREE domestic shipping in the United States.

If you have tried this brand, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xoxo,
K

*Disclosure: Where indicated by an asterisk, the product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for review. Please click my disclosure tab for further information.

Barielle Review - Nail Strengthener Cream and Positive ZEN-Ergy

Hello, kittens!  Today is my long-awaited review of Barielle's *Nail Strengthener Cream and *Positive ZEN-ergy polish.  I've been using the Nail Strengthener Cream for a good solid two weeks, at least once a day, sometimes more.  This product was created "for healthier stronger nails" and I can definitely say that it is working for me.  My nails feel stronger, no longer peel and just seem healthier, all around.  Here is a shot of my nails with the amount of cream I use each time.

and here is a shot of my nails, post-application:

To use, I simply apply the small amount pictured and rub it in to my nails in a circular motion. What is neat about this product is that it can be used on bare nails OR over polished nails. For polish junkies like me, this makes it really easy to use. I would definitely recommend this product to others. Here is a shot of the tube.

This product retails for $10 for a .5 oz tube.

Next up, Positive ZEN-ergy. I have been wanting to try this color for a while now but life sometimes gets in the way of my wishes, lol. It is a unique shimmery light olive green but, unlike most greens in this color family, it looks great on my cool skin-tone. I find that most olives don't suit my fair, cool complexion. Here, I applied a base coat of Avon Nail Experts Nutri-Boost Nutri-Plus, followed by two coats of Positive ZEN-ergy.

I found it fairly easy to apply, though, to be honest, my applicator brush was slightly "wonky" (a little bit crooked). It was not that difficult to overcome the weird brush, which I'm sure was just a fluke. The formula of the polish itself was rather thin, which I like, because I find it easier to apply, and the color was nicely opaque in two coats. The bit of silver-y shimmer gives this color a really pretty finish and I like it so much. Here is another look at it.

I am very pleased with both of these products and I'm looking forward to seeing how the Nail Strengthener Cream continues to improve the appearance and texture of my nails. If you try either of these products, I'd love to hear about your experiences.

*Disclosure: Where indicated by an asterisk, the product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for review. Please click my disclosure tab for further information.

UPDATE:  I've just been made aware of an awesome promo that Barielle is running right now.  For the entire month of September, Barielle is offering 50% off storewide at www.Barielle.com for those who sign up for its newsletter via Facebook.  Click HERE, fill out the form and Barielle will e-mail you a code that is valid for 50% off storewide until September 30th.  Yay!

Press Release - Sally Hansen at Spring 2012 Fashion Week

INTRODUCING

COMPLETE SALON MANICURE

LIMITED EDITION SPRING 2012 DESIGNER NAIL COLOR COLLECTIONS

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Trend-setting spring polishes, hot off the runway.

WHAT THEY ARE: A designer spring wardrobe for your nails. Nail leader Sally Hansen took New York Fashion Week by storm, joining forces with Tracy Reese, Prabal Gurung, and Alexander Wang to create exclusive nail colors to complement each of their runway collections. Sally Hansen’s limited edition fall collections put exclusive runway nail looks at your fingertips.

The designers looked to Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure to create their custom colors. Complete Salon Manicure is an all-in-one formula that combines the components of a professional salon manicure—base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, rich color and top coat in a single multi-tasking polish. Backstage Beauty fixture and nail expert, Jin Soon Choi, created the manicures at each of the three shows.

Tracy Reese joined forces with Sally Hansen for the twelfth consecutive season to create seven bold shades that mirror the designer’s relaxed, romantic spring aesthetic. On the runway, models wore Complete Salon Manicure in Temptation.  

For video of  Tracy Reese Spring 2010 Behind The Scenes with Sally Hansen Style Advisor Mary Alice Stephenson, please click HERE.

Prabal Gurung’s three-color Complete Salon Manicure collection features eye-catching brights and creamy pale hues with an edge that reflects the designer’s spring collection inspired by Nobuyashi Araki’s photographic series, “Sensual Flower.”On Prabal Gurung’s fall runway, models sported Loves-Me-Not, a deep plum.

For video of  Prabal Gurung Spring 2010 Behind The Scenes with Sally Hansen Style Advisor Mary Alice Stephenson, please click HERE.

Alexander Wang enlisted Sally Hansen for a first-time collaboration to create a clean, natural-looking runway nail to offset his spring collection which channels a tropical speed racer using perforation and lasering. Models wore Parchment, a sheer nude Complete Salon Manicure shade on the runway—the perfect accent to Wang’s downtown cool looks.

For video of  Alexander Wang Spring 2010 Behind The Scenes with Sally Hansen Style Advisor Mary Alice Stephenson, please click HERE.

Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure:

·          Buttercup

·          Fired Up

·          Honey Whip

·          Olive Branch

·          Temptation

·          Parrot

·          The Sky’s the Limit

Prabal Gurung for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure:

·          Barely Bluebell

·          Loves-Me-Not

·          Purple Posy

Alexander Wang with Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure:

·          Oxblood

·          Parchment

·          Petrol

WHAT THEY COST: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, $7.99 each.

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally starting April 2012

How excited are you guys for these new collections? You all know how much I ADORE Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure (which includes my favorite brushes EVER) so I, for one, CANNOT wait!