Kari Cares - Autism Awareness Mani

I'd like to share with you a special mani I did a few weeks ago in honor of autism awareness month.  It was entered in a contest on my friend Jessica's blog Luv My Lacquer which was judged yesterday, which is why I couldn't share it before now.  I never expected to win and I did not, but a very beautiful mani did, which you can see if you click the link above.  It was really my honor to make this small gesture for such a worthy cause and I was very happy to do it.  Here it is:

I wrote down all of the colors I used when I first did the mani but, alas, I have lost that scrap of paper (along with most of my mind but that, kittens, is another story).  I am fairly certain that the colors were all Zoyas and Sally Hansens though, for what it's worth.  This was one of those times (though, honestly, there are many) that I was THRILLED to be crazy for blue as these polishes certainly came in handy.  If I ever find that lost scrap or regain the use of my feeble brain, I will definitely update this post with that information.  I just wanted to make sure I shared it with you before autism awareness month passed us by for another year.  Of course, it's a cause we should keep dear to our hearts all year round.  Thanks for looking!

xoxo,
K

SoFlaJo Dewdrop

Hola, kittens!  Today I'd like to share my review of what is now the second of two indie polishes in my collection.  It is SoFlaJo *Dewdrop.  The SoFlaJo website describes this color as a "sparkling white frost with bits of iridescent color flecks".  Feast your eyes in the pics below:

Here is the bottle, shot from the back, so you can see Dewdrop in all its glory.

From thumb to pinky: layered over Sinful Colors Jamboree, Sinful Colors Rise and Shine, Wet n Wild Black Creme, Sinful Colors Show Me White and two coats of Dewdrop alone, shot outdoors, no flash

From thumb to pinky: layered over Sinful Colors Jamboree, Sinful Colors Rise and Shine, Wet n Wild Black Creme, Sinful Colors Show Me White and two coats of Dewdrop alone, shot indoors, with flash

In my opinion, Dewdrop is an amazing top coat.  It brought a lovely bit of whimsy and shimmer to each color I layered it over.  My personal favorite combo is Dewdrop over black.  It has a nice blend of fine silvery and iridescent glitter as well as larger hexagonal glitter.  It's definitely a knock out, especially in the sun.  I also LOVE the fact that it dried nice and smooth.  As you may know, I am not fond of rough textures in my polishes and this one is smooth as can be.

If you would like to purchase Dewdrop or any of Jody's other fabulous creations, you may do so by visiting the SoFlaJo site HERE or her Etsy shop HERE.  I would like to add, in addition to my usual disclaimer, that Jody, the creator of SoFlaJo polishes, is a personal friend of mine.  However, that did not, in any way, shape or form, influence this unbiased review.   That's just not how I roll, ya dig?

Until next time...

*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.

China Glaze - Kaleidoscope Him Out

Howdy, kittens!  Today I'd like to share a mani I did with one of my most cherished polishes, China Glaze's Kaleidoscope Him Out.  As you probably know, this polish is part of the coveted Kaleidoscope collection of amazing scattered holos that China Glaze, sadly, released several years ago, long before the sleeping lion of polish addiction awakened within me.  However, thanks to a swap (with whom I sadly cannot recall.  If it was YOU, please remind me) this lemming was FILLED, baby.  Sky blue holos, in all their forms, are my DREAM POLISHES.  If I could own every variation of sky blue holo in existence, Kari would be a VERY happy camper.  But I digress, on to the pics:

Here are two coats, indoors, with flash

Two coats, outdoors, no flash

To say that I LOVE this polish is a massive understatement.  My pictures, sadly, don't even come close to capturing its beauty but believe me, if you ever have the opportunity to get your hands on it, do so post hastily!  Even though I received it at least six months ago, this was the first time I ever used it, aside from swatching it on my nail wheel.  It wasn't due to lack of interest, I assure you.  I am just so fearful of using it all up as I know I can't afford to replace it.  Still, as my husband would say, "don't buy polish to hoard it, buy it to USE and ENJOY it."  That being said, I can't wait to use it again!

Again, if it was YOU who sent this polish to me, please refresh my memory.  I didn't photograph it when I received it, as I usually do, and I just cannot remember who the amazing person was who sent it to me.  I feel awful about it.  As I quickly approach 39, I hope my memory doesn't continue to fail me.  

UPDATE: Today, April 30, the mystery was solved!  It was my lovely and amazing friend Stacy who sent me this gorgeous polish.  She's awesome, obviously, and you should definitely check out her blog Parlez-Vous Ongles?  because it, like she, is fabulous.  I still feel like a tool for having had such a ridiculous brain fart but I am SOOOO glad to have the answer.  Woo hoo!

Press Release - Sally Hansen Salon Effects Pedicure Collection

INTRODUCING

SALON EFFECTS PEDICURE COLLECTION

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Pedicure effects.

WHAT IT IS: Sally Hansen gave you Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips for your fingers. Now we are introducing a limited collection for your toes! Featuring 5 new shades for your feet, this exclusive collection of Salon Effects is shaped perfectly for your toes. These are not stickers, have no dry time and remove with nail polish remover. Just peel, apply and file!

AVAILABLE SHADES: Snake, Rattle and Roll, Toe-riffic!, Puppytooth, Strke a Posie and Pink Boa

WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99 each

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

These sound like a LOT of fun!  I think I may love them even more on my toesies.  Will keep you posted.  

A Special Offer from Dr.'s REMEDY

Enriched Instant Cover available in Light, Medium and Deep. Log on and order today www.remedynails.com AdWill Labs, Inc 369 93rd Street Brooklyn, New York 11209 Don't miss this chance to SAVE 50% while supplies last. (Use promo code: ICSpring2012) Offer Expires: May 15th, 2012

Looks like a pretty terrific deal!

Salon Perfect - Pink Shimmers Review

As promised, here are the three remaining colors of the Salon Perfect shades sent to me for review.

From left to right: *Berry Pink, *Plum Sorbet, *Bubblegum

Two coats of each: Plum Sorbet (thumb and pinky), Berry Pink (index and ring), Bubblegum (middle), shot indoors, with flash.

Two coats of each: Plum Sorbet (thumb and pinky), Berry Pink (index and ring), Bubblegum (middle), shot outdoors, no flash.

Sadly, my camera didn't do a great job of capturing the shimmer in these shades but take my word for it, it's there.  It is more subtle in Plum Sorbet and Berry Pink and a bit more obvious in Bubblegum.  I've got to say, though they are really pretty, all three of these polishes gave me some issues.  Plum Sorbet and Berry Pink were a bit thick and challenging to work with.  Bubblegum was thinner but left a touch of vnl after two coats.  However, these were not huge problems for me.  Would I have preferred for the thicker polishes to be a touch thinner?  Sure!  Were the colors still awfully pretty?  No question!  As for Bubblegum, I suspect that a third coat might have been wise but, to be honest, I prefer not to have to work that hard for opacity.  I  have a feeling it would be really beautiful layered over another color and I intend to use it that way in the future.

As I mentioned in my prior post, these shades will be available in many Walmart stores beginning next month.  If you try them, do let me know 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.

Salon Perfect - Blooming with Color Review

I was excited to receive fourteen Salon Perfect Blooming with Color polishes to review for you.  To be honest, I had never heard of this brand before receiving their press release earlier this month.  Click HERE to read the press release, if you wish.  Today I will be reviewing the eleven cream colors.  Let's get right to the pics:

From left to right: *Spicy Tomato, *Tangy Tangerine, *Lemon Zing, *Sour Apples, *Kiwi Lime, *Perfectly Peach

From left to right: *Blue Raspberry, *Berry Blue, *Purple Sorbet, *Lavender Icing, *Blue Mint

Two coats of each from thumb to pinky: Kiwi Lime, Sour Apples, Lemon Zing (dotted with one coat of Perfectly Peach), Tangy Tangerine and Spicy Tomato, shot indoors, with flash

Two coats of each from pinky to thumb: Blue Mint, Lavender Icing, Purple Sorbet, Berry Blue, Blue Raspberry, shot indoors, with flash

Okay, here's the scoop.  The formulas on these were, for the most part, pretty thin and easy to work with.  Most provided even opaque coverage in two coats.  However, a few were a bit patchy even after two coats and were a little more challenging to work with, specifically Kiwi Lime and Lavender Icing.  As far as colors go, nothing groundbreaking here but, to be fair, I currently have upwards of 500 polishes in my stash so it's rare to find a cream, in particular, that truly surprises me these days.  However, this is NOT to say that there aren't some great colors here and with the price point of $2.98, these provide a great affordable opportunity for someone just starting out in collecting polish or looking to fill in holes in their collection to do so rather inexpensively.  Overall, my favorites as far as ease of application and opacity are Sour Apples, Blue Raspberry and Purple Sorbet.  Actually, I'd also have to add Perfectly Peach.  Even though I only used it for dotting, it provided awesome color with just one coat.  My least favorites are Kiwi Lime and Lavender Icing, not because of their color but just because their particular formulas gave me the hardest time.  These polishes will be available in 1700 Walmart locations across the U.S. in May.

If you pick these up, do let me know your thoughts.  I'll be back soon with the remaining three colors.  Hint hint, they're shimmers.

*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 removed these polishes today, April 22, and had to let you know that Sour Apples and Blue Raspberry stained my nails badly.  Just an FYI.

Press Release - Salon Perfect Blooming with Color Collection

A CORNUCOPIA OF COLOR

Salon Perfect Introduces Limited Edition Spring Polish Collection

Los Angeles, CA (April 2012) – Did the cold winter months keep your fingers and toes under wraps?  A fresh manicure with a bright, energetic polish is the perfect pick-me-up to bring your tips and toes out of hibernation.  Bursting with vibrant brights and sweet pastels, the all-new Salon Perfect® Blooming with Color nail polish collection is sure to put a spring in your step!

Your polish basket is sure to overflow with rich crème shades including:

·        Perfectly Peach – Delicate peach

·        Lemon Zing – Sunny yellow

·        Kiwi Lime – Vibrant green

·        Blue Mint – Cheerful mint

·        Berry Blue – Classic periwinkle

·        Purple Sorbet – Dark lilac

·        Lavender Icing – Soft lilac

·        Spicy Tomato – Juicy red

·        Tangy Tangerine – Tart orange

·        Sour Apples – True blue-green

·        Blue Raspberry – Vivid azure

·        Plum Sorbet – Magenta with purple shimmer

·        Berry Pink – Bold flamingo pink

·        Bubblegum – Honeysuckle pink

Celebrate spring with a bountiful array of Salon Perfect® Blooming with Color nail polishes!  The collection will be available in approximately 1,700 Walmart locations nationwide during the month of May for $2.98.

About Salon Perfect:

Salon Perfect is a collection of professional-quality lash, brow and nail products. Available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide, Salon Perfect offers premium faux lashes in an assortment of styles.

Essie - Barefoot in Blue

I was fortunate enough to be one of the randomly chosen winners of Essie's Barefoot in Blue polish, released in conjunction with TOMS in honor of their One Day Without Shoes campaign.  The campaign encourages folks to go barefoot on April 10 to spread the message of the struggles faced every day by children forced to live without proper footwear.  You can learn more by clicking HERE.

This is a lovely color and I feel honored to have won it, particularly since it is not available in stores.  You may know by now that I am crazy for blue so I was absolutely giddy when I was surprised with my bottle in the mail. Here are some pics for you:

Barefoot in Blue

Two coats, outdoors, no flash.

Two coats, indoors, with flash.

This is a lovely periwinkle kind of color and I'm really happy to own it.  I'm also happy to support such a worthwhile campaign and, to be completely honest, I don't need much of a reason to go barefoot.  

I hope you enjoyed this post!  

Jesse's Girl - Glee

Okay, I have to admit something.  I have entirely too many untried polishes in my collection.  This was, sadly, one of them for far too long.  However, in honor of the triumphant return of Glee (I hope they tell us what happened to Quinn.  That was quite a cliffhanger) I present you with Jesse's Girl in Glee.

I purchased this polish almost a year ago while visiting my mother in New York.  Unfortunately there are no Rite Aids in the entire state of Florida and as far as I know they are the only store that sells this particular brand.  Anywho, without further ado, I present Glee:

Two coats, outdoors, no flash.

Two coats, indoors, with flash.

To make this clear to anyone who is not already aware, I L-O-V-E blue and L-O-V-E smooth glitters.  Can you guess how I feel about this polish?  That's right...epic win!  It applied really smoothly and easily.  This was two fairly thin coats and it was reasonably opaque with just a wee bit of vnl in natural light.  I've been told that this color is a fair dupe for Zoya Charla and China Glaze Atlantic, among others (I have both of those colors aw well but have not done swatch comparisons yet) and at only $1.99, it is certainly the least expensive of the three.  Honestly, I am glad I have them all but for someone who is not as blue obsessed as I am, this would be a great option to go with.  I purchased two other Jesse's Girl polishes on that trip and will definitely try to get them swatched for you, soon.  Though I must admit, the name definitely drew me in and I do have, if not dupes, very similar colors in my collection, I am seriously glad I own this polish. Now, if only they would build some Rite Aids in Florida...

Featured Franken - Red Skies at Night

Here's something a little different for you.  I've been frankening my little heart out, lately, and I was pretty proud of one of my creations.  I call it Red Skies at Night.  80s music-loving folks, yes, I have that song in my head now, too.  Here are some pics for you:

Here it is, one coat, layered over one coat of Wet n Wild's Black Creme, indoors, with flash.

Outdoors, without flash.

Here's where I started, one coat of Wet n' Wild Black Creme.

One coat of Red Skies at Night over one layer of Black Creme, thumb only.

It is not often that I REALLY love one of my frankens but I was particularly proud of this one.  It definitely works best when layered, as shown here.  Worn alone (as I tried it on my nail wheel), it has a grey jellyish appearance after three coats and is quite sheer.  However, when layered, it's a knockout!

Hope you enjoyed this post.  Please let me know if you'd enjoy seeing more frankens in the future.  

Zoya Beach Collection

Hi ho, kittens, and Happy Easter/Happy Passover to those who celebrate.  Today I'd like to give you another look at the *Zoya Beach Collection (minus Tracie who will be featured at some point in the future).  I'll start with some pics.

From thumb to pinky: Reagan, Arizona, Lara, Wednesday, Shelby, two coats each, outdoors, no flash.

From thumb to pinky: Reagan, Arizona, Lara, Wednesday, Shelby, two coats each, indoors, with flash.

I'll be honest, creams are not my favorite polishes, in general.  However, this collection is probably one of my favorite cream collections ever.  Each color is vibrant and so much fun, especially for the spring and summer months.  Each was nicely opaque in two coats and I'll bet I could have easily gotten away with just one coat of Reagan and Lara.  I was really pleased with these in their natural cream states.  However, just for fun, I decided to jazz them up with Zoya's recent *Fleck Effects topcoats.  Pics to follow:

Same colors as above with top coats of Chloe (thumb, middle and pinky), Opal (index) and Maisie (ring), outdoors, no flash.

Same colors as above with top coats of Chloe (thumb, middle and pinky), Opal (index) and Maisie (ring), indoors, with flash.

I think that the Zoya Fleck Effects topcoats really do enhance these awesome creams and are so versatile in accenting all sorts of manis.  Just another option to try.  

Overall, I love these creams and definitely look forward to trying them again, soon, maybe mattefied.  That might be fun!

*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 Crackle Glitters

SPARK YOUR SUMMER STYLE!

China Glaze® Introduces Four New Crackle Glitter Polishes May 2012

Los Angeles, CA – (March 2012):  Sparkle all summer long with China Glaze®’s new Crackle Glitters collection.  Once again taking crackle technology to the next level, this third-generation polish pairs the edgy innovation of crackling nail lacquer with glamorous glitters.  The China Glaze® Crackle Glitters features four shimmering shades including:

·         Luminous Lavender: Luscious light purple

·         Jade-d: Radiant bright green

·         Glam-More: Bold fuchsia

·         Gleam Me Up: Bright sky blue

Create glamorously different looks with just one sweep of China Glaze® Crackle Glitters.  Layer over different base colors to create bold styles.  Use a lighter coat to create a fine crackle, a thicker coat for a deep shatter effect.  Brush sideways or on an angle to create different looks.  As versatile and edgy as China Glaze®’s biggest celebrity fans (Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Nicole Ritchie and Kelly Osbourne, to name a few), China Glaze® Crackle Glitters add a spark(le) to one of the hottest nail art trends!

The China Glaze® Crackle Glitters collection will be available as open stock colors and four-piece counter display.  Individual polishes retail for $9 MSRP and will be available at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide in May 2012.

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.