SinfulColors Holiday Tinsel and Sheer Lustre Glitter Topcoat

Today I'd like to share some brand new toppers from SinfulColors.  They have released two topper collections for the 2013 holiday season, Holiday Tinsel and Sheer Lustre Glitter Topcoat.  I have two polishes from each collection to show you. Feast your eyes!

I used the four polishes all over one coat of SinfulColors Simply Silver.  The newbies are, from thumb to ring finger: Spiked Ice, Cold as Ice, Glittery in Pink and Top Me Off.  The pinky features Simply Silver by itself.  I used one coat of topper on each nail.

The first two toppers, Spiked Ice and Cold as Ice, feature long strands of "tinsel" in black and white, respectively.  They are from the Holiday Tinsel collection.  To be honest, I find this type of polish a bit challenging to work with.  I have a hard time dispersing the "tinsel" evenly over the nail and it's really not my favorite look. 

I was much more excited with the two polishes from the Sheer Lustre Glitter Topcoat collection, Glittery in Pink, which features various-sized pink glitter, and Top Me Off, which features small multi-colored holo glitter.  I really LOVED these two polishes and after removing these demo swatches, I immediately re-polished all of my nails with Simply Silver and added Glittery in Pink on my accent nails.  Here's a peek!

Two coats of Simply Silver on all nails and one coat of Glittery in Pink added to ring finger.

This was my Christmas nail look and I got several compliments!

So, overall, not so thrilled with the two Holiday Tinsel polishes, LOVED the Sheer Lustre Glitter Topcoats. Both collections are available exclusively at Walgreens for $1.99 a bottle.

If you'd like to learn more about SinfulColors, check them out on social media.

Facebook

Twitter

Stay tuned for more swatches to come!  

The polishes in this post were provided to me for my honest review and consideration.

Zoya Naturel Collection - Normani

Hi, lovelies!  Today I'd like to share the first of six colors in Zoya's new Naturel collection.  I used two coats of Normani for the following pic.

This collection of neutrals and nudes is off to a fine start with Normani.  Zoya describes this as a "sable mauve creme".  It's quite unique and a nice way to add a bit of fun to what is still a suitably-conservative shade for most situations.  I'm not generally a fan of nudes or neutrals but I actually quite like this one.

Stay tuned for the five remaining shade in upcoming posts!

This polish was provided to me for my honest review and consideration.

SinfulColors - Selections from Mirror Metallics

I have four colors from SinfulColors new Mirror Metallics collection to share with you.  They are Simply Silver, Pine Away, Blue Steel and Purple Heart.

From pinky to thumb: Simply Silver, Pine Away, Blue Steel, Purple Heart and Simply Silver, two coats of each.

Let's cut to the chase...I...LOVE...THESE...COLORS!  I'm a huge fan of foils and these do not disappoint. The formula is thin and easy to work with and they are gorgeous and opaque in two coats.  The green does stain a bit but such is life.  I couldn't be happier with these polishes.

You can find this collection exclusively at Walgreens for the 2013 holiday season.  At a retail price of $1.99 each, you can't lose!

These polishes were provided to me for my honest review and consideration.

SinfulColors Cold Leather and Whipped

Today I have two colors from SinfulColors' new Leather Luxe collection. These polishes dry to a matte finish. I would like to share Cold Leather and Whipped. Take a look!

Cold Leather is a dark blue and Whipped, a true black. They applied with ease and dried matte in just a few minutes. I used two coats of each. I had never tried matte polishes before and I was surprised with how much I liked the results. I had heard horror stories of how quickly matte polishes chip but these lasted several days, chip-free.  

These polishes are available exclusively at Walgreens and retail for just $1.99 each.

You can visit SinfulColors on social media at:

@SinfulColors_NP on Twitter 

Sinfulcolors Professional on Facebook

These polishes were provided to me for my honest consideration and review.

China Glaze - Holiday Texture and Glitters

Today I'd like to share some polishes from China Glaze's holiday 2013 collections.  Four are from the Happy Holiglaze collection and one is from their Monsters Ball collection from Halloween.  Take a peek.

First up is a fun textured polish called Put a Bow on It. I used two coats on my thumb and I really love it. It dried quickly and had a great feel to it. On my index finger, I used two coats of Bells Will Be Blinging. It was a festive combo of smaller glitter chunks in green, blue and silver. It was my favorite of the glitters by far. On my middle finger is You Present Required which combines different shapes and sizes of multi-colored glitter. Again, I used two coats. It was a bit chunky for me and it was challenging to get the glitter evenly dispersed. I had much the same result with the next glitter, on my ring finger, Be Merry Be Bright.  This one was mostly dark blue and red and was also a bit difficult to work with and, as with the others, I used two coats. Last up, on my pinky, two coats of  Fang-tastic, from the Monsters Ball collection. The glitter was similar to Bells Will Be Blinging in size but was a wider variety of colors. This was the glitter I liked second best.

Overall, I'm just not thrilled with chunky glitters. I find them difficult to apply and endlessly frustrating to remove. Of these polishes, Put a Bow on It, Bells Will Be Blinging and Fang-tastic were my faves.

These polishes were provided to me for my honest consideration and review.

China Glaze - So Blue Without You

Here's a new color from China Glaze for you, the gorgeous So Blue Without You. Feast your eyes!

This is two coats and wow, it packs a punch! As you know if you've followed this blog for a while, I ADORE blue. The addition of a beautiful metallic shimmer to blue is a fabulous combination and I absolutely LOVE this polish! It's a winner in my book.

This polish was provided to me for my honest consideration and review.

SinfulColors - Treasure Chest and Emerald Envy

Today I'd like to share two beautiful new colors from SinfulColors' Crystal Crushes collection, namely Treasure Chest and Emerald Envy.  Take a peek!

I used Treasure Chest on all but the ring finger.  Ring finger is Emerald Envy.  Two coats on each nail.

I'm definitely a fan of textured polishes which is such a surprise to me.  What is neat about these particular polishes, especially Emerald Envy, is that they not only have texture but a bit of a shimmery finish.  I really liked these colors and they lasted for several days without chipping.  The only downside was that they stained my nails, badly.  But hey, such is the case for many polishes that I like, it's the nature of the beast. Despite the staining, I would recommend these for anyone who wants to try a unique take on the texture trend.  

You can check out SinfulColors on Facebook: HERE and on Twitter: HERE

These polishes were provided to me for my honest consideration. 

Sally Hansen - Triple Shine

I received five polishes from Sally Hansen's Triple Shine line to review for you.  The colors are Blow Bubbles, Make Waves, Pool Party, Drama Sheen and Clam Up.  I'll start you off with a bottle shot.

Here they are on my nails.  I used two coats of each polish.

I'll cut right to the chase, I was seriously disappointed with these polishes.  As you can see, even after two coats, they are EXTREMELY sheer.  The brushes were fantastic, nice and wide and easy to use, and the formulas applied with ease.  Thus, I was super-bummed when they didn't achieve opacity or even get close to it after two coats.  However, if you know someone young who wants to play with color but you don't want them to go overboard, these might be a nice option for experimenting.  

These polishes were provided to me for my honest consideration.

China Glaze - Bump in the Night

Today I'd like to share my thoughts on China Glaze's Bump in the Night.  It's part of their 2013 Monster's Ball collection.  Feast your eyes.

This is a Texture polish and as such, I was predisposed to love it just from the bottle.  Sure enough, it did not disappoint.  It provided great opacity in just one coat (though I used two for this picture).  I'm a sucker for a black polish and this is one I know I will wear often.

This polish was provided to me for my honest consideration.  

Press Release - Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Color Collection

LAYER ON THE SHINE

WITH NEW SALLY HANSEN TRIPLE SHINE NAIL COLOR

THINK: Polish that shines through everything you do.
WHAT THEY ARE: Biggest, boldest, shiniest colors. When it comes to a brilliant shine, the key word is more,more, more. That’s why Sally Hansen is bringing maximum radiance to the season’s most covetable colors with the new Triple Shine Nail Color. Sally Hansen knows that high shine is what you crave. Yet, daily hand washing can eat away at color due to water’s high pH, detergent can dull shine, and everything from chlorine to heat can damage polish’s precious luster. Luckily, this innovative formula features a one-of-a-kind Ultimate Shield Complex, designed to help polish withstand the wear and tear of everyday living. As the latest breakthrough from Sally Hansen, the definitive color authority, Triple Shine Nail Color marries sheer brilliance with the shades of the moment for non-stop shine in the colors you covet.
THE TECHNOLOGY:
Triple Shine Nail Color is formulated with an Ultimate Shield Complex, exclusive to Sally Hansen. It is a carefully balanced blend of solvents and color solids that work synergistically for high impact color and maximum shine. It delivers Triple Shine benefits via:
The Gloss-Tech Brush designed specifically to apply the Triple Shine formula. It lays down polish smoothly and evenly to form a glass-like, flawless finish that maximizes lasting shine – and looks “just applied” for days.
An exclusive complex of Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E for daily defense from water, detergent and every day wear plus Sea Kelp and Panthenol for maximum hydration.
Guanine, a natural crushed pearl found in aquatic life delivers a natural iridescence and high-impact, lasting shine.
THE COLORS:
Triple Shine Nail Color is available in 29 colors in three trend-setting color palettes, including:
Iridescence: A range of nine ethereal, pearlescent pastels and shimmering metallics
Pop: A rainbow of ten vibrant, saturated polishes in bold brights
Fanta-Sea: A glittering selection of ten aquatic tones that evoke the sun-dappled sea
THE TOP COAT:
Triple Shine Top Coat, a deluxe, brilliant shine top coat developed specifically to complement the Triple Shine Nail Color formula with an over-the-top gloss finish that extends and protects Triple Shine’s high impact color. Formulated with the exclusive Ultimate Shield Complex, including the Guanine natural crushed pearl, it extends the life of a manicure, adds protection from chipping and wear, and keeps color looking “just applied” for days. Additional uniquely transparent acrylate polymers deliver a luminous solid shield that looks sculpted onto nails for the ultimate in elasticity and breakage resistance.
WHAT THEY COST: $4.99
WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores and mass retailers nationally. Don't these sound terrific? They will be available starting in November so be on the lookout! I know I will.

Barielle Nude and Naughty Collection

Feast your eyes on Barielle's new *Nude and Naughty collection.  Here come the pics.

In Good Taste, two coats

I Got A Headache, two coats

No Not Now, two coats

Very Bare (thumb, middle and pinky), two coats and Pillow Talk (index and ring), two coats

To be honest, I'm not especially a fan of nudes so I didn't expect much of this collection.  However, I did end up liking the three darker shades. They will get a lot of wear this fall.  I did not, however, think too much of Very Bare and Pillow Talk. They surely would have benefited from a third coat each but I am not a three coat-kinda gal.  If a polish requires more than two coats, that's just too much for me.  I like my polish time to be kept to a minimum and after two coats, I find that most polishes become gloppy and don't dry well (either bubbling or smudging).  So, this collection was a mixed bag for me, three winners, two, not so much.  

*The products in this post were provided to me for my honest review.

New Barielle Sweepstakes Coming Soon!

Hi, friends!  Just wanted to pass on the scoop that Barielle will be hosting another sweepstakes beginning tomorrow, September 12th and running through September 26th.  They will be giving away a grand prize of a Cole Haan Silver Satchel with a SRP of $175.00 PLUS a great selection of Barielle goodies including:
1. Two of the Fall Collections 5 Packs (Sophisticated Lady and Nude & Naughty) worth $50.00
2. One Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat worth $17.50
3. One No Chip Speed Dry Top Coat worth $12.50
4. One Nail Strengthener Cream worth $17.00
The total Grand Prize value is well over $200.00!

There will also be ten lucky winners who will each receive all the Barielle items listed above.

For more information, check out Barielle's facebook page starting tomorrow at: https://www.facebook.com/barielle.

Good luck! Do let me know if you win!

Zoya PixieDust Fall 2013 Swatches - Part Three

Hello, dear readers!  Today, without further adieu, I present the final three colors in Zoya's Fall 2013 PixieDust collection.  They are, respectively, *Arabella, *Sunshine and *Chita.  Feast your eyes.

Zoya Arabella, two coats.

Zoya Sunshine (index and ring fingers) and Zoya Chita (middle and pinky fingers), one coat.

As you might have gathered from previous posts, I am a BIG fan of Zoya's PixieDust polishes.  As a girl who generally HATES textured polishes, these grew on me immediately.  The fact that they have a unique sparkle makes me love them all the more.  These three rich jewel-toned colors are just perfect for the fall (well, in my book, for any time of year).  They remind me of rubies, sapphires and emeralds, glistening on my nails.  I was stunned to discover how fantastic Sunshine and Chita looked after just one coat so I stopped right there. Arabella was screaming for a second coat which was fine by me.  As you might have guessed if you're a regular reader here, Sunshine is my favorite but I really love all three of these shades.  

Stay tuned for more fall collections to come in future posts!  

*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.

Zoya PixieDust Fall 2013 Swatches - Part Two

Today I'd like to share a fun and funky purple from Zoya's PixieDust Fall 2013 collection.  It is called *Carter and you may feast your eyes below.

This is two coats of Carter, no top or base coat.

First of all, sorry for the cut-off thumb.  I had some cuticle funk and decided to spare you the view.  ;) Now, the important stuff.  Carter is a gorgeous grape-y purple chock full of sparkle.  I think that is my favorite part of Zoya's PixieDust shades.  Other brands try the textured thing but of the one's I've tried, none possess this gorgeous sparkle.  I had a purple dress picked out for a fun event and this color was a perfect compliment to my new outfit.  Definitely a winner!

The remaining three colors in this collection will be coming up soon.  Stay tuned!

*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.

SinfulColors SinfulShine

Today, I'd like to share a unique new product from SinfulColors called SinfulShine.  Here's an excerpt from the official press release to give you some background on this revolutionary polish.

"The new SinfulShine™ high-gloss, high shine nail polish with Gel TechTM is a self-curing polymer formula that delivers the same high shine gloss as an acrylic UV cured gel without the hassle of a special lamp. SinfulShine™ is five times more glossy than a patent leather shoe*... now that's shine!!!"

I was sent two colors to review for you, *At Sea and * Dark Room.  Here come the pics:

At Sea, two coats, no top or base.

Dark Room, two coats, no top or base.

At Sea is a beautiful sky blue cream and Dark Room, a rich, true black.  I applied the first coat of each with ease.  However, by the second coat, I found the polish seemed thicker and slightly more challenging to work with.  Coverage turned out even though and they both shine like crazy. I removed At Sea after several days (after giving my mom a pedi which screwed it up) but so far, I've had Dark Room on for three days with only one tiny chip.  I'm anxious to see how long this mani will last.  I also have to say, the removal for At Sea was probably the easiest of any polish I've tried in ages.  Just simple acetone remover and ONE cotton round for all ten nails.

This polish comes in 32 shades and is available exclusively at Walgreens.  With a retail price of $2.99, it's certainly well worth the money.

Feel free to learn more about SinfulColors by checking them out on social media.  

Twitter: @SinfulColors_NP

Facebook: Sinfulcolors Professional

*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.

Zoya PixieDust Fall 2013 Swatches - Part One

Hi ho, kittens.  Today, I'd like to share the first two colors from Zoya's PixieDust Fall 2013 collection, *Tomoko and *Dhara.  Let's get right to the pics.

Zoya Tomoko, two coats.

Zoya Dhara, two coats

To my eye, Tomoko read as a pale gold, though their description is "a romantic champagne silver". Tomayto, tomahto.  Either way, it's a classy muted shade and a nice segway into PixieDust for the more conservative polish-wearer.

Dhara is a far more vibrant shade.  It immediately reminded me of a Crayola crayon color, red-orange or orange-red, I forget which.  As a former non-orange girl, I'm quickly being converted with shades like this.

Both colors applied like a dream and dried quickly.  I was pretty bummed that each of them were pretty chipped after only a day or two.  It seems like the previous PixieDust collections had a little better wear time but that could be my imagination.  I'm eager to track the staying power of the remaining four colors in this collection.  Regardless, I am still a huge PixieDust fan and can't wait to get the other colors swatched for you guys.

*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.

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat - Sour Apple and Razzleberry

Sally Hansen has launched a line that captures the hot trend of textured polishes.  It is called Sugar Coat.  Today, I'd like to share two of them with you, *Sour Apple and *Razzleberry.  Feast your eyes.

Ring finger: two coats of Razzleberry.  Remaining fingers: two coats of Sour Apple

These polishes are true creams, no shimmer, no sparkle.  Application was a breeze, just two thin coats without top or base.  They dried really fast and though they chipped within a few days, the textured nature of this polish made touch-ups so easy. Razzleberry did stain, as many deep blues do, but otherwise, I was quite happy with these fun colors.

If you try these, 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 - Zoya Fall PixieDust 2013

MORE MAGIC AND WONDER INFUSED COLOR FOR FALL… MORE ZOYA PIXIEDUST!

The best-selling, revolutionary matte, textured, sparkling Zoya PixieDust formula returns for Fall with six spot-on trend colors for the season.

ZOYA PIXIEDUST - FALL EDITION
ZP698 - Tomoko: Glowing Champagne Silver. Exclusive Zoya PixieDust - Textured Matte Sparkle Metal* formula.
ZP699 - Chita: Emerald Forest Green. Exclusive Zoya PixieDust - Textured Matte Sparkle formula.
ZP700 - Sunshine: Van Gogh Navy Blue Exclusive Zoya PixieDust - Textured Matte Sparkle formula.
ZP701 - Carter: Regal Purple. Exclusive Zoya PixieDust- Textured Matte Sparkle formula.
ZP702 - Arabella: Rich Fuchsia Pink. Exclusive Zoya PixieDust - Textured Matte Sparkle formula.
ZP703 - Dhara: Dazzling Coppery Orange. Exclusive Zoya PixieDust - Textured Matte Sparkle Metal* formula.
*foil twinkle

Photo credits: Zoya Nail Polish

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Zoya PixieDust Application:
For BEST RESULTS apply 1-3 (for full coverage) thin coats of polish. Allow product to dry completely for full effect. No base coat and top coat required. Zoya Get Even base coat can be used if desired.

Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com.
Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!
Zoya PixieDust – Fall
$9.00 ea. (US)

AVAILABLE JULY 15, 2013
Zoya.com

Barielle Brilliant Colors Collection

Feast your eyes on Barielle's *Brilliant Colors collection.  These five vibrant creams are just perfect for the dog days of summer.  Here's a peek:

Colors from thumb to pinky are Straight A Coral, Head of the Class Green, Magna Cum Laude Turquoise, High Marks Purple and Smarty Pants Pink.  I used two coats of each color.

These polishes are packed with deep pigmentation and tons of shine.  Not surprisingly, Head of the Class Green and Magna Cum Laude Turquoise (green and blue, natch) were the standouts for me.  However, each color gets a gold star from me.

To order these and the rest of Barielle's great polishes, head on over to barielle.com

*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.

Maddyloo Hair Ties for July 4th

MADE-IN-THE-USA MADDYLOO HAIR TIES Show Your True Colors This July 4th When the weather heats up, one sure-fire way to stay cool is by putting your hair up. Whether you opt for a high sleek ponytail, a low twisted ponytail or a loose braid, Maddyloo no crease hair ties complete the look. And Maddyloo's Fourth of July inspired colors and designs are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday in style. To show your American spirit, choose from Maddyloo's revolutionary Fourth of July collection featuring hair ties in polka dots, stripes, zig zags, dazzling glitter and rhinestone donut beads--all in patriotic red, white, and blue to help create a gorgeous 'do and show your allegiance to looking chic. Choose a design that complements your personal style and show off your Independence. The best part: Maddyloo no crease hair ties don't leave a dent in your hair so you can get from the office to the Fourth of July barbecue without having to redo your 'do. Maddyloo no crease hair ties double as fashionable bracelets too-they're a great way to accessorize your look for the nation's birthday bash. To check out Maddyloo's collection of Fourth of July hair ties, go to www.maddyloo.com. About Maddyloo The brainchild of husband-and-wife team Jon and Honeya Samnick, who started the company in January 2011, Maddyloo is known for its no-crease hair ties -- the chic and trendy solution for pulling hair back without damaging it or leaving a dent. These must-have hair accessories (which double as fashionable bracelets) are hand crafted, American-made and original Maddyloo designs. Also available as headbands, they come in hundreds of colors and styles and are regarded as the finest made and most affordable hair accessories on the market today. Maddyloo's hair accessories, gemstone bracelets, beaded bracelets and other unique fashion designs, are sold at over 500 retail locations including salons, boutiques, gift shops, and leading spas throughout the US, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Visit them online at www.maddyloo.com to purchase or to find retail locations.

China Glaze - Toe-tally Textured

This is China Glaze *Toe-tally Textured.  It is a great vibrant orange that is part of their new Texture collection.  After application (two coats, no top or base coat), my first thought was, "Wow, orange peels!".  I love it and couldn't stop running my fingers over the bumpy, yet pleasant, texture.  The only downside, it stained like crazy.  Next time, I will definitely use top coat first.  Feast your eyes!

*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 Sweepstakes News

Guess what?  Barielle will soon be hosting another sweepstakes!  Woo hoo!  Beginning June 10th and running through June 30th, you'll have a chance to win some AWESOME prizes.  Ten prizes will be awarded in total and the grand prize will include a DKNY blue leather handbag valued at $175!  Other prizes include Barielle kits consisting of:
1. Two of the Summer Collections 5-Packs (Brilliant Colors and Summer Brights - worth $50)
2. One Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat (worth $17.50)
3. One No Chip Speed Dry Top Coat (worth $12.50)
4. One Nail Strengthener Cream (worth $17.00)
Total Value: $97

The Grand Prize will include the handbag AND a Barielle Kit!  Keep your eyes peeled on Barielle's facebook page HERE for more details as the contest approaches!

Zoya Irresistible Collection

Today, I'd like to share the beautiful Zoya *Irresistible collection.  It is comprised of six lovely foils.  First up, Hazel, which I wore as my 40th birthday mani.  (Hold your applause.  I'm kidding, applaud away.)

Two coats of Zoya Hazel

A few days later, I decided to skittle the remaining five colors, as seen below:

From thumb to pinky, two coats each of Zoya Bobbi, Amy, Kerry, Rikki and Tinsley

Hazel, which I predicted would be my favorite of the collection (hello...B-L-U-E) was quite a surprise.  It features a healthy smattering (yes, a technical term) of golden, almost olive-y green foil mixed in with the blue.  I saw that in the bottle but didn't expect it to be so prevalent on the nail.  Definitely unique to me, though I've been told it's a bit reminiscent of Zoya Crystal, which I have never tried.  

The remaining five worn together reminded me of Good 'n Fruity or Mike 'n Ike candies, albeit foil-y ones.  Definitely a fun, vibrant collection for the summer.  My favorites are the aforementioned Hazel, Rikki (greens tend to run a close second to blues in my book) and, surprisingly, Amy.  With my cool skin tone, I'm generally not so much a fan of warmer colors like orange but this one really popped and my husband even commented on liking that color in particular on me.  I was least impressed with Tinsley (kinda meh, sorry to say) and Kerry (just not really a yellow person).  

Overall, this set is a winner and if you're into foils, I'd certainly recommend it.

*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 Sweepstakes!

Please note that the following sweepstakes is being run by Barielle, not Got Polish.  Just passing on the information to all who are interested.  Sounds like fun!

Barielle will be hosting a Sweepstakes starting Monday May 5^th thru Monday May 27^th. There will be 10 winners and one Grand Prize Winner.

The prizes are Mani-Pedi Spa kits and the Gran Prize includes one Michael Kors Wallet in addition to the Spa Kits.

The lucky winners will get:

1- One 5 Pack Nail Color Set – Retail $25

2- One Nail Rebuilding Protein – Retail $17.50

3- One Nail Strengthener Cream – Retail $17

4- One No Chip Speed Dry Topcoat – Retail $12.50

5- One Total Foot Care Cream 2.5oz – Retail $12.00

6- One Professional Protective Hand Cream 2.5oz – Retail $8.00

Total Value of $92.00!!!

The Grand Prize includes the Spa Kit plus a Michael Kors wallet ( value over $100.00)

Click HERE for more information and HERE to check out Barielle's Facebook page.  Feel free to give 'em a like while you're there and be sure to tell 'em Got Polish sent ya.  ;)

Barielle Summer Brights 2013 Collection

Today I'd like to share the Barielle *Summer Brights 2013 collection.  It features five fun shades, Cosmic Kiss, Lemondrops, Sweet Addiction, Blue Capri and Pink Flip-Flops.

The most startling thing (and happiest surprise) about this collection is that three of the five shades were one coat wonders!  Below is a shot of one coat of each color.

From thumb to pinky: Cosmic Kiss, Lemondrops, Sweet Addiction, Blue Capri and Pink Flip-Flops.

With the exception of the Lemondrops, a sunny yellow and Pink Flip-Flops, a light bubblegum pink, one coat was opaque and lovely.  Those two leveled out reasonably well after the addition of a second coat, as seen below.

Not much makes me happier than a one coat polish.  I am a girl who LOVES getting my manis completed asap (N-O-W) so discovering that Cosmic Kiss, a deep rosy pink, Sweet Addiction, a nice medium green and Blue Capri, a beautiful royal blue, only required one coat pleased me immensely.  Overall, I was a little bummed with Pink Flip-Flops, the most difficult to work with, but otherwise, I was pretty darn happy with this collection.  

Head on over to barielle.com to check out this collection and many more fun colors!

*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.

Zoya Stunning - Summer 2013

Today, I'd like to share the *Zoya Stunning collection for summer 2013.  I'll get right to the pics.

Here they are: Yana, Rocky, Josie, Darcy, Thandie and Micky

I started out my usual way, doing rainbow skittles, but, alas, as is almost always the case with Zoya collections, there were six colors to swatch on five nails.  What's a girl to do?  I decided to go with an accent nail of both Josie and Micky.  When I showed the completed mani to my husband, he immediately said, "Oh, watermelon."  Thus, an idea was born.  I decided to add dots of Zoya Raven as "seeds" and I think it came out pretty cute.  The result of this happy accident is below.

From thumb to pinky, two coats each: Yana, Thandie, Darcy, Josie and Micky, Rocky ("watermelon seeds" are Zoya Raven)

It should come as no surprise to readers that my favorite in the collection is Rocky.  I do so adore sky blue and this is like her deeper more vibrant cousin.  Each polish in the collection applied easily and was nicely opaque in two coats (with the exception of Darcy that was a tad patchy.  Oh, those tricky yellows).  These colors lend themselves PERFECTLY to "fruit-themed" manis and I know I'll be trying out more, soon.  Definitely a winning collection!

*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.

Zoya PixieDust - Summer 2013

I'm not going to lie, I was VERY excited to receive Zoya's *Summer PixieDust collection to review for you guys.  After trying the spring collection (some of which you can see HERE), I couldn't wait to try the newest additions to the PixieDust family.  As is my usual style, I skittled them, asap, so you could see them all, right away.  Without further ado, I present:

Thumb: Destiny (with Beatrix on the corner), Index: Solange, Middle: Liberty, Ring: Stevie and Pinky: Miranda (two coats of each, no top, no base, as directed)

Again, I am gobsmacked (love that expression) by how much I LOVE the texture of these polishes.  I am generally not a fan of chunky glitter or really any texture other than smooth as a baby's bottom on my nails.  However, in the case of Zoya's PixieDust polishes, the formula is amazing and I can't stop running my fingers over my nails.  Each polish has a unique sparkle (which I truly wish read better on film) and the colors are so pigmented.  Even without the cool textural aspect, these polishes would all be winners in my book.  If you are on the fence about wanting to try a textured polish, I couldn't recommend these more highly.  Just be sure not to use base or top coat as these are designed to be worn without them.  

*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 - Selections From Hologlam

Today, I'd like to share three shades from China Glaze's 2013 Hologlam Collection.  They are *OMG A UFO, *ASTRO-HOT and *DONT BE A LUNA-TIC (and yes, the lack of apostrophe in DONT drives me batty but I typed them as they appeared on the labels).  Here's a pic!

I used two coats of each polish in the pic above.  They are, from left to right, DONT BE A LUNA-TIC, ASTRO-HOT and OMG A UFO.

DONT BE A LUNA-TIC, which appears slightly more turquoise than sky blue in the bottle, actually appears pretty sky blue on the nail.  Let me make one thing clear, I ADORE sky blue.  It is my absolute favorite color in life.  However, I've got to say, this one disappointed me, just a little. I expected to be slammed in the face by the holo in direct sunlight.  As you can see in my pic, the holo was there, just not as *POW* as I had hoped it would be.  Actually, the same holds true for the other two polishes.  ASTRO-HOT, sort of a magenta blue, is gorgeous.  OMG A UFO, an almost army green, is beautiful, as well.  Heck, they are all lovely colors.  However, I had hoped for a lot more bang with regard to the holo.  It's there, just not as strongly as I was wishing for.  Now, keep in mind, this pic was taken in New York on a chilly spring day.  In the heat of summer, under some slamming sunlight, the holo might show up better (here's hoping).  Regardless, I am really pleased with these colors and definitely think they are worth a try.

For more information, check out www.chinaglaze.com or you can follow China Glaze on Facebook (@ChinaGlazeOfficial) or on Twitter (@ChinaGlaze).

*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 - Blue Cotton Candy

Today's post features a gorgeous new color for spring, *Barielle's Blue Cotton Candy.  Feast your eyes!

This fabulous color applied like a dream and was completely opaque in two simple coats.  It has a beautiful shimmer that just says *pow* in the sunlight.  A definite winner in my book!

Head on over to http://barielle.com to check out this and many more fabulous shades.  You can also stop by their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/barielle for more info and hot scoop about the great promos and contests they run regularly.  

*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.

Zoya Press Release - Stunning & Irresistable

JUST LIKE THE SUN, YOU ARE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION!
STUNNING & IRRESISTIBLE
Twelve new Sun Inspired Colors for Summer 2013.
Summer brings the sunniest colors to nails! Including six super shiny creams and
six fresh foil metallics to put all the focus on the brightest shining light in any room - YOU!
Zoya SUMMER 2013: STUNNING Collection
• Darcy (ZP663) - Sunny Yellow Cream - Full Coverage.
• Thandie (ZP664) - Citrus Orange Cream - Full Coverage.
• Micky (ZP665) - Amazing Coral Cream - Full Coverage.
• Yana (ZP669) - Rubine Red Cream - Full Coverage.
• Josie (ZP667) - Grassy Green Cream - Full Coverage.
• Rocky (ZP668) - Serene Blue Cream - Full Coverage.
Zoya SUMMER 2013: IRRESISTIBLE Collection
• Kerry (ZP684) - Yellow Gold Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Amy (ZP670) - Red Orange Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Tinsley (ZP671) - Rose Gold Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Bobbi (ZP672) - Hot Magenta Pink Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Hazel (ZP673) - Blue Green Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
• Rikki (ZP674) - Fern Green Foil Metallic - Full Coverage.
Shipping April 15, 2013
Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful
industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate
(DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.
Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com.
Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.
ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!
$8.00 ea. (US)
Available on Zoya.com

Hard Candy - bity blue and glitter jam

Hey, hey, dear readers!  Today I'd like to share a few Hard Candy polishes, hot off the presses.  First up, the pics:

Two coats of bity blue

Same as above with one coat of glitter jam added on ring finger

*bity blue (which, like all of the new Hard Candy polishes has its name written all in lowercase on the cap) is a gorgeous aquamarine blue foil.  It applied like a dream, opaque and fabulous in two easy coats.  It dried super-smooth and shiny.  I couldn't be happier with it.  I added a quick coat of *glitter jam, which is chock-full of beautiful multi-colored glitter, including blue hexagons, and dried surprisingly smooth.  

If the quality of these shades are indicative of all the new Hard Candy polishes, I can't wait to try more!

*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.

Zoya PixieDust - Part One

I'm really excited to share three of the six polishes from Zoya's PixieDust collection with you.  The colors are *Vespa, *Nyx and *London.  First up, the pics:

Vespa on thumb and ring finger, Nyx on index finger and pinky and London on middle finger

Zoya calls this the PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula and describes each color as follows:

Zoya Nail Polish in Vespa can be best described as a Mint Kiss with a sugared sparkle, in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Zoya Nail Polish in Nyx can be best described as a perfect periwinkle with a sugared sparkle, in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

Zoya Nail Polish in London can be best described as a fog gray with a sugared sparkle, in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Matte Sparkle formula.

These polishes were designed to be worn without base or top coat (which I should have noted before application.  I used base for the above pics.)  They recommend using anywhere from one to three thin coats (I used two).  

The first thing I want to mention is that I am NOT a fan of "textured" finishes in most instances.  I like my polish smooth as a baby's bottom.  However, the texture of these polishes didn't bother me in the slightest.  Actually, I've found myself rubbing my nails quite a bit and really enjoying the unique "sugared" feel of the finish.  

These polishes sparkle beautifully and the colors are fabulous.  I did find my nails chipping on the third day of wear, kind of a bummer, but this could be because I used base coat.  Not quite sure but I will apply according to Zoya's recommendations for the remaining three polishes in this collection.  Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by how much I love this collection. 

*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.