China Glaze Oh How Street It Is

Hello Oh How Street It Is, a screaming almost neon orange from the 2009 Kicks collection!  If you haven't heard, Pantone Color Institute has named "Tangerine Tango" the top color of 2012.  China Glaze recently promoted a statement saying that you can help capture this trend with the above polish, so in order to be (at least somewhat) current, I decided to pull it off my shelf.

Tangerine Tango in its bold orange glory.


For this manicure, I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  Polish formula was great, despite the bottle sitting on my shelf for over 2 years.

Again, this is not a neon color but it is VERY neon looking.  Neons dry matte, but not this creme!

Extreme sun angle!

Even though this is a picture in the shade you can see how bright this color is.  It's definitely going to be an interesting year if this is what everyone will be wearing.  I attempted a picture indoors with the flash, but the camera just couldn't handle it.


So instead, I'll leave you with the press release from China Glaze :]

China Glaze can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty, Sally's Beauty Supply as well as TransDesign.  You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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Tangerine Tango Announced as Top Color for 2012

Embrace the trend with vibrant “How Street It Is” from China Glaze®

A hue that “emanates heat and energy,” Tangerine Tango was announced as the top color of 2012 by Pantone Color Institute. A bold orange that blends red and yellow to create a shade that recharges and excites, Tangerine Tango will soon be popping up in fashion, beauty and home accessories everywhere. Capture the trend today with How Street It Is by China Glaze®! A vibrant reddish-orange that flatters a range of skin types, “How Street It Is” is the perfect way to wrap your hands around this top color!


Available now through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide, China Glaze® “How Street It Is” retails for $7.


China Glaze® colors may change from season to season, but the formula remains the same amazing longwearing lacquer with hardeners. Designed with the professional in mind, the high-quality and finely bristled brush is great for ease of application. China Glaze® is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. Best of all, the non-thickening formula provides excellent coverage. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com.


China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries.

ICMAD: Get With It... Get Healthy!

Please enjoy the following press release from Y Public Relations - and if you're in California, you may want to look into this!  New Years Resolutions don't have to be broken!

ICMAD Hosts Get With It…Get Healthy to Benefit Look Good…Feel Better^®

Inaugural Health & Wellness Event Featuring Celebrity Fitness Expert, Kathy Kaehler

Palatine, IL (November 29, 2011) – Learn how to eat right, get organized, and stay active without fad dieting or crazy regimens that never last. The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors Association (ICMAD) will host their inaugural health and wellness event, Get With It…Get Healthy, which will benefit the national charitable organization, Look Good…Feel Better^®. Taking place on Friday, February 17^th at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, CA, this one-day event will take place the day after the ICMAD Technical Regulatory Forum.

The concept of this event is to adopt a fit and organized way of life that is compatible with today’s hectic lifestyles. From the foods you eat to the exercises you do, it all comes full circle in the way you look and feel. ICMAD is proud to announce that celebrity fitness trainer, Kathy Kaehler, will host the entire day with three life-centric sessions which incorporate nutrition, health, and maintaining a fit lifestyle.  Well known for her A-list celebrity clients, television appearances, and as an expert in the fitness industry, Kaehler provides a wealth of real-world knowledge to help others lead a healthier and more productive life.

“This ICMAD event celebrates life and how to live it to the fullest. I am honored to partner with ICMAD and help people create a practical way to eat healthy, get organized, and stay active,” says Kathy Kaehler.

The intimate sessions hosted by Kaehler will benefit Look Good…Feel Better^®, a national charity organization providing care for women patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The organization has deep roots with ties to the beauty industry and has the full support of ICMAD, Personal Care Products Council and its member’s companies. The Balboa Bay Club will also host a Beauty Bar with nail, makeup, lash, and skin stations, at reduced costs that will also benefit the charity. Guests can also bid on an array of silent auction items throughout the day.

“It’s exciting and rewarding that ICMAD is a catalyst in contributing to Look Good Feel Better. We believe that having our industry of beauty, cosmetics and personal care creates a win-win scenario with gratification for all.” says Pam Busiek, President & CEO, ICMAD.

Session One:    Let’s Work It Out

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Session Overview: Train with Kathy Kaehler and learn the exercises and routines she does with her top celebrity clients in this engaging morning work-out session.

Session Two:   Get Organized

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Session Overview: Learn how to get organized in the kitchen and quickly plan healthy meals for the week ahead. Kathy Kaehler will teach her celebrity favorite, Sunday Set-Up™, program in this session. Lunch will be provided.

Session Three:  Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Time:    2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Session Overview: Learn how to bring nutrition, food preparation, organization, and exercise all together and keep it going!

Each session is $100 individually. A package of all three is available for $275. A portion of proceeds benefit the Look Good…Feel Better^® charity. For more information on the Get With It…Get Healthy event activities and to purchase tickets, visit www.getwithitgethealthy.com or www.icmad.org. 

China Glaze Haunting

I went polish diving and pulled out Haunting, the name sake of the Halloween 2011 collection from China Glaze.  This is a black creme with TONS of silver microglitter.  The bottle is a bit deceiving though - there's much more glitter on the bottle than what comes out on the nail.


I used a base coat of Rejuvacote by Duri, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  The formula was good.

Full sun - see how there's still a good amount of black in there?  It made me feel a lot better about this color, since the bottle looks more grey and not the kind of grey that I like.

Extreme sun!  Love that blue background (which is sky baby!)  

Here in the shade you can again see that the glitter is spread throughout the polish, making it look haunted.  Right?  ;]

Finally indoors with the flash - honestly, this polish just rocks.  I love that it's so different - unlike anything I currently own.  If you can still find it (online, clearance racks), get it.  You won't regret it.

China Glaze can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty, Sally's Beauty Supply as well as TransDesign.  You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Julep Trina

I became a Julep Maven back in August when the program started.  Now I'll be brutally honest, their Maven program has had some errors... first the referral system was not working and while they did offer ALL Maven's a free box one month ($20 savings for the user), not all were happy with that apology.  There have been other issues with their PR writing a blog posting using blogger pictures that were not credited.  That is a huge unspoken NO in the blogging world as bloggers work hard to photograph and edit their pictures and then to not be credited was very frustrating.  For the record, I was not one of the bloggers whose pictures were used, but I did recognize some of the nails.  They have also changed their referral system from $15 store credit to a point type system.  Your friend has to remained enrolled for 30 days after their first Maven box for you to get your 1 credit.  After 2 credits, you get a free box.  I know that they were also offering Maven boxes for 1 cent using the code SHAREON, but I do not know if that offer is still valid.  Please note that the above Julep link is linked to my referral link, and if you join the Maven program using my link, I will get 1 credit providing the above was adhered to.  Oh and finally, I learned that my blog was being used in a court case against Julep because they are using the same "naming" system as Zoya Nail Polish - using women names for their polishes.  Last I heard the court case is still pending.


That being said, I haven't had any personal problems.  My box changes have always gone through without any issue (you can change what kind of box you receive), I haven't had any charging issues (once had 2 pre-authorizations but only one charge), haven't had any shipping issues, and I'm really happy with the way that people who go into the salon, are treated (they have salons in Seattle).  


Enough about that, let's get to the polish.  Trina is a shimmery deep aubergine (eggplant) from the November "Polish Lover" box.  I'm originally an "American Beauty" Maven boxer (heh), but I couldn't resist switching to the Polish Lover that month (3 polishes, no other beauty products).  Please note in my bottle picture that the top of the polish does come off like Chanel, Illamasqua or Dr.'s REMEDY to reveal a smaller round handle, but it's not necessary for polishing.


I used the Julep Base Coat ($14), 1 coat of Trina and a top of CND Air Dry.  I do have the Julep Fast Dry Topcoat but couldn't find it when polishing my nails.  This polish was so super thick that I'm going to have to add some thinner.  I had to wipe my brush several times.

Here in the sun you can see how deep of a color this is.  I really like that while it's a dark plum, it doesn't have the red and blue sparkles that you typically see in colors like this (think China Glaze Let's Groove).

The shade just kinda is "ick"... the color is so dark that it doesn't translate well on camera.  It's a great fall color and I always love darker color on shorter nails.  I don't see me pulling this one out too many times this year though.

Finally indoors with the flash and you can see how pretty this purple truly is, but it is just a bit dark for me.  Vampy purples aren't really my thing, but this is a pretty one!  Just thick formula'ed.


You can purchase Trina on Julep's website for $14.


Julep is available on their website for $14 a bottle.  You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

NOTD: 3 January 2012

Many moons ago, Nailene sent me a great press kit that had lots of stickers and some glue, and lots of PERFECT tips - french polish guides.  (Dearest Melissa, I'm sorry this got stuck on my shelf and never used!)


As much as I loved Fashion Friday by itself, I decided that I wanted to make it even more funky, so I put down some of the tip guides and added a coat of Jesse's Girl Girls Night Out (also from the JulieG collection).  For my middle finger, I laid the guide sideways and made the dot freehand.  Obviously I didn't let it dry long enough and that's why you see smearing.  I topped the nails with CND Air Dry.

As you see, I'm not an expert at nail art, but these guides do help you make some crisp lines!  I'm definitely happy with it.  I need to really look at all these other items that were in the bag because there are some cute stickers - a quick way to add instant glam to any manicure.


Nailene has a "Where to Buy" located on their website.  You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.


You can visit Jesse's Girl on their website, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter. 

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Jesse's Girl Fashion Friday

I wanted a fun color to wear, so I decided to grab the Jesse's Girl Fashion Friday from the JulieG collection.  This is a happy red purplish creme.  I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  Formula was smooth.

Hello sun!  See what I mean about it being such a happy little creme!  It's almost a throwback to an 80s fuchsia, or maybe I'm just making all that up.  Works for me either way.

In the shade, this color reminds me a little of Color Club Mrs. Robinson except this is definitely not a matte finish and not as neon.  Still, always good to look for twins/dupes!

Finally indoors with the flash and this is a hot color as far hitting the camera flash and just being super bright.  I know I'll wear it in the future, but this is one of those where I have to be in the mood for something "loud".


The JulieG Collection is a limited edition collection available at Rite Aid stores starting Labor Day weekend and will be available online at Jesse's Girl Cosmetic's website.  They retail for $3.99 each ($1 more than the original core line).

You can visit Jesse's Girl on their website, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter. 

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Sephora by OPI Be-Claus I Said So

I went to 2 different Sephoras to track down the Glitter and Sparkle collection but I found it!  Be-Claus I Said So is a micro and larger hexagonal red glitter in a clear base.  I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  I originally tried wearing this color alone (pinkie and ring finger) but decided it needed a good base so I used Cult Nails Quench.

Here in the sun you can see that it definitely needs a good red base coat unless you still want to look like you have weird red bumps on your nail.  The coverage is more opaque looking because of the microglitter but still not okay for me.

I love how the glitter really glows in a jelly like way over the index and middle fingers.  Such a pretty color even if it takes a bit of prep work to get it all pretty.

Indoors with the flash really don't do justice for this pretty color.  I almost made this my Christmas manicure but at the last minute, I couldn't find where I put this bottle (since I had moved everything around!).  Go figure!


You can purchase Sephora by OPI in Sephora stores or online here for $9 a bottle. 

deborah lippmann Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?

I have been obsessed with deborah lippmann's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? since it was first spotted in mid-February 2011 during Fashion Week.  The working title was "jessica rabbit", but as you know, Deborah names her polishes after songs.  This is a large hexagonal glitter in a clear base.


On my pinkie and ring fingers, I have a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  On my middle and index fingers, I've added a base of Cult Nails Quench.

Now, Deborah had said during her group interview that I was in, that all her polishes are designed as 2 coaters, so that's why I used 2 coats.  Granted, I love this SO MUCH MORE over an existing red creme, because on the bare nail, it reminds me too much of a really bad case of chicken pox (sorry!).  Well, really, of shingles (which I had in my early 20s).

Forget anything else, go buy this polish because of how awesome it looks in the shade.  Yes.  Go.  Post done.

Okay fine, here's indoors with the flash - not as gorgeous, but still, I'm in love with this polish.  What a way to start 2012!  This is a limited edition shade, but you may still be able to pick it up in stores.


deborah lippmann [official website] sells for $18 a bottle.  You can also Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Cult Nails Quench

While I was trying to find a perfect red to layer some awesome upcoming red glitters, I figured that Cult Nails Quench had to be the best red in my stash.  I know Maria (creator of Cult Nails) wasn't going to just put out any old red, so I was excited to finally put it on.  LOOK how that bottle glows up there!


I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  The formula was a bit sparse on the first coat, but the second coat smoothed it all out and made it super perfect.  I don't know how she constantly does that with her formula, but she has consistently with all the polishes I've tried!

In the sun, this polish is hot hot hot!  I finally figured out what's up with my index finger - my nail is just thin.  That's why it never looks "polished" well - too thin of a nail!  So I'm totally calling Quench a jelly - it's so pretty and squishy!

In the shade, this color appears a little darker, but it's really a true pigmented red - kind of like OCC's Lip Tar  "NSFW".  Bold and in your face!

Indoors with the flash and you can see that it's not just my index fingernail that is thin - most of them are.  Duri has kept them from breaking but they are still thin.  At least they aren't splitting or peeling.


If you haven't purchased Quench, what are you waiting for?

Cult Nails available in their shop for $12 a bottle or now you can purchase from Overall Beauty.  You can like Cult Nails on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  Once they reach 5,000 Likes on Facebook, Maria will be offering all polishes for only $5!

Zoya True

I was hoping 2012 would be the year of the holos but it looks more like year of the flakies!  Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya!  (You can click on the images to see them larger)

Oh lookie!