deborah lippmann Sexyback Lip & Nail Duet


While I love deborah lippmann's nail polishes and especially her new cuticle cream "The Cure", one thing I haven't tried yet is her lipstick. She now has 9 shades available on her website - nudes, berries and corals. This coming month, she’s bringing sexy back. 

LVX Laguna

Press Sample 

The finale of the LVX Summer 2014 collection, as we lead into fall, is Laguna, a beautiful sky blue. I used a base coat of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish and finished with LVX Gel like Top Coat. Honestly, this could have been opaque in one coat but I used 2 thin coats to be sure.


So in the sun, this color just wouldn't behave! Look how BRIGHT and brilliant it is!


Meanwhile in the shade, it settled down and showed its true colors. You can see that I had a little cuticle issue but it wasn't from a bad formula - just an unsteady hand on my part.


Inside was pretty perfect too. I love how squishy it looks on my nails - not like a jelly but like a stay puff marshmallow. Would be a great base for clouds or a rainbow nail or just alone. I did not have any issues with staining but did not do a long wear test to double check.

LVX [Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram] is available on their website. It is 10-free to include Toluene and Camphor, vegan and cruelty free. Use promo code POLISHGALORE for 20% off your purchase!

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

Zoya Twitter Party!


Are you on Twitter? Me too! Join Zoya (@ZoyaNailPolish) tonight from 8-9 pm EST (5-6 pm PST) for a Twitter Party! They will be covering the hottest nail colors for Fall, trends for NYFW (WHICH IS NEXT WEEK AND I'M GONNA BE THERE!) and more!

During the hour, Zoya will release a series of questions marked Q1, Q2, Q2 etc. Reply to the questions with A1, A2, A3 etc and the hashtag #FALLingForZoya so that everyone can find your tweets. Followers that participate and answer questions throughout the party will automatically be entered to win special prizes from the Naturel 2 and Entice & Ignite Collection at random.

Bonus! Upload a picture of your Zoya manicure during the Twitter Party & tell Zoya what shade you're wearing. One grand prize winner will win a full Fall Zoya Nail Polish Wardrobe! (Make sure to use the hasthag #FALLingForZoya and tag @ZoyaNailPolish)

*Terms & Conditions: No purchase necessary to participate or win. Promotion begins Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 8pm EST. Entry via Twitter ONLY - Twitter account must be on public setting and must follow @ZoyaNailPolish to be eligible to win. Giveaway winners will be DM'd codes - codes are not valid in conjunction with other coupons, codes or promotions. Continental US only. Art of Beauty is not responsible for incorrect addresses, credit card entry errors, web related issues or any errors associated with declined credit cards. Returns or exchanges of promotional items not permitted. This Twitter party is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Twitter, Inc. PolishGalore is not affiliate with the Twitter Party, just sharing the information.

The Lacquer Cabinet Introduces the Nail It! for Nailtini® Collection


As the first ever consumer magazine for nail enthusiasts, Nail It! is proving that it’s not just industry insiders that get to have all the fun. As Beauty Director of Nail It!, Karie L. Frost truly has a perfectly polished finger on the pulse of what’s happening in nails, having seen just about everything new and noteworthy cross her desk. Lucky for Nailtini, she tapped deeply into her passion for polish and quest for uniqueness to cocktail a collection for “The Lacquer Cabinet” – Nailtini’s exclusive lacquer delivery service featuring monthly limited-edition collections by leading nail and beauty artists, stylists and trendsetters.

Zoya Entice & Ignite


Zoya Entice & Ignite
FALL 2014-COLOR SEDUCTION

It feels so weird to be talking fall, especially when the heat index here is triple digits, but Fall is right around the corner. Looking to be inspired? Zoya has you covered with their new Entice & Ignite collection.

LVX Aster

Press Sample 

Finishing up the Summer 2014 LVX collection and this is probably my absolute favorite. This is LVX Aster, which is a beautiful lilac purple. I used a base coat of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish and finished with LVX Gel Like Top Coat. The formula applied beautifully!


Look how pretty this creme is in the sun! A lovely lilac.


In the shade, it tends to pull more blue but it's absolutely gorgeous no matter what.


I knot this looks like a totally different polish but it's the same polish, same day! In indirect light, the polish really decides to play nice with the camera and show her true self.

LVX [Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram] is available on their website. It is 10-free to include Toluene and Camphor, vegan and cruelty free. Use promo code POLISHGALORE for 20% off your purchase!

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

#IHeartCND Houston 2014


Today, CND held their "I ♥ CND" Event at Central Nails & Beauty Supply in Houston, Texas. Jan Arnold and the CND Education Ambassadors were on hand to demonstrate the CND Art Walk Summer and Fall 2014 looks featuring CND SHELLAC and VINYLUX. After the Art Walk, CND also held a SHELLAC Certification course for those looking to become a SHELLAC Certified Pro.

The CND Art Walk featured designs using the Summer 2014 "Paradise" Collection and the Fall 2014 "Modern Folklore" Collection as well as the Summer and Fall Additives.

My first two stations featured designs using the Fall 2014 Modern Folklore Collection and Additives to create regal fall nail art looks.


First, Education Ambassador Michele Huynh took me through the "Burnished Crest" nail that she created (far right nail in the above photo). She used SHELLAC but you can also use VINYLUX for this look. It includes using Additives for shimmer and small bullion beads for added flair. 
Michele Huynh

Next, Education Ambassador Shelena Robinson walked me through the incredibly beautiful and incredibly simple Modern Renaissance fall nail design (far left nail). She also used SHELLAC but again, VINYLUX could be used as well.
Shelena Robinson
Shelena is pictured here with the nails from The Blonds Fall 2014 Show that she designed. She crafted the guns from this iconic photo strictly by hand only using Retention+ Liquid and Powder. Crazy amazing.

Her own nails today were amazing too. She created a watercolor look using CND products.

Next on my Art Walk were looks created with the Summer 2014 Paradise Collection.

Educational Ambassador Heather Reynosa-Davis showed me how to create the middle nail "Blue Lagoon" using CND SHELLAC and nail foil. TIP: Allow your foil adhesive to dry to clear, then apply your foil. Apply too soon and the foil will be too wet and not apply properly.

Educational Ambassador Alfa Romero created a "Dragon Fruit" nail using Summer Additives in Sizzling Sand and Midnight Tide.

Next, Educational Ambassador Sylvia Palomino walked me through the entire LookBook, both available digitally and in hard copy, from the Fall 2014 season.

They even had the wall art that was created from the Spring 2014 season. Did you know that CND has been apart of Fashion Week for over 17 years?

Super exciting secret - I will be attending the Mercedes-Benz Spring 2015 Fashion Week next month! My schedule hasn't been finalized so I'm not sure which shows I will be covering but I do know of 2 of them and I'm super excited. (Make sure you're following my Instagram for the most up to date photos and information!)

The second to last station on the CND Art Walk was the Education Station. This one is definitely the most important because CND is all about education - both initial and continuing. Being a nail fanatic (not a professional), I'm not eligible for the perks but if you have your license or you know of a salon that wants to become SHELLAC Certified, send them to the CND website ASAP! After you take your SHELLAC Course, there are "Next Steps" to complete in order to get your Welcoming Kit.

The last station in the CND Art Walk is definitely the best. It's Jan Arnold!

This isn't my first time seeing Jan. We had a 1-1 sit down interview in 2013 and one of the first things she asked me was "Why don't you have your nail license?" Especially with the CND Nail Scholarship Program available, I don't have any good excuses. I would love to go to school so that I can have the education behind my passion but that will have to wait for another day. I also got to see Jan last month at Cosmoprof for a fleeting moment. She hugged me like I was an old friend and we talked shop then too. Jan always has the most amazing manicures, so this time I needed to see what she was sporting.

This manicure is going on TWO WEEKS. Look how incredibly shiny and amazing it looks! Jan told me that while she loves short square nails (like what I normally wear), for her, she needs a more feminine almond shape and longer length to balance her short hair. "Short hair, long nails. Always. The almond shape does for the hands what the stiletto heel does for the legs." Jan stated. A timeless but elegant look, perfect for today's event.


On my own nails, I created a sponged gradient with VINYLUX

I started with a base of Powder My Nose which is a cream colored creme polish, then sponged on Rapture Blue and Lilac Longing. I added a few pieces of hexagonal glitter for sparkle before finishing with CND VINYLUX Weekly Top Coat.
Bit of a rookie mistake though. Because VINYLUX is designed to harden to the polish like a gel product, it squeezes out all the air in the polish... and essentially popped my glitter off. Educational Ambassador Michele told me that the trick is to apply the VINYLUX Weekly Top Coat, let dry 8.5 minutes, then use CND Super Shiney Top Coat (purple bottle) to apply the glitter. Lesson learned.

CND holds their #IHeartCND events across the country - be sure you're following the CND social networks for locations and dates!

You can purchase CND VINYLUX for $9.90 per bottle at select salons.

Join CND via their social media channels Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

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

LVX Lolli

Press Sample 

We are on the back half of the LVX Summer 2014 collection now! I feel like I've saved the best three for last, starting with the pretty pink creme Lolli.

I used a base coat of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish and finished with LVX Gel like Top Coat.  This polish wasn't very well behaved and did flood my cuticles but I cleaned up before top coat.


This is the very first pink for LVX and it's a very pretty pastel pink! The Texas sun just didn't want to cooperate, so this is Lolli in the shade. You can see how it applied well without any brush strokes or unevenness.


In the indirect light, you can see that it's not a Barbie pink but not a Pepto Bismol pink - but rather just a soft happy pastel pink. It's soft enough to be worn all year round but stands out enough to be on toes as well.

LVX [Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram] is available on their website. It is 10-free to include Toluene and Camphor, vegan and cruelty free. Use promo code POLISHGALORE for 20% off your purchase!

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

Girly Bits What happens in Vegas....ends up on Instagram

Press Sample 

At the Sparkle & Wine 2014 Event, Girly Bits came out with the second in her "What Happens In Vegas" polishes - this one being What happens in Vegas....ends up on Instagram. It's this crazy fuchsia with holographic glitter everywhere and BAM in your face!

I used a base coat of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish, then topped with one coat of Nail Pattern Boldness Glitter Food (which mattified the polish) and then Digital Nails Ain't Nobody Got Time For That (which made it shiny).

If you think this looks top coat hungry, it is. Girly Bits will be tweaking the formula and it will look exactly the same but won't need two coats of top coat for a smooth finish.

As with most holographic polishes, once in the shade, you lose the holo but look what you gain! Lots of beautiful shimmer - blues and purples start peeking out.

It's such a happy companion to last year's "What Happens in Vegas... Ends up on Facebook" (which I promise I will get on the blog soon!).

I got a bit of flash in this one - oops. But you can see that it has a smooth finish and like I mentioned - the final formula will be nice and smooth.

This polish will be available in a limited run in mid-August so be sure to sign up for the Girly Bits newsletter and follow her on social media for the announcement.

Girly Bits can be purchased on her website or through her approved distributors. Prices range from $10 (USD) to $12 (USD) but please note her website is in CAD, not USD because she is a Canadian company. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest.

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

CND® Fall 2014: Modern Folklore Collection

It feels so wrong to be talking about fall already and yet I'm actually really feeling all the jewel tones I'm seeing coming alive from the different brands.


Please enjoy the following release from CND about their Fall 2014 Modern Folklore Collection, including new Shellac, Vinylux and CND Additives! All images courtesy of CND.

LVX Lemondrop

Press Sample 

Another shade from the LVX Summer 2014 is the butter yellow creme Lemondrop. Well all know that yellows can be a pain in the backside and yes - the first coat of this was a hot mess, just like Porcelaine.

I used a base coat of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish, and finished with the LVX Gel like Top Coat.


Not a hot mess anymore! Well, other than my index finger because I had a stray cat hair just in there and well... cats.


It's such a light pretty yellow! In a world of neon yellows, this was a nice change.


This was my shot in indirect light. It's pretty amazing - like butter. Which makes me want to eat toast.  Mmm toast.

LVX [Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram] is available on their website. It is 10-free to include Toluene and Camphor, vegan and cruelty free. Use promo code POLISHGALORE for 20% off your purchase!

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

Crabtree & Evelyn NUD-EST Collection

Are you ready to kiss your neons goodbye and get ready for a more subtle fall season? Crabtree & Evelyn brings you their NUD-EST Collectino for fall.

Please enjoy the following press release. Images courtesy of C&E.

ellagee Chronic Badass

Nothing To Disclose

One of my favorite parts of nail polish is meeting the people behind the blogs and behind the brands. Last November, I was able to meet up with a group of polish makers and lovers in Austin, Texas - including Laura, the owner and creator of ellagee polish.

Laura and I are both members of a club that no one wants to join - fibromyalgia. Laura's is more advanced than mine but we can both relate to the constant and irritating pain, exhaustion and frustration of this very misunderstood chronic illness. 

Chronic Badass is the ellagee half of this "Fi-bros For Life" collaboration box and is a clear base with black matte and holo glitter, black holo stars and butterflies in matte purple and silver holo. This polish was her collaboration with fellow Texan, polish maker, and lovely lady with fibromyalgia - Raphaelle from Digital Nails. 

I decided to use LVX Porcelaine for three fingers (creme white) and LVX Aster for one finger (creme purple) for my base coats and just used one dabbed coat of Chronic Badass. I topped all fingers with Digital Nails Ain't Nobody Got Time For That. The coverage was good but I did have to fish a bit for the butterflies that I used.

The stars wouldn't come out and play for me but you can see I got two butterflies with a little fishing.

Shade photo! You can really see the different glitters here - square, hexagonal, circle... And if you look super hard, you can see a black star near my middle finger inside the bottle.

Here's some indirect light as well. I'm really loving the lavender glitters but not against the purple. I think it's better over white.

You can purchase ellagee through her website. Prices range from $8 to $15.00 Join the conversation with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr.

China Glaze Pop Top

Nail art is hot right now, but if you don't have the time or patience, a good glitter coat can give you the appearance of nail art without the dedication.

Please enjoy the following press release from China Glaze. (All images courtesy of China Glaze.)

LVX Porcelaine

Press Sample 

This May, LVX launched their Summer 2014 collection which included the beautiful timeless ivory creme Porcelaine. Inspired by the McQueen runway, this classic neutral white creme is a great staple for any collection.

I started with Cult Nails Get It On for my base coat, 2 coats of polish, and finished with LVX's new Gel Like Top Coat. The first coat went on a little streaky but the second thin coat evened out over the nail, especially paired with the LVX Gel Like Top Coat.


How pretty is this?! It's a great crisp white, perfect by itself or as a base for nail art.


Even in the shade, you can see it's a great neutral color.

Finally inside with some soft indirect light, this color looks almost a little more on the cream side than on the ivory side, but it's great to see in all lights.

LVX [Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram] is available on their website. It is 10-free to include Toluene and Camphor, vegan and cruelty free. Use promo code POLISHGALORE for 20% off your purchase!

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