Blogs of Note

Happy Sunday!


First today is Daily Polish.  Owner Sara does really blog daily, although her most recent posts have been guest writers while she's on vacation in Israel.  She has short nails and has a LARGE selection of polishes to check out.


Next is Deez Nails.  This is one of the few blogs I've seen that uses false nails normally.  She wears both Nailene Active Square and Fing'rs brand Trophy Wife length.  There are many benefits to wearing false nails, and she has a great post on application and removal.  In addition to colors, she also has frankens and nail art.


Last today is Emerald Sparkled.  This is the awesome blogger who made the graphic used on mine and many other blogs.  Her name is Deniz, she lives in Turkey, and she has some amazing pictures and nail art in her blog!  Seriously, she's one of the best polishers I've seen - her nails always look beautiful.

OPI Not Like the Movies

How many colors do you count up there?  It looks like a green, a blue, almost a pinky purple...  I thought this color was going to be my new obsession.  OPI's Not Like the Movies from the Katy Perry collection is listed as a sultry silver but I really didn't see too much silver... except for the silver microglitter that was running through the bottle - quite a surprise to me!


I used a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 3 coats of Not Like the Movies and a top of OPI Top Coat.  I found the formula to be good, just a bit thin and not as build-able opaque as I hoped.

This is a bit what I would think deborah lippmann Wicked Game looks like - a different color at every turn of your hand.  


Update: Jenny from Polishology has a great comparison post here!

Check out this awesome view of the duochrome (trichrome?) in action with the green on my first two fingers and the purple gray on the last two fingers.  This was fun to play with it, for sure but overall wasn't quite what I expected.  I have to admit, it's much more fun in person than in pictures - I couldn't quite capture the range of colors you see on the nail.


And finally, a layer of Black Shatter over it all.

Unfortunately for me, all the purple disappeared after Black Shatter was applied and you were stuck with the purple.  While it's a beautiful purple, I loved all the swirling colors.


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

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

OPI Teenage Dream

It's January and the OPI Katy Perry Collection has launched!  If you've been following OPI's Facebook Wall, you know that this collection has been in HIGH demand and shipments are delayed as many as six weeks for some retailers.  WOW!  Go Katy!

OPI Teenage Dream is a pink based polish packed with small disced rainbow glitter (silver that reflects light).


I used a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 3 coats of Teenage Dream and topped with OPI Top Coat.  Application wasn't bad.  Pink can be a hard color to wear because you're not sure if it's opaque or not when suspended with glitter, so I used three coats to be sure but I could have gotten away with 2.

In the sun, this color just looks a bit drab against my skin tone.  You can tell there's lots of glitter in the bottle, but it doesn't bounce around on my nails as much.  I'm wondering if it's because of the sun being so low in the sky, or what.

Indirect sun - you can see a bit more of the glitter, especially on the pinkie.

In the shade, you can see there is a lot of glitter that is transferred to the nail.


Also in the Katy Perry is a bottle of Black Shatter, so I went ahead and put a layer over after putting on OPI Top Coat.  I then sealed it with Seche Vite to give my nails a smooth feeling.

I loved this.  I loved it so much I made it my NOTD (Nail Of The Day) and wore it to the gym where I was constantly staring at my nails.  The crackle/shatter works so well when paired with a glitter.  Uber win.


My only real complaint was removal.  The glitter was a pain to get off my nails - so much so that I used pure acetone instead of my normal Zoya Remove+.  Otherwise, this is a great shade.


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

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

MAC Mean and Green

Oh MAC Mean & Green, what an enigma you are!  Are you purple? Are you green?  Are you golden yellow?!


I used a base of Seche Natural, 3 coats of Mean & Green, and a top of Seche Vite.  Application was okay but the polish felt too sheer for me, especially for the price.


Here's some sun overload.

Here are two pictures in the shade

See what I mean?!  It's all over the map!  I didn't keep this color on too long... the green is such a weird murky color for me.  I felt like it was a little like China Glaze Zombie Zest or even Ick-A-Body with the green base, but the purple was at least a nice pop.  I am a sucker for a purple.  :)

MAC retails for $13 a bottle and can be purchased at MAC stores, counters or online.  Currently online, Mean & Green is sold out and there isn't any word if there will be restocking.  Check your local MAC counter/store!

OPI Black Shatter

Alright people, I'm going to be honest.  When I first heard about this "shatter/crackle" trend, I was miffed.  I feel like "shattered" nail polish resembles chipped nail polish which is such a no-no for me.  Now granted, I said I didn't like matte nail polish originally because it looked too much like a chalkboard, and now I'm in love with matte.  Would I feel the same about shatter/crackle nail polish?


THE ANSWER IS DUH!  YES!  THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!

I took my existing manicure of Simply Smash-ing! and just painted one thin layer of Black Shatter over it.  In about 20 seconds, the polish completely separates, leaving you with a cracked effect.  I even took a video for you!

Here are some finished pictures in the sun and in the shade.

I did not use a top coat afterwards, but I recommend it if you like smooth nails (and I do).

OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

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

OPI Simply Smash-ing!

Remember this post?  Now it's time to check it out!

Serena Williams is one of the only tennis players I can name, but not only is she an amazing player, she always has had some amazing nails!  I thought it was pretty neat that OPI paired with her for the Gram Slam collection which was this - Simply Smash-ing! and a Black Shatter (ooh, coming soon!).  It is a glitter without the grit, yellow-green leaning towards gold.  I'm tempted to call it glass fleck because it wore just like Zoya Sparkle's collection or the China Glaze Summer Days.  Removal was similar as well, leaving behind microglitter on my hands.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of Simply Smash-ing! and a top of OPI Top Coat.

In the sun, you can see a few bald spots on my nails where the color didn't stick as well.  However, you can also see a bit of green in the polish.  I'm happy to say my nails did NOT stain after application - always a fear of mine.

Indirect sun picture - again you can see the smooth application with glitter but no grit of glitter.  I do love the OPI Pro-Wide brush - it helps get the polish in one stroke instead of 4 or 5 mini strokes.

Finally - shade.  You can really see the olive greenish coming out now.  I don't think this color flatters me that well, but when you add the Black Shatter... well let's just say it spices things up!


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

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

Nicole by OPI Nicole ♥ Walmart

Please enjoy the following press release from Nicole by OPI!

Love, Nicole by OPI

Nicole by OPI Launches New Walmart-Exclusives

This January, Nicole by OPI turns up the heat with four fashion-forward additions to the Nicole ♥ Walmart collection, available exclusively at Walmart. From reds in hues of burgundy and mauve to purples in shades of plum and iridescent lilac, these four new Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers provide a modern take on classic favorites.

 “We are thrilled to offer these four new Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers exclusively to Walmart customers,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “These variations of red and purple offer a burst of color for a look that’s both timeless and sophisticated.”

The new Nicole ♥ Walmart Nail Lacquers include:

Count On Me

This glimmering lavender will never let you down.

Got Style?

Mauve has never looked this chic!

He’s A Keeper

This classic red is one of the good guys.

Never Give Up

Hold onto gorgeous color with this persistent plum.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. These new Nicole ♥ Walmart Nail Lacquers will be available January 2011 at select Walmart stores nationwide.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

Awesome news Friends, I got this collection yesterday and will be swatching now!

China Glaze Jingle Bells

One of the last from China Glaze's 'Tis The Season is Jingle Bells, a champagne shimmer.  Let's be frank, I'm not a fan of gold items - from jewelry to nail polish, but I'm always willing to try!


I used a base of Seche Natural, one coat of Jingle Bells, and a top of Seche Vite.  I love the one coat application, regardless of the color!  :)

In the sun, this is just a nice shimmer gold.  it does seem a bit neutral against my skin tone.  You can tell that the application was absolutely perfect.

In the shade the color sticks out a little more but again it's a very neutral shade for me.  Nice for a day at the office or possibly a business meeting but it doesn't scream me by any means.

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

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

NYX Blue Avenue

Back in October, I made a trip to San Antonio and stopped in the local HEB that my friends work at and made a beeline for cosmetics.  They have a much larger selection of nail polish than my HEB, including OPI, Cosmetic Arts, LA Splash and this brand, NYX.  I should have known by the milky appearance that this was meant to be a layering color and not opaque, but frankly I don't know what I was thinking.


Oh yes.  I was thinking FLAKIES!  Suspended in this polish are light green, blue and orange flakies (flake like glitter - much like fish scales).


However, these flakies aren't as defined as say, Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure.


I used a base coat of Seche Natural and 2 coats of NYX Blue Avenue on my first two fingers.  After seeing how sheer it was (and not buildable), I put a coat of CND Blackjack on my other two fingers, then two coats of Blue Avenue.  Everything was topped with Seche Vite.

As you can see in the sun, the flakes are pretty non-existant on my first two nails.  The blue base that you see in the bottle isn't visible either.  You can somewhat see flakes over black.

In the shade you can see the flakes a little better, but frankly I was disappointed.  I would rather have bought a Nfu-Oh at full price and have less coats with more coverage.  Lesson learned.


I purchased my bottle of Blue Avenue for $3.99.  NYX can be found online or in stores.  You can also Like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

China Glaze Anchors Away

Spring 2011 seems to be a muted colors season from what I'm seeing but Anchors Away from China Glaze provides a bit more than some dusted colors... please enjoy the following press release

ALL HANDS ON DECK
China Glaze Introduces 12 New Glitters And Crèmes For Spring 2011


Sail away this spring in 12 nautically-inspired colors from China Glaze. These bold and confident brights are reminiscent of a carefree natural getaway, with soft ethereal hues that inspire leisurely thoughts of sand and sea. Colors in this collection include:


• Life Preserver: Highly pigmented and luxurious poppy crème.
• Hey Sailor: Vibrant crème red.
• Ahoy!: Delightfully intense pink that flashes with reflective glass speck.
• First Mate: Sophisticated and rich navy crème.
• Starboard: Hip and playful green crème.
• Lighthouse: Multi-dimensional, bright yellow glass speck.
• White Cap: Whimsical and sparkling multi-dimensional white.
• Pelican Gray: High shine, cool toned grey crème.
• Sea Spray: Calming pale blue crème.
• Below Deck: A flirty mix of taupe and violet.
• Sunset Sail: Delightful peachy pink high shine crème.
• Knotty: Micro-particle beige shimmer.


This spring, take a relaxing trip to the shore and sail away with China Glaze. Stop and smell the sea breeze!


The China Glaze Anchors Away collection will be available in two 6 piece acetates, a 12 piece display, a 36 piece rack, and as open stock colors.


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 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.