.rawr.

I have super long nails (for me) right now.  I've broken 3 nails on my non-swatching hand, but have kept the long left hand so I can show you all the pretties in my box.  I've been out all week long and finally yesterday I had a day off AND sun, but I decided I just had to clean my house (it's quite big and all tile floors that need to be vacuumed and mopped sorely).  This morning I woke up to a clean house AND RAIN.


Seriously?!


Tomorrow I'm supposed to have SOME sun, and even better - lots of sun on Tuesday so hopefully I'll get to pump out some more posts soon.  Sorry friends!

Nicole by OPI Count On Me

Moving on to the Nicole ♥ Walmart collection, Count on Me is a glimmering lavender with tons of blue and purple microglitter in a milky purple base.  Seriously, go buy this.  Now.  I mean it.


At first, I tried to use this as a color on its own.  I used a base of OPI Natural Nail, and tried 2 coats of Count on Me, but it just really wasn't taking, so I pulled out my CND Blackjack for 1 coat, and then put 2 coats of Count on Me, topping with OPI Top Coat.  Best decision ever.

Now in the direct sun, you can see on my bare nail, that this is mostly an electric blue/light purple microglitter/shimmer on the nail, but over black it just looks blue.  In the light...

Can you see that purple on the edges?  All pictures are clickable to see larger... here's a couple more.

!!!


For fun, I took a couple of pictures indoors too (I use 6500K "natural" lights).

Seriously, I'm in love.  I ended up using Count on Me over CND Blackjack for a NOTD (to be posted), and did this manicure on two of my friends' nails (Crystal & Brittany - hey!).  Love love LOVE it.  All the purple and blues jumping out.  It's amazing.


For fun, I also tried it over OMB...  sun:

And shade:

The shimmer isn't nearly as pretty over this red...  I also tried it over The One That Got Away.


So seriously, go find this, ask your friends, just FIND THIS COLOR.  You won't regret it.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

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 It Starts With Me

Finishing off the Liquid Metals collection was It Starts With Me which was listed as a metallic champagne that channels your inner shine.  I thought this was more of a rose gold originally, so I was super excited but it's more of a bronze color to my eyes.


I used a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of It Starts With Me and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula, as with the other metallics in this collection was good, with a bit of balding.

Seriously, this doesn't look good in the sun, but I think it's mostly my skin tone.

It looks much better in the shade, but it's still just not the best color for me.  Not my total cup of tea here.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

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 Rich In Spirit

Here's a new spin on the metallics - a metallic blue.  Not that this is a new concept but at least it is something different!  Rich in Spirit is apart of the Liquid Metals collection.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of Rich in Spirit and a top of OPI Top Coat.

This reflects a lot of silver, giving it an icy look which is pretty awesome.  I think it would a great base for a winter manicure with some snowflake nail art.

As with metallics, it looks so much better in the shade.  It almost looks duochrome like with the silver being reflected near the cuticles and the blue really showing to the tips.


I do really like this color and I'm calling it the winner of this collection.  There is one more color left which you'll see either later today or probably tomorrow.  :)

Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

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 Center Stage

Sad panda, I'm at the very last of the High Intensity line from Jesse's Girl, and it's been a fun ride!  Once again, I should have called this a "jelly", not a creme, as apparent by the pictures you'll see soon.  Speaking of pictures, check out the hole in my concrete in that bottle picture.  Heh.


Side note, I absolutely love the movie Center Stage.


For this Center Stage, I used a base coat of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Center Stage and a top of Seche Vite.

See why I call this a jelly?  You can see that vampy red going on and a bit of bare spots through each nail.  I'm not sure what would be better - another coat or a nude base coat.  Hmm, note to self: Make a post on nude base coats.

The color looks a bit better in the shade as far as the consistency, but again, it's still a bit bald in spots.  Might be great to use as a base coat for Konad/nail art.


Overall, I'm not sure I would purchase this color again but at only $2.99 a bottle, maybe I would.  ^_^

Jesse's Girl sells for $2.99 a bottle online or at Rite Aid stores. 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.

Hauls and upcoming posts!

So I spent some "me" time in San Antonio last week and went NUTS at Sephora...  Let's just say I spent more on Urban Decay in 30 minutes than my water and electric bill combined.  Oops.  I'll be posting reviews of those later.


I also came home to some nail mail!  I have the China Glaze Anchors Away and Crackle collections, the additional Justin Bieber Nicole by OPI polishes, OPI Texas collection, and I also got the Glee collection from Sephora by OPI while I was at Sephora.  So as I get myself back to the grind, expect lots of awesome postings to come out!


I also will have a rather random posting about a music artist I've been enjoying for the past year (who technically has her own tea and soap named for her!) soon.  ^_^


To all those who won something from a giveaway, it will be going out this week and I will email you when it's sent.


And to top that all off, I'm going to be having another giveaway soon from my (postponed) Blogversary & hitting not only 600 but 700 (and maybe hopefully 800!) followers!

Nicole by OPI The Next CEO

Continuing with the Nicole by OPI Liquid Metals collection today is The Next CEO, a "highly motivated metallic gold".  I'm starting to think I should lump "metallic/frost/foil" into one label...


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 3 coats of The Next CEO and a top of OPI Top Coat.  Formula was good - as good as a metallic covers - but do remember to wait until your polish is dry to put on your top coat or the polish will drag.

I'm still not in love with golds with my skin tone - but as you can see in the sun, this is a nice gold metallic.

It looks super nice in the shade, as most metallics do.  You can also see a bit of a bald spot on my index finger which is also common with metallics.  Overall, a nice color but nothing special


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

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 Daily Nail 2.17.11 Decadent Digits at Isaac Mizrahi & Spectator Nails at Joanna Mastroianni

Please enjoy the following press release from CND

The CND Daily Nail 2.17.11  

Decadent Digits at Isaac Mizrahi &
Spectator Nails at Joanna Mastroianni

February 17, 2011 - The last day of Fashion Week, 22 shows later, CND's Fall 2011 journey ends with two memorable retro-infused collections (with nails to match): 

At Isaac Mizrahi, confectionery-colored clothing was accented by rainbow bright poodles and fabric-patterned cakes on the runway. Outfits were accessorized with decadent, chocolate caramel nails custom blended by Wanda Ruiz using Chocolate Milk mixed with 5 drops of Asphalt to match lips and eyes. This zero-calorie manicure was easy on the eyes...and the waistlines!   

 

 

For Joanna Mastroianni, Angi Wingle created a Spectator Manicure using Blackjack as a base, and Brilliant White moons bordered with Silver Chrome. Nails completed the 60's influenced beauty look of sky-high French twists and fiery orange lips in a runway tribute to photographer Lillian Bassman.

 

 

Stay tuned for "The Final Nail" and CND's Fall 2011 seasonal trend forecast!

OPI Fashion Week

Please enjoy the following release from OPI.

OPI “Dresses” Fingertips at

New York Fashion Week / Fall 2011

OPI Struts Runway with Top Designers, Including BCBGMAXAZRIA, MAX AZRIA, Hérve Léger, Rebecca Taylor, and Charlotte Ronson*

            OPI hit the runway for New York Fashion Week/Fall 2011, kicking off with BCBGMAXAZRIA on Thursday, February 11. Models were manicured with OPI Nail Lacquer in Samoan Sand, a warm beige with pink undertones.

OPI appeared twice more for BCBG Max Azria Group, Inc., for MAX AZRIA on Saturday, February 13, and Hérve Léger on Tuesday, February 15. MAX AZRIA models wore Samoan Sand as well, while Hérve Léger featured the clay-hued San Tan-tonio.  Additionally, OPI was part of the BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway Survival Kits, given to models during casting and to enthusiastic fans at BCBG stores in Manhattan and online.

For the second year in a row, OPI walked the Fall runway with Rebecca Taylor on Friday, February 11. With models wearing two shades from the just-launched Texas Collection by OPI, Suzi Loves Cowboys provided a rich chocolate hue for fingertips, while San Tan-tonio gave a light honey color to toes.

Charlotte Ronson also selected OPI to complement her edgy clothing, with models wearing Samoan Sand during the show on Saturday, February 12. Front-row admirers included Olivia Munn, Sophia Bush, Mena Suvari, and Kim Kardashian.

“OPI was thrilled to walk the runway with so many fabulous designers for New York Fashion Week/Fall 2011,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “As seen by the color selection and overwhelming preference for a neutral palette, nude nails will remain a huge trend throughout the rest of the year. Beige, tan, honey, chocolate, and even grey give fingertips a chic, minimalist look – matching fashions of the same hues or providing a base for brighter, patterned clothing.”

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com.  Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

Blogs of Note

Happy Sunday!


Lacquer Laine has some of the best blogging pictures and nails around.  She has long nails and features quite a bit of nail art.


Lacquerized also has one of the best blogs out there.  She's very up to date on collections but has been on a bit of a personal break.  She has some great tutorials in her archives, so please do check her out.


Lets Go Sparkling is another blogger who kind of fell off the face of the planet (so sad to see that) but has some good archived posts.  She has long nails, loves glitter and features some frankens too!