Nicole by OPI Not A Gold Bigger

The final color in the Nicole by OPI "One Less Lonely Girl" collection is Not A Gold Bigger, a gold metallic.  Now if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know that I'm not a big fan of gold anything.  This color still holds true to that fact, but that's just my color preference, not my polishing opinion of this formula/color/bottle :)


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula was smooth and opaque.


In full sun, you can see that this covers well and I don't have any bald spots showing.


In the shade, this looks more like a strong foiled nail to me (like Minx) which is cool since I would never have the patience to wear a color that long (I don't think).


Finally indoors with the flash (and a naked thumb), you can see that this is definitely an opaque color - no bald spots or VNL.  If you don't have a gold metallic by now, this is definitely a good one to pick up because of the "Perfect Brush" handle which I do like quite a bit (it's flat on one side) but it's not a unique color.


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 websitefollow 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.

Zoya Smoke and Mirrors

Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya!


Please click to see larger


fall 2011 nail color
smoke and mirrors
...beautiful illusions

Zoya Nail Polish presents 12 enticing and mysterious new colors for fall 2011.

Zoya Smoke Collection
Jana (ZP564) - smoky mauve quartz cream
Petra (ZP565) - smoky eggplant mauve cream
Codie (ZP566) - smoky brown taupe cream
Anja (ZP567) - smoky palatinate purple cream
Cynthia (ZP568) - smoky Prussian blue cream
Dree (ZP569) - smoky camouflage green cream

Zoya Mirrors Collection
Nimue (ZP570) - smoky rich thistle metallic
Marina (ZP571) - smoky steel blue metallic
Tao (ZP572) - smoky slate gray metallic
Yara (ZP573) - sparkly olive green metallic
Neeka (ZP574) - sparkly amethyst purple  metallic
Jem (ZP575) - sparkly fandango pink metallic

Zoya is the new color of fashion... The new Zoya smoke & mirrors colors were designed and inspired by top fashion designers and beauty icons.

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

Find Zoya smoke & mirrors as well as over 300 other high-fashion Zoya shades at www.zoya.com. As always, each and every Zoya color is made for beautiful women so we name them after beautiful women.
smoke & mirrors by Zoya - available July 15, 2011 (USA)

Sug. Retail $8.00 per 0.5 fl. oz. bottle (US)

Nicole by OPI I've Got Bieber Fever



Just a few more in the Justin Bieber inspired "One Less Lonely Girl" collection - this is I've Got Bieber Fever, a dark eggplant purple creme.  It's very dark, almost black and reminds me of China Glaze VII but I actually haven't officially worn that yet.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula was smooth.


I didn't have full sun but here is a partly sun shot.  You can see that this is a very vampy, almost black purple.


Same for the shade - very dark color - would be lovely in the fall and winter and maybe even with some Konad or even a CND Effects over it!


Finally indoors with the flash you can see the blue and purple sparkles that remind me of China Glaze Stroll and other colors in that fashion.  Nice color but not really for me - too dark I think.  You can also see that I had a bit of streaking on my pinkie finger.


On another note, Happy (belated) Canada Day and for today, Happy 4th of July!  Do you have any plans?


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 websitefollow 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 I'm a Belieber

Happy (belated) Canada Day and Happy (early) 4th of July!  I'm never good with remembering what day it is, when it's a day (unless it's my birthday).  Next up I have Nicole by OPI I'm a Belieber, a lilac creme.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of I'm a Belieber and a top of OPI Top Coat.  Formula was smooth and opaque.


In the direct sun, it almost looks like I have some VNL but it's just the brightness of the day.


Here in the shade you can see that the polish is opaque, and almost squishy jelly like, but it's really a creme.


And finally indoors with the flash.  I think this is a perfect spring color, especially if paired with "Baby" Blue.


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 websitefollow 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.

CPNALV Exclusive: Press Conference

The wonderful ladies and gentlemen that are in charge of Cosmoprof North America - Las Vegas were in New York this week and here's a little information about what happened!


For more pictures, click here!
Celebrating the first-ever Cosmoprof press conference in New York City on June 28th. Representatives from Cosmoprof Worldwide and Professional Beauty Association gave a sneak peak of what Cosmoprof North America  will offer this year in terms of educational conferences, special events, and everything beauty.  The purpose of this event was to educate that this venue is much  more than just a B2B Trade Show, but a setting which brings beauty / trends to life  – an attribute Cosmoprof does very well, year after year. The event took place at Apella located by the East River, with over 80 guests in attendance including journalists from trade, consumer, on-line media and industry executives.


Only a month away till show time, Cosmoprof North America will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center ( July 31st- August  2nd) in Las Vegas. 

Want to read more about what was talked about?  Here is the PDF from the event and here is another PDF that is chock full of information!  If you're attending Cosmoprof next month, you really should check it out!

deborah lippmann Holiday 2011

Please enjoy the following press release from Deborah Lippmann!



Just in time for the holiday season,
 Deborah Lippmann Gets the Party started

 Nothing says ‘Party’ like the magnetic sparkle of glitter. So for the biggest party season of the year, I’ve created shades that truly dazzle. Get This Party Started, a set of three glitters, was inspired by the overwhelming demand for my best selling Happy  Birthday, a glittery party in a bottle. The set includes Happy Birthday, along with two new variations of the sparkling shade: Forget You and Candy Shop. They’re both packed with the same unique hexagon-shaped glitter that gives Happy Birthday its magnificent glint, only Forget You has a sheer black base and Candy Shop a bubblegum pink.

I love how festive all three look and feel, whether wrapped a round a champagne glass or peeping out of a glamorous pump. But what I truly love the most: how a few coats of any shade instantly transform you into the life of the party.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY: a party in a bottle (glitter)
FORGET YOU: party all night (glitter)
CANDY SHOP: bubblegum pink (glitter)

XOXO,
Deborah

deborah lippmann Stormy Weather

Please enjoy the following press release from Deborah Lippmann!



SHOW WORTHY

Deborah Lippmann’s new shade, STORMY WEATHER, is a collaboration with fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez.


Usually Narciso requests a nude nail to complement his minimalist designs, but for fall 2011 around he wanted something bolder—a color with strength and edge to offset both his collection and the softness of the hair and makeup. For the perfect custom finish, I mixed (and mixed) a new shade by hand in just 24 hours. The final product: an edgy granite that emanated power and intensity. The models who walked the show (and who rarely, if ever, comment on the nail color) gushed over the shade. And so STORMY WEATHER was born an edgy granite (crème) for a strong fall statement.

XOXO,
Deborah

 WHERE TO FIND IT: Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and online at www.deborahlippmann.com

deborah lippmann Fall 2011

Please enjoy the following press release from Deborah Lippmann!



WARM UP WITH DEBORAH LIPPMANN’S FALL 2011 SHADES



I have worked directly with some of the world’s top fashion designers on everything from ad campaigns to fashion shows. When I set out to select nail looks for the fall 2011 collections, I noticed a common theme among all of my collaborators: warmth. The clothes featured vivid, lush earth tones—think lush greens, rich reds and intense golds.

I wanted to capture a similar heat and earthiness in the accompanying polishes, but with an added punch. BILLIONAIRE, a moody hunter green, BRICK HOUSE, a shimmering rust, and SINGLE LADIES, a flirtatious red, all have warm undertones, which give them a beautiful intensity, but also have a jewel-like quality so they really make nails pop.

SHADE DESCRIPTIONS
Billionaire: moody hunter green (creme)
Brick House: shimmering rust (shimmer)
Single Ladies: flirtatious red (creme)



XOXO,
Deborah

 WHERE TO FIND IT: Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and online at www.deborahlippmann.com

Nicole by OPI "Baby" Blue

Shuffling down the line with the One Less Lonely Collection is "Baby" Blue, a lovely blue creme that is as pretty as the sky.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 3 coats of "Baby" Blue and a top of OPI Top Coat.


I need to do something about those pesky ridges.  You can see how well this applies as well as how bright it is.


Even in the shade, it's a nice opaque blue that really pops.


Indoors with the flash and my nails are nearly glowing!  Now I have to stop singing "Baby" in my head and go stare at my nails.  Definitely a keeper for my stash.


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 websitefollow 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.

CPNALC Exclusive: Frais™ All-Natural Towelettes

I have another Cosmoprof North America - Las Vegas exclusive here!  I look forward to testing these out since I do wear makeup (especially eye makeup) and you can use these on your hands and feet to keep them hydrated!

Frais™ All-Natural Towelettes
Eco-Practical and Luxurious Skin Revitalizer and Make-up Remover

Sydney, Australia – Luscious and aromatherapeutic, Frais™ All-Natural Towelettes are formulated with natural anti-bacterial and botanical extracts to rejuvenate tired skin and remove make-up while fending off environmental stresses. Combining the nourishing benefits of a luxurious lotion with the aromatic healing essence of a relaxing spa, this gentle, yet highly effective formula instantly cleans, calms and hydrates the skin. Infused with essential oils, these towelettes not only cleanse thoroughly, but also offer an aromatherapeutic, relaxing experience.  Frais™ All-Natural Towelettes are the purest, most natural towelettes on the market.

Frais™ All-Natural Towelettes were developed to provide a natural method for revitalizing the skin and removing makeup without exposing the skin to toxic chemicals. They have been human tested as non-irritating and non-sensitizing and are hypoallergenic, dermatologist approved, and ophthalmologist approved as safe for use around the eye and for removing all waterproof mascara.  The carefully formulated ingredients are completely natural, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and vegan, with a delightful fresh scent and smooth non-sticky feel. Formulated with Ginkgo Biloba, Vitamin E, Alpha Bisabolol from Chamomile, and Shea Butter, Frais Towelettes soften dry skin while helping to relax tension in the face as well as provide antioxidants that help maintain the appearance of young, healthy skin. Additionally, they are infused with Les Huit, Frais’ own unique blend of eight Australian essential oils including cardamom, grapefruit, niaouli, and basil delivering a soothing uplifting sensory experience.

Packaged conveniently in packs of ten and in individual sachets.  Frais Individual Towelettes are perfect for your pocket, handbag, briefcase, gym bag or car to freshen up on a whim, providing instant luxury during the day when you need a lift! Carry one ten-pack in your tote to revitalize skin, face and body throughout the day, and leave the other on the dresser to remove all make-up in the evening and restore skin cells during sleep!

Frais™ All-Natural Towelettes are infused with amazing natural botanical extracts with restorative effects:

·         Natural botanical extracts of Ginkgo Biloba and Alpha Bisabolol rejuvenate tired skin while fending off environmental stresses.
·         Pure Shea Butter is a rich emollient with superior moisturizing qualities that soften and soothe dry skin while helping to relax tension in the face.
·         Vitamin E is a revitalizing antioxidant that helps maintain the appearance of young, healthy skin.
·         Les Huit, an elegant mélange of eight Australian-blended essential oils, lifts the mind with ginger, tangerine, lemon myrtle, niaouli, orange, basil, grapefruit and cardamom.

What makes Frais™ Eco-Friendly?

·         High grade, all-natural ingredients
·         100% Vegan
·         Certified by PETA as a ‘cruelty-free cosmetic producer’
·         Packaging is 100% recyclable
·         Donates a portion of proceeds to Just A Drop – foundation bringing clean water to communities around the world
·         Frais uses carbon neutral shipping to all retailers and customers in the USA when possible.

Frais™ All-Natural Individual Towelettes (7 individual sachets) retail for $10
Frais™ All-Natural Twin Towelettes (two packs of 10 towelettes) retail for $18
Both are available at fraislux.com & dermstore.com