Naked Nails

So I like to go at least once a month to have my nails shaped and my cuticles removed.  It's relaxing for me, and I know I'm in good hands (hah!)


I took these pictures before I went in December - I've been using Duri Rejuvacote every day and am shocked at how long my nails grew!  I don't notice any extra strength in them, but the length has been great!

You see my left hand all the time, but I also have my *dun dun dun!* right hand!

Boo awkward hand position.


I do hate how thin my nails are and yes I have loads of ridges, but keep your nails free of stains by always using a base coat before you polish your nails.  :]

How To Remove Glitter Nail Polish

Glitter nail polish: It's BEAUTIFUL but yes, it's a pain to remove!  I used to be one who would take pure acetone and stick my fingers in it, leaving me with cold wrinkled fingers that were very dried out.  I also would attempt to take a little cotton wipe and scrub*scrub*scrub my nails until I could scrape it all off.  I've even peeled glitter polish off before (do not do this.)  Then, one day, I read about the foil method.


Now many a blogger has their method, their tools, their tricks.  This is simply the way I've been doing it.  :]


Materials
-Zoya Remove+.  This is step "1" in the Zoya Color Lock system.  It's a mild acetone remover with a pleasant lavender scent.  I also adore the plunger top, which allows you to get the remover just where you want it.  You can also relock the bottle's lid for travel or storage.
-Felt.  I bought mine at Hobby Lobby - I'm using white as I'm not sure how acetone and dyed felt react.
-Aluminum foil.  Just a square will do - you'll be crumpling it up as you go.

I like to use 2 pumps of Remove+ straight on my square of felt and then wrap the felt around my finger tip.  This allows for all the remover to be on your nail, not your skin.

Next, wrap a square of aluminum foil around your finger.  Wrap as tightly as you can so there is some pressure on the felt.

Do the rest of your fingers on one hand.  After the last finger, wait a good 5 minutes before attempting to remove.  Yes I know this part is boring.  Do it anyway.


I like to unwrap the foil from my finger, and then pressing down on the felt, pull it off my finger.

Fold over the felt and remove any glitter that didn't come off in the initial slide of the felt.  Providing you covered your nail in felt, it will be easy to remove.


Finally, treat your nails to a cuticle oil of your choice.  I'm using Julep Essential Cuticle Oil from my September American Beauty Julep Maven box. [Julep referral link]

Ta da!  Hopefully this makes your glitter wearing a bit more bearable! 

Color Club Sugarplum Fairy

I'm so in love with Sugarplum Fairy from the 2011 Winter Color Club collection "Beyond the Mistletoe" that I've worn it twice already.  That's saying something.  I tried hard to snag a bottle when I was at Cosmoprof Las Vegas but they wouldn't let me take it.  But now you're MINE.


In the promo picture, the color looked lavender.  In person, the color looks much more silver but I assure you it's a lavender base with tons of holographic glitter.  I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  The polish formula was slightly thick and you'll see that application was a tiny bit patchy.  I don't care, I love this polish.

BOO CLOUDS.  Okay, so this color is pretty hard to photograph.  Because of all the crazy awesome glitter, it just looks better blurry.  I have some crazy blurry pictures here but I'm saving your eyes because they will just becoming obliterated.  

Here in the shade you can see the purple much better.  And you can also see some of the splotchy/patchy parts.  I'd like to thin my bottle out a bit at another date.

Indoors with the flash: Middle finger is a bad patchy offender, but overall I really love this color.  I was able to wear this for several days before the polish started to chip on me and then I HAAAATED taking it off because it's so pretty!  

Color Club is located on several etailers, including Head2Toe Beauty which has it for $3.00.  You can also 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.

China Glaze Love Marilyn

More Eye Candy from China Glaze - this is Love Marilyn!  This is a clear base with red and silver glitter.  I really wish this had been a red base but since it's not, I just grabbed City Siren to layer under.


I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  This is a "thirsty" glitter and even after 2 coats of CND Air Dry (taken after the photos), my nails were still gritty to the touch.

So the glitter totally got messed up on my pinkie, but still you can see the range of the glitter.  On the bare nail (pinkie and ring) it's good because you have both small and medium red glitter but on the ring and middle finger where I have a coat of City Siren, you don't see the red glitter as much as you see the silver.  (Whoa that was a really long sentence.)

Kind of the same story in the shade?  It almost reminds me of Ruby Pumps with a kick of silver.  Why silver, I wonder.

Finally indoors with the flash and it just looks like a hot mess.  The glitter is way too much for my camera to handle.  Lovely glitter, must use foil to remove (post coming soon!).

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.

China Glaze City Siren

How many red cremes can a girl have?  (Don't make me really answer that one.)  Pulling from the Fall 2011 Metro Collection, City Siren is deep red creme is pretty awesome.  I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 1 coat of polish and I skipped a top coat because I loved the shine on this color.

So the sun was hiding for the day, so here's a nice cloudy picture.  Boo.  But yes, look at the shine!  Look at the opacity!  Love love love!

Here in the shade is also just really in your face.  It's like "HELLO OUT THERE."  Why did I wait so long to use this?!

Finally indoors with the flash and you can barely tell where my nails end and my bottle begins, haha.  Can't help it - I love this color and she's sticking around for a long time.

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.

NYC/Rusk Being Sexy Event

Please enjoy the following press release from Rusk!  I have a bunch of Rusk products (hair) and use their blow-dryer all the time!

RUSK hosted Being Sexy Hair Care Preview

with Sexy New York Housewife Sonja Morgan & the Sexy Firemen of the Nations Bravest Calendar

Building on the success of Being Sexy® Hair Spray, Rusk is excited to introduce an entire Being Sexy® lifestyle brand of salon professional hair care products. Featuring Shampoo, Conditioner and a full-range of styling and finishing products including a gel, mousse, creme, oil and the original ultimate finish Being Sexy® hairspray. Formulated to deliver voluptuous volume, tousled texture and seductive shine for “uninhibited hair,” these new products are sure satisfy.

To celebrate the launch of these sexy, inspired products, Rusk haircare is hosting a special product preview on December 15th, 2011 at the Chelsea Room (222 West 23rd Street) with special guests: New York Housewife Sonja Morgan and the firemen of the Nations Bravest Calendar.  Also in attendance will be celebrity stylist Jon Reyman to provide hair consultations and share expert styling tips and tricks to get the very most out of the new Being Sexy line of products.  Samples of all seven launches: Being Sexy Cream, Being Sexy Oil, Being Sexy Gel, Being Sexy Hairspray, Being Sexy Mousse, Being Sexy Shampoo and Being Sexy Conditioner will be available, exclusively at this preview before they hit shelves in Ulta and salons across the nation in March 2012.

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.

===

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.