OPI Mermaid's Tears

Another from the OPI Brights Pirates collection is Mermaid's Tears, a light green mint creme.  It's definitely a weird color for me (and for OPI I feel) but I actually really love this color!  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish, and a top of OPI Top Coat.  Formula was nice and smooth.

I absolutely love how this looked in the sun, all the way down to the tiny lens flare on my nails!  How cute is that?  Seriously, this color applies like I wish China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint would.

In the shade, this color looks equally amazing.  It's a bit dusty looking (like smokey) but is just so beautiful!

Finally indoors in the shade, you can see how creamy and opaque this color is.  I even got my index finger well polished this time.  :]  I think if you can find this color, you need to get it.  You won't regret it.

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.

CND Daily Nail 09.09.2011 Lucite Lace Nails at Joy Cioci

Please enjoy the following press release from CND!

The CND Daily Nail 9.9.11

Lucite Lace Nails at Joy Cioci

September 9, 2011 - CND pioneered nails as runway accessories 30 seasons ago and were FIRST to collaborate with designers behind the scenes! Today's manicures were lace-inspired, had rockstar edge, and glowed from within:


At Joy Cioci, Candice Manacchio designed "Lucite Lace" manicures using clear tips with hand-detailed lattice work. These see-through nails provided energy and attitude when paired with a fiery orange lip and frantic, whimsical curls.

For Nicole Miller, Wanda Ruiz crafted glam rock checkered manicures using CND Colour in Raspberry parfait and a custom mixed blue comprised of CND Colours in Anchor Blue, Dark Ruby, Eclectic Purple and added blue pigment. Nails were finished with one layer of Ice Blue Shimmer Effect. Create this look at home by doing a vertical sweep of pink down your nail, and do the same with a sweep of blue so each half of the nail is covered with a color. Then go over with each color for the opposite corners. Top all nails with Ice Blue Shimmer for a dazzling finish.

At NAHM, Wanda Ruiz created three unique oval manicure styles to color coordinate with airy white sundresses, plum-punchy prints and burnt orange woven shifts. Cottony-white nails were crafted with two coats of CND Colour in Washed Down White. Faded Creamsicle-orange nails were comprised of CND Colour in Desert Suede topped with Copper Shimmer Effect, and precious ruby nails were done using CND Colour in Dark Ruby finished with Copper Pearl Effect. These luminescent styles complemented twisted unicorn top-knots and shimmery eye make-up.

OPI Planks A Lot

Back to the polish reviews!  This is OPI Planks a Lot from the OPI Brights Pirates collection.  It's a nice lilac creme that applied pretty well on me.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.

I'm still having application issues on my index finger - I don't know what my deal is.  I think maybe I'm just getting lazy.  :P  I also need a manicure soon - you see I've torn up my cuticles and my nails need to be shaped.  Oy.

Shade picture!  It almost looks like it could be a dusky creme but it's not.  It's more like an Easter Egg lilac to me.

Finally indoors with the flash you can see my application issues which makes this color look like it's not opaque, but it most definitely is a great opaque creme.  I really need to take my own advice and do some more nail art.  I really commend those who are dedicated to it.  :]


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.

Dermelect BCA Special Edition Resurface Stem Cell Reconstructing Serum

Please enjoy the following press release from Dermelect!

Dermelect BCA Special Edition Resurface Stem Cell Reconstructing Serum

·         Protects and helps regenerate skin stem cell vitality with stem cells extracted from the Swiss Alpine Rose; a revolutionary advancement in skincare technology

·         Improves the skin barrier function

·         Protects the skin from UV stress

·         Prevents the formation of wrinkles and reduces fine lines

·         Increases skin’s potential to regenerate new, healthy skin cells yielding youthful-acting, glowing, smoother skin

·         BCA Donation: $15 of every $75 bottle sold in October will go to the Young Survival Coalition, a NY-based charity that supports young women battling breast cancer.

·         SRP: $75 for a 1.0 oz. bottle. Available at C.O. Bigelow and Henri Bendel in NYC and www.dermelect.com

CND Daily Nail 09.08.2011 Nearly Neon Coral at Wes Gordon

Please enjoy the following press release from CND!

The CND Daily Nail 9.8.11

Nearly Neon Coral at Wes Gordon

September 8, 2011 - Welcome back to The CND Daily Nail, where we bring you the latest and the greatest CND manicure looks straight from the Spring 2012 runway! Ringing in CND's 15 year anniversary at New York Fashion Week, the first day was filled with power nails, organic textures and oxblood manicures:


At Wes Gordon, Kristina Estabrooks crafted soft almond, nearly neon, coral "Power Nails" with two coats of CND Colour in Poppyfield to complement wispy teased ponytails and fresh faces to embody the height of '60s SoHo sophistication. Toes were clean and neutral with CND Colour in Desert Suede. The namesake designer loved the edgy length of the nails and remarked that his vision's muse was "sleek and civilized, but she might scratch your eyes out."

For Kevork Kiledjian, Candice Manacchio created "Iced Sand" manicures using one coat of Desert Suede topped with CND Jade Sparkle Effect and softened with a finish of CND Colour in Washed Down White. Nails were a modern spin on nude, with added texture for a hi-tech finish to complement military green and cream shades on the runway. Toes were natural and neat with CND Colour in Buff.

For Malandrino's Ready to Buy runway show, Roxanne Valinoti did bold oxblood red manicures with CND Colour in Bloodline and toes were warm nude, Desert Suede, to match poppy red lips and soft wavy hair.

OPI NYFW Coverage

Please enjoy the following press releases from OPI about NYFW:

OPI has kicked off the Spring 2012 shows doing the nails for BCBG Max Azria this morning! Samoan Sand (image attached) was used on models’ nails and toes. The nude look continues for Spring ‘12! Celebrity attendees of the show included: One Tree Hill stars Sophia Bush and Shantel VanSanten, and Happy Endings star Elisha Cuthbert. Please find the show images attached.

OPI continues New York Fashion Week with the Jason Wu and Rebecca Taylor spring 2012 shows today! Like the BCBG Max Azria show, neutral hues from OPI continue to rule the runways, along with the a pop of color from one of the season’s hottest accent colors – red!

Models at Jason Wu wore MonSooner or Later (OPI Classics), a bright orangey-red on their hands. The boldly colored nails, acted as an eye-catching accessory that complemented the beautiful clothes. On toes, models wore Samoan Sand (OPI Classics), a soft pink-hued nude.

At Rebecca Taylor rich neutral shades were in the spotlight. Stranger Tides (Pirates of the Caribbean), a gray-green pastel was painted on fingernails, while nude shade, Tickle My France-y (OPI Classics) was worn on toes.

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder continues to be the creative force for every color the company creates.

Fashion Designer Jason Wu has named OPI the official nail care sponsor for his runway show during the Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-founder, has been working closely with Wu, finding inspiration in Wu’s color scheme and seasonal trends.  The nail look will be unveiled at Jason Wu’s runway show on September 9, 2011.

“Jason Wu is an amazingly talented designer, so being able to work with him is very exciting,” says Suzi-Weiss Fischmann. “Nail lacquers are a huge part of fashion. It’s a privilege for OPI to be working amongst world renowned designers during fashion week. I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Jason to accessorize his spring 2012 collection with the hottest nail trends.”

Award-winning designer Jason Wu entered the spotlight in 2009 when Michelle Obama wore one of his designs to the Inaugural Ball. Wu is best known for his polished, ladylike styles that evoke the feel of old Hollywood glamour.  Since he began his line in 2006, Wu continues to display strong pieces that incorporate clean, classic lines within his sophisticated and feminine collections, ranging from daywear to full length gowns.

Professional Beauty Association's Nail Manufactures Council

While I normally focus on reviews and swatches, this was sent to me and it's great information that's free and useful!  Please enjoy the following press release.

The Professional Beauty Association’s (PBA) Nail Manufacturers Council (NMC) Expands Content and Online Presence to Help

Beauty Professionals and Consumers Be More Informed

Phoenix, AZ (September 07, 2011) – The Professional Beauty Association’s (PBA) Nail Manufacturers Council (NMC) has recently expanded its online platform and educational reference materials designed for beauty professionals and consumers alike. The NMC comprises the leading manufacturers of nail care products sold to, and used in, professional salons. The NMC, like the PBA, has been active in working with international, federal, and state bodies to maintain high professional standards and ensure the safety of industry professionals and their customers, as well as the communities they serve.

In addition to the NMC’s new web page, www.probeauty.org/nmc, the Council has expanded the many languages of its reports, guidelines, and reference materials. Currently, most reports are in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. The materials, which are all complimentary, cover topics such as: Facts About Salon Nail Polish Products and What to Look Out for In a Nail Salon to Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Manicuring and Enhancement Equipment, as well as Guidelines for Controlling and Minimizing Skin Exposure to Nail Products. Along with these and other reports and guidelines, the NMC also provides information and clarification on major media reports relating to nail products and procedures.

“I highly encourage consumers and beauty professionals to use the information provided by the Nail Manufacturers Council, in order to stay better informed, protect one’s health and safety, and finally uphold high professionals standards for the industry,” said Eric Schwartz, Chief Operating Officer of OPI Products Inc. and Co-Chair of the Nail Manufacturers Council.

"The expanded website will be an invaluable resource for our industry, government authorities, and the media," further added Doug Schoon, President of Schoon Scientific and Co-Chair of the Nail Manufactures Council.

For more information on the NMC and to access the information provided, visit www.probeauty.org/nmc.

Nicole by OPI Red Texture

I decided to take yesterday's manicure up a notch by adding a coat of shatter/texture/crackle.  Nicole by OPI's Red Texture is similar to OPI's Red Shatter except without the jelly finish.  This is one coat of Red Texture with a top coat of OPI Top Coat.

I attempted a diagonal pattern on my index finger, but it didn't work too well.  I'm still getting the hang of it.  You can also see that my cuticles need some help, especially my middle finger which tends to go flat instead of curved (like my ring finger).  Oh nail issues!

In the shade, you can't see much of a difference - I kind of like the nude look of the base color (it's really grey).

Finally indoors with the flash - I really like the vibrancy of this color but if you already have OPI Red Shatter, not sure you need both.  I do like that this didn't gunk up in the bottle like some crackles/shatters do.

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.

OPI Skull and Glossbones

Note to self: Don't try to take pictures late in the day.  Sigh.  So this color doesn't look as great in the sun as it should.  It's a light grey, no yellow to it.  Skull & Glossbones from the OPI Brights "Pirates" collection is one that I thought wasn't going to really wear well on me (or just be too dull) but I was pleasantly surprised.  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat (which I added two mini bottles of Rapi-Dry too before realizing they were different top coats.  Oops.).

Do you like the huge chunk I somehow took out of my bottle?  I'm not sure exactly when this broke, but the OPI bottles are made of thick glass so it didn't affect the polish at all.  You can see how red my fingers look (again, the sun) but that this is a nice putty grey.

Here in the shade, the color is much truer to life.  It's a putty grey with no yellow, delightfully creamy - not watery like my Steady As She Rose.  

Indoors with the flash looks a lot like the shade - although you can seem some streaky un-evenness on my index finger.  My index finger is giving me all kinds of issues right now - I have a cut cuticle on the side, and my cuticles need to be cleaned up - polish is pooling around them.  I'll get it done, promise!


Overall - a good office nude, and the name is pretty darn cute.  I want to see if I have some dupes since it is a creme but I'm still having to hold back on comparisons.


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.

NYC Black Magic

Please enjoy the following info release from NYC!

NYC NEW YORK COLOR

BLACK MAGIC LIMITED EDITION HALLOWEEN COLLECTION

In a NY Color Minute Nail Color ($1.99): Blackula and Pumpkin

You can use the Store Locator on NYC's website to find where to purchase their products.  You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

POP Nail Contest!

Nail art is huge - from rhinestones to glitter, 3D fimo nail canes to snakeskin, nail foil stickers to water marbling, you name it, it's been thought of (or done!).  Today, I've been given the awesome opportunity to host a Nail Art contest with pop beauty (also found on Twitter and Facebook).  

The rules* are simple:

[1] You must be a US resident, 18 years or older.

[2] Email one (1) picture to krystal@polishgalore.com featuring at least three (3) fingers that have nail art on them.  You may choose any kind of nail polish (or acrylic paint!) brand, finish, color or technique.  You will receive an email within 48 hours of your submission as confirmation.

[3] You must submit your own pictures.

[4] All submissions must be received by 21 September 2011 midnight GMT.  (That is 20 September, 7 p.m. CST.  Please adjust for your individual time zone.)  Late submissions will not be accepted.

The winner, chosen by the ladies and gentlemen behind PolishGalore, will receive: 5 new pop nail glam shades – value of $60 USD to be fulfilled by Y! Public Relations

After the winner is announced, all images will be posted for everyone to enjoy.  (Permission & credit will be requested before images go live.)

Now, you know I'm not a great nail artist, but art is art!  Here is what will work, and what won't.

Submission Example #1

This will not work because it's only one (1) nail and not three (3).

Submission Example #2

This will not work because there isn't any nail art on the nails.

Submission Example #3

This works because there is nail art on at least three (3) nails.

*PolishGalore has the right to disqualify a submission if it does not follow the above rules.

As an added bonus, pop beauty is providing all PolishGalore readers with a discount code, good until 31 October 2011 for 30% off any purchase from their website!  Just use the code THIRTYOFF during checkout.  Woot!


So start sending in those pictures - I can't wait to see them!  Comments have been disabled for this post, but please feel free to email me with any questions!

Zoya Gems & Jewels

I got to see these at Cosmoprof last month but wasn't allowed to talk about them until now!  Please enjoy the following press release from Zoya!

Gems and Jewels 

jewelry for nails!

Holiday 2011 by Zoya Nail Polish

Zoya Nail Polish presents 3 new jewel toned metallic shimmer polishes
and 3 glitzy, glitter glazes (featuring unique bar glitter) for an extra special holiday and winter 2011 season!

Zoya Gems and Jewels Collection

Rina (ZP576): Gorgeous green glitzy, glitter glaze (with unique bar glitter).
Holly (ZP577): Full coverage, rich green metallic shimmer.
Kissy (ZP578): Vivid pink glitzy, glitter glaze (with unique bar glitter).
Izzy (ZP579): Full coverage, party pink metallic shimmer.
Twila (ZP580): Bold blue glitzy, glitter glaze! (with unique bar glitter).
Noel (ZP581): Full coverage, icy blue metallic shimmer.

Mix it up... The Zoya Gems and Jewels color assortment allows
for multiple layered nail polish looks! Have fun…

• Wear the full coverage, jewel toned shades alone for a classic metallic shimmer look!
• Wear the glitzy, glitter glazes alone for a hint of glitz.
• Wear several layers of the glitzy, glitter glazes for a unique textured glitz nail look.
• Layer the glazes over the shimmers to a totally glam nail jewelry look.
• Layer the glitzy, glitter glazes over other colors to create a totally unique look that is
all your own (hint - hint: silver, gold, white and black totally rock under the glazes!).

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 Gems and Jewels as well as over 400 other high-fashion Zoya shades at www.zoya.com.

As always, each and every Zoya color is made for women so we name them after women.

Zoya is the new color of fashion...

Shipping September 15, 2011
Sug. Retail $8.00 ea.

Color Club Foiled

Last month I told you about this collection while at Cosmoprof, now here is the press release! (And to remind you, here's my picture!)

COLOR CLUB LAUNCHES FOILED NAIL POLISH COLLECTION:

MOLTEN METAL FOR YOUR NAILS

New York, NY – August 2011 - From New York-based Color Club, the new Foiled Collection—six luxurious liquid metallic nail polishes that are sure to dazzle. From metallic pink to blue, green and gold—each color perfectly combines chrome-like shine with strong as metal wear. This collection of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, and paraben-free shades features names including: Foil Me Once, Hot Like Lava, Cold Metal, Perfect Mol-Ten, Antiquated, and Lumin-icecent

Look out for the Foiled Collection coming this fall 2011.

About Color Club:

A favorite of celebrity manicurists and nail color fans worldwide, Color Club is renowned for its high performance rich shades and exceptionally safe products. From the brightest neons to glitter and French, all nail colors are vegan, Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP and paraben-free - and made in New York, NY with the best raw materials. Color Club products are never tested on animals. Products are available at shopcolorclub.com.

Like us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter

Sally Hansen Halloween Print Strips

Please enjoy the following press release from Sally Hansen!

INTRODUCING

SALON EFFECTS REAL NAIL POLISH STRIPS

IN HALLOWEEN PRINTS

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Spooky style at your fingertips—just peel, apply, file, and go.

WHAT IT IS: No dry-time, nail polish strips for instant Halloween hands. This fall, make a chic seasonal statement with Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips in new Halloween-inspired prints. Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips offer DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde Free, no dry-time nail looks for style that lasts up to ten days. This easy and affordable at-home nail technology takes your Halloween costume to the next level.

Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate. Choose from five Halloween-inspired styles:

Numbskull: Spooky skull and crossbones print

Wishnets: Witchy black fishnet print over bright fuchsia

Ghoulie Girl: Google-eyed ghosts in orange and white

Spun For You: A scary black spider’s web

Hot Wired: Bad-girl barbed wire over lime green backdrop

WHAT THEY COST: $9.99 each.

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

OPI Steady As She Rose

The boyfriend purchased Legos: Pirates of the Caribbean for us to play on the xBox 360, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back to swatching the OPI Brights: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection that OPI came out with this year.  While I was editing pictures, I couldn't stop singing "Steady, As She Goes" and couldn't figure out what it was from, but thank you YouTube... it was a song I discovered years ago in my radio DJ days.







So back to the polish...  I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.  Quite sadly, I found this polish to be super runny and watery, pooling into my cuticles.  Boo.

In the sun you can see how this is a pretty pale pink - doesn't look like it's as much of a problem child as it was.

In the shade it looks all nice too!  You can see how it was giving me issues on my index finger though.  I do need to get another manicure (sigh).  Granted I only get my natural nails shaped up and cuticles cleaned up but still.  Oh to find time...

Finally indoors with the flash - it is a pretty pink, definitely work appropriate I'd think.  It's also a nice creme to be stamped over with Konad or a bit of shatter over it.  (Be thinking of some nail art ideas, dear readers... hint hint)


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.