ORLY Color Collection "Dark Shadows"

So the day that my fiance proposed was also the day that Johnny Depp separated from his long term partner.  Let me tell you, there's something amiss.  ;]  I haven't seen these ORLY polishes myself but I know others have said they were pretty awesome.  I'm hoping they might have these at Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas this weekend.

ORLY International Partners with Warner Bros. Pictures

ORLY Creates Limited-Time Nail Color Collection inspired by the movie

 “Dark Shadows”

NEW YORK, March 28, 2012 – ORLY International announced today a limited-time nail color collection partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures in conjunction with the release of Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows,” starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter, set to open on May 11, 2012.

“ORLY strives to deliver innovative products and trend-focused nail shades,” said Jeff Pink, President and CEO of ORLY International. “The adventurous theme of ‘Dark Shadows’ was a perfect fit with our brand and the fashion colors we created for this collection.”

The collection will include four lacquers, with names and shades that reflect the dark humor conveyed in the film.

The four lacquers in the color collection include: 

Mysterious Curse: Purple Duochrome Shimmer

Buried Alive: Rich Brown Shimmer

Grave Mistake: Deep Red Crème

Decades of Dysfunction: Pale Pink Crème

All ORLY Nail Lacquers are free of DBP, Toluene and all traces of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Resin.

The ORLY Color Collection inspired by the movie, Dark Shadows will be available in May 2012 for $8.50 each at orlybeauty.com and Sally Beauty and Ulta.

 

 

About ORLY International

Jeff Pink founded ORLY in 1975 with a simple idea: to innovate natural nail care.  By creating leading-edge products and tools designed not only to beautify, but to respond to the needs of salon professionals, ORLY’s beauty experts have redefined nail care and nail fashion.  ORLY’s dynamic color palette includes over 150 Lacquer shades that are completely free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene.  As much a trendsetter as a nail care innovator, ORLY also introduced the first-ever iconic nail look: the Original French Manicure^® and reinvented Lacquer application with the award-winning Gripper Cap™.  ORLY embodies quality that beauty professionals in over 100 countries worldwide rely upon.

About Dark Shadows

Director Tim Burton brings the cult classic series “Dark Shadows” to the big screen in a gothic comedy featuring an all-star cast. 

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from England to start a new life in America.  Two decades later Barnabas is the master of Collinwood Manor—rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard, who dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.  Two centuries pass before Barnabas is freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972.  He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin and the dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets.

“Dark Shadows” stars Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Grace Moretz, Bella Heathcote and Gulliver McGrath. 

Burton directed the film from a screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith, story by John August and Grahame-Smith, based on the television series created by Dan Curtis.  The producers are Richard D. Zanuck Graham King, Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, and David Kennedy, with Chris Lebenzon, Tim Headington and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers.

A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, an Infinitum Nihil/GK Films/Zanuck Company production, a Tim Burton film.  Opening on May 11, 2012, “Dark Shadows” will be distributed worldwide in theatres and IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

www.darkshadowsthemovie.com

JulieG Pink Tiara

While working on a super secret project, I pulled out my bottle of JulieG Pink Tiara, a pretty pink glitter in a pink base.  For this manicure, I used a base coat of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of Cult Nails Wicked Fast.  This is a gritty glitter (yes, say that 5 times fast), so you may need to add a second layer of top coat for a smooth finish.  I prefer using Lynnderella Glitter Tamer, but since Lynnderella has moved to selling her items on eBay only, trying to purchase her polishes is like being able to eat caviar every night off your golden spoon while on your private plane to Australia.  [Edit, this listing ends TODAY.  I have no idea who the seller is, but the price is comparable to actual market price which was $7.50 for a bottle.]


Okay, so memo #1 about Pink Tiara.  My bottle had a wonky brush - almost like the brush that comes with the nail polish "Floam" by Nail-Venturous.  It's a bit fluffy and while it worked in spreading my polish, it also allowed me to paint all over my cuticle which made clean up a little longer.

I emailed the company, and this brush is not standard - I just got a wonky brush.  I was offered a replacement, but definitely didn't need it - I'm good with my special brush.


Back to the polish.  While this is a glitter, it's in an opaque base, which is great.  The grittiness is something I'm not a fan of, but the payoff is lovely.  As for removal, you will need to foil your nails to get this stuff off, but otherwise, it wears well with minimum chipping.

SUN!  Look how this polish seriously shines.  I can understand why it's named Pink Tiara - it's like a ton of little gems all over your nails.  Reminds me a tiny bit of my DIY "fail" shoes I made.

I'm still going to rock these shoes and just have an interesting story to tell for anyone who asks "Why do you have two different colored shoes?"  (Answer? Because I was attempting a DIY I saw on this blog, and I was trying one in red, one in blue & purple.  I figured, nbd, I'll go buy another pair of shoes and make a match if I like the technique.  I go back to buy a second pair of shoes and surprise - they don't sell them anymore.)

Back to the polish.  I am obsessed with this color in the shade.  Absolutely obsessed.  I want to wear it every day.  I hope that if JulieG makes more glitter nail polish, it has this same consistency and everything.  And I want a blue/purple mix.  Please and thank you.

Finally indoors with the flash - this isn't a very flattering look for this polish.  Point blank.


Love the product description too: "Glitter fanatics take note! This medium pink glitter is fit for royalty."


Then again, I wrote the product description.  :]  No really, I did!  All the JulieG descriptions were originally written by me, and tweaked by the Jesse's Girl Cosmetics staff.  I feel honored to have my little mark on this brand.  (I also wrote the descriptions for the Jesse's Girl main line.)


And there you have it!


You can purchase JulieG in Rite Aid stores across the US or shop online at Jesse's Girl Cosmetics which ships worldwide!  JulieG sells for $3.99 for a 0.35 fl oz (10 mL) bottle.

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

Duality Cosmetics: Nail-Pak

Recently I received an email about a new product from Duality Cosmetics that really caught my eye.  I travel with nail polish quite often, but it can get messy having my base coat, my polish, my top coat, my remover, cotton pads... you get the picture.  I lost an entire bottle of CND Stickey on my trip to Florida last year because I didn't close it tightly enough before putting it in my plastic bag.  Sigh.

Well this won't solve all my polish needs but it's still something pretty awesome!  Please enjoy the following press release.  (All images courtesy of EFG PR.)  I do apologize for the "small" picture but if you click on it, it will pull up full size.

Duality Cosmetics Introduces Nail•Pak

Manicures as easy as 1…2…3!

A revolutionary concept in nail care, the innovative new cosmetics company, Duality Cosmetics, has conjured up Nail•Pak, a patented 3-in-1 nail care system designed to manicure nails in three simple steps—R.F.P… Remove, File and Polish. Inspired by the fashionista in all of us who have the desire to create and maintain well-manicured nails, the Nail•Pak is the answer to your nail care needs whether you are at home, at work or on the road. 


The unique and portable Nail•Pak is a complete nail care system in one convenient patented package. The top half contains an on-trend nail polish or treatment lacquer, the bottom half houses 40 user-friendly, pre-soaked polish remover pads—which can easily be replaced with a refill Pak when needed—and a mini removable nail file is strategically placed in between. 


“I’ve always had a passion for solving problems—especially ones that arise in our every day lives. I set out to create quality, multipurpose products that combine the utmost convenience with a fashion-forward appeal for the modern woman who is always on-the-go. With Nail•Pak, a perfect manicure is at your tips in just one bottle, and this is only the beginning of Duality Cosmetics—expect a lot more to come!” says Barbara Lampugnale, Executive Director and Founder of Duality Cosmetics. 


Nail•Pak is launching this April with a 2-in-1 top and base coat, and two polish collections including a classic collection and spring collection—each offering six hues. The first of six products in the Nail Rescue collection of nail treatments to soothe, rebuild and improve your nails is Florence, a base and top coat that delivers high-shine, long lasting protection against UV damage, yellowing, stains/discoloration and chipping. As a mother to six girls, Lampugnale aptly named the classic polish collection My Girls, which pays homage to her daughters: Brittany, a smokey rose creme; Bethany, a shimmering cherry tobacco; Grace, a sweet peachy pink; Gabriela, a bold cabernet red; Faith, a classic pale pink creme; and Peyton, a red creme with blue undertones. Hope Springs Eternal is named after six women who inspire hope among women of all ages: Rosa, a rosy red with touch of pearl essence; Amelia, a fiery bold cremey orange; Ellen, an aqua blue creme; Jennifer, a grape purple with iridescence; Maya, a bubble gum pink crème; and Teresa, iridescent lavender pearl. 


Keeping nail health in mind, the long lasting, salon strength formulation in the polish and treatment laquers are chipresistant and free of dibutyl-phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. To ensure nails stay as healthy and strong when taking off polish, the pre-soaked freshly scented Nail Polish Remover Pads have been formulated free of damaging acetone and alcohol and instead contain healing and moisturizing Vitamin E and Aloe Vera. 


Duality Cosmetics’ Nail•Pak, which comes in its own drawstring travel pouch, will debut April 2012 for $15.00. All products will be available at DualityCosmetics.com.

Click to view larger

About The Founder 

Barbara Lampugnale, a hard-working and determined mother of six girls, always had visions of creating innovative, fashionable and practical items for women with active lives. At six years old, she designed a line of Barbie clothes out of old socks and throughout her adolescence made clothing, jewelry and candles for her closest friends. 


Motivated by her love of color, fabrics and design, she attended the National Association of Interior Decorating of Washington, D.C. and landed a job with a highly respected interior design company in Texas. Determined to own and operate her own business, she founded Barbara’s Interiors in 1994, which she successfully operated until she moved her family across the country to be closer to her roots. 


Leaving her company behind was extremely difficult, but her optimism and determination led her to find her true secret passion— cosmetics. Sebastian International satisfied her love of cosmetics and allowed for a flexible schedule to raise her girls. Always a self-proclaimed beauty junkie with an interest in the season’s hottest colors and trends, she knew cosmetics was her calling. 


During the pregnancy of her identical twin girls, she had an epiphany and the creation of Duality Cosmetics was born. As her family grew to include six daughters, Barbara’s motivation, skills and business acumen thrived. Keenly aware of her desire to bring beauty and color into the lives of those around her and with her energy, tenacity and incredible desire to succeed, she was motivated to put into action an idea she had developed for a dual purpose nail polish product. Duality Cosmetics is a company dedicated to creating quality, efficient, multipurpose cosmetics that are fun, functional and fashionable for women with active lifestyles. 


Focused on the objective and calling on her own life’s experience and values, Barbara manages her business passionately but firmly. Her goal is not only to be an inspiration to her daughters and other women but to also inspire all women to find their beauty within. Successfully balancing her home and career, she is a remarkable role model to her family and is actively involved in charities that serve the needs of children and women. Barbara is affiliated with CEW, Start Up Nation, Savor The Success, Ladies Who Launch and The Mogul Mom. 


As seen on ABC’s Shark Tank in season 3, episode 12, Barbara believes that honesty, fairness, hard work and dedication are the keys to success in business. She is confident about her ability to manage it all… and she is ready for more. 


Barbara lives in West Hartford, CT, with her encouraging husband and 6 daughters.

Salon Perfect Bubblegum

I have a lovely little pink shimmer for you today - this is Salon Perfect Bubblegum, and it's sickly sweet.  I used a base coat of Poshe, 3 coats of polish and a top coat of Seche Vite.  I did find Bubblegum to be a bit on the sheer side, so keep that in mind.

Here in the sun, the color may not look sheer, but for me, it was in the application.  I love the little shimmer that is shown - almost like sugar crystals on a cookie.

Meanwhile in the shade it's almost a lovely salmon pink.  Great color, just wished for better coverage.


Somehow I didn't get a picture inside with the flash.  I think we'll both live.  ;]


Salon Perfect [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] [YouTube] is a collection of professional-quality lash, brow and nail products. Available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide, Salon Perfect offers premium faux lashes in an assortment of styles.  The "Blooming With Color" collection was only available in 1,700 stores during May 2012 for $3 a bottle.

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: Color Your World

I'm obsessed with color.  Do not ask how many paint swatches I have in my desk drawer (Pinterest, I blame you - but now it has PURPOSE!) but point blank, color is a big deal when it comes to your brand.  Another conference happening next week focuses on how you as a company can make sure you're doing the right thing.  Please enjoy the following press release.

CPNA TO FOCUS ON INFLUENCE OF BRANDING & COLOR

ICMAD SESSION: COLOR YOUR WORLD 

 

Las Vegas, NV (May 16, 2012) – Today’s most dynamic brands capture consumers with powerful visuals, clever copy and eye-catching packaging. Using these principles, smart companies place strong focus on resources to develop a powerful, cohesive visual presence that instantly connects with their target market. However, too often at small entrepreneurial companies the process is dictated by personal choice without a thorough understanding on the psychology of color. We are intuitively predisposed to certain colors, but are consumers responding the same way to your color selections?

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) introduces a special session in collaboration with the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) called, “Color Your World: Your Brand in Color.” This session will provide a glimpse into the psychology of color, the factors controlling our cultural pre-dispositions to certain colors, and the associations with color combinations that designers evaluate as they develop a brand’s visual elements. Furthermore, this session will elaborate on how the package can become an integral part of the brand’s appeal through unique collaborations with artists and designers.

Join CPNA and three industry experts as they discuss how color/design plays an important role in packaging design, and how it can ultimately affect what consumers' purchase. Moderated by Pamela Busiek, President and CEO of ICMAD, the “Color Your World: Your Brand in Color” session will be held at Cosmoprof North America on Sunday, July 22, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Daniel Kiyoi | tarte^TM cosmetics | Associate Art Director – Daniel Kiyoi’s strong sense of personal style and passion for color and texture led him to pursue a career with major consumer product brands (where fashion meets beauty) such as Smashbox, where he worked as an Associate Art Director, Bumble and bumble, where he excelled as the Assistant Manager of Visual Merchandising, and now currently tarte^TM cosmetics, where he works as the Associate Art Director. Kiyoi will highlight what color and design schemes work with today’s popular brands and why they are so effective.

Kelly Kovack | The Color Association / Brand Growth Management | Chair of the Beauty Forecast Committee / Partner – As an advisor and creative strategist, Kelly Kovack has advised an eclectic array of clients ranging from multi-billion dollar brands like Old Navy and Mattel to notable independents like Zirh and 21 Drops. Kovack has also developed brands of her own such as her recent venture, the award-winning fragrance brand, Odin, co-founded in collaboration with the New York fashion brand. Kovack will discuss the latest trends on color as it relates to branding.

Vita Raykhman | Amika | Creative Director – Vita Raykhman has been creating and developing brands for almost a decade. She leads the vision at Amika, a brand that has rejuvenated the beauty category with its creative excellence, integrated strategies and innovation. Over the years, Vita has created compelling and lasting corporate identity solutions at some of New York’s top agencies, including Interbrand and TM/R. Raykhman will discuss how to build a successful brand by creating a strong and distinct personality, that is appealing and engaging, yet flexible with the ability to reinvent itself. 

Salon Perfect Blue Raspberry

I know this review is a few months old, but I wanted to share it with you anyway!  While the label is totally missing, I still know it's Salon Perfect Blue Raspberry.  It's funny - I thought these polishes might be scented because of the fruit names, but they definitely are not scented.  I tested it for you.  This is a lovely medium blue creme.  I used a base of Poshe, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite.  Sadly, I did have some slight staining after wearing this polish but I just had to clean up with a nail brush and some soap to get my nails back to white.

Here it is in the sun.  I have to say, I really did like how this polish applied - nice and smooth, no patches, nice and opaque.  You can see that it's just a nice fluid color!

You can see just a tiny bit of my nail on my ring finger here in the shade, but that's the only time I questioned the opacity of this polish.  

And here indoors with the flash you can't see any opacity issues like in the sun.  Definitely a fan of this color but I may have to wear either two coats of base coat or maybe a coat of white before the blue just so I don't have staining again.  I'm going to have to make myself a makeshift label as well as it's going to bug me not to have a label.  


Salon Perfect [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] [YouTube] is a collection of professional-quality lash, brow and nail products. Available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide, Salon Perfect offers premium faux lashes in an assortment of styles.  The "Blooming With Color" collection was only available in 1,700 stores during May 2012 for $3 a bottle.

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

It's So Easy Launches New Website

Nail art is at an all time high - both professionally and the DIY ladies like The Daily Nail.  AII, the beauty company behind some of my favorite brands like China Glaze and Seche, have launched a whole new website with its brand It's So Easy.  Please enjoy the following press release!  (All images courtesy of AII)

IT’S SO EASY® NAIL ART LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

From catwalks to sidewalks around the world, the word on everybody’s tips is nail art! Anything is possible on the tiny canvases, where works of art can be customized to compliment any skin tone, outfit or other artistic inspirations. Join in on the fun and visit the NEW It’s So Easy® Nail Art website at www.itssoeasynails.com.

Created for nail lovers everywhere, the It’s So Easy® website features a Nail Art Community. Fans can upload their nail designs, regardless of experience level, and interact with others through Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

          Finger art fanatics can have their wishes granted through the It’s So Easy® Product Section by creating a personalized Wish List. Users can select from Stripe Rites, loose glitters, cracked ice, rhinestones and more, then print or email to have their list on hand when visiting their nearest It’s So Easy® store location.

          Need inspiration? The growing How-To page offers quick and easy nail art tutorials that can be accomplished in a few easy steps. A What You Need list is available to help visitors create their desired look. 

About It’s So Easy®

Nothing is impossible when it comes to nail art and It’s So Easy®, a line of tools and accessories to create the ultimate nail creations. It’s So Easy® offers Stripe Rites, rhinestones, loose glitter, cracked ice, sealers and dryers, brushes and more to create fashionable, funky or festive fingers. Visit the website at www.itssoeasynails.com for more information.

Like It’s So Easy® on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ItsSoEasyNailArt

Follow It’s So Easy® on Instagram:

@ItsSoEasyNails

Follow It’s So Easy® on Pinterest:

www.pinterest.com/ItsSoEasyNails

Follow It’s So Easy® on Twitter:

www.Twitter.com/ItsSoEasyNails

CPNALV: Focus on Private Label Industry

Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas is a week away and I still have a large amount of information to share with you about the show.  I'm trying to not overwhelm (and especially to those who aren't attending) but for those going - this is some good stuff!  Please enjoy the following - I'm hoping to watch at least part of this conference... I'd love to meet Scott-Vincent Borba!  (All images courtesy of Y! PR)

CPNA TO FOCUS ON PRIVATE LABEL INDUSTRY

PRIVATE LABEL MAGAZINE SESSION: IT'S ALL IN THE PACKAGING

 

Las Vegas, NV (May 8, 2012) – As everyone in the beauty business knows, a big part of your brand’s success is based on the branding product formula, but more importantly the packaging. It’s what sells the product and ultimately catches the consumers’ attention at the point of sale. The private label category has grown by leaps and bounds as manufacturers are incorporating innovative packaging solutions to create that sought-after million-dollar sku.

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) is the platform that connects private label professionals, manufacturers, and design and packaging executives. These industry professionals come together to explore innovative ideas and packaging opportunities as it pertains to finished goods, secondary packaging, and contract/ private label manufacturers. This is the common theme, which Private Label magazine will cover in the It’s All In The Packaging session. This session will give in-depth views on the latest data behind packaging influence, how packaging and retail has changed, in addition to how to make the right choices when creating a new brand or implementing a re-branding strategy.

Join CPNA and three industry leaders as they highlight trends in packaging, new concepts, materials as well as having the right presence. Moderated by Phillip Russo, Publisher of Private Label magazine, the “It’s All In The Packaging” session will be held at Cosmoprof North America on Monday, July 23, 2012 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Scott-Vincent Borba | Scott-Vincent Borba Inc. | Founder and Creator – Scott-Vincent Borba has enjoyed career success in both the prestige and mass-market sectors in product development, branding, and marketing for companies such as Hard Candy^©, Neutrogena^®, P&G^®/Wella^®/Sebastian^®, Shiseido^®/Joico^® and Murad^®, before setting out on his own as the Founder of BORBA^® and Co-Founder of e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) Cosmetics™. More recently, Borba introduced Scott-Vincent Borba Inc. He will highlight on this new brand and the debut with HSN.
 

Nick Gardner | HCT Group | Executive Vice President – Being a part of a design led manufacturer to the color cosmetics and skincare industries, Nick Gardner understands how important packaging is to a brand. When Gardner first joined HCT Group, the company focused on primary packaging, but has grown to encompass branding, full service color cosmetics offerings, brushes, GWP and any products that are of interest to their customer. Gardner will discuss new packaging concepts and materials from today’s leading companies he works with.
 

Amy Ziegler | Mintel | Global Personal Care Analyst – Amy Ziegler offers expert in-depth analysis of new products, markets, consumers and trends in the beauty and personal care space. Before joining Mintel, she spent six years with Walgreen Co, where she gained extensive experience and insight into category management, merchandise planning and sales projection, which adds an extra dimension to her analysis of the industry. She will share consumer trends and market data relating to the private label industry.

Cult Nails Coco's Untamed Collection

Photo courtesy of Cult Nails

Cult Nails launched their newest collection Coco's Untamed Collection tonight!  Coco, the creator's awesome 13 year old daughter designed this line herself (look out Ariana Pierce!)  This five piece collection is available at a reduced price of $40 for all 5 (normally $10 a bottle) from now until 17 July, so get your orders in now!

The colors in Coco's Collection include:

I Got Distracted - A black jelly polish with holographic glitter interrupted by intense green glitter.

Deal With It - Coco's favorite color, lime green loaded with gold shimmer
Annalicious - A shimmery red with an orange influence packed full of red and gold shimmer
Untamed - A bubble gum pink sheer jelly polish with subtle multi colored shimmer
Spontaneous - A dark, deep and dusty purple creme with vibrant purple glitter.

I have the whole set to show you but I got overexcited and wanted to paint my nails with Spontaneous so here is 2 coats of Spontaneous (base coat of Poshe, top coat of Seche Vite)

Yes this is my rarely seen right hand with its wonky pinkie.  I also managed to nick my ring finger and paint all over my index cuticle in the process.  I promise for more in depth reviews soon!  My desk is swarming in polish but now that I have my Shellac off, I'm ready to do some damage.  :]

Cult Nails [Facebook | Twitter] is available in their shop for $10 a bottle. You can also purchase from Overall Beauty.

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

Urban Decay and China

Recently, one of my favorite makeup brands, Urban Decay, decided to make the move to expand into China.  For some people, this means nothing other than "Okay, so products will be sold into China."  For others, this was a huge slap in the face, as Urban Decay has been listed as a cruelty-free brand, committed to ending animal testing.  China's government requires the testing of products on animals before they can be sold in their country.


PolishGalore is not a vegan or cruelty free blog, but I do feel that this information needs to be shared to the readers.


After a large backlash from readers, consumers, bloggers, vegan and cruelty free customers, Urban Decay decided to reverse their business decision and will not be selling in China.  For some, this is a victory.  For others, this seems like a large press relations nightmare and even a scam to sell more products, as the announcement came on the weekend before their Fall products are available for sale.  


On my end, I will not be able to provide you with any new Urban Decay press releases.  This has nothing to do with their decision and reversal to sell in China, but rather Urban Decay has decided to no longer provide me with press material and instead only provide to "top blogs we [they] work with regularly".  I do apologize, but you can sign up for their free customer newsletter here.

Howdy!

Well, June kind of slip past me.  Sorry I've been quiet the past couple of weeks - work has kept me busy, oh and...

I got engaged on 19 June!  Of COURSE when I actually got proposed to, I had naked nails, haha.  My above polish is CND Shellac "Hollywood" with "Mother of Pearl" but more on that later.

Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas is just 3 weeks away so that's my next big thing to prepare for!  I just spent a week in Maine with my fiancé's family (haha, that word is kind of awesome), and I've been up for 17 straight hours and have many more to go before I can go to sleep (work first thing in the morning!) but I have many things to show you too!  Thanks for sticking around!

Beauty Blog Coalition: 4th of July Competition

The Beauty Blog Coalition members may not all be American, but we do love to celebrate all holidays with our friends, so we bring you the 4th of July Competition, with not one but two $300 USD Visa gift cards!  All terms and conditions may be found at the bottom of the Rafflecopter widget.  Please allow the widget to load in full.  Competition ends 5 July 2012.  You may enter on any of the blogs below - Rafflecopter won't allow you enter twice.  You may tweet about the giveaway (the last option in the Rafflecopter) every day for extra entries!  


Thank you to the following - the members of the Beauty Blog Coalition, Rafflecopter, HTML Tables, and Flag Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net


(All comments have been closed on this post - for any questions, please email me at krystal[at]polishgalore[dot]com!)

Please visit the lovely sponsors of this competition!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic	Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty by Miss L	Beauty Info Zone
BeautyTidbits	Blushing Basics
BlushingNoir	Bottles and Bottles of Polish
Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom	Cosmetically Challenged
Emily Hudspeth, hair design and makeup artist	Endless Summer
Future Derm	Geniabeme Beauty Blog
Making Up the Midwest	Midnight Manicures
Moxie Reviews	My Beauty Bunny
My Highest Self	My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog
Nails and Noms	NaturallyNancy1
Oh So Lacquered	Peek.Ponder.Publish
Perilously Pale	Phyrra
Polarbelle	polish insomniac
PolishGalore	Prime Beauty
retrodivas beauty	Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful
The Pink Sith Blog	thefabzilla.com

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FingerPaints Summer in the City

YAY summer!  Still super happy that it's the time of sunshine.  Well, mostly.  Please enjoy the following from FingerPaints - I'm sure you'll find these already in your local Sally's Beauty Supply!  (All images courtesy of Lippe Taylor)

The NEW FingerPaints Summer in the City Collection 

Just in time for your Memorial Day pedicure, Sally Beauty introduces the new FingerPaints Summer in the City collection for summer 2012. 


The collection features 6 hot new shades that will be sure to wow this season! Show off your bare feet with: 

Beach Bound (Purple) 

Flip Flop (Fuchsia)

Late Night Rendezvous (Blue Shimmer)

Movie in the Park (Purple Shimmer)

Sexy Sundress (Yellow)

To-teally Hot (Teal) 

FingerPaints are sold separately for $4.99 and are available exclusively at SallyBeauty.com.

Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask

Now, I talked about the Algenist line all the way back in February (holy cow), and finally, I'm letting you know Does It Work?  I got to try the Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask, a 2.7 fl. oz tube of gel that retails for $52.  The ingredients include alguronic acid, propeptide3, jojoba, green tea & vitamin E and is supposed to restore your skin's elasticity, structure and suppleness.  Now I'm not even 30 yet, but I do have some sagging skin around my eyes and as I've gained weight, my cheeks tend to be a little more puffy but otherwise I have some pretty decent skin.


For this mask, you are to apply an even layer to clean, dry skin avoiding the eyes.  Leave on for 10 minutes and then remove using warm water.  Apply once or twice a week.


Now, considering that the system's claim is better skin in 10 days, I did not see results in 10 days of my mask, considering that's only 2 applications.  Instead, I applied once weekly for 2 months (March and April) and then let my skin breathe for a month (May).  This is a downside of testing out skin care products that I've found as a blogger... how do you accurately tell what's going on with your skin?  I'm not a dermatologist, so please note all the opinions in this review, are my own.

So as you can see above, the tube is a pretty good size for the price, and you don't need a lot to cover your face (always a good thing)!  The gel looks like coffee creamer in color and appears to be a thick gel.  I'm pleased to say it was not greasy or oily feeling.

How flattering is this yo?  So here I am with the mask applied.  Once on the skin, the gel is absolutely colorless.  You can see on my right side that I have a few blemishes and overall my skin is a bit red.  My skin has always been "a bit red" but my dermatologist couldn't determine if it was rosacea or not.  (To be honest, I'm looking for a new dermatologist as well).  Now the good about this mask is that it doesn't dry on your face like other face masks I've used, where it's dry and crusty and the mask cracks on your face.  Instead, it just dries clear and it did take a bit of rubbing to get it all off (just splashing with warm water did nothing for me).  I didn't notice any side effects or issues with my skin while using this product.  The blemishes on my face have cleared up, and have stayed cleared up even with discontinuing the product.  Now if that's a cause of the product or anything else, I don't know.  I can't tell any difference in the firmness of my skin and since it wasn't to be used on the eyes, my baggy eye lids and bags under my eyes are still there (darn).


Would I buy this again?  Because $50 is way out of my current price range, the answer is no.  I would love Algenist to come out with a smaller trial kit of all 3 items, maybe a week's worth?  This way people can test the whole system and see if it really works for them.  Only having one product gives me a bit of a disadvantage when it's the whole system that really treats your skin.  Edit:  Hah, so now they DO offer a "trial" set for $65.  Now THIS I think is worth it.


As far as masks, I love that it's a clear, odorless gel but on the other hand, it's hard to tell if you missed a spot on your skin.


Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask ($52) can be purchased at Sephora.

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