LVX Gel Top Coat

Gel polish has been creeping up in the nail polish world as a great way to have a shiny, long lasting manicure. LVX is joining the ranks with a new gel-like top coat to help show off your manicures - no UV lamp needed!

VEGAN LUXURY NAIL LACQUER BRAND LVX

LAUNCHES THEIR FIRST GEL LIKE TOP COAT

LVX Summer 2014 Collection

Where has 2014 gone? I can't believe it's already summer - but with summer comes my favorite nail polish collections. LVX follows suit with their lovely 6 piece collection and an added bonus - a new top coat! More on that later.

Please enjoy the following press release from LVX - all images courtesy of LVX.

VEGAN LUXURY NAIL LACQUER BRAND LVX

LAUNCHES THEIR 2014 SUMMER COLLECTION.

LVX nail lacquer announces the release of their 9^th seasonal collection.

Cosmoprof North America 2014: Beaut-E Zone Lineup

Alright YouTubers, I get it. You're taking over the WORLD. Every time Mr. PG and I see a TV ad for a YouTube vlogger (video blogger), we just give each other a look. I'm not all that great on video (seriously, I worked in TV, I can say this) and generally with nails, I missed the video boat. Until I miraculously learn how to be amazing at nail art and can film tutorials, don't expect many PolishGalore videos.

That all being said, this year at Cosmoprof North America, five vloggers will be providing live coverage. I don't know if they will be using the Google+/YouTube live feature where they are on a 5 minute time delay and can take live questions or if they will be recording at the show and uploading later... It will definitely be interesting. I spoke a few years ago about the changing face of social media moving from FourSquare and Yelp to Twitter and Instagram... well now it's moving again to YouTube and Vine. I feel old.  Although I do know who Cassandra Bankson is -  I watched her original skin care video that went viral.

Please enjoy the following press release - images provided by Y Communications & Consulting Inc.

 

LOOK Style Society Partners with Essie to Open Las Vegas Flagship Location

In just 45 days, I'll be basking in the Las Vegas sun and I'm wondering if I can sneak away to check out the city's first essie Nail Lounge inside of Town Square Las Vegas!

For more information, please enjoy the following press release.

NCLA New Top Coats

NCLA released two new holographic top coats last month that are sure to transform any manicure.

Party Favorite

Shimmer Me Pretty

These mesmerizing and playful top coats will instantly give your manicure a glamorously distinguished finish. Both are available at ncla.com for $18.

Mark Cuban Named 2014 PBA Business Forum Keynote Speaker

Mark Cuban Named 2014 PBA Business Forum Keynote Speaker 

Sunday, July 13, 2014 | Mandalay Bay Resort | Las Vegas, Nevada

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is honored to announce famed businessman, TV personality and Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, as the keynote speaker for the 2014 PBA Business Forum held during PBA Beauty Week. Hosted by Cosmoprof North America (CPNA), PBA Beauty Week is North America's largest, most inclusive beauty event, offering unlimited networking, education and business-to-business opportunities to all sectors of the professional beauty industry. PBA Beauty Week will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, July 13 - 15, 2014.

After graduating from Indiana University, Cuban moved to Dallas, TX and created MicroSolutions, a computer consulting service. He went on to later sell MicroSolutions in 1990 to CompuServe.  In 1995, he and long-time friend Todd Wagner came up with an Internet based solution to listen to Hoosiers Basketball games in Texas. That solution was Broadcast.com - streaming audio over the Internet. In just four short years, Broadcast.com (then Audionet) would be sold to Yahoo for $5.6 billion dollars.  Since his acquisition of the Dallas Mavericks in 2000, he has overseen the Mavs competing in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2006 - and becoming NBA World Champions in 2011. They are currently listed as one of Forbes' most valuable franchises in sports.  In addition to the Mavs, Cuban is chairman and CEO of AXS TV, one of ABC's "Sharks" on the hit show Shark Tank, and an investor in an ever-growing portfolio of businesses. He lives in Dallas with wife Tiffany, daughters Alexis and Alyssa, and son Jake.

The beauty industry is constantly growing and changing. The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) adapts to meet the needs of its members and the industry. Attend the 2014 PBA Business Forum to learn about key PBA programs and initiatives that are helping shape the future of the professional beauty industry.  The PBA Business Forum and breakfast will be held Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 7:00 a.m. with the keynote address following at 8 a.m.  Registration for PBA Beauty Week, which includes the PBA Business Forum, and Cosmoprof North America is now open. For additional information on both events, please visit probeauty.org/beautyweek and cosmoprofnorthamerica.com. 

OPI Neons

OPI has finally listened to us bright lovely people and decided to release 6 new full sized neons to their line up. Please enjoy the following release - images courtesy of OPI.

OPI Releases Six New Neon Nail Lacquers with Accompanying White Base Coat to Boost Bright Color

OPI Adds Its First Full-Size Neon Shades to Permanent Collection

Image courtesy of OPI's Facebook Page

I disappeared.

It's been a bit rough in PolishGalore world.

Mr. PG and I found out I was pregnant which was awesome. However at the end of the month (right before my 9 week appointment), we found out that our little one stopped developing at 6 weeks 2 days. No heartbeat ever formed. I had a D&C the next morning.

I'm also preparing for Cosmoprof North America 2014 again this year. If you are a blogger or an indie brand that is looking to join, there is a Facebook Group already in full swing. I'm not in charge of the group, but definitely a member.

I have a slew of new polishes to share both mainstream and indie. I've tried to only buy what interests me and I'm slowly starting to purge polishes I bought and didn't care for. And hopefully by the end of the summer, I will have my own Mani Cave ala work/play/polish.

We are also in the process of replacing our front doors and all the windows in the house so my spare time gets smaller and smaller each weekend. Unless I can start photographing polish at work (don't tempt me), my blogging has been pushed back into hobby status for sure.

And tomorrow is another day.

CND Paradise Collection

Is it summer yet? With temperatures in the 90s here, it sure feels like it already. CND has your answer to all things summer with their new Paradise Collection.  

My local salon, Salon-de-Lis, posted this photo on their Facebook Page - Nail Artist Marly used CND Desert Poppy with CND Additive Tropic Sunrise.

Image Courtesy of Salon De Lis

Please enjoy the following release - all images courtesy of CND.

FingerPaints Pop Movement

FingerPaints is rapidly putting out new polishes for you to experiment with! The Pop Movement collection will be available next month. Please enjoy the following release - images courtesy of FingerPaints.

Zoya Magical Pixie

Talk to me about texture. Are you so into it or so over it? I'm half and half. I can't stop playing with it when I wear it, but man it can be a pain to put on and take off.

Zoya is adding to their line of holographic "PixieDust" texture polishes this summer with three sweet hues - perfect for summer weddings!  Please enjoy the following - all images courtesy of Zoya.

Zoya Tickled and Bubbly - Summer 2014

I have to say that Zoya constantly has had great summer collections, and this summer is no exception. Twelve new polishes that can appeal to the masses! Please enjoy the following - all images courtesy of Zoya.

butter LONDON Launches Bridal Set "Sweet Somethings"

I got married on 12.12.12 but I'm having a convalidation ceremony in the Catholic Church on 05.03.14 and have no idea what to do with my nails. My first time I went with a light lavender.

Please enjoy the following release from butter LONDON - all images courtesy via them.

butter LONDON introduced their new bridal set, Sweet Somethings, backstage at Monique Lhuillier's bridal show. Launching April 15th on butterlondon.com the Sweet Something set pairs wedding classics with a modern edge and is the perfect accessory for the big day. 

Beauty Blog Coalition May Day Giveaway 2014

It's Tax Day in the USA and the ladies of the Beauty Blog Coalition would like to put even more money in your pocket!  Please wait for the Rafflecopter widget to load in full. Open worldwide to all those 18+, ends 30 April 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NCLA JetSetter

Today I received the cutest press package for the new NCLA JetSetter collection - the boxes are totally collectible! Please enjoy the following press release - all images courtesy of NCLA.

JulieG Cruise Collection on Groupon!

Affiliate Link
YAY! I had a little birdie tell me that the new JulieG Cruise collection was going to be on Groupon and now here they are!  For the next week, you can purchase all 6, SHIPPED (in the USA) for $12.99. That's a fantastic deal.

Edit: Yesterday when I went to check out, the price was $12.99 with free shipping. This morning, I was shown shipping was $2.99 but no tax. Right now I was showing shipping of $2.99 and tax of 99 cents. So it's not $12.99 shipped - there is shipping and tax based on your location.

The fantastically love Leslie from work/play/polish provided all the swatches and a review on her blog - in case you wanted to see more but don't let this deal sell out before you get yours!

The Groupon Link is my affiliate link where I will earn $10 in "Groupon Bucks" if you click my link, subscribe to Groupon and make your first purchase.

Loxa Beauty - Where Consumers Can Shop Like Professionals!

If you're a long term reader of PolishGalore, you know that I don't have a cosmetology license (even though CND's Jan Arnold told me I should!) so I either get my salon-only polishes as press samples from the companies, I pay full price at authorized retailers (Ulta, Sephora etc), or I beg my cosmetology friends to buy me a whole bunch of things.

No more my friends! Today I was introduced to the best concept website, ever for me and you - Loxa Beauty!

The concept is simple. Beauty brands that have been previously designated as salon only or professional only are authorized to be sold through Loxa Beauty at the retail price (not the salon/professional price) and a percentage of the purchase goes back to a stylist or a salon either in your area or of your choosing!

To register, click on the top right. You will be asked to create an account or sign in with Facebook. Pro for signing in with Facebook - you don't have to worry about another password. Con for signing in with Facebook - you have to use the email address that is attached to your Facebook.

Next you have the option to search for a stylist or salon by location, or choose that you don't have a stylist/salon. If you don't have a stylist/salon, your proceeds will be distributed to stylists/salons in your area. You can edit this later, so don't worry if you don't have anyone.

Finally there's a small profile section to fill out with your hair information (trust me here) before you're good to go!

Now let's talk nails.

Loxa Beauty currently features five salon brands - Morgan Taylor, Venique, OPI, CND and China Glaze.  Now I know OPI & China Glaze are also available at Sally Beauty Supply but some of us live in small towns where even the nearest Sally is just too far away.

Small caveat - not all products are available in all states. Specifically, CND has not authorized Loxa Beauty to sell this product in all or parts of the following states: AK, CO, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, ME, MI, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, RI, VT, WY.  Additionally, not all the current collections or products are available but hopefully their inventory will continue to increase.

Now, there are other categories for you to check out - hair, skincare, tools and a section for mens' products but come on, NAILS. For people who want to only be sure they are buying real, authorized professional products, this is your place to go.

If nothing else, go sign up today! It's free to have an account and no worries about affiliate links or anything like that. You can also follow their social media as follows: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Salon Perfect Cosmic Black

Press Sample 
Here's another twist on your typical black and white glitter - throw in some silver, add some bar glitter and today you have Salon Perfect Cosmic Black. I decided to layer one coat over my essie maincure using the dab method where you just dab the polish onto your nail and smooth out with one stroke from cuticle to tip. This helps minimize the spreading or removing of the glitter from your nail.

This also drives matte so I used a top coat of Digital Nails Ain't Nobody Got Time For That.

Just one coat! I'm impressed.

The ring finger has only one dabbed coat of glitter as well.

I'm not totally against this bar glitter even - it doesn't look at hairy as normal bar glitter does.

Salon Perfect [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter] [YouTube] is a collection of professional-quality lash, brow and nail products. Available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide for $3.98 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.

essie The More The Merrier

Nothing to Disclose
I had this weird desire to buy all the polish last summer and got some rather unique colors from the Summer 2013 collection by essie - mainly this yellow green creme called The More The Merrier. 

I used a base coat of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish and a top coat of Digital Nails Ain't Nobody Got Time For That. The formula was great - no pooling, opaque in 2 coats, no streaking and thankfully, no staining.

It's a bizarre little color - not quite yellow, not quite green. Reminded me a bit of a Granny Smith but more yellow.

Fun eh? This is definitely an all seasons polish for me.

You can purchase essie in a number of locations for $8 a bottle; check out their website for more.  You can also like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, follow them on Tumblr, follow them on Instagram and follow them on Pinterest.

butter LONDON Lolly Brights Collection

butter LONDON has another great collection for you! Now like the last one, this also includes lip glosses, mascaras, eye pencils, blushes and shadows but I'm here for the polish.

Please enjoy the following release. Images courtesy of butter LONDON.

Get ready to make heads turn with the new butter LONDON Lolly Brights Collection.