Honest Bloggers

A friend of mine recently experienced some unnecessary drama and backlash after posting a lukewarm review. I wanted to to create something positive out of this whole situation, and that is the 'Honest Blogger' button. 

As a blogger you want to give a fair review. You want to be honest. And we should never be afraid to post our genuine thoughts on a product, no matter what. Not everyone wants to read a blog where all the products are fabulous like unicorns and rainbows. This is real life. I'm sorry but, shit cannot be gold no matter how much you polish it!

If you're doing a press sample review, it is considered proper etiquette to run your review by the maker or company, so that any little issues or product problems can be resolved beforehand. (This is not necessary for something you've purchased yourself. That is up to your own discretion). You should never feel bullied or intimidated to not share your genuine experience with a product in a tactful manner. And if a maker or company, or it's "fans" are doing this do you- you probably shouldn't work with them in the future. A good maker or company should be able to handle a little criticism in a professional manner, and come out looking better for it. 

Honest reviews are what helps our readers decide if a product is for them. Just because it doesn't work for you as the blogger, doesn't mean the product won't work for someone else. But as an honest blogger we are committed to letting our readers know about any little issues we may have with a product. 

"Always be honest. Always be tactful. Never let yourself be bullied. And never let someone steal your shine". That's the Honest Bloggers motto.

It's sad this even needs to be said, but it's true. All too often bloggers are bought or bullied into giving a sugar coated review.

If you want to share this button on your blog or website, please feel free. (You can even share it on your 'about me' or 'disclosure' page). Let your readers know you are committed to giving them 100% honest reviews.

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Another good article about honest reviews is: Honest Reviews - as easy as it sounds? from The Mercurial Magpie. Check it out!

Also check out this post on honesty & blogging from Charismatically Polished!

P.S. You can find my button on my Disclosure Page. 

Delta Labs: Hair, Skin, & Nails, Vitamin Review.

✯ PR Sample ✯

Our Hair, Skin & Nails formula is designed to help your hair grow faster and stronger, reduce chipping and breaking in your nails, and create softer, younger, more luminescent looking skin. With 28 scientifically proven vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants and bio nutrients, we guarantee you’ll see clear, visible results within 30 days. New gluten free & vegan formula with 5000 mcg biotin

Delta Labs sent me a sample of their Hair, Skin, & Nails vitamins. Unfortunately it says it takes 30 days before you see a difference, so I won't be able to give you a thorough review with only three doses. You take two pills daily. I can say they don't taste bad, though they are quite large to swallow. I would like try a full bottle sometime, so I can see the results better.

Clouds, with Zoya Naturel Deux

✯ PR Sample ✯

I'm up late on this Saturday evening because I suddenly had the inspiration to do some nail art, with some of the colors from the Zoya Naturel Deux Collection!

I used Emilia, Spencer, Aubrey, and Madeline for this cloud design. (I was inspired by this cloud tutorial). It kind of reminds me Neapolitan ice cream, or creamy chocolate covered candies. Mmmm. I absolutely love how these turned out! The colors in the Naturel Deux collection really compliment each other. What do you think? :-)

See my review of the Naturel Deux Collection Here!

Naturel Deux Collection can be purchased together or individually on Zoya.com.

P.S. Zoya shared this manicure on their Facebook page! Whoo!

Blog Sale!!!

I've listed some more products in my de-stash store on storenvy! There are currently 12 products in stock. Various nail polishes, one eye shadow compact, and a mystery bag of nail polish valued at $50.00, for $25.00! (USA shipping only!) 10% off with code: TNM10

Editing to add: Please no, APO, FPO, or P.O. Boxes either. I cannot ship to them. Thank you! 

Click here to visit Tunay Na Mahal on Storenvy!

Macro Spam; featuring Emily de Molly

I cut down my nails this week (the tips were peeling a bit), so it's going to take them 1-2 weeks to get back to normal length. Also my skin and cuticles have been really dry from the last three collections I swatched... damn you pure acetone! I'm taking a little break while I give my swatching hand some TLC! :-)

So instead... I decided to give you guys a little macro spam! (My pinky says hi!)

I picked up Cosmic Forces last year when Llarowe happened to restock. (Emily de Molly is an Australian indie brand so it's hard to get in the USA). It was one of my biggest lemmings. #1 it's my favorite color, purple. #2... it's got those awesome holographic circles.

And... ahhh Oceanic Forces.... is.... mesmerizing! This has been one of my other lemmings for quite awhile, and I was lucky enough to find it in my mail box on Monday. I will have full swatches another time soon. :-) 

I ordered a polish from Philly Loves Lacquer, she has a section where you can get certain throwback polishes made (as long as she still has the supplies). I've wanted Saturnalian quite awhile. It was a color in her winter collection last year. Saturnalian is a scattered holo turquoise. It's pretty opaque in just one coat too, though I used two coats below. I'll swatch this another time too! So just enjoy the macro for now! :)

Esther; besides the obvious; (you know, being a fellow Philadelphian). ;-) Is also really nice. She was recently at the 30th Street Station craft fair, that was actually outside my office. Only... the day I was supposed to go in June- it rained and got canceled. (Friday the 13th too, how about that?!) And then, when it was finally rescheduled; I was already furloughed from work, and waiting for my unemployment to kick in... so I didn't have money for train fare, or even spending money, boo. So, I didn't get down there to meet her or buy any polish in person. :-(

(To be brief; I've been a seasonal employee at my job for the past 12 years, so I usually have off 3-6 months out of the year) 

Esther and I are friends on Facebook, and before the 1st craft fair had gotten canceled she said she had a #RAOK for me which was really sweet. So, I had an included surprise when my Philly Loves Lacquer order arrived on Monday! I've probably never been so surprised opening a package... especially when it's something you've really wanted for awhile! She sent me Oceanic Forces. That was incredibly sweet of her to do. :) I will have to pay it (#raok) forward sometime soon.

@ZoyaNailPolish: Naturel Deux Collection

✯ PR Sample ✯

Today I have the Zoya Naturel Deux Collection. This collection is meant as a palette cleanser as we transition from summer into fall. The Naturel Deux Collection is darker than the first collection. (Click here to see last years Naturel Collection). All of the colors in this collection go on smoothly and evenly in two coats. I used Seche Vite topcoat on all the swatches below.

Click below to see more! :-)

Press Release: China Glaze The Giver Collection

✯ Press Release ✯

It’s time to “Color Your Destiny” with the bright colors and rich textures of China Glaze’s exclusive The Giver nail polish collection.  Inspired by the most anticipated movie release of the summer, the collection combines bold and neutral crèmes, and a gorgeous glitter to create 12 limited edition shades. 

Influenced by the powerful themes and message of the story, The Giver collection by China Glaze brings key moments and characters to color, particularly the main character Jonas (portrayed by Brendon Thwaites) and his friend Fiona (portrayed by Odeya Rush) as he struggles to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his seemingly ideal community. The film will open in theatres Friday, August 15, 2014.  

China Glaze, The Giver limited edition nail polish collection is available now at beauty supply stores nationwide including Sally Beauty and Ulta stores.  Individual shades retail for $7.50 MSRP.

@Azature Summer 2014 Collection

✯ PR Sample ✯

Azature sent me their lovely Summer 2014 Collection to review. Five beautiful bright pigment rich colors. The bottle shape is unique too. Each polish contains one real black diamond in the bottle. And, all the colors in this collection are opaque in one coat! I have great love for nail lacquer that is opaque in one coat! (You can either do one thick coat, or two thin coats. I did 2 coats for photos). I used Seche Vite topcoat on all the swatches below.

About Azature Nail Lacquer: Our luxurious nail color is free of Formaldehyde, Toulene, and Dibutyl Phthalate. No Animal Testing. Our polish is Vegan. 

Lavender Diamond: 

Rose Diamond:

Jade Diamond:

Lapis Diamond:

Coral Diamond:

Azature Nail Color retails for $25.00, and can be purchased on: Azature.com, or HSN.com. The price tag may throw some of you off, but it's definitely worth it. They apply so smoothly, and the brush is long and narrow for easy application. I also love that they are so bright and pigmented. I did my toes with the Rose color, and I don't think I've ever finished a pedicure so fast, since I only needed 1 coat on each toe! My favorite colors in this collection are Lavender, Rose, and Lapis.