Painted Polish: Effie & District 12

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

I picked up the other two Painted Polish nail polishes I've been wanting. There was a New Year's sale so I ordered Effie & District 12 this time. Last time I ordered 'Girl on Fire' and 'Kiss me Teal Midnight'. (Effie, District 12 and Girl on Fire are all from Painted Polishes Hunger Games inspired collection).

Effie is just gorgeous. It's an aqua green cream with little matte holographic circles and glitter. The glitter is pink, green, blue, orange. It's reminds me of springtime. I did 3 coats with a seche vite topcoat and then I also tried a matte topcoat with NYC Matte About You. (press sample). I think I like Effie even more when it's matte!

District 12 is a black jelly polish with holographic circle and diamond glitter. The holo circles make me think of planets in outer space. I also did 3 coats of this and placed some of the glitter's strategically with the brush. I did two coats of Seche Vite to give it that glossy jelly look. I also tried a matte topcoat, but I like District 12 better when it's glossy.

Which polish do you like? Effie or District 12? Shiny or matte?

P.S. I updated my disclosure page with explanations for the terms used at the top of some of my blog posts. I wanted to make sure it was easy for my readers to understand. You can find the new explanations on the disclosure page underneath the current policy.

Nubar: Rockin' The Garden

I picked this polish up a few months ago but I haven't really worn it until now. Nubar, Rockin' The Garden. It's a pretty slate blue with green/blue shimmer. The formula is a bit sheer so I needed 3 coats to make it opaque. I used two different stamping plates. Winstonia Store 2nd gen plate W212 for the dandelion fluff and MoYou London Kitty 11 for the bird. Topped off with one coat of Seche Vite.

 

Fairy Nails with Zoya Rue.

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

When I saw Winstonia Store 2nd generation plate W208 it made me think of the "Zoya Fairies" who help create all the gorgeous Zoya nail polish colors. So of course I had to use a Zoya nail polish to help create this look.

I used two coats of Zoya Rue (press sample) from the Naturel's collection. Then one coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust (perfect for fairy nails right?) I stamped with Konad special white polish and used 1 coat of Seche Vite topcoat.

Dutch Windmill Nails.

✯ Press Samples Mentioned ✯

I couldn't resist playing with my new Winstonia Store 2nd generation stamp plates tonight. When I saw plate W218, the windmills immediately reminded me of my Mom in Law. She loves collecting anything with windmills. So I decided to do Dutch windmill china nails.

I started with a base of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Whirlwind White. Then I stamped with Cult Nails in Wack Slacks, then 1 coat of Seche Vite topcoat before I used the NYC Matte About You topcoat (press sample). I smudged the one flower stamp a little, but I still love how they turned out.

P.S. I got an OttLite! There's a been a lot of discussion about them in the Hobby Polish Bloggers group I am a member of on Facebook. The Mercurial Magpie posted a coupon code for this OttLite at Jo-Ann's so I had to order one. Can't beat that sale price either?!

(The free shipping code is: SHJP2012)

This is my setup for taking photos. I have my lightbox on my dining room table when I use it. I'm still using one of the clamp lamps as well as the OttLite. The OttLite definitely gives off a more natural light than the CFL bulbs I use. The nail photo above was taken using the OttLite tonight. Depending on what kind of lighting I need,  I sometimes use one or two clamp lights on the sides of my light tent.

My Equipment List: 

• Two Clamp Lamps from Lowes.
• Utilitech 18-Watt Daylight (5000K) CFL Bulbs
(I have switched my clamp lights bulbs over to these Ottlite bulbs).
• One Ottlite High Definition Lamp.
• 12x12 Softbox from Cowboy Studio.
• Sony Cyber-Shot W830 20.1 MP
• Corel Paintshop Pro XI.

Dance Legend Chameleon: Sully

I finally got Dance Legend Chameleon: Sully (096) in the latest Llarowe restock. It's been on my wishlist for awhile now. :-)

The other colors in the Chameleon collection look a little too similar to some of the ILNP ultra chromes I already own, but Sully has more aqua green and purple. It's gorgeous. The formula is a bit sheer, so I put two coats over a coat of black polish. Depending on the light shift you see aqua, blue, green, purple, pink. Aqua and purple are most prominent.

Guess what else arrived today... my Winstonia Store 2nd generation stamp plates! Whoo hoo! I can't wait to play with these. Winstonia was my first set of stamping plates, so I'm really happy they've come out with a 2nd generation. So many new designs to play with!

*All items were purchased by myself. 

Press Release: Zoya Awaken Spring 2014

✯ Press Release ✯

Get Ready for Zoya Awaken: Spring 2014 collection!

Awaken by Zoya - Six new, full-coverage, dew-drenched creams and gold-kissed metallic nail polish colors for Spring 2014. Full of pure pigment, intense color and modern complexity that will take you far beyond the hazy, barely there hues of seasons past into a new world of chromatic joy. 

•Dillon: Green Mint Shimmer Metallic Full Coverage Formula.
•Rebel: Blue Sky Shimmer Metallic, Full Coverage Formula.
•Hudson: Purple Orchid Shimmer Metallic, Full Coverage Formula.
•Dot: Pink Petal Cream, Full Coverage Formula.
•Cole: Peach Whisper Cream, Full Coverage Formula. 

•Brooklyn: White-Gold Shimmer Metallic, Full Coverage Formula.

These colors will retail for $9.00 USD each. 

                                         
 PLUS, A SPECIAL EDITION TOPPER...

Create a nail color masterpiece. The multi-colored, holographic flakes of Zoya Monet lend an impressionistic color change option to existing color palettes. Never boring, this artistic topper can be applied as an accent or used as an overall color changer.

• Monet: Multi-Color, Cellophane Holographic Topper.

Monet will retail for $10.00 USD. 

What do you think of the Spring 2014 Awaken collection? I think I'm most excited for Dillon, Rebel, Hudson and the Monet topper!

The Awaken Collection will be available on Zoya.com, early spring.

Philadelphia Eagle's Nails

✯ Press Samples Mentioned ✯

I'm not much of a sports person and not really a football person... but my family is. So, since I'm also a Philadelphian and the Eagles have a big game tonight I decided to do some football themed nails.

I started with two coats of NYC Color in Precious Peacock (press sample) over one coat of black polish. Then I stamped with Konad special white polish and Winstonia Store stamp plate W103. I applied one coat of Seche Vite topcoat before using the NYC Matte About You topcoat (press sample), so I wouldn't smear the design.

Edited: Oh well... just heard the Eagles lost. :-p

Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

✯ PR Sample ✯

Happy 2014! Today I have some Sally Hansen Salon Effects to share. These were sent to me for review. When I first started getting into nail polish in 2010 I was addicted to the salon effect nail strips. Mainly because you get instant gratification with nail art without all the mess that comes with doing it yourself.

Sally Hansen salon effects are real nail polish strips that last up to 10 days. You can remove them with regular nail polish remover. They are available in 24 designs and you can find them at mass retailers and grocery/drug stores. They usually retail for around $7.99, but I've seen them for as low as $5.00 at Five Below.

Salon Effects are perfect if you don't like changing your polish often or if you have a special event to attend and want to have some nail art on your nails without all the work.

In each Salon Effects kit you get 16 nail polish strips in various sizes, plus a nail file, orange stick and directions. You pick out the nail strips that fit each finger best. You don't have to worry too much about messing up because if you align it wrong, just peel up the strip and try again.

Once you align the strip, press it down with a firm rolling motion on your nail until it's completely covered. You use the included file to file off the excess around your nail tip. Use the orange stick to press down the strip around your cuticle and nail sides (use the flat side), doing this step helps the strips last longer.

If you've never applied the strips before it will probably take you a good 30+ minutes to do both hands. Once you get the hang of it you can do both hands in 10-15 minutes.

Apply 1-2 coats of clear topcoat once you're done applying the strips. This step isn't necessary, but it will help the strips last much longer. It may be body chemistry, but I've gotten almost 2 weeks of wear out of the Salon Effects by using a clear coat. There will be some tip wear, chipping and growth after 1 week, but you can stretch out the wear time by using a topcoat.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Mane Event

 Sally Hansen Salon Effects: The Bold Rush

Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Sweet Marble Floret

NOTE: If you purchase these please check & make sure you have two of the foil strip packs in each box. The boxes aren't sealed & some people have gotten home to find someone stole the other foil packet. This almost happened to me at Walmart once.

What do you think of Sally Hansen Salon Effects? Have you used them?