Zoya Earth Day Polish Exchange 2015!


ZOYA EARTH DAY NAIL POLISH EXCHANGE 2015 – STARTS TUESDAY - APRIL 21, 2015!


With over 300 shades rooted in a healthy philosophy, it’s no surprise that Zoya is committed to helping you green your beauty routine! That’s why each year we give you the opportunity to exchange any old nail polish bottles that you may have laying around your house collecting dust, or that are not BIG5FREE* formulas, for brand new toxin-free** Zoya Nail Polish shades. You can rest assured that your unwanted polishes will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Helping the earth is easy… all you have to do to get started is pick out your NEW Zoya colors at zoya.com, follow the instructions below and checkout. Let us do the rest!

How the ZOYA EARTH DAY NAIL POLISH EXCHANGE works
...


1.     Visit www.zoya.com and add a minimum of 6 bottles of Zoya Nail Polish (no more than 24 bottles) to your cart. Minimum 12, maximum 48 for professional accounts.
 
2.     Apply Code: EARTHLUV and a 50% credit will be added to your exchange order - free shipping included!
 
3.     Complete checkout and you're all set! If you need further instructions (including info for our professional program) on sending back your unwanted polish click HERE.

The exchange runs on the honor system, which means you are not obligated to send in your unwanted polish - we assume you're going to do the right thing! Many people donate the polish to a local cause instead, which we fully support. If you choose to send back your polishes, please check with your carrier of choice for shipping guidelines and restrictions for nail polish. For full promotion terms & conditions and instructions on how to send in your polish, click HERE.

USE CODE: EARTHLUV
Offer valid 4/21/15 - 4/28/15 (11:59pm EST)

* **BIG5FREE, TOXIN FREE: Zoya Nail Polish Formula contains no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, toluene or camphor.

Sad sad nails...

I changed nail nail shapes a few months ago from square to round. And, for awhile my nails were growing like weeds and super strong. Then over the past month or so suddenly my nails started peeling again, which hasn't happened in awhile. :( I broke three nails last weekend, and two this week. My cuticles have also seemed like they want to peel for no reason despite my almost religious use of cuticle oil and butters, and the occasional mani bomb every other week. Blah.... needless to say I am not feeling the nail thing right now....

I'm not sure what has caused the current peeling. Maybe the transition to round tips freaked them out, or the weather changing, or the fact I hadn't used any nail treatment in months and months, (besides, my Orly Bonder base coat). I also know a few weeks ago I used a peel off glitter base coat, which ended up leaving white marks on the top of three different nails. So maybe I damaged my nail beds somehow with that. It was Glitter-a-peel, and I've used it in the past with no issues... maybe it's just a combination of things. :(

I ordered some more OPI Nail Envy since my last bottle pretty much dried up with what little was left. Decided to try the sensitive and peeling formula this time. Has anyone used that one? Hopefully it helps. I have used Nail Envy in the past, on and off and it always seemed to make the peeling go away and make my nails stronger. So hopefully it helps.


My nails actually look a bit better here, two weeks ago. This was when they had already started peeling... and after I trimmed them down after a few breaks.

These are my nails currently, and while it might not look that bad to some of you, they look icky to me. I guess they just need some TLC and a little rest. :(

I have a lot of things I want to share on the blog. But I'm giving myself a week or two weeks off to get my nails back into shape. I also finally picked up the Winstonia Store third generation stamp plates. :)


I am planning on having another giveaway soon. I already have some things set aside. *wink* So, in the meantime while I take a week or 2 off from the blog, follow me on Instagram and Facebook. I still post occasional nail of the day photos, things that don't usually make the blog, even though they are usually just cell phone photos. I also post my nail mail hauls, favorite products, etc. 

And, if you have any nail care tips that have helped you when you're nails peeled- let me know in the comments. I would love to hear them. 

Ocean Bubbles Gradient.

I've been wanting to do some beachy ocean looking nails for a little while with my Bundle Monster stamping plate BM-505.

I started with two coats of Doctor Lacquer True Compassion. (A gorgeous light cornflower blue holographic thermal polish when warm). Then I sponged Chaos & Crocodiles Sleeper Cell, on the tips of my nails. I stamped in Konad white, and topped everything off with Seche Vite topcoat. The gradient effect with the two blue polishes reminds me of the ocean.

You can view my Chaos & Crocodile swatches from the Secret Agent Collection here.

 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Tieks Inspired Nails!

I was inspired to do some nails in the colors of my new Tieks Ballet Flats. :) I used OPI Can't Find My Czechbook, and Zoya Matte Velvet in Loredana. I also used striping tape to make the diagonal lines. I really love how they turned out, the colors go so well together, and I love the shiny/matte look of them.
You can read my review on my new Tieks flats here. 
 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

My New Love: Tieks Ballet Flats!

✯ Purchased By Me ✯

*Check out this updated Tieks post.

I have lusted after Tieks ballet flats for a good 2+ years now.... I've heard great things about them, and that aqua colored sole always spoke to me. (If you've ever seen pictures of my apartment, the theme is black, white, and aqua!)

To read the rest of this post, please click below.

Chaos & Crocodile: Protocol & Reconnaissance Gradient.

I posted this on my blog's Facebook page on Sunday, but I wanted to share it here too. I got my inspiration from Amanda Loves Polish who also did some awesome holographic gradients this past week with Chaos and Crocodiles nail polishes. I used Protocol & Reconnaissance for my gradient, and stamped in Konad white with Winstonia Store stamp plate W-04. My stamping isn't perfect, but I still love how they turned out. 

You can view my Chaos & Crocodile swatches from the Secret Agent Collection here.

 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Creating Curved Watermarks for Nail Polish Photos w/ Paintshop Pro X7.

I've been wanting to do this tutorial for a little while. I get asked a lot how I create my curved watermarks on my nail polish photos. I use Paintshop Pro X7 to create my watermarks. (I had been using PSP X1 for years, but I just upgraded this past weekend to X7). There's quite a few steps involved, but once you've got the hang of it you can create a curved watermark within seconds.

*Note: I'm not sure if this tutorial can be applied to Photoshop or Gimp, as I don't use those programs. If you happen to adapt the steps below to work for you with those programs, please let me know in the comments!  

This is a very picture heavy post- if you want to read more, please click below!

SinfulColors: Spring Collection (Partial)

✯ PR Sample ✯

I was recently sent five of SinfulColors new polishes for Spring 2015. There's some new additions for spring: Bloomblast Glitters, Opalescent Toppers, and Citrus Twist Toppers.

Please click below to read the rest of this post!

Daphine Polish & Bumblesoaps!

I've mentioned my addiction to Bumblesoaps a few times before on this blog. :) They are an awesome indie bath & body company... which I am addicted to!

In February, Daphine Polish, and Bumblesoaps did a collaboration. Daphine Polish created colors to compliment some of Bumblesoaps scents. (The nail polish is scented too!) Each set came with a nail polish, and 2 or 3 Bumblesoaps products. There are 7 different colors in the collaboration collection. I ordered Twilight Nights, and Sweater Weather.


While you can no longer order the nail polish sets with the bath products. You can find the colors for sale individually on Daphine Polish, and you can also find products in these scents for sale on Bumblesoaps. 

Click below to see the rest of this review!

ZOYA NAIL POLISH MINIS FOR YOUR EASTER BASKET!

✯ Press Release ✯

You're never too old for an Easter Basket and Zoya Delight Minis are the perfect way to add a little something sweet to it without the calories! For a limited time, you can get the Zoya Nail Polish Delight shades in special Limited Edition boxes!


These color cuties are available for Pre-Order NOW and will be shipping on 3/23/15! 
Get any 5 color cuties for $20 PLUS Free Shipping! 

Use Code: MINI5

Head to www.zoya.com to pre-order these adorable minis now!

PS - they make the PERFECT gift!
 photo born-pretty-banner-1_zpsd81f0880.jpg

Lucky 13 Lacquer: Out of This World Collection (Partial)

✯ PR Sample ✯

Good morning! Today I have new to me brand I'll be sharing; Lucky 13 Lacquer. I was sent three colors from their new 'Out of this World' Collection, along with Elemental Ward, and Dark Matter. 

Please click below to read the rest of this review! 

Designed by FlexyCreatives