OPI Halloween Peanuts Collection Manicure

Yep, I am super duper behind in my swatching and reviews. November was a very hectic and busy month for me, with trails, traveling and the holidays...oh and my birthday! :)

I am a huge Peanuts fan, so when OPI teamed up with them to release a collection I was very happy!

Instead of swatching each individual color, I decided to show me my manicure using the colors.

Left to Right: OPI "Good Grief!", "Where's My Blanket???", "Who Are You Calling Bossy?!?", and "To Be Or Not To Beagle".

I appled "Good Grief" to 3 of my nails", and applied "Who Are You calling Bossy ?!?" to my ring finger.   I added a matte top coat to my index finger for added dimension.  To my middle finger I applied "Where's My Blanket???" and to the pinkie I applied "To Be Or Not To Beagle", both in one coat.

"Good Grief" is an amazing yellow, and it applied well in two coats. Because yellows are notoriously hard to apply, I made sure my second coats was thick.  The added matte top coat really makes it pop, I think I love it more with the matte top coat, than without.

OPI "Who Are You calling Bossy ?!?" is the "Lucy" polish and since I LOVE her, I love it! It's basically a black creme, but this has a more "jelly" formula, so two coats is definitely required.

"Where's My Blanket" is a clear based multi glitter with black, peach and light yellow hex glitter. This was not thick or clumpy and went on well in one coat. :)

"To Be Or Not To Beagle" is another favorite of mine, that went on well in one coat. With a clear base and a multitude of colors in it, this is a great confetti glitter. It has black, white, red, blue peach, yellow, and green glitter.  The perfect colors you would find in a Peanuts comic strip!

My favorite is "To Be Or Not To Beagle" and "Good Grief".  :)

 Which one is your favorite? Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Here is my spooky manicure!

I poked around pinterest to get some easy nail ideas.  I'll breakdown the nail designs with each nail individually.

Index "Frankenstein" Nail:  I applied 2 coats of Zoya "Josie", and once it was semi-dry, I applied KBShimmer "Eclipse" with a brush in a track-like pattern, ALA Frankenstein.

Middle "Who's out there?" Nail: I applied 2 thin coats of KBShimmer "Eclipse". Once it was semi-dry (dry to the touch), I applied OPI "Alpine Snow" and Sally Hansen "Mellow Yellow" (old version) with a dotting tool.  Once that was "semi-dry", I applied KBShimmer "Eclipse" with a smaller dotting tool to the centers in varying angles. :)

Ring "Web" Nail: I don't like spiders, but I don't mind webs. I applied 2 coats of Orly "Shine" (my favorite silver) , and once it was "semi-dry", I applied KBShimmer "Eclipse", with a nail striping brush. This is a brush that is very long and makes great straight lines. Then, I  followed it up with a smaller brush to make the web-connections.   The connections were much harder, I'll have to perfect my technique with a thinner brush than I used.

Pinkie "Vampire" Nail: Super easy.  I applied 1 coat of OPI "Alpine Snow- Matte", and then 1 coat of regular OPI "Alpine Snow"

NOTE: I've discovered when working with white polishes, that if you first apply a matte version then the regular version, you get less drag and complete opaqueness without waiting for the dry time.

After that was "semi-dry", I applied, 3 red dots using "Zoya "Rekha" with a dotting tool, and then 3 red thin lines using a nail art brush, down towards the tip of the nail. I filled the rest of the tip using the brush, to make it look more "blood-like".

Thumb "Eyeball" Nail: This was a bit harder.  First I applied two coats of OPI "Alpine Snow", using the same method I used on the "Vampire Nail", then I applied  Zoya "Yummy" using my largest dotting tool, and smoothed it out in a circular motion, until I thought it was the right size. Getting this to be a "perfect" circle was hard for me. :( Once it was "semi-dry", I applied KBShimmer "Eclipse" with a dotting tool, on top.

While that was drying, I drew on the red veins using Zoya "America", with a nail art brush.  Then I grabbed OPI "Alpine Snow" and made a small dot, at an angle.  

NOTE: To clean up the blue eye, I used OPI "Alpine Snow-Matte" to quickly and easily cover-up the not-so "circular parts".  Matte polishes are perfect for covering up mistakes.  They are super opaque and dry fast.

I waited 20 minutes, before I applied my final 2 coats of top coat, because of the all the varying layers.

 















Overall, I am in LOVE with my Halloween Manicure!

Happy Halloween! Keep It Sweet!

KBShimmer "Jack" is BACK!

Hello to you, my "Bit O' Honey's", LOL!

Today I have my review of the Limited Edition Halloween Release from KBShimmer called "Jack".

Now,  since "Jack" is one of the many nicknames my friends have given me over the years, I instantly fell in love with this polish. <3 nbsp="" p="">

"Jack" is a re-release, but don't snooze on this beauty, it will only be here for a limited time, before it is GONE GONE GONE!

KBShimmer "Jack"
2 coats with 1 coat of top coat

"Jack is a black jelly with orange hex glitters, a scattering or orange micro slices and black hexes and shreds.  3 coats provides full coverage with tons of depth, or layer over black to make the orange really pop!" 

I applied two coats on my manicure, hoping you would be able to see the "black shreds", but I think they are all covered up by the second coat.  But at least you can see that this is a true jelly, that can become opaque in 2-3 coats,  GORGEOUS! 

"Jack" dries to a glossy shine, and only needs one coat of top coat to finish him off.  I also added a matte top coat to my ring finger, so you can see the difference.  I love how matte top coats make glitters so much better. :)

This applied very well. Remember with KBShimmer glitters, the first coat will be thin, and a bit uneven. KBShimmer glitters are "build-able",  which means that the first coat is only there so that the second and third coats can build-off of them.  Once I applied the second coat, everything was perfect. 

I'm mad, that I banged my pinkie, while heading out the door :(   But it was easily fixed, since my top coat of Seche Vite hadn't fully tried yet.   

When I wear this again, I'll do three full coats, or two coat over "Eclipse".

You can grab this beauty at KBShimmer.   Get him before he's gone!

Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review. 

Zoya: No Tricks, Just Treats!

Forget the tricks - today it’s all about the TREAT! We want you to have an extra Happy Halloween, so let’s set aside the creepy costumes and horror films (at least for a minute) and focus on our favorite part - the goodies! Now you can treat yourself with any 3 Zoya Nail Polish shades for just $15. With Zoya's selection of over 300 different shades in a variety of flawless finishes, you'll be ready to dress up your nails beyond Halloween!

Get ANY 3 Zoya Nail Polishes for $15
NOW (10/29/14) – Sunday, November 2 (11:59pm EST).http://www.zoya.com/content/category/Zoya-Nail-Polish-Halloween-Treats.html
Use Code:
ZOYATREATS

How it works:1. Add at least three nail polish colors to your shopping bag along with any additional items you would like to purchase.
2. Enter code ZOYATREATS into the coupon code field and press “Apply Code”.
3. Complete check out, review and submit order.

Share the spirit of Halloween with your friends - Tag and share using #ZoyaTreats so no one misses out!

*Terms and Conditions
Valid online only at www.zoya.com through 11/02/14, 11:59pm EST. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons, codes or promotions. Shipping & Handling fees apply. Continental US only. Excludes Zoya Nail Treatments and Color Spoons. Art of Beauty is not responsible for incorrect addresses, credit card entry errors, web related issues or any errors associated with declined credit cards. Returns or exchanges of promotional items not permitted. Code must be entered at time of purchase. One code per account - code cannot be reinstated for canceled orders. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing if volume warrants it.

Enter The Zoya Color Laboratory!

Go Mad For Zoya & WIN*!

Are you "MAD" for Zoya?! Now's your chance to bring the color of your dreams to life! Step inside our virtual color labooooooratory (muahahaha) to experiment with color and finishes to "mix" your very own shade. The Zoya color animator offers various pieces and parts (finishes, opacity and hues) to play with - feel free to use the description section to elaborate on your masterpiece. Give your creation a name, submit it, and there's a chance we will bring it to life!

NOW - Thursday, October 31st (10:00am ET) Piece together your creation for a chance to have it custom created just for you! The highest voted shade will win, so don’t forget to share your creation with your friends and family after it's been submitted!

http://www.zoya.com/content/category/Halloween_Color_Lab_2014

How It Works:

1. Go CRAZY! (You know we are) Create a custom shade using the Zoya Polish Animator
2. Name your creation and describe any additional elements you would add to the polish.
3. Submit (and don't forget to share!) your custom shade for a chance to bring it to life! Have more than one color you’re mad about? Create as many as you'd like!
4. One winner will be selected on October 31, 2014 at 9am EST

*Terms and Conditions
Purchase not necessary to enter. Valid Art of Beauty account required in order to participate. Enter NOW through 10/31/14 (9:00am ET). One winner will be selected and contacted by 5pm ET 10/31/14. Please allow up to two weeks for production of custom shades. Winning shades will be created based on Zoya's Creative Director's interpretation of the description and cannot be returned, exchanged or duplicated at a later date.

*Info. provided by PR

China Glaze: Monsters Ball Halloween 2013 Collection, selected swatches and review

I almost forgot I had these swatched and ready to go, LOL!  I have been sooooo busy planning and preparing for my trip next month, that I have fallen behind in my post, bare with me :)

China Glaze "Howl You Doin' "
2 coats with top coat

LOVE! Gorgeous! Deep wine purple gel-like base(crelly) with indigo and copper glitters, and shards. Not the easiest to apply, a bit uneven at times, but I got it all covered in 2 coats.  It dries a bit "matte", so I applied top coat for my pics.

China Glaze "Bat My Eyes"
2 coats with top coat

Not bad! Black jelly base with gold and copper multi-shaped and sized glitter. I applied top coat, so you can see how much this beauty shines.   Can you see the copper bars?

This went on well in two coats, super easy to apply and wear, I really like it! It does dry a bit bumpy, but a good layer of top coat can fix that. :)

China Glaze "Boo-Gie Down"
2 coats, over a bare nail, no top coat

I couldn't figure out what to layer this one over, so I decided to go NAKED! LOL! A clear base with black, white and copper glitter, applied well in 2 coats.

Hexs, bars and dots...OH MY!  This polish screams "HALLOWEEN", but it's not for me. I'll make sure it finds a nice home somewhere else, LOL!

There are other colors in the collection, the preview post is HERE.  Out of these, my favorites are "Howl You Doin' " and "Bat My Eyes", theses are perfect for Halloween!

China Glaze Monsters Ball will be available in October 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores. 

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. 

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
*Product sent by PR for review. 

China Glaze invites you to the "Monsters Ball", Halloween 2013 Preview.

COME ONE, COME ALL: YOU'RE INVITED TO THE MONSTERS BALL

China Glaze Introduces Six Limited Edition Shades for Halloween 2013

This October, you're invited to celebrate with the ghosts and ghouls at the darkly decadent Monsters Ball, hosted by China Glaze. Attended by spooky sparkles and tantalizing textures, you're sure to have a hauntingly good time with this limited edition six-piece collection shrouded in mystery and dripping with lavish color.

Dance the night away in six colors and finishes perfect for All Hallows Eve:

• Howl You Doin': Shadowy purple glitter
• Bat My Eyes: Ominous gold glitter
• Boo-Gie Down: Multi-sized orange, black and white glitter
• Fang-Tastic: Mysteriously mixed up green, blue and magenta glitter
• Bump In The Night: Hair-raising black texture
• Ghoulish Glow: Glow-in-the-Dark top coat

Ideal for creating holiday manicures that are a true work of art, the China Glaze Monsters Ball display features artwork by renowned artist Abigail Larson, best known for her illustrations inspired by the various things that go bump in the night.

China Glaze Monsters Ball will be available in October 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores. 

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. 

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

*Info sent by PR. 

Halloween SPAM!

Okay so I had a lot of post set up for this month, but not enough days to post them all, so today you get HALLOWEEN SPAM!!

First up is a Manicure #1, "Holo Hills".

2 coats of Orly "Goth", then I used some scarp-booking scissors and frog-tape to make the "hills design", using OPI "Paris Couture For Sure". 

Then I used my dotting tool and the OPI to make "the stars" bigger. :)

Manicure #2. For this one I used some of the China Glaze Halloween Colors for 2012. 

Left to Right: China Glaze "Bizarre Blurple", "Rougish Red", "Bizarre Blurple" topped with "Glitter Goblin", and "Rougish Red".

"Bizarre Blurple" applied perfectly in 2 coats, gorgeous. "Rougish Red" was a bit difficult and I needed 3 coats to cover up bald spots. :(

"Bizarre Blurple" with 1 coat of "Glitter Goblin" on top is AMAZING! Glitter Goblin is orange, silver and purple glitter in a clear base and it is amazing! Applied easily and dries relatively smoothly, no issues. 

Left Hand

Right Hand. All the colors are the same except the accent finger is "Rougish Red" topped with "Glitter Goblin. :)

Manicure #3...R.I.P.

2 coats of Orly "R.I.P." new for the Halloween season this 2012. RIP has a great black jelly base with Orange hexagon shaped glitter and smaller golden orange glitter. Applied easily and was opaque in 2 coats. 

So pretty!

Happy Halloween! and Keep It Sweet!