Skater Ramp Manicure!

It's that time of year again, SUMMER or as I like to call it "The time when my nephew sends me repeat iMessages asking for a ride to the skate park", LOL!

Yep, I know he will ask me at least a couple of times, and this summer I may even say "yes", LOL!

So this manicure is for him!

I used two new colors to the Nicole by OPI collection, "Teal Me Something New" and "This Blue Is So You!".

I applied two coats of each color to the corresponding nail, and then I topped the opposite colors on the center fingers, using a swiping motion with the brush. No stickers, tape or stencils.

Because N.O.P.I's formula is not the most opaque in one coat, it took several swipes and coats to get the top color to cover the nail in the ramp design.

"Teal Me Something New" is a an amazing teal green creme. GORGEOUS and covers well in two coats, however this one stained my nail beds HORRIBLY!  I actually had an idea that this would stain, so I applied two coats of base coat, but it still stained some of the edges of my nail bed. :(

"This Blue Is So You!" is a muted dark blue creme... not black and not navy, just dark blue. Great in two coats for a regular manicure, but not thick enough or opaque enough for layering nail art.

The teal creme covered amazingly well. The dark blue did not cover as well, and left a couple bald spots on the ramp design. :( No matter, I think I'll replicate this for an upcoming manicure for an event, using another brand. :)

Now that I am looking at this design, it also reminds me of the old Atari symbol.  You can grab these colors and others by Nicole by OPI, at your local drugstore or Target  :)

Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review.

Easter Day Manicure

Happy Easter Everyone!

I did a special manicure today, inspired by a manicure I saw on Pinterest using, my new Cult Nails color and the two of the newest additions to the Nicole by OPI Core Line.

Nicole by OPI "I Shop Mintage", Cult Nails "Casual Elegance", and "Nicole by OPI "Teal Me Something New".

Isn't it cute?  I love it, and it is supposed to be reminiscent of Easter eggs. :)  I started off with one coat of the base color (alternating fingers and colors) and then I added the 2nd layer of color with a wave pattern only 2/3 up on the nail.  I used thin layers, since I applied a full coat to the tip, and not just a wavy line. After that,  I applied the 3rd and final color in the same wave pattern to the lower half of the nail.

The original nail tutorial was on Pinterest via bellasugar.com, HERE.  Easy peasy!

The Cult Nails, "Casual Elegance" applied AMAZINGLY well! It is basically a one coater and it is a stunning light lilac creme. Smooth application and excellent drying time.

NOPI "I Shop Mintage" is a yellow based mint green creme. It was thin and did not apply well in one coat, so I made the 2nd coat thick which required a longer dry time.

NOPI "Teal Me Something New" is good. No application issues, and is a nice bright vivid teal green color.  I was scared it would stain, so I applied 2 layers of base coat just in case.  I'll update later, if it does stain *fingers crossed* :)

After I was done, I wasn't sure that anyone would recognize my nails as "eggs", but when my nephew saw them he said "Hey, they look like Easter eggs" :)  He is so observant!

Happy Easter and  Happy Resurrection Day, and I hope all of you have a blessed and joyous day .

Keep It Sweet!

*OPI provided the two products for review

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection, swatches and review

If you love textured polishes, then you will love these new ones from Nicole by OPI.

Roughles or "Ruffles" as the gals are calling them are HERE! I know everyone has been searching for these everywhere, so if you see them and you like them, buy them!

I've heard they have been spotted at Walmart and CVS, but usually the displays are so small that they are emptied rather quickly. :(

Let's begin...

Nicole by OPI "Sand In My Shoe"
2 coats, no top coat

This is a sunny yellow textured creme with tiny specks of orange. This is bright and pretty, easy to wear and applied well in 2 coats.

Nicole by OPI "I'm Stucco On You"
2 coats, no top coat

This is a favorite for me. This is a bright lilac purple with specks of reddish purple and blue in the polish. At 2 coats, it is my favorite!

Nicole by OPI "On What Grounds?"
2 coats, no top coat

I sooo wanted to love this, but nope, I don't!  Bright turquoise textured base with blue and grey specks. Went on well in 2 coats, no complaints about that, just something about the color and the texture on my hands, does not "do it" for me :( I also wish he specks were more prominent :(

Nicole by OPI "Rock the Look"
2 coats, no top coat

A pale bubble gum pink with reddish orange and soft grey specks. I actually like this one, it reminds me of a fresh strawberry shake. :) 2 coats and it was perfect!

Overall, I'm 50/50 about this collection. I love the texture with the added specks...love! But, the colors mixed with the texture don't always work for me, and they seem to fall FLAT. The application was great, and the dry time was a bit longer than the usual texture dry time, but besides that, it was just "meh" with me.

I think I will try them with one coat of top coat, to help the colors POP.  Maybe I'll love them all then :)
My favorites are the purple and the pink, those win for me!

Have you found these in the stores? Which stores?

Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review

Nicole by OPI: Modern Family color, swatches and review

Yep, I found another Holiday collection that was buried underneath many other polishes...Opps!

Is it just me, or did we have A LOT of holiday collections this past holiday?  It is probably just me, trying to find an excuse why this mini-collection was lost in my collection, LOL!

So here they are, The Modern Family Collection for Holiday 2013... but still very applicable today  :)

Nicole by OPI
"Late Blu-Mer", 2 coats, no top coat

This blue is very pretty and still very relevant for this Spring.  This is a bright blue metallic shimmer, very pretty and easy to wear.  I have to apologize for my application, I have a long standing battle with NOPI brushes, and they seem to WIN every time, LOL!

Nicole by OPI
1 coat of "Spark The Conversation" over "Late Blu-Mer".

OKAY...I left this upside down for 15 minutes before I applied it, and I still got THIS :(  Color me UNIMPRESSED.  These large holographic square glitter suspended in a clear base are appealing, but after the fight of getting them on the nail, I QUIT! Also, I was not prepared for the base to turn cloudy like it did. True they have been sitting in a box on my shelf since November, but that base should not be cloudy after only a couple months :(

Nicole by OPI
"Who Red My Journal???", 2 coats, no top coat

Another metallic shimmer, except this one is red with orange undertones. It's very pretty, but nothing that "WOWS ME".  

Nicole by OPI
1 coat of "You're My Treasure" over "Who Read My Journal???"

Much better with the gold topper.  This glitter topper was much easier to apply too, I didn't have to hold the bottle upside down for 15 minutes before applying, plus the base did not turn cloudy either :)

Nicole by OPI
"Aren't Families Grape?", 2 coats no top coat

Metallic purple shimmer, this is very pretty and is perfect for Spring, plus this color would be perfect on spring-time toes-ies!

Overall my favorites are "Late Blu-Mer", "You're My Treasure", and "Aren't Families Grape?".

Nicole by OPI products can be purchased at your local Target and Walmart as well as several local drugstores.

*Product provided by PR for review.

Nicole by OPI and Dove Chocolate, bring on the chocolate! Swatches and Review

Yep, I received in the mail nail polish and dark chocolate.  I was excited about the colors, and my family was more excited about the chocolate, win-win for everyone!

Left to Right: Nicole by OPI "Promises In The Dark" and "Better After Dark"

Nicole by OPI "Promises In The Dark"

2 coats, no top coat

"Promises In The Dark" is a gorgeous dark chocolate cream.  Applied well in two coats and dried to a nice glossy shine. 

Nicole by OPI "Better After Dark"

2 coats, no top coat

"Better After Dark" is a smooth milk chocolate with added pink shimmer.  The shimmer is noticeable in the bottle and on the nail. Very pretty and feminine with the added shimmer. Covered well in two coats and dried to a nice shine. 

Overall, I like the concept for both, but "Promises In The Dark" is my favorite. You can't go wrong with a nice deep chocolate brown. 

If you really like these colors you can try and win your won bottles...keep reading! :)

DOVE^® Dark Chocolate and NICOLE by OPI^® celebrate the New Year with the launch of the “Discover Your Dark Side in the New Year Sweepstakes.”  The Facebook-based promotion will randomly award 25,000 entrants with two exclusive NICOLE by OPI^® nail lacquer shades inspired by DOVE^® Dark Chocolate: “Better After Dark” and “Promises in the Dark.”

As the #1 solid dark chocolate on the market[1], the unique, silky-smooth taste of DOVE^® Dark Chocolate lives up to people’s expectations of what chocolate should taste like. Available in four varieties, including new DOVE^®Silky Smooth Sea Salt Caramel Dark Chocolate, DOVE^® uses carefully selected cocoa beans to deliver its signature taste and a special process that delivers the unique, silky-smooth texture.

“In 2014, we want to encourage people to discover the delicious taste of DOVE^® Dark Chocolate, which offers a creamy taste experience that shatters the perception that dark chocolate tastes bitter,” said Roy Benin, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. “With this sweepstakes, we’re putting the silky-smooth taste of DOVE^® Dark Chocolate at people’s fingertips with the always smooth nail polish experience from NICOLE by OPI^®.”

Enter the “Discover Your Dark Side in the New Year Sweepstakes”

From now through February 5, 2014, DOVE^® Chocolate Facebook fans can enter once per day for a chance to win one (1) of the 25,000 NICOLE by OPI^® kits, which include:

§  A coupon for a free DOVE^® Dark Chocolate Bar (1.34 oz. - 1.44 oz.)

§  Better After Dark NICOLE by OPI^® Nail Lacquer Bottle

§  Promises in the Dark NICOLE by OPI^® Nail Lacquer Bottle

To enter, simply “like” the DOVE^® Chocolate Facebook page and click on the Sweepstakes tab (https://www.facebook.com/dovechocolate/app_548734081871225) to enter your name, email address, shipping address and date of birth.  The Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States who are age 13 or older on or before December 27, 2013. All winners will be selected at random by an independent agency in the week following the sweepstakes. 

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dovechocolate or www.facebook.com/nicolebyopi.

Keep It Sweet!

*Product provided by PR for review

Nicole by OPI unveils a new line of nail care products!

I'm back!

Yes, I took an extended "vacay" after my Indian travels, to refresh and regroup myself. I'm back and ready to blog, LOL!

What better way to rehab my nails, than to re-hydrate, refresh and protect them with new products by Nicole by OPI!

NOPI has released a new cuticle pen, 3 in 1 base coat, quick dry top coat and a matte top coat.  So I decided to try out the first three products on my most recent manicure.

I started out with the base coat, then applied 2 coats of my color and then topped it with the quick dry top coat.  For the entire week, I ditched my usual cuticle oils and pens and used their pen exclusively.

The results after 4 days...


Wearing Zoya "Belinda" and on the pinkie Ruby Wing "Festival"

Not bad!  4 days, minor tip wear, and no major chips!  The base coat was super easy to apply, and dried quickly, the top coat applied in record time, very close in time to my go-to "Seche Vite".  The top coat was thinner than Seche Vite and did not dry to the "high shine" that SV delivers, but it wasn't bad at all.

The cuticle pen was amazing, and smells like sweet fruits, watermelon, berries, very candy-licious!  It has a brush head and glides on very easily. To apply all you have to do is squeeze the tube and brush it on.  The pen is leak proof too, so you can safely drop it in your purse with no worries. :)

I am a huge fan of cuticle pens, and this one went immediately into my purse. Which is why there are no pictures of it, LOL...sorry :(

Overall, even-though I love the base products I use, I really like the base coat and the cuticle pen the best. I need to try the matte top coat next.

You can find these in your local drugstore or big-box store, and all the products retail for $7-$10 dollars.

Keep It Sweet!

*Products provided for review.