OPI: Limited Edition Miss Universe 2013, swatches and review

Hello there!

I have to admit I do not get "excited" about Miss Universe, as much as I used to when I was a child, but as an adult I am VERY excited about OPI's colors for Miss Universe... OH YES!

Okay let's begin with the pretty, pretty princess colors...

OPI
"I'm Feeling Sashy"
2 coats, no top coat

I am pleasantly surprised I like this color, It's a dusty pink toned purple. It's really pretty and rides that fine line between purple and pink :)

This applied very well, not too thick, not too thin..just right in two coats.

OPI
"Miss You-niverse"
2 coats, no top coat

This formula was more "gel like" than the previous color, but still no application issues.  Two coats and this went on like buttah!

This is a dark plum creme. Lovely, and I can see this as a very universal shade, which could be easily worn by varying skin tones/

OPI
"This Gown Needs A Crown"
3 coats, no top coat

This is a new "textured" polish  OPI is introducing called "Satin Finish".  After applying three coats of this silver stunner, it sparkles like a new pageant dress, LOL! Once dried, it is smooth, very much like a satin ribbon.  The handle says...

Nope, no top coat needed here.  :) I am actually wearing this now as an accent finger in my manicure, and after 3 coats I thought it was going to take a long time to dry, but it didn't. It's dried faster than regular polish, nice!

Here are pictures of it in indirect lighting...

It looks like it would dry with some slight texture, but it doesn't it is literally satiny smooth, not a bump!

Overall, these three polishes are very...pretty together, but separately they are a bit... boring.  I know the colors can not be too CRAZY for the pageant ladies, so I understand the color choices, but still, they could have jazzed it up with something for the edgier gals...right?

Don't forget to watch the Miss Universe competition on November 9, 2013.  I won't be watching, since I'll be on a plane headed for India at the time...so email me who wins, LOL! :)

MISS UNIVERSE nail lacquers each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. This Gown Needs a Crown features a satin finish and should be worn without top coat for best results. These shades will be available October 2013, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer. 

            For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

Keep It Sweet!

*Products provided by PR for review. 

Zoya "Satins" Collection Fall 2013

Are you ready for some fall satin goodness?

Zoya "Satins" Collection for Fall 2013.  Gawd, can these colors get any prettier? I am going to love this....

Zoya "Channing"
2 coats, no top coat

"Channing" is a rust colored metallic polish.  It is very pretty.  I do not like wearing colors in the "rust" family, but if it has a little "razzmatazz" to it, I'm all in!   Applied well in two coats, no streaks and no "dry time" issues. :)

I decided to top each of these shades with "Maria Luisa", which is their Special Edition Topper. It has a clear base with gold cellophane flakes. It was originally created for  Rafael Cennanmo/AW13, but they decided to re-release it in this collection as well. I am happy they did. :)

Here are pics of one coat of "Maria Luisa" over "Channing"...

Left to Right: sunlight, and indirect lighting.

Zoya "Mason"
2 coats, no top coat

WOWZA! "Mason" is a bright fuchsia metallic shimmer. It's electric. Zoya describes it as a "Fandango Pink"...I love that! OLE! :)  It's bright, but not soo bright that it's "juvenile". This color is very mature, and it is very happy on my tips, LOL!  I covered my nail in two coats, with no issues.

Here it is with the "Maria-Luisa", one coat...

Left to Right: sunlight, and indirect lighting.

Zoya "Claudine"
2 coats, no top coat

"Claudine" is a dark grey metallic. Zoya describes it as "meteorite" and I agree, it has a very steely and rock like color about it. Very strong, very cool! The brush strokes were minimal on this one, but it still applied well in two coats, no issues.

Topped with "Maria-Luisa", one coat...

Left to Right: sunlight, and indirect lighting. This combo is very nice, it reminds me of an old medieval piece of armor that has been beaten and well used.

Zoya "Neve"
2 coats, no top coat

Yep, my new favorite!!! "Neve" is a sapphire blue metallic polish originally designed for Zang Toi/AW13...Thanks Zang!  Oh yeah, this color is my new best friend! Gorgeous, and perfectly opaque in two coats.

Paired with "Maria-Luisa", one coat...

Left to Right: sunlight, and indirect lighting. Uggghhh...I'm in love! <3 p="">
Zoya "Giovanna"
2 coats, no top coat

"Giovanna" is a gorgeous emerald green metallic polish...welcome to OZ! This polish actually had the thinnest consistency, but still applied like a dream and was opaque with two coats. Seriously, doesn't this SCREAM Wizard of OZ to you?

Now topped with "Maria-Luisa"..wait for it, wait for it....

 Left to Right: sunlight, and indirect lighting. Wow, truly stunning!

Overall, I am floored by this collection, each color, brings pizazz and glamour, I love them all! Plus the topper "Maria-Luisa" is amazing, at one coat, you get amazing flakes and a perfectly smooth finish.  There is a big trend now for "solid gold flake" top coats in the nail industry, but this polish may have them all beat!

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.
Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com. Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!  $8.00 each.

*Product sent by PR for review.

Keep It Sweet!

Zoya "Cashmeres" Collection Fall 2013

Who wants to see some yummy cremes for Fall form Zoya?

Zoya "Cashmeres Collection" for Fall 2013.

Zoya
"Livingston"
2 coats, no top coat

"Livingston" is a gorgeous and rich red creme.  Nothing unique about this, just another gorgeous red creme with a perfect formula, no application issues. :)

Zoya
"Pepper"
2 coats, no top coat

"Pepper" is a brick red cream, that was originally designed for Peter Som AW/2013.  Rich and smooth, this reminds me of classic "Fall reds", not bright, just rich and luscious. Applied like a dream, no issues here.

Zoya
"Sailor"
2 coats, no top coat

"Sailor" is a rich navy blue creme. In the sunlight it definitely comes off as brighter than your average navy blue, but in low light, indoors and in indirect lighting, it is a dark navy creme for sure. I'm actually wearing this as my manicure today, 2 coats and it is perfect. Dries with a regular dry time as well.

Zoya
"Hunter"
2 coats, no top coat

"Hunter" is a deep hunter green cream. What's not to love about a good green creme for the fall. It reminds me of evergreen trees glowing in the fall sun. Lovely! Applied like a dream, no issues here.

Zoya
"Louise"
2 coats, no top coat

"Louise" is probably the perfect chocolate brown creme.  This reminds me of melted chocolate, and who doesn't love chocolate?  Actually, I am not a big fan of chocolate (the confection *gasp*), but I do love the color, LOL.  At a perfect two coats, this is a welcome color in my collection. :)

Zoya
"Flynn"
2 coats, no top coat

"Flynn"  is a Camel colored nude creme. I think this color washes out my hands a bit, so I probably will not get as much use out of it, as I will the others.  It had the thinnest formula among the group, but still applied well in two coats. :)

Overall this is nice representation of fall cremes, but none of the colors send me to the moon.  Maybe the "Satins" will send me packing?  You'll have to wait and see :)

Ultra long-wearing, nail lacquers by Zoya are BIG5FREE - all formulas are completely free of harmful industrial chemicals such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.
Find over 300 stunning Zoya colors on www.zoya.com. Each and every color has a name as unique as the women who inspired it.

ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!  $8.00 each.

*Product sent by PR for review.

Keep It Sweet!

Nicole by OPI: Two Textures...Too Sweet!

Nicole by OPI Launches Two New Selena Gomez

Gift Sets for Holiday 2013

Nicole by OPI announces two new gift sets for holiday featuring nail lacquers inspired by actress and singer Selena Gomez.  Available in October, each gift set includes a Selena Gomez lacquer plus a free mini bottle of silver Gumdrops; a limited edition matte textured shade – only available in these sets. Gift set #1 includes Pretty in Plum (this picture-perfect purple is a genuine beauty) and gift set #2 includes Scarlett (this shimmery red-violet is leading lady lovely). 

 “Perfect for holiday festivities or as a stocking stuffer, lacquer fans can try these shades separately or mix them together to create dual sparkle and texture” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. 

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.  These limited edition gift sets will be available beginning October 2013 for $7.99 each at retailers including select CVS, Ulta, Kmart, Kroger, H-E-B, Duane Reade locations. In Canada, these sets will be available for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Rexall, London Drugs, Familiprix, Uniprix and Brunet.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

About Nicole by OPI:

Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based on OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.  Known for its celebrity collaborations and partnerships, the brand invites consumers to be creative and confident by expressing themselves through color. Currently, Nicole by OPI range boasts over 120 shades, including retailer-exclusive lacquers, and serves as the color authority for the younger demographic.

*Info sent by PR

Dare to Wear "Ready For My Close-Up"

It's OCTOBER!!!!!!!

Today I have a diva dazzler for ya!

Dare to Wear "Ready For My Close-Up" from their Vintage Hollywood Collection.

3 coats, with my usual 2 coats of top coat :)

Yes, it is a fabulous glitter in a jelly base, and yes it dried smooth!!

"Ready For My Close-Up", has a dark navy blue jelly base, that goes on thin in the first coat, but the second coat is where "the magic happens". The lovely pink, purple and blue holographic glitter shine threw!

AMAZING!

Because it has such a thin jelly base, it pulled away from my tips, once I applied the top coat, even when I wrapped them. NO matter, this lasted 5 days with no chips! WOOT!

Here are pics in indirect lighting...

Gorgeous! I love this brand, and I am so happy my nail supply store carries it. The polishes are inexpensive, and have a great formula. Win-Win!

That is the kind of "sparkle" a gal can fall in love with! *swoon*

Keep It Sweet!