Monday, January 24, 2011

OPI: Katy Perry - Part 1

Last week I was lucky enough to grab the Katy Perry OPI Collection at my local JC Penney Salon, so today I have 2 from the collection.

I present the glitters..shattered!  I was super excited about these two, because I had seen pictures of them under the Black Shatter polish, but one seriously disappointed me, the other surprised me.

OPI" Last Friday Night"















On the index and middle finger, I have 2 coats and on the ring finger and the pinkie I have 3 coats.

I wanted to love this, but the sheerness disappoints me..seriously :(  The application was like most glitters in a jelly base, a bit thick, but no real application issues.

The 2 coaters dried nicely, but the 3 coaters, took forever to dry, so then I decided to top them all with OPI's Black Shatter topcoat.















On this one I have one coat of Black Shatter with a clear top coat only on the index finger and the ring finger, so you can see how it looks with and without a top coat. The crackle look isn't new to me, I have several bottles of European brands that I've received from swaps, and I like the concept alot.

With the "Black Shatter" I felt this was much better, but I still have issues.  The Black Shatter is awesome, the OPI prowide brush makes all the difference in applying crackle colors.  It allows you to apply them in one (almost one) thick clean coat.  Because crackle colors dry so fast, fast application is VERY NECESSARY!
















The shatter looks great on the 3 coater, but it seriously is thick on my nail.  The 2 coater feels better (not as thick), but you can still see the visible nail line, so this isn't working with me, which makes me sad, because I love blues and I was hoping this would work :(















I'll have to play with this one to make it work, because the glitter polish has serious bling!

Next....

OPI "Teenage Dream"
2 coats















It's pink...and I loved it?...I'm shocked..I must be caught in some kind of "Bizarro World"...LOL.  2 coats and this was perfect.  This covered my nail line enough that I had no issues with it at all.  This is what I wanted the blue one to be. :)





























And the bling did NOT disappoint, so when I added Black Shatter and a top coat.... BAM!















Here I applied a top coat on the Index and Ring finger, so you can see the difference. 















Black Shatter dries to a texture very much like rubber, not quite matte and not shiny.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So here is my verdict, I LOVE "Teenage Dream", and I am so-so about "Last Friday Night"
 
What do you think of them?
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Friday, January 21, 2011

Reviva Skin Care Review

I was first introduced to Reviva Labs by Overall Beauty, when I won a giveaway on their Beauty Blog.

I received a bottle of Reviva Hyaluronic Acid Serum and a small tub of their Optimum Artichoke Antioxidant Facial Mask, and she was so sweet to add a bottle of BB Couture "Santa Sak" :)















She had given me the advice to use the serum and the mask together to help skin retain moisture to combat dryness during the colder winter months, and boy was this product a life saver.

Then a couple of months later, I received an email from Reviva Labs asking me to review some of their new products.  I mentioned how I already tried 2 of their products (and loved them) and I that I would be happy to review some new products.  Can you believe she not only sent me some of their new products (I'll be reviewing them later) but sent me a new bottle of the  Reviva Hyaluronic Acid Serum  and a new tub of the Optimum Artichoke Antioxidant Facial Mask.

So no more dragging my feet, I had to do a review, to spread the word about their great products.  Also both of these products are incredibly affordable, and you do not have to use a lot of the product, so both will be lasting me a long, long time :)

 
This is what I did:
1. Wash my face
2. Steamed my face for 5-10 mins. (at home steamer)
3. Used my usual facial scrub to get all the oil and excess from my pores.














4. The serum is clear and not totally firm, so I pumped one "full" drop of serum on my hands














and lightly covered my entire face (thin layer)














5. On top of the serum I then applied the mask.  The mask is really loose and smooth, so be careful when you open the jar.














I applied it in a thin layer over my entire face, avoiding my eyes and lips.



























I left it on for 10-15 mins and rinsed both of them off. They were super easy to remove, I didn't have to rinse my face 10 million times or wipe it over and over with my wash cloth...LOL. After that I applied my usual night cream.

My face immediately looked brighter, softer and more moisturized.  I now use it once a week (and have for the past 2 months) and it has been a life saver during these dry months.

UPDATE: I gave both of these products to a co-worker to try at home, and her and her daughter LOVED THEM.  She immediately placed an order that night! Amazing!

Also the Serum can be applied under creams in the evening ( I've done this) or alone to hydrate the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$22.00, 1 oz.
"Our highest-potency daily moisture booster! Reviva Labs has now compounded a higher level of premium Hyaluronic Acid into a precious fluid that can help raise skin's moisture level to fill-in furrows, plump up tissues and tone-down lines. Apply under creams in the evening or alone to hydrate skin. Benefits: Unlike products that depend on moisture in the air, HA can help hydrate skin even in dry climates or heated rooms that rob skin of moisture."

The mask smells heavenly and has a great "silver sheen" to it.. I feel like the "silver surfer" in the Fantastic 4 movie..LOL

Optimum Artichoke Antioxidant Facial Mask
 $16.00, 1.5oz.
"New anti-free radical Discovery helps boost skins Immune system. Helps treat past damage as it helps boost skin immunity to future free radical damage. Apply like a moisturizer. Improves texture & glow."

All Reviva Labs products contain NO animal ingredients and they DO NOT test on animals...this has been their motto since 1973!!!!
 
For over 28 Years Reviva Labs has been producing all natural skin-care products that help leave your skin healthier and more youthful-looking.

If you suffer from dry skin or just want a youthful "kick in the pants", get these 2 products and you will not be disappointed.  I will be reviewing  more Reviva products  for dark spots and for eyes, as soon as I'm done testing them out. :)  Stay Tuned!

Thank You Reviva Labs for sending me these products to share with my followers, it's nice to know there is a company that truly cares about our skin and the quality of their products! 37 years of skin care speaks for itself! :)


*These product were provided as a gift and for review.
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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Green Tips

A couple of days ago this was my manicure, green, green, and green!

Zoya "Shawn" 2 coats
Accent finger 1 coat  with Zoya "Shawn" and 2 coats of Orly "It's Not Rocket Science".



























Because I didn't have Zoya "Armor" (I have it now) I topped this manicure with INM "Out The Door" and then topped that with Seche Vite and it worked..No Shrinkage.....AWESOME!














Look how the Orly sparkles! ..woo hoo :P














I love this manicure and I wore it for 4 days alright, and it held up very well! "Shawn" is a rich mossy green creme and "I.N.R.S.", is a great green foil from the Cosmic FX collection, both were easy to work with they complimented each other very well :)



























Green perfection! This manicure reminds me of wheat grass juice!...or better yet this reminds me of my "Garden Of Life, Perfect Food" green supplement that I drink every morning :)

Happy Thursday!
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Look what I found at JCPenney.....

Yep the new Katy Perry O.P.I. line..smack dab in the middle of JC Penney.














 I heard on MUA that JC Penney's had the entire line, despite the fact that TD was sold out, and every other salon, supply and store said "They are back ordered, no one has them"..AH HA..not true, JC Penney had them and they  had a lot!!!!

Also when I was taking a pic of the display, the woman said "Your taking a picture of the display too?"..I explained to here it was for my blog,  and she looked at me as if to say "people talk about this on the Internet?"...LMAO...it was priceless!

















Now whats even more funny is that I can't swatch these yet, because I'm wearing  the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips..ha ha ha ha ha, so I have to wait till after Friday, to try them out!!!!
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New Franken: Partyman

Here is another one I mixed up over the weekend, and I love it.

I'm calling it "Partyman", from Prince's "Batman" album :)


3 coats, 1 coat of Seche Vite














It's a glitter, and it dries smooth.....loves, loves, loves it!















Isn't it pretty! It's a darkened teal glitter.  I used "Emerald Sparkle" as my base color, added a blue glitter polish and then a little bit of a purple glitter polish.














I love how it flashes green and blue with the darkened base..yum!   The colors totally remind me of Jack Nicholson's costume as "The Joker" in Batman..green, purples, blues.....awesome!
















Seche Vite did the usual "shrinkage" on this manicure, so next time I'll use my INM "Out the door". :) Can you see the purple?














A co-worker likes this so much , she wants to borrow it for her next manicure/fill appointment. Her nails are longer than mine, so i can't wait to see the color on her :)
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Misa Giveaway

Kellie at Also Known As is giving away 3 new Misa colors

"Spark My Heart That's a Start, It's You, and Red Pumps at the Nordstrom" and it's open to International.....woohoo!


 

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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Sinful: Pretty in Pink Collection

SINFUL COLORS INTRODUCES A PRETTY-IN-PINK COLLECTION
Perfect for Valentine’s Day
                             
I'll be swatching these colors for you soon, but here is some PR info. to wet your whistle :)

Love is in the air, romance is in bloom and pink is paramount. Welcome February 14th, a day marked by kisses, sweethearts and flirting, of course. This year, treat your tips to a Valentine’s makeover, coating them in a feminine, delicate, or dynamic shade of pink. From bubble gum to baby doll – and everything in between – Sinful Colors has the best array of pink polish to pretty-you-up for the big day.
 
The 8 loving shades in the collection include:
Pink Forever: Bazooka meets Bam-Bam to equal beautiful.
Beautiful Girl: Classic ballerina with a flirty finish.
Glass Pink: Sheer, shiny, shimmer-happy bliss.
Boom Boom: Magenta-infused pink, which pops on toes and tips alike.
Scandal: No-nonsense neon, slick and sensational.
Soul Mate: Muted peachy pink with a melon twist.




Sinful Colors surpasses the masses with more than 300 amazing polishes, including the above-mentioned shades. All hues are available at major drug and mass market stores nationwide for $1.99, by calling 1-800-448-0763 or online at www.sinfulcolors.com.
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Monday, January 17, 2011

O.B.A.G: Avon

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Here is an old Avon, its pink and it's pretty!

Avon
Park Avenue Orchids
2 coats





























This was 2 coats and it was super easy to apply, and given that this polish was so old, I thought I would need to apply thinner, but nope, not a drop...love it!  I got this color from FreecycleGetcha Nails Did got me hooked on freecycle, its a great website where people give stuff away for free. Check it out HERE.















The sun is not cooperating today....this gorgeous pink creme has a great electric blue shimmer but it isn't showing up, because I have no sun...darn the sun...I need to get an Ott light for these gloomier days.
















See that blue shimmer, subtle but HOT!















No Sun...No Shimmer...oh well! :)
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Friday, January 14, 2011

Catrice: Bloody Mary To Go

It's FRIDAY...Woo Hoo ...I had to pick a new 4th winner for my Kahava giveaway, so I used Random.org again and it choose #32
Woo Hoo Chica, I sent an email so send me your address and I will make sure Kahava gets it to ship off your goodie :)...Now back to the nails..hee hee!

I've said it once, and I'll say it again...I LOVE CATRICE!

Here it is
Catrice "Bloody Mary To Go"
3 coats






























Love the name.  This red is a hybrid jelly/cream...I love it!  The first coat was pretty thin but it built up nicely...3 coats was needed for bottle opacity.





























Glassy red goodness..love, love, love it!















Mmmmm pretty...see I do love other colors, other than blue...LOL...although blue is the bomb!!! :):)

Have a great weekend everyone!
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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Missha

One of my readers requested I review more Asian polishes, and when I asked her for some names, Missha was one she mentioned.  Low and behold, I received 5-6 bottles in a giveaway months earlier, and I had no idea I had them...PERFECT!

So here is the first swatch! (more to come next week)

Missha "GR102"
3 coats




























Missha is a Korean brand (at least that's what the label says)..it was super, super thick, and streaky, but I think I got decent coverage in 3 coats...4 would have been bumpy, and boy was this brighter on the nail than in the bottle.















Aren't these bottles cute? I have several more colors, so I'll be swatching these colors and showing them off.















This color is like a neon pea soup green! LOL...I know that doesn't sound nice, but the color is cute...TRUST!

The color is kinda "Kermit the Frog" green, like a new Kermit "fresh out the box"...not like an old Kermit that you've had under your pillow for years and years..LOL :)















It dried slowly because of the thickness, so I'm on the fence about this one. 

Think I should wear it one more time before I give it the boot? :)
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Parokeets 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Parokeets!

They are holding a monster giveaway in honor of their 2nd birthday..oh no the terrible 2's..LOL..I think not, these ladies put a lot of hard work into their blog and it shows, Congrats!

 

Click on the link above to take you to their wonderful giveaway!
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