Nail Polish PSA: Q-tips® Precision Tips®

Okay today I have a little PSA for all my nail lovers.  Those of us who paint our own nails at home know how annoying clean up can be. Well Q-Tip has heard our cries of frustration, and altered their Q-Tip so that clean-up is WAY easier.

"They are designed with pointed tips at both ends, making them perfect for precise application for a long list of tasks..."

So, I  used them last week to test them out on a very tough manicure...

I removed the manicure using the usual cotton balls, did my usual "cut and filing" and then used the Q-Tips to clean the sides...

Super Clean! It was super easy too. I normally use an eyeliner brush  and acetone to remove polish in the nail crevices, but these Q-Tips are now my new best friend and a great back up for my eyeliner brush.

Great for travel!

 My niece, who uses Q-Tips to clean up all her manicures, saw these on my kitchen counter, and immediately begged for some (No worries I gave in, LOL).

Q-Tip you've got a good thing going here :)

Lastly, we all know Q-tips® cotton swabs can do a lot of good at home. Now, as part of the Q-tips® for Good program, they can be used to do a world of good across the country and, even, abroad. The Q-tips® brand is donating 1 Million Q-tips® cotton swabs to three great organizations that can use them daily – Operation Gratitude for care packages to service men and women, Ronald McDonald House® New York for arts & crafts and everyday use and Glamour Gals for intergenerational manicures & makeovers. Visit Facebook.com/Qtips and like the page to learn more and show your support!

 

Finally, make sure to visit the Q-tips® Cotton Swabs Facebook page (Facebook.com/Qtips) where you can stay up to date with the latest news and tips. You can also get in on the fun by following Q-tips® Cotton Swabs on Twitter at @Qtipsand on their newly launched Pinterest page (Pinterest.com/Qtips). 

*Product sent for review

Happy Friday and Keep It Sweet!

OPI Launches New Diamond Dust-Infused Designer Series Shades for Fall 2012: Swatches and Review

Here are two new additions to the OPI Designer Series Family for Fall 2012, "Luxurious" and "Indulgence"!   Both are amazing, and I can not wait to have a little nail art fun with both of them. :)

OPI Designer Series
"Luxurious"
Captivating coral red with a golden glisten
 2 coats, no top coat

Great color, and super saturated, 2 coats is all it took. This definitely is a "orange-coral", rather than a "coral orange"...get it?! LOL :) Application was awesome. I've noticed that the overall consistency of polish has changed from our usual polish formula to something that is more gel like, easier to control and easier apply, even for the messiest painter. I'm loving it!

OPI Designer Series
"Indulgence"
Radiant red-violet with a shimmering,  golden finish
2 coats, no top coat

GORGEOUS!!!! and in the shade you can see how strong the shimmer is...

The shimmer can not be stopped, I love this color!!! I can not wait to do a sponge gradient with this one. This color is unique and that golden shimmer really sets it off, nice job OPI. :)

Overall I am impressed with both colors. I need to compare "Luxurious" to OPI DS "Treasure", I'm pretty sure Treasure is more orange, but a comparison is needed. :) Formula on both was easy and simply amazing!

Designer Series by OPI nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. DS Indulgence and DS Luxurious will be available beginning September 2012 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $12.50 ($14.95 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!

*Product provided by PR

China Glaze vs. Nicole by OPI: Comparison

As promised here are the comparison between the 2 colors in the Nicole by OPI collection that look like the China Glaze New Bohemian Collection colors.

NOPI "Mer-Maid For Each Other" vs. China Glaze "Unpredictable".

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG, NOPI, ChG.

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG.

I did 2 coats of the NOPI and 3 coats of the ChG, no top coat

In the shade...

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG, NOPI, ChG.

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG.

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG.

Dupes! I like the Nicole by OPI color better, because it was perfectly opaque in only 2 coats versus the 3 coats needed for the China Glaze.

NOPI "Iris My Case" vs. China Glaze "No Plain Jane".

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG, NOPI, ChG.

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG, NOPI.

In the shade...

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG, NOPI.

Left to Right: NOPI, ChG, NOPI.

Dupes! and once again the Nicole by OPI color is better, because it was opaque in 2 easy coats versus the 3 coats needed for the China Glaze.

Nicole by OPI Wins!!!

Keep It Sweet! 

Cult Nails Haul and Cult Nails "I Got Distracted"

Hello, today I will share pics of my recent Cult Nails purchases that I acquired during their recent $7 sale and my first manicure from that haul.

First up, the HAUL...

Left to Right: Nevermore, Captivated, I Got Distracted, Living Water, Seduction and Time Traveler.

I immediately swapped away "Living Water", since I already own it and love it, I figured this beauty could have a nice home somewhere else. My swatches, of my bottle, are HERE

So immediately I fell in love with "Nevermore", which is a smooth black creme, that covers in 1 coat and dries super shiny *drool*, and "I got Distracted", which honestly, totally distracted me the entire time once it was unwrapped and on my desk. :)

I did 1 coat of each, that's it!

Let me first clarify that this lovely glitter, is totally opaque in 2 coats, but I just could not resist "Nevermore" , so I used them both.

"I Got Distracted" is a  blackened emerald green jelly with green and holographic glitter.  It is from the Coco's Untamed Collection, and it is amazing. :)

The formula is amazing, smooth and gel like, easy to apply, the brush is easy to control, simply perfect! Maria delivers an outstanding product, check out her site HERE.

If you can't tell from my pics how sparkly and amazing this is, check out some "fuzzy pics"...

So gorgeous, like a perfect Christmas tree at midnight! Love it!

Keep It Sweet!

Manicure for a 70's Party: Keep it Funky Ya'll!

Hey there and happy Monday! I hope everyone had a good weekend. Today I am going to show you a super easy manicure I did for a 70's party I went to last weekend.

There are the colors I used...

Color Club "Take the stage", Orly "Luxe", OPI "Dutch'ya just love OPI?", OPI "Red Lights Ahead...Where?", OPI "Hot and Spicy", OPI "Black Onyx", and OPI Alpine Snow Matte"

Crazy colors you say? well check out the outfit...

Groovy polyester jumpsuit, AWESOME!!! I sewed on the glitter around the waist and then made a very cool headband to match:)

I planned on mimicking the design on each nail, but I ran out of time, so I did a quicker manicure and kept it simple.  2 coats of each color for each nail. 1 coat of Orly "Luxe" for the gold nail topped with the Color Club glitter,  to give it sparkle. :)



 For the pattern nail, I did 1 coat of Alpine Snow, then I free handed with a brush a very scattered pattern, that was similar to the jumpsuit using the individual colors. I finished it off with some random black dots and that was it. Topped it with Seche Vite and ran out the door, LITERALLY!!!! :)

Here is how the entire outfit cam together. I look drunk, but I'm not...at least not yet, LOL!!!!The party was a blast, can't wait to figure out next years outfit.:)

Best wig EVER!!! Keep it groovy and keep it sweet!!!!

5 new Essence swatches

Happy Friday! I've a roller coaster of a week, but finally it's over and I have 2 days to recover.

Anyway, here are some little cuties from Essence that I received in an international swap with Simon from Italy.

Essence "Glamorous Life"
2 coats, no top coat

Gorgeous pink shimmer. This is a nice bright fuchsia jelly-like base with bright pink shimmer inside. This polish was easy to apply, but still pretty sheer in 2 coats, I bet this color would be best over another fuchsia color or maybe even white :)Gorgeous!

Essence "Princess Prunella"
2 coats, no top coat

Princess...YES, Prune? NO!  I wouldn't call this prune, more mauve frost. Apply well in 2 coats and the formula was nice and smooth.  If you look closely you can see pink and blue shimmer in this beauty, very nice. I'm not a fan of "frost polish", but this is still very nice.

Essence "Gleam In Blue"
2 coats, no top coat

A very pretty bright, yet light, blue! This color can show brushstrokes, but if you apply the color smoothly you should be able to get a perfect manicure!


Essence "Hard to Resist"
2 coats, no top coat

Gorgeous navy blue shimmer, bright and beautiful. This color is very similar to other blues I have, but that does not take away from how great it still is.  Applied nicely in 2 coats, smooth and rich, no pooling, no staining. :)

Essence "Midnight Charm"
2 coats, no top coat

Nice navy blue frost. I'm not in love with it, but it was opaque in 2 coats.  The formula was a bit thick, but still controllable and easy to apply.  Not terribly unique, but still great for fall. :)

Overall, these little beauties do not disappoint.  They are cute and small, a great price, and my favorite part is the bottle tops always match the color, I think that is sooo cute! LOL!

You can swap for them with an international swapper or you can go down to your local ULTA and grab them yourself.  :) I do not know if you will find these exact colors, but I know ULTA carries this brand.

Keep It Sweet!