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!

OPI Supports Breast Cancer Awareness with it's Eighth Annual

Earlier this month OPI released it's eighth annual "Pink of Hearts" promotion to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"This duo pack is designed to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. In 2014, OPI will donate $25,000 to Susan G. Komen® in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). OPI will also donate $5,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer in Canada."

OPI "Mod About You" and "The Power of Pink"

Out of all of the OPI Breast Cancer colors, this is my favorite!  You all know that I am NOT a "pink fan", but this combo really speaks to me.

For the manicure I applied 2 coats of the glitter to my index, middle and pinkie finger, topped with 1 coat of top coat.  For the ring finger I applied 2 coats of the creme and topped it with a matte top coat.

 On the thumb I applied 2 coats of the creme, and then 1 coat of the glitter, topped with 1 coat of top coat.

The creme "Mod About You", is a classic light pink creme. This is a re-release, but the formula has been improved and this was very easy to apply, and was perfectly opaque in 2 coats. 

The glitter "The Power of Pink",  is a a milky pink tinted base with white and bright pink hex glitters, and pink micro-glitters. AMAZING! This is amazing by itself in 2 coats. I did 2 thick coats for my swatch, but if I were to wear it again, I would apply 3 thin coats, making sure it dried without bubbles :)

The duo came with a cute little nail file, that has different pink glitters on each side. I'll keep mine in my gym bag :)

Mod About You and The Power of Pink feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Pink of Hearts 2014 will be available September and October 2014 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, beautybrands.com, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $16.95 ($21.50 CAN) suggested retail.

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!
* Product sent by PR for review

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.

OPI Coca-Cola Collection: Swatches and Review

OPI and Coca Cola collaborated on a collection this summer, and it was a HIT! Although I do not DRINK Coca-Cola products, I do WEAR them, LOL!

Left to Right:  Most with two coats, and no top coat. OPI "Sorry I'm Fizzy Today" (3 coats) , "You're Soo Vain-Illa", "My Signature Is 'DC' ", "Coca-Cola Red".

"Sorry I'm Fizzy" is a pale salmon pink creme.  It applied well in three coats. I had to "work with this" in order to cover up the bald spot, so you've been warned.

"You're Soo Vain-Illa"  is a  light ivory creme. It applied well in two coats, and I actually used this in several manicures. This is a great color for Summer and Fall.

"My Signature Is 'DC' " is a smooth silver foil.  Another great silver foil, great in two coats.  Shiny and smooth, PERFECTION!

"Coca-Cola Red" is a the perfect coke can red! It applied smoothly in two coats, no application issues.

Left to Right All with two coats, and no top coat.  "Orange You Fantastic!", "Coca-Cola Red" topped with "Orange You Fantastic", "A Grape Affair", "Get Cherried Away".

"Orange You Fantastic!" is a yellow tinted base with red, silver and orange glitter.

"Coca-Cola Red" creme with "Orange You Fantastic" on top.  This is a great pair. Because the glitter has the yellow tint, it adds a nice color shift to the red creme and delivers great glitter coverage in two coats.

"A Grape Affair" is a deep blue-based purple creme. Applied well in two coats. Perfect for Summer and Winter, and this is also a great pedicure color :)

"Get Cherried Away" is a magenta creme. This applied well in two coats, smooth and opaque.

Left to Right "Today I Accomplished Zero" and "Green On The Runway".

"Today I Accomplished Zero" is a black jelly base with pink glitter. This applied well in two coats, but if you want full opacity I would apply three coats or use a back creme as a base. :)  I really like this polish, and the combination of black and pink is very wearable.

"Green On The Runway" is a green to red duochrome.  The application was good and applied smoothly in two coats. The duochrome effect is not as strong as other duochromes on the market, but the effect is still present in low light and indoors.

Overall, the collection didn't have any stand outs, but some of the colors are great. My favorites are "You're Soo Vain-Illa", "My Signature Is 'DC'  and "Today I Accomplished Zero".

Keep It Sweet!

*Product provided by PR for review. 

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

KBShimmer Summer 2014 Early Collection: My Favorites

KBShimmer released a wonderful and huge early summer collection. I loved them all, but only a couple stood out to me and screamed "WEAR ME...LOVE ME", so those are the ones I'll highlight in this post.

KBShimmer "Big Tan On Campus"
2 coats, over a regular base coat and no top coat

"Big Tan On Campus" This is a super wearable beige holographic polish.  It is a universal color, that can be worn by anyone, for any occasion.  This applied smoothly in two coats, no drag, and when I wore this with top coat, the holographic effect was not diminished. PERFECTION! :)

KBShimmer "Pt Young Thing"
2 coats, over a regular base coat and no top coat

"Pt Young Thing" is a smooth silver holographic polish. It is true that there are several silver holographic polishes that exist in the polish market, but none have applied as smoothly and effortlessly as this one. I have  tried and applied a lot of the other silver holographics.  I've had to apply, an "aqua base" before applying them, ridge filler base coats, layers of top coats in between, but none have been as amazing as this one. GORGEOUS!

KBShimmer "She Twerks Out"
2 coats, no top coat

"She Twerks Out" is a textured turquoise neon polish filled to the MAX with multi-colored and holographic glitter.  The reason this is amazing, is that it simultaneously gives the amazing-ness, of a jelly polish, while also delivering neon, texture and glitter MADNESS. Teal, lime green, aqua and violet are all represented here. It applied well in two coats, and dried in relatively good time. :)

KBShimmer "To Pop To Handle"
2 coats, no top coat

"To Pop To Handle" is a textured purple neon jelly with added glitter.  Just like the previous polish, this polish delivers the same awesome-ness  in a purple version.   Again, we have a neon jelly base, with textured glitter. The delivery of glitter per coat is outstanding, no fishing for glitter, and every swipe delivers magenta, violet, aqua and pink glitter. I love it! :)

KBShimmer "Low And Be Bold"
2 coats, no top coat

"Low And Be Bold" is a bright ultramarine cobalt blue creme. Gorgeous and amazing!  This color has been extremely popular this summer.  Everyone has their version of it, but this one was the best in my opinion.  It is consistent, and applied well in two coats.   This type of color works in summer and winter, and in my opinion is the most wearable color of the year. :)

All the KBShimmer colors from this collection, applied the same, smooth and opaque in two coats.  No issues.:)

So those are my favorites, and if you want to get any of these beauties for yourself, you can get them at KBShimmer.

Keep It Sweet!

*Polishes provided by PR for review. 

The last manicures of summer

Yep, it is finally getting cooler here in Southern California. By cooler, I mean it is finally in the 80's and 70's, LOL!

So this week, I'll be showing you my favorite colors and manicures from the summer. Bye bye hot temps and hello cool weather.

Here are two KBShimmer manicures that I wore several times this summer!

Here I paired the more recent KBShimmer "You're So Shellfish"  and "Sweet Waves" with "A Touch Of Glass" which is from Spring 2014.

"Sweet Waves", is "white, periwinkle and mint hex glitters swim among yellow and coral glitters in several sizes.  These glitters just pop against so many colors, from black to purples, pinks, and oranges". 

The glitter is the perfect link between the two colors.  Both of the cremes applied well, and the glitter applied well too, in two coats.   I topped this manicure with my usual two coats of top coat, and this manicure lasted me all week. :)

This is KBShimmer "Periwinkle In Time", "Inspired by blue hydrangea and periwinkle flowers, this soft cool blue has a purple undertone, making it the most perfect periwinkle color.  Accented by silver holo and violet holo circle glitters and holo glitters in teal, violet, marine blue and silver and a micro holo shimmer, this light blurple polish is sure to please.".

I am in love with this polish! I wasn't sure about it since it has a pastel base, but once I put it on, I was in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! 

I think I may have to buy some back-up bottles, LOL!

Keep It Sweet!

*Product sent by PR for review.