Happy Feet (And Hands): POP beauty nail glam Polish (review)

Whoa. The heatwave is beginning…again. Today was not super fun. Not only did I run around doing a bunch of errands in the heat; I also had to spend way too much time changing all of my passwords. (Something looked suspicious on one of my email accounts, so I wasn’t taking any chances.) A good reason to not have the same password for everything in the first place – it’s a pain in the u-know-what to change them all at once.

Speaking of u-know-what; I saw the final Harry Potter movie this weekend (where u-know-who and Harry have their big showdown). I won’t tell you how it ends (as if); but I will tell you it was a thoroughly spectacular movie going experience (in fancy IMAX 3-D thankyouverymuch).

No cheesy tie-in today. I just wanted to share a bit. But now it really is time for a beauty review. Here’s something nifty - also from England - and POP beauty.

nail glam

Blurb: High intensity nail polish in a dream library of POP colours. Whether you want vampy black, the perfect rouge noir, classic tomato red or way-out fluro pink, POP Beauty has a nail shade to suit your mood and your wardrobe. Each Nail Glam shade is non-occlusive so it wont stain nails and contains nylon creating a strengthening non chip barrier. Nail Glam nails stay sensational.Nail Glam is the brand new high intensity nail polish from POP in 20 dazzling new shades.

These are fabulous awesome colors, and a fabulous awesome formula! I’m showing a lot of pictures just so you can appreciate the array of shades available. It really is like being in a candy store to look at all of these. All the shades I tried had excellent staying power (I used a base and top coat), and the colors stayed true throughout the week.

My absolute favorite was “ocean.” It’s a deep, shimmering cornflower blue that looks absolutely beautiful. I got so many compliments when I wore this – even from people who favor more “traditional” shades. My second favorite was “ultraviolet” – a creamy, rich lavender that looked great on my fingers and amazing on my toes. Honorable mention goes to “orange.” It’s fresh, bright, yummy and a little bit sassy.

Visit the U.S. website, and browse the other shades, Sara's POP picks and the web deals and steals. POP beauty can also be found at CVS, beauty.com, and ULTA.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Thunderous Thursday: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips (review)

Well the whole day wasn’t thunderous. Most of today was wretchedly, ridiculously hot. But then the heat broke thanks to a big thunderstorm. So now it’s pretty pleasant. End of weather update.

This is day #2 of my “staycation,” and it’s been mighty nice so far. Wednesday was clean and pamper day, today was relax and have fun day; and tomorrow I’m hanging out with the girls. End of staycation update.

Oh wait, isn’t it time for a review? It is! Here’s something super fun from Sally Hansen.

Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

Blurb: Sally Knows nails are the best accessory. Now, Sally makes it easy to get a designer-inspired salon effect anytime, any place. It wears like nail polish because it IS nail polish. No dry time, so you’re ready to go.

What the blurb above doesn’t say is that these are really, really fun! It took me a couple of minutes to get the hang of applying them; but once I got it all figured out, it was incredibly easy. Simply peel off the backing, peel the polish stip away from the plastic, lay carefully on the nail, snip off the excess, and then use the orangewood stick to rub/buff it on to your nail. I also used the edges of the stick to tuck the ends under the edge of my nail. After they were all applied, I used the file (included) to file off the edges that were sticking out and any excess that got tucked under. I got a perfectly neat application on every nail.

What’s more, there was no drying time, it lasted for 8 days, and came off easily with polish remover.

And they looked fabulous! I first tried “Girl Flower” (second row, far left), and got tons of compliments. Same with my favorite, “Laced Up” (second row, far right). I got compliments from friends, co-workers, and even grocery store cashiers. I am having a blast with these!

Check out the website to see all of the great designs; then visit the where to buy section for a listing of grocery stores and drugstores where Sally Hansen is sold.

I feel like I conveyed my enthusiasm, but my explanation of how to apply wasn’t all that great; so I’m going to refer you to another blogger’s video tutorial for a little bit better demo…



(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Almost Back: Julep and Summer Pedicures

One of my absolute favorite things about warm weather is…SANDALS! And pretty pedicures. Check out the fabulous products and tips to make your toes all pretty…

Show Your Stuff in The Hottest Summer Pedicure Colors

Julep’s new Summer Collection consists of three vibrant colors all named after confident and inspiring women.

* Niecy is the perfect pink to bring out on a bright sunny day
* Blake screams buttery, delicious bliss (without the dreaded calories). Yellow is a sizzling summer color as Lady Gaga and Willow Smith were both recently spotted sporting the shade
* Jaime is an electrifying and sandal-wearing blue

Pair the new collection with Julep's Essential Cuticle Oil and Nail Growth Revitalizing Serum and your pedicure instantly becomes a coveted Julep pedi-care!

Julep Founder Jane Park’s Summer Tip: “When you have to dash out the door, especially after a DIY pedicure, you can ‘set’ your polish by dunking your feet in ice water for 30 to 60 seconds. Then coat with cuticle oil (or olive oil works too in a pinch) to help protect your polish from chips and dings.”

Julep brings their mission of empowering girlfriends to life through Powered by Girlfriends, an ongoing program that donates $1 from the sale of every Julep Nail Vernis to organizations that empower and support women. All Julep products feature 3-Free formulas and do not contain carcinogens such as formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP.

For additional tips, colors and product information including Julep’s Spa Pedicure At-Home Party, visit www.julep.com.

While I’m Away: A Perfect Prom Look From essence

I think my prom days are behind me; but I’m still loving what I’m seeing so far from this brand. And now that you’re older and wiser; check out their suggestions and make them your own…

Perfect Your Prom Look

You’ve picked out the dress, the jewelry and the date (hopefully!), now all you need is your final makeup look for the big night! Whether you want to go movie star glam with tight waves and a bold lip or simply sweet with pastels and nail polish, essence cosmetics has everything you need to achieve your signature prom look! Take a look at the below products that we are sure will win you the Prom Queen crown!

Bold Lip – Use the essence stays with me lipgloss in kiss kiss kiss for a dramatic look!

Winged Eyeliner – Pair your red bold lip with classic winged black eyeliner using essence gel eyeliner in black with the essence gel eyeliner contoured brush, heads will be sure to turn!

Pastel Eyes – Keep your look simple and sweet with essence mono eyeshadow in ultra violet!

Porcelain Skin – Avoid those annoying shiny photos with the essence mattifying powder, it will keep your skin radiantly under control all night long!

Final Touch – Add a fun pop of unexpected color with the essence colour & go nail polish in this lovely teal color, perfect for spring!

The Week Begins: essence colour & go quick drying nail polish (review)

Whew! After all that beauty news, Monday is almost over. I decided to officially start the week with a great combination of cuteness and value. From essence.

colour & go quick drying nail polish

Blurb: Color-intense and totally hip! The new versions of the colour & go nail polishes cover your nails in the brightest colors of the spring season and really get you in the mood for a deluxe styling session! Ranging from pastel to bright to holographic – with these new colors, you're sure to be super trendy! And thanks to the fast-drying formula and the flat brush, all it takes is one stroke of the brush per nail and your hands and feet are ready to hit the town! Available in 9 new colors and a total of 22 colors.

essence is one of those brands I kept meaning to check out, and never got a chance to. The colors and packaging always look so cute and fun, and the prices are amazing. I finally got started with some of their nail colors. I loved them, and will definitely be getting more.

I was more than impressed with these polishes. They went on smoothly, covered in one or two coats, dried really quickly (!), and wore extremely well. In fact, the glitter formula (“Irreplaceable”) held up as well as any polish I’ve used.

The real fabulousness, though, is the colors. There are 22 shades that include glitters, creams, and iridescents; and colors from subtle and pale to super bright and edgy. And since they’re about 99¢ each (that’s correct…99¢), you can try every single one of them. When it comes to trying out a new color, I’m a huge fan of little inexpensive bottles. I may not want to commit to a large bottle of bright orange, but a little bottle to try for a few weeks is just fine.

Standouts among the creams were “mellow yellow” (a fresh pale, yellow), and “you belong to me” (cool mint). My favorite iridescent was “where is the party?” (smoky, iridescent purple with hints of green). My very favorite, though, is a glitter called “irreplaceable.” It’s a shimmery taupe – almost a shimmery nude. Very feminine, elegant and super flattering.

essence has a really cute website. Check out the beauty friends page, or get a calendar, screensaver or wallpaper from the beauty world section. In the U.S., you can find essence at ULTA.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Lovely and Lavish! Estée Lauder New Pure Color Nail Lacquers (review)

Yay!!! Estée Lauder just launched a whole bunch of gorgeous treats. 39 shades of new Pure Color Lipstick, 16 new Nail Lacquers, and an awesome new limited edition Pure Color Orange Crush (two shadows and a gloss). I’ve been trying out a few things from the collection, and I’m starting today with…

Pure Color Nail Lacquer-Limited Collection (in “Perfect Storm” and “Wild Blue”) Blurb: Turn your fingertips into fashion statements with a wardrobe of sensational shades to add definition, polish, and style to your fingertips. Designed by Tom Pecheux, world-renowned makeup artist and Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director. Tom combined today's top trends with timeless classics-all the colors he prefers for photo shoots and fashion shows. Formulated with True Vision™ technology to transform ordinary color and make it extraordinary. Rich, glossy with an intense, mirror-like high shine. Fast-drying. Long-wearing. High-pigment, high-impact brilliance in 3 effects: creme, pearl and shimmer. Resists chipping-even in water. High coverage that won't fade, dull or streak, even in strong sunlight. Specially designed brush shape makes application incredibly easy.

Sigh! These are just fantastic. I love them both, and I think I’ll probably be moseying over to the Estée counter at the mall for a couple more bottles. Both the shimmer and cream formulas go on beautifully, cover well and resist chipping and fading.

“Perfect Storm” is a stunning, dark, charcoal with a beautiful shimmer. At first glance, it looked quite a bit like “Wild Storm” (from a previous collection), but it’s absolutely not. “Perfect Storm” is smoldering, dramatic and very sophisticated (in some lighting, it almost looks like a shimmery black). I got a ton of compliments when I wore this, and I couldn’t stop looking at my hands.

“Wild Blue” on the other hand, is a vibrant, cornflower blue. It looks much brighter in the bottle, but dries to a cooler shade. It’s fun and edgy, but still very grown up – and surprisingly flattering. I can’t wait to sport a Wild Blue pedicure when sandal season comes!

If you’re pondering anything from this collection, now is the time to visit the website. There’s an awesome gift with purchase (photo below) available (as well as the monthly sweepstakes). Estée Lauder is also available at fine department stores.

Have a great week everyone!

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Catching Up: Daily Moisture

Tonight I’m catching up on things like my mani/pedi. Here’s something pretty cool – a daily treatment for nails…

A Winter Warrior For Nails

It’s a known fact that winter air completely zaps the essential natural oils found in skin and hair but unfortunately, attention to the nails has long been neglected. Due to the sub-zero effects outside and the bone-dry heat that is pumped indoors, the nails take a real beating – quickly becoming dry and brittle which results in cracks, painful splits and very short-lived manicures (the shame!)

In order to prevent and combat these harsh effects, protect nails with Perfect Formula’s Daily Moisture – a tried and true treatment that keeps nails long, strong and healthy. Formulated with Keratin, the main protein that makes up nails, Jojoba Oil, an excellent moisturizer that is similar to the natural lubricant of skin, and Vitamin E, this product instantly nourishes and strengthens dry, thirsty nails even in the most treacherous conditions.

“Nails needs to be nourished daily to stay at their most vital and healthy state,” says Shari Gottesman, CEO and Founder of Perfect Formula. “During the winter months, I like to heat up Daily Moisture in warm water and as soon as I am done showering I apply it to my nails and cuticles for an extremely effective hot oil treatment and it’s therapeutic too!”

Simply brush Daily Moisture on top of nails, under nails and on cuticles daily. Can be used on polished or natural nails.

Daily Moisture retails for $29 at perfectformulas.com or QVC.com

Many Me’s, One Polish: Estée Lauder Limited Edition Nail Lacquer in “Wild Storm” (review)

Hello everyone – and thanks for being so patient! This is probably the longest break I’ve ever taken. The holidays are always dicey; but this time around, there were a lot of other things thrown into the mix as well. Many of the changes I made in 2010 led to questions about who I am and what I need…which led to more changes…then more questions…then…you get the picture. There’s been a lot of balancing and adjusting; and it all required waaaay more time and energy than I thought it would. Go figure.

Tomorrow I’ll be posting all of the cool Golden Globes info I got, and then Friday I’ll be passing along some great launch and product news. And of course…reviews!!

Tonight, let’s start with a nifty product review. Phase 2 of a giant snowstorm is going on outside of my window right now, and it’s pretty awesome. What’s also pretty awesome is that tomorrow will probably be a snow day!! I think a tie-in is order. How about something called “Wild Storm?” From Estée Lauder.

Pure Color Nail Lacquer (In "Wild Storm")

Blurb: Be among the first to try it and turn your fingertips into fashion statements. All-new formula previewing now in Wild Violet, Spring 2011. Experience the entire new collection in a wardrobe of sensational shades.

This is the first time I’ve tried an EL polish and the quality is top notch. It went on evenly, covered in two coats, and dried quickly. I applied it on Monday, and didn’t need to touch up until Saturday.

The color is a definite win. It’s a satiny pewter with a hint of shimmer. It’s very flattering, and it also manages to be chic, modern and incredibly versatile. It easily works with a black suit, a flowery dress, jeans, a cocktail dress, and/or an edgy evening look.

EL’s whole Spring 2011 Collection (Wild Violet) is gorgeous; and I’ll be reviewing more from the collection later. In the meantime, visit the website to have a look. You may even want to take a peek at the Valentine's gifts sets sets too. Estée Lauder is also available in fine department stores.


And while I'm still feeling thoughtful on a snowy evening, how about something from Snow Patrol? This song always stops me in my tracks; and tonight the words seem especially meaningful (so I'm embedding the version with the lyrics). Good night!




(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Mid-Week Manicure: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish Fall 2010 Collection (review)

Today was rough. This morning was frustrating and complicated; and by the end of the day I was pretty wound up. So...out comes the manicure kit.

One of the things I do to relieve stress is polish my nails. Taking the time to remove old polish and carefully apply a new color is very soothing. And waiting for my nails to dry forces me to sit still and relax. And afterwards…pretty hands. Today’s pretty hands are from Sally Hansen.

Complete Salon Manicure

Blurb: All 5 Steps of a Manicure in 1 Bottle. Salon Manicure Made Simple! All 5 Steps of a Salon Manicure in 1 Bottle: Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color, Top Coat. With Patented Vita-Care Technology for advanced wear, more shine, and nourishing care. 42 Salon-Inspired Shades. Toluene, DBP, and Formaldehyde free. With Vita-Care Technology for advanced wear, more shine, and nourishing care.

This is easily one of the best formulas I’ve come across. It goes on smoothly, is opaque, covers perfectly in 2 coats, and has a hard glossy finish. I followed directions, skipped the base and top coats, and was really impressed at how well it performed. It wore extremely well (no nicks or chips for 3 days, and no serious chipping for 5 days). It came off easily (even the dark colors), and didn’t stain at all. The packaging is also fabulous. The bottle shape fits well in the hand, the brush is excellent, and the rubber band around the cap makes for an easy, non-slip grip. This is superior quality at an unbeatable price.

And the colors in this collection are spectacular! I have 9 of them, and I’m having a blast trying them all out. I wore “Perfect Match” (a deep, sophisticated red) to a weekend getaway, I layered “Golden Ticket” (gold glitter) over “Sequin Scandal” (deep green/black with gold flecks) on Halloween, and I’ve been wearing “Trouble Maker” (a rich, smoky purple) most of the week. Tonight I swiped on “Starry Starry Flight” (an icy silver glitter); and it’s gorgeous, glamorous and super flattering.

Check out the website to browse the other colors, and look at the where to buy section for a listing of grocery stores and drugstores where Sally Hansen is sold.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Sephora by O∙P∙I Chic Print for Nails (review)

Today was just stuffed full of things that needed to be done. An exceptionally frivolous beauty break is in order; but it will have to be a short one. Check out the frivolity from Sephora by O∙P∙I.

Chic Print for Nails

Blurb: A breakthrough array of precut nail patches for extraordinary nails, instantly! This innovative line, brewed by Minx (and loved by your favorite celebrities) creates customized nails, featuring fierce patterns and prints to satisfy your wildest mani-and-pedi dreams. Dress your tips with your favorite design: anchor, stars, checkers, tiger, fishnet, chrome lace, black & gold geometric, or skulls. One set of Chic Print for Nails contains 16 nail patches of varying widths, for a one-time application to fingers or toes. The patent-pending material removes easily by rubbing and peeling off.

These are a perfect fit for a short post. They’re really cool, really easy and they look great! I got them in “chrome lace” - a silver lace design against a white background. They were easy to apply, looked hot, and stayed on all night. And since I don’t particularly want to have “chrome lace” nails every place I go; I’m also happy to report that they came off immediately once I was ready for my regular nails again. What’s not to like?

Do I even need to direct you to the website? Even though I’m sure it’s on your “Favorites” list by now; I should at least remind you about both the weekly specials section and the fab sale page. You can also check them out by visiting your local Sephora in person.

Happy Tuesday and good night!

(ftc disclosure: purchased myself)

Friday Stuff that's Cool: Looks from Elle

I just got some awesome looks sent over from the folks at Elle! Check out these gorgeous looks seen at some summer festivals. I'm dying over the bandana! Dying!!

Follow the links and get the gorgeous!

Best Beauty Looks for Summer Music Festivals: http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Hair/Best-Beauty-Looks-for-Summer-Music-Festivals

I also got a yummy collection of nail polish colors for Summer: http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Makeup-Skin-Care/Best-Summer-Nail-Polish-Colors
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Aaand were Back! Sephora by O∙P∙I Havana Nights Mini Collection (review)

I can't believe the holiday weekend is already over! It was awesome (hope yours was too), and it went by too fast! Since 'real' life feels like a big adjustment today; I perked myself up with one of my new nail colors. It's "Read My Palm" from the Havana Nights collection by Sephora by O∙P∙I.

Havana Nights Mini Collection (Limited Edition)

Blurb: A hot, bold nail-color collection, inspired by Havana. The Sephora by OPI Havana Nights shades are inspired by the sophisticated glamour of the Havana depicted in classic movies, as well as by this summer's penchant for vivid color. Read My Palm recalls palm fronds swaying in the beach breezes. At night, Havana shows its true colors and salsa rhythms—brilliant gold Rumba Romance sizzles with this intoxicating energy and simmering Caliente Coral is all about the passion. The evening ends with Teal We Meet Again, a dramatic blue-green that evokes a forbidden rendezvous under the stars—romance at its hottest.

I love O∙P∙I minis; and a few weeks ago, these were calling my name from across the store (so of course I had to pay attention). I especially love minis when I want to try out a color, but don't necessarily want to commit to a whole bottle – and if it's something out of the ordinary that I won't wear as often as a basic color. That said, three of the four colors just might make it to "big bottle" status anyway.

"Teal We Meet Again" is one of the most gorgeous evening colors I've come across. It's a deep blue-green with green shimmer. It's dark enough to be edgy, but not so much that it seems black. "Read My Palm" is my favorite. I would describe it as a muted mint green (with a hint of blue). It's a beautiful summer color – it has a bit of a carefree 80's vibe, but can also look more sedate against neutral colors. "Rumba Romance" is probably the sexiest of the four. It's got flashy gold and tawny shimmer, and goes perfectly with sunshine, bare arms and lots of shiny bracelets. "Caliente Coral" is a bright, spicy, reddish-orange. If you want a break from the usual reds and pinks, this color will look amazing.

Even though "Read My Palm" was my favorite, it's definitely a spring/summer color. But the other three colors would be great long after summer is over. "Rumba" and "Caliente" would be gorgeous for fall ("Caliente Coral" would be especially hot with gray, black, brown or olive). And "Teal" would look stunning with a little black dress any time of year.

Check out the Sephora website for more info (and to see all 6 shades in the entire Havana Nights collection). While you're there, be sure to take a look at the weekly specials.
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(ftc disclosure: purchased myself)

Good Stuff: N.Y.C Quick Dry Nail Polish (review)

First…a shout out to the Good Samaritan who helped me on Saturday! I pulled into a mall parking lot; and while turning a corner, I did that dorky hitting-the-curb thing. Not only was it embarassing, it instantly flattened my tire. I got out of my air-conditioned car, stood there in the sweltering parking lot, stared at my mangled tire, and figured my afternoon would be spent waiting for the Auto Club (yes, that’s correct – I don’t know how to change a tire). But instead of punishing me for my lack of automotive skills, The Universe sent help. A nice man stepped out from between the cars, saw my situation and offered to put the spare on.

How awesome is that??? It took him about 15 minutes. I thanked him profusely, and asked him if there was anything I could do; but he said nothing in return was necessary – he was glad to help. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Since he wouldn’t let me repay him for such a huge favor; I decided to make an extra effort to help someone else out this week. So now I’m on the lookout for opportunities.

Of course this has absolutely nothing to do with nail polish. But when did that ever stop me? (Answer: never) All I can tell you is that once I finished everything; I came home, took off my old nail polish and reached for a pristine unopened bottle of polish from N.Y.C. (New York Color) Cosmetics.

In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish (in Orange Creamsicle)

This fabulous photo (as well as some great blogging) can be found at Nouveau Cheap

Blurb: Get a manicure in a minute! Quick drying formula with minerals! Features cutting edge shades with high impact shine. Infused with high levels of pigment for brilliant color & a touch of shimmer for dramatic depth and shine.

“Orange Creamsicle” (yum) is the color on the right. The one on the left is “Magenta Flash.” They're from NYC’s "Shock Value" collection (a limited edition spring collection). I chose “Creamsicle” because I needed something bright and fresh to counteract my tiredness. It was exactly what I needed to perk me up: a creamy, bright, yummy orange that cheered up my fingers and toes.

I put this on for the color, and then discovered that the formula is excellent!! It went on beautifully, dried quickly and had a gorgeous glossy shine. And I can’t believe how well it’s wearing! My nails are a bit on the long side right now. But I spent a day at work with the usual typing, paper shuffling and handling of manicure-ruining items; and I can’t see any tip wear at all. And this is without a top coat. It looks like I happened on another fabulous drugstore find!

If you can’t find “Orange Creamsicle,” there are 24 other yummy shades for you to try. The whole collection is on the website. (The site also has a cool Dare to Compare section). N.Y.C. can also be found at Supermarkets, drugstores and places like Ulta, Target, and Walmart. (Check the Where To Buy section for more locations.)
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(ftc disclosure: received as a sample)

More Spring Fingers (and Toes): Sephora by O∙P∙I Queen of Everything (review)

This will be a pretty short post. I need to rush out and get a few things done, so let's get to it. Something for your fingers and toes by Sephora by O∙P∙I.

Queen of Everything Nail Color

This excellent photo is from Make Me Blushhh

Blurb: Fashion-forward, wearable nail colors for the modern woman who is looking for an effective, safe, environmentally conscious brand. Sephora by OPI Nail Colour, a line of 54+ trend-setting shades, puts the final touch on fingertips and toes with a top-quality formula you have come to expect from OPI. The long-lasting, chip-resistant polish ensures flawless results with each application, and its green ingredient list excludes DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde. Sephora by OPI combines the quality and color expertise of OPI, the world leader in professional nail color, with Sephora's reputation for the latest in beauty and sophistication.

This is another product I tried out just because I liked the name so much. When I lived in San Francisco, one of my roommates used to jokingly refer to himself as "Queen of All." This name wasn't an exact match, but it was close enough for me to open up the bottle and give it a try.

And…fabulous! I got all excited in the store and knew I had to have one. I may even go back and get a couple of bottles. It's a muted silver with just a hint of gold. Really glamorous without being overly glitzy. One of my co-workers saw my nails today and said she wanted shoes in this color. It's an awesome shade and goes with just about anything. It's also a keeper for the long haul. I can easily see myself wearing this to holiday parties and with winter whites. Woo hoo!

Check out all of the colors on the Sephora website!

Happy Thursday!
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Summer Color: essie Summer 2010 Collection

Look at the new gorgous colors for summer from essie! And check out the mixing/matching advice!

Celebrate SUMMER with essie!

essie introduces their hot new Summer Collection and invites you to… “Slip Into Something More Colorful.”

Summer is special. Aside from the wonderful outdoor activities that we wait for all year, we also revel in the opportunity to now wear lighter, brighter and more playful clothing. Finally, we can shed the wool and mohair for cotton and linen. The keyword for summer is: fun! So indulge in seriously sensational color! Don’t be shy — make it the time to play with bold, playful color combinations.

From the Expert: “This year’s runways refl ected the ease of the season with youthful, upbeat clothing in feminine fabrics,” explains Essie Weingarten, President and Founder of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd. “I was inspired by the vivid pastels at Versace and the splashy florals at DKNY. I created this collection to reflect the youthful, fun-to-wear flirty frocks.” The summer fashion trend is all about mixing and matching, and the summer color palette allows for the same fun and freedom. Choose Miss Matched for fingers and Pretty Edgy for toes, or whatever you fancy – since there is no more matchy-matchy!

The Summer Collection from essie is available beginning June 2010 at www.essie.com and fine spas, salons and beauty destinations nationwide.
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Spring Fingers: O∙P∙I Dim Sum Plum (review)

I’m going to be tied up most of the day, so I decided to post nice and early. I’m not sure what the opposite of “Indian Summer” is; but we seem to have experienced a brief “Indian Winter” during the last few days. After a burst of Spring, we temporarily reverted back to cold, windy, wet weather. I even had to put my sandals back in the closet. Gasp!

But we still know that Spring weather is inching its way into our lives to stay. And to keep the whole spring thing going; I’m going to talk about a polish from the other O∙P∙I Spring Collection.

Dim Sum Plum (from the Hong Kong Collection)

Blurb: OPI Hong Kong Dim Sum Plum is a berry delectable delicacy. City edge. Shades that capture the brilliant sharpness of the cityscape. A modern mood of color and perspective for spring.

I love this color. It’s versatile and full of pizzazz! It’s a gorgeous, rich, bright (yet modern) berry. It’s universally flattering and works well with bright spring colors as well as more conservative browns, blacks and greys. It’s also fun and bright for a pedicure. It can go to the beach, a club or a board meeting.

Take a look at the whole collection on the website. (Some of the shades are also available on select DELL™ laptops - fancy!) O∙P∙I can be found at drugstores like Duane Reade and Beauty Stores like Ulta.

Have a great Wednesday!
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Feelin Pre-Spring: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color, “Les Impressions de Chanel” (review)

It's about to rain any second here, but the temperature is hovering around 60 degrees. I think that officially qualifies as a Spring shower, don't you? Maybe it will even help the rest of the snow disappear!

It's been feeling like Spring all week. I can't believe it. After all the recent, blizzards and snow days; it seems like I moved or something. Anyway, to keep the Spring vibe going, I'm reviewing part of the Spring 2010 Makeup Collection from Chanel.

Le Vernis Nail Color

Blurb: Brilliance to your fingertips with must-have colours from the runways of Paris. State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails. Unique patented non-spill bottle with wiping action for easy application.

I love these colors, and it bears mentioning that the formula is exceptional. It covers well (even with one coat), dries beautifully and lasts. The three new colors are feminine, rich and sophisticated. "Inattendu" (#503) is a creamy sandy/sunny beige, and "Tendresse" (#507) is a tender, feminine pink.

"Particulière" (#505) is one the most awesome colors I've seen so far this year. It's a warm rich taupe with a hint of grey (reminds me of café-au-lait). It's gorgeous, flattering and can go just about anywhere.

You can check out the rest of the Spring collection on the website, but I recommend you head to your nearest department store Chanel counter and take a look in person.

Happy Thursday!
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Wear Me! OPI Absolutely Alice (review)

I can hardly wait for Spring! All the Spring colors that are coming out are starting to make me giddy. But since Spring is weeks away; I'm going to set my sights on something that is equally colorful, but ariving a lot sooner: Alice in Wonderland opens tomorrow. And my visions of Spring and Wonderland can come together right this minute with a new nail color from OPI.

Absolutely Alice Nail Laquer

Blurb: OPI Absolutely Alice is a blue with a hint of gold glitter nail polish color. From the Alice In Wonderland Collection, Spring 2010.

Well we already know that OPI makes fabulous polishes. So there's not a whole lot I can say except that this is a unique, super cool shade in the super awesome OPI formula! It's a deep turquoise with bits of gold glitter, and it's gorgeous!! (In addition to being a hot, festive color, it's a shade that will work all through the spring and summer months.)

Visit the website and check out the entire Alice In Wonderland Collection. And don't forget to enter the sweepstakes. (Tomorrow is the last day!). OPI is sold all over the place. Two of those places are Duane Reade and Ulta.

Still wanting a bit more Alice? Check out the trailer:


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Happy (Busy) Wednesday: Sula Paint & Peel (review)

Howdy! Today has been absolutely crazy and I'm having a difficult time thinking of anything other than how much work I have.

I'm learning music again this week so all my energy is focused on little black notes. So what kind of beauty product could I possibly tie in (cheesily, of course) to little black notes? Well fear not! In addition to little black notes, I'm also going to talk about little black nails. Ten of them to be exact. On my fingers. Courtesy of Sula Beauty.

Paint & Peel Nail Polish (in "Midnight")

Blurb: This water-based nail color has amazing appeal. Gorgeous colors apply easily and simply peel off the nail. Touch ups are a snap with the fast drying formula. For extended wear, use water-based Permanent in clear or metallic.

I've been eyeing these for months, and I finally decided to give one a try. Would it go on easily? Would it look nice? Would it really peel off? The answers are yes, yes, and YES!

I'm kind of snobby about my nail polishes, but this one is a keeper. First, it went on easily and smoothly. It also dried fairly quickly. Instead of a lacquer shine, I got more of a vinyl finish. The coverage is excellent. It even looked good with one coat (I used two, though). And yes indeed, it peeled right off! I purposely chose the shade "Midnight" (aka: black) because dark colors are the biggest pain to remove. But the polish peeled easily, and my nails were all ready for a new color.

This is the perfect polish to have for those "one-off" occasions (when you want something bold or different to wear only for a night or two). Since the finish is softer, the surface gets dulled a bit sooner; so you may want to use the "Permanent" when you want to keep your manicure longer. But the fact that you can just peel the whole thing off is fabulous. These are also great for travel (since you can skip the polish remover).

Check out website. In addition to other non-nail related items, you can look at more of the Paint and Peel collection and then take a look at the where-to-find section. Sula is also sold at Anthropologie and Ulta.
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Spring Colors from Essie

You don't know how happy I am to post this after another giant bout of snow. We even had a little sprinkle last night. Check out the harbinger of spring!

Introducing THE ART OF SPRING Collection

Spring ushers in a warm, high-spirited bouquet of pretty shades and sultry silhouettes. At the Spring 2010 shows, designers expressed a super-sexy return to elegance with a pop art palette of colors. Body-clinging pieces with flurries of tulle, silk and organza flowed alongside crepe skirts, linen kimonos and shantung gowns in never-ending shades of lilac, rose and cerise.

From the Expert: “When I go to the fashion shows, I don’t just see clothes, I see artistic expression and color,” says Essie Weingarten, founder and president of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd. “Art and fashion go hand in hand, and this season’s collections reminded me of the pop art fashion explosion. My spring color collection is a reflection of that movement.”

Tip From the Expert: For polish to last longer use a base, like First Base Base Coat and top coat, like Good to Go! – the base coat prepares the polish to adhere and the top coat seals in color. Also, wait 2 minutes in between color applications so that the polish can set. A few days later, apply Shine-e to refresh polish to a top shine finish.

The Essie Art of Spring Collection joins the award-winning lineup beginning February 2010 at www.essie.com and fine spas, salons and beauty destinations nationwide.
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