Finger Paints - Asylum over Revlon Fearless (12/27/2011)

Asylum [əˈsaɪləm] n.  An institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp. a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum). - The Free Dictionary (online)


Finger Paints Asylum will have you questioning your sanity it's so beautiful and I'm also glad that Finger Paints has brought a few more unique flakie formulations to the general population.  "Hidden Treasure" (Sally Hansen) is so "2010" (Nubar) - LOL!!!


All jokes aside, what I mean is that these type of multi-colored flakies (see FingerPaints ad below) are usually a bit more pricey and available online only - this is not the case with Finger Paints.  Plus, I'm not a fan of buying polish online when I'm literally swimming in nail polish in my local area.  Now that my mini-rant is done, on to the review...

Color Description: Asylum is a mix of purple, orange and yellow flakies suspended in a clear milky base and will amplify the look of medium to dark lacquers.  It may get lost on pastels or paler colors.  My red combo is showing peeks of color for a more subtle look but to really show this line off you'll need to go much darker, if not black.


Similar To: A combination of Nfu Oh #56 & #43, but I doubt there's anything on the market right now that has these colors all mixed up like Asylum.


This Look: Two coats of Asylum over my previous mani with a coat of Shine & Hold for a nice shiny quick-dry.


Price Point/Availability: These will be available at your local Sally's Beauty Supply come January 1st, 2011.  I just asked if they had them, they did and I purchased two on sale for $4.99 (regular $5.49, I believe).  I'm hoping for these to be placed in Finger Paints core line but know today's marketing strategies, they will more than likely be "Limited Edition".


I can truly say that Asylum and Twisted are my favorite lacquers of 2011 (even though they're not to be officially released until 2012).

Revlon - Fearless (12/24/2011)

I spotted this new Revlon at CVS this weekend and fell in absolute love all over again.  I keep falling for these colors and just convince myself when I'm in the check-out line that it's slightly different from the the four or five other brands that I have at home.  


You do have to be very careful with Revlon color choices, though, because they have been known to rename and recently repackage the same color and sell it as new.  How Tricky!


Color Description: Fearless is a gorgeous orange-red creme that can almost be jelly-like, but not quite.  It is bright, thus the name but I find it to be very wearable and this shade always garners lots of compliments.


Similar To:  Let me count the ways (cough, cough)! Let's just say that a few in my collection are similar... Click here for my orange-red collection.


This Look: One coat of Nutra Nail Touch of Color Nail Strenghtener, one coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Revlon Fearless and one coat of Shine & Hold. Great application that gives a flawless finish.


Price Point/Availability: This lacquer is $4.99 and was found at CVS in a new freestanding display toward the front of the store.  Be careful, there's a dupe of Perplex in this collection called Naughty (do not be fooled, like me - lol).


Thanks for checking me out today!  I can't wait to try the new flakies at Sally's later on.  Picked up Asylum and Twisted - crazy names but beautiful effects. :)

Color Club - Nouveau Vintage (12/23/2011)

Do you see what I see?  A gorgeous and fairly new (Fall 2011) lacquer from Color Club that is just perfect for the fall.  Nouveau Vintage is from the Back to Boho collection and so far this is the only one I've picked up.  Do you have any from this collection?


Color Description: In the picture below there's lots of green and brown which makes for a very interesting bottle but once Nouveau Vintage is on the nail it translates into a beautiful antiqued bronze with super fine micro-shimmers of gold, rust and green with a brown base.  Very, very suitable for an everyday look.


Similar To: Nouveau Vintage (i.e. New Old) totally reminded me of OPI's Warm & Fozzie once I placed it on my nail.  I quickly did research to find out was I dreaming? Am I the only one that sees the similarities?  The answer was, "no".  As a matter of fact as seen in my last post there was a comparison post done.  So, again, if you can't find one check out the other for a similar look and feel.


This Look: One coat of Nutra Nail Touch of Color Nail Strengthener, three coats of Nouveau Vintage and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: Color Club can be found online and are also sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond. (retails for $6/ea.)


Well, as I type and look down at my nails I wonder when I will want to change my nail color.  I like this as much as I like Warm & Fozzie and just hope it won't be another two weeks before I have the heart to move on.


Take Care! ♥

OPI - Warm & Fozzie (12/22/2011)

I love this lacquer!  When I wear Warm & Fozzie I can't seem to take it off and as a matter of fact when it is time to remove it I reapply it; I ended up wearing this for two weeks straight one time. As with Designer De Better, this came out this Fall in the Muppets Collection and is limited edition (LE).


Color Description: Straight from OPI, "This feel-good shade of metallic copper will brighten even the dullest days and leave you feeling as if Fozzie Bear just told you his worst joke!" Maybe that's why I couldn't take it off (hehehe). This beautiful coppery-bronze has gold, rust, green shimmer and flecks that will really keep you coming back for more.


Similar To: If you can't find Warm & Fozzie take a look at Color Club's Nouveau Vintage.  Though it's not an exact match it definitely gives you the same feel and is so close I had to check my bottles.  Nouveau Vintage is a tad darker and not as glass-flecked but is a cozy Fall/Winter lacquer just the same.  As a matter of fact, Chromatic Misadventures did a comparison post which I'm attaching for you viewing pleasure (click here).


This Look: One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Warm & Fozzie and one coat of Hold & Shine.


Price Point/Availability: Warm & Fozzie was one of the first to sell out at my local salon, however, they did restock.  So check out your local OPI distributor (Ulta, JCPenney, Salon) soon before it can't be found, after all it was LE.

OPI - Designer De Better (12/18/2011)

OPI's Muppets Collection was released November 2011 a few weeks prior to the Muppets movie release and of the twelve lacquers released I picked up two: Designer De Better and Warm & Fozzie.  Of the two, Warm & Fozzie is my favorite but I really do like Designer De Better now on to its review.


Color Description: Described as a light metallic bronze by OPI, Designer De Better is packed with pale golden/platinum micro-glitter with a spattering of burnt orange glitter.  Very fancy but can be worn everyday without the feeling of being over-the-top.


Similar To: Very original and similar to nothing that I own.


This Look: Two coats of Designer De Better and one coat of Maybelline forever+strong topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: You may still be able to find this lacquer at your local JCPenney or Ulta (or any Salon that carries OPI).  This is a limited edition collection so it won't be around permanently and retails for $8.50.


Thanks so much for checking out my page and I'd love to hear from you.  Have you seen the Muppets Movie?  I heard it was really good but haven't seen it yet.  Will more than likely rent it, how 'bout you?

Sally Hansen - Gray Area (12/16/2011)

Has it almost been a month since my last post?  Where did the time go?  Well, it's been a busy month betweem the job hunt, a wedding, a funeral and life in general - let's just say, "things have really been going on!" I have been, however, polishing my nails.  


So what have you missed?  OPI's Warm & Fozzie - I just couldn't take it off and wore it for two weeks straight! Also, really liked OPI's Designer De Better.  I will have posts of these soon.  Now on to what I'm wearing today.  Sally Hansen's Gray Area which is inspired from a handbag that I purchased recently from the Junior Drake Warehouse sale.

Junior Drake - Gia

Color Description: Is it gray? Is it purple? Is it taupe? It's a "Gray Area" is what it is.  It's very unique as far as creme lacquers go and it's very wearable.  Stays in the dark family but does not go black indoors - nice!

Similar To: This is the creme version of Chanel Paradoxal and Dare To Wear's Fortune.  A very rich looking color, indeed.

OTT Lite with Light Box

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Gray Area and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: I'm almost certain that this is in Sally Hansen's core line and can be found at most drugstore's for no more than $2.99.


Now if you can imagine this dark gray handbag that in certain light looks like the picture below which is some sort of grayish purple - this is what the Gia bag in Shadow looks like.  


More about Junior Drake coming soon!  One of my favorite handbag designers of 2010-2011...

Junior Drake Warehouse Sale - Leather Handbags (December 16-18)

When: The Junior Drake Warehouse Clearance Sale is happening two weekends in a row and ending this weekend.  I went last weekend and picked up the full leather Gia Handbag for about 85% below retail (see pic below).  There will be hundreds, if not, thousands of leather handbags in every color of the rainbow.

Where: There's always refreshments to keep up your shopping stamina, as well (i.e. hot dogs, cookies, and drinks).  So if you're in the Los Angeles area, by all means, make it down to the Junior Drake Warehouse Sale and have a blast!!!

What: Here's a pic of the handbag I picked up last weekend for 85% off!  

Crazy steal of a deal:

Gia Studded Satchel (color: Shadow)


Matching Lacquer: Sally Hansen Gray Area, Dare 2 Wear Fortune and 
Chanel Paradoxal

Video: Here's a glimpse of what you'll be "in store" for:

Details: Sneak-peek at bags and dates are below:

Omega Labs - #333 (11/17/2011)

I really wish this lacquer had a proper name but alas it is just called #333.  Alrighty then (lol)...


Color Description: A really nice and cheery lavender that struck me as a bit different from others in my collection leaning towards the pink/blue family which made it a must have.


Similar To: This totally reminded me of Sally Hansen's Delphinium and L'Oreal Delicate Dusk at first glance but after pulling the bottles these two are much duskier/dustier in tone, whereas #333 has no grays in the mix.  May be more in line with OPI Do You Lilac It? but I don't have this one in my collection.


This Look: Two coats of #333 and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine. #333 is bit thick so it was difficult to apply but the end result was pretty nice.


Price Point/Availability:  I found this while on vacation and am not sure where else to purchase it.  I checked their website and #333 is not listed (it jumps from 331 to 334) go figure? At any rate, these retail for $7.00 and have lots of other nice lacquers to choose from.


Thanks for stopping by today, oh, and my next post will be "next to nubbins".  My nails always tell me when they're too long by chipping on the corners so I took them down a millimeter or so.  I love to rock dark shades with shorter nails so can't wait to where something new soon!

OPI - Purple With A Purpose (11/14/2011)

What can I say?  Purple With A Purpose is a very pretty color...  I'm sick with a really bad sore throat and cold right now but I wanted to show you my latest look.  This color makes me feel not as bad...

Color Description: This color has a glowing pearl finish with magenta undertones.


Similar To: Nothing else in my collection.

Price Point/Availability: Purple With A Purpose is from the Brights Collection and is included in the core line; retails for $8.50.


Hope I feel better soon!  Next color up, I can tell you is another purple but in a totally different hue.  See you sooner than later and stay well in this weather, 'kay?

NYX - Woman (11/11/2011)

As Shania Twain says, this lacquer ♪♫"makes me feel like a woman!"♪♫  NYX Woman is one of those lacquers that until you pick up and look at closely in the bottle you won't realize how special it is.


Color Description:  NYX Woman is a red lacquer that glows from within, truly.  It's a deep ruby red with gold, red and magenta shimmer and I just can't seem to take it off.  After the pics were taken I broke a nail, mended it and reapplied Woman - phenomenal!


Similar To:  Puts me in the mind of one of my oldie but goodies OPI I'm Not Really A Waitress - you get the drift... It's GOOOD!


This Look:  One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Woman, one coat  of Mega Shine and one coat of NailShine Miracle.


Price Point/Availability:  This lacquer retails online for about $4.00 but you can find it locally at your mom and pop beauty supplier for less that $2.00.

I'm sure I've seen this many times before and and decided to "walk on by" as the song goes until I recently picked it up and to my surprise it's a real gem of a lacquer.  If you see it in the store give it a gander, you just might like what you see. :)

Pink Wednesday: Ashley Stewart French Kiss w/ Sally Hansen Sheer Strawberry

Today I have for you French Kiss from Ashley Stewart a plus-size clothing store with an eclectic mix of styles to choose from including chunky accessories and now lacquer for your nails.  


Just about every retail outlet is now selling nail polish and Ashley Stewart is no different - who can blame them?  Nail polish is HOT and you can do it yourself.


Color Description:  French Kiss is an opaque pale peachy-pink creme that was extremely difficult to apply (very streaky) and even more difficult to photograph. I layered Sally Hansen's Sheer Strawberry over it to even out the streaks a bit which made it jelly-like.


Similar To:  Maybelline Pink Sorbet is almost the exact same pink (will be gifting French Kiss soon).  I pulled China Glaze Something Sweet and it was much darker and pinker in tone.


This Look: Two coats of French Kiss, two coats of Sheer Strawberry and one coat of Shine & Hold.

Price Point/Availability:  This was recently purchased and is currently on sale for $1.99 (in-store only).


I wore this mani this weekend and it's a bit worn but I still feel "pretty in pink" - Happy Hump Day!

China Glaze - Trendsetter (11/4/2011)

I pulled Trendsetter out of my box of untrieds for this Fall and I must say I really like this one, a lot. 

Color Description:  Best described as a yellow-toned mossy green with gold shimmer, Trendsetter is definitely on the mustard side and is very unique.

Similar To: With a name like Trendsetter it better not have any dupes... Can you think of one?  I can't.

This Look:  One coat of Instant Artificals, two coats of Trendsetter and one coat of Shine and Hold.

Price Point/Availability:  This lacquer is from China Glaze's Metro collection for Fall 2011, however, I believe this was a limited edition offering but you can readily find Trendsetter online.

How do you choose which color to wear next? For me it really depends on how the wind blows but as I mentioned above if all else fails I have a trusty-dusty box of untrieds to choose from. :)

OPI - Jade Is The New Black (11/1/2011)

Jade Is The New Black is a beautiful GREEN from last year's Hong Kong collection and is the perfect lacquer to complete, what I will call, my "traffic light series", which included the RED Caviar & Vodka (from the 2007 Russian collection) and my last YELLOW post of The "It" Color (from the 2008 Mod About Brights collection).


Color Description: A very vivid, deep and dusty green creme that looks great in bright lights.


Similar To: The color of the Starbucks logo (lol) and what else?  The closest thing I've seen is Revlon Emerald (comped by The Daily Varnish here)...  Pretty close I'd say!


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Garlic base, one coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Jade Is The New Black and one coat of Shine and Hold.


Price Point/Availability: Again, it looks like this color made it into the core/permanent line and retails for $8.50/ea.


Thanks for stopping by once again!  Green means "go" so off to make some moves this week.  See you soon... :)

OPI - The "It" Color (10/31/2011)

OPI The "It" Color is the color that started my lacquer collecting craze!  Little did I know that I already had 80 bottles of polish thrown in a box from over 20 years of buying nail polish.  But there's a difference between "buying" and "collecting" and I'm sure you all know what that is.  Anyway, with this color I found an artistic form of expression with color and my nails - Bright, Bold, Beautiful color and away I went!


Color Description: The "It" Color is a caution yellow creme, like the color of street signs, school buses, manila envelopes and pavement lines.  It is definitely a bold and daring color to wear and also matches one of my favorite handbags.  The color of this handbag is Chamois Yellow...  this works, too.


Similar To: I find this color to be very close to Stockholm by Dare to Wear, however, the D2W seems to be a jelly while the OPI is a creme.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, one coat of Instant Artificials and three coats of The "It" Color (yellow tends to be a bit streaky) and one coat of Shine and Hold.


Price Point/Availability:  The "It" Color is still in OPI's core line of colors and can be purchased just about anywhere you can buy OPI.


What started you on your way to becoming a nail polish fanatic; for some it's design, for me it's color, what is it for you?

OPI - Vodka & Caviar (10/28/2011)

I had a strong desire to wear a classic red today and the first color to pop into my mind was OPI's Vodka & Caviar.  This lacquer hails from the 2007 Russian collection and may just be the red of all reds.


Color Description: V&C is a medium to deep red creme that can be an everyday color or special occasion depending on your mood.  Definitely a must for the lacquer lover!


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials two coats of Vodka & Caviar and one coat of Shine & Hold topcoat.


Price Point/Availability:  I believe this color has been inducted into the OPI core line for its classic allure and is readily available for purchase online and in your local salons.  Retails for $8.50.


Have a great weekend!

Pink Wednesday: China Glaze Sprinkles

Today's Pink Wednesday offering is China Glaze Sprinkles, which is a pretty pink that's right up my alley and to top it all off it has lot of magenta micro glitter thus the name Sprinkles!

This lacquer has been discontinued but you can find it online, no problem!

Have an awesome week and see you around soon!

L'Oreal Luminescence (10/21/2011)

♪♫ "Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful..." ♪♫ 
It's taken me a long while to wear this lacquer, at least a year and I really should've gotten around to wearing this stunner sooner!


It would've been even better if I could've taken pics of Luminescence in the daylight but I have a few shots that captivate this beauty's allure.



Color Description: 
A deep almost blackened purple with blue and magenta shimmer that can only be seen in certain light.


Similar To: Believe it or not this is very similar to Wet N Wild's Ready To Pounce (RTP) however Luminescence has a much better formula with a great depth of shimmer than RTP.



This Look: One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Luminescence and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Do you have this color or RTP?  This is a great vampy shade that I'm certain will be great on all skin types.  Well, that's all folks and see you soon!

Pink Wednesday: OPI - Come To Poppy

Come To Poppy is from OPI's Spring 2011 Nice Stems Collection.  The only thing I can say is that this is not what I imagine the color Poppy to be; to me Poppy is a bright orange-red.  It's still nice though.


Color Description: A pearlized shimmering hot pink frost with lavender duo-chrome, Come To Poppy is bright and cheery.


Similar To: Unique finish but similar in color to many hot pinks on the market.


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Garlic base coat, with one coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Come To Poppy with one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: OPI retails for $8.50/ea, however, this may not be readily available as it was limited edition.  I'm sure you can get this online and it may still be at select salon locations.

Nubar - Verde (10/17/2011)

A very sophisticated green, Nubar Verde is on trend for the Fall!  I've owned this lacquer for at least a year and finally decided to wear it and its all that and then some.


Color Description: Verde is, of course, green but with an unusual golden-bronze glass-flecked undertone that sets it apart from most greens out there. It's a beautiful deep forest green with a golden shimmer you don't come by everyday.


Similar To: So close to Zoya Edyta that they could be fraternal twins. My Lucid Bubble did a "smackdown" between the two and here it is for you viewing pleasure.


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Garlic basecoat, two coats of Nubar Verde and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: Nubar Verde is available online at ByNubar.com and retails for about $7.50.


See you on Pink Wednesday peeps! :)

Asili Bath and Body Products

I was sent a lovely manicure set from Asili Bath and Body to review and I must admit after using it for a while I'm definitely in love with the sweet and natural products that this set is made of.  


All products are made of 100% natural ingredients, hand-made upon each order and custom scents are available at request.  I've listed the products that I've tried below:

Price Point/Availability:

Orange Ginger Suga' Scrub (2 oz.) - Exfoliate your hands while moisturizing dry skin and cuticles with a blend of Brown Sugar, Citrus and Ginger essential oils that will invigorate and revive tired hands. - $7.00

Lemon & Rose Cuticle Oil Lemon & Rose Cuticle Oil (1oz.):  Moisturize dry cuticles with moisture rich Jojoba and Sweet Almond oils, Vitamin E oil Lemon and Rosewood essential oils.  - $8.00

Coconut & Lemograss Hand Butter (2 oz.) - Moisturize dry hands and cuticles with this rich creme infused with Virgin Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Lemongrass and Tangerine essential oils. - $10.00

Asili Bath and Body products can be found by visiting the website www.asilibodyproducts.com, by phone (708) 679-0756 or by e-mail at asili_products@yahoo.com. Please click here for the link to the Hands & Feet portion of the Asili website that will give any mani/pedi spa treatment like never before!

About the Founder: 
"Founded by Pamela Willis in 2000, Asili, which means nature in Swahili specializes in all-natural bath and body products. Willis started experimenting with natural products such as shea butter, which has been used for centuries to soften and protect skin and hair in African cultures. From there she created a wide variety of products with fragrances ranging from her extremely popular Almond scent to her exclusive Special Edition Mango."

Final Thoughts: My skin was left emollient and fragrant like I'd just left the spa.  And I really appreciate the fact that I was able to try three of the many wonderful handcrafted scents from the collection.


Thank you Pamela for letting me share your wonderful products with ladies wonderful women around the globe and ladies have a great Saturday evening!!!

Pink Wednesday: OPI - Teenage Dream over Sally Hansen Pink Diamond

One good thing about living on the West Coast is that I have a few more hours to get my Pink Wednesday look published...  Yay for L.A.!  


Here's Teenage Dream over Pink Diamond and at first, it was just going to be Pink Diamond but I decided to prettify (lol - prettify looks like it's a real word) it with Teenage Dream and it worked out nicely,


No real details will be given about this look today but if you have any questions, please, please, please, ask me.  Now on to the definition of prettify...


pret·ti·fy

tr.v. pret·ti·fied, pret·ti·fy·ing, pret·ti·fies

To make pretty or prettier, especially in a superficial or insubstantial way.

Essie - Case Study (10/9/2011)

Case Study is from Essie's Brand New Bag Fall 2011 collection which consists of a total of "six creamy rich shades reminiscent of complex colors that are a throwback to the fashions of the 1940's and 1950's". 


Well, I only purchased one from this collection and what's interesting is that Case Study changes color on different skin tones. But it's still an very nice albeit unusual color, wouldn't ya say?


Color Description:  Described by Essie as a rich caramel beige, Case Study leans more towards a grey-beige (or greige) on my brown/tan skin, however, so may reviewers have it as pulling green on them, sorry no green here.


Similar To: Nothing in my collection.


This Look: One coat of OPI Acrylic Nail Base Coat, two coats of Case Study and one coat of Shine & Hold Quick Dry top coat.


Price Point/Availability: I believe this collection has been touted as "limited edition" which means while supplies last and retails for about $8.00.


Do you have this color yet or any others from the?  What do you think?