Tuesday 23 December 2014

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hey guys!  Today's post is just a quickie to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Whatever holiday you celebrate or don't, I wish you peace, happiness and love!  PJ's and Polish will be taking a two week break from posting and will return on Tuesday, January 6th.  I want to thank everyone who takes the time to visit or comment on my reviews or nail art.  I wish you all the best!

Friday 19 December 2014

HPB Presents Winter Nail Art

Hey guys!  I'm part of an amazing Facebook group called Hobby Polish Bloggers.  I have learned so much from there about lighting, social media and how to label and tag my pictures.  There are always interesting and thought provoking topics that come up on a variety of subjects and it's by far one of the best groups I've found.  If you're a newbie polish blogger, or are seriously considering blogging about nail polish/nail art I highly recommend checking it out.  This month's theme is "Holiday, Festive or Winter themed".  I actually did the perfect mani for this a little while ago, and thought this would be a great way to showcase it.

HPB Presents Winter Nail Art Nicole by OPI Poised in Turquoise Stamping Born Pretty Store BP-01 Mundo de Unas White Seche Vite NYC Matte Me Crazy
HPB Presents Winter Nail Art
HPB Presents Winter Nail Art Nicole by OPI Poised in Turquoise Stamping Born Pretty Store BP-01 Mundo de Unas White Seche Vite NYC Matte Me Crazy
HPB Presents Winter Nail Art

  Okay, so I totally had to show you this both glossy and matte.  I have never tried mattifying polish before and I've seen some really pretty matte nail art.  Normally I'm 100% a glossy girl, but I think in this case, I actually really prefer this matte.  Look at that glow!  I don't think I'll be all "matte all the things", but in this case I really like how it turned out.  I messed up my stamping a bit, but I still love the overall look.  It screams "Frozen" to me, what do you think?

Products used:
Base: Nicole by OPI Poised in Turquoise
Stamping plate: BP-01 from the BornPrettyStore
Stamping Polish: Mundo de Unas White
Glossy Topcoat - Seche Vite
Matte Topcoat - NYC Matte Me Crazy

Don't forget to check out all the other Holiday, Festive or Winter themed manis from the other HBP members below.


Tuesday 16 December 2014

China Glaze - Strike Up a Cosmo

Hey guys!  Today's polish is China Glaze Strike Up a Cosmo from their Autumn Nights collection.  I got the whole collection for my birthday last year and I haven't tried a lot of them yet.  Strike Up A Cosmo called to me recently to try it.  The description in italics below is directly from China Glaze.

Swatch and Review China Glaze Strike Up a Cosmo Foil Seche Vite
China Glaze - Strike Up a Cosmo
Swatch and Review China Glaze Strike Up a Cosmo Foil Seche Vite
China Glaze - Strike Up a Cosmo
Strike Up a Cosmo is sparkling rose gold shimmer.

This is two coats of Strike Up a Cosmo with one coat of Seche Vite.  The formula is thick, but easy to work with.  I prefer polishes with a little bit of a thicker consistency and this one was great.  It went on easily with only very few brushtrokes that were smoothed out with topcoat.  I'd classify Strike Up a Cosmo as foil rather than a shimmer polish.  It shows my ridges a bit, but I don't mind.  Are you a fan of foils?
After putting it on, it seemed like I already reviewed something super familiar.  I'll have a comparison post for you soon, but first I'll let Strike Up a Cosmo take the spotlight today.

Canadians can purchase China Glaze online at Nail Polish Canada starting at $8.75 - $12.75 depending on finish.  At the time of this blog post shipping is free within Canada on orders over $25.00.

Nail Polish Canada: Store, Facebook, and Twitter

Thursday 11 December 2014

Nicole by OPI - Poised in Turquoise

Hey guys!  Today's polish is Nicole by OPI Poised in Turquoise.  I don't own very many NOPI as personally I don't really care for the bottle, but the polish inside looked so pretty and it was only $3.00 at Dollarama, so I couldn't pass it up.

Swatch and Review Nicole by OPI Poised in Turquoise Seche Vite
Nicole by OPI - Poised in Turquoise
This is four thin coats of Poised in Turquoise with one coat of Seche Vite.  When I first started getting into polish, I didn't have patience for anything that was more than two coats really.  I've since come to learn that sometimes for a polish I may need three or four.  The formula on this is very thin, and I found even after waiting a few minutes between coats that it tended to drag at the cuticle a bit.  It's so darn pretty though that the four coats were worth it.

Swatch and Review Nicole by OPI Poised in Turquoise Seche Vite
Nicole by OPI - Poised in Turquoise
 While it isn't a duochrome, in some lights it leans more green, and in others more blue.  In low lighting, the shine/flash that appears on the nails is an emerald green.  Unfortunately I couldn't properly capture this in photos.  It did stain the sides of my nails a little bit upon removal, so you might want to double up on basecoat.

Since this was at Dollarama, I'm not sure if it's still available in stores, but I'm glad I didn't ignore it just because of the bottle shape.  Are you a NOPI fan?



Thursday 27 November 2014

Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Varnish and Liquilights Glow Gloss



Warning, photo heavy!
 
Hey guys!  Today's products were sent to me for review through Brandbacker and sponsored by Markwin International.  I received the new Makeup by One Direction Limited Edition Rock Me Nail Varnish and Liquilights Glow Gloss kits to review.  The kits all come in awesome packaging with the band member's signatures on it.  Die-hard fans will likely want to keep the packaging.  Product descriptions in italics below from Markwins International.

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite

ROCK ME NAIL KIT, featuring NEON UV-REACTIVE Nail Varnish and UV-REACTIVE GLITTER nail toppings that add even more sizzle to your mani, for nails that light up day and night.
Sprinkle the glitter over wet polish for a subtle accent, or go for the glitz and dip your entire wet mani in mega-watt sparkle!


Nail Varnish:
Happily- UV iced blue glitter
Moments- UV neon pink
Diana- UV 3D holographic

Glitter Toppings:
Kicks- UV snow cone blue
Not Afraid- UV electrified pink glitter
Star- UV holo glitter

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Happily
This is three coats of Happily with one coat of Seche Vite.  Personally I didn't really care for how it applies and looks on the nail.  It looks patchy and uneven and that's even after using two coats of basecoat to smooth over any ridges that I have.  I love this colour, but it was tricky to work with.  I tried a number of things to smooth it out and didn't have much success.  I wouldn't consider it an iced blue either, it's definitely more cobalt blue to me.

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Happily with Kicks
Kicks is the glitter that comes in the set to complement Happily.  I had a bit of frustration with this as well.  I tried dipping my nail into the pot, as well as brushing it on.  Since this was my very first experience with loose glitter it definitely took some manipulating until I got it the way I wanted, but I have a better grasp of if now.  In the end I sprinkled it on with a fan brush and preferred how that looked.  I added another two coats of Seche Vite on top to get the effect show above. 

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Moments
This is three coats of Moments with one coat of Seche Vite. The formula on this is fantastic, especially compared to Happily.  I could have gotten away with only two coats, but I did three to deepen the colour.

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Moments with Not Afraid
Not Afraid is the glitter that complements Moments.  It's a little more subtle than Kicks, but still sparkly. It definitely gives Moments an extra glow.

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Diana
This is three coats of Diana and one coat of Seche Vite.  The formula on this can be built up to a decent opacity and the glitters mostly lay flat with the odd bar glitter needing to be pushed back from the edge a bit.  Normally I don't care bar glitter, but they're small enough that they aren't overpowering.

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Diana with Star
Star is the glitter to go along with Diana.  I think Diana is sparkly enough on it's own that it doesn't really need extra glitter.  Even just sprinkling Star overtop you can't see Diana underneath.  It's certainly gorgeous, but I'd pair Star along with one of the others or perhaps on a black.  Star is by far the blingiest of the three.

I really ended up liking the whole kit, including the loose glitter.  It makes a crazy mess, but looks fantastic when sprinkled on, especially once I got the hang of things.  The only disappointment of the bunch for me was Happily.  It's a lovely shade and if it had the same formula as Moments, the whole kit would have been perfect.

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite

Liquilights Glow Gloss sparkles brilliantly during the day and illuminates under UV black light after dark. Enriched with natural oils and vitamin E to keep your lips soft and hydrated all day and all night.  Gloss can be worn alone for a pop of sparkle and color, or paired with One Direction crème lipstick for a bolder look.

Kiss You- Orange glitter rush lip gloss that glows to neon yellow under UV light
Taken - Powerhouse glitter pink lip gloss that glows to neon orange under UV light
 Through the Dark- Electric glitter poppy lip gloss that glows to neon red-orange under UV light

Swatch and Review Makeup by One Direction Rock Me Nail Kit Liquilights Glow Gloss Happily Moments Diana Kicks Not Afraid Star Kiss You Taken Through the Dark Limited Edition Glitter Polish Seche Vite
Makeup by One Direction - Kiss You, Taken, and Through the Dark
 I had previously reviewed Through the Dark when I reviewed the Midnight Memories kit and after trying both Kiss You and Taken, they all applied and wore similarly.  Because they're sparkly, they do have a bit of a gritty feeling, but it's not overly distracting.  All of them were nicely pigmented and went on smoothly.  Both Taken and Through the Dark are gorgeous pinks that complement my skin tone, but Kiss You is a bit too orange for me.  Kiss You could certainly be used over other colours to add a bit of sparkle and shine though.  

Overall


Both of these kits are excellent additions to a One Direction fan's collection as well as for nail polish and lip gloss lovers, of which I am both.  They also all glow in the dark, which unfortunately I don't have the setup to photograph for you.  

Where can you purchase them?


 Both kits retail for around $16.50 USD each and they are currently avaialble at the following stores:

Macy's
Dillards
Boscov's
Stage Stores
Beauty Brands
Lord & Taylor 

To keep in touch what's going on, don't forget to follow Makeup by One Direction's Facebook page.  If you also follow along on Twitter or Instagram, be sure to check out these hashtags: #makeupby1D, #thelookscollection, #markwins

Want to win these?


Check out the giveaway below.
;

I am a Brandbacker community member and I am participating in the Brandbacker Makeup by One Direction Campaign from Markwin International.  I was not compensated for this post.  I received samples to facilitate an honest review, but all opinions will be always be my own.  Photos not watermarked PJ's and Polish are property of Markwins International.  The giveaway is hosted by Markwin's International and not by PJ's and Polish.  Prizes will be distributed by the brand.  


Friday 21 November 2014

Girly Bits Small Business Black Cyber Sale Press Release

Hey guys, Girly Bits is having a sale!  Check out all the details below.  Is there anything you'll be grabbing?  Unfortunately I'm trying to stick to a no-buy for a bit as I splurged recently.


Sale date: Friday, November 28th at 12midnight EST until Monday, December 2nd at 11:59pm EST
Sale Details:
Girly Bits Cosmetics is having a "Small Business Black Cyber Sale"!
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday all rolled into one FANTASTIC sale!
  • 25% off Nail Lacquer (excludes NEW! Releases)
  • 25% off DIY Polish Supplies (excludes empty bottles)
  • 50% off "On The Way Out"
  • Friday only: FREE Gift with Purchase - Limited Edition Mystery Polish - Quantities are limited!

girly-bits-cosmetics-sbbc-sale-poster-600x848.png

Girly Bits Cosmetics is a Canadian company that has been handcrafting quality nail polish since 2011 in a dazzling array of colours and finishes. As a brand dedicated to providing cruelty free, on-trend and unique products, Girly Bits Cosmetics is well known for outstanding customer service, charitable donations and custom nail polishes dedicated to lost loved ones. Available at 9 on-line retailers around the globe, and a growing number of brick and mortar stores, you can be sure to easily find the season’s hottest new shades, as well as timeless customer favourites.
For more information visit us at www.girlybitscosmetics.com or contact us directly at info@girlybitspolish.com.
Girly Bits Cosmetics can be found on a variety of social media outlets. Be sure to Follow Us!
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Our newsletter is a great way to keep up-to-date about new product releases, promotions and important Girly Bits Cosmetics information.
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REMINDER TO OUR CANADIAN AND US CUSTOMERS:

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $80 (NO COUPON CODE REQUIRED)


Tuesday 18 November 2014

Barielle - Suntini

Hey guys!  Today's polish is Barielle Suntini.  It was part of a pack I bought a while back from Winners.  I used this for my Halloween nail art.

Swatch and Review Barielle Suntini Orange Jelly HK Girl
Barielle - Suntini
 This is three thin coats of Suntini and one coat of HK Girl topcoat.  The formula on this is really good.  It self-leveled nicely, but at two coats there was still too much visible nail line so I added a third coat.  The layers dried to the touch quickly though, so application was still fast and easy.  There were a couple bubbles, but these were from the topcoat, not the polish.

Swatch and Review Barielle Suntini Orange Jelly
Barielle - Suntini
Barielle describe Suntini as a creamy bright orange, but I think it leans more reddish orange, and rather than creamy, I'd consider it more jellyish.  I'm not really an orange person, but my I think I'm warming up to it.  My last review was an orange as well and I actually like how they look on me.  Are you a fan of orange?

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Zoya - Autumn

Hey guys, today's polish is Zoya Autumn from the Fall 2014 Ignite Collection.  I actually bought the whole Ignite set from Nail Polish Canada, but the one that stood out to me most was Autumn since it's not like anything I thought I'd normally wear.  The description in italics below is from Zoya.

Swatch and Review Zoya Autumn Ignite Collection HK Girl
Zoya - Autumn
 Autumn is a varnished copper liquid metal 
This is three thin coats of Autumn with one coat of HK Girl topcoat.  The first and second coat went on a bit patchy and the formula is thick.  Normally I like thick formulas, but I had a little bit of trouble with this one.  The third coat smoothed everything out nicely though and the foil finish is really stunning.  

Swatch and Review Zoya Autumn Ignite Collection HK Girl
Zoya - Autumn
I honestly didn't think I'd like this one, but I actually do.  It's definitely different than any other polish I own.  Despite the formula being a bit troublesome, it was worth it.  The gold flecks in it make it multidimensional and sometimes it appears like the colour shifts to a more reddish hue.  It did show my ridges a bit, but that didn't bother me.

Are you a fan of foil finishes? 

Canadians can purchase Zoya online at Nail Polish Canada, prices range from $8.75 to $10.75 depending on finish.  At the time of this blog post shipping is free within Canada on orders over $25.00.

Nail Polish Canada: Store, Facebook, and Twitter

Saturday 1 November 2014

BzzAgent Campaign Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10

Hey guys!  Today's review is on the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 system including a shampoo, conditioner and "BB Creme".  These products were provided for review purposes from BzzAgent #GotItFree.  Hair care products are really hit or miss for me.  Sometimes they work great, sometimes they leave my hair feeling more greasy and lifeless than ever.  I don't normally use hair treatments of any kind because I don't like using a lot of unnecessary product in my hair, but I figured I'd give the BB Creme a chance and of course I always like trying new shampoos and conditioners.  Since I've gotten the products, they are the only ones I've been using.

Pantene ProV Ultimate 10 System BzzAgent
Image Source: BzzAgent Site

My hair is naturally wavy, and fine.  Some of my biggest problems with my hair is that I get very dry scalp, but the hair at the scalp can still look oily.  The ends of my hair also get very brittle and frizzy.  The back of my hair at the base of my head is very prone to tangling.  The day after washing it can tend to look pretty greasy, but I try to wash it every second or third day.  In short, sometimes my hair drives me crazy as it can be unmanageable.

The Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 Shampoo

The shampoo is by far my favourite product from this system.  While I'm washing I don't find it leaving my hair stripped of all moisture or tangled.  Some shampoos leave my hair feeling like it needs to be washed again or leave it so tangled that I'm fearful of putting a brush or comb through it.  Generally I need to let my hair dry almost completely or I will encounter breakage with the extreme tangling.  After using the shampoo I can run my fingers through my hair in the shower without snagging at tangles.

The Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 Conditioner

Since the shampoo already makes my hair soft, shiny and tangle-free, the conditioner can be a bit of overkill.  I find that I need to use very little.  When used on my scalp, it leaves a build up of product and I really need to be extra careful to rinse it all out.  I now only using it on the ends of my hair for extra moisture.  In combination with the shampoo, my hair is very soft and silky after using it and it's still nicer than usual the day after washing.
 
The Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Creme

This is my least favourite product of them all.  I'm pretty much a wash, brush and go type of person.  I don't use a lot of styling products as I find they weigh down my hair and leave it looking and feeling greasy.  Unfortunately the BB Creme does just that and I stopped using it as I didn't like how it left my hair feeling.  I may use it again if I need some styling help, but I'd probably just reach for my mouse.  I do like the pump dispenser, but not a fan of the product itself.

So, what do I think of the claims of this system?  I'll break down my thoughts on the 10 claims.

1.  Repair for rough hair
  NO - Shampoos don't repair hair.  If it's damaged, it can lessen the appearance of damage, but doesn't fix the problem.

2. Strength against damage
 YES - I think it does help a bit for protection against damage, because my hair is less tangled, so it's less likely to break and split.

3. Silky softness
YES - My hair is very soft and feels silky.

4. Brilliant shine
NO - I don't really notice that my hair is any shinier than usual.

5. Smoothing
YES - It does make my hair look smoother

6. Moisture
YES and NO - The shampoo gives great moisture, the conditioner can be overkill and leave reside behind.

7. Frizz Control
YES - Definitely less frizzy than usual, but I think smoothness and frizz control are pretty much the same thing.

8. Gently cleaning
YES - I didn't feel like the shampoo stripped my hair of moisture.

9. Manageability
YES - My hair isn't as wild as normal.

10. Detangling
YES - Excellent at detangling.  I can even run a comb or brush through my wet hair, this is not something I can normally do after washing.

Overall, I like the shampoo and conditioner and will continue to use them.  The BB Creme probably won't get used very often.  As an added note, I do like the scent, but I find it can be a bit strong at first, though doesn't linger too much afterwards.

What's your favourite shampoo?

I am a member of the BzzAgent site and these products were sent to me for review.  All opinions will always be my own and are not influenced by how products are received.


Tuesday 28 October 2014

Random Nail Art - Halloween

Hey guys!  Today's post is just some random Halloween nail art.  I don't have very many stamping images that I'd consider Halloween appropriate, and I don't do freehand so it was a bit tough for me to think up something.

Random Nail Art Halloween Barielle FingerPaints Black Expressionism Color Club Harp On It HK Girl Moyou Pro 05 Bundle Monster BM-224
Random Nail Art - Halloween
I'm not sure the accent fits the rest of the nails, but I was just messing around and I really like how the other nails turned out and the spiderweb stamping turned out great.  The spiderwebs were suggested by my friend Novi at Colors Frenzy and she really has a talent for nail art.  For all of my nails except the accent, I painted them with Barielle Suntini and then I sponged on FingerPaints Black Expressionism, then again with Suntini in a circular motion.  I really like how it turned out.
 
Products used:

Barielle Suntini
FingerPaints Black Expressonism
Moyou Pro 05
Color Club Harp On It 
HK Girl Topcoat

Accent nail:
Barielle Suntini
BM-224 Plate
Mundo de Unas Black
HK Girl Topcoat

What do you plan to wear on your nails for Halloween?

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Blogger Problems - Breakage

Hey guys!  Today I wanted to chat a bit about another Blogger Problem that I've been dealing with.  A while back I posted about my "filing mishap" and how frustrating it was.  Recently I had a crack on my middle nail that I was able to save with some nail glue.  I tried gel, and the Orly Nail Rescue kit and I didn't like how it looked in photos, because it looked awkward being built up more than the other nails. 

I was actually able to repair it using the nail glue on the underside of the nail for a few weeks, until I made the mistake of going out without at least a basecoat of Duri Rejuvacote.  I went out with bare nails, and when I came home I noticed I had a crack on the same nail on the other side and it was close to meeting and coming off completely.  I managed to save it for a day, but unfortunately the next day it completely snapped off while I was trying to pry apart some frozen bread to put in the toaster.  Foiled by toast!

Blogger Problems Breakage Duri Rejuvacote Nails Nail Glue Repair Orly Nail Rescue Gel
Blogger Problems - Breakage
 So, now I'm left with a couple options and I'm not sure what route I should go.  I haven't had a break on my swatching hand (except my thumb) since before I did my Duri Rejuvacote Challenge and I've just been filing my nails down every time they get too long.  As noted in the photo above I do have some length left on my middle finger, but the unevenness is making my OCD flare up something awful.  The other nails are just how I like them, but it will take a while for me to grow out my middle nail so it's about the same length.

Should I?
  • Take a break from swatching and do more beauty products for a while until my middle nail catches up a bit.
  • Blog as is with my middle nail shorter than the others.
  • File them all down to approximately the same as my middle nail and start over.
So dear readers what should I do?  Here are the options I thought of, if you have more suggestions, let me know.

Thursday 16 October 2014

KBShimmer - Leaf of Faith

Hey guys!  Today's polish is from a new to me brand KBShimmer.  They're definitely not new in the Indie polish world, but this is my first time trying anything from them.  I am part of a small group of "lacquerheads" and they are some of the awesomest ladies in the world and I received a decant of Leaf of Faith from Maja, who wanted to share her love of KBShimmer with me so I could try it out.  The description in italics below is from KBShimmer's store.

I love cremes, holos and shimmers and while I love the look of glitters, I'm not necessarily fond of the application of them and Maja kindly sent the decant so I can try out one of the KBShimmer jelly glitters that they are famous for.

Swatch and Review KBShimmer Leaf of Faith Seche Vite Glitter Jelly
KBShimmer - Leaf of Faith
"A deep Cabernet red jelly is the backdrop for glitters in red, orange and gold.  The glitters in this polish add depth and interest with subtle changes in color as the jelly picks up the colors of the glitter. A scattering of holographic glitters gives this polish sparkle and shine."

This is three coats of Leaf of Faith with one coat of Seche Vite.  The first two coats were very thin and I did a thicker third coat with more glitter.  I've only applied jelly glitters a few times, so I'm not very practiced at it, so it took a bit more patience and babying to get the glitter coverage I wanted.  I have to say that it was actually good and easy to work with and while there are a couple patchy spots, this is definitely user error.  The glitters do lie nicely flat and one coat of Seche Vite was enough to make it mostly smooth.

Swatch and Review KBShimmer Leaf of Faith Seche Vite Glitter Jelly
KBShimmer - Leaf of Faith
The depth and sparkle of this polish is incredible.  It was well worth the extra attention I paid and I definitely think I'll have to pick up a full size of it.  It is is super squishy looking, but still offers full coverage in three coats.  When I put on the first two coats it was looking a lot more on the pink side, but the third coat gave it that perfect dark red hue and really pulled it all together. 

So good news and bad news folks, I now have a new brand that I am interested in.  I'm thinking I may need another helmer and my wallet is not going to be happy.  Are you a KBShimmer fan?  Did you pick up any of the colours from the fall collection?

KBShimmer's store is US only, but for Canadian and International polish fans it's available at Harlow & Co.  To keep up with KBShimmer news and restock information subscribe to their newsletter.

KBShimmer: Store, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram
Harlow & Co: Store, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram

Sunday 12 October 2014

ChickAdvisor GOSHGoddess Campaign Review


Hey guys!  Today's review is brought to you by the Chick Advisor Product Review Club.  I was chosen as one of six lucky Canadian ladies who received a #GOSHGoddess review kit with four Gosh products.  They came in a cute makeup bag to store them in as well.  Product descriptions in italics are from the the ChickAdvisor Product Review Club campaign page.

ChickAdvisor GOSHGoddess Campaign Review Beauty Products GOSH Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips Prime 'n Set Powder Crazy Volume Mascara Forever Eye Shadow Stick
Gosh Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips
GOSH Lip Lacquer is like a 2 in 1 product: an intense rich color of a lipstick plus the shine of a gloss. Enriched with Argan oil and Vitamin E to keep lips soft and nourished!

GOSH Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips has me a bit conflicted.  It is indeed highly pigmented and shiny, but I wasn't overly pleased with the application.  I found that it didn't go on evenly.  I even took it off and exfoliated my lips and upon the second application it was a little better, but still not quite even.  I didn't have issues with the doe foot applicator, so it's likely the product itself.  It also isn't overly sticky which is great, but it does transfer.  It left a bit of a stain behind and my lips still feel moisturized hours later, but after a few sips of my drink I'd need to reapply.



ChickAdvisor GOSHGoddess Campaign Review Beauty Products GOSH Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips Prime 'n Set Powder Crazy Volume Mascara Forever Eye Shadow Stick
GOSH Prime 'n Set Powder
 GOSH Prime 'n Set Powder is another 2 in 1. Use as a primer to minimize pores, fine lines, redness and imperfections and to create a flawless matte look. Then use it as a setting powder over foundation or mineral powder to lock make-up in place and keep unwanted shine under control.

I actually really enjoyed using the Prime 'n Set powder.  Instead of using it under a mineral powder foundation I used it under and over my BB cream.  It went on my face easily and practically invisible.  I found my BB cream went on smoother and I used a little less than normal.  After that I used it to set the BB cream and even though the one I use sets fast, Prime 'n Set made it stay even longer than it usually does.



ChickAdvisor GOSHGoddess Campaign Review Beauty Products GOSH Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips Prime 'n Set Powder Crazy Volume Mascara Forever Eye Shadow Stick
GOSH Crazy Volume Mascara
GOSH Crazy Volume Mascara features a unique oversize fibre brush which adds dramatic volume and extreme length in one easy stroke.  With no clumping or flaking, Crazy Volume Mascara ensures a smudge-free, highly defined look that lasts for hours and is perfume and paraben-free.

Sorry GOSH, not a fan of this mascara.  I found the wand holds way too much of the formula on it and even after wiping it off on a piece of toilet paper it still had too much. It did lengthen my lashes, but didn't provide a lot of volume. I also had issues with my lashes sticking together too much so I had to separate them.
 
ChickAdvisor GOSHGoddess Campaign Review Beauty Products GOSH Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips Prime 'n Set Powder Crazy Volume Mascara Forever Eye Shadow Stick
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in 06 Plum
 GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick is a creamy, soft product which is easy to apply and blend.  The beautiful color delivers maximum, pure metallic color that lasts for hours.  Forever Eye Shadow is perfume and paraben free.

The eye shadow stick is my favourite of the four products.  I absolutely love how it just glided on. It didn't drag or feel overly greasy or heavy. The colour payoff is excellent and can be applied heavier or blended depending on your preference. I really liked the glitter, but did have some glitter transfer to my lashes. I am a big fan of shimmery shadows, and think I could have a lot of fun with this. The colour itself did stay put and set nicely.  It also worked well as a liner, and despite being a thicker crayon I managed relatively thin lines. I'd love to see this crayon in non sparkly shades to use as liners as well.


ChickAdvisor GOSHGoddess Campaign Review Beauty Products GOSH Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips Prime 'n Set Powder Crazy Volume Mascara Forever Eye Shadow Stick
Swatch of GOSH Forever Eyeshadow Stick in 06 Plum and Lip Lacquer in #006 Funky Lips
Here is a quick swatch of the Forever Eye Shadow Stick and Lip Lacquer.  You can see how sparkly the shadow is and that the lip lacquer is more pink than shown in my bottle photos above.

So overall I like two out of the four products.  I'd love to check out the variety of the eye crayons and I would probably repurchase the Prime 'n Set, but a little goes a long way so I won't need to for some time.  Have you tried any GOSH Cosmetic products before? 

You can check out more reviews on ChickAdvisor for the #GOSHGoddess Campaign and many other products.

I received these products through the ChickAdvisor Product Review Club. I received samples to facilitate an honest review, but all opinions will be always be my own

Thursday 2 October 2014

Random Nail Art 10-2-2014

Hey guys!  Today's post is just a quickie.  I recently received some Mundo de Unas stamping polishes from a friend to try out.  She kindly decanted some of her full size Mundo's into minis for me.  I love stamping, but I get frustrated by polishes that don't pick up or transfer well and I've been wanting to try the Mundos for a long time.

One of the colours I got was #15 Mexican pink and I thought it would look excellent over Girly Bits Protect Your Girly Bits from the What Really Happened in Vegas Collection which I reviewed here.  The image comes from Sugar Bubbles plate SB018.  I used one coat of HK Girl topcoat to seal it in and didn't have any smearing.

Stamping Mundo de Unas Sugar Bubbles Girly Bits What Really Happened In Vegas Protect Your Girly Bits HK Girl Nail Art

I only needed a drop of the stamping polish on the plate and it picked up perfectly.  The image is nicely etched as well.  I noticed in fact that it picked up best when I just barely touched the stamper to the image instead of pressing all the way down like I need to do with some polishes/stamping polishes. 

I'm happy with how it turned out.  It's just some simple stamping, but I think the pink really complements the purple.   I totally need to get more, but I'm waiting for them to restock their sets again as I think I'm going to go big and get 36 full size stamping polishes to max the shipping to Canada.  Let me know what you think in the comments below.  Let me know if you're a stamper and if you've tried Mundo de Unas stamping polishes before.

If you'd like to know more about Mundo de Unas, Sugar Bubbles or Girly Bits, check out their info below.

Mundo de Unas: Store, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest
Sugar Bubbles: Facebook


Friday 26 September 2014

Girly Bits - What Really Happened In Vegas Collection

Press Sample
 
Hey guys, today I have the What Really Happened in Vegas Collection from Girly Bits for you.  I want to start off by talking a little bit about Girly Bits customer service.  When I originally checked my order I thought it was correct because the order was for 9 polishes and I received 9 because Pam sent me Accidental PPV as an addon to review. I didn't realize until later I was missing Selfie Bomb.  When I brought it to their attention they let me know it was being sent right out and I got it a few days later.

I know that sometimes things happen and there can be a mistake with the order.  I'm the type of person that cares more about how the problem is resolved, then there being a problem in the first place.  In my opinion Girly Bits customer service is fabulous and I'll be ordering again.  Not only are the polishes beautiful, but they really care about their customers too.  That said, on to the polish.  All polishes are with one coat of HK Girl topcoat.  All of these polishes have glitter or microglitter, so prepare for the foil method of removal or consider using a peel off basecoat.  The descriptions in italics are directly from the maker.

Swatch and Review Girly Bits What Really Happened In Vegas Accidental PPV Selfie Bomb Too Hot For Pants Protect Your Girly Bits Holo Shimmer Microglitter
Girly Bits - Accidental PPV
Swatch and Review Girly Bits What Really Happened In Vegas Accidental PPV Selfie Bomb Too Hot For Pants Protect Your Girly Bits Holo Shimmer Microglitter
Girly Bits - Accidental PPV
Accidental Pay Per View is a silver holographic polish, accented with glowy blue shimmer and a subtle turquoise flash.

Thursday 25 September 2014

Black Dahlia Lacquer Press Release

Hey guys, I received press release information for a new Indie polish line called Black Dahlia Lacquer.  This will be their first release and they have three collections releasing for pre-order as of September 28th.  I don't have any experience with the brand as they are new, but you may want to check them out.  Currently their website is under construction and will be up as of the pre-sale launch.  I hope to be able to provide an update with shipping information and photos once the shop is live.  Information below is directly from the maker.

UPDATE: Shipping to Canada starts at $7.50 per polish and $1.50 per additional polishes.  Collections are shipped at a discounted rate, as the 6 polish collection ships at $13.00.  So shipping isn't bad.  On top of that there is a discount for 10% available until October 3rd.  Enter 10OFFPRESALE to get 10% off.


BLACK DAHLIA LACQUER LAUNCHES NEW INDIE POLISH LINE, UNVEILS THREE COLLECTIONS

Black Dahlia Lacquer, a newly formed independent nail polish company, will formally launch online at noon Central Standard Time on October 3, 2014. The company will open for pre-sales on September 28, 2014 at both www.blackdahlialacquer.com and a secondary shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackDahliaLacquer.

“Black Dahlia Lacquer showcases our love of polish through bright colors and textures,” said Black Dahlia Lacquer owner Deanna Morey. “We’ve worked hard to develop nail lacquers that will appeal to all women – from those that prefer more conservative neutrals to full-coverage gold glitter and bright blue holographic polish for more adventurous clients. We are confident that our customers will love our polish as much as we loved creating them.”
         
Black Dahlia Lacquer will unveil three polish collections including The Essentials, a 6-piece neutrals collection; Hanging on to Summer, a collection of six fun, brightly colored summer lacquers, and Fall 2014, a 12-polish collection of richer fall colors. Polishes to be released include cremes, shimmers and full-coverage glitter polishes as well as textured and holographic nail lacquers. All polish is mixed by hand and has undergone rigorous testing prior to release.
         
The company is owned by Morey, a former writer, and her daughter Aubrey Sheffield, a college student currently studying nursing.
         
“Our collections celebrate rich colors and textures, particularly our fall collection,” Sheffield said. “Our three collections offer something for everyone.”
         
Both the Hanging on to Summer and Fall 2014 collections were inspired by a variety of flowers, foliage and blooming plants.
         
Most polishes including cremes, shimmers and glitter polishes will cost $6 for the petite 8 ml size and $9.50 for the 14 ml full size. Holo or duochrome polishes will cost $6.75 for petites and $10.75 for full size. Both sizes include flat brushes and stainless steel mixing balls.