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!

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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.