Friday, April 29, 2011

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review: Wild Child and Giveaway Day 4!



Sally Hansen Wild Child

Happy Friday, everyone! I spent most of my day driving back to Tennessee to visit family and friends. We have our second winner for the Sally Hansen Salon Effects giveaway so let's congratulate Minty *golf clap*! I also just want to say a quick thank you to all who have entered the giveaways the past few days.

Can you tell I like the black and white polish strips? Don't worry, the next two Salon Effects are going to be quite different. Wild Child is an awesome zebra print that garnered multiple compliments from customers at work. I can't tell you how many times people wanted to know how I did that and they didn't believe me when I said they're stickers.

To win your very own box of Salon Effects from our 6-day giveaway, leave a comment (with your e-mail address) on this post to be entered into today's giveaway. You will have until 11:59PM EST on April 30th to enter. You can sign up once every day, and must be a follower (Blogger, Twitter, or Facebook). US followers only, please. A winner will be chosen by random and I will contact your for your shipping information. Good luck! Don't forget, I have another giveaway going on to win 2 Color Club polishes. See more information on the sidebar.



*These polishes were provided the the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review: Check It Out and Day 3 Giveaway!



Sally Hansen Check It Out

On to day three of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects giveaway! We already have one winner, so let's congratulate SusieL! If you haven't signed up for day 2, you still have another 2 and a half hours (see the post below). Don't forget, up for grabs is one free Salon Effects Nail Polish strips of your choice.

I'm a huge fan of houndstooth, so I knew I was going to love Check It Out. By this time, I was getting really good at the application, and it barely took me more time than applying regular nail polish with basecoat and topcoat. All of the strips are in the same order in the packages, so I just memorized which strips were for each nail. Again, I'm really lazy (and bad) when it comes to nail art, so these strips are right up my alley. If you are really good at doing your own (just look at what The Daily Nail can do), then you may not be as into these.

To win your very own box of Salon Effects from our 6-day giveaway, leave a comment (with your e-mail address) on this post to be entered into today's giveaway. You will have until 11:59PM EST on April 29th to enter. You can sign up once every day, and must be a follower (Blogger, Twitter, or Facebook). US followers only, please. A winner will be chosen by random and I will contact your for your shipping information. Good luck! Don't forget, I have another giveaway going on to win 2 Color Club polishes. See more information on the sidebar.



*These polishes were provided the the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review: Girl Flower Giveaway Day 2



Sally Hansen Girl Flower

You still have 4 and a half hours until yesterday's giveaway is over, so if you haven't signed up, make sure to do so. If you signed up yesterday, you can still enter tonight's giveaway. 

I remember seeing Katy Perry's Minx nails that had flowers on them awhile back, and they seemed to be all the rage. Unfortunately they are quite expensive, so the Sally Hansen ones are a great option. Normally the Salon Effects run around $9-$10, but you can often find deals from drugstores such as Walgreens or CVS. Girl Power contains an array of pink, green, white, purple and yellow flowers. The only slight issue with the Sally Hansen ones compared to the Minx ones is that the SH ones are a bit less saturated with color. It's not a huge issue, especially if you look from a distance, but it is noticeable. I still absolutely adore these! 

To win your very own box of Salon Effects from our 6-day giveaway, leave a comment (with your e-mail address) on this post to be entered into today's giveaway. You will have until 11:59PM EST on April 28th to enter. You can sign up once every day, and must be a follower (Blogger, Twitter, or Facebook). US followers only, please. A winner will be chosen by random and I will contact your for your shipping information. Good luck! Don't forget, I have another giveaway going on to win 2 Color Club polishes. See more information on the sidebar.



*These polishes were provided the the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review: Cut It Out and New Giveaway!

 Salon Effects Box

 Sally Hansen Cut It Out Day 1

 Sally Hansen Cut It Out Day 1

 Sally Hansen Cut It Out Day 1

 Sally Hansen Cut It Out Day 4

 Sally Hansen Cut It Out Day 4

Included in Box 

I am so happy to be hosting a 6-day giveaway for a box of Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish strips! Believe me, I was quite dubious when I first heard about these strips. How can these stickers really last that long on the nail (they claim up to 10 days of wear)? Well, I was working in a restaurant while reviewing these, so I really put these babies to the test (my hands are constantly in water and I couldn't often put gloves on). Each box contains 16 stickers that should fit all fingers. Also included in the box is a wooden cuticle stick, a 2 ended nail file and directions for application. Each nail sticker contains two differing ends, one that is more rounded for skinnier nail beds and a square side for wider nail beds. I had no issues finding the appropriate strip for my nails. 

The directions are very easy to follow, but the first time applying the stickers will take longer than painting your nails because it's a new process (at least for me it was). Make sure your nails are completely clean and dry before applying the stickers. There are several different protective films that surround the stickers so make sure to remove all of them before applying. Line up the sticker to the nail and press firmly, making sure to smooth the ends of the nails as that's the area that is prone to wrinkling if you're not careful. Next, using the light pink end of the file, file off the excess sticker, and voila, perfect nails! I once tried using the rougher bright pink file end, but it leaves the end too uneven, so I wouldn't risk it. It's at your discretion if you want to use a topcoat on the strips, and in my experience, they lasted longer on with it. I used Essie's Good to Go! topcoat which stopped any chipping. Others have claimed that not wearing a topcoat had longer lasting effects, but since I worked at the cafe while wearing these, perhaps that was why the topcoat was necessary. 

So do they really last? For me, I had them on for 5 days without any sign of chipping at the very end, and even then, it was slight. I've had professional manicures that didn't last this long and cost a lot more money. Overall, do I recommend these? YES!! Cut It Out is an awesome black and white flowered pattern that garnered so many compliments from people. I've never in my life had as many positive comments about my nails as when I'm wearing the Salon Effects.

~~~TODAY'S GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED~~~

Now for information on the giveaway: To win your very own box of Salon Effects, leave a comment (with your e-mail address) on this post to be entered into today's giveaway. You will have until 11:59PM EST on April 27th to enter. You can sign up once every day, and must be a follower (Blogger, Twitter, or Facebook). US followers only, please. A winner will be chosen by random and I will contact your for your shipping information. Good luck! Don't forget, I have another giveaway going on to win 2 Color Club polishes. See more information on the sidebar.



*These polishes were provided the the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

Monday, April 25, 2011

Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish: Sheer Pearl



Revlon Sheer Pearl (3 coats)

Tonight is going to be a quick post since I think I'm going to the DMV tomorrow morning (blarg, I hate going to the DMV)! I will still be having the giveaways posted this week, just not tonight. Sheer Pearl is one of the new Revlon Top Speed polishes that has a really nice, neutral pearl finish. Like the name implies, it is quite sheer and needed at least 3 coats for full coverage. I dunno, it's not a polish I'd normally go for, but I really like it! The application and formula was great and, true to its name, it dried quickly.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Revlon Black with Envy: Chanel Black Pearl Dupe?



Revlon Black with Envy (2 coats)

I still don't know why my pictures get rotated when I upload them to blogspot. I haven't had as many issues, but they still arise to bother the crap out of me! As I've mentioned before, I don't own any Chanel polishes. I've always wanted to try them, but I've heard that the application can be sketchy or can chip quickly so I'd like to spend my hard earned money on brands and products that I have confidence in (especially when I'd have to fork down that kind of cash). Apparently Revlon's Black with Envy is supposed to be a dupe of Chanel's Black Pearl polish. From what other people have said, Black with Envy doesn't have enough green shimmer in it to be an exact dupe, but it's close enough for me. And the name is just so awesome since it is a black and green shimmer. Well done Revlon! I bought this at Ulta where it did not have its own display and was just pushed into an incorrect space with the other polishes. If you haven't found it yet, you may have to look closely. 

Don't forget, you can still sign up for the giveaway right now. Please see more information in the right side bar. Also, starting next week some time, I will be having a daily giveaway (more information to come).

Friday, April 22, 2011

China Glaze Tronica Collection: High Def



China Glaze High Def (2 coats)

I just got home from a play tonight. My friend Tara was in it (you've probably heard me mention her several times on here) and she did terrific! This is the last of the Tronica Collection polishes I own and it is called High Def and is a medium blue holo. I dunno, the prism of colors were not as pronounced as the one yesterday for some reason. I used identical lighting for both of them as well. Overall, while it is nice, I definitely liked Electra Magenta better. The application and formula was identical to yesterday as well.

Big news for next week: I will be having a giveaway every day next week (and no, this does not include the current giveaway going on now!). More information to come. Next week is definitely the week you want to stop by Right on the Nail so tell your friends!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

China Glaze Tronica Collection: Electra Magenta




China Glaze Electra Magenta (2 coats)

Don't forget, you still have time to sign up for my April Giveaway (only a couple people have entered, so your chances are really good!). Please see the side bar with the link to enter. 

Finally, what several of you have been waiting for-the Tronica Collection! I only have 2 to show you, but I hope you enjoy them. Up first is Electra Magenta which is a pink/purple scattered holo polish. Being scattered, they are similar to the China Glaze Kaleidoscope Collection and not the OMG collection which are linear holo polishes. The application is a little better than the OMG collection as well (they are often watery) and only need 2 coats with no dragging. As far as I know, you can only get these at Sally Beauty Supply, and the last time I was there on Tuesday, they still had 2 different colors to choose from. Others have told me that their store has sold  out, so it may be best to call ahead and see what they have.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Orly Precious Collection Spring 2011: Ancient Jade



Orly Ancient Jade (2 coats)

I only have one polish from the Orly Precious Spring Collection and that is Ancient Jade. A few other polishes also piqued my interested, but since they were ~$7 each, I could only justify one at the moment. It's no lie that I love mint green polishes, but I think Ancient Jade is a little different compared to the abundant supply of mint polishes that have come out in the past year or 2. Ancient jade is a dusty jade green polish with a bit more blue in it than most other mints that I own. I was also very happy with the application and pigmentation with it since you could almost get away with 1 coat. You may be wondering what the deal is with my middle finger... well, the polish got a bit smudged from a topcoat I added (I believe Poshe was the culprit here). This had nothing to do with the polish, just my inability to add enough topcoat to make it smooth before drying. Oops. Have you bought any of the new Orly polishes?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Del Sol Color Changing Polish: Check Mate



Del Sol Check Mate (2 coats)

My friend Tara was nice enough to let me borrow her Del Sol polish which is my first for the brand (at least in terms of nail polish. They are mostly known for their color changing shirts and other products). It is different from mood polishes in that they change in response to sunshine and UV rays and not temperature. I'm not sure how old this polish is, but it lost its ability to change color so I can't say what other color it was supposed to be. If you are interested in looking at their current lineup, feel free to go to their website. If you want to see the second color it changes to, you need to click on the pictures. Check Mate reminds me of the inside of a seashell having a pink and beige hue with a frosty finish. It's a little close to my skintone, but I still do like it. You may be asking yourself where to purchase one of these gems, and probably the easiest way is through their website where they run $10 each. Apparently they have also been popping up in select Walgreens, but I have never personally seen any there. What do you think, are you interested in these color changing polishes?

Monday, April 18, 2011

April Giveaway

Color Club Nothing But Truffle

Color Club Pretty in Platinum

That's right, I am finally having another giveaway! I have Color Club's Pretty in Platinum and Nothing But Truffle up for grabs. To enter, please leave a comment to this post with your e-mail address. You must be a follower in order to win. And finally, this is only open to US readers (I am so sorry international followers! I promise to have an open giveaway ASAP). Please only 1 entry per person. A winner will be chosen by random on Monday, May 2, 2011. Good luck everyone!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Color Club Untamed Luxury Indulgence Collection Fall 2010: Wild Orchid


Color Club Wild Orchid (2 coats)

Hola! Today is the final day of the Luxury Indulgence Collection and tomorrow I will finally post a new giveaway for 2 polishes! You guys have been so patient with me lately and I really appreciate it.

Wild Orchid doesn't really look that wild to me. It is a medium grey polish with lots of (mostly) blue shimmer. While the color itself isn't that unique, the fact that it has shimmer does help it in my opinion (for some reason, most companies leave grey polishes as cremes). Overall, the collection was just ok for me. My favorites were definitely Pretty in Platinum, Nothing But Truffle and Ready to Royal. 

See you tomorrow for the giveaway!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Color Club Untamed Luxury Indulgence Collection Fall 2010: Soft as Cashmere


Color Club Soft as Cashmere (3 coats)

Sorry for the late post, but I just gone home from watching Scream 4 which was actually really good! I can't believe that it has been about a decade since the last movie. I'm not going to lie, sort of have a love for David Arquette lately. Weird, I know. I digress. 

Up tonight is Soft as Cashmere which is a medium taupe creme from Color Club. Meh, this color has been done so many times recently that I just cannot recommend it because you probably already own something very similar. It was also a bit sheer and watery, needing three coats. There's nothing necessarily wrong with this one, but there's nothing unique.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Color Club Untamed Luxury Indulgence Collection Fall 2010: Ready to Royal


Color Club Ready to Royal (2 coats)

Ugh, I just got off work and noticed one of my thumb nails split really far down into the nail bed :-( I had high hopes for the Nail Life Nail Revitalizer I got from Sally's, but so far I'm a bit disappointed. I will give it a little more time before I completely give up on it though (especially since I paid $7.99 for it).

Continuing on with Untamed Luxury Indulgence collection is Ready to Royal which is quite the vampy plum creme that looks almost black in most lights. My apologies for the really bright photos, but I wanted to capture the true plum color to the polish. I'm loving this one more than expected and think it would look awesome on some nubbins (short nails). It's been awhile since swatching these and I think it only took 2 coats for full opacity, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Color Club Untamed Luxury Indulgence Collection Fall 2010: Positively Posh


Color Club Positively Posh (2 coats)

This collection came out months ago, but I found the set over at a Ross store for $7 which included 6 polishes. The only downside is that none of them are labeled on the bottom, so you just have to label them by looking at press releases or blogs. I already reviewed two polishes (Pretty in Platinum and Nothing But Truffle) which were both hits. Up today I have Positively Posh which is a chocolate brown taupe creme. I think the weather is messing up my true opinion of the polish because I do like it, but not for this time of year. Right now I really want bright colors and pastels. The application is like all Color Club polishes which is smooth like butter. Love it! I will be picking this one up when I need a break from all the bright colors of the summer.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Wet N Wild Flirt Collection: Broken Hearted and Birthday!


Wet N Wild Broken Hearted (2 coats)

So tomorrow's my birthday and my family is coming to town (yay!). I figured I'd post something quickly while I'm waiting for people to arrive. I started swatching the Flirt Collection from Wet N Wild several weeks ago, but got distracted with other new arrivals so I figured it was time to get back to posting a few more polishes. Up today is a polish called Broken Hearted which is a dusty rose creme. It's nothing spectacular, but if you're looking for a nice, normal go-to polish Broken Hearted may fit that bill due to its great application and price.

On the downside? Look how crappy my cuticles are in this picture! My apologies for not getting all of the polish off from the previous manicure. I should be embarrassed showing a picture like this (and I am!). So sorry about that!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Borghese: Stellare Notte




Borghese Stellare Notte (2 coats)

A while back my family stopped by this place called JR which claims to be the world's largest cigar store. Yeah, I didn't go there to look at those, but of course decided to see if they had any nail polish, and to my surprise, they did! They actually had several different polishes from Sally Hansen and Borghese (most of them were a bit boring though). I really don't know how I've gone so long without reviewing a Borghese polish, but I'm glad I have. Just look at this beauty. I mean seriously! It's probably one of the most unique polishes I've seen recently. It is a purple/blue and green duochrome shimmer that looks different depending on the way you move your hand. It had great pigmentation and formula as well. The best part? I paid $1 for it. I guess the moral of the story is that you can find polishes in the most unexpected places so definitely stop by the store down the street that you've been meaning to try. If you happen to live in near Burlington, North Carolina, you should definitely stop on by to JR (they have like a million tacky signs so there is no way you can miss it).