Saturday, May 31, 2014

OPI Spring 2013 Euro Centrale Collection Swatch and Review: Suzi's Hungary Again!



OPI Suzi's Hungary Again! (2 coats)

Do you realize how I've been slowly accumulating polishes from the Euro Centrale OPI collection? When it came out a year ago, I was really underwhelmed, but for some reason, they've been calling to me when I've gone to the beauty supply store. Suzi's Hungary Again! (don't get me started on the name) is a medium pink creme (well, it does have a very slight shimmer that you can't really see). The formula and application was fine in just 2 coats. This isn't the most unique, but it was calling me a few weeks ago when I was really wanting some spring/summer shades. Maybe I'll put it on my toes tonight since I need a pedicure like crazy. 

I hope you're enjoying your weekend. Yesterday, I went to the local pen show and got several fountain pens for a good price! 

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Zoya Summer 2014 Magical Pixie Dust Collection Swatches and Reviews

Today I'm happy to show you the Zoya Magical Pixie Dust collection for this summer. I've tried many of the regular Pixie Dust polishes from Zoya, but this was my first time trying the "Magical" ones. As I can see, the main difference between the regular and the Magical is the addition of small and hexagonal holographic glitter. This makes all of the polishes extremely gritty, so if you don't like the feel of regular textured polishes, these are not for you. I expected these to be more opaque than they are; all needed 3 coats instead of the usual 2, but the application was easy for all 3. 

*press samples*



Zoya Arlo (3 coats)

Zoya Arlo is a magenta jelly base with holographic glitter. There's a nice mix of pink and purple here, and it was my second favorite of the collection.



Zoya Bar (3 coats)

Zoya Bar is a sandy gold texture with tons of holographic glitter. This was shocking to me, but this was by far my favorite of all of them. It just looks so lux and rich! 



Zoya Ginni (3 coats)

Zoya Ginni is a light pink jelly with that holographic glitter. I have to say that having 2 pink colors in a 3 polish collection was a little much. I think Ginni and Arlo are a bit too similar and would have liked a different color. 

Overall, my pick is Bar. Now that I've tried the Magical Pixie Dusts, I can say that I like them, but they're not my favorite textured polishes. The grit is almost too much for me, and I can handle pretty much anything on my nails.

You can purchase these Zoya polishes on their website for $10 each or at select salons or Ulta stores. Stay up-to-date with all things Zoya (often including giveaways and sales!) on Twitter or Facebook.

*These polishes were provided by 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, May 28, 2014

OPI Gwen Stefani Collection Swatch and Review: In True Stefani Fashion



OPI In True Stefani Fashion (1 coat) over 2 coats Morgan Taylor Make Waves

In case you haven't noticed, I've been trying to disperse full collections with some polishes from collections I only have 1 or 2 polishes from. Please let me know if this works for you. Tomorrow I plan on reviewing the new Zoya Summer 2014 Pixie Dust polishes, so stay tuned.

I browsed over In True Stefani Fashion many times, but finally gave up when I got it for around $2 during the Sally Beauty Supply Clearance Sale. How could I say no? That's right, I couldn't. Anyway, it's an extremely glitter dense polish with both silver and holographic particles (most are hexagonal, but there are some square glitters in there as well). No dabbing is needed for this polish, and 1 coat is more than enough. I actually like it more than I thought I would; I thought it was going to be really boring on my nails for some reason. 

Monday, May 26, 2014

Rimmel London Spring 2014 Sweetie Crush Collection Swatch and Review: Sherbert Sweetie



Rimmel London Sherbert Sweetie (3 coats)

Looking for a cheap thrill? I found the Sweet Crush collection at my local Rite Aid for only $2.99 and has a really cute bottle. They all contain a textured matte finish, and I picked up Sherbert Sweetie for its hexagonal glitter in there. It's a soft yellow color with a pearl finish as well. It applied really well, but still needed 3 coats. Despite needing 3 coats, it still had a lot of texture to it. I think you can still find these, and I really recommend them for something fun.

I hope you had a great Memorial Day and a fun weekend!

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Morgan Taylor Summer 2014 Island Treasures Collection Swatches and Reviews: Making Waves, Tropical Punch, and Take Me to Your Tribe

Morgan Taylor Summer 2014 Island Treasures Collection

Happy Sunday! I've spent most of the day sleeping due to being sick. I have the last 3 polishes from the Island Treasures collection. Some of my favorite colors are in the final 3 here. Enjoy!




Morgan Taylor Making Waves (2 coats)

Making Waves is my favorite color of the collection, for sure. This beautiful cobalt blue creme reminds me of the ocean color in the middle of nowhere (I've been there many times from my science research cruises). It also had a perfect application and formula. 



Morgan Taylor Tropical Punch (2 coats)

Tropical Punch is a sunset pink creme. This is the least unique of the collection, but when you put the whole collection together, this was a necessary color if that makes sense. Great application and formula again. 



Morgan Taylor Take Me to Your Tribe (2 coats)


Take Me to Your Tribe is a cornflower/sky blue creme that received multiple compliments. The blues and turquoise colors seemed to be the big winners of the collections.

Overall, I really loved all the colors of this collection, which is a rarity for me. My picks are Making Waves and Take Me to Your Tribe, but that's likely due to my love of blue. Any polish from this collection would be a win in my book.

I'm happy to report that you can now buy Morgan Taylor polishes online without a license from Loxa Beauty for $8.50 each. You can keep up with Morgan Taylor on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

*These polishes were provided by 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*

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Morgan Taylor Summer 2014 Island Treasures Collection Swatches and Review: Beach Babe, Going Native, Sarong But So Right

Morgan Taylor Summer 2014 Island Treasures

Hi guys, sorry I missed my post tomorrow. I ended up getting a CT scan on my head since I still have a fever, headaches and fatigue. I won't get the results until Tuesday (this is the only time I can say that I wish it wasn't a long weekend). Monday is a special day called Memorial Day where we commemorate those who have had their lives taken while in the Armed Forces (for those of you not in the US). Both of my grandparents and my uncle were in the service, and while none of them died while in action, I am proud of them serving our country. 

Ok, now on to the polish you've wanted to hear about. I have the whole new Morgan Taylor Island Treasures collection to show, and I am going to break this up into 2 posts. When I first saw this collection in the box, I could totally see a beachy summer collection. I don't think there were any real duds here. 

*press samples*




Morgan Taylor Beach Babe (2 coats)

In the bottle, I thought this was going to be more of a nude, but on the nail is a beautiful soft peach creme. I thought the formula was going to be a mess, but it was really nice in 2 coats. 



Morgan Taylor Going Native (2 coats)

Going Native is a pure turquoise green-blue creme that looks great on the toes. I also received at least 3 compliments from nurses and doctors while wearing this one. Perfect formula and application. 



Morgan Taylor Sarong But So Right (2 coats)

I suppose Sarong But So Right is the least summery polish of the group, but it's still a beautiful magenta color with a purple shimmer. You guys know I love shimmers, but Morgan Taylor does a creme so well, it makes me feel differently about cremes. Oh, and the name sounds like something out of OPI's name book. 2 coats shown here. 

I know most people have asked, "So I'm not a professional, where can I find Morgan Taylor polishes?" I'm happy to report that you can now buy Morgan Taylor polishes online without a license from Loxa Beauty for $8.50 each. You can keep up with Morgan Taylor on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

*These polishes were provided by 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, May 22, 2014

Urban Decay Summer 2014 Nail Lacquer Swatches and Reviews: Bang and Chaos





Urban Decay Bang (2 coats)



Urban Decay Chaos (2 coats)

*press samples*

It's been a long time since I've tried out an Urban Decay polish, but once in awhile they decide to roll a couple out for the polish lovers out there. There are 2 colors I have to share with the first being Bang which is a red/orange with iridescent pink shimmer. The shimmer is much more hidden than in Chaos. This is a really nice color that isn't the most unique, but still has an awesome bottle. Look at that skull!! It definitely wins points for presentation. These two polish applied the same, and that is to say that they basically applied themselves, but they better for $15 for only 0.3 fl. oz. of product. I feel if I am going to pay that much, I want at least 0.4 oz. What do you guys think? The other color is the amazing Chaos which is a bright cobalt blue with light blue shimmer that actually shows up really well. I really like this one, but again, wish there was more product because I would have no problem shelling out the cash for it. 

You can find these anywhere Urban Decay is sold (ex. Sephora, Ulta, UrbanDecay.com) and stay up-to-date on their new products on their Facebook or Twitter pages.

*These polishes were provided by 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, May 21, 2014

Jamberry Spring/Summer 2014 Nail Lacquer Collection Swatches and Reviews: Bashful, Hint of Mint and Sun Kissed



Jamberry Bashful (3 coats)



Jamberry Hint of Mint (3 coats)



Jamberry Sun Kissed (2 coats)

*press samples*

You may be more likely to know Jamberry for their nail wraps, but did you know they also sold polish? They just released another 6 colors to their expanding collection, and I have 3 of them to show you today. Up first is Bashful which is a light pink with lots of pearlescent shimmer. This is a very delicate color and was a bit sheer. I used 3 coats and you can still see some nail line in pictures. In real life, this was not nearly as noticeable.

Next, I have Hint of Mint which is indeed a mint green creme. I love mints, but it's not the most unique of colors. Also, the formula was a bit thin and streaky on the first 2 coats so I ended up with 3 coats.

The last color is Sun Kissed which would be really hot for this summer. It's a red leaning coral that would look great on all skin tones or on the finger or toes. This also had a bit of a thin formula, but it was extremely pigmented so it only needed 2 coats.

These are a bit pricey at $15, but considering their wraps are the same price and a 1 time thing, I think I'd stick with the polishes over the wraps  but aren't over the top by any means. Someone mentioned that there are enough wraps for up to 3 manicures, so technically they're only $5 per mani instead of $15 for one. It's up to you...they have some really cute designs that I could never do on my own. You can find them on FacebookTwitter, or their online store.

*These polishes were provided by 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*