Monday, April 29, 2013

Orly High on Hope

Hi Ninjas!

Hope you all had a great weekend out there in the world. This week is graduation week at work so it's cram time getting everything perfect for those students getting promoted to the next rank. On top of that, Hubby and I are going to the house we're hoping to buy for an inspection tomorrow so that will be fun!

Tonight's manicure is two coats of Orly High on Hope. HoH is from their Hope and Freedom Collection for Spring 2013. High on Hope is a dark navy cream base with a duichrome red/orange shimmer throughout. The shimmer is large enough to almost be considered a fleck type finish but it's not so large it effects the texture of the polish. I do wish the red side of the flecks had come out more prominently in these pictures!


What do you think? I really like this polish and think it was a uniquely dark shade for a spring collection. If you're a fan of this color, keep an eye out for my upcoming giveaway!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Review: Zoya PixieDust for Summer 2013

Good afternoon Ninjas!

I hope you're having a lovely Friday. I'll be working today and tomorrow, as I usually do over the weekends but hubby and I do have Sunday off together so that will be fun :)

Today's post is the swatches for Zoya's summer PixieDust polishes. These polishes were sent to me for unbiased review. I really like the color combinations Zoya did for this collection! In fact, they're pretty much perfect for doing color block manicures. Since I thought the colors paired up so well, I swatched them side by side with the color I thought would make a fitting color block manicure. Not only did this save me time swatching but it gives you a neat idea for how to use these summer colors in pairs!

Descriptions of the colors below are from Zoya's site. Links lead to external affiliate website.

Solange:  Zoya Nail Polish in Solange can be best described as a gold metal foil sparkle featuring a Zoya EXCLUSIVE GOLD PIGMENT in the best-selling Zoya PixieDust Textured, Matte, Foil Twinkle formula.

Beatrix:  Zoya Nail Polish in Beatrix can be best described as a tangerine metal sparkle in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Textured, Matte, Foil Twinkle formula

Left: Beatrix, Right: Solange

Destiny:  Zoya Nail Polish in Destiny can be best described as a coral metal sparkle in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Textured, Matte, Foil Twinkle formula.

Miranda: Zoya Nail Polish in Miranda can be best described as a rose sparkle in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Textured, Matte, Sparkle formula.

Left: Destiny, Right: Miranda

Stevie:  Zoya Nail Polish in Stevie can be best described as a violet sparkle, in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Textured, Matte, Sparkle formula.

Liberty:  Zoya Nail Polish in Liberty can be best described as a blue sugary sparkle in the exclusive Zoya PixieDust Textured, Matte, Sparkle formula.

Left: Liberty, Right: Stevie

Polishes provided by Zoya PR for honest review.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Wordless Wednesday Ombre

A red ombre done in honor of the Boston Marathon
L-R: Essie Russian Roulette, Essie Forever Yummy, Zoya Rekha, WnW Vamp Red

Monday, April 22, 2013

Illamasqua Speckle

Hello Ninjas!!

Hubby and I have visited some houses over the last few days and we're getting really excited about getting our first home! I do think my hand is going to fall off by the end of this process though and we've only just submitted the loan application! Oy, I need a signature stamp.

Tonight's manicure is two coats of Illamasqua Speckle which is a very pretty light purple with black hex and micro-glitter scattered throughout. Illamasqua describes Speckle as as speckled lilac finish and it comes from the I'Mperfection collection. This is shown with only one coat of topcoat but could probably have used two to get a super smooth finish. Overall, I really love the way this looked on and it was really easy to work with despite being completely packed with glitter.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Cinderella manicure!

Good evening Ninjas!

Sorry I missed Wedesday, I had a party to go to and didn't have any time between work and fun time to stop to post. Sorry about that! If it makes it any better, I specifically brought my laptop to my babysitting job tonight to post once the kids were asleep just so I didn't miss two posts in one week!

Tonight's very pretty manicure is done with a base of China Glaze Fade into Hue which is an awesome periwinkle blue. For some reason the polishes from the Avant Garden collection have been bubbling on me so I added a coat of Essie As Gold as it Gets to mask the bubbling issue. To make this pretty blue manicure a little blingy, I added a spiral of light blue rhinestones that I received from MASH for review purposes. When I posted this look in a facebook group, some of the ladies commended on how it was a Cinderella blue manicure and I agree! With all the shine and sparkle it's pretty princess-y too :)

Rhinestones provided by MASH PR for honest review. Affiliate link included in this post.

Monday, April 15, 2013

A day of reflection



Today's post is postponed in light of the tragedy that took place at the Boston Marathon today. This is an evening to hug the people you love tightly and be thankful for the health of those around you.

For anyone still searching for loved ones, google has created a resource for you here.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Jessica Nadia: Sterling Queen

Good evening Ninjas!

I hope you've been having a great week. The weather here in NC is lovely as can be, finally reflecting Spring! Of course Spring means green season here in NC so my car and the roads are covered in allergy inducing pollen. So far my allergies haven't been bad, I hope it stays that way!!

Tonight's manicure is two surprisingly easy coats of Jessica Nadia. This is from Jessica's Spring 2013 collection that I won in a giveaway a few month back. Nadia: Sterling Queen is a lovely light grey with a fine silver shimmer throughout. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly this became opaque considering the pastel nature of the base grey. This was a fun polish to wear!


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

Essie Navigate-her with Funky Fingers Taffy Town
Essie Navigate-her with Funky Fingers Taffy Town

Monday, April 8, 2013

Easter Mani Monday

Hello Ninjas!

Sorry about missing Friday's post, I was out of town at my Grandparents' house which is about 5 hours away. Since our visit out there was a belated Easter weekend, I figured now would be a good time to show you my actual Easter manicure.

Tonight's manicure is made up entirely of the awesome Zoya Lovely polishes that were sent to me for review a few months back. The base of this manicure is three coats of Jacqueline with Piaf, Julie, or Gei Gei dotted on with the rounded end of a bobby pin. I have to say that the bobby pin is much easier to use than actual dotting tools for me. Maybe it's because the pin is shorter? On the bright side, it's a cheap way to do pretty nail art! I was aiming for my nails to look like Easter Eggs, I thought they came out pretty well :)

Zoya Lovely collection provided by Zoya PR for honest review.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Green and Gold scallops

Zoya Logan, Zoya Ziv, Ulta Maine Attraction
Zoya Logan, Zoya Ziv, Ulta Maine Attraction
Zoya Logan, Zoya Ziv, Ulta Maine Attraction

Monday, April 1, 2013

Zoya Grassy Nail!

Have you been wondering what the newest hot trend in texture would be?? Behold, the Zoya Grassy Nail!


 
Introducing Grassy Nail By Zoya...  

Take the textured nail trend to new heights! 
Emphasize the beauty of your natural nail with the latest product innovation by Zoya - Grassy Nail! The all natural formula* gives you a luscious textured finish that's easy to achieve. The introductory four piece set includes everything you need to get growing, but hurry - this Limited Available set is only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! 

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Shipping April 1, 2013
Just $99.95 (US)

Visit the Grassy Nail Page (HERE) for textured nail look ideas and to learn
more about the simple six-step process for long, luscious Grassy Nails!

*Grassy Nail by Zoya products are all natural, free of pesticides and vegan-friendly!
ZOYA IS THE NEW COLOR OF FASHION!
www.zoya.com