Autism Awareness with Sally Hansen Pacific Blue

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, my fellow Central Florida Beauty Bloggers have decided to dedicate this month's beauty link up to something blue (hmmm, could be a great theme if we ever do a wedding beauty link up, no?)

I've defaulted to nails again because, I've got a lot of blue nail polish and not a lot of blue makeup. It was a toss up, my go-to blue eyeliner bit or some fun polish. I thought this design was a bit more fun.

To show some support for autism awareness, I chose one of my favorite drugstore blue hues: Sally Hansen Pacific Blue. Just look at it, does it need much justification? I love a pretty cobalt blue. I've actually read somewhere that cobalt blue actually helps lift your mood. I don't know if it's true. I mean, I probably read it on the Internet somewhere. And who knows if it was scientific or how reliable the source was? But I liked it. So I'm repeating it (try not to come after me with pitchforks for that one). Plus, cobalt blue makes me happy, so there's that.

Seche Clear base coat, Sally Hansen Pacific Blue (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat

Aside from it's questionable ability to enhance your mood (OK, now it sounds like a drug -- do not ingest your nail polish, please), this polish is absolutely fantastic. First of all, it's less than $3. In fact, I'm pretty sure I paid less than $3 with tax included back in the day when I got it (about 3 years ago). 

Second, the formula is amazing. Completely opaque after one coat. Not too watery or too thick (Goldilocks' favorite porridge). And super easy to work with. No streaks. No globs or goop (and this is a 3 year old bottle might I remind you). If you didn't know it was a drugstore cheapie, you'd never guess it on your own. 

Accent nail: Zoya Blu (base color), Sally Hansen Pacific Blue + OPI Don't Know Beets Me as the marble colors

If you'd like to learn how to recreate your own marble nail art, check out this video from Young, Wild & Polished. It's the one I used to create this look.

An InLinkz Link-up

Manicure Monday: Mani Favorite OPI Mod About You

When you're constantly testing out new nail polish colors, you end up neglecting some of your tried and true favorites. Sometimes I talk about how some colors look like the shades I turn to most often, but funnily enough, I haven't actually shared some of those polishes with you. Too busy swatching all the new colors I get my hands on.

So, I'm starting a new Mani Monday type post. It'll be the same as any other manicure sharing post, except, we're going to call it the Mani Favorites. In these posts, I'll share some of my favorite nail polishes -- even if they're not the newest, freshest, just-released colors.

I've done that from time to time already. But from now on, I'll go ahead and label them as such, if only to give them the bit of extra praise I think they deserve.

One of my main faves is OPI's Mod About You. It's just one of those fun pinks I can't get enough of. I mean, just look at it's super pale, creamy goodness.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI Mod About You (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat

This is one of those colors I reach for again and again. I love the shade, which I think is aptly named. I could totally see this shade as a lipstick on a mod-inspired shoot. The formula isn't the most awesome on Earth, but only because these milky, creamy, light shades have a tendency to streak a bit. But don't fret, that second coat evens it all out and you end up with a pretty awesome manicure afterwards. 

You'll find this shade most often on my toes, since I'm constantly swatching new colors on my tips. But whenever I get that feeling, it goes right on my fingers so everyone can see it. There's always a bottle of Mod About You on the polish rack at the ready for me. Definitely one of my favorite baby pinks. What are some of yours? 

Manicure Monday: Gwen Stefani for OPI

A few weeks ago, I shared an ULTA haul where I told you I purchased the new Gwen Stefani for OPI nail polish collection. As a big No Doubt and Gwen Stefani fan, I was stoked to finally get my hands on it. I purchased every polish in the collection, save for the signature polish Over and Over A Gwen.

When I first saw the colors in the collection, I was a bit surprised. I thought we might get a bit more bold color from a Gwen collection.  I knew we'd have a red and a pink from her, and black and gold weren't much of a surprise. But for some reason I was thinking we'd get at least another bright color. Maybe a chartreuse. Instead, it seems that the fun and edgy factor came in the form of nail art and polish finish.

Of the seven polishes two are satin finish, one glitter, one chrome, and three creme. Over and Over A Gwen, the collection's signature shade, was sold in a kit that included studs and crystals for nail art.

For the most part, I liked the collection. The various finishes were a nice change, since these were my first set of satin polishes. In my opinion the satin polishes were the stars here, lending a cool look to two otherwise rather common colors. The creme colors were pretty but not necessarily unique, and the glitter was absolutely fabulous -- super sparkly. All in all, I'd say the polish selection rings pretty true to Gwen. They're all colors and styles I could see her wearing. You know, because in my imagination, we're friends.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI 4 In The Morning (2 coats) - satin finish (no top coat)

Since I'd never had a satin polish, I decided to try those out first. When I first saw 4 In the Morning in the bottle, I wasn't all that excited. I thought it might just be another darkcharcoal grey polish until I noticed it was a satin finish. I was curious to see how it would turn out. I totally loved it. It reminds me of the Mercedes S500 I saw on the showroom floor that was painted in the same finish. I may not be able to afford that car, but I can admire the finish on my tips. I mean, there are worse things my nails can remind me of with this polish on, right? 

4 In the Morning is a blackened charcoal grey with a subtle silver shimmer. It's a bit sheer on first coat, but goes totally opaque after the second. It goes on smoothly and looks like a combination of a metallic polish with a matte finish. It has an in-between quality to it -- not quite matte, but not totally glossy. It's a semi-matte, so to speak. It has just enough sheen to make you look, while keeping that I'm-cool-without-trying edge.  It's one of my favorite polishes in the collection. 

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI Love Angel Music Baby (2 coats) - satin finish (no top coat)

Up next, we have Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (LAMB) a shimmery gold polish that might be better suited for a holiday collection if it weren't for the satin finish. That finish gives this particular color the look of a glittery textured polish without the grit. It has a nice smooth surface and is quite pretty to look at. I couldn't decide which I liked better LAMB or 4 In the Morning.

LAMB also goes on really smoothly, no streaks, no pulling. It's opaque on first coat, but the second coat imparts the extra shimmer that will catch your eye. When you first apply it, it looks really glossy, but then it dries down and looks totally different -- in a good way.  It still sparkles, but now it's more like gold dust. It glistens. You'll catch yourself admiring it.

The only bad part about these two polishes is that without a top coat, they'll show wear a little quicker. I liked these two colors enough that I wasn't fazed by it.

 OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI Hey Baby (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat

Alright, we already know I have an insatiable obsession with pink (especially bright pink) nail polish. So, you just know I was excited about Hey Baby. As you can see from the photo, it's a bright pink creme and it's absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, it looks a lot like some of the pinks already in my collection.That being said, I'd still get it (clearly), given my penchant for bright pink polish. Even if you have something just like it, chances are you'll like the polish too.

This one was easy to apply for me. It had a nice consistency and the polish went on smoothly. It has the pretty candy finish that draws me to bright pink polish. One coat was relatively opaque, but two coats sealed the deal.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI I Sing in Color (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat 

I was a little less excited over I Sing in Color. It's not that this color isn't pretty. It's just that it feels like any other vampy dark burgundy out there. It could have used a little Gwen pizzazz. Just a little something to help it stand out all on its own. If it hadn't come already included in the set, I may not have purchased it on its own. Not because it's not  pretty, but because I'm sure I have enough of this shade already.

When I swatched it, I was a bit dissapointed. It's pretty sheer on first coat and it streaked a lot. Thankfully, the second coat evened everything out. It has a nice glossy finish, which we all know by now -- I love. When indoors, this color can tend to look black, except for the red that peeks through around the edges and gives it away as burgundy.

 OPI Lay Down the Base base coat, OPI Push and Shove (2 coats), no top coat

Once I got to Push and Shove, I started feeling some type of way. Irritated, angry, and let down would all be adequate descriptors. This polish was a masterful fail. It's the most unflattering and unforgiving polish I've ever worked with. It shows every single flaw on your nail. It may work wonders for you, if you have completely smooth and perfect nails. My nails are currently in acrylic transition. I've buffed down the acrylic on my nail so that it's a very thin overlay as I grow it out. As you can see above, Push and Shove shows every single buff mark on my nail. It highlights every single imperfection. And there seemed to be no way around it. The photo above is the best of three attempts to remove and reapply this color. 

Push and Shove comes with a special base coat (Lay Down the Base) that helps impart the chrome finish. It's meant to have a mirror like look, but the imperfections on my nail made it look more like a brushed metal finish (not in a good way either). I've read from others that using a ridge filling base coat doesn't help either. 

To make matters worse, this polish is only supposed to last one day. So after all the hard work of trying to get it to apply perfectly (if you can), it'll basically chip/ruin/self destruct/turn into a pumpkin after 24 hours. Maybe less, the packaging explicitly says it's "intended for One Night Only wear."

Listen, I know I change my polish frequently. Heck, it's why I don't like gel manicures. I can't wear the same polish for 2 weeks, it drives  me batty. But even I think one day wear polish is a bit much. For $9 per bottle, I expect some longevity. Otherwise, I may as well just go spend $1 on one of those fast-chipping polishes we've all been known to toss. 

Thankfully, In True Stefani Fashion helped came to turn things around. I'm totally diggin' this glitter explosion top coat. As you can see below, this polish is like a party in a bottle. It's a fun mix of silver micro-glitter, holographic medium round glitter, and chunky holographic squares. It's like someone trapped a disco ball in there. 

 OPI In True Stefani Fashion macro

If you're a regular here, you know I've not been a huge glitter polish fanatic. I may be coming around. I still feel strongly that I'm too damn old to rock a full glitter mani on the regs. But I'm more more open to playing around with a glitter finish than I have been in the past. Lately, I find myself admiring the sparkle. 

OPI In True Stefani Fashio (2 coats)

In True Stefani Fashion can be worn on its own. I think three coats would bring it to full coverage. You get generous glitter pay off with one coat. And as you can see in the photos, two coats adds quite a bit of flair. 

I was pretty surprised that I didn't have to struggle much with removal either. But before you get too excited, it's still glitter, so you'll have to work harder than you would removing a creme. 

I really like the square glitter added into the mix too. When these catch the light, they really twinkle. 

Well there you have it. The anxiously anticipated Gwen Stefani collection. Overall I like it. I'm totally smitten with the satin polishes and love the girly glitzy flair of the glitter. While the cremes weren't necessarily stand out colors, they were still pretty and color's I'd wear. If we take Push and Shove out of the equation, I think OPI and Gwen did well.

What about you? What are your thoughts on this release? Comment below, let's chat!

Haul: ULTA Friends & Family Sale + Coupon Link & More

Oops! I went shopping...

I have a weakness. I can't resist a good sale, especially of the beauty or shoe variety. This probably isn't news to anyone, but I'm putting it out there. 

Speaking of sales, ULTA is having their Friends & Family sale. It started January 12 and ends January 18. Oh, you didn't know? Don't worry, they've managed to keep it on the low. I'm used to getting emails and mailers from them and this time, nothing. Goose eggs. Nada. I found out about the sale on Instagram when someone posted about it (not ULTA). 

Here's how you can get the discount: Go to this site ulta.com/friends. Fill out your name, email address, and zip code. Wait for them to email you the coupon. (Don't worry, it takes less than 5 minutes. I did mine in the parking lot in front of ULTA)

Then, be a good friend and tell everyone. Just share the link because you can't forward the coupon (it's a one-time use only)

The coupon gets you 20% off your entire purchase, can be used in store or online, and includes prestige cosmetics. However, it excludes Urban Decay's Naked 1, 2 and 3 palettes. I think that's the only exclusion, except the Benefit Brow Bar. Exclusions are listed on the coupon, in case you forget.

You're welcome. 

Now that you know about this sale, you know I went shopping. Here's a video where I share everything I got. 

List of products (all prices listed are regular price, do not include 20% discount):

ULTA:

Gwen Stefani for OPI Rock Starlets Mini Set ($12.95)

Gwen Stefani for OPI Push and Shove Duet set ($9)

Gwen Stefani for OPI - In True Stefani Fashion ($9) 

China Glaze Mingle with Cringle ($3.99)

NYX Infinite Shadow Sticks - Almond and Flushed ($8.99 each)

Benefit Lip Lotto - Lady's Choice, Fame Game, LaLa Land ($18)

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powde - Nude ($8.99)

Urban Decay Naked Basics ($27)

Target:

Up & Up non-latex makeup sponges ($1.77)

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm - Elusive ($6.49)

Sally Beauty Supply: 

Beauty Secrets Pure Acetone ($3.69)

Buffing blocks - Black and Pink ($1.19 each)

Did you know about the Friends & Family sale? Did you get anything? Comment below, let's chat about it. 

Manicure Monday: OPI I'm Feeling Sashy

Welcome back to the grind, you guys. The holiday weekend is over. I don't know about you, but I was not ready for it to end. Alas, time waits for no one. Boooo!

On the plus side, I gave myself a pretty manicure to help lift my spirits. This week, I bring you OPI's I'm Feeling Sashy, a gorgeous cool toned grey-purple-lavander creme. Love it. I picked this bottle up early in November and am finally getting around to sporting it.

I think the hue works well during this time of the year and will look fabulous paired with some glitzy glittery polishes as the season's soirees approach.

OPI I'm Feeling Sashy (2 coats), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat

I have nothing bad to say about this polish. It applies wonderfully. It's streak free and opaque and dries down to a lovely glossy finish. Not a high maintenance color at all. It goes on easily and comes off with little effort when you swipe it with acetone. 

When I wear colors like this I'm reminded why I love creme polish finish the best. 

How do you feel about I'm Feeling Sashy? Do you have any favorite grey-purples in your polish collection? Comment below and tell me!

Manicure Monday: OPI Up Front & Personal ft. Cult Nails Wack Slacks

Happy holiday Monday! It's a happy Monday because I am on vacation. *happy dance* Boy does it feel good to wake up when you want instead of to the jarring sound of an alarm. I feel so rested and ready to take on the day.

In the spirit of holiday celebration, this weeks' manicure is sparkly and festive. I know, Thanksgiving isn't really sparkly. But it's a holiday, and I like to live those up. There's going to be some kind of bubbly alcoholic concoction in my celebratory future. So it's appropriate.

OPI's Up Front & Personal, is a fun champagne-golden shimmer sure to set your spirit in a celebratory mood. Just look at it (and the much more close up shot further down) and tell me it doesn't remind you of a bubbling glass of champs. I decided to pair it with Cult Nails Wack Slacks, then we used a feather brush to layer it with Up Front & Personal. A super easy way to do nail art that  results in a fun finish that looks much more time consuming than it really is.

OPI Up Front & Personal (2 coats), Wack Slacks and Up Close & Personal (accent nail), Sally Hansen Inta-Dri top coat
(acrylic nails) Nails by Miss Natalia's Beauty

Up Front & Personal goes on kind of sheer (but with lots of shimmer) upon first coat and then becomes opaque with the second coat. I thought it might be sheer enough to layer over another color to give it a shimmery effect, but it as you can see by the design over Wack Slacks, it won't be totally see through.

Both colors apply really nicely. No streaking or pulling. Just sweet smoothness all the way round. The only thing to note is that because there's so much shimmer in Up Front & Personal, if you get some on your skin, it will take a little more than a quick swipe with an acetone-soaked Q-tip to remove it. You know how glitter likes to stick to skin. Don't worry though. It wears off. Any glitter residue I had on my fingers was gone by the next day with regular hand washing. 

Well, there you have it. My Thanksgiving nails. What will you be rockin' on your tips for the holidays?

Manicure Monday: OPI Polishes in Target's $1 Section (priced at $4)

Thanks to Nouveau Cheap and her readers for sharing this great news! The Target $1 section just got a little better. If you've been perusing recently, you may have encountered a little OPI surprise. That's right, there are OPI polishes in this section. I don't know if this is a permanent fixture, but you may want to make a quick trip to your Target to see if you can get in on the savings.

I visited the Target near my mother's house Veteran's Day weekend and spotted six OPI colors available for only $4 (that's half off the regular price).

The colors didn't have names. Instead they were numbered (as seen in photo below). The six colors I saw included: a mid-toned army green, a pumpkin orange, a light grey creme, an iridescent silver/purple/green, a shimmery raspberry red, and a bubble gum pink creme. I purchased four of the six colors. 

Color C1106

In the photo of the bin, this color appears to be a shimmery metallic purple. In reality, it's an iridescent shade that has green, purple, and silver shades (C1106). When I wore it, the colors that showed up most were shades of metallic green, light silver, and lavender-pink (depending on the angle and light).

As you can see in the photo above, it looks like a light opalescent silver with hints of green along the outer edges. In the photo below, you see the same colors, but they appear a bit darker.

This shade is actually pretty sheer, but it's also easy to build. It also has a nice shimmery finish. The first coat was pretty transparent, which makes me think this could be a great shade to use to top a complimentary shade and give it an iridescent finish. You could also wear it alone and add a few more coats to make it more opaque. The second coat helps make it more intense. But I found a third coat gave me the best color pay off. 

Color C1110

I also purchased the light grey shade (C1110), which is essentially a heather grey creme that's reminiscent of Sally Hansen's Wet Cement, except it's a shade or two lighter. I've used my Wet Cement polish a lot, so it only made sense to pick this one up. Clearly, I like wearing this color. 

This shade glides on easily and doesn't streak. The first coat is a bit sheer compared to what I'm used to for most OPI creme shades, but the second coat gave it a nice opaque finish. It dried down nice and glossy too, but I always like even more polish, so I added a glossy top coat. 

Color C1116

I was pretty quickly drawn to this raspberry red shimmer polish (C1116) which looks absolutely stunning when you have it on. Again, the first coat of this polish was kind of sheer, but it only needed a second coat to round it out. It's a beautiful and rich hue that's sophisticated and perfect for the holiday season. 

Compared to the rest of the colors I purchased, this shade was the hardest to remove. It has a good amount of shimmer, so you have to work a little harder during removal. However, it's not like removing glitter. I was able to use acetone to get it off my acrylic nails without damaging them. In other words, it doesn't require soaking (which would've melted my acrylic off). So, it's not that hard to remove. Had I used non-acetone remover, I may've had a harder time. 

Color C1109

Finally, I purchased shade C1109, which is a milky bubble gum pink creme. Of all the colors purchased, this one was the most opaque with the first coat. However, it did streak a tiny bit. Interestingly, most of the streaking will even out as the polish settles on the nail. However, in a few instances, the streaks were still noticeable once the first coat dried down. 

Not to worry though, because the second coat evens everything out. And as you can see above, you get a smooth finish. 

Have you spotted the $4 OPI bin at your local Target? Did you pick up any of the colors? If so, which ones? Did your Target have different colors available? Are you planning to go out and try to find any of these colors? Which ones? Comment below and let me know!

Manicure Monday: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

If you follow me on any kind of social media, then you know I had a pretty rough weekend. My dog died unexpectedly and quite suddenly after being quite healthy and happy all day, with no signs of distress. It was quite the blow. I wasn't prepared.

I've had many dogs in my life and have had to say goodbye to quite a few (old age and sickness as is the natural order of life). All of them were sad. I shed tears for every one. But Newton was special. I'd never bonded with any of my other pets as much as I'd bonded with my Bing (his nick name was Bing-Bing after the sound his collar would make whenever he came running to greet me). His passing hit me hard. I've grieved him like a member of the family. It feels like a part of my heart is missing. I don't expect everyone to understand, but I am devastated.

Alas, he is gone and there is nothing I can do but miss him and remember the joy he brought into my life. But for now, those joyful memories, still bring up pangs of sadness. I just try to keep telling myself that in time, I'll just remember the joy.

In his honor, I got a mournful manicure with one of my favorite (yet somehow previously unswatched) OPI shades, Lincoln Park After Dark.

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat. Swatched on acrylic nails. Nails by Miss Natalia's Beauty

Now, it might not look like it, but Lincoln Park After Dark (LPAD) is actually a deep eggplant purple. But to the naked eye, and in most lighting conditions, it looks black. In the photo, you can tell that the bottle isn't full on black, but on my nails, not so much. It doesn't bother me. I love a good super dark, practically (essentially?) black polish.

My RIP cross design in honor of Newton.

Like most OPI dark lacquers LPAD is immediately opaque. It goes on smoothly, leaves no streaks, and dries down to a gorgeous glossy finish. It's gorgeous, vampy, chic, and fantastic.

On natural nails this lasts me about 3-4 days. I've said it before, I'm rough on my nails. Most manicures don't survive too long. On acrylics, I'm sure it will last much longer. But I'll probably change it out before it looks tired because I like to change things up.

There's not much I can say about the fabulous color that hasn't already been said before. If you love vampy dark shades and you don't have this color, make a plan to go get it. You won't regret it.

Manicure Monday: OPI Anti-Bleak

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Down here in Florida, it was a refreshing weekend. The weather decided to bestow us with cooler weather. We got a nice departure from highs in the high 95s with equally suffocating humidity levels, to highs in the low 80s and a breeze. You guys, we actually needed light cotton cardigans in the evening. Gasp! Florida fall paid us a quick visit -- and it felt fantastic.

We're starting off this week with OPI's Anti-Bleak from the Spring 2013 Mariah Carey collection. I've gotta say, it's quite the pretty color. I catch myself glancing down to admire it on my nails.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI Anti-Bleak polish (2 coats), Sally Hansen Intsa-Dri top coat

Anti-Bleak is a red-based purple creme polish with nice glossy finish. The formula is precisely what you'd expect from an OPI polish: amazingly pigmented with a smooth beautiful finish. The polish applies evenly and easily. It also glides on steak free. 

If your office is extremely conservative, Anti-Bleak might not be completely appropriate. But I honestly feel most nine-to-fivers would be OK with it because it's not loud and distracting to others.

What do you think of Anti-Bleak? Are you likely to wear this hue? 

Manicure Monday: OPI Vampsterdam

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We're back and ready to tackle another week. Here's hoping it's an easier week than last week. Freshly-manicured fingers crossed.

For this week's manicure, I chose to share OPI's Vampsterdam from the Spring 2012 Holland collection. Most of the colors in the collection were quite spring appropriate (and boy do I want to get my hands on Kiss Me on My Tulips -- you guys know I can't resist a good pink), but Vampsterdam (as the color name suggests) is a deeper vampier shade that seems more apropos for a fall or winter release.

I purchased it back in June at the Premiere show in Orlando and it's taken me this long to get around to wearing it (You do remember my - ahem - minor melt down about giving up bright summer/spring colors, right?).

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI Vampsterdam (2 coats), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat

Vampsterdam is a gorgeous deep plum wine color with silver shimmer that gives it a shiny-but-not-quite-metallic finish. This lacquer is sure to suit your inner vixen. It's definitely not a shrinking violet. There's something about a vampy polish that makes me feel in charge -- like a power suit for my nails.

As you'd expect from looking at the bottle this color is opaque and you get that opacity immediately with your very first coat. It's also quite easy to work with, applying smoothly and streak free.

Whether at the office or on a date, Vampsterdam is like a coat of confidence on your tips. Wear it in good health and go knock 'em dead.

P.S. -- It also makes a phenomenally sexy polish choice for your toes. Meow!

How and where would you wear Vampsterdam?

Manicure Monday: OPI Miami Beet

Hey everyone, I hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was pretty low key and that was nice. While rearranging my beauty stash to make room for the fun stuff I brought home from The Makeup Show, I remembered I still had a few polishes left to swatch from my Premiere nail polish haul. Yes, I'm still swatching those.

One of those colors, OPI's Miami Beet, I purchased after seeing this photo on Pinterest. This gorgeous deep burgundy red, is perfect for fall -- especially with Oxblood being a popular hue. It's vampy without being too dark and totally classic.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI Miami Beet (2 coats), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat

Miami Beet's formula is pretty easy to work with. However, I did notice it's slightly thick, a bit sticky, and it didn't seem to glide along the nail as smoothly as others. And while I noticed this, I also noticed that it didn't seem to make a difference in the final result. One coat delivered a streak-free, bump-free, completely opaque finish. The second coat made the color deeper.

I love that this color will transition easily from fall to winter. I can see it becoming a quick favorite. 

Holiday Manicure: Patriotic Nails

Happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone is having fun and being safe. Here's a little peek at how I decided to show my celebratory mood.

OPI Nail Envy base coat, Zoya Carmen (red), Zoya Ibiza (blue), Julep Kate (white), Julep America (glitter)

Manicure Monday: It's a Girl

OPI Nail Envy base coat, OPI It's a Girl (2 coats), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat

How beautiful is this pretty pink polish? OPI's It's a Girl was quite the pleasant surprise. When I purchased this polish, I initially thought it was going to be an opaque pastel pink. But when I applied it, it turned out to be quite sheer. I was thrown off, but quickly pleased because despite the the sheer nature of the color, the final pay off was absolutely beautiful (and a nice departure from my more intense color selections).

It's a Girl is a more sophisticated pastel baby pink. It's sheer quality lends it a soft and dainty look, much like the qualities you'd expect from a bouncing baby girl. I absolutely love how delicate it is. It makes my hands look so feminine and it's girly but still understated. I think it's an every girl pink. It's not too loud or too young or too old. It's a Girl is simply perfect. 

The first coat is quite sheer, leaving only a trace of color on your nails. It initially looks streaky, but quickly evens out on its own. The second coat gets you the color you see in the bottle, while still remaining slightly sheer (as you can probably tell by the photo). If you prefer a completely opaque polish, a third coat will provide that while still keeping the soft nature of the polish. But frankly, I preferred it with two coats as it made the dry time better and I was quite smitten with the finish. 

All in all, I think this is a beautiful polish and a perfect little take-away gift for your guests if you happen to be throwing a baby shower. Even cuter if you happen to purchase the little travel-size polish (a.k.a. baby polish).

What do you think of It's a Girl? Pretty neutral pink or too soft for your taste? 

Nail Polish Haul: OPI, China Glaze, Zoya, Orly

Manicure Monday: Yoga-ta Get This Blue

Monday's got you blue? Try this pretty indigo blue polish to brighten your day a bit. I love OPI's Yoga-ta Get This Blue. It's a beautiful shade of navy blue with a shimmer finish. Plus, it's not such a dark blue that you might accidentally confuse it with black from afar. This dark blue is definitely blue, but it's still dark, sophisticated, and versatile.  In my opinion, it could go from the office to the weekend without looking out of place. 

One coat is sufficient to get the color pay off in the bottle, but you know I still went for two coats (that's what you see pictured). And, of course, it performs the way you'd expect from an OPI polish: applies smoothly, the consistency isn't overly runny, and if you treat it right your manicure will have some lasting power. 

What's your favorite shade of navy nail polish? Do you think you'd like to add Yoga-ta Get This Blue to your polish collection? Comment below and tell me your opinion. 

Manicure Monday: William Tell Me About OPI

 

Today's dark and vampy mani is brought to you by OPI (via my friend Rebecca who gifted it to me for the holidays). I love the name: William Tell Me About OPI - appropriate seeing as my friend is an author. It's a beautiful deep dark burgundy that is an excellent alternative to black if you're a gal who prefers her manicures all dark all the time. This shade is grown up and sultry and could easily go from the board room to a wild night out. 

My first coat on some nails was a bit streaky (depending on how thin the coat was) but the second coat evened everything out. I don't think it's a terribly unique color. You could easily find something similar by nearly every brand. But there's a good reason for that. I think a deep burgundy polish is a nail staple. It's a great way to have grown up, sophisticated nails without being boring. 

What do you think of William Tell Me About OPI? What's your favorite burgundy nail polish?

What do you think of this 

Manicure Monday: XOX Betsey

 

This week's manicure brings you another nude polish. I found this lacquer (XOX Betsey)  in the sale bin at Sephora for $5. Not too bad. I picked it up thinking it was a bit of a nod to Mod About You by OPI, just a dustier version of it. To my surprise, it was much more of a nude. Not quite creamy or beige toned as Essie's Sand Tropez. XOX Betsey is more of a pink-based nude.

This color is opaque and applies easily. I didn't experience any streaking, as can sometimes happen with milky opaque colors. 

What do you think? Do you like nudes for fall? I think it looks pretty on hands, but I definitely couldn't do it on my toes. I feel like it makes my toes look too long, like I could peel bananas with them. 

Manicure Monday: Suzi Loves Cowboys

Continuing on my dark fall color trend, I give you this lovely milk chocolate brown - OPI Suzi Loves Cowboys. A great alternative to black, when you want something dark but need a break from the ebony hue. There's no glitter or sparkle to this one, but it has a lovely glossy finish. Top it off with a glossy top coat, and you have all the shine you need.

Nail Files: Sephora by OPI Nail Polish Haul

I've been on a Zoya kick lately, and with good reason. Their polish selection is a-ma-zing! And not just that, but the lacquer is high quality. It glides on like a dream, delivering pigment and shine, and stands up to the test of time. I know I've kept my Zoya polish on my nails for a full work week before I saw even the smallest chip. For those of you out there sporting natural nails, you know that's impressive.

Alas, as much as I love Zoya, I have one qualm -- I can only find it online. I like the instant gratification of picking up a polish and wearing it that same day. I like looking at all the colors and really seeing them in person, where they are true to color. Sometimes the color you see online isn't quite what you get, once you receive it in the mail. So, I wish it were easier to find Zoya polishes at local retailers.

Since that day hasn't come, I'll continue to shop for pretty nail colors from the brands I can pick up in store for my instant gratification fix. I did that this weekend with two new polishes from the Sephora by OPI collection. One from the Glee line, and one that was on sale. I love them both. They are bright colors that I just love for the coming spring. I've always been a dark polish girl, gravitating toward deep purples, and royal blues, so fall and winter are usually my favorite time of year for polish. But bright colors are growing on me. I think I just like colors to be noticeable. Nudes are pretty, and I'll wear them from time to time, but they have their time and place, and I just tend to love a fun, rich color. If I'm welcoming spring, then I'm doing it loudly.

I picked up "Who let the dorks out?" from the Glee line, which is a gorgeous metallic teal blue-green (they describe it as peacock green, It certainly had green undertones, but I definitely see it as a blue-green) for $9.50. I adore it. It's pretty on the nails, but I think its going to look amazing on the toes when I rock some fun espadrilles in the warmer weather. The color will really stand out against just about any shade of shoe, be it a pretty brown leather, or a fun off-white canvas. Check it out below:

Pictured: Two coats of Who let the dorks out?

Then, I came across this fun hot pink prettiness in the sale bin. I was so excited! It's called Access 24/7 and it's like a bright Barbie magenta pink. I saw it and I thought, wasn't that the color of Barbie's car? It looked so fun, I just had to have it, and it was only $5! I like it a lot, but the pigmentation is kind of light. It's much more intense in the bottle than when you first apply it, so you have to layer it on to get the bright pink color pay off. Here it is, what do you think?

Pictured: 3 coats of Access 24/7

I also picked up the Urban Ballerina mini collection, but I haven't tried any of those out just yet. The colors look really pretty. I'm definitely drawn to the grey and purple and am curious to see how the nude pinks look. I'll keep you all posted. What colors are you ready to start wearing for spring?