Brazil Water Marble

Hey Y'all!!  TGIF!!  So do you have any big plans for the weekend?  Let me live vicariously through you.  Do you have any small plans?  As for me and mine, the teen has dance class and rehearsals all day Saturday, and I hope, on Sunday to get some blog posts ready.  I have so much to share.

For today, I have a water marble using the two polishes from the OPI Brazil collection I reviewed yesterday, Taupe-Less Beach and Black Cherry Chutney.  I kind of did it two different ways.  On the left hand, I made the lines thinner:

And on the right a little wider:

Which do y'all prefer?

I really like both.  And I really love these two colors together.  You may be seeing this color combination a lot :)

For my Water Marble tutorial, Click here!!

I hope y'all enjoyed today's post!  If there's something you would like to see, or would like a tutorial for, leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do!

Have a fabulous Friday!  And Happy Polishing!!

Review OPI Taupe-Less Beach & Black Cherry Chutney

Hey Y'all!!  Happy Thursday!  Yay, it's almost the weekend!  And with the weekend here, comes warm weather.  Well, warmer than it has been at least.  I know I've said it a hundred times, but I'm so sick of the cold!!  But I have a lot to tell you about today, so let's get to it.

I don't know about y'all, but I was looking so forward to the Brazil Collection from OPI.  When I think of Brazil, I guess my mind goes to Carnival, and bright colors with lots of glitter.  So that's what I was expecting from this collection.  Yeah, not so much.  While there are yellows, oranges and corals, they are muted.  And the only glitters are four liquid sand minis.  While I love the OPI liquid sands, I'm not a fan of the minis...I have pretty long nails and can only get one manicure out of those tiny bottles.  They're more like micro minis.  And, I haven't found them yet anyway :(

So there were really only two that caught my eye, Taupe-Less Beach and Black Cherry Chutney.

Taupe-Less Beach is a soft, medium taupe crème.  The pictures show two coats without top coat.

The formula was fabulous, complete coverage in two coats, although for some reason this color took a little longer to dry than the other, but not a long time.  The color is gorgeous!  For me, it's the perfect taupe shade since it is a darker shade.    And I think this would look great with pretty much all skin tones.  I'm so happy I picked this one up!

The second color I picked up is Black Cherry Chutney:

Black Cherry Chutney is a deep, deep burgundy with a burgundy shimmer.  Pictures show two coats with top coat.  Even though the color is gorgeous inside, it comes alive in the sunlight and really shows the depth of this polish:

I can't begin to tell you how much I love this polish!!!  The formula was great!  In two coats the coverage was perfect and opaque.  This is just so darn pretty!

I bought these at Sally's Beauty Supply, and being a member, they cost me $7.99 each.

What do y'all think of the OPI Brazil collection?  Have you bought any?

I hope y'all enjoy the rest of your day, and thank you so much for checking out today's post!  Happy Polishing!!

TIOT: Revlon French Roast

Hey Y'all!!  Ok, I know it's actually Wednesday, not Tuesday, and I'm really sorry I'm late with this post.  But I was soooo incredibly tired yesterday!  Seriously, I couldn't stay awake.  And I still had to play taxi driver to the teen.  So for those few hours I was actually home.  I slept.  I'm sorry, I'm not sorry :p

So I have my Try It On Tuesday for you today :)  It's Revlon French Roast:

I was so excited when I found this!  I found it at Big Lots for $1.50 and thought it was gorgeous; a milk chocolate brown with gold and blue micro glitters.  I couldn't wait to try it.

Yeah, turns out it, it's not so glittery.  Although it is very shiny.  The pictures show two coats with top coat.

I have to tell you, as little as the glitter/shimmer is showing up in the pictures, it's a lot more than it showed up in real life.  The formula was ok.  As I said, this is two coats, but obviously I needed three.  There was a bit of balding, so the second coat was pretty thick.  It really is a pretty brown and I've always wanted a perfect chocolate color, so it's a success that way.  I'm really just disappointed that the glitter didn't really show.  I was expecting more I guess.

What do y'all think?

Have a great Wednesday!  Happy Polishing!!

Black & Purple Gradient French Tips

Hey Y'all!!  Happy Monday!  I know, I know, that's an oxymoron, but I hope you're having a great day.  I'm excited to start a new week, anyway.  I have some fabulous posts for you this week, including a couple of beauty reviews, so be sure to be on the look out for them!

I'm also excited to show you today's nails!  I'm going to call this Black & Purple Gradient French Tips:

I Used:
Finger Paints- First Edition (dark neon purple crème)
Sinful Colors- Black on Black (black crème)
Make Up Sponge

To create this design, start with two coats of Finger Paints First Edition, a gorgeous dark purple neon crème.  Once that has dried completely, cut up a make up sponge, the wedge type (I buy mine at the dollar store).  I just cut it into 3 or 4 pieces.  Then run them under the faucet and wring them out.  This makes them bigger and gives a softer look to your gradient.

Then paint a stripe of Finger Paints First Edition and a stripe of Sinful Colors Black on Black on to the sponge:

Doing both colors helps them to blend together.  Then just dab on to your nails.  If you want the French Tip look, make sure you keep the black just on the tip of your nails.  You may need to do this two or three times to get the colors opaque.  Then just top with top coat!

I hope y'all enjoyed today's mani; I got a ton of compliments on it!  Y'all have a fabulous Monday!  Happy Polishing!!

Spring Event at Saks Fifth Avenue

Hey Y'all!!!!  Yesterday, the now-a-teen and I spent the day at Saks Fifth Avenue of Atlanta checking out and playing with all the new Spring Make Up collections!  Now, I know what you're thinking....Saks???  She must be made of money....NOPE!!  Trust me, EVERYONE can shop at Saks!!  Especially in their make up department!  Don't get me wrong, if you're wanting the newest Jimmy Choo sandals and Michael Kors purse, you are going to need a small bank, but their make up is wonderfully priced!!  They even sell Clinique!!

So on to the event!!  Right now, all the new Spring make up collections are hitting the store and many of the companies have sent their top make up artists to introduce the new lines.  Who doesn't want to be primped and pampered by an expert?  I didn't realize that Giorgio Armani sold make up!  I know, duh, where have I been?  So I decided to try their make up and met the fabulous Armani National Make Up Artist, Blair Mathis:

First, let me assure you, these are not hard, in your face salespeople.  Honest!  They truly only want to make you happy.  And they are thrilled to show you their company's make up and make you look

gorgeous.  You really should take advantage of their knowledge!!  They can teach you how to do any make up look you want, from highlighting to smoky eyes, introduce you to colors that look fabulous on you that you had no idea would look great, they can answer any question you have and they are so friendly!!  Just be honest with them!  I'm not a big fan of pink, so I said, please no pink...not a problem.  If you're just curious and only want to learn about the products, no problem.  They're there to help.

 

And YES!!  It's perfectly ok to ask the price!!  Trust me!  I asked the price of each and every object!  And no, you don't have to buy it all, or even any of it.  But I will say I have found some of my favorite products this way.  Like in this visit!  My new foundation is definitely Armani!! (Look for my review coming soon!!!)

 

AND, Saks Fifth Avenue has a fabulous gift with purchase going on!!  Spend $100 on any make up product and get a fabulous tote bag with some wonderful samples in it. 

There are the bags to the far right in the above photo.

The photos here were taken at my Saks, in Atlanta at Phipps Plaza.  If you have a Saks near you, seriously, get there!!  Now is such a great time to go if you've never been.  But even if you miss this event, still go.  The regular staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful (and not pushy, promise)!  If you don't have one near you, the tote bag offer is available on line to at their website!

Have fun and Happy Exploring!!

Finger Paints: Vivid Reflection & Colorful Dream

Hey Y'all!!  How's your Thursday going??  Mine is going pretty good.  We finally have hot water again!!  Plus a new water heater.  And it's a gorgeous day...actually 75 degrees!!  It gets cold tomorrow, but at least we're having a perfect Spring day today!


Today I have two of the Finger Paints 2013 Holiday Collection.  I showed you Symmetrical Symphony to you last week, and today are the only other two I bought.  Since every picture I've seen of this collection has been over black, I went with dark green and mauve-ish for these swatches.

Colorful Dream

Colorful Dream is a multi-colored flakie in an almost clear base.  The colors of flakes include blue, green, gold, pink, lilac...an iridescent rainbow!  The formula was great, no hunting or balding required.  It dried to a nice, flat, glossy surface.  Photos show two coats over Julep Diane, a dark forest green crème, without top coat.

I loved this, and think it will be gorgeous over neons for the summer!

 

And here is Julep Diane on it's own.  This is two coats without top coat:

I loved this color too!  It was a bit thin but became fully opaque in two coats.

 

Vivid Reflection

Vivid Reflection is a pink, lilac and gold flakies in a clear-ish base (I keep saying clear-ish because it looks slightly milky when applying it to the nail, but doesn't seem to effect the base color).  Pictures show two coats without top coat, because again it dried smooth and flat. 

I really liked Vivid Reflection!  I think it looks more delicate than the other colors, but maybe that's because I put it on a lighter color.  The effect is definitely more subtle.  But then I think this entire collection has a more subtle effect than their flakie collection from last year.  The formula was the same here as for Colorful Reflection.

 

I used Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Good To Grape as the base.  The picture shows two coats without top coat.

The formula was great, although a bit thin.  If I was going to wear this alone, I would have added a third coat, just to make sure it was completely opaque.

 

So what do y'all think?  Did you buy any from this collection?

 

I hope y'all enjoy the rest of you day!  Happy Polishing!!

 





 

 

 

 

 



Mish Mash Challenge: Seasons

Hey Y'all!!  I'm so sorry I've been missing this week, but last week kicked my butt!!  Here's last week's weather:

Monday: 60's

Tuesday: Ice (3 inches)

Wednesday:  Snow (6 inches)

Thursday: Snow (1 inch)

Friday:  Earthquake

Saturday:  30-40 mph winds

Sunday:  Earthquake

And today??  70's!  WTH??  I think someone is really hating Georgia right now!!  We must have been really bad, huh?  But the weather made the week nuts, not to mention getting the now-a-teen to all of her dance classes that were switched all around.  But I made it!

Today is the last Mish Mash Challenge :(  I'm so sad :(  But, after a little time off, I'm sure we will all be back with another new challenge!  Everybody just needs some time to recoup.  But on to the challenge!  This week's theme is Seasons!  And if you can't tell by all my blog rants, facebook rants and instagram rants....I'M SICK OF WINTER!!!  I want Summer!!!  I want to be hot!  I want the sun!!  I wanna wear shorts!  Uh-hum, so I chose Summer.  I went with a water marble to reflect the beach:

I Used:
China Glaze- Fast Track (beige with gold shimmer)
China Glaze- Turned Up Turquoise (neon turquoise shimmer)
Orly- Teal Unreal (dark teal crème)
China Glaze- White on White (white crème)

I was so frustrated with this design!!!  I used 4 different teals/turquoise and they all bubbled!!  And I was determined to do this design with these colors.  The China Glaze Fast Track is for the beach, then two shades for the water.  I love the actual design....hate the bubbles!!

I hate that my last Mish Mash design was a fail, but after three different attempts...I just ran out of time...and patience!  I think it's the weather's fault.  I know I've lost patience with the weather!!

Be sure to check out all the other fabulous ladies and they're seasonal designs!!  And keep your eyes open for the next challenge.  Meanwhile, if anyone knows of a challenge I can join, let me know!  I'm already having withdrawals!!  LOL!  Happy Polishing!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thank You Giveaway Winners!!!!

Hey Y'all!!!  I have the winners for the Thank You Giveaway!!!  I'm so excited!  Are you?  You can CLICK HERE to see the names posted on the widget!!  The Winners are:

Lulu- The Wet-n-Wild Eyeshadow

Cassandra- Sinful Colors Boldacious Collection

Danna- Orly Minis

Megan- Sinful Colors Jolt and Feel the Vibe

 

Congratulations ladies!!!  Be sure to check your emails!!  You have 48 hours to respond to my email or I will have to pick another winner.

 

Thank you all SOOOO much!!  I truly appreciate each and every one of you!!  Be sure to keep your eyes open for future giveaways :)  Happy Polishing!!

Valentine's Day Mani

Hey Y'all!!  Happy Valentine's Day!!  Do y'all do anything special for Valentine's Day?  The hubby and I never really have.  Mainly because our anniversary, my birthday, our now-a-teen's birthday and his birthday all hit late January through February.  Then if you include parents, his siblings, aunts and uncles...it's insane!  So, truth be told, we are usually too broke for Valentine's, along with being way over sweets by then!

Also, I'm not much of a heart and flower kind of person, which is why you only see one Valentine's mani each year, but I did come up with one this year.  And I really like it.  Simple:

I Used:
LA Colors- red crème (no name)
Finger Paints- Oh My Gauche (small gold glitter in clear base)
Fine Detail Brush

I started with three coats of LA Colors in a red crème.  I'm kind of sad about this...it didn't give me a completely opaque look, even after three coats.  But it's one of those things I didn't notice until I was editing the pictures.  Oh well.

Anyway, once that dried, I used a very fine detail brush and hand drew the hearts.  Then filled them in using the same brush.

Don't forget the top coat!

Be sure to share your Valentine's Day plans with me, especially since I don't have any :(

And, if you haven't already, be sure to enter my GIVEAWAY!!!  Today's the last day!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Polishing!!

Mish Mash Challenge: Black & White

Hey Y'all!!  We survived the great ice storm of 2014!!  We have been so fortunate!!  We didn't lose power or, so far, any trees.  Yay!!  Now just hoping it warms up enough to melt the snow so the hubby can come home.  

So I'm a day late, but I have this week's Mish Mash Challenge theme ready, Black and White:

I Used:
Sinful Colors- Black on Black (black crème)
China Glaze- White on White (white crème)
Orly- Tiara (small silver glitter in a clear base)

I started with three coats of China Glaze White on White.  Once that was completely dry, just using the brush that came with the polish, I painted the black French tips.  This doesn't have to be neat or tidy since you're just going to cover the line up with silver glitter.  It did take two coats of Sinful Colors Black on Black to get complete coverage.

Then using a make up sponge, I dabbed on Orly Tiara to blend into the white and black, giving it a gradient effect.  Then I went back and using the brush that came with Tiara, I dabbed the polish at the line between the black and white until the silver was completely opaque.

I hope y'all enjoyed today's post!  Be sure to check out every one's black and white designs in the links below.  I can't wait to see what they came up with.  Happy Polishing!!

An InLinkz Link-up

TIOT: Zoya Ibiza & Finger Paints Symmetrical Symphony

Hey Y'all!!  How's your Tuesday going?  We're getting ready to hunker down for some more serious weather here...or as my buddy, Inky Whiskers, likes to call me...I'm about to be a Southern Fried Popsicle!!  As any of you that live in the US knows, we Georgians don't do winter weather very well.  And this storm is supposed to be even worse!  We're expecting 1/2 to 1/3 inch of ice, then 4 to 6 inches of snow, then another inch of ice.  Plus power outages.  Yay.  So if I'm missing the next day or two, it's cause I'm freezing in the dark!!

But for today, so far, I'm semi warm and illuminated.  And I have my TIOT mani for you!  Today I have Zoya Ibiza and Finger Paints Symmetrical Symphony:

Zoya Ibiza is a dark midnight blue with a very subtle dark blue shimmer.  The pictures show two coats.  This is such a gorgeous dark blue!!  And it looks so deep on the nail.  I love how the shimmer, or frost, is subtle in Ibiza.  The formula was fantastic, despite being frozen during delivery.  My one and only complaint is that this Southern blogger has no earthly idea how to say it's name!!

I then applied one coat of Finger Paints Symmetrical Symphony (and top coat):

Symmetrical Symphony is a clear-ish/milky base with blue and copper iridescent flakies.  The pictures show just one coat, so it really is packed.  Formula for SS was great, I didn't have to hunt and place flakies.  SS is from the Finger Paints Holiday 2013 collection, which for some reason didn't reach my Sally's until late January.  My one concern about this polish is how it will age.  I bought the original flakies from Finger Paints....how long ago?  2012?  2011?  Anyway, the base for the original flakies has turned an ugly yellow color.  I have hundreds of polishes and this is the only set that has ever turned on me.  Oh well, I guess time will tell.

I did use a top coat with this because I think a top coat just makes any glitter or flaky shine and sparkle more.

I hope y'all enjoyed today's post.  And I really hope to see/talk to y'all in the next couple of days cause no power means no heat and we already did the winter storm without heat this year!  Fingers crossed!  Happy Polishing!!

Review: Sinful Colors Bolacious Collection, Part 2

Purchased by me

Hey Y'all!! I'm so sorry I didn't get this up Friday.  My now-a-teen's surgery took a lot longer than expected.  She did great!  But sadly, she has two more to go.  Anyway by the time we got home, I was exhausted.  Then we were up early for a long day of dance then home with 4 now-a-teens for a sleepover/birthday party.  I've decided that I'm too old for sleepovers!  It wore me out!!

But I finally have the second part of the Sinful Colors Boldacious collection!!  And I have to say this half is probably my favorite!  So let's get started!!

Feel The Vibe

Feel The Vibe is a highly pigmented bright orange crème polish.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula was great, wonderful consistency.  Although it did take three coats to make sure there weren't any bald spots.  And it did take a little longer to dry than some of the other colors, but it's such a purty color, it didn't matter to me!  I loved wearing this color!

Hip To Be Square

Hip To Be Square is a highly pigmented periwinkle blue crème.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula is great.  Like with all the light colors in this collection, I used three coats to make it completely opaque, but with this one, it was because of the photos.  To the naked eye, two coats would have been fine.  Drying time was great.  LOVE this color!!

Chick Chick

Chick Chick is a bright, highly pigmented yellow crème polish.  Pictures show three coats with top coat.

The formula was great on Chick Chick!  I probably could have gotten away with two coats, but as I've mentioned before, the camera sees things the naked eye doesn't.  Drying time was a little long, but so worth it!  Look at this color!  Gorgeous!!  It's a bright yellow without being neon or leaning toward a mustard color.  Love it!!

Go Go Boots

Go Go Boots is a saturated purple crème that leans towards the blue.  Pictures show two coats with top coat.

Obviously this is my absolute favorite from the collection because it's purple.  Sorry, I'm not sorry :p  But it's such a gorgeous shade of purple!!  Love!!!!  This color makes my heart happy!!

I have to tell y'all, this is one of my favorite collections to come out in a long time!!  As you may have guessed by looking through my blog, I'm not much of a pastel girl, and finding so many bright colors just made my week!!  Sinful Colors polish can be found at Walgreens and Rite Aid for $1.99 each.

Or you can WIN the entire collection in my GIVEAWAY (just click here)!!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great week!!  Meanwhile, we're preparing for more ice...yay,  Happy Polishing!!