Tag: green

Zoya Seashells Collection for Summer 2016

Happy Wednesday! Today I am continuing my review of the Zoya Nail Polish Summer 2016 release with a full review of the Seashells Collection. I was very surprised to see Zoya release a PixieDust Collection this summer. The PixieDust formula is Zoya’s take on textured nail polish. It applies smoothly and then dries to a textured finish, complete with stunning glitter in each polish. I could have sworn that the textured trend was over, but I was wrong! PixieDust polishes are back in action this year, and I’m excited to review them for you.

Zoya Seashells Collection for Summer 2016I wanted to quickly note that I applied two coats of each PixieDust polish in the photos you see here. PixieDust polishes are buildable, and are typically opaque in 2-3 coats.

Zoya – Levi Zoya – LeviFirst up is Levi, a yellow gold polish with holographic glitter. Levi has a great formula, and dries very quickly. I’m not one to wear gold polish regularly, but this is a great option. I also like the holographic glitter, since it adds a lot of dimension to the polish.

Zoya – Linds Zoya – LindsNext up is Linds, a red polish with red and gold glitter. Linds has a good formula, but I found the textured effect isn’t as strong with this polish. That might be a pro for you depending on how much you like the PixieDust finish. Linds is more of a fall and winter shade for me, so I find it interesting that it’s part of a summer collection!

Zoya – Zooey ZooeyMy favorite polish in the collection is Zooey, a pink polish with gold glitter and holographic hexagons. I love the combination of the gold and pink, because it almost makes this polish appear as a rose gold. Plus, Zooey sparkles so beautifully in the sunlight, which makes it perfect as a summer staple!

Zoya – Cece Zoya – CeceNext up is Cece, a green polish with gold glitter. Cece is definitely a bit on the sheer side, as I applied two coats and it is not opaque. That being said, I’m interested to try layering Cece over another green polish to see what that looks like.

Zoya – Bay Zoya – BayBay is up next, and it is a blue polish with silver and gold glitter. Bay is similar to Cece, in that the formula is more on the sheer side. The pigmentation is not as strong as I would like, but if you like lighter blues this one will be right up your alley!

Zoya – Tilly Zoya – TillyLast but not least is Tilly, a silver polish with purple and holographic glitter. Tilly is a really unique polish, and I know I don’t own anything else like this in my stash. I think Tilly will look beautiful with darker skin tones, but I’m not loving it with my fair complexion. I’m much more of a rose gold girl!

All in all, I think Zoya has produced a solid collection with the Seashells. I’m not a big fan of the PixieDust formula anymore, but these polishes are all amazing quality. I definitely recommend Zooey, and if you’re only looking to pick up one Seashells polish that is my pick. You can shop for these polishes on Zoya’s website HERE for $10 each or $60 for the full collection.

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Zoya Sunsets Collection for Summer 2016

Happy Friday! Today I am beyond excited to share with you a full review of the Zoya Nail Polish Sunsets Collection for Summer 2016. Every year Zoya releases two summer collections, and this year we have the Seashells & Sunsets. I knew I had to try the Sunsets first, because I love creme nail polishes. The Sunsets contains six cremes in bright shades that are perfect for the summer months. Let me show you these gorgeous polishes!

Zoya Sunsets Collection for Summer 2016

Zoya – Cam Zoya – CamFirst up is Cam, a bright orange polish. Cam has a good formula, but during application it was quite streaky. I applied two coats, and was very happy to see that as the polish dries is smoothes out to a flawless finish on the nail. I’m surprised with how well Cam wears with my fair skintone! It is perfect for the summertime.

Zoya – Dixie Zoya – DixieNext up is Dixie, my favorite polish in the collection! Dixie is a bright pink polish with a lot of red pigmentation. The formula is great, although it does apply just a bit streaky like Cam. I’m amazed at how these polishes dry so smoothly on the nail! Dixie is made for me, and I can’t wait to wear it again!

Zoya – Brynn Zoya – BrynnThere is also a blue-toned pink in the collection called Brynn. This polish has an excellent formula that applies smoothly and is opaque in two coats. Brynn will look good with any skintone, and is also a polish that I think can be worn during any time of year. If you only buy one polish from the Sunsets Collection, I think Brynn is a great choice because it is so wearable.

Zoya – Liv Zoya – LivNext up is Liv, a mid-toned purple polish. Liv also has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. The purple shade is quite hard to describe, because although Liv has a rich pigmentation, it is also lighter in color. Nonetheless, it is really gorgeous, and makes an excellent transitional color from summer to fall.

Zoya – Dory Zoya – DoryAnother favorite of mine is Dory, a cornflower blue polish. Dory has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I am obsessing over how amazing this polish looks on the nails! It is super shiny without a top coat needed, and it looks really great with my fair skin. I know some people find blue nail polish intimidating, so I would give Dory a try if you are looking for a wearable shade.

Zoya – Ness Zoya – NessLast but not least is Ness, a jade green polish with a hint of blue. Ness also has an amazing formula that applies smoothly in two coats. I think Ness is also a great place to start with green polishes if you haven’t found the right shade yet. It’s really beautiful!

All in all, I am obsessing over the Zoya Sunsets Collection! I love each and every shade, and this is a collection where I recommend buying all of the polishes. If you are new to nail polish, or if you are looking for the perfect summer brights, definitely grab the entire collection and you’ll have everything you need! I know I will be getting a lot of use out of these polishes, and I can’t wait to wear them over and over again. You can buy the Sunsets Collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $10 each or $54 for the entire collection.

Which polish in the Sunsets Collection is your favorite?! Let me know in the comments!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased collection. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Manicure March | NYC New York Color Crystal Couture in Queen’s Jewels

Happy Saturday! We’re getting a bit Christmassy here in Manicure March today, because I have a green glitter to review. When I first began my blog, I was all about the glitter nail polish. In fact, I wore glitter nail polish almost every day! I slowly began to wear glitter less and less in my everyday life, but I still like to have a good glitter selection in my stash, especially for the holidays. I decided to try out Queen’s Jewels from NYC New York Color’s Crystal Couture line again to see if I should hold onto it. Let me show you this glittery goodness!

NYC New York Color Crystal Couture in Queen's Jewels NYC New York Color Crystal Couture in Queen's JewelsQueen’s Jewels is a green glitter nail polish in a green jelly base. The formula is excellent, and it is opaque in two coats. I’m a huge fan of glitter polishes that can be worn alone. It just makes painting my nails a quicker and easier process! Queen’s Jewels is such a stunning polish, and while I won’t be putting it on often, I can’t get rid of it. I know this is perfect for Christmas, even if just as an accent nail. Plus, this is a limited edition polish that can no longer be purchased, so once I give it away it’s gone for good. I’m holding onto Queen’s Jewels for sure!

All in all, while I only plan on wearing Queen’s Jewels for specific occasions, this is definitely a polish I need to keep. I do find myself pressured to keep discontinued polishes, because I know I won’t be able to purchase them again if I regret destashing them. I would love to know in the comments if you hold onto discontinued polishes for that reason as well. I’m slowly becoming better at decluttering polishes I won’t wear, but it’s definitely a challenge!

Join in #ManicureMarch by using the hashtag on social media and by tagging me in your photos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

My Top 5 Green Nail Polishes for Fall | #FallintoPolishland

Happy Monday! Today starts off a brand new series on my blog called #FallintoPolishland! Fall is my favorite season, and there are a lot of nail polishes that I especially enjoy wearing in the fall months. I decided to put together a few blog posts each featuring a particular nail polish family. Today I’m showing off my top five green nail polishes for fall. Green is one of my favorite colors, and I especially love it in nail polish form. Let me show you the polishes I picked out to share with all of you!

My Top 5 Green Nail Polishes for Fall | #FallintoPolishland

OPI – Stranger Tides OPI – Stranger TidesOPI – Stranger Tides [BUY]

OPI Stranger Tides is a beautiful muted green from the On Stranger Tides Collection that came out a few years back in celebration of Pirates of the Caribbean. Strander Tides has an awesome formula that is opaque in three coats. The muted shade is great for transitioning from summer to fall, and is perfect for those who don’t like dark shades. Stranger Tides is also office appropriate, as it can pass for a neutral shade.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics – Chlorophyll Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics – Chlorophyll Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics – Chlorophyll [BUY]

Next up is Chlorophyll from Obsessive Compulsive Cosemtics. This is a richly pigmented teal polish. Chlorophyll has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. This nail polish will look great on every skin tone, and looks beautiful when paired with a gold glitter. While Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is more of a higher end brand, the entire brand is 100% vegan and cruelty free. I highly recommend it!

Essie – Stylenomics Essie – Stylenomics Essie – Stylenomics [BUY]

The last creme formula I have to share is Stylenomics from Essie. Stylenomics is a very dark green that is nearly black. The formula is amazing and opaque in two coats. I really love Stylenomics, and wear it every fall. While this polish is from an older Essie collection, I found it on Kohl’s website! You never know where you’ll find older collections.

RUFFIAN – Hedge Fund RUFFIAN – Hedge FundRUFFIAN – Hedge Fund [BUY]

Next up is Hedge Fund from the Birchbox Exclusive brand RUFFIAN. I’ve been in love with this polish ever since I received it, so if you’ve been an Adventures in Polishland reader for a while you’ve probably seen me gush over this in the past. Hedge Fund is an army green with gold shimmer. The formula is perfection, and so is the wear. It’s now only available for purchase in a kit, but if you’re interested I say go for it!

Julep – Marion Julep – Marion

Julep – Marion [BUY]

Last but not least is Julep Marion, a deep teal polish with silver shimmer. Marion has an excellent formula that is opaque in two coats. It’s perfect for fall, and for the holiday season. Marion has a super glossy finish, so you can skip the top coat and save time. Make sure to shop using Ebates to earn 5% cash back when you shop on Julep’s website.

That brings us to the end of the first #FallintoPolishland post! I hope you liked seeing my favorite green nail polishes for fall. Next week this series will continue, so make sure to follow my blog to see when those posts go live!

What are your favorite green nail polishes for fall?! Let me know in the comments! 

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Manicure Monday | LVX Viridian + Milani Hot Pink Rage

Happy Manicure Monday! I’m catching up on the Alphabet Challenge again this week, so I searched my stash for brands that begin with L and M. With summer just around the corner, I decided to grab two bright colors in pink and green. I also paired up a high end brand with a drugstore brand, so I thought that was a great combination. Let me go ahead and share the manicure with you!

Manicure Monday | LVX Viridian + Milani Hot Pink Rage Manicure Monday | LVX Viridian + Milani Hot Pink RageI thought I would go for a cloud manicure today, so I began with a base of Hot Pink Rage by Milani. This polish is amazing – the formula is just perfection and it’s a one-coat polish. Then, I used LVX Viridian to create some clouds on each nail, and finished up with another coat of Hot Pink Rage. I think these two colors go really well together! I really like Viridian, but I remember it stained my nails the last time I used it, so I decided to use it layered. It worked like a charm!

Manicure Monday | LVX Viridian + Milani Hot Pink RageAll in all, I love this cute and simple manicure. It’s really fun to pair bright colors together. Both pink and green are my favorite polish colors, so it makes sense they work together. You can buy LVX polishes on the brand’s website HERE for $16.00 each. Make sure to keep an eye on HauteLook for special sales, though! Of course, Milani can be purchased at your local drugstore for a fabulous and affordable price. Let me know what you think of my manicure in the comments!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Manicure Monday | Illamasqua Rampage

Happy Manicure Monday! This week the Alphabet Challenge continues with the letter I, and I dug through my nail polish stash for a brand that qualifies. I totally forgot about the two Illamasqua nail polishes that I own! I purchased them in the summer of 2012 when I first began this blog. I decided to grab Rampage today, and share this lovely polish with all of you.

Illamasqua – Rampage Illamasqua – RampageRampage is a dark green polish with a jelly formula. It is opaque in two coats, and can be used for layering in jelly sandwich manicures. The application is great, but I do recommend some extra time for drying due to the jelly finish – it is easily dinged! Rampage is a perfect fall color, but can of course be worn at any time of year. I love the deep pigmentation with this one.

All in all, I’m happy I splurged on Illamasqua Rampage back in my early blogging days! I’ve used it quite a bit over the years, but this is the first time I’ve posted a proper swatch for all of you. This polish is no longer sold at Sephora (where I purchased it), but is still available on Illamasqua’s website HERE for £14.50. If you are able to find this one, I highly recommend it! Please be sure to let me know your favorite Illamasqua shades in the comments!

Manicure Monday | Essie Stylenomics

Happy Monday! I apologize for taking a week off from blogging. This year is a crazy one for me – I’m graduating in a few months, will be taking the bar exam in a few more, and am in the process of finding a job and new apartment. I am still dedicated to this blog, but please bear with me if my upload schedule goes a bit haywire. With that said, I’m moving on in the Alphabet Challenge with the letter E! This week’s assigned brand is Essie, and I dug out one of the first Essie polishes I ever owned.

Essie – Stylenomics Essie – StylenomicsStylenomics is a dark green shade that appears almost black on the nail. It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I received this polish from Klout over two years ago now, and I haven’t used it since then. I’m so glad I pulled it out of my stash to try out again! Stylenomics is the perfect dark creme polish, and it’s great if you don’t want to wear a true black.

Essie – StylenomicsAll in all, I’m really loving Stylenomics. It’s from an older collection, but available on Amazon HERE for $8.50. Essie polishes are definitely some of my favorites, but I don’t buy them often because of the higher price point. I do want to add to my Essie collection soon, so tell me your favorite Essies in the comments! Also tell me in the comments what nail polish brands begin with the letter F – I’m having trouble planning for next week!

This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Zoya Nail Polish Delight Collection for Spring 2015

Happy Friday! Today I’m excited to bring you a full review of the new Delight Collection from Zoya Nail Polish. This collection contains three creme polishes and three shimmer polishes to help you celebrate the spring season. I am always eager to test out the new Zoyas when they arrive to my doorstep, so let’s jump right into my review!

Zoya Delight Collection | Adventures in Polishland

Zoya – Lillian Zoya – LillianFirst up is Lillian, a pale blue creme polish. Lillian has a good formula, but I did experience some mild streaking. I applied three coats to get a flawless finish, and I really like the result. I’m definitely a sucker for pastel shades, especially in the spring, so Lillian is a great one to have in my collection.

Zoya  – Eden Zoya  – EdenNext up is Eden, a beautiful pink polish that Zoya calls a “spring flower” shade. Eden’s formula is great, and I applied two coats to achieve opacity. It is a bit on the tacky side, so I recommend thicker coats that you allow to dry completely between layers. If you’ve been a follower of mine for a while, you’ll know that I love pinks! Eden is so nice!

Zoya – Tiana Zoya – TianaTiana is the last creme shade in the Delight Collection, and it’s a stunning mint green. Tiana also had a formula that tended to be streaky, so I applied three coats for an even finish. I’m really loving this creme polish. Mint shades are always on trend in the spring, so if you’re looking for one to add to your collection, pick up Tiana!

Zoya – Rayne Zoya – RayneRayne is the first shimmer in the collection, and is a unique metallic blue with turquoise shimmer. Rayne is a bit sheer, but has a great formula. I applied three coats to achieve opacity. At first I didn’t really like how Rayne looked on me, but the more I look at it the more I like it! What do you think?!

Zoya – Daisy Zoya – DaisyMy biggest surprise in the collection is Daisy, a yellow polish with a yellow shimmer. I wasn’t too excited about this one, but when I put it on I was loving it! Daisy has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats, and the yellow shade looks great with my skin tone. I can’t wait to use it again!

Zoya – Leslie Zoya – LeslieLast but not least is Leslie, a purple polish with a turquoise shimmer. Leslie is my favorite in the line, and has a wonderful formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m drooling over this gorgeous lavender shade. I don’t often wear shimmers every day, but I think Leslie will be an exception!

All in all, the Zoya Delight Collection contains some really fun and unique shades for the spring season! I definitely think Leslie is a must, and would recommend you grab any of the colors that appeal to you. These polishes can be purchased on the Zoya website HERE for $9 each or $54 for the entire set. Please let me know in the comments if you’ll be picking up any of these polishes!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

 

My 2014 Holiday Manicures! | 3 Nail Polish Looks

Happy Tuesday! Today I wanted to show you the three manicures I’ve worn so far this holiday season. I’ve already reviewed some of these polishes, so I will leave links to those blog posts alongside each manicure. I hope these nail polish looks bring you some inspiration as we head into the New Year! That reminds me – stay tuned for an exciting announcement very soon about my Annual New Year’s Eve Manicure Contest! For now, let me show you my 2014 holiday manicures.

NYC New York Color – Queen of the City

NYC New York Color – Queen of the City [REVIEW]

I started off the holidays with a red that isn’t so “in your face” Christmas. I really love Queen of the City because of its unique shade and shimmery formula. It looks amazing with my fair skin tone, and goes with a ton of different outfits as well. If you’re looking for an edgier manicure this holiday, grab a deep shade like this one.

Zoya – Giovanna Zoya – Giovanna [REVIEW]

Next I went for more of a true Christmas color with an emerald green polish. Giovanna is just perfect for this time of year! It’s festive but still really classy. You can also use Giovanna for nail art as well. I do recommend a nice layer of base coat with this polish, though, as it tends to stain a bit.

Glitzology – Island of Misfit Toys

Glitzology – Island of Misfit Toys 

Chrome Girl – Birthday Suit [REVIEW]

Finally, I am currently wearing a combination of Island of Misfit Toys and Birthday Suit. I got this Glitzology polish two years ago, but never used it! Unfortunately, this indie polish brand is now out of business, but to create a similar look use a glitter polish that contains fine silver glitters and larger multi-colored glitters. Feel free to use multiple glitter polishes if necessary! I decided to go with a pastel pink base so that all of the glitters would really stand out. It’s not quite your typical Christmas manicure, but I’m thrilled with the result!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my holiday manicures so far in 2014! Please let me know if you liked this post in the comments. I’d be happy to show off any more nail polish looks I put together through the holiday season. Of course, I want to see your holiday manicures as well. Please share a photo on my Facebook Page HERE or feel free to use the hashtag #PolishlandPresents so I can find your posts on any social media site. I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Drugstore Hauls Just Got Better with the Duane Reade Mobile App!

 I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias

Happy Wednesday! As you know, Adventures in Polishland is about all things fabulous and affordable, and that includes drugstore makeup! When I heard Duane Reade was relaunching its mobile app to Version 2.0 which includes new features to help me shop easier and save more in the store, I couldn’t wait to test it out. Let me tell you a bit more about the app, and show you my mini drugstore haul!

ALL ABOUT THE APP

The Duane Reade mobile app is free to download from the iTunes app store. Here is what it looks like upon opening.

#DRMobleApp #CollectiveBias #shop

#DRMobleApp #CollectiveBias #shop

The loading screen (left) displays the Duane Reade logo as the app launches. I quickly took a screenshot of what it looks like just so you could see! On the right is the app home screen. There are so many awesome features with this app. Here is a brief overview of what each icon on the screen does –

  • Pharmacy: refill your prescriptions, transfer your prescriptions, see your prescription history, set up a pill reminder, and schedule a vaccination.
  • Photo: print photos from your iPhoto or social media accounts and create prints, posters, or cards.
  • Store Locator: find the store closest to your current location or search for one near a specific address.
  • Weekly Ad & Coupons: see the items on sale this week, and clip virtual coupons for use in the store.
  • Refill by Scan: a quick way to refill your prescriptions – just scan the barcode!
  • Scanner: scan any product in the store to get more information about it.
  • Pill Reminder: set up daily reminders for all your medicines.
  • Rewards: easy access to your Balance Rewards card.
  • Shopping List: your Duane Reade “to buy” list is right on the app for easy shopping in store.
  • Shop: you can also shop directly from the app if you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home!
  • DR Walk-In: information about the walk-in clinics nearby and their contact information.
  • Steps: keep track of your fitness and weight loss goals right from your phone.
  • Settings: where you can log-in and get help with the app if needed.

#DRMobleApp #CollectiveBias #shop

My favorite feature on the app is the coupon clipper! I immediately scrolled through the beauty tab and clipped some awesome Revlon coupons. The best thing about the app is that you don’t need to have a physical coupon. The app is green and convenient!

MY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Duane Reade Midtown | Adventures in PolishlandOf course, I had to test out this awesome app and use the Revlon coupons I clipped. I headed to the store at 22W 48th Street to use the special iBeacon technology that is only available at 10 Midtown Manhattan Duane Reade locations. iBeacon is so cool! When you get to Duane Reade, it recognizes your location, and helps you shop in the specific store you’re in. Here’s a look at what the app looked like when iBeacon was activated.

#DRMobleApp #CollectiveBias #shopNot only was a floor map and product locator available for me to use, but the coupons showed up right away! The barcode you see at the top is what the cashier scans at checkout, and all applicable coupons are used at once. Shopping is so much easier when I don’t have to organize all my coupons by hand!

#DRMobleApp #CollectiveBias #shopDuane Reade Revlon Beauty Haul | Adventures in PolishlandIt was fun to shop from the Revlon section! I almost never get tangible coupons for Revlon products, but I had $1 off a lip product and $2 off any face product (foundation, concealer, etc.) to use. I grabbed the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey that everyone talks about, as well as the ColorStay Under Eye Concealer in Light. I’m so excited to test out these products! Let me know if you’d like a review on either one.

All in all, I am loving the relaunched Duane Reade mobile app! It makes shopping in this busy city much easier, and saves me money, too. Plus, it is environmentally friendly – no need for a plastic rewards card or paper coupons! I’ll be sure to use this app whenever I’m in the mood for a drugstore haul.

Have you downloaded the Duane Reade mobile app yet? Let me know by using the #DRMobileApp hashtag on social media and share your hauls with me! Also make sure to Follow Duane Reade’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.