Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

#PolishlandPresents | My Sephora Gift List

Posted on December 1, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Sephora. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! I took a Thanksgiving blog break, but I’m back to continue on with my #PolishlandPresents series! Plus, I have some awesome reviews and nail art coming at you soon, so make sure to FOLLOW Adventures in Polishland to be notified of new posts. Today I’m sharing with you my top ten gift ideas at Sephora. Usually Sephora is a bit outside of my price range, but I think it has some amazing gift items for everyone on your list. Plus, you can use Ebates to earn cash back on Sephora’s website (today it’s DOUBLE cash back)! Let me show you all of the items on my Sephora gift list.

Formula X Paint the Town Set

$39.00 [BUY]

Calling all nail polish junkies! The Formula X polishes are amazing, so this set of 22 minis is the perfect gift set. This set comes in a ready-to-gift paint can, and features six shades that can only be purchased through the set. I can’t believe how affordable this set is. I highly recommend snagging it before it’s gone!

Urban Decay Naked on the Run Palette

$54.00 [BUY]

If you’re looking to give an all-inclusive palette that anyone can use, the brand new Naked on the Run Palette is a great choice! It contains shadows, blush, bronzer, lip gloss, and mascara. Urban Decay is known for its high quality products, so this is a definite treat. Grab one for a friend and one for yourself!

Tarte Bon Voyage Collector’s Set and Travel Bag

$59.00 [BUY]

Another great gift set is this one from Tarte that is valued at over $400! I kid you not – the set includes a huge eyshadow palette, plus six other makeup and skincare essentials. The travel bag is the perfect addition to the set, making it a great present for your jet-setting friends. If you’re in a rush this holiday season, you don’t even need to wrap up the set because of the cute bag!

Fresh Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio

$28.00 [BUY]

Some of my favorite lip products ever are the Fresh lip balms. However, they are very pricey so I don’t treat myself to them. This trio is a great stocking stuffer for the lippy lover in your life. Either gift the entire set, or break up the trio for different friends. Either way, these lip balms are a wonderful present, especially in the cold winter months when lip hydration is a must!

Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler

$60.00 [BUY]

Sephora really kills it with the gift sets every year! I think the perfume sampler is just genius. The set includes 14 of the most popular women’s fragrances so you don’t have to guess which scent your friend will enjoy. But that’s not all – the set includes a coupon for a full-sized perfume so the receiver can stock up on the scent she loves most. How awesome is that?!

GlamGlow Glamtastic Facial Set

$59.00 [BUY]

GlamGlow is one of the most sought after skincare brands, so I highly recommend this set if you’re looking to pamper the one you love! This set includes four different treatments that will really come in handy this winter. The price tag may seem like a lot for the set, but trust me, it’s a steal!

Philosophy Holiday Spice Rack Trio

$27.00 [BUY]

I am all about Philosophy products around the holidays. My favorite product in the line is the luxurious bath and shower gel, and this set of three is perfect to either gift all together or separately. I’d personally love to keep the Cinnamon Stick for myself, but Vanilla Bean Nutmeg and Creamy Cardamom sound amazing as well!

Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer

$15.00 [BUY]

I speak from experience when I say this hand cream is a great present for the men in your life! My dad absolutely loves this product, and even asked for it last year after I gave it to him the Christmas before. It works really well for the toughest dry hands, and smells quite nice. If your man has rough hands, get him this for sure!

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

$16.00 [BUY]

I hand to include my holy grail moisturizer on this gift guide! This cream sounds too good to be true, but it really works so well to soothe dry skin in the winter. If you don’t know what to get someone, I highly recommend this product. Pair it with some cute socks or some hot chocolate for a wintery care pack!

Living Proof No Frizz Smoothing & Frizz Fighting Travel Kit

$29.00 [BUY]

Finally, I wanted to include some hair products in this post because Sephora, of course, sells some amazing ones. My friend recently gave me this line of hair products to try and it has worked wonders on my hair! I’ve seriously seen a big difference when using these products, so I highly recommend them. If you’ve got a friend who’s looking to fight frizz this season, she’ll love you forever if you get her this set.

That brings us to the end of my Sephora Gift List! This is just a small sampling of the amazing goodies Sephora has to offer, but they are some of my favorites. Make sure to let me know in the comments if you’ll be picking up any of these this season. Stay tuned for more in my #PolishlandPresents series as well!

#PolishlandPresents | My Birchbox Gift List

Posted on November 24, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Birchbox. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! Welcome to the next installment of #PolishlandPresents! As you can guess by the title of this post, today I’ll be sharing with you the ten items on Birchbox’s website that I think are the perfect gift items this holiday season. I’ve gone through the website from top to bottom so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of the products. I absolutely love shopping on the Birchbox website because of the Birchbox Points program. With every purchase, you earn points that you can redeem for money off. For every 100 points, you get $10 off and there is no limit for how many points you can earn and redeem. Birchbox also has great coupons and add-ons, so you are always getting the most for your money. Let me go ahead and show you my ten present picks!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio

$20.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I absolutely love this lipstick range from ModelCo, and Birchbox offers two exclusive trios for an amazing price. If you have a lipstick aficionado to shop for, I highly recommend one of these sets. They make the perfect stocking stuffer. Either give all three to the same person, or break up the trio for different people. Pair the lipstick with a gloss or liner that you think matches, or even match it up with a complimenting nail polish. Plus, if you’re love one of the lipsticks, keep it for yourself!

Laura Geller Beauty for the Love of Baked Value Set

$39.00 [BUY]

I couldn’t believe the amazing price tag on this Laura Geller set that is also a Birchbox exclusive! Six products for under $40? Talk about a steal! I own the Retractable Baked Powder Brush that comes with this kit and I really love it. I would highly recommend it for beauty lovers. This set comes in four shades, and will make any makeup junkie super happy!

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

$26.00 [BUY]

Buying eyeshadow for the makeup lover in your life can be difficult, but this palette offers a full range of colors so you know some are sure to please! I’ve heard great things about POP Beauty eyeshadows, and they are really affordable. To get a full palette for under $30 is amazing!

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection $13.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I really love the Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club, and I think it makes a great gift set for nail polish aficionados. The colors are perfect for the winter, and they have great formulas. Plus, this box is small enough to be a stocking stuffer or you can pair it with other manicure essentials for a larger gift.

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush $12.00 [BUY]

How cute is this nail brush?! Talk about the perfect stocking stuffer! This is such a fun item for those who love to do at home manicures. I can almost guarantee your friends won’t already own something like this either! Kikkerland is such a quirky brand, but they’ve definitely created something practical at the same time.

Toca Crema Quintette Collection

Tocca Crema Quintette Collection $32.00 [BUY]

Hand creams are a gift item I reach for every year. I love buying boxed value sets like this one to split up and give to my friends and family. Plus, you can keep one for yourself! This luxurious lotion smells divine and would be a great pair with the Whale Nail Brush or Gala’s Gems set! Of course, you can gift the entire box set to one person if they love hand creams.

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves $29.00 [BUY]

In the modern day technology society we live in, touchscreen gloves are a MUST for all of us in cold weather climates! I wear mine all the time! Birchbox offers these nice Verloop gloves in six different colors. Get a pair for everyone on your list and wrap an iTunes gift card up with it. They’ll think of you every time they use their phone!

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug $11.50 [BUY]

I adore this Scrabble mug! It’s perfect for board game buffs, and it’s very hipster. If you have a friend who loves coffee or tea, wrap these items up together and you’ve got an awesome present. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make some Scrabble Coasters to match!

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

$13.95 [BUY]

How cute is this macaron box?! I think it is so adorable, and would look nice on a vanity or desk. Place a pair of earrings inside, or even some cash, and you’ve got a sweet gift. These boxes come in four pastel shades, so buy one or more for a holiday treat.

Birchbox Subscription

with-100-000-subscribers-birchbox-launches-grooming-kit-subscriptions-for-men-dd550876dc — Image Courtesy of Mashable

$30-110 [BUY]

Of course, the gift of the Birchbox subscription is also a great way to go. Choose from 3, 6, or 12 month options. You can even get a Birchbox Man subscription for the guys in your life! This is a great option if you’re not sure what to get someone, but you don’t think a gift card is a good idea. I personally would love this gift!

That’s it for today’s #PolishlandPresents post! I hope you found my Birchbox Gift List helpful! Birchbox offers so many amazing deals all year round, and the site is constantly expanding to offer more goodies. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned for more gift guides in my #PolishlandPresents series!

#PolishlandPresents | Whose Woods Are These? + Coupon Code

Posted on November 21, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’m here with my first featured shop in my #PolishlandPresents series. This shop is near and dear to my heart because it’s run by a family I know and love. However, rest assured this Etsy shop is super awesome! Let me tell you about this unique brand.

ABOUT WHOSE WOODS ARE THESE?

Whose Woods Are These? shop owners Lauren & Michael

Whose Woods Are These? is run by husband and wife team Michael and Lauren. The couple discovered early in their relationship that they share a love for antiquing, and so they wanted to create a crafting business that allowed them to turn this hobby into a new passion. Whose Woods Are These? turns vintage glassware and tins into upcycled, handmade candles. Each candle is hand-poured, and truly on trend right now. In fact, shop owner Michael explains that Whose Woods Are These? is the real Anthropologie because all of the items in their shop are hand-picked from the antique stores the couple visits throughout the year. How cool is that?!

Fun Fact: The shop name Whose Woods Are These? is inspired from Robert Frost’s famous poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (read it HERE).

MY FAVORITE WHOSE WOODS ARE THESE? ITEMS

Each item in the Whose Woods Are These? shop is one-of-a-kind, so you’ll have to act fast if you see something you love! Never fear – the owners are constantly creating new relics of whimsy for you. These are my current favorites from their shop.

Pink Roses Tea Cup and Saucer Set

Whoose Woods Are These? offers many beautiful tea cups. I love the pink roses on this one. The scent is Royal Chrysanthemum, and this is a soy candle like all of the candles in the shop. It retails for $18 HERE.

Miss Piggy Jelly Jar Candle

How cute is this Miss Piggy candle?! It is made in a vintage Welch’s Jelly Jar and features her Muppets in Space outfit. At only $12, this Rain scented candle is an absolute steal. Make sure to grab it HERE before this unique item is gone!

Libbey Pirate Tumbler Set

You can also find great candles for the men in your life on Whose Woods Are These?! I love this set of pirate candles. You get all three for the price of $35 HERE. Arr, matey, methinks this is an awesome gift!

EXCLUSIVE COUPON CODE & SHOP INFO

I am excited to share with you an exclusive coupon code for Whose Woods Are These? that is just for Adventures in Polishland readers! From now until January 1, 2015 use code PLCHRISTMAS to get 10% off of any purchase $10 or more.

Whose Woods Are These? is found on Etsy HERE and Facebook HERE.

Whose Woods Are These? Craft Fair 2013 — Lauren selling Whose Woods Are These? products at a craft fair in Los Angeles!

If you live in or plan to visit the Los Angeles area, make sure to follow Whose Woods Are These? on Facebook to find them at craft fairs!

I hope you enjoyed the first small business feature in my #PolishlandPresents series! Make sure to let me know if you check out Whose Woods Are These? in the comments!

Holiday Manicure with Born Pretty Store Stamping Plates

Posted on November 19, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Despite being in the nail polish community for nearly three years now, I never tried out nail stamping. I think I shied away from it because I knew I would be bad at it, but when Born Pretty Store gave me the opportunity to test out some of their new stamping plates I decided to go for it. If you’ve never tried stamping before I will let you know that there definitely is a learning curve. I’ve been practicing for over a week now, and I am still struggling to get the designs on my nails perfectly. Nonetheless, I thought I would share my first attempts at stamping with you because I’m not a professional nail artist – I’m just a girl with a blog! Let me share my holiday manicure using some Born Pretty Store stamping plates.

First and foremost, be sure to pick up a nail stamper and scraper. This is a reusable set that retails for just $2.99 HERE.

These are the two stamping plates I used for this manicure. I’m using stock photos from Born Pretty Store’s website because in real life the plates are mirrored and it was impossible for me to get a clear picture of them for you. The top plate is $2.24 HERE and I am using the design on the bottom because it reminds me of a Christmas Tree. Similarly, the bottom plate is $2.99 HERE and I am using the floral design on the bottom because it reminds me of poinsettias!

I began with a white base of SinfulColors Snow Me White and let that dry completely. You can then follow THIS YouTube tutorial if you’d like some basics of nail stamping. I used Julep Payton for the green on my accent nail and Milani Modern Rouge for the red. As you can see, I did mess up the red stamp quite a bit, and the green color was not very vibrant. Nonetheless, I’m happy with this result as a nail stamp beginner!

All in all, I’m having a great time testing out these nail plate and stamping tools from Born Pretty Store! I will definitely bring you some more nail art looks in the future once I get the hang of stamping. If you have any tips and tricks please leave them in the comments below! Don’t forget to use coupon code FZL91 on Born Pretty Store’s website to stock up on all of your nail art necessities!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Welcome to #PolishlandPresents! | Introduction + Sale Alerts

Posted on November 17, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I am beyond excited to begin my new holiday series on Adventures in Polishland today. Last year I posted my first gift guides ever during Winter Wonderland Week (see those posts HERE), but this year I really want to go bigger and better. Holiday shopping is extremely fun – the deals are amazing, the gift sets are perfectly put together, and the feeling of giving is so heartwarming. However, I know how stressful the holidays can be, too. That’s why every Monday and Friday until Christmas I am bringing you #PolishlandPresents, a series where I present to you some awesome present ideas.

On Mondays, I’ll be sharing my gift ideas for big websites such as Sephora, Amazon, and more. These posts will be mainly beauty and skincare focused, but I’ll also share the other great products that I find and think make the perfect presents. I’ll let you know why they are great gifts, and even tell you how I would package them or combine them with other items. I’m doing all of the web browsing for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scouring these sites!

On Fridays, I’ll be highlighting some amazing small businesses. I think it’s really important to support smaller companies, especially when it comes to the holidays. I’ve found some awesome Etsy shops and unique websites that sell creative gift items. These posts will not be focused purely on beauty, but I think you’ll really love the present ideas I have to share!

This series will officially begin this Friday, but before I go I wanted to share some websites that you should definitely check out for added savings this holiday season. Flash sale websites will have tons of good presents, and those websites change daily. Because of that, I won’t be featuring them in the rest of #PolishlandPresents, but I did want to mention my favorites to you now. Simply click on each photo to be directed to that company’s website!

EBATES

I’ve mentioned Ebates before, and I definitely want all of you to check it out! It’s the website that offers cash back on hundreds of online retailers. I’ve been a member for about a year now, and represent to you that it is 100% legitimate and not a scam! If you are an online shopper, you want to sign up to earn cash back on your purchases. The money adds up, and you’ll be super happy when you get a check with your cash back. Please feel free to ask me any questions if you’re interested in Ebates.

HAUTELOOK

I’ve also been an HauteLook member for years now. They have great deals on designer items for women, men, kids, the home, and more! Definitely scope out the site for new sales daily, but here’s a tip for my polish lovers – on #ManiMonday a new nail polish brand is always on sale!

GROUPON

Another favorite of mine is Groupon, where you can buy deals to local restaurants and businesses, plus tons of products at discounted prices. I’ve gotten amazing nail polish deals from Groupon before, as well as discounted tickets to theatre shows. If you’re really stuck for a gift, browsing Groupon is bound to help you out!

RUELALA

If you like HauteLook, you’ll also love RueLaLa. This is another flash sale website that has tons of designer items for discounted prices every day. RueLaLa is easy to navigate, and often has great gift items during the holidays. Just check out the Gifts tab if you need some inspiration!

That’s it for my introduction to #PolishlandPresents! I hope you are as excited for this holiday series as I am! If you come across a great gift idea, definitely use the hashtag on social media so I can see your post. I’ll also be using the hashtag for any other holiday updates that I make, whether it be beauty related or not, so definitely keep an update on social media. Ready or not, the holidays are right around the corner!

Subscription Sunday | November 2014 Birchbox

Posted on November 16, 2014November 15, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s been a few months since I’ve showed you my Birchbox, but I definitely want to get back into the habit of sharing the goodies I get each month because they’ve been totally awesome lately. If you’re new to Birchbox, it is a $10 per month subscription box in which you get sample sized products from the world of beauty and skincare, and now lifestyle items as well. Products can be any size from foil packets to full sized products, but Birchbox has a personal style profile form that gets to know you pretty well. Let me show you my November box!

Each month, Birchbox features a different theme. November is fittingly all about giving, with Birchbox teaming up with RED to help raise money in the fight against AIDS. I think that it’s really great that Birchbox is giving back this month!

Now onto the goodies in my box! I’ll tell you what each item is and it’s retail value. Plus, you can click on the name of each product to purchase it on Birchbox’s website.

TOCCA Eau de Parfum in Florence – $2.00 – I do like receiving perfume samples in my Birchbox every once in a while, but this one is a strong floral that I unfortunately cannot use due to my allergies to flowers. I’ll have to pass it on to someone else.
Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream in Fair to Light – $2.04 – I’ve received a lot of Supergoop samples from subscription boxes and I’m never thrilled with them. I am happy that Birchbox did send me the right shade to try, but I’ll be lucky to get 1-2 uses out of this tiny tube.
Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Satin Taupe – $5.00 – I am really excited about this product! This jumbo eye pencil can be used as an eyeliner, eyeshadow base, or shadow. The shade is a stunning taupe with just a hint of shimmer. I’ve already tried it and love it!
Perlier Revitalizing Body Butter in White Almond – $2.55 – With winter basically here, it’s time to stock up on moisturizers! This luxurious cream is made in Italy, and the perfect item to get in my November box.
Fekkai PrX Reparatives Intense Fortifying Masque – $6.04 – I’m most excited about this hair mask! I’m almost out of the mask I’ve been using, and this one seems awesome. Plus, it smells divine. I can’t wait to use it!
Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter Squeeze Pack – $1.99 – I’ve been wanting to try Justin’s for a long time, but this stuff is super expensive ($12.99 for a jar at the grocery store!). I’m glad I got this sample because I already ate it right after this picture was taken. It was yummy, but not so yummy that I’d buy it over Nutella.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $19.62

RATING 1–5 (1 IS WORST, 5 IS BEST): 3.5

OVERALL OPINOIN: I’m giving this box a 3.5 this month because I really love three of these products, was happy about the almond butter, and could leave the perfume and CC cream for someone else. It was a great month, but there is definitely room for improvement. I also wish the retail value was a bit higher. What do you think?

As always, you can join Birchbox HERE if you have not already. Please let me know in the comments what you got this month!

Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel Review

Posted on November 14, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I am excited to be back today with a review for all of you. I’ve been so busy lately, as well as battling a cold. I’ve got some fun posts in store for the holiday season, but today it’s all about skincare! I got the Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel from Ageless Derma to review, so let me tell you about this product.

The Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Cleanser Gel is an energizing cleanser designed for everyday use. It is made with certified organic aloe vera and chamomile extracts, and has an advanced formula to deeply cleanse pores. This cleanser can remove makeup and surface oils without stripping the skin of hydration. Plus, this product does not contain paraben and is not tested on animals.

This cleanser’s unique gel formula looks a bit like shampoo when it comes out of the bottle. It has a slight fresh scent to it, but I don’t find it irritating at all. I did use makeup wipes to get off the majority of my makeup, but I love how this cleanser leaves my face feeling fresh and clean. My skin is clear and soft after use, and I can feel the aloe vera working to retain moisture and help calm my skin. I really enjoy using this cleanser in the colder months when my skin is already sensitive and dry.

All in all, I am really liking this cleanser from Ageless Derma! It’s great for those with dry skin, but I think it will also work well for other skin types. You can get this 4oz bottle of the Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel on the brand’s website HERE for $25. Though that is a bit more expensive than the drugstore, I think it’s very reasonable for the size of the cleanser and the organic ingredients. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried the Ageless Derma brand and your thoughts!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

October 2014 Favorites!

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! November is now in full swing, so it’s time for me to show you the products that I loved all October long. I didn’t test out too many new things this month, but I did find some great products to share with you. Let’s jump right into my October favorites!

NAIL POLISH

NYC New York Color – Black Elixir [REVIEW]

I’m really impressed with this black creme polish from NYC New York Color! At $1.99, it’s an awesome staple to have in my nail polish collection. I plan on using it for nail art looks in the future for sure! Make sure to run to your nearest drugstore to pick it up since it is part of the limited edition Midnight Beauty collection and won’t be on the shelves perpetually.

MAKEUP BRUSH

Real Techniques – Setting Brush Real Techniques Setting Brush [BUY]

I got a set of Real Techniques brushes for my birthday, and I am particularly loving the Setting Brush. It is absolutely perfect to apply highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones, but can be used to set concealer as well. It’s light and fluffy, and easy to use. Plus, I appreciate how affordable Real Techniques is!

HAIR

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray [BUY]

I’ve loved Macadamia products for a while now, and was super excited when I got this deluxe sample in a Birchbox. This spray is perfect for adding shine and reducing frizz without making my hair greasy. If oil weighs your hair down too much, definitely test out this spray. It also smells amazing!

FRAGRANCE

Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck [BUY]

I think I’ve featured this perfume in a favorites post before, but I’ve rediscovered my love for Taylor Swift’s Enchanted Wonderstruck this month! The scent is rich and perfect for the colder months. I’ve used about half of my bottle now!

SONG

Classic by MKTO [BUY]

I am a sucker for catchy pop tunes, and this one is no exception! I love the fun beat and lyrics, and have had it playing on repeat this month. I definitely want to check out more songs from MKTO. Let me know if you love this artist and what songs you recommend!

EXPERIENCE

One of the most exciting parts of my month was meeting Grace Helbig at her NYC book signing! She just released her first book called Grace’s Guide (buy it HERE), and I made sure to head on over to Housing Works Bookstore Cafe to meet her. She signed my book and took selfies. It was awesome! Make sure you check out her YouTube Channel HERE if you haven’t subscribed yet (she’s at nearly 2 million!).

That’s all I have to share with you this month! I hope you enjoyed hearing about the things that made my October a memorable one. Please let me know your favorites in the comments, or use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can find your posts. Here’s to a great November!

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

Zoya Nail Polish Wishes Collection for Holiday 2014!

Posted on October 28, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’m super excited to show all of you the Wishes Collection that Zoya is releasing for the 2014 Holiday season! I’m sure you all know by now that Zoya is one of my all-time favorites nail polish brands, so I always squeal with joy when a new package arrives for review. With the Holidays being my favorite time of year, that makes the Wishes Collection that much more special! This collection includes three traditional formulas and three corresponding Magical PixieDust polishes. I’ve swatched each polish with its corresponding shade as an accent so you can see how well they go together.

First up is Willa, a stunning black creme polish that was originally released as ‘Black Swan’ for fashion designer Zang Toi. Willa has an amazing formula that applies easily and is opaque in two coats. I think it is safe to say that black polish is in this season, so definitely grab Willa if you’re looking for the perfect black polish!

Willa goes perfectly with Imogen, a textured polish with a black base filled with silver glitters. Imogen is a really unique polish, and I love the chunky, hexagonal glitters. The formula is great, and the polish is opaque in two coats. Imogen’s finished effect reminds me a bit of coal, so if you’re a Katniss Everdeen fan you need this polish!

Next up is Haven, a rich plum shade with a metallic quality to it. Haven is so beautiful and has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. You won’t have to dream of sugarplums dancing in your head this holiday when you can wear them on your nails! But seriously, Haven is just a dreamy shade of polish.

Matching up with Haven is Thea, an amethyst textured polish with hints of orchid in the glitter. Thea applies really well, and is opaque in two coats. The combination of Haven and Thea is definitely my favorite in the Wishes Collection! I love the rich pigmentation and sparkle!

The next polish is Prim, a velvet blue metallic shade. Prim’s formula is just fabulous, and opaque in two coats. I love the added dimension with the metallic formula, and the unique shade of polish. Plus, this polish also has a Hunger Games tie to it! I guess I just have Mockingjay on the mind!

Last but not least is Nori, a sapphire blue textured polish with holographic silver glitter. Nori is my favorite in the Wishes Collection, and I love the flawless formula. I do wish it was a better match with Prim, but I love it on its own any day! I bet this would make a fun manicure with Zoya Dream from last year’s holiday collection, too.

All in all, I think the Zoya Nail Polish Wishes Collection is just beautiful! It captures the sparkle of the holiday season perfectly, but includes traditional formulas for those who don’t love chunky glitter as well. You can purchase the Wishes Collection on Zoya’s website HERE. The polishes retail for $9-10 each, with the complete set for sale at $57. Please let me know which of these polishes is on your wish list this year!

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

NYC New York Color Midnight Beauty Collection | Black Elixir & Smoky Top Coat

Posted on October 26, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! I am so excited to review two of the nail polishes from NYC New York Color’s Midnight Beauty Collection. I’ve really loved the polishes I’ve tried from this brand lately, so I couldn’t wait to test out some Halloween shades. There are four total polishes in this collection, so make sure to visit your local drugstore to see the complete collection. Nonetheless, let me show you two of these stunning shades!

First up is Black Elixir, the perfect black creme polish. Black Elixir has an amazing formula that glides on flawlessly and is opaque in two coats. I am obsessing over this black polish, and highly recommend it. If you’re on a budget like I am, this is the black polish for your collection!

I also tested out Smoky Top Coat, a black crelly polish with grey glitters mixed throughout the base. I didn’t realize this was a top coat when I was swatching it, as the formula is great and opaque in two coats. I love the finished result with Smoky Top Coat, especially because the crelly formula has a cool dimension to it. This is definitely an awesome Halloween polish!

All in all, I really love the NYC New York Color Midnight Beauty polishes that I’ve tried. These retail for just $1.99 at your local drugstore. I still cannot get over how amazing that price point is for such quality polishes. Definitely give this brand a try if you have not already done so! As always, let me know in the comments if you plan on picking these up!

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