Author: Adventures in Polishland

My Summer Skincare & Hair Care Essentials for Natural Beauty! #WalgreensBeauty

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you some of my summer beauty essentials in both skincare and hair care. When the weather gets hot and the sun is baring down, I need to make a few changes in my every day routines to ensure that I’m protecting myself from UV rays, and feeling great, too. You all know I love a good drugstore haul, and I headed to Walgreens to pick up a few needed items. The Walgreens location by Union Square is definitely one of my personal favorites. It has an amazing food bar on the first floor where you can get snacks and more (there’s fro-yo available… #winning), and the second floor is home to a huge beauty department. Let me take you on a virtual shopping trip through Walgreens, and share my summer essentials!

#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias

LET’S GO SHOPPING!

#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbiasHere’s my view from the top of the escalator in Walgreens! This is just a snippet of the amazing beauty department. I love this Walgreens because it has tons of limited edition displays and brands I can’t find anywhere else. During this particular shopping trip, I was on the hunt for sunscreen and hairspray.

#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbiasMy first stop was the suncare aisle to find the new Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30. I was beyond excited when I found a stack of $1.00 off coupons right in front of the product! Woo hoo!

#WalgreensBeauty #cbias #shop

Finally, I perused the hair care aisle, and grabbed the Mark Hill Fabulous Finish hairspray. I love the Mark Hill line, and it is exclusive to Walgreens!

MY SUMMER SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbiasHere are four of my favorite skincare products to use in the summer! I’ll tell you a bit about each item, and why I like it!

  • Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30 – Sun protection is vital, especially in the summer! One reason I avoided sunscreen when I was younger is because it smelled, was greasy, and just a huge mess to put on. This new sunscreen from Banana Boat is anything but those things! It comes it an easy-to-apply spray-on bottle, and does not have that typical “sunscreen” scent. It also dries really fast, and leaves the skin soft and not greasy. In fact, this is a special 2 in 1 formula that includes a moisturizer! That way, you’re applying your aloe before the sun penetrates your skin. No need for a separate moisturizer!
  • Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched –  Did you know your lips can get sunburned, too? Avoid that by using lip products with SPF! I’m addicted to Baby Lips, and my all-time favorite is Quenched, the clear lip balm. It has SPF 20 in it, and moisturizes my lips really well.
  • Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On – To stay refreshed, I love using this roll-on under my eyes. It has a cool, metal ball that instantly makes me feel more awake. Plus, it contains vitamins to keep your skin looking naturally beautiful. If you need some extra cooling, keep this in the fridge!
  • Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I love face wipes all year long, but in the summer nothing feels better than cleaning my face with a nice cool wipe! Whether it’s to remove makeup or simply refresh my skin, these Simple wipes are some of my absolute favorite!

MY SUMMER HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS

#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbiasNow onto my hair care! I switch up my shampoos and conditioners all the time, but here are some things I always need!

  • Mark Hill Gorgeous! Fabulous Finish Hairspray – I’m not usually a hairspray girl, but I’m glad I tried out this one from Mark Hill! It’s amazing! It smells great, gives my hair volume, and tames all the fly-aways before the summer humidity takes control. It also doesn’t give my hair that stiff feeling that other hairsprays do. In fact, Mark Hill designed this so it can brush out with ease. Genius!
  • Goody Tangle Fix Brush – My go-to summer brush is this one from Goody. It is extremely gentle, and perfect whether your hair is wet from swimming or dry from the heat. If you have this hair like I do, this brush is wonderful. And yes, I got the children’s design because I like purple and leopard print!
  • Mark Hill MiracOILicious 2 Minute Intensive Treatment – This is my all-time holy grail hair product, so I had to include it! This treatment contains Moroccan Argan Oil, and makes my hair feel soft and hydrated no matter what time of year. I use it about 2-3 times per week in place of my regular conditioner. It’s better than some of those luxury hair masks at a fraction of the price!
  • Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo is also a must. I use it every other day to keep my hair refreshed and grease-free. I recently picked up Psssst!, the original dry shampoo, because I wanted an affordable option. I’m loving it! Not only does it smell amazing, but it gets rid of any oil in a couple minutes.

These are all of my summer skincare and hair care essentials! I hope you found this helpful! Next time you go to Walgreens, be sure to bring THIS coupon. You can get a free gift with any $20 beauty purchase from now until August 30, 2014. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your summer essentials are. I hope you are having a wonderful summer! Stay cool!

 

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Earth Tones

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Tuesday! I’m here to share the next installment in my Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer series with all of you. Today I’ve got what I’m calling the Earth Tones. They are all gorgeous neutrals, and perfect for the fall months. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Milani – Spotlight White Milani – Spotlight WhiteFirst up is Spotlight White, the perfect white polish. Spotlight White has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It’s difficult to get the formula of a white polish just right, and Milani’s done it! If you’re looking for an affordable white for your collection, I highly recommend Spotlight White.

Milani – Bronze Milani – BronzeNext up is Bronze, a metallic bronze polish with hints of pink and purple undertones. Bronze’s formula isn’t perfect, and as with most metallic polishes it tends to bunch up a bit. I recommend thin coats, and definitely let each coat dry thoroughly before adding your next one. Bronze is a unique polish, and it looks different depending on the light!

Milani – Pink Beige Milani – Pink Beige My favorite of the Earth Tones is Pink Beige, a dusty rose that almost has a peachy tint to it. Pink Beige has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. It is great for an every day look, especially if you work in a professional setting. I think it’s just beautiful!

IMG_6884 Milani – Silhouette Next up is Silhouette, a grey-green polish with a subtle green and brown shimmer. Silhouette is the perfect army green, and I can see it being used in camouflage nail art looks for sure. The formula is perfect, and is opaque in two coats. I’m surprised that I love Silhouette, but it’s an awesome polish!

Milani – Charcoal Charm Milani – Charcoal CharmLast but not least is Charcoal Charm, a beautiful charcoal metallic polish with green and purple shimmer. Charcoal Charm has a good formula, and is opaque in two coats. It looks so cool on the nails – almost like I dipped my nails in liquid metal. It reminds of a high fashion manicure, and it is just perfect to match with your leather jackets and fall boots.

All in all, I think these Earth Tones are a great addition to the Milani Color Statement line. I’m quite impressed with Spotlight White, and really love Pink Beige. I do wish there was a black creme polish in the collection as well, but maybe that is to come in the future! You can, of course, purchase the Color Statement line at your local CVS store for just $3.99, or shop online from Milani’s website HERE. I’ve still got more Milani polishes to show you, so make sure to follow my blog to see them!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Greens & Blues

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Sunday! It’s time for the third installment of my Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer series. Today I have all of the greens and blues in the new line to share with you. Unfortunately, there are only two green shades in the collection, which I find very disappointing because green nail polish is one of my favorites! Nonetheless, I have some beautiful polishes to show you today. Plus, don’t forget to use the toolbar at the top of this post to see the other polishes in this new line.

Milani – Mint CrushMilani – Mint CrushFirst up is Mint Crush, a pastel mint polish. Milani describes this as a mint green, but I’m seeing a lot of blue undertones in this polish. Let me know if you see this as green or blue in the comments! Mint Crush has a thin formula, and I needed three coats to get an even and opaque finish. The color is definitely beautiful.

Milani – Tattle Teal Milani – Tattle TealThe other green shade in the line is Tattle Teal, a beautiful teal creme that has an amazing formula. This polish glided on like butter, and looks stunning. I love how pigmented Tattle Teal is. I also think it’s perfect for the fall!

Milani – Water Front Milani – Water FrontThe first of the blues is Water Front, a highly pigmented sky blue creme. Water Front has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It does remind me of a few other polishes in my collection, but it’s definitely a beautiful polish.

Milani – Peri-Wink Milani – Peri-WinkNext up is Peri-Wink, a gorgeous periwinkle blue polish with undertones of purple. Peri-Wink has a slight, holographic shimmer running throughout the base, and is just a dainty polish. The formula is flawless, and opaque in two coats. Peri-Wink reminds me of twinkling snow!

Milani – Blue Print Milani – Blue PrintBlue Print is next, and one of my favorites in the entire Color Statement line. It is a deep, royal blue with the perfect formula. Blue Print is opaque in two coats, and just looks amazing. I am a sucker for blue polishes like this one, and actually wear them quite often.

Milani – Ink Spot Milani – Ink SpotLast but not least is Ink Spot, a navy polish that appears nearly black. Ink Spot has a good formula, but I definitely needed two coats to even out the first, which was quite streaky. I personally like my navy polishes to have more blue pigmentation, but if you’re looking for an off-black type of shade, Ink Spot is for you!

All in all, I am really liking the blues and greens in the new Milani Color Statement line. Blue Print is beyond amazing, and Peri-Wink is just beautiful. I do wish there were more green shades, but perhaps Milani will expand the line in the future. You can purchase these polishes at your local CVS store for just $3.99 each, or on Milani’s website HERE. Stay tuned for even more Milani reviews!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Pinks & Purples

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Friday! Today I have the second installment in my review of the new Milani Color Statement Nail Laquer line. This post features all of the pinks and purples in the collection, which are some of my personal favorites. If you would like to see the other polishes in this line, use the toolbar at the top of this post. Once all of the reviews are live, each category will be linked! Let me jump right into the pinks and purples!

Milani – Doll Face Milani – Doll FaceFirst up is Doll Face, a pastel pink with blue undertones. Doll Face has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m absolutely loving how this polish looks with my skin tone. For a pastel shade, Doll Face is quite pigmented, which I really like. It’s definitely a wonderful pink!

Milani – Bombshell Milani – Bombshell

Next up is Bombshell, a bubblegum pink that is brighter than Doll Face. Bombshell also has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. If you’re looking for a true pink polish I recommend Bombshell for sure. It’s also a shade that can be worn in any season.

Milani – Cupcake Icing Milani – Cupcake Icing

Cupcake Icing is an orchid pink with undertones of purple. This polish applied like a dream in two coats, and is such a gorgeous shade. Not only do I love the name Cupcake Icing, but I love this polish on me! I can also see this color looking beautiful on darker skin tones as well.

Milani – Hot Pink Rage Milani – Hot Pink Rage

The last pink is also my favorite, and it is Hot Pink Rage. This hot pink polish is an amazing bright color with a flawless formula. I applied two coats in the photos above, and I loved it so much I posted it to Instagram right away. If you only get one pink from this new line, make it Hot Pink Rage!

Milani – Imperial Violet Milani – Imperial Violet Now onto the purples, and we start with lilac shade Imperial Purple! Imperial Purple is a beautiful polish that is opaque in two coats. I always like this shade of polish, and this one has a great formula. While not a unique polish, it’s still great that Milani included Imperial Purple in its new line.

Milani – Bright Purple Milani – Bright Purple Next up is Ultra Violet, a bright purple polish with magenta and purple shimmer. Ultra Violet has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. I love how vivd the shimmer stands out against the base with this polish. I’ll definitely pull this one out during the colder months.

Milani – Sugar Plum Milani – Sugar PlumSugar Plum is also a shimmer polish, but it is more of a fuchsia purple than Ultra Violet. The shimmer is not as strong on the nails with Sugar Plum, but it’s still beautiful when the light hits it just right. Sugar Plum does have a really good formula that is opaque in two coats. I don’t think I have another polish like it in my collection!

Milani – Mauving Forward Milani – Mauving Forward Next is Mauving Forward, the perfect mauve creme polish with purple undertones. Growing up, I really disliked mauve when it came to nails and makeup, but I’m actually loving Mauving Forward! Its formula is perfect, it’s opaque in two coats, and it’s professional and classy. What more could you want?!

Milani – Lovely Amethyst Milani – Lovely Amethyst Last but not least is Lovely Amethyst, a metallic amethyst polish. Lovely Amethyst’s formula is a little tricky to work with, as metallic finishes often tend to bunch up. I suggest careful painting with thin coats to avoid issues. I’m personally not a fan of metallic polishes, but Lovely Amethyst is a beautiful shade. If you’re a February baby, grab this one!

All in all, I’m really impressed with the pinks and purples in the new Milani Color Statement line. There is a good range of shades from which to choose, and the formulas on nearly all of them are spot on. Make sure to check your local CVS store to grab these fabulous and affordable polishes for just $3.99 each. You can also buy them directly from Milani’s website HERE. Stay tuned as the series continues with the blues and greens!

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

 

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | The Sheers

The Sheers | Pinks & Purples | Greens & Blues | Earth Tones | Reds | Glitters | Quick Dry Top Coat

Happy Wednesday! Today I have the first installment of a new blog series reviewing the new Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer line. Milani just released 37 new shades of polish that is now available at CVS stoes and online for just $3.99 each. I received the line to review for all of you, and will be sharing swatches of the polishes in a few posts in the coming days. To make things easy for you to navigate through this collection, I’ve created a header for this blog series. Once all of the posts are live, each section will be clickable and bring you straight to that blog review. Today, I’ll be showing you the four sheer polishes in the collection. These sheer polishes are perfect for layering and nail art looks, but I’m showing them to you alone today so you can see the true color payoff in each shade.

Milani – Pearl-Plexed Sheer Milani – Pearl-Plexed SheerFirst up is Pearl-Plexed Sheer, a clear polish with iridescent shimmer. I am wearing three coats of this polish in the photos above so that you can see how gorgeous and sparkly this polish is. Layer one coat of Pearl-Plexed over any polish and your manicure will be transformed into a glittery and pearlescent polish. Pearl–Plexed has a great formula as well. Let me know if you would like to see me try this polish over any specific colors and I’d be happy to do that for you!

Milani – Frenchie Sheer Milani – Frenchie SheerNext up is Frenchie Sheer, an off-white sheer polish perfect for the white tips in your French manicure. I’m wearing two coats in the photos above, and as you can see it really highlights the white part of my nails to make them look opaque. I don’t wear French manicures, but can see myself using this in nail art for sure!

IMG_6746 Milani – Lady-Like Sheer

My favorite of the sheers is Lady-Like Sheer. Milani describes this as an “antique white,” but it’s definitely a pastel pink. I’m wearing two coats in the photos above, and as you can see Lady-Like is nearly opaque! The formula is perfection, and the polish color is so beautiful. I would wear this alone any day!

Milani – Vintage Lace Sheer Milani – Vintage Lace SheerLast but not least is Vintage Lace Sheer, a sheer light pink polish. This is definitely the sheerest polish in the line. I’m wearing two coats in the photos above, and you can see my natural nails quite clearly still. Vintage Lace Sheer is great for a French manicure, or if you are looking to wear a “no nail polish” look.

All in all, the sheer polishes in the Milani Color Statement line include some great staples and some beautiful layering polishes. If you love to do DIY French manicures at home, I highly recommend these polishes. With the $3.99 price tag, they are super fabulous and affordable. You can purchase these at your local CVS store, or on Milani’s website HERE. Make sure to stay tuned to see the rest of the collection in the coming days!

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

Zoya Naturel Deux (2) Collection | Transitional 2014

Happy Monday! Earlier this year, Zoya Nail Polish released the Zoya Naturel Collection, complete with six neutral shades (see my review HERE). Today I’m here to show you six more neutral polishes in the new Naturel Deux (2) Collection transitioning us from summer to fall. Whether you’re heading back to work after summer vacation, or simply looking to put away the neons as the weather gets cooler, the Naturel Deux Collection is perfect for you!

Zoya – Spencer Zoya – Spencer First up is Spencer, a light brown polish that Zoya describes as caramel. Each of the polishes in this collection has a creme formula, and is opaque in two coats. Spencer’s formula is very good, and the shade is a bit darker than my light skin tone. I would have never picked out Spencer on my own, but it actually looks quite nice on me. I highly recommend it!

Zoya – Chanelle Zoya – ChanelleNext up is Chanelle, a medium brown polish Zoya describes as almond cream. I applied two coats for the manicure you see above, and I’m loving the result! Chanelle has a great formula that applies very smoothly. This is a perfect polish for nail art as well!

Zoya – Emilia Zoya – EmiliaThe last of the brown polishes is Emilia, a dark chocolate creme. Emilia looks so rich and is very pigmented. It looks beautiful in two, opaque coats, and would look great when combined with Chantelle in one manicure. I think Emilia would work well with any skin tone!

Zoya – Marnie Zoya – MarnieThe Naturel Deux Collection also has three purple-based shades. Marnie is first, and is a deep plum color that reminds of the ever-popular oxblood shade. Marnie screams “professional” to me, and is perfect for a fall day at the office. I’ll probably be wearing this quite a bit!

Zoya – Aubrey Zoya – AubreyNext up is Aubrey, the perfect mauve creme polish. Aubrey is one of those polishes that should be a staple in everyone’s polish collection, even if you don’t wear it often. It has a great formula, and applies really well in two coats.

Zoya – Madeline Zoya – MadelineLast but not least is my favorite polish in the collection, Madeline. Madeline is a dusty rose shade, and is absolutely stunning! The formula is great, and I love the high-shine finish. I love the pink and purple undertones, and the cool tone for fall.

All in all, I’m loving the Naturel Deux (2) Collection from Zoya! These are the perfect polishes to help you transition from summer to fall, and great for those of us that need neutral nail polish for our jobs. You can purchase the Naturel Deux (2) Collection on Zoya’s website HERE. Each polish is $9 or you can purchase the entire collection for $54. Which polish in this collection is your favorite? Let me know 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. 

Makeup by One Direction & Concert Ticket GIVEAWAY!

Happy Thursday! Yesterday I let you know about the new, limited edition Makeup by One Direction Collections being released by Markwins this summer. Make sure you head on over to that post HERE to learn about the Looks Collections based off of your favorite One Direction songs and albums. Today, I am sweetening the pot. Not only do you have the opportunity to win two of the Makeup by One Direction collections, but two winners have the opportunity to win two tickets to the “Where We Are” tour at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 7:00pm. Transportation to and from the concert is also included. Enter using the giveaway widget below, or with the direct link to the giveaway HERE.

Good luck! For those of you not located in the New England area, you can still enter for a chance to win one of fifty Makeup by One Direction tins on yesterday’s blog post HERE. You can also follow Makeup by One Direction on Facebook HERE for more information.

This post is powered by Brandbacker. Markwins Beauty is responsible for running and fulfilling this giveaway. 

Makeup by One Direction GIVEAWAY!

Calling all Directioners! I’m so excited to be sharing this amazing giveaway with all of you! A new range of makeup and cosmetic products celebrating youth, style, and the uninhibited lifestyle of a new generation is being released by Markwins, and you have the chance to win a collection of beauty essentials before this limited edition set is released to the public! Let me tell you all about the new Makeup by One Direction line, and then stay tuned for the giveaway!

THE COLLECTIONS

“The Looks Collection” comprises three keepsake tins inspired by One Direction’s globe-conquering albums, “Up All Night, “Take Me Home” and the latest chart topper, ‘Midnight Memories.” Each tin comes complete with everything you need to show off your personality. All your beauty essentials are housed in a limited edition collectable keepsake tin with removable sleeve, complete with One Direction doodle stencils to decorate your keepsake tin and make it uniquely your own! 

Midnight Memories

Includes:

  • “Through the Dark” Liquilights Glow Gloss
  • 4+1 Eyeshadow Palette in smoky shimmery grays and neutrals
  • “Best Song Ever” Crimson Red Créme Lipstick
  • “Little Black Dress” Volumizing Mascara in Perfectly Black
  • “Right Now” Liquified Metallic Steel Nail Varnish
  • “Better than Words” Blackest Black Eye and Body Crayon

Take Me Home

Includes:

  • “Kiss You” Liquilights Glow Gloss
  • 4+1 Eyeshadow Palette in the Perfect Nude Shades
  • “Last First Kiss” Nude-Pink Sheer Lipstick
  • “Little Black Dress” Volumizing Mascara in Perfectly Black
  • “Live While We’re Young” Multi-Dimensional Gold Glitter Nail Varnish
  • “I Wish” Chocolate Brown Eye and Body Crayon

Up All Night

Includes:

  • “Taken” Liquilights Glow Gloss
  • 4+1 Eyeshadow Palette in Playful Blues and Versatile Neutrals
  • “I Should Have Kissed You” Bubblegum Pink Créme Lipstick
  • “Little Black Dress” Volumizing Mascara in Perfectly Black
  • “Na Na Na” Aqua-Blue Metallic Chrome Nail Varnish
  • “Stand Up” Dark Denim Eye and Body Crayon

WHERE TO BUY

Collections will be available worldwidestarting with the United States!

US RELEASE DATES:
Macy’s – August 11th
Stage Stores – August 25th
Dillards – August 25th
Beauty Brands – August 25th
Lord and Taylor – August 25th

GIVEAWAY

Enter using the widget below, or go directly to the giveaway link HERE. This giveaway is for open in the United States and Canada only.

Make sure to stay tuned for a full review of this collection later this summer! For more information, like the official Makeup by One Direction Facebook Page HERE.

This post is powered by BrandBacker. Giveaway is courtesy of Markwins Beauty, who is responsible for running and fulfilling the giveaway. 

Bringing Art Back to Nail Art | Piet Mondrian & Pop Art Nails

Happy Monday! Today I am extremely excited to share with you two amazing nail art looks created by the one and only Valerie Star! I first met Val at the Caravan Summertime Lounge Event (more info on that HERE). She told me about the intricate nail art designs she does, and how she loves to bring art back to nail art. As you all may know, I struggle with nail art! I don’t have a steady hand, so I stick to basic designs. That’s always fun, but when I had the opportunity to let Valerie turn my fingernails into art canvases, I jumped at the opportunity! We decided to put together two nail art looks that would satisfy any art critic! All of the polishes used in this post are from Zoya, but you can use any polishes you have in your collection. Now, onto the art!

Piet Mondrian Nails

We began with a nail art look inspired by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, who is known for his piece Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow (see the original HERE). Not only is this a well-known painting, but it’s one that is easily recreated on the nails with a bit of patience.

Step 1: Paint your nails with a white nail polish and let dry. Any white will do, here we are using Zoya Snow White.

Step 2: Use a black nail polish to stencil out some rectangles on your nails. A nail art brush with a fine tip comes in handy here. There is also no set formula for the rectangles, but have fun mixing up the pattern! We are using Zoya Raven as our black polish.

Piet Mondrian Steps 1 & 2

Step 3: Fill in the black rectangles using a red, blue, and yellow polish. Mondrian uses the three primary colors in his work. You can choose to stick with his original color scheme, or make it your own. For example, we used a pink instead of a red. The polishes used are Zoya Layla, Robyn, and Pippa.

Piet Mondrian Step 3 Piet Mondrian Step 3 Piet Mondrian Step 3

Step 4: Go over your black outline again to sharpen the lines. Once your manicure is completely dry, add a top coat!

Piet Mondrian Manicure | Adventures in Polishland Piet Mondrian Manicure | Adventures in PolishlandI’m completely obsessed with this Piet Mondrian manicure! I think it looks amazing, and definitely represents a well-known piece of art! We stayed true to Mondrian’s original piece, but you can use this same tutorial to create something more suited to your own personal style.

Pop Art Nails

For those who love more modern and funky designs, we also created a pop art manicure styled after the era of Andy Warhol. This look is a bit more difficult to recreate, but if you have patience and a steady hand you can definitely put together this nail art design!

Step 1: Paint your nails a light blue base. We are using Zoya Robyn.

Pop Art Step 1

Step 2: Use a foam wedge and a dark blue polish to create an ombré manicure. Don’t worry about getting a neat edge – we will clean everything up later! The dark blue polish in this look is Zoya Song.

Pop Art Gradient Pop Art Gradient

Step 3: Use a white polish to create some zig-zig speech bubbles, and outline them in black. We used Zoya Snow White and Raven, and a nail art brush to create this look. Feel free to alternate where the speech bubbles are placed on your nails!

Pop Art Step 3

Step 4: Use a dotting tool to add pink polka dots over the blue ombré and a nail art brush to write some fun words in the speech bubbles. We used Zoya Ali for the pink, and Raven again as a black. Once everything is dry, finish up with a top coat!

Pop Art Manicure | Adventures in Polishland Pop Art Manicure | Adventures in Polishland

As you can see, bringing art back to nail art is not only fun, but it’s a great way to pay homage to famous artists in a new way. Whether you’re recreating a masterpiece, or using a classic as inspiration, our nails can be a canvas for more than just your everyday manicure.

I want to give a huge thank you to Valerie at Caravan for creating these amazing nail art looks, and helping me put together this story for my blog! Make sure to check out her website HERE, and to follow Caravan Stylist Studio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more amazing beauty tips.

Let me know in the comments what famous painting you would love to see recreated as a manicure!

Save or Splurge | White Nail Polish

Happy Wednesday! Here at Adventures in Polishland, I always love to let you know how to get the most fabulous and affordable nails. While it’s nice to splurge on occasion, I only like to spend the big bucks when it’s absolutely necessary, so I thought I would review two white nail polishes to let you know if you should splurge or save. A white polish is definitely a needed staple in every nail polish collection. Whether you’re wearing it alone, under glitter, or in a nail art look, white will always come in handy. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to get a white polish with a perfect formula. I’ve tried at least half a dozen white polishes, and most of them are extremely streaky. Let me go ahead and show you my two favorite white polishes, both at opposite ends of the price spectrum.

Save or Splurge | White Nail PolishThe two polishes that I’ll be comparing for you are LVX Fantom ($16.00) and SinfulColors Snow Me White ($1.99).

LVX Fantom I’ve loved LVX Fantom since I first tried it out. The formula is very good. It does tend to be a bit splotchy, but it evens out to a flawless finish in two to three coats. I’ve used it several times both on its own and in nail art. It’s never done me wrong!

SinfulColors Snow Me WhiteI also picked up SinfulColors Snow Me White at the drugstore because I wanted to see if there was an affordable white that I could recommend to all of you. I’m happy to report that this polish has a good formula as well. It is definitely prone to streaking, and has a bit of a tacky feeling, but it looks just great with two coats.

Save or Splurge | White Nail Polish Save or Splurge | White Nail Polish

Here are LVX Fantom and SinfulColors Snow Me White side by side. LVX can be seen on the pinky and index fingers, with SinfulColors on the middle and pointer fingers. As you can see, there is no visible difference between these polishes at all. In fact, I would be 100% comfortable wearing this as a complete manicure!

All in all, my final verdict is that you can definitely save here, and purchase the SinfulColors Snow Me White as your go-to white polish. While I do prefer the LVX formula a bit more, it is definitely not worth the price tag if you’re on a budget. I will mention that LVX is often on sale on HauteLook for 50% off, so be on the lookout for added savings. In addition, drugstores like Walgreens and Rite Aid have sales on SinfulColors as well, so there is always an opportunity to rock fabulous and affordable nails!

Do you have a go-to white nail polish? Let me know what it is in the comments!