Category: Nails

Manicure Monday | Milani Blue Jay + Daphine Polish Frosty

Happy Monday! You may be surprised to hear that most of my every day manicures don’t make it onto my blog. I thought it would be fun to share with you one of my recent manicures. I actually wore it last Monday (through Thursday!), but it works for today’s Manicure Monday post as well. Let me show you what I wore on my nails!

IMG_3862 IMG_3863I began by applying Milani Blue Jay as a base color. I reviewed this polish HERE in July, and I’ve been eyeing it in my nail polish collection ever since. While this is a limited edition polish, it is still available on Milani’s website HERE for just $4.49. As you may know, I am a huge fan of Essie Butler Please, and since my bottle is already showing a significant fill line, I decided to use another blue that I own. I think it was a great decision!

IMG_3870To complete my manicure, I added an accent nail of Daphine Polish Frosty (review HERE). I really wanted to experiment with Frosty to see what it would look like over different colors, and I’m loving it over Blue Jay! And yes, the photo above was taken at school while I was studying for my Evidence class. See, this really was one of my every day manicures!

All in all, I hope you enjoyed seeing my manicure today! I really loved this combination of bright blue and a bit of glitter, and I can’t wait to use Frosty over even more colors to see the result. If you would like to see more Manicure Monday posts, please 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. 

Products I’ve Used Up #1

Happy Friday! Today I have my first ever “empties” post, where I talk about products I’ve completely used up. I love watching these types of YouTube videos, and thought I could share my empties with you in blog form! This is a great way to learn about a lot of products in a short amount of time! Let me share my empties with you, and let you know if I would repurchase them!

HAIR CAREIMG_3636

  • L’Oreal EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo – I’ve used this shampoo and conditioner set from L’Oreal many times! I love that it is sulfate free, and really leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy. It retails for around $6 at the drugstore, and is a shampoo I return to every once in a while. I definitely recommend it! [BUY]
  • Klorane Dry Shampoo – After getting a sample in a Birchbox, I just had to get the full size version of this dry shampoo. It is amazing! It zaps the oil right out of my hair and makes it feel clean. It’s the best dry shampoo, and worth the $18 price tag. The only drawback is it does run out rather quickly. I plan on getting another one soon, though! [BUY]
  • Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – This is a new holy grail product! It has changed my hair for the better! My hair is much healthier now that I apply this oil, and I just love it. This travel size lasted me about six months, and it is worth it. I’ve already repurchased it! [BUY]

SKIN & BODY CARE

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  • Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – I got this sample in a Birchbox, and I loved it! This is a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliant, and it smells like lemons. It was pretty gentle as a scrub, and my face always felt great afterwards. The only reason I am not going to repurchase this is because the full size is $32.95. Otherwise, I love it! [BUY]
  • Lulah Body Wash in Magnolia Fig – I am just using up my subscription box products! I got this body wash in a PopSugar box, and it was so nice and luxurious. I loved the rich scent, and even the packaging is cute. At $11.25 I’m not sure I would repurchase this for myself, but it would make a great gift! [BUY]
  • Whish Exfoliating Body Wash – This is a body wash I wasn’t too thrilled about. While it had a pleasant scent, I didn’t like using a body cleanser with an exfoliant added in. I just prefer to do that separately. Plus, I had to use a lot of product to feel clean. I’m going to pass on this one! [BUY]
  • Burt’s Bees Hand Salve – This little tin contained a medicinal hand cream. I really enjoyed it for days where my hands really needed some extra help. It is quite greasy, but works well. It’s not my favorite hand cream, but definitely a good product. [BUY]

NAIL CARE

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  • Rite Aid Renewal 100% Pure Acetone – For some reason I’ve never used pure acetone to remove my nail polish before. Now, I’m hooked! This is the best nail polish remover I’ve ever used, and it didn’t damage my nails or cuticles. Plus, this bottle lasted me a long time because I didn’t have to use as much remover. I am definitely going to be buying this again! [BUY at Rite Aid]
  • Sephora Collection Base Coat – This is hands down the best base coat I’ve ever tried as well! It dries really quickly, and I love the large, flat brush. The only downside is that it can only be purchased on Sephora’s website, but I’ve already gone ahead and repurchased another bottle. At $6, I think it’s a steal! [BUY]

MAKEUP

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  • CoverGirl Natural Lash – I use this clear mascara to keep my eyebrows in place! Now I don’t have crazy hairs anymore! Unfortunately I dropped this, and it dried out rather quickly. I did repurchase, though, and I love this product! It’s around $5 at drugstores. [BUY]
  • CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mascara – I also used up a black mascara from CoverGirl. I absolutely loved this one because it gave me natural and clump-free lashes. Unfortunately this line has been discontinued, but you can still purchase it on Amazon. I highly recommend it! [BUY]
  • Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara – Last but not least is another mascara! This is a high end one that I got in a PopSugar box. I absolutely loved it, and I was amazed how well it curled my lashes. I was so sad when it dried up because I’m not going to repurchase it at $19. It’s worth it if you can afford it, though! [BUY]

Those are all of the empty products I have to share with you today! I hope you enjoyed learning more about these products. Please let me know if you would like to see more Products I’ve Used Up posts in the future!

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

Indie Spotlight | Daphine Polish’s Holiday Collection 2013

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you three beautiful polishes from the indie brand Daphine Polish. While I first tried this brand just a few months ago, it has quickly become one of my favorite indies! I was thrilled to review some of the holiday polishes for all of you. Let me show you these gorgeous polishes!

IMG_3717 IMG_3722First, I wanted to show you how nice the packaging from Daphine Polish is. I love when brands put in that extra effort. It really makes getting a package even more exciting!

IMG_3736 IMG_3743The first polish I have to show you is Poinsettia, a Christmas red polish with holographic shimmer throughout. Poinsettia is the perfect holiday polish! The formula is amazing, and is opaque in two coats. Plus, it dries quickly. I recommend sealing Poinsettia with a top coat shortly after application to ensure the holographic quality really stands out.

IMG_3751 IMG_3759Next up is Rudolph’s Nose, a glitter topcoat with a variety of red glitters and a sprinkling of green and gold granules. I layered one coat of Rudolph’s Nose over Poinsettia, and I’m loving the result! There is no fishing for glitters in this polish, and I love how beautiful these two look together. Of course, you can layer Rudolph’s Nose over many other polishes as well!

IMG_3854 IMG_3859Last but not least is Frosty, a glitter top coat with a mix of white and iridescent glitters. I layered one coat over Zoya Hunter (see review HERE), and I’m so amazed with the result! Not only does Frosty have an amazing formula, but the iridescent glitters transform on the nail. As you can see in the photos above, shades of blue and purple magically appeared on my nails! I bet you will get a different result depending on the layering combo. I will have to experiment with Frosty more in the future for sure.

All in all, these holiday polishes from Daphine Polish are wonderful! I highly recommend them! Make sure you check out the full holiday collection on Etsy HERE. Full size polishes are $10 each, but keep an eye out for holiday sales by liking Daphine Polish on Facebook HERE. Let me know which of these three is your favorite 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. 

Winter Wonderland Week | Holiday Water Decals from Born Pretty Store

Happy Friday! It’s the last day of Winter Wonderland Week here at Adventures in Polishland. To close things out I have another holiday manicure! This time I’m using water decals from Born Pretty Store. As you know, I am not a nail art expert, so I love using stickers and other accessories for my nails to dress them up a bit. Let me share with you the designs Born Pretty has to offer this holiday season!

IMG_3660Here is the sheet of holiday decals from Born Pretty Store! As you can see, there are four different themes, and many designs to choose from. I personally like this sheet because even though it is called “Christmas Theme,” there are lots of other choices, such as snowmen and gingerbread houses, to ensure this can be used all winter long!

IMG_3665 IMG_3667I decided to make a snowman the center of my manicure! First, I began with Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet as a complimentary base. Once that had dried completely, I began applying the water decals. These decals work just like temporary tattoos. Simply cut out the design of your choice and remove the plastic film covering the design. Then, dip the design into water for 10-20 seconds, and carefully slide the design off the paper and onto your nail. Let the decals dry, and follow up with a top coat to complete the look!

IMG_3670All in all, I love these water decals from Born Pretty Store! They are really simple to apply, and make a great holiday manicure. You can get this sheet of decals for just $1.99 on Born Pretty’s website HERE. As always, use code FZL91 for an additional 10% off! Let me know what you think of my festive phalanges in the comments!

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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. 

 

Winter Wonderland Week | Snow-Capped Nails

Happy Wednesday! Winter Wonderland Week continues today with another holiday manicure. If you’re looking for a festive look that is a bit more abstract, then stay tuned! I created a sparkly look that can be worn all winter long!

IMG_3654 IMG_3656To create a snow-capped manicure, I began with one of my favorite blue polishes, CoverGirl Out of the Blue [see review HERE]. You can use any blue nail polish that you have in your collection, but I think it will look best with one that is bright! Once my base had dried, I took Shimmer Polish in Cassandra, a white and silver glitter polish, and tapped that all over the tops of my nails. No need to be precise here – just a few dabs and your nails will easily look as though you dipped them in snow! To customize your look, use any white or holographic glitter in your stash. The chunkier the better, since it looks like real snow! Seal your manicure with a top coat, and you’re ready for the next flurries!

IMG_3658All in all, I’m loving my snow-capped nails! The look is simple to create, yet looks stunning! Not only is this a wintery manicure, but it works perfectly for Hanukkah as well. Of course, you can customize the manicure using any colors you wish and rock the technique all year long. The possibilities are endless! As always, if you create my snow-capped manicure, feel free to share a photograph on my Facebook page HERE. Winter Wonderland Week continues tomorrow!

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.

Winter Wonderland Week | Candy Cane Nails

Happy Sunday! Today is the first day of Winter Wonderland Week here at Adventures in Polishland! I’m excited to be celebrating the holiday season with all of you through nail art, gift guides, and more. I will have a new post every day this week, so be sure to follow my blog for all the details. First up, an easy nail art look! Let me show you my festive fingers!

IMG_3645 IMG_3647To create this candy cane look, I followed the directions set forth in my Scratch Art tutorial HERE. I began with a base of Julep Isla, a metallic white polish. You can use any white nail polish you own, but I liked having a metallic base for a bit more of candy shine! Then, once my base was completely dry, I used a striping tape to create diagonal lines on each nail. For the red stripes, I used Sephora X Pyrotechnic [see that review HERE]. After finishing up with a top coat, I’m good to go!

IMG_3648I’m loving this candy cane manicure! It is very easy to create, but looks amazing when completed! If you’re looking for a festive manicure this season, I highly recommend this one. Plus, you can create the candy cane design on just one or two nails as an accent if you’re in a rush. If you decide to create this look, please share a photo of your nails on my Facebook page HERE! Stay tuned for more holiday posts during Winter Wonderland Week!

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

Fruit Salad Fingers with Fimo Decals from Born Pretty Store

Happy Saturday! Today I have some fun nail art to share with all of you. I’ve never tried any fimo decals before, so I was excited when I got the opportunity to review some from Born Pretty Store. These decals are made from clay, and come pre-sliced and ready to apply. I decided to choose some fruit designs and do something a bit out of the box. Let me show you what the decals look like!

IMG_3614As you can see, this fimo set from Born Pretty comes with 12 different fruit designs. There are apples, lemons, limes, strawberries, and more! Each designs comes with 10 pieces. I decided to create two different nail art looks to test these out, but the possibilities are endless!

IMG_3615 IMG_3623My first manicure is watermelon inspired! I began with Colour Gossip Nails in Just a Tease [see review HERE], and added on Daphine Polish in Watermelon Taffy [see review HERE] on my pinky and pointer fingers. To complete the look, I added on two watermelon decals in a double accent nail design. As you can see, I went with the full watermelon and a watermelon slice. To apply, simply press the decals onto your nail polish before it dries, and finish up with a top coat. I used tweezers to help with the application.

IMG_3626 IMG_3627For my second look, I went with a lemon lime theme! First, I began with Zoya Nail Polish in Piaf, and then added one lemon and one lime decal to each nail. I thought this was really cute, and I love the sparkle of Piaf as the base. I can definitely go for some lemonade right about now!

All in all, these fimo decals from Born Pretty Store are so fun and easy to use! They would be great for a theme party, or even if you are feeling a bit more adventurous one day. This set of 120 decals retails for just $1.79! What a fabulous and affordable deal! You can purchase it at Born Pretty Store HERE, and don’t forget to use code FZL91 for an additional 10% off. Let me know what you think of my fruit salad fingers in the comments!

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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. 

Color Club in Baldwin Blues

Happy Thursday! Today I have a quick review of the nail polish I received in my November Birchbox (see that post HERE). I just love receiving polishes in subscription boxes because it allows me to try out brands I wouldn’t normally purchase. In fact, the only Color Club polishes I’ve tried so far are thanks to Birchbox! Let me show you the one I got this month.

IMG_3597 IMG_3599Baldwin Blues is a dark blue creme polish. The color can be described as navy with a hint of turquoise – very unique! As for the formula, it’s great! Baldwin Blues applies with ease, and is opaque in two coats. I didn’t even have to apply top coat due to it’s glossy finish! I’m really loving this shade!

IMG_3601All in all, I’m impressed with Color Club’s Baldwin Blues! I definitely need to try out more Color Club polishes in the future. You can purchase Baldwin Blues on Birchbox’s website HERE. The full size polish is $8. Let me know in the comments what your favorite Color Club polishes are!

Sally Hansen Gold Roses from the Rodarte Collection

Happy Friday! If you’ve been following Adventures in Polishland for a while, you’ll know that I love Sally Hansen nail polish. The brand recently released a Limited Edition collection for fall called the Rodarte Collection. At first I wasn’t too interested in any of the shades, but after hearing both MissGlamorazzi and FleurdeForce praise Gold Roses, I knew I had to pick it up. Luckily, I spotted the last bottle at Duane Reade, and put it on immediately!

IMG_3571 IMG_3574Gold Roses is a metallic, rose gold nail polish. The formula is good, but due to its metallic quality it will show streaks. Gold Roses is actually opaque in one coat, but I layered on two to even out the streaking a bit. While I’m not usually one for metallic polishes, this one is just beautiful! I love rose gold jewelry, and rose gold nails are just as awesome. Plus, I think this is a fabulous color for the holidays.

IMG_3575All in all, I’m so glad I was able to find Gold Roses! It’s a gorgeous shade, and I have nothing else like it in my entire collection. Unfortunately this pretty number has been labeled the scary “hard to find” in the nail polish world. Make sure you check out your local drugstore to see if you can grab one. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes retail for around $7.99 each.

LVX Vegan Nail Lacquer: Fall 2013 Collection

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you three polishes from the LVX fall collection. I first reviewed LVX polish back in May (see that review HERE), and I’ve been obsessed ever since! It has definitely become one of the brands I reach for in my nail polish collection, because I know the polish will always look flawless. Let me show you the gorgeous shades for fall!

IMG_3527 IMG_3528First up is Dahlia, a deep burgundy polish that has a “crelly” finish (not quite creme, not quite jelly). The formula is fantastic! It applies well, and is opaque in two coats. If you’re looking for a great off-black polish this season, definitely pick up Dahlia. I love the hint of red color, and this shade is super trendy right now!

IMG_3534 IMG_3538Next up is Cashmere, a gray creme polish. Cashmere has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. Because of its light shade, I suggest careful application to ensure you are not left with streaks. I just love the addition to Cashmere in the fall collection, as it is perfect for sweater weather, and will look good with any outfit. It’s such a unique shade!

IMG_3546 IMG_3548Last but not least is Azzurrum, a navy creme polish. Azzurrum is absolutely perfect! It is opaque in two coats and applies with ease. I’ve already worn this shade twice since I’ve received it, and I can’t get enough. The formula is long-lasting, and the color will never go out of style. Azzurrum is definitely my favorite of the bunch!

All in all, I am once again quite impressed with these nail polishes from LVX. These three shades are half of the six-piece fall collection, which can be purchased on the brand’s website HERE for $16 each. While LVX is definitely a high end nail lacquer, I highly recommend them. They make perfect holiday gifts as well. Also be sure to like LVX on Facebook HERE.

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