Adventures in Polishland

Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club | Release & Review!

Posted on February 22, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I’m excited to tell you all about a fun event I attended last week with Birchbox. Despite a very snowy day, I joined other Birchbloggers at the Mondrian Soho Hotel for hot chocolate, manicures, and a Q & A with blogger Gala Gonzalez. Gala runs the blog Amlul, and partnered with nail polish brand Color Club to create the new collection Gala’s Gems. Let me tell you a bit more about the event, and share the nail polishes with you!

Birchblogger Event

To celebrate the release of Gala’s collection, Birchbox was kind enough to host an event with local bloggers so we could try out the polishes and learn more about Gala. We had the chance to get our nails done (shoutout to my manicurist Kenyetta!) and then heard from Gala, who was interviewed by Birchbox co-founder Katia. Gala is so beautiful and down-to-earth. She let us in on some of her blogging secrets, and shared about her journey in the fashion industry. I highly recommend you check out her blog if you haven’t before – it’s professionally done, and a must read for fashion lovers!

You can also find more photos from this event on my Facebook page HERE.

Gala’s Gems Review

First up is Heirloom Pearls, a pearlescent white polish. All of the polishes in the Gala’s Gems Collection have a metallic finish, which I think is perfect for the transition from winter to spring. Heirloom Pearls has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It looks flawless on my nails, and would go with pretty much any outfit. I highly recommend it!

Next up is Breakfast At…, a mint green metallic polish. I love the clever name of Breakfast At…, and the green color is right up my alley. The formula is very good, though a bit prone to streaking due to its metallic nature. This is the color I got for my manicure at the event. I just love it!

Aquamarine Azulino is up next, and it is a gorgeous baby blue polish. This has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, and I just adore the pastel blue shade. The shimmer throughout the polish makes it perfect for snowy days, yet the pigmentation is also nice for the warmer months. Aquamarine Azulino is an all around great blue!

Last but not least is Gold Struck, a rose gold metallic polish. I was a bit disappointed that Gold Struck is so streaky, but that can happen with any metallic polish. I still really love the color, and this is a great option for those of you who didn’t grab Sally Hansen’s Gold Roses (review HERE). Gold Struck really has that liquid metal look!

All in all, I had a great time at the Birchbox event, and I really like the Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club. This collection will be available very soon, so keep an eye out for it! I’ll be sure to post on Facebook when these polishes are available, as well as the price point. Let me know in the comments what you think of the Gala’s Gems Collection!

UPDATE: You can now purchase this collection for just $13 on the Birchbox website HERE.

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

Drugstore Foundation Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse

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

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of the brand new Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation. I’ve been using the Stay Matte Pressed Powder for years now, so when I saw that Rimmel expanded the Stay Matte line I had to try it out. Since I have combination skin that gets oily throughout the day, I hoped this new foundation would help control that shine and keep me fresh faced all day long. Let me share my thoughts on this foundation with you!

The Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation comes in a squeeze tube at the standard foundation size of 1oz. There are eight shades in the line, and I got shade 091 Light Ivory. This foundation is advertised to be lightweight and control shine, as well as blend flawlessly for a natural look. It retails for around $5.49 at drugstores (I got mine at Duane Reade!).

As for the formula, I find it to be a bit on the thick side. It’s definitely a heavier consistency than I expected, but it blends out flawlessly. I’ve tried it both with and without primer, and I do prefer to use a primer just to have a smooth and flawless base. To apply the foundation, I use a damp BeautyBlender, which works perfectly! This is definitely a full coverage foundation, but it does not feel heavy on this skin. No cake face here!

The Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation also has an amazing wear time! I’ve tested this for about two weeks now, and when I get home after an eight to ten hour day, my skin still looks great. While I do get a bit shiny without any touch ups or oil absorbing sheets, I see a huge improvement when I use this foundation. It is definitely one of my new favorites!

All in all, I am really impressed with the new Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation. It is so affordable, and my skin loves it! I highly recommend it, and now want to try the other new products in the Stay Matte line. Let in me know in the comments if you’ve tried the Stay Matte BB Cream or Primer!

Products I’ve Used Up #2

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

Happy Monday! It’s time for another “empties” post here at Adventures in Polishland. I think these posts are a great opportunity to learn about a lot of products in a short amount of time. Plus, they serve as a personal reminder since I can always look back and see which products I would repurchase in the future. Let’s get right into all of the products I’ve used up!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal Paris Triple Resist Reinforcing Conditioner – I’ve been using this L’Oreal system for a while now, and I really like it. My hair seemed to strengthen a bit, and I have no complaints! Plus, this line is really affordable. With sales and coupons, I can find this for around $2-3! [BUY at the drugstore]
Not Your Mother’s Beat the Heat Thermal Styling Shield Spray – I picked up this heat protectant last year, and it lasted forever! This protectant was just okay. It worked to protect my hair, but it left my hair crunchy and has a weird smell. Despite it being an affordable $5.99, I don’t think I would repurchase it again. [BUY]

NAIL CARE

CVS Strengthening Polish Remover – This used to be my go to nail polish remover, and I snagged a couple bottles a few months back during a clearance event for just $0.55! After using pure acetone and the Julep remover, this just doesn’t cut it for me anymore. It’s good, but not the best. [BUY at CVS]
Julep Acetone Free Condition Nail Polish Remover – This is my all time favorite polish remover! It works really well, plus it leaves my nails feeling healthy and it doesn’t have a strong smell. Unfortunately, it is a tad expensive. I would totally buy this in large quantities if Julep had that option! I highly recommend this! [BUY]

SKINCARE

Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin – This is another product that lasted me a very long time. It’s a great cleanser for sensitive skin, and I used it whenever I wanted a gentle cleansing. I would repurchase it again in the future for sure. [BUY]
Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub – I got this scrub in an Ipsy bag a few months back, and I am in love. This is the best scrub I’ve ever used! My skin always felt so clear and healthy after I used it. Although it is a bit on the expensive side, I will definitely be repurchasing it after I run out of the scrub I’m using now. It is seriously worth it! [BUY]
Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy Cream – I talked about this moisturizer in my December Favorites, and it made that list for a reason! This is a great lotion, and I would definitely repurchase it at some point. Read more about it HERE. [BUY]

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I really do like these makeup wipes, and I am working my way through a few packs that my Mom got me for Christmas (thanks, Mom!). You can see all of my thoughts on these wipes HERE. Make sure to grab them during sale events, or shop on Amazon for a great price! [BUY]
Tatcha Aburatorigami Beauty Papers – I got these blotting papers in a PopSugar box, and was happy to try them out. Unfortunately, these were a flop for me. The blotting papers from the drugstore work much better than these high end ones for a much lower price. I wouldn’t repurchase them. [BUY]

MAKEUP

Too Faced Primed & Poreless – I’ve talked about this primer many times on Adventures in Polishland, so I won’t go on forever! This is my first bottle, and it lasted me several months so it is a good investment product. You can see my full review HERE. [BUY]
Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious in Blackened Brown – This mascara was good, but not my favorite. I did like it on days where I wanted natural looking lashes, and I applied it with short and fast strokes. This did clump up rather quickly, but I’ve heard others have really liked it. I’m not sure I would repurchase it, but it’s not a bad product! [BUY]
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transluscent – I love this powder, and have repurchased it several times! With coupons and sale events at the drugstore, I get this powder for next to nothing. Plus, it’s a great quality product. I wish I was able to make use of the residual product still left in the container, but at such an affordable price, I don’t feel bad throwing it out as is. [BUY at drugstores]

SAMPLES

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream – I got this as a free sample with a Sephora order, and loved it! It has a bit of an odor, but works so well to moisturize my skin. I considered purchasing the full size, but when I saw it was $45 I had to say no! If you have room for this in your budget, it’s a great product! [BUY]
Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck Perfume – I may not be a Taylor Swift fan, but I’m a huge supporter of this perfume! I loved this so much I asked for a full size for Christmas. I love the fruity yet musky scent. Plus, you can get a great price by purchasing this on Amazon instead of a department store! [BUY]
Versace Bright Crystal Perfume – I also loved this perfume sample by Versace. It smelled expensive! It also has a great mix of sweet and sultry scents together. I would consider getting the full size if it were more affordable. [BUY]
Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream – Finally, I got this eye cream in a Birchbox, and really liked it. It really is potent, so make sure to be careful when applying it so the cream doesn’t go in your eye. I’m using another eye cream now, but I would definitely consider purchasing the full size in the future. [BUY]

Phew! That is a lot of empties this time around! I hope you liked hearing more about these products. I always feel a bit accomplished when I finish up a product, since it makes me feel like I got my money’s worth. Do you agree? Let me know if you’ve tried out any of these products in the comments!

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

Neon Nails featuring Star Studs from Born Pretty Store

Posted on February 15, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have a really fun manicure to share with you featuring some star studs from Born Pretty Store. When I got the studs in a neon color, I decided to create a nail art look that would be perfect for any 80s throwback party. Let me show you the totally rad manicure!

First, here is a look at the packet of studs. For just $3.37, you get 200 studs! Think of all the nail art looks you can create with this one packet! These studs also come in eight different colors, so you can choose your favorite. I got the lime green, or shade #4. They can be purchased HERE.

As a base for my neon nails, I grabbed Spoiled in Plastic Flamingo, one of my all-time favorite polishes. When the polish was still tacky, I used some long-nose tweezers to place the studs on my nails. I placed one stud on the base of each nail, and three in a diagonal on an accent nail. The tweezers made this process really easy, so I definitely recommend using them as a helpful tool.

All in all, I’m loving this neon manicure! The colors are so fun and vibrant, and the studs are so easy to use. Whether you’re looking for a themed look for a special occasion, or simply want to liven up your normal manicures, I think these star studs are a great choice. You can grab them on Born Pretty’s website for an extra 10% off with code FZL91. Have you tried any nail studs? Show me what you create on my Facebook Page!

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

MAC Box of Chocolates Blogger-Curated Palette Giveaway!

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday, and Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ve teamed up with 29 other bloggers to show love to you, our readers, with a special giveaway treat. An eyeshadow palette is like a box of chocolates – but this one has 30 different flavors inside, each one chosen by a different blogger! We’ve put together a special blogger-curated palette filled with 30 of our favorite MAC shades in a MAC Pro Large/Duo Palette for one of our readers to win! The shades include our favorite neutrals, fun, bold colors, and everything in between You’ll have to win to see what they are! All you have to do is enter via Rafflecopter. US & Canada only! Giveaway starts February 14 – February 28th! Please let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to thank xoNoelle for hosting!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Vintage Inspired Floral Nail Art featuring Water Decals from Born Pretty Store!

Posted on February 13, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have another review of some water decals from the online retailer Born Pretty Store. I’ve tried water decals a few times now (see my King of Pop Manicure HERE), but this time around I had more control over my nail art design and decided to take it in a vintage direction. Let me show you the water decals and the manicure I created!

Unlike the other water decals I’ve tried in the past, this sheet does not have any pre-made shapes or designs. Instead, the design is separated into rectangular blocks that can be cut into any shape or size. I decided to cut the decals into a variety of shapes to keep my manicure interesting!

I began my manicure with SinfulColors Mint Apple, a beautiful dusty green with shimmer (full review HERE). Once my polish was completely dried, I cut the decals into the shapes I desired, removed the protective film, and dipped them into water for a few seconds. The water decals work just like temporary tattoos. The design slides right off the paper backing when wet, and you can easily position the decals onto your nails using your fingers. Once the decals are dry, finishing up with a top coat and you’re good to go!

All in all, I’m really loving these water decals! I only used two of the rectangular blocks on the sheet to create this look, so I can be sure to get more use out of it in the future. You can purchase this sheet of decals on Born Pretty Store’s website HERE for just $2.98. I chose design number 10, but there are lots of others as well. As always, use code FZL91 to get an extra 10% off your purchase, and enjoy free international shipping. Let me know what you think of my nail art in the comments!

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.

Milani Nail Lacquer Giveaway!

Posted on February 11, 2014January 26, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another giveaway here at Adventures in Polishland! I recently reviewed all of the new nail polish releases from Milani Cosmetics, and now it’s time for me to share some of those new colors with all of you. Milani accidentally shipped me some duplicates, and the company is graciously letting me pass them along to my followers. Let me show you what you could win!

Gold Label Specialty Nail Lacquer

Vivid Violet and Power Periwinkle

[REVIEW HERE]

High Speed Fast Dry

Sangria Rush

[REVIEW HERE]

Nail Lacquer

Mulberry Sugar, Canyon Country, & Cupid’s Touch

[REVIEW HERE]

GIVEAWAY

To win all six of these polishes, please enter using the Rafflecopter widget. Make sure to read all of the Terms & Conditions listed in the widget before entering. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The prizes in this post were provided by Milani Cosmetics. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Pretty Polished Pointers 5k/6k Giveaway!

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers and indie makers to celebrate Pretty & Polished Pointers reaching 5,000 Facebook Likes! Please make sure to read through this entry carefully, as the rules are a bit different than the giveaways I host. Let me know if you have any questions!

Starts 2/10/14 12am MST Ends 3/3/14 12am MST

Pretty and Polished Pointers: Zoya, Dazzle Dry, Nicole Opi, Incoco and Nail art Supplies Prize Pack!Prize Pack #1

Beauty Shoes Nails and Fun: China Glaze and Stripping tape Prize Pack

Prize Pack #2

LynBDesign: He’s Cluing for Looks and We All Do Silly Things

Prize Pack #3

Lemonade Nail: Salon Effects nail app and Nail Art supplies Prize Pack

Prize Pack #4

Coloure My Obsession Picture Polish and Butter London

Prize Pack #5

Lace & Lacquers: OPI, Sally Hansen and Sephora Prize Pack

Prize Pack #6

Peace, Love and Polish: $15 Llarowe egift Card

Prize #7

Llarowe E-Gift Card

Jindie Nails: Valentine Duo

Prize Pack #8

Pointless Cafe: Qtica, Sealore and Lynderella Prize Pack

Prize Pack 9

Tall Girl in Heels: OPI Prize Pack

Prize Pack 10

The Nail Files: OPI Fit to Tied Set and Bracelets Prize Pack

Prize Pack 11

Mentality: $25 Gift Certificate

Prize Pack 12

Adventures in Polishland: Favorites Prize Pack

Prize Pack 13

Baroness of Glitter: Bubble Goth

Prize Pack 14

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway ends 3/3/14

13 winners

Open to US addresses only

Must be 18 years old to enter

Winner has 48 hours to respond back to their prize sponsor or a new winner will be chosen

Enter through the Rafflecopter Widget

Extra entries can be gained daily

All entries will be modified (no cheating)

Good Luck!

New Milani Nail Lacquer for 2014!

Posted on February 10, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have my last review of the new Milani nail polishes for 2014. In addition to the Gold Label Specialty Nail Lacquer, and the new High Speed Fast Dry polishes, Milani is also expanding its regular collection with ten new and trending shades. Let me show you these beautiful polishes (and please forgive my dry cuticles – winter has not been good to me!).

First up is Vanilla Almond, a tan creme polish. Vanilla Almond has a great formula that is opaque in just one coat! I was beyond thrilled to find such a full coverage polish in this nude shade. If you’re looking for a perfect neutral, I definitely suggest Vanilla Almond!

Next up is White, a white creme polish. I’ve been looking for an affordable white polish for a long time, and I am so excited that Milani released this one! The formula is very good – the first coat was streaky, but the second is nearly flawless. White polishes are so hard to get right, but Milani’s done it! I even love wearing white alone in the summer months.

Mauve Medley is next, and it’s a gorgeous, deep berry creme. Mauve Medley has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I was actually surprised at how much I love this polish! The shade just looked really awesome with my skin tone, and the color is appropriate for a work setting, yet not boring one bit.

Golden Romance is my absolute favorite in this post! It is a glitter polish with very fine yellow gold glitters and small and medium rose gold hexagons. Not only is the polish beautiful, but it is full coverage in just two coats! The formula is really easy to work with as well. I’m truly obsessed with Golden Romance!

Next up is Mulberry Sugar, a reddish-brown shimmer polish. Mulberry Sugar has an awesome formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m not usually one for brown polishes, but the shimmer in this one makes it really unique and a bit more fancy. Mulberry Sugar is the perfect fall shade, though of course it can be worn all year long!

Iced Mango is the other new shimmer polish, this time in a burnt orange shade. Iced Mango also has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. If you’re looking for a wearable orange, try out this one! I’m loving it, and I bet it would make for great nail art as well. Try it paired with Mulberry Sugar!

If you’re looking for a creme orange, maybe Canyon Country is for you! It is a burnt orange shade as well, but with a dustier pigmentation. Canyon Country has a great formula, and I applied two coats to achieve opacity. This polish definitely reminds me of when I visited the Grand Canyon – I wish I could have worn it when I was there!

Next up is Peach Innocence, a beautiful peach creme polish. Peach Innocence has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I actually don’t own another peach polish like this one, so I’m so glad Milani released it. Plus, I think Peach Innocence will look awesome with all skin tones!

Heather is up next, and it is a dusty plum creme polish. Heather’s formula is awesome as well, and it is opaque in two coats. I like that this is a more subdued polish, yet is still quite pigmented at the same time. If you don’t like bright shades, Heather is for you!

Last but not least is Cupid’s Touch, a pink creme polish with blue undertones. Cupid’s Touch is so pretty, and, of course, it has a great formula. I love that this shade has a hint of blue, and that makes it unlike the other pinks in my nail polish collection. Cupid’s Touch is perfect for Valentine’s Day, too!

All in all, I am really loving all of these new Milani polishes. Golden Romance is by far my favorite, and I’m also excited to have an affordable white in my collection. You can purchase these polishes for just $3.99 each at your local CVS store. They can also be purchased on Milani’s website HERE. Let me know in the comments what your favorite new release from Milani is!

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

Valentine’s Day Nail Art | Free Hand Hearts

Posted on February 8, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so I thought it would be fun to create a simple, nail art look. I grabbed two of my favorite nail polishes, and decided a free hand design would be quick and easy. Let me show you the manicure I put together!

To create this manicure, I started out with a base of Wet ‘n Wild Megalast in On a Trip (full review HERE). Once that was completely dry, I took Rainbow Polish in Wild Orchid (review HERE) and did free hand hearts all over my nails. Hearts are really easy to create – just make a “V” shape and you’re all set! Wild Orchid is one of my favorite indie nail polishes, and I thought the pink base with pink and purple glitters would be perfect for Valentine’s Day! To seal the entire look, I finished up with a layer of butter LONDON Hardwear Top Coat.

All in all, I think this manicure is really cute, and great for Valentine’s Day! I love how quick and easy it is to create, and there is no need to be absolutely perfect with your free hand hearts. This look is also customizable to your personal tastes, as you can choose any colors you wish. Let me know in the comments if you like this look!

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.