Adventures in Polishland

Easy Canvas Prints Review & Giveaway!

Posted on June 28, 2013December 2, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a fun post that is anything but nail polish and makeup related. Instead, I’m sharing with you a product that will beautify your home! I was contacted by Easy Canvas Prints and was excited to hold this giveaway for all of you. Let me share more about how their website works, and what you could win!

Easy Canvas Prints is just what it sounds like — a website that lets you custom build a canvas print for your wall! The first step is choosing what size you want your canvas to be. I chose a 16″ x 20″ size for my photo, because I really want a nice size piece for my apartment. Next, it’s time to choose your image! Easy Canvas Prints makes it super easy to upload photos. You can upload any file from your computer, or choose from your Facebook or Instagram photos. I decided to go with a photo of NYC that I took from the top of the Empire State Building. I think this picture will look so cool on my wall!

After uploading your photo, the final steps are customizing your canvas. There are many options to choose from, such as how you want the canvas to be wrapped or if you would like the image in black and white. I decided to go with the standard options, as I love my photo as is! I cannot wait for my print to be made and sent to me. I will be sure to take a photo of it on Instagram to share with all of you once it arrives.

Now onto the giveaway! Easy Canvas Prints is giving one lucky reader a FREE 8″ x 10″ print, which normally retails for $44.71! Simply click on the link below that reads “a Rafflecopter giveaway” to enter, and don’t forget to head on over to Easy Canvas Prints in the meantime to check out the amazing prints they have to offer! This giveaway is open until July 10th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is sponsored by EasyCanvasPrints. I am not being paid to hold this giveaway or review their products. EasyCanvasPrints provided my canvas for review, and is providing the prize for the winner. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

SinfulColors SinfulShine Nail Polish in Amazonian

Posted on June 25, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to review a nail polish that is super fabulous and very affordable! SinfulColors just released a new line of nail polishes at Walgreens stores called SinfulShine. These polishes are made with gel tech for a glossy finish, and come in 32 shades. I was lucky enough to receive the color Amazonian in the Sunkissed VoxBox from Influenster. (You can learn more about Influenster HERE). Let me show you this cool nail polish!

Amazonian is a dark green nail polish packed with green glitter and just a hint of bronze glitter. It is opaque in two coats, and I was very impressed with the formula! I suggest applying thick layers of this SinfulColors nail polish, as it will glide easier on the nail. I can definitely see the how the gel tech makes a huge difference in the polish. I didn’t apply any top coat to get the look in the photos! At first I was a bit disappointed that I got such a dark color during the summer months, but once I put on Amazonian I was pleasantly surprised with how much I love it! It’s very different from any nail polish in my collection!

All in all, I’m loving Amazonian from the SinfulColors SinfulShine collection! At just $2.99, I might have to stop by Walgreens and see the other colors. Be sure to let me know in the comments if you have tried any of the polishes from this line, and what you thought of them. Many thanks to Influenster for sending me Amazonian to review!

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

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Four | June 2013

Posted on June 23, 2013July 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have the first post in my new series, where I feature a subscription service every Sunday. As June comes to a close, it is time for Round Four of my Ipsy v. Birchbox comparison posts. In Round One and Round Two, Birchbox was champion, but last month for Round Three, Ipsy was the clear winner. Let’s see how these two $10 beauty boxes stack up against one another this month!

First up, as always, is Ipsy! This month’s theme is “On the Wild Side,” and it comes with the cutest makeup bag ever! I am loving the leopard print pouch with a neon accent, and I’m impressed with it’s nice quality. This is definitely going into my school bag! On the bottom left, you can see a bonus item I got for referring two new Ipsy members. It is the O-Ring Stud Wrap bracelet from BaubleBar, and probably retails for around $20. It was a great bonus! Let me talk about the items inside in more detail, working from left to right.

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Natural – $6.00 – I’ve never tried a cream blush before, but this one from NYX seems to be a great shade for my skin tone, and is quite blendable. I don’t wear blush often, but this is a nice product to have in my makeup collection for a day I want to dress up a little more.
J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta – $4.49 – This is my least favorite item in the bag, and something that I won’t ever use! It is a palette of five glitter eyeshadows, and is basically loose glitter on top of a cream shadow. I feel like these shadows only work for the daring ladies who love to stand out, and don’t work for an everyday look at all. I guess maybe I’ll hold onto this for Halloween!
Starlooks Lip Pencil in Bare – $12.00 – This Starlooks lip liner is actually a very nice quality and applies really nicely. The problem is the color is not for me at all! Bare is a muddy mauve that makes my lips look brown. Even layered it just did not work for me at all. I would have loved a different shade of this product, as this one I can’t use unfortunately.
Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in Purple – $21.00 – This gel eyeliner is a gorgeous plum shade and comes with the perfect size brush. I was very surprised on how easy it is to apply, and the purple shade is great for a more subdued look. I don’t wear eyeliner very often, but this is a nice alternative to a harsh black color. I’m glad to have this product, even though I won’t be using it often.
Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter – $18.00 – Last but not least is my favorite item this month, an eye highlighter pencil! I was actually about to buy one at the drugstore, but am so happy I got this high end one instead. It helps brighten up my eyes and make me look more awake. Best of all, it is so natural looking, and extremely blendable. It is the only eye makeup in addition to mascara that I wear daily!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $61.49

OVERALL OPINION: While I’m very happy with the Chella Highlighter, that is the only product in this month’s bag that I will be using on a regular basis. The Cailyn Eyeliner and NYX Blush are great to have, but the J.Cat Palette and Starlooks lipliner are virtually worthless to me. Even though the retail value of my June Ipsy was amazing, it really comes down to how I will use the products. I would have liked some more skincare items instead of all makeup to be honest!

RATING (1-5, 1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 3

Now onto my June Birchbox! This month’s theme is Wanderlust, and is all about summer traveling. This month Birchbox also revamped its website and program to include a profile that really understands what products you are looking to receive. Be sure to edit yours! Let me show you the goodies I got this month.

Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – $2.05 – This tub is filled with an exfoliating cleanser that smells like delicious lemons! I’m excited to try it out, and I will probably get a week’s worth of uses out of this sample. The full size product is $32.95, so this is definitely a high end sample. I’m happy to try it out, but will not be repurchasing!
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – $5.96 – I was a bit disappointed to get another dry shampoo from Birchbox, as I am still using the one I got back in March. I’m happy to have this for when the other runs out, but upon a first test it isn’t as nice. I am not enjoying the scent one bit! I’m a bit neutral on this sample.
Color Club nail polish in Mod in Manhattan – $2.00 – I love getting a nail polish sample! This mini size is a great value, and I absolutely love it. You can see my full review of this nail polish HERE.
Laqa & Co Lil’ Lip Color in Lambchop – $8.00 – This fat lip pencil is a super bright pink that is very daring! I love the formula and application, but the shade is quite “out there” to wear on a regular basis. I would love to try this product in a more wearable shade, but I do love having Lambchop on hand. I’ve been wanting to try this brand for a long time!
Twistband Hair Tie – $2.33 – I love yoga hair ties, and this one is so cute! The nautical design is great for summer. These hair ties are definitely on the expensive side, so I am glad to get one in my Birchbox. For girls with thin hair like mine, these hair ties are a necessity!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $20.34

OVERALL OPINION: Even though the retail value of this box isn’t very high, I will definitely use all of these products. I wish the Laqa & Co lip color was more wearable, but everything else fits in to my daily makeup and skincare routine. This is definitely a huge improvement over last month! I hope things continue to get better!

RATING: 4

There you have it! My winner for the month of June is Birchbox! Overall, I am disappointed that Ipsy sent me only makeup products this month. If I had received skincare in addition to the highlighter, blush, and eyeliner, that would have made Ipsy the winner. For now, I will continue on with both programs, but if Ipsy doesn’t step it up in terms of products that fit my lifestyle, I will have to let it go. Let me know which program you liked better this month. You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE. Stay tuned for more Subscription Sunday posts every week!

Some of the above links are affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Simple Saturday: OPI Planks a Lot from the Pirates of the Caribbean Collection

Posted on June 22, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have a quick review of a beautiful purple polish from the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Collection. Even though this collection was limited edition, I spotted this polish at my local CVS a couple months ago. I was so excited to find it, and couldn’t wait to put it on. Let me show you the stunning Planks a Lot!

Planks a Lot is a purple creme polish that I would call a dusty purple. While it’s not quite a pastel shade, it’s definitely not a bright color. I love the color as it’s very unique, and could be worn in any season. Planks a Lot also has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. Even though OPI nail polish is a bit more expensive than most polishes I purchase, I find that I almost always love the formula and application. It’s nice to splurge every once in a while! I found myself staring at my nails a lot when I was wearing Planks a Lot!

All in all, I am so happy this nail polish appeared at my local CVS store! I have good luck finding discontinued OPI polishes there, so I suggest trying your luck at your CVS, too! I know that not every location carries OPI, but keep an eye out. You can also grab Planks a Lot on Amazon for an affordable price. It is currently selling for just $4.70 HERE. Hopefully I’ll be able to snag the rest of the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Collection soon!

Color Club in Mod in Manhattan from the Wanderlust Collection

Posted on June 20, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! I am back with a new review today after being on vacation for two weeks and then starting a brand new job. Thanks for sticking with me through the delay! Just as an announcement, I am starting a new series called Subscription Sunday that will feature unboxings and reviews of the subscriptions services to which I subscribe. That post will be live every Sunday starting this week! As a sneak peek, I’m bringing you the nail polish I got in my June Birchbox today. Let me show you this polish from the Birchbox Exclusive Wanderlust Collection!

Mod in Manhattan is a gorgeous off-white polish that has hints of peach in it. It has a great formula that applied well and is opaque in two coats. I applied Butter LONDON’s Hardwear to ensure a very glossy finish, but Mod in Manhattan was definitely shiny on its own. I am really loving this polish, as it is a good alternative for those who are hesitant to rock the white nail polish trend for this summer. Plus, I’m so happy I got the New York themed polish from the collection, as I live right in Manhattan! This is definitely the perfect nail polish for me at the moment.

All in all, I’m very impressed with Mod in Manhattan. It is great quality, and a great sample size to receive in my Birchbox. This polish is just one of the four that Birchbox collaborated with Color Club to create. The other three polishes represent Barcelona, London, and Paris — the other cities where Birchbox considers home. You can purchase the entire collection for just $8 on Birchbox’s website HERE. The polishes are mini size, but I think $8 is a great bargain. Let me know which Wanderlust polish you got in your Birchbox, and if you are excited for Subscription Sunday!

Urban Outfitters Freakin Pink — My Favorite Clearance Find Ever!

Posted on June 11, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! As you know, Adventures in Polishland is dedicated to fabulous and affordable nails, so I am always hunting for nail polish bargains. A few weeks back I got an email from Urban Outfitters letting me know it was time for the 50% off clearance sale. That means that everything on clearance was an additional 50% off the sale price. I headed to the nearest store and found that several nail polishes were marked down to just $0.49 with the extra discount! I had to grab a few for myself, and I am so glad I did. Let me share with you my favorite clearance find of all time!

Here is Freakin Pink in all its glory! Not only is this polish a neon, bubblegum pink, but it dries to a matte finish! I surely did not expect this polish to have a matte look, but it was a fantastic surprise. Plus, Freakin Pink has an amazing formula that applies with ease. It is opaque in two coats, and doesn’t require top coat due to its unique finish. Freakin Pink is perfect for the summer and is on trend with the neon craze!

All in all, I love everything about this polish, from its bright color to its colorful name! I am beyond happy to have found this polish in the clearance section at Urban Outfitters for just $0.49, especially when the regular price is $5! Talk about fabulous and affordable nails! You can still find Freakin Pink online for the regular price as part of the Urban Outfitters Basics Collection HERE. Stop by your local store to see if you can snatch one up for a discounted price, too!

Indie Spotlight: Different Dimension’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me Set + Excelsior!

Posted on June 9, 2013July 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I have some more polishes to share with you from one of my favorite indie brands, Different Dimension. If you love Disney movies, you are in for a treat, because I’ve got a duo of polishes based off of your favorite characters from the Toy Story trilogy! As an added bonus, I’m also reviewing a stunning holographic polish that I’m sure you will love. Let me show you these beautiful polishes!

First up is To Infinity and Beyond, a glitter top coat in a clear base named for Buzz Lightyear. The glitters in this polish fit Buzz to a T — a mix of green, purple, and white in different shapes and sizes is just the perfect representation. I layered one coat over Zoya Neely to act as a complimentary base color, and to really let the glitters stand out. I especially love the neon green circles in this polish. To Infinity and Beyond is just stunning, and it even glows in the dark!

Next up is Reach for the Sky, a yellow-based polish with red and yellow glitters mixed throughout. The You’ve Got a Friend in Me Set would not be complete without a polish named for Woody, everyone’s favorite cowboy. I layered two coats of Reach for the Sky over Traffic Lights from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Not only was it the same exact base color, but it ensured opacity for my manicure. Reach for the Sky has a great formula that represents Woody well! This is a great polish color for the fall months, or for any yellow fan.

As an added bonus, I also have the stunning Excelsior on the blog! Excelsior is a holographic nail polish that is somewhere between a silver and white base. It reflects the colors of the rainbow in the light just beautifully. Excelsior is opaque in two coats, and has a fabulous formula. Plus, it is one of the best holographic nail polishes I have ever tried! It has a strong holo effect, yet it is perfect for every day wear. I highly recommend it!

All in all, I love the You’ve Got a Friend in Me Set and Excelsior from Different Dimension. This is an indie brand that never disappoints! I love the amazing quality and unique polishes, and I definitely recommend it. You can shop for Different Dimension polishes on Etsy HERE and like the Facebook page HERE.

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

iPhone Case Nail Art featuring Pomegranate Nail Lacquer & Cellairis

Posted on June 5, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a fun nail art post featuring polish from the brand Pomegranate Nail Lacquer. They recently teamed up with the cell phone case company Cellairis to pair a coordinating polish with select iPhone cases. Along with some other nail bloggers, I’m sharing a nail art look inspired by one of the Cellairis iPhone cases. Let me show you what I created!

First up is a shot of the coordinating nail polish and iPhone case! On the left is Pomegranate Nail Lacquer in the shade The Queen’s Jewels, a glitter top coat filled with silver, red, green, and blue glitters. On the right is the Cellairis iPhone 5 case in the style Debaris Picky Dot. As you can see, the glitters match up nicely with the rhinestones on the case already!

For my complete nail art look, I wanted to do a bit more than just add the glitter to a base. I began with a plain black nail polish to act like the color of my iPhone, and like the black rhinestones on the case. Then, I created a ruffian design by applying Essie Butler Please to the nail, leaving a small amount of black polish showing near the cuticle. My favorite color rhinestone in the case was the dark blue, and since the glitter polish didn’t have a dark blue, I decided that would be a great base color. Then, I added three coats of The Queen’s Jewels to the blue part of my nails to create the rhinestone look! I’m loving the result!

All in all, my nails are just as sparkly as the iPhone case! Plus, it was super easy to create this fancy look! Since the Debaris Picky Dot design is abstract, any color combination with the glitter will make for a fun, complimentary manicure. I can’t wait to use the glitter over many other colors of polish and still match my case! You can purchase Pomegranate Nail Lacquer online HERE for $8.50 per bottle, and Cellairs phone cases HERE. Be sure to follow Pomegranate Nail Lacquer on Facebook HERE to see what other bloggers created for this promotion!

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

Adventures in Polishland Across the Web!

Posted on June 2, 2013July 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I just wanted to share with all of you two exciting websites that I have been featured on this past week.

First, I was interviewed by the nail polish blog So Nailicious. You can see my interview HERE. Please be sure to subscribe to her blog for amazing reviews and nail art. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Second, I wrote a guest post for fellow WordPress blogger Zenorah. My post shows you how to use holiday themed nail polishes all year round. I absolutely love the manicures I created, so I hope you will check out the post and follow Zenorah’s blog while you’re there. You can see my guest post HERE. As a little sneak peek, take a look at how I used a red and white Christmas glitter in this jelly sandwich manicure!

That’s all I have for today! Stay tuned for more nail polish and beauty reviews, and as always, a huge thank you to all of my followers for supporting me on my Adventures in Polishland.

3D Heart Rhinestones from Born Pretty Store!

Posted on May 31, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! If you love to add bling to your nails, then today’s review is perfect for you! Born Pretty Store, the best place for affordable nail art supplies online, recently came out with some new 3D heart rhinestones in twelve stunning colors! I put some of these to the test, and I can’t wait to share the fancy manicure I created!

First off, here is a quick picture of the set of rhinestones as you receive them. They come in a cute wheel that is separated by color and is very easy to store in your nail polish collection. This set comes with twenty-four rhinestones total, with two of each color. I love this wheel because it ensures that the rhinestones don’t get lost anywhere, but I can still see the available colors through the clear plastic.

I decided to choose two of the rhinestones for my manicure as double accent nails! Since I was wearing Zoya Bobbi, I chose a light pink and a light purple to act as complimentary colors. To apply the rhinestones, simply press them onto your nails before your nail polish has dried completely and finish up with a top coat. The rhinestones stuck on my nails rather well, but you can always use a bit of nail glue to ensure they don’t fall off if you wish. Another great thing about these 3D rhinestones is that they can be reused! They don’t get ruined upon removal, and can thus be applied for more than one fancy manicure!

All in all, these heart rhinestones are super cute and very easy to apply. I am not one to have bling on my nails all the time, but these are great for an accent nail or a special occasion! Plus, since there are twelve different colors, you can pair the rhinestones with many different nail polishes. This set of rhinestones retails for just $4.14 HERE, and as always Born Pretty Store offers free international shipping. You can also get 10% off of your order with the discount code FZL91. Click the photo below to start shopping now!

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