nails – Page 28 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: nails

New Milani Gold Label Specialty Nail Lacquer for 2014 | Part 1 of 2

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

Happy Friday! With the new year comes new nail polishes, and I am just drooling over the new Milani releases. I will have several Milani posts for you in the coming days, but first up is part one of the Gold Label Specialty Nail Lacquers. I am seriously loving all of these bright, creme shades. Let’s jump right into the polishes!

First up is Showy Sea-Green, a true green nail polish. Showy Sea-Green is a mix of sea foam green and tree green for me, but whatever the hue, I’m loving this polish! The formula is good, and opaque in two coats. I am a huge green nail polish fan, and I can’t wait to wear this one throughout the spring and summer.

Next up is Popping Pink, a neon pink polish. Popping Pink is beyond flawless. The formula is great, it’s opaque in two coats, and the color is amazing! I might be a bit obsessed with neon pink, but if you are, too, Popping Pink is a must! I can guarantee you that this is my new go-to polish.

Splendid Strawberry is also a bright pink, but with a bit more of a red pigmentation to it. Just like all these polishes, Splendid Strawberry has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It really stands out against my fair skin tone, and I think Splendid Strawberry would look great on anyone!

If you love orange nails, check out Colorful Coral! This is a bright orange polish with an excellent formula. It’s opaque in two coats, and is super cheerful. Colorful Coral is definitely a wearable orange shade. Plus, it’s perfect for nail art!

Next up is Vivid Violet, a bright, lilac purple polish. Vivid Violet has a great formula, and is opaque in two coats. I love that a lighter hued purple is turned into a bright shade with this polish. While I love pastels, it’s nice to have a sharp lilac shade, too. Vivid Violet is a great addition to any polish collection!

Last but not least is Power Periwinkle, a gorgeous periwinkle blue polish. Power Periwinkle’s formula is amazing, and applies like a dream. I used two coats, and I’m loving it! Just like Vivid Violet, Milani has turned a usually pastel shade into a bright color. Power Periwinkle is great for the colder months, as well as the spring and summer!

All in all, I am really impressed with these new Milani Gold Labels. Not only are the formulas awesome, but the colors are right up my alley. If you love brights as much as I do, these are a great addition to your collection. These polishes will be available at CVS stores starting in February for just $4.69 each. Stay tuned for part two of this collection, and other Milani beauties!

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

Earthy Nail Art featuring Born Pretty Store Nail Stones & Zoya Naturel Collection

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

Happy Wednesday! I’ve got something a bit different on Adventures in Polishland today, and that is a nail art look that I created for the Born Pretty Store Year End Nail Art Contest. Born Pretty sent me the nail art stones so I could review them and put together a look for the contest, and I felt quite inspired. Let me show you the manicure I put together!

Here is what the Nail Stones look like – you can see them above on the business card. These stones are made of cabochon, and are a beautiful, marbled tan color. You can get five of these stones on Born Pretty’s website HERE for just $0.99! Since these stones remind me of the earth, so I grabbed the Zoya Naturel Collection to create my nail art look!

Here is my completed nail art look! I knew I wanted to highlight the nail stones as double accent nails, and then I just went from there. To keep with the rounded visual of the stones, I chose to do a cloud design on the other fingers.

Here is a breakdown of my manicure:

Cloud Nails – base of Zoya Taylor, then Zoya Odette and Zoya Rue respectively.
Accent Nails – base of Zoya Brigitte, then nail stone in center of nail. Zoya Rue placed around half of the stone, one nail on top, the other on bottom.

This manicure was surprisingly simple to create! To apply the nail stones, I simply pressed them into my nail polish when it was still tacky, and then applied top coat. For more information on how to create a cloud manicure, take a look at THIS Pin that I used as a guide. Not only are the nail stones easy to use, but they can be reused as well! Talk about a bargain!

All in all, I am absolutely loving this earthy nail art look! The Zoya Naturel Collection goes perfectly with the nail stones, and I feel like my nails look fancy yet not crazy thanks to the subdued color palette. As always, you can find great nail art supplies on the Born Pretty Store website for amazing prices and free international shipping. For an even better price, use code FZL91 for 10% off. You can also enter the Born Pretty Store End of Year Contest if you’d like – full details HERE. 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.

Let Your Natural Beauty Shine in 2014 with L’Oreal Products! #WalgreensBeauty

Posted on January 12, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

CB Disclosure White Background 600 px wide

Happy Sunday! Today I am excited to share with you some great products from L’Oreal that are all new to me. Adventures in Polishland is all about being fabulous and affordable, and everything in this post sure fits that description. I headed to Walgreens to check out the L’Oreal section, and got some great deals along the way. I had my eye on the brand new Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, and of course picked up some other goodies as well. Let me show you the makeup and nail looks I created, to share how to be beautiful in 2014!

MAKEUP TUTORIAL

My first aim was to create a new makeup look that let my natural beauty shine. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know that while I love trying out new makeup trends, I typically stick to the basics. If you’re looking for a more natural look in the new year, here are a few makeup tips I have for you!

STEP 1 – A FLAWLESS COMPLEXION

L'Oreal Paris Magic Nude Liquid Powder #WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias

L'Oreal Paris Magic Nude Liquid Powder Swatch #WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias

L’Oreal Paris Magic Nude Liquid Powder – 312 Classic Ivory – $12.99

I always like to use some sort of foundation just to ensure my skin is looking clear and even. I’ve been intrigued with the concept of the Magic Nude Liquid Powder since it was first released, and just had to try it! This foundation goes on like a liquid and dries to a powder finish. Just shake the bottle, tap a few drops into your hand, and rub it onto your face like a lotion. I was skeptical, but it works! I get a gorgeous, natural finish that lasts all day! I’m so impressed with this foundation, and highly recommend it.

STEP 2 – AWESOME EYELASHES

#WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias — I found the Voluminous Butterfly Mascara right away! My store had a lot in stock!

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara – Blackest Black – $8.99

L’Oreal just released the Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, and as soon as I saw the unique applicator I couldn’t wait to give it a try. I rarely like a mascara upon the first use, but I am blown away with this one! Not only does it grab onto each lash to separate and lengthen, but it truly curls the lashes into a beautiful, winged out look. The formula is great, and I experienced no clumping whatsoever. I also like that this mascara is ophthalmologist tested, and safe for even those with sensitive eyes. I’ve definitely found my new favorite mascara!

STEP 3 – LUSCIOUS LIPS

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour – 174 Rose Taffeta – $9.99

The last step in this makeup look is a bit of lipstick. Despite what other makeup you may (or may not) be wearing, lip color can really change up your look completely. I grabbed a nice pink shade that isn’t too bright to ensure my lips would look polished yet still natural. I’m loving Rose Taffeta! The formula is moisturizing and easy to apply. Plus, the shade is quite wearable.

COMPLETED MAKEUP LOOK

MANICURE

Of course, I had to pick up a couple L’Oreal nail polishes at Walgreens, too. I spotted the limited edition The Magic Top Coats display, and grabbed The Holographic. Then I headed to the permanent display to pick up a color to go with my new top coat.

I began with L’Oreal in Paparazzi Pleaser, a purple creme polish that has a hint of blue to create a dustier shade. I applied three coats for the look in the photos, and I’m loving this color for winter. It’s not too “out there,” but it’s different than a neutral or pink. Paparazzi Pleaser also pleases Adventures in Polishland!

To complete the look, I applied two coats of The Holographic, a flakie top coat. I have never worked with a flakie before, but it is quite like a glitter top coat, just with flakes of holographic leaf in place of glitters. I was surprised with how chunky The Holographic is, but it definitely looks neat. I had a difficult time capturing just how holographic my nails look in person, but the last picture gives you an idea of the reflective shine. It’s really cool!

L’OREAL PARIS BUTTERFLY MASCARA LAUNCH EVENT

Join L’Oreal and Walgreens on Wednesday, January 15 at the Walgreens in Times Square from 11:00am–3:00pm! Get an eye makeover in-store, and pick up the new mascara! This is sure to be a fun experience, and I just know you’ll love the mascara!

GIVEAWAY

Last but not least, L’Oreal is also providing one of you with the Voluminous Butterfly Mascara! Please enter using the Rafflecopter below, and ensure you read all of the Terms & Conditions written in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My First Manicure in 2014 featuring JulieG Silver Bells!

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

Happy Wednesday! I’m back today with a new blog post after not polishing my nails for over two weeks! The holidays were just so busy that once I took off my old manicure, I decided to take a bit of a polish break. Soon I’ll be testing out all sorts of new polish goodies for the new year, but to break my polish hiatus, I grabbed one of the Holiday Frosted Gumdrops from JulieG. Let me share my first manicure of 2014 with you!

JulieG Silver Bells is a silver nail polish with silver glitters and a textured finish. The formula was good and manageable, but a bit on the thick side. I suggest three thin coats for full opacity, as I wore for my manicure. Silver Bells dries very quickly, and looks stunning! I’m not usually a huge silver nail polish fan, but the sparkle in Silver Bells makes it wearable and perfect for winter.

All in all, I’m really liking Silver Bells, and I’m glad it got me out of my nail polish funk! I’m excited for the coming year, and can’t wait to continue trying and testing more nail polish and beauty products. I hope you’ll join me on my Adventures in Polishland as I soar into my second year of blogging!

You can purchase JulieG polishes for $3.99 at your local Rite Aid or on the Jesse’s Girl website HERE. I purchased mine from Groupon!

Julep Lena: The Wear Test

Posted on December 30, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Julep Lena: The Wear Test

Happy Monday! Today I’m doing something a bit different, and that is a true wear test of one of my polishes. I recently posted about my experience at the Julep Pop-Up Store in NYC (see that post HERE), and I received a couple comments warning me that Julep Lena is a stainer. I was quite surprised to hear that news, so I decided to put my nails to the test! Let me share my experiment with you, and how it turned out!

My experiment began with two base coats – Sally Hansen Double Duty and Sephora Collection. I used Sally Hansen Double Duty on my right hand as a control, and then painted my left hand as follows: one coat Sally Hansen, two coats Sally Hansen, one coat Sephora, and two coats Sephora (I wore one coat of Sally Hansen on my thumb). Because one of my commenters mentioned that she used two coats of base coat, I wanted to do the same to see if it made a difference. Once my base coat was completely dry (a very important step!), I applied Lena in two coats.

After three full days of wear with no top coat, I had slight tip wear and just one substantial chip in my manicure. I was a bit nervous to take off my polish, but to continue my experiment I grabbed two removers to test out as well – CVS Strengthening Polish Remover and Julep Acetone Free Conditioning Nail Polish Remover. I used the CVS remover on my control hand, and the Julep remover on the experiment hand. Are you ready to see the results?!

Ta da! No staining at all! The only places you can even see remnants of the polish are under the nail on my ring finger (where I accidentally got polish stuck during application) as well as a tiny bit on the ring finger’s cuticle. Other than that, I did not experience any staining whatsoever, and both nail polish removers worked equally as well. I am thrilled with the result, and glad I don’t have any stained nails!

All in all, my Julep Lena wear test turned out well! Of course, I’m not 100% sure why others experienced staining, but it could be due to an old formulation, body chemistry, or even the type of base coat. Whatever the case may be, you should be safe to wear Lena with either of the base coats I mentioned. My biggest tip is to just make sure it is completely dry before applying Lena. You always want to have a strong, impenetrable base for your color no matter what polish you’re using. Please be sure to let me know in the comments if you’ve tried Lena, and what your result was. Also, if there are any polishes that you want me to do a wear test on, let me know that as well!

Zoya Nail Polish Naturel Collection for 2014

Posted on December 28, 2013May 23, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I’m excited to share with you the Zoya Nail Polish Naturel Collection! This six-piece collection is replete with natural, rose-toned neutrals that are subdued yet stunning. If you’re looking for the perfect neutral polishes, the Naturel Collection is sure to be for you! Let me show you these beautiful polishes!

Zoya Naturel Collection

First up is Chantal, what Zoya describes as a “French Vanilla” shade. Chantal has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. I painted carefully to avoid streaking, and finished up with a glossy topcoat. The result is a flawless finish! I’m quite impressed with Chantal, and I know this polish will be perfect for nail art as well as a day in the office.

Next up is Taylor, a beige polish that is just a bit darker than Chantal. Taylor has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It’s nearly the same color as my skin tone as well! If you are looking for something subtle and chic, Taylor is a fabulous pick.

Zoya Rue is up next, and it is a beautiful blush pink shade. I’m not sure if I just have a soft spot for the name Rue because of The Hunger Games, or if this polish really is that amazing (reality: both are true!). Rue’s formula is absolute perfection, and the color is just so dainty and feminine. I think Rue is my favorite in the Naturel Collection!

Next up is Brigette, a light mauve polish that is just a bit darker than Rue. Brigette also has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. Plus, the pigmentation is just right. You really can’t go wrong with Brigette!

Odette is the next polish in the Naturel Collection, and is a stunning orchid shade. Odette’s formula is fabulous, and (you guessed it) is opaque in two coats. I am just loving this purple shade, and would definitely wear this on a daily basis.

Last but not least is Normani, a brown-toned mauve polish. Normani is so unique in color, and has a great creme formula. I truly have nothing else like this in my polish collection! Normani is also a shade that I think would look good on everyone!

All in all, I am very impressed with the Zoya Naturel Collection. Not only do these shades work well individually, but they can be worn together in a number of combinations. You can purchase the Naturel Collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $9 each or $54 for the complete collection. Let me know what you think of these polishes 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.

Subscription Sunday | Julep Cynthia (The Best Things Really Are Free!)

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

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I am excited to share with you a polish that I got completely free! As you know, I’m a member of the Julep Maven subscription program. Julep has a new incentive – if you get your Maven box three months in a row, they’ll give you a free nail polish! Let me show you the polish I picked as my freebie!

Cynthia is a beige nail polish mixed with holographic glitter. It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, and dries to a satin finish. I knew Cynthia would be a unique polish, and it does not disappoint! I’ve worn it twice already since I got it, and even my friends at school commented on how much they liked it! In the photos above I’m not wearing a top coat, but if you want a glossy finish go ahead and layer that on.

All in all, I’m really impressed with Julep Cynthia! It is unlike anything else in my collection! You can purchase Cynthia on Julep’s website HERE. Maven members will pay the discounted price of $11.20 and receive free shipping. If you’re not a Maven yet, what are you waiting for?! You get a box of nail polish and beauty products for just $19.95 per month, and you can try your first month FREE with code FREEBOX at checkout (just pay shipping). Stay tuned for more Julep posts on Subscription Sunday!

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

Manicure Monday | Milani Blue Jay + Daphine Polish Frosty

Posted on December 9, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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!

I 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!

To 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.

Subscription Sunday | December Julep Maven Box

Posted on December 8, 2013December 8, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Now that I am down to just two subscription boxes, my Subscription Sunday posts will be less frequent, but I still look forward to them! This month I was really excited to get my Julep Maven box – the polishes looked so pretty! I opted for the It Girl style this month. Let me show you my December box!

This month’s theme is The Glitterati Collection, and I’m loving it! As a special bonus, Mavens received two yoga hair ties, and a 40% off discount code (not shown). Of course, my three polishes look absolutely stunning, even in the bottle!

First up is Celia, what Julep describes as an “icy green metallic”. Celia has a wonderful formula that is opaque in two coats. A few streaks are visible, as in most metallic polishes. As for the color, I’m loving it! It’s very unique and quite perfect for the holidays. Celia definitely gets a thumbs up from me!

Next up is Shoshanna, a yellow-gold holographic glitter. Shoshanna’s formula is a bit on the thick side, but easily maneuverable. It’s also opaque in two coats. I am blown away by this polish! It is stunning , and I truly own nothing else like it. I bet this would look great layered as well.

Last but not least is Evelyn, a deep purple creme polish that leans towards a berry shade. Evelyn had a good formula, and is opaque in two coats. I like that this more subdued polish came in my box this month. After two very unique shades, it’s nice to have a classic creme as well. Evelyn is quite beautiful!

All in all, I’m loving my December Julep Maven Box! It’s one of my favorite Julep boxes of all time, and I can’t wait to use these polishes over and over. If you’re not yet a Julep Maven member, you can join HERE. Use code FREEBOX to get your first box for free (you just pay shipping). Let me know what you got in your Julep box this month in the comments!
This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Indie Spotlight | Daphine Polish’s Holiday Collection 2013

Posted on December 4, 2013December 1, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

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!

First, 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!

The 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.

Next 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!

Last 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.