[Nail Art] Bananas with MoYou London Tropical 08

I Bought This Press Sample

Quick post today! I've been testing out the new OPI Infinite Shine lacquers, so I decided to spice it up for my wear test. It's true I've been consuming a lot of bananas lately, but I think this out-of-place "winter" mani is my plea for warmer weather. (Yay, Chiberia...) Anyways, I hope you guys are staying warm. Unless you're already somewhere warm - then I hate you. I'm just kidding. :P

What I Used

OPI To The Finish Lime!

OPI Pretty Pink

Urban Outfitters UV

Milani Black Swift

MoYou London Tropical 08

[Review+Swatch] OPI Peanuts Collection for Halloween 2014

Press Sample

Hi! I have a quick review of OPI's Halloween collection for you today. This year's collection is inspired by the Peanuts! Who doesn't love Peanuts? Plus, I couldn't wait to try the glitters. :)

Good Grief, 3 coats: medium yellow creme. I found the formula very watery and thin. It's still controllable, but you have to be more careful. Application was a little streaky, but not too bad for a yellow.

To Be or Not To Beagle, 1 coat over Good Grief (left): black hex and bar glitters with matte multicolored hexes. The multicolored glitters are: pale pink, light green, light blue, medium blue, light yellow, light orange, and red. It's very dense so glitter payoff is great. It applies evenly without any problems. Love!

Where's My Blanket, 1 coat over Good Grief (right): black glitter with colored hexes in light orange and pale yellow. It's less dense than To Be or Not To Beagle, but still has good glitter payoff. The consistency is great and it applies evenly.

Who Are You Calling Bossy?!?, 2 coats: black creme. The formula is great - great consistency and good pigmentation. It's not a one-coater, but I can see it becoming one with use after it thickens up a little bit. I'm just guessing though, so don't hold me to it. ^^

Verdict: The cremes for the most part, applied easily without too much trouble. They're not crazy unique, but if you need a nice black or yellow, they're good options. The highlight of this collection are the glitters. Those are definitely unique and perfect for a fun, colorful mani. :)

Availability: Peanuts by OPI and Little Peanuts mini pack can be found at Professional Salons, including Chatters, Planet Beauty and ULTA. Peanuts nail lacquers will retail for $9.50 ($11.50 CAN) each; Little Peanuts mini pack will retail for $13.95 ($17.50 CAN).

[Press] OPI NYFW: Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2015

Hi everyone! I was browsing through NYFW press images, when this one from OPI caught my eye. I love the combination of colors used in this mani! This is one mani I'm definitely recreating, because it also reminds me of a clutch I own. Check out the pics below! 

*~*~*~*

PLAYFUL DIY NAILS 

[Review+Swatch] OPI Ford Mustang Collection

Press Sample

Hi everyone! I have a quick review of OPI's limited edition Ford Mustang collection for you today. :)

[Nail Art] Oh, Deer!: Stamped with MoYou London Hipster Plates

I Bought This

Hi guys! I've eyeing MoYou London stamping plates for some time now, and I finally bought a few! I'll do a more comprehensive brand review once I've played with all the plates I got, but for now here's a fun neutral mani I did with two of their Hipster plates.

What I Used

OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons

Zoya Marney

Milani White On The Spot

MoYou London Hipster Plate 02 + 08

I haven't tried all my MoYou plates yet, but Hipster 02 and 08 are so far the easiest plates I've worked with. I was able to pick up the designs about 95% of the time, which is amazing for me. Like I said before, I've never had much luck with stamping. These are actually so much fun to use!

MoYou has a ton of other plates, and I'm planning on placing a second order once I've tried everything I got. Processing and shipping time was excellent as well. I got mine within a week from my order date, and they ship from London. Plus, free shipping over £15! You also get a 15% off discount code when you register an account on their site: moyou.co.uk I bought 5 plates, and each plate cost me about $8.70 without the discount code. Not bad at all!

Do you own any MoYou plates? Which are your favorites?

♥ Liz

[Review+Swatch] OPI Muppets Most Wanted Collection

Press Sample

Hi everyone! Today I have swatches of OPI's Muppets Most Wanted collection! Sorry about the limited layering swatches, but I hope you still find them helpful.

[Review+Swatch] OPI Brazil Collection for Spring/Summer 2014

Press Sample Affiliate Links

Hey all! It took me a few days to get this post together, but it's finally up. :) The bright colors in this collection have me really looking forward to spring and summer. It's so cold, I'm literally counting down the days till spring. In the meantime, take a look at these sizzling colors!

[Reswatch] OPI When Monkeys Fly

Press Sample

Hi guys! Remember this polish from OPI's Oz The Great and Powerful collection? It actually got a lot of heat last year because of curling glitter. But look! Flat gold glitters! :D If you didn't send yours back, take a look at it now. You may be in for a happy surprise. ^^

This is one coat of When Monkeys Fly over Nicole by OPI Promises In The Dark. So pretty!

If you own When Monkeys Fly, let me know if your glitters uncurled too! I'm so curious, haha. :P

Liz

[Review+Swatch] OPI Gwen Stefani Collection

Press Sample

Hey guys! It's already Friday - TGIF! Today I have swatches of the new Gwen Stefani for OPI collection. This collection features several different finishes, so there's something for everyone. There's also nail art at the end, so keep reading!

[Nail Art] Foxy Valentine

Press Sample Affiliate Link

  

Hi guys! I can't believe Valentine's day merchandise was already up in stores this year as soon as Christmas ended! Now that it's actually getting closer, I decided to partake in some cutesy nail art. Nothing too pink or red (yet), just some super amazingly adorable fox nail art. ;)

Polishes Used

Pointer | Nicole by OPI Half-Charming Half-Alarming

Fox | Milani Colorful Coral (new 2014)

White details | Milani White (new 2014)

Black details | Milani Black Swift

Ring | OPI Don't Touch My Tutu

Middle + Pinky | China Glaze Kinetic Candy

As expected, the Milani cremes were excellent for nail art due to their high opacity and easy-to-work-with formula. Isn't the coral color just perfect for the fox? Oh, and if you're wondering what "Chu♥" means, it denotes a kissing sound in Korean. Like "mwah" in English. I think it was made popular by Kpop group f(x).

If you're wondering what I used for all the drawings, it's this BPS brush set*! I can't recommend this set enough. It's my favorite from BPS so far, because the brushes give you so much control. I had no problem getting every detail exactly where I wanted. The tips are small and pointed, so you can get some pretty precise lines.

As always, you can use my code F10X31 to get 10% off your order. :)

What do you think? Are you a fan of Vday nail art? :)

♡ Liz

OPI Miss Universe 2013 Collection Review & Swatches

Press Sample

Hi guys!  Whew, did October fly by or what?  Now that it's actually cold here, I'm so into the dusty, darker colors we're seeing for fall and winter - like the colors I'm showing you today!  These were released as 2013's Miss Universe collection. :)

OPI Pink of Hearts 2013: Breast Cancer Awareness Promotion

Press Sample

Hi lovelies!  Today I have OPI's Pink of Hearts 2013 duo, which is a limited edition set for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  The set contains classic pink shade Pink-ing of You and new matte glitter More Than a Glimmer.  It also comes with pink ribbon and crystal nail decals (10 each) to decorate your nails.

A little more about this set:

This duo pack is designed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support. In 2013, OPI will donate $25,000 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) to Susan G. Komen®. OPI will also donate $5,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer in Canada.

Now, on to the swatches!

Pink-ing of You, 3 coats: classic light pink creme-jelly.  This color looks like a creme when it's opaque, but has the consistency of a creme-jelly.  I found that formula was a tad too thin and streaky during application, however, the third coat took care of the streaks and made it opaque.

More Than A Glimmer, 2-3 coats: sheer pink matte polish with multicolored glitter.  This polish is jam packed with glitter, so it can get a little chunky when you're applying it.  I recommend working with thin coats for best results, especially if you're not layering this over another color.  The base is a very sheer milky pink, so it doesn't really offer much color.  However, the glitter is so dense that 2-3 coats should make it look opaque.  Above, I used two coats on some nails and three where I felt more coverage was needed.

Here are also a few pics of a mani done with both polishes.  Personally, I think More Than A Glimmer looks much better layered.  Don't you?  I used one easy coat over Pink-ing of You and left those nails matte.  On my ring finger, I used one of the pink ribbons and crystal decals included in the set.  Too cute!  Especially loving the differing textures in this mani. :)

Verdict:  It's a cute nail duo that comes with fun decals you can use to show your support during Breast Cancer Awareness month.  While I don't think the colors are too unique for those of us already knee deep in glitter nail polish, I do think this is nice set for people who are new to glitter.  Especially since you can test out the glitter+matte effect in one go.  (Welcome to the dark side.)  Plus, you'll know that some of your money will go towards breast cancer research - so that's pretty awesome too. :)

Availability:  Pink-ing of You and More than a Glimmer feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Pink of Hearts 2013 will be available September and October 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $15.95 ($19.95 CAN) suggested retail.


Are you a fan of matte glitters?  Share your thoughts in the comments below! :D

Liz

OPI DS Raw Granite Series Review + Swatches

Press Sample

Hey all!  Today I have the new OPI DS Raw Granite shades to share with you.  According to OPI, these granite-inspired hues feature a "matte textured finish with mineral-like reflections."  While these do dry matte, they are not the same as liquid sands.  They don't contain any of the grainy "sand" textures.  Instead they dry down like a regular matte glitter polish.

OPI DS Pewter, 2 coats: matte pewter gray packed with very fine and small silver glitter.  Above you can see how it looks on its own and with top coat.  Personally I like it with top coat, because it brings out all the glitters.  But when it's matte, it definitely has a much softer feel.  This is one of those shades that I'll probably wear differently depending on my mood.  In terms of dupes, it does feel very similar to OPI Metallic 4 Life (Nicki Minaj), which I actually prefer.  Again, it's really up to preference. ^^

no top coat

top coat

OPI DS Lapis, 1 coat: matte denim-blue with very fine silver glitter.  This is so pigmented, it really only needs one coat!  It's also my favorite of two, both matte and with top coat.  But I have to say that it's super gorgeous with top coat!  This one reminded me of China Glaze Skyscraper (Fall 2011), but it's much more blue while Skyscraper leans a bit more purple.

no top coat

top coat

Verdict:  They're both perfect for fall since they're darker colors, but they still lend some softness due to the matte finish and silver glitter.  Both shades had excellent formulas that covered in 1-2 coats.  If it wasn't clear in my review, my personal favorite is OPI DS Lapis.

Availability: OPI DS Pewter and DS Lapis are now available at professional salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $12.50 ($14.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.


What do you think?  Do you like these matte or with top coat? :)

Liz

OPI San Francisco Collection Review + Swatches (Fall 2013)

Press Sample

Whee~ I feel like we're actually getting into fall now, which makes me happy since it's my favorite season.  Today I have the fall collection from OPI, so let's get started - there's a lot!

Couture de Minnie by OPI

Press Sample

Hi everyone!  I am, indeed, still alive. -.-  I meant to post more, but I kept holding off on collection reviews because I wanted to swatch them all at once.  Of course, it later occurred to me that I would have probably finished a collection by now if I had just reviewed one polish a day.  But I like having collection swatches in one post.  Lol.

For today, I have swatches of the new OPI Couture de Minnie collection.  Just like the last Minnie Mouse inspired collection, this one is composed of reds and pinks.

Chic From Ears To Tail, 3 coats: medium pink creme with very subtle clear shimmer.  I found this a little streaky and my brush kept dragging in the polish.  This one's a pass for me.  It's a fairly common pink, so I'm sure there are dupes with better formulas out there.

Bond Girls by OPI Collection Review

Press Sample

OPI's new Bond Girls collection is their newest all texture collection featuring six different shades named after various Bond Girls.  Right away, I was drawn to the bright coral, but this collection also had some surprise favorites.  All of the pictures were taken in sunlight to show off the sparkles better.

OPI Oz The Great And Powerful Collection Review

Happy Friday everyone!  Today I have OPI's newest Oz collection for you.  I actually swatched these over a week ago, but couldn't post it because my bottle of Which Is Witch? was missing a brush!  So I had to wait for a replacement bottle so that I can swatch it. x)

OPI Euro Centrale Collection Review (Part 2)

Hi guys!  Today's post features the cooler half of the Euro Centrale collection.  I reviewed the warmer half yesterday (found here).

OPI Euro Centrale Collection Review (Part 1)

Today I'm reviewing the warm half of the new OPI Euro Centrale collection for Spring/Summer 2013!

The Tale of Two Nail Looks

Hey all!  I have two nail art looks for you today.  Both are fairly minimalistic.  I was originally going to do a Valentine's Day manicure, but ended up going in a whole new direction.  The result is the look shown below.  It kind of has a tattoo vibe to it because 98% of the designs were done with a needle (needle marbling tutorial here).  Do you like my tattered heart?  I think the sheer beige base I used is perfect for this design because it adds a bit of delicateness.  It reminds me of tattoo tights.