Faded Florals ♥

Hey all!  Yesterday, I decided to give The Beauty Department's faded florals mani a whirl.  I used their tutorial to make the faded florals, but added my own touch to it by adding leaves.  I also used similar colors instead of all different ones. 

The colors I used for my version shown above are:
Victoria's Secret Cocktail (base color for non white nails)
OPI Don't Touch My Tutu! (white base color)
Sephora by OPI Caliente Coral (florals)
SinfulColors Island Coral (florals)
Julep Niecy (florals)
China Glaze Starboard (leaves)
OPI Pirouette My Whistle (glitter)

Instead of using a creme white base, I chose a sheer white to get a softer look.  On the none floral nails, I also added diluted white and pink, then topped it with OPI PMW.  I actually like the above version better in my pictures, but on me I didn't.  So I took off the non floral nails and revised them to get the look below:

In this version, I used OPI DTMT! topped with China Glaze White Cap for my non floral nails.  I also added a coat of OPI PMW on the floral nails.  By the way, White Cap looks nice layered over any of the OPI NYC Ballet colors.  I originally got the idea to do this after seeing a bottle of Revlon Calla Lily.  I liked how it looked, but resolved not to get it.  From looking at it, I knew I could achieve the bottle color with two polishes I already owned. :)

This was my first attempt at Rebecca Likes Nails's watercolor technique.  It could be better, but I think it turned out alright.  I still want to attempt this faded floral look again with cooler colors and smaller florals.  Hopefully I'll get the hang of diluting the colors out more like Rebecca.  I haven't done an all over watercolor look like hers either!  It's definitely on my to-do list!

What do you think?  Do you like the first version or the second one?  I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)


Liz

Cult Nails Toxic Seaweed

Hey all!  Today I have Cult Nails Toxic Seaweed for you!  I wish I could tell you how many coats this was, but  I can't remember.  I'm pretty sure it's either 3 or 4.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Toxic Seaweed is a dark green jelly that leans aqua in certain lightings.  I would say my pictures came out more aqua, but this is more green than blue.  Indoors it's definitely green, but outdoors it's like an aqua leaning green.  What makes Toxic Seaweed unique are the fine gold glitters and the red to green shifting flakies swimming in it.  It's a lot prettier than I expected, and I don't think my swatches or any I've seen online really do it justice.  It's a pity, because I feel like this one didn't get the attention it deserved.  I would say this is like China Glaze Atlantis's greener, more mysterious sister.  Although it's just as sparkly! :)



Blurred to show you how sparkly it is!



In the shade: look at the red-green shift in those flakies!



Shade; close up

Unfortunately, Toxic Seaweed was a limited edition shade, so it is no longer being sold on Cult Nails. :(

What do you think of Toxic Seaweed?  Were you able to get it?  Let me know in the comments! :)


Liz

Julep Maven June Box: It Girl

Hey girls!  I just got my Maven box today along with my add-ons, which came as a separate package.  I thought I'd snap a few pictures to show you what I got. :)  One of the things I got is Julep Daylight Defense Lip Balm with SPF15.  I totally forgot to take a picture of this, but you can see it crouching behind the yellow paper in the upper right corner.  The scent is Vanilla Mint, and let's just say that the scent is super strong.  I'm not a big fan of vanilla scented things to begin with, so it's a bit off-putting for me.  I'm also not sure about the vanilla and mint combo either...  I'm pretty sure if I leave this open, I can use it as an air freshener for my room.  The box also had 2 Pixy Stix, which my little brother grabbed as soon as he heard the word "pixy."

Now onto the polishes!  Shown above are the polishes I received for It Girl: Sasha, Sandra, and Morgan.  I pretty much got this box for Sasha, but maybe I'll end up liking the other two.  They're not bad, they're just not wow.  There were also two extra brushes thrown in.  Apparently the May box had a lot of bad brushes?  I didn't get the May box and all my other Juleps are fine, but it's nice that they threw those in for everyone. 

I also got two add ons: Claire and Lily.  Lily is a lot more purple than I thought it would be, but it's still nice.  My favorites from all the bottles so far are Sasha and Claire.

You might have noticed some recent changes in Julep's packaging.  I like that all the bottles are now individually wrapped.  The name labels have gotten a lot smaller and are uniformly placed on one side of the cap now.  (P.S. The cap comes off like Butter London, so it's not attached to the brush.)  The names are also written on the bottom of the bottles, but I wish they would color code it and move it to the top of the cap like the drugstore Essies.  Since these bottles are straight up and down, it's always so hard for me to find the color I'm looking for.  I store all my polishes in a drawer, so they all look the same from above.  Other than that, these minor changes are nice.  Oh...and please excuse my outgrown nails.  It happens. lol

If Julep Maven sounds like an interesting box subscription for you, they usually have a monthly penny deal going on.  This month's code is JUNEINTRO.  You can sign up or read more about them by clicking my referral link here.


Did you get this month's box?  What did you get, and what were your thoughts on that lip balm?


Liz

OPI NYC Ballet Soft Shades 2012 Collection Swatches

Hello ladies!  Hope your weeks are turning out fine. :)  Today I have for you the entire OPI NYC Ballet collection for you.  The collection as a whole features sheer creme-jellies that offer squishy, milky finishes and a soft glitter top coat to pair.

I had so many pretty pictures of these shades, that I actually found it a bit overwhelming to edit all the pictures.  I even considered dedicating a post to each shade, but in the end I want to review it as a collection.  I think the general consensus was that most of the shades look pretty similar to each other, so I wanted them all in one place for you to compare.  Below, you can see my swatches of each shade in direct sunlight, shade, and with Pirouette My Whistle.

Preview: "Rock of Ages" Inspired Sally Hansen Salon Effects

 GET ROCKER CHIC NAILS

WITH “ROCK OF AGES”-INSPIRED SALON EFFECTS

REAL NAIL POLISH STRIPS

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Amp up your nail design with some serious rock star treatment.

WHAT THEY ARE: Edgy prints and patterns inspired by the head-banging film adaptation of the Broadway hit from New Line Cinema, “Rock of Ages,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and in theaters nationwide on June 15, 2012.  Get ready to rock with the Rock of Ages Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips collection from Sally Hansen. The manicure breakthrough from nail color authority Sally Hansen takes you back in time to the 1980’s, the decade of big hair and big dreams.

The revolutionary peel-and-apply nail polish strips are available in eight limited edition patterns inspired by “Rock of Ages,” a rock ‘n’ roll romance story told through the heart-pounding hits of the 80’s most legendary bands. From rock star fashion to the decade’s hottest runway trends, like lace and neon hues, these designs are bold, colorful and guaranteed to leave you ready to rock. Just peel, apply, file and go, for a flawless, rock-star approved, real-polish manicure without the fuss.

The ultimate fashion accessory, Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips are developed with an innovative DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde-free formula that offers trendsetting, no dry-time nail looks which last up to ten days. Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate.

AVAILABLE PRINTS: 

Red-y to Rock

Rock N’ Roar

Zip It!

Star Quality

Amp it Up

Good Gene’s

Fingerlace Gloves

 
Sticks and Stones

WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

Today I have for you nail polish strips from Sally Hansen.  These have been out in the market for a bit now.  Basically they are strips of real nail polish that are shaped to fit your nails.  The design I chose to review is from the new limited edition collection by Avril Lavigne.  When you open the box, this is what you'll find inside.

Sally Hansen Gem Crush

Today I have three shades from Sally Hansen's Gem Crush collection: Lady Luck, Be-Jeweled, and Glitz Gal.  These are full coverage glitters and were all opaque at 3 coats.  All pictures were taken in direct sunlight, unless stated otherwise.  I also wore these with two coats of Seche Vite, which made them relatively smooth for a glitter.