MANDIE MARBLES WITH MILANI (Part II)

Milani White on the Spot
Milani Beach Front
Milani Mint Candy
Milani Silver Stilettos 

I was very impressed with how well Milani polishes spread in water in my first Milani marble and decided to do another. This time I used the polishes from Milani’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

I usually do not photograph my right hand for this blog, but I really liked the outcome, so voilà! I was experimenting with how to swirl the polishes in the water on both hands. On my left hand (first picture), I dragged the polish from the outer ring into the inner rings, and on my right hand (second picture), I dragged the polish from the innermost ring to the outer ring. I hope that makes sense! You can see the differences in effects on both hands. The left hand has more of a flower-petal look, while the right hand has a streaky-line effect. 

You can see swatches and reviews of the polishes used in this water marbling here.

Questions? Comments? Talk to me on Facebook!

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All products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration from Milani. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.

REVIEWS: Barielle’s Gem Stone Earth Collection, Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat, and Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender

I am very excited to tell you that I am now a proud owner of some Barielle nail products. I was offered the entire Gem Stone Earth collection as well as their top and base coats for review, and seeing as I have never used Barielle products before, I of course said, YES!

Before I move on to the swatches of the Gem Stone Earth collection, I will review their special base and top coats. When you begin a manicure, you must always use a base coat to protect your natural nails, as well as to prevent chipping.

In the following swatches, I used Barielle’s Nail Rebuilding Protein Base Coat (pictured above, on the left). This base coat is designed for those of you with soft, peeling nails. You can use this as a treatment to rejuvenate your nails. The directions say to “use it 2-3 times per week for 3 weeks without additional lacquers to allow nails to breathe and recover. Then use it as a fortifying base coat in your weekly manicure regimen.” Since my nails are fairly strong, I did not use it as a treatment, so I cannot comment on how it works in the long-run, but I used it as a regular top coat. Unlike other top coats, this one is not very sticky, but it does an amazing job in maintaining a manicure for at least a week before chipping occurs. After removing the base coat, I feel as though it has helped make my nails even stronger - they feel very well-nourished, even after using pure acetone for removal. I highly recommend this base coat to anyone who is looking to strengthen his/her natural nails. 

And of course, to complete a manicure, one must always use a top coat. I used one coat of Barielle’s Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender Top Coat in the swatches below. The formula for this top coat is a bit runnier than I prefer, but it works well. You need to make sure the color is completely dry before applying this top coat because it can smear the color. It dries very quickly (dry to the touch in about 1 minute) with a high-gloss shine - very pretty!

Now let’s move on to the swatches!

Here we have two coats of Granite Glitter, a smoky, metallic gray. This polish applied flawlessly with beautiful coverage.

This is two thin coats of Green Opal, a swampy mustard-green metallic polish. The first coat was a tad on the streaky side, but after another thin coat, everything smoothed out nicely. This is a gorgeous color to pair with gold jewelry.

Amber Sparkler is a milk-chocolate brown polish with a satin finish. This polish tends to be on the streaky side, but after several coats, it evens out. In the picture above, I used four coats of Amber Sparkler to smooth out the surface, but as you can see in my close-up, there are still some visible streaks.

And here we have Back to Nature, a peachy nude creme polish. This polish is fully opaque in three coats and is very sophisticated to wear on its own.

Finally, I present to you, Pink Quartz. This is my favorite polish out of the entire collection. I love how this cotton candy pink creme applies smoothly on my nails. In the picture above, I have on three coats.

Each nail polish retails for $8. You can purchase them on Amazon and the Barielle website.

Don’t forget to enter in Barielle’s BFF Sweepstakes (between May 21, 2012 to June 30, 2012) to win 3 shades of your choice as well as their nail strengthener cream, and their top and base coats!

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The products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration from Barielle. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.

GRAPE SODA FIZZY

Milani Violet Dash
Milani Lavender

Look at this combination! Does the close-up on the corner remind you of champagne bubbles?

Here I have on two coats of Milani’s Violet Dash with one coat of Lavender layered on top. Violet Dash is a beautiful violet creme, and just as the name suggests, it dries in a dash! Lavender is a fun glitter polish in a clear base. It is filled with two sizes of purple hex glitter. If you have been reading my blog, you know I LOVE glitter polishes, so this is just perfect for me. I had no trouble with the application of these polishes - both are very smooth and non-streaky.

You can purchase these Milani polishes at your local CVS, Target, or Walgreens for $4.49/bottle. They are also available on Amazon and the Milani website.

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The products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration from Milani. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.

BARIELLE GIVEAWAY!

Barielle is generously hosting a BFF Sweepstakes on their Facebook page. The contest starts May 21,2012 and ends June 30,2012. Twenty random winners will be selected. The prize includes:

• Barielle’s Nail Strengthener Cream(full size)
• Barielle Base Coat
• Barielle Top Coat
• 3 Shades Colors of your choice

This complete set has a retail value of up to $74.50!

All you have to do is LIKE Barielle on Facebook and enter the sweepstakes here. Good luck!

REVIEW: Born Pretty Store Metallic Nail Varnishes

Hello all! Born Pretty Store (BPS) has extended the length of time for the validity of my coupon code for you to use. I will attach the code at the bottom of this post for you to get 10% + free shipping off your entire purchase from their online store. Today, I have a set of five shimmering/metallic polishes from BPS to share with you. Each bottle contains 16 mL of polish, so they are full-sized. Unfortunately, these polishes do not have actual names - they are known by numbers, so bear with me as I show you the following swatches (let’s hope I don’t mix any up, haha).

First up, we have four coats of 49, a frosty, bubblegum pink. 49 is very sheer, so I would suggest layering it over a pink creme polish. This is a very playful, yet subtle color to wear. I usually don’t care for pink polishes, but I find this to be a very cute color.

And here are two coats of 42 (unrelated side note: the OCD side of me is suddenly very aware that I did not put these swatches in order by number, but I want to keep the order of how I arranged the polishes in the first photo above, ah), a metallic muted-blue. The first coat comes out a bit streaky, but after layering on a second coat, everything evens out. 42 is something I would wear to prom!

61 is my favorite polish of this entire set. Here I have two coats of this classy metallic beige polish. Why do I like it so much? Well, it’s not quite silver, and yet it’s not quite gold. What is it? Gilver? Sold? That makes no sense, huh? I like it. Let’s leave it at that.

Holy, look at lucky number 13! This metallic lime-green polish applies beautifully in just two coats. Just like 42, the first coat is streaky, but a second coat evens everything out. Slap on a top coat, and you’re good to go. This color is not a duo-chrome, but I would say it’s the cousin of OPI’s Just Spotted a Lizard (without the color-shifting effect, of course).

And last but not least, we have 51, a soft violet. I am not sure why this color is part of this set because it does not have the shimmering formula like the other four polishes. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful polish that reminds me of a helium-filled purple balloon, floating away. Ah. :) In the photo above, I used three coats of 51 to achieve bottle color.

Overall, these polishes wowed me. The formula allows for easy application with a chrome-like finish when dry (except 51). My only complaint is that they have a very strong scent, almost like permanent markers, but I am generally very sensitive to odd smells, so that’s up to you to judge!

The entire set of all five polishes sells for less than $14. You can purchase yours here. And, as I mentioned earlier, BPS generously extended the time for my readers to use the coupon code to receive 10% off! Use coupon code MANDIEW21 at checkout to get your discount!

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The products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration from Born Pretty Store. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.

Hello there!

My favorite yellow creme polish right now is China Glaze’s Happy Go Lucky. I used it in both my bees and my dried flowers manicures. If you like a bit of shimmer in your yellow polish, try China Glaze’s Solar Power. Another yellow creme that I discovered recently is Milani’s Yellow Whiz. It dries quickly and is very affordable. You can see it in my water marbling here. I have had no trouble with the formula in these polishes, so give them a try! :)

I have also heard good things about Zoya’s Pippa, but I have yet to try it.

Hope that helps! Feel free to message me again if you have any further questions, or talk to me on Facebook! :)

SWATCH

Julep Kylie

Strange trends in the nail world will come and go, and I am sure that magnetic polishes are already considered to be “old news,” just like shatter and crackle polishes, but I still think they are fun. Kylie is a magnetic polish that I received in my May Julep Maven box (American Beauty). Like all magnetic polishes, she is a metallic, shimmering polish. I almost regret purchasing nails inc.’s magnetic polishes last year when they first came out because this sultry violet polish resembles nails inc.’s houses of parliament. Oh well!

Kylie retails for $18 (magnet included), but you can get her along with other Julep products for just $0.01 by using coupon code SHAREONMAY at checkout. Click here to get started!

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Questions? Talk to me on Facebook! :)

REVIEW: Urban Decay’s Showboat Summer 2012 Nail Kit

The lovely PR representative from Urban Decay recently sent me their Showboat Summer 2012 Nail Kit for review. This collection comes in a cute foam container, which can be used to snugly hold the polish bottles upright as you paint your nails (this prevents you from accidentally knocking over and spilling polish). There are six different colors in this kit: Radium, Covet, Perversion, Fishnet, Woodstock, and Showboat. Each bottle holds 0.16 oz of polish, so they are mini’s. Though they are small, the brushes are full-sized, so they are very easy to use.

Let us see some swatches now, shall we?

First up is Radium, an electrifying, metallic, royal blue. This is a beautiful polish, opaque in just two coats. I love blue/green nail polishes, so it’s a given that Radium goes into my list of favorites, hehe. The formula is fantastic - thick, but not gloopy. It glides smoothly onto the nails and the brush contours on the edges to cover the entire nail bed without flooding the cuticles. Absolute love.

Next up we have Covet, a creamy sea green laced with a silver shimmer. Two coats are all that is required for full coverage. I love how these polishes dry with a glossy finish. Before I forget, I must mention that I did not use a top coat in any of these swatches just so that you can see the colors in all its glory (but you should ALWAYS use one to preserve the life of your manicure).

Here we have Perversion, a simple, black creme polish. Darker colors are generally easier to work with because they require less coats for opacity - here I used only one coat. Be sure to use a base coat under Perversion because you will see after removal that it stains your nails, but that’s the case with almost any black polish.

Check out this voluptuous purple called Fishnet! Unlike the other polishes in this nail kit, Fishnet dries with a plastic, dull-like finish. I used two coats here for full coverage. This color reminds me of sweet raspberry jam. Yummy! Now put on your sunglasses, because these last two polishes are NEON.

Got your sunglasses on? Good. Do not stare directly at Woodstock, or you may go blind from how BRIGHT it is. Okay, I’m kidding. Really though, this neon pink is amazingly bright in person. I usually shy away from neon polishes because they do not provide complete coverage - you’ll see that visible nail line if you do not use a white coat underneath. This is not the case with Urban Decay’s two neon colors in this set. I used only two coats, and voilà!

And last, but not least, here we have Showboat, a blinding neon orange. This is THE color for me (have I mentioned that my favorite color is orange?). If you think this picture is bright, wait until you see it in person. My camera couldn’t capture it very well, but man, oh man, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I am sure that if you have this color on, people will be able to spot you a mile away. As I mentioned above, two coats is enough for full coverage, and no, I did not line a white polish underneath. The formula for this neon polish is just that amazing. 

This was my first time trying out nail lacquers from Urban Decay. Overall, I am very pleased with the formula and highly-pigmented colors. As you read above, two coats of any of these polishes are enough for full-coverage. Would I recommend this to you? Yes! The bottles are small, but who can honestly say that they have been able to successfully finish a bottle of polish (excluding base/top coats, of course)? This is perfect for you if you are someone who likes to change nail colors often.

You can purchase Urban Decay’s Showboat Summer Nail Kit at Macy’s or on Urban Decay’s website. Each set retails for $28.

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The products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration from Urban Decay. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.

SWATCH

365 Days of Color Mint Chip

My, oh my. Does the name sound delicious or what? Here I have five coats of 365 Days of Color’s Mint Chip. It is a grayish-green jelly polish with black square glitter pieces. Remind you of anything? Of course, mint chocolate chip ice cream! Perfect for the summertime!

Application of this product was very easy - smooth, non-streaky. I wish it were tinted a bit more lime-green for that minty look though. Overall, it is very well-executed, and I am very happy to see 365 Days of Color grow. I look forward to what other polishes her creative mind will think up! Mint Chip is just one of five polishes in the Candy Shoppe collection. Check them out today!

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The product mentioned in this post was sent to me for consideration from 365 Days of Color. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.

REVIEW: Rimmel London Nail Lacquer

Today I have a review for two bright, springtime shades from Rimmel London’s Lasting Finish Pro collection and their French White Tip Pro nail liner.

Professional polished perfection for flawless up to ten-day color and shine. Enriched with micro-sized minerals that fill in imperfections on the nail surface, Lasting Finish Pro Nail Enamel creates a smooth and super glossy finish for up to 10 days of maximum color impact and shine. Advanced micro formula technology with an active time-release system enhances shine over time. It captures and reflects light for color that shines with dimension. UV fade protection keeps color true. The formula is ultra flexible and long wearing with superior shock absorption and chip resistance.

The Mistake-Free Pro Brush features a wide angled brush for a fast and mistake-free professional application. With more than 800 fine textures bristles, the brush is designed to adapt to any nail shape and requires less strokes to apply, while delivering a super smooth finish and truly streak-free result.

I started and finished each of these manicures with Rimmel’s Base Coat Top Coat Pro. This two-in-one polish served as a base coat as well as a top coat. The formula is less sticky compared to the base coats that I usually use, but it still helped keep my manicure on for several days before chipping. This is a definite must for when you use highly pigmented polishes because it prevents your nails from staining. As a top coat, it promises a beautiful glossy finish. It takes a bit longer to be completely dry (compared to Seche Vite or Out the Door top coats), so I suggest using this polish when you have the time to sit still in order to avoid nicking your new manicure.

Here I have on four coats of Sunset Orange, a vibrant, coral jelly polish. I was expecting this to be a creme polish, but I am actually very excited that it’s a jelly. You know what that means? Jelly sandwiches! I would not recommend wearing this polish alone, because as you can see above, I still have a very visible nail line peeping through four coats. I will try sandwiching a glitter polish between next time I do a layering experiment. 

Next up is Rimmel’s English Rose, an elegant, muted pink. This color reminds me of pink chocolate. In the picture above, I have just two coats on for full coverage. I finished this manicure off with Rimmel’s Base Coat Top Coat Pro. Look at that shine!

Finally, here I have a French tip manicure using Rimmel’s French White Tip Pro nail liner. The brush on this polish is extremely fine, which helped me easily create the tips on this manicure. I started out by outlining the shape of my nail tips with the thin brush, and then filled it up. Again, I finished off this manicure with Rimmel’s Base Coat Top Coat Pro for that glossy finish. You can use the brush on this polish to draw intricate designs since the brush is so thin. Unlike striper brushes, this one was about half the size (length-wise), so it is easy to control. You can create straight lines, zigzags, polka dots, etc. with the thin brush - just be creative!

I am very happy that I had a chance to try out some of Rimmel’s nail polishes. The formula for these polishes are bit more watery than what I am used to, so when you use them, avoid putting too much on the brush or you will flood your cuticles. The brushes on Sunset Orange and English Rose are rounded at the ends, which, to my surprise, actually allowed for extra precision (I didn’t get any on my skin, and thus no clean up necessary).

You can purchase Rimmel products at your local CVS, Walgreens, and Target. Each polish retails for $3.99. You can also find these products on their website here or on Amazon.

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All products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration from Rimmel London. As always, the opinions stated are honest and my own. For more information, please see my full disclosure.