Saturday, January 31, 2015

CDB Lacquer Valentine's Duo Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Today I have a glitter-tastical very Limited Edition Valentine's duo from CDB Lacquer to share with you.  They release February 1st, so make sure you set your alarms!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First is Deep Desire, a micro glitter bomb.  Deep Desire contains red, maroon micro glitters and silver micro flakes.  This polish can be worn alone or as a glitter topper.  The formula on this polish was AMAZING.  It applied evenly and was smooth.  This polish also comes with a red, black and silver holographic bag of hearts.  Photos show 3 thin coats to obtain total opacity and shiny top coat.






The second polish of the duo is Sweet Kisses and is also a micro glittter bomb.  Sweet Kisses can also be worn on it's own or as a glitter topper.  It contains pink, magenta, and silver micro glitter and white dots.  It also comes with a small bag of pink, white and silver holographic heart glitters.  Photos show 2 coats with an additional coats sponged on with shiny top coat.






Top Coat: Virtuous Top Coat
Bows: Charmingly Simple Nail Art

Loves:  I will be honest, I have stayed away from micro glitter bombs because my previous experience with one (from another indie brand) fell short of expectations due to really thick formula.  CDB Lacquer has PERFECTED the micro glitter bomb with a smooth formula that is very easy to apply.  She has made me re-evaluate my previous assumptions of the micro glitter bomb and now I need to explore them!  My favorite of these two is Deep Desire!  CDB Lacquer also has 5 free polishes, so they don't contain 5 of the nasty chemicals that can be in polish.

Wishes:  I now wish to try more micro glitters!  I hope CDB Lacquer makes more!!!

Information - stay connected with release, restock information and sales:
Store: CDB Lacquer
Facebook
Instagram: @cdblacquer

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Super Nails New Releases Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Today I am sharing four new glitter toppers from Super Nails.  Super Nails has a ton of new glitter toppers recently released, and there is something for everyone.  As with all of Super Nails polishes, they are 5-free and cruelty free.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Conversation Hearts, which is the perfect glitter topper for Valentine's Day!  Conversation Hearts contains matte glitter in the shape of hearts, hexes and micro glitter in yellow, light blue and pink.  It is shown here over Dashing from Lavish topped with shiny top coat (1st, 2nd and 4th photos) and matte top coat (3rd photos).





Next up is Diamonds Are Berry Gorgeous, a bright glitter topper that contains circles and diamonds.  Diamonds Are Berry Gorgeous has purple, teal and magenta glitters.  I have it shown here over a gradient of Jenna Hipp's I Surf With Boys and I Cast A Spell On Blue topped with shiny top coat.





Something Blue is a cute glitter topper with light blue and blue hexes and squares in two sizes.  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on over a gradient of Purity from Virtuous, Winter Clouds from Johas Love Nail Polish and Ciate Talent Scout topped with shiny top coat.



The last polish I have to share is called Pot of Gold.  Pot of Gold has large gold circles, hexes and micro glitter and a random assortment of green, blue and red glitter.  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on with glitter placement of the circles over Vivacious from Lavish Polish with shiny top coat.






Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com

Loves: I would have to say that Conversation Hearts is my favorite in this group, but I also really loved the dimension of Pot of Gold and the color pop of Diamonds Are Berry Gorgeous.  I am in love with these color and shape combinations.  And of course all Super Nails polishes are 5-free so they don't contain any of the nasties that can be found in polish.

Wishes:  I wish for all of you to go check out her store!  I guarantee you will find one that is perfect for you!!

Stay connected to Super Nails!
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SuperNails
Instagram: @kseagale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Super1Nails
Twitter: @super1nails

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Monday, January 26, 2015

Super Nails Feline Glitter Topper Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Today I am sharing a few glitter toppers from Super Nails.  KC, owner of Super Nails has quite a few new releases and they have fun glitter shapes and color combinations.  As with all of Super Nails polishes, they are 5-free and cruelty free.  I received 7 glitter toppers and combined these 3 together for a blog review because they are all feline related!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Me-ow! a fun glitter topper with leopard spot glitters!  Me-ow! contains silver and gold holographic squares, hexes in two sizes and micro glitter as well as leopard spots in gold, silver and black.  This polish is very versatile and works well with any color undie.  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on with leopard spot glitter placement over Liquid Frosting Pretty Pink Bikini topped with shiny top coat.




Next is Purple Kittens, a cute glitter topper with kitty heads!  Purple Kittens contains purple circles, rings, micro glitter and kitty head glitter.  The little kitty heads are adorable!  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on with glitter placement of all chunky glitter over Ciate Sugar Plum and Apple and Custard topped with shiny top coat.




The last glitter topper I have to share today is called Jungle Nights.  Jungle Nights contains black hexes in a few sizes and squares as well as an assortment of other colors in squares and hexes and of course some perfect white leopard spots that really make the glitter topper to a new level.  I dabbed on 2 coats with glitter placement of the spots over Drip Drop Nail Paint #2000 and Liquid Kandi Beach Ball topped with shiny top coat.




Shiny Top Coat: Diamante Glam Hi-Gloss Top Coat from Dainty Digits

Loves: I adore cats (I have a couple at home) so I can't pick a favorite of these three polishes.  They are all so fun and purr-fect!  And of course all Super Nails polishes are 5-free so they don't contain any of the nasties that can be found in polish.

Wishes: I now want all the kitty related polishes!!!

Stay connected to Super Nails!
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SuperNails
Instagram: @kseagale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Super1Nails
Twitter: @super1nails

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Sunday, January 25, 2015

3 Empties: O.P.I. Avojuice, Younique Illuminate Clear and Dainty Digits Creamy Base Coat

Greetings and Nailutations,

It's another installment of 3 empties, where I review 3 products I have used up and express my opinion on how well they worked, how well they smelled, their packaging and if I'd make a repeat purchase.

The first product I finished up is Dainty Digits Creamy Base Coat.  The Creamy Base Coat is slightly tinted pink and goes on smoothly.  It is the fastest drying base coat I have ever tried.  The only thing that deters me from using this base coat is when I have a sheer or light color polish on, the base coat is tinted pink and can adjust the color of the polish, so I only used it under dark colors.
Smell Test:  smells like polish!
Feel Test:  fastest drying base coat I have ever tried!  LOVE that.
Packaging Test:  I had received mine awhile ago, so it was in a recycled bottle.
Buy Again:  super fast drying base coat?  YES!  When you are in a rush, this is a must have!

Photo Courtesy of http://daintydigitspolish.storenvy.com


The next product I finished recently is O.P.I. Avojuice in the scent of Hibiscus Blossom.  I bought this lotion from Ulta and had heard great things about it.  Once I started using it, I couldn't stop.  I primarily used it morning and night on my legs.  My arms are more sensitive and have different needs for moisturizing.  I like that the product isn't greasy or oily and quickly absorbs.
Smell Test: fruit, floral, sweet (almost sounds like wine!)
Feel or Look Test: enjoyed the non-greasy formula and fast absorption
Packaging: easy to use pump that allowed me to get most of the product out of the bottle, I also like when the sticker doesn't cover up how much product is left in the bottle.
Buy Again: YES!  I have a few others in different scents, which I can't wait to bust out.

Photo courtesy of sephora.com


The last product is Illuminate Clear Facial Cleanser from Younique.  If you remember from a few posts ago I was raving about Awake, their older facial cleaner....but then they decided to reformulate.    This new formula feels different, doesn't lather and made my face break out.  The scent isn't the same either.  The only thing that is the same is the grey color.  Now I am on the look out for a new facial cleanser.  I used this product 5 times and my face revolted, so it is being thrown in the trash.

Smell Test: soft, earthy
Feel or Look Test: almost an acrylic paint type texture, not soft and didn't lather
Packaging: the lid is too small for the size of the tube, so it doesn't stay upright easily and kept falling over
Buy Again: No.

Photo Courtesy of Younique.com


Have you tried any of these products?  Did you have similar or different experiences than I did?

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Polish Addict Nail Color December Mystery Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the December Polish Addict Nail Color Mystery Box.  Each month PANC offers a mystery box in full size (15mL) or mini (7mL) for $40 (or $20).  The polishes remain a surprise until you receive the box and they are usually inspired by some theme.  December's box was themed after holiday movies.  February's box is available now and is inspired by Valentine's Day.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is A Christmas Story, which is a red-pink glitter jelly.  This bright polish is simply stunning!  A Christmas Story went on smoothly.  Photos show 2 coats for total opacity with PANC Top Coat.




Next is It's A Wonderful Life, which is an off-white ivory glitter jelly.  It's A Wonderful Life contains golden, yellow and green shimmer with iridescent glitter.  This polish is a nice neutral which is great if you need to maintain a professional work appearance.  Easy formula to apply.  Photos show 2 coats with PANC Top Coat.




National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a beautiful light sky blue glitter jelly.  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation contains multi-color hexes, squares and bars.  This is my favorite and I love that it can be worn any season.  Photos show 2 coats with PANC Top Coat.



Next is The Nightmare Before Christmas, a really pretty grey glitter jelly with purple shimmer.  This polish has perfect formula.  The Nightmare Before Christmas contains gold, turquoise and purple.  Photos show 2 coats with PANC Top Coat.





The last polish in the box is The Grinch, a neon green-yellow jelly with red and green micro glitter.  This was the only polish I was conflicted about.  Neons typically are more difficult to dissolve pigment and as you can see, there are pigment streaks on my nails (dried pigment that did not dissolve).  I guess the polish was being "grinchy."  haha.  Photos show 3 coats for total opacity with PANC Top Coat.




Loves:  Easy to apply formula on all 5 polishes, that went on smoothly.  Great theme with polish colors and glitter combinations.  Fun collection for a great price.

Wishes: I wish The Grinch didn't have pigment clusters to minimize the streaks.

Stay Connected:
Store:  http://www.polishaddictnailcolor.com
Instagram: @polishaddictnailcolor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polishaddictnailcolor