China Glaze Winter Twinkle Collection Selected Polishes Swatch and Review and Giveaway

Greetings and Nailutations,

I had done some shopping at Sally Beauty Supply at the start of December and am now just getting to swatching what I picked up!  How does December move faster than all the other months?  Today I am sharing 4 polishes from the China Glaze Twinkle Collection, which is their 2014 Winter Collection.  I also nabbed a set of 3 full size polishes for a lucky blog follower as well.  Keep reading to find out how to win!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Define Good..., which is a beautiful satin finish maroon.  Define Good... epitomizes the holiday season when it hits the light.  Out of the 4 I bought, this one is my favorite (but I am always a lover of darker shades).  I also like that it's not overly "holiday," so that I can wear it all year.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next up is De-Light, a gold glitter topper.  De-Light contains small gold hexes, micro gold glitter and holographic gold bar glitter.  I'm usually not a fan of bar glitter, and stay away from it, but I didn't mind it in this polish.  Photos show 2 coats (and gradient) over Define Good... with shiny top coat.

Pine-ing For Glitter is a teal glitter topper.  It contains a few sizes of teal hex glitter and can build up to opacity in 4 coats.  I have 2 coats shown below over Jenna Hipp's We Are Mint To Be and topped with a shiny top coat.

The last polish is Feeling Twinkly, a royal blue micro glitter polish.   This one was also another favorite of mine.  Feeling Twinkly is shown below with 2 coats over Jenna Hipp's I Surf With Boys and topped with a shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gloss It from Krafty Girl Designs

Loves:  There are a total of 12 polishes in this collection, which is great because you can pick up just what calls your name and they come in a few sets so you can try smaller sizes in a  few colors (which is what I did).  I always love China Glaze names because they make me smile....who doesn't love polish puns?  I also enjoyed working with the formula on these polishes too.

Wishes:  I wish I had picked up I'd Melt For You, Tip Your Hat and Out Like A  Light (a silver, red and gray crelly).  Buuuut, I am sure they are still floating around my local Sally Beauty Supply.

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails


Giveaway Details: 18+ ONLY, US address ONLY, winner will have 48 hours to return giveaway announcement email which will be sent from me.  If I do not hear from winner in the allotted 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.  Winner will win China Glaze BRINGING in the SEASON set which includes a China Glaze pouch and Define Good..., Dancing & Prancing and No Peeking!

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Liquid Kandi Celestial, Top Coat and Bow Charms Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have a few products from Liquid Kandi to share.  Kim from Liquid Kandi sent me a polish, a top coat and 2 charms to review.  Liquid Kandi's polishes are 5-free so they don't contain any of the 5 chemicals that can be found in polish and I have always loved the formula.  I did end up changing my nail shape due to a break while I was brainstorming designs, so 1 mani will have square shape nails vs round.

Now let's get to some manis!

This first mani I used 2 coats of Celestial over Plums The Word from Drip Drop Nail Paint.  It was super easy to work with and applied smoothly.  I then added 1 coat of Get Wet Top Coat and 2 rhinestones at a bow fro Liquid Kandi to get this look.

This next mani, I did my pointer and pink with 2 coats of Celestial over Jenna Hipp's Ain't Life Grape.  The two middle fingers, I used tape to create exposed triangles and painted just in the exposed area.  Then I topped all fingers off with Get Wet Top Coat and added black rhinestones.

This last mani is when my finger nails got a little trim.  I decided to use 2 coats of Celestial over black and I LOVE this look.  Photos show a coat of Get Wet Top Coat as well as bow from Liquid Kandi and rhinestones.

Loves:  Gorgeous flakie color shifting topper.  This is my first experience with a color shifting flake topper and the possibilities of looks are limitless!  Liquid Kandi polish is also 5-free, so it doesn't contain 5 nasties that can be found in polish.  The bows (no pictures showing the black and white bow) are also easy to use and add a little fun to manis.

Wishes:  I really enjoyed the shine and sheen that Get Wet Top Coat provided, but I wish it was more of a fast dry top coat.  I have becomes spoiled with other fast drying coats.

Information:
Store: Liquid Kandi
Instagram: @liquidkandi

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

3 Empties: Liquid Glam Lacquer Sugar Scrub, Kitty Polish Top Coat and Burt's Bees Hand Creme

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.

First up is Liquid Glam Lacquer's Lemon Zest Sugar Scrub.  I had ordered this product quite a while ago and it held up with no evaporation.  I actually used 2 of these 6 oz containers up and was overall pleased with the product.  The sugar grains were a bit larger and the listing of the product said to use twice daily.  For me, I used it every few days due to coarser grain size of sugar.  This would be the perfect scrub for pedicures!
Smell Test: fresh lemon, clean and pleasant
Feel Test: too coarse for more than every other day use, but would be great for pedicures, light oils for moisturizing are also in the product
Packaging Test: easy to open screw on cap and plastic container, can be re-used for storage as well
Buy Again: yes!  My hands were much softer after using the product every other day.

*Photo courtesy of Liquid Glam Lacquer site.

The next product I used up was Kitty Polish Gardenia scented top coat.  This was my first scented top coat and this is the polish that made me fall in love with scented top coats.  I have also tried her ocean mist scented top coat and it is AMAZING!
Smell Test: WOW!  One of my favorite scents in a top coat that I have tried.  It smells like a LUSH shampoo product.  I could not stop sniffing my fingers when I wore it!
Feel or Look Test: great sheen and shine when I used this product.  Photo example below.
Packaging: Brush easy to work with.
Buy Again: YES!  However this scent is not longer available....but ocean mist is!

The last product to share today is Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme.  I got a small sample size and I could not use it up.  The scent and texture was not favorable to me.  I gave it several tries and finally just admitted defeat.  I do like other products from Burt's Bees, but this one fell short on the appeal.

Smell Test: it smelled like wax/crayons

Feel or Look Test: It made my hands sticky and it felt like there was a film on them.  It wasn't smooth to put on and would pull my skin when I tried to apply it

Packaging: I love the screw on cap and glass container.

Buy Again: I will pass on trying this product.  

*Photo courtesy of Burt's Bees site.

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

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Lavish Polish Christmas Collection Selected Polishes Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have 3 of the 8 polishes from Lavish Polish Christmas Collection.  These were provided as a gift from Emely.  (She is a sweetheart!)  Lavish Polish products are 5-free so they don't contain 5 of the nasty chemicals that can be found in polish.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Ho-Ho-Ho, a white glitter crelly that screams Christmas.  Ho-Ho-Ho contains red and green holographic glitter hexes in small, tiny and micro sizes.  This is the perfect holiday polish that is subtle but festive.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Mrs. Claus, a deep pinky-red glitter jelly.  The description on the store website does say red, but for me it was a pinky-red tint, which gives Mrs. Claus a touch of "girly" sophistication.  Mrs. Claus contains red and silver glitter in a great formulated jelly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

The last polish I have to share is Holly Day, a holographic glitter bomb.  Holly Day contains gold holo rainbow dust, gold, red and green hexes in a few sizes as well.  Holly Day is the perfect polish to wear at a holiday or winter party!  A little sparkle,  a little festive and lots and lots of holo!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

This collection contains a total of 8 polishes.  There are 3 glitter toppers, a green glitter jelly and a thermal also in the collection.  Head to www.lavishpolish.com to see them all.

Shiny top coat: Gem Glam top coat from www.dreampolish.com

Loves:  Perfect formula, fun holiday polishes!  Lavish Polish products are also 5-free so they don't contain 5 of the nasties that can be found in polish.  I also love that Emely's products have different finishes, there are crellies, jellies, glitter bombs, holos, thermals and glitter toppers!

Wishes:  I will fulfill my own wish and pick up her 21 and Sober Collection and maybe an extra little something for a blog reader!  Stay tuned!  :)

Stay Connected to Lavish Polish!
Store: www.lavishpolish.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LavishPolishIndies
Instagram: @lavishpolish

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Silly Bees Chickadees Gift Of The Melly Swatch and Review Part 2

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Blogger Package*
Today I have the second half of The Gift Of The Melly Collection created by Silly Bee's Chickadees and inspired by 7 bloggers in the nail community and a holiday movie they selected.  The best part is that a part of the proceeds from purchasing these polishes go to charities selected by the bloggers!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Sydney's Hot Chocolate, a beautiful light nude cruelly with small flecks of gold shimmer.  Sydney's Hot Chocolate helps benefit Bikes or Bust Toys for Tots.  This polish is stunning, work appropriate if you need to keep it professional and purchasing one helps out a great cause.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Emily's Dreaming of a White Christmas, a fun, festive glitter topper.  Emily's Dreaming of a White Christmas contains red small hexes and mini bars as well as white circles and snowflakes.  This polish helps benefit Second Chance for Animals in Canton.  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on with slight snow flake placement over Butterflies from 10&10 Nail Lacquer and topped with a shiny top coat.

Diana's Merry Little Christmas is the last polish from The Gift Of The Melly Collection.  Diana's Merry Little Christmas is filled with silver holographic glitter in shards, fine micro bars and rainbow dust.  A portion of the proceeds from this polish go towards the Alzheimer's Association.  Photos show 2 coats dabbed on over China Glaze's Define Good... and topped with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from Dream Polish

Loves: Great formulas, that make application super easy!  These polishes are also 3-free so they don't contain 3 of the nasty chemicals that can be in polish.  I also love that when you purchase these polishes from Silly Bee's you know you are supporting a good cause.  These glitter toppers are festive and add a fun pop to any mani.  The crelly is stunning and gorgeous as well.

Wishes:  I wish everyone a happy holidays and that each charity is able to get a sizable donation.

Stay connected!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SillyBeesChickadees
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sillybeeschickadees
Instagram: @sillybeeschickadees

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails

Silly Bees Chickadees Gift Of The Melly Swatch and Review Part 1

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Blogger Package*
Today I have half of the collection from The Gift Of The Melly Collection created by Silly Bee's Chickadees and inspired by 7 bloggers in the nail community and a holiday movie they selected.  The best part is that a part of the proceeds from purchasing these polishes go to charities selected by the bloggers!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Ida's Electric Snow, a unique glitter topper that puts spice into snow.  Ida's Electric snow contains white hexes and squares, but other colors of hex glitter pop in here and there (orange, gold, black, blue and red) along with rainbow holographic dust.  A portion of the proceeds of this polish will go towards Hospice Austin.  Photo show 1 coat with slight glitter placement over Liquid Frosting's Pretty Pink Bikini and topped with shiny top coat.

Next is Mishka's Rare Exports, a red and yellow glitter topper.  Mishka's Rare Exports contains red small hexes and shards as well as the occasional yellow star.  The best thing about this polish is that there was no glitter fishing for the stars!  A portion of the proceeds of this polish will go towards the Cancer Research Institute.  Photos show two coats dabbed on over 10&10 Nail Lacquer Kale Chips and topped with shiny top coat.

Steph's Silver White Winters is up next and this is my favorite of this collection!  I love that is says "snow" but in a flashy sparkly way!  It reminds me of frozen snow and crystals on trees after a freezing winter's night.  A portion of the proceeds of this polish will go towards the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.  Photos show two coats dabbed over Plum's The Word from Drip Drop Nail Paint topped with shiny top coat.

The last polish for this half of the collection is Jacki's Who-ville Christmas.  This glitter bomb has light green, orange, pink and gold glitter.  Jacki's Who-ville Christmas can be worn over an undie with 1 coat or on it's own with 2 thick coats.  A portion of the proceeds from this polish will go towards Polished Girlz.  Photos show 2 coats topped with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from Dream Polish

Loves: Great formulas, that make application super easy!  These polishes are also 3-free so they don't contain 3 of the nasty chemicals that can be in polish.  I also love that when you purchase these polishes from Silly Bee's you know you are supporting a good cause.  I also love that they are unique and I don't have any glitter toppers like these.

Wishes:  I wish that everyone go and pick their favorite cause or favorite polish (or both) and purchase!

Stay connected!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SillyBeesChickadees
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sillybeeschickadees
Instagram: @sillybeeschickadees

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails

Ida's Electric Snow- Hospice Austin