February Mani of the Month Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the February Mani Of The Month box which feature products from Heather's Hues, Dream Polish and Nails Redesigned.  Each box features a full size polish, a mini glitter topper and assorted extra glitter from Heather's Hues, a base coat, top coat in mini size and a nail care item from Dream Polish and an assortment of nail vinyl decals and Swarovski crystals from Nails Redesigned.

Aside from the polish, this box came with handcuff, heart/broken heart and arrow vinyl decals, Bed of Roses scented top coat and base coat and cuticle balm that smell amazing!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First polish is a Heather's Hues glitter topper called Bound By Your Love.  It contains black, red, purple, magenta and silver hexes in a few sizes, circles and shards.  It's perfect for Valentine's Day (or since it is past that) any day!  I also used a vinyl decal from Nails Redesigned of handcuffs (so sassy!).  I have it shown here with 2 coats dabbed on over Elevation Polish Ceram Sea topped with Gem Glam Top Coat from Dream Polish.

The second polish from Heather's Hues is a beautiful thermal called Love Hurts.  Love Hurts is pink when warm and purple when cold with pink, magenta and silver hex small and micro glitter in it.  This therm is VERY sensitive and it provided hours of fun for me while on vacation.  I have it shown with 2 coats topped with Gem Glam Top Coat from Dream Polish.

I also used Love Hurts and some of the crystals from Nails Redesigned.  The mani below features stamping from MoYou Princess #14 Plate and Drip Drop Nail Paint Tighty Whities topped with Gem Glam Top Coat from Dream Polish and crystals.

Loves:  This was a sweet box!  Gorgeous polish....love how sensitive this thermal is, and the glitter topper is really pretty!  The vinyl decals are fun and can be used for other nail art and manis...I'll have to be clever with the handcuffs.  Haha.  The smells are sweet and floral, not too over powering on the cuticle balm and top coat/base coat.

Wishes:  I wish I had done this review earlier!  haha, my week long vacation set me back a bit on blog reviews.

You can order the Mani Of The Month Box from any of the 3 brands above!

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails

3 Empties: O.P.I. Nail Envy, Fortune Cookie Soap and TBD

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 is a bath bomb from Fortune Cookie Soap Company.  I had a crazy day and wanted to unwind with a soothing bath and I used Lady Lavender.  It is HUGE!  It has lavender buds and made the entire master bathroom smell amazing.

*Photo courtesy Fortune Cookie Soap Company

Smell Test: smelled amazing, calming, soothing and left me stress free!
Feel Test: moisturizing and left my skin soft!
Packaging Test: i like that they are packaged in an easy to open bag with a sticker that identifies the name of the product.
Buy Again:  yes!  it's huge, smells great and is soothing!

The next product is a soap from Fortune Cookie Soap Company.  I got a Fortune Cookie Soap in the scent of Tis The Season To Be Mary, which was part of the Old Fashioned Family Christmas.  I was excited to try this soap out since this is the product to which they are named!  All products from this collection are inspired and named for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Smell Test:  The scent was amazing.  There were cherry notes and floral notes.  I loved this scent so much, I had to order a few more products in this scent.
Feel or Look Test:  Nice lather, feels great.
Packaging: adorable packaging and design that is in the form of a fortune cookie, only draw back is that it does fall apart quickly ~40-50 washes and it's difficult to use up all the small pieces.  Fortune Cookie Soap Company encourages the purchase of a soap saver bag to put the pieces in to use up.
Buy Again:  YES!  Aside from the falling apart, the scent, packaging and product itself were all wonderful!

The last product I used up is O.P.I. Nail Envy in the original formula, which an be purchased online, in most nail supply stores and beauty stores.  I have very weak bending (and in the winter peeling) nails.  I was recommended Nail Envy by a fellow blogger (and local friend) Amy (of www.amylovesnewwave.com).  I did notice a change in my nails when using this product, they seemed stronger and healthier overall.  I did start rotating in other base coats as well and my nails seemed to respond well.  

*Photo courtesy O.P.I. Products

Smell Test: smells like polish

Feel or Look Test: I not only used it as a base coat, but also wore it alone, dries quickly

Packaging: Nice wide brush for easy application and wide handle.

Buy Again: YES, but I think I may want to try some of their other formulas (Dry & Brittle, Soft & Thin, Sensitive & Peeling)

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

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Splendor Nail Lacquer 30, Flirty and Fabulous Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I am sharing a fun collection called 30, Flirty & Fabulous from Splendor Nail Lacquer.  This collection is to celebrate the owner, Leslee's birthday and she included little tidbits about how some of the polishes got their names!  Splendor Nail Lacquer products are 5-free too, so they remove 5 of the harsh chemicals that can be found in polish.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Amethyst, the perfect color and name for a polish named after the birthstone of February babies.  Amethyst is a deep purple that is filled with holographic rainbow dust.  It applied evenly and photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat under filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th photos).

Next is Tom Boy, a dusty magenta creme with silver micro flakes.  As soon as I saw the flakies, I knew I would have to add a matte top coat.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th photos) and matte top coat (5th and 6th photos).

Unicornucopia is next and it is like the glitter is having it's own party on your nails!  Unicornucopia is a polish full of holographic glitters!  Micro glitters and circles sparkle and twinkle in the light.  Photos show 3 coats for total opacity with shiny top coat in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd, 3rd and 4th photos).

What is better than having 1 purple in the collection?  TWO PURPLES!  Winter Skies is a soft purple with holographic rainbow dust.  In the simulated sunlight (1st and 2nd photos) it looks almost dusty, in simulated sunlight (3rd and 4th photos) it is sparkly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Smiling Ice Cube, which that makes me grin.  The story behind this polish name is adorable.  Leslee was raised in Canada and was outside and couldn't feel her toes, so she said "I am a smiling ice cube!"  She wore a green and pink snow suit, so she decided to create a green holographic polish with shimmers of green, blue and pink.  Photos show 2 coats in filtered light (1st photo) and simulated sunlight (2nd, 3rd, and 4th photos).

The last polish and my favorite of the collection due to it's originality and depth is Cosmic Inkpool.  Cosmic Inkpool is a dark blue-purple...or blurple jelly with deep blue shimmer and a sprinkling of hex glitter in a few sizes and colors.  This polish is amazing!  It will also be the perfect base for galaxy manis!  Photos show 2 coat with shiny top coat (1st, 2nd and 3rd photos) and matte top coat (4th and 5th photos) in both filtered and simulated sunlight.

Shiny top coat: www.mydreampolish.com
Matte top coat: O.P.I. Matte Top Coat

Loves: I absolutely love that this collection is mostly dark colors.  You all know I love purples and this collection has 2!  And I love Cosmic Inkpool - it's dark, deep and hauntingly beautiful!  Unicornucopia...can we just say starkly?  Star and sparkle together make STARKLY!!  The formula on all of these polishes are amazing and applied perfect too!  Another great thing about Splendor Nail Lacquer is that her polishes are 5-free, so they don't contain 5 of the harsh chemicals that can be found in polish.

Wishes: wow, this collection is perfection!  I would love to see dark colors similar to cosmic inkwell (maroon?  hunter green?) and more amazing sparkles similar to Unicornucopia.

Which is your favorite?

Stay Connected:
Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SplendorNailLacquer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/splendornaillacquer
Instagram: @splendornaillacquer

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Joha's Love Nail Polish Spring 2015 Collection Swatch and Review Part 2

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Blogger Package*
Today I am sharing the second half of the 2015 Spring Collection from Joha's Love Nail Polish.  Joha's Love Nail Polish is created by Johanna (of Instagram account @nailsbyjoha).  Her Spring Collection contains creme pastels that are perfect for spring, a dainty glitter topper and a glitter crelly.  Joha's Loves Nail Polish is always 5-free, so it does not contain 5 of the harsh chemicals that can be found in some nail polish.  Two new products that have been added to her shop are organic and botanical cuticle oil that smells amazing and a fast drying 3-free top coat.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Dreaming In Peach, a beautiful orange peach creme.  I love this color because I don't have a peach in my collection and this is perfect for nail art and an undie to a fun glitter topper!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is Lilac Meadows, a calming lavender.  This color is gorgeous, definitely perfect for using in some nail art!  Lilac Meadows applied easily with the smooth formula and photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

The last polish for today I will share is Pastel Sprinkles.  Pastel Sprinkles contains yellow, pink, lavender and blue pastel glitters in hexes and squares as well as some iridescent micro glitter.  It is shown here 1 coat dabbed over a gradient of Lilac Meadows and Jenna Hipp's I Cast A Spell On Blue all topped with shiny top coat.

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

Loves:  Joha's formula speaks volumes, especially when it self levels on your nail!  These soft muted pastels are perfect for nail art and undies for glitter toppers.  Dreaming in Peach is my favorite of the second half of the collection because it is something I don't have.

Wishes: I love this collection, I wouldn't change a thing.

Stay Connected!
Store: http://johaslovenailpolish.storenvy.com
Instagram: @johaslovenailpolish

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails