3 Empties: Smokey Mountain Lacquers Cuticle Oil, Fortune Cookie Soap Company Whipped Cream and Sunny's Body Products Sugar Scrub

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.

*Press Sample*
The first product I used up is a cuticle oil I received from Smokey Mountain Lacquers.  Kim's (owner of SML) cuticle oil contains all the essential oils needed to moisturize your cuticles, skin around your cuticles and nails.  I received a polish bottle full (0.5 oz) of unscented cuticle oil.  When I first received it, I reviewed my first impression and I loved it aside from the packaging (I'm clumsy, so I prefer spill proof packaging).  Kim was quick to start carrying it in handy spill-proof applicators and also sells it in several scents as well!  I ended up placing the cuticle oil in a travel applicator and kept it at my desk for handy use!

Smell Test: Unscented - which was a nice change, so I could enjoy the scent of my hand lotions without the "scent fighting" between lotion and cuticle oil.
Feel Test: absorbed quickly and left my nails and skin soft and looking healthy!
Packaging Test: originally the polish bottle was too large and the brush applicator was stiff, now she has a roll on applicator that makes it perfect for keeping in your purse, backpack or pocket!
Buy Again: YES!  But I want to try some of her scents!  Especially vanilla!!  YUM!

The next product I used up was sample size of Whipped Cream  from the Winter Box from Fortune Cookie Soap Company.  I received in my box the scent of Jello Surprise (this box was inspired by National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation).  The lotion was like whipped lotion, nice and thick and moisturizing.  It went on great and was used up so quickly that I had to buy a larger 8oz container!

Smell Test:  Fruity sweet scent, loved it!
Feel or Look Test: great texture, like whipped lotion
Packaging: Since it was a sample size, I can't complain too much...but I would have loved larger container!  haha
Buy Again: YES!  I loved the texture so much, I ordered a full size in a different scent to try it out!

The last product I used up was a sugar scrub from Sunny's Body Products.  Her products come in at least 400 scents.  The one I used was in the scent of Sparkling Snowflakes.  It had a clean, minty scent which I LOVED!  It made my hands feel refreshed!  I also LOVE that her sugar scrub is made with fine sugar.  Most sugar scrubs seem to be too harsh to use daily, but Sunny's sugar scrub can be used daily without damaging my hands.

Smell Test: YUM!  clean, crips, fresh with a hint of mint

Feel or Look Test: Left my hands soft and moisturized

Packaging: Comes in 2oz container with a small plastic spoon to get the perfect amount.

Buy Again: YES!  I have at least 4 in my hand care basket!  No other scrub has met the quality of Sunny's.

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

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate BP-25 Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I will be sharing a product that I received from Born Pretty Store, which is an online store that sells nail art supplies, tools, polish, decals, and even home goods and clothes!  Born Pretty carries affordable products and you can purchase in bulk as well.

The product I am reviewing today is the Rose Queen Theme Nail Art Stamp Template Image BP-25 Plate (item: 17202).  It contains 9 separate designs that are rose related.  I liked that there were small single images and designs that can cover the entire nail.  All plates from Born Pretty Store arrive with a blue protective film.  It is easily peeled off to reveal the images etched into the plate.

Image from Born Pretty Store

Now let's get to some manis!

Envy Lacquer Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I'm reviewing a brand new indie!  Envy Lacquer, owned by Melody, has been in the making for quite some time.  She has been working on perfecting formula and finishes.  I have enjoyed watching the progress and hearing the updates.  Melody sent me 4 polishes that will be available on April 24th when her shop officially opens!

Now let's get to some swatches!

Joha's Love Nail Lacquer Summer Is Almost Here Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Blogger Package*
Today I am sharing the Summer Is Almost Here Collection from Joha's Love Nail Polish.  Joha's Love Nail Polish is created by Johanna (of Instagram account @nailsbyjoha).  This new collection contains some creams and glitter crellies.  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.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Blushed Rose, a pretty perfect pink with little metallic micro glitters.  This polish is gorgeous and applied smoothly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Next is a beautiful glitter crelly called Summer Time.  Summer Time is a light grey crelly base with neon pink, black and lavender hexes in a few sizes as well as white glitter shards.  Can I just say WOW?  This combination is stunning and the glitter compliments the grey crelly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd photo).

In The Nude is a pale beige creme.  It is a great work appropriate neutral to wear and applied evenly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Then there is Sea Shore, a calming mint green crelly that contains turquoise, white and iridescent glitters in hexes, squares and micro bar glitter.  This polish has a lot going on in it and I love that every swatch will look different!  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd photos).

The last polish, and I would have to say my favorite (although Blushed Rose and Summer Time are close seconds) is Ultramarine.  Ultramarine is a deep royal blue creme with the same metallic micro glitters.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat.

Shiny Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from www.dreampolish.com
Matte Top Coat: O.P.I. Products

Loves:  Joha's formula speaks volumes, especially when it self levels on your nail!  These fun colorful combinations are great for pre-summer warming up and the nude color is perfect for the work week waiting for the weekends!  I really love Ultramarine - the color is deep and rich!  I also love the glitter combination with the grey crelly in Summer Time - it really makes the glitter pop.  I also love that I could WATERMARBLE with Blushed Rose and Ultramarine...you will have to be following me on Facebook and instagram to see that mani!  (@beginnails)

Wishes: I would love to see more finishes with the metallic glitters like Ultramarine and Blushed Rose.  Such a fun look.

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

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

April Mani of the Month Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the April Mani Of The Month box which feature products from Heather's Hues, Dream Polish and Nails Redesigned.  April's box had the theme of April Showers and also had a guest contributor.  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.

This box came with blue sparkly umbrella decals and raindrop nail stencils and crystals that change colors in the light all from Nails Redesigned, and base coat, top coat and cuticle balm in the scent of Stormy Nights from Dream Polish.  There were also 2 items from XO Soap Company - a cute little cloud soap and a night facial serum.

Now let's get to some swatches!

CDB Lacquer Spring Trio Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Today I have a floral inspired Spring Trio Collection from CDB Lacquer to share with you.  They release April 10th and will be $8 for full size.  As a reminder, CDB Lacquer polishes are 5-free so they don't contain 5 of the harsh chemicals that can be found in some polish.

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Flowers Bloom, a white crelly that contains yellow, lavender and pinky-coral small & micro hex glitters.  The formula is creamy and applied perfectly.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

The second polish in the collection is Spring Garden.  Spring Garden is a bubble gum pink crelly with purple holographic and pink hex glitters.  This one is such a perfect pink with a formula to match.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

The last polish of the trio and my favorite is called Butterfly Kisses.  Butterfly Kisses is a lavender crelly with blue and yellow small and micro hex glitter.  This one also had a great formula.  Photos show 2 coats with shiny top coat (1st and 2nd photos) and matte top coat (3rd and 4th photos).

Top Coat: Gem Glam Top Coat from Dream Polish
Matte Top Coat from O.P.I. Products

Loves:
When I first saw these polishes, they looked like a bouquet of flowers!  Cheyenne hit the mark on spring crellies with these three.  The formulas on all were perfection and applied smoothly.  They looked great with a shiny top coat and looked soft and delicate like petals on a flower with matte top coat.  CDB Lacquer carries 5 free polishes, so they don't contain 5 of the harsh chemicals that can be in polish.

Wishes:  I hope to see more of these crellies in future CDB collections!

Which is your favorite?  Is it the same as mine??  :)

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

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @beginnails

Silly Bee's Chickadees Goodly Granizados Collection Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have 4 polishes from Silly Bee's Chickadees Goodly Granizados Collection.  This collection was inspired by the tasty treats found in Costa Rica on Melissa's (owner of Silly Bee's Chickadees) trip last winter.  What I love about Silly Bee's Chickadees, is that her products always have a portion of the proceeds go towards a good cause that center around empowering and improving the lives of women, youth and children.  Currently, a portion of the proceeds will be going towards a non-profit called Polished Girlz.  Polished Girlz was started by a teenager, who wanted to make little girls who have to stay in hospitals for an extended period of time feel pretty by painting their nails.  It has now spun into an organization across the country that caters to many hospitals and also fund raising events (cancer walks, etc).  This is a fabulous organization!

Now let's get to some swatches!

First up is Naranja Granizado, a glitter topper that contains orange hex satin/matte hexes in a few sizes and iridescent micro glitters.  It is soft and pretty when over a similar color, and strikingly bright over a dark color.  Photos show 1 coat dabbed on over MPolish Apricot Delight and also over Rimmel's Black Satin topped with shiny top coat.

Next is Limón Granizado, a glitter topper that contains neon green hex satin/matte glitters in a few sizes and iridescent micro glitters.  This one is perfect for spring and reminds me of fresh leaves over a lighter similar color and neon lights over a darker color.  Photos show 1 coat dabbed on over MPolish Bells of Ireland and also over Rimmel's Black Satin topped with shiny top coat.

My favorite of the collection is up next and it is called Sandia Granizado.  Sandra Granizado contains light pink hex matte/satin glitters in a few shades as well as iridescent micro glitter.  It is so soft and perfect for work over a similar light color and is amazing over a dark color.  Photos show 1 coat dabbed on over MPolish Apple Blossom and also over Rimmel's Black Satin topped with a shiny top coat.

The last glitter topper of the collection is called Piña Granizado and contains yellow matte/satin hexes with iridescent micro glitters.  Photos show 1 coat dabbed on over MPolish Sweetclover and also over Rimmel's Black Satin topped with a 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 polish from Silly Bee's you know you are supporting a good cause.  The combination of matte glitters with iridescent really creates a great look and I love them over a dark color to really make them pop.

Wishes:  I'd love to see these looks in other colors as well (lavender, light blue, grey/silver).

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

Happy Polishing,

Kristi aka @BeginNails