January Nail Polishes, Zoya Flect Effect, NOTD, NOTW

These are just a few of the nail polish looks I've done this month.

This is a look I did on the day I got my new matching baby green sparkle Lux de Ville Cruiser Tote handbag and wallet. I used Zoya Bevin and Opal for this look. Opal is part of the holographic Zoya Fleck Effect collection for spring.

I was excited to use my new Zoya Fleck Effects shades, so I first I painted all my nails with Reece. Chloe is part of the holographic Zoya Fleck Effect collection for spring. I used it on my ring fingers only.

The True Collection for Spring has a beautiful metallic purple shade in the collection named Lotus! "Zoya Nail Polish in Lotus is a very soft, dusty blue-toned amethyst purple with colorful shimmer that reflects pink, red and gold A dreamy smoky shade for purple lovers that looks both soft and luminous." I used Zoya Julianne on the tips.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

MAC Launch: Vera Collection, official product photos and promo info

MAC Vera Collection - Official US Launch Date: February 9th, 2012

Flashy florals, butterfly brights, punchy patterns, and a light-as-air spirit fuse in a collection inspired by the art of textile designer, Vera Neumann. For fashion fanatics everywhere. Limited edition.

Press Release:

Brilliant butterflies, flashy florals and gorgeously geometric graphics… A colourful collaboration between MAC and the artist known worldwide as Vera, who merged fine arts with linens, murals, textiles and silk scarves in her punchy, painted patterns. Now in shades plucked straight from her most lavish prints, MAC Vera embraces the luxe, lighter-than-air spirit that delivers the kind of startling, look-at-me-statement that defines what it means to be an instant classic.

Crushed Metal Pigments - USD $34.00 for 12 g / 0.42 US oz
"Textile designer Vera Neumann's brilliant colour palette is translated into a limited edition set of four stackable jars of Crushed Metallic Pigment. Highlights eyes or skin with a striking colour wave of gold reflective metallic sparkle."
Aloha : Lantern light (Metallic gold/bronze). Campfire (Rich copper), Shifting sands (Metallic champagne), Aloha (Dirt cocoa brown)
Strawberry patch : Star crystal (Pink champagne), Rose light (Metallic yellow pink), Strawberry patch (Light blue pink), Moon rose (Bright dark pink)
Butterfly party : Butterfly party (Bright lilac), Desert cloud (Deep blue purple), Rain drop (Metallic teal), Moss garden (Metallic silver green)

OPI Nicki Minaj collection photos, swatches, and review

I was really drawn to the colors in the new OPI Nicki Minaj collection for Spring 2012. You can see the official promo info for the collection here.

Nothing in my collection looks like Fly, which is a bright blue-aqua creme. It was opaque in two easy coats. I love the combination of Fly with the Super Bass Shatter!  

Pink Friday is a cutesy bubblegum pink creme. The consistency of Pink Friday was a little weird. After my first coat it looked like the color wasn't blended well, showing both red and pink patches. I've never experienced anything like that from OPI before, and I've been buying their polish religiously since 2001. I shook the bottle as vigorously as possible (I've never had the patience to roll polishes). I applied three coats to get an opaque finish and, yeah, it made some bubbles because I shook it... Then, when I was trying to coat it with Super Bass Shatter, I couldn't get the bottle open! I kept trying, but it was stuck. I had to ask my boyfriend to open it for me and he had to use pliers! The combination of Pink Friday and Super Bass is absolutely gorgeous! I love how the color changes when paired with the different undercoat.

Metallic 4 Life is a glitter polish in a sheer black base. I applied three coats for the swatch. If you wanted to have less glitter for some reason, you could use an opaque black polish and then just layer this once over the top. 

OPI Nicki Minaj: Fly swatch

OPI Nicki Minaj: Fly and Super Bass Shatter swatch

OPI Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday swatch

OPI Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday and Super Bass Shatter swatch

OPI Nicki Minaj: Metallic 4 Life swatch

OPI Nicki Minaj: Metallic 4 Life swatch

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

MAC Launch: Viva Glam Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin, official product photos and promo info

MAC Viva Glam with Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin  --  Official US Launch: February 15th, 2012

 Press Release:

Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj in the M·A·C Viva Glam 2012 campaign shot by David LaChapelle. Every cent of Ricky and Nicki’s Viva Glam products, on-counter February 2012, goes to support the M·A·C AIDS Fund.

Viva Glam Nicki $14.50

Viva Glam Ricky $15

Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian Clay long-wear Blush in Amused, photos, swatches, and review

Amazonian Clay blush from Tarte Cosmetics is advertised as a long-wearing, solar-baked blush that lasts up to 12 hours. It comes in twelve gorgeous shades for a wide variety of skin tones. This shade, Amused is a highly pigmented bright pink shade. As you can see from my unblended swatch, this could easily result in theatrical cheeks if you're not careful! It is buildable, so start with less than you think.

These retail for $25/USD each, so if you're looking for a long-lasting blush, this is it. Maybe not 12 hours worth, but enough to get you through the day.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

5 Pink MAC Lipsticks: Angel, Bombshell, Politely Pink, Sweetie, Syrup, review and swatches

These are a few of my pink lipsticks from MAC. I've been thinking about swatching my entire collection for a long time and decided I can't do it all in one go. It has to be spaced out a few at a time or I'll never get around to doing it! These are all part of the permanent collection. Bombshell, Sweetie, and Syrup are new tubes.

Angel (permanent collection) is a frost finish and described by MAC as a soft pink. It's a semi-sheer beautiful pale rosy pink shade. It's neutral toned and works well with either warm or cool undertones.

Politely Pink (permanent collection) is a lustre finish and is described by MAC as a dirty pink. Politely Pink is a cool-toned, soft pale pink.

Bombshell (permanent collection) is also a frost finish and described by MAC as a bright rosy pink with shimmer. It has a bit of gold to it, which isn't very noticeable. I was down to the nub on Bombshell, so this pretty new one is a replacement! I want to say that Bombshell was part of the original collection, but I'm not positive about that. Sometimes old shades are cut from the collection and new ones are added, but I think this was was an original...

Sweetie (permanent collection) is another lustre finish and is described by MAC as ultra-sweet pink. Sweetie is one of my all-time personal favorite lipsticks. It's a medium pink that's semi-sheer with plenty of shine! This one is also a replacement for one I used down to the nub! Sweetie may  have been one of my first purchases from MAC.

Syrup (permanent collection) is also a lustre finish and is described by MAC as a cloudy pink. It's another medium pink cool-toned, blue-leaning pink.

Are you familiar with MAC's lipstick labels? They each have the finish and color listed and then there's also a number on each tube. That number tells you when each lipstick was manufactured. For example, if you look at Syrup, you can see it says AA1. The first letter is the batch number. The second number/letter refers to the month. September is month number 9, so October is month A because it can't be two digits long. Then the last number is the year, 1, which is 2011. Most makeup brands should have a label like this. I'm always disappointed when they don't.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

OPI Collection: Holland, official product photos and promo info

Here is the new Holland Collection from OPI. It officially launches on February 8th, 2012.

Press Release:

OPI celebrates color with the Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Inspired by the country’s range of stunning shades – as seen in vivid tulips, windmill-dotted hillsides and bustling canals – the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented brights.

“Holland has a very unique, vibrant beauty to match its open-minded nature,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Spring is the season of color, and the Holland Collection provides an array of pink, coral and orange hues that capture this energy. The bright lacquers are married with neutrals in new variations like red clay and sea green.”

“Wearing these colors on fingers and toes will accessorize the season’s hottest trends,” remarks Suzi. “The varied palette of colors accentuates the looks that walked the runway, from colored pants and ladylike frocks to long, blousy-sleeved tops and dramatic patterns.”

Gouda Gouda Two Shoes - Take a walk on the wild side with this robust rose
Wooden Shoe Like to Know? - It’s no secret…everybody loves this shimmery chocolate-brown
I Don’t Give a Rotterdam! - This sassy steal-blue shimmer means business!
A Roll in The Hague -  Take advantage of this frisky little orange
Pedal Faster Suzi! - This pink lavender shimmer will have you “wheeling”
Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI? - All of Holland hollers for this crowd-pleasing plum
Thanks a WindMillion - You totally deserve this breezy sea green
Red Lights Ahead…Where? - This coral-packed red is the hottest in the district
Kiss Me on My Tulips - A smooch-worthy shade of hot pink 
Vampsterdam - A deep purple for a divine diva
I Have Herring Problem - What’s that you say? I need to “sea” this shimmery green-blue?
Did You ’ear About Van Gogh? - Rumor has it…this sandy bisque is a work of art

OPI is available at professional salons, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA.
Suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer is $8.50 ($10.95 CAN).
OPI is a 3-Free brand.

Perfume: Juicy Couture, Viva La Juicy

Juicy Couture, Viva La Juicy

Scent is not always easy for me to describe. It takes time to get to know a scent, but perfumes change over the course of a day. With a lipstick or an eye shadow I know immediately upon swatching it whether or not it pleases me. With a perfume, however, I have to spend time with it. I have to apply it and smell it throughout the entire day, perhaps even for several days, before I can decide if I like it. Do the top notes disappear? What notes are lingering? It is a time consuming process.

Allow me to be completely honest. I hated the idea of owning anything from Juicy Couture. I highly object to the misuse of the word "couture" being applied to their ready-made tracksuits. Anything ready-to-wear that does not require a fitting is not couture. The idea of velour tracksuits with a screen-printed logo gave me the impression that this brand was far less than classy regardless of the price tag.

My opinion of Viva La Juicy perfume is different: I adore it. I cannot judge it based upon the brand. I judge it for exactly what it is -- perfume. It's a sweet floral scent verging on being too sweet. I bought this in the small roll-on purse size before upgrading to the 1oz bottle from Sephora.

Notes: Wild Berries, Mandarins, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Jasmine, Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Praline.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

What's In My Makeup Bag, January

This was part of an Instagram challenge that asked to show the contents of your makeup bag, so here is mine. The zebra print bag is one of my own design that I make and sell on Etsy. I always carry MAC blotting powder and a retractable makeup brush from Sephora. I also always carry two roller-ball perfumes in Givenchy Very Irresistable and Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy so that I can freshen up any time of day. I always have mascara and eyeliner and right now it's Dior Diorshow mascara, MUFE Aqua Eyes Liner in #8 purple, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on pencil in Junkie green, and MAC Liquidlast liner. As far as lip products go, my bag is usually overflowing with variety. I have Stila Longwear Lip Color, MAC Viva Glam, Guerlain Rouge Automatique, NARS, MUFE, and a lipliner. There's also NARS Anglika blush, Crabtree & Evelyn rose hand lotion, pink hair ties, and a mirror.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

China Glaze Collection: Magnetix, official product photos and promo info

The latest collection from China Glaze is Magnetix for Spring 2012. It features six magnetic nail polishes. Available for purchase January 2012.

You Move Me – golden metallic
Cling On – green metallic
Pull Me Close – crystal blue metallic
Instant Chemistry – metallic berry
Drawn To You – subtle metallic lilac
Attraction – metallic chrome

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. They are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com

China Glaze Collection: Colours From The Capitol, Hunger Games, official product photos and promo info

The new Colours From The Capitol collection from China Glaze is scheduled to be released along with The Hunger Games film on March 23rd.

The Hunger Games Specialty Colour Collection includes 12 amazing full coverage Capitol Colours shades: Luxe and Lush (District 1 Luxury)
Stone Cold (District 2 Masonry)
Riveting (District 3 Technology)
Hook and Line (District 4 Fishing)
Electrify (District 5 Power)
Fast Track (District 6 Transportation)
Mahagony Magic (District 7 Lumber)
Dress Me Up (District 8 Textiles)
Harvest Moon (District 9 Grain)
Foie Gras (District 10 Livestock)
Argo (District 11 Agriculture)
Smoke and Ashes (District 12 Mining)

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. They are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com

Butter London Collection: Spring/Summer 2012, official photos and promo info

butter London has launched their new collection for Spring/Summer 2012.

What a season! Created backstage at Fashion week, the Spring/ Summer 2012 Collection features pops of neon colour, tempered by sherbet pastels, and cool neutrals, as seen on the catwalks. Founding Creative Director Nonie Creme mixed a couple of softer, opaque shades in cantaloupe and pale pistachio, and followed up with an intense retro turquoise and slightly glittery hot pink. Finally, a quietly marvelous sheer oyster that packs a tiny punch with micro glitter particles for those seeking a new way to wear neutral. The message this season is KNOW who you are, then BE who you are! The beauty world is yours to rule. The bespoke colours from our Spring/ Summer 2012 Collection include Slapper, Trout Pout, Disco Biscuit, Bossy Boots, and Knackered.

Slapper - A truly teal lacquer, bold and very bright.
Trout Pout - An opaque shade of cantaloupe, pale and retro.
Disco Biscuit - Tropical hot pink with an undercurrent of tiny iridescent glitter particles.
Bossy Boots - Light, opaque pistachio green. A beautiful take on neutral for this season.
Knackered - A sheer, twinkling oyster shade flecked with micro glitter particles.

Zoya True Collection, photos, swatches, and review

I picked up four out of six polishes from the new Zoya True Collection. They were released on January 11th for Spring 2012.

Bevin is described as "a dusty, medium sage green with teal tones and a creamy opaque finish. A stylish and unique shade for when you want something different from the usual mint green."

Skylar is described as "a medium steel blue with a softened, dusty look and speckled by visible gold and silver shimmer flecks. A soft blue that's bold without being too dark, bright or flashy." It has so much sparkle it's almost metallic.

Tru is described as "a saturated, red-toned grape purple with speckled shimmer that reflects gold, orange and red. Bold and saturated warm color made even more interesting with color-shifting shimmer." It has a metallic finish.

Lotus is described as "a very soft, dusty blue-toned amethyst purple with colorful shimmer that reflects pink, red and gold. A dreamy smoky shade for purple lovers that looks both soft and luminous."

Each of these swatches has two coats applied.

Zoya Bevin

Zoya Skylar

Zoya Tru

Zoya Lotus

Zoya Nail Polish nail polish is free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

Zoya Fleck Effect Trio, photos, swatches, and review

When I first saw the photos from this collection, I knew I was going to order it immediately upon release. I had seen swatches on other blogs and waited impatiently for the release on January11th. These are holographic top coats with mylar flecks inside a gel base.

Maisie is described as "a sheer turquoise blue base with reflective Mylar flakes that shift from green to blue? A fun flake glitter topcoat that can be layered over any shade to create a fascinating 3D effect."

Opal is described as "a sheer green base with reflective Mylar flakes that shift from bright green to blue.? A fun flake glitter topcoat that can be layered over any shade to create a fascinating 3D effect."

Chloe is described as "a sheer coral pink base with two types of duochrome Mylar flakes: red-orange to gold and gold-green to blue. A fun flake glitter topcoat that can be layered over any shade to create a fascinating 3D effect."

Each of these is applied in a single coat over two coats of white so the color will pop. It looks like Easter egg candy!

Zoya nail polish is free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

NARS Color Collection, Spring 2012 Campaign, official product photos and promo info

NARS Cosmetics Spring 2012 Campaign: Official Launch Date:  January 13th, 2012

"The Spring 2012 Collection, created by Founder and Creative Director François Nars, stars a mix of bright and playful colors balanced with rich, saturated hues. Nars chose to photograph model Ginta Lapina for the spring campaign, explaining, 'Her delicate features and classic beauty made her an ideal fit for a collection that’s at once fresh and fierce.'"

Douce France Trio Eyeshadow Icy pink / Rose petal pink / Deep rose $45.00
Paramaribo Metallic brass / Metallic bronze $34.00
Valparaiso Pure Matte Lipstick Rich raspberry $25.00
Lhasa Shimmer Eyeshadow Lavender grey $24.00
Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Navy blue $24.00
Gaiety Blush Bright candy pink $28.00
Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil Hot pink $24.00
Bilbao Satin Lipstick Shimmering topaz $24.00
Diamond Life Metallic violet $18.00

China Glaze Collection: ElectroPop, official product photos and promo info

The latest China Glaze collection is ElectroPop for Spring 2012 and it's divided into two sections: Lights, and Brights.

Where heavy metal meets rocker chic, China Glaze introduces the Spring 2012 collection, ElectroPop. Inspired by all things girly, edgy and fun, the 12 shades of ElectroPop bring out the inner rock star in all. For flash and glam this spring, China Glaze hits the stage in style!

Techno – Glitter confetti polish for a dazzling topcoat finish or all over finger tip bling
Aquadelic – Pool blue for nighttime gigs and daytime fun in the sun
Sunshine Pop – Shine in the spotlight in bold yellow
Gaga For Green – Green lacquer for the girl craving the limelight
Make Some Noise – Rock the mic in tangerine
Fuchsia Fanatic – Fuchsia pink for the rocker diva in us all

Wicked Style – Party cocktail tropical punch
Dance Baby – Hit center stage in cotton candy pink
Electric Beat – Periwinkle nails for a wink worthy performance
Kinetic Candy – Touch the sky in light blue crème
Sweet Hook – Blow a kiss in dreamy lilac
Gothic Lolita – Steal the show on girls night out in seductive purple

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. They are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com

OPI Collection: Nicki Minaj, official product photos and promo info

The OPI & Nicki Minaj collection for Spring 2012.Available in January.

Press Release:


Super Bass Shatter - A record-setting purple that "shatters" before your eyes.
Save Me - I drove miles just to find this silver-rainbow glitter.
Metallic 4 Life - This charcoal sparkle flies with the stars in the skies.
Pink Friday - Kick off the weekend with this pop! of bubblegum pink.
Did It 'Em - A lusty little lacquer that loves the "lime"-light.
Fly - I came to win, to fight... and to wear this aqua.

OPI is available at professional salons, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA.
Suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer is $8.50 ($10.95 CAN).
OPI is a 3-Free brand.

MAC Naturally Collection, photos, swatches, and review

This is Subtle Breeze mineralize blush from the new MAC Naturally collection, you can see the promo info here. It's described as a blue-pink blush; it's a cool toned pink with a soft texture. It's the only item I picked up from this collection.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

MAC and Iris Apfel Collection, photos, swatches, and review

This is Robins' Egg eyeshadow from the new MAC & Iris Apfel collection. You can see the promo information for it here. It's a gorgeous matte teal color. Whenever MAC releases a collection with a green/teal/blue shade, it always seems to sell out the fastest. So, I made sure to snatch this up as soon as it was available. It's buttery soft and easily blendable.

I also picked up the Embrace Me lip pencil which is a gorgeous bright pink to go well with Show Orchid or Full Fuchsia. I'll try to remember to swatch this!

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

Zoya Neeka photos, swatches, review

Purple sparkles! I absolutely adore this Zoya nail polish. It was released in July as part of the Smoke and Mirrors collection, with Neeka being one of the Mirrors shades. Zoya describes it as "a greyed amethyst with subtle red duochrome shimmer and bright gold glitter accents. A fascinating, unique shade that manages to be glittery but not too flashy." I applied two coats here. Originally it was my plan to dedicate a post to each part of the collection, but my posts have been too sparse lately!

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus