NOTD - Zoya's Paz

This is my first bottle of Zoya polish and I got it at Ulta on clearance. This is from Zoya's La-Di-Da Summer 2009 collection. After months on my polish rack I decided to give it a try since the weather has been quite warm lately and the color totally suits it. This is also my first bottle of a jelly type of polish so I was surprised at its gelatin-like cream opaqueness after one coat. After two coats I realized how bright it was. I never thought to look at other bloggers review of this and after some research, most agreed with its eye-squinting brilliance.

This took two coats of the Zoya and 1 coat of Poshe top coat.

This was great while it lasted the weekend but I'm ready to tone it down a bit. See you later LacLoves!

NOTD - butter LONDON's Trout Pout

Over the Earth Day weekend there was a special on butter LONDON nail polish at our local Dillard's and the makeup department employee had me at FREE butter LONDON.

Buy 2 get Come to Bed Red FREE

butter LONDON winners are...

Trout Pout - a bright pink salmon color
Bossy Boots - avocodo
Come to Bed Red - a very sexy red

I decided to go with Trout Pout first because I wanted to know if it is a close shade to Julep's Alicia.

Proven in the following pictures, it doesn't really come close. While Alicia may be very close to a salmon color that I am currently obsessed with, Trout Pout is a lot more orangey-pink than I would like.

Two layers

One layer

Also, I am finding that this brand is a little streaky which can easily be fixed with a better brush. The brushes for these lacquers are a little skinny and doesn't cover a whole lot of nail in one stroke. I found myself having this dip the brush 2-3 times per layer.

Overall, it's a very fun color and perfect for Summer!

My Earth Day Nails!

Happy Belated Earth Day!! These were my nails for Sunday in honor of National Earth Day.My son took one look at my nails and said, "Oooh you have space nails, Mommy!" His father pointed out that Earth was on one of my nails and told him that is where we live. He looks confused, and my 3 year-old asks, "We live on Mommy's nails?" Oh you gotta love children...

I went to my city's Earth Day Festival and it was disappointing. I only wish there was more to offer the citizens of Stockton because despite what outsiders think, there is still beauty here! Anyway, I digress...

I need to start wrapping my nails, by the time they are completely dry, the whole coat kinda shrinks. I keep forgetting but maybe writing about this right now will make me remember in the future.

This is what I used for my Earth Day nails...

Whole nail
Essie - Midnight Cami

Whole nail
China Glaze - Shooting Stars (1 coat)... How appropriate!

Earth
OPI - Green-wich Village
OPI - Ogre-the-top Blue

NOTD - Kelly by Julep

With flash...

Without flash...

I wanted something more calm on this particular day. I chose Kelly from my Spring mystery box and looking at the bottle, I thought it looked a lot like their Penelope but this is a little less pink and more peachy to me. It's a very nice neutral shade.

I put two coats on to achieve this level of opacity but next time I'm going to try just painting one coat to make it look more natural.

This is a very nice choice on days you don't want loud, screaming nails. Those days are few in my world...

Free Origins Moisturizer!! April 22, 2012 ONLY

- Have empty skincare product bottle?
- Print out the form from HERE, fill it out
- take the form and bottle to an Origins counter, or store,
- trade it in for a full size moisturizer!

For more information go here...

ZOYA Earth Day Nail Polish Exchange 2012

I have been waiting AAAALLL year for this! I have been religiously checking Zoya's blog for them to make the announcement and I didn't see it until two days ago.

Unlike the previous years, the time allotted for this exchange has significantly shortened to just one weekend. I just submitted my order and now I am writing this post.

Via Zoya's Blog...

Here’s all you need to do!

1.    Go to www.zoya.com, pick out the polishes you would like and add them to your cart. You must select at
       least 6 and no more than 24 bottles of polish (Salons accounts minimum 12 maximum 48 bottles).
2.    Apply the code: EARTHZOYA2012
3.    Your order value will be adjusted to reflect a 50% discount (we use these funds to properly dispose of
       the old nail polish).
4.    Review and SUBMIT your order!

 Once you get your order (Here is where the exchanging* happens)…

 
1.    Ship back the equivalent number of bottles to the ones you received to the return address below
       (ie. If you got 6 bottles of Zoya – you would send us up to 6 NON-ZOYA polishes). Please check with
       your carrier on the proper way to ship nail polish.

 
 2.    Include a copy of your order.

To clarify the exchange: You do not have to send us the exact amount of bottles that you are ordering. You can send any quantity up to that amount. You can also donate. If you decide you don't want to do either, it's ok "Offer is not contingent on customer returning polish" we will still love you and send you the Zoya polishes... We'll just send you on a guilt trip for a while :)

Shipping Address
Art of Beauty, Inc.
c/o Polish Exchange
5060 Taylor Rd, Unit D
Cleveland, Ohio, 44128, USA

Once we receive your polish we do the rest! It’s that simple!

IMPORTANT

The bottles you send in cannot be Zoya, Qtica or Nocti polishes (but they can be any other brand).

We are using the honor code here folks! We want to make sure you get your Zoya Nail Polish! We send you the polish first then you send your old polish back to us! If you do choose to send us your old polish we promise to properly dispose of it according to EPA guidelines. This offer is only good through this
weekend so hurry – Don’t Wait!

I can't wait to show you what I ordered!

Julep Maven Styles for May 2012

Hey, Lacquer Heads! Its that time of month for Mavens to choose their maven styles or to preview their boxes and this month has got me all excited for their new MAGNETIC polish. That is right, MAGNETIC! I am a huge fan of magnetic polish and although I haven't seen very much hype lately, I personally go crazy over it.

If you don't know what that is, it's chrome-looking polish that you generously paint on, you hold a special magnet over your nail, and the magnet pulls the iron to the surface of your polish to make unique designs, which sets when the polish dries.

Here is an example...

That huge topper is actually the magnet and this is the brand that I have.

Anyway, here are the May 2012 Julep Maven styles!

Please notice that there is no polish in the Classic with a Twist box but that's okay for those who don't mind getting just hand and foot care. Heaven knows some people need them...

If you aren't already a Maven PLEASE sign up. I haven't had the slightest regret with joining, unlike my Beauty Army box... You can still get your first box for a PENNY!!

-Go to the link that I have here
-Take the quiz (taking the quiz does not obligate you to anything)
-You will get a style tailored from your quiz
-Click on SIGN ME UP (you will be able to choose from the other styles on this page if you don't like the one that you got. Just click on "see other maven styles...)
-Choose the box you want for $19.99
-Check out
-Under the promotion code put in COLOR2012 or PENNY
-Choose the free shipping option (Your box will come in about 7-10 days, but mine usually come in about 4)
-Finalize!!!

REMEMBER! You can cancel anytime but I recommend that you try it for at least 2 months. The polish is awesome! Not to mention the treatments, appliques, that come with it also. I also got an email letting me know that I will be getting a Julep makeup bag as an introductory gift, worth $18 :) Loving my Julep...

NOTD - Julep's Jessica

 With flash...

Without flash...

"Wow, those are bright." Is what the boyfriend said when he noticed them. The color is eye-catching is it? I think I'm going to go back and add a little accent to it, maybe that will tone it down but I kinda like it. Reliable Julep only took one coat to get it that opaque.

My sister got this in her "IT Girl" April 2012 box and she was complaining about the brush being wonky. That is why I decided to try it out today because I am, by far, a firm Julep supporter and if she's not happy with it, I need to see for myself...

You see how thick the lacquer is on the brush? That is why this brand is an awesome "one-layer" kinda polish. I had no problem putting it on and I don't want to call my sister a liar but I can see where she had trouble. I'm a little upset that it went to waste because she took it right off after putting it on. The stuff isn't watered down and it's going to come on a little thicker than OPI or CG. 

Anyway, NOTD... there it is.

My First Beauty Army Kit

Okay, okay, I know... no nail polish but I couldn't help but share. This is the only other beauty box that I have subscribed to other than Julep. Since Julep has hit a home run with me, I did some research and I decided to sign up for this particular one because I loved the idea of choosing your own samples. I signed up a couple of months ago and I was wait listed. When I got the notice that I could sign up I jumped at the chance.

After taking a beauty profile quiz, you are shown 9 different products to choose from. You get to choose 6 and it's $12/month. I finally got my kit today...

The box is very cute with pink army print on the inside...

The packaging is so carefully done, that you feel privileged to have received it, BUT I don't think it's necessary.  When researching this beauty box, the products were individually wrapped but they didn't come that way. That's good because I don't think I would like unwrapping every single tube.

Pssssst! - The original dry shampoo

Mama Mio Boob Tube - firming neck & breast cream

Mymix Foundation in Medium

Cellceuticals Neocell - micro-resurfacing skin treatment

Babor Sunscreen

Befine Night Cream 

I can't say that I'm completely satisfied with my first box because I wish there were more cosmetics to choose from. I didn't really care for the fancy packaging because it made me wonder, if they did without it, will the products be better? I'll try this out for a couple more months and hope that there will be more to choose from. 

If you're interested in signing up... CLICK HERE

NOTD - OPI Who the Skrek are You?

I know I post a lot about Julep, I just can't help it, I love the stuff!! So, here is a break... I bought this dress at Target...

 

I looked through my stash to see what matched...

Perfect! I didn't have any top coat for these pictures because I wasn't sure whether or not to put crackle on top. I ended up just putting it on one. OPI, you are a good friend to me.

2 coats of polish

I use Orly's rubberized base coat and Poshe's top coat, my polish lasts for days!

My Sister's Julep Spring Mystery Box Arrived...

and I'm jealous...

Totally worth more than my box!

$50 voucher
Top coat - $14
Polish (3) - $42
     Melissa - Seashells!
     Anne - Purple creme
     Hayden - an orangey peach creme
Argan oil - $24

Total worth - $130... lucky B.

That's okay because these boxes make me want to stay a Julep maven FOREVER!!!

Also, you can sign up for Julep's, Julep Maven program and get your first box for a PENNY!

-Go to the link that I have here
-Take the quiz (taking the quiz does not obligate you to anything)
-You will get a style tailored from your quiz
-Click on SIGN ME UP (you will be able to choose from the other styles on this page if you don't like the one that you got. Just click on "see other maven styles...)
-Choose the box you want for $19.99
-Check out
-Under the promotion code put in COLOR2012
-Choose the free shipping option (Your box will come in about 7-10 days, but mine usually come in about 4)
-Finalize!!!

REMEMBER! You can cancel anytime but I recommend that you try it for at least 2 months. The polish is awesome! Not to mention the treatments, appliques, that come with it also. I also got an email letting me know that I will be getting a Julep makeup bag as an introductory gift, worth $18 :) Loving my Julep...

Julep Spring Mystery Box is HERE!!

Let's just go straight to the pictures...

I couldn't be any more happier! I don't have any of those shades and who says there's such a thing as too much cuticle oil? Not me! Wait... I take that back, I do have one of them, Melissa. The one that reminds of a seashell. That's okay because I am going to share the love and that will be my first follower's, Annabelle's, prize!

Cuticle oil - $18
Top coat - $14
Polish (3) - $42
     Melissa
     Kelly - soft shade of pink
     Gayle - a deep purple creme

Total worth: $74... not bad at all

Also, you can sign up for Julep's, Julep Maven program and get your first box for a PENNY!

-Go to the link that I have here
-Take the quiz (taking the quiz does not obligate you to anything)
-You will get a style tailored from your quiz
-Click on SIGN ME UP (you will be able to choose from the other styles on this page if you don't like the one that you got. Just click on "see other maven styles...)
-Choose the box you want for $19.99
-Check out
-Under the promotion code put in COLOR2012
-Choose the free shipping option (Your box will come in about 7-10 days, but mine usually come in about 4)
-Finalize!!!

REMEMBER! You can cancel anytime but I recommend that you try it for at least 2 months. The polish is awesome! Not to mention the treatments, appliques, that come with it also. I also got an email letting me know that I will be getting a Julep makeup bag as an introductory gift, worth $18 :) Loving my Julep...

My FIRST Follower!! You win a prize!!

Congratulations to, Annabelle for being my first follower!! I did not announce that this would be momentous because whoever it was going to be was going to get something! It will be lacquer, of course... and I will be posting exactly what she will be getting. Whoopee!!!

This is Melissa and she will be going to a good home...

NOTD - Julep's Charlotte

This has got to be one of my favorite shades. Julep's Charlotte is a soft purple creme that only took one coat to get that opaque layer.

The picture shows the shade is a little brighter than it actually is. It's more subtle and dusty, such as lavender. That's it... lavender, but if I were to compare it to another shade, it would probably be like Color Club's Uptown Girl

Julep's Spring Mystery Box!!!

 

GET YOUR BOX HERE

It's that time again! I go totally crazy when Julep comes out with their mystery boxes because this is the box where I get the most bang out of my buck. My first Mystery Box was the Valentine's Day edition and I received over $200 worth of Julep goodies. So, get on this!

You have until April 8, 2012 and there are only a limited amount of boxes! 

Also, you can sign up for Julep's, Julep Maven program and get your first box for a PENNY!

-Go to the link that I have here
-Take the quiz (taking the quiz does not obligate you to anything)
-You will get a style tailored from your quiz
-Click on SIGN ME UP (you will be able to choose from the other styles on this page if you don't like the one that you got. Just click on "see other maven styles...)
-Choose the box you want for $19.99
-Check out
-Under the promotion code put in COLOR2012
-Choose the free shipping option (Your box will come in about 7-10 days, but mine usually come in about 4)
-Finalize!!!

REMEMBER! You can cancel anytime but I recommend that you try it for at least 2 months. The polish is awesome! Not to mention the treatments, appliques, that come with it also. I also got an email letting me know that I will be getting a Julep makeup bag as an introductory gift, worth $18 :) Loving my Julep...

Get your Spring Mystery Box HERE!!