Girly Bits Magically Delicious and Orly Green Apple - May is Lyme Disease Awareness and Mental Health Month

As I mentioned last night, May is a very special month personally.  It is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Mental Health Month, both use the color green to help educate.  I will spend this time bringing you as many green manicures and nail art as my Friends and  I possibly can in addition to regular posts. 

My first mani is Girly Bits Magically Delicious over 2 coats of Orly Green Apple.  Magically Delicious is a combination of all the ingredients I love in a polish, lots of glitter in many different forms (hex, bar and holographic), a jelly base which is so popular right now and the color I love most...GREEN!

This is 2 coats of Orly Green Apple topped with 2 coats of Girly Bits Magically Delicious which is part of the Calender Girls Collection.  

Here's a close up, the lighting is from my Ott Natural Light Makeup Mirror which I have come to love.  My light box is currently taken down so I can use the grooming table beneath for my dogs, yes....you read that right!  I multi-task and multi-purpose things as much as I can.  


I've spent a lot of time the past two weeks grooming my Havanese.  Even with flea and tick meds, I have found a total of 6 ticks on them, so now they are all getting very short hair cuts so I can keep a closer check on them.  As with any loved one, human or fur-baby, please follow the prevention and removal tips from the Centers For Disease Control.


Stay tuned for more green mani's this month (with a little help from my friends, you included...email me yours) along with a contest and a few more exciting things to be announced in the next few days.  I will be contacting the winner's of my One Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway soon.  And thanks to everyone who left comments on yesterday's post, I think it brought you and I a little closer and hope to do more of this in the future.  Please stay in touch whether it's through my blog, email or Facebook, because I too "Care and Read"!

May Update - No Pictures, Just Very Important Words

Just a reminder that my 1 Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway ends May 1, 2012 at 12 AM EST.  This is only 28 hours away!  Just click on the link above or the picture on my sidebar.  I will announce winners as soon as I can, this is my first time using Rafflecopter.  I know it will pick the 10 winners for me, but then I will need to sort through them to award the prizes based on the winners choices.

Once the 10 winners are announced, they will have 48 hours to respond to my email and I will post on here when the emails are sent.  If there's any entries you missed or that need to be fixed, you are able to still do both.  Please make sure you followed the rules, I will be checking closely.

Now more good news and important information!

• After this giveaway is finished, I will hold my Face Book 1000 follower and Twitter 1500 follower giveaways.  I have a very special, highly sought after polish for each one.  
• I'm also one of the Sponsor's of the Beauty Blogger's Coalition - May Day Competition, which is a $500 Visa Gift Card and it ends May 1st at 12 AM PST (I think!)
• May is a very special month for me, it's Lyme Disease Awareness Month (read my about me) and it is also Mental Health Month. When anyone goes through chronic pain and illness, depression usually goes hand in hand with it, and there are so many more illnesses/diseases that are included in this cause that I can't list them, but one is just as important as another.   Since green represents both causes, I will be announcing a Green Manicure/Nail Art contest.  Go ahead and start thinking of what mani you want to enter, details coming very soon!

How many people read this?  If you did, please leave a comment, even if it's a short "I care" or "I read" only.
Thank you to everyone that is a part of my life!

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly RoundUp - April 12, 2012

• Are you ready for summertime's beachy hair? Beauty Info Zone shows all the right products from American Culture's Pure NV BKT line to make the job beautiful and effortless.
• Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has swatched all the Sunday Riley lipsticks. You don't want to miss these beauties especially now that both Barneys and Dermstore carry the line.
• Retrodiva shares the new pastel eye by Make Up For Ever, just in time for spring!
• BlushingNoir shows off three retina burning shades from the THAKOON for NARS Nail Polish Collection!
• The Beauty Delicacy gets her shades of summer ready with "juicy hues of orange blush."
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom shares her newest vampy red love Deborah Lippmann's Single Ladies.
• Is OPI Number One Nemesis really a dupe for Chanel Graphite? Read polish insomniac's post to find out!
• Looking for a fun pink lipgloss for spring and summer that won't fade before you even make it to the beach? Perilously Pale has a solution in another gorgeous shade of Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain in Rose Vinyl.
• The Lacquered Lady shows us an absolutely gorgeous polish from the Orly Dark Shadows collection!
• Are you ready for summer? Polarbelle has some of the new Nars Summer 2012 Collection swatches.
• Check out MAC Fashion Sets collection that features their best selling and cult favorite shades from around the world over at The Makeup Divas.
• Phyrra brings you a gorgeous smoky peach video tutorial with Makeup Geek eyeshadows.
• The perfect nude polish, Midnight Manicures shares with you her find! Could this be your perfect nude too?.
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful shows off the gorgeous bronzed shade "Jersey? Sure!" from Nails by Laura, a hand mixed nail polish indie polish shop.
• Spontaneous Chick Posted a Vincent Longo Review.
• Pammy Blogs Beauty embraces the "Color of the Year" with Sephora + Pantone Universe's Blush Duo in Tangerine Tango. Has she found a new favorite blush?
• Blondycandy shares her fascination with new Guerlain Meteorites Perles D'Azur.
• Miss L shows her bright spring nails.

China Glaze Crackle Glitters

Tonight, I am bringing you swatches of the 4 new China Glaze Crackle Glitters.  They are the easiest to use crackle products so far.  Depending on whether you like a few thick crackles or a lot of thinner ones, the thickness of the coat of polish matters.  The thicker the polish, the wider and less crackle effect you will get. (Nail wheels below will show the difference best.)

China Glaze Glam-More - a bold fuchsia over Crimson

China Glaze Luminous Lavender - a luscious light purple over Argo 

China Glaze Jade-d - a radiant bright green over Harvest Moon

China Glaze Gleam Me Up - a bright sky blue over Designer Satin

(This was a little harder for me to photography.)

Applied over a white cream polish, no top coat used.

Glam-More - thick layer

Luminous Lavender - medium layer

Jade-d - thick layer

Gleam Me Up - thin layer

Applied over a white cream polish, one layer of top coat used.

Glam-More - thick layer

Luminous Lavender - medium layer

Jade-d - thick layer

Gleam Me Up - thin layer

The China Glaze® Crackle Glitters collection will be available as open stock colors and four-piece counter display.  Individual polishes retail for $9 MSRP and will be available at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide in May 2012.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

What do you think about the new Crackle Glitters?  Which one is your favorite?  This product was sent to me for my unbiased and honest review.

Soulstice Nail Color - St. Tropez

Tonight, I am bringing you St. Tropez from the new Spring shades at Soulstice.  St. Tropez is a beautiful nude with a slight shimmer.  I used 2 coats and it went on effortlessly.  No top coat was used and it was photographed in artificial light.

Soulstice Nail Colors are non-toxic, 100% vegan, big 3 and cruelty-free.  They are available in 39 shades and you can purchase individually for $8 each or 5 pack for $30 plus tax and S&H.  You can shop on their website at SoulsticeSpa.com and follow them on Facebook at Soulstice Nail Colors.

This polish was sent for my unbiased and honest review and I hope to own more of their beautiful colors in the future.  What are your thoughts?

Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Instant Cover - 50% Off Promo

Enriched Instant Cover available in Light, Medium and Deep. Log on and order today www.remedynails.com                          AdWill Labs, Inc 369 93rd Street Brooklyn, New York 11209 Don't miss this chance to SAVE 50% while supplies last.  (Use promo code: ICSpring2012) Offer Expires: May 15th, 2012

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly RoundUp - April 22, 2012

• Phyrra lets you in on the secrets of How to Win at Makeup (or Cosplay) Contests.
• Is OPI Just Spotted the Lizard really a dupe fore Chanel Peridot? Read polish insomniac's post to find out!
• BlushingNoir is one of 15 finalists in the Allure Beauty Blogger of the Year Awards!! Check out the post to see what this means and how you can show your support!
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom showcases one of the new Wet n Wild Spoiled polishes Distant Memory.
• This week, Spontaneous Chick discusses in neutral colors.
• Pammy Blogs Beauty's obsession with "naked"/nudes palettes continues. This week she tries out NYX's Butt "Naked" Eyes palette.
• The Beauty Delicacy shares a beauty detox tip using "kelp + aloe.".
• Midnight Manicures brings you 2 new Zoya Collections, Beach & Surf, just in time for the 2012 Zoya Earth Day Polish Exchange Promotion!.
• The Lacquered Lady shows us a Game of Thrones inspired manicure.
• Polarbelle shows how to heal scars with La Mer The Concentrate.

Zoya's 2012 Summer Surf Collection - Part 2

Tonight, I am bringing you the 2nd part of Zoya's new Surf Collection that has been released for Summer 2012.  And now Zoya has one of their best yearly promotions going on, The 2012 Zoya Earth Day Exchange (click link for details). All swatches are 2 coats and went on fairly easy.  I am really enjoying the metallic micro glitter finishes in this collection.  Click here to see Part 1 of the Surf Collection.

Meg is described as a light yellow-toned mermaid green with heavy gold and silver metallic shimmer and a sparkling foil finish. 

Zuza is described as a deep, saturated, oceanic turquoise with gold and silver metallic shimmer and a foil-like finish. 

Myrta is described as a warm medium orange coral with red undertone, gold and silver metallic shimmer, and a foil-like finish.

Remember to check out the promo going on this weekend and use my Share The Love link.  You can purchase this collection on their website at Zoya.com, Ulta or in some salons.  The polishes retail for $8 each.  Follow Zoya on Facebook and learn about promotions and share your favorite Zoya manicures with other fans.  What do you think about the new collections so far?

*The polishes in this post were provided to me by the company for my honest and unbiased review.

Zoya's Summer 2012 Surf Collection - Part 1

Tonight, I am bringing you 3 of Zoya's new Surf Collection that has been released for Summer 2012.  And now Zoya has one of their best yearly promotions going on, The 2012 Zoya Earth Day Exchange (click link for details).  All swatches were 2 coats, coverage was great and application was fairly easy.  The metallic micro glitter polishes seem to dry fast, so avoid going back over as much as possible.  As slow as I am, I caused a few bald spots, but this is easily avoided.  Did I say how much I am in love with this collection yet?

First is Carly, my favorite!  She is described as a rich, bold, red-toned dark purple with iridescent red and silver metallic shimmer and a dense foil finish.  

Next is Rory, described as a medium mauve pink with lilac tones, gold and silver reflective metallic shimmer accents, and a foil-like finish.

Kimber was hard for me to catch her true beauty.  She is described as a rich, bright and saturated medium magenta pink with strong gold metallic shimmer and a foil-like finish

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Surf Collection tomorrow.  Remember to check out the promo going on this weekend and use my Share The Love link.  You can purchase this collection on their website at Zoya.com, Ulta or in some salons.  The polishes retail for $8 each.  Follow Zoya on Facebook and learn about promotions and share your favorite Zoya manicures with other fans.  What do you think about the new collections so far?

*The polishes in this post were provided to me by the company for my honest and unbiased review.

Zoya's Summer 2012 Beach Collection - Part 2

***As I was saying last night about Zoya's great promotions, they have announced what I think is their best of the year.  The Earth Day Exchange 2012 (click link for all the details), $4 per bottle plus shipping and you can send your old polishes back to them and they will dispose of them properly.  To order, please use my Zoya Share The Love Link and make sure while you are there to get your own.

Tonight, I am bringing you the second part of the new Beach Collection from Zoya.  There are two creams and one with a light shimmer.  Later this week you will get to see the Surf Collection, you won't be disappointed!  You won't have any doubts when you see the all of the Summer 2012 Collections as to which season they belong to, they to me scream the many Summers I spent at Myrtle Beach, SC with Family and Friends.  

First is Arizona, this color was surprising opaque at two coats, application was easy.  Oranges always scare me with my skin tone, but I was pleasantly surprised with how this one turned out.  It's amazing in person, it was hard to capture on camera no matter what I tried.  This photo is the closest I could come to the true color.  Arizona is described as a softened bright citrus orange with a muted cream finish. 

Next is Tracie, she can be best described as a faded, yellow-toned pistachio green with a delicate silvery shimmer for a frosted pearl finish.   This was also a two-coater but a little harder to apply as I was trying to keep the vertical lines from showing.  I know this bothers some people, but as you know, I love my greens no matter what finish is.

Finally I have Wednesday for you.  Two easy, smooth coats and probably my favorite of the swatches tonight.  I can't help but to giggle at the name as it reminds me of the Adams Family character.  She can be best described as a faded dirty medium turquoise with green undertone and an opaque cream finish. 

This concludes the Beach Collection, Part 1 can be found here:  Zoya Beach Collection - The Pinks.  You can purchase this collection on their website at Zoya.com, Ulta or in some salons.  The polishes retail for $8 each.  Follow Zoya on Facebook and learn about promotions and share your favorite Zoya manicures with other fans.  What do you think about the new collections so far?

*The polishes in this post were provided to me by the company for my honest and unbiased review.

Zoya's Summer 2012 Beach Collection - The Pinks

I'm going to bring Zoya's new Summer 2012 Collections to you in 4 parts.  I'm not a power swatcher and I've been lacking in the good health department lately (read my about me).  First I'm going to bring you the 3 pinks from the Beach Collection.  My initial thought was "why 3 pinks in one collection?", but they are so different and great for all the new summer fashions out this year.  In fact, I can say I'm in love with all 12 polishes in both new collections.

First is Reagan, she is described as a cool fuchsia pink with subtle blue undertone and an opaque cream finish.  I think this my favorite of the 3 pinks.  Opaque in 2 coats and very smooth in application.

 Next, is Lara, she is described as a medium magenta-rose pink with subtle yellow undertone and a soft cream finish.  Again, application is 2 very smooth coats.  Did I mention this is my favorite?  :)

Last but not least, my favorite, Shelby.  She is described as a soft but colorful cherry blossom pink with an opaque cream finish.  This was 2 thin coats and I think I could have safely went with a 3rd.

I know I said all 3 were my favorite, but each time I applied another color, it did become just that!  I will bring you the rest of the Beach collection this week and the Surf collection also.  You can purchase this collection on their website at Zoya.com, Ulta or in some salons.  The polishes retail for $8 each.  Follow Zoya on Facebook and learn about promotions and share your favorite Zoya manicures with other fans.  To view the 2nd part of the Beach Collection click here.  What do you think about the new collections so far?

*The polishes in this post were provided to me by the company for my honest and unbiased review.

The Beauty Blog Coalition - May Day Competition

We're at it again!  The Beauty Blog Coalition is giving away another $500 (USD) Visa Card!  All terms and conditions may be found at the bottom of the Rafflecopter widget.  Please allow the widget to load in full.  Competition ends 1 May 2012.  You may enter on any of the blogs below - Rafflecopter won't allow you enter twice.  You may tweet about the giveaway (the last option in the Rafflecopter) every day for extra entries!

Please visit the lovely sponsors of this competition!

PolishGalore	Beauty Swatches
Moxie Reviews	Glitter Gloss Garbage
Polarbelle	Prime Beauty
Phyrra	Midnight Manicures
Naturally, Nancy	Blushing Noir
Perilously Pale	Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom
My Highest Self	Pretty In Dayton
Beauty Info Zone	Retrodivas's Beauty
The Plastic Diaries	Emily Hudspeth
Beauty And Fashion Tech	FutureDerm

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup - April 15, 2012

• Retrodiva issues a hair challenge: can you use natural oils on your hair to make it healthy and shiny?
• Beauty Delicacy hits the motherlode with a "red alert" lipgloss.
• Check out The Makeup Divas review and swatches of MAC In Extra Definition.
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom shows off the Zoya Surf collection, including the shimmery Myrta!.
• Phyrra does a wearable bright pink video tutorial with BftE Cosmetics.
• See BlushingNoir "crack up" her nails with the new China Glaze Crackle Glitters!
• My Newest Addiction swatched the new Sephora + Pantone Color Of The Year Kit..
• The Lacquered Lady shows us her favorite polish from the China Glaze Prismatic Chroma collection, Full Spectrum. And it is blinding!
• Everyone’s talking about Too Faced Better Than False Lashes. Beauty Info Zone shows you why it’s such a hot commodity.
• Beauty and Fashion Tech has a United Styles Review. The company where you can design your own dress!
• Girl Gloss looks at 4 Bright Eye Shadow Looks.
• Curls N Pearls shares a Game of Thrones Daenerys Inspired Hair Tutorial, check out the tutorial here and get your curl on.
• Madame B Fatale shows us a twisted up do you can create at home.
• Spontaneous Chick has a China Glaze Lorelei’s Tiara Review.
• Have you heard the buzz about the new Chanel Malice Blush? Polarbelleshares with us her newest acquisition.
• Midnight ManicuresCelebrates her One Year Blog Anniversary with a Huge Giveaway! 10 prizes including Lynnderella, Girly Bits, SoFlaJo, GingerKittyDesigns and many more, Enter Today!
• Pammy Blogs Beauty finally got to see the Hunger Games movie! Check out the Hunger Games-inspired manicures that she created with Pure Ice Nail Polish.
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful shows us her long wearing purple smoky eye and how to achieve it using drugstore products!
• The Stepford Witch shares her Summer Beauty Routine .

Happy Easter - SoFlaJo's Spring Flowers and Happy Hour Collections

Happy Easter!

I wanted to wish all my friends and followers a Happy Easter.  For days, I have been trying to think of what polish or technique I wanted to use for my Easter manicure.  So many choices with all the new polishes, stamping plates and stickers out.  I had received a shipment earlier this week from SoFlaJo Hand Poured Originals and it stood out with all the jelly and glitter finishes.  This is a combination of the Spring Flowers and just released Happy Hour Collections. 

Thumb to Pinky

Pink Lady, Buttercup topped with Dew Drop, Grasshopper, Blue Martini 

and Orange Blossom Special topped with Dew Drop.

Pink Lady, Buttercup, Grasshopper, Blue Martini, Orange Blossom Special and Dew Drop.

Blue Martini, Pink Lady and Grasshopper from the newly released Happy Hour Collection.

Buttercup, Dew Drop and Orange Blossom Special from the Spring Flowers Collection.

I used approximately 3 thick coats of polish on each finger more or less (sorry I lost count).  I did not mind when I had to use 3 coats, because the application was very easy.  The glitter distributed evenly without manipulation.  I topped Buttercup and Orange Blossom Special with Dew Drop and then all with a layer of Seche Vite.  The finish, even on the mixed glitter polishes were pretty smooth without the Seche Vite.

If you are looking for a great Indie (Independent) brand, I would recommend SoFlaJo Polishes.  You can follow Jody's blog by clicking the link and you can purchase her polishes on her Etsy site.  Mini sets are available and price depends on how many are in the set ($5 each polish) and the larger polishes are available individually ($10 each polish) or in sets.

The polishes above were both purchased by me and also sent by SoFlaJo for my honest and unbiased review. I will be bringing you more swatches from both sets and don't forget to check out the first set that was released...Year Of The Dragon.  Comments are always appreciated and welcome, let me and Jody know your thoughts about her creations.  Remember to enter my One Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway for your chance to win a whole mini set of SoFlaJo Hand Poured Originals Happy Hour Collection.

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly RoundUp - April 7, 2012

• Suffering from Hunger Games addiction, Styrch at Pretty in Dayton decided it would be fun to try a slightly more accessible Effie Face of the Day.
• Have a love/hate relationship with your heat tools? Retrodiva does, too. Here are her top three tools that you absolutely must have for gorgeous hair.
• Still looking for that perfect French perfume? Clare @ cclarebear might have found it, with Lostmarc'h Ael Mat.
• BlushingNoir shows how to make your eyes pop with MAC Love Cycle Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo from the Chenman Love & Water Collection.
• polish insomniac is in love with her Syrup Nails, and she shows you how to do it in this tutorial!
• Midnight Manicures brings you the latest and greatest of Barielle's release of 90 new polish colors. Check them out now!
• Check out Pammy Blogs Beauty's "Star Products" for the Month of March 2012!
• The Lacquered Lady shares her tips for looking your best and applying make up during allergy season. Some of them may surprise you!!
• Visit Polarbelle for a peak at a delicious pink fiery jelly nail polish from Deborah Lippmann, exclusive to HSN.!
• Glitter.Gloss.Garbage shows swatches of MAC Love Cycle
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautifulswatches My Silicone Popped by Spoiled Nail Polish...yes you read that name right!
• The Zoya Beach collection is here! Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom is loving Arizona.

China Glaze - Prismatic Chroma Glitters - Part 1

Tonight, I am bringing you 3 of the colors from the Prismatic Chroma Glitters collection.  Inspired by the colors formed by the refraction of light through a prism, Prismatic by China Glaze® combines glitter and holographic particles to create the ultimate eye-catching, 3-dimensional manicure. 

You can use one coat as a topper on another polish or two coats to give it an opaque look.  Two coats was used in all of the swatches below.  This polish goes on surprisingly smooth for glitter.  The little bumps and mistakes you see in my pictures can't be seen by the naked eye. I just used one coat of Seche Vite on top. Depending on how smooth you like you polish, you could use Gelous or Seche Vite or a combination of both. This would also be a great polish to use in a "Jelly Mani".

Optical Illusion

Optical Illusion

Full Spectrum

Full Spectrum

Liquid Crystal

Liquid Crystal

Optical Illusion, Full Spectrum and Liquid Crystal

Stay tuned next week for the 2nd part of the review that will include Polarized, Ray-diant and Prism.  The polishes retail for $8 each.  Please comment and let me know your thoughts about this collection, are you going to buy?  bought it already?  What colors are your favorite?

The 3 polishes were sent to me by China Glaze for my unbiased review.

Press Release - China Glaze Crackle Glitters

SPARK YOUR SUMMER STYLE!

China Glaze® Introduces Four New Crackle Glitter Polishes for May 2012

Los Angeles, CA – (March 2012):  Sparkle all summer long with China Glaze®’s new Crackle Glitters collection.  Once again taking crackle technology to the next level, this third-generation polish pairs the edgy innovation of crackling nail lacquer with glamorous glitters.  The China Glaze® Crackle Glittersfeatures four shimmering shades including:

·         Luminous Lavender: Luscious light purple

·         Jade-d: Radiant bright green

·         Glam-More: Bold fuchsia

·         Gleam Me Up: Bright sky blue

 

Create glamorously different looks with just one sweep of China Glaze® Crackle Glitters.  Layer over different base colors to create bold styles.  Use a lighter coat to create a fine crackle, a thicker coat for a deep shatter effect.  Brush sideways or on an angle to create different looks.  As versatile and edgy as China Glaze®’s biggest celebrity fans (Lady Gaga, Rihanna,Nicole Ritchie and Kelly Osbourne, to name a few), China Glaze® Crackle Glitters add a spark(le) to one of the hottest nail art trends!

The China Glaze® Crackle Glitters collection will be available as open stock colors and four-piece counter display.  Individual polishes retail for $9 MSRP and will be available at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide in May 2012.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries

For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women.  Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.