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Nails

It’s Naturel, With an “E”: In the Six-Piece Zoya Naturel Collection, the “E” Stands for Easy

December 30th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Zoya Naturel Collection
The Zoya Naturel Collection

Ballet SlippersI’ve always felt like pale, creamy nail polishes were Essie’s domain, but Zoya’s been staging a creamy coup. They’re quickly becoming my favorite line when it comes to colors in the same vein as Ballet Slippers.

Zoya’s famously potent pigments are totally MIA in Naturel, the brand’s new six-piece spring collection, as are the streaks that often accompany light, creamy polishes.

The Zoya Naturel Collection
It’s Naturel, with an “E”

Nudes, rosy tones (the “in thing” right now, as my mom would say) and cream finishes abound! — and not a speck o’ glitter in sight.

These shades are easy like Sunday morning…even on a Monday afternoon.

Zoya Chantal Swatch
Chantal (two coats)

Is it just me, or has the whole rose-toned trend sort of jumped the shark? Almost? Between this collection and Urban Decay’s Naked 3 palette — I don’t know — I feel a little burned out on rose (file that under “Things I Never Expected To Say in Print”).

Not that I don’t like the shades in Naturel, because I do. I think they’re beautifully…subdued.

Zoya Taylor Swatch
Taylor (two coats)

In musical terms, I would not call Naturel a rock opera. The colors definitely do not remind me of Bohemian Rhapsody, and if you only like nail collections that hit extremely high and/or low notes, Naturel probably won’t make you hear and see thunderbolts and lightening (very, very frightening! — ungh! Galileo!).

Zoya Rue Swatch
Rue (two coats)

Instead, it’s like a pleasant mid-tempo pop song on the easy listening station. Sure, you can bob your head to it and hum along. Or, you can fall asleep… Totally your call. 🙂

Zoya Brigitte Swatch
Brigitte (two coats)

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There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Nails, Zoya

And the Cherry On Top? Nicole by OPI Oil to Go Cuticle and Nail Moisturizer Takes Out Dry Cuticles

December 10th, 2013 by Karen 9 Comments

Nicole by OPI Oil to Go
The new Nicole by OPI Oil to Go, $7.99

Smells like cherry cough drops…

Weird, but cool.

Really, if you think about it, who says cuticle oil can’t smell like cherry cough drops (intentionally or not)? Is there a law that limits cuticle moisturizing fragrances to a list of pre-approved scents (lavender: approved; orange: approved; cherry cough drops: UNAPPROVED!)?

I don’t think so — which is great, because at least cherry cough drops are interesting.

Nicole by OPI Oil to Go cuticle and nail moisturizer ($7.99) has interesting packaging, too. Designed for on-the-go gals, it looks almost like a lipgloss in its tube.

Nicole by OPI Oil to Go
Ingredients

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There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Nails, Nicole By OPI, Product Reviews

The Two New Chanel Nuit Magique Le Vernis Nail Colours Will Cast Their Cosmic Magic Online Soon

November 25th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Chanel Cosmic Le Vernis Nail Colour
Chanel’s Cosmic Le Vernis Nail Colour ($27), one of two new online exclusive shades in the Nuit Magique collection

My last magical night was the final night of my trip to Kauai with El Hub last August. After dinner, we walked down to the beach by our hotel on Kalapaki Bay and took a long, leisurely stroll on the sand under the moonlight.

The moon was so full and round that night. I felt like it was just above my head, like I could reach right out grab it. We walked and talked from one end of the beach to the other while listening to a band playing somewhere in the distance. The music mixed with the sound of the waves gently lapping at our feet.

We talked about all kinds of things as we walked and watched the moonlight reflect on the water — the fun things we did on our trip, the other places we still hoped to travel, and where we saw our little family in the next few years.

It was a magical night, and I wished it would never end. I remember looking down at my feet at one point and watching the water wash over my toes…

Chanel Magic Le Vernis Nail Colour

Incidentally, I was wearing Chanel Taboo! 🙂

I love Taboo… It’s one of my all-time Chanel faves (right up there with Jade), but if I’m ever lucky enough to have a another magical night like that one, I hope I’m wearing one of the two Chanel nail polishes in the Nuit Magique collection (magical night, en Français) — ya know, to go with the whole magical theme of the night.

Chanel Magic and Cosmic

The two-piece limited edition collection of dark and moody colors goes on sale December 2, exclusive to chanel.com.

Both of them seem like perfect colors for a big night out. Or a big day (if you’re into deeper shades like I am).

Chanel Magic Swatch
Two coats of Magic

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There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Nails

You Can’t Help But Notice This Beautiful, Bold Stranger: The New $35 NARS Beautiful Stranger Nail Polish Set

November 1st, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

NARS Beautiful Stranger Nail Polish Set
The NARS Beautiful Stranger Nail Polish Set (with the lips from NARS Fling Lip Kit)

The new $35 NARS Beautiful Stranger holiday nail polish set, the only nail set in the Guy Bourdin collection, comes with four nail polish minis packed with pigment.

Shameless Red, my favorite of the bunch, could have been called Shameless Coral, and I would have liked that because I have no quarrels with corals. I love coral, and this one feels very tropical to me. It reminds me of hibiscuses.

The purplish shade, Dance Dance Dance, despite its awesome name, is probably my least favorite one. I had to apply three coats because I saw some streakiness after two.

Oh, I’m not wearing a base or top coat with these…only because I didn’t want to take the time. I would for normal wear to eek out as much longevity as possible.

NARS Shameless Red Nail Polish, a bright pink
Shameless Red Nail Polish, a bright pink (two coats)
NARS Lost Red Nail Polish, a bright red
Lost Red Nail Polish, a bright red (two coats)
NARS Dance Dance Dance Nail Polish, a bright purple
Dance Dance Dance Nail Polish, a bright purple (three coats)

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There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Kits and Sets, Nails, NARS

What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

November 1st, 2013 by Karen 33 Comments

Bohemian Republik Mystic Ruin
Mystic Ruin, by Bohemian Republik ($12)

I’ve got two coats of Bohemian Republik’s $12 Mystic Ruin on my paws.

It’s a navy blue with tiny flecks of gold micro-glitter and larger bits of pink foil.

Pretty, yeah? And different. It reminds me of a Flintstones dinosaur…

I don’t think I have anything else like it in my stash.

Now it’s your turn. What are you wearing on your nails?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

There are 33 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Nails

Zombie Enthusiasts and Nail Nerds Unite! The Bohemian Republik Zombie Collection Nail Polishes Are About To Trigger a Pigment Feeding Frenzy!

October 31st, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

The Zombie Collection by Bohemian Republik
The Zombie Collection…by Bohemian Republik

Between the The Walking Dead — which my Sundays revolve around, no joke! — and the post-apocalyptic entertainment currently killing it in movie theaters and bookstores, I think it’s safe to say that zombies, like rose gold and kale, are having a moment. zombie

And everyone’s getting in on the undead action, including the beauty world. Feast your eyes on Bohemian Republik’s new five piece Zombie Collection…

Boulder, Colorado-based indie nail polish line Bohemian Republik wants to be known for…

  • Their formula — which is free of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene and camphor
  • Being cruelty-free, vegan and not tested on animals (paws up from Tabs)
  • Being made in the USA

If you hunger for glitter and pigment like a zombie craves brains, you’ll want to get to know this five-piece collection, which reminds me of a Frankenstein-ian combination of products from Essie, Deborah Lippann and China Glaze.

Bohemian Republik Zombie Collection Gangrene
Gangrene

Gangrene, a creamy kiwi, is my favorite one here. Bright and vibrant, it’s also easy to apply, super smooth and not too thick nor thin.

It’s just right…

I’m wearing two coats in the swatch to keep all the pics in this post consistent, but I’m sure I could have gotten away with one.

The brush attached to these polishes is on the narrow side, which actually makes the polishes easy to apply. None of the brush fibers splay out, either, or do other funky things, and that’s great; however, I do wish it was a little easier to get nice, crisp edges with it at the base of my nails. By no means is it difficult, but it’s not quite as easy as OPI, if you know what I mean.

Bohemian Republik Zombie Collection Decay
Decay

I don’t think these pics do justice to glittery Decay. In real life, and particularly in full sun, Decay comes to life! The semi-transparent bronzed gray base pulsates with gold and teal shimmer.

There’s something so MAC Club Eyeshadow about it…the way it flickers from bronzed gray to gold to teal…

Very, very cool. I’m wearing two coats in this swatch, by the way.

Bohemian Republik Zombie Collection Feeding Frenzy
Feeding Frenzy

Feeding Frenzy — I love this creamy blood red’s clever name. Like Gangrene, the formula is extremely smooth and easy to wield. I’m wearing two coats here, but one would have worked fine.

As far as the color itself, I like it, but it’s not altogether original, I guess in terms of blood red shades, but I think it would look really cool as part of a half-moon mani with this next shade…

Bohemian Republik Zombie Collection Gray Matter
Gray Matter

Gray Matter! — also known as the color of wet cement. Or brains…

I have to say, Bohemian Rebulik’s creams are shockingly consistent. Like the others, this one’s streak-free, comes loaded with pigment, and lays down lots of color in every coat. I’m wearing two in this swatch.

Gray Matter also gives back. For every bottle of Gray Matter purchased, Bohemian Republik donates $1 to the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information.

Bohemian Republik Zombie Collection Pandemic
Pandemic

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There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Nails, Product Reviews

There’s Lots of One-Coat Color To Love in the New China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection, Part 2

October 23rd, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze collection
The new China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection, Part 2

The new China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze collection is so good…

(How good is it?)

It’s so good that you just might lose yourself while painting your paws and forget to remove your hot rollers.

K wearing hot curlers

LOL!

Please forgive the above picture. It started as a two-minute makeup look (brows, concealer, gloss), but I didn’t make it through the rest of the process before being distracted by all the one-coaters (ONE COAT!) in the second half of this new 12-piece holiday collection (if you missed it, here’s part one).

It’s the chrome finishes, man!

Glitters and textured polishes usually steal the spotlight, and yes, there’s gobs of glitter and show-stopping textures among the six shades here, but if you’re the kind of gal/guy who loves mad pigment from a single layer, you have lots to look forward to in this limited edition release, which lands on shelves next month.

For pics of the first half of this collection, check out May Your Days Be Merry and Bright With the China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection, Part 1

China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection: Elfin Around
Elfin’ Around, a red rust with a shiny chrome-like finish

Elfin’ Around, a bright red polish with a hint of copper, only needs a single layer. It should look lovely on paws/claws attached to lacquer lovers with warm skin.

China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection: Just Be-Claws
Just Be-Claws, a red, also with a shiny aluminum-like/chrome finish

I really dig the fine flecks of glitter in Just Be-Claws, another one-coater from the collection. It’s subtle in the way that Chanel is. Save it for toes and your most festive strappy sandals.

China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze Collection: Santa Red My List
Santa Red My List, a pinkish red with the same aluminum-like finish

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There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: China Glaze, Collections, Nails

Something Wicked This Way Comes: Deborah Lippmann’s Bewitching Nail Trio Is Wicked Cute

October 23rd, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Deborah Lippmann Wicked Collection
The new Deborah Lippmann Wicked Collection ($29)

Wicked, the musical inspired by The Wizard of Oz, holds a special place in my heart, and not just because of the cool beats (“Popular! You’re gonna be pop-u-lar!”) or the killer stage makeup (hello, green skin) or ’cause I was lucky enough to see it 10 years ago at SF’s Curran Theater before it headed east to Broadway.

Nope, Wicked will forever be engraved in my mind as the show I was watching when I accidentally fell down the stairs in the theater, exposing my naughty bits to a whole mess of strangers.

It all started with my decision to wear 4-inch heels…

One flowing skirt and a misguided step later, and before I knew it, I was tumbling down a flight of bizarrely steep stairs, my skirt raising and lifting in unfortunate directions.

Yeah…let me put it this way: that night the mezzanine got a special kind of show. 🙂 Thankfully, I was wearing non-ratty underwear.

If you also have fun, fond memories of the show, are just a fan of all things Oz, or love pink and green polishes and/or witches, you might find Deborah Lippmann’s new three-piece Wicked Collection ($29) bewitching.

Deborah, herself a fan of the show, made the set of three minis in honor of Wicked’s 10th anniversary this month, and like a perfect three-part harmony, the colors play off one another beautifully.

Deborah Lippmann Wicked Collection: Popular
Popular, a shimmery pink

Shimmery pink Popular was inspired by Glinda, one of the star witches in the show. Its color matches the dress Glinda wears while she sings the song of the same name.

I love Popular’s brightness and late ’80s vibe (I think I wore something just like it to the eighth grade dance, haha!), but I wish I didn’t need three coats for full opacity.

More pigment, please.

Deborah Lippmann Wicked Collection, Defying Gravity
Defying Gravity, a creamy green

Elphaba’s green epidermis sparked Defying Gravity, which I find super pretty. Plus, I only need two coats!

With creamy greens, you often run the risk of nails that end up looking like baby poo, but not in this case. Something about it reminds me of jade jewelry…

Deborah Lippmann Wicked Collection: One Short Day
One Short Day, a glittery emerald

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There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Deborah Lippmann, Nails

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