Summer polish picks, Bath & Body Works, Ralph Lauren & more!

Not sure if it's just me but May has already flown by!  Soon it will be June.  Kids are getting ready to get out of school and the weather is turning not just warm, but HOT! 

What goes better with hot weather than hot hued nails?  It's time to bring out the flip flops ladies and bust out with some awesome color!  If you hate bright nail polish, then stop reading because I can't get enough of the new neon shades that are EVERYWHERE.  Neon colors and glitter is hotter this season than ever.  Get ready to be blinded by some new polish choices that won't break the bank.

L-R- Sinful Colors Pinky Glitter, Sinful Colors Frenzy, China Glaze Prism & Sinful Colors I Miss You

Glitter polish is so fun to wear.  I'm 30 years old and I'm not scared of it and you shouldn't be either.  The key to wearing glitter polish is to avoid watery, chunky formulas and stick with shades that can be easily paired with other colors you already have.  For instance, Frenzy by Sinful Colors above looks great over Essie's Jamaica Me Crazy (a shimmery purple).  Each Sinful Colors polish can be found at Walgreens or Rite Aid for only $1.99 each!  If you want to try a new color but you don't want to shell out over $8 for OPI, pick up Sinful Colors.  So far I've enjoyed this brand and found it to be worth a lot more than it's cheap price tag. 

China Glaze's Prism shade is part of their new Prismatics collection.  It combines super-fine glitter "dust" along with larger glitter flecks.  It has a nice, purple-bluish tint when dry and shines like crazy!

Close up of Prism

Sinful Colors Pinky Glitter is a pink jelly shade with blue, green, yellow and purple glitter.  It takes about 3 coats to get full coverage but it's a nice glitter polish that holds up well. 

Close up of Pinky Glitter

Frenzy by Sinful Colors is one of my favorites so far from this line.  It is full of small purple and blue glitter.  I'm currently wearing this polish over a purple shade right now and it looks outstanding!

Close up of Frenzy

The last glitter polish is I Miss You by Sinful Colors.  It is another glitter polish with small pink, silver, purple, red and blue flakes.  It's really pretty and would look great over black.

Close up of I Miss You

Of course like I mentioned earlier, what would the summer be without brightly colored toes?  Over the past few years I've enjoyed Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze (my all time favorite summer color) but here are some other neons to check out-

L-R- China Glaze's Turned Up Turquoise, China Glaze's Purple Panic, Piggy Polish's Buzz & Color Club's Age of Aquarius

Turned Up Turquoise is showing up more robin egg blue in the picture above than it actually is.  The color is a medium teal and looks awesome against tan skin.  Of course it's not the brightest shade but it definitely stands out.

Purple Panic is more pink than purple.  It is a pink with purple undertones.  It is bright without being too loud.  It would look nice even on fingers. 

Buzz is one of the brightest shades I own.  This color is a super-neon green.  It's darker than a highlighter would be but still bright and definitely neon.  I must say I didn't like the formula of this polish though.  This bottle was my first Piggy Polish and it was hard to work with.  It was goopy and thick.  I may get some thinner and see if that helps. 

The last shade is Color Club's Age of Aquarius.  This is currently on my toes.  It dries darker than it appears above.  It's a really nice green teal that reminds me of the Caribbean.  It applied smoothly and was only $4.99.

Close up of Age of Aquarius by Color Club.

L-R- Big Daddy by Sinful Colors, Zesty Citrus by LA Girl, Hazard & Energetic Red by Sinful Colors

Currently at Rite Aid they are having a promotion-if you spend $30 or more on nail polish between now and 6/1/12, you get $10 back in UP Rewards.  Because of this promotion, I picked up some more Sinful Color shades and a new yellow that looked appealing.

Last week I wore Hazard (pictured above) which is a creme coral shade.  It looked wonderful and was an exact dupe to my beloved MAC shade, Malibu Peach.  I have not worn Big Daddy, Zesty Citrus or Energetic Red yet but I can't wait.  Big Daddy is an orange coral.  Zesty Citrus is a yellow jelly polish with fine shimmer.  I don't own ANY yellow polish, so this bottle will be my first.  Energetic Red is a creme coral red that would look great on toes or fingers.  Sinful Colors are priced at $1.99 each and the bottle of LA Girl was priced at $2.99. 

L-R- Bath & Body Works' Bali Mango & Malibu Heat lotions

I wanted to share a few more things that I picked up recently that I've been enjoying.  I LOVE Bath & Body Works.  I enjoy their lotion and this month I've been wearing Bali Mango & Malibu Heat (their newest scent).  Bali Mango is a sweet scent described by B&BW as " an exotic getaway of juicy mango, sugar cane, pink passionflower and luscious nectarine".  Malibu Heat is described as "a fresh blend of juicy pineapple, California orange and creamy coconut milk".  Both scents scream hot weather!

Ralph Lauren Big Pony 3-For Her 

For mother's day I received a bottle of perfume from the new Ralph Lauren Big Pony Collection-in the scent #3.  The third scent (out of four) is described as a fresh floral with mimosa and pear.  It's been described to be similar to Versace's Yellow Diamond pefume.  I find 3# to be a younger version of the Versace and I really think this fragrance is clean and easy to wear.  It's definitely my favorite out of the four in the collection.

The last item I want to share is a new bottle of shampoo I received from my hairdresser.  It's Healing Color Care shampoo by L'Anza.  I don't know anything about this shampoo or brand other than my stylist stated it worked well with color treated hair.  It retails at my salon for $22 for 10.1 fl.oz but I received this bottle for free.  If you know anything about the brand, let me know.  I can't wait to try it.

UPDATE

A few posts ago I shared with you Ossion's Mild Touch Detox Bubble Mask-read about it here.  I was excited to try this mask and I now have pictures to share. 

You begin by taking the serum and rubbing it over a clean face.  I used the mask after my shower.  After the mask is applied, it begins to bubble on the skin and foam.  It tickles as the bubbles thicken and the purpose of the mask is to hydrate and infuse oxygen back into the pores.  I didn't see any immediate results (I only had two samples-I'm still planning to use the other soon) but I did think the mask left my skin soft.  It was gentle and I didn't break out after using it. 

The mask begins as a serum.

After applying, the mask begins to foam.

The foam continues to thicken...

until your face is covered in bubbles!

Collective Haul...it's been awhile!

Wow...it's been awhile since I posted last.  I've been trying to stay busy with my son and work has kept me at bay.  I wanted to post about some recent purchases I've made over the past few weeks.  I plan to do some reviews, swatches and looks with some of the items listed below.  Some of the items I haven't had a chance to use yet, so this post really isn't a review but just a look at some neat products!


Enjoy!


A few weeks ago Sally's Beauty Supply had a major sale.  I was able to pick up this Hot n Silky boar hair brush for $6 that came with a free brush cleaner (which really works)!

Hot n Silky paddle brush and brush cleaning tool.

Orly nail polish was on sale for buy 2 get 1 free.  Originally each bottle costs around $5.  I picked up 3 great summer colors. 

L-R- Passion Fruit, Frisky and Purple Crush

I also picked up a bottle of China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy and a new bottle of my favorite top coat, Seche Vite.  China Glaze is around $5 and Seche Vite is $6.99.

Flip Flop Fantasy is a perfect color for tanned toes!

While I was in Sally's I also picked up a bottle of Miracle 7 Leave-In mist.  This is an exact copy of It's a 10 leave-in mist but in true form, Sally's version only cost $12.99 versus It's A 10 costing around $18.00. 

Ulta recently had a good sale where I picked up this Smashbox blush/highlighter combo in the shade Undercover for only $5!!!  It usually costs around $30!

I've heard a lot of buzz about a great makeup remover called Bioderma.  Bioderma is a French brand that claims to remove all makeup (including eye makeup) and is as gentle as water.  I have used it a few times so far and I must say that I love it!  No breakouts!  I found my bottle online for $25.50 (250ml) from http://www.amazon.com/

If you know me then you might know about my love for St. Ives Apricot Scrub.  I remember getting my first tub of this exfoliator in middle school...I've been hooked since!  I use this in the shower before I shave and before using self tanner.  You can't get a better body exfoliator for this price.  I picked up mine at Walgreens for around $2.  I also picked up a 4oz bottle of Bumble and Bumble's Styling Lotion.  You can use this before blow drying and before heat styling.  I haven't used it yet but it was originally $12.50 and I picked up mine on clearance at Walgreens for $6.99.  I've heard good things about B&B, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Since it's summer, everyone needs a good self tanner.  If you hate the way self tanner smells and you really don't want to look like an orange, then Sun Laboratories lotion is for you!  I picked up my bottle for $16.99 at TJ Maxx...it's usually $36 for an 8oz bottle!  This self tanner is amazing and I am in love (review coming soon)!  I also picked up a special edition Wet n Wild trio called The Gilded Age and a Wet n Wild bronzer called Everything Under the Sun.  The trio applies smoothly and is a great choice to achieve that golden/bronze look which is perfect for the summer!   

Since I am a HUGE Wet n Wild eyeshadow fan, I couldn't resist picking up a few of their 8-pan palettes.  The first one I purchased is called Blue Had Me At Hello.  I love this palette.  Most of the colors are well pigmented and soft.  I also couldn't resist L'Oreal's new leGloss.  The last thing I need is another lipgloss but I thought Golden Splash was a great color that is unique and will carry me into the fall. 

Another 8-pan palette from Wet n Wild I picked up is called Comfort Zone.  Each color is a warm earth tone that compliments everyone's skin color.  Pictured with the Wet n Wild palette is Maybelline's new Eyestudio Color Explosion palette in Caffeine Rush.  For under $10 this palette delivers and has a unique, shimmery gold shade that is unlike any other in my collection. 

 

A drugstore lipstick line that never disappoints me is L'Oreal's Colour Riche.  I picked up a tube in the shade Gilded Pink which is similar to my own lip color but better!  I also wanted to try some more Jordana liners, so I picked up Jordana's Fabuliner (felt tip) in Black, Easyliner for Eyes retractable liner in Black and Easyliner for Lips retractable liner in Honey.  In addition to picking up goodies for my lips, I also picked up a bottle of Essie's Smooth Sailing polish.  This polish reminds me of Butter's No More Waity, Katie which is a gorgeous blue with silver shimmer.  I can't wait to wear it on my toes!!

Pictured below is a closeup of the liners.

L-R- Fabuliner, Easyliner for the Lips and Easyliner for the Eyes

Last but not least...I keep seeing this super-cute tin of lotion each time I'm at the pharmacy, so I gave in.  For .99 you can pick up some Nivea Creme.  I already used it on my elbows and I really think my skin is softer.  It's a perfect size for your makeup bag or for travel.  It has a soft scent and is thick in texture but absorbs easily into the skin. 

I hope you got some shopping ideas from the items listed above.  If you have any favorites of your own you want to recommend, leave a comment below.  Soon I will be posting reviews on Sun Labs self tanner and Bioderma makeup remover. 

Favorite Summer Nail Polishes

If I had a dollar for each time I bought a bottle of nail polish, I would be a rich girl with a lot of nail polish.  Every time I go shopping it seems like I am picking up a new bottle.  In the winter I buy metallics, deep purples, coppers and reds.  In the summer I am more adventurous...I love pinks, corals, blues, greens and even neon shades.

Below are pictures of my favorite summertime polishes.  Most can still be found at your local Ulta or Walmart.

REDS & CORALS

L-R- OPI's My Chihuahua Bites, Ulta's Eye Popping Poppy, OPI's Monsooner or Later, MAC's Malibu Peach (limited edition-part of the 2010 Spring Color Forecast collection) and OPI's Melon of Troy.

All OPI polishes can be found for $8.50 at Ulta or Target.  Ulta polish is available at Ulta stores for $5.00 and MAC polish can be found at your local counter or http://www.maccosmetics.com/ for $14.00.

My Chihuahua Bites is a more blue-based pink versus Monsooner or Later which is a deep, pinkish red.  Eye Popping Poppy is a gorgeous cross between the two colors mentioned above.  Malibu Peach is a orange-based coral that goes on satin with no shimmer/glitter.  Melon of Troy is a buildable coral with a slight shimmer tint.

PINKS

L-R- Essie's Fruit Sangria, China Glaze's Pink Voltage, Avon's Viva Pink, Essie's Van D'Go and Wet n Wild's Waves of Enchantment (limited edition-part of the Summer 2011 Mermaid Coves Collection).

All Essie polish can be found for $8.00 at Ulta, Walmart and some CVS stores.  China Glaze can be found at Walmart, Ulta and Target for $5.50.  Avon polish is available at http://www.avon.com/ for $5.00.  Wet n Wild polish can be found at any drugstore for $1.99.

Essie's Fruit Sangria is a gorgeous, deep hued berry shade that wears well on all skin tones.  Pink Voltage is a super-bright neon pink that looks amazing on toes (especially with tan toes)!  Avon's Viva Pink is a creamy, purple/pink that wears well and is office friendly.  Van D'Go is a chameleon.  It appears light pink in the bottle but once on the nails it turns into a creamy, peachy-pink.  It looks amazing for the summer.  Waves of Enchantment is a shimmery, pinky coral color with small gold glitter mixed in.  In the photo above it looks orange but it really is a lovely shade that is pink. 

WILD CARD COLORS

L-R- Sally Hansen's Pacific Blue, OPI's Glitzerland (limited edition-part of the 2010 Swiss collection but still available) and Essie's Turquoise and Caicos (limited edition-part of the 2010 Resort Collection but still available).

Sally Hansen can be found at your local drugstore for around $3.00.

Sally Hansen's Pacific Blue is such a fun color.  It's a lovely periwinkle blue that is unique and bold enough for hot summer days.  Glitzerland is a bold, glittery gold shade that is amazing on both the toes and fingers.  Lastly, Turquoise and Caicos is a true mint green shade that's not too bright but dark enough to look good against a summer tan.

Do you have a favorite summer shade?  If so, leave me a comment and tell me all about it.