Nails Inc. The Mindful Manicure Collection

* I received the following products in exchange for my honest review.

Nails Inc. contacted me recently and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their new The Mindful Manicure collection. I was intrigued by this collection so I took them up on their offer. This Mindful Manicure collection is a set of 5 nail polishes that are infused with real gemstones. According to Nails Inc....

"This polish is inspired by gemstones, which are said to intensify a person’s aura, helping to clarify thoughts, channel energy, and heal. It’s a beautiful, on-trend nail polish with a feel good message. This polish is inspired by gemstones, which are said to intensify a person’s aura, helping to clarify thoughts, channel energy, and heal. It’s a beautiful, on-trend nail polish with a feel good message."

Now, I think these polish enhancing your aura and improving your mood is a bit of a stretch here. I'm not buying into that. I'm not a big believer in things like especially when you put it into nail polish form. I am really intrigued that these are infused with real gemstones and I love the soft and airy feel of these colors so I see where they go the idea for this theme.

Good Vibes (infused with clear quartz)
Wear for aura enhancing
*worn over a nude creme

Good Vibes is a clear top coat filled with rainbow iridescent flakes and glitters.

Better Together (infused with rose quartz)
Wear for friendship and love

Better Together is a pale pink with a silvery shimmer with a blue flash.

Future's Bright (infused with citrine)
Wear for happiness and heart shielding

Future's Bright is a pale peach with a glowing gold/pink shimmer.


And Breathe (infused with tourmaline)
Wear for stress relief and positive energy

And Breathe is a coppery pink frost with sparse iridescent glitter.

Balancing Act (infused with moonstone)
Wear for balance and wisdom
*worn over nude creme

Balancing Act is a pearlescent top coat filled with glowing pink/purple shifting shimmer.

Collection: Nails Inc. The Mindful Manicure 2017

Colors: These colors are soft and airy. I think these colors work for the collection theme. My favorite colors here are Future's Bright and both of the top coats. I think the top coats in this collection are real winners here. They're so versatile and high quality. The only color I'm not really enthused about is And Breathe it's really too frosty and the added glitter doesn't help it much.

Formula: These all had excellent and smooth formulas. I was afraid that Better Together, Future's Bright, and And Breathe would be sheer but they were not. They only needed two coats and the top coats I only needed one coat over a base.

Price: Each of these colors is $15.00 each. You can purchase them either from the Nails Inc. website or Sephora.

Overall: I think this is a nice collection. I love the softness of the shades and the infused gemstones. I don't think this is a collection that will appeal to some nail addicts because they're not as exciting as some indie colors. I would really recommend the top coats. I really think they're beautiful and the highlight of this collection. The price is a bit steep for my tastes on these, but this is a higher end brand of polish.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday!

ILNP Juliette

I have an ILNP polish to share with you today that has been on my wishlist for a long time. I finally got around to getting it in a gift exchange last fall. Who doesn't love rose gold? I sure love it but it can be a bit of tricky color for me. If it's too warm it doesn't really do wonders for my skin tone, but finding the right rose gold can be difficult. Rose and gold are warmer tones, so I'm already at a disadvantage. How will Juliette fair for me?

Juliette

Juliette is a holographic rose gold with metallic flakes.

Collection: ILNP Winter 2015

Color: I think this rose gold works for me alright. It maybe a touch too warm, but overall I do really like it. I love metallic flake polishes so this is what I  was drawn to instantly when I was oogling over this color over a year ago. I don't know if this finish really works out for me, though. It's all glitter particles without a color base. It doesn't look really smooth or cohesive on my nails because of this and I wish it had some sort of base going on.

Formula: This formula on this was OK. I think because it is all glittery particles it makes it harder to apply cleanly and smoothly. I used 3 coats above. It's not completely opaque, but close enough.

Price: This is $10 on the ILNP website.

Overall: I'm a bit disappointed with this polish. I think I had such high expectations for it and I had been wanting it for close to a year. I do love the color. I like the finish too, but the finish didn't work out too well application or look wise. I really wish there was some sort of colored base or even a shimmer base in this to give it a cleaner more complete look on the nail. It's not a bad polish and I really think these issues I have with it are more about my personal preference than what most people would feel about it.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Sinful Colors Couture For Sure

I think the only time we are going to even have a possibility of having anything interesting at the drugstore is going to be during the fall/holiday season. I was happy to see some new eye-catching Sinful Colors polishes recently with their Fashion Flash Luxe Glitters collection. I picked up a few of those including this purple. 

Couture For Sure (over a purple creme)

Couture For Sure is a sheer violet with pinky-violet shimmer and purple flakes. 

Collection: Fashion Flash Luxe Glitters Fall 2016

Color: What caught my eye with this color was the shimmer. I love when purples have an intense shimmer and this one has it. I also love the addition of flakes. It's cool combination especially for a drugstore polish at this price point. 

Formula: This collection I found I preferred layered, which I know these days isn't the ideal. These on their own are buildable, but they don't build up completely opaque and the more layers the clumpier it gets with the flakes. I layered 2 coats of this over a dark purple creme and I do really like the look of it this way. It's so much richer than on its own. The formula itself was easy to use and spread out evenly on the nail. 

Price: This was $1.99 at Walgreens.

Overall: I think this is a nice attempt from Sinful Colors. It's not the greatest on its own and for it to look its best it does need a backdrop. I'm not disappointed and I do like it, but thinking of what people's expectations these days I don't think everyone will be satisfied. For $1.99 and it being the only drugstore brand to reach outside the box these days I'm satisfied. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Thursday! 

Emerald & Ash That's What She Said

*I received the following product in exchange for my honest review

Yes, we're in June 2016 and I still have just a handful of 2015 polishes from Cosmoprof to review. The next Cosmoprof is 5 weeks away, and I don't think I'll finish all of 2015's before I got to 2016! This next one is from Emerald & Ash, it was an exclusive to this event, but it was my first time trying this brand. I'm not sure what is going on with Emerald & Ash though which is why I have held off posting it. Their shop doesn't seem to be currently open and they haven't updated on social media since March. Anyone have any information?

That's What She Said

That's What She Said is a medium sky blue with a pink shimmer, some micro flakes, and some holo sparkle.

Collection: Comsoprof 2015 Exclusive

Color: This is one of those deceptive polishes. This looks pretty in the bottle, but it really comes to life on the nail. I was surprised how beautiful it was once I painted it on my nails. I love this saturated blue, but all of those sparkle elements are what make this polish.

Formula: This formula was excellent. It was smooth and buttery. I used 2 coats.

Price: N/A. This was an exclusive, but you can view Emerald & Ash's products on their site. I'm not sure when they'll be reopening.

Overall: I love surprise polishes like this one. It's a beautiful color with some awesome sparkly magic. The formula was what really impressed me and stood out with this polish. I love a great formula especially when I typically review polishes with OK-Good formulas. A great formula always stands out!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Wednesday!

Different Dimension Magic Mirror

I've mentioned before I'm terrible at keeping up with FB groups especially fan ones. I really don't fangirl over brands, so I'm not heavily invested in groups. I love a few brands and I'm their groups, but I don't keep up with them daily. It's something I should really try to work on because I could easily miss out on group customs like this Different Dimension one I have for you today. Thankfully, I was on top of this one and was able to snag it!

Magic Mirror

Magic Mirror is black linear holo with iridescent color shifting flakes. 

Collection: Different Dimension May Group Custom

Color: Holos are very common place these days, so I like when brands add some magic to their holos. This is exactly what was done with Magic Mirror. It starts out with a superb black holo, but it has these beautiful iridescent color flakes added in that give this polish some added dimension. It's stunning! 

Formula: Excellent formula. I used 2 coats above. 

Price: N/A. This was group custom that is no longer available. If you love Different Dimension, so I highly recommend joining the FB group so you don't miss out on future ones. 

Overall: Magic Mirror is a stunner. I love the complexity of this shade. I adore Different Dimension altogether. If you're a fan of holos with added pizzazz and bling Different Dimension is definitely the brand for you. 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Wednesdsay! 

Cupcake Polish Las Vegas Showgirls Collection (3 of 5)

*The following products were provided in exchange for my honest review.

I have a collection to show you today that has my name all over it. No, it really doesn't have my name all over it, nor does it have anything to do with me. The reason I say that though is that these types of colors are what I'm all about when it comes to nail polish. They are sparkletastic and holorific and everything in between.

This is the Cupcake Polish Las Vegas Showgirls collection. This collection releases tomorrow 8/1!  These are some other beauties I received in Las Vegas during Cosmprof. I've been stalking Cupcake Polish on social media for awhile. Sara of Cupcake Polish is a true talent, and I've always oogled over her polishes online. I can now attest to the fact that her polishes in person are just as amazing, if not, more amazing in person!

Copa Girls

Copa Girls is a purple linear holo mixed with silver flakes and holo microglitter.

Jubilee

Jubilee is a silver linear holo mixed with silver flakes and holo microglitter.

Bluebell Girls

Bluebell Girls is a teal linear holo mixed with silver flakes and holo microglitter.

Collection: Cupcake Polish Las Vegas Showgirls Summer 2015

Color: These are all intense and richly pigmented shades. I notice in some other holos (from some other brands) that the intensity of the base color can be dulled when you add the holo magic to them. This isn't the case with these colors at all. They are all very saturated. The holo, silver flakes, and holo microglitter combination in these colors is absolute polish wizardry too.

Formula: These have excellent easy to use and opaque formulas. These applied beautifully without any snags. I used 2 coats per swatch above.

Price: This collection releases tomorrow 8/1 at 11am central time on Cupcake Polish. These polishes are $13.00 each, or you can purchase the entire set for the discounted price of $60.00 if purchase within the first 24 hours of release. You can also use this awesome discount code COSMOPROF2015 for 10% OFF your order through 9/1/15!

Overall: These are true polish masterpieces. I've been really into nail polish for 7 years now. These are some of the best nail polishes I've come across in my nail polish history. They're beautiful and so thoughtfully well made. You definitely need these in your nail polish collection. I highly recommend buying the entire set. There is also a pink and black holo I did not show you. I'll be purchasing those tomorrow! Need I say it? Must have! Go get these!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

ILNP Fame

**I'm headed to CosmprofNA tomorrow in Las Veags! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates! I'll have a full report when I get back!**

Yesterday's holo gave me holo fever. I have so many holos, but I have to be honest I rarely wear them. It's not because I don't like them, it's that holo dry spell I talked about yesterday. Holos were so rare at one time I didn't want to use mine in fear of them going away forever! I haven't gotten over it, but I should break them out more because they're stunning. The ILNP I have for you today is an incredible stunner.

Fame

Fame is a champagne gold holo with metallic gold and silver flakes.

Collection: ILNP Spring 2015

Color: This is a stunning color. I love gold holos and gold glitters, but sometimes they don't look great on my skin tone the more yellow they are. Fame is a great alternative. This is a gold-toned polish, but it's cooler toned and lighter. The holo in this is intense and eye catching. The addition of the metallic flakes just is icing, sprinkles, cherries, and whipped cream on the already amazing cake.

Formula: Excellent and easy to use formula. I used 3 coats above.

Price: This is $10 on the ILNP website.

Overall: Must have. Amazing. Stunning. Spec-freaking-tacular. This will definitely be a contender in my Top 25 of 2015. You need this one.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Essie Sparkle on Top

"Well, it was pretty in the bottle."

We've all been there, sorely disappointed by a beautiful nail polish in the bottle, that looks entirely lackluster on the nail. This is a sad situation, and a common one. This the story of Essie Sparkle on Top.

Sparkle On Top looked like some China Glaze Snow Gobe-esque  icy iridescent rainbow fantasy in the bottle, but it's all just a bottle of sorry and sad lies.

Sparkle on Top over Essie No More Film

Sparkle on Top is a mix of blue-green iridescent flakes in a clear base.

Color: Lies. Lies. Lies. This isn't some strong iridescent pretty multi-dimensional flakie situation. No, this is a sorry and sad flakie situation. These flakies/flakes have a faint blue-green shift, but mainly just look completely transparent on the nail. This looks so much better in the bottle.

Formula: The formula is fine. The flakes spread evenly and easily on the nail.

Price: I paid $8.50 for this CVS.

Overall: This is not worth your money. There are much better iridescent glitters and flakies out there that you will be happier with. I recommend China Glaze Snow Globe, China Glaze Make A Spectacle, China Glaze Luxe and Lush, or Essie Shine of the Times. Sparkle on Top is a Whompasaurus Rex.

My Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Monday!

New Maya Cosmetics March Releases

Today, I have for you some new colors by Maya Cosmetics! I adore Maya Cosmetics. I can always count on them to create inventive, fun, and well formulated nail polishes. I have not been let down yet. Without further ado...

L-R:
Imagine, Parrot Trooper, Reef, Cupcake Violent, and Daydreaming

First, I want to show you that Maya Cosmetics now has cute little tags attached to their bottles!

These tags have their name, ingredients, and other brand information inside of them.

Imagine

Imagine is a sheer white base with micro iridescent and white glitters, yellow, white, aqua, green, lavender, and pink glitters mixed in. Imagine can be found here.

Parrot Trooper

Parrot Trooper is a bright coral orange with gold, purple, and light green shimmer flakes. Parrot Trooper can be found here.

Reef

Reef is turquoise blue with yellow-green and bronze shimmer. Reef can be found here.

Cupcake Violent

Cupcake Violent is a lavender base with holo micro glitter, silver glitter, scattered holo pigment, and violet shimmer. Cupcake Violent can be found here.

Daydreaming

Daydreaming is a sheer sky blue base with blue shimmer and white, teal, purple, and pink satin glitter. Daydreaming can be found here.

Colors/Finishes: There is an amazing selection of colors here. I love the mix of soft springy shades with some more punchy bright colors. I love the finishes. There are some glitters, shimmers, and flakes all in the mix. I love how Maya Cosmetics does glitters. There are plenty of glitter bomb options out there in indie world, but I love how Maya Cosmetics opts to do some more subtle and softer takes on glitters.

Formula: I liked the formula on these. I will say I did find Imagine trickier to apply than others. That being said, it wasn't at all unmanageable. Imagine will just take a little more care applying than the others. The rest of these polishes applied great and easily. No complaints!

Overall: These are wonderful new additions to the Maya Cosmetics line. There are others new polishes too be sure to browse the site for more! I love the combination of colors and finishes on these. If you had me pick favorites of this bunch I'd go with Parrot Trooper, Reef, and Daydreaming! That shimmer in Reef is ah-mazing!

You can purchase these polishes for $9.50ea on the Maya Cosmetics website.

Be sure to follow Maya Cosmetics' Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

*These products were sent to me for my honest review by Maya Cosmetics.

Happy Thursday!