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Archive for April, 2008

Zoya Summer 2008 – Chit Chat

The Chit Chat collection from Zoya is just one of their summer offerings launching May 1st. Filled with golden metallic goodness, each shade has ribbons of shimmer and micro-glitter flowing throughout yet dries smooth to the touch.

Each lacquer was tested using two coats, except where noted, without a top coat. For the most part they all applied smooth and even with good pigmentation. I just wish the spectacular glitz factor would have translated on camera. I think the sunlight shot of Lianne captures it well but it’s really something best admired in person.

Regarding the name change: A lot of you have asked about why there isn’t a Mismas in this collection. I wanted to address you all at once. While I am extremely honored and flattered that Zoya would want to immortalize me in polish, I suggested that they name the shade after someone who would truly love and appreciate it. So naming the shade Bekka, after the color’s designer, seems fitting.

Gaia – Oh how I wanted to love Gaia (the label says Gala but it’s Gaia) because the color is outstanding. It has an icy white base but the ribbons of gold shimmer make it a perfect warm weather shade. Not at all dingy or white out-esque. Unfortunately, the formula is its downfall. After three coats it still wasn’t opaque or even on the nail.

Erika’s cool baby pink base has a slight lilac undertone but the gold shimmer gives it warmth. I think it’s the combination of the two that make this pink very neutral and wearable. As you can see, with three medium coats my whites are still slightly visible so, this may work better as a sheer.

Bekka is described as a “cool chartreuse metallic”. Three coats on me looks like a semi-sheer neon yellow leaning towards green. This shade just doesn’t work for me and if I’m being honest, it doesn’t really fit in the collection. I think coral would have been a nice transition between Erika and Lianne.

Lianne is my absolute favorite shade in the bunch. This gorgeous tangerine is right on trend and so so sparkly. The base color has a creamy melon feel but the glorious shimmer really makes it a knockout! I know I’ll be sporting Lianne on my tips and toes a few times this summer.

Annie is a red orange and looks like a duo-chrome in the bottle. On the nail the red is more prominent in indirect lighting while it looks more orange in the sunlight. The golden red base makes me think this will look best on warm and dark skin tones.

Elke has a berry red base but the shimmer warms it up. I think if you’re going to do a red in the summer, this is the way to go. With a glossy top coat the finish looks jelly-esque which gives it a lighter feel than your typical heavy winter red.
The Chit Chat collection is available for pre-order on the Zoya website and will be available in salons across the country after May 1st.

Who Doesn’t Love a FREE Mani/Pedi?

By on April 28, 2008
in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

What’s that? A free manicure or pedicure? Who couldn’t use one of those right about now? You know some of you have tired winter feet that need TLC before breaking out the sandals. Well Herbal Essences is here to help. Just buy specially marked Herbal Essences products to get some free pampering for your tips or toes.

Here’s the skinny:

1. Purchase two (2) bottles of specially marked participating Herbal Essence Shampoo and/or Conditioner product or one (1) package of participating Herbal Essence Color product.

2. Visit this website and enter your two qualifying UPC/LOT codes.

3. Print your redemption form.

4. Mail it in.

It’s that simple! You should receive your voucher within 4-6 weeks of receipt and verification. Please allow one week for verification.

OPI Summer 2008 Preview – Mod About Brights

The Brights are back everyone! OPI is adding to their ever so popular Brights series with a set of 6 vivid creme polishes dubbed the Mod About Brights collection.

“The mod look is back in a fresh, new way, both in fashion and beauty,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The six shades in Mod About Brights capture the fun and edginess of the mod ‘invasion’ of the Sixties, but with a bright twist that makes them exciting and current for 2008. And with fashion right now being all about color and vivid, graphic prints, these are the shades that are perfect for fingertips and toes.”


Yet again I’m getting giddy with delight over a fab looking green hitting the mass market. You know the frankeners on MUA will be adding black to Green-wich Village to try and duplicate RBL Recycle. And a royal blue creme… catch me as I swoon. If these cremes are as fantabulous as the ones from India, I’ll be in heaven. I’ve been on such a creme kick lately. Between that and my recent pink love you would think I had a polish lobotomy.

So here’s the line up and descriptions courtesy of OPI.
Mod-ern Girl – A pop of coral with more than 15 minutes of fame.
Brights Power – A brilliant orange that fashionistas find fab!
The “It” Color – This must-have yellow is the color to be seen in.
That’s Hot! Pink – Bright pink that sizzles with style.
Green-wich Village – A vivid green that’s downtown mod.
Dating a Royal – A royal blue that sets crowns spinning!

The Mod About Brights collection retail for $8.50 ($9.50 CAN) and will be avaiable in May at salons including the major chains; Beauty First, Beauty Brands, JCPenney, Dillard’s, Regis, Pure Beauty, Ulta, and Trade Secret.

Go Green – "Healthier" Polish

By on April 22, 2008
in Big 3 Free, Eco-conscious with 61 Comments

Big 3 Free. Non-toxic. Chemical-free. Water-based. Pregnancy Safe. Healthy. Eco-conscious. These are all buzz words that the polish industry throws at us to make their product look healthier, more eco-friendly, safer, etc. but, what does it all mean and who makes what?

UPDATE: View my 2009 Update – Check Your Ingredients.

If you haven’t read my post about Big 3 Free nail polish, I suggest you start there to familiarize yourself with the ingredients the term refers to. I use “healthier” in quotes to describe these lacquers since the jury is still out as to whether traditional formulas are really a health risk.

OK so you want a polish with less chemicals for health or environmental reasons. Which one is right for you? It all depends on the ingredients you want to avoid. Here I’ve broken down the brands according to what is excluded. I tried to cover the majority of the big and cult brands but if I missed one and you have ingredient info to share, please post it in the comments.

Of course, if you have allergies I suggest you still read the labels before buying. And remember, older formulas are still out there for brands that have made the switch to Big 3 Free.

Formaldehyde and DBP Free – Carolyn New York, CND (Creative Nail Design), Misa and NYX

Big 3 Free – butter London, Calvin Klein, China Glaze (black label), Color Club, Hard Candy, Maybelline, Nicole, OPI (green label) and Sally Hansen


Big 3 Free, No Formaldehyde Resin – MAC, N.Y.C. Colors, Nailtini (except Vodka), NARS, Nocti, Orly, PeaceKeeper, Rescue Beauty Lounge, SpaRitual, Wet n’ Wild and Zoya

Big 3 Free, No Formaldehyde Resin, No Camphor – Chanel, Dashing Diva, Estee Lauder, Lippmann, L’oreal, No-Miss, Nubar, Revlon, Sante and Sinful Colors

Water based, Big 3 Free, No Formaldehyde Resin, No Camphor, No Ethyl Acetate – Acquarella, Honeybee Gardens and Suncoat

So, how do these brands compare to their more chemical laden competition? Have you made the switch to less toxic polish? What has been the big difference in doing so?

While you’re at it, head on over to Total Beauty and give them a review. You could win a Saturn Vue Hybrid filled with eco-beauty products OR one of the many Daily Instant Win prizes.

Go Green – Turn In Your Toxins

Turn In Your Toxins!! Turn In Your Toxins!! Just saying it makes me feel like a 19th century Newsie. You know, the kind that got to dance and frolic with the hotness that is Christian Bale circa 1992. I gotta give it up to the brains behind butter London for coming up with an eye catching line.

In conjunction with Earth Day and in an effort to detoxify your nail routine the Seattle based nail lacquer brand is asking you to ditch your toluene, formaldehyde and DBP laden polishes. Just relinquish 3 bottles of your old, toxic, nail polish and receive a coupon for a FREE bottle of their 3 Free formula lacquer.


But where do you go to score such a deal? butter London has teamed up with BrandHabit to help you locate a nearby retailer. BrandHabit is an online boutique locator that finds where your favorite designers are carried; from major labels to indie brands, including butter London. Unfortunately, butter London hasn’t made it to every small town in the land but it looks like some of major metros are included. Head on over to BrandHabit to find out!

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