O.P.I. Where Did Suzi's Man-Go - Spring/Summer 2014 Color Trend

Hi guys and gals, happy Friday! It's so hard to believe that we are already in May and that spring is on it's way out. We are getting lots of sunshine here in Texas and I am eagerly waiting for school to end and summer fun to begin! I can't wait to go swimming!

The warmer weather is definitely making me reach for brighter and more fun colors to wear, and since we are in the middle of the Fashion Friday Spring/Summer color trends, I get to play with those colors and show you some awesome shades to help welcome the sun!

Orange is a great color, it can go from a warm sunny color to a rich earthy tone. I prefer it on the lighter more playful side of the spectrum, and that is just what Pantone did with Celosia Orange. It is bright and cheery, and O.P.I.'s Where Did Suzi's Man-Go just begs to be painted on toes and adorned with cute strappy sandals!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use

O.P.I. Where Did Suzi's Man-Go

Where Did Suzi's Man-Go is a sherbet orange cream and it is outstanding! It is unique in my orange collection and probably my most favorite one! The color is super flattering and will compliment a variety of styles. Formula was flawless with two easy coats for full coverage,

I honestly can't get over the awesomeness of this polish. If there is any out of the Brazil collection that you need it is Where Did Suzi's Man-Go.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! And go play outside!!!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

O.P.I. is available at beauty stores like Ulta and Sally's. Products retail for approximately $9 a piece

Julep May Bombshell Box - Part Two

Hey everyone!  Part two of the Julep Maven May box is up today, this time the polish swatches! If you missed part one, be sure to check it out!

This time around I opted for the Bombshell box since I wasn't particularly drawn to the colors in the Boho Glam box. It seems the Bombshell is my default second pick!

 Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Julep Saaya (Bombshell May 2014)

Saaya is a warm peach with golden shimmer. I am dying over this color! Peachy shades are a definite fav for me this year. And the shimmer is bananas! Formula was a tiny bit  thicker than what I prefer. I used two coats for full opacity. A thinner application is needed for the thicker base, or you might end up with some pesky bubbles!

Julep Laree (Bombshell May 2014)

Laree is a vivid rose pink with golden shimmer. like that of it's box mate. I actually really like this color, even tho pink is not a personal fav. I think it is bright and fun, perfect for late spring and summer wardrobes. Definitely a killer pedi color choice too! Formula was identical to Saaya.

I think Julep's strong suite is their spring/summer color choices. I seem to remember loving the boxes last year around this time as well. So I am back on the Julep bandwagon once again. I just wish there was some consistency with the brand.

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

 If you are interested in signing up for your own Maven box, click here. Don't forget to use the code "FREEBOX" to get your first box for free

Julep Maven May Bombshell Box Plié Wand - Part One

Hi friends! Today I have part one, of a two part post for the Julep Maven box, this month. Julep has created a new polish application tool called the Plié Wand. The Plié Wand is designed to aid in accuracy and control when applying polish.

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Julep Plié Wand

The Plié Wand is an attachment meant to be used on Julep polish to aid in polish application. It features a magnetic cap that fits on top of the Julep polishes, as well as stand alone brushes (for non Julep bottles, I'm assuming) and several nail art tools as additional add ons.

Wand with brush attachment in straight position

To be honest, I had every intention to skip the May box since I wasn't totally sold on the idea. But the colors were to pretty to pass up! So being the good beauty blogger, I decided to give it a go, and let you all know whether it is the polish breakthrough Julep is claiming or a big fat flop.

Angled for non dominate hand

First off, the wand is a lot bigger than I thought, but it isn't clunky or heavy in hand. It rests nicely and does give more stability. I didn't notice any added benefit when painting my swatch hand (the left one), mainly because I am so used to painting it that I can get a pretty good application regardless of the brush/handle. I will say that it was a little more difficult to control the amount of polish on the brush while using it.

Swatch of Julep Saaya on right hand, painted with non dominate hand using Plié Wand. No clean up.

On my dominant hand (a.k.a. Cindy - cause she does all the work, but doesn't get to play), I did notice an easier application. I still had some mistakes with paint getting onto my skin, but I think that it was more user error. Figuring out the best way to hold the wand while painting with my non-dominant hand was a little cumbersome. After a few uses, I'm sure I would be able to find the right position. I am used to rotating the brush as I polish, and it was hard to do that while holding the wand at an angle.

Overall, I can see the potential need for this, if you really do have a hard time painting your nails. I don't think it is the game changer the promo promised - but after all that's the truth in advertising. I, personally, don't see a need for it, and the little contraption will probably end up on a blog sale at some point in time. But the idea is clever, and I would like to see how the nail art attachments work on the opposing hand. Cause nail art is a one handed achievement over here!

Stay tuned for box swatches!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

 If you are interested in signing up for your own Maven box, click here. Don't forget to use the code "FREEBOX" to get your first box for free

Saturday Snapshots: Pink Jelly Layers

Hey everybody! How's your Saturday?

Despite my posting on a regular basis, I have each day sort of earmarked for what type of post I will write up, except for Saturday. More often than not, I have manis that really don't fall into the swatch/review or nail art category and they don't end up on the blog. See what I'm going for here - a quickie post to fill up that Saturday slot! Yay!

O.P.I. Sheer Tints Be Magentale With Me & China Glaze Surprise Glimmer More

Nothing is better than a squishy jelly sandwich for a quickie mani. The O.P.I. Sheer Tints and the China Glaze Surprise glitters are made for each other!

What is your favorite quick mani?

Essie Hide & Go Chic - Spring/Summer 2014 Color Trend

Hey guys and gals! Are you all ready for the weekend? I can't believe it is already May! Summer is coming soon and I am sooo ready to go hang out at the lake!

Today I have another Spring/Summer color trend post to get you all ready for the summer! The great thing about the color palette this year is the versatility. Pantone chose colors that range from pastel, to neutral, to bright. After making our way through the pastels and neutrals, we turn our attention to the brighter side of the palette as the weather warms up. Dazzling Blue, with  it's distinct Mediterranean feel, is a great transition shade. Essie's Hide & Go Chic from the spring collection of the same name, fits the bill.

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Essie Hide & Go Chic (Hide & Go Chic collection Spring 2014)

Hide & Go Chic is a rich lapis blue cream. The color seriously reminds me of the decor in a great Grecian restaurant that closed down a few years ago. While we have seen cobalt blue polishes like crazy (Nails Inc. Baker St. & Essie Butler Please), this is a noticeably different shade. It is deeper with a slightly dusty feel, as opposed to the super saturated variant. The formula was creamy and smooth, needing two coats for opacity. It is a little thick in consistency, and loading up the brush with polish can lead to drips or flooded cuticles. Dry time is on the longer side due to the thicker formula.

With blue being such a popular color, this polish will easily find a place in your summer wardrobe. Combine it with a glittery accent nails, and you will have a killer summer mani!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Essie is available in many retail locations, including Target and Walgreens. Products retail for $8 a piece. Prices may vary.