O.P.I Bond Girls Liquid Sands in Vesper and Honey Ryder

(**Press Sample**)

Hello and happy Tuesday! 

  Today I have Two of O.P.I's new Bond Girls- Liquid Sand shades. When O.P.I released their first set of Liquid Sand polishes (The Mariah Carey Collection), I was fairly underwhelmed with the colors and the finish. Then they came out with What Wizardy is This? For the Oz Collection, that one did not sing to me much either... Now enter the Bond Girls!!! THIS!! This is what I am talking about! For my first manicure I went with a pairing of Vesper and Honey Ryder that I could not stop staring at, or gushing about. 

 These color are rich and beautiful. I was not expecting to love Vesper as much as I do. Vesper is a deep Plummy base packed full of Black glitter, and of course that wonderful texture. Vesper does best in Three thin coats. It is also ideal to wait a bit between coats. When Vesper is fully dry (picture above is Two days after initial application) it reminds me of uncut, raw Amethyst stones.
 Honey Ryder is a dream come true for me. Since all of these textures started coming out I had been hoping for a Golden foil one and Honey Ryder really hit the spot! This baby is a Warm, true Gold matte foil texture and there are also tons of Gold glitter encrusted into the color. When fully dry Honey Ryder reminds me of those "Fool's Gold" stones. It is just AMAZING.

 The picture below is about 45 minutes after application. As you can see there is still a bit of shine to the surface, however, my nails were fairly dry and I could function at this point. As they continued to dry, more and more texture showed up. The texture on these is not severe at all. I had no snags, no chips and no tip wear.

 After trying these Two beauties, I cannot wait to try out the rest of the Bond Girls. I LOVELOVELOVE what they did with this collection! I also love the names of the colors and how each shade really does embody a Bond Girl. There is no way I won't feel sexy wearing these ;)!

Have you tried any Bond Girls yet? Which was your favorite?

(**Press  Sample**)

More about → O.P.I Bond Girls Liquid Sands in Vesper and Honey Ryder

Cirque Objet d'Art Collection Swatches: Part Two

Good morning and happy humpday!! 

  A total quick, random note: I've decided to take a hint from miss Sarah of Chalkboard Nails and created a dedictaed page for Press Releases and general beauty news. You can visit by clicking [HERE]. I have also created a tab at the top of this blog: "Press Releases" clicking on this tab will re-direct you to the press release page :D. This way those of you  interested in what is coming out don't miss out on the news. And those of you who are not don't have to worry about news cluttering up the pretty nail colors and art ♥. LTHP Press Releases is set up as a "blog" so you can subscribe as you would this one if you are interested in press releases and general beauty industry news. 

  SOO!!! Today I am sharing my swatches of the Second half of the Objet d'Art Collection by Cirque. You can see swatches of the first half of the collection [HERE]. I am so in love with every single polish in this portion I am sharing today. There is something about Cirque nail polishes that is just so classy, yet different and just plain beautiful.

 To see closeup swatches of these beauties just continue reading ♥.

Cirque Planet Caravan 

 Planet Caravan is a Blackened jelly base packed full of multichromatic glassflecks. The shimmer in this beauty is like burning embers and shift from Purple to Copper and Green. The formula on this beauty is easy to work with and does great in Two coats. Planet Caravan was one of my favorites from the entire collection.

Cirque Book of Shadows

 Book of Shadows is a very shimmery, Pewter foil. This shade is a little sheer but it builds up to opacity in Three coats.

Cirque for Mei Mei's Signatures Fleur est Belle

 This shade is a Mei Mei's Signatures exclusive. Fleur est Belle is a soft Pink, shimmery jelly base. Packed in the beautiful base are White and bright Gold Hexes as well as smaller light Green and Pink hexes and squares. Fleur est Belle is a real beauty. I love that even though it is quite chunky, there is something delicate, ethereal and feminine about it. The formula on this polish is a little tricky as it is so chunky. The good thing is that there is no fishing required, just slight manipulation of the pieces. I used Three thin coats for my swatch.

Cirque Cape Liz 

 Cape Liz is a muted, light Blue creme packed full of twinkling Pink, Silver and Blue glassfleck shimmer.  While this color is absolutely dreamy, the formula gave me so trouble. The issue I kept running into was some bad patchiness and dragging. I needed Four coats to get it to look even and fully opaque. At least the color payoff is worth the formula troubles.

Cirque Cypress 

 Cypress is a beautifully unique Copper holographic shade. The formula on this shade is a little sheer but buildable. I used Three thin coats for my swatch.

O.P.I Lonesome George 

  Lonesome George is an amazing Emerald Green holographic shade. I am pretty much in love with this beauty. The formula on this shade is fantastic. I used Three thin coats for full coverage.

 I have to say that I am just so impressed with Cirque's creations. I can't wait to see what else they have up their sleeves for 2013. My faves from this group would have to be Planet Caravan, Lonesome George and Fleur est Belle.

 The Objet d'Art Collection is available now from Cirque's shop as well as many other e-tailers. Do you have any favorites in this group?

(**Cirque Polishes provided for my consideration**)

More about → Cirque Objet d'Art Collection Swatches: Part Two

Nicole by O.P.I CVS Exclusives- Holiday 2012

Good Morning loves!!! 

  Today I have swatches of Nicole by O.P.I latest CVS Exclusives release. This group is made up of Seven shades. There are Three cremes, a shimmer and Three frosts. These were released during winter, but the colors feel very Spring-y to me. The cremes are amazing!

To see close up swatches and reviews just continue reading ♥.

Nicole by O.P.I I Sea You and Raise You

  I Sea You and Raise You is a beautiful Periwinkle Blue creme. It is vivid, but not this vivid... *le sigh*. This is a great shade of Blue and it has an amazing, buttery smooth formula. I used Three thin, easy coats for full coverage. I think this would be my fave from this collection if I had to pick.

Nicole by O.P.I Don't Over Pink It

 Don't Over Pink It is a really pretty, light Bubblegum Pink with a squishy formula. It is not extremely unique but I do like that it is not a full on creme, and that squishy look. The formula on this shade is great, very smooth and even. I used Three thin coats.

Nicol by O.P.I Feeling Grapeful

 Feeling Grapeful is a light Red toned Purple with the same squishy texture as Don't Over Pink It. This is a great classic shade of Purple, very flattering and wearable. The formula is really good and does great in Three thin coats.

Nicole by O.P.I Marooned in Paradise

 This is a great shade if you are into the Oxblood trend. Marooned in Paradise is an awesome shade of lightly shimmery Oxblood. The shimmer leans to Pink to it gives the Maroon base some pretty flashes of light color and it does not pull so Brown. This shade has a great Three coat formula.

Nicole by O.P.I Always a Silver Lining 

 Always a Silver Lining is a really flashy Silver Shimmer with slight hints of Blue. This shade has a very dense formula and it is practically foil like in finish. I only needed Two coats for full opacity.

Nicole by O.P.I Personally Speaking 

 Personally Speaking... is a Rose-Gold metallic- frost. This is an odd shade and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. I'm sure this will stamp really well! The formula is a little streaky, but at least it is not patchy. I did Three coats for my swatch.

Nicole by O.P.I A Pinker Shade of Pale 

 Another shade I'm not sure about... A Pinker Shade of Pale is a very, very pale of frosty Lavender-Pink. The formula is not patchy but it shows brushstrokes. For my swatch I used Three thin, patient coats. It is also best to wait between coats.

  So, I was with them up until Always a Silver Lining. They kinda lost me with the frosty shades, but they do have to make polish for everyone, and somewhere out there is a gal who likes frost shades. Try as I might, I will never get into the frost finish. My absolute fave is I Sea you and Raise You, I also really like Marooned in Paradise. These are available now at CVS stores.

Do you have any picks from this group?

(**NOPI products provided for review**)

More about → Nicole by O.P.I CVS Exclusives- Holiday 2012

Zoya Surf Collection Swatches and a Recap

Good afternoon loves and happy Friday (The 13th o.O)!!

  Today I get to show you the flashier half of Zoya's Summer 2012 Collections. This is the Surf Collection for Summer 2012. This half consist of Six totally amazing and eye-poppin metallic- foil colors. Zoya always shines (badum tsssss no pun intended lol) when it comes to flashy Summer Collections. I really loved last years Sunshine Collection but I think Surf might have just knocked Sunshine down a few places for the spot of my favorite Summer colors. I have nothing else like these in my entire collection.

 Now... You should seriously consider reading the rest because I'd hate for you guys to miss out on these amazing colors!

  These all had beyond amazing formulas. They all practically apply themselves and are all Two coaters. All of them were pretty opaque and fully covered in one coat but I did Two just 'cause. These dry pretty quick and I did not have an issue with Seche shrinking these particular Zoya colors.

Zoya Zuza

 I think this color got the most hype when swatches and promo shots first started popping up and with good reason. This color is PERFECT. This is a bright Aqua foil packed full of shimmer and it seems to glow from within. Summer in a bottle...

Zoya Myrta

 Myrta is an uber hawt shade of metallic Red based Orange foil. Myrta has some hints of Golden micro shimmer that warm the base up and give the color that glow-y quality we've been seeing in our Oranges lately. This is not a dupe of CG Riveting for those of you who were wondering.

Zoya Rory

 Rory is a Lavender- Pink foil with tons of Silver microshimmer. I almost wish this would have had the Golden hints in the base as well to warm this color up a little bit, but I still really like it. It's like girly robot nails.

Zoya Carly

 Enter the Zoya Purple :D. It's not a Zoya collection without some form of an awesome Green or an awesome Purple... At least that seems to be the trend lol. Anywho, this is the most stunning shade of deep Plummy metallic foil. There isn't anything I could say about this color that the pictures don't say themselves... Just too beautiful!

Zoya Meg

 Meg is Apple's more Silvery and Foil-y sister. They are in the same family of Lime Green just different finishes. Meg is a very smooth Silvery- metallic foil where Apple is micro glassfleck in a light Green jelly base with hints of Gold. See what I mean about all their collections having some form of season- appropriate Green of Purple hee hee?

Zoya Kimber

 Kimber is CG Strawberry Fields on steroids. This color is much Pinkier in real life but all the Golden shimmer was making my camera pick it up as coral. But you basically take SF and make it a foil, make it more vibrant, dense, give it an AMAZING formula and you've got Kimber. This is the only shade in the Surf Collection that does not have Silvery tones in it.

Just for fun here are both collections together.

Aren't they just so pretty! I don't know that any other Summer collection will be as beautiful as these. They are vibrant, clean, unique and fun. Fun is key when releasing a Summer collection. Another thing I'm loving is how well these Two groups compliment each other. I get that was the point but WOW! I love how they are complimentary and not just shimmery versions of the cremes or visa- versa. Bravo Zoya!! Well done!

Thoughts?

(**Zoya products sent for review**)

More about → Zoya Surf Collection Swatches and a Recap

Milani Signature Gold and Jordana Magenta Magic

Good Morning loves and happy Caturday!

  Today's post is a continuation of my glitter-ific mini series. As you may or may not know Jordana recently released a Specialty Glitter collection consisting of about 25 different glitters. I've been featuring them One by One because I really want to enjoy each glitter and come up with awesome and high contrasting combos. Such as....

Jordana Magenta Magic over Milani's Signature Gold. How awesome is this combo? There is a funky 70's thing going on with these Two shades together and I am kinda loving it. I love how the glitters pop against the smooth metallic Honey Golden surface. Just in case you were wondering, Yes Magenta Magic is a dupe of the recently released Milani Fuchsia Jewel FX. This is Two coats of Signature Gold and one "blob" of Magenta Magic. 

  What I mean by blob is that I first dab on the brush on my nail to put the glitter on and then I spread it around the surface of the nail to prevent the issue where all the larger bits of glitter want to slide off to the tips of the nail.

How fun is this mani? I really enjoyed this combination and I am contemplating putting it on my toes!

Thoughts?

(**Products provided for review**)

More about → Milani Signature Gold and Jordana Magenta Magic

Milani Key West

Happy Sunday Everyone!

  Sorry I don't have a spam post for you guys today. I did not have time during this week to do much plus I had been wearing the same mani since Tuesday because I could not bring myself to take it off. I will be showing you guys this mani very soon, I promise. For today I just have a quick swatch post of a color I used recently as a base for a Jordana glitter. This Milani beauty is part of their Spring 2012 lineup.

 So I LOVVVEDDD this in the bottle..... And I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVEEEEEE it on my nails even more. I thought this was going to be a Glassflecky type of finish but when I saw that it was a True Teal foil I just about dropped flat on the ground. This color is bright, happy, clean and Summer in a bottle. The formula is flawless and it is opaque in Two coats. This particular foil has a lot of depth to it and it seems to glow. Milani is really hitting it out of the park this Spring!

What do you guys think? Aren't these some awesome mermaid nails? Uggh! Just love Key West. I love the color and I love the island that inspired the color. Milani has quickly become one of my favorite drugstore brands.

Thoughts on Key West?

(**Product provided for review**)

More about → Milani Key West

Muffin Monday!! China Glaze Midnight Kiss Holiday Nail Art

Happy Muffin Monday!!

  I cannot believe that Christmas is just right around the corner!! Where has this year gone? I don't know about you guys but it has gone by waaay too fast for me. Not that I am complaining or anything... But it has been a fast year for me. Today I have for you guys some simple and cute Holiday nail art using Muffin's pick. The color she chose for me today was and still is one of my favorite China Glaze colors. For this design I used all China Glaze colors from last years Holiday collection, which I absolutely loved. I think last years collection was much stronger than this years. But enough about the past lool.... Onto some nails!

 For this look I started with Two coats of my favorite Gold foil and Muffin's pick of the day: Midnight Kiss. Then , because it is hardly a Holiday mani without MORE sparkle, I sponged the tips of my nails using the EPIC Party Hearty. For some extra cuteness I added a cute stamp using Bundle Monster plate BM14 and Jolly Holly. I had to go back with a fine brush and paint over the leaves because the stamp was much to light. To accent the stamp I added Red gems for the berries. I love this simple but totally Holiday look :D.

Miss Muffin <3!

 This is Midnight Kiss. The most perfect Gold foil ever! It has an effortless Two coat formula and dries super quick. 

  I hope ya'll have all your Holiday shopping done :D! I still have some wrapping to do and some presents to mail out but it will get done lool! I wish Christmas lasted longer...

 Happy Muffin Monday!!

♥ Cristina

More about → Muffin Monday!! China Glaze Midnight Kiss Holiday Nail Art

Getting Ready for the Holidays with Bettina Spam

Happy humpday!!

  Pink Wednesday will be back soon! I promise!! I've been wanting to post these swatches for some time now and I figured today would be a great day since Tomorrow marks the start of the Holiday season and these colors remind me of the season, Thanksgiving and all that fun stuff. 

  This is Metallic Ruby. This is just SO awesome. The name says it all. It's a deep Ruby Red shimmer base packed full of metallic micro sparkle. The formula on this color is so saturated and smooth! I could have done with one coat but I did Two to give it extra depth. This is super flattering and Christmassy.

   This is Glamour Celebrate. A pretty standard Silver Foil. This also has a great formula. New Year in a bottle. Two coats.

Gems Coral !!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing Coral shimmer with a glassy smooth formula. Totally AMAZING!! This is like shimmery Fall leaves. This color also has a great Two coat formula.

This is Glamour Allure. Yummy Gold foil. Very warm toned and flattering. It has a very dense formula and you can easily do with just one coat. I did two for the pictures below. A staple for many Holiday manis!

 This is Nature Clouds. A soft White with just a touch of Grey. I LOVE this. It has a smooth squishy formula so it looks a little bit jelly like and dries to a very high shine. Even though it is a White tone and it is a Three coater it applies evenly and smoothly. Really nice Wintery White.

  And this is #193 from their core collection. This color is a Dusty Pumpkin Orange creme with the greatest formula. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this color but the second I put it on I really loved it. It's really warm and cozy looking. It reminds me of Fall.

I can't wait for Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving!! And it is also my brother's B-day :D. I hope you all enjoyed this little spam post.

And Just a reminder for Bettina purchases!!! Lovelies wanting information on pricing, shipping and purchasing Bettina polishes please shoot an email to rosamadistributors@gmail.com (Rosama Distributors-authorized distributors Bettina cosmetics)

Thanks for stopping by loves!! 

♥ Cristina

More about → Getting Ready for the Holidays with Bettina Spam