Forever 21 - Sand Textured Finish Nail Polish Collection Swatches

Hello dear readers!

Today, I want to show you swatches of Sand Lacquer nail polishes by Forever 21 which have textured finish. I bought this collection a few weeks ago online. When I saw these nail polishes, I knew I had to have them. I love the color variety and the sparkly finish.

Now, lets see some close up pics and swatches...

 (All pictures can be enlarged)

 

From left to right: Purple Jazz, Metallic Love, Mesmerizing Magenta, Fire & Ice, Caramel Crush, Blue Jewel and Black Glam.

From left to right: Purple Jazz, Metallic Love, Mesmerizing Magenta and Fire & Ice.

From left to right: Caramel Crush, Blue Jewel and Black Glam.

 

From left to right: Purple Jazz, Metallic Love, Mesmerizing Magenta, Fire & Ice, Caramel Crush, Blue Jewel and Black Glam.

From left to right: Purple Jazz, Metallic Love, Mesmerizing Magenta, and Fire & Ice

From left to right: Fire & Ice, Caramel Crush, Blue Jewel and Black Glam.

The price per bottle is $2.80 which is a very affordable price as compared to other textured nail polishes brands out there and quality-wise, they are similar. I found them easy to apply and fairly opaque.

As far as I know, they are available for purchase online, through Forever 21 website and in-store.
One thing to note is that the names on the polishes are different listed online as compared to the actual bottle.

Online name - Bottle label

Purple Jazz - Purple/silver

Metallic Love - Champagne

Mesmerizing Magenta - Magenta Multi

Fire & Ice - Red/gold

Caramel Crush - Burnished Gold

Blue Jewel (same name)

Black Glam - Purple Gold

*On my next post, I will show you swatches on my actual nails wearing Black Glam from this collection ;)

Have you seen or tried a nail polish from this collection? 

If not, Which one was your favorite color form these swatches?

♥♥Thank you for reading♥♥

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Più Mosso

Purchased By Me

A recent comment on Instagram rekindled my love and yearning for some Rescue Beauty Lounge so I dug through my stash for my precious RBL pretties:

To many, RBL is a high-end luxury brand that is known for their line of understated chic and elegance, most notably, their trademark subtle shimmer in many of their polishes. Much as I indulge in sparkly glitters, I still have a soft spot for delicate shimmers and almost inadvertently sport them on my tips on weekdays. Naturally, I could not keep my eyes, and hands, off RBL. I swear I tried my best to be good but I caved in twice to get these beauties - and never regretted my choice.

I was in the mood for some strong dark colours today so I decided to wear Più Mosso this week. Out of curiosity, I took my new camera for a spin and my eyes nearly popped out when I saw the swatch pictures. There was no way I could not blog about it. Take a look:

Più Mosso. 2 thin coats.
A dusty inky blue that flashes a gorgeous copper when the shimmers catch the light. Più Mosso was inspired by the dark clouds that overtook the sky covering the last ray of sunlight before the storm. Romantic inspiration aside, this literally took my breath away when I stumbled upon swatches of it online. Dusty? Dark? Shimmery? I simply had to have it - it is exactly my cup of tea!

I've worn this a couple of times before this but nothing quite prepared me for what my macro lens captured:

I died - a hundred times over - when I saw the picture on my screen. Isn't it magical!?!

I am very thankful that Ji brought this shade back so I had a chance to get it after missing the first release. At US$20 per bottle (excluding international shipping), this was by no means an ordinary purchase. But it certainly did not disappoint. Not only is the colour wickedly stunning, application was wonderful as well. The formula was smooth and the brush was thin but fans out nicely for easy application.

If there is one RBL you have to get, I would definitely recommend this.

What do you think of Più Mosso? Have you tried any other RBLs?

Wantable Makeup Box Review - September 2013

Hello dear readers!

Today I have something different for you, unboxing and review of the Wantable beauty box.

This month, I was contacted by Wantable to see if I wanted to try one of their boxes. Usually, I'm not a fan of beauty sampling boxes. I used to think that I would receive products that I wont really use... that was until I checked Wantable's website to see how it worked.

What made me decide to try this box was the variety of boxes to choose from: makeup box, accessories box, intimates box and the new Halloween box.
I opted for the makeup box because I love trying new makeup items and who knows? they might include a nail polish to add to my collection :)
One thing I really liked about this makeup box is that you receive 4-5 full size products.
Also, once you sign up on their page, you have fill out a survey about the makeup products that you love, like and dislike. You will never receive the products that you don't like. Pretty cool, right?

Without further ado, here's the September box I got:

*At the end of this post,  I will also include a picture of me with a makeup look using items from this box ;)

Now to the close ups of the makeup items:

Japonesque angled foundation brush (Retail $25)

29 Cosmetics - Reserve moisturizing lipstick in Expressive Rose (Retail $25)

LAQA & CO. nail polish in Burple (Retail $11)

Michael Marcus brow pencil in Brunette (Retail $24)

And that's me with a makeup look using the the angled foundation brush (to apply my BB cream), brow pencil and the lipstick... coincidentally, the nail polish I was wearing matches with my lipcolor :)

Overall, I'm very pleased with this box. I liked all the products from this box and I will continue using them. I think this is thanks to the survey I took on Wantable about my makeup preferences.
The makeup box is $36 for a monthly subscription and $40 for one-time purchase. If you consider the retail price of all the items ($85), it's a very good deal and I got to try makeup brands that I might have not tried otherwise.You can purchase this box here. They ship to the US, Canada and Australia.

*This box was sent to me for review purposes.

I hope you liked this review which is actually first time for me to feature makeup items.

What are your thoughts about this box?
♥♥Thank you so much for reading♥♥

Nail Art Step By Step

Before looking into the detailed description about the steps involved in nail art, we shall take a look at what is nail art. From the very first sight of the word, we'll come to a conclusion that it is an art that can be done only by the professionals. But this can also be done by common people by practicing it with some guide or a nail art tutorial. Nail art, as we think is not just decorating the nail but also taking care of or protecting the nail. Nowadays nail art is becoming popular, as it has become one of the ways to show off. The reason might probably be the media, especially the Internet. Now we shall move on to the actual nail art tutorial.

The first step is without saying the clean-off process. Various brushes are available and may be used for this process. Including this step may sound childish for some of them, but this is a very essential thing to be done to the nails. Some nailart tutorial might have also ignored this step. Before proceeding to next step, ensure that your nail is dust free. The next step will be trimming the nail to the desired shape. The nail should be shaped in such a way that it doesn't get damaged.

The next step is nail designing. The most important among nail designing is air brushing. This involves giving an initial base coat to the nail and then a white coat should be applied uniformly on the nail. The uniformity plays an essential role here. Before doing the nail art, make sure that you use good quality paint. Now paint the nail with required color on desired parts of the nail. Then the mask should be applied on top of the nail to cover the area where we do not want the color to be seen.

After applying the mask, paint the nail. An important thing to be considered is to cover the painted area while spraying another color in the nearby area so as to make sure that the design does not get collapsed. You can also use small balls of various colors on the nail for decorative purpose. But the balls should be used while the coated paint is wet. Finally remove the mask and give a top coat. Now wash the area around the nail with soap and water.

Nails Designs

Beautiful, provocative and long nails are the dream of many women. But, not all of them are bestowed with such nails. A few women may not succeed in growing their nails as desired by them, however hard they try. They may try a number of manicures but all their efforts may go a waste. A few others may grow their nails to the desired extent but these nails may suddenly break due to various reasons and demolish their dreams. For a few others, the nails may be weak and brittle and hence, may break. In this context, the best solution is to go for acrylic nail designs to have the desired makeover. Beauty salons offer this service and ladies can achieve their goal of having long, beautiful and impeccable nails.

Having acrylic nails is an easy process and the procedure can be carried out very quickly. There are no hassles like attempting to grow nails naturally. You can have the length or designs you desire to have. Every woman will have a few designs in mind and these can be painted on the surface of the nails.

Another great feature about these acrylic nails is that they are quite durable. The beautician will glue these artificial nails to your natural nails. But, it is not necessary that the processes involved in this should be done only at a beauty salon. They can be done at home also. There is a special glue that is required for carrying out these processes. Various nail designs can be painted on them after they are glued. These designs will make your nails highly glamorous and beautiful. These are many acrylic nail design ideas and you should choose the most appropriate ones that suit your tastes. But, while removing the acrylic nails, you should be very much careful. The fact of the matter is that nail care becomes highly important when artificial nails are opted for.

The popularity of acrylic nails stems from the fact that they are long-lasting and affordable and add beauty to your nails. Beauticians and experts are doing a lot of innovation in this concept and therefore, day in and day out, many new and breathtaking designs are being developed. So, women are also keeping abreast of all these developments. Many fashion-minded women are opting for the hot trends in these designs. This makes the task of the beauticians all the more challenging. They have to cater to the unrelenting expectations of their customers. So, they are also forced to update their knowledge in this concept to provide the right solutions to the requirements of these women.

As in the case of all fashionable things, a few women opt for simple designs, a few others wish to have complicated nail art designs and so on. Simply put, all these women wish to grab the attention of others by having such beautiful acrylic nail designs. There are many nail art products such as acrylic paint, glitter, crushed seashells, rhinestones, lace, stickers, acrylic 3D details and the list is endless. In general, a well-carried out manicure should last up to 4 weeks.

Nail Art Designs

Getting Gel Nails is the perfect way to dress up your hands. Whether you work with your hands each day where everyone can see them, have a special occasion coming up, or you just want to pamper yourself. Your hands are an extension of yourself and your style and for many women it is necessary to make sure that their nails are in top condition. You will want to explore the options that gel nails can give you before you make any decisions or head to the salon for your appointment.

Gel nail can be light cured or no-light gels. The difference between the two types of nail applications is essentially the light used in setting the gel to your nails. Light cured gel nails are typically the more popular style and are commonly used in a number of salons today. The gel is premixed and once applied to the nail you must sit your hands under an ultraviolet light in order for the gel to set properly.

Those who wish to obtain no-light gel nails will have the gel applied to their nails and a specialized gel activator can be brushed or sprayed over the gel nail in order to set them. Some estheticians even use plain water for setting gel nails. If you have any questions about the type or application, be sure to ask your esthetician beforehand.

There are many positive aspects of getting gel nails over acrylic or other types of nails when looking at different procedures. As it tend to look more glossy and natural than other styles of applications and do not require a great deal of time to cure.

The gel mixture is practically odorless and there can be less filling time required as opposed to acrylic nails. Some negative aspects may not be important to you and will depend on what your procedure for daily nail care is.

Nail applications are typically harder to do at home yourself and should be done by a professional to be properly completed. The gel cannot be soaked off your nail and must be filed off if you wish to remove them. Depending on your daily routine, it may not last as long as other types of nails such as acrylic so you will want to ask your esthetician which one is best for you.

Once you receive your new gel nails, you can treat yourself to some nail art or accessories if you wish. Painted designs, stickers and even fancy polish are great ways to add a personal touch to your new gel nails. Ask your stylist if they specialize in any nail art design or what they offer for special nail treatments when you are at your next nail appointment.

Coordinating colors for an upcoming big day can be the finishing touch for your nails with that perfect dress, or a simple painted design on one of your nails can give you the personal edge you are looking for.

Nail Polish

Gel nail polishes create a very sturdy protection compared to other polishes and hardly ever chip off. These new gel polishes are not exactly uv gel nails and not exactly nail polish, they are kind of a hybrid between the two. Shellac is one brand name and Geleration is another. Applying a gel polish properly requires using an ultraviolet or UV light to cure every single layer. These hybrid gel polishes are great to ease a client into the idea of uv gel and the benefits provided. If one wants to remove the polish, a polish remover is needed and one must soak it there for quite a few minutes in order to take it off. I believe this is one of the greatest draw backs of the gel polishes, but the benefits are many.

There are a few other disadvantages to gel nail polish. They are high-priced compared to a regular manicure, because the cost of the gel polish and the UV lamp have to be considered. They are not as sturdy as a full gel nail tip, or an acrylic for that matter. they do however last for 2 to 3 weeks without chipping. If your client gets tired of the color, they can also be painted over with regular polish. This really helps to offset the cost of the gel polish manicure, because a manicure is not needed as often. Sometimes, they do fail one's expectations. The application and removal should be done by professionals. One can do it on their own but be sure that one is full of the proper knowledge in applying gel polishes. When the nails split or break, they have the tendency to blow apart. Due to this, one cannot fix it alone. One will be forced to go to a salon and have it fixed there or replaced.

Just like any other artificial nails, most especially the acrylic nails, there is a peril and a chance to develop and catch a fungal infection after and during the application procedures. So, it is important to clean one's cuticles, and the nail bed. Better to use alcohol or disinfectant before the application of the artificial nails. Taking care of the nails is a must. As well as taking care of one's fake nails is extremely vital. Be sure to moisturize the cuticles once in a while and get the nails filed often. Proper maintenance is necessary.

There are also advantages in choosing gel nails from acrylic artificial nails. One of the considerable advantages of having gel nail polish is that they look just like the natural nails. Those gel nails appear to be thin and with a glossy look. The special glue used to let it stick onto the nails is absolutely odorless that's why it is safe for everyone.

To get some more insight into how gel polish works and to learn a little bit more about the different gel nail products that are out there, you should probably check out this gel nail blog and browse around a bit to be more aware of the fastest growing trend in the fashion industry.

Who doesn't like to use nail polish these days? The problem lies with incorrect application! I've seen so many nails that are unevenly coated, cracked and chipped. We can easily prevent these things from happening if we all learn how to apply nail polish properly! Follow this quick guide when you are applying polish to your finger and toe nails next time and I'll guarantee you'll see an improvement to your nails!

Before you start applying the polish to your nails, you'll need to select the right color. My first advice is to use a color that you actually like and not follow any rules of thumb regarding color choice. Having said that there are some guidelines to choosing the right colors that I typically do follow. The first is where are you heading to? What is the occasion? If it's for everyday coverage, neutral tones are good to go. These are perfect for work days and professional events. If it's a more relaxed and fun event, go for whatever you like. Matching with lip color and the colors you are planning to dress in is also a good idea. But again, the best is to trust your instincts and go with colors that you actually like. My personal favorite are chrome colors to give my nails that sexy shine.