NYC and Sally Hansen (catch up posts!)

Hey Monkeys! Today I have some catch up posts for you from Halloween\Thanksgiving.. sorry it's so late, but you can still check out the colors :) NYC had some great colors for Halloween\Fall which included a top coat called Rock Muse that was a transparent black base mixed with some super shiny silver hex glitters throughout.I am not affRED and Animal Instinct are this great deep burgundy and opaque medium orange cremes, respectively. Application is always great on these and you can't beat the price point from NYC ($1.99)!

Sally Hansen also released some Fuzzy Coat polishes for Halloween but if you can still find them (or any other of their fuzzy coats), go for it! I layered Fur-ankenstein (bright lime green and black small bar glitter) and Witch-ful Thinking (pumpkin orange and black small bar glitter) over white polish and I love the small bar glitter. Normally with bar glitter your nails look like they are furry and need to have a haircut, but when the small bars are done right, it looks interesting rather than disturbing. The Fuzzy Coat line retails for $5.99 and you can leave it without a top coat if you want a bit of texture. 

*samples provided*

Sally Hansen Rio & Color Frenzy and NYC Samba Collection- swatches

well, even though the US is out of the World Cup, you can still seek out the NYC and Sally Hansen collections that are Brazilian themed (shout out to all my Brazilian followers, your team is exciting to watch this tournament)... I have a few combos for you today..  Individual swatches and final thoughts all after the jump!

NYC: Samba and Show Time Collection- press release

INTRODUCING THE CITY SAMBA COLLECTION

FROM NYC NEW YORK COLOR

THINK: A Brazilian beauty escape.

WHAT IT IS: A limited edition color inspired by the vibrancy of Brazil. NYC New York Color is bringing the sexy beaches and sizzling sun of Brazil to New York with a new, limited edition City Samba collection filled with Brazilian fun and flare. Look your sexiest yet with Carnivale-ready nail polishes, brilliant lip glosses, and shimmering bronzing powders.

The NYC New York Color City Samba Nail collection includes:

 In A New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish ($1.99): Ultra-quick dry nail enamel in electrifying summer shades. These high pigment colors are infused with a hint of shimmer for brilliant, tropically-hued nails that won’t fade. The nail strengthening formula is infused with magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium for beautiful nails and specifically formulated to dry in lightning speed time to a dazzling, high shine finish. The shades: Carnival Red,Copabanana, Jacaranda Flower, Ocean Blue, Palm Tree, Tropicoral, Sweet Melon and Amazon Green

Show Time Nail Art ($1.99): Fine-tip glossy polishes in Brazil-inspired, tropical colors. Extend your love of art to your nails with the new Show Time Nail Art line from NYC New York Color. The ultra-thin tip is specially designed to allow for intricate, detailed nail art designs. High shine and glossy, the intensely pigmented color is infused with a hint of gorgeous shimmer and draws on easily to create brilliant nails that capture the creative heart of New York and the passionate spirit of Brazil. The shades: Black Ink, Pinkasso and Silverism

Nail Foils: Agean Tides and NYC: Rhythm n Blues

I have a different post for you today: nail foils! I'll do a separate post of how these work/apply etc but for now just know that I laid down a base of NYC Rhythm n Blues which is a deep medium blue shimmer. Next step is to do a layer of adhesive glue (brushed on) and wait until it's tacky, then lay a foil over your nail. It's quite hard actually. I thought it would be easier but it's a flat surface trying to smoothly adhere to a round/curved nail so there are a few tricks I have yet to figure out. I ordered these awesome foils from DollarNailArt.com (minimum order is $25 so needless to say I have a few nail art items yet to be played with). These are cool if you're not obsessed with having wrinkle free nails; I mean, after all, they're super duper reflective and I'm sure to the average person would look stunning. 

I'm also starting a new blogger series on Fridays.. if you're a newbie and want to promote your

 blog check HERE for deets!

Movie Mani: Cheeky 51

One of the new cheeky plates, CH 51, is movie themed. What better mani to do for summer, than a movie themed one! I used Essie No More Film with a random accent of a NYC (that I don't remember the name of nor can I find the polish now). I stamped using Skinfood..these all have numbers to them instead of names so it's a light blue glitter that is super dense and awesome. I love the fast forward/play/rewind image, it's awesome! The popcorn is really cool too. I used some chunky silver glitter to jazz it up and add some sparkly bling. Sorry I don't remember all the polishes I used but this mani kind of took over a life on its own with creativity. The images stamp well for being not finalized production plates. Keep an eye out on Cheeky's Facebook page for more previews!

*plates provided for review*

Blue Dot Funky French

I have a random blue dot Funky French for you today. I used Sally Hansen Air as my base (2 coats) then dotted with two different blues (forget which ones I used but the light one is probably OPI What's With the Catitude). I then added NYC Big City Dazzle for glitter funsies (retails for $1.99 in drug stores). It has mostly pink and red glitter but there's gold and blue thrown in for good measure. A glitter top coat is always a quick and easy way to spice up an already existing mani if you don't have time to re-do it but need to cover up a chip touch up or want a different look. 

*products provided by companies' PR*

Sally Hansen & NYC: New products- press release

Smooth and Perfect Color + Care ($5.49)

THINK: Let your nails breathe

WHAT IT IS: Creamy color and porcelain-smooth perfection in one beautiful polish. The latest trend to hit your fingertips. Nearly naked, barely-there color with plenty of shine. The ultimate in understated elegance, sheer shades and healthy even shine work for every occasion. That’s why Sally Hansen created a chic collection of nude nail polishes that marries the two, Smooth and Perfect Color + Care, the ultimate fusion of perfecting polish and beautifying care.

Designed to hide ridges and imperfections, the uniquely breathable formula promotes stronger, healthier looking nails with a patented technology that allows for up to 20% more oxygen to reach the nail. The result? Ridges and imperfections are virtually erased and nails are left looking smooth, shiny and porcelain perfect.

THE SHADES: Fog, Linen, Dune, Satin, Whisper, Air, Sea, Sorbet

Gem Crush™ Nail Color: ($6.95)

THINK: High impact bling.

WHAT IT IS: Vibrant, full-color glitter polish. Always at the forefront of nail innovation, Sally Hansen presents the latest instatement-making manicures—the new Gem Crush™ Nail Color. Unlike other sparkle formulas, Gem Crush™ Nail Colordelivers full-coverage, high-intensity glitter for a brilliant, multi-dimensional manicure that simply glimmers.

AVAILABLE IN EIGHT DARING SHADES: Lady Luck, Be-Jeweled, Glitz Gal, Cha-Ching!, Big Money, Razzle Dazzler, Bling-Tastic, and Showgirl Chic

Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color & Diamond Flash Fast Dry Top Coat ($6.99)

 

THINK: Stop nails from breaking

WHAT THEY ARE: The next generation of Diamond Strength Nails. Who says you can’t buy yourself diamonds? Sally Hansen is putting luxury at your fingertips with the latest in glamorous nails—Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color and Diamond Flash Fast Dry Top Coat. Infused with real Micro-Diamonds, Platinum and Aluminum, these pampering new formulas deliver brilliant strengthening color, 10-day protection from breaking and rock-hard, long-lasting shine.

The Diamond Collection includes:

Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color: Featuring 32 ultra-luxe shades, the range includes regal jewel tones, confectionary color, bold brights and ethereal sheers. Housed in a faceted glass bottle reminiscent of a real diamond, each formula carries the mark of brilliant strength.

Diamond Flash Fast Dry Top Coat: Get stronger nails and dazzling shine in just 60 seconds with this luminous, quick-drying top coat. Packed with real micro-diamonds, platinum and aluminum, the breakthrough top coat leaves nails virtually impervious to chipping and breakage.

NYC New York Color Top Coats

Matte Me Crazy ($1.99): Move from shiny to matte in a New York Minute with this transformative new topcoat. Simply top your favorite NYC New York Color polish with a coat of Matte Me Crazy for an instant dose of muted modern style.

Big City Dazzle Sparkle Topcoat ($1.99): Take your nails from the office to after-hours with a quick-drying coat of sparkle from NYC New York Color. Apply to bare nails for sheer shine effect or layer it over your favorite nail color for a bold, eye-catching look.

NYC, Ice and some Bundle Monster

Since I enjoyed NYC Scenestealer Grey so much, I decided to layer it and stamp over it.  I used Pure Ice Heartbreaker which is a teal shimmery sheer top coat. I then took my bundle monster 2 plates and stamped flowers over in white using Konad special polish. I topped with a coat of SV as well.





Whenever you use the Konad special polishes, make sure when adding your SV or top coat that your brush doesn't touch your polish; if it does it will smear the stamp.  I only really have this problem with the special polishes.




Anyways, check out the shimmer... it's really pretty and eye catching.




And a reminder if you haven't entered my Apothica giveaway, do it! :) It's kind of a process but the Facebook option 2 is the quickest and easiest if you don't have Twitter :)

I have a Too Face make up palette coming up this week that you can buy from there too.

NYC: In the Spotlight Swatches (make up) Fall 2011

Here are the new palettes from NYC for Fall 2011: In the Spotlight collection. These limited edition palettes accompany the beautiful polishes I posted this week.  The three palettes are perfect for fall and are shimmery and include a primer and an illuminator in each along with an application sponge wand.  All were swatched over primer and pictures were taken under a daylight bulb. The colors are actually warmer than they picked up on camera. I wish I could have done a look with these for you but I'm suffering for major allergies right now and cannot wear make up for a few weeks.

Fall Makeover for blue eyes

Left to Right: simmery taupe, peachy tan, rich brown suede and brown with green undertones. Primer is on the bottom left and the illuminator is on the right. Both are creamy.  The illuminator is sparkly and is on the very left of the swatch.

NYC: In the Spotlight Swatches (polish) Fall 2011

Here is the polish part of NYC's In the Spotlight collection for Fall 2011. I have to say, it's awesome and for $1.99 a polish, can't beat it. Each color was 2 coats to full opacity and it's quick dry which helps to get you out the door faster.  I also used no to coat.

I want to try out a water marble with these babies! Take a closer look, I left the collage picture large for you (click on it) so you can see detail.

 Scenestealer Grey: a blue steel gray with a frosty finish. Reminds me of gunmetal but with blue undertones.


Backstage Brown: a bronze brown with gold undertones (this one is actually a little darker and shows a shade lighter on camera with the light box. You can see where the lights are not hitting it, the color is deeper.


Underground Purple: a magenta with purple shimmer and flecks of light pink and purple. Amazing this one!

I have the make up portion of this coming later in the week for you. I have a feeling you will love that as well, the palettes are made to compliment eye color and the lip stains look amazing.

These are all limited edition and can be found at major drugstore chains, mass merchandisers and on www.newyorkcolor.com.

*product sent by company's PR*

NYC: In the Spotlight Collection (press release)

I'll have swatches for you soon :) What do you think?

INTRODUCING

THE “IN THE SPOTLIGHT” COLLECTION

FROM NYC NEW YORK COLOR

THINK: Take center stage with new fall makeup

WHAT IT IS: A complete collection of NYC favorites in attention-grabbing jewel tones. When it comes to re-vamping your makeup bag at the start of each season, updating your color palette is key. This fall, NYC New York Color puts on-trend color at your fingertips with “In the Spotlight,” an affordable collection of makeup must-haves in the season’s rich regal shades.

IndividualEyes Custom Compacts ($4.99): This season’s smoky eye is all about scene-stealing color. Get the look with expertly coordinated IndividualEyes palettes featuring the perfect shades to intensify and enhance your eyes. Each palette offers an illuminator, four pressed shadows, and a double-ended applicator.

Limited Edition Shades: Fall Makeover (Brown Eyes), Designer Denim (Blue Eyes) and Hot Couture (Green Eyes)

Smooch Proof 16 HR Lip Stain ($4.99): This lightweight, transfer-proof stain delivers irresistibly smooth, bitten berry lip color all day long. With its precise felt tipped pen applicator system, lining lips and filling them in requires only one easy step.

Limited Edition Shades: Work It! Plum, Fashionista Mauve and Look Book Pink

Lippin Large Lip Plumper ($3.99): Get fall’s glossy jewel-toned lips with this painless plumper. The unique formula enhances the natural color and shape of lips by increasing circulation, creating a pillowy pout in just seconds. Each lip boosting shade is lightly flavored with a lush blend of vanilla and mint.

Limited Edition Shades: Fashion Week Mauve and Berry Fashionable

In A NY Minute Nail Color ($1.99): Change up your color non-stop with this quick-dry enamel for a fast-paced lifestyle. Each glamorous, long-lasting new hue from the In A New York Minute! Fast Dry Enamel collection features a hint of shimmer for added impact that goes the distance.

Limited Edition Shades: Scenestealer Grey, Backstage Brown and Underground Purple

Cheek Glow Single Pan Blush ($2.99): Rosy cheeks are all the rage this fall and it’s easy to get the look with new hues from NYC New York Color. Simply sweep across the apples of cheeks for a beautiful flush of color.

Limited edition shade: Hello! Lover Pink

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Chain drugstores and mass merchandisers nationwide. To find a retailer near you, please visit www.newyorkcolor.com

Closed!: Giveaway Time!

CLOSED:

Thanks to everyone who entered and a big Hello to the new followers :) I had almost 1200 total entries!

I'll be doing a YouTube follower only giveaway soon because there has been a ton of support for all the videos, so thank you!

Onto the winner.... 

Karen Mae Bautista

CONGRATS!!!! I have emailed you!

It's time for another giveaway!


Up for grabs: (click after the jump....)

WINNERS of the 200 Follower Giveaway!

Congrats to Shichan for winning the main prize of the giveaway!
and to Balmaholic, Rock or Not and Kelsey for winning 2 boxes of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects! 


I've sent an email to each of you, reply with your info so I can send your swag! Congrats and thanks for following!!

 


My followers are so awesome that I'm starting my giveaway early... I wanted to make it so that non-bloggers have an equal opportunity to have more entries, so some items are a bit different than you may normally see. ALL entries will be verified before counted, AND the winner will be re-verified before I announce them. Duplicate entires will be deleted, so if you are not sure you entered, please email/tweet me and I will be more than happy to check for you. Be respectful, have fun and good luck!!
***This runs until Saturday 11:59 PM Pacific May 7th and is open internationally***   
What's up for grabs:

Sephora OPI Caribbean Cocktail, China Glaze: Naked, Anklets of Amethyst, Fairy Dust, Sexy in the City, Rose tea, NYC 105 Starry Silver Glitter (won this from a give away and liked it so much I bought one for this, it's so awesome!). Wet N'Wild: Morbid, Lust, Gray's Anatomy, Glitz, 2 unnamed City Colors polishes- a shimmery light seafoam green and a jelly looking coral.

~A ring made from nail polish (I made this and will have some for sale on my Etsy site)
~OPI Black Shatter
~Sinful Colors Unicorn
~Confetti Purple Pizzazz
~Orly Sapphire Silk
~3 packs of nail art stickers
~ Mash stamping plate with full images

And as like last time, more will be added as we go along. You must be a public follower to enter and you'll have 48 hours to respond to my email that you've won or I'll choose another winner....

Dorothy Who? and a twist

 I really like OPI's Absolutely Alice but do not own it.  Instead I have China Glaze's "Dorothy Who?".  I thought I would also add some gold and silver glitter along with some of NYC Pier 17 polish to it and frankie it up a bit.

I started with a base of Pier 17 because Dorothy Who is a pretty sheer blue base.  I used two coats, not cleaned up :) .. what? don't judge me ;)


Here is a close up/side lit, so you can see the added glitter.. click to enlarge it..

 Middle finger is ChG DW and my ring finger is the extra stuff added in.. can you tell the different in the tone and the sparklies?

Here's a better picture showing the difference in the colors of the blue now.. it's a bit darker after fankening it and in my opinion, has much better glitter :)

I topped it off with Color Club's 0-60. This top coat is great, on me it works better than SV for when I keep a mani on for a few days. 

What do you think? Improvement on Dorothy Who or did I just ruin the polish?

Also check out Obsessed With Nails amazing monkey nail art she did for us!  Girl you have talent! Her art is so cute, she's doing a Disney theme right now!