The Makers Dozen, September 2019: Alter Ego - Western Bluebird

Hey there friends!  Hope you had a great Saturday!  Just wanted to pop on while the kids are all quiet in front of their favorite babysitter (the tv and computer screens) to share the September Makers Dozen shade from Alter Ego.  The theme for the month is Birds and Alter Ego got the color clear.  You can purchase Western Bluebird through the entire month of September or until the 40 bottle cap is reached.  Each bottle is $10.  Let's jump in and check out the polish!

*press sample*

Alter Ego: Shop, Facebook, Fan Group, Instagram 

Makers Dozen: Facebook Group

Le Chat; Dare to Wear Moon Goddess Collection, Winter 2017

Evening beauties!  It's getting pretty cold over here in the Bay Area, and I know, I know I am a spoiled Californian who has perfect weather all year long, but you know what this is cold for me and I can't feel my feet right now!  But complaining about numb body parts is not why I am here.  I am back tonight with another Winter'y collection to share with you.  This is the Le Chat Moon Goddess collection, inspired by the beautiful mythical Greek Goddess, Selene.  The collection is made up of 6 dazzling shades that are unique for the season.  Think lighter shades and delicate glitters.  You can purchase the Moon Goddess Collection now for $6.50 each.  There's also a special; through 12/20 spend $12.95 and receive a free Double Agent set and free shipping!  Use code FREE4ME at checkout.  Now let's jump in and see the polishes!

*press sample*

Le Chat: Website/Shop, Facebook, Instagram

Blue Eyed Girl Lacquer: May 2017 Collection

Good morning!  Hope you've had a fabulous, short week so far.  My kids are counting down the days until Summer is here, and truthfully so am I.  I can't wait for beach days and vacation!  Speaking of Summer, Blue Eyed Girl Lacquer is launching a new collection today (5/31), at 3:30pm EDT.  It's an unnamed trio and they're sure to tickle your fancy.  2 of the 3 are customs for the BEGLove Facebook group so you'll need to join in order to purchase those.  I also have some re-released polishes to share so if you missed out on them the first time around you may want to jump on them this time.  Read on to see what Julie has in store for you today!

*press sample*

Blue Eyed Girl Lacquer:  Shop, Facebook, BEGLove, Instagram

The Nail Junkie: Cornucopia, Pinecone, Marigold Apple, Cutie Drops & Cutie Balm

Good morning!  I have lots to share with you today and it's all about The Nail Junkie!  I know things have been quiet on the new product front, but rest assured that the current selection is still in full stock and readily available.  I have so many polishes from The Nail Junkie and they are all totally fantastic!  Aleta pays great attention to detail, making sure each polish is unique, of the highest quality and labeled with the cutest pictures.  Each Nail Junkie full sized bottle is $10 each.  Another special little touch is that every order comes with a free gift!  Isn't that awesome?  Well, I have a few Fall themed polishes to show off today so let's jump on in and look at them!  

*THE PRODUCTS IN THIS POST WERE A GIFT*

The Nail Junkie: Shop, Facebook, Instagram

Ok I might have been wrong - there IS a new product in the shop!  Gift Cards!  Aleta sent one my way so we could test it out and it was super easy to use!  The card will come with a unique code and after you load up your cart you simply follow the directions included on the gift card, enter your code and TA-DA, Nail Junkie polish is on the way to you!  If you were looking to send someone a gift and wanted them to get a little something they could pick out themselves this is the perfect way to go! 

This Fall beauty is Cornucopia.  Cornucopia, from the Fall 2013 collection is described as a "dense glitter polish made of micro copper holographic glitter."  GAH this is so lovely!  These fine micro glitters are perfect for wearing over a base color or you can build Cornucopia up to full coverage in 3 coats.  The formula and application were both fantastic.  Cornucopia dries to a slightly matte and textured finish so you will want to use topcoat.  I chose to wear it alone and used 3 coats and 1 layer of topcoat to keep it nice and shiny.    

*direct sun*

blurred to show that awesome holo sparkle!

Pinecone is another gorgeous polish from Fall 2013.  Pinecone is described as a "dense glitter polish made of micro brown glitter."  Holy heck this is one spectacular brown polish!  Just as sparkly as Cornucopia, but the color is so rich and warm!  It makes me want to cozy up and a big fluffy sweater.  I loved the formula and application of Pinecone...great coverage and easy to work with.  This also dries to a matte/slightly textured finish so you want to use topcoat.  I used 3 layers of Pinecone and 1 layer of topcoat.  

*direct sun*

I picked Marigold as the third polish to get with the gift card.  I just couldn't resist this beautiful satin finish pastel that was added to the Pastel Collection earlier this year.  Marigold is described as an "orange pastel shimmer polish that dries to a powdery finish."  I actually think it's more of a peachy color but that could just be the way it looks against my skin tone.  Marigold has a great formula and applied very easily.  It does show some brushstrokes but if you paint carefully it shouldn't be an issue.  I used 2 coats of Marigold for full coverage.  I finished with 1 layer of topcoat.  

*artificial light*

*direct sun*

*shade*

I added Apple to this review because I noticed I hadn't tried it on yet and well what's more Fall than apples?  So it all worked out.  Apple is from the Neon Shimmer Jelly Collection and is described as a "juicy neon green jelly polish...loaded with holographic shimmer."  It totally reminds me of a Granny Smith Apple!  I love the neon shimmer jellies from The Nail Jukie.  They are unique and bright and so fun to wear!  The light sprinkle of holo shimmer is just right!  The formula and application were both fantastic.  I used 3 coats of Apple and 1 layer of topcoat.    You could try a 4th layer if you really can't stand VNL.  

*direct sun*

Aleta also sent Cutie Drops and Cutie Balm.  I was already a huge fan of Cutie Balm and know I wonder how I ever survived without Cutie Drops in my life.  I am totally addicted.  Here's what the bottles look like.  You can pick up a .5oz bottle of Cutie Drops for $7.  Cutie Balm comes in 2 sizes; 5 gram for $4, 10 gram for $6.

Cutie Drops is a "special blend of fragrance free, dye free, hypo-allergenic dry oil that you apply directly to the nail after or in between polish changes.  The custom blend of vitamins and essential oils quench your cuticles and help promote growth."  But that's not all!  It also "helps to dry your polish and create a slick surface to prevent bumps and nicks in your polish."  It definitely does everything it says!  My nails and cuticles have been extremely moisturize after using this for a week. And it helps my manis dry much quicker than with other spray oils I have used.  One perfectly placed drop on each nail will do the job!  Here's a picture of the dropper.

Application is a snap with this precise dropper.

And this is what my cuticles look like after the oil has spread around my nails and absorbed into my cuticles.  I heard my cuticles say "aaahhhhh."  

This is what the 5 gram jar of Cutie Balm looks like.  A clear, scent-free, uber moisturizing balm.  Here's what Aleta had to say about Cutie Balm, " Cutie Balm is a hand blended cuticle balm that I myself created.  This is an ultra-healing, protective balm for your cuticles.  It is dye-free, fragrance-free and cruelty-free.  Cutie Balm is a custom blend of the following high quality, ultra-nourishing ingredients: Lanolin, Avocado Oil, Argon Oil and Vitamin E."  This is another fabulous product and every time I use it I feel like my cuticles are getting a luxurious treatment.  A little dab of Cutie Balm goes a long way so even the small sized jar will last a long time.  

I picked up a little Cutie Balm onto the front of my nail so you could see that it's clear.  The amount I have is way more than enough for both hands.  

This is what my cuticles look like after Cutie Balm has been rubbed in and absorbed.  My skin looks fresh and plump - totally hydrated.  

Rescue Beauty Lounge Bicicletta

Good morning and happy start to a 3 day weekend!  Well hopefully you have a 3 day weekend.  I'm slightly bummed because I wanted to head out to the Reno Rib Cook Off but it just didn't happen this year.  Oh well, we can make ribs here and drink beer in the backyard.  But I thought I'd toss up a quick post and share this gorgeous, demure pink polish from Rescue Beauty Lounge.  I picked this up during the pre-order and it doesn't look like the Italian Summer collection is available just yet, but keep your eyes peeled because the entire collection is pretty amazing.  I'll have pictures of Oliveta and Motorini to share soon.  The Italian Summer collection will be $20 each when it is available.  

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Shop, Facebook, Instagram Twitter

Bicicletta was inspired by an image Ji saw during a trip to Sorrento.  She saw a "dark-haired little girl in a bikini riding a bike with training wheels.  The bike was pale pink and it sparkled and twinkled in the sun, the matching streamers flying."  I can completely picture this adorable little bike, as much as I can picture my own half Italian, dark haired daughter riding it.  Bicicletta is a perfect little girl shade of pink but done in a grown up girl way.  It's full of teeny tiny, shimmery micro glitters in pink and silver shades.  The formula and application were both great, no issues to bring up.  I used 3 coats of Bicicletta for full coverage and 1 layer of topcoat.   

*shade*

Superficially Colorful: Things I Love Collection

Good afternoon!  This post makes me happy, so very happy.  It's literally packed full of glitter and awesomeness.  All the polish in this post is from the new Superficially Colorful collection called Things I Love.  Jin was inspired by "bits and pieces of stories, jokes and funny moments with my (her) besties."  I love that she was inspired by her friends and I love them (the polishes) even more because I know what or who each one is referring to.  Each polish in this collection had a fabulous formula and applied with ease.  The majority are jelly based and they built up to great coverage on their own in 2-3 coats.  These micro glitters are smooth with topcoat.  The Things I Love Collection will be available on Friday, 4/18 at noon EST.  

Superficially Colorful: Shop, Facebook

Pickelfarts is a "deep berry pink holographic micro glitter in a berry jelly base."  Picklefarts is such a gorgeous color and so sparkly!  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat.

Make Me Up Beautiful is a "neon fuchsia micro glitter in a bright pink jelly base."   Make Me Up Beautiful was one of my favorites...I'm such a sucker for neon pink!  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat.  

And hullo loverly orange!  British Chocs is an "orange holographic glitter in orange jelly base."  This is another one of my favorites.  The color is so bright and saturated!  Orange makes me happy.  I used 2 coats of British Chocs and 1 layer of topcoat.  PS - Flake and Aero bars are my favorite British Chocs.  

Ok, third in a row but yes Yous Dearhearts is another one of my favorites.  I am a sucker for these golden yellow colors.  Yellow and I are simpatico.  Yous Dearhearts is a "holographic gold micro glitter and sparse golden hears in an amber jelly."  Seriously, this color is so beautiful.  I love the addition of the golden holo hearts.  I used 2 coats of Yous Dearhearts with 1 layer of topcoat.  

Moving on to the greens!  The Search Tempest is an "emerald green and holographic glitter in a medium green jelly base."  The Search Tempest just screams the Emerald City to me!  It's really stunning.  I used 3 coats of The Search Tempest and 1 layer of topcoat.

Next up is Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey...Stuff, a "peridot green micro glitter and silver holographic hexs in an acidic green jelly base."  I am a big fan of lime green and Wibbly Wobbly is a really awesome color!  The holo glitters really shine through brightly in Wibbly Wobbly!  I used 2 coats of Wibbly Wobbly and 1 layer of topcoat.  

I've Never Been Ginger is a "tardis blue and holographic glitter in a dark blue jelly base."  So many Dr. Who references!  I don't have the urge to watch the show (ducks from flying objects being thrown at me) but I do like this polish!  This fab blue was another color that really showed off the holo glitters.  I used 2 coats of I've Never Been Ginger and 1 layer of topcoat.  

Ok this one needs a little explanation.  Twitter Licker was created in reference to "those addicted lacquerheads like myself (Jin) who drool over the gorgeous manicures people post."  Twitter Licker is a gorgeous, shimmery aqua micro glitter with holo glitters in a very lightly tinted aqua base.  This one could actually be worn over a color because the base is so light.  I used 3 coats of Twitter Licker and 1 layer of topcoat.  

All The Purple In The World, a "purple holographic micro glitter in purple jelly base."  ATPITW really has a perfect jelly sandwich look.  I used 3 coats of ATPITW and 1 layer of topcoat.

On Hilly Grounds reminds me of coffee for some reason.  But I know it is not referring to that...it's a nod to an avid outdoors woman that Jin is friends with.  On Hilly Grounds is a scrumptious "chocolate brown holographic glitter and fun golden dots in a red-brown jelly base."  This color is so full bodied and rich.  It's really stunning!  I used 3 coats of On Hilly Grounds and 1 layer of topcoat.  

I've shared this one before but since it's part of the collection, here are some more pictures of Hot Italian Lady.  Hot Italian Lady is a "fiery red holographic glitter, golden stars and dots in a hot red jelly base."  This is one hot and spicy polish!  I used 2 coats and 1 layer of topcoat.  

And last but not least...Imaginary Narwhals.  Every collection needs silver glitter and Imaginary Narwhals answered that call perfectly!  This is a "silvery holographic micro glitter with occasional silver stars in a clear base."  Imaginary Narwhals is a regular base (not jelly finish) and can be worn alone in 3 coats or over a base color.  I like it alone because it really reminds me of that super hot nude/glitter suit that Brittney Spears wore a few years back at a music award show.  I used 3 coats of Imaginary Narwhals and 1 layer of topcoat.  

And here is a mani I created using 8 of the polishes from the My Favorite Things collection.  Glittery rainbows are so pretty!