Zoya Seashells, Sunsets & Lipsticks

Good afternoon lovelies!  I've got a large post for you but I wanted to get it all in one fell swoop.  Why you ask?  Because Zoya is having a promotion that ends tomorrow (Tuesday 5/31) at 11:59pm EST.  Buy ANY Seashells, Sunsets, individual polish, lipsticks or gift sets and get 1 FREE plus FREE shipping!  Use the code SFUN for the promotion.  My post today features both the Seashells, Sunsets and a couple lipsticks so hopefully I can help you make your choices!  You can pick up the polishes for $10 each and the lipsticks are $12 each and they're all available now.  Let's jump in and check them out!

*press sample*

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Press Release: Zoya Magical PixieDust, Summer 2014

More exciting news from Zoya!  I am a big fan of textured polish and the Magical Pixies are really awesome.  There are 3 new colors for the Summer and they are really "magical"!  These 3 gorgeous new Big 5 Free colors are available for pre-order NOW and will begin shipping on 5/14/14.  They will retail for $10 each.  Let's take a closer look!
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Magical PixieDust Arlo, "glittering violet amethyst."

 Magical PixieDust Bar, "glittery nude topaz."

 Magical PixieDust in Ginni, "glittery pink tourmaline."

Essie Encrusted Treasures Lots of Lux & Peak of Chic

Good morning *hands you a hot cup of coffee* !  Now get ready to have your socks knocked off!  O my last trip to my local beauty supply store I found the Essie Encrusted Treasures!  I had actually been waiting and hoping they'd come out so so I literally gasped audibly and snagged a few bottles from the 6 piece collection.  Today I get to show you 2 of them and they are really fabulous!  Like really and truly!  I can't wait to try the other 2 and possibly of back and buy the 2 I left behind.  You can purchase Essie from many local supply stores: Ulta, Peninsula Beauty, I've even seen Essie at Kohl's.  You can also purchase directly from essie.com.  Be sure to follow Essie on Facebook and Instagram (essiepolish).

So...let's talk amazing polish.  First I want to talk about Lots of Lux, the fabulous cobalt blue texture. LoL has an amazing formula and application!  I had complete coverage in 2 coats, the color was very saturated and a perfectly luxurious jewel tone color that will be great for holiday parties.  LoL dried quickly and to a really great feeling texture.  I'd say it falls just a tad grittier than the OPI Sands and Zoya Pixies.  I actually couldn't stop feeling my nails - it's pretty addicting.  I have LoL on my thumb, index and middle fingers.  I didn't use topcoat.

On my ring and pinky I went with Peak of Chic.  Hullo gorgeous matte white and silver holo mini bar glitters!  I adore bar glitters I think they are so fun!  I know I am in the minority here but that's ok - more bar polish for me!  For these nails I started with 2 coats of Color Club Worth the Risque, a silver holo.  I then applied 2 coats of PoC.  I got tons of glitter out and it applied very well.  I would only suggest that you keep an eye on the glitters that end up near the edge of your nail so you don't have bars hanging off.  PoC is sparkly and gorgeous.  I love it.  I finished with 1 layer of topcoat but this one was a bit rough still so I'd use 2 (or Gelous) next time.  

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Celiac Awareness Mani!

A close friend came to me and asked if I'd participate in a group effort supporting Celiac Awareness.  I truly feel honored to wear mani's in support of a cause because it's a small gesture, but when all the nail bloggers join together it turns into quite an awesome thing.  I hope that this post (as well as the ones linked at the bottom of my post) reach and inform many people who may be unaware of Celiac Disease.  So today I am wearing yellow and green to show my support of Celiac Awareness.  

Here is a brief summary of Celiac Disease and a link to a website full of even more information:  May is Celiac Awareness month and its colors are yellow and green. Celiac Disease is more than an allergy to gluten. Gluten is an ingredient found in bread, pasta, anything wheat-based, and even items such as soy sauce. Basically gluten is in much of our daily food. From the National Foundation from Celiac Awareness, “Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten.” When someone with Celiac eats gluten, it can take the intestine up to a year to heal from the gluten attack. You can find more info at http://www.celiaccentral.org/

In the pictures below I am wearing Zoya Solange and Kiko Spring Green.  I used 2 coats sponged on to my nail, gradient style.  No topcoat.

Kiko Sugar Mats

Are you a fan of the textured polishes?  I sure am!  I love them!  I think they are so much fun, I love the colors that have been coming out, I love the sparkle and the feel of them.  I've tried OPI Sands, Zoya Pixie Dust and now I have Kiko Sugar Mats!  I even did a little diagonal design for you to see more than just one color!  A big thanks to my Friend Michaela at The Mani Cafe for sending these to me!  
I started this mani with 2 coats of Hot Pink (which is truly a gorgeous hot pink shade) on my thumb and index and 2 coats of Sea Blue  (a lighter shade of royal blue, but bright for Spring and Summer) on my pinky.  I then hand drew diagonals on my middle and ring finger with Golden Mandarin (a fun peachy orange color), Spring Green (bright green, perfect Spring color) and Sea Blue.  I loved all of these colors and don't think I could pick a favorite if I had to.  Application for the Sugar Mats was great, easy to apply and full coverage in the 2 coats.  The coolest thing is watching the polish dry into the textured final product.  I have no idea how it works but it's awesome!  Speaking of drying, the dry time was quicker than I expected and the polish lasted for a few days before I noticed any tip wear.  I would say that the Kikos are in a tie for first place with the OPI Sands for my favorite textured formulas.  But the Kikos win for color saturation and selection!  Enjoy the pictures below!