Top Coat Reviews

Insta-Dri (Sally Hansen): The brush really depends on preference. It has a wide set of bristles which can make for thick application. The consistency is neither too thick nor thin & applies evenly. The drying time is decent but doesn't live up to the "Insta-Dri" promise. Overall, the nails will have an even shine & lasts for a decent amount of time.

Top Coat (O.P.I.): The brush is a standard polish brush size. The consistency is a little thin but nothing too discouraging as it applies well and does not run. The dry time isn't instant but it is a reasonable amount of time. Overall, O.P.I. never disappoints & protects nails from chipping for an extended time.

Good To Go! (Essie): The brush is thin & makes for a more difficult application. The consistency tends to run on the thinner side which would explain the almost instant dry time. Overall this top coat doesn't protect from chips & many have reported their polish peeling off almost completely a couple days after applying. Disappointing for Essie.

Extra Life/No Chip (Revlon): The brush tends to be flimsy but the consistency is acceptable. The dry time is a little longer than anticipated but the overall look is satisfactory. However, the extra life, no chip title does live up to the name.

Dry Fast (Seche Vite): The brush is perfect thickness and length which makes applying the polish easy and smooth. The dry is the is quick and leaves the nail looking shiny and sleek. On top of scoring four stars out of four in all four categories, Seche Vite Dry Fast keeps nails from chipping for more than the anticipated amount of time.

Confetti Polish

Confetti polish is different than regular glitter polish. Glitter polish consists of a translucent base with glitter throughout. Whereas, confetti polish is an opaque polish, meaning it has a non-clear colored base, loaded with brightly colored glitter! It is also easier to remove than glitter polish, which is a huge plus! Here are a few polishes we love!

It's A Trap-Eze! by China Glaze: white base with rainbow, circular sparkles

Girly by Revlon: one of two new Revlon nail enamels released this month, pink base with circular pink & purple sparkles

Spumoni by Lynnderella: only available on Lynnderella's eBay page, mint green base with square shards of black, white, pink & red confetti

Candy Shop by Deborah Lippmann: bubblegum pink base with multicolored, hexagonal glitter

Rock n Roll Handmade Nail Polish by Kiwi Bear via Etsy.com: handmade nail polish only sold on Etsy.com, teal base with rainbow hexagonal sparkles

Tip: click the name of the nail polish for a link to where to purchase

Hot Trends for the Cold Season

Stay hot this winter with these cool trends and products we love!

Urbanglow Cream Highlighter (Urban Decay): Lately, many girls have become aware of the effects contouring and highlighting their faces. By using darker and lighter powders than their face they have the ability 

Super+ Beblesh Balm BB Cream (Skin79): BB Cream stands for beblesh balm ('beblesh' is the Korean word for 'blemish') that originated in Eastern Asia and has recently made its way west. It is an all in one facial cosmetic that is said to replace sunscreen, moisturizer, primer, foundation & more

Color Tattoo by Eye Studio in Tenacious Teal (Maybelline): Bright eyes are in! Colors such as yellow, teal, pink etc. are a trend that has been recently showcased during many designers' fashion shows such as Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff, Michael Kors & many others. Maybelline's color tattoo is a cream eyeshadow which makes for a more pigmented, brighter color

Paintbox in Purple Haze (Fudge): Colored hair dye has made its way into fashion recently. There are many different styles of hair color such as chalking, dip dye, streaking & overall coverage. Try to take it easy on the hair dye though; start with a streak of semi-permanent or washable dye just to get a feel before committing

Limited Edition Kohl Eyeliner by Choose Your Black (Bobbi Brown): Kohl is one of the oldest forms of makeup, dating back to Ancient Egyptian times. Kohl makes for a more natural, less harsh look that doesn't tend to smudge which is making it widely popular among makeup artists

Glitter in the Air - Sky Blue Confetti (Deborah Lippmann): Confetti nail polish takes glitter polish to a new level! Instead a clear polish caked with glitter, confetti polish consists of a colored nail polish mixed with glitter. They tend to go on much more colorful & glittery than regular glitter polish

Fun Fact! In Ancient Egyptian times, kohl was used on the eyes to protect from the sun. However, scientist now believe that this led to lead poisoning & it is now illegal to sell or import kohl in the United States. Modern day kohl eyeliner is made from galena, antimony & other harmless minerals.

Lashing Out

Lashes are an important feature of the eye. They surround and define the eye to give a more feminine appeal, but sometimes our lashes lack the extra oomph we desire. Simple drugstore products such as vaseline & baby powder can give our lashes the perfect definition.

1) Vaseline ($5.99) rubbing vaseline on and around the lash lines the night before has shown to protect your lashes during makeup removal and promote hydration leaving l o n g e r and thicker lashes over time

2) Baby Powder ($3.99) apply a thin coat of mascara and then cover lashes (using a cotton swab or your finger) with a layer of baby powder & finish off the lashes by applying a final coat of mascara until no powder is visible. This is a quick & instant way to get fuller and thicker lashes

3) L'Oréal Lash Serum ($14.99) using the applicator, apply the serum directly to the natural lashes to promote healthy growth, strength and protection during makeup removal. It may take up to 4 weeks, but you will see fuller and l o n g e r lashes

Simple Polishes with a Twist

Sometimes you want your nails to really pop but there isn't always enough time in the day to check out designs on pinterest and do a bunch of fancy designs. Well these polishes don't require any extra fuss when applying, but they sure do sparkle!

Essie LuxEffects: Pearlfection: This polish consists of iridescent flakes of glitter that shine a different color each time the light hits.
Nicole by O.P.I. Kardashian Kolor: It's All About The Glam: This might look like a simple white polish, but don't be mistaken. This color consists of tons of small flecks of white glitter.
Sinful Colors: Nail Junkie: This color is made of more glitter than polish! With specks of green, yellow, turquoise & teal this oceanic look is sure to make a splash.
Revlon: Scandalous: This polish is just that! It's a simple black polish made scandalous with its combination of small and large purple sparkles.
Nicole by O.P.I. Kardashian Kolor: Follow Me On Glitter: It may seem like a glitter gray polish but look closer and you'll see tiny specks of rainbow glitter strewn about. It's sophisticated with a pinch of fun!

Secret Beauty Products You Already Own

Almost everything has more than one use. These are just a couple items whose uses double for cosmetically!

1) If you've ever struggled with dry hair or are just looking for a way to soften your hair try using olive oil in the shower on occassion. It will add extra moisture to the hair, just be sure to rinse it out thoroughly!

2) Hair conditioner is a wonderful alternative to expensive shaving creams. It's already in the shower and a little goes a long way. It also leaves your legs silky smooth!

3) Some days you just don't have a chance to shower, but your hair is looking a little greasy. Simply put a little powder in your hands and work it through the roots. Baby powder is absorbent and will just soak up the grease and give your hair a clean look.

4) Baby wash is a great way to clean those clumpy, dirty makeup brushes. It breaks down the old makeup and makes brush cleanup a whole lot easier!

5) Teeth whitening strips are expensive, sticky, and take a long time to work. Using hydrogen peroxide is a fast, effective way to whiten teeth. Simply dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub your teeth. You'll see results in no time!