China Glaze Spring 2013 Avant Garden Collection Press Release!

Blossom into Spring with China Glaze!
 

I am so excited for this collection I can hardly stand it. Gorgeous pastels paired with China Glaze's perfect formula is a recipe for perfection!

The release is set for March... can't wait!

Which polishes will you be picking up- Brights, Pastels, or both?

 

  

Spring is here and China Glaze® is blossoming with vibrant color with its new collection, Avant Garden. The delectable palette flows between soft hues and vibrant pops of color, offering an unconventional bouquet of cheerful and vivid shades. Take a stroll down the China Glaze® path, passing a bubbling brook of light and bright blues. Take in the view of the mossy green meadow and stop to enjoy the fragrant flowers of soft pink and white.  Let Avant Garden take you away to a playful, romantic field of color and innovation this Spring.  

This collection can be divided into two sections: The Blooming Brights and Pastel Petals. 

 

The Avant Garden shades include:

·       Budding Romance: moss green

·       Sunday Funday: bright blue

·       Fancy Pants: indigo with pink and purple shimmer

·       Snap My Dragon: bright red with pink shimmer

·       Passion for Petals: bright salmon-pink

·       Mimosas Before Manis: coral with a light wash of shimmer

·       Life is Rosy: blushed mauve

·       Pink-ie Promise: iridescent baby pink

·       Tart-y for the Party: light lavender creme

·       Fade Into Hue: periwinkle creme

·       Keep Calm, Paint On: sea foam green

·       Dandy Lyin’ Around: shimmery vanilla icing

China Glaze® Avant Garden is also available in:

6 Piece Collection of “Blooming Brights”

6 Piece Collection of “Pastel Petals”

12 Piece 3D Counter Display

36 Piece Rack

China Glaze® Avant Garden will be available March 2013. Individual shades retail for $7; 6-piece collections retail for $42.

China Glaze® is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze® nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze® on Facebook (@ChinaGlazeOfficlal), Twitter (@ChinaGlaze) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries

For 42 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women.  Our product lines include Andrea, Ardell, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, It’s So Easy, Jeris-Lustray, LASH BeLONG, Nail Tek, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Poshe, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.

Well HELLO!

Hiii! How are you all?? I'm back after a month-and-some-change mini hiatus. During this time, I've

-received a new camera
-bought tons of clothes, oops
-missed you all bunches
-severely lacked on my cuticle care
and
-made a resolution to be a much better blogger.

I know I won't be a one post per day blogger like so many of my lovely friends simply because I don't know what my day will bring when I wake up. I'm sure it's the same for all of you, but what I mean is I don't know how I'll feel until I get out of bed, so it really depends on that. Some days there just isn't energy to spare, and then my blogging suffers. At least we're on the same page so you won't be too disappointed- I hope not anyway!

I have a gorgeous new Nikon D3000 and I'm learning how to use it. I didn't want to come back with NOTDs until I knew a little about what it can do and how it will effect the way I take pictures. It's bigger than my previous camera and has taken some serious getting used to, but it's such a joy. I'm thrilled with it.

At Christmas I had the shortest little pitiful nubbly nubs, but the length is finally getting back to where I like it. I'm going to do some Monthly Favorites posts and in these I'll include the best nail growth stimulators, files, cuticle care products, etc. I'm also considering some Outfit Of the Day posts too!

I appreciate you all so much for sticking around while I frolic back and forth between normal and WTF.

Can't wait to get back to business! <3

Rachael

Quick Update

Hello my loves!

Tomorrow is my last final and then I'll be free as a bird!

Here's me:

Here's the inevitable: 

Here's me one more time: 

*cue ominous music* 

Anyway, my nails are OPI What's with the Cattitude right now with an accent of China Glaze Make a Spectacle. I'd show you but I hid my camera from myself so that I wouldn't be able to post manis during finals week. 

Woops.

<3

Rachael

China Glaze: Worlds Away LE Cirque du Soleil Collection Press Release

Hello lovely readers! This is the press release for an amazing new collection from China Glaze. These polishes are available now, but they are limited edition so don't miss out on these beauties!

China Glaze 

Cirque du Soleil - Worlds Away

Inspired by the upcoming Paramount 3D feature film

This collection features 12 polishes, including bright cremes, almost-neons, soft glitters and chunky indie-esque glitters. I'm really excited about this collection! 

 Bend Over Backwards 

 Creative Fantasy

 Def Defying 

 Escaping Reality

 Get Carried Away

 Hanging in the Balance

 Igniting Love

It's a Trap-eze!

I can't wait for this one especially- the name, and that gorgeous milky white base... ahhh, I die. I'll have several backups of this beauty. 

 Running in Circles

 Surreal Appeal

 Water You Waiting For?

Whirled Away

How beautiful are these? I'm really impressed with China Glaze's branch out into the glitters the polish world has embraced so fully from indie brands. I'm excited to get my hands on a few and get some swatches for you all! Coming soon!

China Glaze nail polish retails for around $7 a bottle and can be found at many retailers, such as Ulta, Beauty Brands, and Sally Beauty supply. This collection is limited edition and will not be around for long!

Love, 

Rachael

Essie Mint Candy Apple

Hello loves! Here's a quick little post about an incredible polish I finally, FINALLY got my hands on. Essie Mint Candy Apple!

It isn't HTF that I'm aware of, I just never ended up with it. I've been in love with it for months and months! I wish I hadn't waited so long to put it in my stash. So, after much ado, here it is!

This is two easy coats and a top coat of Seche Vite. Application was dreamy, probably among the easiest I've ever experienced. This simple, clean mani lasted five full days with no chipping and minimal tipwear. I highly recommend it! Such a beautiful color.

Hope you love it! Have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Rachael

China Glaze Holiday Joy 2012 swatches!

 Hello everyone! I know it's only the middle of November, but I've been getting in the Christmas spirit big time lately. I'm wishing for some A TON of snow and delicious holiday noms like buckeyes. I don't know if you've ever tried them, but buckeyes are very simple- peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate and chilled. There's something so special about them though... maybe it's the crack people put in them that make me eat an entire batch in one sitting, 'cause it can't possibly be my lack of self control... nah. Regardless, it isn't Christmas without buckeyes and pants that fit before dinner but certainly not after. And red nail polish of course!

Today I have four polishes from China Glaze's Holiday 2012 collection. There are twelve polishes total and many come in cute little gift sets that would make perfect presents for yourself other polish lovers. :)

First up is Cranberry Splash. This polish is a rich, warm red with gold shimmer. These pictures can't possibly do it justice. It may be the most beautiful red I've ever seen. The shimmer is subtle enough just to make the polish glowy and gorgeous. I got so many compliments on this mani, and everyone said it's the perfect Christmas red!

This is two coats, but it's perfectly opaque in one, and a top coat of SV. It wore for four days with only the most minor tip wear and would have lasted much longer without chipping.

 Look at that glow! Really beautiful. I'm in love with this polish!

Next up is Angel Wings layered over Cranberry Splash. Angel Wings is a perfect gold glitter with a scattered holo. This little lady is a must for Christmas. My nails looked like twinkling ornaments! One coat is pictured (I'm not lying!) and two coats would probably be totally opaque on their own. Truly beautiful.

and a blurry one... look a that holo! No top coat- I kinda like the slight grittiness of this polish.

Note- I've heard this is a dupe of the 2011 Ulta Exclusive Ulta-mate Holiday. So nice they did it twice!

Next up is With Love, a perfect blue based red creme. Perfect application! Two coats are pictured with no top coat. It has a wonderful shine.

And last but surely not least is Pizzazz, a delicious multicolored glitter. I can see red, gold, green, and purple glitter. This is one of those glitters that may look a little like DL Happy Birthday, or Confetti Tasmanian Devil, but it's really rather unique. Bottom line, you need it. I didn't have to dab this on- one coat and it was just right. The formula was a little thicker than the others but still manageable. Pictured is Pizzazz layered over With Love.

Glitter fiends unite!! 

I hope you loved these polishes as much as I did. I'm off to watch some Frosty the Snowman in my cupcake jammie pants and drink some hot chocolate. You're welcome to come join! Mind the cat hair and eau de disdain wafting on the air. <3

There are eight more polishes in this collection, such as a silver microglitter, berry creme, blue foil- all really gorgeous. They are available at Sally Beauty, Ulta, Beauty Brands, and other retailers for around $7 each. 

Love, Rachael

PS- With a pretty nail file and some ribbon, these could be super cute little Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers! 

Once Upon a Polish Queen of Hearts

Hello loves, how's your week been? It's Friday! I have absolutely nothing planned, except maybe a shower and I might be threatened into putting away a stack of laundry. I live a wild life.

Today's super belated (I'm sosorrysosorry) post features a polish I'm super in love with. These pictures are a few months old, but I'm actually glad I've waited to post. Now I can let you know how the glitters have lasted in their suspension base over time!

Once Upon a Polish Queen of Hearts is a mix of tiny white glitter, little gold and black hex glitter, large white hex glitter and black and red hearts.

From L-R: one coat of QoH over Wet n Wild Black Creme, two coats of QoH over Sinful Colors White on White, one coat of QoH over China Glaze Kalahari Kiss, and one coat of QoH over Zoya America.

I used two coats over white to sorta demonstrate that one coat really looks best! I did have to use a bit of the dabbing method but I didn't have to fish for hearts, which was awesome. This polish is so much fun. I'm a huge Disney fan, if you haven't noticed, and I think this sums ol' Queenie up so well.

To wear as a whole mani I used Queen of Hearts over China Glaze Kalahari Kiss. I friggin love this weird taupe-yellow-whatever color. It's the perfect neutral to make those gold glitters stand out!

Of course my Seche bubbled a little, so annoying.

Anyway, what do you guys think?? This polish has been on my shelf for months with no curling glitters, no bleeding glitters, and only a slight difference in thickness from when I first received it. It's really a gorgeous, unique polish with so much character.

Here's a picture of Her Highness for your viewing pleasure :)

Fabulous!

Once Upon a Polish can be found at Kimberly's Etsy shop. Queen of Hearts retails for $8.50 for 15 mL  (.5 oz) and is available right now, so don't miss out!

<3 Rachael

China Glaze Holiday Joy 2012 Press Release

China Glaze Holiday Joy 2012 Collection!

                           MAKE YOUR MANI MERRY AND BRIGHT

China Glaze® Debuts 12 Glittering, Shimmering, Ravishing Colours for Holiday 2012

The holiday season: it is truly the most wonderful time of the year – for nails!  From gorgeous glitters to rich crèmes, ‘tis the season to add sparkle and shine to any manicure and pedicure.  Celebrate the season in colour with the new China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection!

Bringing tidings of good cheer, the China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection features 12 merry crèmes, glitters and shimmers including:

·      Glistening Snow – Fine diamond-like silver glitter

·       Champagne Kisses – Bubbly rose gold glitter

·       Angel Wings – Delicate gold dust glitter

·       Winter Holly – Gold-flecked dazzling green glitter

·       Glitter All The Way – Exciting multi-color glitter

·       Pizzazz – Twinkling multi-dimensional glitter blend

·       Blue Bells Ring – Icy blue shimmer

·       Pure Joy – Fiery red glitter with gold particles

·       Red Satin – Silky blue-based red crème

·       With Love – Classic red crème with a hint of orange undertones

·       Merry Berry – Rich berry red crème

·       Cranberry Splash – Ruby red shimmer

The China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection also features 13 seasonally-inspired gift sets perfect for stocking stuffers, Hanukah gifts, Secret Santa, co-workers and Teacher’s gifts.  Gift sets include:

·     Ho Ho Ho: Merry Berry, Cranberry Splash, Red Satin, With Love, Pure Joy with First & Last base/top coat. MSRP $35.00

·       Holiday Charms: Mini bottles of Merry Berry, Red Satin, Winter Holly and Glitter All The Way. MSRP $16.00

·       Puttin’ On The Glitz: Cranberry Splash, With Love and Pizzazz. MSRP $14.00

·       Keepin’ Cozy: Merry Berry, Glistening Snow and Cranberry Splash with fingerless gloves. MSRP $21.00

·       Let It Glow: Champagne Kisses, Red Satin and Winter Holly with a pine scented candle. MSRP $21.00

·       Brrr…It’s Chilly: With Love, Angel Wings, Pure Joy and a mini snow globe. MSRP $21.00

·      Wings of Wonder: Blue Bells Ring, Champagne Kisses and Cranberry Splash with an angel key chain. MSRP $21.00

·       Santa Paws: Red Satin and Pure Joy with your very own plush puppy – “Joy”. MSRP $14.00

·  Trimmin’ The Tree: With Love and Glistening Snow with a festive snowflake-embellished ornament. MSRP $14.00

·      Cheers!: Angel Wings and Glistening Snow with a frosted shot glass. MSRP $14.00

·      Jingle All The Way: Pizzazz and Merry Berry with an adjustable Jingle Bell ring. MSRP $14.00

·       Makin’ Memories: Red Satin and Winter Holly with a “JOY” picture frame. MSRP $14.00

·       Stocking Stuffers: Pure Joy and Champagne Kisses with a mini stocking. MSRP $14.00

The China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection will be available in November 2012 at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide.  The collection will be available in 24- and 36-piece counter displays, a 36-piece rack and 36-piece prepack.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook (@ChinaGlaze), Twitter (@ChinaGlazeOfficial) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries.

HALLOWEEN NAILS... 1.

H. A. L. L. O. W. E. E. N.

Sums it up.

Halloween. The time of year where Oklahoma finally gets down below "Screw it, I'm only wearing sweat today" temperatures and into what I call Shiver Weather. The time of year where every Reeses peanut butter pumpkin within a five mile radius eventually makes a happy home in my left ass cheek.

The time of year when all the hoes wear lingerie and cat ears and no one even minds. The time of year when it's socially acceptable to invite me children to your front door and offer them delicious noms. (And, if you're like the lady down the street from me, boxes of raisins and toothbrushes because she obviously hates her life.) The time of year when I say "the time of year" too damn much.

I dressed up as The Queen of Hearts a few years back... wanna see? Okay okay, here I am. 

Don't make fun. I thought I was hot. 

ANYWAY 

To the point :) This is two coats of OPI Don't Be Koi With Me, paired with my horrible skanky cuticles. We're not on speaking terms right now.

DBKWM is a black label I've had for at least eight years, long before my obsession with polish began. For some reason, even though I used to only wear pink polish, I held onto it. So glad I did! Black label OPI have theee beesstt formula. This was so wonderful to use. One coat of Seche Vite and it was perfect.

And, while they were drying, I caught my cat, Lily, nibbling on my middle finger, hence the hilarious little teeth marks. WTF Lil? that can't taste good.

A day later I was sick of plain ol' orange, so my first Halloween mani of the year was born. We're starting out simple so that when my equally simple (and potentially horrifying) manis come later, they'll seem more fancy. I'm tactical in my mediocrity. 

Kleancolor metallic black polka dots topped it all off. My bottle is almost gone and it's my favorite stamping polish... anyone have a bottle to spare??

I thought it was pretty cute! And later, I was all 

oh yeah.

Cupcakes for everyone!

Rachael