Friday, July 31, 2015

Cupcake Polish Las Vegas Showgirls Collection (3 of 5)

*The following products were provided in exchange for my honest review.

I have a collection to show you today that has my name all over it. No, it really doesn't have my name all over it, nor does it have anything to do with me. The reason I say that though is that these types of colors are what I'm all about when it comes to nail polish. They are sparkletastic and holorific and everything in between.

This is the Cupcake Polish Las Vegas Showgirls collection. This collection releases tomorrow 8/1!  These are some other beauties I received in Las Vegas during Cosmprof. I've been stalking Cupcake Polish on social media for awhile. Sara of Cupcake Polish is a true talent, and I've always oogled over her polishes online. I can now attest to the fact that her polishes in person are just as amazing, if not, more amazing in person!

Copa Girls
Copa Girls is a purple linear holo mixed with silver flakes and holo microglitter.

Jubilee
Jubilee is a silver linear holo mixed with silver flakes and holo microglitter.

Bluebell Girls
Bluebell Girls is a teal linear holo mixed with silver flakes and holo microglitter.

Collection: Cupcake Polish Las Vegas Showgirls Summer 2015

Color: These are all intense and richly pigmented shades. I notice in some other holos (from some other brands) that the intensity of the base color can be dulled when you add the holo magic to them. This isn't the case with these colors at all. They are all very saturated. The holo, silver flakes, and holo microglitter combination in these colors is absolute polish wizardry too.

Formula: These have excellent easy to use and opaque formulas. These applied beautifully without any snags. I used 2 coats per swatch above.

Price: This collection releases tomorrow 8/1 at 11am central time on Cupcake Polish. These polishes are $13.00 each, or you can purchase the entire set for the discounted price of $60.00 if purchase within the first 24 hours of release. You can also use this awesome discount code COSMOPROF2015 for 10% OFF your order through 9/1/15!

Overall: These are true polish masterpieces. I've been really into nail polish for 7 years now. These are some of the best nail polishes I've come across in my nail polish history. They're beautiful and so thoughtfully well made. You definitely need these in your nail polish collection. I highly recommend buying the entire set. There is also a pink and black holo I did not show you. I'll be purchasing those tomorrow! Need I say it? Must have! Go get these!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Ninja Polish Reality

*The following product was received in exchange for my honest review.

I have a totally cool holo to share with you today from Ninja Polish. This is one of the polishes I received in Vegas from Rhonni the owner herself during Cosmoprof. She asked bloggers to pick out a color from her Infinity Gems collection. The polish Reality stood out to me the most because it is a yellow holo! I do not own a yellow holo and it is not something I really recall seeing much in nail polish.

Reality
Reality is a yellow holographic.

Collection: Ninja Polish Infinity Gems Summer 2015

Color: This isn't gold and this isn't green. This is yellow and a yellow holo at that! I didn't think these really could exist. This does have the slightest, and I mean slightest touch of green to it, but this most definitely reads yellow! This color is amazing!

Formula: Yellow in general is a difficult color in nail polish when it comes to formula. Yellow holo, I wasn't sure what to expect. This formula is excellent though, and I'm very impressed. This applied opaquely, smoothly, and easily. I only needed 2 coats.

Price: This is $10.00 on the Ninja Polish website. You can also purchase the entire set Infinity Gems polishes for  $70.00.

Overall: This is a definite must have polish for me. I'm so impressed and thrilled by so many aspects of this polish from color to formula. I love the yellow. I love that it's holo. I have so much love for this polish, and it definitely will be a Top 25 of 2015 contender!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Link-Up Round-Up Tuesday: 7/28/15

I want to apologize for not having this post up last week! I got so into writing up my Cosmprof posts that I completely forgot to post this one! These are the links that were submitted for last week! I'll be on track from here on out!

If you'd like to submit your blog post for next week's link-up you can do so here, or fill out the form below.
The Polish Playground Green and Blue Holo Gradient with Leopard Print

B'Nails Philly Love's Lacquer Coffee on the Stoop

The Call of Beauty Stripes and Flowers

Seize the Sparkle Fishbowl Friday *036*

The Lazy Lacquerista WingDust Collections Nothing But Blue Skies Swatches & Review

Painted Fingertips Ornate Stamping Decals

Lacquered Geek Lucky 13 Lacquer: Bitchy Trampoline



Happy Tuesday!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Glisten & Glow Silver Streak and Tequila Sunrise

*The following products were provided in exchange for my honest review. 

The next few weeks are going to be fun for you all and myself! I have so many indie polishes to share with you I received in Las Vegas during Cosmoprof. I am so excited! I am so overwhelmed by the indie market, that I find it difficult to know what to buy when I have the money. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to try so many brands and to have met so many great makers a few weeks ago. This experience has definitely helped me pinpoint brands I know I will become a loyal fan and custom of in the future.

The first indies I have to review for you are from Glisten & Glow! These polishes are from the recently released Cocktails Anyone? collection.

Silver Streak
Silver Streak is a silver holographic.

Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise is orange-red holographic.

Collection: Glisten & Glow Cocktails Anyone? Collection Summer 2015

Colors: These are holos are intense. I'm talking blinding intense, but I'm completely OK with being blinded by a holographic nail polish. What I love about Silver Streak is that it's not your typical silver holo. I found this silver has hint of taupe to it which makes it stand out compared to other silver holos. Tequila Sunrise is also an awesomely pigmented.

Formula: The formula on both of these were really easy to use and nice. I used 3 coats on Silver Streak and 2 coats on Tequila Sunrise.

Price: These are $14.00 individually and $105.00 for the entire 8 polish collection on the Glisten & Glow website.

Overall: I was really impressed with the quality of these holos. The intensity is great and they both have a nice formula to match!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Monday!


Friday, July 24, 2015

Cosmprof North America 2015: Part 3 (Pic & Word Heavy)

Now on to the final event the Tips and Sips party!

This was the final Cosmprof related event I attended. This event was hosted by Nail It! Magazine, NAILPRO Magazine, and Katie Cazorla of The Painted Nail. I was very thankful for this event, and it was part of the reason I did not feel so bad for not being able to cover as much of the show floor. This event had little brand set ups from many of the brands I did not get to see on the show floor or that required appointment.
The event was held on the 60th floor at the Mandalay Bay (ooo la la)! This event I was little unsure about. Again, the whole this is a hosted by a big magazine and important people, and I'm not important or fancy popped into my head. I was relieved to know many other bloggers who were going had similar concerns.

I got to the event too early. I'm one of those early people. Thankfully, I found another early friend Amanda from Amanda Loves Polish to hang out with. She's really awesome. I felt like we really related well especially on why we blog. We entered the event together, and let me tell you walking around these little brand displays with brand reps is SO much easier when you have a friend.

This event had handful of mainstream brands, new nail brands, and a few indies. It was a similar set up as Cocktails & Colors as far as individual displays, but this event wasn't as chill and laid back. It had fancier people. I don't necessarily mean fancy as in dressy or pretentious people, but you know fancy as in important major brand professional people..also known as people that make me uncomfortable. That being said everyone was very nice, and I don't think I was too awkward! I hope.

Here are some pics of the brands there. Again, I multi-task failed and didn't get everyone. The lighting was also a challenge too!

Jessica Cosmetics
 This is their Phenom system which a gel-like polish that dries in natural light

The Painted Nail
 This is their Steam Off gel removal as well as some Footlogix  pedicure products.

Essie
 This was there Silk Watercolor line.

ENP Nail Design

Salon Perfect

China Glaze
 This is their Cheers! Holiday Collection for 2015.
 Some colors from the Fall Outdoors collection

Gabriel Cosmetics
 Cuccio Color
 Fall 2015 collection
Winter 2015 collection

There were more tables, but I didn't happen to snag a photo! After I made my rounds around the room, I was pretty beat!

I wanted to say really felt like I met some amazing people during this trip. I really felt I hit it off with Amanda from Amanda Loves Polish, Jenne from Polish Pathology, Tia from Iced Lacquer, Ida from Ida Nails It, Courtney from swatcher,polish-ranger, and Rhonni from Ninja Polish. I also enjoyed getting to see and talk to Christy from KBShimmer and Claudia from Chromatic Misadventures friends I already knew from before. Many thanks for Christy too for introducing me to so many people and making me feel welcomed at the show and Claudia for walking the show floor with me.  I really made some amazing connections with people, Christina from Scandalous n' Sassy was a hoot, Missi from DIFFERENT dimension is a sweetheart and was also a Lance Bass loving NSYNC fan in her younger years, Sara from Cupcake Polish another absolute sweetheart, and everyone else I talked to was just an absolute joy.

If I left out any names, I am so sorry and it is unintentional. I sincerely enjoyed everyone I met and spoke to! So much love for this group of women I met, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have been able to meet all of them. I only wish I had more time to with everyone. There is always next year. I will be back!

I forgot to mention! I have TONS of beautiful polishes to share with you all over the next several weeks. All the brands you've seen pics of in my posts the past few days I have products from them to show you. So many brands were so generous to bloggers. I appreciate their generosity and the opportunity to share their pretties on my blog! Stay tuned...

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Cosmoprof North America 2015 : Part 2 (Word & Pic Heavy)

On to Part 2 of my Cosmprof adventure! This next part was my favorite part of the entire experience. The next two events Cocktails & Colors and Tips & Sips were much more my speed as I really got to know some indies and fellow bloggers.

The Cocktails & Colors event was hosted by Missi of DIFFERENT dimension, Jill of Glisten & Glow, Sara of Cupcake Polish, and Linda of Nail Vinyls. I LOVED this event. The Cocktails & Colors event was an indie event set up with a handful of indies showing off their beautiful polishes. I'm not well versed in indies. I own a handful of brands, but not many. Indies are lacking part of my blog. This isn't on purpose as much as it's just so overwhelming the number of brands out there and it's hard to determine when I have the money what to buy.

This event was an absolute treat. I was introduced to so many brands I've stalked on Instagram for so long. I was familiar with all of the brands represented, but I actually got to see their product in person and talk to their makers. I had so many wonderful conversations with the makers. These are the people I felt comfortable talking about my glitter-addiction with and sharing my "ooooh shiny!" personality with. They get it and they create it! It was like we were all speaking the same polish language.

 I really got to understand and feel the love these makers had for their products. The "heart" of this is what makes me tick. This is why I love nail polish. This is why I get excited looking a new polish, painting my nails, and writing on Imperfectly Painted Nail polish is inspiring, creative, fun, and expressive. I felt like I was among people who not only shared, but expressed that same passion. Meaningful experiences in life is what I'm all about and seek, and I found it with these people at this event!

I'll stop blabbing and share pictures! Lighting wasn't great, but I tried to get as many pics as I could of the indie displays!

Cupcake Polish

KBShimmer


Daring Diva Polish

Emerald & Ash

Serum No. 5

Painted Polish

Bliss Polish

Fair Maiden Polish

Firecracker Lacquer

Elevation Polish



There other brands there like CbL, Alter Ego Nail Enamel, and Pahlish that I couldn't get a good picture of. I'm so sorry because they had beautiful stuff!

All in all this event rocked! I had a great time talking to so many people bloggers and indies. I really felt I was in my element, and enjoyed the great company.

Stay tuned for my final installment tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Cosmprof North America 2015 Wrap Up: Part 1 (Word & Pic Heavy)

As many of you know I attended Cosmprof North America last week in Las Vegas. I'm going to cover the practical side of my experience as well as the personal. I like to keep it real with you guys, and sharing my personal experiences and emotions is equally important to me than just telling you the basics!

I went into this experience with a bit of hesitation. I'm a hobby blogger. Painting my nails and my blog is something I do solely as something for fun. This whole event seemed intimidating for me because I'd knew I'd be interacting with people who are in this industry as a professional and it's their career. It's very hard for self doubt not to make me feel inadequate in comparison to the people I'd thought I'd encounter there. Then again, I had to tell myself I've been an active nail blogger for 5.5 years. I worked hard on my blog, loved blogging, and of course loved nail polish. I was just as deserving as any other blogger there regardless of what type of blogger I am. 

I'm forewarning you. I am a horrific multi-tasker. Conversing, note taking, picture taking all at once is a massive fail for me. I wish I could of taken more pictures, but I was so in the moment many times talking to people that it was hard to stop and take photos. 

Cosmprof for me was spread out through 4 separate events. 
  • Shine & Social (a little getting to know you event for nail bloggers and indies)
  • Cosmoprof (the show/show floor itself)
  • Cocktails & Colors (an event for nail bloggers to familiarize themselves with indie brands)
  • Tips & Sips (an event hosted by Nail It! Magazine and Katie Cazorla for nail bloggers to familiarize themselves with some mainstream, new, and indie nail brands)
Cosmprof North America:

The next morning I went over to the Mandalay Bay where the show as being held. I went to the press room to pick up my press pass first (oh, how fancy!)

This show was HUGE. I can't even tell you how huge it was because I could figure out how to walk through the entire thing it was a massive maze. I first hit up the Discover Beauty section which featured a bunch of up and coming brands. This is where I was introduced to Ella + Mila brand. I think I'd consider them a boutique brand who creates 5 free polishes who have excellent branding! I love their logo!
Next up was Londontown which is nail care brand who has recently branched out into making Lakur their own nail lacquer line.
Then I got distracted by glitter....
I forgot what brand this was because I'm a dimwit, but it's glitter. Look at the glitter!

My favorite stop of Cosmprof had to be Color Club. They had a massive booth with a lot of friendly and easy to talk to reps. They had displays of all of their upcoming collections for fall and winter.

Fall 2015 Cabin Fever Collection
This is an atypical fall collection for sure and that's why I love it. This isn't your standard vamps or shimmers. This a great collection of mid-tone and dusty shades that do have a pop of color.

Winter 2015 Frostbite Collection
This collection doesn't really do much for me, sadly. There are lot of very metallic frost shades in here that are not really my cup of tea. There is an awesome black, white, and silver glitter though that definitely sparks my interest!

Matte Rouge Collection
This is the collection that really sparked my interest. I'm not really into mattes at all, but these looked amazing. They're not as flat as other mattes. I'm going to try to describe this as best as possible, but they look like frosted glass. Some of these colors have a jelly-like quality that looks like it's been frozen? Yeah, that doesn't make sense. They're awesome, and I will be purchasing this entire collection. It's supposed to ship out 8/1, so it should be available soon! 

They also had this cool Oil Slick collection duochrome/multichrome collection. The display of it was really high up and at 5'1" I was unable to get a photo of it. I did snag a pic of the swatch wheel though!
Now for the most oogled over collection the release of 7 new Halo Hues shades. I don't know the exact release date, but I'm assuming sometime in the next few months before the new year. 
Ooooh ahhh! 

After this I stopped by the Zoya booth. Zoya had their upcoming fall collection displayed. I could take pictures of it, but I can't share them until August 1st. Ho-hum. I will say that it seems like fall collections mainstream this year are not focusing so much on vamps this year. Bold cremes and jewel toned  shimmers seem to the focus with some muted, metallic, and vampy colors mixed in. That's all I will say.

That is it for my pictures from the actual show floor. I'm sorry! The issue I came across is I started to venture on my own were some of the booths were not really open to people to just go in a look around. Orly had a booth with a sign on their displays saying "No Photography". Booths from OPI and China Glaze were completely blocked off and you had to have an appointment to go in. Plus, the whole self-doubt inadequacy combination kicked in and I felt a little over my head. I feel really intimidated approaching what seem like fancy important brand reps on my own. I did another walk through and headed out for In-n-Out burger. Yum!

I did sincerely enjoy all that I saw there and my experiences walking through the show floor. I'm so not great at these types of events. I'm kind of a goofy "Oooh look at the pretty colors and glitter" person when it comes to nail polish, or a let's talk about what make the world go around deep intense conversation person. I don't really have a middle ground with small talk and networking, and I'm uncomfortable approaching strangers on my own. I really appreciate the experience and the opportunity to see so many great things

Check my post out tomorrow where I share one of my favorite parts of the show. The Cocktails & Colors event where I had an AMAZING time meeting and interacting with other bloggers and indies. I felt like I was with my kind there!

Happy Wednesday! 

Friday, July 17, 2015

Third Week Throwbacks: China Glaze No Way Jose

This throwback comes with a backstory. A backstory I still feel guilty and shameful about. China Glaze No Way Jose was my biggest nail polish wishlist item for a long time. It's from a 2006 collection, and I saw it on a few blogs when I started blogging in 2010. This polish was long gone polish history though. It was impossible to find.

In 2011, near my birthday, I happened to come across it on eBay. It was the first bottle I had seen after searching for 2 years. I was determined to get that bottle of polish. I bid on it. I was outbid. I kept bidding. I won the auction at $36. I felt like I won the lottery. The next day something really depressing happened. The same seller I won that auction from, put up 10+ bottles of No Way Jose with starting bids of $10. There was only one bottle listed at the time I bid. No other bottle since mine has sold for probably over $15. The same seller still has more bottles of No Way Jose. That is the most I've ever spent on a bottle of nail polish and ever will.

 Was it worth the $36 dollars...?

No Way Jose
No Way Jose is a soft lilac with a soft glass fleck shimmer/glitter.

Collection: China Glaze Tequila Toes Collection 2006

Color: This color isn't entirely what I had expected. I wish it was more pigmented and bit more blue toned. That's not to say it's not pretty. It's a beautiful color and that glass fleck glitter is stunning. It's just with my skin tone this color doesn't really stand out and blends in with the pinky tones of my skin.

Formula: This formula is sheer, but buildable. I used 4 coat above. This applied easily.

Price: The same seller I bought it from for $36, 4 years ago has it now for $8.95 "Buy It Now" on eBay.

Overall: Was it worth $36? Definitely not. It's a pretty polish, but knowing that seller was just testing the waters  and really had the entire world's stock on No Way Jose to make a chunk off cash on me leaves me bitter. I know better now for sure, and realizing the color clashed with my skin tone leaves me very disappointed and unimpressed. Again, not a bad polish, but I'm just bitter.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters
Happy Friday!