NOTD: OPI How You Blue-In?

Not too long ago, OPI released 4 Ulta Exclusives; the collection was called OPI Shimmer Into Summer. At the time, Ulta was running a special sale; if you purchased $17 worth of OPI products, you would get one of the Exclusives for free.  I purchased 2 OPI and got a free one.  Of the Exclusives, I got How You Blue-In and Glitter-ally The Best Silver Ever. Oddly, when I first saw the Ulta sales circular, I didn't think I would be purchasing any of these polishes. But of course upon "real life" sight, that quickly changed. I purchased two of the four. The entire colllection was made up of How You Blue-In, I'm An Aqua-holic, Glitter-ally The Best Silver Ever, and Last up is Sparkle Teal Sunrise.   How You Blue-In is best described as a dark blue/teal green shimmer almost black. It's not a new or unique shade, but it is one of my favorites. Obviously, buy the number of similar polishes I own.  As I look at my collection, I have several that are in the same family.  They are as follows:

1. OPI Yodel Me On My Cell is slightly lighter
2. Essie Dive Bar is duppish
3. China Glaze Rodeo Fanatic is slightly lighter
4. Finger Paints Artistic Azure is a bit more blue
5. Misa Quirkly Smile is slightly lighter
6. Sinful Colors See You Soon is duppish

Review:

Available:     Ulta Exclusive

Price:          Reg Price $8.50
Bottle Size:  15 ml, 0.5 fluid ounces
Application:  Smooth, two coats for achieve bottle color (opaque)
Selection:    Large Selection, including neons, and glitters
Brush:         Wide brush

Remember, treat your nails and jewels not tools. Grace and Peace.

PRESS RELEASE: SPARITUAL INTRODUCES IN PINK 2011 NAIL LACQUER COLLECTION

Benefits Cancer Education

Portion of proceeds donated to Cancer Schmancer

SpaRitual is pleased to introduce In Pink 2011, a new line of nail lacquers inspired by the beauty, strength and perseverance inherent to women. The lacquers are formulated with sparkling Pink Diamond powder, which shimmers on the nail, representing the knowledge and clarity women possess. In celebration of this beauty and strength, 20% of all proceeds will be donated to Cancer Schmancer, an early detection education and cancer advocacy program developed by actress Fran Drescher, to help women experiencing any stage of cancer, and to help beat it before it begins.

"I'm very excited about our partnership,” says Drescher. “SpaRitual is a great family run business and they are actively developing products that are symbiotic with Cancer Schmancer's goal to make cosmetics safer for women."

“The In Pink collection represents a reverence for the strength and personal power that all women possess,” says SpaRitual founder Shel Pink. “We’re so pleased to be involved with Cancer Schmancer, and to support the foundation’s efforts to help women fight cancer—before it progresses.”

As a philosophy-driven brand, SpaRitual is deeply committed to promoting women’s health, now through this kind of direct support and by the use of all-natural, completely non-toxic ingredients. SpaRitual’s In Pink 2011 lacquers are free of harmful DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Formaldehyde Resin, and are formulated to fit the soul-nourishing slow-beauty ritual experience.

In Pink shades include Strength, a shimmering pink, Knowledge, a golden pink and Clarity, a sheer, glittering pink, and all are available September 1, 2011 for $10.00 each in fine salons and spas nationwide, including Spa Halekulani, Canyon Ranch, and the Mandarin Oriental. SpaRitual products are also available online at skinstore.com and skincarerx.com

For more information, please contact Kate Franklin or visit us online at www.sparitual.com.

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About SpaRitual - Founded by lifestyle futurist Shel Pink, SpaRitual fuses a mind, body, spirit connection with healing spa traditions to create a world of Slow Beauty. Specially sourced vegan, certified organic and fair trade ingredients from around the world are used to create SpaRitual products for body, hand and lifestyle. Our natural formulations never use synthetic dyes or parabens, and our vegan Nail Elixirs and Lacquers are also free of toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and DBP. SpaRitual stays on the pulse of sustainability issues to ensure our products, processes and packaging are as environmentally responsible as possible. Our brand philosophy encourages women to understand beauty as a holistic connection to oneself and to the environment. Only by slowing down, can we allow our inner beauty to radiate outwards.

Product Review: Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons Body Lotion

As anyone that has followed my blog or my Make-Up Alley postings will know, my holy grail hand moisturizer is Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Lotion.  After my recent blog review on this product, I decided to send Chattem, the parent company of Gold Bond Ultimate, an invitation to see my blog post. Never did I expect anything in return more than a thanks and maybe a coupon. However, imagine my surprise when not only did I receive an email thanking me for my post but also 2 full sized samples of their newest products.

• Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons Body Lotion, and
• Gold Bond Ultimate Smoothing Shea Butter Body Wash

I really wasn’t expecting that but I was appreciative and will gladly review the products.  So with this posting, I am providing my review of the first product, Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons Body Lotion. 

At first glance, the container looks like a hair mousse applicator.  Just based on the container, I was thinking that although the product is called “Sheer Ribbons”, I was expecting the product to be the consistency of hair mousse.  However, the name is very descriptive of the consistency-sheer ribbons. The product comes out in fine ribbons.  It reminds me of the old fashion folded Christmas candies. 

Anyway, I digress. I have been using the Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons Body Lotion for about two weeks now and I feel that is sufficient time to provide a fair and accurate review.  I have very simple but definite requirements of a body lotion.  Yes, they must work to moisturize my skin, but they cannot leave my skin feeling greasy, slick, or slippery.  They cannot be overly fragranced.  Also, I do not like a watery body lotion; my preference is a lotion that is more of a cream. 

So how did Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons Body Lotion fair against my list of requirements? Not surprisingly, Gold Bond Ultimate remained true to its reputation.  For my nail bloggers, you know how you constantly look at the manicure that you just love. I had a similar experience with this body lotion.  It left my skin feeling like velvet; but not greasy or sticky.  Throughout the day, I couldn’t help but notice that my arms continued to feel soft and moisturized.  At night, my legs and feet, were like velvet.  The scent is soft and not overpowering.  Once I got passed the different delivery method, and used the product, yes it is one I would buy for myself.  I have yet to see this product in my local stores but I will be on the lookout.

For Me,It Works... Rating:

4.5 out of 5 - Very Good. Not a 5 star because I have not found this product in the stores yet.

Note: One added benefit for the delivery method, it’s good for travel. You don’t have to worry about lotion pumping out during travel. Just replace the cap and go…

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What does Gold Bond claim?

Look Soft. Feel Smooth. Be Touchable.

Indulge yourself in moisturizing ribbons of softness at the touch of a button with new Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons body lotion. Our Silk Softness formula features 7 hydrating moisturizers that replenish your skin, while natural silk proteins enhance all-over smoothness. The result is irresistible, touchably soft skin.

Sheer Ribbons Silk Softness is a finely fragranced body lotion, scented with a blend of delicate mimosa petals, seductive tuscan cyprus and apricot reduction. You only need to try it once and you'll see why Gold Bond Ultimate Sheer Ribbons body lotion is a totally new moisturizing experience… with delightful results.

KEY INGREDIENTS:

Natural Silk Proteins: To enhance skin smoothness.

*This product was sent to me for review.

And the Oscar goes to...

Orly Glitz!  When it comes to purchasing polishes, I am better able to step outside of my comfort zone but to actually wear those unfamiliar polishes, not so much.  Not until I see someone else wearing a similar shade, then I go and shop my stash. For most of my life I only wore yellow gold jewelry because it works so well with my skin tone, and up until now I had not tried gold nail polish.  I own a few that I would use for accent nails but never a full manicure.  Then one Sunday, it happened again.  I really do need to stop letting my eyes wander during prayer, LOL!  Again, when I should have been praying, I noticed a young lady's polish.  She was wearing a beautiful yellow gold polish and it complimented her skin tone very nicely. Similar to nudes and mannequins but with a subtle bling, this gold elongates my fingers.  Orly Glitz, a beautiful metallic foil buttery yellow gold.  It makes me think of an Oscar from the Academy Awards. 

Once again, Orly does not disappoint.  The application is smooth, as smooth as a metallic can be.  In these photos I am wearing 2 coats but I had really wanted to, I could have gotten away with 1 coat.  I see a little shinkage so I think that next time I will need to use some other top coat, not Seche Vite'. I found this shade at my local Sally but I have also seen it on some of the online retailers.  

So if you haven't given Orly a try, you really should and be a little daring and give Glitz a go. 

Grace and Peace.

NOTD: Sally Hansen Casting Call

Shamefully I was sitting in church one Sunday, when I should have been praying, I was noticing this polish color on another parishioner, LOL!!! Father forgive me.  Anyway, later that afternoon I was determined to find something similar.  This is Sally Hansen Complete Manicure in Casting Call.  It is a soft coral cream; great for spring and summer.  Sally Hansen Complete Manicure boosts that it is a treatment, basecoat, color and topcoat all-in-one, that may be true but as with all my manicures, I used my normal treatment, basecoat and top coat. A great many of Sally Hansen nail products have the wider brush that people either love or hate. I must admit
that it took me a little practice but eventually I came around.  The brush gives you good coverage and makes application easier.  The formulation was also good, giving me true bottle opacity with two coats.  Sally Hansen is an old well established brand that has been around for many years.  Probably one of the first for many of us.  Sally Hansen can be found pretty much anywhere, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta, etc.  So next time you are looking for a good summer coral, give a look to Sally Hansen.  Remember, Your nails, treat them as Jewels, not Tools.