Zoya Charla Comparisons...lots of them...

I am so excited about this post. There is a side-by-side comparison that I have wanted to do for ages and I finally have all the pieces in place to do it; well at least until another brand adds to the list.  Zoya Charla is a well loved blue-green shimmer that I just added to my stash with this recent Zoya Earth Day promotion. I have often come across other polishes that would remind me of Zoya Charla, but it was not until now that I could do a real side-by-side comparison. The polishes I am showing are: (This list is the order in which they are shown on the wheels also-L to R).

• Essence Choose Me ($0.99)
• Wet n Wild Teal of Fortune ($1.99)
• Zoya Charla ($8.00)
• NYX Girls ($1.49)
• Sinful Colors Kissy ($1.99)
• Finger Paints Late Night Rendezvous ($4.99)

Looking at the bottles alone, you see that they are in the same family but that's where the similarities end.  Now let's look at them each with just one coat.

Slightly tilted

Direct shot

With just one coat there is less of a visible difference.  The are some differences in the shimmer colors and opacity, but not much. A muggle wouldn't have a clue. LOL!  Now let's look at them with two coats.

 What I see when comparing the six polishes are as follows:

• Essence Choose Me - has more gold shimmer
• Wet n Wild Teal of Fortune - more sheer, and has teal shimmer
• Zoya Charla - the most opaque of the bunch
• NYX Girls - most sheer with gold shimmer
• Sinful Colors Kissy - gold shimmer
• Finger Paints Late Night Rendezvous - more blue toned

Again, where a muggle may not see a difference, a true polish addict, can clearly see differences.  So if you can't get one, there are others that are at least in the same color family. I love doing comparisons and I hope this post has been beneficial to you.  Do you know of any other polishes similar to Charla that I have missed? I must admit, they are each very pretty.

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own monies. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by and of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

PRESS RELEASE: Heat Up Your Summer with China Glaze® Summer Collection!

Los Angeles, CA – (March 2012):  The sun has nothing on you this summer!  Rival its brightness and heat with China Glaze® Summer 2012 collection, Summer Neons.  Featuring 12 new sizzling shades perfect for surf, sand and nightlife, the all new hot hues in China Glaze® Summer Neons include:

·         Pink Plumeria: Light pink with gold shimmer

·         Under the Boardwalk: Fluorescent raspberry

·         Splish Splash: Bright sky blue shimmer

·         Love’s A Beach: Sizzling hot pink

·         Hang-Ten Toes: Bubblegum neon with iridescent purple shimmer

·         Beach Cruise-r: Glimmering fuchsia grape

·         Orange You Hot?: Bright orange with attention-grabbing gold glimmer

·         Surfin’ For Boys: Glistening bright coral

·         Flirty Tankini: Shimmery strawberry smoothie pink

·         Ride the Waves: Dark ocean blue

·         I’m With the Lifeguard: Glimmering lime green

·         Sun-Kissed: Hot highlighter yellow

Also available 8-piece box collection featuring Under The Boardwalk, Ride The Waves, I’m With The Lifeguard, Sun-Kissed, Orange You Hot?, Surfin’ For Boys, Flirty Tankini and Pink Plumeria.

China Glaze® Summer Neons will be available as open stock colors and 12-piece counter display.  Individual polishes retail for $7 MSRP and the 8-piece box set retails for $56.  China Glaze® Summer Neons will be available at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide in June 2012.

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, visit: www.chinaglaze.com.

Like CG on Facebook: www.facebook.com/chinaglazeofficial

Follow CG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

Follow CG on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ChinaGlaze

Follow CG on Instagram: ChinaGlazeOfficial 

One for me and one for you...for a future giveaway...

I've been a haulin' lately and I also decided that since my blog, Shades of Beauty, Inc. is more than a year old now, it's probably time to start thinking about hosting a giveaway. My followers have added to the great enjoyment I receive from doing this blog. I have learned a lot from you, my Twitter Friends, as well as those that "Like" my Facebook page.  I haven't decided on what, when, or where, but I have started picking up some goodies for my future giveaways(s). These aren't all, I've just starting shopping for you guys...


But while I was looking for stuff for you guys, of course I had to pick up some stuff for myself.  It's only fair...LOL!  On a recent trip to Walgreens, I picked out some great shades of Sinful Colors for you guys and some Milani Baked Blushes for myself.

I bought my first Milani Baked Blush-Red Vino, several months ago.  Since then, I had been spying several of the others in the collection. So today, I picked up Milani Dolce Pink-a pink shimmer, Rose D'oro-a dusty rose shimmer, and Corallina-a coral & golden shimmer.

I know that they have been out for over a year now, but have you given the Milani Baked Blushes a try? If not, you really should. Great pigmentation, color choices, price, and long wear.

Review:

• Collection: Milani Baked Blushes
• Weight: NET WT. 0.12 OZ / 3.5g e
• Price: They range in price from $7-8. I've seen them at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS as well as several online retailers, Cherry Culture and MilaniCosmetics.com, of course.
• Application: These are shimmers, so if you are adverse to too much shimmer, use a light hand.

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own monies. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company. This is not a sponsored post.

Season of Neon...

It seems that most of the polish manufacturers are coming out with neon collections.  Sally Beauty's Finger Paints line is included in that trend.  On a recent trip to Sally Beauty, I walked in and just inside the door was the Finger Paint latest neon collection.  

Like a moth to a flame I went directly for the purple-PopArt Purple and the blue-InkBlot Blue.  As with most neons, they dry matte. There was also another Finger Paints collection, Summer In The City (Sorry, I didn't snap a picture).  Just like the neon, this collection had a shade that I was directly drawn to-Late Night Rendez-Vous, a blue-green micro flakie. The Summer in The City collection also includes Flip Flop Fuschia, To-Teally Hot, Beach Bound (purple), Movie In The Park (blue & purple glitter), and Sexy Sundress (yellow). In addition to these three, I picked up a polish that I have been eyeing for months, Finger Paints Art You Blue? It's a denim blue shimmer.  I also bought Orly Gilded Coral-dusty pink with golden shimmer (originally part of the Spring, 2011 Spring Collection) and Orly Terracotta-neon pinkish-orange. These are two shades that are part of the Orly core collection.

Have you picked up any neons for the summer?  Have you tried any of the Finger Paints polishes? If not, you really should. Their quality, colors, and application is right up there with the others.

  Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own monies. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company. 

It was a busy day for my Mailman...

I came home to four packages at my front door...I love packages!!!  If you haven't visited the Drug Store Divas blog, you are really missing out on some great offers; free samples and tons of coupons.  Three of  these packages, I received through offers I found on Drug Store Diva.  


First, is a full sized Mio Liquid Water Enhancer. Mio is a convenient pocket sized bottle of calorie-free flavored water enhancer.  I had been wanting to try this so I jumped at the opportunity. I chose to try the Lemonade.

Next, was a four serving size of the new Gevalia Coffee in their House Blend selection.  I had seen this brand in Walmart but had not yet given it a try.  I was weary of turning away from my Starbucks, but now I can give Gevalia a try.

Lastly, for the sample products, is the Beauty Bag I received from Target via Drugstore Divas.  This cute little makeup bag is a London Soho New York beauty bag. And inside were samples and COUPONS!!!  I hear that Simple Skin Care is very popular in the UK but it is really just making it to this side of the pond.  My Beauty Bag included a sample of the Simple Beauty Wipes. I like to use beauty wipes at night, so I can't wait to try these.  Also included was a sample of Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser. I love the Neutrogena Alcohol Free toner, so I am excited about trying this product.  Then included was a sample of Pantene Conditioner, Nivea Extended Moisture Daily Lotion, and L'Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer. Lastly, included in the Beauty Bag, was a coupon book full of beauty related coupons.

The last package I received was actually one I purchased.  I'm on a healthy hair journey and will be participating in a Sulfur Challenge next month. So I ordered Sublimed Sulfur for a scalp oil mix. 

Well that is all for now.  Just wanted to take a quick moment to share...Have you received any good samples lately?

 Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: Except where noted, these products were bought with my own monies. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of these companies.