A VERY quick & dirty Blacklight mani............................

So after doing my kitty claws with the blacklight mani (see most recent post) I wanted to play some more. I was running out of time last night, and just decided to try it with a Konad. I started by painting my nails, black, then did a coat of OPI DS Original, topped that off with 1 coat of the Blacklight polish. After that all dried, I Konaded with my Sinful black, and did the houndstooth design. I did attempt to put a coat of SV over it all, but it totally EFFED up the design, and smeared the blacklight polish all over the nail FAIL!! So I had to re-do them, and just forget about it being shiny. Oh well, it's still so much fun.

It did come out messier than I normally like, but it was just a quick trial. The whole thing took me around 20 min.

In the regular light

This is what was seen in the black light

Ta-da!! Hope you guys enjoy this!

Review: Lush - Smitten - Almond Icing Hand Cream

Lush Smitten

Hi guys! For today I have a review about Lush's one of their hand creams. The reason why I'm reviewing it today is it's discontinued but still available! I already reviewed and really liked Handy Gurugu, do I like this one just as much? Read on to find out.

Like almond icing

According to Lush, Smitten is a protective, almond scented hand cream. It's a lighter hand cream with the same fragrance as the famous Snowcake soap. "Smitten is made with natural oils, calming chamomile and beeswax to protect the hands from extreme weather or nourish them when they need it most. Use it regularly for nice soft mitts. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bactericidal and sedative. Aromatherapists have used it to treat bruises, allergies, stress and depression. It is helpful for sensitive skins."

Kind to mitts?

Smitten has a very creamy texture and is definitely moisturizing. I do feel like the effect is quickly evaporated, but I still like it. The smell is famous, and while it does reminds me of almonds, I immediately thought: Play Doh! I thought I was crazy for thinking it smelled liked Play Doh, but a quick Google search showed me I'm not alone! So, Play Doh.. I think it's quite a funny smell, and it makes me a bit nostalgic, at times I love it, at times I hate it. The scent does wear off after an hour or so.

What's in it?

The ingredients look rather nice, Chamomile, Almond and other nice oils. I love the fact Lush is cruelty free, if you're vegan you can't use Smitten though, as it contains lanoline and beeswax. The one thing I don't get is why a company like Lush still uses parabens, but okay.
Overall, I quite like this product, even though I haven't decided on the smell yet. It's a good cream to take with you on the road, since it's quite light and quickly absorbed. For a more thorough moisturizing effect I'd recommend Handy Gurugu over this though! If you want to get this cream, get it fast as it's discontinued!

Ingredients

Chamomile Matricaria Infusion (Chamomilla recutita), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Marigold Infusion (Calendula officinalis), Cold Pressed Flaxseed Oil (Linum usitatissimum), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cold Pressed Wheatgerm Oil (Triticum vulgare), Cold Pressed Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima), Coconut Butter (Cocos nucifera), Lanolin, Beeswax (Cera alba), Benzoin Resinoid (Styrax benzoin), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Cassie Absolute (Acacia farnesiana), Perfume, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Lush Smitten costs € 11,75 / 100g, or $17.95 / 3.5oz. Visit www.lush.com for more information.

MEEEEOOOOWWWWW.....................

So for Halloween I am going to be a kitty. I have found my PUUURRRRFECT mani! The hubbs and I have 4, 5 feet tall black lights, that will be present at our party on Sat.

Here is what you see, in normal light. I used Sinful's Black on Black, Sally Hansen Byte and Cabaret Blacklight Magic polish

Then, when the partay begins, everyone will be seeing.............MY CLAWS!!!
(my camera was not happy with how much it was glowing, they really do look amazing IRL)

MEEEOOOOOWWWW!!!!

Dare to Discuss: OPI Up For Sale?

I was going through my blogroll today and stumbled upon this post over at Body & Soul Beauty. Mary shows us an inside article written by Bloomberg about OPI being for sale. You can read the entire, original, article here.

I have to admit, I was a bit shocked. Bloomberg is telling us OPI is for sale and currently is considering major companies Coty and L'Oreal. I'm not sure to what degree this actually holds true, but I do know what this would mean for me. I've asked for confirmation by OPI, but I didn't get a reply - which I can understand.

Cruelty free

I usually don't make room for L'Oreal and Coty on this blog. Not that I hate their colors, but they still feel it's necessary to test on animals. Brands like Maybelline, L'Oreal, Miss Sporty and Sally Hansen never really did it for me. Especially when I found out about their views on animal testing.

OPI, on the other hand, has always been one of my favorite cruelty free nail polish brands. I like their colors, their formula, their brush, you name it. From the moment I said goodbye to nail biting, I occasionally spoiled myself with a new bottle of OPI polish.

What if..

So, could all of this be true? The brand that always watched her exclusivity like a hawk, soon to be part of one of the giants? I don't want to be timely, but if this bad dream would turn into reality, I don't feel like writing about OPI anymore.
I understand this could eventually lead to less readers of my blog etc, morals always get in the way, right?! ;-) OPI may be and remain cruelty free, but I don't feel like filling up L'Oreal or Coty's wallet. I do hope you can understand and respect that, even if you think it's the biggest bullcrap out there. Let's just hope none of this is true! How would you feel about OPI being sold to either Coty or L'Oreal?

pollcode.com free polls

What if OPI becomes part of L'Oreal or Coty?

Honestly? Who cares. I'll keep buying it I'll have to think about it I'll stop buying it

POSITIVE THINKING :)

I have enjoyed doing Halloween nails sooooo much! I want to keep doing them for a couple more months. It is such a great time of year for festive nails :) I am sooooo excited to do some super cute fun fabulous nails for Christmas and some beautiful elegant stuff for winter and some blingtastic ones for New Years. It is a fabulous time of year for nails. Fun nails definitely cheer me up :)

My test Halloween Mani............

This is just a test, and I really like it. Thank goodness, I have more of these stickers, cause they rock!

I needed to wait for the Wet Cement to fully dry before putting them on, so i could have pushed them down better, but oh well. It's coming off anyways, just had to show you guys.

I can't wait to do this one for real!!
Oh and the decals came in the Color Club Bewitching set.

Exclusive: Chanel - Côte d'Azur Collection - Le Vernis Riva

LUXURY INDULGES IN NONCHALANCE UNDER THE SAINT TROPEZ SUN.

The CHANEL Cruise Collection 2010 – 2011 opts for a carefree style and an outdoor fashion show under the magical light of Saint Tropez. Dropped off at the old port by a flotilla of Riva boats, the barefooted models strut down the catwalk as if taking a stroll after an afternoon at the beach, walking along the terrace of the legendary Sénéquier café. The free spirit and casual elegance of the Bardot years embrace check prints, delicate pink tweeds and loose hair.

A SUMMER OF SAND AND AZURE

The tender and savage sensuality of eternal Saint Tropez inspires Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, to create a playful Collection that flirts with the sun. A sprinkle of sand clinging to golden skin. A little pout under a straw hat, ready to break into a childish laugh. Summer on the Riviera returns to the innocent charm of the 70s with new interplays of light and ultra-contemporary beauty steps. This season, lips are adorned with ROUGE COCO in 4 soft, summery shades: Perlé, Chintz, Taffetas Rose and Sari Doré. In just one stroke, the smile dresses up in radiance. This playful spirit is accentuated down to the fingertips with LE VERNIS Riva, a pastel blue lacquer that hints at legendary check prints.

Côte d'Azur Collection

Hi guys! Chanel granted me with an exclusive preview of their Côte d'Azur Collection - well in The Netherlands, but it looks way cool! ;-) While Chanel Paradoxal is hands down the it color of the moment, there's already news about Chanel's beautiful upcoming collection: Côte d'Azur. On the runway there has been popping up a new baby blue pastel. It's really light, delicate and has that pure feel to it, from what I can tell.

LE VERNIS Riva - Effortless & Natural

Today I can finally tell you more about this new mysterious, delicate shade. First revealed on the runway in St. Tropez, this soft oceanic blue now has a name: Riva. Here is what Peter Philips says about this collection: “Effortless, natural beauty, relaxed girls who are enjoying their holidays. That was the main idea behind the look for this show.”

I have to admit, when the first runway photos made their appearance, I wasn't really impressed by the idea of a pale blue pastel, but looking at the new released promo pictures, I'm definitely starting to feel more enthusiastic, especially the greenish hue and the shimmer look so pretty!

Le Vernis Riva, is going to cost €25 a bottle and will be going on sale December the 1st. This will be Limited Edition, so if you must have this polish, be sure to pick it up in time! Chanel Le Vernis Riva will be available exclusively at the CHANEL Fashion Boutiques. (Sometimes when they say this, they do pop up at www.chanel.com, so fingers crossed!) Expect swatches soon!

This information was exclusively provided to me by Chanel. If you would like to use this content for your site, please be so kind to provide a link back to this post.

Chanel Riva

OPI Ink (I always think of Finding Nemo, when I look at this name)

Just to get it out.......I made my BF , now hubby, take me to see Finding Nemo in theatres 4 times!!!! I have never been to a movie twice in theatres, but this one, I was obsessed with! Okay, whew, 1 confession down, a bazzillion to go.

I cannot believe I had had this in my untrieds FOREVER!! I have to say though, it looks better in the bottle in my opinion. It's still a nice formula and very pretty on the nail. Here it is, 1 coat layered over black.

The Daily Nail v2.0!!

I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you all for participating in all the giveaways, and to the winners that have yet to email me- please hurry, so I can get your prize sent to you!

The Daily Nail version 2.0 is coming soon, so bear with me for a few days while I get things redesigned! Thanks for being patient!! :)

XOXO

-M

Flamin' Hot Giveaway! WINNER!

And the winner of the Zoya COlor 'Wardrobe' is....

Liz!!

Liz- please email me your contact information to thedailynail@gmail.com!!