NOTD: Revlon Roulette Rush with Born Pretty Store Barbie Water Decals

I'm back again with another water decal nail art manicure. I have been loving the new Revlon Gel Envy polishes so I paired the decals up with another unused colour. For this mani I used two coats of Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel in Roulette Rush on all my nails. Revlon’s Roulette Rush is a pink toned red. Sometimes it looks for pink, and other times red, it really depends on the lighting. Like the other Gel Envy polishes I’ve reviewed, this one went on evenly and opaque in two coats, and dried extremely quick. There was no chipping for about a week.

To accent these bright pinkish nails I chose to use the Barbie themed decals from the set numbered D227. I know I am a bit old for Barbie, but these decals were so fun! I used a different decal on each nail, and although it looked cool I think it was a bit much. I'll probably just use them as accents from now on.

Here’s how to apply the water decals:

1.       Paint nails and let dry completely

2.       Cut out decal you want to use

3.       Remove protective plastic film

4.       Dunk decal into room temperature water for 10-20 seconds

5.       Apply to nail and dry

6.       Top with a top coat

Above are the instructions for application as per the decal packaging. How these instructions are worded I've been applying the decals face down like a temporary tattoo. However, this is actually the wrong way to apply. You are actually supposed to peel the decal off the backing with tweezers and place on the nails. This makes it extremely difficult to apply. I probably wont apply them this way, and it wont normally affect the look of the decals. The only time you can tell is when there are words on the decals like with these Barbie ones, the words apply backwards.

If you are interested in trying out the water decals for yourself head over to Born Pretty Store, and don’t forget to use my discount code FULW10 to get 10% off your entire purchase.

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

NOTD: Revlon Queen of Hearts with Born Pretty Store Feather Water Decals

Although I love the look and idea of nail art, it’s not something I really have the patience or hand for. So, when Born Pretty Store asked if I wanted to try some of their nail art products I was at a loss as to what to try. They suggested the Water Decals, and I can say that it was love at first application.

For this mani I used two coats of Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel in Queen of Hearts on all my nails but the ring fingers, in which I accented with white. Revlon’s Queen of Hearts is a dark, pure blood red polish. Like the other Gel Envy polishes I’ve reviewed this one went on evenly and opaque in two coats, and dried extremely quick. There was no chipping for about a week.

On the white accent nail I decided to use a grey and black feather decal from the set numbered 1724. Let me tell you that these water decals could not be simpler to apply…they are like temporary tattoos for your nails.

Here’s how to apply the water decals:

1.       Paint nails and let dry completely

2.       Cut out decal you want to use

3.       Remove protective plastic film

4.       Dunk decal into room temperature water for 10-20 seconds

5.       Apply to nail and dry

6.       Top with a top coat

And voila! You are left with eye-catching nail art within minutes, with minimal effort and frustration. I can’t wait to rock the colourful feathers from this set on all my nails instead of just an accent.

If you are interested in trying out the water decals for yourself head over to Born Pretty Store, and don’t forget to use my discount code FULW10 to get 10% off your entire purchase.

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own. 

NOTD: Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel in 030 Beginner's Luck

I’m back with another Revlon Gel Envy polish for today’s nail of the day. This time I’m sporting 030 Beginner’s Luck.

As previously stated, Revlon’s New Colorstay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel is not actually a gel polish. When used with the Diamond Top Coat these polishes claim to offer the shine and longevity of a gel manicure without the extra costs and curing time.

For this manicure I used a normal base coat, 2 coats of Beginner’s Luck and a regular top coat. Beginner’s Luck is a light, milky, shimmery pink that would look good on any skin tone. This polish was semi opaque with two coats. You could still see the tips of my nails but I kind of liked the look. This would be perfect for a French Manicure. I got a full week of wear with no chipping or tip wear.

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

NOTD: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel in 120 Hot Hand

Revlon's New ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel is not actually a gel polish. It offers the shine and longevity of a gel manicure without the extra costs and time required for a gel manicure. I have to say that I was intrigued about these polishes when I first heard of them. A polish that will last more than a week and keep its shine would allow me to get away with being lazy and painting my nails less.

I don't believe I used these polishes as intended, so I'm not sure how accurate this review is going to be. Although these polishes have the base coat built in I still used one to make sure I got no staining. I used two coats of nail polish and then my normal top coat. I'm believe  the effect and longevity of the polish would have been more accurate had I used the Diamond Top Coat. However, I was very happy with the results.

The first coat of Hot Hand applied almost opaque. The second coat provided complete coverage and dried to an even, smooth and glossy finish. For glossiness you don't really need a topcoat, but I used one to help with length of wear. Hot Hand is a classic Barbie Pink creme polish. It makes a great finger or toenail polish.

I got a full week of wear with no chipping or tip wear. The shine lasted the whole week as well. I'm sure I could have gotten more time out of the manicure, but my nails were growing out, and I was ready for a new colour.

Overall, this polish apples like a dream and lasts longer than any other Revlon polish I've worn. I get the gel look without the UV curing, crazy costs, or soak off removal. I really think Revlon has got a winner with this line.

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

NOTD: Impress Press On Manicure in Shout

Revolutionary nail technology with no drying time, superior lasting shine, and easy removal. 24 nail covers in 12 sizes. 

How To Apply
1. Find the correct size for each nail
2. Lay out 10 nails in finger order
3. Cleanse natural nails with enclosed prep pad
4. For best adhesion, firmly apply nails, thumb nails last. 

How To Remove
1. Gently peel off from sides, or apply polish remover around edges, wait 1 minute, peel off. 

I chose Shout for my vacation because I felt like the tropical flower design was appropriate for my Florida trip. I have used these nails before, so I knew that I would get a whole week of wear out of them. I know a lot of girls have a hard time wearing these nails because of the shape of their nails, but these fit my nails like a glove. Because they fit so well I can get two complete manicures out of each package.

Shout, as previously stated, is a tropical flower design with pink, yellow, and black detailing. There is also a layer of blue iridescent glitter overlaying the yellow and black portions of the flowers. I received so many compliments on these while on vacation. No one could believe that they were press on nails. I like that they look so realistic on me and not overly fake.

When applying these nails I spend 30 seconds per nail pressing them down to make sure the adhesive sticks. I also make sure not to get them wet for a few hours following application. After that few hours though, I go about life as normal. These nails lasted just over a week for me before I got bored of them. I used copious amounts of hand sanitizer, went swimming, showered, washed dishes, etc. and I had no weakening of the adhesive or lost any nails.

The only thing I don’t like about these nails is that there is a plastic tab at the tip of each nail that, I believe, needs to be filed off. I don’t mind filing them though because I have to do that anyway to get my desired length. However, when you do file the tips it promotes peeling of the design sooner. By about day 3 I had peeling and very noticeable tip wear. The tip wear is ultra noticeable with these nails because the base is white.

Overall these nails provide me with the acrylic nail look at a fraction of the price. They also do not damage my nails like acrylics do.

Nail Care with Trim Salon Boards, & NailHQ Ridge Filler and Base Coat

Although I don’t grow out my nails, I prefer the short look; I do still need to take care of them. As my nails grow they get very thin and brittle, and I always have issues with splitting and peeling. It’s because of this peeling that I need to keep them short. I also need to file down the uneven parts so that I have a smooth even base to work with, because nothing looks worse than uneven polish.


In this post I am going to talk about some of my favourite products to get my nails ready for painting.

Guest Post: Jenn from Scarlet Beauty's Bright Nail Polishes For Summer

It's time to dust off all of those bright nail polishes that have been hiding all Winter and bring them out because warmer weather is here! At least it has been on and off. Summer has to be coming soon, right?

China Glaze Orange Knockout, OPI Live Love Carnaval, Julep Caitlin, Essie DJ Play That Song

As much as I love all the vampy polishes that are in for Winter, it's nice to switch things up. I thought I'd round up some of the nail polishes that I'm really looking forward to wearing in the upcoming months.

NOTD: Rainbow Honey Midnight Fountain

I am so in love with today's nail polish. I have been a huge fan of Rainbow Honey polishes since I received one in my first Wantable box last year. I got this one in my April Ipsy Bag, and couldn't wait to try it out. I already know that I will be repurchasing this polish, as well as, many more from the brand.

"The central meeting place of our proverbial garden, Midnight Fountain brings it all together - full of shimmer, color, and glitter, this color stands out on its own and also pairs up well with the glitters and cremes in the Midnight Garden Collection. Wear alone in 2-3 coats with top coat or wear 1 coat over Charaxes. Try 1 coat over Nyx for a punch of duochrome shimmer!" 

Midnight Fountain is a bright blue jelly polish with tons of holographic glitter, and duochrome shimmer. This polish is so eye-catching. I got compliments all over town regarding it. It is just pure perfection in a bottle. The jelly base is opaque enough that you can get away with 2 coats. The glitter and shimmer suspends ideally, so that the depth of this polish looks endless. 

There really isn't anything that Rainbow Honey could have done to improve this polish. There is no clumping, no streaking, and it dried extremely quick. It lasted about 4 days before I noticed some minor chipping.

I just cant get enough of this colour. I couldn't stop looking at my nails while I wore this. I'm sure people thought I was weird just staring at my nails! But every time the light hit it, I couldn't help but stop and stare. This polish really helped cement my love for blue nails!   

Guest Post: KalynLord.com's Top 5 Mint Polishes

I have over 600 nail polishes, and after multi-chromatic finishes...mint polishes have my heart. There is something timeless and season-less about a good light blue/green shade. Whether it is pale and buttery like a pillow mint, or rich and saturated like a robin's egg, I think mint looks beautiful on all skin tones, is work appropriate AND great for play, is trendy but not excessive, and bright but not garish. It was extremely difficult to narrow down, but here are five of my absolute favourite mint nail polishes: Zoya - Neely: Neely is a really pale, green-toned mint that has all of the benefits of a pastel shade, without the sometimes unfortunate application concerns. Like virtually all Zoya polishes, this one applies smoothly and easily on the nail, two coats 'til perfection. Zoya polishes can be a bit difficult to source in Canada, but Nail Polish Canada is a great online retailer (with a huge selection). Revlon - Whimsical: Whimsical has a base colour similar to Neely, but it's a totally different type of polish -- the milky green mint base is quite sheer, and packed with multi-sized baby blue and pink hex glitters. This is a great polish for adding some dimension to a mint manicure -- on its own, it's a little too sheer and milky, but layered, it's so, so pretty. The great thing about Revlon polishes (aside from their awesome formula) is how easy they are to locate -- virtually all major retailers have a Revlon display in their cosmetics department (read my original Whimsical review). Pure Ice - Home Run: Pure Ice is a great mid-tone mint...not too blue, not too green -- and with a fantastic formula, to match. Home Run is really glossy and smooth, and reminds me of vintage Cadillacs. Walmart Canada has recently started to carry Pure Ice, and this is a permanent collection shade available for only a few dollars. I've always been really impressed by Pure Ice, and Home Run is no exception (read my original Home Run review). Nails Inc. London - Haymarket: For those of you who like cooler, blue-ish mints, Haymarket is a great choice. It dries darker than the bottle, almost a bit of a robin's-egg blue...but still within the mint family range. Formula-wise, I don't find it as glossy as Neely or Home Run, but it has a streak-free and smooth finish that is lovely on the nail. Nails Inc. is becoming easier to locate, as it is carried at many Shoppers Drug Mart locations -- although it is a bit price-y. China Glaze - Teal the Tide Turns: Finally, just barely within the mint range (I might be stretching it a bit), we have Teal the Tide Turns. This is a textured polish -- with small sparkling turquoise glitters. Like Whimsical, it offers up a bit of a unique twist on a mint manicure...a great accent nail, or a way to gussy up a chipped, tired mint base. This was part of the Spring 2014 collection, and should still be available in most specialty retailers (like Sally Beauty) -- but if you see it, snap it up quick, because this is not a permanent offering from China Glaze!

Review: Essence Bloom Me Up! Limited Edition Collection

Delicate lace with floral patterns combined with fresh colours consisting of pink, apricot and lavender, Spring is going to be playful and romantic – and at the same time, it’s self-confident and totally cool, with these fashionable beauty-pieces. Your eyes, lips, face, and nails are sure to turn into absolute eye-catchers. 

As soon as I saw this collection I knew I needed to own most of it, if not all of it. I pretty much cleared out the display when I found it at Shoppers Drug Mart. I was interested in the pink lipstick, however, my stores didn't have it. I also wanted the lace nail decals, however, upon inspection realized that they wouldn't fit my nail shape.

There were 3 nail polishes in this collection, and I picked up all of them. Bright, fresh colours consisting of mint, lavender, and apricot are about to make a statement. The effects – sometimes pearly, sometimes plain – are sure to put you the mood for new nail styles. Long-lasting and with a high coverage, these pretty polishes will make your nails stand out from the crowd. 

All three polishes were opaque in 2 coats. They went on evenly, streak free, and there was no bubbling. Like other Essence polishes these were fast drying, and so beautiful on the nail! Lovely Lavender and Blooming Tender had a pearl finish, and Blow My Mint was a pure creme polish. All of these colours are perfect for Spring, and I cant wait to wear them all season long

Lovely Lavender

Blow My Mint

Blooming Tender

Rose It Up

The delicately pigmented powder in light beige gives your face and neckline a touch of shimmer. And thanks to the elaborate floral design on the surface, this powder is beautiful to look at too! 

I love Essence's Limited Edition Face Powders! They are always such high quality, and beautiful to look at. This Shimmer Powder has an embossed floral pattern that will eventually wear away. I almost don't want to use it because of how pretty it is. This gives a light pink/white sheer wash of shimmer to the face. I definitely wouldn't use this all over my face, but as a highlight on the cheekbones, it is gorgeous. 

Chasing Lacey

The blush stick offers fresh accents in pink and feels lovely and powdery on your skin. The twistable blush stick guarantees a simple and practical application and the colour becomes more intense with each layer. 

I am not normally one for cream cheek products,  mostly because I can never find a good application method that doesn't have me looking like a clown. This coral-pink blush goes on quite sheer so I'm pretty sure I will be able to make it work. The colour is so pretty and it blends easily onto the skin. The only downside I find to this product is that it is quite greasy, and it doesn't dry to a powder finish.

Bloomylicious

One end of the pen is especially for use on the inner lid to create a wide awake, open look. Applied underneath the eyebrow, this other end usually lifts the brow. 

This is the product I really wanted from this collection. This helps make my eyes look open and awake. The salmon/pink colour of the liner pencil looks less harsh and obvious as white. I haven't used the eyebrow pencil yet, as I normally don't use a pencil to highlight, but I cant wait to experiment with it.

L-R: Eyebrow Pencil, Eyeliner Pencil, Blush, Shimmer Powder

April 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

It's that time of the month again! It's time for my Ipsy Glam Bag un-boxing and review. Ipsy has continued to wow me every month, and it is the beauty purchase I look forward to the most!

How It Works:
Each month subscribers will receive a Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products customized to your beauty profile. All for only $10USD or $14.95CDN a month.
If you would like to use my referral link click here to join Ipsy. Thank you!

April's Theme:
Beauty Rocks: Life is a dance floor, so why not live it up, sing out loud, and shake them hips?! This month, we're celebrating our unique beauty to the sound of tunes and festivals that fill the spring air. So, whether you're chilling in a campground or spinning in a ballroom, all of your April "Beauty Rocks!" products will help your lovely look become a hit!

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

Sample Value - $9.75
"The Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion gently sweeps away dead skin cells and softens skin texture, which enables better absorption of skincare products and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne marks, and skin discolourations. A great at home alternative to professional clinical treatments. Safe for use on all skin types."


This is such an expensive scrub so it's nice to get such a generous sample. I found a previous microdermabrasion scrub that Ipsy sent out was too harsh for my skin, so only time will tell with this one. I have yet to try it because I have a few scrubs open already.

Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil in Jasmine

Sample Value - $10.00
"An exotic, sweet warm floral bouquet. Demeter's Jasmine is the experience of the living flowers picked on a beautiful Spring night. Wear alone or layer with your favourite Demeter Fragrance. With over 250 fragrances, the Demeter Fragrance Library is inspired by everyday objects and experiences."

I was really skeptical about this fragrance at first, but now having had a chance to smell it, I really like it. It is a subtle floral scent, that doesn't over-power. I cant see myself grabbing for this all the time, as a I prefer my floral scents to have a sweet/fruity aspect to them as well. However, I may bring this on vacation with me.

Rainbow Honey Nail Lacquer in Midnight Fountain

Sample Value - $5.00
"The central meeting place of our proverbial garden, Midnight Fountain brings it all together - full of shimmer, colour, and glitter, this colour stands out on its own and also pairs up well with the glitters and cremes in the Midnight Garden Collection."

I love Rainbow Honey! Their glitters always amaze me, and I am left with eye-catching, show-stopping nails all week. This polish is a navy blue jelly base, packed full with multi-sized glitter. You could definitely wear this on its own, but I cant wait to try it over top of a black polish.

Mary Kay At Play Jelly Lip Gloss in Teddy Bare

Sample Value - $10.00
"Turn up the volume with Mary Kay At Play colour! It's flirtatiously fun makeup you can remix-n-match to create your own colour playlist. The Mary Kay At Play Jelly Lip Gloss has a fun jelly texture that offers brilliant, intense shine with a sheer wash of colour."

This has got to be the worst lip gloss I have ever used! Firstly, the product is separated in the tube, so it kind of looks gross, and makes me question its expiration date. Next, the colour Teddy Bare is not a flattering neutral on me. It totally washes me out, and makes me look dead. And lastly, it is so freaking sticky! Like the stickiest gloss I have ever used, and it leaves such a sticky residue. Soap and water could not cut through the residue of this gloss, I had to take makeup remover to it. I will not be grabbing for this.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet

Sample Value - $15.00
"A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD's creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black."

I love me some UD eyeliners! They are the only ones that I can get to stay on my waterline for the whole day. I didn't really notice a difference between this liner and my regular 24/7 liner in Zero. This one definitely didn't smudge any easier or better. I actually found that this one set quite quickly, and once it was set it didn't budge. Like the Mary Kay gloss, soap and water was not enough to wash this swatch away, makeup remover was required.

Total Value of April's Bag - $49.75