The Skin Regime – Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin Review & Giveaway

The Skin Regime – Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin Review & Giveaway

Good afternoon!  I have something a little different for you today as far as reviews go!

I was sent a book named The Skin Regime – Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin written by Dana Ramos as well as a sample of a glycolic peel to test out.  The book is an interesting read and helps arm you to help better your skin either on your own, or if you want to see a dermatologist to help.  Dana Ramos compared it (in the book) to whether you want to work out on your own or hire a personal trainer.

This isn’t a textbook on all the horrible skin issues, this is a book Dana Ramos wrote to help people with similar problems to her own.  I personally have ok skin.  Nothing to be impressed with, but certainly nothing I could really complain about.  Would I like better skin?  Of course!   I’m currently 30, only 3 months shy of my 31st birthday and I have some red patches, dry spots and I get breakouts here and there – usually along my jaw line or around my nose.  I still “ohh and aww” when a commercial boasts a new product that is miraculous, but I stopped spending a ton of money on those types of products about 7 years ago because my wallet was hurting and frankly, I never really saw results.  If the product got rid of the dry patches and redness, it increased my outbreaks or vice versa.   We really are our own worst critics, and while my boyfriend tells me I don’t need to change anything, I see all the issues and imperfections.

Along with the Skin Care Regime book I received a Glycolic Peel sample and this is my first time doing an at home peel.  Was I scared?  Yes I was.  I even told my coworker that if I called in sick on Monday (I attempted this on a Friday) that it was because my skin looked like it was melting off.  I was only half kidding.

Here is what I’m working with – a 50% Glycolic Peel from Platinum Skin Care

Here is the before picture of my skin:

Yup here I am in all my glory.  Not a stitch of makeup and getting ready to apply my very first glycolic peel.  I do need to get my eyebrows done,  so aside from that, you can see some redness and bumps (a couple bumps are scars from poison oak I use to get as a child) but overall, it really isn’t much that I can’t hide with some good face powder.  I realize the picture isn’t flattering, but I’m not here to BS you about products.  The only way to really show products, especially skin care ones, is to actually show what you are working with.  That means I get to post pictures of myself people generally wouldn’t see.

3 Days AFTER using a Glycolic Peel:

I really had no reason to be scared.  I did panic right after using it though.  Within a few minutes of applying the glycolic peel it started to burn.  It wasn’t pleasant.  I rinsed it off as instructed and the burning feeling remained.  It lasted a good 15 minutes after I rinsed the glycolic peel off and I panicked that I did something wrong.  A good friend I contacted reassured me that I should be ok, to just give it some time.  Finally the burn subsided to a mild stinging, and then it went away altogether.  I woke up the next day and my skin was normal.  It wasn’t melting off!  YAY!  I waited another 2 days to do an after picture just in case.  I didn’t want to prematurely post that everything was amazing and then have my skin go haywire.

Visually, my skin shows a very mild improvement.  Very mild.  BUT I can tell a difference when I feel my skin.  I usually need to exfoliate often due to dry patches, but I have only exfoliated once since using the Glycolic Peel.  I do plan on doing this regularly in hopes my skin improves more visually.

The Skin Regime – Boot Camp For Beautiful Skin does caution that if you have problems such as cystic acne, open lesions, rosacea, eczema or problems similar, you really should consult a dermatologist before starting the Skin Care Regime.  If you are looking to improve your skin and don’t know where to start, or you have exhausted your efforts on over the counter creams, cleansers and such – The Skin Regime Boot Camp For Beautiful Skin is a good book to purchase or download for your Kindle.  The book is direct and honest as well as humorous, so it isn’t boring to read.

You can purchase The Skin Regime – Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin on Amazon HERE .  It is available in both paperback ($9.95) as well as Kindle Edition ($9.45)

I was kindly sent a second sample of Platinum Skin Care’s 30% Glycolic Peel to do a giveaway with as well as the book The Skin Regime – Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Products in this post were sent for review.  All opinions are my own***

Posted in Face, Featured, General, Skin Care

Nails For Newtown

Nails For Newtown

I won’t say too much in this post.   I left my page mainly blank yesterday because I didn’t feel it right to go on posting reviews or normal chatter on such a sad day.

My heart breaks for all of the families who lost their little ones and loved ones.  I could not even begin to imagine the pain they are dealing with, nor will I pretend to know.  My son means the world to me and to think of losing him, I just couldn’t.

Here is my white mani, in honor of Peace, Non-Violence and Remembrance of the Innocent.

Posted in Featured, General, Nail Polish

Mentality Nail Polish – The Precious Holo Collection – Swatches and Review

Mentality Nail Polish – The Precious Holo Collection – Swatches and Review

Are you guys ready for some more Mentality Nail Polish holographic goodness?  I got AMAZING feedback on The Brilliants Collection by Mentality Nail Polish when I posted it and am so thrilled to be able to show you The Precious Holo Collection!  Unlike the Brilliants Collection, this is NOT a textured holo polish collection.  Each polish is perfectly smooth, but just as gorgeous!

Mentality Nail Polish  is a husband and wife team that work out of their home to bring you affordable nail polish.  These two make a fabulous team and I swear their collections get better and better!

The Precious Holo Collection features five jewel-toned inspired colors with an accent sparkle and holographic effect to make your fingertips shine!

Tease:

I have to start this post with the polish I am the most in love with!  Tease is STUNNING.  I posted a teaser pic of it a week ago and I still love it.  Tease is a beautiful lilac holographic polish with a hint of blue when hit with light.  Almost a periwinkle.  Just beautiful!  I used 2 coats for this photo.

Seduce:

Seduce is a stunning bright blue holographic polish.  Another jaw dropper.  I used 2 coats for this one as well!

Ok at this point I filed my nails down due to a small rip in my nail.  So my nail length changes.  Sorry!

Entice:

Entice is a beautiful warm brown holographic polish and also has gold flecks scattered in!  If you were looking for an inviting fall color, you just found it!  Beautiful!  I only needed 2 coats for this.

Charm:

Charm is a deep forest green holographic polish with gold flecks within as well.  I am floored by this one as well!  It was pretty in the bottle, but on the nail?  I found a Christmas holo!  2 coats completed this mani!

Flirt:

Flirt is a rose colored holographic polish with red flecks mixed in.  Very classy looking holographic polish!  I only needed 2 coats for this one as well!

See what I mean?  Another beautiful collection from Mentality Nail Polish!  I don’t believe I have any holo’s that these could possibly be dupes of!  Tease is one I need a backup of because I want to wear it again, but am scared of running out.  Application with all 5 of The Precious Holo’s was superb.  Opaque in 2 coats, smooth application and flawless finish!

Full Size Polish: $7.75 for a 15 ml bottle

Mentality Nail Polishes are 3 Free and each bottle has 2 stainless steel mixing balls.

Make sure you check out Mentality Nail Polish on Facebook HERE as well as on their Big Cartel Shop HERE

 For updates and polish info make sure you click “Like” on their FB page.

***Products in this post were sent for review.  All opinions are my own***

Posted in Featured, General, Mentality Nail Polish, Nail Polish

Nicole by OPI Announces Modern Family Collaboration!

Nicole by OPI Announces Modern Family Collaboration!

Nicole by OPI and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products Announce Collaboration with Hit ABC Comedy Modern Family

Nicole by OPI, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, launches 14 new nail lacquers inspired by ABC’s award-winning comedy, Modern Family.  The nail line features shades created to capture the show’s colorful personalities, from a classic taupe named after family patriarch Jay, to a sparkly pink hue fitting for toddler Lily.

 “Modern Family is not only one of the funniest shows on television, it features a great ensemble cast of rich characters that inspired a range of shades, from pastel hues like sea foam green and periwinkle to brighter colors of cobalt and red-violet,” remarks Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “From studious Alex to bombshell Gloria, to classic (and neurotic) Claire, to flirty Haley, there are shades to represent each of these uniquely fabulous women – and everyone else in the blended family.

 “The Nicole consumer embraces the same spirit of diversity and individuality that’s apparent on the show,” explains Weiss-Fischmann. “The colors inspired by Modern Family offer a perfect way to express that spirit!”

Modern Family is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television and licensed through Fox Consumer Products. Jeffrey Godsick, President of Fox Consumer Products added, “Modern Family is a series that has a massive following.  In partnering with Nicole by OPI, we’re not only able to reach our show’s large fan base, but deliver a product that captures the trend-forward elements and unique characteristics of the series.”

The Modern Family Collection includes:

Am I Making Myself Claire?

Make no mistake…I’m liking this lilac.

I Do De-Claire!

Let me just say how frosty cool this soft rose is!

She’s Lily Something

Pink, sparkly stars…so Daddies’ Little Girl-y!

A Like-Haley Story…

Typical teenagers (and their moms!) will love this not-so-typical fuchsia.

My Jay or the Highway!

This trendy taupe is inflexibly cool.  Period.

Stand by Your Manny

Be loyal to this periwinkle blue.

Alex by the Books

Look smart in this seafoam green.

Haley Good Lookin’…

She’s cookin’ up plans for this pink super-glitter.

Basking in Gloria

This red-violet is the color of passion.

Luke of the Draw

Chances are you’ll love this gunmetal glitter.

A Phil’s Paradise

No fooling…this pewter is the real deal.

Candid Cameron

Call this teal just like you see it…gorgeous!

Back in My Gloria Days…

This voluptuous violet has still got it goin’ on!

What’s the Mitch-uation?

This cobalt blue demands an update.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.

Modern Family lacquers will be available beginning January 2013 for $7.99 each at retailers including select Walmart, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart, Kroger, ULTA, H-E-B, Meijer and Duane Reade locations. In Canada, this line will be available for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaw, and London Drug.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

Posted in Featured, General, Launches, Nail Polish, Nicole by OPI

Wet n Wild Fergie Nail Polish Swatches and Review

Wet n Wild Fergie Nail Polish Swatches and Review

Today I have 7 lovely nail polishes from the Wet N Wild Fergie line!

Rock all sides of The Dutchess from flossy to fierce in Fergified shades! 24 stunning shades specially developed in partnership with global superstar and pop culture icon Fergie. This exclusive collection is a reflection of the singer’s versatility, with looks ranging from rock-star glam to phunky hip to viciously edgy. Each on-trend shade embodies Fergie’s experimental style, specially formulated with glitters, confetti, chromes, metallics, and exclusive neon pigments that offer endless nail design creations.

I’m going to start off with my favorite from the collection!  I loved it so much, I already bought a backup!

Mermaid Curves:

Mermaid Curves is a turquoise jelly base with gold and aqua glitters mixed in.  I used 4 coats to achieve the opacity in the photo.  I loved this color!  I don’t have another like it.  Mermaid Curves can also be used over your favorite polish as a stunning top coat!  I used it alone for this photo.

Kaleidoscope Eyes:

Kaleidoscope Eyes is a simple silver, turquoise, gold and blue hex glitter mixture within a clear base.  Glitter evenly distributed over the nail in just 1 coat.  I didn’t need to dab it on either.  I used 1 coat Kaleidoscope Eyes over Mint Polish in Original Mint.

Velvet Lounge:

Velvet Lounge is a stunning red!  There is a slight metallic sheen to it, but it isn’t really a metallic finish.  There is also a sprinkling of red glitters within the polish that was difficult to capture, but it is there!  I used 2 coats of Velvet Lounge for this photo!

Glamorous:

Glamorous is a simple but elegant gold glitter top coat.  Glamorous consists of gold hex glitters as well as small gold specks all in a  clear base.  I used 1 coat of Glamorous over Velvet Lounge for this photo.

Dutchess:

To start – no, I did not spell ‘Dutchess’ wrong.  Fergie’s debut album was named ‘The Dutchess’ so this polish was named after that album, spelling and all.  Dutchess consists of small blue glitters and slightly larger violet round glitters in a clear base.  These are densely packed glitters and I used 3 coats for this photo.  I had to wait about 8-10 minutes between each coat to apply the next, otherwise the layer under would start to pull or dent with new brush strokes.  I love this polish, but it requires some work when applying if you wish to layer it on its own.

Fergalicious:

Fergalicious is one of the gorgeous neon’s in the Fergie line.  If you have ever tried to truly capture a neon – you know it’s difficult.  In person, this is more pink than red as the photo shows.  I used 3 coats and each coat dried to a matte finish (which is common for true neon polishes).  I topped it off with a glossy top coat.

Hollywood Walk of Fame:

Hollywood Walk of Fame is a starry glitter top coat! Hollywood Walk of Fame is a mixture of red, pink, silver, gold aqua and purple star glitters with small holographic bar glitters and round glitters in a clear base.  I didn’t have any issues getting stars out.  I didn’t get a TON of stars, but I got at least 1 with every dip of the brush.  Pictured is just 1 coat of Hollywood Walk of Fame over Fergalicious.

Overall I really liked all 7 polishes.  You need to be a little patient with dry times on Mermaid Curves and Dutchess, but other than that I had no issues with any of them.  All of the Fergie Wet n Wild polishes come with a wide brush, so be prepared for that.  I find them easier to apply with, but I do know some that find it more difficult.

The Wet n Wild Fergie Collection is a Walgreen’s exclusive!  So head over to your local Walgreen’s to snag some of these beauties.  I know that my Walgreen’s has their Fergie Collection on an end cap, but some people are spotting them as part of a permanent display within the store.

Retail Price:  $3.49 a piece

Where to buy?:  Walgreens

Make sure you check out Wet n Wild on their Facebook page for news and updates as well as swatches.  Don’t forget to check em out on Twitter too!

Have you picked up any of the Wet n Wild Fergie nail polishes?  Which ones?

***Products in this post were provided from review.  All opinions are my own***

Posted in Featured, General, Nail Polish, Wet n Wild

Kelara Lacquer Colors For A Cause – Mother Earth – Swatch and Review

Kelara Lacquer Colors For A Cause – Mother Earth –  Swatch and Review

Good evening!  I have another beautiful polish to show you today from Kelara Lacquers!

I received a set of 5 polishes for Kelara Lacquers Color for a Cause collection, and I was going to post them all at once, BUT I decided that since all 5 polishes go to different causes, I wanted to showcase them one at a time with their cause.

Today I will be showing you Mother Earth!

Mother Earth is a beautiful mix of rich, deep gold toned hex glitters within a clear base.  This is only 1 coat over Ciaté Ladylike Luxe.  This polish is jam PACKED with glitters and I was able to get glitter out of the bottle effortlessly! It is part of the Colors for a Cause collection and represents the environment. For each full sized bottle of Mother Earth purchased Kelara Lacquers will donate $2 to the World Resources Institute. This listing is for one full size 0.5 fl oz bottle of Mother Earth.

About the Charity:

Founded in 1982, the World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people’s lives. WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. WRI’s work is focused around four key programmatic goals, which include: reversing rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services; empowering people and supporting institutions to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable decision-making; protecting the global climate system from further harm; and harnessing markets and enterprise to expand economic opportunity and protect the environment.

Full Size Kelara Lacquers retail for $9.00

$2.00 from each sale of Mother Earth is donated to  World Resources Institute.

You can check out Kelara Lacquers in their Etsy Shop HERE

Make sure you also check Kelara Lacquers out on Facebook for future updates and more swatches

If you missed the first Colors For A Cause swatch – please check it out HERE

***Products in this post were provided for review.  All opinions are my own***

Posted in Featured, General, Kelara Lacquer, Nail Polish