summer 2015

Essie Neon 2015 Collection Review

Essie Neon 2015 Collection Review 0

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"Introducing Essie Neon 2015 Collection: Music festivals are the perfect place to showcase your edgiest looks.  And what goes better with wristbands than shades- of polish, of course? So, get ready to make your stylish mark and stand out in the crowd with street style-ready, eye catching essie neons. 

Essie's six new shades of neon boost your fashion quotient with amped color that hits the perfect note of self- assured chic.  Rave- worthy pink and turned-up electric blue create major impact, while ridiculously haute neon lime and it-girl magenta command attention in the stands.  So, polish up and let the festival season begin" according to the press release.  

The Essie Neon 2015 Collection includes the following shades-

Make Some Noise: a deep aqua marine blue creme.  Provided great coverage in even one coat. [raucous electric blue]

Vibrant Vibes: a bright lime green creme.  Also had excellent coverage in a single coat, which is supremely rare for polishes this color.  [vivid neon lime]

Groove is in the Heart: a peony pink creme.  [peachy pink neon]

All Access Pass: a majestic grape purple creme.  [boho violet indigo]

Coacha'bella: a vibrant fuchsia creme.  [it-girl molten magenta]

Melody Maker: a bold green leaning teal creme.  [deep lyrical teal]

(all swatches shown here are two coats, and are taken outdoors in natural light.)

I have noticed some fellow nail bloggers have gotten into a rather tizzy over this collection for they claim its not truly Neon.  Yes, I agree it's not a conventional neon collection, however, I think the term "neon" is simply a matter of semantics.  In my humble opinion, I view this collection as being bold, bright, definitely festival inspired and ready, and perfect for the summer.  Regardless of whether its neon or not doesn't necessarily matter, the colors are still great and had an excellent formula.

Typically with neon colors you need to apply a white base before hand in order to make the colors really pop.  This collection doesn't require that at all, saving you tons of time and product. 

I found the formula painted on smoothly and evenly, and that almost all of the shades were very heavily pigmented and saturated with color- which I Love. 

My personal favorites include: Vibrant Vibes, Coacha'bella, and Make Some Noise. 

The Essie Neon 2015 Collection retails for $8.50 per 0.46 fl oz (13.5 ml) bottle, and will be available beginning this month.

For more info on Essie, or to purchase, check them out online: http://www.essie.com/ 

Make Some Noise
Vibrant Vibes
Vibrant Vibes

Groove is in the Heart
Groove is in the Heart
All Access Pass
All Access Pass

All Access Pass
Coacha'bella
Coacha'bella
Coacha'bella

Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker


Make Some Noise

Essie Summer 2015 Collection review

Essie Summer 2015 Collection review 0

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"Introducing essie summer 2015 collection: Unleash your inner beach goddess with essie's stunning summer 2015 collection. Inspired by the season's molten days that stretch into fun-filled nights, essie's fresh new palette presents six shades that put a new spin on summer color.

Tuned up and plugged in, these vibrant shades fuse striking punch-brights with a razor-sharp edge and a touch of cool that's distinctively essie.  Each shade's unique sensibility and subtle wit make it easy to experiment with color, mix it up and play.  So head to the water's edge to soak up the sun and the scene with sizzling new colors!" according to the press release.  

The Essie Summer 2015 Collection includes:

Private Weekend: a pina colada white creme with a fine subtle shimmer running through it.  [sparkling crisp white]

Chillato: a mellow chartreuse creme.  Leans more on the yellow side then green.  [frozen cream pistachio]

Peach Side Babe: a vibrant peach creme with warm coral undertones.  [sun-ripe preach] 

Sunset Sneaks: a neon fire red with bold bright pink undertones.  Was richly pigmented.  I had complete coverage in one coat.  [bright energetic crimson]

Saltwater Happy: a periwinkle blue creme.  Also well pigmented.  I had complete coverage in a single coat. [sugar-sweet Atlantic blue]

Pret-a-Surfer: a cornflower blue creme.  Was also highly pigmented.  Full coverage in 1 coat.  A 1 coat wonder!! [immersive marine blue]

(all swatches shown here are 2 coats, and are taken outdoors in natural sunlight.)

 I am really impressed and super happy with this latest collection from Essie.  I think they definitely nailed it on the head with the color palette this season.  In my opinion, it's not necessarily that the colors are all super unique, however they all go together beautifully, and are shades I most definitely see clients requesting time and time again.  

I found the formulas on all of the shades to be quite great and very easy to work with.  I want to point out a few of the shades there were complete Superstars in my opinion, that literally painted on as smooth as butter: Pret-a-surfer, Saltwater Happy, & Sunset Sneaks.  

I highly recommend you pick up this collection once it hits stores.

My personal favorites include: Chillato, Sunset Sneaks, and Pret-a-Surfer. 

Essie Summer 2015 Collection retails for $8.50 per 0.46 fl oz (13.5 ml) bottle, and will be starting in June 2015.

For more information on Essie, or to purchase, check them out online: http://www.essie.com/

Private Weekend
Private Weekend
Private Weekend
Chillato

Chillato
Chillato
Peach Side Babe
Peach Side Babe

Peach Side Babe
Sunset Sneaks
Sunset Sneaks
Saltwater Happy

Saltwater Happy
Pret-a-Surfer
Pret-a-Surfer
Pret-a-Surfer



Hello Pretty! Summer 2015 Collection from Gelish & Morgan Taylor Review

Hello Pretty! Summer 2015 Collection from Gelish & Morgan Taylor Review 0

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"Hello Pretty! Summer 2015.  Charming colors that make you stop and stare. Looking to redifine summer style with bright neons packed with a vivacious attitude? No need to fret, Gelish and Morgan Taylor are here to answer the call with their Hello Pretty! Summer 2015 Collection.  With six radiant colors from bright bubblegum pink to candy-coated pastel green, any pick will add an extra layer of pop.

"When we were developing this collection, we wanted to have colors that were powerful and playful," said CEO, Danny Haile.  "We immediately thought of Japanese fashion.  From nail art to street style, every detail is bursting with color and personality.  This collection is packed with vivid colors full of character and distinction and is a must-have for a statement style this season" according to the press release.

The Hello Pretty! Summer 2015 Collection for both Nail Lacquer Morgan Taylor and Gel Polish Gelish include the following shades:

Look at You, Pink-achu!: a bright bubble gum pink creme. (bubblegum pink neon creme)

Tokyo a Go Go: a bold medium purple with slight pink undertones. (light purple neon creme)

Pop-arrazi Pose: a neon watermelon pink creme. (hot pink neon creme)

Do You Harajuku?: a light mint green creme with a subtle shimmer going through it. (mint green creme)

Anime-zing Color!: a bold deep majestic purple creme. (dark purple neon creme)

Manga-round with Me: a hot coral pink creme. (coral neon creme)

(all swatches are two coat, and are taken outdoors in natural sunlight.)

 I think this is a great collection overall, very pretty and playful.  I really like the fact that the colors pop on their own, without the need of a white base coat, like some other neon shades.  Because they are neon, I highly recommend using a top coat to finish off your look, specifically with the Morgan Taylor nail lacquers.  If you don't use a top coat with these neons, the color can fall somewhat flat.    

I didn't experience any issues in application.  All of the polishes and gel polishes applied smoothly and evenly, in two coats.  

My personal favorites include: Anime-zing Color!, Manga-round with me, and Do you Harajuku?

The Hello Pretty! Collection from Gelish and Morgan Taylor will be available starting May 2015 at select distributors.  

For more information on either brand, check out their respective sites: http://gelish.com/ and http://www.morgantaylorlacquer.com/

 






Manga-round with Me
Manga-round with Me
Manga-round with Me

Anime-zing Color!
Anime-zing Color!
Anime-zing Color!
Do You Harajuku?

Do You Harajuku?
Do You Harajuku?
Pop-arrazi Pose
Pop-arrazi Pose

Pop-arrazi Pose
Tokyo a Go Go
Tokyo a Go Go
Tokyo a Go Go

Look at You, Pink-achu!
Look at You, Pink-achu!
Look at You, Pink-achu!

Deborah Lippmann Summer 2015 Collection: Painted Desert Review

Deborah Lippmann Summer 2015 Collection: Painted Desert Review 0

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"Deborah Lippmann Summer 2015 Collection: Painted Desert. Wild. Blazing. Boundless. (Limited Edition) 

This summer, travel with deborah lippmann on an exotic journey deep into the Sahara where the sun blazes, the sky glows and the sand swelters.  This collection of four full coverage nail lacquers is your ticket to explore the vast, arid terrain.  Each shade reflects the desert's remarkable beauty and rich, earthy landscape.

Get lost in a desert paradise with these new full coverage neutral shades: Shifting Sands, a light khaki previewed at Eva Fehren, Terra Nova, a warm camel previewed at Narciso Rodriguez, Desert Moon, a pebble gray and Love In the Dunes, a purple mauve" according to the press release. 

The Painted Desert Summer 2015 Collection includes:

Shifting Sands: a creamy beige nude. Shifting Sands song by Caedmon's Call. [light khaki creme]

Love in the Dunes: a dusty medium purple mauve creme with gray undertones. a 1 Coat Wonder!! Smooth, easy, perfect application in a single coat!! Love in the Dunes song by Elliot Goldenthal. [purple mauve creme]

Terra Nova: a dusty cappuccino brown creme with slight mustard undertones. Terra Nova song by James Taylor & Carly Simon. [warm camel creme]

Desert Moon: a deep medium gray creme, with sage green undertones. Also a 1 Coat Wonder!! Desert Moon song by Dennis DeYoung. [pebble gray creme]

(all swatches shown here are two coats, taken outdoors in natural light.)

 I am so beyond obsessed and in love with this collection.  It is such a pleasant departure from typical bright neon color palettes you see for summer collections.  This color palette to me represents what Deborah does best- understated elegance.  The formulas were a dream come true to work with, going on very smoothly and evenly, with some of the shades were even One Coat Wonders!! Apparently this collection is Limited Edition, so I highly recommend you pick it up before its too late.

The Painted Desert collection will be available in May, retailing for $18 each online at http://www.deborahlippmann.com/, and at Barneys, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Sephora stores nationwide.

For more info on Deborah Lippmann, check her out online: http://www.deborahlippmann.com/

Shifting Sands
Shifting Sands
Shifting Sands
Love in the Dunes

Love in the Dunes
Love in the Dunes
Terra Nova
Terra Nova

Terra Nova
Desert Moon
Desert Moon
Desert Moon

Desert Moon


OPI 2015 Brights Collection Review

OPI 2015 Brights Collection Review 0

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"Light up your nail look with the new Brights Collection by OPI.  An electrifying palette of all new, on-trend Brights.

These bold hues are the perfect way to make an impact.  To create an even more dramatic pop of color, layer brights over a solid white base.  Available in NEW shimmering metallic pink Can't Hear Myself Pink, hot pink glitter On Pinks and Needles, iridescent metallic blue I sea You Wear OPI, scorching hot red I STOP for Red, delectable purple The Berry Thought Of You, deep navy blue My Car has Navy-gation," according to the press release. 

The Brights Collection includes-

On Pinks and Needles: a multi-sized neon pink matte glitter in a clear base.  Was surprisingly very easy to remove, which is always a major plus with glitters.

I STOP for Red: a hot neon red jelly creme.  I usually am not a fan of reds, but this shade is remarkable.  From the color, to the formula, I highly recommend this shade to everyone!

I Sea You Wear OPI: a medium blue shimmer.

Can't Hear Myself Pink: a candy pink shimmer.  Has excellent coverage, even with just one coat.

The Berry Thought of You: a magenta creme with slight purple undertones.

My Car has Navy-gation: a navy blue jelly creme.  I really love this shade.  Very cool formula.

(all swatches shown here are two coats, and are taken outdoors in natural sunlight).

I am a big big fan of this collection.  I like that OPI didn't take the typical summer route and just introduce a bunch of neons, instead opting for something slightly different.  The colors are each bold and definitely pack a punch.  The formulas were excellent, with some new jelly-creme finishes being introduced to the line.  My personal favorites include: I STOP for Red, My Car has Navy-gation, & The Berry Thought of You.

Discover the collection starting from May 2015 at ULTA, ULTA.com, and select professional salons, and retail for $9.50 each.

For more information on OPI, check them out online: http://www.opi.com/

 

My Car Has Navy-gation
My Car Has Navy-gation

My Car Has Navy-gation
My Car Has Navy-gation
My Car Has Navy-gation
The Berry Thought Of You

The Berry Thought Of You
The Berry Thought Of You
Can't Hear Myself Pink!
Can't Hear Myself Pink!

Can't Hear Myself Pink!
I Sea You Wear OPI
I Sea You Wear OPI
I Sea You Wear OPI

I STOP for Red
I STOP for Red
I STOP for Red
On Pinks & Needles

On Pinks & Needles
On Pinks & Needles

CND Summer 2015 Garden Muse Collection Review

CND Summer 2015 Garden Muse Collection Review 0

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shade

"Summer 2015 embodies a bold, bright garden filled with memories future-past.  Beauty awakes to fragrant notes of nostalgia with the new Garden Muse collection from CND.

This season's trends are all about sculpted, dramatic silhouettes and intense floral hues that invite abandoned reverie, says CND co-founder and style director Jan Arnold.  Nails are seductive and sleek, adorned with a harmony of vintage floral design elements and spellbinding patterns for an alluring effect," according to the press release.

The Summer 2015 Garden Muse Collection is comprised of 6 bright shades, and comes in both Shellac & Vinylux polish.  This collection does not include any Additives.

First up, the Vinylux Polishes.

Beckoning Begonia: a peony pink with purple undertones and a subtle shimmer.

Butterfly Queen: a bright glittering magenta.  I love this color, and it is pretty rare for CND to come out with a glitter, so I highly recommend this shade.

Lost Labyrinth: a metallic teal.

Wisteria Haze: a vivid violet creme.

Reflecting Pool: a bright medium blue creme.  Highly pigmented.  A one coat wonder.

Crushed Rose: a carnation pink creme.  Also highly pigmented.  A one coat wonder.

(all swatches are 2 coats, and are taken outdoors to depict most accurate color.)

Next up, the Shellac Collection.

Hot Pop Pink: a neon magenta pink creme.

Lost Labyrinth: a metallic aqua teal.

**Water Park: a metallic medium blue.  Please note this is a pre-existing so if you already own it, no need to get another bottle, unless of course you are out of it. 

Wisteria Haze: a light lavender creme.

Beckoning Begonia: a rosy pink with shimmer.

Butterfly Queen: a bright magenta glitter.  It is rare for CND to come out with a glitter shade, so I highly recommend you pick up this color.

(all swatches are 2 coats, and photos are taken outdoors in natural sunlight).

 All in all, I am a fan of the Summer Garden Muse collection.  I think it is a very pretty yet unique color palette, that is also perfectly fitting for the season.  I like and appreciate that CND switches things up and keeps it fresh with different finishes.  In this collection there is glitter, creme, metallic, and shimmer.  As far as the quality is concerned, excellent.  I didn't have any issues with any of the colors in either the Shellac or Vinylux.  They were all well pigmented, and applied smoothly, evenly, and easily.  

My personal favorite shades include: Butterfly Queen, Wisteria Haze, & Lost Labyrinth.

The Summer Garden Muse Collection is out and available now.  

For more information on CND, check them out online: http://www.cnd.com/ 


Shellac
Shellac
Shellac

Shellac
Shellac
Shellac
Shellac

Shellac
Shellac
Shellac
Shellac

Shellac
Shellac
Crushed Rose
Crushed Rose

Reflecting Pool
Reflecting Pool
Wisteria Haze
Wisteria Haze

Lost Labyrinth
Lost Labyrinth
Butterfly Queen
Butterfly Queen

Beckoning Begonia
Beckoning Begonia