Happy Halloween!

purchased by me

It's a bit unfair of me to post this set of polish strips from Incoco, because this particular pattern is discontinued, but there is a glow-in-the-dark pattern in this year's Halloween collection.  The glow is so strong that it's visible in low light and still glowing on my nails when I get out of bed in the morning!

Indoors with flash:

 

Indoors without flash:

Glowing!

The Hocus Pocus collection and other Incoco polish strips retail for $8.99 each + shipping.

I Love Nail Polish: Black Orchid

purchased by me

Part of the Fall 2014 collection from ILNP, Black Orchid is a deep, vampy burgundy with a gorgeous linear holographic finish.  It's opaque in two effortless coats, and there aren't enough words for how much I love this polish.  Black Orchid is even beautiful when the holo isn't flashing!

Indoors with flash:

Indoors without flash:

If you like your burgundies blackened and with holo, don't wait, get over to the ILNP website and grab Black Orchid before it's gone!

Incoco introduces duochrome nail polish strips!

press release

A metallic violet that turns to a moody green.

A vivid burgundy metallic that transitions to golden copper.

An ornate design that shifts from deep metallic aqua to purple.

 A snakeskin print that morphs from metallic green to purple.

Enter The Zoya Color Laboratory!

press release

Go Mad For Zoya & WIN*!

Are you "MAD" for Zoya?! Now's your chance to bring the color of your dreams to life! Step inside our virtual color labooooooratory (muahahaha) to experiment with color and finishes to "mix" your very own shade. The Zoya color animator offers various pieces and parts (finishes, opacity and hues) to play with - feel free to use the description section to elaborate on your masterpiece. Give your creation a name, submit it, and there's a chance we will bring it to life!

NOW - Thursday, October 31st (10:00am ET) Piece together your creation for a chance to have it custom created just for you! The highest voted shade will win, so don’t forget to share your creation with your friends and family after it's been submitted!

http://www.zoya.com/content/category/Halloween_Color_Lab_2014

How It Works:

1. Go CRAZY! (You know we are) Create a custom shade using the Zoya Polish Animator
2. Name your creation and describe any additional elements you would add to the polish.
3. Submit (and don't forget to share!) your custom shade for a chance to bring it to life! Have more than one color you’re mad about? Create as many as you'd like!
4. One winner will be selected on October 31, 2014 at 9am EST

*Terms and Conditions
Purchase not necessary to enter. Valid Art of Beauty account required in order to participate. Enter NOW through 10/31/14 (9:00am ET). One winner will be selected and contacted by 5pm ET 10/31/14. Please allow up to two weeks for production of custom shades. Winning shades will be created based on Zoya's Creative Director's interpretation of the description and cannot be returned, exchanged or duplicated at a later date.

###

My color is Aqua Aether, and it's meant to represent the mysterious liquid you see in steampunk guns and devices!  It's a blue-green jelly and I'd love it if you voted for it!  Click here for all the submissions so far!

Zoya Winter/Holiday 2014: Wishes

press samples

For the Winter/Holiday season this year, Zoya brings us six gorgeous polishes--two shimmers, one crème, and three Ultra Pixie Dust textured polishes.  Swatches and reviews after the jump!

And the winner is...

Nine entrants, none of whom got the date of the 1,000th post, so everyone got one entry.

1. rosarita
2. Le Manda Fancy Pants
3. Brianna Shelton
4. Jessi Buehler
5. jenjenrebecca
6. GirlyGirl
7. Juris Girlie
8. Ruth
9. Kitrona

Off to Random.org to get a number...

And congratulations to Le Manda Fancy Pants!  Get me your mailing address within 48 hours, please, and I'll get your goodies to you on Monday.

LeChat Pop of Vogue collection

purchased by me

Post Number One Thousand!  Woo!  The giveaway ends today, so you have until midnight EDT to enter. :)

I think we all deserve some fireworks, provided by LeChat.   Five of the six polishes in the Pop of Vogue collection are glitters in a clear base.  All six are shown in one coat over a base color.

Black Tie Affair is black, white and silver holographic glitter.

Golden Bliss is various shapes and sizes of gold glitter.

Neontopia is neon green, blue, orange and yellow glitter in different sizes.

Titanium is various shapes and sizes of silver glitter.

Violet Vixen is multiple sizes of purple and silver holographic glitter.

The odd duck in this collection is Style Envy, a green jelly base filled with blue and green glitter.

You can find the Pop of Vogue mini set at TransDesign or buy the full-size individual polishes at Head2Toe Beauty.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Stickers in Hallowscene

purchased by me

Oh, Sally, I r disappoint. :-(  I was so excited when I saw the adorable pattern that I grabbed these up and paid full price.  Then when I put them on, I discovered they are not the Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips, but stickers.  YUK!  I have a hate-hate relationship with stickers.  They are too thick, they either peel too easily and come off my hands at unexpected moments or stick too hard and take bits of my nail with them when I remove them, and no matter what I do, I can't get them to lie smoothly.

Why couldn't these have been polish strips?  *sob*  They're glow in the dark, too!

If you can make stickers work for you, Hallowscene is a limited edition pattern available at drugstores nationwide.  I got mine at Walgreens.

October Ipsy bag

purchased by me

My October bag, unlike my September bag, had two products that I will use, and sadly, three that just don't do it for me.

I've already reviewed On A Gilt Trip, and my only quibble with this full-size nail polish is that other folks got full sized Cirque Color polishes (a significant price difference).

The sample-size Ayres Patagonia Body Butter is very nice, moisturizing without being greasy and completely scent-free, which makes it a great option for work.

The epicé facial exfoliant is gentle, but the scent is all high-pitched florals and comes across as hairspray to my nose.

The ModelCo mascara is a complete wash, and I was blessed by genetics with long, full, dark lashes, so this went to a co-worker.

The noyah all-natural lipstick sample in Deeply in Mauve was a pretty color and a decent texture, but it smelled like a 1980s drugstore lipstick.  Ugh!  I could not get it off my face fast enough!

The bag itself seems as very cheap and disposable to me.

I'm giving it until the end of the year and if the bags don't improve, I'm canceling my subscription,

Zoya Holiday/Winter 14: Wishes

press release

Wishes really do come true with this magical new nail polish collection for Winter/Holiday 2014! Zoya Wishes** is a densely pigmented assortment featuring both traditional and Magical PixieDust formulas in coordinating color combinations that can be worn alone or combined into  stunning combinations, no matter how you wear them, this collection delivers a fanciful way to celebrate the season!

·ZP766 - NORI: Sapphire blue Magical PixieDust* with holographic hex glitter, perfect for any holiday festivity.

·ZP767 - THEA: Deep amethyst Magical PixieDust* with an orchid flash, packed full of party-ready holographic hex glitter.

·ZP768 - IMOGEN: Black crystal Magical PixieDust* with holographic hex glitter, just add an LBD and you’re off!

·ZP769 - PRIM: Velvet blue metallic, with a full coverage, high-density pigment and buttery smooth application.

·ZP770 - HAVEN: True holiday plum liquid metal with a thin vein of orchid for added brilliance.

· ZP771 - WILLA: Full-coverage, onyx black cream.

* Zoya Magical PixieDust is textured, matte and sparkling. No base coat and top coat required.

PRE-ORDER STARTS 10/20/14!

SHIPPING DATE 11/01/14.
$10 (US)  - PixieDust Colors

ZOYA IS THE HEALTHY COLOR OF FASHION!

$9 (US) Standard Colors

Available in top salons, spas and on zoya.com 

Free Matte Velvet top coat from Zoya!

press release

Now through Wednesday, get a free Matte Velvet top coat from Zoya!  Reader Meaghan Bihun posted a comment about this on my post about the rest of the collection (spoiler: Meaghan loves it!)

Try The Matte Trend FREE!

Love matte nail polish? Now you can give any of your favorite Zoya Nail Polish shades a matte-makeover! The Zoya Matte Top Coat  is just what you've been waiting for - the flawless, quick-drying, MatteVelvet formula adds a fresh, updated look to any of your favorite shades for the fall season. Experiment with a variety of colors and finishes for endless color possibilities! Get your own matte top coat FREE* with any nail polish purchase.

How? Read below for details.

NOW - 10/22/14 (11:59pm ET) Get a FREE Matte Top Coat
with any nail polish purchase (excludes nail polish treatments).

Use Code: TOPM

How it Works:

1. Add at least one nail polish shade & any additional items you wish to purchase to cart.

2. Enter code TOPM into the coupon code field and press "Apply Code". Matte Top Coat will automatically be applied to your order.

3. Complete check out, review and submit order.
Please note: Base polish must be completely dry prior to applying matte top coat to avoid any gaps or separation of polish.

*Terms and Conditions
Available while supplies last. Valid online only at www.zoya.com through 10/22/14, 11:59pm EST. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons, codes or promotions. Shipping & Handling fees apply. Continental US only. Excludes Zoya Nail Treatments and Color Spoons. Art of Beauty is not responsible for incorrect addresses, credit card entry errors, web related issues or any errors associated with declined credit cards. Returns or exchanges of promotional items not permitted. Code must be entered at time of purchase. One code per account - code cannot be reinstated for canceled orders. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing if volume warrants it.

Nicole by OPI On A Gilt Trip and the final giveaway prize reveal!

purchased by me

My October Ipsy bag arrived on Tuesday, and while it was good enough that I'll at least keep the subscription through November, there was one item that really caught my eye.

On A Gilt Trip is a soft yellow gold, and while it looks like a foil in the bottle, it dries to a satin matte finish.  The formula is superb--smooth, well-behaved, opaque in two coats and quick-drying.  It's a lovely choice for subdued holiday bling.

Once I'd tried it, I loved On A Gilt Trip for itself, but when I saw it for the first time, all I could think of was how it would be the perfect backdrop for the other purchase I was excited about.

A little background here--I have MS.  It's in remission and under control, but if I don't hold things tightly, my fingers spasm and send stuff flying.  Forks, polish brushes, dotting tools, pens, you name it.  So nail art is never going to be my best skill, but I love it.  This week, I found a product that gives me a PERFECT leopard mani every time.

This is Spot Sign by KB Shimmer, and Christy has made at least one dream come true for me.  Spot Sign has black micro-glitter, black hexes, holographic sparkle and leopard spot-shaped black glitter in a clear base.  It absolutely requires fishing and dabbing because of the spot shapes, but look at the result and tell me it isn't worth it!  It also dries a bit 3-dimensional, but two coats of Seche Vite fixed that.

If you want your own bottle of spots, you can get one at KB Shimmer for $8.75, or enter my giveaway and win one!

LeChat's Mermaid Treasures collection

purchased by me

LeChat's Mermaid Treasures collection is six shimmer polishes with glitter.  The formula is reminiscent of the Deborah Lippmann mermaid polishes, but the colors are more vivid.

Heart of Gold is a bronzy shimmer with iridescent glitter.  Two effortless coats and I was done.

(Majestic Wonders and Pearl Rose need to be re-swatched thanks to a computer hiccup)

Precious Coral is a pinkish-copper shimmer with iridescent glitter.  It was opaque in two easy coats.

Royal Crystal is a lilac shimmer with iridescent glitter.  This wasn't quite opaque in two coats, but there's so much shimmer you can't tell!

Sea Trinket is a medium coral with iridescent glitter, also opaque in two smooth coats.

You can find the Mermaid Treasures mini set at TransDesign or buy the full-size individual polishes at Head2Toe Beauty.

LeChat Rustic Retreat collection

purchased by me

New from LeChat right now is the Rustic Retreat collection, six gorgeous fall crèmes, five of which are one-coat-wonders!

All swatches except for Tranquility are one coat, and the slightly thin spots were not visible at conversational distance.  The formula across the board was smooth and very easy to work with.

Down to Earth is a dark sage green.

Hazelwood is a cool-toned brown.

Maroonscape is a rich burgundy.

Tranquility is a grey-toned light green, and needed two coats.

Wild Berry is a vivid but somehow also dusty orchid.

You can find the Rustic Retreat mini set at TransDesign, buy the full-size individual polishes at Head2Toe Beauty, or enter my giveaway to win a mini set!

Third giveaway prize revealed!

purchased by me

A plethora of goodies from Bath & Body Works!

Travel size body lotion and shower gel in Wild Madagascar Vanilla and White Citrus.

Pocket Bacs in  Vanilla Bean Noel, Winter Candy Apple, Twisted Peppermint, Snow Kissed Berry and Sugar Plum Dreams plus travel size body lotions in Vanilla Bean Noel, Winter Candy Apple, and Twisted Peppermint!

If you want to win this and other prizes, enter here.

Zoya Matte Velvets and second prize reveal

press sample

They're ba-ack and I have swatches, plus a look at another giveaway prize after the jump!

First Giveaway prize

purchased by me

Ya'll can thank G at Nouveau Cheap for this prize.  It was her post on how to get this beauty for a great price that made me buy it.  Then I had some buyer's remorse because I have about a zillion palettes that I rarely wear, so it became the first prize!  What is it?  Take a look after the jump!

GIVEAWAY! (Now closed)

purchased by me

Right now, this blog has 988 posts and 97,996 views.  At either 1.000 posts or 100,000 views, I will pick a winner for a large stash of cosmetics, bath and body products, and of course, nail polish.  Entry is simple: leave one comment if you follow me telling me how and with what name (G+, Bloglovin') for one entry, and leave your guess as to when I will hit one of those milestones and if you're right you get an extra entry.  

The giveaway is only open to U.S. residents due to shipping restrictions.

Prizes will be revealed as I review products in the coming month.

The giveaway is now closed.

Jessie's Girl Satin Finish collection: Brunello and Cauldron

purchased by me

I love satin matte finish polishes, so when I saw a display of them at my local Rite Aid, I couldn't resist grabbing two.  Unfortunately, although the colors are beautiful and so is the finish, both polishes had to be thinned to be usable and both chipped within hours, with or without top coat.

Brunello is a blackened burgundy with just a hint of shimmer.  Thinned, it was opaque in two coats and the formula was okay but not great.

Indoors with flash:

Indoors without flash:

Cauldron is a deep reddish brown with red micro-glitter.  Again, opaque in two coats and a workable but not stellar formula.

Indoors with flash:

Indoors without flash:

You can buy the Satin Finish polishes at the Jessie's Girl website for $3.99 each, or look for them at Rite Aid.