Author Archives: Mary S.

Quick Look: OPI Brazil Collection for Spring/Summer 2014

34 Replies

OPI Brazil CollectionNot long ago, I shared the OPI Brazil Collection press release and promo pictures on here.

Well, if you followed me on Instagram, on Monday night, you saw that I posted a few photos and video clips unveiling the actual bottles!

Today, I am so excited to share with you a Quick Look post on the OPI Brazil Collection for Spring/Summer 2014, which will hit stores in February!

This collection had me drooling from the press release, but now that I’ve seen them in person, I’m drooling even more. (Excuse me as I carefully wipe my keyboard dry.)

There are bright shades (like yellow, peach, and orange) that totally remind me of the warm weather. Boy am I ever sick of winter! (Haha, I know…what kind of Canadian am I? Cold weather and I don’t get along at all.)

Then there are some neutrals to create a nice contrast to the bright shades. And, of course, I’m very excited about the green because, well, I’m a green fiend. But, it’s also neat how that one’s in the collection since it really stands out, doesn’t it?

If you look closely at the oranges and then at the neutrals, you can see how it’d be possible to do an easy ombre effect. Very cool!

Continue reading →

Share

Blog News: My Nail Art Featured in Prom Canada’s Print Magazine (Spring/Summer 2014 Issue)

14 Replies

Prom Canada Magazine Spring Summer 2014 SwatchAndLearn2014 is getting off to a great start, and I have some exciting news to share!

Remember a few months ago, I was invited to participate in a prom nail-art competition?

In August 2013, Langton Communications reached out to me. (They’re an incredible PR firm with talented and hard-working women who I respect and admire. I’m fortunate to have been able to collaborate with them for a few years!)

They asked me and a few other lovely Canadian bloggers if we’d be interested in creating a prom-inspired manicure for Prom Canada using 3 Nicole by OPI shades. (We got to choose from a list containing a few colours.)

For my design, I chose to use Nicole by OPI Candy Is Dandy, Please Red-Cycle, and Dream Maker.

Then, I played around by stamping some hearts on my index and baby fingers and freehanded a prom-couple’s outfit – dress with a necklace and a tuxedo plus bow tie. I showed you the finished manicure (complete with the step-by-step tutorial) in this post.

The contest was held on Prom Canada’s Facebook page in September, and for each “Like” a contestant’s nail-art photo got, it was counted as a vote. (A huge thank you to everyone who voted or even looked at my manicure!)

In addition to challenging myself to think outside the box for this creative opportunity, I was absolutely ecstatic to learn that, even though I was a runner-up, Prom Canada wanted to publish my manicure in the premier issue (Spring/Summer 2014) of their print magazine! (They also shared my manicure on PromCanada.com, which I showed you in this post.)

I haven’t seen the Prom Canada Spring/Summer issue on the newsstand near me yet, but it should be available soon and will be out until July 2014, according to the cover. I need to go buy 2 issues! Of course I want a copy, but I also want to give my mom one.

PR was kind enough to provide me with scanned photos of the magazine feature, so I can share the article with you!

Continue reading →

Share

Quick Look: China Glaze Crinkled Chrome Collection

22 Replies

China Glaze Crinkled Chrome CollectionThere seem to be very polarized opinions regarding the China Glaze Crinkled Chrome Collection that features a new spin on the textured finish.

(For a refresher, click here to see the China Glaze Crinkled Chrome Collection press release.)

As you may know, I’m a big fan of textured nail polish, so I was extremely curious to see how these would look.

Yesterday, when I got home from work, I was excited to find a box waiting for me from China Glaze. They were extremely generous and sent me the entire collection to try!

Even if they didn’t send me any, I was going to buy at least one because the texture sounded so intriguing. But, now that I have all 6, I can review the different colours.

In this Quick Look post, I’ll show you a few bottle shots and fast swatches on a nail wheel. Stay tuned for my in-depth review on these nail polishes!

Is there one in particular that you’d like to see me review in-depth first?

(By the time you read this, haha, I’ll probably have one on my nails already, but please let me know which you’d like to see showcased on the blog first, and I’ll do my best to show you.)

Also, if you have any questions about this crinkled-chrome texture that you’d like me to address in the future review, please tell me, so I can hit all the points that interest you.

Continue reading →

Share

OPI Brazil Collection Press Release & Promo Pictures

26 Replies

OPI Brazil Collection 2014There may still be snow on the ground, and yeah, there was a nasty ice storm not long ago, but guess what? We’re going to focus instead on spring and summer. How does that sound?

PR sent me the OPI Brazil Collection Press Release & Promo Pictures. I’m so excited to share them with you!

The OPI Brazil Collection is set to be officially released in stores on February 5, so circle your calendars!

What I like about this collection is that there’s a huge variety of colours available, so I think there’s something to appeal to everyone.

Which 3 are on my drool-worthy list? The green (haha, what else is new?), bright yellow, and the orange!

Also, the OPI Brazil Collection has a mini set out. (Don’t you just love a cute mini set? Those little bottles always make me say, “Awwww!”)

In that OPI Beach Sandies Liquid Sand Mini Pack, you’ll find 4 shades, all of which are neon with a textured finish. (This set will also be out officially on February 5.)

So, out of all these goodies, which one is calling your name?

Continue reading →

Share

Nail Art: Neon Rainbow Dotticure…on a MAN!

49 Replies

Neon Rainbow Dotticure on a MAN Nail Art smallerSince I was pressed for time, I decided that for today’s post, I would share with you something fun.

Just thought the other day that it’s been a while since I’ve posted a manicure on a man.

Since I was wearing my Neon Rainbow Dotticure, I decided to paint my male friend’s nails in a matching design. (Look, we’re twinsies! Haha!) 😉

So here is the Neon Rainbow Dotticure…on a MAN! Enjoy!

Continue reading →

Share

OPI 4 in the Morning Swatches & Review

16 Replies

OPI 4 in the Morning Swatches & ReviewOPI 4 in the Morning from the Gwen Stefani Collection is a sharp contrast from yesterday’s post, isn’t it?

The neon rainbow dotticure was all gumdrops and unicorns floating on a candy-floss cloud. But today’s manicure is like an anatomically correct rubber superhero’s suit!

When I saw OPI 4 in the Morning in the bottle, I didn’t know it would take me for a spin around the block with the convertible top rolled down!

Oh yeah, I am in love with this! It’s edgy, of course, because it’s dark and foreboding. But the satin finish gives it an editorial feel.

In fact, I loved wearing this polish so much that while I wore it for several days straight!

P.S. You’ll see that on my thumb and ring finger, there’s a tiny ‘bump’. Apparently I got some mystery lint on my nail, but I only noticed after I finished painting my nails. It didn’t bother me because it was barely noticeable. It’s only on the blog when nails are blown up larger than life! Can’t let a little imperfection bring a whole manicure down, right? 😉

Continue reading →

Share

Nail Art: Neon Rainbow Dotticure

28 Replies

Neon Rainbow Nails Nail ArtIf you saw my Instagram photo yesterday, you saw the Neon Rainbow Dotticure I did recently.

The weather has been gloomy, so I wanted to deck my nails out with neons. And since I haven’t done some fun nail art in a while, I decided to bust out my handy dotting tool as well.

(Is it just me, or is creating dots as addictive as popping bubble wrap?)

I’m still wearing this manicure today, and I love it so much. It has just the cheerful personality I wanted. (And, really, how could bringing a rainbow everywhere you go not cheer you up, right?)

I urge you to try this look out. It’s extremely quick and easy to do, plus it’s perfect for when you can’t decide on wearing a single colour. (Sometimes being indecisive is a good thing. Haha!)

Continue reading →

Share