Mentality-- The Inspired Shimmers and The Gold Flake Top Coats

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!  I have some more Mentality polishes for your viewing pleasure today.  Mentality is an "indie-brand" of polishes created by a husband-and-wife team.  Up first will be the Inspired Shimmers, then I'll show you some of the shimmers topped with the 24k Gold Flake Top Coat and the 12k White Gold Flake Top Coat..  On to the pictures...

THE INSPIRED SHIMMERS:

A collection of five richly colored shimmering polishes. Each color represents an awareness ribbon and profits will be donated to support various organizations.

Vigilance:

Vigilance is a deep aqua that dries to a pretty satiny finish.  Profits from Vigilance will be donated to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  Awareness.  This is such a pretty "ocean" blue.  I used two coats in the above two pics.  Be careful with this one.. it IS a stainer.. use a generous coat of base coat to help prevent staining.

Respect:

Respect is stunning!!  It's my favorite of the Inspired Shimmers!!  In real life, the purple is much more "red-toned".  I just couldn't capture it's true color.  There is hidden pink shimmer in Respect which I absolutely love!!  Profits from Respect will be donated to support domestic violence awareness.

Triumph:

Triumph is my second favorite of the shimmers!!  Holy Pink, it's beautiful!! The finish with Triumph is a bit more shinier than the others.. I'm loving this red-toned hot pink!!  I have two coats of Triumph in the above photos.  Profits from Triumph will be donated to support breast cancer awareness.

Patience:

Patience is a coppery orange shimmer.  This color doesn't do much for my skintone, but that's just my personal preference.  I'm sure Patience looks amazing on others'.  Again, I used two coats.  Profits from Patience will be donated to support ADHD awareness.

Innocence:

Innocence is a gorgeous blue that's a bit darker than Vigilance.  I REALLY like this color on me!!  The finish is almost matte and it's amazing!  Again, blue shimmers often stain and that holds true for Innocence also.  Just be careful with application and wear base coat.  Profits from Innocence will be donated to support Child Abuse Awareness.

**The you have The Inspired Shimmer Collection.  Five beautifully crafted polishes that are available HERE on bigcartel and HERE on Etsy.  They are $8 each (including shipping).

Next up is Mentality's 24k Gold Flake Top Coat...

24k Gold Flake Top Coat over Vigilance and Patience:

I really like the larger gold flakes with Mentality's 24k Gold Flake Top Coat.  I gently rolled my bottle while holding it upside-down.  I did this after each finger, but it was so easy to "grab" a gold flake that way.  I used the "dab and drag" method to place the flakes where I wanted them to lay.

**You can purchase the 24k Gold Flake Top Coat HERE on bigcartel or HERE on Etsy.  Each bottle is $15 (including shipping)

Mentality's 12k White Gold Flake Top Coat..

12k Gold Flake Top Coat over Respect and Triumph:

The 12k White Gold Top Coat is so gorgeous!! (especially over Respect!!)  I knew I'd like this more than the 24k because I like silver more than gold.  Be gentle with the formula, just like the 24k and you won't have a problem.  Just take your time with each nail and you'll get the desired amount. (I love the huge piece on my index finger over Respect!!)

**Purchase Mentality's 12k Gold Flake Top Coat HERE on Bigcartel and HERE on Etsy.  Each bottle is $12 (including shipping)  That's an AWESOME deal for this gorgeous white gold topper!!

**Be sure to like Mentality's facebook page and follow them on Instagram @mentalitynailpolish.

--Polishes in this post were sent for review

Press Release: OPI Euro Centrale Spring/Summer 2013

OPI Announces the Launch of Euro Centrale for Spring/Summer 2013

Classic meets contemporary with Euro Centrale by OPI for Spring/Summer 2013. Celebrating a region where history meets modern design, the collection’s twelve new nail lacquers offer a mixture of glamorous metallic hues; playful bright shades in periwinkle, aqua and pink; and creamy blues in indigo, midnight and aubergine.

“Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania make up an exciting new fashion hotspot,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “When visiting these countries, you’ll view Gothic churches alongside vibrant graffiti murals, blending two very different aesthetics. This fusion of old and new was also seen in runway looks during New York Fashion Week, where classic styles were reinvented with modern silhouettes and patterns.

“Euro Centrale boasts a wide variety of shades, ranging from pale nude to deep blue – and featuring everything from shimmering copper to aqua in between!,” continues Weiss-Fischmann. “Whether you’re looking to spice up a black and white print, or add neutrality to a vivid brocade, these lacquers are designed to accessorize spring’s hottest looks.”

Euro Centrale by OPI includes the following shades..

Polka.com

Blue and violet are dancing partners in this glittery combo.

OPI…Eurso Euro

This deep blue cream is very continental

Suzi’s Hungary AGAIN!

 Thank goodness there are zero calories in this warm and yummy pink!

You’re Such a BudaPest

 If I let you borrow this periwinkle-purple, will you go away?

Can’t Find My Czechbook

 I hope you take credit, because I must have this aqua!

My Paprika is Hotter than Yours!

Get the extinguisher...this fiery red is sizzling!

Hands Off My Kielbasa!

Get your own...this bronzy tan is all mine!

OY–Another Polish Joke!

 So this shimmery-gold walks into a bar...

A Woman’s Prague-ative

I’m changing this shimmery copper for...never mind!

Vant to Bite My Neck?

 You know you want to...wear this deep eggplant.

I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw

Be seen in this deep midnight blue.

My Vampire is Buff

Creamy, pale and nude...just how I like my vampires.

Euro Centrale Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Euro Centrale by OPI will be available February 6, 2013, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. 

            For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

ABOUT OPI

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics. 

My Ten Friends.. First Contact

My Ten Friends is an indie line I've been obsessed with ever since I found them on Etsy and purchased Dirtball (seen here).  The formula with Dirtball was unlike any indie polish I'd ever tried-- it was as close to perfect as I'd ever seen.  So, when Mei-Lynn (the creator of My Ten Friends) asked me to swatch one of her upcoming polishes for her new Valentine's Line called "Kiss of the Cosmos", I was beyond excited and honored.

This polish is called First Contact and should be available later this week (along with four other beauties)

First Contact:

First Contact has such a gorgeous base!!  It's very light tan (almost nude) and contains black and silver glitter and tons of holographic micro glitter.  The formula is AMAZING!!  It's so smooth and shiny!!  There is absolutely no grittiness AT ALL!!  I was lucky to have some sunshine when I wore First Contact.  You can see just how gorgeous the holo glitter is!  Everything about this polish is utterly amazing!! I have three coats of First Contact followed by top coat in the above pictures.  I predicted My Ten Friends would be a new indie shop to keep your eyes on for brilliant polishes, and I'm proving myself right!!  Yay!!

**First Contact and the rest of the polishes from "Kiss of the Cosmos will be available later this week HERE ON ETSY!  Dirtball and others are available now, but I'd wait until the new ones are listed to decide which you love.

**You can subscribe to My Ten Friends' newsletter HERE.

**Also, be sure to like My Ten Friends on facebook here.

--This polish was sent for swatching and review

Nail Candy's "Love Letter" Collection

Happy Weekend Everyone!!  I have a cute new (to me) concept with nail polish/nail art to share with you.  It's the Love Letter Collection from Nail Candy and it has a dual function applicator, one side is a brush to paint the nail and the other is a patented "micro-tip" that enables intricate nail design created with ease.

Nail Candy's Love Letter Collection:

You can see in the above picture how the pen and polishes come apart.  You can use both the red and the pink as a base color or as the "pen."

In the above picture, I chose to use the "bubble gum pink" and the sheer white as the base colors.  The formula is really great!  I was amazed how evenly each color applied.  I used two coats of each.

After the base colors were completely dry, I created some hearts and "hugs & kisses" for my designs.  You may want to practice using the "pens" on a piece of paper.  You have to squeeze just the right amount or your design will appear runny (notice my pinkie.. oops).

I really like this concept for nail art.  It's easy enough for beginners like myself to create something simple and cute.  If you're more experienced with nail art, this would be great for you also.(your designs would just be a little more advanced than mine).  :)

**HERE is a link if you'd like to purchase these or read more about them

**You can also like Nail Candy on facebook HERE.

-Products in this post were sent for review

More from Wonder Beauty Products

HAPPY FRIDAY!!  I have some more gorgeous indies to share with you!  Today's it's all about Wonder Beauty Products.  I showed you these polishes from Wonder Beauty back in December, and now I have five more beautiful creations..

L to R: Blue Sterling, Let's Play Footsie, Roxie Hart, 1 Dozen Heart Bouquet, and Kismet

Blue Sterling:

Oh how I really wanted some sun when I took pics of Blue Sterling!!  I'm cursing Ohio weather right now! This greyish blue holo is incredibly beautiful.  Although, you can only faintly see the holo glow, it's so much more apparent in real life AND if we'd ever get more sunshine!! This polish applied like a dream.. perfect coverage with only two coats.. EXCELLENT formula for a holographic polish!!!

Let's Play Footsie:

JAW-DROP!!  Let's Play Footsie is my favorite out of the five polishes I'm posting!  That pink jelly-like base is to-die-for!!  There are various sizes of pink, red, gold and silver hex glitter mixed in the gorgeous hot pink base.  I especially love the gold glitter because it almost looks orange and I just adore the combination of orange and pink!!  Let's Play Footsie is opaque in only two coats.  I added  just one coat of top coat for that added smoothness and shine!  Love it!!  This is one of the polishes for Valentine's Day :)

Roxie Hart:

Roxie Hart is a perfect Valentine's Day glitter topper!!  Of course I chose to layer it over pink!(Milani Tip Toe Pink).  Roxie Hart contains silver hex and bars, black hearts, red bars, and micro holo glitter in a clear base.  The glitter ratio is awesome!  I didn't have to "fish" for the hearts.  As with most glitter toppers, I used the "dab and drag" method to maneuver the glitter just where I wanted it.  I have two coats of Roxie Hart followed by top coat.

1 Dozen Heart Bouquet:

Red AND pink hearts??  I love 1 Dozen Heart Bouquet!!  "This polish topper is ROSE BOUQUET INSPIRED featuring various shades of reds, pink, and yellows, with some scatteres of greens, and just the right touch of red and pink hearts thrown in for love."  I chose to layer two coats of 1 Dozen Heart Bouquet over Zoya Neely followed by top coat.  This polishe perfectly represents a bouquet of mixed roses!!

Kismet:

Kismet has a shimmery royal blue base with teal hexes and fuchsia flakes.  I like that the base is dark, but not too dark that it hides the underlying glitters.  The mixture of teal, fuchsia and royal blue is so gorgeous!  I love this color of blue against my skintone.  I used two generous coats of Kismet, one coat of gelous and one coat of top coat in the above three pictures..  another great Valentine's Day polish!!

** Five more polishes from Wonder Beauty = five more gorgeous creations!!  Each polish has great formula and gorgeous glitter combos (except Blue Sterling, which is a gorgeous subtle holo).  Jen at Wonder Beauty knows her stuff about creating quality polishes!!  Llarowe must agree with me because The Valentine's Polishes and the upcoming Grammy-Inspired polishes will be sold at http://shop.llarowe.com/ soon!!**

**These polishes can also be found HERE ON ETSY.**

**Be sure to like Wonder Beauty Products HERE ON FACEBOOK.

--Wonder Beauty Polishes were generously sent for review