Born Pretty Store Fantastic Mini Round Patterned Metallic Stud #3 Review

Tonight's post features some great holographic studs from Born Pretty Store. To save you some trouble searching the BPS database of studs, here's the link directly to the studs, which are pattern #3.

The studs are metallic looking, but they're plastic themselves. They're 3mm x 3mm, which means very little to most people, so here's how they look on my nails!

Super holographic aren't they? I put them in some pastel bubbles, because the holographic shade reminded me of the look of bubbles.

They come in a package like the one shown below:

To order your package, visit Born Pretty Store here, and don't forget to use my coupon code C10X31 for 10% off, and as always, you get free shipping on any order!

The products in this post were sent for review purposes. The reviews are based entirely on my experience with the products and were in no way influenced by anyone.

Color Club - New Poptastic Swatches

Fans of the old Color Club recognize the brand by its square bottles with the little daisy symbol and cheap prices, often spotted (at least in the US) at bargain stores like Ross or Marshalls. You probably also recognize one of the brand's most popular collections, Poptastic. The collection features awesome bright neons (and was actually the collection that got me into Color Club in the beginning).

Well with Color Club's new look comes 6 exciting new shades in the Poptastic collection, which I'm reviewing for you today! The new shades are all neons with shimmer. Absolutely stunning - and all in two coats (without any white beneath).

First let's check out the nail art I did for it. I'm calling this the "lava lamp mani", because the way the blobs run together without joining reminds me of a lava lamp.

Admit it...you had a lava lamp...and you wish you still did. Mine was red, which looking back, kind of reminds me of blood. Creepy...but I'd still turn it on.

I got the idea for this technique straight from a tutorial by My Simple Little Pleasures. She's calling it a "blobbicure" which describes it quite nicely as well. To learn how I got the look, watch her video!

Ok...let's look at the new Poptastic colors!

Lady Bug Polish Holder Review

Tired of spilling polish all over yourself when you try to paint your nails? Ever wanted to see your bottles wobble like a sad clown balloon? Well this product's for you!

In all seriousness though, I'm sharing The Lady Bug nail polish holder with you today. This little red dome was created in the hopes of halting polish spilling disasters. Crafted with a non-slip rounded bottom and two flat offsets (explained later), The Lady Bug is capable of being jostled and jolted without tipping over.

The soft foam insert in The Lady Bug protects your polish and cradles it tightly so it doesn't slip if you do tip over The Bug. Here's a video to take a look at what it does:

I put a bottle of Seche Vite in the cradle for the video, but just about any polish fits, whether it's a fat-bottom bottle like Nicole by OPI or a wide bottle like American Apparel polishes. The only thing I couldn't squeeze in was one of my large, square bottles from Urban Outfitters.

The flat bottom circles on either side of the rounded center help stop The Bug if it's rocking too much, but they also offer a nice tilt for your polish bottle that may be running low. We've all tipped our favorite bottles of polish horizontally to try to get out every last drop...that's essentially what The Lady Bug does for us. It's not a lot, but it does help while simultaneously freeing up your hands.

I spilled a little polish on mine, and tried to get it off with remover. When I did, The Lady Bug did lose a little of its sheen, so try not to do that if you want it to stay lustrous. But I only cleaned it because I wanted it to look good for you guys...you could certainly decorate your's with Lady Bug art if you wanted!

The Lady Bug polish holder is available here for $10, or to learn more about The Lady Bug nail polish holder, visit their Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

The products in this post were sent for review purposes. The reviews are based entirely on my experience with the products and were in no way influenced by anyone.

Crayon Nail Art for Divine Caroline

Nothing says "back to school" like a box of crayons. Give your tips a sentimental finish with this nail art tutorial inspired by a childhood favorite...crayons! My craft corner was always stocked with them, so it's no shock I grew up to continue the art in another medium.

For the full tutorial and list of supplies to color your crazy crayon nails, visit DivineCaroline.com!

Cosmoprof & Marie Claire Most Wanted Award Nominee

 
Starting tomorrow, I'll be at Cosmoprof North America, the country's biggest beauty convention and trade show. It's held in Vegas, where I'll be holed up until Wednesday. I'm thrilled to be covering it, and want you to join me in my live coverage.

I'll be posting live updates to Twitter and Instagram, and sharing those on Facebook as well, so be sure to follow each channel!

*****

In other exciting news, I've been nominated as Best Nail Blogger for Marie Claire's second annual Most Wanted Awards! I'd love your votes this year, so be sure to choose "Nailed It" in the online survey.

After taking the survey, you'll be entered to win a beauty bag, overflowing with beauty products popular today!

To take the survey and vote, click here and look for link to the survey! 

Jessica Cosmetics - Coral Symphony Spring 2014 Collection Swatches & Review

Up for your viewing pleasure is something I've been wanting to try - Jessica Cosmetics polishes. I've seen the line used by other bloggers, and have wanted to give them a try myself, so today's post features their spring 2014 line of colors, Coral Symphony.

I liked the way the colors bled into one another, complementing each other well while also creating a beautiful fading rainbow if lined up against one another. I thought it'd look good as an ikat gradient (similar to my running gradient technique used and shown in a tutorial here).

The colors applied really well. They masterfully laid on my nail in two creamy coats each. I love creme finishes, and these all had that. I wasn't the biggest fan of the brush, but as a tech, I've gotten used to the OPI brush, so I may just be biased toward that.

For swatches of these colors, read on!

Punk Rock Rings from Born Pretty Store

Today's manicure is inspired by the punk skulls and painful piercings of punk rock culture (or at least how it's embodied in my mind).

Born Pretty Store, the well-stocked e-tailor of fashion accessories including a huge variety of nail art supplies, sent me a set of rhinestone studs and gold rings. They roll together in a nail art wheel, and the rings can be pried apart to pinch around the tip of your nail, faking a pierced look.

I wouldn't actually wear these anywhere, but I'll wear them for the art of the look!

I hand painted the skull (using this design as a guide) using black polish and a tiny detailing brush I picked up at Sally's. The neon polish underneath is OPI's new one, Life Gave Me Lemons.

This nail art wheel is available for $3.95 from Born Pretty Store (10% off with my coupon code C10X31), and shipping worldwide is FREE! No excuse not to give it a try.

What do you think of the punk rock rings? Are they too impractical for you, or would you give them a try sometime? I know I certainly couldn't regularly rock them, but might pull them out come Halloween!

These products were sent to me by Born Pretty Store. The reviews are based entirely on my experience with the products and were in no way influenced by anyone.

Damask Nails for Divine Caroline

I know I've been pretty quiet on here, but that's because there's big things in the works. This year, I'll be in Las Vegas for Cosmoprof, North America's biggest beauty convention. I'll be shmoozing with the best of them, your favorite nail companies and bloggers. I can't wait!

In the meantime, here's another tutorial in collaboration with Divine Caroline.

To get this modern old-fashioned look, head over to my write-up at DivineCaroline.com!