Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup: 7/27 edition

Check out this week's offerings for the best in the beauty blogging world!! Amazing swatches and reviews of some of the best and hottest nail colors as well as some really informative product reviews!!

• Pinked Polish: Wanna see a fabulous Glitter Gradient look no further!!!!
• Makeup Chronicles:Take advantage of some great deals that ULTA has on Chi Irons, Philosophy, and Bare Minerals...oh and you can save 20% on your entire order!
• Baking Beauty:Does Maybelline's SuperStay Stain gloss really last 10 hours? Click to find out!
• Mama Fashionista: Mama Fashionista shares some great lines from Sally Hansen that will make your nails and your wallet happy!
• Shades Of Beauty, Inc.: PREVIEW: Dickinson's Witch Hazel Skin Care Line
• adore-a-polish: A neat little trick to get more out of your next bath bomb purchase.
• My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura talks about another one of her favorite products on Taupe-tastic Tuesdays. Cargo Yukon is the definition of taupe.
• GlitterPukee: Glitterpukee reviews one of the more interestingly named hair care brands. The sexually charged name of LAID hair care uses Phero-attract technology to keep you on the top of your game and seem more attractive to men. Six pheronomes are at work but..does it work?
• Midnight Manicures
• Join Midnight Manicures as Jeanie brings you the latest collections and products through the Tweezerman Ambassador program!
• A Little Polish: Stephanie shows off her Thirst Quenching Pink Lemonade inspried Mani, a great way to cool off this summer!
• Beauty Product Review: Getting tired of having a messy looking Makeup/skincare area? Clean it up with some beauty do-it-yourself tricks and beautify your beauty counter!
• A Frugal Beauty: A Frugal Beauty shows you just how BOLD the I *heart* matte palette from Wet N Wild can be in her The Bold and Beautiful Series: The Bold Look
• Sincerely Stephanie: Wanting to get your hands on Clarins 230 but don't want to pay the price? Check out Darling Diva Polish Ringer instead!
• Très Beau Glamour: Did you know that Piña Coladas are great way to obtain beautiful skin? Nay Denise shares a new beauty secret of hers that will give your complexion a glow, give you a boost of energy and deliver a ton of hydration.
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Want a sneak peak of Color Club's upcoming collections? Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom has a preview from Cosmoprof North America 2012!
• Beauty Info Zone: Here's a chance to win two of the great products from Reviva Labs - Light Skin Peel and Seaweed Soap. Learn all about them and enter to win if you are in the US.
• Mani Curiously: Dom tries to go On Safari with China Glaze's newest collection with these beautiful swatches and review!
• Spontaneous Chick: If you're looking for a fuller pout check out my Jane Iredale review to see if her plumper is right for you.
• Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Lola's Secret Beauty Blog has finally found the perfect must-have nude lipstick! True Love from Susan Thompson Cosmetics is gorgeous with a remarkable formula, and it's Cruelty Free.
• Beauty by Miss L: Miss L from Beauty by Miss L has reached to 1000+ followers on her blog and to celebrate that she did a small "Thank you giveaway" to all her lovely old & new followers.
• Beauty Binge: Beauty Binge Highlights her Top 5 Drugstore Skincare Buys!
• Beauty Professor: The Beauty Professor tries Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation...will it pass the test?
• The Glossy Pages: A Beautiful World, Changemakers in Beauty | Meet Joshua Onysko, Founder of Pangea Organics
• Emily Hudspeth, hair design and makeup artist: So grateful to have been chosen to receive the Influenster's Summer Beauty Voxbox. Check out what I got!
• Captivating Claws: Captivating Claws has some gorgeous polishes from Enkelini to share with you.. plus a sweet GIVEAWAY!
• Lacquered Lover: Lacquered Lover had the chance to check out Layla's ENTIRE new line of polishes including Hologram, Magnetic, Soft Touch and a Christmas Collection!
• Lisa's Nail Obsession: I love the new Robin's Egg Nail Design. You will to...come and see it!
• Gorgeousskin: Loving Giorgio Armani's Rusted Gold #25. See it in action here on my FOTD!
• Cosmetics Aficionado: Cling wrap isn't just for the kitchen. Try this cute cling wrap manicure with my step by step tutorial.
• Geniabeme Beauty Blog: Gradient nails are so pretty and easy! Take a look at Genia's pink and blue graident nails!
• Get a beautiful weekly nail fixation from Just Plain Delirious. Here Joline has a lovely Essence and The Face Shop Nail Fixation that will get your nails looking like a beautiful night sky - perfect for a night out!

A Sad Day for Dom!!!

I never wanted to be one of those women who had crazy long nails and protected them at all cost!  But, OMG, it happened.  I never had pretty natural nails so when they started growing I just couldn't bring myself to cut them.  A couple of weeks ago I got a really small crack in the side of my middle finger nail.  The break was so close to the quick that if I cut it or let it rip the nail would bleed for sure!

So, the save the nail game began!  A few weeks of filing, gluing, polishing and a last ditch effort of Super Gluing resulted in me finally deciding to cut my nails down. (super sad face)  I did manage to save the nail for that long but I was getting tired of having to baby my right hand and make sure that I didn't get my nail caught on anything.  Every time I did the dishes I would have to clean and dry and re-glue my nail!  Talk about a pain in the ass.  

The long and short of it is,  I wanted to document my nails before and after and share it with you guys!  

Awe... I keep telling myself that they will grow back!

OMG!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!! 

The final product before filing!  

I think I will feel better once I polish them and make them look pretty again.  I know I sound like such a dork but any words of support and encouragement would be greatly appreciated!  LOL!

Do you guys like short nails or long nails?  Let me know what you think.

Going On Safari... Maybe!

Sally Beauty Supply is one of my go to polish stores and on one of my recent trips I came across the China Glaze On Safari Collection.  I have to be honest and say that I really wasn't terribly excited about this collection.  I was feeling a bit like I had seen these colors before.  They are all beautiful colors however, I have several similar colors in my collection.  With that said, I can't seem to pass up on a nice purple or pretty blue no matter what.

While at Sally's I noticed the latest sale on China Glaze.  If you purchased two colors from the new collection you got a bottle of Diamond Dry for free.  Talk about helping me make a decision!  LOL!  I left the store with the Jungle Queen and Man Hunt (plus my free bottle of Diamond Dry).  The most unique of the two is Jungle Queen.

Jungle Queen is a really earthy taupe/dusty purple color with a really nice light purple shimmer in certain light.  I love this color!  As usual, this polish applied really well.  It is a really nice formula and nearly a one and done.  I applied a nice coat and then went over with a really thin coat just out of habit. At first it looked really flat but when I started taking pictures the shimmer really came through!  

Flash

Manhunt is a really pretty deep blue creme.  The formula is great and the color is ridiculous.  It really is a sort of mix between a navy blue and a cobalt blue.  This a great polish to wear alone and would look great with a nice pair of jeans!

Sunlight

Flash

I am not sure at this point if I am going to pick up any of the other colors in this collection but you will be the first to know if I do!  LOL!  Let me know what you think and if you have any of the other colors in this collection.  What are your favorites?  

Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup: 7/21

Looking for a new bright lippie? Ever been curious about the LUSH store? How about a lil curiosity at the beautiful NARS make up? Well surf some of these awesome links to take a look at some of the best beauty blogs this side of the net!




Sincerely Stephanie: Ever heard of a jelly gradient sandwich? Check out how Sincerely Stephanie combines these two techniques!

Beauty Thesis: Love + is an appropriate name for this gorgeous red (!?) eye shadow. Beauty Thesis shares the good, the bad and the awesome!

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura is hosting a GIVEAWAY! 3 lucky readers will win the Smashbox Softbox Palette!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Lola from Lola's Secret Beauty Blog is all starry-eyed about the new Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Twilight Night Shimmer Ink because it is so gorgeous and complex!

Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: The beautiful jellies of the Zoya Gloss collection are spotlighted on Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom

Mani Curiously: Check out E's yummy swatches & review of the NEW Zoya Fall Collection, Gloss!

Geniabeme Beauty Blog:: What is your favorite bright lippie? See which ones are Genia's favorite!

Emily Hudspeth, hair design and makeup artist: How I (used to) style my long hair with a curling iron to create smooth waves. Added bonus....an easy messy side updo tutorial.

Mama Fashionista: Mama Fashionista is ecstatic over the new LUSH storefront at the Mall of Georgia! Find out why, and see if there is a LUSH coming to mall near you too!

The Beauty Book: Does your face resemble a slip-n-slide at the end of the day? Here are some GREAT tips and advice on how to combat oily skin!

Midnight Manicures shares with you the hottest new Independent polish company - Sea Lore and it's first release, Triton's Daughters Collection.

Beauty by Miss L: Have you used Korres Yoghurt Face Sunscreen SPF30? Miss L did and shares her thought about it.

Très Beau Glamour: Ever wondered what eye and lip combos you could create? Nay Denise shows four different lip and eye combinations that can be worn throughout the seasons.

Lisa's Nail Obsession: Do you like your moon's to show in a nail design? You've got to see this one!

Patty and Goldie's Day off: The Invention of the Jelly Sandwich, the possible truth about how this sandwich came to be.

Beauty Professor: Ever enchanted by multitasking products, The Beauty Professor reviews the lovely Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tints in Coral Nymph and Mystique.

Beauty Product Review: Have sensitive eyes? Check out MUFE Sens'Eyes Makeup Remover and see if it's right for you!

Ray Connect: No time for facial?? Get the glow of a facial... Now at Home only with Garnier Light 3 in 1 fairness facial. One product does it all!!

Ishah x Beauty: What's in the Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox? Come and check out Ishah x Beauty to find out!

Captivating Claws: Are you a fan of pink + black?? Check out Captivating Claws' Weekly Water Marble!!

Spontaneous Chick: We've found great bath products from Clean Logic to make your skin look amazing and to save you time.

adore-a-polish: Wondering what Julep's latest lip product looks like? Check out swatches and a review on Camellia.

Vicerimus: Russian nail polish meets American one! Yulia is being a good girl, so she shows off her soft, ladylike duo manicure.

Cosmetics Aficionado: Red holo? Yes please! Read the review and check out the photos of Jade Vermelho Surreal nail polish.

All Things Beautiful: All Things Beautiful is hosting a Become Giveaway! Enter to win a Become Beauty Tinted Mineral Foundation quick!

Lacquered Lover: Glitters, metallic and even two holos make up the gorgeous new Butter London Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection!

Makeup Chronicles: Looking for the perfect summer highlighter? Check out this review for NARS' Illuminator in "Super Orgasm".

Amber Did It!: Swatches of the Sally Hansen Magnetics Collection.

Pinked Polish: This week Challenge is Gradients:) and don't forget to enter my 2 giveaways

Miakhymai: Check out what products Kae-Toya is reaching for most often!

DeyiMizu: See swatch of Essie's Off The Shoulder nail polish and find out how you can win one!

Perilously Pale: Does the new Pure Chromatics Palette from the Fall 2012 Yves Saint Laurent Collection finally make a khaki lover out of Perilously Pale? Let's find out!

Beauty Binge: Don't let the summer heat frazzle your tresses! Beauty Binge gives you some tips on caring for and styling your hair during the long, hot summer.

Shades Of Beauty, Inc.: REVIEW: Sinful Colors...Not just Nail Polish anymore...

Baking Beauty: Tame your frizz and flyaways with Foxy Curls!

Zoya NYFW 2012 Fall Collection: Gloss swatches & review *pic heavy*

With the firestorm of interest in Zoya's Fall Collections: Designer, Diva & Gloss, I wanted to show these beauties quickly so you could get the scoop on some of fall's hottest shades right here!

The first collection I'll be showing is the Gloss Collection. I have to preface my review with the fact that I've never owned a jelly polish before. I know... shock and awe. Honestly, if you've read some of my posts you might've seen me mention that I detest sheer colors. VNL (visible nail line) irritates me. Like a lot. I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way, but it does. I feel like I'm looking at someone's underwear hanging out of their pants or something when I see VNL! I want to yell "pull your pants up! put on a belt!" seriously...

Now, with that lil disclosure over with I will go on to say that I fell in love with the Gloss Collection! I mean, the colors are stunning and the juiciness of the formula, how it looks on the nail... wow. They're beautiful and ultra shiny without a top coat! Can anyone see a yummy jelly sandwich in my future?? I sure can....

I applied this collection the same so you could see the depth of color in each coat. 

First up is the magically delicious Paloma!

What a beautiful color!! A perfect raspberry in a very yummy jelly! Wow is all I can say. The pictures don't do this color any justice what so ever. It's beautiful and opaque in 3 coats. Personally, I liked the depth the 4th coat gave.

Next is the incomparable Katherine!

What a lovely lady she is! Katherine looks like a deep plum purple in the bottle but she applies in the shade of raisins. Not a bad thing at all, I can see this color being beautiful in fall and winter with a fluffy warm sweater... or maybe a fun date outfit shade that started in the afternoon but kept going till the evening? 

Last, but certainly not least is the edgy Frida!

Ooooh who doesn't love a yummy, lovely forest green?! Seriously though, who? Because we'll need to educate them quick! My love, Frida, looks like a deep teal in the bottle but applies and shows up as a forest green. This color will have a lot of mileage for fall, winter and spring. It's truly lovely at 2/3 coats and opaque in 3/4 coats. 

Sorry, I forgot a bottle shot for Frida!

I hope you enjoyed my review of the new Gloss collection by Zoya. These colors and many more can be purchased at www.zoya.com for $8ea. The other two Fall Collections, Diva & Designer, will get their own separate posts in the coming days, so stay tuned!

xo 

This is a free sample given to me by a company. Either directly from the manufacturer or from a PR company. Receiving this sample in no way impacts my review of the product. My views are my own and are expressed as accurately and fairly to the best of my ability.

The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup: 7/13

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!!

Wondering about the new Maybelline Beauty Balm? Or maybe you're considering some of the Revlon red lipsticks and want to see some before you commit? Oh... I know you're curious what Julep's O'Canada looks like on a nail!! Well you've came to the right spot! We've got the best beauty blogs around so surf the links and see what's new in the blogosphere this week!

Beauty Binge: What good is your make-up if it's melting down your face? Beauty Binge helps you win the war against summer meltdown!

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog : Laura goes crazy over an oldie but a goodie: MAC Azalea Blossom.

Beauty Product Review: Have you heard the Bzz? Check out my Smooth 'N Shine Keratin Power Semi-Permanent Hair Tamer review and see if it's worth all the Bzz!

Mani Curiously: E's loving Essie's Mirrored Metallics collection! Check out Penny Talk and her review of this shiny new stunner!

The Lacquerologist: It's time for The Lacquerologist's six month blogiversary Nail Art Contest! Submit your manis now!

Ishah x Beauty: Ishah x Beauty explores skincare with Mary Kay and finds the best microdermabrasion product ever!

The Science Of Chic: Carly raves about the new Maybelline Beauty Balm! Find out why it's her favorite summer face product.

Spontaneous Chick: Learn how to make sugar scrubs and get some of my favorite recipes.

Amber Did It!:Matching mom & daughter watermelon nail art

Midnight Manicures: Follow Jeanie at Midnight Manicures as she takes you on an adventure with China Glaze's newest collection "On Safari".

Geniabeme Beauty Blog: Genia takes the Revlon Red Lipstick Challenge! Take a look at her red lips!

adore-a-polish Swatch of Julep O Canada!

The Beauty Professor: The Beauty Professor swatches all seven shades of the Rouge Bunny Rouge Fire Drops Loose Glitter Pigment...prepared to be dazzled!

iHeartPrettyPolish: Essie Rae showcases Revlon Facets of Fuchsia polish in her Friday Favorite with a Flair Post!

Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: The new metallics from the Zoya fall collection, NYFW Diva, are featured.

Beauty Apocalypse: We found a primer that makes your make-up wear like armor and clears your skin!

Polarbelle: Venique Nail Lacquer has a fun new summer 2012 collection called Desire the Desired and can be compared with part of China Glaze On Safari.

Beauty by Miss L: Showed some of her favorite summer must have accessories.

All Things Beautiful: Shares a glitzy, shimmering, & gorgeous haul from Ricky's NYC featuring Mattese Elite Makeup & Nail Polish!

Shades of Beauty, Inc.: POLL: What products make up your DIY Spa Days?

I'M BACK!!! (proof of my A.D.D enclosed)

It has been a while and I really feel like I am so far out of the loop it is not even funny!  Anyone who reads this blog knows that I live in Ohio.  Beautiful Ohio, the home of the Buckeyes and... oh God, that's pretty much where it ends! LOL! Anywho... if you know anyone in Ohio then you know that we got hit with a pretty random, pretty ridiculous storm recently.  Power lines down all over town, food gone bad, no cable, no cell service, no internet and NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!  Ohio was like the foreshadowing armageddon experience that I never wanted!!!  Needless to say, my life has slowly gotten back to "normal".  OH WAIT... I also started a new job.

Some history... I have not worked a real job in over two years.   I have been blessed to be OK financially with my husband working.  Thank God that I was able to take that time because I took care of some pretty serious medical issues as well.  With all of that said, going back to work has been a super huge life transition.  I also left corporate america and am now working with inner city youth!  Talk about shell shock... but, I love it.  What I don't like is waking up at 6am every morning and having to get ready to be pleasant by 8am but, other than that it has been really great!  I never really saw myself working with kids but I love them all and really feel like I am making a difference.  

My kids at work!  Aren't they cute?

With all of that said, I am happy to be back in the land of the living and the world of polish that I love so much!  With all that has been going on I went nearly two whole weeks without polish on my nails!  Last night, however, I couldn't wait to get something fun on them and below is a quick pic of my first real mani in weeks!  I used two coats of OPI Fly and finally used my Sally Hansen Salon effects Polish Strips Zip It!  Hope you like it.

Sally Hansen Salon effects, Zip It! 

Love that OPI Fly!  

Sorry for the A.D.D. post but I had so much to catch you up on!  Let me know what you think about all my crazy!  I love the comments. : )

P.S. There are only a few days left for the insane sale that is going on at Ulta right now!  Don't miss it!  

P.S.S. Don't forget to enter our giveaway!!!!

What a pretty penny!! Essie - Mirror Metallics Collection: Penny Talk

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!!

So... I've been painting my nails on the sly every now and again... I know *hangs head* that's not exactly the best way to get my nails healthy again. Seriously though, did anyone ever believe that I could go a month or more without EVER painting my nails? Don't feel cheated though, none of my manis were noteworthy lol.

Of course when a friend of mine and fellow Beauty Blogger, Laura, from My Newest Addiction posted a picture of Essie and their new collection, Mirror Metallics, immediately I knew I had to find them. I mean yes, I have other foils or metallics, but these just didn't have the same shade or "look" of the ones I already have. These looked better... much better. Therefore... a NEED rather than a WANT formed.

Essie - Penny Talk with Julep - Chelsea accent nail

Luckily for my wallet I had just received my $5 coupon from CVS - Beauty Club Rewards program (every $50 you spend in qualifying beauty products you receive a $5 coupon to use on anything). So of course off I went in search of Penny Talk, the copper beauty from the Mirror Metallics collection. 

Unfortunately, I struck out on the first 2 stores. But the 3rd store had 2 bottles left and I happily snatched those up, informing the cashier that no, I did not need a bag lol. 

I read that the formula for these was difficult, so I was prepared when I started painting. BUT! Have no fear, in my opinion the formula is not difficult in these if you're an experienced "foil" user. Being a metallic they show brush strokes and if you're working at a slowish speed they'll pull and become ugly. My solution is to pull enough on the brush to try to do the entire nail in one brush dip or 3 paint strokes. 

***Pay attention***

These Mirror Metallics can be a one and done!

I did two coats because it's in my nature to always do 2 coats but truly I could've gotten away with 1 coat. 

In my car but also in the indirect light to show how shiny and pretty!!

I also have the blue Mirror Metallics, Blue Rhapsody, but I haven't worn it yet. I can't decide if I want to put it on next or something else... I might've gotten some Sticks n' Stones in the mail ;) so.... :D

gratuitous bottle shot :D

Thanks to all of you lovely followers and the fact that you keep coming back to check on us. Dom & I haven't forgotten all of you and believe me we have much love...  

xo, 

a few musings from 3am and beyond...

Well I've tried to stay active on our Facebook fan page (which you can like here!) and on our Twitter account (@ManiCuriously) since I am still unable to really paint my nails. It's been so hard not posting... I felt like I wasn't really allowed. Does that make sense? As though you guys wouldn't want to hear from me unless I was sporting some colored digits or featuring some tutorial or some such.

Talking with some lovely new followers and of course amazing old followers helped me realize that just maybe... MAYBE y'all don't just tune in to see pictures of my chubby digits. That maybe you enjoy Dom & I ranting about whatever such randomness. I think we got a little lost. We've been trying so hard to make sure that nothing we post is too out dated or over done. Worked to find colors that we want to support and feature that it is entirely possible that we lost sight of what we originally set out to do...

Create.

To simply create a venue where a friendly dialogue could be available for us, she and I, to share our manis. To create a space with which we could maybe make some new buddies to envelope into the fold of that "us" dynamic. To grow that us into a community of sorts that could enjoy our special brand of sarcasm, frankness and beauty.

Dom & I have been through all sorts of things in life, some together and much apart. The one thing that has always stayed constant is the fact that no matter the time or distance we could always be us with each other. We want that for our followers. We want that for all the people that we care about- including all our lovely interweb friends. Truth is something that is more valuable and harder to find than the rarest gem. You will always receive truth from Dom & I.

Always.

For the time being, possibly another month, I will not be able to really paint my nails as they're still jacked up (see more on that here!) and seriously misshapen from being cut down all crazy... so if you have requests for polish comparisons, ideas for posts that don't really involve showing a mani... inbox me at manicuriously AT gmail DOT com or hit me on Twitter or Facebook... seriously I'm always plugged in... or if you just wanna chat... I'll be there...


so... just some thoughts... from 3am and beyond...

xo