Tag: Mani

Formula X Challenge

Like many other beauty obsessed bloggers, I have a crap ton of nail polish.

But that doesn’t stop me from buying more.

So, when I have complimentary nail polish sent to me for being Sephora VIB Rouge, I get really excited and it pretty much makes my day. Yay, perks!

Formula X System

Super pumped to try the Formula X Challenge, I couldn’t wait to give myself a mani.

They had me falling in love (especially with the nail cleanser, which essentially preps your nails to be painted and helps the polish adhere and last longer), until the final step…

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The top coat was extremely thick, sticky and not easy to apply at all. While not totally awful, I was not a fan.

I’d had such high hopes…

Formula X in Fahrenheit

I’m not ready to write Formula X off just yet, so I do plan to go to Sephora and give the top coat another chance, (I’m hoping that I just got a bad bottle) and until then still use the rest of the system.

Have you tried the Formula X System? Thoughts?

xx Bet

Not Black Nail Colors

Black is one of my most favorite nail polish colors.

Black Nail Polish

I am trying to switch up my mani game, so I’ve been sporting not black nail colors.
And by this I don’t so much mean yellow, pink, red, but dark colors that are dark, which I find just perfect for fall, but not black.

Not Black Nail Color

My three current not black favorites are Essie in Wicked, OPI in Nein! Nein! Ok Fine, and Sally Hansen in Dark Huemoor.

Not Black Nail Colors

In case you were wondering, Julep in Jet is my all time favorite black nail polish.
Do you know of any other not black nail colors that I should check out? Let me know!

xx Bet

+ Wicked is the October Essie Color Spotlight Sweepstakes color of the month, so make sure to enter!

+ If you sign up to be a Julep Maven and you can get a free 4 piece Halloween Welcome Box ($58 Value)

Mani and a Magazine: Plus a Pedi

Today actually hit the 70s! In Vermont, that’s a BIG freakin’ deal! So of course sandals are a must and that means one thing: PEDICURE!

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Even though I’m super excited that the weather is nice, I have to be realistic. I know the temperatures will dip again, so I didn’t go too fancy with my feet, but my life needed a little perfection in it so, I went with Formula X for Sephora in Perfection.

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For my mani I wanted to embrace spring and love A Crewed Interest by Essie, it’s one of my absolute favorites and just really reminds me of spring.

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Still haven’t gotten my first official pedi of the season but when I do, you’ll know! Anyone else rockin’ sandals yet?

Mani and a Magazine: Clear

Every now and then, I like to give my nails a break from color. In part, this is so they can get some light and breathe a little. That being said, I think my nails look kind of blah when I paint them clear. So I don’t anymore. At least not technically.

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Instead of one alternative I use is Nail Glow by Dior. I love that it makes my nails look brighter. Whereas, clear polish just makes my yellowish nails look shiny…

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What are you thoughts on clear polish?

Mani and a Magazine: One Shade of Grey

Confession: I have read and own the Fifty Shades trilogy. They are one of my guilty pleasures.

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When I learned that there was going to be a movie I went completely mental. I mean, I absolutely lost my mind. And when the casting was announced, my heart shattered. Then the recasting, it soared. Dakota Johnson got a dye job and all was right with the world.

Yes, I’m one of those fans.

I used Julep in Daria.
I used Julep in Daria.

Johnson was this month’s Elle cover star so of course I felt the need to do a grey mani.

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How excited are you for the movie to debut next Valentine’s Day?!

Mani and a Magazine: Green & Gold

Top of the morning to you!

Obviously, I painted my nails for today…St. Patrick’s Day mani, YAY! I love being festive and getting into the holiday spirit for just about any holiday.

This time, instead of a magazine I opted for a book. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

This winter has been very cold and very long, and this book is a reminder to find happiness in everyday life.

I used Julep in Oscar and Love & Beauty by Forever 21 in Green (which is not longer available online, sorry!).

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Anything green or festive about your day today? Shares in the comments!

Velvet Nails

Velvet nails. Sounds interesting, right? Well, in my January Birchbox a while back, I got Nail Rock by Rock Beauty London in Velvet Burgundy.

The application was simple enough, just two coats of polish, then dip. The results? Soft and fuzzy! Very cool.

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If you’re not adventurous when it comes to beauty, I’m not really sure how’d you feel about it. Otherwise, this is worth a try. The velvet effect doesn’t last that long, mine started to fade after a couple of days, but the color shows through so it’s hardly noticeable.

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I really wish there was a way you could feel this via the internet right now! Think it’s something you’d consider trying? Velvet too creepy? It also comes in glitter!

Mani and a Magazine: Mellow Yellow

Daylight savings was just what I needed. Bring on the sunlight, longer days, and warmer weather! Can’t wait for spring, so I went with a yellow effect mani and a bright and cheery magazine.

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Instyle Magazine is one of my favorites and I used OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow as my base and OPI Sheer Tints Top Coat in I’m Never Amberrassed. Both were purchased from the Birchbox Shop.

Sheer Tints are also perfect for creating an easy ombré look.

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Have you tried Sheer Tints yet? What do you think? Thoughts on the ombré nail trend?

Mani and a Magazine: The Classics

When deciding on what color to paint your nails, you can never go wrong with red. Likewise, when picking a magazine, you can never go wrong with Vogue. These are the classics.

Picking out which shade of red may be another story, but I went with Butter London’s Ladybird (Because it’s my newest red polish, and it matches this month’s cover of Vogue).

March 2014 Vogue, Butter London in Ladybird, Foster Grant Sunnies, Catbird Ring. Oh, and photobomb courtesy of my cat Valentino Gronkowski.
March 2014 Vogue, Butter London in Ladybird, Foster Grant Sunnies, Catbird Ring. Oh, and photobomb courtesy of my cat, Valentino Gronkowski.

Is red your go-to nail color? Do you have a a favorite red nail polish? Share in the comments!