Seasonal | The Only Three Manicures You Will Need This Christmas

Lately I have been building up my confidence in my nail art abilities, and have been sharing them on my personal instagram.  For my poor followers from my personal life they get a mix of my nail designs,  professional life, my boyfriend's cats, and diet coke cans.  Let me be clear, my dream boss "<3" my nail art photos in Insta.  Do you know what that's like?  To see your professional life and love of nail polish collide?  Its a bit terrifying, but over all a great reception.  When I explain it as my hobby and my outlet people just tend to think that I can do magical things with glitter.  // end rant.

Okay!  On to my special holiday themed manicure post!

For Parties: Dipped In Gold

I am going to let you in on a little secret.  When I was a kid, I loved glitter nail polish!  When I started getting back into nail polish last year I couldn't figure out a way to make glitter look all grown up, until I figured out how to do glitter tips.

Start with your usual filing, base coat routine.  Then paint your nails either a nice silky navy or a to die for berry shade. I decided to use Julep's Lupita.  As for the glitter I used more of a bronze-gold glitter: Essie's Luxe Effect "Summit of Style".  Next carefully freehand a triangle with glitter.  Since you are using glitter it doesn't need to be perfect.  I recommend 2-3 coats of glitter so you can get a full coverage look.  Finish off with two coats of top coat and ta-da!

Lupita and Summit of Style

Weekend Beauty Haul: Pretty In Pink and Purple

Announcement!  I just joined Twitter.  Follow me @ClassyOnTheRun. 

Sometimes (okay, always) its nice to treat yourself.  On Saturday, armed with some coupons, some free time, and a new found love of OPI nail polish I went to the mall.  After a long week, I thought I deserved a little something.  My new little collection sort of reminds me of macaroons.  Only better because I bought truffles. 

Without thinking about it I ended up with a haul loaded with pastel shades.  

With samples!  Unfortunately, the BB Cream samples from The Face Shop are in a shade so dark for me that I could use it to contour.  

First Stop: The Face Shop

My first stop was The Face Shop.  Not to be distracted by the alluring call of all of the pretty things, I went in there with a singular focus to pick up some nose pore strips.  Some how I managed to get S to agree to do one with me.  When we used one that night he complained that removal hurt, but was happy enough to see how much gunk it drew out of his pores that he is willing to use it again.  Win!  I will be picking up these again.  

These cost $1 each.

Second Stop: Trade Secrets

OPI Kiss Me I'm Brazilian

OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender

I came here vaguely interested in Kiss Me I'm Brazilian from their Rio 2014 line, but ended up leaving with Lucky Lucky Lavender as well. (Swatches to follow).

Third Stop: Shoppers Drug Mart

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 060 Gumdrop

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 001 Pink Truffle

Essie Go Ginza

I have been eyeing Essie's Go Ginza for the last few weeks.  It reminds me of Julep's Ramona which I just ordered, but I wanted it now and shipping lately has been horrendous.  

I'm not really a drugstore make-up person.  However Shoppers emailed me a personalized set of coupons which included a "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" on Revlon lipsticks.  Thankfully the coupon worked for the butters!  To make this deal even better they were on sale from about $10 each to $4.99.  I ended up paying about $2.50 for each.  

Swatches

Julep Kayla

Essie Go Ginza

OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender

OPI Kiss Me I'm Brazilian

Julep Abigail

Essie Go Ginza

Go Ginza has an average formula.  Opaque in two coats, and a bit streaky with one.  This polish is neither thin nor thick.  It is a very light lavender with pink undertones.  Neutral enough to be work appropriate, but pretty enough to enjoy.  I'm really glad I picked up this polish as it is entirely unique to my collection.  This colour would look beautiful going for a walk in the park with a mint purse.  Perhaps enroute to some high end stores!

OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender

Lucky Lucky Lavender is from OPI's Hong Kong collection.  While it looks lavender in the bottle it applies much more like a pink with a strong purple base.  This polish dries to a high gloss finish and manages to look both professional but pretty.  It reminds me of a lighter version of what I imagine Julep's Rae to look like.  I think this colour is great for all seasons, and I know it will be my next mani colour!  This is the real winner of the weekend for me for sure.  I can just imagine wearing this colour, sitting at a little café enjoying a macaroon.

OPI Kiss Me I'm Brazilian

Kiss Me I'm Brazilian is a hot coral pink that sort of looks like pepto-bismal in the bottle.  It skirts the neon-coral line with out crossing it which is nice.  Kiss Me I'm Brazilian dries to a beautiful flamingo pink with a high gloss finish, and after 3 days I have no chips to report!  This colour would look fantastic with a tan, sipping a drink poolside.  

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 001 Pink Truffle

This was my first experience with Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters.  I gravitated to this warm spice tone first.  It is a flattering pink-taupe neutral with an ever so slight mint flavour.  I can completely see myself  applying this through out the day.  This product comes in a plastic quilted case and outperforms expectations.  For $2.50 this was a steal!  the packaging feels cheaper than what I am use to but given the price I am satisfied.  

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 060 Gumdrop

I grabbed this colour almost entirely based on the colour of the package and the name.  I was hoping it would satisfy my desire for Benefit's Lollitint balm, and it pretty much does.  It applies easily and leaves a slight lavender tint.  Hmm, I guess I really was feeling the lavender this weekend.  A beautiful spring-summer colour, I am glad I picked it up!  Not exceptional staying power, but good enough that I am satisfied with my purchase given the price.  I don't think I would go out of my way to get these, but if I had another coupon I would happily pick up a few more.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 060 Gumdrop

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter 001 Pink Truffle

Godiva Ice Cream Parlor Truffle Flight

This chocolate set is designed to be eaten in order, rolling one flavour to the next.  It really is quite an interesting concept.   Each piece was delightful.  I really enjoyed that it included some chocolates I wouldn't normally pick.  My favourite was the Neapolitan.  There are a fair number of varieties of Godiva's Truffle Flights.  Retailing for $18, I recommend picking one up for a day that you want to treat yourself (or surprise your SO).  

I love each little treat I picked up this weekend.  How was your weekend?  Any great finds?

Coca Cola Collection by OPI: Coke and Diet Coke

Announcement!  I just joined Twitter.  Follow me @ClassyOnTheRun.  

Diet Coke is my drink.  Let me be clear, when I go to a bar with friends, I order one.  When I am bored at home, I have one.  When I was in high school I had a case in my locker.  While some may call it an "addiction" I prefer to pretend I didn't hear what they said.

When OPI launched their Coca Cola line I knew I had to have both the Coke and the Diet Coke inspired polishes.  I didn't even care if the colours were pretty.  Diet Coke + Nail Polish.  DONE.  This collection came out in May of 2014.  I ended up ordering it from Nail Polish Canada right away because I didn't want to miss out.

Holding a can of Diet Coke while writing this post wearing Coca Cola Red.  So much happy.

Coca Cola Red and My Signature is "DC".

Coca Cola Red

This is a perfect bright red.  Timeless, classic, and not to be outdone.  The formula is a dream!  Opaque in one coat, but I applied two for good measure.  Not a chip in sight after 3 days with no top or base coat.  It dries to a high gloss finish.  This shade is eternally classic.  Just a dream to apply.  (I was so happy with their formula I actually bought two more OPI cream polishes this weekend.  Oops?)

Swatch!

My Signature is "DC"

This really isn't a shade I would normally go for, so I put it on my toes where nobody would see it.  This formula was opaque in one coat (but I applied two).  Three days later, no top or base coat, and no chipping!  Again, a real pleasure to apply.  This metallic shade is a bit of a holo as well.  It is a bit too flashy for work, but I mean it is inspired by Diet Coke.  I had to have it.

If you don't like feet, too bad.  

I am thrilled with these two purchases.  It really made me question why I waste so much time and money with Julep.  Once I am out of points I think I will be re-thinking that subscription.  Especially after seeing just how wonderful the OPI formulas are.  They cost less for way more product that lasts longer.  Its really a no-brainer.  I ended up picking up two more OPI shades this weekend, stay tuned for my post about them!

What is your favourite nail polish brand?  Why?