Haul: OPI Spring/Summer 2014 Brazil Collection

It's been a while since I've bought any new nail polish. I've been trying to be a bit more discerning with the little glass bottles I bring home; making sure I don't have a dupe, and/or it's even a color I would wear. However, the most recent OPI Spring/Summer 2014 Collection has really caught my attention. After a long and arduous winter, there is nothing more hopeful for spring than slapping some bright coral lacquer on your nails; am I right? I may exaggerate a bit, but for a beauty junkie, the change in finger nail color means it's a new season ahead! 

Out of the entire collection the colors that reflected my excitement for spring were Live.Love.Carnaval (the coral on the left) and Kiss Me I'm Brazilian (the pink on the right). I've worn both, even though Live.Love.Carnaval is the only one shown on the nail, and can say that they apply true to what you seen in the bottle. Typical for a good OPI polish, these apply evenly, and with two coats you have full opacity. I'm so happy that I've added these spring/summer staples into my collection. 

I definitely recommend picking these beauties up. There were other intriguing shades, like the red and the nude, but I held back...for now...

Hope you enjoyed and let me know in the comments below if you picked up any of the colors from this collection!

Love, 

Claire

NOTD: Julep Cleopatra

I'm always looking for new twists on classic shades when it comes to both makeup and fashion. Black has been "on-trend" for long enough now that I turn to black nails as often as a classic red and neutral nude. Thus, finding a shade that is a slight twist and change from a glossy black nail brings a fresh look to a comfortable color. Today I'm sharing my new favorite fall nail, Julep's Cleopatra. A matte color who's texture is aptly coined by Julep, as "Black Latex". 

As well as a pair of black latex leggings being on my wish list this fall/winter, my nails can partake in the trend along side. After two coats, the polish dries evenly and quickly into a beautiful matte finish. It was a little difficult to take accurate pictures of the sheen, and finish of the polish, so please excuse the "double-chin" angle of my hand. Regardless of fat fingers for the photo, the polish is shown in all its glory. As far as textured finishes that have been hitting the nail polish scene in the last year, this is one of my favorites, and what I consider to be one of the most wearable. Definitely check this polish out if you are like me and love that "so dark blue, it's almost black" and other takes on classic looks. Julep polishes can be found at Sephora and on the Julep website. 

Hope you enjoyed, 

Claire

NOTD: Julep Hailee

I'm a nail polish addict. I love it so much that I'm part of the Julep Maven subscription program, a monthly subscription service that brings new nail polish and beauty products to my door. Over a year of being a member, I have never been disappointed with a single polish from Julep. Today I bring you a beautiful fall shade, Hailee (all the Julep polishes are girl's names). This beautiful matte, silvery-green polish will definitely take me through both Fall and Winter. 

I'm really looking forward to wearing matte finishes on my nails (luckily I have a great matte top coat from Julep to add to any color). I find it to be elegant, tasteful and much more modest than a glossy finish. Hailee is part of the "Suede Matte Finish" collection from Julep. After two coats, and no top coat needed, this richly pigmented is perfect. The brush on Julep polishes is not as wide as my all time favorite, the Dior brush, but it's also not a skinny brush. The formula of Hailee is very similar to that of the average Julep polish, thick and rich. Good news is that Hailee is now on sale on Julep's Website for $7.99 versus $14.99! Definitely pick up Hailee or any of the other shades in the Suede Matte Finish collection. Julep polishes can also be found at Sephora if you want to swatch the polish before spending the money.

Love, 

Claire

NOTD: NYC - Spring Street

Everyone has that nail polish color that constantly sucks them in. For me it's that orangey-red that is so incredibly flattering on every skin tone, i.e. O.P.I. Cajun Shrimp. I'll walk into the drugstore or Sephora and see a new display and get excited for what I think will be a beautiful new shade to add to my collection, and in turn to take it home and see that I have 15 others exactly the same. This new polish is no exception. However, it is incredibly inexpensive and a great formulation. NYC Spring Street retails for under 2 dollars and is a great find if you have never dove into that world of the bright red with a hint of orange. 

In two coats the polish is opaque and started to chip after 4 days of "aggressive" wear. I have multiple of these NYC polishes and have been impressed with the quality for the price every time. Regardless of the fact that I have so many colors similar to Spring Street, I'm still happy I have added it to my arsenal. I find it to be a perfect all year classic color, but especially in the summer. It gives the perfect pop of tasteful color on my hands. I found mine at my local Rite Aide. 

Hope you enjoyed!

Love, 

Claire

NOTD: The New Black - Peach

When one nail gets damaged, they all have to go. I can't tolerate having nails that are different lengths, maybe it's the years of architecture school, but it puts me off completely (only slightly melodramatic). Thus, the nails get the chop; which I really don't mind come warmer weather. Once I say goodbye to the claws, there are a few colors in particular that I love to wear on shorter nails; nudes being one of them. Today I bring you a peach-nude polish that went on opaque in just one coat! This polish from The New Black's Cream Puff Collection, has already become one of my favorites.

Unfortunately lacking an individual name, I must refer to this cutie, as the "peach" from a set that I picked up at Sephora.com, The Cream Puff Collection. The polishes are tiny, as you can see by the awkward giant-hand photos, but they pack a lot of punch in those mini bottles. Ordering online, I was at first disappointed with the size (that's what she said), 0.125 oz, thinking that the handle and brush would be too small for clean application and that I would finish the bottle off in three manicures. Not the case at all. After applying my base coat, the polish went on so easily, I had no problems with the brush, and it settled itself out to an even surface very quickly. 

I love this shade for summer and I think it will look even better once I get more of a tan. I'm also looking forward to trying out the rest of the colors in the collection! All the colors in the set are perfect for spring/summer and I personally like to where pastels all year. Definitely keep an eye out for a follow up post on the rest of the collection! Let me know if you have even tried a nail polish from The New Black.

Hope you enjoyed!
Love,
Claire

NOTD: Sally Hansen Cherry Red

Even though spring is here and I'm loving the mint and peach nail polish, I still find myself gravitating towards that classic red nail. There is nothing more polished (no pun intended) than a perfectly painted red manicure. Now that I'm finally in the work force (YAY!), I find that I have to have a little more appropriate nail polish for day-to-day (I could probably rock whatever, but I'm new, so no crazy colors just yet). Here is one of my favorite nail polish formulas in an amazing color. 

As far as this specific nail polish, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Cherry Red is a great buy. The price ranges from 2 to 3 dollars and the formula is fantastic. The brush gives great application and after one coat I had full opacity. After 5 days, the manicure has barely chipped, the color is still vivid, and I can see myself reapplying it for a second round. Overall, I definitely recommend picking up this color and any other from the line next time you are at the drugstore. 

Hope you enjoyed!

Love, 

Claire