Obsessed

Neons by OPI Nail Art!

April 23, 2014

Just in time for summer, OPI will be launching a collection of six full-size (yes, full-size!) neon lacquers, along with Put a Coat On!, a special white base coat that is meant to boost neon colour.

If you recall my posts on last summer’s Neon Minis (see them here and here!), you will remember just how hot the little Neon Lacquers were. OPI fans wanted more, and unfortunately, last summer’s offering only came in a mini size. Fast forward to now, and OPI is offering both the full size collection of neons, as well as a mini set of all six lacquers (does not include the special white base coat).

Today I bring you a quick sneak peek at the six shades, as well as… well, let’s just inspiration struck.

I started with a base of Put a Coat On!, an opaque white polish meant to be worn under these neon lacquers to help make them pop. I used only one generous coat which actually applied quite evenly, with minimal streaking (which is what white polishes are notorious for, unfortunately), and let that dry. Once it dried, I created some 80’s pop-art nails, slightly reminiscent of my abstract nail art seen here:

And of course, a macro, because I can’t help but love macros!

What do you think of today’s neon nail art? Are you like me, totally obsessed with neon shades for summer?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Dior Manicure Essentials

April 21, 2014

Beauty, Dior, Dior Vernis, Nail care, Nailpolish, Obsessed

2 Comments

In 1963, Dior created an exceptionally popular treatment: Crème Abricot. This incredibly rich formula was capable of making nails stronger and encouraging their growth through a burst of nutrition and regeneration. Creators of the Couture manicure believed that beautiful nails were the essential finishing touch to a look.

Over the years, the Crème Abricot design has become iconic: its little round pot and beaded border is reminiscent of a neo-classical pillbox. A desirable and portable object to slip into your handbag for any occasion. The success of this star formula has never faltered and 50 years later it remains a must-have product.

Today, Crème Abricot is part of a complete manicure range, starting with Huile Abricot, an extremely refined treatment oil for daily use.

A deeply nourishing and hydrating treatment for cuticles, it also helps strengthen nails:

Its unique formula protects and hardens keratin within the nails through a synergy of active oils. Firstly, argan oil, concentrated in essential fatty acids and anti-oxidant, vitamin E; camellia oil, reputed for its protective properties; and finally, apricot oil, rich in vitamins and minerals, indispensable for strong nails.

I like to keep Huile Abricot in my purse for convenience (love the simple tube and applicator!) – which was especially nice through our never-ending winter this year, or apply a drop to each nail before bed… If you follow my blog, you’ll know how much I swear by regular massaging of cuticles with some cuticle oil. Massaging your cuticles before bed really helps absorb the nutritive oil, and encourages nail growth, and is so easy to do! If you just do one thing to take care of your nails, this would be an amazing product to keep on your nightstand or in your purse for daily use.

Going hand-in-hand with the amazing Crème Abricot or Huile Abricot is Dior’s Base Coat Abricot. A nourishing, smoothing and hardening base coat, it transforms the surface of the nail, preparing it for nail polish application and long lasting wear. With an ever-so-subtle beige tint in the bottle, it applies clear, but leaves behind a clean and shiny finish on nails – the perfect unpolished manicure! The first time I applied Base Coat Abricot, I actually skipped the polish, it looked so clean and well… pretty!

Finishing up the Dior manicure is Dior Gel Coat, a gel-finish top coat with an extremely high-gloss finish to wrap and seal the polish. Smoothed over with a brilliant lacquered effect, Dior Gel Coat makes nails appear stronger and thicker with its gel finish, yet dries quickly. While not an actual quick-dry top coat, it dries to the touch within five or so minutes – that’s quick drying to me! And when you are ready to change colours, Dior’s Gel Coat is simple to take off: just use regular nail polish remover – no pain, no scrubbing.

Finally, a little bit of luxe in a small bottle: Dissolvant Abricot, The Treatment Remover:

Described as an acetone-free solution ensures fast and efficient nail polish removal with care for your nails. Rich in treatment ingredients known to nourish, hydrate and strengthen, it instantly revives whiteness and shine.

All Dior manicure essential products are available at Dior counters.

For more information (no shipping available to Canada), head to Dior.com and you can shop online at thebay.com!

What is your one luxe beauty splurge item?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Morgan Taylor & an Easter Mani

April 20, 2014

Morgan Taylor, Nail Art, OPI, Pastels, Zoya

4 Comments

Happy weekend and Happy Easter to those of you celebrating!

Source

Today I have a quick pastel mani that is perfect for Easter… or just spring. I love pastels and my quest for the perfect yellow once led me to franken my very own pastel yellow that, if I say so myself, actually turned out quite pretty. And similar to today’s gem from Morgan Taylor: Ahead of the Game. A gorgeous pastel yellow with the subtlest hint of shimmer, Ahead of the Game caught my eye a few times and I somehow managed to walk away… not yesterday! It does apply a little sheer on the first coat, but with a generous second coat, leaves behind a perfect, streak-free finish:

Ahead of the Game looked to be the perfect blank canvas, so I decided to make it into an Easter mani by adding some angled French tips with OPI’s Alpine Snow, and an accent of Zoya’s Cole from their Spring Awaken Collection, a beautiful pastel peach-orange cream:

Simple, yet elegant, and easy to do with some striping tape or simple tape cut out into lengths or little triangles.

If you are celebrating today, Happy Easter and hope everyone enjoys this beautiful Sunday with their loved ones, furry and human!

Source

What do you think of my pastel mani?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

OPI Neon Shades for Summer!

April 8, 2014

Nailpolish, Neon, OPI, Press release

9 Comments

OPI Releases Six New Neon Nail Lacquers with
Accompanying White Base Coat to Boost Bright Color

OPI Adds Its First Full-Size Neon Shades to Permanent Collection

OPI announces the launch of six new neon nail lacquers, the brand’s first full-size neon shades, along with Put a Coat On! – a special white base coat that instantly boosts neon color. Neons by OPI arrives just in time for summer, with electric hues in shades of lemon-lime, tangerine, hot pink, coral, lime and purple.

“With hands and feet constantly on display during warmer months, wearing nail lacquer is a must,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder & Executive VP. “I am a big fan of bright colors for summer, and Neons by OPI delivers a bold look that pairs perfectly with sun-kissed skin. To really make the neon shades pop, I recommend using Put a Coat On!, a new white base coat developed to be worn with bright lacquer hues to further enhance color.

“These six shades are the first full-size neons OPI has ever released,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “With large demand for new bright lacquers, this collection is a welcome addition to OPI’s permanent line.”

Neons by OPI includes:

Life Gave Me Lemons
This citrusy lemon-lime hits the spot every time!

You are So Outta Lime!
Here comes trouble and she’s wearing this outspoken lime green!

Juice Bar Hopping
This tangerine cream makes me jump for joy!

Hotter than You Pink
Just when you think pink can’t get any hotter, there’s this!

Push & Pur-Pull
This forceful purple has got me coming and going!

Down to the Core-al
The beauty of this brilliant coral goes beyond skin deep.

Put a Coat On!
Amp up any bright shade with this color-boosting base coat.

Neons by OPI Minis

Neons by OPI will also be available in GelColor, marking the launch of OPI’s first neon gel shades. GelColor is a professional salon service that offers a high-shine, 100% gel finish that lasts for weeks with a 30 second LED cure.

“If you’re planning a summer vacation, try a GelColor manicure or pedicure,” said Weiss-Fischmann. “Not only will your neon nails look fabulous, they’ll remain chip-free and flawless while you’re having fun in the sun.”

Neons by OPI will be available in both nail lacquer and GelColor (for professionals only) formulas beginning May 2014. Nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application and will retail for $10.95 at professional salons and spas across Canada.

GelColor is an in-salon, professional service only. Prices depend on the salon and range from $28 – $38 for a manicure and $35 – $45 for a pedicure.

For more information about OPI, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

With last summer’s Neon Minis (see them here and here!), there was a resounding call for full-size neons, and I’m so happy OPI listened! Which shade are you most excited about?

~xo

A-England Ballerina Collection

March 24, 2014

A-England, Holos, Nailpolish, Obsessed

14 Comments

Each time that A-England’s creator teases us with hints of a new collection, Adina’s eager fans wait with baited breath for what will be unveiled. The incredible formulas, the colours, the historic inspirations behind each collection… Many of us have become devotees of the brand! And today I have for you the gorgeous Ballerina collection. (For inspiration details, head over to Ommorphia’s launch post.)

A-England’s Ballerina is a collection of four beautiful, delicate holographic polishes in whisper-soft colours. The collection immediately reminded me of the tulle on dancers’ skirts… how perfect!

The first shade, and probably my favourite of the four (though it’s nearly impossible to pick a favourite) is Fonteyn. Fonteyn is a lavender-tinged silver holo with a formula so perfect, so divine, that it was a one-coater. It applied with buttery perfection, fully opaque on the first coat, and drying quickly to an incredible shine. (If you own any A-Englands, you’ll know that this brand is renowned for its high-shine finish!) Here is Fonteyn without top coat:

Full sun

In the shade

Dancing with Nureyev is blue-purple holographic with a metallic finish that almost changes colour depending on the light. It is a little more indigo in some light, then a little more purple, but always demure.

I paired Fonteyn with Dancing with Nureyev for a subtle holo gradient:

And two coats of the gorgeous Dancing with Nureyev, no top coat:

Full sun

In the shade

I had to include a macro of Dancing with Nureyev because it is so beautiful:

Encore Margot is described as an “icy blue prismatic hue,” a pale-silver holographic that dries to a cool dove grey shade. The holo effect on Encore Margot appears a little softer than that of Fonteyn or Dancing with Nureyev, but the effect is breathtaking. Another amazing formula, a little more fluid than Fonteyn, requiring two easy coats. Below, without top coat:

Full sun

In the Shade

Finally, Her Rose Adagio, a delicate soft pink holo described as “faded roses in a silver prismatic base, as romantic as it is ‘en pointe’.” Possessing a similar soft holo and formula like Encore Margot, I used two coats for the photos below:

Full sun

In the shade

What always stands out for me is A-England’s incredible glossy finish, and its beauty whether in sunlight or in the shade. These colours are so demure and perfect, so aptly named that it is impossible not to fall in love…

A-England is available directly from their website for those in the UK, or from several stockists this side of the pond (check out Where to buy), including Nail Polish Canada (with free shipping within Canada!). Don’t forget to follow A-England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and Nail Polish Canada on Facebook and Twitter!

Have you tried any of the Ballerina shades, and which one is your favourite so far?

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

~xo

(Product provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood Collection

March 17, 2014

Glitter, Jelly, Nail care, Nailpolish, Nicole by OPI, Obsessed, Other, Textured

2 Comments

Earlier this year Nicole by OPI launched a new celebrity collaboration of 14 new lacquers inspired by mega-star country singer Carrie Underwood, and what a beautiful collaboration! Running the gamut from nudes to pinks to vamps… and a few sparklers and textures thrown in for good measure. There truly is something for everyone here!

Let’s look at the gorgeous lacquers! (Just a note that I did not receive Carrie’s namesake polish, Carrie’d Away, a beautiful gold, so I have only 13 of the 14 lacquers for you.) All polishes are swatched over Nicole by OPI’s new 3-in-1 base/top coat and strengthener.

One of the immediate standouts for me was the soft, pale rose-petal-pink Love My Pups. This one reminds me of some of my favourite OPI crellies (cream jellies) like Bubble Bath and Funny Bunny – sheer at first but buildable and totally office-and-also-wedding-appropriate! Here are two coats:

Look how gorgeous Love my Pups is with a hint of Party Bus, a beautiful silver holographic glitter polish with macro glitter and… flower glitters! I didn’t know if I would like this glitter by looking at the bottle, but it totally blew me away once I had it on!! It’s so fun!! And summery, and really like a Party Bus, no?

Look at the macro… sigh:

Southern Charm is a gorgeous peach-leaning tan creme. Another beauty! This colour is slightly darker/more peach than nude on me, but this is the kind of nude lipgloss I usually fawn over, so no surprise, another love here! Below, 2 coats:

I paired Southern Charm with Lips are Dripping Honey, a gold holographic glitter bomb in a clear base. This one is filled with golden hex and micro glitter, making it sparkle no matter how much or how little of it you use. It’s like a gold version of Party Bus, minus the flower shapes. Doesn’t it make a gorgeous combo with Southern Charm?

And of course, a macro for my macro-lovers:

I love the holo glitters Nicole by OPI used in this collection!

Sweet Daisy is a beautiful salmon pink creme. I loved Nicole by OPI’s description “southern peach blossom” which I could almost imagine. In some lights it leans a bit more peach, and had a crelly quality as well. Another beauty! Here are two shiny coats:

A little bit brighter is Color Me Country, another crelly formula polish in a hot, medium-pink. It’s totally a hot summer shade and will sizzle with a little summer sun and tan! Here are two easy coats:

A sugary pink confection, I loved how Carnival Cotton Candy looked with Goodbye Shoes, used as an accent on my ring finger. Goodbye Shoes is a dustry grey-green, very different, but gorgeous. I usually don’t love green polishes but the grey-base totally called out to me! Both below at two coats:

Some Hearts is a polish I have already used a few times in a couple of recent nail art manis (here and with Color Me Country here). A beautiful bright coral, this is another sizzling beauty for summer! It looked really bright on me and I love it! Look at that shine! Again, two coats:

I have worn the next shade so many times that I’ve lost count. You have to know how hard it is for me to wear the same polish over and over again, given how many new or unworn polishes I have at any given time… not to mention the swatching that I do… but somehow, American as Apple Pie, this stunning red creme, just keeps calling to me! If you only purchase one colour from this collection, get this – sure to become a classic red in your stash. Amazingly easy to apply, self-levelling, quick drying. Two coats, no top coat and this shine!:

Moving on to the two vamps in this collection, another namesake polish, this one a play on her married name, Fisher Queen is a deep eggplant with a beautiful hidden shimmer. In the sun, as in below, it is very vibrant and the shimmer dances (click the pic to see full size), while in the shade, it is a mysterious vamp. Another easy application, two coats below:

Backstage Pass is a burnished purple, appearing brown in the shade, but with a hidden copper shimmer in the sun. If you click the picture, you can see some of the sparkle. Application was great with a gorgeous shine to the finish. Two coats:

Finally, the only textured polish in this collection is Sing You Like a Bee, a white frost with tons of golden shimmer. You can see the textured finish best on my pinky. This was a breeze to apply if you let the coats dry in between, and you have to apply it lightly as the formula was a bit thick. I used two coats below:

The gold shimmer is actually more of a gold flake if you look at the macro shot below. The iridescence of this polish is divine. It actually looks angelic!

Which of these shades is your favourite?

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality. This limited edition collection will be in newly designed bottles featuring the NEW Nicole logo. These shades are available (in Canada) at Shoppers Drug Mart, Target Canada, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, London Drug, and Loblaws.

For more information, visit Nicole by OPI on the web, on Facebook, on Instagram and on Twitter!

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

~xo

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

OPI Brazil Nudes

February 26, 2014

Nail Art, Nailpolish, Obsessed, OPI

10 Comments

I was so excited about OPI’s Brazil Collection that launched for Spring/Summer this year… those bright corals, pinks, red… but when I saw the nude selection of this collection… *thud*
If you are a neutral palette lover like me, you will literally want to stop reading, grab your wallet, and run to the nearest OPI salon. Seriously.

This collection immediately struck me as a home run, just like last year’s Euro Centrale collection. Ranging from brights to mocha to a deep green, there is something for every polish lover, and FIVE of the collection’s 12 shades are neutrals. That’s almost HALF the collection in neutral shades, with 3 of them being shades of nude. I am totally in love!

I decided to use the four creme earthy tones in an ombré manicure because they looked so beautiful together. All four of these cremes have a similar, warm-pink-toned base, making them not only gorgeous, but perfect complements to one another! And the formula? Perfection!!! No streaking, not even on the lightest shade Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around. Drytime was amazing too, even pre-topcoat.

My ombré manicure consisted of the lightest shade in this collection, and about to become another nude favourite OPI of mine (next to My Vampire is Buff), Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around; Taupe-less Beach, a gorgeous greyed taupe a few shades darker than the lightest; I São Paulo Over There, yet a few more shades darker than the previous colour and a mid-toned greyed mocha; and finally, OPI Scores a Goal, a rich chocolate creme (L to R in all pictures).

Above, in the shade

In full sun

Brazil by OPI is now available in both nail lacquer and GelColor formulas!

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

What do you think of my ombré mani?

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read your comments.

~xo

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Zoya Naturel Collection Review

February 19, 2014

Nail Art, Nailpolish, Obsessed, Zoya

Nicole by OPI – NEW LE Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

February 19, 2014

Matte, Nailpolish, Nicole by OPI, Obsessed, Press release, Textured

1 Comment

Nail Colour that Rocks!

Nicole by OPI Announces NEW Limited Edition Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

This March, Nicole by OPI launches Roughles (“ruffles”) — 4 new textured nail lacquers featuring speckled, pastel shades of purple, pink, turquoise and yellow. When the lacquer dries, Roughles lacquers reveal a unique pebbled finish. Roughles should be applied without a top coat to achieve a matte effect.

“Chic pastels were a major trend throughout the runway collections at spring/summer 2014 shows and textured, matte nails are going to be one of the hottest looks this spring,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Wearing these feminine shades on fingers and toes is a refreshing take on this trend. Pair these lacquers with candy colored fabrics and flirty floral prints to really make a statement!”

Roughles shades include:

I’m Stucco on You
I terra-“cotta” have this textured purple on my nails!

Rock the Look
The edgy side of girlie…a textured pink all your own.

On What Grounds?
Stop in the name of this textured turquoise beauty!

Sand in My Shoe
I “beacha” just love this grainy golden yellow in me.

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality. The 4 new nail lacquers will be available in stores beginning March 2014 for $10.99 each at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaws and London Drug.

For more information, visit Nicole by OPI on the web, on Facebook, on Instagram and on Twitter!

Nicole Challenge Nail Art

February 18, 2014

Nail Art, Nail care, Nailpolish, Nicole by OPI, Obsessed

1 Comment

Yesterday I announced that I was participating in a new Nicole by OPI challenge that runs until February 25th (please head to twitter to tweet or retweet to help me win!), and today I wanted to share some more details about the nail art. 🙂

The challenge was to come up with a manicure to complement any of Carrie Underwood’s amazing songs using only shades from her new Nicole by OPI collection.
I chose the song “Before he Cheats.” Colours used (all from the Carrie Underwood for Nicole by OPI collection): Love My Pups, Carnival Cotton Candy, Some Hearts and American as Apple Pie, as well as the new 3-in-1 as my base/top coat:

Here is the mani before I added the nail art, with the beautiful pale nude Love My Pups on my index and ring (2 coats), red beauty American as Apple Pie on my middle, and deep pink crelly Some Hearts on my pinky:

Aren’t the colours beautiful?

And the final look once I added striping tape and the topping colours (middle and pinky fingers done freehand, and index is a sponge gradient of American as Apple Pie and Carnival Cotton Candy):

Once again, if you happen to like my mani and are on twitter, would you vote for me by heading over to Twitter and tweeting or retweeting the following photo of my nail art, including my hashtag #Aire4Nicole?

Everyone can tweet once as well as retweet once per day (that’s two votes per person, per day)!

Thank you! ~xo

(If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post or comment.)

—The Obsessed

The Obsessions and musings of a product junkie…

Archive

Obsessed

Neons by OPI Nail Art!

Dior Manicure Essentials

Morgan Taylor & an Easter Mani

OPI Neon Shades for Summer!

OPI Releases Six New Neon Nail Lacquers with
Accompanying White Base Coat to Boost Bright Color

OPI Adds Its First Full-Size Neon Shades to Permanent Collection

A-England Ballerina Collection

Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood Collection

OPI Brazil Nudes

Zoya Naturel Collection Review

Nicole by OPI – NEW LE Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

Nail Colour that Rocks!

Nicole by OPI Announces NEW Limited Edition Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

Nicole Challenge Nail Art

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OPI Releases Six New Neon Nail Lacquers with Accompanying White Base Coat to Boost Bright Color

OPI Adds Its First Full-Size Neon Shades to Permanent Collection

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Nail Colour that Rocks!

Nicole by OPI Announces NEW Limited Edition Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

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OPI Releases Six New Neon Nail Lacquers with
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