Thursday, December 28, 2017

Moonflower Polish ~ One More Light Collection

*Provided for review
*Wordy...lol





Hello again :) Are we ready for some deep feels? I have my tissues ready and I hope you have yours. I have written before about how I struggle with anxiety, depression, OCD, excoriation, and then some. These feeling are usually overwhelming and alienating. It's hard to be around others and be your self when you aren't even sure what your real self is anymore. It seems hopeless and is very lonely. That's what this collection highlights. Mental Illness, The Invisible Killer.

This is directly from Nadia, the maker of Moonflower Polish.
"The One More Light collection came about directly as the result of Chester Bennington, from Link Park's, death. It struck a chord with me in a way that no other celebrity death had previously as I have been a longtime fan of their music. I reached out Jenalyn from Two Girls One Blush/Velashaa on IG because I knew she was feeling the same way and had been very vocal about her depression. I myself was diagnosed officially with General Anxiety Disorder and Depression back in 2005. It's been an integral part of my life since then, pretty much shaping me into the person I am today. When I asked Jenalyn if she wanted to collab with me, I showed her a few song lyrics and the colors I had in mind and then I also asked to assign colors to what she feels when she's depressed and happy. She provided me with some pictures to help explain her emotions in color form, and this is what we settled on. The colors represent both the good and the bad." Color descriptions are also written by Nadia.

One More Light -  "a dusty purple holo with red to green color shifting shimmer. Inspired by the Linkin Park song of the same name, this song is what has kept me alive on my worst days. The chorus goes "Who cares if one more light goes out? In a sky of a million stars, it flickers, flickers. Who cares when someone's time runs out? If a moment is all we are. We're quicker, quicker. Who cares if one more light goes out? Well I do" It reminds me that people do care about me, and I care about them. It shows the purpose of the collection, not just to raise awareness but to let others who are also suffering that we are here, there are lots of us, and we care." I used 2 perfect coats for my swatch with top coat.


with flash



Shadow of the Day - "bluish gray base with pink-red-gold shimmer and scattered holo. Inspired by the song of the same name as well as a picture Jenalyn took. When we are struggling, the world feels all gray and heavy, it feels like there are no more options but one." This one hits really close to home for me. 2 buttery coats with top coat.


with flash

This is a bit darker here. In real life it looks like the first picture. 

A Million Thoughts - "greenish teal base with red-green-copper shimmer. This color represent my personal struggles with anxiety. Depression comes and goes but anxiety is always there for me. It often feels like I have a million thoughts in my head, all at the same time, a million worries and what ifs. Teal is my favorite color and very representative of me, it's the color fo the ocean of my Caribbean home (I'm from Puerto Rico originally), it's the color I had on my hair for a while (but it's purple now), it's everything to me, it keeps me grounded." This one is so complex and breath taking! I used 3 thin coats for this with top coat. So far all of these have amazing formulas... and they stamp!!


with flash



Heart and Soul - "wine jelly base with holo, purple-blue iridescent glitters, and purple-blue shimmers. This color represent my kids, they are the reason I'm still alive today, they reason I get up in the morning and fight. My son is 5 and his favorite color is red, my daughter is 10 and her favorite color is purple." OH EM GEE!! The blue flash 😍 You need this one. 2 coats with top coat.


with flash

Again, this picture shows the polish darker than in real life. First pic is color accurate.


Do You Love Me - "dusty blue with gray microflakes and pink-red-gold shimmer. Inspired by Jenalyn's long time boyfriend, specifically an old shirt of his that she loves. It's calming and helps to center her.

It's not that she thinks he doesn't love her, but that she likes to ask him if he still loves her in order to calm the chaos in her brain even though she knows she's his world." THIS! My husband and I have been together for over 7 years and married over 5 years. Yet almost every day I find myself wondering this same thing. I used 3 coats for this one. The first coat was a tad patchy so the 3rd coat is just for good measure.


with flash




 The polishes will be $10 each, available in 15ml sizes only, the set will be $48. 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the National Suicide Hotline and Linkin Park's One More Light fund. They will be available starting on January 5th at 9am at my shop: http://www.moonlowerpolish.com

My first reaction of this polish was excellent. The formula is great and each one of the polishes applies beautifully. I could not have asked for a better first experience with Moonflower Polish. I know this was a lot to read but I hope you take in every last word. Supporting this polish brand in turn supports causes which are not heard from enough. Thanks so much for making it this far! Social media links below ❤



Sunday, December 17, 2017

LevelUP Lacquer ~ Polish Pickup January 2018

LevelUP Lacquer ~ Polish Pickup January 2018

*Provided for review



Hey peeps! Tonight is going to be busy here! I have this post and another as well as videos for both! So let's get right to it. LevelUp Lacquer is returning again to Polish Pickup for January. The theme for Januarys inspiration is "Crystals & Gemstones". Ashley, along with 2 other makers, Crows Toes & Chirality, have each chosen 1 of the 5 Infinity stones from the Marvel Universe to use as inspiration. The one I have for you today is inspired by Aether. 



Infinite Realities has a sheer, ultra holographic base with black and red glitters in multiple shapes and sizes. This polish can be used as a topper but I suggest it by itself. It is just so busy that it needs nothing else! It is a glitter bomb so I suggest a peel off base coat for easier removal. I used 3 thinner coats for my swatch and 2 coats of top coat. It is a thirsty glitter so a good top coat is pretty important. 


with flash



So? What do you think? I think it's phenomenal! SO. MUCH. SPARKLE. Totally captures the theme for the month. Polish Pickup will be open January 5th - 8th so make sure you set your alarms! These are the only days you can get this! Follow Polish Pickup on Facebook to keep up with all the brands participating. Have a good night y'all 💓





Wednesday, December 13, 2017

LevelUP Lacquer ~ Star Wars Inspired Quarterly Box

                                                                        *Provided for review
                                                                        *Lots of pics


Hello! How is your holiday season so far? Have you finished your shopping? I have been super busy and am not even close to done shopping. Same as every year lol! I have some things to show you that may help you with your shopping for the nail lover in your life or maybe just for you...

The Star Wars inspired quarterly box from Ash, over at LevelUP Lacquer, will have 4 full size polishes and 1 bath bomb. I do not have the bath bomb for this post but I will give an update on IG when I have it! This box was up for pre-order but will be coming back later this month for anyone who didn't get it 👍

First polish is For The Troopers. This polish is a white crelly base with black and grey hex glitters and a red, glass-fleck flash! For a crelly polish, I feel this one was easy to work with. Builds up beautifully with an even glitter pay out. I used 3 coats with a top coat. 


with flash



The next polish is a jelly! Far Far Away is a bold blue jelly polish with different sizes of color shifting glitters. The glitters are just like the unicorn pee pigment. Soooo awesome.  I used 3 coats with top coat. This polish was nice and easy to work with.


with flash



Hope. I think this one is my favorite. Hope has a purple, gold, blue color shifting base with silver holo shreds. The first coat was a tad streaky but the second coat completes it. I used 2 coats with top coat.


with flash



Last, we have Rule Of Two. This one has a thermal base that goes from black to clear. It is a jelly base with red and black glitters and black flakies. I love thermals. This one is so bad ass!! Red and black together is just such a strong combo. This went on flawlessly in 3 coats with top coat.



with flash



with flash



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As soon as these are available I will update this post and spread the word on IG and Facebook. Will you be picking up this box? I would love to do a twin mani with someone with these. Let me know! Have a great day :)




Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Beauty Bigbang ~ Peacock Holo Powder

*Provided for review
*Picture heavy



Hello again nail peeps! Hope you have all been being good. Christmas is coming up very quickly and I have the perfect place for you to go shopping with that Christmas money you get. Beauty Bigbang has so many things for such great prices. And not just for nails either. Hair stuff and make up and more. Today we are going to look at the Peacock Holo Pigment
item #J2952-6A. Let's get to it!


Picture taken from Beauty Bigbang website

This powder is duochrome and has a linear holo effect.  You must have a gel polish base for this powder. That means you need to use a polish that will cure in either UV light or LED light. Regular polish won't work for this. If you don't want the same mani for weeks, I suggest a peel off base coat. Here is how you do it:

1) Apply a peel off base coat (or regular gel base coat). 

2) Polish your fist coat of gel polish, preferably black, then cure.

3) Polish a second coat of your gel polish (if needed) then cure.

4) Using a clean free gel top coat, seal your color then cure. If you do not have a clean free gel top coat I suggest this one, also from Beauty Bigbang, item #J2845.

5) Using an eyeshadow applicator, or your finger, take a small amount of powder and rub it right on your nail. Keep rubbing until the entire nail is covered in the Peacock Holo Powder.

6) Using a fan brush, or any little brush you have on hand, gently wipe away the excess powder. 

7) Using your clean free top coat, seal and cure.

Viola😍

It is all quite simple actually. The end result is fantastic and the price point is great. Because of this wonderful low price, there is not going to be a full tub of powder. These things are very expensive. I think it is the perfect way to try something out on a tighter budget. In my household, there is only 1 income, so for me this would be ideal! I also added some art after I was done as well. Overall, I give this product 5 Beans. That's right, Beans (coffee beans, duh). It's my new rating system :) 5 Beans is the highest rating so this stuff is good. Please use my code: CAFF10 for a discount!! Enjoy all the pics below. Let me know what you think of the Peacock Holo Powder in the comments!! Have a great week all ❤


with flash


low light


low light


with flash