Press Sample Admittedly, I've had this kit for awhile. I've tested it to see how well gel top coat secured embellishments (spikes specifically), general application, and removal. Wanna find out how it all went down? Of course you do! So keep reading!

 

Press Sample The closer we get to summer the more summer collections start popping up on my to do list. On today's menu is SpaRitual's Reflect Collection for Summer 2013.

I usually gravitate towards neons or anything bright in the summer (or any other time of the year actually) so I had a hard time understanding why a company would release anything else for the summer months. Then I read SpaRitual's press release for the Reflect collection and the color choices made perfect sense.

"The Reflect Nail Lacquer Collection is inspired by the glowing jewel-tone of late summer afternoons and the fleeting shimmer of sunlight across the water and sky as the sun sets the horizon."

As the title suggests, I've got a few different way to wear accent nails using these shade. So let us begin shall we?
How about double accent nails using Joy on my index and middle fingers and Innocence on the rest.
Joy is a neutral beige with hints of gold, silver, and opalescent shimmer that is opaque in three coats. While Innocence is a muted mauve (possibly putty?) creme that is opaque in two coats.

If I had to choose a favorite from this combo, I'd be torn down the middle. I love a good creme (innocence), but for some reason the neutral with shimmer (Joy) is calling my name.

Why not keep playing around with double accent nails and move them to the index and pinky? I decided to go with Kindness as the accent and Positive Vibe for the remaining fingers.
Kindness is a fiery orange with gold shimmer that is opaque in three smooth coats. At the same time, Positive Vibe is described by SpaRitual as a orange hue. However, I see it as a yellow creme that teeters the line between Dijon mustard and peanut butter that reaches full opacity in two coats. Yes, I am hungry, but at least I'm descriptive right? Right.

Again, if I had to choose one out of this combo, yet again, I'd be cleaved. I love cremes (Positive Vibe), but I love just about any polish with gold in it (Kindness).

When in doubt, pinky out! For the third and final accent manicure I choose Freedom (pinky) and Inner Beauty (remaining fingers).
Inner Beauty is a copper shimmer that is actually very sheer. The look you see above took five coats to obtain. So if you're going for a softer look, this is the shade for you. Freedom, as stated by the SpaRitual press release, as a rich brown. For me it is a purple shimmer with glints of pink and blue micro glitter.

Choosing between the two of these was easy. Freedom, hands down favorite! I should probably mention it is opaque in two coats.

Beneath is a screen shot of the press release I was sent so you can read SpaRituals color descriptions yourself.

My picks in order are as follows:
Positive Vibe & Kindness
Joy & Innocence
Freedom
Inner Beauty

The Reflect collection retails for $12.00 each at select spa and retail locations through out the country, including online at Pharamaca.com and Beauty.com.

For much more info visit SpaRitual.com.

Have you been dabbling in the world of accent nails?
Tune in. Drop out. Love polish.
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Nothing To Disclose I know it's been awhile since you've seen any Icing or swatches here on Nail A College Drop Out so I figured why not today?

Last Monday I arrived at the conclusion that my weekend was too short took a mental health day from work and spent the afternoon with Mr. Nail A College Drop Out at the mall. We had dinner, we laughed, he bought me nail polish. All in all, not a bad day right? Now I'm getting beside the point. Anyway, we stopped in Icing and I found their three new speckled lacquers!


Nothing To Disclose

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Affiliate Link I work at a mortgage company and for obvious reasons we're not allowed to have the following items at our desks: paper, pens, and/or pencils, newspaper/magazines, cameras--why would I have my camera at work? There is absolutely nothing exciting enough in my office to photograph, but whatevs.--cell phones, mp3 players, etc. Nowhere on this list does it say anything about nail polish, top coats, and feathers. 

And that is precisely why I was at work doing my nails on a Friday. For the second consecutive Friday.


I started with two coats of Sinful Colors Paradise and let dry. Next, I dabbed on Dazzle Dry Top Coat and carefully positioned the feather on my nail and cut the excess off. (I should mention that I did this one nail at a time.) Finally, I commenced this mani with two layers of top coat.

Getting the feathers to stick to each nail wasn't as easy as I originally thought it would be. Not difficult, but not smooth sailing either. The feathers themselves aren't as malleable as, let's say, paper. (I know what you're thinking, duh Briana they're feathers!)
If you decide to try this at home, you should wait until your top coat becomes somewhat tacky. Don't worry about smudges. That's what the final additional layers of top coat are for!

While I'm on the subject of trying this at home, these feathers are available in five piece sets in twelve colors at BornPrettyStore.com for $1.35.

But wait! There's more! Insert infomercial voice-over voice here. You can get these, as well as everything else at Born Pretty, for 10% off using code NCL91 at checkout!


You feeling today's feather nail art? Chime in!
Tune in. Drop out. Love polish.
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Press Sample Yes! More summer collections are rolling in here at the Nail A College Drop Out head quarters--aka the front door of my mom's house. Don't judge me.--Today I've got the three new summer shades from Pixi Nail Colour.

When I first looked at these colors I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with them. Eventually, I came up with today's simple freehand design.

Like I said earlier, this mani was pretty easy. I just freehanded a border of semi circles using Summer Sunset, Wakeup Wisteria, and Fluoro Flamingo using a miscellaneous nail art brush.


Press Sample So here you go! A simple summer nail look that only required three colors!

Pixi Nail Colour retails for $8 per bottle at Target and PixiBeauty.com.

Are you desperately awaiting summer's arrival like I am?
Tune in. Drop out. Love polish.

Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based in OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.