Put Your Best Nails Forward, Because It’s Rite Aid’s Nail Extravaganza!

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Brooke

Bold blue, funky French, ombre glitter and sherbet-y pastels – sounds likes a celebration, right? Grab your cuticle pusher and buffing block because it’s Nail Extravaganza time!

Rite Aid is looking to you and your readers to participate in the first ever Search for the Rite Aid Nail Enthusiast. The winner will receive a $1,000 Rite Aid gift card, a feature in an upcoming Rite Aid email, plus the opportunity to be the new face of nails sharing nail tips, designs and advice with other nail enthusiasts.

Search for Rite Aid Nail Enthusiast (details follow)

· Top prize = $1,000 Rite Aid gift card and status as the new face of nails

· Submissions accepted 5/10 – 5/25 on http://riteaidnails.com

· Judges: Essie Weingarten (Essie Nail Expert), Suzi Weiss (OPI nail expert) and Julie G. (Jesse’s Girl nail expert)

· Exclusive offers on the Rite Aid Facebook page: http://facebook.com/riteaid

· In store offer: $10 +UP Reward after spending $30 on nail polish or nail art between May 6 – June 2 and June 3 – June 23

We encourage your readers to send their most creative nail designs to http://riteaidnails.com from May 10 – May 25. Be sure to include an original picture of the nail design, along with a design name and description. We’ll then have a panel of influential nail judges choose 10 finalists who will move to the next round. The judges are none other than Essie Weingarten (Essie Nail Expert), Suzi Weiss (OPI nail expert) and Julie G. (Jesse’s Girl nail expert). Insider tip: These fabulous judges are looking for originality, creativity and visual appeal, so show us what you got!

The 10 finalists will receive a nail care kit filled with goodies from everyone’s favorite nail brands (including Coty, L’Oreal, Revlon, Jesse’s Girl and Essie, just to name a few). The finalists will have to use the kit to create a brand new nail design. The public will vote on their favorite design during the grand prize voting period, and the finalist with the highest number of votes will be deemed the winner!

Be sure to keep an eye out on our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/riteaid) for exclusive nail tips and coupons, follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/riteaid) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/riteaidpharmacy) for other chances to win a nail care kit, perfect for summertime manis and pedis. Don’t forget to visit us in store between May 6 – June 2 and June 3 – June 23 to get a $10 +UP Reward after spending $30 on nail polish or nail art.

Target Beauty Bag for Spring 2012

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Brooke

This is just sort of a random “In case you wondered what was in there” post. This year, Target did something a little different with their Beauty Bag Freebie. You had to have made a qualifying beauty purchase to sign up, random terms and conditions… etc. So, that was good and bad. Good because they didn’t run out of stock in a heartbeat… bad because you had to make a specific purchase at Target to qualify.

However. The Target Style Facebook Page had an app where you could sign up and receive the bag and it’s contents without purchase! YAY! So I did and I gots.

Here’s what was inside:

I flipping LOVE the little bag. Perfectly sized, vibrant, and fun.

Loved the contents, I took it all on vacation with me (except the conditioner, because it had no shampoo.. again, wtf… Target, Birchbox, Glam… come on now.)

Did you sign up to receive the Target Beauty Bag for Spring? What did you think?

Nicole by OPI Introduces NEW Kardashian Kolor Pretty Petites Mini Nail Lacquers – Official Product Information & Photos

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brooke

Big Color, Small Bottle!

Nicole by OPI Introduces NEW Kardashian Kolor Pretty Petites Mini Nail Lacquers

Nicole by OPI announces the launch of Kardashian Kolor Pretty Petites, two mini packs each offering four bestselling Kardashian Kolor nail lacquers. The first set Celeb-bities features shiny, sparkly shades in feminine pink and red hues. The second set Sophisti-cuties provides an earth-toned palette of green, brown and gray glitters and crèmes.
“Pretty Petites offer the best of the Kardashian Kolor lacquers in a mini size that’s perfect for gifting or using on-the-go,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Whether you like to change your nail lacquer often or want to experiment with an ombré look, these two mini packs offer variety of color at a great price.”

The Celeb-bities mini pack includes:

Kim-pletely in Love
Finally! The pink of her dreams has arrived.

All Kendall-ed Up
Powder your nose and get some pink on those toes!

Wear Something Spar-Kylie
Glitter-ly the prettiest pink ever!

Sealed with a Kris
Handle with care: This klassy red is top-of-the-line!

***

The Sophisti-cuties mini pack includes:

My Empire…My Rules
This take-charge taupe is always on-trend.

Follow Me on Glitter
A glittery deep gray that always has something to say!

Khloé Had a Little Lam-Lam
A deep dark emerald worth falling for.

Hard-Kourt Fashionista
This delicious deep brown is the chicest hue in town!

“The four shades in the Celeb-bities pack lend bright pops of color and glitter to any look,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “Meanwhile, the four Sophisti-cuties lacquers give nails a classic but edgy feel, thanks to hot neutral hues like taupe, gray and chocolate brown.”

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality. Pretty Petites will be available July 2012 for $10 each at Duane Reade, H-E-Butt, Fred Meyer, Meijer, Rite Aid, Sears and ULTA. In Canada, each set will be available for $15 at Katz Group, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, select Sears locations, and Walmart Canada.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

About Nicole by OPI:
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.

OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps – Official Product Information & Photos

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brooke

Precut Designs Offer Easy, Instant Nail Art
OPI Announces NEW! Pure Lacquer Nail Apps

OPI launches Pure Lacquer Nail Apps for instantaneous manicures and pedicures created using precut nail strips made of 100% real nail lacquer – providing a high-gloss finish, long-lasting wear and zero dry time. Offered in both cream and shimmer finishes, Nail Apps are available in 14 different styles – ranging in design from edgy snake print and fishnet to feminine gold lace and floral.

“Nail art has become increasingly popular, with both consumers and trained professionals,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Pure Lacquer Nail Apps provide the perfect way to get a one-of-a-kind look that simply cannot be replicated by hand. Each nail strip is made of 100% real nail lacquer for a flawless final look with easy application.”

Combining base and color in one convenient product, Nail Apps adhere to nails in seconds and can be stretched for a perfect fit. Each pack contains 16 strips to ensure perfect sizing for all finger and toe nails. For best results, this product should not be finished with top coat. Simply remove with an acetone polish remover like OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover before trying a new design.

“To make Nail Apps last even longer, upgrade your service by having your manicurist cure the nail strips with a GelColor Top Coat. With this addition, Nail Apps will last up to two weeks,” explains Weiss-Fischmann. “If you chose at-home application, place each Nail App carefully, trimming where necessary. Top coat is not recommended. Within minutes, your nails will be uniquely designed like never before!”

Pure Lacquer Nail Apps are available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for the suggested retail price of $11.95.

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

ABOUT OPI
As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

May 2012 MyGlam Glam Bag Photos and Thoughts

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brooke

Since I’ve been a subscriber of MyGlam Glam Bags… I haven’t really been all that impressed. It all started out extremely negative for me. I held on and they have been steadily getting better. This month, I’m definitely the happiest I’ve been with them ever.

The May Glam Bag brings us a love theme. Why it’s a love theme in May absolutely escapes me, but I guess we can love all year and not just in February!

Normally I start off with the positives, but this time there aren’t many negatives so I’m going to start there first. I don’t want a ton of inserts and paper crap in my monthly subscription service… but a card describing what is in there is always nice to have (like what Birchbox does). MyGlam basically went from WAY too much paper, to no paper.

Also, I didn’t like the bag this month. The makeup bag is cutesy… but teeny bopper I-Can’t-Get-Enough-Of-Justin-Beiber-ish. My 3 year old is pleased with it, though.

That’s where the negatives end! Contents wise, the bag is a win! Two more brushes to add to my pink pouch of brushes, a Philosophy fragrance sample of Love Sweet Love (unfortunately in those pesky vials I hate), Nail Bling Manicure in Minutes, and a FULL SIZE Lippie from Studio Gear in the shade Romance (see swatch below).

Overall, I’m pleased. YAY for Glam Bag MAY! They are steadily getting better and I’m absolutely keeping my subscription into June.

You can sign up for your own Glam bag at myglam.com for $10 a month. The way they charge is a bit odd, so make sure you read up on all of the FAQ stuff. These tend to sell out very quickly. Rather than stalking them on Facebook, or waiting for a notification email, I suggest checking the website once a day, that’s how I ended up being able to sign up.

Lubriderm Shea + Calming Lavender Jasmine Daily Moisture Lotion Photos & Review

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brooke

As a person with sensitive skin, I’m extremely picky about what I use (for fear I’ll rash out). Lubriderm Daily Moisture Shea + Calming Lavender Jasmine Lotion is amazing across the board. I’m not a fan of lavender, but mixed with the Jasmine and Shea it’s a divine, fresh scent. The lotion spreads evenly and doesn’t feel greasy.

I keep this by my computer to use frequently as a hand cream, but I also use it all over after a shower, and on both of my kids after their bath.

From the Press Release:

LUBRIDERM® Daily Moisture Shea+ Calming Lavender Jasmine Lotion is clinically shown to moisturize skin for 24 hours. With a clean and non-greasy feel, the light formula contains a calming lavender and jasmine fragrance that leaves skin smelling great. After using this lotion in a consumer trial, testers felt relaxed, comfortable, and at ease.

Lubriderm Daily Moisture Shea + Calming Lavender Jasmine Lotion retails for $6.99 for 16 fl. oz. at drugstores nationwide.

NARS LIBERTÉ Blush Swatches and Review – Summer 2012

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brooke

NARS is well known for their blushes because of either their extreme pigment or universal wear. Shades are buildable to suit any skin tone with elongated staying power.

Summer 2012 brings us a new addition to the NARS Blush family with Liberte.

What the NARS website has to say about their Blush:

The ultimate authority in blush, NARS offers the industry’s most iconic shades for cheeks. Natural, healthy-looking color that immediately enlivens the complexion. A light application of even the highest-intensity hues delivers a natural-looking flush.

“Best Overall Powder Blush” 2010 & 2011 InStyle “Best Beauty Buys”

Silky texture in matte and shimmering shades

Micronized powder ensures soft, blendable application

Iconic NARS shades

Liberte is described as a “burnished apricot” and gives off almost a matte, sunburned glow when applied.

This blush, like a lot of NARS blushes, is extremely pigmented. For use, I like to take a very fluffy blush brush, dab into the powder, dab first on the apples of the cheeks then dab upward, finish with blending. Repeat as desired then add a teeny bit more to the apples. The perfect flush!

The packaging is like all other NARS blushes, a rubbery compact that seems to be very durable, with a decent sized mirror parallel to the blush for the interior.

NARS Blushes retail for $28 each. LIBERTÉ is released with the Summer 2012 Collection, now available on narscosmetics.com, Sephora and at NARS counters.

For more information, please see the Official Press Release.

Introducing MAC Extended Play Lash – Official Product Photos & Information

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Brooke

NOW YOU – AND YOUR LASHES – CAN
PARTY ALL NIGHT WITH NEW EXTENDED PLAY LASH.
A CURLING, LIFTING, DEFINING, VOLUMIZING
MASCARA THAT’S SO LIGHTWEIGHT…FLIPS UP ANY
DOWNWARD TILTING LASHES, STRETCHES THEIR
VOLUME AND DEFINES THEM IN A CHIC SHADE OF
ENDLESS BLACK. 16 HOURS OF WEAR!
DESPITE ITS STYLE AND DOUBLE TENACITY,
REMOVAL IS SWIFT AND EASY:
A 20-SECOND SOAK WITH WARM WATER AND
A GENTLE WIPE IS ALL THAT’S REQUIRED.

MASCARA
EXTENDED PLAY LASH ENDLESSLY BLACK
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE – $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN

Available North America May 24, 2012
International June 2012
at all M·A·C locations, and www.maccosmetics.com

Introducing MAC Hey, Sailor! Collection – Official Product Information & Photos

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Brooke

SET SAIL THIS SUMMER WITH A COLOUR AND BRONZING COLLECTION DESIGNED TO DROP ANCHOR IN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED PORTS OF CALL.
Decked out in stylishly sailor-striped packaging, a fabulous flotilla of Small Eye Shadows, Lipsticks, Lipglass, Powder Blushes, Pigments, Powerpoint Eye Pencils, Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, Nail Lacquers and Zoom Waterfast Lash. Get sun dipped with Bronzing Powders, Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders, High-light Powder, To The Beach Body Oil, Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms and a 167SH Face Blender Brush. M·A·C invites you to experience the jauntiest, yacht-iest collection of the season!

LIPSTICK – SRP $15.50 U.S./$18.50 CDN
SALUTE! Neutral peach (amplified)
TO CATCH A SAILOR Highly frosted tan (frost)
RED RACER Bright yellow red (satin)
SAIL LA VIE Bright mid-tone orange (satin)

LIPGLASS – SRP $15.50 U.S./$18.50 CDN
CUT LOOSE White gold with pearl
ORANGE TEMPERA Pale peach
RIVIERA LIFE Bright tangerine
BLESSEDLY Rich Pale coral
SEND ME SAILING Bright yellow red
PRO LONGWEAR LIP PENCIL – SRP $19.00 U.S./$22.50 CDN
SAUNTER Pale nude beige
THROW ME A LINE! Bright true red
SHORE LEAVE Light vibrant coral
EYE SHADOW – SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN
CRYSTAL AVALANCHE White with reflects (veluxe pearl)
BAREFOOT Tarnished gold (veluxe pearl)

JAUNTY Light yellow beige (frost)
FEELING FRESH Bright green (frost)
NAUTICAL Navy Blue (satin)
PIGMENT – SRP $21.00 U.S./$25.50 CDN
OLD GOLD High frosted tarnished gold (frost)

NAVAL BLUE Deep smoky blue (frost)
POWERPOINT EYE PENCIL – SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN
HANDFORGED Metallic yellow gold
EMERALD SEA Kelly green
BLUE STRIPE Dark navy
ZOOM WATERFAST LASH – SRP $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
WATERFAST BLACK Black
HIGH-LIGHT POWDER – SRP $28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN
CREW Soft peachy cream with fine shimmer
POWDER BLUSH – SRP $21.00 U.S./$25.50 CDN
LAUNCH AWAY! True peach (satin)
FLEET FAST Pinky, golden coral (satin)
NAIL LACQUER – SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN
VESTRAL WHITE Creamy white (creme)
TOUCH OF RED Bright yellow red (creme)
**********

BRONZING POWDER – SRP $24.00 U.S./$29.00 CDN
SOFT SAND Golden bronze with fine gold pearl
REFINED GOLDEN Finely spun golden with soft pearl finish

PRO LONGWEAR BRONZING POWDER – SRP $28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN
NUDE ON BOARD Bronzy, yellow tone
SUN DIPPED Dirty red tone
M∙A∙C TO THE BEACH BODY OIL – SRP $22.50 U.S./$27.00 CDN
SEASIDE Dirty blushy pink with multidimensional sparkles
MAN RAYS Glowing tan with multidimensional golden shimmer

SUNTINTS SPF 20 LIQUID LIP BALM – SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN
SEA MIST Peachy nude with multidimensional pearl
ABALONE See through hot pink with no pearl

AU ROSÉ Poppy coraly pink with gold pearl

BRUSH – SRP $34.00 U.S./$41.00 CDN
167SH Face Blender
**********

MAKE WAVES WITH THE JE NE SAIS QUOI OF THESE RIVIERA READY CARRYALLS.
Their instantly recognizable Mariniere pattern, originating on the coast of Brittany, gets modernized with an op art inspired twist. The bucket-style canvas cinch tote is perfect for on or off dock leisure. The navy-and-white striped canvas Makeup Bag Set, replete with bright red patent edges and golden roped hardware closures, make them stylish enough to carry on their own. Consider them l’essentials for lazy beach days and breezy bay nights…we sure do. Adieu!

GONE SAILING MAKEUP BAG SET – SRP $35.00 U.S./$42.00 CDN

GONE SAILING TOTE – SRP $45.00 U.S./$54.00 CDN

AVAILABLE
North America May 24, 2012 at all M·A·C locations
International Ex Asia May 2012 at all M·A·C locations

May 2012 Birchbox Photos and Thoughts

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Brooke

My Birchbox is soooo late! So I’m sorry for the late post, this just came in the mail today =\ The May Birchbox wasn’t as good as April… but it’s not a total fail! Plus anything having to do with Gossip Girl automatically gets points in my book. Check it out!

~ Arquiste Flor y Canto

~ Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream

~ FusionBeauty LipFusion Balm

~ Ojon damage reverse Restorative Conditioner

~ Notecards (Birchbox Extra)

The Arquiste Flor y Canto is a fragrance vial. I’ve never heard of the brand or the scent before, but it’s not too bad. Definitely floral, but it’s not too heavy. I do like it, but it gives me a slight headache. I hate vials, too… I always spill when I open them. Spray vials only, PLEASE.

I’m always happy to get a hand cream, since I go through them so quickly. The one by Caudalie that was included feels great on, but sort of smells like an old orange. I’ll get the use out of it, but I’m glad it wasn’t a full size (who says that?!)

A full size item was included in this months box, the FusionBeauty LipFusion Balm (which has a retail of $22). While this is a nice item and I’ll absolutely use it, I’m a little sad I didn’t get a Stila liner like Pink Sith =(

The fourth item is Ojon damage reverse Restorative Conditioner… which I WOULD be happy about, had the Shampoo also been included. I like to use hair care in the appropriate sets so that they can react on your mane the way they’re supposed to. It totally blows my mind to get one half of a set and not the other. I think it’s more annoying this time, because with Glossybox I just got a shampoo… too bad they weren’t the same brands, then I could combine!

For this box, Birchbox included an extra, one note card with the XOXO on it. I think this is a cute little extra for them to add. It’s appropriate for the theme and I’m going to write something… sweet… inside and stick it in DH’s lunchbox before he goes to work tomorrow. hehe

While the May Birchbox hasn’t been my fave, it hasn’t been the worst we’ve seen either. I feel it was definitely worth my $10.00 and am excited to see what they have in store for next month!

Wanna sign up for Birchbox? (Click for referral) If you like what you see go to the website and fill out the form. It’s just $10 a month (free shipping too!) and you get some cool stuff, tho I will warn you, you’re going to get stuff you hate as well. All in all, for the $10 it’s worth it. I love getting mail! haha

***Disclosure – I buy my own Birchbox, but the link posted in the above paragraph does give me referral points which I can use toward product on the site. Once you sign up for your own Birchbox, you’ll also get a referral code to send out to others and get some points of your own!