Icing: Flower Child

Do you throw confetti at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve? Naw, me either. But, those ‘rockin’ parties seem to. I’ll settle for confetti on my nails. That hangs around longer…

swatches toss trash reviews 114 swatches toss trash reviews 116I found ‘Flower Child’ at an Icing store. I don’t know why I keep looking for more, new polish. I have more to-be-swatched than days of the week. Probably everyone can agree that there isn’t enough time during the Holiday season to get everything done. So, my nail-painting has slacked!

‘Flower Child’ is the perfect polish for those that like lots and lots of glitter…

swatches toss trash reviews 115 swatches toss trash reviews 117There’s round glitter, hexagon-shaped, and lots and lots of shards. I see teal, orange, silver, fuchsia, green and gold colors.

This glitter polish is the kind I love painted over a dark, creme polish. And, ‘Nevermore’ from Cult Nails is my all-time, only-one-I-need, one-coat black creme polish. But, I was fascinated to see it on a dark blue creme (I don’t remember which brand I used), as well…

swatches toss trash reviews 112 swatches toss trash reviews 111 swatches toss trash reviews 110I did have to do a bit of placement as the glitter wanted to all collect at the tip. You can see how this made the topcoat not as smooth. Of course, with ‘Nevermore’, I only needed one coat but, the blue polish got two. Then I put on two coats of ‘Flower Child’.

Since I didn’t wear this on my own nails, I can’t judge how it would wear for real. However, for a one-night event, such as New Year’s Eve, being a ‘Flower Child’ might be the new bling.

Do you think you’ll ever NOT like glitter polish?

Cult Nails: Behind Closed Doors Collection

I have the great honor to show you the newest collection from Cult Nails called ‘Behind Closed Doors‘. This is their last collection of the year. And, Maria is having a money-saving sale on the set as well. Keep reading!!!

One thing customers can count on with Cult Nails is that they are trend-setters, not trend-followers. The ‘Behind Closed Doors’ collection is exactly that! See for yourself…

I took the collection out from behind closed doors into the outdoors. Hee hee! Starting from the left: Afterglow, Bitten, Coveted, Disciplined and Flushed.

Here they are individually with a close, close up…

Afterglow is a bronze-copper with deep pink shimmers…

Bitten is a rich red that has gobs of pink shimmer…

Coveted is a forest green jelly and in it are green flakies…

Disciplined is a wicked stand out from the collection. A sheer, whisper grey that shimmers blue then pink…

And the fifth polish is Flushed. Very complex in that it is a blurple that is deep. Then the shimmer is a deep burgundy wine color. This photo blows the entire color out of control. It is much, much richer than the photo shows…

Before I get to the swatches, I want to show you one good nail I did with Disciplined. It’s sheer so it didn’t reflect well on the white nail wheel. Disciplined is light and sheer but it is buildable. Here it is with three very thin coats…

Here are swatches on the nail wheel…

You can truly see how rich these polishes are, especially with Flushed.

If pressed for a favorite, I will pick Disciplined. It reminds me of the look of pure snow on a bright, yet cloudy day.

The ‘Behind Closed Doors‘ collection goes on sale tomorrow, 11/9. The set will be $40 for all 5. This price will end 11/15. On 11/16, you can then purchase the shades individually for $10 a piece.

You can place your order on the Cult Nails website here. Scroll through the bar at the bottom to find this collection and place your order.

Special Highlights From The Makeup Show Orlando

The Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida were invited to a Bloggers Preview Party for The Makeup Show held this past weekend in Orlando. James Vincent, Director of Artistry, for The Makeup Show spoke with us about highlights of the show, up and coming products and companies, and sharing a very nice swag bag for us. But one thing shined through, James is passionate about makeup education, community and people.

However, it’s not all work and no play for these bloggers. After the meeting, we headed to Chili’s to talk more shop…

Alyssa from Pretty Little Bottles, Krystal from BFTE Cosmetics (a fellow Kansas girl) and Maria of Cult Nails.

You’d think these two cuties were sisters. However, they are life-long friends. Mina Slater from Fabulous Awesomeness and Marlene of A Big Bit Of Everything.

Since Mina had the prettiest drink…

She was crowned the Chili Princess…

Maria, owner of Cult Nails, had a booth at the show…

Juan, is Maria’s husband, and she works him hard!

Cult Nails had a rotating crew helping out. It’s awesome to have created a blogger group that truly supports each other. (psst…cool side note: Cult Nails will be releasing their last collection for 2012 later this week…I’ll give you more info later.)

AJ Crimson, a makeup artist that is not only super friendly, but also, incredibly talented, gave us demos of his new gloss line…

Cristina from Let Them Have Polish loved her magenta gloss.

Judi from Judixo rocked this red which led to other bloggers in our group to purchase this shade as well.

Maria of Cult Nails show off a burgundy called ‘Tyler’ and this led me to purchase that color as well.

And, a very, very awesome highlight of the show was three bloggers from our group sat on a panel to field questions about blogging makeup and the beauty industry…

To think, I have three great friends that are right up there with other well-known bloggers like Koren from EnKore Makeup and Elessa from PurseBuzz. On the front row: Cristina from Let Them Have Polish, Brittany from Clumps of Mascara and Courtney from Phyrra.net. All of them sharing their passion for makeup.

There were so many photo opps that we couldn’t photo-bomb them all…

Maria shows off her Nail Veil, by Su Lange of Chronicle Stones, while making it look like she is going to put my eye out with her long nails.

So, I took the opportunity to dress up for the Show in all my funkiness…

Yes, even Sebastian was in on the photo bombing.

I have many more moments and photos to share too.

Tidbits Of The Makeup Show Orlando

I haven’t come down from the buzz of The Makeup Show here in Orlando. My, oh my! I got to meet some of the best makeup artists in the industry, I bought so much I’m broke and my wonderful, good friend, Maria, owner of Cult Nails had a booth at the show.

This is a quickie to give you a feel of what it was like. This is a photo I took walking into the ballroom where the show was being held…

Makeup For Ever Academy had a model, ALL DAY, in their chair getting made up like this. Literally, HOURS…

I got to make my own nail polishes!!! Oh, you’ll see more of this later…

And, can I just say…I got to meet and get my photo taken with Toby Sells, makeup artist from The Walking Dead…my favoritest TV show!!!!!…..

This dude was getting made up to look like he was hacked up.

Yes, I had fun. Yes, I got to see crazy and fun and cool stuff. Yes, I got to meet some folks I never thought I’d ever get to meet. And, yes, I was exhausted yet, exhilarated.

There’s so much more to share with you too. I’m excited to give you all the info.

James Vincent & Orlando Santiago: Creative Celeb Makeup Artists Bring The Makeup Show To Orlando

This past Monday, October 29, I got to have dinner, at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, with Orlando Santiago and James Vincent. Not only are these two gentlemen top celebrity makeup artists, they are the brains and brawn behind The Makeup Show

The Makeup Show has been held in Berlin, Chicago, New York, and LA. What a statement for them to bring The Makeup Show to Orlando!

I got sweet with James…

Without a doubt, James loves women and, of course, people. He is so passionate about his work and the makeup industry. I found him to be open, friendly, supportive and very positive. He is so passionate about makeup artistry that I found myself wanting to be a makeup artist again!

And, I got to sit with Orlando…

Orlando shares his talent around the world. He’s all about providing education to the makeup industry. Besides working with so many celebrity artists (you have to check out James and Orlando’s websites to see their lists), James and Orlando have teamed up to share education to all makeup artists. The Makeup Show is more than just a chance to purchase quality makeup. It is an extreme opportunity to get some of the best training and info about the makeup industry.

And, a few of the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida were there to make it even more awesome!

My gal pals, Maria of Cult Nails and Safia of Lipstick Mixtapes

Me with Safia

Beautiful Alyssa of Pretty Little Bottles, with Orlando Santiago…

Su from Chronicle Stones, and Phyrra of Phyrra.net hung out with me…

This is our darling, Brittney from Clumps of Mascara. She helped organize this dinner for the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida to meet James and Orlando. And, she is showing off ‘Baby Clumps’ who is on her way to meet the beauty world…

It’s no lie, pregnant women glow!

What a grand evening! I got to meet two international celebrity makeup artists and have fun with my gal pals from Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida too. We are all so ready to attend The Makeup Show this coming weekend. Beauty bloggers at a Makeup Show??!!! Sounds like the grown-up version of kids in a candy store!!!

I bet you’d like to go too, right? James Vincent has arranged for this to happen! Yea!! This show is for industry folks, that means makeup artists. However, you don’t have to be one to get in, with a little bit of help. Here’s what you do: Go purchase a ticket to the show here. You HAVE to do this by tomorrow; the deadline is 11/1!!! When you come to the box were it asks ‘Company’, put in my blog name ‘Libby’s Pink Vanity’ and THAT is your credentials to get in! You can get in as a fan and reader of my blog. Let me know if you get a ticket so I can arrange to meet you as well.

One more thing, Cult Nails will be there too. Do stop by and pick up some Cult Nails polishes. You will NOT be disappointed in these polishes. They are my favoritest!! And you’ll get a chance to meet Maria Morrison, the owner and creator of Cult Nails.

Safia from Lipstick Mixtapes blogged about our meet up here.

Maria from Cult Nails blogged about our meet up here.

Phyrra of Phyrra.net blogged about our meet up here.

Is Halloween Getting Rust-y? Try Forever 21′s Version

Oli Oli In Come Freeeeee!

Only one more day left to call out Halloween polishes. After that, I’m doing ‘Fall’ manicure swatches. OK, maybe they could be Halloween ones still. And, just because I didn’t get in all the Halloween looks I wanted to, doesn’t mean I can’t morph them into Thanksgiving/Fall swatches. I’m getting into this ‘my blog, my rules’ thing. Bwaahaaahaaa!

This polish definitely fits into both categories…

‘Rust’ is a copper glitter overload from Forever 21′s love and beauty. And one thing about Forever 21 polish, most of the glitters are dense and easy to use. This one makes coverage by using a lot of different sizes of glitter. Look close…

Hex, micro and regular sizes galore. And these babies didn’t have any issue laying down on the nail.

I swatched up some orange and black fun…

Starting from the left: Forever 21′s ‘Rust’ over Cult Nails’ ‘Nevermore’; ‘Rust’ all by itself; ‘Rust’ over Zoya’s ‘Arizona’; Pure Icing’s black crackle over Zoya’s ‘Arizona’; ‘Arizona’ all by itself; and last is Cult Nails’ ‘Nevermore’ all by itself.

I really liked how ‘Rust’ seemed to be glowing orange embers with ‘Nevermore’. I did a manicure with it and it was definitely THE Halloween look…

How’s that for some fire on the fingertips? ‘Rust’ wasn’t terribly hard to remove. Since ‘Nevermore’ is a one-coat polish (love that!!!) and I only used one coat of ‘Rust’, this was a quickie.

Are you finished with Halloween looks and ready to move one? I feel I am.

Pure Ice: Halloween Crackle Looks Get You Into The ‘Spirit’

I’m all about getting the best deal for my money. And Pure Ice polishes deliver. Their color range is huge. Even their crackle polishes come in 11 colors. And, at $1.99 each, you can get several.

Here are some that will get your nails in the Halloween spirit…

For the nail wheels, I started off with Cult Nails’ ‘Nevermore’: my go-to one-coat black polish. The next swatch is the yellow ‘Catwalk’ crackle over the black. And then, the Shattered’ green over black creme. The far right is Pure Ice’s black crackle, named ‘Strobe Light’ over L’Oreal’s ‘The Temptress’ Touch’.

And then I just went Pure Ice Crackle Happy…

‘Catwalk’ over black on my thumb and middle finger. ‘Shattered’ over black cream on my index and ring finger. On my pinky, ‘Nevermore’ by itself.

Wait…I still have more to show you…

Random polishes with Pure Ice over them. Check out the middle finger: that’s an orange glitter with ‘Shattered’ over it. The pinky is an orange and yellow glitter with ‘Strobe Light’ over it.

So, you can see that it would not be hard to come up with some spooky, crackle nails for Halloween. And, just one bottle of crackle from Pure Ice, you can make lots of combos with polishes you already own.

Pure Ice is found at Walmart stores.

The Pure Ice crackles were sent to me for my review and my honest opinion. Cult Nails sent me ‘Nevermore’ for promotional use as well.

Two Blues And The Blues Over Cosmetic Arts Polish

The folks that bring us Color Club, Forsythe Cosmetic Group, also produce Cosmetic Arts. The only place that I have ever found Cosmetic Arts is at Ross Dress For Less stores. Occasionally, I’ll find Cosmetic Arts polishes in a card stock display. Sometimes I just find the bottles loose on the shelves. These two blues are my most recent acquirements…

These two polishes were not found in a display. And, if they had been in a display, I would have found that these two are actually matte finish polishes…

After I discovered that they were mattes, I wanted to experiment with some looks. The turquoise shade is not a favorite, or even a like, of mine. So, I wanted to find something I did like about it. The blue was OK matte and with a shiny top coat. I was OK either way.

So, here is were I played: I painted each color on two different nails on the nail wheel. For a third look, I painted a nail with Cult Nail’s ‘Nevermore’, which is the best one-coat black polish out there.

This is the looks I got with the blue…

First nail is two coats without any top or bottom coat. Then, the middle nail is with 2 coats of color and one top coat from Color Club. The far right one is with one bottom coat of ‘Nevermore’ and one coat of said blue shade polish. (None of the Cosmetic Arts polishes are named or numbered.) The blue over the black didn’t really do anything other than give the black a matte finish.

I did the same with the turquoise shade…

I didn’t care for the turquoise over the black at all. Look at that blech! But, I like it with the shiny top coat, in the middle.

Even though I didn’t truly get the looks I wanted with using ‘Nevermore’ as a base coat, I also couldn’t find any uniqueness about these two blues to warrant any oohs and aahs.

How about you? Do any of these nails keep you from feeling blue?

Cult Nails: Deceptive Top Coat Collection on Sale Now

It’s a good day when Cult Nails releases a new collection. I say every time it happens that it can’t get any better than this. But, somehow, Maria tops herself creatively with each new release.

One thing I do know…OK, let’s make that two things: First, Cult Nails will always be a trend setter rather than a follower. You will not find anything out this season and into the winter like the Deceptive Top Coat Collection. And second, this collection is going to extend your nail polish wardrobe regardless if you have a dozen polishes or 12 dozen.

This sale is already underway, so let me give you the link to that so you can go, place your order and come back for swatches. Maria is selling the entire 5 bottle collection for $40. This is good until through next Saturday, September 8. Then, they will go to $10 each and will be available separately.

Let me tell ya how you should go about this. Purchase the set now at $40, and add on the ‘Nevermore’ one coat black polish for $10. It comes out, using the regular prices, like getting the ‘Nevermore’ free. And, you will want ‘Nevermore’ because it’s an outrageously awesome one-coater and it will showcase your Deceptive Top Coats to the max.

Here are the deceptives…

Starting on the Left: Alter Ego, Charlatan, Deception, Doppelganger, Two Timer

You might be surprised by the colors these bad babies show, but it is no surprise to find the top quality Cult Nails is known for.

Try these closer looks…

Alter Ego; expect some gold and green shimmers from this one. But, don’t expect that for every shade you use this sly top coat on!

Charlatan; this is one time you will want a Charlatan! From Cult Nail’s website, Charlatan can be used alone. However, you know you want to see how this one pulls the wool over your nails. Will it be a pink shimmer? Purple? Maybe Magenta?

Deception; You will never complain about being deceived with this top coat. It won’t always be what you expected, but it will be what you want! Look for a more muted purple mixed with pink in this top coat. How well does it play with another polishes that have a pink case to it? You’ll want to find out with Deception.

Doppelganger; the name alone is inciting and you’ll swear you ‘know’ this shade. The light catches just the hint of a twinkle at the very far left corner of the photo. As you can expect from the entire line, what you see is not what you get. Doppelganger can change a polish into something with a bit of dusty-ness. And, I’ll let you be the judge of what colors this one transforms into.

Two Timer; don’t be so bold as to think you know where this Two Timer is going. Looks gold and yellow in the bottle but, cast your expectations aside. You are now up against a Two Timer!

I’ve showcased them on a nail wheel over ‘Nevermore’…

Starting from the Left: Nevermore alone; with Alter Ego, Charlatan, Deception, Doppelganger, Two Timer.

However, allowing the light to shine on the polishes at a different angle can fool your eyes…

The Deceptive Top Coats can fool your eyes, but it won’t fool your heart because you KNOW you are going to love these!

Nevermore, Alter Ego, Charlatan

(Charlatan is the first one) Deception, Doppelganger, Two Timer

Now you see exactly why you need to get in on this special price; you will want them all because, you know you want to see what concoctions you can create with your current polishes. It’s OK to let your nails be a bit Deceptive.

Murky Greens: China Glaze Argo vs. Forever 21 Sage

Have you noticed that there have been a lot of murky green nail polishes showing up this year? It’s not a color I would expect in the summer season. Luckily, I love murkies. Let me show you two I recently got…

The China Glaze is ‘Argo’ and it is from the Hunger Games collection. Next is a Forever 21, love & beauty ‘Sage’.

Even though they are not exact duplicates, they could be fraternal twins…

Both have golden shimmer. ‘Sage’ is lighter and not as murky as ‘Argo’.

Now, how they look applied…

When you have a price point of one, $2.80 and the other $7.00, you are going to see a difference, most likely. ‘Sage’ is on my thumb and middle finger. That leaves ‘Argo’ on my index and ring finger. Both are two coats.

Sometimes I want to help an underdog. ‘Sage’ was really trying to hold her own but I gave her a pair of underpants and then she went to show off…

I used Cult Nails ‘Nevermore’ for the black base. ‘Nevermore’ is going to be my ‘go to’ black polish forever! One coat, baby!! And this black made a gorgeous, blackened green from ‘Sage’. I love it better that way.

My thoughts on these are: I’ll useĀ  Cult Nails ‘Nevermore’ under love & beauty’s ‘Sage’. China Glaze’s ‘Argo’ easily stands on its own. But, I actually prefer ‘Sage’ and ‘Nevermore’ together over ‘Argo’.

What do you think about the murky greens that are trending this summer? Do you feel ‘Sage’ is a great attempt by Forever 21 to give one of their polishes a name?