SuperChic Lacquer: Into the Woods (Partial Collection) Swatches and Review

Good evening, dear readers! I hope this post finds you well, and you have been enjoying the weekend! For tonight's post, I have three polishes from the SuperChic Lacquer Into the Woods Collection and the new Marvel Liquid Macro Top Coat. This collection is inspired by fairy tales, and the polish names are awesome! Let's get to some photos!

Baker's Hunger for a Bun in the Oven

A muted deep lush blue-gray with contrasting fiery-copper iridescent shimmer and holographic effects

Baker's Hunger for a Bun in the Oven is my favorite of the three colours I have to share with you. Dark and complex, I will be grabbing this gorgeous shade a lot this season! I used three coats plus the new Marvel top coat for these photos.

Golden Delicious Curse

A succulent apple-cranberry base adorned with strong contrasting flashes of green to gold iridescence, chrome and holographic effects

Golden Delicious Curse is a lovely pink polish with just a little something extra. I really like the addition of the fine glowing purple and red glitters on top of the green to gold flash! I used three coats plus top coat for these photos.

You Don't Know Jack About My Beans

A lush artichoke green with strong contrasting fiery iridescent, holographic and green shimmer effects

You Don't Know Jack About My Beans is another fabulous colour in this collection, and the name is perfect! I don't wear green shades often, but I love how this one plays with my olive skin tone! I used three coats plus top coat for these photos.

Marvel Liquid Macro Top Coat

Sonic dry time (30 seconds) and stays shiny up to 2 weeks!

In addition to the colours from the Into the Woods Collection, SuperChic Lacquer will be releasing their own top coat tomorrow. The vegan and cruelty free formula is also 4 free, containing no DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or camphor. It does contain toluene. I only received this a couple days ago so I have not tested this for longevity, but I can confirm that it dries quickly and does leave a beautiful shiny finish to my nails!

The Into the Woods Collection and the Marvel top coat will be available for purchase tomorrow, September 1st starting at 4PM PST.

Starting tomorrow, there will also be a 1 day sale, starting at 4PM PST and ending at 4PM PST on September 2nd on all nail polishes while supplies last. Buy 5 polishes and save 10% by using the discount code INTOTHEWOODS10 or buy 10 polishes and save 20% by using the discount code INTOTHEWOODS20. There are 10 polishes in the new fall collection, and this would be the time to grab them all and save a little money! 

These and other nail polishes can be purchased at the Wonder Beauty Etsy shop located here. You can also follow Wonder Beauty Products (SuperChic Lacquer) on social media for other shop announcements:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful night!

XO!

Disney Duo: Sweet Heart Polish and Ellagee Visit Pirates of the Caribbean

Ahoy, me hearties! Ye be wantin' ter pay attention lest ye miss out on some booty!

Last week, I shared Disney's Tower of Terror-inspired duo by Sweet Heart Polish and Finger Lickin' Lacquer (which is still available for purchase by the way!), and today I am moving on to another fabulous duo. This time, Sweet Heart Polish has partnered up with Ellagee, and they will be launching a Pirates of the Caribbean inspired duo. I have a love for the romanticized version of pirates, and you can bet that I enjoy participating in International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th! Silly and pointless, yes, but it is so much fun! The release of the duo is scheduled for this Sunday, so you'll want to snap it up right away! Ready to check out the colours? 

Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!

Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho!

Ellagee

Fifteen men on a dead man's chest-

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!

Drink, and the devil had done for the rest-

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!

Robert Louis Stevenson- Treasure Island

Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho! is a gorgeous antiqued-gold polish filled with gold microflakes. The formula is wonderful and applied perfectly for me. The colour is a little on the sheerer side and you will need three coats to make it opaque, but you can layer it over other polishes to give them a nice golden sheen. I used three coats plus top coat in these photos.

Inflame & Ignite

Sweet Heart Polish

Index and pinky (outermost fingers, of course): one coat over Ellagee Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho! plus top coat

Ring finger: three coats Inflame & Ignite plus top coat

Middle Finger: one coat over Zoya Raven plus top coat

I clearly couldn't pick just one way to show you this beauty! Inflame & Ignite is another multifunctional polish that can be used both alone or in combination with other polishes. Inspired specifically by the burning room of the Disney ride, this glitter-packed polish is more complex than I initially realized! It contains a multitude of golden glitters of various shapes and sizes in addition to small red and tiny dark brown glitters. I love the way it looks both alone and layered, and I know I'll be grabbing this one often!  

The Booty

No pirate-themed package is complete without a little booty, and this duo comes with this awesome clip-style pirate doubloon keychain. I'm not gonna lie, I squealed quite a bit when I opened my package and saw this!

The Pirates of the Caribbean duo plus keychain will be available for purchase August 31st in both Sweet Heart Polish's and Ellagee's shops (Links: Sweet Heart Polish and Ellagee). If it is sold out in one shop, definitely check out the other in case it is still in stock. This set retails at $22 plus shipping.

Now go grab ye a set before it's too late! Aaaarrrrrrrr!!!!

Until next time dear readers, have a great say!

XO!

Simple Nail Art with Zoya and DIY Decal

Good morning, dear readers! I have a quick post to share with you featuring a simple do-it-yourself decal made with Zoya nail polishes.

I first started by making the decal. Using a plastic ziplock bag, I painted two thick lines using Zoya nail polishes in Margo and India immediately next to each other. I then took a toothpick and starting from the center, made a spiral pattern, dragging using the slightest bit of each shade into the next. I let the polish dry overnight to ensure it was completely dry and then used craft scissors to cut the decals in the size I wanted for my nails.

To apply the decals, I first painted my nails with two coats of Zoya Genevieve. When the second coat was still tacky, I placed the decals on my nails using tweezers for placement and gently pressed down. I then sealed it all together using Glisten & Glow's HK Girl top coat.

I rarely have much time for nail art, and making my own decals is the perfect way to get it started without worrying about ruining the artwork!

I hope you've enjoyed this morning's post! Have a wonderful day, dear readers!

XO!

Mary Kay ClearProof Acne System

Chat Pack provided by House Party

Good evening, dear readers! I've been swamped today, but I really wanted to get this review post up for you. I was provided a Mary Kay Chat Pack by House Party, and I was sent the new ClearProof Acne System to review. I was asked to test it out for 30 days and share my results.

The four-piece system comes in a box, and each item is securely fixed in a plastic tray.

The ClearProof Acne System consists of the following:

Clearproof Clarifying Cleansing Gel, 4.5 oz

Clearproof Blemish Control Toner, 5 fl. oz

Clearproof Acne Treatment Gel, 1 oz

Clearproof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin, 3 fl. oz

I've been battling with acne since my son was born, and while there are times when my skin seems clearer than others, it has never lasted for long. When I received this system, I had been using another product from a different brand, and my skin was relatively cleared up. I still had a few acne spots when I started the system.

I used the Clearproof Clarifying Cleansing Gel twice a day: in the morning and then at night before bed.

I used the Clearproof Blemish Control Toner once a day. Any more than this, I think my skin would have either burned or melted off. I originally used it in the morning, but I switched to the evening after the first day when I needed to start using the acne treatment gel (more on that later). My skin felt a slight burning sensation after each use, and it made my eyes water.

Initially I didn't use the Clearproof Acne Treatment Gel, but it became necessary after using the other components of the Clearproof Acne System made me break out badly within the first 24 hours of use. The Acne Treatment Gel was very drying, and I only used it once a day after washing my face in the morning.

I used the Clearproof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin twice a day, after each washing and application and use of either the toner or acne treatment gel.

The ClearProof Acne Treatment System claims to clear up blemishes without irritation and to help maintain a clear complexion, but that was not the case for me. My face was pretty clear- with only a single blemish when I first started using the system. Within the first 24 hours (by Day 2) of using the wash, toner, and lotion, I had 8 new blemishes on my face. I started using the acne treatment gel sparingly (once a day) with the appearance of the new blemishes.

Day 3: I had another fresh batch of new blemishes on my face. My skin seemed to be handling the system well, other than several blemishes.  

Day 7: My face started to become really red, dry, and painfully sore. I decided to discontinue the use of the toner and the acne treatment gel, and was only using the cleansing gel and the moisturizer.  

Day 10: I saw no improvements in my face; my skin was red, dry, and flaky. I started using the cleansing gel once a day and just rinsed my face with warm water. 

Day 14: I did not have any new blemishes with this routine, but my skin was still painfully red and incredibly dry.

Day 16: Still no new blemishes, but my face was still red and flaky and felt raw. I decided to stop my trial with the system and resume my previous routine.

It has been 10 days since I've stopped using the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System, and my skin is finally in good condition. My skincare routine consisted of a gentle washing and moisturizer. I initially used the Clearproof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin, but it was doing my skin no favors; I might as well have just rubbed a dry cotton pad on my skin for as moisturizing as the Mary Kay moisturizer was. My skin had ceased being red and in pain, but it was still very dry and flaky. Once I switched over to a more emollient moisturizer for a couple of days, my skin was sufficiently moisturized and my acne was clearing up again. I currently only have one small blemish left on my face.

I couldn't complete the 30 Day trial, but my short experience with the ClearProof Acne System was anything but favorable. I found the cleansing gel and toner far too harsh for use on my sensitive skin, and the moisturizer wasn't the least bit moisturizing. The acne treatment gel was drying, but that is expected for this type of product. I'm going to reserve judgement with the latter as it might be ok to use with quality products.

The ClearProof Acne System retails for $45 and can be purchased from your chosen Mary Kay representative.

Disclaimer:  The products reviewed above were provided to me for my honest and unbiased opinion. All thoughts stated are entirely my own and are based on my use of said products.  I love receiving feedback from my readers, and any comments left here are the express opinions and/or property of the individual commentors.  Therefore, I, the author of this site, cannot be held responsible for the opinions held by others.  I reserve the right to remove any comments that I find to be harmful, unnecessary, or not constructive for other readers.

The Lacquer Legion: Weird Science Nails

Good evening, dear readers! I just have a quick post to share my simple #LLWeirdScience manicure with you. It's not exactly weird, but it is science! Prior to starting my blog, I used to work in a laboratory, and running DNA through a gel matrix was almost a daily activity for me. I decided to use these gels as inspiration for my manicure.

Color Club: Shabby Drab

Zoya: Purity

HK Girl Top Coat

I wanted to imitate the glowing blurple gel with bright DNA bands but unfortunately I don't have quite the right shade of polish in my collection. My freehand skills at drawing straight lines is severely lacking, but I still enjoyed reminiscing with these nails.

I'm off to entertain company, and I hope you've enjoyed this evening's post!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful night!

XO!

Sweet Addictions Monthly Subscription Box: September

Good morning, dear readers, and happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready for another week! This past weekend was rather exciting for me. I live about 30 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake that hit Napa early Sunday morning, so I was quite shaken, literally! Not to worry dear readers, we are all ok and going on with our normal routines. My husband is back at work, and I am blogger extraordinaire! ;) Without further ado, let's get to the post you are here for!

Monthly polish and product boxes are becoming quite popular, and I am so excited to be sharing the September edition of the Sweet Addictions box run by my friend Sara of Cupcake Polish. Each monthly box contains a one-of-a-kind Cupcake Polish and products from other independent brands. Each month has its own theme, and the indie brands vary from month to month. In addition to a gorgeous holographic polish from Cupcake Polish, September's "Marie Antoinette" box contains goodies from Pipe Dream Polish and Serum N°5. This is a fabulous box, so let's jump to the photos!

Versailles

Cupcake Polish

Retail $13

Indoor Lighting

Sunlight

Versailles is a lavender linear holo packed with pink and purple shimmers. This colour is gorgeous! I love my holos with a little something extra so you know I am loving the additional shimmers. The formula was smooth and creamy, making for an easy application. Versailles is very pigmented; therefore, you may find that you only need a single coat for opacity. I used two coats here out of habit, but I really didn't need to. I then topped my nails off with top coat for these photos.

Dauphine

Pipe Dream Polish

Retail $8

If the typical nude polish isn't quite your thing, but you really want one, Dauphine and the next polish are for you! Dauphine is a beautiful nude crelly with pastel blue and teal glitters. I like nude polishes from time to time, but the additional glitters found in Dauphine adds a lovely touch. The combination keeps your nails subtle but still fun. I used two easy coats of Dauphine plus top coat for these photos.

Cake Revolution

Serum N°5

Miniature Bottle, Retail $7

Cake Revolution is a yellow-leaning nude polish filled with small golden and a rainbow of pastel glitters. This beauty also glows in the dark! Because it is so packed with glitters and I wanted to see it glow, I used one coat of Cake Revolution over Zoya Jacqueline. I recommend using a single coat rather than using several coats of Cake Revolution alone as it looks very lumpy. The formula was a little tricky to work with, as is common with both glitter and glow in the dark polishes, but it applied easily enough with a little extra patience. I then used two coats of top coat to get my nails smooth. The glow was more subtle than other Serum N°5 polishes I've used before, but it does glow a lovely purple. My nails were still glowing in the middle of the night! 

Cake Revolution comes in a miniature bottle (as shown in this post) in the September Sweet Addictions box. This is because there is another Serum N°5 goodie in the box for you to enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Sugar Scrub

Serum N°5

Sample Size, Retail $2

YUM! The smell is divine, and if you like the smell of chocolate, you are going to love it! Sugar scrubs are a new product for Serum N°5, and they should be launching this fall. I've been using a few different sugar scrubs recently, and I really like this one. I found it to be moisturizing without being too heavily oiled. It does contain sweet almond oil, so if you will want to avoid this scrub if you are allergic. As for me, I can go around sniffing this jar all day long!

I really enjoy the products in next month's box! The history buff in me loves the theme, and I enjoyed seeing how it inspired the lovely ladies behind each of the brands. I like that there is a variety of colour and finish in the polishes, and they are all gorgeous. The sugar scrub adds the perfect touch of decadence to this Marie Antoinette- themed box.

The September Sweet Additions Box will be available for purchase starting at 11am Central on August 31st at Cupcake Polish's site here. Each box will retail for $30 plus shipping. Worldwide shipping is also available for you awesome International readers as well!

What do you think of this month's subscription box? Is there a particular product that appeals the most to you? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!

XO!

Tower of Terror-Inspired Duo by Sweet Heart Polish and Finger Lickin' Lacquer

Good afternoon, dear readers, and happy Friday! This week has flown by and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend! I hope you are looking for a fun weekend of polish shopping because the new Tower of Terror-inspired duo by Sweet Heart Polish and Finger Lickin' Lacquer launches this Saturday, August 23rd at NOON PST in both shops!

Shadow & Substance

Sweet Heart Polish

Indoor Lighting

Sunlight

Shadow & Substance is a burgundy-russet holographic duo-chrome polish that shifts from a burnt orange to a gold color with gold flakes.

As you likely already know by now, I love Fall shades, and Shadow & Substance is the perfect colour for the season. I've not seen a colour quite like it yet- others are a little more red or brown, but this is the perfect in between shade. The gold flakes add a nice subtle touch but did not photograph well. You can best see the gold flakes in the closeup photo next to the glare from my lighting. Shadow & Substance is awesome in that can look either metallic or holographic depending on the lighting. I used two smooth and creamy coats for these photos, but one coat would suffice if you tend to paint with a heavier hand.

A Most Uncommon Elevator

Finger Lickin' Lacquer

Indoor Lighting

A burgundy jelly with dots of gold and a spooky surprise when you turn out the lights

A Most Uncommon Elevator is a gorgeous jelly that I would describe as a ruby red- it leans a little more red against my skintone, but I suspect it can lean a little pink on others. I personally love my glitters in a squishy jelly base, so you know I am loving this one as well! I'm going to ruin the spooky surprise (sorry, guys!) and tell you that there are small glow in the dark glitters mixed in this polish.

I don't know if the jelly base and the two coats of top coat covered them up too much though because I couldn't see anything glowing, even going in a pitch black garage after half an hour of charging. I suspect that my natural tanned skin inhibited the glow and it would glow better if swatched over a white base. I would need to test that theory out to be sure. Regardless, I still love the look of this polish!

I really enjoy seeing indie brands come together, and Sweet Heart Polish and Finger Lickin' Lacquer certainly have stepped up with two gorgeous polishes here! It's so cool to see two people using the same inspiration but creating quite different polishes! Both are stunning, and this is a must-have duo!

The Tower of Terror Inspired Duo by Sweet Heart Polish and Finger Lickin' Lacquer will be released on Saturday at NOON PST in both shops. There is a limited number available, and if it is sold out in one of the shops, be sure to check the availability in the other. The Tower of Terror duo will be sold for $20 plus shipping.

What do you think of this duo? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day and weekend!

XO!