KB Shimmer's Sand In My Stocking

This beauty is from KB Shimmer's Winter 2014 collection and it is cutely named Sand In My Stocking.  It is a clear based glitter with small white, gold, tan, grey and brown glitter, larger gold hex and circle glitter, orange hex glitter, aqua blue circle glitter and gold holographic star glitter.  I layered it over KB Shimmer's In Yacht Water.

KB Shimmer's Sand In My Stocking

KB Shimmer's Sand In My Stocking

KB Shimmer's Sand In My Stocking

I pick up all my KB Shimmer over at Harlow and Co.

piCture pOlish's Dorothy

Dorothy is a gorgeous pinky-red jelly with a bunch of silver and pink glitter.  Not the best red on me, I tend to lean towards the blue reds, but the glitter makes up for it :)

For Canadians you can pick up piCture pOlish at Nail Polish Canada and Harlow & Co.

piCture pOlish's Dorothy

piCture pOlish's Dorothy

piCture pOlish's Dorothy

Beyond The Nail's Rudolph

This is is a beautiful polish from a Canadian indie brand...Beyond The Nail.  Rudolph is a holographic dark red jelly polish that has holographic red glitter.  It is part of their 2015 Holiday collection.  Such a stunner in the sun!

They also carry a wide assortment of great nail decals.

Beyond The Nail's Rudolph

Beyond The Nail's Rudolph

Beyond The Nail's Rudolph

KB Shimmer's I've Seen Sweater Days

This is a beauty from the 2015 KB Shimmer Winter collection ...it is I've Seen Sweater Days.  It is full of cobalt blue glitter, lime green holo glitters and sliver glitters with a base of teal crelly.  I just can't seem to get enough of these teal crellies.

KB Shimmer's I've Seen Sweater Days

KB Shimmer's I've Seen Sweater Days

KB Shimmer's I've Seen Sweater Days

I picked this up over at Harlow & Co.

KB Shimmer's Snow Way!

This is Snow Way and it's from KB Shimmer, that was initially launched in 2012 and was re-released in the 2014 Winter collection.  It's a light sky blue crelly based polish with white glitter and micro sparkle.  I applied 2 easy coats for full opacity.  Love this!!!

KB Shimmer's Snow Way!

KB Shimmer's Snow Way!

KB Shimmer's Snow Way!

I picked this up over at Harlow & Co.

KB Shimmer's Dark & Twisty

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!  This polish is from KB Shimmer's Fall 2015 collection.  Dark & Twisty is a black jelly based polish with metallic glitters in a rainbow of colours.  I used 3 coats for full opacity and decided on a matte top coat.

What a great Halloween polish!

KB Shimmer's Dark & Twisty

KB Shimmer's Dark & Twisty

KB Shimmer's Dark & Twisty

I get all my KB Shimmer polish from Harlow and Co.

piCture pOlish's Pandora

Pandora is a rich medium to dark purple polish with scattered holo.  Two easy coats was all it took to achieve opacity.  It is another beauty from piCture pOlish.

piCture pOlish's Pandora

piCture pOlish's Pandora

piCture pOlish's Pandora

I pick my piCture pOlishs up at Harlow and Co or Nail Polish Canada.

Pandora is a dark purple scatter holo

Pandora is a dark purple scatter holo

Maple Holistics Vitamin C+ Facial Serum

Skin care has always been more important than makeup to me, so I was very interested when Maple Holistics offered to send me some products to try out. 

Vitamin C+ Facial Serum is the product that I was most interested in.  I did some research on vitamin C serum & discovered that long-term topical use has been clinically shown to regenerate collagen and improve the appearance of wrinkles.  I also read that for some people, vitamin C can cause redness and stinging upon application.  Being someone who has sensitive skin, I wanted to start out slow with the serum.  After cleansing my skin (I don’t use toner) I applied a couple of drops of the Vitamin C+ Facial Serum, and followed that up with my regular moisturizer, both day and night.  

Vitamin C+ Facial Serum - Maple Holistics

 

I have tried this for a full 7 days and I can honestly say that my skin feels better, and there was no redness or stinging thankfully.  When I say ’feel better’ I mean that my skin is much softer to the touch.  The serum is completely scent free, has a convenient dropper to aid in application and is not greasy.

Vitamin C+ Facial Serum - Maple Holistics

I will continue to use this serum and if the results continue, my regular serum will be replaced with this one.  I would definitely recommend this, if someone is looking for a new serum to try out.  One fluid ounce cost $11.77 US which is reasonable for a good serum.

If you are interested in trying out this serum or would like some more information, check out Maple Holistics.
 

*The products featured in this post were provided by Maple Holistics for my honest review.

Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish

Madam Glam is a cosmetic company that is cruelty-free, 5 free and vegan.  They carry nail polish, gel nail polish, lip products and eyes & skin care products.  I tried the soak off Gel Nail beginners Kit.  It includes:

1. A top coat.
2. A base coat
3. A colour of my choice
4. LED lamp

Press Sample
Madam Glam Soak-off Gel Nail Polish System

I'll admit that I have tried soak off get polish a while back.  It wasn't the greatest experience, the gel polish seemed difficult to apply and needed far more than 2 coats.  I was also not happy about using a UV lamp, so I only used the system twice

I set some time aside to apply the Madam Glam gel polish and was pleasantly surprised.  I picked up some higher percentage rubbing alcohol and some lint free pads at my local drug store. I'm not going to get into the application process, there are a bunch of instructional videos online.

The polish was relatively easy to apply, with 1 coat of base coat, 2 coats of colour and of course the top coat.  I think the key is to apply thin coats and take your time.  

Light Lilac (#324)

7 days later

Light Lilac (#324) - 7 days

The only wear I thought was significant was at the tips and that was because I was unable to wrap my tips because of the shortness of my nails...so obviously I am going to get more tip wear.  The shininess is slightly less also, but I think that is expected with normal use of the hands.  Other than that this gel polish stood up for 7+ days, with no peeling, chipping or lifting up.  I usually change my polish every 2nd or 3rd day, so it was difficult to keep it on for 7+ days.  This would be an ideal system for a vacation or people who just like to do their nails once a week, every two weeks, or even every 3 weeks.

I did pick up 3 other get polishes to try, manis to come! 

Here is a great 30% off coupon code for the Gel Nails Beginners Kit.  polishsleuth30

*The products featured in this post were provided by Madam Glam for my honest review.

#summernorules - NATIONAL PINK DAY

Think pink today, whether it is a shirt, nail polish or your fav scarf!  Of course I chose nail polish.  This is Sinful Color's 24/7.  It is a neon pink that dries matte, but I used top coat.  It was opaque with 2 coats.

Sinful Color's 24/7

Sinful Color's 24/7

Sinful Color's 24/7

Next up is Fav Neon.  If you want to join in, here is the schedule!

Zoya's Godiva

I thought I would cleanse my palate for the upcoming #summernorules nail art challenge! I chose Zoya's Godiva, a Pixie Dust from early 2013.  It is a textured nude/beige that is rather sheer, achieving opacity with 3 coats.  I love the sparkle :)

Zoya's Godiva

Zoya's Godiva

Zoya's Godiva

Orly's Lemonade & OPI's In True Stefani Fashion

I love yellow, but I have a hard time finding one that looks half decent with my skin tone.  This is Orly's Lemonade with OPI's In True Stefani Fashion as a topper.  Lemonade is from the 2010 Spring Sweet collection and has a great formula, being opaque with 3 coats.  In True Stefani Fashion is from the January 2014 collection and is a clear based glitter with both tiny and large silver glitter.

Orly's Lemonade & OPI's In True Stefani Fashion

Orly's Lemonade & OPI's In True Stefani Fashion

Orly's Lemonade & OPI's In True Stefani Fashion

 If you don't have this beautiful pastel yellow creme it is still available for purchase.

Loaded Lacquer's Condemned

Condemned is part of Loaded Lacquer's Zombie Hayride collection.  It is a linear holographic, black jelly based polish with yellow microflakes.  It was completely opaque in 3 coats and I applied a top coat.  What a beauty in the sun this polish is!!

For some unique and high quality polish that is easy to work with, I would recommend taking a look at Loaded Lacquer.  They can be found here.

Here are just a few of the other Loaded Lacquer polishes.

Foolish Hearts
Fluffy Macaroons
Giddy Up
Fade to Pink
Toasted Marshmallow
Pomegranate
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Mintallica
Cuts Like a Knife
Saki Bomb
Double Shot of Sriracha

Get L'aid  

Vintage Metals

#summernorules - ICE CREAM

While ice cream is good, I much prefer sherbet.  My favourite is Blue Rasberry Sherbet from Baskin-Robbins.

Blue Skies is a creamy pastel blue crelly-based polish with blue, grey and white multi-sized glitter.  What a fun Spring/Summer polish and somewhat similar to my fav sherbert!!

You can find Beyond the Nail's Etsy store here.  Also check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 Next up is Fav Neon.  If you want to join in, here is the schedule!

First Day of Summer
National Pink Day
Strawberries
Favourite Summer Glitter
Canada Day
Independence Day
National Chocolate Day
Flip Flops

#summernorules - NATIONAL PINK DAY

Think pink today, whether it is a shirt, nail polish or your fav scarf!  Of course I chose nail polish.  I used Essie's Cascade Cool and OPI's 50 is the New Fabulous.

Next up is Strawberries on Wednesday, June 25!  If you want to join in, here is the schedule!

First Day of Summer

Ka-Pow from FInger Paints

Ka-Pow is a clear based glitter consisting of  black, white, dark pink and light pink hex glitter.  Another fun glitter that I put over Essie's Bikini So Teeny.

A little placement was necessary, but worth it!!

Loaded Lacquer's Double Shot of Sriracha

Double Shot of Sriracha is a 'holographic hot sauce for your nails.'  It is a fiery burnt red linear holographic jelly polish.  I achieved opacity with two thin coats...so easy to work with!

I thought I would try a matte top coat...I like it better shiny!

For some unique and high quality polish that is easy to work with, I would recommend taking a look at Loaded Lacquer.  They can be found here.

Here are just a few of the Loaded Lacquer polishes I have swatched.

Foolish Hearts
Fluffy Macaroons
Giddy Up
Fade to Pink
Toasted Marshmallow
Pomegranate
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Mintallica
Cuts Like a Knife
Saki Bomb

PS:  Thank you to Heather (Loaded Lacquer) and Jaime (The Polished Butterfly)...two very sweet ladies.