Celebrate the 4th with Free Nail Polish from Zoya

To celebrate the 4th of July, Zoya is offering a limited time promotion where you can pick any three shades that you want for FREE! That's right, free! All you have to do is chip in $12 for shipping and processing and they'll send you your favorite colors of toxin free nail polish your way. Just hop onto zoya.com and follow the steps below. Offer valid NOW - 7/6/14 (11:59pm EST).  I've participated in previous promotions from Zoya and note that shipping takes a rather long time, but guess you can't really complain for getting polishes for practically free. Zoya polishes normally retail for $9 a pop plus shipping.

Use Code: THREEDOM

How it works:
1. Add at least three (3) Zoya Nail Polish shades to your shopping cart, along with any additional items you wish to purchase.

2. Enter Code THREEDOM into the coupon code field in cart and press "Apply Code".

3. Complete check-out, review and submit order.

Or if you're feeling patriotic, check out their limited edition star spangled trios in variations of good old red, white and blue for $15 a pop with free shipping.

Buy: Sephora by OPI Nail Polish

I just discovered that Sephora by OPI nail polish is now available for a super deep discount! Seriously, 50% off doesn't happen everyday and OPI's long lasting fomulas and wide range of colors are now available in store and online for just $4.50 a bottle. Just $3 if you want one of the "Blasted" crackling formulations. Trend Tips and Toes are $6 a pack while nail sets are $12 a set. So if you're a bit of a nail polish fiend like me, it's your perfect chance to stock up on colors.

To note a lot of the stock has already sold out at stores! When I asked a sales associate why, it turns out that the cosmetic giant has decided to discontinue the line of nail polish with OPI and will be replacing it with their own "S" brand soon.

Zoya Nail Polish Exchange 2013

Who: Zoya Earth Day Nail Polish Exchange
What: To encourage Spring cleaning and refresh your nail polish collection, Zoya is inviting you to get rid of old nail polish that is not 5-free (Free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP and Camphor) and trade it in for a their award winning and long lasting greener formulations. Just apply the code ZOYAEARTH2013 at checkout and receive 50% off! Ship back the equivalent number of bottles you received (ie. If you got 6 bottles of Zoya – you would would mail 6 NON-ZOYA polishes). For all details click here.
When: Now through April 26, 2013.
Where: Zoya.com

Mani Party with Sally Hansen x Elle Magazine

A couple of weeks ago, I got to watch the Golden Globes in style with the lovely ladies of the Style Coalition. Sally Hansen and Elle Magazine hosted a mani party celebrating Sally Hansen's new Salon Insta-Gel Strips.

We got the chance to walk our own red carpet complete with mani cam after being treated to some gel nail treatments. I had a hard time choosing with 24 different colors and patterns to choose from I really wasn't sure what to pick. In the end I had to try Perfect Poison - a metallic silver snake skin that looks really luxe.

Although a nail technician helped me get my gel tips on, it seemed simple enough. After removing my nail polish and filing down my nails to the desired shape, the nail technician gave my nails a light buff, removed all excess oils with some a cleanser pad (all included in the kit) and then peeled off the nail strips and pressed them onto my nails carefully using an orange stick. She removed the excess strip using a nail file. When all the nails were complete, she did a quick coat of gel top coat before sticking each nail one at a time in the UV light machine where my nails took about 30 seconds each to be cured. The machine turns off the light when finished each nail so it is really easy to make sure you get it right. Once my nails were cured, we removed the excess sticky residue using a cleanser pad, just like at the salon. After that, my nails were fully dry! The whole process took probably 10 minutes or so.

Free Zoya Nail Polish!

Sorry about the late add but I just stumbled upon this deal today. The nail polish normally costs $8 a pop but now you can snag it for the cost of shipping and handling - $10. I actually snagged this deal last year and I will warn you that shipping is INCREDIBLY SLOW. So order, forget about it and be pleasantly surprised in about a month's time. Head to Zoya.comhttp://www.zoya.com/ before midnight tomorrow and enter code ZOYA2013 at checkout.

DIY Polka Dot Nails

Polka Dot Nails are an easy fun way to bring some whimsy and attitude to your nails. You don't need an expensive dotting tool, all you need is a pin and a piece of paper.

First choose 2 contrasting shades of nail polish, one for the base and one for the dot.  After applying base coat, apply 2 coats of the color for the base.

Place a little dot of the contrast color nail polish on a piece of paper (I tend to use an old piece of mail or a business card I don't need anymore). Carefully dipping the end of your pin into the contrast shade place dots on your nail as desired.  If the contrast nail polish starts getting too thick, you can just place a new dot and continue for both hands.

Once nail polish has set, finish off with a clear top coat.  Voila - polka dot nails to take you on your way.

Snag Free Nail Polish from Zoya

What girl doesn't love a good bottle of nail polish.  Especially when you can choose from a variety of awesome shades that are 3-Free: toluene, formaldehyde, DBP and Camphor Free.  I decided to snag a pretty pastel taupe gray called Megan and metallic forest green shade called Suvi.

Who: Zoya
What: Get 2 bottles of nail polish free! While you'll have to for over $6.95 for shipping and handling it's still an amazing offer!
When: Now through January 9, 2012.11:59pm Eastern Time
Where: Online at Zoya.com. Just enter promo code ZOYA2012 at checkout

Buy: NCLA Nail Polish

Last month I had a chance to try out and review NCLA nail wraps.  With the fashion forward designs that are easy to use and don’t dry out, NCLA nail wraps are an easy affordable way to make a big statement.

As of today, NCLA is expanding into a brand new nail polish that not only features amazing colors but are guaranteed to be 5 Free - No harmful carcinogens such as DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde or Camphor. Plus nothing is tested on animals!  Way to go  NCLA for raising the bar in health while still pumping out beautiful colors in super cute and clean looking rectangular bottles.

The colors are all inspired by all things LA and I have to admit that I was completely enamored by pretty much the entire collection.  From the bright purple to Pick me Up at Melrose Place to the bronze tone Bel Air Trophy Wife to the serene blue of Santa Monica Shore Thing I was hooked.  Also for an unexpected modern color - light grey concrete Downtown Dollface is pretty perfect.  I also loved Hollywood Hills Hot Number’s chunky glitter look that will add plenty of fun-fetti over any color or a bold statement after several coats on it’s own.

Each bottle will be retailing for $16 a pop at select fine retailers.  Check out ShopNCLA.com for more info.

Product Review: Nails Inc. Magnetic Nail Polish

I first read about magnetic nail polish a few months ago and have been wanting to try it ever since but never bothered importing it from the UK.  Fortunately Sephora recently started carrying Nails Inc Magnetic Polish in 2 different colors.  My roommate recently picked up the purple toned Houses of Parliament and soon our entire apartment had excitedly applied the polish.

Product Review: NCLA Nail Wraps

As you may have already figured out I am something of a nail polish fanatic - I have been known to at time freak people out because I recognize the OPI color name.  Truthfully though my nails go from deplorable where I try to hide them for weeks to well manicured.

So when I was offered the chance* to try out one of NCLA, Nail Couture LA, nail wraps I couldn't turn it down.  I have previously tried Sally Hansen peel and stick nail polish and wondered how it would differ.

For one thing there are a greater variety of designs especially those featuring more intricate design and a more sophisticated sense of color. I tried a digital looking design called Mission to Mars from the Boogie Nights collection.

With the Sally Hansen, you have to use up all the designs once you open a packet or else they dry out. NCLA nails will keep for future use if kept in an airtight container.  NCLA nails require a coat of clear polish beforehand to allow the polish to adhere.  NCLA nails are slightly easier to apply because you simply peel and stick instead of snapping and peeling off an additional layer of protective film.  They both require the application of clear nail polish after to seal in the polish.

My nails were completed super fast and they looked good with the exception of my index finger that I had to redo.  Perhaps it was my inexperience but I managed to get a couple air bubbles that I couldn't smooth out nicely.  I think if I had liberally applied more base coat from the get go it might have adhered better.

Over the next few days I got plenty of compliments.  My one complaint is that the edges after doing some of my typical everyday things started to get jagged and rough feeling.  Upon reading additional instructions I learned that for perfect edges, NCLA recommends trimming your nails with a clipper.  I tried this on a few nails and it definitely helped.  Perhaps my next time I try this out I’ll trim and file my nails after applying the wraps.

By the time day 7 rolled around they still looked pretty good and could have stayed on for another couple days but I was in the mood to try something new with my nails and although I probably shouldn’t I peeled the wraps off fairly easily in a few big swoops.

While each design of nail wrap costs about $16 you get enough wraps to do your hands about 4 times.  So at $4 a pop that will last you more than a week it’s really quite affordable. If you were ambitious I’m sure you could trim them down to fit toes and do nails & toes together 2 times.

*full disclosure: I received 1 complimentary wrap design to test

CND Shellac Nail Polish Review

I had the chance to try out Creative Nail Design’s Shellac nail polish (compliments of CND) a few weeks ago while I was at a clothing preview event.  I had never heard of Shellac before and was really excited to try a nail polish that claimed to stay put for up to 14 days! I can barely get a manicure to last 7 sometimes because I’m pretty hard on my nails between working in fashion, cooking for myself and just being a general klutz.  Shellac is sort of a nail polish/gel hybrid.  It looks like regular nail polish and is painted on your nails like usual.  The only difference is that you stick your hand in a UV lamp in between coats.  I had a hard time choosing which shade to try out but in the end the beautiful deep Fedora color called out to me.

First thing I notice was how quickly the polish was dry and how glossy it was. It was like I had a mirror finish on my nails.  Unlike regular polish it wasn’t only surface dried but it was fully cured and ready to go.  I could sort through racks of clothing without fear from the instant I came out of the UV lamp.  It was my first manicure at a preview that I’ve gotten without smearing a couple nails before heading home.Day 1 –  After a day where I’ve been fairly rough with my nails they are perfectly intact. Typing, texting, using pins for a fitting, cooking, the list goes on. No signs of edge wear.  For a moment I think I spot a dull spot and realize it’s not a surface scratch but the manicurist missed a spot of residue when she was doing my nails and it easily rubs off with a few swipes of the pad of my finger.  My fingers look like deep richly colored little mirrors.

Day 2-5 – Seriously hardcore finish.  Glossy as Day 1, still looks pretty much perfect on the left hand, while the right hand is showing minimal edge wear at the tips of 2 nails that is so minimal (it’s about the width of a strand of hair/less) that you wouldn’t notice unless you were really staring for a problem.

By Day 6-7 my nails are glossy as ever but a closer examination will reveal minor surface scratches.  The minimal edge wear is on 2 fingers on my left hand and 3 on my right on my most used fingers (the thumb, the pointer & the middle finger).

Day 8-9 – Still shiny for most part but due to surface wear there are some slight dull patches that are only discernable with intense staring at a distance of about  6 inches.  The tip wear has extended from only a hair deep to about ½  a mm on certain parts of nails.  Nails are really starting to grow out so there is a 1 mm gap at my nail bed.  My ring finger, pinky and surprisingly my thumb are by far the most pristine, with hardly any edge wear and no dull surface scratch spots.  Not too shabby for over a week of hard use.  From less than 2 feet away my friend comments that my nails look freshly painted from the nail salon.  (On a side note my Sephora shipment came today and I’m itching to try my new nail polishes I ordered…but I must endure)Day 10 –While I was out at dinner my nail caught the edge of something and the first signs of truly noticeable damage occurs.  It’s funny because I complained about my nail chipping to a guy friend and he actually commented that he had thought that I just got my nails done.

Day 11 – The damage on my left middle finger increases a bit. The nail polish seems very flexible like a sheet and once the seal is broken it just sort of seems to want to give way.  My right hand however still looks pretty darn good. Day 12-13- There is very minimal change from Day 11.  On Day 13, there is a slight chipping of the middle finger by the cuticle but otherwise very little change.Day 14 – I think I was working with my hands on a broken piece of jewelry and I managed to dent up the polish in my right index finger and thumb a bit.  While the nails are still generally glossy I think  that I’ve trashed them to a point of time for removal.

Day 15 – I know that you are really supposed to use special cuticle wraps in acetone to remove this polish.  However, I just started picking at them while I was sitting and realized that Shellac’s strength is it’s flexibility that allows it to sort of stick together and come off in sheets.  I ended up peeling off all the nail polish off my fingers in a matter of minutes sans acetone.

Overall, I really enjoyed my Shellac Manicure.  I loved how shiny it stayed even til the very end.  I did however after the 10 day point get a bit color stir-crazy but I really think that if you have a busy lifestyle or want to ensure great nails while you are on a vacation, Shellac would be the perfect answer.  While it does cost a bit more than a traditional manicure, it makes up for it in staying power.

Shellac is available in 12 fashion colors but requires a trip to the salon as it needs the special UV lamps to cure the color.  To locate a salon near you click here.

LA & NY: Free Manicures Courtesy of Kirstie Alley's Big Life

Kirstie Alley's got a new reality show Big Life on A&E, and they're promoting this weekend with free manicures in LA and NY! The manicures are with an exclusive Essie color made just for the show. It's called "Life. Lick it." and is actually quite nice. It's a deep purple, which I would consider more of a fall color, but I like it so much I might wear it into spring.

You can get your complimentary manicure at Dashing Diva, Rehoboth Spa and Spa Bells in New York and Bellacures, Nail Garden, Deluxe Nail Bar and Dashing Diva in Los Angeles. For details and a complete list of locations, go to aetv.com.

Oh, and you get a free bottle of "Life. Lick it." to take home! This is all while supplies last. If you're in New York and going out in the rain, God speed.

Buy It Now: Chanel Particulière

If you are a nail polish fanatic, as myself, you're probably always looking at Chanel as one of the trend leaders in nail color. After the madness of last season's Jade, for Spring 2010, the color palatte has taken a neutral turn. Given that nude tones have been trending for a while, it's no surprise.

The color that has everyone talking is Particulière, a mushroom grey with purple undertones.

505 Particulière

Chanel also introduced 2 additional colors, Tendresse and Inattendu. Tendresse is a delicate pale pink rose shade.

507 Tendresse

Inattendu is a soft peachy nude tone.

503 Inattendu

It was set to be released in January but actually made an early appearance on Chanel.com and is available to purchase now at $23 a pop.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, OPI's Over the Taupe channels a very similar feeling to Particulière for less than half the price. For a Tendresse fix, OPI's Got a Date To-Knight could fill the void and for Inattendu, OPI's Tickle My France-y should do the trick.

Update: Chanel Particulière is sold out on the website but is currently in stock at Neiman Marcus.com

2nd Update (Jan 26, 2010): Chanel Particulière is sold out on Neiman Marcus but Inattendu and Tendresse are still available on Saks Fifth Avenue.com