mark Nail This Look Nail Color and Bracelet Set Review

I have had consistently amazing experiences with mark nail polish; so of course I was excited when mark sent me the latest nail duo for spring / summer. Even better? This season, mark has re-packaged their nail duos as the Nail This Look Nail Color and Bracelet Set - placing two complementary polish shades with a belt / equestrian-inspired bracelet so that you get a little bling to accompany your mani. Also pertinent...the packaging makes it perfect for gifting.

The two colors included in this duo are Pink Truffle {left} and Raspberry Framboise {right} - and yes...the shades and formulas are just as yummy as the names would have you believe.

Pink Truffle is a Dusty / Victorian Rose Cotton Candy Pink. This shade is so girly-meets-flirty. Considering how light this color looks in the bottle, I was expecting to need multiple coats. Wrong. Pink Truffle is opaque in 2 coats and just very rich and gummy looking. I love it. This is 2 coats.

NOTE: The studs used for this mani do not come in this set - or from mark. They are 3D Nail Art Silver Pyramid Studs that I purchased from Nordstrom.

Raspberry Framboise is a Raspberry Wine. This one is darker in real life than it appears in photographs; however, it still has that subtle neon undertone visible here. Perhaps it's just me; but I found that this color darkened slightly with wear. On day 1 it looked more like a very deep pink, but on day 2 it appeared more as a raspberry red. Either way it's vibrant and stunning - it makes me think of summertime picnics. Formula is incredible on this one - especially in terms of dry time {super fast}. This is 1 coat.

Do you have a favorite, or do you love them both?

xx

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FTC Disclosure: The mark Nail This Look Nail Color and Bracelet Set was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

mark Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Bracelet Set Review

While other mark nail sets as of late {i.e. the Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Flip-Flop Set} have been a mix of bright and neutral nail shades; the latest duo known as the Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Bracelet Set brings double the bright with not one, but two neon hues; plus a corresponding stack of neon and rhinestone-encrusted bracelets for creating a fierce arm party - all of which is perfect for celebrating the final days of summer!

Pink Spark {left} and Orange Blast {right} are the electrifying colors you'll find in this duo. As neons they dry to a semi-matte, latex-like finish; and, bonus, they are both jellies {total surprise}! NOTE: Both of these colors are far brighter IRL.

Pink Spark is a Neon Coral Red Jelly. In the bottle, Pink Spark looks like a neon pink; but it definitely reads coral red on me - still beautiful. The formula on Pink Spark is very, very sheer; however, it builds beautifully to opacity. This is 4 coats.

Orange Blast is a Neon Orange Jelly. Surprisingly, Orange Blast was my favorite shade of the two - there's something about the color coupled with the jelly finish that makes me think of Creamsicles, Jelly Sandals, and Tiger Lilies - all very summer-apropos memories from childhood. Like Pink Spark, Orange Blast is sheer; however, it is richer in hue, so it built to opacity with less coats. This is 2 coats.

What do you think of this duo?

xx

FTC Disclosure: The mark Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Bracelet Set was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

mark Nail This Look Nail Color and Ring Set Review

There was a time when mark only released a handful of nail polish colors each year, which I always found incredibly disappointing, as their formulas are always fantastic. I am so glad that they have finally begun adding more lacquers to their product offerings. Case in point: in just 2 months they have released Pink Truffle and Raspberry Framboise in the Nail This Look Nail Color and Bracelet Set {which I swatched / reviewed here}; and now they've delivered the Nail This Look Nail Color and Ring Set - which contains a gorgeous adjustable turquoise ring and, in my personal opinion, two quintessential mani / pedi shades for summer. See for yourself!

Sunsation {left} and Sea Foam {right} are the two shades you will find in this duo. Spring Break / Summer Vacay-perfect, yes?

Sunsation is a Bright, Sunny Yellow. Every girl should have a yellow polish in her stash - even if yellow isn't one of her top picks. Sunsation just became mine. This is definitely a summer yellow {as opposed to a pastel-based spring yellow}. The formula is good. After taking pictures I noticed that it looked slightly patchy; but overall it gave nice coverage. I would recommend using 2 layers of base coat with this color. Yellows have a tendency to stain, so it's not a deal breaker. I only used 1 layer of base coat with Sunsation, and I did notice a little bit of staining after removal, so 2 layers should do the trick to avoid that. This is 2 coats.

Sea Foam is a True Jade. Sea Foam is like a shimmer-free version of one of the best nail colors ever - MILANI Dress Maker {which just so happens to be an exact dupe of Chanel Jade Le Vernis Nail Polish}. I. Love. This. Color. It has a very strong mermaid-like vibe to it that is so spot on for summer...I can't. The formula here is good - it's very user-friendly and lush, and never tried to pool in my cuticles {one of my biggest polish pet peeves}. This is 2 coats.

Sunsation or Sea Foam...which one are you coveting?

xx

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FTC Disclosure: The mark Nail This Look Nail Color and Ring Set was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

mark Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Flip-Flop Set Review

2014 has been a thrilling year for beautiful releases from mark - especially if you, like me, are a polish-aholic. In the course of only a few months they have debuted not one, not two, but three gorgeous polish gift sets - beginning with the Nail This Look Nail Color and Bracelet Set {which I swatched / reviewed here}; followed by the Nail This Look Nail Color and Ring Set {which I swatched / reviewed here}; and now, just in time for summer, the Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Flip-Flop Set - which features one bright and one muted nail color; along with a palm frond-adorned pair of flip flops that are perfect for poolside lounging.

Nudist {left} and Azure {right} are the ultra-pretty polish shades found in this collection. Given the fact that one shade is so work-apropos and the other is seriously pool party perfect has made me dub this collection the business in the front, party in the back duo. Seriously.

Nudist is a Dusty Rose-Meets-Mauve. Dupe Alert: Nudist is a dupe for Deborah Lippmann's Modern Love. Nudist is one of those colors that changes with its surroundings. In certain lights it takes on more of a tan / nude hue; in others it leans more mauve. Regardless of atmosphere, it is a stunning neutral shade that could easily work on a variety of skintones. The formula here was great. It was non-streaky and didn't try to infiltrate my cuticles; and after only just one coat it was nearly opaque {something rare for a color like this}. This is 2 coats.

Azure is an Indigo Blue with Subtle Shimmer. It's lighter than Chanel Le Vernis 667 Bel-Argus and Essie Aruba Blue; but on the same level in terms of shimmer depth. I really, really love this one. The formula was amazing here, as well. Despite the fact that the shimmer adds almost a frostiness to the color, you don't wind up with those annoying brushstrokes - just a smooth finish. To me, Azure is the color to accompany you on vacation - it's just perfect! This is 2 coats.

What do you think of this collection?

xx

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FTC Disclosure: The mark Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Flip-Flop Set was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

mark Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Bracelet-Ring Set Review

I have been loving the mark Nail This Look Nail Lacquer Sets this year, as they always include two seriously on-trend nail lacquers + an accessory that corresponds perfectly with the designated colors of the season. So I am super excited that mark released the Nail This Look Nail Lacquer and Bracelet-Ring Set for fall, as it not only makes the ideal almost-Christmas present for yourself; but also works fabulously for holiday gifting!

Plumsation {left} and Shady Lady {right} are the dark and decadent shades you'll find in this duo. They are insanely high-gloss whether you use top coat or not {I have used Formula X Shine Top Coat for these swatches} - always a good thing. Plus, the Bracelet-Ring accessory is very Bollywood-esque high-glam {think Britney during her I'm A Slave for You days}.

Plumsation is a Plum Crelly. If you love the look of black nail shades but want something slightly more subdued, Plumsation is amaze! It has all of the storminess of your standard noir hue; but the red / plum undertones make it a little more mainstream and feminine. The formula was great on this one - very easy to work with; and the fact that it's a creme / jelly hybrid gives it that yummy squishy look. This is 2 coats.

Shady Lady is a Charcoal Gray Creme. Out of the duo here, Shady Lady wound up being my favorite. I love how chic yet minimalist it looks on the nail. The formula here is flawless - it's self-leveling; and almost a one-coater {with thicker coats you could definitely achieve full opacity in one coat}. This is 2 coats.

What do you think of this duo?


xx

Thanks to mark for Sponsoring this post!

NOTD: mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer Duo {Snowberry & Tinseltown}

It's time for another nail duo, and today I'm bringing you my favorite of them all, which features Snowberry {strawberry-leaning berry shade with silver microshimmer throughout} and Tinseltown {metallic silver}. Like the Gleam Scene + Tuxedo and Rosetta + Blue Bella duos I've previously swatched; these shades come packaged together in the Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer set from mark. With the deets out of the way, let's get to the pictures!

Two coats of mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Snowberry.

Snowberry is the quintessential holiday nail color. The shade is very Christmas party apropos, mixing a bright strawberry red with silver microshimmer to create a killer combination. Snowberry reminds me a bit of mark's Rosetta, in that it has a little bit of a jelly feel to it, giving it more dimension.

Overall, the formula was good. I found that it kept trying to pool around my cuticles on coat one; but behaved better on coat two.

Two coats of mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Tinseltown.

Hands down my favorite of the two shades included here. Shocking coming from someone who isn't a fan of semi-frosts, yes?

Tinseltown is so much more than your standard silver. It dips into platinum territory due to the subtle silver shimmer throughout which really makes it sparkle in sunlight {sparkle...something no one can resist}. Like with mark's Gleam Scene, Tinseltown applies with no visible brushstrokes; and features a truly fantastic formula. Two coats gave me full opacity, and a smooth and shiny finish.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?

Follow me on Instagram @cateyesandskinnyjeans to see more of my favorite nail colors / art.


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xx

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FTC Disclosure: The mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer Duo was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

NOTD: mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer Duo {Gleam Scene + Tuxedo}

'Tis the season for nail duos and today I have another fabulous set for you featuring Gleam Scene {sparkling gold} and Tuxedo {high-shine black}. These two shades come from mark's Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers Duo; and are minis that contain enough polish for about 10 manicures / pedicures in each bottle. This is a gorgeous duo for the holidays - especially if you love nail art, as they can be worn together {as seen here}; but look just as glam when worn individually.

Two coats of mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Gleam Scene.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of gold nail polish, and tend to use it solely as an accent or for nail art {which is likely what I will be using this shade for in the future}. That said, if you are a fan of gold polish, Gleam Scene is a great one for one very big reason: no brushstrokes.

If you're familiar with shades like this {semi-frosts}, you know that brushstrokes tend to run rampant in the formulas - that did not happen here. Gleam Scene goes on smooth, brushstroke-free, and fully opaque in two coats. The formula is slightly thick; but as long as you rub the brush on the rim of the polish bottle before application, very easy to work with. This is a great shade if you love the look of a neutral nail with a kick.

One coat of mark Nailed It Trend Mini Lacquer in Tuxedo.

You may remember Tuxedo from my halloween-perfect black polishes post last week. While Tuxedo is a shiny shade, the true pop of the dark, vampy color comes after you apply topcoat {it's completely necessary in this case}.

The formula here is thinner than that of Gleam Scene; but, as long as you apply with a slightly-heavy hand you can achieve full opacity in one coat. I had a little bit of a problem with this color trying to pool in my cuticles; but the glossiness and smoothness fully made up for that.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?

Follow me on Instagram @cateyesandskinnyjeans to see more of my favorite nail colors / art.

xx

Instagram / Tumblr / Twitter

FTC Disclosure: The mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer Duo was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

NOTD: mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer Duo {Rosetta + Blue Bella}

Today I have not one, but two manis for you starring Rosetta {glistening deep fuchsia} and Blue Bella {shimmering midnight} - the two shades from the mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers Duo. Both shades of this duo have a metallic finish and a truly festive flair, so they will definitely be perfect for the holiday season.

Two coats of mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Rosetta.

Rosetta may be my new favorite berry nail shade. When you first look at the bottle, Rosetta looks like your standard shimmer color; but once applied on the nail, you find out that the formula is actually...a jelly. Seriously. Jellies, in my opinion, have more depth than crème finishes, which you can see here; but you don't come across them often. This particular color has shimmer pieces of varying sizes, so they take on a flakey appearance. I think it looks like raspberry jam when it's on.

The formula on this one is great. It's thicker than the formula of Blue Bella; but not so thick that you can't work with it. Two coats gives you full opacity.

Two coats of mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer in Blue Bella.

Blue Bella is a total chameleon color. While it's labeled as a shimmering midnight shade; it takes on an array of different hues depending on the current lighting sitch. When I was wearing it I saw it morph from teal to blue to gunmetal - all equally gorgeous. What I love about this shade is its versatility - the coloring gives it the ability to play the role of dressed-up diva {due to the shimmering particles}, or low-key luxe {it pairs perfectly with denim!}.

Formula was fantastic. Two coats for opacity, and brush-stroke free.

Out of the two colors seen in this duo, I would have to say that Blue Bella is my standout fave!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?

Follow me on Instagram @cateyesandskinnyjeans to see more of my favorite nail colors / art.

xx

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FTC Disclosure: The mark Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer Duo was provided to me for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

mark. Get It Together Lipclick and Nail Lacquer Set Swatches + Review

mark. has released a lot of get it together collections that I've loved over the years, but with the mark. Get It Together Lipclick and Nail Lacquer Set they have fully blown it out of the water because instead of including a piece of jewelry that corresponds with the polish, they've included a gorgeous-on-all-skintones lipclick lipstick in the shade coral fixation that will keep you puckering up in style all summer long. Not that I don't love jewelry {what girl can resist?!}; there's simply something so glam about a matchy-matchy lip and nail combo. Let's take a look at the polishes!

Coordinating Coral is a Semi-Sheer Coral Pink Crelly. Coordinating Coral is the epitome of the term chic. It feels playful enough for summer flings and backyard barbeques, yet retains an ultra-classy, sophisticated vibe that is perfect for the office. Despite being semi-sheer, Coordinating Coral quickly builds to opacity leaving behind a squishy, jelly-like look that is pure yum! This is 2 coats.

Go Bolder Gold is a Pale Gold, Full-Coverage Glitter in a Clear Base. Positively dying over this shade! Go Bolder Gold is the stuff that glittering nail polish dreams are made of. Trust. While this would look gorgeous as an accent nail, you all know how I've been swooning over metallic manis as of late, so I had to go with a full-out glittery look! The formula here is amaze. This is almost a OCW; but I could slightly see my nail, so I opted for two. Bonus: Removal is so. easy. This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: mark.

PRICE: $18.00 for the Set; or snag the Lipclick in Coral Fixation separately for $11.00 at mark.


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xx


Thanks to mark for sponsoring this post!

mark. Nailed It Mini Nail Lacquers in Firestarter & Hot Coal Review

On this Thanksgiving Eve I bring you a review {+ pretty swatches} of the latest duo from mark. Unlike the mark nail lacquer and jewelry sets I have been swatching / reviewing all year; the Nailed It Mini Nail Lacquers in Firestarter & Hot Coal duo only includes the polish - so at $7.00 a set, it makes the perfect stocking stuffer for your besties!

Firestarter {left} and Hot Coal {right} are the holiday-inspired shades found in this duo. The former dries to a semi-matte finish; the latter has a subtle shimmery sheen {evident in direct sunlight}.

Firestarter is a Classic Red Creme. This one reminds me a bit of Ciaté Boudoir; however, Firestarter has better coverage. The formula here was flawless - very smooth, with the perfect consistency. This is 2 coats.

Hot Coal is a Deep Olive Metallic. Le sigh...hello lover. This is a color I have been searching years for - I just didn't know it. In the bottle, Hot Coal looks like a deep copper / olive metallic shimmer {very hot cocoa-inspired}; on the nail...exactly. the. same. Though most of the shimmer is only discernible in sunlight, it is there - and it. is. brilliant.. I get warm and fuzzy feelings just looking at this color - so obsessed! Formula was, again, flawless - almost a one-coater, in fact! Well done, mark. This is 2 coats.

What do you think of this holiday twosome?


xx

Thanks to mark for Sponsoring this post!

mark. Precious Petals Nailed It Mini Nail Lacquers - Swatches + Review

I haven't reviewed a mark nail duo since November, so I was thrilled when I spotted their latest cute couple: the mark. Precious Petals Nailed It Mini Nail Lacquers! These are so much fun for Spring 2016 as they are unexpected in that they are shimmery pastels with a matte finish {similar to the finish of the matte duo mark. released last fall} - a far cry from the pastel cremes present in many spring collections; but a welcome breath of fresh air if you're looking for something truly new and unique. Let's take a look!

Green Thumb is a Sage Green Shimmer. How stunning is that?! I've got a thing for 50 shades of green when it comes to polish, so Green Thumb just calls to me. The formula here is a little tricky to work with. While it isn't watery or runny, it feels a bit thick during application, and dries lightning fast due to the matte formulation, so you really have to keep moving when you're painting. Green Thumb does dry down to a matte finish, but I applied one layer of top coat, which brightened it up a bit, and gave it more of a satin look. This is 2 coats.

Steel Magnolia is a Charcoal Shimmer. Now that's what I'm talking about! Not being a fan of silver polishes I didn't think Steel Magnolia would appeal to me, but I was so so wrong. Ladies, this color is brilliant - and so incredibly unique in the shimmer category. The charcoal tone, while seemingly dark, lends a lavender cast in certain lights that is so apropos for spring. The formula here is rapid dry, so be quick with application to avoid lumps and bumps. Like with Green Thumb, Steel Magnolia dries matte, so I used top coat to add shine. This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: mark.

PRICE: $7.00 for the duo


xx


Thanks to mark for sponsoring this post!

August 2012 Favorites: Beauty

Say hello to my August beauty favorites. Let me know if any of these are favorites of yours; or what beauty products you’re currently loving in the comments section!

♥e.l.f. Nail Polish Remover Pads - As you can tell from my NOTD posts, I absolutely love nail polish. The thing I don’t love is removing it. I always find removing nail polish to be a frustrating, time-consuming, and messy process; so when I stumbled upon the e.l.f. Nail Polish Remover Pads, I was hoping for the best, but didn’t know what to expect. Needless to say, I have since bought eight more packs, because I am so obsessed with these. Each pad is saturated with a citrus-scented nail polish remover, and you can use both sides, so it’s as if you’re getting double the quantity. Unlike standard nail polish remover, these are no drip, no mess, and typically get the job done with the use of two pads (10 fingers). These are also perfect for travel as they are not marked as a hazardous material the way a bottle of nail polish remover is, so you can bring them on airplanes – perfect for jet-setters! If you are as obsessed with nail polish as I am, these are an absolute must. $2.00 for a Pack of 20.

♥mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow in Iconic - The first eye shadow that I ever used was mark’s i-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color in Bronzed which was, sadly, discontinued a few years ago. Luckily, I still have a small stash of it that I use all the time; but I’ve been looking for something else that I will be able to use once my supply is gone, which is how I came across mark’s Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow in Iconic. Iconic comes with a golden/bronze shadow, and a gold-flecked forest green liner. What I love about this product is that it’s gel-based, creamy, buildable, super-pigmented, and, even in 100*+ weather, it lasts and looks like it was just applied. I use a swipe of the gold shade for my lids, and I layer the green liner over my standard black eyeliner for added vibrancy (I have green eyes, and find that I love this combo). There are over five different color combos of this product available (including a smoky eye duo), so they are definitely worth checking out.$11.00 for 0.04 oz. net wt.

♥Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Nude Lustre, 040 - When I do my makeup my main focus is my eyes, so I always go for a nude lip. I don’t personally wear lipstick, because I don’t like how it feels on me, and I like the shine of gloss. That said, I picked up Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Nude Lustre, 040. While it has the shine of a gloss, I find that it has somewhat of a lipstick-y texture; however, not enough so that it bothers me – I actually really love this product. This is probably one of the most long-lasting lipglosses / lip colors I have ever used. I can put it on, and drink or eat, and the shine and subtle hint of rosy nude color lasts for hours without needing reapplication. Initially, I didn’t know if I really liked this product, so I put it aside for awhile, then tried it again earlier this month and fell in love with it. I find that my change of heart came from the addition of a lip balm. This product, like a lipstick, can be drying on your lips, so if you don’t use a lip balm underneath it, the wear is very uncomfortable. Layering it over a lip balm, however, makes it awesome. $6.99 for 0.2 fl oz.

♥e.l.f. Essential Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal - My skin is very pale, and I use a lot of black eyeliner and black mascara, so I have always been scared to try a blush because I don’t want to look too made-up or theatrical. I do, however, love the look of a shimmery highlight on the cheekbones, but have never really known which one to purchase; so when I found the e.l.f. Essential Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal (a dupe of BENEFIT’s High Beam) for $1.00, I figured it was worth a try. It has now become a part of my daily beauty routine. I put a few dots at the very top of my cheekbones then use my ring finger to pat it in, and I find that I get the prettiest all-day glow that adds a hint of color to my face without competing with my eye makeup, or making me look overdone (see below for a picture of this product on my cheeks). A lot of people say that this product separates (water base and color divides from one another). I have not encountered that problem because I shake the tube vigorously for one minute before using it; so if you decide to use this product, I recommend doing that. $1.00 for 0.34 oz. net wt.

♥ORLY Frolic - You may remember me featuring ORLY’s Frolic as one of my NOTD’s a few weeks ago. At the time I mentioned that it had made it onto my list of Top Ten Polishes of All Time; but since then it has made it onto my Top Five Polishes of All Time list, because I have gone back to it a few times over the past few weeks for both manicures and pedicures, and don’t think that I will ever tire of it. This is one of those must-have shades for girls who want a feminine color on their nails, but are bored with basic pinks and purples. Frolic is anything but basic. It is an electric / neon purple shade with pink / fuchsia undertones that is super-wearable year-round; and is a complete attention-getter (I receive so many compliments when I wear this shade). Plus, it is one of those rare one-coaters – which no one can really resist. Obsessed! $8.00 for 0.6 oz. net wt..

So those are my August beauty favorites. Let me know in the comments section what beauty products you’re loving right now; or, if you have any questions about the products I featured here, ask away below.

Follow me on Instagram @cafefashionista to see more of my favorite beauty and fashion products throughout the month.

mark. Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers - Buenos Aires Vibe Swatches + Review

I have been all about the bright when it comes to nail lacquers lately, so when I spotted the mark. Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquers - Buenos Aires Vibe set, I knew I had to make it mine. I love these duos because they're seriously affordable, and always include two corresponding shades that are perfect for playful nail art or pretty mani / pedi combos. The fact that the two shades in this duo have that whole exotic, beachy, tropical thing going on? Well, let's just say they're a summer essential {I think you'll agree after you see the swatches!}.

Palermo Purple is a Pale Purple with Scattered Holographic Shimmer. If unique is what you're after, Palermo Purple has your name written all over it. Seriously though, in my stash of 2,479 nail colors {loose guess}, I have nothing that so much as resembles this shade. The scattered holographic shimmer really puts it in a class of its own; and the fact that it has a grape-y red undertone indicates that it will see you from summer straight through fall. Formula was flawless here {perfect for the nail painting novice}. This is 2 coats.

Futbol Blue is an Electrifying Blue with a Frosty Finish. Le sigh...are you swooning yet? Futbol Blue is my favorite shade in this duo because I'm currently in the throes of a blue period in terms of polish, and am obsessed with how summer-ific this pretty is! Like most shimmers, Futbol Blue has a v thin consistency, but manages to hit perfect opacity in two coats. Downside: I experienced quite a bit of bubbling - which I'm willing to overlook because I adore the color so much! This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: mark.

PRICE: $7.00 for the duo


xx


Thanks to mark for sponsoring this post!

June 2012 Favorites: Beauty

As you may already know, I have an obsession with beauty products, so I thought it would be fun to start a monthly feature here on Café Fashionista that showcases the different beauty products that I am loving each month. I am really loyal to certain brands and products; but that doesn’t stop me from making new discoveries each month, and the ones that I am including today are my favorites from June. Let me know if any of these are your favorites; or what beauty products you’re loving right now in the comments!

♥China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy - This is actually a color from the Summer 2010 Poolside Collection, but I only discovered it in June of this year, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. This is a really unique but fun color – especially for the warmer months. It is a super bright neon coral / pink with orange undertones. Usually I use a nail color once and then don’t use it again for over a year or something; but this color I have used for manicures multiple times over the past month alone, and right now I have it as my pedicure color. It’s definitely a must-have if you’re looking for something bright and playful.

♥Hard Candy Glamazon Glow All the Way Face & Body Luminizer, Bronze 318 - I mentioned this product back in May as part of my 365 Beauty Guide: 6 Essentials Your Makeup Bag May Be Missing; but it has now become a part of my daily skin/beauty routine. I don’t use this as a bronzer; rather, I use it as a body shimmer by mixing it with my sunscreen each day, and putting it all over m legs and arms for a subtle sparkle. This stuff is incredible in that you need hardly any for results (I use half a dime-size on each leg), so it’s long-lasting. The only downside is that it does transfer to clothing if you don’t give it at least 15 minutes to dry; so definitely remember that if you use it.

♥JULEP Essential Cuticle Oil - As you can probably tell from my Nail Talk posts, I change my nail color a lot, so I’m constantly using acetone nail polish remover, which really damages my cuticles, and leaves my nails dry. This is the first product (and I have tried A LOT) that I have found that truly hydrates my nails, and keeps my cuticles in good shape regardless of how harsh I am with my nails. What I love about this product is that you can use it daily, and it has a roller-ball applicator, so it’s really simple to use even when you’re on the go. Plus it has a eucalyptus type of scent to it which I find soothing. Don’t be intimidated by the small bottle. I use this product multiple times a day, and I have barely made a dent in the bottle, so it’s definitely worth the $18.00 that it retails for ($14.40 if you’re a Julep Maven).

♥mark Gloss On Lip Gloss in Sunset Beach - I have this product in two colors – Sand and Sunset Beach. I’m very into the dark eye / nude lip look, so I thought that I would prefer the Sand color (which is nude), over the Sunset Beach shade (which is a pale coral), but the opposite was true. Sunset Beach has become my go-to color all summer long because it doesn’t so much leave a color on your lips (the way a lipstick would), but, instead, takes your natural lip color and enhances it – which I love. Not to mention that it is really long-lasting, even when you’re drinking or eating (I rarely have to reapply); and it’s not sticky at all. If you’re looking for a neutral lip gloss, this is highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended. I love it!

♥SEPHORA COLLECTION Crystal Nail File in Pink - I have always been slightly intimidated by nail files, so I’ve never used them before; but last month I wanted to start shaping my nails into a square/round look, so I picked up a few nail files to see which one would work the best. This SEPHORA COLLECTION Crystal Nail File was my favorite out of all of them, because it produces the best results in the quickest amount of time. I also liked the fact that, as a novice, it was really easy to use right off the bat. Compared to a standard emery board, I found that the Crystal works better at sealing edges, and preventing snags – so this is my new love when I give myself manicures. Also…PINK!!

So those are my June beauty favorites. Like I said, let me know in the comments section what beauty products you’re loving right now; or, if you have any questions about the products I featured here, let me know below.

Follow me on Instagram @cafefashionista to see more of my favorite beauty and fashion products throughout the month.


Fashionably yours!


FTC Disclosure: The mark Gloss On Lip Gloss was provided to me by mark in exchange for an honest review. All other products featured above were purchased by me – not sponsored.

mark. Nailed it Maui Bliss Mini Gel Nail Lacquers - Swatches + Review

PRESS SAMPLE

A new season is literally incomplete without a nail duo from mark., so I was thrilled when the Nailed it Maui Bliss Mini Gel Nail Lacquers landed on my porch last week. Though different from a lot of the brights we're spotting from other companies this season, I am so feeling these colors for summer {or anytime of year really}, and love their compact size for effortless summer travels. Take a peek at the pretty below!

Hula is a Hip-Swaying Dusty Lavender Creme. I have a soft spot for purple / lavender / lilac cremes, so spotting Hula in this duo made me want to shimmy-shake. Though slightly dustier on the nail than I anticipated, I am truly loving this shade, as it will get a lot of use in my collection year-round. The formula here is fabulush! This beauty was almost a OCW and applies smoothly and beautifully. There's not a ton of shine packed within, so def have your top coat at the ready to gloss it up! This is 2 coats.

Cloud 9 is a Heavenly White Creme. White cremes are legit my jam year-round; but during the summer months, when they contrast against sunkissed skin? Heaven, I'm in heaven. For reals doe. The one shade many of this year's summer polish collections have been missing is white, so you know I went a little wild when I spotted Cloud 9 in this duo. BBs, this color is killer - and the formula even more so! Cloud 9 is literally the most opaque white polish I have ever worked with - just missing the OCW mark, and looking flawless on tips and toes. I may buy back-ups of this baby! This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: mark.

PRICE: $7.00 for the duo


xx