International Salon & Spa Expo

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the International Salon & Spa Expo as a member of the Press!

I met a LOT of amazing people, one of whom was a fellow nail blogger who you may be familiar with - Shannon of Seriously Nails!!  She is absolutely fantastic, and was such a joy to spend the first day with!  She helped me in so many ways, too - I am very fortunate we crossed paths ^_^

I figured that this week I will most a few separate posts, featuring products I purchased or received from various companies at the show.  I got looooooooots of goodies that I can't wait to show you!!

And I wanted to. of course, also show you the mani I wore for the expo :D

I used "Baptism" by Octopus Party Nail Lacquer for the beautiful white base, and I topped it with "Cold Fusion" by I Love Nail Polish.  I received a lot of comments about Cold Fusion :D

Keeping this post short today, but I'll have a hefty one for you tomorrow!  I hope your week is going well so far - see you soon <3

Bestie Nails - Water Marbling!

This morning I am International Salon and Spa Expo bound!  I received a press badge for it and am so totally thrilled!  This is my first-ever "Member of the Press" experience - it's a little nerve-racking, but so very exciting at the same time!!  I will be sure to take plenty of notes and report back here once I am home :)

I have a very quick post for you this morning featuring three manicures done by myself, Makenna of Pinkies For A Penny, and Roselynn of Manicured and Marvelous - a Bestie Triplet design!  We all went for a water marble with some or all of the colors blue, purple, and green.  Here's a photo of them all together:

Yowza!!!  Just look at those colors!!!  I think they each look wonderful!  I love that all the designs are different, as well as all of our nail shapes :D  These gals are so talented, it was such a pleasure doing this fun design with them!

Here are a few more photos of mine:

This is my 5th time water marbling, and while it is better, it still has room for improvement.  But, I do love how the colors look all together!  I used some of the colors from the "Rave" collection by Gothic Gala Lacquers, and am definitely going to try this look again soon so you can see it glow in the dark :D

That's all for today!  Hope you all have a splendid weekend!  See you soon <3

The Untried Challenge: La Bella Vernice

Last year before the holidays, the indie polish brand La Bella Vernice decided to close up shop and get rid of the rest of the product.  She was selling off her polishes at uber cheap prices, so I picked up a few bottles :)  I'm going to show you two of those today!

Here is "Harvest:"

Harvest is a lovely reddish magenta/gold duchrome.  It applied nicely, though streaky so I had to be wary of what direction I was applying.  Dried pretty quickly too - always a plus :)  I like it!!

The other polish has an expletive in its title, so apologies for the French - it is "Shitty Smitty:"

Direct Sunlight in its natural matte state

Direct sunlight with a glossy topcoat

Indoors

I absolutely adore the green of this polish!!!  It dries to a matte finish, which looks beautiful, but you don't see all the holographic glitter in it and the other shines and shimmers unless you add that glossy topcoat.  I love it both ways, and can see myself reaching for this green as my new go-to, especially for St. Paddy's Day!

I did some nail designs with the two polishes together because I loved how they completed each other :D

Now I can cross another two polishes off my untried list!!  :D  What do you think of them?  Do you prefer the matte look or the shiny look of Shitty Smitty?  (Anyone know what that references, if anything?)  

I'll be back tomorrow with one more post to share with you before I head out to ISSE in California this weekend!  See you soon <3

*Press Release*: I, A.M. Custom Color January Duo

***PRESS RELEASE***

Happy Tuesday!! Today I've got some swatches of the upcoming January Duo by I, A.M. Custom Color set to release on the 30th of this month.

This duo is part of a new collection by the creator called "Ashes' Favorites."  This new collection will consist of a new duo every month featuring polishes named after one of her favorite singers, and one of her favorite dancers.  January's duo will also include a shimmery pink chocolate raspberry butterfly-shaped mini lotion bar :)

So let's get to the polishes!

The first polish in this duo is called "Prima Assoluta," named for Alessandra Ferri - the creator's favorite ballerina :)

Prima Assoluta is a beautiful pink jelly full of rainbow micro flakies and glitters.  This polish dried in under five minutes to a lovely shiny finish.  I am wearing three coats in the photos above, with the brand's DiamondPRO topcoat.

The second polish is a thermal called "The Rain," named after the song by Calvin Harris:

Outdoors, Warm State

Transition

 Cold State

  

Indoors, Warm State

 Transition 

Cold State

The rain is a lovely medium blue shade when warm, and a deep, forest green when cold.  The polish is packed with ultra chameleon chrome flakies and is holographic!  It's really quite a stunner!  Opaque in three coats, it also dried in under five minutes to a nice shine.  Again, I am wearing a layer of the DiamondPRO topcoat.

The Ups: Prima Assoluta is the perfect ballerina pink polish, and is really lovely and sparkly in the sun.  Application was super smooth, too, and I love the fast drying time.

The Rain is one of the most beautiful thermals I've seen!  I am personally a fan of blues and greens, so this thermal was pretty much meant for me - especially since it also has chrome flakies and is holographic!  I appreciated the smooth application and quick drying time in this polish, as well.

The Downs:  I had no issues with these polishes - the formula is solid, application is smooth, and quick dry time.  Big two thumbs up from me!

I am very impressed with this brand, and definitely recommend you check them out!  Here are some links for you:

Shop: Here

Facebook: Here

Facebook Fan Group: Here

Instagram: Here

I'll have another post for you next week featuring February's Duo, also set to launch on the 30th.  Have a terrific day!  See you soon <3

*NOTE: Coupon code was provided by I, A.M. Custom Color Cosmetics & Lacquer for a special discount.  This is no way affects my opinion and review of the product.