BSB: Beauty news, makeup swatches and pictures, nail polish articles, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and how-to's from a MAC-trained makeup artist.

Is it just me?

Five Things | 11.8.10

1. As much as The Nail Ninja dislikes the crackle finish top coat that's coming out with the Katy Perry - OPI collaboration, she may still buy from the collection. The pink glitter, Teenage Dream, and the "sultry silver", Not Like the Movies, have potential.
   
   
2. The new La Prairie Life Threads scents are named after precious gems: Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire. I wonder if the lilac in Emerald is discernible and if the whole thing is just too floral?
   
   
3. The Clarins holiday '10 collection, Barocco, looks so pretty! I am so into golds right now, which is weird for me, but this collection will let me take that and run with it! And a deep purple Rouge Prodige lipstick in a limied edition case with a lovely scroll?! I'm dying over here...
   
   
4. Illasmasqua now takes Paypal. More major brands should take their lead.
   
   
5. I'm having a lot of fun following Vintage Beauty, a new blog that is about, well, vintage makeup. Liz, who comments here sometimes, had a box of the stuff tucked away and recently rediscovered it, and now she's sharing it piece by piece. If you were a makeup wearer in the 80's, this site will be a kick for you!

Does this ever happen to you?

That's my Illamasqua Furore loose pigment all over the bottom of my makeup bag.  I have no idea why A) it was even in there (I don't usually tote it around) and B) why the top wasn't on it solidly (not a packaging issue, it's a Jen issue).

I scooped it up and will mix it with a lotion or oil. What do you do when this happens to you? What's the last product that spilled or broke on you?

 

Really huge round-up (very picture heavy!)

Ya'll, I'm so sorry for not keeping it rolling in here at BSB. I'm still trying to get my new computer (!!! Thanks fairy godparents!!) off the ground and finally got Photoshop back (!!! Thanks, Patrick!!), so we should be business as usual next week. For now, a really huge round-up of stuff you need to know. Keep your eyes peeled on this site for some amazing reviews coming your way!

PS: All pics are tiny, but click 'em and you can see the larger version!

Let's begin...

 

MAKEUP- MAC

Just out from MAC, of course, is the Fabulous Felines collection. And coming at the end of the week is Venomous Villains. I am actually afraid to see that collection in person, because I am dead broke. I think I will cry. Did you see my post about the collection? Are you planning to haul?

But there's another collection that blew past without much hoopla. Did you hear about the Prolongwear extension? There's a foundation that's supposed to last 15 hours, a corresponding concealer with the same wear time, and Prolongwear Lip Creme, which is a new lipstick formula that is "full-coverage and breathable" with a spectacular 12 hour wear. The lipsticks really intrigue me, and I may try out the foundation/concealer, though I always have to hit my knees and pray it won't clog my pores like the rest of the MAC foundations. Anyway, that's the collection down below (the bottles), and the promo pic here to the right.

MAC - upcoming collections news! _{via and via}

-The Boxing Day collection (always my favorite!) is rumored to be called Stylishly Yours. LOVE this day-after-Christmas release, traditionally, as it's typically very cool, wintery colors.

-MAC is collaborating with Dutch designer Marcel Wanders in an upcoming release. Sounds like this will probably be "the Couture collection" but I don't know about that ... we've never had a collab as the couture collection, before, and the packaging doesn't really look like his style.  Sounds like the name of this collection is "Luxe Couture" which, again, means to me it's not a collab, because usually those include the collaborator's name. Anyway, the picture on the right is of either Marcel Wanders or Couture...  or both, if they surprise me!

More: these are apparently the names of some (all?) products for the Marcel Wanders collaboration:
Lipstick - Catharina, Martha, Digna, Gesina
Lipglass - Gertruyd, Mary, Aleydis, Beatrix
The perfume is a solid, called Air of Style Concentrate. I'm assuming it's the same scent as the previously releasesd Air of Style.
 
-Charm Pale, also releasing on Boxing Day (Dec 26th), is a two-part collection: Skincare & Color.  It will have a new product called Special Reserve Highlight Powder. As soon as I get more info on that, I'll let you know. Sounds like this will have a lot of nude and highlighting products - think runway looks lately. Here's the blurb on the collection:
"Bleached or stridently bold brows. Skin that’s under-refined yet ultra alive. A bare lip and lash. Summer’s nude face is about grooming on the verge of grunge – tough, urban and sensually androgynous. She doesn’t care a lot, but she cares enough. Think shine-enhancing textures for a skincare-effect makeup that’s hydrated and bathed in light…"

More: product info from Cham Pale _via
Lipgelee- Sin-tillation, Luxure, Bubble Lounge, Straight to the Heat;
Lipstick- Fluster; Quiet, Please (repromote)
Special Reserve Highlight Powder- Chez Chez Lame, Rose Ole
Chromagraphic Pencil- NW 25/NC 30, NC 15/NW 20 (both repromotes)
Eye Kohl- I get no kick
Eye Shadow Quad- Caviar Dreams
Kohl Power Eye Pencil- Feline (repromote)

If you missed it, be sure to check out our pictures of the holiday sets: A Tartan Tale.

MAKEUP- non-MAC

Now that we got that out of the way, we can talk about some other brands. ;)

Possibly the biggest news for many: Bobbi Brown is coming to Sephora. What other words need there be besides "Where do I start?!"

Do you love Shu Uemura? Sadly, the line isn't with us in the states anymore, but we can still order online. And you'll want to when you see these palettes:

_via

 

Did you see The Muse's review of the Stila Eye for Color eye shadow palette? I had been dying to see it. If you usually stick to neutrals but are looking for an easy way to add a bunch of wearable color to your aresnal, this seems like a good bet. Seems like the colors are tiny, but good. I may have to add it to the stash! Take a look and then go read the review. Thirteen colors for $18 isn't bad!





Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) just keeps blowing me away. Their newest products make me swoon. There are five new Loose Color Concentrates ($11.50 ea)...


... and their amazing, incredible, you-gotta-try-'em Lip Tars have 6 new shades that promise to be as amazing as their predecessors! $12.50 each or buy them all for $400. There are a zillion and one combinations you can make with these suckers.


... and then there's nail polish. See below!


Illamasqua. The name makes my heart race! Have you heard about their new collection, Art of Darkness?  The theme is a fantasy banquet with imaginary (?) beings trying to find immortality. Click on the pic to see the characters at the table, then go get some of the glorious products: a 4-color Liquid Metal Palette; 4 nail lacquers (see below); some amazing feathered lashes; a lipgloss in darkest wine (I die!), a blue lipstick; green, red, and blue Liquid Metals; a pale golden shimmer powder called Ether; a gold and a black liquid liner; and two Pure Pigments- Ore, a bronze, and Alluvim, iridescent midnight blue.

NAILS

The gorgeous blog Lacquerized is showing swatches of the equally gorgeous Misa collection, Spark My Interest. While it doesn't seem all that "wintery" to me, the colors are lovely nonetheless.

Scrangie shared info on the Zoya Fire and Ice collection. Like sparkles? You'll love this!


Deborah Lippmann, manicurist to the stars, is on a roll. She's got some ah-maze-ing glitters rolling out of her already stunning polish line. Did you see the most recent ones, Across the Universe and Bad Romance (shown below, left)? And now we get a sneak peek of one coming up, called Glitter in the Air (below, right). It looks like it's going to be a great layering polish, don't you think? It's sheer baby blue with pink and blue glitter chunks.


Sonia Kashuk is coming out with a bunch of stuff this Fall. Naturally, you can get it at Target. Yada, yada, yada. The point? NAIL POLISH! Meh, it's not all that creative, but it's accessible and only $4.99 a piece. And there's a nice mousey brown! _via

So I told you there were new OCC polishes ($8), and here's a way to take a peek at them.  Vampy Varnish has swatches for ya. Here's one to take a peek at, then scurry over to see them. I don't know if you've heard about their polishes, but they wear like iron, man!




 

PERFUME

Armani is visiting the Middle East
...with his next two (and counting) scents, that is. The line of Middle Eastern-inspired perfumes, part of the amazing Armani Prive collection, will be called 1001 Nights. The first two scents are Rose d'Arabie and Oud Royal. Sadly, you've got to go to Harrods (London) to get your hands on them, as things stand now.  _via

And to finish it all off, I can't let you go any further in your life without seeing Katy Perry's VMA Minx mani. That's her husband/fiance's picture on those nails... Would you do that?!

_via




Whew! I'm exhausted!

What have I missed? What news can you share with us? Did I pique your interest over any of these? And how was your weekend?  (We saw Inception. It blew my mind! Have you seen it?!)

Like this post? Sharing this article helps support BSB and helps us grow (which helps YOU by getting us more access to other brands and events - to share with you!). Can you spare a moment to share?

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Best Illamasqua contest yet?

I've had my sights set on going to London for quite awhile. Is it my time? Is it yours? Illamasqua is running a new contest, and the prize is a doozy!

They're offering a hotel stay (2 nights), in-town transportation, and (this is the biggie!) a 3 day makeup course (part of the new Illamasqua School of Makeup Art). If you're in the UK already, they'll also pay for travel.*

The winner will get to select a session in October, November or December. The course is worth over £575 (that's more than $890!). Oh, and winning also means you also get an impressive 20% discount off of Illamasqua products.

So what do you have to do?

I'll quote, so I don't misrepesent anything.

"Simply download the face chart and produce a design under the theme of 'UNPREDICTABLE' by clicking below or from the Illamasqua SOMUA facebook page. You can use make-up, paint, materials... the more creative and daring the better. Tell us all about your influences and why your design is considered 'Unpredictable' and you could be in with the chance of winning this amazing prize.

Please submit your Face Chart design entry by Competition closing date: Monday September 13th 2010."

The small print:
UK Only entry*
Minimum entry age of 16 years
Be sure to put your contact details on
We cannot return face charts

* I will update this on Monday when, I'm sure, we'll get some more clarification on this. Someone has posted that the contest is indeed open internationally with the caveat that the winner would have to pay for travel if he/she resides outside of the UK.


How to submit
Please send entries to:

Illamasqua School of Make-up Art Competition
Illamasqua
6-8 Amwell St
London
EC1R 1UQ

Or you can scan in your entry and send it to school@illamasqua.com

When Illamasqua posts a better (hi-res) version of the face chart, I'll update this post.

The Nail Ninja: Best Manicure Ever? Ginger + Liz Tuck Me In, Illamasqua Harsh (nail polish swatches, pictures, review)

Could this be it? The Nail Ninja's  best manicure ever? The one that, if forced, she'd wear for the rest of her days? It's quite possible. Pictures first, then we'll talk...

 

_{Note: The Ninja's new iPhone 4 takes great pictures, but for some reason her
skin always comes out a bit red. The nail color, though, is true.}

That's Ginger + Liz's new silver polish, Tuck Me In. It's opaque in two coats with zero brushstrokes. NONE. Application is smooth, with no dragging or pooling. Wear is excellent - The Ninja gets 4 days until a minor chip, with only minimal tipwear. The brush is also stellar - flat, even, with just the right number of bristles.

The Ninja adores silver polishes. Wearing a silver manicure is, if it suits your skintone, a chic and sexy classic that really looks nice in almost all situations. It's pretty, it's tough, it's uptown, it's downtown. Some people wear white as their signature; The Ninja wears silver. The is The Best Silver Ever, no question.

For a bit of extra bling on her ring fingers, The Ninja topped Tuck Me In with Illamasqua's Harsh, a midsize silver glitter in a clear base. What you see here is only one coat of Harsh. Sure, it's a bit difficult to remove, but holding a pure acetone-soaked cotton pad on the nail for a few minutes will allow you to slip it off of the nail without too much trouble. Wear is, as with all Illamasqua polishes, excellent.

To summarize: this is officially The Ninja's favorite manicure. If pressed, she'd wear silver polish (this silver polish) on her tips for the rest of her life, and wear China Glaze's Coconut Kiss (purple) on her toes. And that, friends, is all there is to say.

_{This polish was sent to me for consideration.
For more information, see my About tab.}

Illamasqua Temper is surprisingly wearable orange lipgloss (perfect for Summer!)

"Bright tangerine" is not a color I usually put on my face. It's not even a color I wear in clothes. I'm sure The Nail Ninja could recommend a few tangerine polishes I'd use, and the shade is great for pops of color in decorating... but there's no way I'd be able to pull-off tangerine (especially of the "bright" variety) on my lips.

Right?

Wrong.

Somehow this gloss, in Illamasqua's Intense Lipgloss gloss formula, works - and it doesn't even make my teeth look dingy or yellow. Temper is not for the faint of heart. Or maybe it is! Maybe we all need to choose a few shades for our alter ego and really rock 'em. I'd never have picked this for myself, and yet I adore it. I can't wait to wear it on my vacation with a black sundress I just picked up. (I am quite fair- the black dress and tangerine gloss should really accent that! I like confusing the tan people.)

Some tips for wearing this ultra-pigmented, uber-glossy, delightfully non-sticky lipgloss formula: While the applicator is amazing, it's best for filling in the full parts of the lip. You may want to try a lipbrush to line the margins of the lips if you don't have a pencil that coordinates with the gloss shade. While we're talking about pencils, you may want to try one. In my quick swatches, below, you'll see that this would have helped greatly in making the look seem more polished. Luckily, this didn't ruin my morning of dishes, laundry, and toy-sorting. Also, you can apply this a bit more sheerly if you're careful, but it's hard to get it even. If you want to try to tone-down the gloss factor, I'd suggest filling in the lips with a lipstick or pencil first, then topping with a bit of gloss.

You can get Temper at Sephora in the US or through Illamasqua elsewhere.
PS: Congrats to Illamasqua for launching in Australia!





Now that I've finally embraced this lipgloss shade and formula (I've had mine for months and just eyed it nervously from time to time) I fully intend to dive into more Intense Lipglosses. Maybe Femme (coral pink), Frenzy (fuchsia), Fume (rose red), Move (muted thistle pink) or Petulant (magenta pink)?

_{This lipgloss was provided for consideration by the company's pr firm.
Please feel free to read about my review policies by clicking the About tab at the top of the page.}

News and other cool stuff

Hi, luvvies! How is your week shaping up? Not too much more now, my friends.

Listen, I have something on the horizon and it's not just Lulu's 1st birthday (!) on Saturday. I can't spill yet, but I sure can catch us all up on the recent comings, goings, and amazing happenings in the world. Do me a favor: let me know what I've missed!

Here we go...

Beauty Goodies

• John Frieda is taking his show on the road. You can get personalized attention from a top John Frieda stylist - a 15 minute lesson and consultation will address your specific hair issues and find out what products can help you bring out your best! Oh, did I mention that you'll also have access to a BCBGMAXAZRIA pop-up shop, so you can rock some sweet styles to complement your perfected hair? Find out where and how here.

• by Kilian lovers rejoice! The line has released a limited edition Gold Travel Fragrance Set, exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman. It's an artisanal-style black enamel with a gold finish that really embodies the "L'Oeuvre Noire" collection. The set will include a new scent, Rose Oud (from the Arabian Nights collection), plus the L'Oeuvre Noire yummies Love, Liaisons Dangereuses, Straight to Heaven, and Back to Black. See my review of a few of the scents here.
  New York gals: meet the founder himself on May 14th from 2-6 at Bergdorf Goodman (on the beauty level, of course!).   

• If you've been hesitating on purchasing the Illamasqua Spring collection, shame on you. But actually, your waiting may have paid off! You can save money by ordering all of the nail lacquers in a new LE set. It includes all three of the Body Electrics shades -JoMina, Prism, and Force- plus a bottle of Nail Base Coat.

• I loves me some Clarins skincare, man. I'm hustling over to Gilt Group TODAY to pick up some goodies.
   
  They've got faves like Best of the Sun Ultimate Protection Duo (Original Retail: $65, Gilt: $33), Clear Skin Solutions Kit for Combination/Oily Skin (Original Retail: $52, Gilt: $35), Super Rest Luxury Collection 4 Piece Kit + Gold Case (Original Retail: $196, Gilt: $149), and Multi-Active Day Cream for All Skin Types (Original Retail: $64, Gilt: $32). Clarins is renowned for their sun protection products, and I can personally vouch for the Multi-Active Day Cream: that's good stuff! 

• 
  Purple Lab has some new products going on sale at HSN! Um, yum: Pearlesque Show Primer for a dewy glow (for only $22.50);  Runway in a Box ($59.50); Check and Chic Makeup Duo ($37.50), and Huge Lips, Skinny Hips Lip Plumper in Lychee Martini (barely peach shine), Goji Berry Smoothie (berry rosy sparkle), Love Your Thighs (exotic coral), and Limo to Lobby (pale pink - more pink than Cult Fave Kitty Pole Dancer) for $20 each. Yeah, I wouldn't mind getting my hand on that primer and on Goji Berry Smoothie and Love Your Thighs. How 'bout you? Getcher info here.
  Showtimes: April 29th--- 2am-2:30am, 2pm-2:30pm, 8pm-8:30pm; April 30th---10am-10:30am, 3pm-3:30pm

• Really nifty makeup applications tools make my day. Check out the new one from Pür Minerals! You can pick your eye makeup, assign the model your own eye color, and even pick different brushes. It's so much fun, I may have to block the website or I'll never get any work done. No, really: try it!
  
  
  
  
  
• I'm kinda lemming Philosophy's Field of Flowers set, so if you're getting me a Mother's Day gift, that may be a place to start. :)
  
  The set, which is only $35, includes the body lotion (8oz) and perfume (2 oz), though you can get a few other versions of this lovely peony scent, too. 

• Not a huge Laura Mercier person. What I should say, really, is that I haven't tried a lot from her line. However, I do know that her body products are a-maz-ing! We used to run from the MAC counter over to Laura's and dip our hands in the delicious lotions and then sniff ourselves for hours. :) I haven't tried Crème de Pistache, have you? It's the scent of pistachio nuts plus almond, praline and hazelnut "nuances" and freshly whipped cream. Um... yeah. Now, what's the most fun? The Honey Bath, the Souffle Body Creme, or the Body Scrub?
  
• Where are my Bond No. 9 fans? Gimme a "WOOT!" There's a new one coming out and it's another in the  Andy Warhol series. I don't have to tell you that I love the Warhol scents soooo much! This one is inspired by Montauk, Long Island. Four of Warhol's iconic Sunset series will dress the trademark star-shaped bottles. Expect this one to be good! Debuts Memorial Day, but I've got a sample coming and a review pending!
  
   

• Got sensitive skin? I do, at times. One of the lines that is closest to my heart, Patricia Wexler, MD, has created a line for the sensitive-skinned among us. It's called Anti-Aging for Sensitive Skin. That kind of says it all, doesn't it?
  The line includes a Gentle Exfoliating Peel ($34.50); MMPi20 Comforting & Renewing Serum, which will decrease reactivity while diminishing the signs of aging ($55); Calming Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30 ($39.50); and Soothing & Renewing Night Cream ($39.50). Can't wait to try it, especially the peel - I can get away with a lot of moisturizers and serums, but not exfoliators!

• Check out these sleek Mattene/Slimshine-like lippies! They're new from NARS and are called Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment. These shiny, sheer, subtly tinted balms are packed with Wild Mango Butter, Vitamin E, Polar Berries and Açai Oil and come in six shades: Aurore (seashell pink), Greta (mauve), Paloma (cantaloupe), Lara (pastel pink), Angélique (strawberry) and Bianca (pearl). I'd love to test these, but unless some cash falls in my lap I'm not going to be able to. If you try them, let me know how they are, OK?!

• Speaking of lips, another favorite brand is promoting a new SPF-for-lips product. Check out Bobbi Brown's Treatment Lip Shine SPF, which contains natural Cocoa & Shea Butters, and Jojoba, Apricot Kernel & Avocado oils. Oh, don't forget the Peptides, Vitamin C & Paracress, which stimulate collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I confess: I could certainly use that around the lips, ya'll. How 'bout you? Did I mention the TWELVE shades?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Whew! That's a lot of "new"! What else ya got? Whatcha looking forward to? See a clear winner or loser?

Have a good day and weekend. Hope it's fab! Have a funny for the road:

Absolutely need it all: Illamasqua Body Electrics

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Please, for the love of Pete, may I have all of this collection? Illamasqua's Summer '10 collection is called Body Electrics.  Creams, powders, dry oils... all with shimmer and glimmer to light up the face and body. No, it's not realistic for my lifestyle, but with any luck my Alter Ego has a party planned soon!

Illamasqua contest promises one winner his/her name in lights! Or on people's fingers and toes, at least.

This is your chance to dream-up a nail polish shade. Always loved that particular sweater ("jumper", Brits)? Want to immortalize the exact shade of your favorite rose? Have you seen something else that inspired you to say "I wish I could paint that on my nails!?" Now's your chance...

Illamasqua's latest contest is your shot at polish fame! Submit your idea for a polish shade, and if yours is chosen it will be sold by the company. AMAZING.


You get one shot, so think carefully! Keep reading for details...

Ever want to design your own nail polish color? Want Illamasqua to sell it for you!?

This is your chance to dream-up a nail polish shade. Always loved that particular sweater ("jumper", Brits)? Want to immortalize the exact shade of your favorite rose? Have you seen something else that inspired you to say "I wish I could paint that on my nails!?" Now's your chance...

Illamasqua's latest contest is your shot at polish fame! Submit your idea for a polish shade, and if yours is chosen it will be sold by the company. AMAZING.


You get one shot, so think carefully! Keep reading for details...

Surfin' with The Ninja | 2.6.10

Stuff you may have missed
(or may want to see again!):

• Let's start off with a bang as we check out MAC's (late-to-the-game) matte polishes in their upcoming collection, Riveting. - Karla Sugar / The Next Best Thing To Going Shopping Yourself
  
  
  
  
  
• Proof that Siobhan is so much more adventurous than The Ninja: she is experimenting with 3-D acrylic nail art. Witness Boosh Bouquet! - The Nailphile
  
  
  
  Good golly, isn't Illamasqua's Boosh a purty black polish!?
  
  
• Find out the Grammy Awards' best-kept secret and see Rihanna's, Beyonce's, and Keri's manicures. Hint: those minxes! -All Lacquered Up
  
  

  
  
  
• A pretty damned good idea for making Half-Moon Manicures. -Lacquer Laine
  

  
  

  
  
  
• Chunky hex glitter done right (and green!). - Neglelakkmani
  
  

  
  
  
• More proof that somewhere, some distributer of holo glitter is having a very good year: Milani's 3D Collection (w/ swatches). -Steph's Closet
  
  

  
  
  
• Need some more really-difficult-to-find polishes? OF COURSE YOU DO! Check out some Etude House polishes. Such cute bottles;  such a great blog! - The Edge of Sanity
  

  
  

  
  
  
• Seriously? The Ninja is getting pretty irked at Scrangie. She's definitely The Ninja's greatest enabler. Exhibit A: Orly's Metal Chic collection, which The Ninja has also walked past several times and is now going to visit w/ wallet in-hand. That Glam Rock, man. Hot damn! - Scrangie
  
  
  
  
  
• More genius from Claire's: pastels! - Getcha Nails Did
  
  

  
  
  
• Revlon Street Wears bustin' out some surprise pretty! - Polish or Perish
  

  
  
  
  
• Is Nubar's Seductive Red from their Risque Reds collection "THE red" The Ninja has been seeking? - The Nailphile
  
  

  
  
  
• Check out the best solution The Ninja has seen for sexy, post-surgery toesies! PS: GET WELL SOON! - Pretty Perfect Beauty
  
  

  
  
  
• The Ninja is afraid her other 6 grey polishes are getting lonely, so she's going to have to investigate this new one from Diamond Cosmetics, Concrete Jungle. See also their new black w/ shimmer! - Getcha Nails Did
  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

All images are property of the respective blogs.
Don't steal: it makes your nails peel.

In which The Ninja expounds upon Top Coats and Base Coats

Top and bottom coats are tricksy. They can make or break a manicure, giving you a nice and shiny gloss, everlasting wear, chip-proof powers. There's a working theory amongst Nail Fanatics that top and base coats act and react differently on different people (a theory The Ninja supports fully). To further confuse issues, all top and base coats are not equal. When they're good, they're very, very good. But when they're bad... they're craptastic.

Base Coats

Why?

There are a few reasons we use base coats. 1) They protect the nail from damage and staining. 2) They help subsequent coats of polish adhere to the nail. And C) Many base coats contain proteins, vitamins, and other good stuff to strengthen and condition the natural nail.

What?

Base coats come in as many flavors as there are polish lines. You don't always need to use the base coat that "goes" with your polish brand (though sometimes it's helpful).

There are two "basic" base coat formulas: ridge-filling and non ridge-filling. If your base coat doesn't say "ridge filling" then it's not, right?

Other base coats are "rubberized" or infused with extra plasticizers that allow the polish to move with the nail, adhering better, longer (or so the theory goes)

Popular Base Coats include...

Nail Tek is the choice of many polish fiend. The brand makes quite a few base coats, most of them ridge-filling, many of them treatments as well. The Ninja found Nail Tek Foundation II invaluable when recovering from acrylic nails, and lots of addicts use it to double as a mattifying top coat, too!

The Ninja also enjoys Orly Bonder, which is "rubberized" to provided extra flexion and increase adherence. She's had a lot of luck with that.

Another go-to for The Ninja are Seche's base coats, both ridge-filling and non. They seem to not be terribly great with some of the Big 3-Free polish formulas, though (more on this later).

A recent obsession is Illamasqua's base coat, which really works quite well. The Ninja has been testing it extensively, and it's been performing quite well.

The Ninja's next base coat adventures will be CND's Sticky, which many addicts swear by, and Zoya's Anchor base coat (which is Big 3-Free and part of their "Color Lock System"). It has as many fans as Sticky and Bonder.

When?

Clearly, the base coat goes on first, like a primer for a canvas or wall. What might not be clear is When to use which type of base coat.

Ridge-Fillers A ridge-filling base coat is meant to smooth out and fill-in bumps, divots, and ridges on the nail, allowing for a level layer of polish. They are often (usually) off-white or semi-opaque, which also helps hide any visual imperfections on the nail, and also helps hide the dreaded VNL*. Ridge-filling base coats can also help improve the appearance of a sheer polish by giving it a bit more oomph, and can also be use alone to create a very natural nail (The Ninja recommends putting a top coat over the base coat, though, because many base coats dry a tad sticky or tacky).

*VNL = Visible Nail Line

Non Ridge-Fillers Other base coats aren't meant to multi-task as ridge-fillers, and simply perform their strengthening, fortifying, hold-the-color-on function. The Ninja uses ridge-filling base coats only under sheer polishes, choosing a non ridge-filling base for all other polishes.

And How?

These are the steps The Ninja follows, though YMMV*.

 
*YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary

1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. Use a cotton ball/puff/pad soaked with either acetone or "regular" polish remover (not "enriched") or white vinegar to clean the nail, removing any natural oils & leftover lotion or other residue.
3. Apply one thin coat of base. Avoid touching the cuticles or letting the base "pool" anywhere.
4. Let the base coat dry completely before proceeding with your manicure.

Top Coats

Why?

Top coats used to simply protect the manicure from chipping, but now they do so much more! Some top coats protect the polish from yellowing (as opposed to base coats, which prevent the nail bed from yellowing). Some pale polishes can yellow as they age on the nail, are exposed to sun or everyday products (French manis are notorious for this!). Other top coats create a super shiny surface, or promise to quickly dry the polish below.

2009 really opened the market to glittery top coats and even those that mattify the appearance of the polish underneath.

What?

If you're using a pale, nude, or sheer color, pick a UV-protecting or "non-yellowing" top coat if you plan to wear the mani for more than a day or two.

If you're on-the-go, grab a quick-dry top coat. They can cut dry-time down from a half an hour (or longer!) to mere minutes.

Popular Top Coats include...

Seche Vite is the one you'll hear most. See below for more info on this hi-shine, uber-fast-drying top coat that also "self-levels" (which means a nice, even application that even makes most chunky glitters super smooth!). This product is NOT Big 3-Free.

Many fanatics love Poshe Super Fast Drying Top Coat, which promises to re-wet, even-out, and dry existing polish. The Ninja hasn't tried it, but plans on doing so ASAP. This top coat is formaldehyde- & toluene-free.

Nubar's Diamont also has folks lining up for its quick-dry, hi-shine, Big 3-Free formula. Again, the Ninja hasn't tried this one, so can't vouch for it, but lotsa folks sing its praises.

Zoya Armor has it's fair share of fans, too, especially from those who use the complete "Color Lock System". It's also Big 3-Free.

The Ninja has really been loving Illamasqua's Top Coat, also Big 3-Free and hi-shine. In almost all cases (especially with Illamasqua polishes) it creates an iron-like topper that goes and goes and goes. Lovely!

MATTES: The Ninja has Rescue Beauty Lounge's Matte Top Coat and Essie's Matte About You, both of which she loves.

The Ninja adores her Seche Vite. She has a lot of non-Nail Fanatic readers (AKA "normals"), so let her 'splain...  This is a unique polish that actually bonds with the layers underneath it and dries them quickly. For that reason, it is to be used on wet polish (rather than letting each layer dry thoroughly before application as one would with traditional top coats). This is also why it should not be used to touch-up or "re-shine" a manicure. Using this product incorrectly will lead to chips, weird pulling, and even ginormous peels of polish coming off in layers.

The Ninja has an article that will post soon about 3-Free polishes and nail treatments, and another on Seche Vite. Look for them soon!

When?

Most top coats are best when put on top of semi- to mostly-dry nails. Wait a few minutes between coats, then before topping.

"Quick dry" coats may be best when wet (probably). Check the packaging for each product. See above for Seche's instructions. 

Matte topcoats are so much fun! Seems Nail Addicts are mattifying all of their polishes lately, but adding shiny top coats to any matte polishes they try. Go figure! Be super careful when applying these, as the brush strokes and any overlaps will likely make the finish uneven. They seem to dry the coats underneath fairly well, too, which is cool.

And How?

Simply brush on at the appropriate time (following instructions on the type of product - quick-dry vs. not). Try to keep it just on the nail, as top coats seem to be a big culprit when it comes to dry cuticles!

Most top coats can be reapplied every other day or so to maintain a manicure. Many people find it helpful to "wrap" the nail by dragging some color, then some top coat over the tip of the nail and a bit under it. They feel this reduces chipping. The Ninja's nails are super-short, so this plan is not really feasible.

What are your favorite base coats and top coats?
Which "favorites" don't work well on you?
Do you think "nail chemistry" has
anything to do with it?
What questions do you have?

Illamasqua keeps good company. Adds Joe Corre to team!

I don't know how many of my readers are interested in industry news, so while I try to keep up, I don't really write it up here. But this news for Illamasqua is just too good to keep under wraps!

Just announced today, Joe Corre will be joining the team as formal shareholder. Vivienne Westwood's son, owner of A Child of The Jago, and co-founder of Agent Provocateur (you may have heard of them?), and now part of Illamasqua.

Quite a victory for the newbie brand Illamasqua, and if I may say so, for Joe Corre.

Congrats to all.

New Illamasqua for Spring, UKers

The Ninja has no more info on these, other than this picture, the names, and a rumored release of February 1st. Implicit in the proceeding sentence is a lack of knowledge about whether these will be seen in the US at Sephora. Sadly, she suspects not...

LOVE these shades, though Blow may not work on ninja skin. Surely Nudge, Caress, and Wink are amazing dusty pastels. Gotta try them, especially since that Illamasqua formula is so damn stellar! Is it just wishful thinking, or does Caress look almost periwinkle? *swoon*onHey, Sarah, The  Ninja thinks will be asking begging you to pick some up for her!
source

Don't miss the official swatches on The Official Blog!

Illamasqua MILF

This is MILF, a nail varnish from British brand Illamasqua.

It looks like it could be a near-dupe of the Chanel color everyone's anticipating for Fall. Actually, I guess we should say that Chanel's Jade is a near-dupe of Illamasqua's MILF, snice MILF was around first!

These polishes are billed as "thick, solid varnishes that go on evenly and easily, they are hard-wearing, chip-resistant and stay colour-true".

Color: I think you can tell from the second pic, this is "Clinique green". I wish I had a piece of jade, because I'm quite certain it would be a match. The polish just glows - I can't deal with how gorgeous it is! Tiffany blue is much more blue than this - I consider this a soft green with a tiny bit of blue undertone, while Tiffany shades are blue with the slightest tint of green.

Application: Whoa! This is very thick, and gloopy. It even started to pool a bit. I was very frustrated when I was applying it, but then... miracle upon miracle, it all settled out evenly. I'm not that great at manipulating thick polishes, so my application is not perfect, but it's probably a good representation of how it will look for many folks. I used 2 coats for my application. You can see, though, that there was a bit of pull at the cuticle, probably from the lacquer's tango with my Seche Vite top coat. I'm going to experiment later with another top coat and see how that goes.

Wear: I can't believe how tough this stuff is. I've had it on for 3 days and there is NO tip wear, NO chipping. The color looks exactly the same as it did when I put it on. It's UNBELIEVABLE. I have not had a polish wear this well in...forever!

What I used: Base coat - Seche Vite Clear Base Coat followed by Orly Bonder; two coats of color; Seche Vite as top coats.

Suggested uses: This will be the "it" color for Fall, but in my opinion it's perfect for summer! While I can see it working well with camel, brown and whatever else is going to be going on in Fall, it's screaming to be matched with bright Summer colors, too. I love it next to orange, and I think it would look sweet on tips with a yellow pedi down below! Dare to wear it the Illamasqua way: oval or even pointed tips with a nude half moon! For you nail art fans, I would love to see something done with this and a navy blue, silver, or even a bright pink/fuchsia.

Final points: I WILL be seeking out more Illamasqua, since I'm so damned impressed with the wear. I'd also like to try their base and (quick dry) top coats - wondering if that helps with the consistency of the polish? Colors on my radar- Lament, Phallic, Snap, Harsh, Grab... don't you love the names!?

This is my first hands-on with Illamasqua, and if it's any indication of the quality of the line (from other reviews, I think it is), I will be a die-hard fan. Can't wait to try more! Please check back here to see pics of the postcards I got from the company. They're stunning! I'll post them in a few days.

This post originally ran on Beauty School Blog

This product was sent to the author from a PR Company for consideration.

When *jen fondled Illamasqua in public: the photoshoot - SCRATCH | @illamasqua

Once upon a time there was a beautiful Princess (let's call her "*jen" just for grins). She found herself in a magical ^★ ☆ ^★ Land of Makeup ^★ ☆ ^★ .

While walking along the magical paths in the ^★ ☆ ^★ Land of Makeup ^★ ☆ ^★ , The Princess looked around and saw ornate and beautiful signs with the words Sephora and Illamasqua. She decided to investigate further. Her attention was immediately drawn to a line of pretty pots full of gorgeous colors - so many colors! She was stunned!

The small vials with tiny brushes inside were immediately her favorites! Take a look:

The Princess grabbed them all and sat down on a toadstool and began to paint...

  

And the Princess decided to give them names...

1. Grab | grape magenta
2. Baptiste | shimmering deep royal purple
3. Phallic | shimmering midnight blue
4. Collide | neon pink
5. MILF | vintage mint green
6. Rampage | dark forest green
7. Wayward | bright taxi cab yellow
8. Whack | vivid tangerine
9. Alarm | bright orangey red
10. Ruthless | bright classic red
11. Unnatural | dark blood red
12. Harsh | clear with silver glitter
13. Untold | clear with red glitter
14. Rare | neon yellow
15. Boosh | absolute black
16. DWS | cement grey
17. Loella | shimmering candy pink
18. Jan | muted grey pink

The Princess didn't realize, but some of the colors were missing because they had been held up in customs: Snap - liquid pewter shimmer; Muse - dark teal; Lament - flamingo coral; Fern - shimmering bright sky blue)

STAY TUNED FOR MORE OF THE PRINCESS' STORY.

Follow along here.

When *jen fondled Illamasqua in public: the photoshoot - SCRATCH | @illamasqua

Once upon a time there was a beautiful Princess (let's call her "*jen" just for grins). She found herself in a magical ^★ ☆ ^★ Land of Makeup ^★ ☆ ^★ .

While walking along the magical paths in the ^★ ☆ ^★ Land of Makeup ^★ ☆ ^★ , The Princess looked around and saw ornate and beautiful signs with the words Sephora and Illamasqua. She decided to investigate further. Her attention was immediately drawn to a line of pretty pots full of gorgeous colors - so many colors! She was stunned!

The small vials with tiny brushes inside were immediately her favorites! Take a look:

The Princess grabbed them all and sat down on a toadstool and began to paint...

  

And the Princess decided to give them names...

1. Grab | grape magenta
2. Baptiste | shimmering deep royal purple
3. Phallic | shimmering midnight blue
4. Collide | neon pink
5. MILF | vintage mint green
6. Rampage | dark forest green
7. Wayward | bright taxi cab yellow
8. Whack | vivid tangerine
9. Alarm | bright orangey red
10. Ruthless | bright classic red
11. Unnatural | dark blood red
12. Harsh | clear with silver glitter
13. Untold | clear with red glitter
14. Rare | neon yellow
15. Boosh | absolute black
16. DWS | cement grey
17. Loella | shimmering candy pink
18. Jan | muted grey pink

The Princess didn't realize, but some of the colors were missing because they had been held up in customs: Snap - liquid pewter shimmer; Muse - dark teal; Lament - flamingo coral; Fern - shimmering bright sky blue)

STAY TUNED FOR MORE OF THE PRINCESS' STORY.

Follow along here.

When *jen fondled Illamasqua in public... (includes sexy photo shoot)

Not every brick-and-mortar Sephora carries UK import and beautyaholic obsession Illamasqua, but some do and I finally got to see the line in person. Here is my story...

I used to refer to Sephora as "Makeup Mecca" and I believe I'm going back to that. In "the olden days" there was no Sephora nearby, and so I'd visit when I went to NYC (not often). I'd twitch and shake through my trip until whomever I was with finally caved and let me hit Sephora, then I'd finally calm down. I couldn't get enough of the smells (the melange of perfume was somehow always pleasant), the colors (!), and the hustle and bustle, and I'd spend as long as I could swatching and sniffing and wishing for more expendable income.

Thankfully, I'm not the only one who loved the store and so they have spread and there's a Sephora near my home and near my old home and probably near your home! It's still exciting to go in and see so many choices, but I'm not quite so antsy about it. NOW THEY HAVE ILLAMASQUA - but not at my local store, so I had that whole twitchy feeling and eager anticipation going, just like back in the day!

I got a chance to scurry on up the hell that is I-95 and see the line in person at Sephora Georgetown. I have to say, after having admired it online for months and having fallen in love with MILF, a sexy mint-green polish that wears like the biggest badass on the block, I was not at all disappointed! 

I met my best friend, Angela, in Georgetown and she indulged me in a swatchfest that lasted around two hours! Meanwhile, the lovely staff of Sephora watched with bemused smiles as they perdiodically darted by to swatch the products themselves (the collection had literally just landed in the store the day before!). I had a great time swimming in the colors and textures, and wanted to buy just about every item.

I can't wait to go back up for the official launch fete they will have, but until then I'll be playing with what I bought and admiring my own swatches.

SHOUT OUT TO THE AMAZING STAFF
AT SEPHORA, GEORGETOWN (DC)!!!

This is Part 1 in a series in which I fondle Illamasqua. Take a look at the display below and stay tuned, because part 2 is coming in a matter of moments...

 

ILLAMASQUA is also available at SEPHORA.COM

Why my search for the perfect full-coverage foundation has ended

 

Kids, Mama has something to tell you and I hope you're as excited as I am about it. If you've been searching for a full-coverage foundation that doesn't smother, block, break-out, or mask your face, your search is now over! 

Lock away your inhibitions and bring your confidence to the fore. Loved by professional make-up artists, Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation provides maximum, long-lasting coverage without feeling or looking heavy. It blends easily and hides problem areas perfectly. Create your canvas, then paint your work of art.

Above is Illamasqua's Rich Liquid Foundation, my new Holy Grail foundation. I have a lot of foundations that I just love (Armani's Luminous Silk and Designer Shaping, and Shu Uemura's Face Architect and Nobura Stick are all huge faves of mine), but this just knocked them all back a step on my Best-Of List.

Let's talk about why, shall we? 

1. It's full-coverage
2. It covers everything
3. You can cover anything with it
4. It's got great coverage

Get it?

In fact, it's so full coverage that some people aren't quite sure how to use it! So before you try and return, follow my instructions for the flawless finish:

• Skip your usual primer? I haven't tried Illamasqua's primer, but I've noticed that this foundation does not play well with my silicone-based primers. So I skip it and get perfect wear with no slipping, pilling, fading, or creasing (VERY unusual for foundations).
• Mix it up. I mix a tiny little bit - no, seriously: A TINY BIT - with a moisturizer (one of those luminescent ones or a regular moisturizer).
• Work it! Dot it on the face, then brush it in. I use my MAC #188 brush or even my dampened Beauty Blender sponge. Keep brushing or stippling until it melts into the skin for that airbrushed look.
• Covergirl. You can use it undiluted on areas that need extra coverage - press it into the skin with a dampened sponge.
• Light 'em up! This foundation is very matte (does not reflect light) so if you don't mix it with something a bit glowy, use some kind of highlighter on the high points of the face to look vibrant and healthy (tops of cheekbones, down the nose unless it's prominent, a bit on the forehead between the brows and up a bit, cupid's bow of lips, tip of chin).

Really, this foundation is perfection. In fact - you can almost look too perfect with it on! That's why sheering it a bit is important. We want to look gorgeous but being mistaken for a mannequin is not cool. Don't get me wrong, it's not heavy and fake, it's just so completely good at covering skin that you look like you have no pores, flaws, or uneven skin.

By the way, It's also an incredibly comfortable foundation, which is important ---and unusual amongst full-coverage products. And it stays where it's supposed to, so you won't find it on your clothes or phone or... wherever.

Since you're using so little, the bottle will last you forever, which is nice. I'm really, really pleased and never going to be without this foundation!

Available at Illamasqua counters and online at Illamasqua.com, or in the US at Sephora. By the way, the swatches at Sephora's site are much better, though I hear Illamasqua is working on their swatches and we'll see something amazing from them soon!

This product was purchased by me.
Sadly, I am not affiliated with Illamasqua,
and all opinions are honest and my own.