Book Review | Nails: The Story of the Modern Manicure with Nail Art by Suzanne E. Shapiro and a GIVEAWAY for the Limited Edition OPI–Switchboard Starlet!

I have always been a big fan of the HISTORY channel and when I received an opportunity to review a book about the history of the modern manicure, it was like the stars aligned and I could not wait to get my nail art nerd learning cap on! Nails: The Story of the Modern Manicure by Suzanne E. Shapiro ($32.95) was a truly enjoyable and educational read! First of all, I did not realize how closely the economy influenced everything from colours to nail polish names or how EARLY on in history nail art was present!

In honour of this book and its heroines, OPI created 1000 bottles of the colour Switchboard Starlet, a gorgeous bright orange-red jelly, that I used to create this floral “pond manicure”. I’ll teach you all how to recreate this 3D look for yourselves and perhaps a bottle of Switchboard Starlet of your own!

Lise Watier Eden Tropical | Blush Creme Satin in Rose Eden with Swatches

Lise Watier never ceases to delight with their summer collections with Eden Tropical being no exception. This collection is filled with your classic bronzer and summer brights, but what has really caught my eye lately are cream blushes! Now that I know how to apply them, I have experienced their lasting power in action and have deemed it a must-have in my summer makeup routine. There are two cream blushes in the Eden Tropical collection: Coral Paradise and Rose Eden ($24.00) with Rose Eden being the one I will share with you today!

Dove Advanced Hair Care Series | Oxygen Moisture Leave-In Foam and Root Lift Spray

The Dove Oxygen Moisture line is killing it when it comes to products that are working for my hair! In conjunction with the shampoo and conditioner that I have previously reviewed, I have also been using the Leave-In Foam ($7.98) and Root Lift Spray ($7.98) both of which I have been enjoying to add volume and give life to my hair.

Get Summer-Ready with Kiss My Face 4 in 1 Moisture Shave in Key Lime

I’m sure many of you have noticed that the sun has come out and we are experiencing summer weather a little bit earlier than usual (at least in Vancouver!). With summer weather comes showing more skin like toes and of course LEGS. Now that I’ve been consistently using the Kiss my Face Peppermint Foot Scrub to ensure that my feet are sandal-ready, it’s time to make sure that my legs are nice and smooth to compliment them!

The Kiss My Face 4 in 1 Moisture Shave ($7.95) is one of the most comprehensive shave creams I have ever used as it promises to soften, smooth, soothe and moisturize with every use. There is Vitamin E, aloe, olive and coconut oil to ensure that your legs get both a smooth and comfortable shave. I am using the scent Key Lime which also helps to get me in the mood for summer as I love the scent of anything citrus!

Essence | Colour & Go Nail Polish in Breakthrough with Neon Studs

Is it weird that the first thing I noticed about this polish was that “colour” is spelled with a “u”? Finally! I can spell it the “right” way! I digress, but this is the first time I have ever featured an Essence polish on the blog! How that is even possible is beyond me, but without further ado let’s welcome Essence – Breakthrough, which is sort of jelly-like bright purple that is opaque in two coats. It has a very glossy glass-like finish that at first coat made me think it would not be opaque but its second coat proved me wrong!

I added some neon green square studs to jazz things up a bit and also I can’t seem to leave a swatch alone!

PR samples featured for review

Vegan Cuts | March 2014 Beauty Box

Honestly, I could have sworn this was an April Box, but it just goes to show how scatterbrained things have been for the last few months! I have just cancelled by Wantable subscription so I am now down to four consistent beauty subscriptions. I remember when it was something like 8…crazy times. Anyway March’s Vegan Cuts Beauty Box held a nail polish brand that I have always wanted to try and in a colour I really like, but let’s have a look at everything else too shall we?