Zoya Does It Again! & NOTD

PhotobucketZoya did it again! Always the consumer friendly and coupon conscious nail polish brand, they are offering a buy one get one free offer (for up to 6 polishes – I wanted to buy them all out too). Click here to check out the full details about the promotion (Good through 9/30/2009 11:59 PM ET) so move quick!

Check out the rest of the post to see my Zoya sale dedication polish!

This lovely lady rockin’ my nails is: Lael
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Left w/flash, Right no flash
The color is a bit plum-ish but late at night it looks burgundy. I really love it and think it’s perfectly appropriate (great description eh?) for fall.

Are you getting any for yourself?


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It’s My Birthday!

PhotobucketIt’s my birthday and I’ll shop if I want to!

Hey guys! It’s my birthday today! And this year, I am looking for less gifts and rather, more memories. I’m indulging my shopping habits because this is the best time to do so, and with that, I am lemming the most for shoes of high calibers (hello L.A.M.B & Mr. Louboutin) and while I may only wish for those right now, I can completely do whatever with my nail polish obsession. And that’s what I’ve been doing.

In the past month or so, I have probably made at least five polish orders. Y’all can probably attest to the same being that I have featured more NOTD’s than anything.

I’m really loving these polishes from Deborah Lippmann. I have already placed an order for the first color y’all see here (Call Me Irresponsible) and my mouth is watering for the other three as well.

I love the packaging of the bottles because the square shape just rocks my socks. It feels super fancy and I love pulling it out of the nail polish hoarder nook that I have in my house. See that last color on the right? It’s aptly named Happy Birthday and I’ll be celebrating with it soon!

Lippmann Collection at ShopStyle


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Nailing NYFW

PhotobucketIf there’s anything that NYFW teaches you, is that fashion doesn’t stop at the end of the runway. The audience and crowds contributed to plenty an ooh and ahh, whether they were celebrity or not. My camera was often pointed equally to someone’s clothes and shoes, as it was to the models and garments.

I even felt the kick under my heiny to step it up and rocked out with bright lipstick for days. But today’s not about that – today’s nail day!

The pasttime that I can always commit to is doing my nails and toes. I usually do this before I do anything, as I can aid drying time that way. I also am tempted to try a new polish nearly every day (though that is half blamed on my penchant to peel my polish and half because of my constant new purchases). For NYFW, I didn’t want to be a one color girl, so I enjoyed some fancy mattes, suedes, creams, and a Konad for days.

I wanted to mix it up for Fashion Week, as I didn’t want to run through all the fabulosity with a mere one color. I tried to do a fresh nail every other day.

First one was a cream color that struck my eye immediately when I came into the Beauty Supply store. It was a sherbet melon/orange type color, and I could attest that I had none to even so much as mimic it. Plus the color was around $2. The brand was one that I never tried before, but as it’s name says itself – I was curious Quirious!

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Though I liked this color, the polish took a bit too long to meet my expectations. The picture here is after roughly four coats. The first two coats made it look sheer as all goodness and that actually made me pout. I like the finished effect, but it takes too long to achieve it. Regardless, though… given the price, I’ll forgive em & probably showcase more of their colors soon.

Next two colors that I tried are pretty new to the nail market and I didn’t want to wait too long to try them out. After spotting them on websites and nail blogs alike, my heart was beating fast in the material sector. First one was OPI Suede in Russian Navy.

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The little note attached to it says the same thing as the ones on the Mattes as I posted here. They tell you not to use a base or top coat, that they wear differently than other polish, and not to use lotion.

Just to let y’all know. I haved used a base coat with all my matte polishes and that hasn’t changed anything. I have seen that the one time I followed directions and didn’t use a base coat, the matte made my nail yellow. Yaya doesn’t like that one bit.

The Suedes are fabulous guys. They have this silver underlayer that makes the top coat shine. It’s hard to explain. The pictures show you that I have a top coat on my ring finger to show you what it looks like with a top coat. I like the color both ways. I also noticed that upon removal, you can actually come across the middle layer that is invisible to the eye when applying or wearing.

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Coooooool. Right? ๐Ÿ™‚ This is when I was removing it, so excuse the chip. Mattes and Suedes wear a lot more sensitive than creams, so they tend to chip at the ends within one or two days.

Next one was OPI by Sephora in Metro Chic Matte. This was an ultra cool matte, that had the best application of any of the mattes I have ever come across. Case in point: most mattes, if you apply more than two swipes on one nail in succession start to clump up. This one did no such thing.

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flash on the left and no flash on the right
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pinky has a top coat on it. Looks almost identical to Metro Chic cream

The color is a little different with flash and no flash. Neither shows the color perfectly. It is a bit in between the two if you can imagine. I tried to add a little Holo pizazz with China Glaze on the thumb and ring finger.

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Photobucket PhotobucketI also love that this polish is extremely true to bottle color. Most of the mattes – it is just too hard to convey that.

My last mani was my last hoorah inspired by my girl Brit from ClumpsofMascara. She was tweetin’ and YouTubin’ with a fab houndstooth Konadicure, and I took her as inspiration to rock my plates out. I used a Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polish that I just got from Walgreens on sale, and used bows and fishnets to rock out the rest. I used my black and white Konad polishes and then mixed some of them to see if I could get gradient colors.

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After a nail or two, I realized I was mimicking my fave Betsey Johnson mini handbag.

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What y’all think? What are you rocking on your nails?


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NYFW: MOJ Works Behind the Seams of the Risto Show!

Photobucket New York Fashion Week is under way and the whole city is abuzz. There is a rapidly decreasing ratio of taxi-cabs to fashionistas, plenty a meal to be missed, and plenty a good garment to see for the Spring season ahead. Who’d have thunk that we’d already be talking about Spring 2010 as only the first leaves of fall think of setting in?

This year is the first year that I get to participate in shows, working both backstage, and as a spectator alike, to bring you my faves of the bunch. It was my joy to present myself as the mani-pedi technician of the Risto Bimbiloski show.

Click ‘Read More’ to check out some more pictures and details about both the clothing brand, as well as the nail polish that made it happen. You can probably tell from the image what it is!

First an introduction on Risto Bimbiloski:

Risto Bimbiloski is an emerging brand, centered on a forward thinking vision. It is foremost a family business, started by a group of common minded individuals, connected by the unique concept, of what is new in the world of design. Risto was born in Macedonia in 1974. His initial influences were the realities of common socialistic lifestyle and early pop images on MTV. In 1993 he was accepted and enrolled in one of the most prestigious Parisian design schools-Duperee. This enriching experience resulted in initial research of his inner “East-West” balance, still very prominent in his collections to date. Macedonia is a matriarchal society full of strong women proud of their heritage and traditions. It is customary that the technique of knitting and handcrafting is learned from an early age to execute to perfection. Thus it was an organic decision to embrace these traditions and launch the label Risto Bimbiloski as knitwear based collection. The presentation was called simply “24” and showed twenty-four silhouettes based on women that would wear a Risto Bimbiloski garment at a precise hour: minute of the day, in very different places worldwide. By combining these traditional knitting techniques with ultra modern design that is always executed with precise art of the drapery, Risto showed a very new and unique product. Many high praises followed immediately after. The talent behind these creations was noted at Louis Vuitton, and early 2006 marked the start of a strong and ongoing collaboration: Risto Bimbiloski at Louis Vuitton as a contracted freelance designer for the man’s knitwear line. Although, the collection started mostly as knitwear, the brand has since developed into a full ready to wear collection. The knitting artisan atelier started with four ladies only, and presently contracts over one hundred. In these ever-changing unstable times this is one of the most important ingredients of the Risto Bimbiloski label-its human element. A product made with love, well paid for, that gives a chance to help and to increase drastically each lady’s familial economic situation.

In the summer of 2007 the brand Risto Bimbiloski opened the doors to its first factory that tends solely to the ever growing needs of their production: knitwear, artisan and the cut and sew collection. The designer and his team continue to collaborate with many stylists, artists and photographers, but the base of the collection, and the feeling of the garment still remains true to it’s original vision: an effortless blend of East and West, avant-garde and tailor made sophistication.

Check out slide 4 of this up and coming slideshow from New York magazine about the brand here!

The show featured some original designs that I had never come across before, and had the cutest shoes with back pom poms/tassles. The look was a very heavy and bold black eyelid for all the models with slicked back hair that was heavily teased in the back. There was no single one makeup sponsor, so the looks were created with a plethora of products including industry favorites Chanel, MAC, Makeup Forever, and others such as Kett, etc.

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the kit

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That’s my curly head working some magic on them digits!

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Rejuvacote resting among the makeup ๐Ÿ™‚

The models had manicures that ran the gamut from creams to mattes. Some even had four coats on from numerous previous shows! After the removal process, given the tried and true quick dry practices of Rejuvacote, we settled on clear nails and toes, and opted to not use colors. I used Duri‘s Rejuvacote to give them a clear and natural mani and pedi. Additionally, the nail polish stimulates stronger and longer nails, so not only was I cleanin’ em up, but I was setting them up for fab nails!

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Backstage mayhem – getting ready to start the show

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Here are some of the pros of Rejuvacote polish as I came in contact with it:

  • You can feel a harder and stronger nail after the first application.
  • It goes well as a base or a top coat over any polish or alone.
  • It dries in under five minutes, letting you get back to what you were doing previously without a problem. I polished some ladies minutes prior to wearing shoes & their toesies weren’t at all messy!

As part of the giveaway, I will be giving away one bottle of the Rejuvacote.

Everyone else, you can buy it here!


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Fashion’s Night Out – Recap

After anticipating the day, when yesterday night came into fruition, it was like the whole city was in a party. I honestly have to tell you, the closest I have seen so many people in such a big city party simultaneously is for Halloween. Otherwise, we seem to be a serious bunch.

I have so many pictures to show you and things to tell you, but that will have to wait until later tonight. The upload process of photos is taking way too long and the start of NY Fashion Week is beckoning me. That then, also tells you that I’ll have even more good things to share!

To give you a quick view into the future posts:
-the displays for FNO09 were phenomenal. I was so taken aback by the creativity of all my favorite, and a bunch of new to me brands
-the streets were alive! I even have a picture of the subway being completely empty, and a very opposite busy store
-there were several partnerships of brands that worked out amazingly well! Just wait till you see who.

Click ‘read more’ to see what my NOTD is for the first day of NYFW for me!


I can’t ever explain thoroughly, how much in love with Zoya I am, but here is another profession of my love:

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Harley

This is the softest gray shimmer that I have seen. It reminds me of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, when they chose the slogan for the jewelry line to be “Frost Yourself.” This is such a … frost… color.

Don’t forget to invest in a Zoya or two – or a hundred before October, that’s when their nifty $6 goes up to meet with Mr. Economy & Mrs. Inflation to be $7. You can get the color Harley here. It’s also offered as part of the Twist! sampler with my other fave, Malia.

As the rules apply with the giveaway – this is a polish that’s now added to the list of prizes.


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OPI Mattes

It’s the matte wagon and I know y’all are lovin it! I have read the nail blogs and seen the bottle and swatch pics of the OPI mattes but I had to see it all for myself. Nothing is the same until it is gliding over my fingernail.

I went to my favorite online nail haven, Transdesign and snatched up three mattes. I wasn’t interested in the berry or white color because it doesn’t take much to inform me that the white matte resembles white-out and I don’t believe I would pull it off for long (all my jeans would bleed the white into oblivion!), and well the berry just didn’t inspire the awe that the other colors did. ๐Ÿ™‚

Click ‘read more’ to check out the swatches. And true to the giveaway, the OPI Matte You Don’t Know Jacques will be on the list of prizes to choose from!

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left to right: Russian Navy Matte, Gargantuan Green Grape Matte, You Don’t Know Jacques Matte

The bottles tell you not to use a base coat, top coat, drying drops or hand lotion. I used lotion post application and nothing changed it, but everything else probably needs to be adhered to. Additionally… these dry almost instantly but wear for the most of two days.

Here’s how they looked on me:

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I didn’t swatch Russian Navy yet, but as soon as I do, you’ll be the first to know!

What do you guys think about these? Tired of mattes?

As a sidenote – as many of you heard me whine on Twitter – my beloved phone went for a swim in the sink and didn’t come back alive. A lot of the information and pictures for here were there so be patient as I get myself together with the outside world lol!



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Mama Said Knock(you)Out!

Photobucket Have I got more nail polish for you! Trying to get back on schedule with all the nifty products and companies I have to present to you, I have to resort to double and maybe even triple a day posts. But y’all like that right?

This one is a-one that should matte-a to you. Corny? Eh…

Remember when KO Knockout was having an event at Henri Bendel and I got my nails done in Ox? If not, click here for a refresher. Well I have two more polishes in my collection of mattes and I felt compelled to share.

All the colors:

product-karen  product-liberty  product-OX  product-Pool  product-Concrete  product-flatte  product-powder  product-calamine
(Left to Right) Karen, Liberty, Ox, Pool, Concrete, Flatte, Powder, Calamine

Click ‘Read More‘ to see more pictures and swatches!

The two that I have are Liberty (left) and Concrete. And here are the lookers themselves!

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Check out the fancy packaging . I had to lighten the pic so you can see all the fancy emboss-ment and frosted look. ๐Ÿ™‚

You can also click here to see what Ox looked like on my digits!

I have to say KO Knockout is the brand that has the best matte formula that I’ve come across. It lasts super long, has a large matte color selection, and has super original packaging.

The most interesting thing about this company is that they post swatches of all their polishes! Granted they don’t have hundreds so it’s easier, but really – I haven’t seen this anywhere else. Click here to check out the looks!

What do you think? Have you tried a matte polish yet?

Care to try KO Knockout?


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Nailed by Duri

PhotobucketI have to warn ya – today will be a day of multiple posts. And today will be a day of nails.

Now that I’ve made that clear, I would like to present without further ado (and I have been adoing for a while) Duri Cosmetics, with their Fall 2009 polish collection.

The collection is called Rags to Riches I’ve been rocking my million dollar Duri nails for a hot minute now.

Click read more at the bottom to see all the colors!

Here are all the colors:
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(513) Million Dollar Baby, (514) Silver Spoon, (515) Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

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(516) Dress to Impress, (517) Money Donโ€™t Make Me, (518) Slumdog Millionaire

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(519) Social Ladder, (520) Party Like a Rock Star, (521) Trophy Wife

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(522) Formula for Success, (523) Luxury Time, (524) Rags to Riches

The ones in my possession:
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Party Like a Rock Star, Million Dollar Baby, Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

and look how identical the color is to the bottle:
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They’re all super creamy and no fuss. All of these swatches were two coats, with the exception of Million Dollar Babythat is more because I like my polishes to be more opaque (3 coats). All the polishes cost $5 and you can get them on the website here. The catch? Some of the colors are coming out now, and some later ;).

Available in September:

(513) Million Dollar Baby, (515) Penny Saved is a Penny Earned, (517) Money Donโ€™t Make Me, (519) Social Ladder, (520) Party Like a Rock Star, (524) Rags to Riches

Available in November:

(514) Silver Spoon, (516) Dress to Impress, (518) Slumdog Millionaire, (521) Trophy Wife, (522) Formula for Success, (523) Luxury Time

I’m looking to purchase Dress to Impress to add to my fall collection.

Have you tried Duri? Which ones are your fave?


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What A Lime-a Bean!

I have to admit something – every time I see a shade of Lime for nail polish, I usually snatch it off the shelves immediately. So as I was looking over my purchases for the past couple of months, I realized I have started to collect nearly every darn shade of it! What a lima bean I am! ๐Ÿ™‚ I figured I’d share my findings and let y’all know which shades are out there and how much they go for!

To compare, I have (left to right) NYX Nail Polish in (73) Lime, OCC in Wasabi, and L’Oreal in (932) Shocking Green

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And in real life:
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The L’Oreal Pro polish has a shimmer to it that I couldn’t capture on photo for the life of me.

NYX Nail Polish in (73) Lime ($2.99) – the perfect shade for me – has more yellow than OCC
OCC in Wasabi ($8), – a cute vibrant color – has more green than NYX
and L’Oreal Pro in (932) Shocking Green ($4.99) – has way more green than the others, and also has shimmer

Do you like this color? Which is your fave?

On a side note, I am totally rocking the NYX on my toesies with a purple french pedi twist with a Zorro like design on one toe (I kept trying to do something creative and it was all a FAIL…)

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and the close up:

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What’s a matte with Zoya?

What’s a matte with you? You didn’t hear about the trend?

Matte nail polish is all the rage my friend. Zoya came out with three mattes for Fall 09 and now they’re zinging (hush) ahead with three more for Winter.

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Colors left to right:
Veruschuka – “evergreen matte shimmer”
Savita – “plum gray matte shimmer”
Harlow – “rose matte shimmer”

Did you notice that they have shimmer in them?! The polishes are available for pre-order now and will ship out September 15. A little birdie also told me the polish prices are going up in time for tricking and treating in October, so get your Zoya together!!


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