Klout Perk - Essie - Stylenomics

I received this Essie nail polish in Stylenomics from a Klout Perk a few weeks back.  I admit this is a very overdue post, but a late post is better than no post!  I opted into the perk and received it 3-6 weeks after the perk was closed.  I wasn't sure what shade I would be awarded as colors are just randomly chosen and sent off to those selected.

Stylenomics is from the Fall 2012 collection.  According to Essie, Stylenomics is a very dark green creme polish.  The polish appears slightly green, but it really looks more grey/brown-black than anything else.  I admit I have not worn this on my nails as of yet.

FREEBIE: Essie - Stroke of Brilliance

About a month or so ago I received an Essie Klout perk invitation.  I opted into the perk and was advised in 4-6 weeks I'd be receiving my Essie nail polish in the mail.  I wasn't sure if it was going to be Stroke of Brilliance or if it was going to be another Luxeffects polish since with the last Essie perk all those who opted into the perk received different shades from the summer collection.

Stroke of Brilliance is a stunning blue and silver glitter polish.  The glitter sizes range between small and medium hexagon shapes.  If you are familiar with Essie's A Cut Above, the glitter sizes are pretty similar.  This will be perfect as a glitter top coat for a darker shade -- blues, teals, grays, etc.

Disclaimer: I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Overdue CVS Haul

This is a super late CVS haul on my behalf - tsk, tsk.  This was actually my birthday haul (May 22nd) because I wanted to buy myself something for my birthday as a pick-me-up (like I need an excuse to shop, right?).  I popped into CVS on the way to see my father and picked up a few things for myself.  I ended up getting a few nail polishes and a lipgloss.  Not like I really needed any but, I'm impulsive and it's what I ended up getting.  I've really wanted Essie's Wrapped in Rubies for a long while now and this CVS happened to have it in stock, sooo I had to have it. Why? Because I'm impulsive and items just jump in my basket.  I really wanted Essie's Play Date but I didn't want to spend $16 on 2 Essie polishes so I ended up seeing a Rimmel duo and the shade was relatively similar.  I haven't tried any Rimmel polishes in the past, so I'd like to see how this lives up as a manicure.

So here's what I picked up:
- Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail Polish in Wild Orchard
- Rimmel Base Coat & Top Coat Pro
- Rimmel Lip Gloss in My Eternity
- Essie Nail Polish in Wrapped in Rubies

FREE Essie Fear or Desire Polish

Ah, Essie polish, a nail polish line I have been allowing myself to dabble into as of late.  I admit, I don't buy a lot of Essie simply because of the price tag.  If I can find it on sale, I'll pick one or two up here or there.  Although, this one was absolutely free!  How was it free?  Well, I was selected by Klout to participate in the Essie perk.  I initially was under the impression that I was going to be receiving all the polishes in the collection but as I saw individuals posts about what they received I realized we'd be getting one out of the collection.  Not bad at all considering the summer collection just launched a month or two ago.  The polish I received was the bright neon orange, coined Fear or Desire.  I really love the shade -- which is odd for me because my polish likes are changing.  I used to shy away from anything bright and now it's all that I want.  Probably due to the weather!

If you are wondering what Klout it, it is a website which measures how influential you are in topics. You can link various accounts to your Klout account (such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, etc.). Based on your Klout score, etc., Klout will pick you to participate in certain perks (think along the lines of BzzAgent but different). At first it was a bit confusing, but it starts to make more sense the more you use the service.

Disclaimer: I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Rite Aid Haul & Mini Review

 

 

I popped into Rite Aid on my birthday and decided to buy myself two little birthday gifts.  I really went in there because I'm subscribed to get Rite Aid e-mails because I have a Rewards card.  I was e-mailed a $2 off any Essie polish coupon AND then I was e-mailed a $2 off any Magnetix nail polish.  Since I had really wanted to try a magnetic nail polish and I cannot for the life of me find them in Walgreens, I headed to Rite Aid where I knew would have them.  I snagged the Magnetic polish that I felt was the most gorgeous, "summer" appropriate shade and then headed back to the Essie section and simply picked this nail polish due to the name.  It's a little joke I have since I'm half Jamaican that when nail polishes state "Jamaica Me Crazy" (that's what they usually are named LOL) I buy them.  This one is a gorgeous shade, but it's very similar to the Pure Ice shade I purchased, although that one doesn't have shimmers in it as the Essie does.  ANYWAY!  The two items I purchased were:

Essie - Jamaica Me Crazy
Magnetix Nail Polish in the Pink/Purple shade (they don't have names)

Now onto my quick little review portion -- I removed my nail polish tonight with my heart set on using my Magnetix polish.  I put my base coat on and painted my nails (one by one, following the directions and then applying the magnet as close to the nail w/o touching for 15 seconds).  I actually went a little more than 15 seconds because I felt it wasn't enough time.  Granted, this is the first time I have used a magnetic polish.  But when I removed the magnet only two nails got any sort of "alteration" on it and sadly, it was only one line instead of multiple. It was noticeable in a photo I took, but not terribly noticeable just looking at it.  I tried both magnets, at different angles on different fingers and my ring and pinky finger didn't get any change to the polish with the magnets.  Needless to say, I'm not really impressed.  I love the polish shade, but I can find another like it elsewhere ... so this will be going back to Rite Aid.  Anyone else try the MagnetiX polishes and find them to be less than stellar?

$4 & $2 Essie? Sure, why not!?

I popped into Walgreen’s about two weeks ago to get an energy drink for my boyfriend and I. I was really killing time because he was at a conference and was getting out within the next half hour – so Walgreen’s it was! I was hoping to find the Sinful Colors nail display because I have been going back and fourth about getting a particular shade, but needless to say they did not have the display so I did no get the polish. Off to the back of the store I went after browsing the cosmetic section. At the back of the store they typically have an area which is all clearanced items. I was going through some of the items, felt some items were too highly priced since they were discontinued. I then pulled out this bin and went into super-charge mode. I spotted Essie nail polishes. The sticker on the larger bottles was $4, the sticker on the smaller mini bottle was $2. I grabbed the 2 large bottles and the one mini bottle they had – and I did leave behind one large bottle because it was another School of Hard Knocks. I realize these are fall/winter appropriate shades – but regardless, Essie is Essie and I’ve recently started expanding my Essie collection.

Here’s what I was able to pick up for a fabulous deal:

School of Hard Knocks. This is a teal cream shade.
Very Structured This is a reddish brown shade, with I’d say a touch of orange. Very fall appropriate.
Jazz A very light nude shade with a tinge of grey.

I haven’t worn any of the shades yet. I actually need to get around to painting my nails but I’m still stoked to get them for the price I did!