Review

   After taking my first issue of Nail It! for a test run, I bought a year's subscription and was very happy to find the next issue in my mailbox recently.  Yay for not missing any issues!  I'd like to continue to share my thoughts on the magazines I get, and if you're a reader too I'd love to hear what articles you enjoyed, too!

Swatch & Review / Nail Art

   I can't resist a good minty aqua polish.  I have so many creme hues in this family that when I saw Music Box it only seemed right to branch out into the holographic end of things.  I'm wearing 3 coats of this pretty polish, and I found the formula to be agreeable.  This isn't a super-strong holo polish, but the effect is more prominent in person than it shows in photographs.  And out in the sunshine it really does serve up a dollop of rainbowy goodness.

Review / Video

   I've made another YouTube unboxing/overview video for my most recent VoxBox, which was different from my past boxes because it included something specifically for my other half to try.  This post gives an overview of all the products and links to some of my stand-alone posts.  You can check the video out, too!  Keep reading for the quick run-down of what products are winners, and which ones are, well, not so much.

Vaseline® Men Spray Lotion

This spray-on lotion was sent for my husband to use and give his opinion on.

What he thinks:  It was a little weird at first (it really does spray a fine mist of lotion) and you have to be careful of where you're aiming it so you don't end up with slippery overspray on the floor.  Sometimes you have to spray into your hand and then apply it as you would a regular lotion, so what is the point of it being a spray..?  But it works well, absorbs quickly, and is non-greasy.

What I think:  I don't like the smell!  I sprayed some on my arm and I agree, it absorbs quickly, leaves your skin nicely softened and non-greasy, but I had to wash it off my arm!  It's just too strongly scented for me, with what I feel is a nondescript cheap "men's product" aroma.

Our verdict:  He says it works well enough but having spray-on lotion doesn't seem necessary, so once it's gone he probably won't buy more.  I say he can use up what he has so long as he only uses a small amount at a time.  Not a winner for us.

Nail Art / Tutorial

   This is a nail art look that immediately came to mind when I opened my last Influenster VoxBox and saw the bag of cutely colored Hershey's KISSES candy.  So, I've created a pictorial explaining how you can create this look, and I'm sure you'll want to check it out.  This may be one of the only nail art looks that requires you to eat chocolate as the first step!

Influenster Review

    Tonight I'm sharing a great product from my J'adore VoxBox from Influenster.  I was really excited to get this product to test, in a full-size bottle, no less!  I really enjoy doing face masks but I don't use them often enough.  Read on to see what I think of the Boots Ionic Clay Mask and how I fit this mask into my schedule!  Oh, and did I mention I'll have a coupon code to share with you?

Swatch & Review

   I'm currently getting over a cold (which is why I missed posting on Wednesday), while also dealing with a really cute baby that has decided not to stay asleep at night for the past two weeks.  My husband and I have been in a perpetual state of running-on-empty.  I've been depressed about my inability to get things done, but looking on the bright side (literally, since the sun is out and our snow is melting!) I do have a lot to be thankful for.  My very supportive husband, a generally healthy family, and getting to watch all the amazing accomplishments of our baby girl.  Little Freya will turn 6 months old tomorrow, is getting used to being spoon-fed, loves to sit up on her own, and yesterday she said her first word: "mama".

   The manicure I'm sharing today is one that came from poking halfheartedly through my untrieds, and then being surprised with how much I enjoyed wearing it.  The nail polish from I♥NP is called Absolute Zero, and it was an exclusive color only available with pre-orders some time back.  In all honesty I wasn't too enthused about it, navy blue isn't my thing, but I did pre-order some polishes, thus it ended up in my collection anyway.

   My swatches show 1 coat plus topcoat; I'm especially impressed that I only had to use 1 coat for a nice rich finish.  Absolute Zero has a slightly metallic and holo-infused finish.  It ended up being quite pretty in person and had a lot of life on the nail.    Sadly it doesn't come across very well in my pictures, and it also didn't seem to get along with my Poshe fast-drying topcoat, which was causing the polish to pull up around my cuticles.  I also found I had tipwear much faster with this manicure than I normally do with any other ILNP color.

   It's already March, and that means it is time for another Mini Giveaway!  While searching for inspiration for this month's theme, I was reminded that this Saturday we'll be losing an hour of thanks to Daylight Saving Time.  (Ugh, I don't want to lose an hour!  If you're in an area that doesn't follow DST, be thankful!)  Also, the first day of spring is March 20th.

   And what better way to combine the thoughts of spring and the bitter reality of lost sleep than with quick-and-easy flower nail art stickers?  The winner will get 12 assorted sheets.  Yay!  I'm also including a pack of Fringed Iris tip guides (3 styles in the pack!) and carded samples of Urban Decay Primer Potion and Stardust Eyeshadows!

   This giveaway will run until March 21st at midnight.  Widget for entering is below, so keep reading!  Please click the "Terms and Conditions" link at the bottom of the Rafflecopter widget, that is where you will find the rules!  Thank-you!