fashionCHICsta

The epitome of #ShopGenius, this $42 Spring 2014  + Michael Kors  lip and nail beauty set was priced to $14.97 at  + Nordstrom Rack . I'm such a sucker for great deals.

I met this 5-free, vegan, gluten-free and cruelty free brand at  +Cosmoprof North America , Las Vegas, 2014. Developed first as a collection of luxury nail and hand treatments,  +LondontownUSA  is now bringing luxury Lakur to those with food sensitivities.

The truth is, I used to live under a rock when it came to indie nail polish. I hadn't even heard of  +The Painted Nail  until I was invited to Katie's party, held after hours during Cosmoprof (CPNA) Las Vegas, 2014.  Shameful yet true.  That is all about to change!

Proof that all that glitters is gold. Meet  Alter Ego Nail Enamel , another  +Etsy  favourite of mine. Discovered at an indie nail polish party held during Cosmoprof (CPNA) Las Vegas , 2013, Alter Ego is hand mixed in small batches. Fort Knox Quality Control  looks shiny yet dries to a matte finish. I applied 3 coats for full opacity. I added a high shine top coat by Glisten and Glow to my middle and ring finger. This is a thicker nail lacquer though it dries level. I find the fewer strokes you use, the easier it levels.

I've been disappointed with Essie nail polish formulas as of late. They have been incredibly streaky, requiring more than usual coats to reach opacity. They are chipping within hours of wear, which might or might not be attributed to the 4-coat thickness on my nail and they have the dullness of 3-day old lacquer.

Described as a "Van Gogh" navy blue with a matte, textured, sparkling finish. I treated myself to this gorgeous shade of  +Zoya Nail Polish   PixieDust, Sunshine , after my  +Whole Foods Market  pedi appointment. Not a name that would typically associate with 'sunshine', this cobalt blue   nail polish provided 2 different looks: one coat exposed the glitter, giving a very silver, very beautiful finish. Two coats enriched the presence of the base hue rather than the glitter. Next time I apply this 5-free, textured matte nail polish, it will be a one-coater for sure. xoxo •Nancy-Lee

...Or as we call it, Friday eve. Trust Fund Beauty’s attitude towards life and fashion is that you should be unapologetically fabulous and that its ok to be edgy and have a sense of humor. The best part about this 5-Free lacquer Brand? You don't need a trust fund (or a sugar daddy) to buy this luxurious collection. Retailing for $15 each, these bottles of beauty are Made in the USA. Wearing Denim with Diamonds is your idea of casual