Nail Art Stamping Polishes

I have had several plates sitting in a drawer for a few years now that haven't had really any use.  I personally don't like the stamper that came with the Salon Express starter kit I had bought as well as the Nail Art Printing Machine.  I ended up tossing out the Nail Art Printing Machine but keeping the plates.

I joined an amazing group on Facebook called Adventures in Stamping and fell in love with all of the amazing work that was being shared!  I'm telling you, these women (and a few men) are absolutely amazing with nail stamping!

After months of trying to get it to work for me, I gave up!  I was getting no where and was getting very frustrated with it!  Recently, I started playing around with it again and was told that I should try a Winstonia Squishy Stamper.  I ordered one after doing the necessary research.  After a week, it was in my hands.

I grew frustrated with it quickly.  I would prime it and then try to stamp it and it just wouldn't pick up the image.  After priming it six times, yes you read that right, I finally was able to pick up a complete image!  Yes!  Finally!

I was so excited that I finally got it to pick up an image, I decided to go through all of my nail polish to find out which ones would actually stamp.  Here is a photo I took as I was working my way through my polish collection.

The tools I kept at hand were the following:
Winstonia Squishy Stamper
Stamping Plates (I used Salon Express SE18 for butterfly in the center)
Cotton Gripper
Cotton Ball
Acetone
Lint Roller to clean stamper (helps pick up the hair, dust, ect that the stamper head will pick up)
Piece of paper to prevent a mess
A notebook to keep note of which polishes worked

After four hours of stamping, writing, cleaning, and repeating, here is my list of polishes that I own (all of which are either drug store, department store, or mini's).  I will be adding this list to my "Polish Collection" page and will keep updating it as I continue to get more.

Quick note--Stamping polish can be expensive.  I have yet to find a single bottle that is less than $5 and is no more than 11ml.  That's pretty expensive for a small bottle specialty polish in my opinion.  I would rather spend $5 on two or three or even four bottles of 15ml bottles that can be used as regular nail polish, too.  That is just my opinion on the specialty polish.

My Stamping Polish

Finger Paints

Black Expressionism

Well-Cultured Pearl

SpaRitual

Kiss The Cook

Last Call

Creative

Winterfire

Warpaint Beauty

Slime

A Mile Away

Acid Orange

Wet N Wild

Ice Blue Pearl

Lavender Creme

Eggplant Frost

Frosted Fuschia

How I Met Your Magenta

Lavender Pearlescent

Dreamy Poppy

Caribbean Frost

Sunny Side Up

I Need A Refresh-Mint

Candy-Licious

On A Trip

Through The Grapevine

OPI

My Auntie Drinks Chianti

No Name Label (Gold)

Changing of the Garnet

A Little Nookie

La Boheme

Cupp-a-cawfee

Smok'n in Havana

Merry Crimson

L.A. Colors

BCC 660

Palm Tree

BCC 558

BCC 566

Nina Pro Ultra

Solar Flare

Orange Flame

Magenta

Sally Hansen

Hard Lemonade

Whirlwind White

Brisk Blue

Flashy Fuchsia

Lickety-Split Lime

Gold Chrome

Kelp Yourself

Marine Scene

Black Out

Ivy League

Crushed

You're Crabby

NYC

Moma

Skyline Blue

Times Square Tangerine Creme

Midtown Mimosa

French White Tip

Lexington Lilac

Rock The Party

Empire State Blue

Preppy Pink

Tudor City Teal

Pink Promenade Cream

Purple Pizzazz Frost

Rimmel

Shocker

Camouflage

Nicole

Twinkle Periwinkle

The Color Workshop

NEPA 45

NBMA 12

1

NBRA 12

NBRA 33

NBRA 1

NBRA 14

NBRA 2

NCYA 3

NBRA 19

NEPA 41

NBMA 6

NEPA 60

NBRA 41

NBRA 49

NCTA 6

4

NBLA 15

NBPA 15

Ulta

Goddess

Canyon Coral

Pure Ice

Scream

Maybelline Color Show

Denim Dash

Onyx Rush

Blue Blowout

Styled Out

Mystic Green

Sinful Colors

Palm Breezy

Courtney Orange

Big Daddy

Why Not

Cinderella

Hazard

San Francisco

Sea Glisten

Energetic Red

Island Coral

Boogie Nights

Rise & Shine

Kissy

Blue Crushin'

Innocent

Dream On

Cream Pink

Snow Me White

Daredevil

Mint Tropics

24/7

Ice Blue

Bali Mist

Black on Black

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

  Ugly Love is a story that is not easily going to be forgotten.  From the first chapter, Colleen Hoover pulls you into this emotional roller coaster of a story.  My preferences on books have definitely changed thanks to this book.  Normally, I am into the "Fifty Shades" types of stories but this one has proven to me that not every story has to have vivid accounts of sex and violence to enjoy it.  I enjoyed it.

  The story alternates chapters between Tate Collins who is a twenty-three year old RN who is also going to school to complete her CNRN degree and Miles Archer who is a twenty-four year old pilot.  Tate's side of the story is all in the present.  Miles' story goes back six years to explain why he is the way he is.

  Tate moves from San Diego to finish school in San Francisco while sharing an apartment with her older, protective pilot brother.  His friend, co-worker, and neighbor just happens to be Miles.  The ups and downs between Miles and Tate make you want to scream at them through the pages before you even hit the fifth chapter.  There is just so much sexual tension building in the first few chapters that you can barely contain yourself.

  Tate wants Miles to love her but Miles is so closed off from his past that he has an internal struggle with himself.  While he battles within himself, he hurts Tate over and over again until she just can't take anymore.  He breaks her.  She thought she could live with the two tiny rules they had laid down in the beginning but falls in love with him.  She has an internal struggle herself when Miles tells her and her brother that he has no plan to love her, ever.

  By chapter ten, you know you want them together more than anything else but Miles is so cold and shut off.  He continuously pushes her away to the point that he himself can't do it anymore.  He turns to a source for help.  A source that you wouldn't see coming.

It's a must read!  And you'll struggle within yourself on putting it down or reading just one more chapter.  It's a beautifully dark love story that makes you feel like you are watching everything happen.  Your heart will break.  Your heart with cry with joy.  Your heart will plead with you to continue reading the story.  Listen to your heart.  Pick up your copy of Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover at your local bookstore or on your device!  It's worth the read!


Disclaimer:  The product in this review was purchased by myself.  If you are a business and are interested in me doing a review of your product, please contact me at addicted2polish2014@gmail.com

A Couple Changes Coming! :)

So, I've decided that I'm going to be changing a couple of things on the blog.  One of which, you have already seen (if you haven't go check it out!) and hopefully enjoyed!  I am going to start reviewing more than just nail polish!  I'm going to be doing tons of reviews coming really really REALLY soon!  "What?"  you ask?  Well, here it is...Are you ready?

1.  Name Change!  Why?  Well, I want something to reflect the changes that are happening to the blog.  I have so many interests that I want to be able to blog a review about whatever I like other than nail polish.  Yes, I LOVE nail polish, but there are times that I just want to paint my nails and go about my day without even thinking about making a note of the consistency, odor, price, and so on of a manicure.  And yes, I will still be doing reviews and walk-through of nail polish!

2.  New Layout!  I'm changing the look of the blog to make it more ME.  I have to like what I'm doing, right?

3.  Books!  Yes, you read that right!  I am a HUGE bookworm!  So, why shouldn't I be blogging about the books I'm reading?  I already have a group on social media that we share books and even discuss them.  I feel it's time that I start blogging about books and I'm going to make it a weekly thing.

4.  Everyday Items!  I am going to start reviewing the things that I find important like the products I use in my hair to what app I have found to be a must have!

5.  NEW SEARCH & TABS!  What do I mean?  Well, I'm going to implement a search bar giving you easier access to finding the blog you want to read.  Each blog post I share will have a key label tag so that you can easily type in "book", "nail polish", and so on.  I am even going to make a page for just labels making it as easy for you.

I think that about sums it up and I hope that you all stay with me while I make these changes.  I feel that these changes will keep the life I want in the blog!  If you aren't following me yet, go to the "Social Media" tab to find a link to each of my social media pages.

Have a wonderful evening everyone!

Vitality VoxBox from Influenster

I recently joined Influenster after seeing a friend of mine share some photos of what she called a "VoxBox"...  I became quite curious after seeing the nail polish, shampoo, conditioner, and self tanner that she received for FREE.

There are absolutely NO FEES for joining Influenster.  There are NO FEES for receiving a VoxBox.  Not even for shipping if you are picked to participate.  I joined a couple months ago with the intentions of giving it a shot but not expecting to receive a box.

Well, I got one!!   It's called the Vitality VoxBox!!  Or as others are calling it:  Vitavoxbox.  And here is my first review of Influenster's VoxBox (and hoping for more to come!)

The first item you see is the Pure Leaf Lemon tea.  It's a full sized bottle wrapped in bubble wrap.  Of course, it needs to be refrigerated before you can enjoy it's pure goodness!  I personally don't like lemon so I gave it to my boyfriend.  He enjoyed it!

The second item is a burn cream from First Degree.  This is a must have in every medicine cabinet!  I am notorious for burning myself with a flat iron while trying to quickly do my hair.  First Degree Advanced Burn Cream is valued at $5.97-$8.99.

The next item is Playtex Sport Fresh Balance tampons.  I opened one of them and found that these are plastic applicators (thank God!) with a unique shape.  I figured that is why they are marketed for the very active women!  They are valued at $3.99.

The fourth item is Bikini Ready Energy Gummies.  Some of those who received the Vitality VoxBox received a full size bottle.  I was not one of those so I would like to disclose to you that I did only receive a sample of two gummies.  The package reads that they taste great, boost metabolism, and increases energy.  The two gummies have a light sugar coating on them.  I don't like orange flavored anything but I can say that the orange gummy tasted fine.  The grape gummy was amazing.  There is no bad after taste.  I cannot say if they increase energy or boost metabolism due to only receiving a one time use only package.  I may have to buy some to review!  The full sized bottle is valued at $14.99.

The fifth item is the awesome Softlips Cube!  I have never seen such a cute lip balm.  I'm not one who really wears any kind of product on my lips but after have a wisdom tooth removed last week, my lips have been really chapped.  As soon as I opened my VoxBox and seen the Cube, I opened it and applied it.  Instantly, I felt relief!  The smell is amazing, too.  The flavor/scent I received is Cool Mint!  I love it!  Softlips Cube is a 5 in 1 lip care.  It makes your lips look radiant and feel softer, smoother, and more hydrated according to the package.  I must say that I thoroughly agree with that!  As I had said before, I felt instant relief when I applied it to my horribly chapped lips!  I feel that this is a must have!  Every woman should have one of these adorable little cubes in their purse, make-up bag, in their desk drawer, and in their pocket!  It's that good!  The Softlips Cube is valued at $3.49.

And the final item is Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum.  When I opened this little package, I thought that it was another sample but I was wrong.  I read the little card that comes with the VoxBoxs and the inserts.  This little one ounce bottle is valued at $60.  I have never and will never pay that much for a one ounce bottle of anything.  I'm almost afraid to use this little bottle.  I don't use a lot of product of my skin due to having some issues with sensitivity but this bottle says that it can reclaim your flawless complexion.  The bottle has a clear liquid and a bunch of beads in it.  The mini beads are activated when dispensed.  According to the flier, this serum reinforces your skins essential moister barrier, evens skin tone and texture, and reduces the appearance of early signs of wrinkles.  I can't say if it does or doesn't.  I don't currently have wrinkles (I'm in my late twenties and have no children yet!) so I will save this tiny bottle for when it is needed!

So, there you have it!  These were the contents of my very first ever VoxBox from Influenster!  I liked nearly everything in the Vitality VoxBox and I'm looking forward to reviewing more VoxBoxs!

If you would like to join Influenster, ask me how to receive an invite!

DISCLAIMER:  I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

7 ways to clean up nail polish!

I haven't kept up with this blog for a couple months now.  I had some health issues which will be temporarily resolved next week.  I also celebrated my 29th birthday last week!!  The boyfriend took me to Sea World and I absolutely loved it!  My nails were perfect for it, I do believe!!

Anyway...Today, I want to share a few ways of removing nail polish!  Even the most stubborn glittered nail polish can be removed easily.  Here are just a few ways!!

1.  Cotton ball and acetone 

This method is quite simple.  All that you need to do is tear a cotton ball into several pieces and soak them in acetone or non acetone nail polish remover.  After you have soaked the cotton balls, you place one piece across your nail and hold firmly for about ten seconds to make sure that it is soaking into the polish.  I usually leave these on my nails for up to ten minutes.  After pulling them off, I take on cotton ball with acetone or non acetone polish remover and clean up the remaining polish.

2.  Pure Acetone

This is Onyx Professional Remover.  It is 100% pure acetone and I swear by it!!  You can purchase it at Wal-Mart for under $3.  I removes nail polish and glitter polish quickly and easily!  It says it can remove artificial nails but I cannot confirm or deny it due to not having artificial nails.

3.  Aluminum Foil and acetone

I personally don't use foil that is specifically for nails like this brand above.  In my honest opinion, it is MUCH cheaper to go to the dollar store and buy a roll of foil for $1.  To use this method, cut several pieces of aluminum foil and tear a cotton ball into 2 or 3 pieces (depending on the size of your nails).  Take the cotton ball and dip it in acetone.  After you have soaked your cotton ball, place it firmly onto your nail and wrap the aluminum foil around your finger.  Most people say that you should only leave it on your nails for about five minutes but I have found that it cleans the hardest of glitter polishes in about ten minutes.  After you remove the foil, use another cotton ball to clean up the remaining polish.  

4.  Whitening tooth paste (cleaning up stains on your nails)

I've had some issues with certain polishes staining my nails and I have found this to be the most reliable way to clean it up.  I keep an old toothbrush with my nail tools just for this reason.  I usually wash my hands first and towel dry leaving them slightly wet.  Then apply the toothpaste to each nail ensuring they are completely covered.  I allow the toothpaste to sit on my nails for two minutes before I begin scrubbing with the old toothbrush.  I scrub them for a few minutes and rinse the toothpaste off of one nail to check if they are clean.  If they are, I completely wash my hands and make sure all toothpaste has been washed out from under my nails as well as on them.  If they are not back to a natural color, I scrub my nails for a few more minutes and repeat the process until they are at my standards.

5.  Olive oil, baking soda, and lemon juice (for removing stains)

I personally do not like this method but I have tried it and it does work.  It's simple.  Just mix about two spoons of lemon juice and olive oil with one fourth cup of baking soda.  Stir it well.  After you have stirred it, you can apply it to your nails two different ways.  You can either "soak" your nails into the bowl for about five minutes or you can use an old toothbrush and scrub your nails with the mixture for about five minutes.  I like to just soak my nails when using this method.  

6.  Vaseline

Using Vaseline is really easy and probably the smartest thing to do to prevent messy manicures.  Just apply it around your nails on the skin.  When your nails are dry, just wipe away the Vaseline and it will clean up the excess polish that would normally require using acetone and a cleaning brush.

7.  Lotion

When I remember that I own Vaseline's line of lotion, I apply it around my nails before doing my manicure.  After my nails have dried completely, I just wipe away the excess polish that has been left behind.  Any lotion will work but I love this brand!  

That's all!  Easy peasy!!   Hopefully, your clean up times will get a little shorter and you can fully enjoy your beautiful manicures!!

--B