AStorePlus®: 8 Pcs Nail Art Design/Detailing Painting Brushes with Dotting Pen Set #Review #NailArtBrush

As a nail polish enthusiast……okay, I have dozens of bottles and sometimes even accidentally buy the same color because I forget what I own! I have also been down the nail art alley of products, to now have a sense what works and what does not. Price wise, I have also paid well for brushes that their art was leaving bristles behind when used. I called it “surprise brushes” because you never knew when they would come apart and/or how many bristles they would surprise you with. This taught me when one brush shows any sign of failure, just trash the thing!

In comes AStorePlus with an assortment of 7 brushes and 1 dotting tool. I have a set that came in a zipper pouch and love that set. Never a surprise bristle attack and because the brush sticks are made of plastic that can be wiped to clean, acetone is not a something to fear when cleaning up my supplies. The AStorePlus collection features:

• Smooth Wooden handles painted in a White color with a black design
• A Dotting tool made of metal tip
• The 7 brushes come in different sizes with an assortment of thickness and angles
• A long metal shaft/sleeve, which holds the bristles tightly and allows the user to get a nice angle for easy use and cleaning

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Retail Price Point: A collection of nail art 7 brushes and 1 dotting tool for $5.25 with free shipping on Amazon.

Verdict:
When I received these, I noticed they feature painted wood handles, but what these brushes feature that others of like kind don’t, is that long metal shaft/sleeve to allow cleaning without seeping onto the painted wood area. Cleaning is a major concern both for hygiene purposes but also to keep the tools clean enough for longevity and re-usability. Other brushes feature a short metal shaft that can cause the consumer to accidentally come in contact with the wooden painted handle, making the manufacture’s paint bleed and disintegrate. Thankfully, the AStorePlus brushes avoid this from occurring and had the forethought of having long metal shafts to avoid this from happening. I use acetone because I don’t want residue on my nails from glycerin or additives that may not allow polishes or nail art to last, causing a short lived manicure. This means a brush has to be able to soak (short-term) in a cap of acetone, which I save the older caps from used bottles to do this with. The AStorePlus brushes sat in acetone and not once did the liquid wick up towards the top to meet with painted handle. I found the handles to be a comfortable length and ergonomic enough to allow my left hand to work on my right hand’s nails with ease. I have used the brushes 4 times and every time they clean and return to their natural shape and point when dried. I saved the plastic sleeves for each brush, so this allows me to keep the points in shape when stored in the same pouch I keep all my nail art brushes in. I have paid more for 3 brushes than what the 8 tools here cost on Amazon. The price point makes this an affordable hobby and also makes a perfect beginner’s set to own. Like with make-up brushes, I don’t use everything in a collection but I learned with time what heads I used more and later purchased duplicates of the sizes and angles I wanted. The same applies here and so far this set has the finer points I seek, so that means I use more of the brushes than I thought I would. I was able to let go of any cuticle wooden sticks, as now I use 2 of the brushes in this set to clean around my cuticle with acetone for a clean edge look. It goes beyond art and also a may to get the best looking manicure you can get without issues and this set from AStorePlus was problem-free for me. I did my Halloween nails using just the brushes and they cleaned up black and dark red garnet polishes with ease, as they did at making fine white roses on a black background. With the holidays approaching, these are the perfect stocking stuffer to add and a welcoming site for any nail art beginner!

 

Connect with AStorePlus on:

• Amazon
• Facebook
• #NailArtBrush

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from AStorePlus.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Advertisement

Essence Cosmetics: Essence Lip Stick in Miss Peachy (67) #Beauty #Review #ExpressyourEssence

• Essence Lip Stick in Miss Peachy (67):

Product Retails for about: $2.99

I did not wear any foundation around my lips or lip liner in these pictures but thankfully the subtle shimmer takes attention away from all that. They say a good mascara and a good colored lipstick can be used when you are in a hurry and out the door!  You know those mornings you hit the off button versus the snooze button, and this peach with a touch of coral hues would do the trick. Easy to apply and not long wearing, but once you gather your thoughts and make it to work, you can touch-up and smile like nothing happened. The nice part is when it wears down, you are left with super soft lips that look beautiful.

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: Essence Kajal Eye Pencil in Beach Bum #Beauty #Review #ExpressyourEssence

• Kajal Pencil in Beach Bum (26):

Product Retails for about: $0.99

Being new to the Essence eye pencil line, I trusted the formula because of my past experience with the Long Lasting Eye Pencil and I was so right! I could use the eyeliner and without a hiccup you get a nice smooth line that did not break or bump when applied. It just flows with the shape of your eye and no tugging on the skin. I usually do best on my first strokes, so this gave me a flawless liner that looked beautiful. The blue color is gorgeous and perfect for a day at the beach or for me, a day by the pool. This is a pencil you will be happy with and I purposely broke the tip to see how well it sharpens and it sharpened as smoothly as it applies. I again use it and no breakage or pieces dusting off that turn into smears (ooooh, can that ruin a perfect look). At a dollar a piece…….again, I want to kick myself for spending more on eyeliners that did not work half as good as this one does!

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Klout Perk: People V.I.P. Perk with 3 month Magazine Subscription and World’s Most Beautiful gift box #PEOPLEVIP

Another great Klout perk! Who doesn’t love getting boxes filled with goodies? Certainly not this gal! This one had a nice mix of items from jewelry to nail polish, and all courtesy of People’s Magazine. Definitely a great way in getting that V.I.P. feeling across! They call the items below Editor’s Pick and that means People’s Magazine did the hard work of testing things out to knowing what is currently H-O-T at the moment!

 

Let’s get started on the goodies…….

 

1. Hungry Girl: Chew the Right Thing

A cute but also informational diet book that helps in making better choices when it comes to eating. Perfect timing with Summer creeping closer and that means swimsuit weather too. You don’t want to eat yourself out of a bikini and this little set gives you 50 recipe cards filled with less guilty versions of the food you enjoy munching on. The low caloric versions range from everything like sweet treats, drinks, to full meals. Easy to follow and playful at the same time!

 

2. Zoya Nail Polish in color Rue
I have tried most brands out there of nail polishes and I once owned a Zoya in a red hue, however it was a bright red and so not me that I gave it away. Wanting to gift it to someone meant not trying it and I always pondered about the brand, many a times walking around Ulta with a bottle but never making the commitment to actually buy it and taking it home. I love neutral shades and I am guilty of purchasing the same color but from different brands. I don’t mean to but there are those tones that just make you smile and this Rue color is it for me. I love how it is a shade that goes with any season and any mood. It’s pretty, noticeable but does not scream out, “look at my nails”…..it sort of just goes with the flow kind of color. I also became a fan of Zoya’s formula because it makes me look like an expert when applying even when I try convincing my left paw to stop shaking.  I was able to do a polka dot accent nail because it was one of my better less shaking going on nail polishing days!

Zoya Rue

Zoya Nail Polish in Rue

 

 

3. Professional Hair Detangler
A comb-slash-brush but without a stick. You would think it’s like a broken brush and what’ the fuss? It comes down to control and less stress to your hair. The wand on a brush tends to make you put out more “umph” and this is why so many times we accidentally pull on (or out) our own hair even when it’s ourselves doing the brushing. I’m not into pain and much less tangles, so this little palm miracle makes we have less ouch and I can use it with wet or dry hair. I also like that there is no stick to deal with, so it travels well too.

4. Delicate Spring Bracelet
A gold accented bracelet that is light on the wrist and can easily be combined with other items to get that “stackable” look we are seeing with everything. We layered clothes for a while, so it seems we are now doing it with our accessories too. I liked the gold shimmer part but the plastic blue wires were just not me. I will not be tossing this piece away but with a little D.I.Y, I will be making this into something that is more “me” and that is the whole point when it comes to looks, you go with what you like!

5. Chevron Beauty Set
Three different sized bags that feature a nice green colored chevron pattern. I have make-up bags that I store inside other make-up bags because every bag has been used, needed, and even borrowed at one point. Easy closure and I love that these are also wipe-able inside. I’m not a make-up spill”er” but my purses are spotless because these baggies have saved me one time or another. Purses get dropped, stepped on to I have caught my husband using mine as an arm rest. I now still yell but with less spazing if anything was crushed and made a mess. I also use the larger one for half frozen water bottles that are cold and sweat….sort of like when you go to see a movie and don’t want to pay $6 for 8 ounces of H2o. Not that I’m giving you ideas or anything 🙂

6. People Magazine Subscription
I am reader of all magazines and this usually comes about that I run out of things to read and I’ll read anything for entertainment. I’m not a huge celebrity follower but enjoy entertainment news, like what is coming out soon to what got axed that I just started watching. People’s has it all, to shopping tips and even make-up advice. I will be enjoying my 3 months of entertainment along with my goodies!

I have said it before and if this box does not convince you, I have no idea what will.  Join Klout!  It’s a great way to experience what you already like and also a bit of the new so you can change up now and then.  I was unsure I would enjoy People’s Magazine and wrote it off in the past but I just learned a new thing, I actually found articles I enjoyed to even coupons!

Connections:

• Connect with Klout on-line- http://klout.com/#/create
• See what is new with People’s Magazine at- http://www.people.com/people/
• People’s Magazine via Twitter– https://twitter.com/peoplemag
• People’s Magazine via Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/peoplemag
• #PeopleVIP

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Klout and People’s Magazine.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: Essence Lash Mania Reloaded Mascara #Beauty #Review

• Essence Lash Mania Reloaded Mascara

Product Retails for about: $4.99

 

Wand’s brush

I used this mascara in all the pictures! I love the brush and formula. I know they say non-department store mascaras perform the same or even better but that has not always been the case for me. I will find a great formula but it would come with a lousy brush and I have resorted to using a brush from another brand to make it work. I sort of did not really like having to wash it each time after use. Essence got both right and it all comes packed in one tube! Yes!!!! Finally, because black icky hands in the morning made me cringe at thinking of washing that wand again. The formula on the Lash Mania lengthens and also plumps your lashes, but without a fake-o look. I look like I was born with naturally long lashes. I only applied one (heavy) coat first, then the second coat used mostly for directing and setting the lashes. I did not want to obscure the eye shadows I was testing but when I was done taking pictures, I did apply a good 2-coat application and you can get some long looking lashes that are minus the clumps. Me-likey 🙂

Lash Mania Reloaded Mascara with Metal Glam Frosted Apple (03) from the Essence Spring 2014 collection

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in Give me Nude, Baby (152) #Review #Nails

• Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in “Give me Nude, Baby (152):

 

Product Retails for approximately; $1.99

This color of nail polish  is not your typical nude/sheer and actually gives your nails a touch of shimmer. It’s very soft and think of a white colored pearl effect, minus the rainbow hues. I was able to test out and this polish in an easy one-coat application. You get nice settling and an even finish due to that unique brush Essence uses. You can also build up and intensify the white color by adding a second coat. The picture reflects how many coats I used and the #2 nail looks whiter because I used a thin first coat and a thicker second coat. Nail #3 is three coats, all thin and waiting in between for the polish to dry. I experienced a quick dry and by the time I completed polishing on my tenth nail, I could start again. 10 minutes under a fan and this testing was done with zero clear top coats, base or ridge filler polishes. Essence’s nail polish also lasts and you can’t beat the price point of $1.99 a bottle! The 2 buck price point makes the Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish line great when it comes to those trendy colors you want to try and are unsure about, to even using them as part of your Nail Art formulas.

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: French Manicure & Pedicure Pen for #Nails #Review

• French Manicure and Pedicure Pen:

Product Retails for approximately: $2.49
Finally, an art pen that works as it should! The pen dispenses a beautiful white colored nail polish, which dries quickly. The flow of the polish is steady so you can easily control how much you want. Coverage evens out nicely and you can even do designs, so this pen for your nails is not limited to a French Manicure. I enjoyed using it and was able to get a white perfect tip with ease on my first try.

I found using Essence’s “Give me Nude, Baby (152)” gives you a nice perfect finish and also fills in any voids, for a flawless look. The shimmer is soft so you get a nice day to night look that is classy and different from the typical pinks with white French Manicures. I never thought of buying a pen and usually would “free-style it” but I always goofed on one or two nails and needed a redo. No errors means I can finish quicker and no awkward moments while trying to take off the polish of the nails you error on, while keeping the ones you are happy with untouched.

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence: The Spring 2014 Collection from Eyeshadows, Nail polishes, Nail Tattoo Pen to Lipstick #Reviews coming soon!

Get ready to see what Essence Cosmetics has brought for you – Spring 2014.  Sneak Peak Below and I will be launching reviews soon!

Nailtini: Head over Heels nail polish from Tinibeauty, The Lacquer Cabinet

I do not enter contests often but when BeautyUndercover had a giveaway and I saw the colors, I signed up hoping to win. I did not even look the colors up because they were all gorgeous, so I figure I like heels, so I’ll go with the lacquer named Head over Heels.

I won and it’s a double win because I picked a fabulous color. Glitter nail polishes are beginning to blend in my head to the point I am shying away from picking any more up because I may own it already or a cousin like it. Head over Heels is in a class all it’s own and not attached to a season or even holiday. It’s beautiful and I love the ease of application. Head over Heels is a shade, which is part of the Limited Edition named Love, Roxie Collection.  The base is smooth and allows you to glide and disperse the flecks of glitter like you always imagined you would do, but once the brush hits the nail……well, I find myself dotting here and swiping there and even wiggling glitter off. It’s the game of take away, where I have some nails perfectly glitter-fied and others look neglected, so I apply more and then it goes too much the other way. I appreciate the smoothness with Nailtini’s formula, and the color in the bottle looks exactly as it should when applied. I now have harnessed glitter control powers!

I applied 2 coats and it dries fast, so you can set up quickly and bedazzle your nails at anytime of the day or night. You can apply straight from the bottle with no base color and because I’m Head over Heels when it comes to shoes…..my toes got a very needed pedicure.

On I went with finally coordinating my hands to my feet….not something that happens very often even though I mean to.

Check out The Lacquer Cabinet and the Nailtini collection of limited nail polishes to the everyday beauties we all like to wear. Shades are made in the USA and I love supporting a California Company!  The formulas last long and application is a cinch. I also have a little sugar to sweeten the deal because I believe in saving bucks! You can order below and use code BUC20OFF and order a single collection for 20% off, that makes it $20.00 and that includes shipping….so no funny stuff. The code expires on April 30, 2014.  You don’t waste gas going out and the box is delivered to your door…..now, if I could only get a hairstylist delivered the same way, I’d be golden!

You can find the limited editions to the everyday colors on:

• Their website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram

I received the above product free of charge from Nailtini and BeautyUndercover.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essie perk provided by Klout, Strokes of Brilliance

I having been working my way through the Klout World, a site that rewards you for being….well Y-O-U.  They measure your influence in social media and thousands of other topics.  As your score goes up and up, it opens the door to perks that are related to your topics (you can work on 20 at a time).  One of my many interests is Nail Polish so I chose this as a topic.  No sooner that I pick it, that door opens where I qualified for a perk and it was the Essie nail polish in the color of “strokes of brilliance”.  I like glitter and sparkles but dislike how it feels raised on a nail.  I tend to rarely use it because it catches on things and I have to admit something, I then pick at it.  Shameful!  The other factor is it takes longer to dry because you have to add an extra top coat on top of the glitter, polish, base…you end up with 4 coats if I just do one coat of color.  You add the “bed sheet” lines the day after, if you catch my drift.

So, I notice this polish says, “Top coat”.  That’s a first for me as they mostly usually have a name and it ends there.  I thought for a top coat, it better deliver.  I decided to try with a light french tip.  I noticed the sparkles have a mirror like effect versus just iridescent glitter.  They reflect, not shimmer.  The picture shows a blue tone but you get grayish hues too. Your clothing plus surrounding light affects the color they reflect so I liked that.  If the room is not bright, the shine is not, so they seriously do tone down to fit the occasion.  What I liked best is how the formula settles on the nail bed.  You do not get one speck out of place where it stays lifted to catch stuff.  It does not chunk up and for once it works as advertised, a perfect top coat.  I love it and I’m looking forward to my second Essie perk on Klout that I will be sharing next.  By the way, I’m on day 5 with no chips or missing sparkle!

http://www.klout.com

www.essie.com

*I was given this free product/sample because I’m a Klout Inluencer, I was under no obligation to receive this sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company