I little while back I caved and ordered a Zoya Mystery Box. I pretty much saw an ad on Facebook and bought one on a whim. It seems Zoya offers these boxes a few times a year and they come with an incredible value.  All I had to do is order 3 polishes from the site worth $10 and apply a code. I got $100 worth of mystery goodies from Zoya and free shipping. So let us see what I got and what I thought of everything.
First off I ordered 3 polishes, Jill, Sage, and Ana. Sage and Ana are satin shades, which I guess I quite prepared for. They seem to run more matte then satin, and are sort of streaky and hard to work with. Jill on the other hand is a beautiful shade that looks amazing on my skin and is really easy to apply. I clearly ordered it just for the name, but fell in love anyway.
Now, onto the box. Technically the box is free since I only paid for the polishes, so I have zero complaints about it. I will say that after the $3.90 international fee and conversion rate this order of just 3 polishes came to a whopping $51.00 CAD on my credit card. So yeah the box is a great thing, but I would never pay that for just three polishes
The box is cute and like everything in my order, safely packed. I got three coupons for future orders as well a booklet describing what is in the box.
First up, Naked Manicure Hydrate and Heal Serum ($12). This is a serum meant for hands and body that has hyaluronic acid in it to help hydrate seriously dry skin. It comes in a little sprayer that is actually pretty easy to use, not much mess comes from it.  It has no real scent to it and just feels like you applied water to your hands, so it absorbs right away. I don't find any real hydration comes from it on its own, but it is meant to be used with the next product.

Accompanying the serum is Naked Manicure Hydrate and Heal Cream ($12). This cream comes in a stiff bottle that makes getting it out a bit of a pain. Meant to go with the serum to help lock in moisture, it is a relatively light cream, not greasy and absorbs relatively quickly but still lingers on the hand, which is really nice because nothing sucks more to me then a cream that vanishes and leaves my skin wanting more. I overall like it, the feel, the results, the scent, but think I will use it up much faster then the serum.
Now on to the big items, the Naked Manicure system. This seems to be Zoya's big deal right now, so I got a NM Base Coat ($12), NM Lavender ($10) and NM Glossy Seal ($12). This is their system that provides you with a manicure that (*gasps*) looks natural. The system provides nourishment to the nails as well as treats damage, improves flexibility and strength. In between the base and the top coat is a lavender tinted clear coat, it is meant to colour correct yellow or other stains left on nails from using other polishes. There is also a few other shades, including  pink, which I would actually really like to try. The end result with this manicure is natural looking nails that are healthier and really pretty. I have tried it a few times and really do like how my nails look, much better then when I just wear a clear polish or a strengthener on them. Sadly my job is probably going to rip my nails apart and I won't get too much of a chance to try it on some more grown out nails.
I also got a Zoya lipstick in the box, mine is in the shade Addie ($12). Addie is a mauve pink that I really like to stair at. I am going to give this to my cousin though since her father (my uncle) is named Addie, and I really think she would enjoy it more then me.

Solid Gold Cuticle Oil ($12) is a gel cuticle oil that has tea tree oil in it to stop fungal growth. I really like how this is in a tube and gel, something I thought I would hate. It really is more of gel then an oil and is completely mess free. It also doesn't smell like tea tree, which is very nice.

Fast Drops ($8), are a tiny little bottle (5ml) of fast drying drops. I actually like the tiny dropper because usually I cannot control applying drops to well and end up waisting a lot of it.
Also in the box is a brand new shade that is just being launched of their Nail Polish ($10) in the shade Brighton. This is a champagne fine halo shade. I really like how it applied on my nails, it is more shimmer then shade but after two coats it looks really pretty without being too shimmery on your nails due to the fact the halos are so tiny

Finally I got a trail sized bottle of Remove+ ($4.60). It is their 3 in 1 remover, which is a mild action nail polish remover which also preps and cleans the nails.
Overall I am happy with this box. They promised me $100 USA worth of product and I got it! I also paid nothing for the box, just my three polishes and an international fee that was pretty small. I am excited to get to try out the Naked Manicure system because I have only heard good things about it as well as the other fun goodies in the box.


*Features paid for items
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Dry nails, hang nails and ragged cuticles are a way of life for me, thats why I was so exited to try out products meant to help rescue my poor suffering nails.
Rescue Rxx ($20.50 / 15 ml)

A highly effective new treatment from CND that repairs damaged nails with the power of Keratin protein and moisturizing jojoba oil. With daily use, peeling and white spots are dramatically reduced. See a difference daily. -cnd.com

This is a daily nail treatment meant to go onto bare nails. You just paint it on like normal nail polish or treatments, the only difference is it doesn't leave any coat on your nails once it is dry. Just paint it on and let it dry, then its gone, fantastic. This Keratin formula works in just one week to improve the strength of your nails and reduce white spots on them. I noticed that after one use I noticed my nails felt firmer and stronger when I would push on them. After a week I noticed my nails were breaking less and actually growing a bit, so I am officially impressed. I really liked that there was not polish like coating on my nails like most formulas, every time I've used one of those they always chip off part way through the day and did little for my nails. Rescue Rxx actually absorbs into the nails instead of just sitting on top of them.

Cuticle Eraser ($13.99 / 50 ml)

CUTICLE ERASER micro-exfoliates cuticles with a rich, creamy blend of alpha-hydroxy acids that effectively moisturizes cuticles and helps prevent hangnails. -cnd.com

All other cuticle erasers that I have even used are pretty harsh and smell like pretty strong chemicals, they also need to be rinsed off quickly or they can do some pretty strong damage to your nails and cuticles. Cuticle Eraser isn't like that, its a daily treatment you just rub into your cuticles and after a week you should see a difference in your cuticles. It relies on micro-exfoliants and alpha-hydroxy acids to help soften and remove your cuticles gradually. I also love that this has a fine tip applicator so applying it (and not too much of it) is a breeze.

SolarOil ($10 / 7.3 ml)

Award-winning cuticle oil is infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E. Repeated use drives nutrients in deeper, creating stronger, healthier nails and hydrated cuticle area. SOLAROIL should be used with ANY nail service. -cnd.com

Dry nails and cuticles suck, the nails break, cuticles fray and you get hang nails, super fun stuff. Obviously the best thing to do with dry anything is to moisturize, which is why SolarOil is so great. It has a brush as an applicator for accurately and not over applying it. It also happens to be a very light absorbent oil that do't leave your hands oily for too long

Nightly for the first week right before bed I have been using the Rescue Rxx followed by the Cuticle Eraser and followed up by the SolarOil and I have noticed stronger nails with much nicer cuticles and less hang nails (woot woot, just what I always wanted).

ScrubFresh ($20.50 / 236 ml)
I can never keep polish on for more then a few days without a million chips or even flat out peeling. ScrubFresh is a product meant to prep your nails pre polishing to prolong their wear by drying out the nail bed for a proper adhesion. It is a simple, but brilliant concept, but one I definitely needed to prevent lifting. Since it is drying I recommend using they SolarOil after you are done your nails to rehydrate your cuticles and the surrounding skin areas.

Vinylux Weekly Polish ($12)
I got four gorgeous shades of this weekly polish to try out, Lavender Lace (light lavender), Be Demure (light pink), Date Night (Blue) and Desert Poppy (an orange that leans a bit red). This is a two step week long polish that requires no lamps to cure it, just a top coat.
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Description:

Introducing our exclusive 3-step nail system for spectacular nails like you’ve never seen before. New L’Oréal Paris Extraordinaire Gel-Lacque provides high-gloss, and resilient shine while protecting nail color from dings, dents and scratches. Get the high-shine of a UV-Gel and the perfect nail shape without harmful UV rays. 

 An exclusive rubber-silicone-infused formula helps perfectly coat the nail, offering multiple-day wear with a high-gloss, polish look. This formula allows for a more solid deposit on the nails and is infused into each of the three steps:

STEP 1: GEL PRIMER Nail surface is instantly smooth and flawless
STEP 2: GEL COLOR Color is richer, magnified to a new level of intensity nails are visibly thicker
STEP 3: GEL GLAZE Shine is captured and reflected from every angle 

I recently was sent a few of the new L'oreal Paris Extraordinaire Gel-Lacque 1-2-3 polishes. I then promptly ran out and bought some more.
Basically it is a lamp free gel nail polish, an alternative to the shellacs of the world that is 1) affordable, 2) easy to use, 3) easy to remove and 4) has amazing shine.

First apply the base coat, let it dry. Then apply the colour in two thin coats (I usually do three to get the coverage I like). Finally apply the top coat and wait for it to dry. Thats it, you're done.

Step 1 - Gel Primer Step 3 - Gel Glaze

The colours I have

1. shinetastic 714 *
2. Miss Luster-ess 702 *
3. bold bordeaux 713 *
4. decadent indulgence 716 *
5. fashion's finest 705 *
6. hot couture 720 **
7. lacque-red 712 **
8. glosssed & found 719 **
9. meant to be 706 **
10. diamond in the buff 707 **

Fashion's Finest 705

Pop The Bubbles

Have you tried L'oreal Paris' Gold Dust Polishes yet? What do you think of them?

I received these products for consideration, it dose not influence my views on them.

I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster, it does not reflect my views of the product.

“ Fashion and beauty are about self-expression and experimentation, and taking a creative approach to your personal style. Nails have become the ultimate accessory, so we are so excited to translate our signature Marchesa design motifs into a collection of 3D Jewel Nail Appliqués for our first collection with Revlon. ” - Keren Craig, Marchesa Co-Founder

The Appliques next to their inspirations

I love the designs of these strips as well as the oh so pretty boxes that showcase the patterns.  As someone who fails at nail art every time, I find nail appliques pretty much the easiest way around to get stunning nails.

If you saw my post "Pigment Nail Polish Mixing Trick" from a few years back you will pretty much see the same tip.

Take a powder foundation, mineral or otherwise, scoop some into an old empty gum pack. Then pour some clear polish into the same well. Mix with brush or a toothpick. Paint your nails. If needed pour more polish in. When done wipe brush down with nail polish remover then rubbing alcohol before retuning to bottle. You're all done!

By using your own foundation you know the colour will match your skin very well. It is also a way to use up any powders that don't 100% suit you, but then the polish might not too.

You can also do this with pigments and make any colour you like.

Hope you liked my tip!

The red carpet

The Toronto International Film Festival (aka TIFF) is most likely the most talked about event that occurs in Toronto. While I have attend films in past year, I must admit I have neglected this exciting star studded event for the last few years.

Roy Thompson Hall

Last night I was lucky enough to get attend a screening of "A Random Desi Romance" at Roy Thompson Hall and get to enjoy the VIP room of the L'oreal Red Carpet Beauty Lounge. The lounge is located in David Pecaut Square, right next to Roy Thompson Hall and its red carpet.

Lindt Chocolate!

On the second floor we got an amazing view of the stars arrivals as well as were treated to some amazing food, Lindt chocolate and drinks.

Some yummy food

Oh and we got to check out the L'oreal Privée Collection, the official TIFF makeup collection. It boasts four perfect nude lip and nail polishes custom made to suit four celebrities (Jennifer Lopez, Freida Pinto, Eva Longoria and Doutzen Kroes).

The Official Tiff Collection

The lipsticks sport a gorgeous black tube with gold details and the ladies signatures. The polishes are tiny (which I love because I never can finish a polish) and the signatures. Overall a really nice collection with a great range of nudes for so many skin tones) .
As for movie, "A Random Desi Romance" it was amazing. I had expectations of a traditional Bollywood film, with the elaborate dancing and zero kissing, boy was I in for a shock. This was a quirky funny love story, and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance, I think  it would make a great date movie.
 If you are interested in the L'oreal Red Carpet Beauty Lounge it is open Friday 4 pm - 10 pm, and Saturday 10 am  - 10 pm. They have a hair, lips and nails stations where you can experence the new Privée collection and other amazing products.
 Thanks to L'oreal Paris Canada for letting me attend the movie and experence VIP lounge. I had a fantastic night.

Some of the lovely Beauty Bloggers who also attended the lounge and screening.