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Review: Inglot O2M Nail Enamel, Base & Top Coats

March 17, 2011 by Kim S. / blog, notw, Reviews / 3 Comments

A few weeks ago, my nail of the week (NOTW: Reflective Emerald Green) was Inglot’s O2M #644 nail enamel. I used the Inglot O2M Nail enamel, base and top coats. I must say, I was impressed at the first application, but after a few days of wearing, unfortunately, my likes for this product faded.

CLAIMS:

High technology is revolutionizing the nail beauty through a new polymer KS-02 designed for the contact lenses. Not tested on animals.
The use of new polymer …

-significantly increases the oxygen permeability of the varnish films (until 54 cm3/sec).

– improves the permeability to water vapour
– facilitates the varnish spreading
– reduces the film tightness

INGREDIENTS:

Butyl Acetate, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose, acetyl tributyl citrate, phthalic anhydride/trimellitic anhydride/glycols copolymer, isopropyl alcohol, acrylates/tris (trimethylsiloxy) silylpropane methacrylate copolymer, stearalkonium hectorite, adipic acid/fumaric acid/phthalic acid/tricyclodecane dimethanol copolymer, citric acid, phosphoric acid, [+/-(May contain); acrylates copolymer, mica, talc, boron nitride, calcium aluminium borosilicate, silica, tin oxide,red 36(CI 12085), red 6 lake (CI 15850), Red 7 lake (CI 15850), red 34 lake (CI 15880), yellow 5 lake (CI 19140), blue 1 Lake (CI42090), yellow 10 (CI47005), aluminium powder (CI 77000), bismuth oxychloride (CI 77163), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ferric ferrocyanide (CI77510), manganese violet (CI 77742), titanium dioxide (CI 77891)

DOES NOT CONTAIN:
– toluene
– formaldehyde
– dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
– camphor

MY THOUGHTS:

The nail enamel comes in 46 different shades (Click Here to view) from your neutrals and nudes, to fun, bright shades like blue, green and purples. There’s something for everyone.

The color pay-off is great with one application, which was impressive, however, I still used two. I loved how the polish looked after completing my manicure; my nails were super shiny, almost to the point that they were reflective.

Stains from Inglot O2M Breathable Nail Enamel - nails — Stained nails

My problem with this polish is that it didn’t last too long. It began to chip after the 5th day. I’m used to my polishes lasting over a week, closer to two weeks. When I finally took the polish off, my nails looked dry, brittle, they flaked for days after, and were seriously stained. Sucks that the base coat did nothing to protect my nails. Something I didn’t expect from a polish that claimed to be breathable. I ended up cutting my nails down so that I can start over. It also bubbled up some; however, that didn’t bother me too much though since no one is really all up in my hands like that!

Stains from Inglot O2M Breathable Nail Enamel palm 2 — Stain on hand & thumb

The price ($14/bottle) of the polish for what it does is a turn-off. I wouldn’t purchase unless they improve their formula, and it doesn’t cause the problems I experienced.

I do not recommend purchasing.

Disclaimer: I attended an exclusive event where Inglot products were provided. I was not paid or compensated in anyway to do this post. This is my honest review/opinion.

IMATS New York is Just Around the Corner!

March 10, 2011 by Kim S. / blog, Miscellaneous / 2 Comments

I will be attending the first International Makeup Artist Trade Show (IMATS) in New York City! I’m so excited!!! This is the makeup artist and beauty enthusiast HEAVEN!

I have wanted to attend for a few years now, but was unable to travel to the places they were taking place. Now it’s happening right in my hometown so I have no excuse.

This is great for people who wanted to attend beauty/makeup artists trade shows and were not able to because they didn’t have the proper credentials. Don’t fret, for IMATS is open to the general public; no credentials needed.

WILL I SEE YOU THERE?

ABOUT IMATS (Source)

The International Make-Up Artist Trade Show is the make-up world’s biggest gathering. Thousands of make-up artists, vendors and enthusiasts discuss, display and collect the best the industry has to offer. Make-up pros from fashion and film (including Oscar, BAFTA and Saturn award winners) provide education and demonstrations at IMATS, and new products often debut there. IMATS also features a make-up museum and an Afterglow party, where trade-show guests can socialize.

Before IMATS, there were no trade shows specifically designed for make-up artists, although cosmetic companies had expressed a desire for such an event. In response, Make-Up Artist magazine publisher Michael Key held the first IMATS in August 1997 in Los Angeles. It allowed artists to customize what they wanted to see and it offered a diverse mix of products, demonstrations and education from industry leaders.

Like Make-Up Artist magazine, IMATS continues to educate and connect make-up artists from around the world. The show is held six times annually—in London in January; New York in April; Los Angeles in June;Vancouver, B.C. in July; Sydney in September and Toronto in November.

LOCATION:
82 Mercer
82 Mercer Street, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10012

HOURS:
Saturday, (General admission) 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, (General admission) 10 a.m.-5p.m.

During general show hours, IMATS is open to the public. No make-up artist credentials are required to get you in the door.

Price:

2 Day 2nd Tier – $65

1 Day 2nd Tier – $35

1 Day Child Ticket – $20

*This one-day-child ticket gets children ages six to twelve years old into IMATS New York 2011 on Saturday, April 9 OR Sunday, April 10, and includes admission to the public hours (exhibit floor, keynote speakers and classes). Children under five years old are free, and any child twelve years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Purchase Tickets: CLICK HERE

***Tickets are non-refundable and any billing discrepancies must be presented within 30 days of the transaction.

For At the Door prices, click here.

Full Exhibitor List

Beauty So Clean

Embryolisse

NYX

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

TEMPTU

Inglot

Hakuhodu USA

Jesse’s Girl Cosmetics

Yaby

Zuca and more…

Calling all Hello Kitty Fans!

March 9, 2011 by Kim S. / blog, Miscellaneous / 0 comments

Meet Hello Kitty Designer Yuko Yamaguchi

Discover Sephora’s new beauty collection with iconic style—and meet Tokyo’s Hello Kitty designer Ms. Yuko Yamaguchi.* She will be signing cosmetics and accessories from this whimsical line, while Sephora beauty experts re-create signature Hello Kitty looks on you.

* The first 200 people who make a $35 Hello Kitty purchase at Sephora Soho between 10 AM and 5 PM on March 16 will receive a wristband, which will ensure meeting Ms. Yamaguchi. She will be available to sign two items per person.

When: March 16, 2011 @ 5:00 PM

Where: Sephora Soho

555 Broadway

New York, NY 10012

(212) 625-1309

QVC Beauty Breakfast (Picture Heavy)

March 8, 2011 by Kim S. / blog, Reviews / 19 Comments

Friday, March 4, 2011 I had the opportunity to attend QVC‘s Beauty Breakfast, which was held at Milk Studios in NYC. This event was heaven for all cosmetic and beauty mavens out there. Through this event QVC gave us beauty bloggers, and beauty professionals the chance to have an up-close and personal look at the beauty brands they represent and sell on QVC. We also had the rare opportunity to meet the genius individuals behind beauty and cosmetic top-sellers, such as Mally Roncal of Mally Beauty, Chaz Dean of Wen Hair and Body Care, model Josie Maran of Josie Maran Cosmetics, Dennis Simioni of Ojon Hair care and more.

To be around so many beauty products can be a bit intimidating, and overwhelming at times, but, I jumped right in and started at the booths I was least familiar with just to get more background on the products they produce. With that said, I cautiously went over to the Wen booth, and Chaz’s sister thoroughly talked about the Wen product line and tested out products on me. Chaz Dean himself also tested out the Wen Replenishing Mist ($27/ 6 fl oz.) on my face and hair, and WOW! You know how African American women are with their hair. My hair did not revert; my hair actually felt softer and had more shine. The mist also works well in setting makeup, and refreshing your skin on a warm day or after the gym. Not to mention, it also made my hair smell yummy!

The highlight of my day was meeting Mally! She was SUPER nice! She was funny too. It was crazy because I had just read an article about her in one of the magazines I have, and who would have thought I’d meet her within a few days time? CRAZY! I think I stayed at her booth for about 20 minutes. Mally spoke about her Mally Beauty Cosmetic line, which has shades for women of color. She also told us her favorite product from her line, the Poreless Face Defender ($40), which provides the benefits of a translucent powder without the powdery finish. It has a smooth, silky and light feel with no residue. She also told me about her past pregnancies, and rubbed my belly. How could I refuse? She was just too sweet and funny.

I was also able to meet Dennis Simioni, owner and founder of Ojon Hair Products. he was really nice too. He gave advice on how to care for my hair post-pregnancy since pregnant women sometimes lose their hair after they have their baby. He also talked about the new products to be released in the Ojon Swa+ Collection in October 2011

Besides knowledge about the brands and their products, I didn’t really expect to leave with anything; however, I received a ridiculously heavy bag with samples from each of the vendors at the QVC Beauty Breakfast. I’m so lucky! Besides the baby that I should be having any day now, I now have many new products to test out and review for you all. Please be patient with me.