Friday, July 29, 2011

The Doctor is In! Dr.'s REMEDY Summer Shades Giveaway!

Hello ladies,

The painted Lady fingers' second anniversary celebration continues! The Doctor is In! Dr.'s Remedy Summer Shades Giveaway will help one lucky winner adorn her fingers and toes in colors as pretty as a bouquet.  

Dr.'s Remedy Summer Shades Collection

GLEE Gold, TRANQUIL Tangerine
NURTURE Nude Pink, BOLD Baby Blue 
LOVELY Lavender






















































A special thanks to Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish for sponsoring this giveaway! You can explore the full color range at remedynails.com.

The polishes featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. The winner will receive her Summer Shades Collection directly from Dr.'s REMEDY. If the winner is outside the US, I will re-route the package internationally.


The Doctor is In! Dr.'s Remedy Summer Shades Giveaway! is open internationally for followers and e-mail subscribers. The contest runs through the end of the day August 15th. To keep this simple, I am willing to count the date as the last available time zone worldwide. As long as it is August 15th somewhere on the planet, you may still enter.

Here's how to enter:
Mandatory:
1) Become a follower or e-mail subscriber of painted Lady fingers. If you are currently a follower or subscriber, that certainly counts! Please let me know in the comments which option you choose for keeping up with painted Lady fingers. For example: I follow via Google Friend Connect or I subscribe via e-mail. Be specific. I check entries very carefully.

If you follow via Google Friend Connect, log into the proper account when you leave your comment. If you follow via Google Friend Connect, your account has to have some public aspect. It is okay if you don't follow publicly, but there needs to be some signs of humanity on your profile page. If you subscribe via e-mail, your e-mail address must be confirmed through feedburner. If you have never received an e-mail related to painted Lady fingers' blog posts, you do not have a confirmed account.

2) Include your e-mail with your entry to qualify. If you forgot to write your e-mail in with your contest entry, leave me another comment with your e-mail address.

Both 1 & 2 together = 1 entry.

Optional extra entries. Please be sure to have any tweets or posts visible before leaving your comment. 

3) Let me know: What is your favorite color from Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish (other than the Summer Shades Collection pictured)? You can see the full line here. Tell me how you are staying cool and comfortable this summer. If you live in a cold climate, please tell me how cold you are so I can live vicariously...Two questions=1 entry.

4) Like Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish on Facebook1 entry

5) Blog about the contest in a post or add contest info to your sidebar. I will definitely count your entry if your blog is not written in English. I will also count your entry if your blog is just getting started and has a small number of followers. These extra entries are meant to be inclusive and fun. Please provide a link. 2 entries. If you use the contest photo, add another entry. Please mention that you used a photo.

6) Tweet about the contest. Only once, please. Please mention @ladyfingersblog in your tweet so I can count your entry. You can also retweet one of my contest announcements to qualify. Here is the tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/3f6focq

7) Have painted Lady fingers on your blogroll with the updated url: http://www.paintedladyfingers.com/. Please provide a link. 1 entry

8) In appreciation, I am going to add an extra entry for those who comment regularly on non-giveaway posts. I do enjoy reading your feedback! Thank you! Not to worryI am very inclusive with this extra entry. 1 entry.

You are welcome to put all your entries in one comment or return to the contest post with comments for each entry. Either way works for me. Your entries don't have to be sequential. Enter in any way you like whenever you like before the end of the day August 15th.

Feel free to enter all the anniversary giveaways I have running. If you happen to be very lucky and win more than one, I would certainly honor that!

Thanks so much for keeping me company during my two joyful years of blogging! 

Happy painting, ladies!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care: Firming Mineral Moisture Cream

Hello ladies,

Firming Mineral Moisture Cream from Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care has been keeping my skin looking fresh and supple all throughout the summer season. I appreciate how the botanical extracts, marine peptides and vitamins improve texture and encourage the firm appearance found in young skin. 


I have been using Firming Moisture Cream in the evenings after cleansing. The directions recommend applying in both the a.m. and p.m., but I have had noticeable results with once daily use. I prefer to wear a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning and use treatment products at night. 

The weight and texture of Firming Moisture Cream is the gold standard of how anti-aging moisturizers should be formulated. It's a light cream that absorbs easily and imbues the skin with a fresh appearance instantly. 

This product is intended for all skin types. I believe anyone whose skin needs moisture could benefit. I love how Firming Moisture Cream is non-irritating even in humid weather. If you are searching for one moisturizer you could use year round in any climate, I would recommend trying this cream. 

The packaging of Refinee Skin Care products is equal to the quality of the contents. Firming Mineral Moisture Cream comes is a frosted glass jar. It has a round opening for the screw off lid and fans into a Marquis shape at the bottom. A functional design, the jar is easy to hold. This moisturizer offers such a pretty aesthetic that it's worth placing on a vanity or displaying in a basket of well loved loved products. 

Refinee does not test on animals. The formula for Firming Mineral Moisture Cream is paraben free.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sorbitol, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Esters, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hydrogenated Soybean Glyceride, Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract (Red Marine Algae), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Squalane, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Allantoin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Symphytum Officiniale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Fruit Extract, Anthem Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Dimethicone, Polysorbate-20, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Imidazolidinl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Annato.  

Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, red marine algae, encourages cell turnover. Perfect in a night cream, this ingredient helps promote cell renewal while you rest. The hydrating benefits of marine algae will assist with maintaining a smooth surface to the skin.

Ubiquinone or Coenzyme Q-10 helps the body maintain healthy levels of collagen and elastin. The support of CoQ10 can positively affect skin firmness and elasticity. As the amount of CoQ10 diminishes with age, it is useful to replenish through skin care.

Firming Mineral Moisture Cream is a quality and effective skin treatment. One of my all time favorites of any brand, this skin cream has earned my highest recommendation. I will definitely keep this moisturizer stocked with my most reached for skin care products.

Firming Mineral Moisture Cream was sent to me for review. Available for purchase at refineeskincare.com,  a 2 oz. (59g) jar retails for $64.00. You can explore more about the parent company at sorme.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Summer dresses: Color Club Splitting Image & High Society

Hello ladies,

During last week's heat wave, many Philadelphia ladies decided to meld with the temperatures by putting on their brightest floral dresses. It seemed like the whole city was a connection of fabric flowers on the vine. I appreciated the local effort to maintain a sense of beauty even in the oppressive heat. What is a lady to do but keep her parasol aloft at such times?   

I began with taupe as a base and chose the Art Club striper You're Golden to section the nail diagonally. I layered the blue shimmer fractured polish Splitting Image towards the tip. I picked dried flowers in hot pink, nude pink and burgundy to bloom along the gold shimmer. I featured more hot pink flowers on my right hand and the peachy tones on my left. To highlight the centers of the flowers, I used turquoise and pastel or hot pink gems. I also placed pink, blue and natural tone pearls. 





My right hand with more hot pink flowers. 

A morning glory with either pollen dust or pixie dust. 
High Society is a taupe creme. I applied three coats for evenness and opacity. I wore this polish for a couple days without nail art and received compliments. It's a classic shade that is simple and stylish.

Splitting Image has a versatile formula. A thinner coating will produce standard cracking. Adding a little more creates fine striations that reminds me of distressed denim. I would recommend trying Splitting Image over a pale blue. The light cobalt tone is really lovely. I have been really enjoying experimenting with the Fractured Collection. As much as I enjoy the look of the stronger effect produced through traditional layering, it's fun to see the variations when painted as a diagonal or French manicure.

If you are in a warm climate, I hope this manicure inspires you to put on a pretty, summer frock and move amongst the flowers.

The Color Club and Art Club items mentioned in this post were provided for review. High Society is from the Rebel Debutante Collection and Splitting Image can be found in the Fractured Collection. These shades can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com. Color Club/Forsythe has been revamping their company site. You can explore the product lines at cosmeticgroup.com.

Would you like the chance to win six crackle nail polishes? Stop by the Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Giveaway! to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Dots and Damsels: Color Club Tattered in Gold and Ready to Royal

Hello ladies,

I love the idea of creating nail decorations that would be suited to a grand fete. I could imagine wearing this look while holding a lace fan.

Starting with a base of Ready to Royal, I painted a cross formation with an Art Club gold glitter striper. I filled in the squares in an alternating pattern with gold fractured polish. I chose the deep pink foil striper in Malmsy to define the cross and layered gold glitter over top.

In the dark purple squares, I added a variety of pink and fuschia pearls and gems along with gold jewels. In the center of the cross, I placed lavender roses.

This is my first time working with 3-D roses. As they have a springy quality, nail glue is definitely required for adhesion. While I am still experimenting with technique, I believe brush-on nail glue plus two coats of a sealer or thicker style topcoat should encourage these pretty flowers to remain as positioned. Topcoat alone is insufficient to hold them.










Ready to Royal is a dark purple that reminds me of a black mirror. It has a glassy finish combined with a depth of color that is quite mesmerizing. I have worn this shade a few times without nail art and I also love it as a backdrop for design. Two coats bring even color and perfect opacity.


One of my favorites from the Fractured Collection, Tattered in Gold reminds me of jewelry.

I hope you enjoyed my dots and damsels manicure!

Tattered in Gold and Ready to Royal were sent to me for review. These shades can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com.

Stop by the Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Collection Giveaway! for a chance to win all six polishes.

Happy painting, ladies!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care: Protective Day Lotion SPF 15

Hello ladies,

In the midst of summer weather, it is beneficial to shield your face and neck every day from damaging UVA/UVB rays. I have been having positive results with Protective Day Lotion SPF 15 from Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care for the past two months. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly and is compatible with makeup application. It performs so well it could potentially inspire regular use of facial sunscreen in those ladies who have not yet made it routine.























Each morning after cleansing and toning, I apply Protective Day Lotion. This product can also be layered over a treatment serum. I typically wait a few minutes for the serum to absorb before adding sun protection. I follow with concealer, tinted moisturizer and bronzer. I appreciate that I can apply makeup over this moisturizer without worrying about the color shifting. If you choose to use facial primer over Protective Day Lotion, it will still work effectively.

Protective Day Lotion gives the skin a dewy look without the lingering sticky texture that often accompanies sunscreen. For ladies who don't apply sunscreen regularly because of the heaviness and residue, I feel Protective Day Lotion will provide the experience that can help make daily application a habit. I wear sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher every day, even if the forecast is for rain. It has been my daily routine since I was 13 years old and the results really show in my face. I am told regularly that I look years younger.

One of the qualities I love about the Refinee line of products is how beautifully they work with sensitive skin. Hot weather and humidity has caused issues of skin sensitivity for me in the past. I haven't had to worry about mild redness or tiny bumps at all this entire summer season. With Protective Day Lotion, my skin has remained clear while being moisturized and shielded from the sun.

I would love for an SPF 30 facial moisturizer to be added to the Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care line. While the SPF 15 has performed well for me, I prefer the assurance of a higher SPF on sun heavy afternoons.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octinsalate 5%, Oxybenzone 3.2%

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Glycerin, DEA Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Camellia Oleifera (Japanese Green Tea) Extract, Jojoba Oil, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Orange Oil, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Carbomer, PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, DMDM, Hydantoin, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Butylene Glycol.

Camellia Oleifera is the plant from which Japanese green tea oil is extracted. This healthful ingredient provides oleic acid, an essential fatty acid and natural Vitamin E. It helps restore moisture to the skin and promotes pH balance. Japanese green tea is soothing to sensitive and acne prone skin as well.

Orange oil benefits skin tone and texture. It can help heal acne and reduce skin irritation.

I highly recommend Protective Day Lotion for light moisturizing and sun protection. Great under makeup, it's a useful product to have in your medicine cabinet.

Protective Day Lotion SPF 15 was sent to me for review. A 2 fl. oz. (60 ml) bottle retails for $33 USD and can be purchased at refineeskincare.com. To learn more about the brand, visit sorme.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Collection Giveaway!

Hello ladies,

It's the two year anniversary of painted Lady fingers! Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and enjoyed the nail polish, flora and fauna along the way. Color Club is going to kick off the celebration with their Fractured Collection. Let's Get Cracking!

One lucky winner will receive the six-piece Fractured Collection! 
Smash Hit, Tattered in Gold

Clean Break, Broken Tokens.

Splitting Image, Kiss & Break Up















































The polishes in the Fractured Collection are designed to be layered over a base color for a cracking affect. I have examples of Smash Hit, Clean Break and Broken Tokens. I will be posting looks with the three remaining shades during the giveaway.


Many thanks to Color Club/Forsythe for sponsoring this giveaway! The polishes featured were provided for consideration. The winner will receive the Fractured Collection directly from Color Club. If the winner is international, I will reroute the package. 

The Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Collection Giveaway! is open internationally for followers and e-mail subscribers. The contest runs through the end of the day August 4th. To keep this simple, I am willing to count the date as the last available time zone worldwide. As long as it is August 4th somewhere on the planet, you may still enter.

Here's how to enter:
Mandatory:
1) Become a follower or e-mail subscriber of painted Lady fingers. If you are currently a follower or subscriber, that certainly counts! Please let me know in the comments which option you choose for keeping up with painted Lady fingers. For example: I follow via Google Friend Connect or I subscribe via e-mail. Be specific. I check entries very carefully.

If you follow via Google Friend Connect, log into the proper account when you leave your comment. If you follow via Google Friend Connect, your account has to have some public aspect. It is okay if you don't follow publicly, but there needs to be some signs of humanity on your profile page. If you subscribe via e-mail, your e-mail address must be confirmed through feedburner. If you have never received an e-mail related to painted Lady fingers' blog posts, you do not have a confirmed account.

2) Include your e-mail with your entry to qualify. If you forgot to write your e-mail in with your contest entry, leave me another comment with your e-mail address.

Both 1 & 2 together = 1 entry.

Optional extra entries. Please be sure to have any tweets or posts visible before leaving your comment. 

3) Let me know: Have you experimented with any crackle polishes? What are your favorite color combinations that you have seen or tried?

4) Like Color Club Nail Lacquer on Facebook. 1 entry

5) Blog about the contest in a post or add contest info to your sidebar. I will definitely count your entry if your blog is not written in English. I will also count your entry if your blog is just getting started and has a small number of followers. These extra entries are meant to be inclusive and fun. Please provide a link. 2 entries. If you use the contest photo, add another entry. Please mention that you used a photo.

6) Tweet about the contest. Only once, please. Please mention @ladyfingersblog in your tweet so I can count your entry. You can also retweet one of my contest announcements to qualify. Here is the tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/648y5f2

7) Have painted Lady fingers on your blogroll with the updated url: http://www.paintedladyfingers.com/. Please provide a link. 1 entry

8) In appreciation, I am going to add an extra entry for those who comment regularly on non-giveaway posts. I do enjoy reading your feedback! Thank you! Not to worryI am very inclusive with this extra entry. 1 entry.

You are welcome to put all your entries in one comment or return to the contest post with comments for each entry. Either way works for me. Your entries don't have to be sequential. Enter in any way you like whenever you like before the end of the day August 4th.

You are welcome to enter all of the anniversary giveaways I have running even if you have won recently. I will certainly honor Fortune's favor!

Many thanks for two great years! 


Happy painting, ladies!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

My bunny in the marigolds hopped over to disapprovingrabbits.com

Hello ladies,

Recently I encountered a wild bunny who favored eating marigolds. He is now a part of the community at disapprovingrabbits.com. Please visit my wild bunny and experience the many other faces of disapproval at one of my favorite amusing animal sites. I am delighted my picture was included!

Below is another bunny I met in the garden this week:
I see you!

Should I come out to play?

Perhaps I will just hop away. Bye, little bunny! 

























































Happy painting, ladies!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Naughty Kitty: Color Club Yum Gum and Smash Hit

Hello ladies,

I wanted to create a fun, boudoir style manicure. I had a little help from a naughty kitty. Neon pink and black crackled French tips provide a stylish backdrop for a bit of mischief and delight. 

From image plate D26, I stamped the retro cats using black Konad special polish. I created a funky French with the fractured polish, Smash Hit. Rainbow crystal bows adorn the center. The French line sparkles with Art Club silver glitter. Kitty used her tail to steal a pearl.   













Yum Gum is a bold and pretty neon. The scent of bubble gum is subtle and pleasant. I appreciated the ease in application. Three coats over a whitening base brought perfect opacity.

I have been having a great time experimenting with the Fractured Collection. Painting Smash Hit across my tips created a lacy effect, and complemented the naughty kitty.

You will be seeing more of the Color Club Fractured Collection this week. The kitty might have a little something in mind.

Color Club Yum Gum and Smash Hit were sent to me for review. These polishes can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com.

I purchased the D series image plates from chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Dr.'s REMEDY: Hot Hot Hot Summer Shades (tell me your picks)

Hello ladies,

I received information about a new collection for summer from Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish. This brand is new to me and I am looking forward to showcasing these polishes next week. Lovely Lavender is really captivating. I adore murky, grey tone purples. This shade has a Victorian feel. Bold Baby Blue looks like a pretty, ocean color. I am always drawn to aquatic blues.

What are your favorites from the new summer shades? As always, your top picks will be the first reviewed. 

Below is the press release:

Dr.'s REMEDY 
Hot, Hot, Hot Summer Shades
Fresh new shades that sizzle

Sun, sand, shore: three summertime staples. And since setting our sight's on this season's bright, sassy, new summer collection from Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish, we're believers that your hands and feet will follow suit in fantastically, fashionable style. Just in time to slip into your sexy sandals, welcome Dr.'s REMEDY Hot, Hot, Hot Summer 2011 Collection: five fabulous, terrifically on-trend, shades of Enriched Nail Polish, that we promise you'll sizzle for!




The sunburst shades include: 

LOVELY Lavender: a pale purple with matte depth and charm. 
GLEE Gold: a shimmer infused coin of perfection.
TRANQUIL Tangerine: a bold, but wonderfully wearable slice of juicy delight. 
BOLD Baby Blue: an aqua meets turquoise take on every boy's favorite color.
NURTURE Nude Pink: a delicate, damsel in distress,  barely there beautiful. 

Dr's REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypoallergenic ingredients. The birth child of two New York based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold exclusively at remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-6756. 

Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish is available for $17 on-line at remedynails.com

Happy painting, ladies!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Born Pretty Store: Fimo Canes and Pearls

Hello ladies,

Do you want to add a cute element to your manicures? Fimo cane from Born Pretty Store is the perfect option. Many of the designs coordinate well with the bright colors in summer nail polish collections. 

I found slicing fimo to be far easier than I had expected. While I used to purchase pre-cut slices, I much prefer having 100 canes to choose from to embellish my manicures. Keeping my fimo in a crystal sugar bowl makes for a pretty storage solution. I enjoy being able to see all the patterns with ease. 

I have also been adding pearls from a warmer palette of color to my manicures.  My recent manicure featured fimo rose blossoms and lemon wedges as well as golden and pink pearls.  
100 pieces of fimo cane in a crystal sugar bowl.

You can click to view the assortment.
A cheerful bouquet.

Pink hibiscus blossoms.

Bright saltwater fish.

Dragonflies.

Kitty faces.

A safety razor I purchased at a local hardware store.
Colorful pearls in a warm palette































































































































































































Slicing fimo canes seemed a bit daunting at first, but proved easy once I began. I purchased a safety razor for $1.00 and used a wooden kitchen cutting board. I admit the man at the hardware store looked elated to finally find the perfect customer for a neon pink safety razor!

T from amused polish suggested I warm the fimo canes in my hands before slicing. If you are portioning fimo for friends or clients, I would recommend this method. Personally, I get the best results by warming the fimo in my cleavage.  When fimo becomes more pliable from an increase in heat, it is easiest to achieve the thinnest slices.

To adhere fimo to natural nails, use a dab of thicker formula topcoat. You can utilize tweezers or a moistened pick up tool to place the designs. I work nail by nail when positioning fimo, adding a layer of sealer topcoat on the first nail before placing fimo on the next. I finish with an additional layer of sealer topcoat on all ten nails. Two coats keeps the fimo secure for days without lifting. I typically work with Art Club Sealer Topcoat or So Easy, For Rhinestones Only Topcoat. 

I definitely recommend the fimo canes from Born Pretty Store. The assortments vary with each order, but  customer service will search for specific canes if there are designs of particular interest. 

The pearls I am showing are similar to the set I reviewed recently, but with warm tones. I love having yellow and orange pearls for decoration. These will be used often throughout the summer moving into the autumn season. I suggest owning both wheels for more nail art options. 

Have you ladies tried using fimo to embellish your nails? Do you have any favorite items from Born Pretty Store or something you would like to see reviewed at painted Lady fingers? 

There is currently a discount code for 10% off your purchase: PLFK31. Enjoy! 

The 100 fimo cane assortment and colorful pearls were sent to me for review from bornprettystore.com

Happy painting, ladies!