New Nicole by OPI 2013 Collection & #Giveaway

My fellow Nail Polish Aficionado's... say HELLO to Spring/Summer 2013 from Nicole by OPI!

Since the days of cabbage patch dolls and New Kids on the Block to now, I've always had a love for nail polish.
Believe it when I tell you... I know my polishes.
See exhibit A below of just a few in my current collection.

Exhibit A

So you can imagine my excitement when I received the press release and samples of the newest Nicole by OPI 2013 Collection which includes collections from Selena Gomez and one of my absolute favourite shows ever, Modern Family.

I love Nicole by OPI because they contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde which is so important to me as a mom to very little ones including a baby.
Their formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and true salon-quality.

Those crazy dishes and hand-washed laundry got nothin' on my newly manicured Nicole by OPI nails!

I know because I tried!

I used Back in my Gloria Days... from the Modern Family Collection and added a little bit of Selena Gomez's Confetti Fun on my ring fingers.

Back in my Gloria Days... may just be one of my favourites!
Back in my Gloria Days is a lighter formula so to achieve this look I had to use 2 coats.
Only one coat was used with Confetti Fun.

The New 2013 shades feature two vibrant crème shades of bright pink and rich red and two shimmering hues of deep plum and glossy black.

Plum to Your Senses!
You KNOW this deep, dark plum is the perfect choice.

Please Red-cycle
Do the right thing and wear this apple red over and over.

Totally in the Dark
This shimmery black is completely unexpected.

Still Into Pink
Our love for hot pink will never grow cold.

SELENA GOMEZ COLLECTION

“Selena is an ideal partner for Nicole by OPI. Millions of fans love her for the
same reasons we do; she’s smart, talented, funny – and has an incredible sense of
style,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic
Director. “She has that classic ‘girl-next-door’ appeal, but she’s also edgy and fun –
just like the Nicole consumer.

Loving all the sparkle and pinks in the Selena Gomez Collection.
But, my favourite (not to be bias because I happen to LOVE the show), just happens to be the Modern Family Collection.

MODERN FAMILY COLLECTION

“The Nicole consumer embraces the same spirit of diversity and individuality
that’s apparent on the show,” explains Weiss-Fischmann. “The colors inspired by
Modern Family offer a perfect way to express that spirit!” - Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

 
The Modern Family Collection includes:

Am I Making Myself Claire?
Make no mistake...I’m liking this lilac.

I Do De-Claire!
Let me just say how frosty cool this soft rose is!

She’s Lily Something
Pink, sparkly stars...so Daddies’ Little Girl-y!

A Like-Haley Story...
Typical teenagers (and their moms!) will love this not-so-typical fuchsia.

My Jay or the Highway!
This trendy taupe is inflexibly cool. Period.

Stand by Your Manny
Be loyal to this periwinkle blue.

Alex by the Books
Look smart in this seafoam green.

Haley Good Lookin’...
She’s cookin’ up plans for this pink super-glitter.
Basking in Gloria
This red-violet is the color of passion.

 Luke of the Draw
Chances are you’ll love this gunmetal glitter.

A Phil’s Paradise
No fooling...this pewter is the real deal.

Candid Cameron
Call this teal just like you see it...gorgeous!

Back in My Gloria Days...
This voluptuous violet has still got it goin’ on!

What’s the Mitch-uation?
This cobalt blue demands an update.

I love them all! See any you like?

The polishes retail for $10.99 each and are available for a limited time at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Loblaws, London Drug.

I'm giving one of my readers a chance to win the entire Modern Family Collection {ARV $154}!
Simply enter via rafflecopter below for your chance to win!
**Open to Canadians only**
Ends  2/10.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Bring on your Bombshell with Julep Maven

I have so much nail polish, I totally don't need anymore. Said NO ONE ever.

Seriously, what girl out there doesn't love a new polish that compliments her style and mood?

I switch my nail colours as often as I wash my hair. My mood is constantly changing and so is my polish-style!

I have to thank my beautiful mom for my love of nail polish (and handbags).  

She still to this day, has one of biggest collections of nail polish I've ever seen in life.

Like the Imelda Marcos of Nail Polish. No joke.

We all know how much I raved about and was smitten by beauty boxes, well guess what, there's a new subscription out there for the Nail Polish aficionado.  

Ladies (and possibly some gents... to each his own), may I introduce you to Julep Maven.

For just $19.99 a month, you will receive at least $40 worth of hand-picked Julep products in an exclusive gift-able Julep Maven Box.

I was very intrigued, so was giddy to receive an intro box to see what this was all about.

This was what I received inside my intro box.

Very chic, simple black re-giftable box, lovely packaging filled with 2 nail polishes (I chose which style I liked best which in this case was Bombshell Maven), The Best Pedi Creme Ever!, and a set of toe separators.

I loved the Bombshell Maven colours! 

Oscar is an ultra-chic, multi-dimensional gold glitter (which looks fabulous over any colour polish you have!)

and Natasha is an intense orange, so perfect for this season, especially on your toes.

Each polish if you were to buy individually costs $14.00 USD each.

The Best Pedi Creme Ever! was luxuriously soft and smooth on my feet and I truly did feel a difference overnight.

It exfoliates with alpha hydroxy acids, hydrates with shea butter and coconut oil, nourishes with vitamin E. Apply nightly for noticeable results in just 1 to 2 uses.

To buy this individually will cost you $22.00 USD for a regular 2 oz. bottle.

What I really love best though about Julep Maven polishes is that they are “4-free,” meaning they don’t contain the carcinogens formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene or DBP.  Perfect for me right now since I'm pregnant, but also great to use even when my little "diva" wants to follow in mommy's footsteps (literally) and have some polish applied as well.

I am quite nail polish-snobby. As soon as I pull the brush out and apply the first layer, I instantly know if this polish is of good quality.

I love the flat brush which made for easier application, and the quality of the polish itself was perfect for even just a quick one-time application -- no 2nd layers required! The polish dried quickly and after days of mommy duties, noticed hardly any chipping and it still looked good! WIN!

To get started on this membership, all you have to do is fill out a quick Style Quiz so they can determine what best suits your style and voila! You have a choice to join then and receive your first intro box.

To find out more on how this works, click here.

You can choose to be charged every 27th of each month or choose from 3 pre-pay options: 3, 6 or 12 months.  

At this time, they are only accepting credit card payments, hopefully they will incorporate Paypal (I love me some Paypal).

You can cancel at anytime and another great thing is that S&H is free! And we like free, don't we ladies?

More of your FAQ's answered here.

So, do I think it's worth $19.99 per month (or $59.97 quarterly, etc.) for what I'm receiving monthly? 

Considering the quality of these polishes, including the other great perks you receive as a Julep Maven, perhaps.  I would like to see the monthly price at a little less than this if possible, to be honest.

I've only received one intro box, and very interested in seeing how a regular box would look like (if it's any different than this one).

I can easily purchase nail polish during my drug store run with a variety of equally great polishes & colours to choose from for much less than $19.97 but again, you have to put into consideration the monthly little "surprise gift" beautifully packaged including amazing quality polishes and products specifically for you that you receive in your mailbox.

I do appreciate that little extra every now and then, don't you?

*SPECIAL PROMO CODE for CAROL AU COURANT Readers

For my lovely readers, you can receive your first Julep Maven Box for only a PENNY, yes a penny.

Just head on over to this link, take the quick, easy & fun Style Quiz, and use the promo code MAVENINTRO at checkout. 

I'm also giving one of my readers a FREE Julep Maven Box!

Win a free Julep Maven Box for yourself and give your nails a beautiful glam-over & pampering by simply filling out the rafflecopter entry below.

Open to US and Canadian Residents. Ends 7/29.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclaimer: As part of the Julep VIP Blogger Program, I received free products; however the opinions expressed in this review are my very own.

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