OPI Launches the Germany Collection for Fall/Winter 2012

OPI embraces runway trends with the Germany Collection for Fall/Winter 2012. Drawing inspiration from Berlin, an exciting new fashion hub that blends classic looks with the avant-garde, the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of vibrant color, urban-chic neutrals, and reds in variations from light to dark.

“Designers showcased rich colors and striking textures for fall,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The Germany Collection beautifully complements these looks, with standout shades in various hues of red and burgundy – the season’s ‘new black.’ Sapphire, black olive and lime yellow are married with creamy neutrals in honey, taupe and nude rose.”

“The overall feel of the Germany Collection is elegance with an edge,” adds Suzi. “The varied palette of colors adds another accent to the list of special touches – think beadwork, paneling, fur and embroidery – that walked the runways during New York Fashion Week. Wearing these shades on fingers and toes is a great way to accessorize a range of looks for the season.”

Germany by OPI includes the following shades: 

Don’t Pretzel My Buttons

A haute honey-beige that can always make you smile.

My Very First Knockwurst

…and what a magical rosy-nude rendezvous it was! 

Berlin There Done That

A traveling taupe that’s seen it all. (Yep, that too). 

Don’t Talk Bach to Me

There’s nothing mellow about this sassy lime-yellow! 

Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!

A bodacious black-olive? We say “Ja! Ja! Ja!”

Unfor-greta-bly Blue 

Everyone’s favorite Fräulein loves this über shiny blue.

Every Month is Oktoberfest

Prost! Here’s to the prettiest plum in the Biergarten.

Suzi & the 7 Düsseldorfs

The most beautiful bright purple of all.

Deutsch You Want Me Baby?

A self-assured shade of shimmering red-orange. 

Danke-Shiny Red

You “Bitte” try on this ravishing ruby before it’s too late!

German-icure by OPI

The best burgundy shimmer in the business.

Schnapps Out of It!

Shake off the blues with a shot of fall’s must-have mauve! 

Germany Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Germany by OPI will be available August 8, 2012, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($9.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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Deal Alert! eShakti.com Special 10% Discount Code

I did a review of one of eShakti's fab custom dresses a few weeks ago. They were kind enough to offer a special discount code especially for the readers of Gimme That Glow. Use promo code XD23ARA at checkout to receive 10% off of your order. The code can be used anywhere on the site and in addition to their current 40% off sale! Check out www.eshakti.com for trendy and affordable custom dresses in sizes 0-26 and feel free to share with friends. Offer ends July 31st, 2012. Happy Shopping!

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DIY Nail Art with OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps | Review + Swatches

I may seem a little late to the nail app craze but trust me it's been on my radar for a minute now and I'm finally getting around to trying them for myself. There are so many nail company's that offer nail apps and OPI has recently jumped on board. Their selection is probably the best I've seen so far. They currently carry 14 different styles and each set comes with 16 nail strips. Each strip is made of 100% real nail polish and  best of all they're easy to apply and they remove just like normal nail polish with nail remover.

OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps

Sequins

OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps 

 Reptile

OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps

 Girly Glam

Glow: What I love most about OPI's nail apps are the beautifully intricate designs. They are super easy to apply, all you have to do is peel, stick, and file them into place and you're set. Once you've done 1 or 2 you pretty much get the hang of it. I really like the nail app trend in general because it makes nail art simple and far less costly. There's zero drying time and the wear is pretty good, I got about 5 days of wear out of them. The application also isn't messy which makes the clean up process pretty smooth.

Glare: There's a strong nail polish-like smell that hits you once you open the foil packaging but I'm assuming it's just from the nail apps being tightly sealed. The good part is that the smell goes away as soon as they hit the air. I was a bit disappointed with the initial peeling that I experienced within only a few hours after applying them. They peeled a bit around the top edges but fortunately since the design is so busy it's not really noticeable. Once they seemed to settle the peeling did stop.      

Would I Recommend It? Yes! I mean they're super cute and make do-it-yourself nail art a breeze. If you're into nail art I'd definitely suggest at least trying these out once. 

Where To Buy: Pure Lacquer Nail Apps are available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for the suggested retail price of $11.95. To purchase or to learn more please visit opi.com.

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here. 

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Girls With Curls | White Sands Curl Up In Silk Firm Hold Mousse | Review + Photos

I've learned that the best way to manage my curls is to stick with products that I know work for my hair type. While there are tons of natural hair products on the market right now, I've run into the same problem which is that the majority of them don't really give me great results. While all the hair butters, smoothies, jellies, and creams sound good, I just haven't had much success. I've used various brands of mousse over the years and it has easily become one of my most trustworthy hair products because it always seem to deliver.

White Sands has a new silk infused curl and blowout product called Curl Up In Silk Firm Hold Mousse. Curl Up in Silk Firm Hold Mousse softly holds curls, creating texture, dimension, waves, and volume: the perfect styling product for curl definition and hold. Yet, despite its firm hold, Curl Up in Silk provides a light, flexible feel free of unwanted flaking and product build up, leaving hair silky, shiny and soft. What's unique about Curl Up in Silk is that it isn't strictly for curls but also for round-brush styling which gives your hair body and fullness for the perfect blowout, every time. 

White Sands Curl Up in Silk Firm Hold Mousse

Check out my lovely results!

Glow: I've been testing this product out all week and I'm definitely pleased with the results. I do wash & go styles pretty much everyday during the summer so I ideally like to use products that aren't harsh on my hair. The formula of the Curl In Silk Mousse is super foamy and lightweight. I allow my hair to dry naturally throughout the day and the mousse leaves my curls super soft and with lots of bounce! It's pretty humid and hot here in Atlanta and I was pleasantly surprised at how my hair remained in tact and didn't get frizzy or turn into a huge puff by the end of the day ^_^

Glare: This may sound weird but the bottle is pretty tall and you have to release the product at an angle to get a good consistency into the palm of your hand, while that's nothing different from most mousses I kinda prefer pump dispensers because it just makes it easier for me. It's definitely not a huge con for me though just more of a preference. I also really love that the mousse doesn't feel sticky. 

Would I Recommend It? I would! I haven't tried it with an alternate style yet such as a blowout but I can't wait to see how that works out for me. 

Where To Buy: White Sands Curl Up In Silk Firm Hold Mousse retails for $19.50 and is avialable for purchase at fine salons and online at http://www.whitesandsproducts.com.

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here. 

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Nail Junkie | NYX Matte Nail Polish in Mint MNP04

I am weak...soooo weak! I think we all have guilty pleasures and can admit to buying things from time to time that we absolutely don't need. I mean who hasn't walked into Target on a mission to buy shower curtains and ended up leaving with an outfit, shoes and accessories to match? Just me? I don't believe you! Sadly, for me it's not just Target. I feel like I do this with every store, I have such an impulse to buy things no matter where I go. This past weekend I visited my local beauty supply store supposedly on a mission for a friend, but of course as usual the cosmetics section was calling me!

My BSS has a pretty nice size selection of NYX products and I've been meaning to try out their matte nail polish for longest. And at just $1.99 there was no need for convincing. I'm still kinda on the fence about mattes so I decided to just go with 1 polish to get a feel of it. I chose "Mint MNP04" which is a soft matte mint green. Check out my swatches and thoughts below.

NYX Matte Nail Polish

Mint MNP04

Glow: For starters NYX formula is always consistent and this was no different. It's easy to apply and I was able to get it completely opaque after just 2 coats. Also, I love that despite it being matte it still produces a nice little shine. The wear is also pretty good, I went about 3-4 days before noticing any chips or peeling.

Glare: None! For a matte, this polish was a bit glossier than I expected but I like it. It takes a bit longer to cure and dry completely than the regular glossy polish so just be sure to take that into consideration if you're in a rush. 

Would I Recommend It? I would! I'v'e seen the prices of these polishes vary by location and $1.99 has been the cheapest. NYX's regular polish retails for $4 on their website so I'm not sure why the prices fluctuate so much in stores but either way it's a great buy! 

Where To Buy: I've seen these polishes pretty much everywhere, beauty supply stores, Walgreens, etc. You can find locations that cary the brand near you from their website. To purchase or to learn more please visit nyxcosmetics.com.

Product(s) in this post were purchased by me. 

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Affordable Little Luxuries: 3 Tips On How To Treat Yourself Without Spending Big

Often times when we think about spending money on luxuries we tend to relate it to going against our budget. Every once in awhile it's ok to be a little naughty and make those irrational and impulse buys but there are also solutions that will allow you to treat yourself without feeling guilty or having to compromise on your taste. Personally, the only thing that I love more than a bargain is a bargain on a luxury that makes me feel like my money was well spent! The golden rule to being a savvy shopper is realizing that the best deals aren't just going to fall into your lap. Affordable luxuries are sorta like hidden treasures, you have to seek them out yet they're pretty much accessible to everyone. Here are 3 tips to help you stay on top of life's little luxuries without putting a strain on your wallet. 

Shop Exclusively
An ongoing trend that I've seen flourish over the past year or so have been invite-only shopping sites. These sites usually carry tons of designer items and offer them at more than a fraction off the original price. I'm talking huge deals, from 50-90% off. The only catch is that you have to act fast because they do sell out pretty quickly. The good news is that most of these sites have weekly sales so you're almost always bound to find something that catches your eye. While some sites are more exclusive than others, there are shops that are pretty lenient with their invitations. When shopping with invite-only shops it's always a good idea to join their mailing lists for regular email updates, that way you'll never miss out on a bargain that's just too good to pass up.

Step Up Your Coupon Game
Searching the Sunday paper and online coupons can only get you so far. Sometimes it's necessary to go a step further to find your perfect bargain. There are tons of 'group coupon' sites floating the web that have become one of the most revolutionary money saving resources. These sites work similar to invite shopping sites except instead of offering online-only deals they offer coupons on everyday goods and services that are in your own neighborhood. I don't know about you but I'm always a front runner when it comes to a local bargain, sometimes you need that instant gratification versus waiting for something to ship to you. Some of these sites also include daily deals from 50-90% off. Can you imagine getting 60% off a day filled of pampering at your favorite luxury spa? Sounds sweet to me!

Shop Between Seasons
If there's one piece of shopping advice I learned from my mother it's that some of the best buys occur during off seasons. Most department stores carry items based on the current season, at the end of that season they're usually looking to get rid of items that haven't sold yet in order to make room for new stock. So just as the summer starts to wind down, it would be a good idea to shop the clearance racks. You may be able to find that designer dress or heels that you've been eyeing all summer for much cheaper. It's a win/win situation, you get a great bargain and you have a head start on next summers wardrobe ^_^

How do you  treat yourself to affordable little luxuries? 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fifth Third Bank via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of my own and are not indicative of the opinions of Fifth Third Bank.  

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Glow Spotlight: His & Hers Jewelry + Giveaway!

Happy Monday! Today I wanted to do a feature on a lovely new e-shop that designs jewelry. I'm a fanatic over accessories, especially unique items. His & Hers Jewelry is a cute online jewelry boutique that sells handmade beaded jewelry. The shop has a variety of handmade bracelets that come in a range of beautiful colors and are adorned with unique charms. They even do custom pieces! For those that don't know, I have an undying obsession over owls and I collect various owl themed accessories and trinkets. So needless to say it was love at first sight when I saw this bracelet ^_^

My His & Hers Jewelry bracelets include a multicolored beaded bracelet with an owl charm and a single matching turquoise bead bracelet. I also have another turquoise bracelet with a crystal cross charm. Let me just say that my photos don't nearly capture how beautiful these are in person. I was so excited when I got them because they are so vibrant and I love how the beads have sort of a gradient color to them.

Here are a couple of detailed photos below. 

As you've probably assumed by the name, His & Hers Jewelry isn't just for the ladies they also carry a men's collection. The sets which include 2 bracelets are currently $35 and the single bracelets are $25. There are two ways to purchase, you can visit the His & Hers Jewelry shop on Etsy or you can email Tammi Lorraine directly who's the designer and owner behind the shop. She also has a Facebook page that's updated constantly with new merchandise so be sure to "Like" it and check it out! 

ON TO THE GIVEAWAY!!!

Tammi was kind enough to offer a fab giveaway just for the readers of Gimme That Glow! One lucky reader will win their very own His & Hers Jewelry bracelet set! The set up for grabs is called "Ruth No. 3" and features peach and green gradient beads with a flirty set of crystal lips. Photos of the set are below.

This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ALL entries will be verified! Use the widget below for instructions and to enter. Good Luck! (It may take a second for the widget to load, if you're having trouble please refresh or leave me a comment)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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