#HealthierIsHappier Exchange

Hey There!

I got a special email from Zoya nail polish!! It’s the #HealthierIsHappier Exchange! time. In case you don't know, this is when Zoya allows you to trade in your old nail polish for 50% off of new BIG5FREE polish (the link explains what to do). I use this opportunity to get rid of old crusty polish, colors that didn't work, brands that I no longer like...that sort of thing. You can bet that I already have colors in my shopping cart ready to be traded in.

And I researched these colors carefully. I have quite a bit of polish so I don't want to get colors like the colors I already have. But, over the years I have come to really enjoy Zoya polishes so I'm okay with swapping out colors. I also enjoy the Zoya nail polish remover (when you spend $30 you get a free 2 oz!!). It doesn't dry out my nails. Even though it's a bit pricey ($9.99 for 8oz, $25 for 32 oz) I still use this one on my finger nails.

Photo credit: Zoya website

So, the very first thing I did was check out the new Fall 2015 Focus & Flair polishes. I almost purchased the mini set for $42 but I really only wanted Cinnamon, the warm, syrupy, shimmery chocolate color. Tris was pretty (a bold grey shade) but I purchased the OPI Fifty Shades of Grey mini set and then 509 other grey colors followed suit. So, instead of paying for 5 colors I won't use, I'm just interested in the 1 color that I will use. I also checked out the Focus portion and loved the crèmes in the set but I wanted to get some lighter shades.

 

Photo credit: Zoya website

I ordered Mia, a soft, warm pink that leans brown. It's the shade that I've been loving this summer. I also ordered Perrie and Charisma which are lilac, purpley shades. They are my jam when it comes to fingers or toes!

 

Photo credit: Zoya website

Paloma is a deeper purple shade but I knew that I wanted it for my toes. The first time I saw it I knew that was going to be so fantastic on my feet. I kinda wish that I had this one for the summer but it's okay. I'll have it soon.

 

Photo credit: Zoya website

I also picked out India for my toes. Do you see the sparkle? I can't even describe this color. I can't! It's beyond amazing. This color has to live in my house. It just has to!

Photo credit: Zoya website 

Madeline and Coco and two warm cocoa shades that I had to have. I love pinky chocolates. I mean I get giddy about pinky chocolates. They melt into and mix and mingle so well with my complexion. If I have a favorite shade of nail polish it would be pinky chocolates. Then pinky purples. Sighhhhh. In love. 

Photo credit: Zoya website

And yes, I plan on purchasing everything in my shopping cart (Friday, when I get paid. You know how that works). And yes, I plan on shipping my old polished back in. I have 8 old, crusty, unused, unloved polishes ready to send back. If I didn't have the Zoya exchange I'd trash them.

And that's not right!

So, have I convinced you to send Zoya your old polish and trying some new polishes? If you've ever wanted to try their polishes, this is the time! Do it!

(Side note. No, Zoya didn't pay me at all for this post. No, I didn't get anything free or discounted other than the same way you can get it discounted. Zoya doesn't even know I exist. I like nail polish and Zoya is one of my top 5 brands. I enjoy their polish and LOVE their nail polish remover. When I see a sale, I like my good people know about it. When Zoya is BOGO or in any way $5, I jump on it!).

Sample Bin Review - Perfumes

Hey There!

I've been playing in perfume again. With all of the holiday purchases, it was bound to happen. Everyone sends perfume samples! If I had my choice, I'd never get a perfume sample. Send me makeup or skincare samples. Keep your perfume samples.

But I did get them so I've been trying them over the past two months.

Euphoria (1.7oz, $68 Sephora) - This is a heavy scent. It's a spicy scent with (according to sephora.com) notes of mahogany wood, liquid amber and black orchid. It's too strong for me. I like a delicate, soft scent and this is far from it. It would certainly stand out in a crowded room (or train) and I don't like perfumes that do that.

J'adore (1.7 oz, $92 Sephora) - This is a strong scent too but it's a more floral scent. It's wearable but not every day. It's not the floral fragrance that's heavy -- the floral isn't over powering. It's the scent overall that's heavy. It's a winter scent in my book. I'll actually keep this tester and wear it every now and then.

Coco (1.7 oz, $92 Sephora) - I ended up with 2 of these samples. I know I'm going to get reamed for saying anything bad about the premier fragrance of money and power but this is waaay to old lady for me. It's super strong and super heavy. I can't tell you any notes about this one (I mean I couldn't tell you notes period) but it's just thick. Does that make sense to you? It's a thick perfume that my grandma probably would have liked for church on Sunday morning. Yuk.

Miss Dior (1.7 oz, $75 Sephora) - What the hell? I'm mad at Sephora for giving me this! I smell like, I don't know, mixed perfume lady. I can't give you a note or anything. It's not floral. It's not heavy. It's just nasty. The website says blood orange essence and rose essence and amber patchouli essence. Give them damned essences back! This is crap. I will never spray this bottle again. I need to go sniff some coffee beans.

Roadster by Cartier (16oz, $80 Nordstrom) - I think I ran out of sample options and had to get a man fragrance. Before giving this away to one of the guys at work, I thought I'd give it a snifferoo. It's not bad at all. It's manly and not too strong. I'd hug a man that was wearing that.

I still have several samples to try but these were the most recent ones that I had received. I was pretty sure that none of these would be winners. I'm picking with my fragrances and these just seemed like they'd be heavy and not my style. Fingers crossed that the rest of my scents are better.

What are you wearing right now? Was it a store sample or did you seek it out? Are you loving it? Would I love it?