GIVEAWAY :D

Hey everyone! Lani from a lovely hair salon in Pittsburgh has generously offered to send ONE reader two polishes from Zoya's spring collection, Skylar and Lotus. I don't own either, but one of you could.

If you're in the continental US and are interested in winning some polish, follow me and comment on this post! Make sure to include your email address so that we can contact the winner. Yes, it's really that easy. For a bonus entry, tell me your favorite Zoya polish ever.

So, get commenting. I know these are GORGEOUS polishes (I'm tempted to run out and buy them myself) and I wouldn't want you to miss out. Giveaway ends April 28th at 10:00pm Pacific time.

500 Follower Giveaway!!!!

Hey all, it's finally that time! There's a reason why this took so long for me to get together. That secret surprise I mentioned? Well here it is!

I'm starting my own line of nail polish! I honestly love these frankens. I'm not saying that because I'm trying to sell them to you all, I own my own bottles and I wear them on a regular basis (and get SO many compliments every time. People love these!).
I'll be selling my Jane Eyre polish collection for $7.50 a bottle or 3 for $20. The collection is three beautiful greys, all smoky with that mysterious and tragic feel of my favorite novel of all time: Jane Eyre (of course!).














The colors are (in order from top to bottom!):
A Strange and Unearthly Thing- light grey with delicate green/blue shimmer. The shimmer is more apparent on the nail than my pictures would like you to believe.

Mrs. Edward Rochester- a something blue that isn't the usual. Light slate blue with fine holographic microglitter. Gorgeous.

To The Stars- a dark grey chock full of that beautiful holographic shimmer. A bit of blue in there, too, to keep it interesting.

Email me at paintedtips@gmail.com if you're interested in purchasing, limited amounts are available, so buy soon! Shipping will be $2.50 for the first polish with $.50 for every additional bottle.

And now for the giveaway! I'm giving to you, my lovely followers, a FULL set of my Jane Eyre polishes. All three of them will go home to one lucky winner.
BUT, that's not all! SinfulColors has teamed up with Painted Tips to also offer SIX lovely polishes. That's a total of NINE polishes in this giveaway, three of which you can't get anywhere else!
Sinful will send one lucky winner one bottle of each of the following polishes:
This Is It
HD Nails
Forget Now
Vacation Time
Daddy's Girl
Midnight Blue


So what do you have to do to win? Easy!
1) You have to be following me. There's no ifs, ands, or buts on this and I'll check to make sure the winner is legit. Press that little follow button, it's not too hard.
2) Fill out the following form.

Yup, that's it! If you do decide, though, to up your chances, here's ways to get bonus entries:
1) Put me on your blogroll. It'd be awfully nice if you'd keep me there, too.
2) Tell me which of the Jane Eyre polishes is your favorite and which SinfulColors is your favorite.
3) Suggest another color I should franken. I may end up end up making it!
4) Comment on my posts. Anyone who has commented at least 5x will be getting one more entry.
5) Recruit someone to my blog. They have to enter, too, and tell me that you've recruited them or it doesn't count.

So that's all! Just fill this in :D
Also, please note that this is only open for my US ladies. Sorry, international gals, I'll have another giveaway sometime for you!
This ends on February 10th. No entries after that date will be counted.

AND THE WINNER IS..........

Natalielyn!
I'll be emailing you for your address shortly. You have three days, 72 hours, to respond before another winner will be chosen.

Doing this giveaway was really, really exciting for me. I like noticing the details of people, the small things that not everyone sees, like nails, or specific hair styles. Because I notice this in others, I try my best to model it well for myself. Of course, my nails are always painted and NEVER chipped (blegh!), but I never spend enough time on my hair. This is curious as I do try and dress nicely, I wear make-up, I have good posture; all the basics, but I seem to ignore my poor hair!
There is something about straight hair that gives it shine, makes it bounce, and swing around the face beautifully. Currently my hair's too short to straighten, but I find straight hair universally flattering and a nice change on those days you just don't want to throw it up in a ponytail. Natalie's getting the gift of pretty hair (though I'm sure hers is gorgeous already!), but you don't have to miss out just because she won this contest. If you use the coupon code GIVEAWAY10 you can get 10% off of Karmin Products, a great deal for some great hair products.
So, ladies, starting now I vow to treat myself by spending time on more than just my nails, I'm going to style my hair as well. Who's with me? If you need some tools to get started, check out Karmin HERE.

GIVEAWAY

I know I said I wouldn't, but I got an email with an awesome opportunity that just wasn't for me, so I'm passing it on to you all!
Here's the dealio, there's this straightener, the Karmin, and it costs money. Lots of money. Okay, not lots, but it's in the price-range of a flat iron that is good quality. For $125 this could be yours, and I'm sure you'd be happy. Actually, I think you'd be more than happy because the reviews for this are superb. But, wouldn't you be happier if it cost you $0? Wouldn't you be much happier if you WON IT? And just so you know, the only reason why I'm not taking this one for myself is because my hair is 2 inches long. Yeah, not enough to straighten.


According to HairProductsPro.com, this little straightener can do an awful lot! It uses ionic technology for shiny, smooth hair. It has 1" Pure Tourmaline Ceramic Plates, a perfect size. Let me tell you, I have a straightener at home that's terrible! The plates are huge, which makes it impossible to get close to the scalp for truly straight hair. The small barrel also allows for the user to curl and wave their hair, that's three styling options with just one tool! With a maximum temperature of 450° and a minimum temperature of 180°, it's perfect for all hair types. You know that fried, icky, burnt look from too hot hair tools? Just keep the temp down (it's adjustable! Another thing this flat iron has over mine) unless your hair's really misbehaving.
So do you want it?
Do you really want it?
GOOD! You can win it!
What you need to do:
Follow me with Google Friend Connect (that'd be that little box that says 'Fellow Addicts' on the right sidebar) and enter your email address into the form, it's that easy!
One entry extra for blogging about this, and another one for putting me on your blogroll. I need links in order for the entries to count.

The deadline is February 11th, so get entering!
(this product was provided to me by Karmin Hair Products. This has not influenced my opinion)

A few quick notes:

Firstly, you may have noticed my REALLY long blog roll, complete with pictures. I use this instead of following blogs to keep track of blogs I like reading. If you blog isn't on there, let me know! I do try to limit my blog roll to blogs I actually really like. There are some qualifications that aren't super important, I like nails that I like, not too long, not bitten down past the quick. It's not that I won't follow you if you're not a recovering nail biter, but seeing nice nails that are (relatively, I know it's challenging) nicely manicured makes me happy. Also, I'd prefer blogs to feature polishes I can get, otherwise I lemm and lemm and just end up heart broken. And, lastly, the blogs have to be updated at least once every month. Otherwise they are taking up valuable space on my blog roll! Exceptions for this would be if the blogger is going through a hard time or on vacation and the absence is not normal for them.
Basically, I like seeing pretty polish on pretty nails pretty frequently. If you have nails that you polish and then blog about, let me know and I'll add you to the blog roll!

Next, I have 308 followers. This is amazing/fantastic/unbelievable. Now, where are you all? I have over 300 followers that visit my blog (I have a counter ^-^) and I get one, maybe two comments a post? I know bloggers that have fewer followers but loads more comments. It just makes me feel like I'm talking to myself, you know? I know there are some stand-out posts (Galaxy Nails) that garner attention, but it'd be nice to see a little love even when I don't spend an hour on my nails. I don't think I'll be doing a giveaway soon because of this, I think most of my followers followed just for the chance of free stuff (shame, shame) and now don't read my blog anymore. I don't want more followers just out to earn stuff, so I don't think a giveaway will be coming in the near future.

Lastly, I'm sorry for this rant. I know y'all are here to see polish, not listen to me list why I'm a bit upset. So, polish!
$OPI Bare to Be Different. Because I like sheers.

I fixed it :)

I'm now using Flickr. Much better!

Hey! Um, six days left on the giveaway (here) and if you go here and comment with a response on this post (yes, the one you are reading this second) then you can get an extra entry. Easy enough, right?
Cool beans.
Shanna and I got together and I did her nails all skittle-y! I have a very similar manicure here. She took the picture with my camera, I wouldn't have posted it but I just thought it was too funny.


We drank tea (white peony, if you were wondering) and planned my birthday bash. My birthday is in 32 days, so it's time to get my act together. A month sounds like a lot but I'm actually planning it for mid-September so we can catch the fair-enough weather. More details later, if you'd like.
I wore Pure Ice (Walmart $2) Wild Thing. This is the first polish I've come across in a while that I was ALMOST uncomfortable leaving the house in. Almost. It's a little 'out there', obviously not the thing for conservative ladies.

Rainbows

Okay, I've decided that, as a way to favor the people who really read this blog instead of just following to get free stuff, I'm going to give little extra ways to gain entries in the giveaway every once in a while. This is one such time, the person who correctly names the most colors in my manicure before anybody else (you can comment after somebody else, just try to name more!) will win an extra entry in the drawing. As I said, this is because some people will follow just for the giveaway but I'd rather use the giveaway to get new readers who are loyal, so, whether this is the first thing you've seen on this blog or you've been watching it for a year, good luck!
PS This mani isn't great by any stretch, the colors weren't fully opaque and my nail art tools aren't great (because I'm giving away that awesome brush! I wish I bought more).

So, I've been thinking about a GIVEAWAY.

Yup, and it's my 1 year/Japan/241 followers celebration!
I'm offering to ONE lucky winner....

A trio of 'spangles' in pink with holographic hearts, pink stars, and pink glitter.

A trio of 'spangles' in silver with holograpic hearts, metallic stars, and silver glitter.

A trio of 'spangles' in blue with holographic stars, blue hears, and blue glitter.

A set of fake nails hand painted by me. 20 nails included, 10 sizes with a duplicate of every size.

A miniature nail brush (it's so cute!)

A small case with stars of various colors.

A package of sticky-backed clear rhinestones.

A nail file, I believe it's glass (can't read the Japanese!)

A package of nail art 'spangles' including an orange wood stick.

An awesome collection of nail stickers.

Tea from Japan (yum!)

A citrus eraser. I could be imagining it but I think it smells good too :)

A candy.

A Pez dispenser with two Pez candies. This wasn't purchased in Japan but it's a cute bunny ^-^

So, yeah, ALL of this stuff to one winner!



Those pesky things called RULES. These MUST be done to enter this giveaway.

FOR ONE ENTRY (mandatory):
You must follow this blog through the button on the top right.
You must comment on this post.

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY APIECE(can't happen until you've done the first):
Follow me on Twitter (paintedtipsblog), please include your name in your comment.
Blog about this, include a link.
Being the FIRST person to correctly identify the polish on my thumb.

So get entering! This will close September 7th.

I'm moody

OMG!!!!!!! I WON A GIVEAWAY!!!!!! I never win anything. But I won 4 mood polishes :) And a lava lamp from the library (random!). These are the Mood Struck ones from drugstores, I think. Anywho, I have a yellow/green, blue, teal, and pink/purple. So far I've tried two, the yellow/green and the blue. The effect on the blue was so subtle! It ruined the novelty of the polishes a little for me. BUT the yellow/green was epic. Really. Awesome. The yellow one wore horribly but the blue one had fantastic wear. Go figure. They all dry matte.

Room temperature, what it usually looks like.

Index and middle dipped in cold water, ring and pinky dipped in warm.


Room temperature, what it usually looks like.

Index and middle dipped in cold water, ring and pinky dipped in warm.

And by popular demand, Lisa and Oliver's current nails. Ollie (the goldendoodle) is in FP Blissfully Blue and Lisa (the German Shorthair) is in AA Peacock (she matches my toes (: )

It's been one year now...

Wow! I can't believe it! One year... When I started this I didn't think it would go anywhere. I have a habit of flaking out on things, so to have stuck with this... Indescribable. I wish I could have the coolest mani ever to show you all, but, the sad truth is I don't. I can't (for personal reasons) wear any color right now, so Essie Mademoiselle and I are becoming best friends. I also wish I could have a giveaway but I don't have any prizes! So, you tell me, what do you all want???
My Journey....
Then (ChG Custom Kicks, first lemming ever)Picture taken with cellphone








Now (ish)(Finger Paints Blissfully Blue)Picture taken with a brand spankin' new Canon Powershot.

She's having a giveaway!

So, the lovely Selina at Pretty Clever is having an amazing giveaway! She's been blogging for a whole year now!!!! I remember, when I first started reading her blog, it was fantastic (it still is, I promise) but then I noticed she had NO followers, so I posted about her here. Since then (about ten months ago) she has gained 100 followers! She still posts amazing pretties, and her giveaway is an extension of that. I'd check it out if I were you!
Also, the amazing blog Fun and Mental Changes (love the name so much!) is having a birtday-celebration giveaway! It has some amazing products that you all may want, so take a look!

And the winner is....

gg34p2 !!!! Congrats! I will be giving you your package shortly!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!100 Followers!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was a lot of exclamation points. Sorry about that....
The deal is, Im (finally!!) up to 100 followers. As a present, I'll give you:
1 Nailene So Natural (may your usage of fake nails be better than mine!)
1 Orly Pixie Dust
1 Charlotte Russe Blue Holo
1 Sally Hansen Nail Prisim (Bronze Pink)
4 Goldie Nail Polishes, unnamed
2 Nics Sticks in Vio-Let's Go! and Indigo-go-go! Used ONCE as a swatch
A total of 10 products!!!
To enter:
Become a follower
Leave a comment
For an extra entry:
Blog about this, leave a link!
Add me to your blogroll, link please!

Thank you all!!!
Contest ends December 11th, open to US beauties only please!

And the Winner is.....

*Drumroll......* LUCY!!!! Lucy K. I will have your polishes to you shortly, congrats girl!

100th POST! GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN!

Sorry for screaming, but, I've noticed that I'm on my 100th post. For some reason, because some of you (Lucy) have been with me for a while (Lucy) I feel like it's time for a giveaway. Same deal as last time ALMOST! I want to hear your top FIVE lemmings for China Glaze and/or Orly and/or Color Club, you may just win a few of them! Please separate EACH entry with a new comment! ENDS NOVEMBER 15TH! National beauties only please, I love you all but my wallet doesn't :(
Rules:
Cannot enter without this step- Must be a follower, if not just click to follow!
Still can't enter yet- Comment with your top 5 CG/Orly/CC lemmings, I may send you THREE OF THEM! Don't ask for something I can't get you (you want Dorothy Who? wait for it to be re-released, I can't find it for you!)
For one extra entry PER A RECRUITEE- Recruit someone, they must follow and say in their comment you recruited them, friends, family, anyone and every one you can find
For one entry- Post on your blog, tell me about it in a separate comment with a link
One more- Add me to your blogroll, or remind me I'm there.

Sugestions to start your lemmings:






Polishes are (in order) How About A Tumble (CG), L8er G8er (CG), Strawberry Fields (CG), Flying Dragon (CG), Medallion (CG NEW GLITTER)

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!

I asked my little sister to pick a number between 1 and 28, she picked 5, and so, the final winner is................... Samantha!!!!!!!! Congrats! I'll be emailing you shortly!!!!!!!

TOMORROW! *Just immagine me singing from Annie*

Tomorrow the giveaway ends, enter now or you may miss it!!!!!!

This is a Color Zone polish I found at TJ Maxx, couldn't stand it, took it right off.

I am the worst blogger ever and you all should hate me.....

Lost the camera battery AGAIN! SO, until my b-day (two weeks!) when I will get a new camera, no pictures. I think. Unless I find it or my memory card. Don't forget to enter the giveaway, ends October 10th!

CONTEST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hah, finally. You all knew I'd get around to it eventually, right?

What you could win:

*2 China Glaze polishes of your choice.

or

*1 set of fake nails (20) painted with the lovely, rare, Dorothy Who!

How to enter:

*If entering for the China Glaze (I will pick TWO winners, one of each!) post your name, email, and top three CG wishlist polishes. Cannot be HTF or I won't be able to get it for you!

*If entering for Dorothy Who just post 'Dorothy Who' along with name and email.

Rules:

*1) You must be my follower. If not just click 'Follow'!

*2)You may only enter once UNLESS you post this giveaway on your blog with a link. If you do that just post again along with a link to your post.

*3)You must live within the US, I'm sorry my international beauties, my bank account doesn't agree with your polish obession!

*4) To post, just comment!!!!

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!

I've been in NY since Wednesday, sorry for up and leaving with no explaination. I don't any pictures for now (camera's all packed away) but I am anouncing a giveaway! Yup. But, I don't have any prizes. Please comment on this post with a China Glaze or Orly shade that you are DYING to try, I'll come back with a contest once I have enough ideas!