Mentality Nail Polish - Thoughts and Update on my Refund Request

Hi friends,

As I am sure you know Mentality has had a rough few weeks, and the whole thing is unfortunate, but they are not handling it in the best of ways which is even more unfortunate. I actually sent them an email because I finally got around to double checking my recent orders from them and they were purchased during the effected time. I opened a couple of bottles and the smell was absolutely horrific. I sent an email yesterday requesting a full refund, then I come to find out that morning they made a statement that no more refunds would be processed. So what? I am out $60 bucks because of your mistake? If I don't hear anything, or I get some boilerplate response a PayPal claim will be filed. The best analogy I can use is - this isn't some shirt I bought, took the tags off and it was too small and then lost the receipt so the store isn't letting me return it. This is a medical concern and more than a concern for some who have endured extreme pain and medical issues with their nails. I have a 7 year old daughter who has asked to use those bright, eye catching polishes to paint her nails and I told her no. I took them off my rack and then she found them (she is a ninja I swear) and luckily I caught her before she tried to sneak them in her room and use them. I would have lost my marbles if she used them and had a reaction. She has extremely sensitive skin as it is. I will keep updating this post as responses / PayPal claims etc are forthcoming and ongoing.

Below are some great blog posts and information as well from others if you want to get more of the story etc. I didn't feel the need to completely rehash everything

Amanda Loves Polish posted this on FB - https://www.facebook.com/amandalovespolish/posts/482471681927069

Roselynn of Manicured and Marvelous wrote this article -- http://www.manicuredandmarvelous.com/2015/08/mentality-polish-and-my-thoughts.html?m=1

Kirby of Mercurial Magpie wrote this article - and has many great updates
http://www.themercurialmagpie.com/2015/08/mentality-polish-mistakes-happen-but-this-response-is-unacceptable.html

Anne of Betty's Beauty Bombs wrote this article -
http://www.bettysbeautybombs.com/2015/08/20/whats-going-on-with-mentality/

EDIT 1 - I have decided to just file a claim and go from there. I have a feeling if I let this sit and wait for a response I wont get one.
Here is my claim:

EDIT 2 - 48 hours have passed since my first initial email asking for a refund and no response. 24 hours have passed since my initial PayPal claim with no response. I have filed a full PayPal Claim and is under review. 

EDIT 3 - It looks like my claim has been somewhat accepted by PayPal and is now a waiting game since they are waiting for a seller response. If nothing happens by September 4 does PayPal refund me?

EDIT 4 - I got a response from Mentality yesterday (9/1/2015) asking I send the polish back and when they receive it I will get a refund. I immediately called PayPal directly and spoke to a really nice woman  named Paula. I explained the situation about how they are asking for the polish back but because no one really know what is in it that I did not feel safe sending it back via USPS ORM-D and she agreed. She also refunded both my claims while I was on the phone. Also, she mentioned she will be sending their information to the fraud department because these refunds were coming from PP and not MNP. She also mentioned I was her second call of the day regarding this issue.
I suggest you call and keep calling until someone responds in the correct manner at PP. It is well with it.

Review - Nail Nation 3000

Hey friends! I have been slowly gathering some Nail Nation 3000 polishes over the past couple of months so I figured it is about to swatch and review them. I have in total 7. Two were gifted to me by my dear friend Dvisha (@naiildazzlee on IG - follow her!) and I will be starting with those.

First up is a pretty and subtle red toned holo. It is called "Scooterific" it went on really well, and I did 3 thin coats for full coverage. The read leans towards magenta, and of course the holo is spectacular.

Next I have "Abby's Holo" Dvisha gave this to me because my daughters name is Abby! This is darker pink tone with lots of holo and little pink micro glitters throughout. This covered in two even coats. So pretty!

The next 5 I have are ones that I have purchased.
First up is "Pretty Guardian" an extremely delicate gold toned holo. It is such a pretty color, and when I put it on the first thing I thought was it would be perfect for a bride on her wedding day. Three thin to medium coats for full coverage

Next is "Too Many Colors Not Enough Time" which is appropriately named! It is a steel grey base with some purple and gold shifting / duo chrome properties with holo and lots of different colored micro glitters. So stunning!

I also bought "Dvisha" the custom color my dear friend collaborated on. It is a mulberry holo and goes on in 2 medium coats or if you apply less it would probably be done in 3 thin coats. I love this color!

I have "Vincenzo 2015" a pretty royal blue holo. The holos are not dissapointing! This went on in 2 medium coats as well and has a purple undertone. It is a great transition into fall colors.

Lastly, I have "Walk Of Fame Holo Top Coat" and I tried this on its own and over a creme purple. I think this is pigmented enough that it looks great on its own which you can see on my index and pinky fingers which is 3 thin coats, and then one coat over the creme purple. It almost washes out the under color a little too much. I think if it was a tad less pigmented you could see your under color come through more but still stunning and lovely on its own

All photos were taken outside in direct sunlight, with an iPhone6 no filter or altering have been done.

Green Goddess Creations Water Slide Decals Review

Hey nail friends! Today I wanted to tell you all about Green Goddess Creations and her awesome water slide decals. A couple months ago Leila and I started talking about some designs I had wanted and she was able to create them for me! She is a joy to work with and can do pretty much anything. I gave her photos for Seahawks and Friends decals. The mani I am showing you is from her Friends collection she created for me.

Colors Used:

Daily Hues in "Nice Knickers" and "Callie" 

Colores De Carol in "Piñata Colada"

Cult Nails in "You're My Dandy Lion"

Her water slide decals are super easy to use, and go on smoothly. They are high quality and don't peel after a few days of wear. Some others I have experienced lifting after a few days. 

I got a ton of compliments on these from a great deal of Friends fans at work and even while I was out and about. 

I also got to meet Leila when I traveled to the Kansas City nail meetup a few weekends ago. She is a hoot! I am so glad I have made a friend for life now! Please go check out her Storenvy shop and remember if there is something there you don't see but have an idea, contact her and she can make you a custom sheet and will send proofs before making them. Also, she make stellar cell phone cases, I have one on the way to me soon so I will be sure to show that off when I get it. 

Shop: http://grngoddesscreations.storenvy.com/products

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenGoddessCreations

Instagram: @greengoddesscreations

Mixed Mani Mania!!

My new favorite thing to do is mixed manis. I have always done an accent nail or just a more plain designed nail but now I am all about mixing textures and finishes too. I am so excited about a few manis I have done in the past couple of weeks.

Look at this fun and bright mani!

Colors used:
China Glaze "I Brake For Color"
Nail Nation 300: "Light Up the Night"
Wet N Wild "2% Milk"
Daily Hues Nail Lacquer: "Lace Thong"

The red, and gold go great together! I would not have normally done such a lighter color with the stamping either but I love how this mani came together. I used the trusty Creative Shop Stamper for the design.

The red from China Glaze went on really well and this is 2 thin coats. The gold from Nail Nation 3000 was awesome, it is a gold holo with super micro holo gold glitter throughout. This almost was a one coater but I went with a thinner second to just even out a couple spots.

The next mixed mani I have done in the past couple weeks is a purple / baby blue hybrid. I would normally never do a holo / glitter / creme mani. I would always try to stick to one finish but now I am in love with experimenting more.

Colors Used:

Fairytale Finish: "Long Summer Nights"

KBShimmer: "In Yacht Water"

Cupcake Polish: "Berry Good Looking"

Daily Hues Nail Lacquer: "Lace Thong"

I was so happy with this mani! How could you not? Berry Good Looking has had so much press in my Facebook Groups and every swatch is stunning. I love the color! A good 'ol regular swatch mani will be done with this one. This is 2 thin coats. If you apply heavier it will be 1 coat. KBShimmers In Yacht Water went on wonderfully. You can't go wrong with KBShimmer! And Fairytale Finish's applied lovely with no fishing for glitter and the color is stunning!! 

This next mani is WAY out of my comfort zone! 

Colors Used:

Polish Me Silly: "I Lost My Marbles"

Bear Pawlish: "Peek A Boo"

Gunpowder Lacquer: "Meet Me in Margaritaville"

Daily Hues Nail Lacquer: "Lace Thong"

I have always shied away from glitter crellies, only because I feel like I can't apply them well enough and look chunky and not smooth on my nail. I don't care anymore! I worked really slowly when applying Polish Me Sillys super adorable crelly and it came out great. The stamping with the skull with the bow, is super cute! And Bear Pawlish applied in 2 easy coats. GunPowder Lacquer pooled a bit around my cuticle so I had to do 3 thin coats and work slower with application. The color is stunning with blue flecks throughout. 

What do you think? Should I keep going with the craziness? 

XO, Jenn 

Influenster VoxBox: Yves St Laurent MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS

Hi everyone!

I got my YSL mascara yesterday! I am so excited!
This mascara comes in a beautiful gold tube, with the signature YSL marking on the cap.

I tried it this morning for the first time ever, and I am so pleased with the results. My eyelashes are pretty non existent without anything on them. With my short lashes, I find it hard to find mascara to grab my tiny lashes and extend them. I applied 1 coat, let it sit for about 30 seconds, applied a second coat and the result was amazing!
I did not get any on my lids, the brush is full and grabs all my little lashes. I have a full set of lashes now with this amazing product. This has now officially become my new favorite mascara!!

Below you can see a before and after!

And the YSL Social Media sites are:

Product Page: Yves Saint Laurent MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS

Facebook: Yves Saint Laurent Beauty USA

Twitter: @Love_YSL_PRGirl

Instagram: @YSLBEAUTYPRGIRL

Daily Hues Nail Lacquer Epic 5k Giveaway!

Hi!!!

I am almost to 5,000 followers on IG which is nuts to even think about! Thank you so much. Something I thought I would never achieve for a milestone and a year later here it is!

I am hosting a Rafflecopter with a lot of my indie friends sending me awesome stuff too for a major prize! The link below will take you to the giveaway. When I break 5k is when I will announce the winner. You must follow all sponsors IG, and there are extra entries for visiting their other websites.

Open Internationally just must pay shipping costs.

Click below to enter!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Influenster Frosty Vox Box!

Hi babes!

It has been a couple months since I have checked in and I really need to get better at blogging and being consistent. I thought showing you the Influenster Frosty Vox Box would be a good way to start!

Here is what is included in the box:
No7 Protect and Perfect Intense ADVANCED serum
NYC Expert Lasr Lip Color in Sugar Plum
Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea
EcoTools Hair Brush
Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
Rimmel Scandleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner
McCormick Gourmet Thyme
Fruit Vines Bites

I have already tried the tea and I am so excited to try everything else!

This is an awesome Vox Box. I love the mix of items to try out and I think I will be getting a lot of use out of everything. I heard the fruit vines were awesome and the EcoTools brush does wonders. Check back soon for more updates!

UPDATE / FULL REVIEW - Celestial Seasoning Candy Cane Lane Decaf Tea:
This tea tastes absolutely wonderful! I added no sugar and I am usually a sweet tea kind of gal. I am actually suffering from strep throat right now (I know Merry Christmas to me) and it has just the right amount of peppermint flavor and it is so soothing on my throat. This is something I would drink all year around!