RBL Sale Haul

Okay, so three polishes don't exactly constitute a haul, but that's what I picked up at this last 1/2-off sale (as opposed to the 10 polishes I got in the 2009 sale.  See, I'm learning restraint.  :P).

You've already seen my pics of RBL Ani, so here are the other 2 polishes I picked up, Scrangie and Smitten...

Scrangie - Blue/green/purple multichrome shimmer.  RBL Scrangie is one of those polishes that I resisted for months.  It always looked pretty in pictures, but there was something about it that just didn't grab me.  And unfortunately for RBLs, with an $18 price-tag... grabbing is something that needs to occur.  But I'd read that this was one polish that had to be seen in person to be completely appreciated.  As, I had heard that SH Grape Going was a dupe, I thought I'd save myself some cash and see if I liked it.  I really didn't like Grape Going, so I figured I was going to have to bite the bullet and pick RBL Scrangie up for myself or just decide I was never going to get it.  When it became permanently OOS, earlier in the year, I figured I was out of luck.  But then Ji brought it back, along with No More War.  And yet, I still hesitated.  Finally, when the news of the 1/2-off sale broke, I once and for all decided that if Scrangie was still in stock, I was going to pick it up.  I finally put it on this morning and... *sigh*.  I have no idea why I waited.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  As you all know, the blogger Scrangie envisioned this polish to look like the wing of a beetle, and that is a dead on description.  My swatch above does it no justice, so don't let that sway you one way or the other, but if you are still waffling on this color... take it from another I'm-on-the-fence-about-RBL-Scrangie-er and pick this one up.  It's gorgeous and unique and totally shimmery and you won't be disappointed.  3 coats.

Smitten - Tea rose pink creme.  Rose pink in one of those lemmings I never even knew I had until I was browsing on the NB one day.  Someone asked for the perfect rose-pink and after I checked all those suggested, I still didn't find one that looked like the "rose pink" in my head.  So in browsing RBL swatches one day, I came upon Smitten, and well... I was just that.  The swatches were beautiful, but in actuality, the color is so much more.  I know Ji describes it as a "light lilac pink", but I get no purple tones in this.  To me, it's a perfect rose pink, with just a teensy hint of brown.  I love it.  3 coats.

RBL polishes are available at www.rescuebeauty.com as well as online beauty boutiques like Beauty Sak.

I purchased these polishes myself during RBL's sale

Zoya wants you as a Fan...

and they are giving free stuff away to prove it. :)

Always up for giving away free polishes, Zoya is (potentially) doing it again. If they get 20,000 Facebook fans on, or before, January 31, 2011, they are giving you 3 free Zoya nail polishes (a $21 value).

Here's the press release info...

We like our fans, well actually, we LOVE our fans.

We are a small, independent cosmetics company that understands and values the importance of each and every one of our customers. Zoya views our fans as ambassadors of our products. Your dedication and feedback via our social media outlets has helped shape us into the successful company we are today. We continue to grow with your input and support. During this holiday season we would like to show you our appreciation with an incredible offer to start off the new year.

Please, allow us to share our wonderful nail polish and treatment products with your like-minded friends! We are hoping for 20,000 "Likes" on facebook by January 3, 2011, and if we get them, we will provide a code for 3 free bottles* of Zoya Nail Polish to all fans and followers in the Continental US. Yes, we love our international followers too but due to international regulations and restrictions we can only offer this promotion domestically at this time.

“Like” us on facebook and make 2011 a year of nail polished perfection.

Here's what you need to do...

Not already following us on facebook?

Do you love nail polish? Then you should follow Zoya for daily updates, promotions and fun on facebook! Simply go to www.facebook.com/zoyanailpolish and press "Like"! With over 300 colors and treatments to choose from, there is always something for you and your fellow nail polish lovers to talk about. While you are at it, make sure to spread the word about Zoya to all of your friends.

Already following us on facebook?

You "Like" us - we LOVE you! You already know about the great giveaways and promotions we do! Don't keep Zoya to yourself! Spread the word! To help reach the 20,000 tell 4 friends (or more!) to like Zoya!

On January 3, 2011

...or sooner, when we hit the magic number of 20,000, Zoya will release the 3 FREE BOTTLES of Zoya Nail Polish code on facebook.

*Restrictions apply. See facebook page for complete details. Online promotion only. Offer valid in continental US only. Consumer orders only. Offer not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts or offers. Code is dependent on 20,000 likes. To get the code, www.facebook.com/zoyanailpolish MUST have 20,000 likes by 11:59 PM EST on January 3, 2011 (or before that date if 20,000 is reached). Code valid January 4 - 7 2011 only. The offer is void if 20,000 "Likes" is not reached by January 3, 2011 at 11:59PM. Offer good for 3 free bottles of nail polish per order. S/H charges apply.

Shown: Zoya Nail Polish in Jo.

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With my last post being a press release about how another nail polish company (albeit a HUGE one) was just swallowed up by a cosmetics conglomerate, I have to say that this one is rather refreshing. Zoya is one of the companies I absolutely love. They are accessible to their fans, they have a large color base, they are a small, INDEPENDENT brand, and they are always offering awesome promotions, both through Twitter and Facebook. That said, the catch is they want 20,000 Facebook fans. They are currently at 7600+, so there is some work ahead of them (and us). If you are a blogger and haven't received this press release, feel free to use the info in this post (and the picture) and post it on your blog. Let's get the word out.

OPI acquired by Coty, Inc.

I know this is old news, as it's been spreading like wildfire through the nail polish world, but considering a received a press release from OPI's PR company, I figured I'd pass it along.

COTY INC. TO ACQUIRE OPI PRODUCTS INC.

Coty Adds OPI Nail Lacquers and Nicole by OPI to Its Growing Color Portfolio

NEW YORK, November 29, 2010 — Coty Inc., a leading global beauty company, and OPI Products Inc., a leader in professional nail salon products, today announced that Coty has entered into an agreement to acquire OPI.

The acquisition will enhance Coty's color cosmetic portfolio, through the addition of over 200 fashion forward colors of OPI Nail Lacquer's chip-resistant formula, which has been an international success.

"We view the acquisition of OPI as complementary to Coty and a natural extension of our strategy to offer a unique portfolio of brands that produce some of the best known consumer products around the world," said Bernd Beetz, CEO, Coty Inc. "OPI is both dynamic and high quality and has earned its place as a leading provider to professional nail care salons. This acquisition will allow Coty to expand our presence in the nail care category via an important new channel of distribution: professional salons, and importantly will offer an even greater selection of products and choice to consumers."

"We are very excited about having OPI join the Coty family. OPI has gained a place in consumer's minds in the US and internationally," said Renato Semerari, President, Coty Beauty. "It is one of THE fashion brands in Nail Color for salons and that is a very unique position to be in. OPI's success is the result of a very focused and high quality effort by the OPI team over the past decades. We are very excited to join forces with such a talented team to strengthen OPI even further in the future."

"It's time for a new era at OPI, and together with Coty we can begin this new journey," said George Schaeffer, President and CEO of OPI Products Inc. "For almost 30 years, we have built a solid foundation of innovation and excellence. We are confident that by joining Coty, this legacy will continue and be strengthened. We are all excited about the next phase of opportunity for OPI. Our management team will continue on with the company and OPI's business strategy will remain focused on the salon professional."

"OPI has a reputation for creating fashion-forward products that make women feel beautiful and Coty is a well-established trend setter in the beauty industry," said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, the Executive VP & Artistic Director of OPI Products, Inc. "Together we will continue to push the envelope in beauty, color and trends."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is also subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Moelis & Company served as financial advisor to Coty in connection with the transaction. Lazard Freres & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to OPI. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal advisor to Coty in the transaction. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to OPI.

About Coty Inc.

Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.

Today, Coty Inc. is a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of nearly $4 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of notable brands and delivers its innovative products to consumers in 90 markets worldwide.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloé, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole, L.A.M.B. fragrance by Gwen Stefani, La Voce by Renee Fleming , Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Wolfgang Joop.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes adidas, ASTOR, Baby Phat, Beyoncé Knowles, Celine Dion, Chupa Chups, David and Victoria Beckham, Esprit, Exclamation, Faith Hill, GUESS, Halle Berry, Jovan, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, La Cross, Lady Gaga, Miss Sporty, Nautica, N.Y.C. New York Color, Pierre Cardin¹ , Playboy, Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Stetson, Tim McGraw, and Tonino Lamborghini.

Coty and Puig Fashion and Beauty S.A. have a strategic partnership for the distribution of the perfume lines of Nina Ricci, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Paco Rabanne, and Antonio Banderas in the United States and Canada.

For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

(1) Not available in North America

About OPI Products Inc.

OPI Products Inc., one of the world’s leaders in professional nail care since 1981, has revolutionized the beauty industry by combining leading-edge innovation with trendsetting, fashion-forward colors. Under the leadership of OPI President & CEO George Schaeffer and Executive VP & Artistic Director Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, beautifully manicured nails are now seen as the essential fashion accessory.

Preferred by salon professionals and favored by red-carpet celebrities, OPI Nail Lacquer is currently available in 200+ shades. OPI Nail Lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature a patented Lacquer bottle, ergonomic cap, and ProWide^® Brush designed for flawless application.

In addition to Nail Lacquer, OPI also offers an entire range of state-of-the-art quality products for hands, feet, and nails – with more than 30 Patents for the company’s innovative product ideas.

OPI has had a number of successful partnerships, including CW Network, DELL, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kristi Yamaguchi, Serena Williams, Sony Pictures Screen Gems, Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®, Walt Disney Pictures, and Warner Home Video.

For more information, call 800.341.9999 or visit www.opi.com.

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I know this is unsettling to many of you because of the possibility of Coty, and Coty's parent company, testing on animals. Personally, I don't want to debate it. Not that I think any cosmetics company should test on animals, it's just the information out there is rather vague. Coty says they don't test on animals (though their wording is questionable) and online watchdog organizations say they do (and some of their data is outdated). As a consumer, I encourage you to do your research and decide for yourself.