First up, thanks to everyone for swinging by yesterday for my #RealBloggerBeauty post. It was cool to share with you guys, and even cooler of Maya to include me in the collaboration. If you haven’t had a chance to read some of the stories shared by my fellow bloggers, head over and check ’em out.
If Jem (of Hologram fame) went dressed as an Olympic figure skater for Halloween, she would wear this dress. J.Lo totally wore this first (and better, truthfully, because homegirl’s body is crazy) on an episode of Idol, I believe. I had to have it because it was a) super affordable and b) super ridiculous. Also known as my fave fashion combo. Jem might call it outrageous, and I’d agree.
Styling this number is an exercise in restraint. The dress is already so much, which meant I needed to keep it tame elsewhere. A nude sandal with a hint of neon piping was an interesting-but-still-safe choice, and the hair needed to go up in a topknot to give top billing to the high neckline + lace detailing. No jewelry, just a hint of a bold lip (in that no-budge long-wear formula I’ve been obsessed with recently).
I love it because it’s super loud and feminine. How fun for girl’s night out?
The Vanity: TRIND Review.
Knowing my affinity for brights, TRIND reached out with the opportunity to take their nail products for a test drive. A gorgeous set of ocean-esque polishes, a polish remover, and a keratin treatment and topcoat arrived on my doorstep a few weeks later.
I’ve been wearing Mint Julep quite a bit (it’s on my toes in this very post!) and used Surf’s Up to create a fun manicure I featured on my Instagram:
The scoop on TRIND: TRIND products are fortified with keratin. Keratin is a protein you normally find in hair products to strengthen hair, but TRIND has added it to their formulas so the nails benefit. Brilliant, eh? TRIND’s treatments are free of the harsh chemicals found in some other polishes, meaning you won’t find the potentially dangerous trio of dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde hiding in that amazing fire engine red manicure. (Dibutyl phthalate and toluene are linked with increasing the risk of birth defects in pregnant women, and formaldehyde is a carcinogen.)
The Nail Restorer and Keratin Nail Protector are a combo treatment used to improve the health of your nails. They include the aforementioned miracle protein keratin, and work to restore + add moisture to dry, weak nails. Treat the Nail Restorer almost like you would a cuticle cream; it can brushed on nails as needed. The Keratin Nail Protector is a topcoat containing keratin, so not only are you protecting your polish job when you brush this stuff on, but you’re also giving your nails a strength shot. I’ve been using the Nail Restorer for about a month now and have noticed my nails seem a bit stronger. I love that the treatment dries quickly (means I can swipe it on clean nails and then get back to whatever I’m doing without a mess). The topcoat is nice; it protected and gave a nice shiny finish. I love to start with the restorer formula then follow up with the topcoat for a clean, natural manicure.
The colors I test drove were Appletini, Surf’s Up, and Mint Julep. Very appropriate for the summer season, that’s for sure. I love the shape of the brush handle (ergonomic; feels good in the hand) and the color pay-off was solid. These formulas cover nicely in two thin coats. They didn’t easily chip (especially on toes), although I was careful to reapply a topcoat every other day when I wore ’em on my hands. (Typing dramatically decreases the life of most manicures, am I right?)
When switching colors, I used TRIND’s polish remover. It’s a mild formula (ie, non-acetone) so I had to scrub a bit to get the polish off, but noticed after the remover dried it left a lovely floral scent behind (as opposed to that strong chemical scent most removers leave you with).
You can buy TRIND products here– go and check out the rest of their color selection! Next on my list is Dark Scarlet and Miss O’Hara!
Linking up with More Pieces of Me + On the Daily Express, Join The Gossip + I Have A Degree In This, Pink Sole + Cha Cha The Fashion Genius, Style Elixir, Sew Crafty Angel, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Life’s a Party Dress Like It, Get Your Pretty On, and The Pleated Poppy.
*TRIND sent the nail products for my review; thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
I love the neon look! You’re so cute.
And the polish review is awesome- I haven’t heard of Trind before, but I LOVE polishes that are 3-free!
So gorgeous as always Ashley! What a pretty manicure!
I think you rocked it just as good as JLO!
Awesome review- I really love The Vanity series. Getting a peek at what you love for makeup and beauty is so cool!
_K
Those shoes are amazing! You can totally pull off the neon especially with your tan skin!
Brilliant outfit!
Heyyyy, sexay layday! This is most definitely a great dress for girls night out…which we should have…soon.
26 and Not Counting
You look absolutely gorgeous. Love your dress and adoring the shoes..
I have tried Trind before and love the line! Great color selection, too!
I love that you don’t shy away from bright colors. Most girls would look at this dress and think, “Cute, but no way could I wear that.” You just don’t care and totally rock it! Love your confidence!
I love that pretty ocean blue! I have been looknig for something like this for practically forever!
GORGEOUS neon look love! This skater skirt is lovely on you!
Totally envious of that great manicure! TRIND sounds like a nail polish I need to try!
I think you were Jem in a past life. 🙂
Love this look!
Great post!
Aren’t you just gorgeous?! I love this look, Ash!
So PERFECT from head to toe….plus the SMILE is incredible!!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
That dress is awesome! I love your blue door, too! So fun and bright. I haven’t heard of TRIND before, but anything that doesn’t dry out my nails is something I’ve got to check out.
Love this dress on you, what a great color for your skintone! And those shoes are the perfect compliment!
RegallySoled.com
This dress is so you! I love it! You’re gorgeous and bright here!
TRIND sounds like a great nail line! Maybe I should check it out- I have a coupon to Skin Store, actually! It’s fate! 🙂
Oh I love Julep, I find that Julep and Nails Inc stay on the best and are affordable.
Allie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
That dress is just perfection! It’s so fun, and I love the lace on the top!
I think I need to try that TRIND keratin treatment! My poor weak nails need some therapy!
That pic where you’re looking down at your shoe is gorgeous.
This dress is ridiculous and that is exactly why I love it on you. Such an Ashley piece which is probably one of my highest compliments!
You look crazy gorgeous! Love your hair and that color on you!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
That is definitely your color. I love the lacy top part of the dress and with your hair up it looks perfect!!!
Another amazing Ashley outfit!
Great outfit! That nail polish is so pretty, too! Love the green!
Those shoes are amazing with that dress- I love that go bold or go home! 😀
I love hair piled up high like this, Ash!
You are the cutest, you rock this dress perfectly.
xo
PinkSole
Trind sounds like a polish I need to try! And I love the idea of a remover that doesn’t leave your hands smelling gross! 🙂
i am so obsessed with this entire look. love the mix of lace with the skater skirt and those heels are so perfect for the outfit. the topknot really makes it too!!
Beautiful look, very girly! 🙂
http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/
xoxo,
Jess
the neon touches on those heels go so perfectly with the dress!!
and i absolutely love your hair in a topknot, the ombre in your hair makes it look so cool!!
xo mk
http://www.goldhattedlover.com
Ok the dress is beyond fantastic and you pull it off like a champ girl (giving j.lo a run for her money)–but I am OBSESSED with your shoes–the touch of neon is ahmazing 🙂
Tori
FashionBlingGirlyThings
I love the neon trend! This dress looks great on you! The color is so pretty and those shoes are amazing!
Nicole
Nicole to the Nines
LOVE that dress! And your shoes were the perfect choice for it! Super fun mani! Love the bright colors!
I’m so glad that you bought that dress – you are totally rocking it!! I had mentioned it when she wore it on American Idol and i thought JLo looked incredible as do you!! I’m loving the mint julep color – so pretty!
That dress is GORGEOUS on you!! It is so much– but in the best way! And the shoes are perfect with it 🙂
xx, Emily
shell chic’d
LOVE the dress! Not sure I could pull of the neon so well but you look great in it!!
Jessi
http://www.haircutandgeneralattitude.com
How adorable is that Neon Coral Skater Dress. Besides the color I love that it has sleeves and it is short. Short dresses and skirts look gorgeous with your beautiful legs. The top knot was a great idea and the stiletto platform shoes match perfectly!! The Trind polish bottles are too cute and how awesome they don’t use damaging chemicals. Heading to their website for your suggestion.
Hope your Tuesday is as Lovely as You, Ashley!! <3 Ada.
You are the cutest!
Loving this bright outfit! That dress is really something.
TRIND sounds like an awesome brand too!
Totally gorg!
Your legs are absolutely amazing! You gotta spill your secrets, girl! 🙂
Awesome post!
I love your top knot! So cute. I can’t really pull that type of hair style off, but I love it on other people!
So cute!
And another really awesome Vanity post, too!
This dress! I love it!
Looking beautiful and so cheerful, Ashley! Great polish review, too!
I am obsessed with neon, too. Dunno if I’m bold enough to wear it head to toe, but I love this dress on you! Such a fun look- you need to hit the town in this baby! 🙂