As you’ve probably noticed, crackle nail polish is everywhere this fall. It provides texture, peek-a-book color, and easy application. Plus you can mix and match color to your heart’s desire. The latest addition to my crackle “collection” is from Jessica Cosmetics… it’s their new Party Chic collection.

The Party Chic nail polish collection features five creamy, neon colors: On the Rocks (white), Pretty in Purple, Mint Mojito Green, Orange You Glad to See Me and Pass the Pink-tini. Wear them alone or apply a coat of the black crackle “Top It Off” top coat for a slightly punky, shattered look like in my swatches below.

I recommend applying a thick, clear top coat (such as Seche Vite) to seal things up and even out your crackle-finish. Or… since all the new crackle top coats dry to a matte finish, leave it as-is and enjoy the duality of gloss versus matte!

Want to know what’s even better?  This entire collection is absolutely perfect for Halloween!

I know, I know… zombies don’t get their nails done.  But if you are one of the many dressing as a zombie this Halloween, here’s a simple way to make your nails match your rotted makeup.

I started with one coat of Essie’s Merino Cool nail polish.  You could swap in any taupe, light mushroom, tan, light gray, or creamy skin-toned color (Sally Hansen’s Commander in Chic is another great polish for this manicure!).  I recommend only one coat so your color looks a bit uneven and streaky.

Next apply a coat of a gray “crackle-finish” polish, such as Cracked Concrete by China Glaze.  Sally Hansen also has a gray crackle top coat that you can find at most drugstores.

Once the crackle finish dries, use a deep red to apply bloody accents to your nails.  I chose Berry Hard by Essie.  Don’t be afraid to get a little messy.  After all, zombies aren’t running around with polish remover.

Happy Halloween!

What’s your current favorite mascara? Have you tried any of the new varieties and loved/hated them?

I’ve launched a new poll on Bionic Beauty: “What topics would you like to see more in Bionic Beauty’s future?”

The new poll is available in the right sidebar of Bionic Beauty (under the appropriately labeled “Vote Now!” section).

I have set this poll up to allow you to vote for as many of the subjects as you’d like.  I really want to get your ideas on what you want from Bionic Beauty in the upcoming year!

Please also feel free to elaborate on your vote in the comments section below.

Below are the results of the previous Bionic Beauty poll…

What is your favorite eyeshadow color?

• Brown/Taupe/Tan (44%, 201 Votes)
• I wear and love ‘em all! (18%, 82 Votes)
• Black/Gray (16%, 75 Votes)
• Purple/Lavender (16%, 75 Votes)
• Greens (9%, 40 Votes)
• White/Pearl (8%, 36 Votes)
• Pink/Mauve (8%, 35 Votes)
• Blue/Navy (6%, 26 Votes)
• Orange/Coral (3%, 15 Votes)
• Yellow (1%, 5 Votes)
• Red/Magenta (1%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 460

Thanks for voting, everyone!

Another formerly spa or high end beauty store brand is now more accessible to the masses. I’ve spotted Essie nail polish displays at several Walgreens and Target stores in both large and small towns. If they aren’t in your area yet, they should be coming soon.

Essie polishes spotted by Bionic Beauty at Target!

Both stores seem to have the Essie polishes priced around the $7.00 range.  I picked up Merino just last week – it’s a cool-toned suede brown color.  I’ve been wanting that polish for over a year now and finally splurged.  I will post swatches soon!

Do you have any plans of trying out some Essie nail polishes now that they are easier to find?

Well it seems like it’s been a decade and a half since I went freebie hunting.   Thankfully I found a nice, long roundup of beauty goodies for you to request.  Some of these are just plain awesome and will go darn quick… so hustle up everyone!

Ready to soothe your dry skin?  I am!  Here’s a new product to me… Get three free sample packets of TriLipiderm “All-body moisture retention creme” – Keep them for yourself or share ‘em with friends! (US only)

Nab a free sample of Hugo Boss cologne for yourself or send a personalized postcard with the sample to a friend!

Try out Aveeno’s new Nourish hair care shampoo and conditioner with this freebie. Answer a few quick questions and select your hair type so they can match you up with the proper version of Nourish hair care. (US only)

Keep smelling nice this summer  with free samples of Gucci Guilty fragrance and/or Gucci Guilty Pour Homme cologne. (Open to USA, Canada and most international countries)

Snag a freebie trial size of Avon Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Face Lotion with SPF 45. Scroll down the page a bit to enter your information. Hurry, these will go quickly!

Get a free sample of Murad Oil Control Mattifier face cream with SPF 15! Simply click on the thumbnail image below and the full size coupon will open. Print the coupon and take it to your local JCPenney store with a Sephora counter inside. You can also get a complimentary skin consultation while you’re there! Offer expires July 13, 2011.

And because you can never have too many… here are some new freebies of CareFree Acti-Fresh Body Shape liners. (US only)

While not a freebie, you can get a coupon good for 35 cents off your next purchase of Carmex lip balm by filling out a short form on their website.

Stay Bionic,

Regardless of how you’ll be celebrating (or not-celebrating) Valentine’s Day, women everywhere seem to go on the quest for the ultimate red lipstick.

To help you wade through the masses, I’ve come up with a Bionic Red Lipcolor Roundup that has a little something for everyone…

elf's Cherry Bomb lip gloss

For the budget-conscious, and just a twinge of redness- e.l.f. cosmetic’s $1 Candy Shop lip gloss in Cherry Bomb.

L'Oreal Colour Juice lip stick in Cherry Freeze

Love haunting the drugstore beauty aisles? L’Oreal Colour Juice Stick in Cherry Freeze is a cool-toned red that can go on super sheer, or be layered for a much deeper red.

CG's OutLast lip stain in Berry Smooch

If your V-day plans involve kissing the night away, a lip stain is the only way to go. It’ll last and there’s virtually no transfer. Affordable and accessible suggestions- Cover Girl’s OutLast lip stain marker in Berry Smooch, or Sonia Kashuk’s lip and cheek stain in Sheer Bliss (at Target stores), or Revlon’s Just Bitten lipstain marker in Goth. Top the lip stains with a lip balm or gloss for shine and moisture.

Chinatown Thriller "liquid" pencil by Lipstick Queen

Ease of application and superior moisture – Lipstick Queen’s Glossy Pencil in Chinatown Thriller combines lipstick and lip pencil in one. The chunky, stylish black pencil applies like a dream. It’s quite sheer, but can be layered with a few coats for a richer color; and unlike most pencils, it will not dry out your lips!

Bette lipstick by Three Custom Color

Three Custom Color’s Bette lipstick was named after the powerful and passionate character on TV’s “The L Word”. It has a slightly warm tone: a classic creamy tomato red. Killer Heat is another absolutely perfect sheer red by Three Custom Color!

Whatever color you choose, remember to take your skin’s undertones into consideration. If you’re a warm toned individual (yellow or olive tones), stick with reds that have a orange or neutral base. For cool skinned women (blue or even rosy undertones), look for berry or blue based reds. However if the lip color is sheer, it’ll usually work for any skin tone!

Happy V-day, Bionic Beauties! I’m sending virtual hugs to you all.

Stay Bionic,

Happy Friday! It’s going to be a Super weekend! Whether you will be watching the big game, cheering for the Steelers or the Packers, or just interested in relaxing, eating snacks or watching the commercials… it’s a good weekend for hanging out with friends and family.

Anyhow, here’s a listing of some new free goodies for all the Bionic Beauties out there!

Keep the in-between your pearly-whites super clean with a free sample of Dentek floss picks.

Free sample pack of Playtex Sport tampons – You’ll get 2 regular unscented, 1 super unscented, and a coupon for $1.00 off!

Snag a free sample of Maybelline’s brand new FitME! foundation makeup from Target online. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts once you have tried this new makeup. Let’s compare notes!

Get a freebie of Origin’s Plantscription anti-wrinkle skincare serum by visiting their Facebook page. Simply “Like It”, and then click the green “Order Your Sample” button.

Enjoy the samples!

Whenever I hear the sound of a FedEx truck, I always get excited.

Do you think that’s a learned behavior from my dog?

I’ll be honest though, when I popped open the box and pulled out the Minerals Mate mixing palette, my invisible tail didn’t wag.

I’m just not a huge mineral makeup fan and it’s only because of the time and trouble it takes to blend everything together. I like simplicity in my life. And I really like waking up just 45 minutes before running out to the door each morning.

Nonetheless, I pulled out my stashed minerals to give the tray a whirl.

The result? The washable tray had me contemplating my original opinion!

There was no mess at all and with three large and four small wells, the various foundations, blushes, and eye colors mixed easily with the included spatula.

If you have any leftovers on your tray, you can just toss it in the palette’s handy satin pouch for quick cleanup.

Still not sure I’ve become a mineral makeup advocate, but if you’re a junkie the Minerals Mate is definitely worth the small investment.

Minerals Mate is $8.99 on their website.

Stay Bionic,

FTC Disclosure: This item was sent to me free of charge in return for an honest review. The opinion in this article is based on my personal experience and was not influenced by any source. I was not compensated for this article. Feel free to read my disclosure policy for more information.