Bye Bye 2009!

From all of us to all of you!
Have a great one!

Zoya Savita

OK so a couple people wanted to see Savita (even though I wanted to do Yummy, LOL!), so I have obliged. Here's a messy pic:


Savita is a little lighter IRL than in this pic, but you can really see the red tones that are in it. This one was DEFINITELY harder to apply than any other matte I have tried, including Verschka. It dried SO fast. I ended up fighting lumps and having a hard time getting polish all the way to the tips. Once I started the 2nd coat, I regretted it. I mean, it needed the 2nd coat to cover some initial messy application, but it just seemed to thicken immediately after removing the brush from the bottle. I ended up loading the brush overboard and mopping it on my nail and then trying to swipe off any excess. You have to be QUICK with this one.

So once I had it on, I knew I really didn't want this as my New Years mani. Since I knew I planned to remove this today, I went ahead and experimented with the Barielle fast dry top coat I picked up at Marshall's the other day to see both how the polish looks shiny and to see how Barielle compares to SV.



I like this polish better matte personally. Yes, it's very pretty shiny, and it takes on an almost metalic quality, but I just don't love it. I dunno. I keep looking at my nails trying to figure out what to say about the color, and, well, I just don't have anything to say!

I DO have something to say about the Barielle top coat though. It blows. Seriously. I put it on over 99% dry polish and it was still sticky tacky 10 minutes later! WHAT??!? Maybe that's because it's B3F? It was a very thin top coat too, so it was pretty bumpy over the matte. After 15 minutes and it still being tacky, I swiped some SV over each nail and rolled over to go to sleep 5 min later.


Here's a pic with SV


Not that you can really tell a difference, but in this one you can really see the red in it. I think it's shinier too.

TTFN! I'll post my NYE mani later.

Haul pics plus Zoya Veruschka and Claire's Grey Matte

Here are a couple of pics of recently bought polishes I have to dive into ...


These are all the Zoya Green Friday freebies! So satisfying to look at them all in a row. From L-R Envy, Suvi, Veruschka, Irene, Midori and Tangy.


And then there's the Zoyas I bought to get the greens for free! Loredana, Savita and Yummy. Also pictured are Claire's Grey Matte and Jade Matte (I think that's what it's called ... don't feel like digging out the stowed bottle atm) and a couple of no names I got in a holiday set that I found clearanced for 75% off, lol. I got a bottle of Barielle fast dry top coat at Marshall's too, for 2 reasons ... 1) to test out against Seche Vite and 2) The Divine Miss M DROPPED my SV down an open vent, and I couldn't retrieve it (nor could I get to Sally's in a timely manner, lol)!!!


Now for the swatches ...


Claire's Grey Matte


This is 2 coats after a day of wear ... you can see how un matte it is, lots of light reflecting there. I applied this at work, probably around noonish, and this is how it looked around 8 or 9pm. After I took this pic, I added another coat to see if it would remattify.


And it did. Sort of ... I LOVE the color. The matte quality is pretty poor though. It was really easy to work with, thick like most mattes, but didn't dry so fast that it was hard to work with. I wouldn't run out and buy it if you happen to have a grey polish and a matte top coat already, ya know? I only wore this for 1 day (not even 24 hours), and even though I didn't get any chips, I get the impression that this would chip pretty readily after a full day or so. Overall, I like it, but I don't love it.


Zoya Veruschka


Great polish overall. This pic was taken immediately after applying the 2nd coat (over a nail strengthener and Orly Bonder), so a bit sloppy. I don't have any real complaints, but no real raves either. It was easy to apply for the most part, opaque on first coat but I still did 2. I did this last Sunday night, and aside from some tip wear and a few dings (which are totally my fault, lol), still looks good. The matte finish has worn to a satin, but that's to be expected. The dark green looks great on my short nails. I love that it doesn't look black in low light. I really dislike dark polishes that just look black in everything buy bright sun. Here's a pic of what it looks like right now in really low light:



See? Definitely not black. :) I can see myself wearing this one again and again.


Tomorrow I paint again ... is there any one of the polishes above you'd especially like to see? I'll take votes into heavy consideration, lol! I have so many choices these days it gets a little tough to decide where to go next! I'm thinking Savita or Yummy.

NOTD: Diamond Cosmetics Chainmail Charm

Diamond Cosmetics Chainmail Charm

This polish is absolutely gorgeous. And for a $2 nail polish, I'm in disbelief about how wonderfully it applies. I think Diamond Cosmetics may be one of my new favorite brands!

I first heard about this company from Brooke at Getcha Nails Did and I am so glad I took her advice and ordered.

My indoor pics don't quite capture the holo quality of the polish, but trust me, it's amazing in the sun. Brooke has some pictures that show it a little better.

This is two coats topped with SV. I'm on day 3 and I have hardly any tip wear BTW.

OPI Color of the Week: Dazzled by Gold

OPI Dazzled by Gold
an ULTA exclusive


It's gold. It's sparkly. It's OPI.

Need I say more?

3 coats with a top coat

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Sample Sale

Sephora by OPI Sample Sale

Things have been so crazy recently, with the holidays and all, I haven't even photographed the last 3 manis I've done! I painted this holiday-ish color on the 23rd and am just now getting around to shooting it, and that's why you only get to see the pinkie nail! They will be getting repainted tonight.

Seriously, I haven't tried a Sephora by OPI shade I didn't like, and this was no exception. It was gorgeous and perfect for the holidays. I'm on day 4 and no chips in sight. I did lightly file the tips last night to remove some of the tip wear so that I could get one more day.

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of some of the colors
I'll be sporting in the weeks to come. :)

Shown above: (All OPI colors)

DS Fantasy, DS Coronation, Shanghai Shimmer,
Sea Ya Later, Sailor!, and Blushingham Palace

Shown above:

LA Colors Enchanting, China Glaze Emerald Sparkle,
Sinful Colors Let Me Go, OPI Chicago Champagne Toast,
and OPI Sheer Your Toys

Plus, there are many more new colors waiting
patiently to show their stuff! :)

New color of the week coming tomorrow and
after the 1st, come back for the big announcement and giveaway!

Ugh, I KNEW I had more pics to spam you with!

Sasha, I really wish I could edit! LOL!


So, I went back through older pics and found more swatches. This will (hopefully) be short and sweet. Less blabber mouthing, more picture posting.



Messy OPI All That Razzberry


With China Glaze Matte Magic and a shiny french tip:



Zoya Harley:





Zoya Harley with Matte Magic:









I tried real hard to get a pic of it, but after a few days the matte magic top coat starts cracking. On Harley, it looked JUST like cracked concrete. It was half cool as hell and half trashy looking. LOL.


OPI Ruble for your Thoughts, regular and matte:



I wore this matte a couple manis in a row. Very cool.


Overall, I really like China Glaze Matte Magic top coat. It dries really fast, so that's cool. It transforms polishes you already have, so it's a bargain. It only takes a couple of days before polish starts cracking though, so that's kind of a pain. It also changes to a satin finish pretty quickly. That can be remedied with another coat, but I think that makes it crack faster. I haven't tried any other matte top coats, so I can't compare.


Hope you like! That's really all I have for now.

Absenteeism is the New Involved ...

Or not. Just making light of my habit to commit to something, go all gung ho for about 10 minutes and then drop the ball like I've done it before ... :-D

Merry Crimmah everyone! We had a good one. I've been painting and taking pics of most of what I've worn, but just haven't had the motivation to post. I suck. Fully aware. So, here's some picture spam!!

This one is really special. It's by OPI and called Dr. Pepper Cure and was handed out as a swag gift at a McDonald's trade conference or some such. I haven't been able to find ANYTHING about it on the net (google, ebay). My coworker owns a bottle of this color (her real job is at a dairy that supplies McD's with their mix for milkshakes and whatnot. Nifty.), and even though I don't particularly care for it, in general or on me, I WISH I had it just to say I had something rare, LOL! I didn't do a spectacular job of painting, which is why you only get a thumb. What can I say ... I was painting my nails at WORK! LOL! Just for you people, so you could see it! You're welcome ... ;-)


This next color is really nothing special. I think colors like this are called "mom colors" in the polishsphere, but I really love it for all it's tameness. Maybe it's because I'm a mom. Who knows. Maybelline Express Finish Cocoa Motion. I kind of love the name. As you can see though, there's nothing cocoa about it. It's way mauve. But whatevski. My complaint? The quality SUXXORS!!! OMG, it sucks so bad. I have other pictures, and wouldn't DREAM of posting them (that's why you got the single finger again, LOL!). I did a full on mani, sticky base, 2 coats color, 1 coat SV, and my nails looked like absolute CRAP within a day. Blah. GET WITH IT MAYBELLINE!! Your polish SUCKS!


Here's another Maybelline called Timeless Pink. Really pretty color (another mom color, lol), but I def think this is more peach than pink. It has a hint of shimmer (I wish it were creme), and comes with the same shatty quality as all the other Maybelline polishes I have (good thing I only payed a buck a piece!!). That's why Mr. Pointer is hiding in this pic.



And that concludes my spam. Sheesh. That's WAY anticlimactic. I thought I had more ... they must be on the camera (the last thing I DLd was Halloween! Eep!). I lost the cord too. :-( Santa DID bring me a new (slightly less lame) camera for giftmas though, so I'll have them up soon.


I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year!!

Merry Christmas

From all of us here at Manicure Mommas,

Merry Christmas!

OPI Color of the Week: Dreaming of Red

OPI Dreaming of Red
An ULTA exclusive


After seeing this on Sasha's nails, I was really excited to try out this color.

It's official. When I have long nails, I love how red looks on them. When I cut them all off in a fit of frustration, like I did last night, they look horrible; like bloody red stumps at the end of my fingers.
Not pretty at all.

Anyway. Below is 3 coats and a regular top coat

And below is where I got fancy and added Zoya's Sparkle Top Coat

I like it both ways, but the sparkle screams Christmas to me more.

Y'all have a very Merry Christmas!

Winner of Sephora by OPI Polish

Commenter 10 was The Nail Novice! Congrats!

It's a Girls Night Out

Brooke from Getcha Nails Did and I met for wings and beer on Tuesday night and we had a fabulous time! I was in need of some "girl time" and chatting with a fellow nail polish addict really did the trick.

Brooke was so sweet and had a fabulous bag of goodies for me. I am dying to try the Finger Paints polish because I've never used that brand before and they are gorgeous!

Icy Iris, Candy Cane Shimmer, and Decked With Dazzle

Thanks again Brooke- can't wait to do it again when your RBL order comes in! :-)

Nail Pictures

Well Mr. Frog did a Christmas miracle and got my computer working, for now.

I don't want to know how he did it, I'm just grateful.

So is he.

Here are the pics of my nails with Shim-merry Chic.

Enjoy!

OPI Color of the Week: Shim-merry Chic

OPI Shim-merry Chic from the
2009 Holiday Wishes collection

I'm having computer problems, as in mine died a horrible death and I'm waiting on Santa to bring me my grown-up Christmas wish in the form of an OPI Princesses Rule! laptop by Dell.

I'm stuck waiting until January.

Since all my camera equipment, and pictures, are stuck on the
deceased desktop downstairs, let's just pretend that you can see my nails in a, as OPI describes it, lovely
"gorgeous glimmer of bronzed gold".

I see it more as a light brown with green undertones
filled with red and orange glitter chunks.

Blech.

Next week I plan to wear OPI's ULTA exclusive, Dreaming of Red,
which can be seen on Sasha's nails in the post before this one.

I'm actually looking forward to that one.

The week of New Year's I plan to wear the OPI ULTA exclusive,
Dazzled by Gold.

Gotta have the bling on for the New Year.

The week after that, if I don't have my computer problems solved, I'll be found crying into my polish stash while drinking a bottle of White Zinfandel and babbling about not being able to share pictures of my nails.

It will be ugly.

Let's pray it doesn't come to that, m'kay?

I have wicked major news to share that will effect
my posts for the next year.
That will be coming up at the beginning of January.

NO, I'm not pregnant.

Be watching for that announcement, as well as a little
contest to celebrate said wicked major news. :)

Y'all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here's to 2010!

NOTD: OPI Dreaming of Red

OPI Dreaming of Red (Ulta exclusive)

What a pretty red! Not all that unique, but still pretty. We all know Suzy loves her reds!

Slight tip wear, but I painted about 24 hours ago and remember I shuffle paper for a living. It's bound to happen!

Perfect for Christmas-Essie Ruby Slippers

Essie's Ruby Slippers

Oh em gee! Squee!

Y'all know how I'm not a fan at all of reds or darker colors, right?

This color might just might make me change my mind!

It's a deep red, and just look at all that glitter and sparkle!

Unfortunately, they don't make this color anymore.
I found this mini (yes, ack! only a mini)
stashed major deep on an endcap at TJ Maxx.
May we all be so lucky to find the perfect Christmas red.

OPI Dear Santa might be close, but IDK for sure.

Good luck finding your perfect red for Christmas!

Sephora by OPI Giveaway!

It looks like I've overbought, and you can benefit from my over-shopping!

I'm going to give away these two Sephora by OPI shades. So pretty- but I don't need two!

One winner will win both shades, both new and unopened.

Sephora by OPI Meet for Drinks (indoor pic)

Sephora by OPI Queen of Everything (outdoor pic)

To enter:

Tell me your absolute favorite nail polish ever. This rule is a must! This is your first entry.

For additional chances to win:

•Follow this blog (if you already do, that counts)...leave a separate comment telling me

•Tweet this contest...leave a separate comment including your tweet link

•Post about this contest on your own blog...leave a separate comment about your post

Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments!

Contest ends Friday, 12/18 at 10pm CST and is open to US residents only.

Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

Good luck!

NOTD: Sephora by OPI Worth My Weight

Sephora by OPI Worth My Weight

Holy cow, this is blingy! Three coats (which is rare for me, I always stop at two).

Regretfully, I think I'll be taking this off. I wanted to like it, I really did, but I just can't get over feeling like I'm too old and plain for this color.

Maybe for a party? But I've just got regular-old stuff to do over the next few days, and I'm afraid my nails might be overdressed!

A Side by Side Comparison/Color of the Week

I mentioned when I did the Christmas polish giveaway that I thought Amethyst Twist (from the mini pack) was extremely similar to Visions of Sugarplums (an ULTA exclusive).

I decided to do an alternating finger comparison to see if there was any visible difference. You can see for yourself below.

In all the pictures following,
Pointer and Ring fingers are Visions of Sugarplums
and
Middle and Pinky are Amethyst Twist

Please excuse the horrible sight of the area surrounding each nail. Purple seems to be next to impossible to remove from skin without leaving a nasty red residue behind. Plus, I wanted to hurry and get this up so I could get back to my birthday cake. :)

Overcast sky

Full sunlight (pardon the sock-covered toes)

Personally, I see a minor difference in the colors.
The Amethyst Twist is a little darker.
Do you see it?

P.S. This post also covers my color of the week post. :)

NOTD: Zoya Harlow

Zoya Harlow

I am over-the-moon in love with this color. Gorgeous! I think the application on this matte was better than thre first three Zoya mattes I tried. The formula seems to be improved on a bit.

I did a coat of Orly Bonder and let it dry for 10 minutes and then applied two coats of color. Of course, they were dry almost immediately, which is one of the things I love about mattes.