Monday, December 31, 2012

A Perfect NYE mani: China Glaze Glitter All the Way

China Glaze Glitter All the Way

I have to admit I was a bit puzzled by this shade being included in China Glaze's Holiday Joy collection... until I realized it would make a great New Year's Eve mani. It has gold, green, red, and purple glitter and screams party. In fact, I think it's also a perfect Mardi Gras polish.

The above swatch is three coats, topped with a coat of Gelous and a QDTC. It was still a bit bumpy, so next time I'd try two coats of Gelous to see if that smooths it out.

This pic is also on day 4..... which is pretty amazing since straight glitters tend to chip like crazy on me. This one wore like iron and that was a pleasant surprise!

If you have plans tonight, I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating. I am looking forward to a nice evening at home with the family.

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas NOTD: OPI Visions of Sugarplum

OPI Visions of Sugarplum

This was the shade I chose to wore for Christmas and I LOVED it. This was an Ulta exclusive for Holiday 2009 and I can't believe I have wait this long to wear it. Just two coats and application was perfect.

What did you wear for the holidays?

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Monday, December 24, 2012

NOTD: OPI Skip the Gift Wrap and mini set wrap-up

Just in time for Christmas, I finally finished swatching the Ulta OPI Stuff My Stocking mini set.
 

OPI Skip the Gift Wrap
2 coats
 
This was the last shade I tried and I think it's my favorite. It is very glow-y and a perfect Christmas green.


OPI Gift Cards for Everyone!
(setting sun shot)
2 coats


OPI Last Minute Shopper
2 coats

 
2012 Ulta OPI Stuff My Stocking holiday mini set
(Last Minute Shopper, Skip the Gift Wrap, and Gift Cards for Everyone!)

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!


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Friday, December 21, 2012

Ulta OPI Holiday Mini sets 2006-2012

As I was putting my 2012 Ulta OPI holiday mini set away with my others, I realized I have all the sets from 2006 thru 2012. Did they do sets before 2006? I will have to visit Mr. Google and check.


2006
Ulta's Gift of Color
with free cell phone charm
note no mention of OPI printed on the front
Is That For Me?, What I've Always Wanted!, Cheery Cherry



2007
Ulta-Mate Celebration
with free holiday purse
Merry, Merry!, Candy Cane Cutie, Hip Hop Holly
(so very sad I've misplaced two of these!)


2008
Ulta Season's Sparklings!
free shimmer wristlet
Berry Brilliant, Season's Sparklings, Pretty Plum-tious


2009
Ulta Tiny Tinsels
Berried in Gifts, Amethyst Twist, Silver Bells


2010
Ulta Holi-daze
All the Berry Best, Gift of Gold, Plum Full of Cheer


2011
Deck Your Nails
first time "Ulta" doesn't appear to be part of the mini collection name
Speak for Your-Elf, A Sparkle Yule Love, How's It Snowin'?


2012
Stuff My Stocking
(this is the first year the color names aren't printed on the front)
Last Minute Shopper, Skip the Gift Wrap, Gift Cards for Everyone!

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

NOTD: OPI Seche Collage Overlay

Seche, the company that makes the well-know quick-day topcoat called Seche Vite, recently released a limited edition Collage Overlay topcoat. I picked it up at Sally's recently and thought my purple mani might be a great base to try it over.

OPI Gift Cards for Everyone! (2 coats)
topped with
Seche Collage Overlay (1 coat)



I really wanted to like this. I really did. But it was problematic for me for a few reasons.

1. It was hard to apply. I really had to push the glitter around, and even though I tried really hard to get a even coverage, it did not happen.

2. There are some pieces of random white glitter in the bottle. But so few that I only got *one* out when I applied this on all 10 nails. Wish those weren't even in there.

3. The polish was quite thick and it applied very unevenly.

I did find that a coat of Gelous smoothed it out quite well. But I'm still not loving it.

Have you tried Seche Collage Overlay?

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Friday, December 14, 2012

NOTD: OPI Last Minute Shopper topped with China Glaze Pizzazz

OPI Last Minute Shopper (2 coats) from the Ulta Stuff My Stocking mini set
topped with
China Glaze Pizzazz (1 coat) from the Holiday Joy collection

The above pic was taken in the sun.

But I thougth a shade pic showed the colors of the glitter a bit better.

Pizzazz was a bit hard to work with. I figured it would work better as a topper than on its own, but now I'm not so sure. It was pretty thick and I had to work to spread it out and still be able to see the base color underneath.

I will say that one coat of Gelous smoothed it out great, so that's all I used before I added my QDTC.

Have you used Pizzazz by itself, or did you use it as a topper?

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

NOTD: OPI Last Minute Shopper

OPI Last Minute Shopper

On Black Friday I picked up the Ulta Exclusive OPI Holiday Mini set (as I always do!). I need to take some pics and document all the sets I have.... I have them going back quite a few years.

2012 Ulta OPI Stuff My Stocking holiday mini set
(Last Minute Shopper, Skip the Gift Wrap, and Gift Cards for Everyone!)

In person Last Minute Shopper leans so much more pink than red on me..... Application was nice and even at 2 coats. I've seen other bloggers say they needed 3-4 coats for full opacity, but mine was fine at 2.

Did you pick up the Ulta Exclusive OPI Holiday Mini set this year? I got it for $7.50!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Long Kiss topped with Sephora by OPI It's Real 18K Gold Top Coat

China Glaze Long Kiss (2 coats)
topped with 
Sephora by OPI It's Real 18K Gold Top Coat (1 coat)

When I saw that the Sephora by OPI It's Real 18K Gold Top Coat was on sale for $15 (regular price is $30) I ordered it and couldn't wait to try it.

I grabbed a very old China Glaze that was in my un-trieds bin- Long Kiss. It was still in great shape after all these years and didn't even need to be thinned.

I LOVE how this mani turned out. Next time I'm going to try 2 coats of the gold top coat and see how that looks.

The finish was quite smooth, so I didn't even need to use any Gelous before I used my QDTC.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Phat Santa topped with Party Hearty

China Glaze Phat Santa (2 coats)
topped with 
China Glaze Party Hearty (1 coat)

I've been doing some major polish re-organization and taking note of what is untried. Somehow I had a few from China Glaze's 2010 Holiday collection untried. I figured I'd knock out two with this mani. Party Hearty is fun- I think I need to try it over a lighter base shade though, to really see the red glitter pop.

Details

Brand/NameChina Glaze Phat Santa (2 coats) topped with China Glaze Party Hearty (1 coat)

Topcoat: 2 coats of Gelous to smooth out glitter topped with 1 coat of NYC Grand Central Station

Price: I purchased these for roughly $3 each from www.transdesign.com

Collection: Phat Santa and Party Hearty are both part of China Glaze's Tis The Season To Be Naughty And Nice (Holiday 2010). Other shades included in the collection are:
  • Cheers To You
  • Frosty
  • Jingle Bells
  • Jolly Holly
  • Little Drummer Boy
  • Mistletoe Kisses
  • Mommy Kissing Santa
  • Midnight Kiss
  • Mrs. Claus
  • Naughty And Nice
  • Party Hearty
  • Peace On Earth
  • Phat Santa
  • Ruby Deer
  • Snow
  • Sugar Plums

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Thursday, December 6, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Winter Holly

China Glaze Winter Holly
from the Holiday Joy collection

As I did with Champagne Kisses, I did start to get chips on day 3. Dense glitters like this always chip pretty easily on me. Nevertheless, this is GORGEOUS! It is absolutely amazing in the sun.

The above pic is two coats. It's very a very hungry glitter, so I did two coats of Gelous before my QDTC and that helped smooth it out.




I've still got Glitter All The Way and Pizzazz to swatch, so stop back by soon to see them. Should I try them on their own or as a topper over something else?

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

NOTD: OPI Merry Holly-Days! topped with Revlon Stunning

OPI Merry Holly-Days!
topped with 2 coats of Revlon Stunning
(sun)


(shade)

I needed another glitter topper like I needed a hole in the head, but that did not stop me from picking up Stunning! It's quite pretty, and amazingly did not even need a coat of Gelous to be smooth. I just topped it with NYC Grand Central Station and it was nice and even. Bonus!

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Monday, December 3, 2012

NOTD: OPI Merry Holly-Days!

OPI Merry Holly-Days!

I *believe* this was an Ulta Holiday 2008 exclusive. I found a pic of this that I posted on my personal blog in December 2008 (I certainly needed to do some filing!) and that's how I referred to it, so we'll go with that. Google wasn't particularly helpful in verifying this I'm afraid.

The above swatch is 2 coats, and I love this glowy red so much! Application was easy and perfect and topped with NYC Grand Central Station, I got no shrinkage as you can see by this picture taken on Sunday morning after I did this mani on Saturday evening.

Anybody have any info on this shade?

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Champagne Kisses

China Glaze Champagne Kisses

I was hoping Champagne Kisses would have the same holo glitter that Angel Wings and Glistening Snow did, but it just wasn't as apparent. Quite pretty, but just not as holo.

The above swatch is two coats. I found it to be very gritty (even after one coat of Gelous), so I actually did 2 coats of Gelous before I did my topcoat (NYC Grand Central Station) and that worked great and left a nice shiny smooth finish.

I did start to get chips on day 3, but it was nice to see that it was easy to remove using my scrubby tub- no foil or finger cot method necessary.




I've still got Winter Holly, Glitter All The Way, and Pizzazz to swatch, so stop back by soon to see them.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Ruby Pumps

China Glaze Ruby Pumps

I was doing some major re-organization of my stash this weekend, and I realized that I have never swatched Ruby Pumps! I know that I have worn it, but how in the world did I manage to skip taking a pic? Who knows, but I knew I needed to remedy that because it's gorgeous.

The above swatch is three coats, but two would be fine. The best thing about this polish is that it dries smooth, so you don't need to add a coat of Gelous before you do your QDTC. That certainly made for a quick and easy mani.

What classic China Glaze is your favorite? This is definitely mine.

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Monday, November 26, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Angel Wings

 China Glaze Angel Wings
from the Holiday Joy Collection for Holiday 2012

Just like with Glistening Snow, there is gorgeous holo shimmer! I love it!


The above swatch is two coats. I found that it was pretty gritty (even after one coat of Gelous), so I actually did 2 coats of Gelous before I did my topcoat (NYC Grand Central Station) and that worked great and left a nice shiny smooth finish.




Stop by back this week as I plan to swatch the rest of what I ordered. I ordered all but the red cremes and Pure Joy- this is a dupe for Orly Devil May Care from their Naughty or Nice Holiday 2012 collection.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Glistening Snow

China Glaze Glistening Snow
from the Holiday Joy Collection for Holiday 2012

Look at that gorgeous holo shimmer! I love it!

The above swatch is two coats. I found that it was pretty gritty, so I did a coat of Gelous before I did my topcoat (NYC Grand Central Station) and that worked great and left a nice shiny smooth finish.



There are some really pretty shades in this collection. I ordered all but the red cremes and Pure Joy- this is a dupe for Orly Devil May Care from their Naughty or Nice Holiday 2012 collection.

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Friday, November 16, 2012

NOTD: Pop Culture Cosmetics Neverland

Pop Culture Cosmetics Neverland (2 coats)
over China Glaze Blue Bells Ring (2 coats)

Do you have mani ADD like I do? I have so many pretties, it is hard to wear something for more than a day or two!

And that's what happened with China Glaze Blue Bells Ring... it still looked nice, but after a day it needed a little something.... glitter!

So I added 2 coats of Pop Culture Cosmetics Neverland and it satiated my desire for something different. Denise has a great pic showing it over black. I think I will have to try that next.

You know my love for mini bottles- I am so glad Denise offers them. Her pricing is fabulous too- just $4 for her mini bottles, which hold 5mL.

Disclosure: Neverland was provided to me for review purposes.



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Thursday, November 15, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze Blue Bells Ring

China Glaze Blue Bells Ring

I recently ordered quite a few shades from the new China Glaze Holiday Joy Collection for Holiday 2012 and found myself craving the blue shade first.

Blue Bells Ring is so pretty! It was almost a one-coater, but I had a few spots that needed another coat, so I think two coats is best.

There are some really pretty glitters in the collection that I'm drying to try, so watch for swatches of those soon!

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

NOTD: Pop Culture Cosmetics Glitterazzi over Revlon Saucy


Revlon Saucy (2 coats)
topped with Pop Culture Cosmetics Glitterazzi (1 coat)

Denise from Pop Culture Cosmetics sent me some of her gorgeous glitters to try, and I thought Revlon Saucy would be a good base for Glitterazzi.

I did just one coat of Glitterazzi and loved the effect I got. I topped it with a coat of Gelous followed by a coat of NYC Grand Central Station and it was quite smooth.

Here's Denise's description of Glitterazzi:

This fabulous polish is a *limited edition* and we've named it Glitterazzi! It's a glitter coat filled with over 65 different glitters of all colors, shapes and sizes, it is really gorgeous!!

All of the polishes from Pop Culture Cosmetics are 3-free....they do not contain Toluene, Formaldehyde or Dibutyl Phthalate.

Disclosure: Glitterazzi was provided for review purposes.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

NOTD: Revlon Saucy

Revlon Saucy

Last week I stopped by Walgreens and this little beauty called my name. In the bottle there is some gorgeous  gold shimmer, but sadly, it doesn't translate to the nail at all. On the nail, it is a glowy red that is really pretty, but you can't see the gold at all.

The above swatch is two coats and I found coverage to be nice and even. Topped with NYC Grand Central Station, it dried nicely in just a few minutes.

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Friday, November 9, 2012

NOTD: China Glaze I Herd That

China Glaze I Herd That
Glittery goodness. I had some chipping when I wore the other glitter like this from this collection (I'm Not Lion) but I am on Day 3 and don't have any chips at all. Hopefully you can see some of the holo glitter in the pic- you can click on it to enlarge it if not. It's really pretty and suits my warm skintone well.

Details

Brand/Name: China Glaze I'm Not Lion


Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 3 coats color topped with 1 coat of Gelous and 1 coat of NYC Grand Central Station

Price: I purchased this for roughly $3 from www.transdesign.com

Collection: I'm Not Lion is part of China Glaze's On Safari collection from Summer 2012. Other shades included in the collection are:
  • Adventure Red-y
  • Call of the Wild
  • Desert Sun
  • Elephant Walk
  • Exotic Encounters
  • I Herd That
  • I'm Not Lion
  • Jungle Queen
  • Kalahari Kiss
  • Man Hunt
  • Prey Tell
  • Purr-fect Plum

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings the Blues

Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings the Blues

This is so so so pretty! You can see I had to cut my nails down a bit.... I had pretty good breaks on two nails and decided patching would be more trouble that it would be worth, so I just cut them down. I am loving this color on shorter nails.

Details

Brand/Name:  Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings the Blues

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 3 coats color topped with 1 coat of Gelous and 1 coat of NYC Grand Central Station

Price: $18

Purchased from: Apothica.com

Collection: The All That Jazz trio, released in Fall 2010, contains these shades:
  • Lady Sings the Blues
  • Razzle Dazzle
  • Some Enchanted Evening

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Monday, November 5, 2012

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle

Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle

Deborah does these glitters so well.... love this one! Two coats wasn't quite enough to I added a third and it was PERFECT. I added a coat of Gelous before my my topcoat to help smooth it out.

Another blogger mentioned she got some staining from Razzle Dazzle, but I did not. I used an Avon mineral basecoat that I think has been discontinued for a while, and it seemed to keep it from staining for me.

Details

Brand/Name:  Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle

Number of coats in pic/topcoat?: 3 coats color topped with 1 coat of Gelous and 1 coat of NYC Grand Central Station

Price: $18

Purchased from: Apothica.com

Collection: The All That Jazz trio, released in Fall 2010, contains these shades:
  • Lady Sings the Blues
  • Razzle Dazzle
  • Some Enchanted Evening

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Friday, November 2, 2012

Swatches: OPI Skyfall Minis

Yesterday when I got home from work I was faced with something quite out of the ordinary- TIME! The kids were done with homework and the house had just been cleaned, and I had about an hour of decent sun left, so I grabbed my OPI Skyfall Mini set and went to swatching!

 GoldenEye
3 coats

You can see I've got some bare areas, especially on my pinkie... but 4 coats is hard to talk me into! Maybe I'll try this for layering?

GoldenEye
macro 

 The Spy Who Loved Me
2 coats

This is gorgeous! It absolutely glows.

The Spy Who Loved Me
macro

The World Is Not Enough
3 coats

This ended up being a favorite for me- I love all the different colors that appear when sunlight hits it.

The World Is Not Enough
macro
blurry to show colors 

Live and Let Die
1 coat- seriously- 1 coat

Ohhh.... a one coater that is rich and dense. It's just lovely. 

Live and Let Die
macro

I always ponder the color choices for the mini sets. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one I would have liked to have had in the mini set. And of course The Living Daylights. At least they aren't putting mini top coats in there anymore.

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