Tuesday, December 22, 2015

China Glaze Better Not Pout

China Glaze Better Not Pout
2 coats
from the Cheers! Collection for Holiday 2015 

Better Not Pout is a metallic berry shimmer. Nothing too spectacular, but nice nonetheless. It was absolutely perfect in 2 coats.





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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

China Glaze Son Of A Nutcracker

China Glaze Son Of A Nutcracker
2 coats
from the Cheers! Collection for Holiday 2015 

Son Of A Nutcracker is s a bright, almost neon, pink-toned shimmery red and I LOVE it! It was absolutely perfect in 2 coats, and although it's a bit different for a holiday shade, I think it's a must have.




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Thursday, December 10, 2015

China Glaze Peppermint To Be

China Glaze Peppermint To Be
2 coats
from the Cheers! Collection for Holiday 2015

Shimmery shades like this are what China Glaze does best so I knew I'd love Peppermint To Be. I got absolutely perfect coverage in two coats, and even my husband commented on how much he liked this one. (He always loves traditional nail polish shades like red and pinks!)


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Sunday, December 6, 2015

OPI Holiday Glow

OPI Holiday Glow
3 coats
from the 2009 Holiday Wishes Collection

I think OPI really hit it out of the park with their Holiday collection in 2009! Holiday Glow is another unique shade, especially for 2009. It's a gorgeous plummy-chocolate brown with flakes of gold and deep red glitter. I did 3 coats to get complete coverage, but you could definitely get away with two.

macro shot




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Friday, December 4, 2015

OPI Shim-merry Chic

OPI Shim-merry Chic
3 coats
from the 2009 Holiday Wishes Collection

macro shade shot

In addition to Merry Midnight, OPI did another flakie for this collection and it too is gorgeous! It's a golden bronze shimmer with opalescent glitter and flakes. I found the application to be a bit better than Merry Midnight- it didn't leave the tip area so sheer. Although I did do 3 coats, I just did that do deepen the color- 2 covered just fine.




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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

OPI Merry Midnight

 OPI Merry Midnight
3 coats
from the 2009 Holiday Wishes Collection

 shade pic

I went though my stash last week and picked out a few shades that I remember being unique that I hadn't worn in a while and OPI Merry Midnight ended up in that pile.

Merry Midnight is a sheer deep warm purple base that has both opalescent glitter and opal flakes. It's really pretty, but the formula leaves a lot to be desired. First, since it's so sheer, you need at least 3 coats to get even base coverage, and even then it is a bit uneven. Second, because of that thin, sheer formula, it's super-hard to wrap your tips with this one. Regardless, it's still gorgeous and for a 2009 shade, very unique. I believe it was one of the first flakies OPI released.



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Monday, November 23, 2015

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede topped with CoverGirl City Lights

 OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede (1 coat)
topped with CoverGirl City Lights (1 coat)

I needed a quick mani last night and remembered that the OPI Suede line usually worked well, as they dried super fast and usually covered in just one coat. Sadly, LPAD Suede was a bit thick so I added some thinner, and I think I did't let it mix well enough because I wasn't very happy with the uneven mani I got.

As I have done in the past, I grabbed my old favorite CoverGirl City Lights for a rescue! LOVE this!



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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Revlon Holographic Pearls

Revlon Holographic Pearls
(1 coat over China Glaze Frosty)

I am such a sucker for a holographic topcoat! Yes, I have China Glaze Fairy Dust, Nicole by OPI Extra Snowflakes Please, and Cover Girl City Lights, but of course when I saw Revlon released a line of Transforming Effects topcoats, I had to have Holographic Pearls.

And I am pleased! I was a bit bored with my China Glaze Frosty main, although it was pretty, so I added a coat of Holographic Pearls and LOVE! Definitely pick this one up if you don't already have a holo topcoat in your collection, or heck, even if you do!



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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

China Glaze Frosty

 China Glaze Frosty
3 coats
from the 2010 China Glaze ‘Tis The Season To Be Naughty and Nice collection

Frosty is a creamy white with a gorgeous shimmer. I'm not typically a fan of plain white polish, so I am loving the shimmer and what it adds to the finish. You definitely need 3 coats of this to get opaque coverage though.



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Monday, November 16, 2015

Sephora Formula X Alchemy II

Sephora Formula X Alchemy II
2 coats

Sadly, I missed out on the original Alchemy shade last year. When I saw there was a second shade released recently, I drove up to my Sephora and picked it up immediately. I am so glad I did! Even at $14, I absolutely love it.

The pic above is a shade shot... because although it's gorgeous in the sun, it's just about impossible to catch an in-focus picture of it.

My Canon Rebel said, "NOPE!"


Looks at all those different colors! LOVE!

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Saturday, November 7, 2015

Essie Da Bush

Essie Da Bush
3 coats
from the 2011 Resort Collection (Fair Game Collection)

This is one of those shades that I totally put off using, thinking I just wouldn't care for it, and would you look at that? It actually looks pretty great on!

I did need 3 coats to get opaque coverage, but it applied nicely and dried well too when topped with NYC Grand Central Station. I feel kind silly for not wearing it for so long!



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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Darling Diva Polish Slutty Pumpkin

Darling Diva Polish Slutty Pumpkin
 
I am totally kicking myself for not wearing this polish last week for Halloween! But I decided- what the hell! I love it so I'll wear it the week after!
 
I ordered this a few years ago strictly because of the name. If you are a fan of How I Met Your Mother, you know what this polish name means. (If you aren't, you can read about it here.) I love the reference!
 
It's truly a gorgeous polish, although I don't believe it's available anymore.  It's a linear holographic orange with varying sized black hexes. The above swatch is two coats and was so easy to apply. I didn't worry about where the glitters were placed- I just did my mani and let it turn out how it was going to turn out.
 

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Friday, October 30, 2015

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Numbskull

 Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Numbskull

A few years ago, Sally Hansen released this print for Halloween, and I ordered several boxes because my sorority, Chi Omega, uses the skull and crossbones symbol often and I've got a bit of a soft spot for it. I am so glad I still had a box left to use this year!

It looks like Sally has redesigned the boxes of nail polish strips sometime in the last few years. Although they still seemed to be price around $9-10, they now appear to come with 12 strips rather than the 16 that came in the box above. I was usually able to get 2 complete manis out of each box of 16 since they had them divided into two separate sealed packages of 8, and I am usually able to use both ends of several of the strips to make a set of 8 cover all 10 nails. The new box would mean I would just get 1 mani of out a box. However, I still consider these to be a pretty good value if you are like me and not artistic at all- these are a quick and easy way to have a mani with some nail art.
Sadly, Numbskull appears to be a discontinued print. Luckily I still have some sealed packages to save for future year!




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Monday, October 26, 2015

Essie Your Hut Or Mine

 Essie Your Hut Or Mine
2 coats
from the 2011 Resort Collection (Fair Game Collection)

The first time I tried this shade I wasn't a big fan, but maybe the sun wasn't out then? Because LOOK! There's a really pretty hidden shimmer that comes alive in the sun. So gorgeous!



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Thursday, October 22, 2015

Essie Tuck It In My Tux

Essie Tuck It In My Tux
3 coats
from the Winter 2014 Collection

Tuck It In My Tux is a creamy, pink-leaning creamy white that gave me a bit of a case of Lobster Hands. If you look closely, you'll see that even at 3 coats, it's still a bit uneven. Not a favorite for me.




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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

a england Rose Bower

 a england Rose Bower
2 coats

an older pic or a prior mani, taken straight on

I was looking for a red for a pedi the other day and grabbed a england Rose Bower. I forgot how gorgeous it was! I decided it deserved another mani. It's from the Burne-Jones Dream collection, and is simply glowy and fantastic. 

Although Rose Bower is considered a holo, it's subtle and the holo that you see in the bottle doesn't completely show once applied. That being said, I still love it. The formula is fabulous and you might be able to get away with one coat if you are careful. I did two to make sure I got perfect coverage.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Essie Jump In My Jumpsuit

Essie Jump In My Jumpsuit
2 coats
from the Winter 2014 Collection
 
Jump In My Jumpsuit was a shade my husband really liked after seeing my strange green crackle mani the other day- he was not a fan of that one! Ha! He really likes what he considers "normal" shades, and Jump In My Jumpsuit would definitely be on that list. Two coats gave perfect coverage.
 


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Friday, October 9, 2015

A Twist on a Crackle Mani

 China Glaze Cha Cha Cha (2 thin coats)
over 1 coat China Glaze Crackle Glaze in Lightning Bolt
 
A few weeks back, I saw a neat "alligator skin mani" using a base of a crackle polish topped with an iridescent green. I thought I'd try to recreate it, and as most nail art-ish attempts go for me, it's somewhat of a fail, but still sort of cool.
 
Back when crackle was popular, I used it quite a few times as a topper on top of a base color. But I've never tried it this way, using the crackle as the base. It gives an interesting look, and although I'd don't believe my nails would pass for alligator skin, maybe it's October or Halloween appropriate?

 Both of these are old shades, back from the days when I was on China Glaze's PR sample list.



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Saturday, October 3, 2015

Essie Double Breasted Jacket

Essie Double Breasted Jacket
2 coats
from the Winter 2014 Collection
 
Double Breasted Jacket is just a great shade to grab. Two coats gave perfect coverage. While the shade itself isn't unique, it is a great formula and a definite favorite.
 


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Monday, September 28, 2015

Julep Maryam

Julep Maryam
2 coats
 
A friend gifted me this shade and it was my first Julep polish to try. Julep describes this as a "dark merlot shimmer" and it's quite pretty. I wish that the gold that you can see in the bottle showed up a bit more on the nail, but I'm still happy with it. I got great even, opaque coverage in two coats.



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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in Boho Blue and Out For Oxblood

Today I have two shades for Fall 2015 from the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear line.
 
 Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in Boho Blue
2 coats
 
This pretty blue is a quite sheer at one coat, but a second adds good coverage, although it retains a somewhat sheer quality.
 
 Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in Out For Oxblood
 2 coats
 
This gorgeous deep maroon is so pigmented- cleanup was a bit hard when I got some on my cuticle in several places. Although you'll need to use a careful hand with this one, the resulting full-coverage shade is perfect for Fall.
 


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Saturday, September 12, 2015

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Rhythm & Blue (with reformulated Miracle Gel Top Coat!)

 Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Rhythm & Blue
 
Sally Hansen recently reformulated their Miracle Gel Top Coat and today I tried a third shade with the new top coat.  This shade, which they describe as a color that "mirrors the hue of a bright blue sky" is gorgeous and I got perfect opaque coverage in two coats. I just can't gush enough about how great the reformulated top coat is. If you tried the old formula and weren't impressed, definitely give this one a try!
 
Here is what they say about the new formula top coat:
 
When partnered with the Miracle Gel shades, Miracle Gel Top Coat volumizes as it protects. The Top Coat formula delivers 2x the volume to your manicure - creating dramatically fuller-looking nails with a high-gloss, mirror shine finish

The result: the look of a gel manicure at home, without the trip to a salon! Miracle Gel's simple application takes just two steps. First, apply two thin coats of Miracle Gel color to clean, bare nails. Then, apply one coat of the new Miracle Gel Top Coat. Natural light does the rest, creating a manicure that resembles a UV / LED cured gel polish and up to 14 days of color and shine. The next best thing to a salon gel manicure, without using an UV / LED light AND removes easily with regular nail polish remover.
 


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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Blue Hue (with reformulated Miracle Gel Top Coat!)

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Blue Hue
 
Sally Hansen recently reformulated their Miracle Gel Top Coat and when I tried it last week I was so impressed! Today I used it again with Blue Hue, which is one of the shades available in a duo pack that pairs the Miracle Gel top coat with a color for approximately $15. Such a pretty shade and I got perfect opaque coverage in two coats.
 
Here is what they say about the new formula top coat:
 
When partnered with the Miracle Gel shades, Miracle Gel Top Coat volumizes as it protects. The Top Coat formula delivers 2x the volume to your manicure - creating dramatically fuller-looking nails with a high-gloss, mirror shine finish

The result: the look of a gel manicure at home, without the trip to a salon! Miracle Gel's simple application takes just two steps. First, apply two thin coats of Miracle Gel color to clean, bare nails. Then, apply one coat of the new Miracle Gel Top Coat. Natural light does the rest, creating a manicure that resembles a UV / LED cured gel polish and up to 14 days of color and shine. The next best thing to a salon gel manicure, without using an UV / LED light AND removes easily with regular nail polish remover.

 


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