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?

Swatches: SinfulColors Holiday 2011 - Wish

SinfulColors Daddy's Girl

a deep purple with a drizzle of shimmer and glitter
A few days ago I showed you this swatch, which is three coats. Today I have a few more shades from this collection.

SinfulColors Sugar Sugar

a candy cane, red-hot tint

Love, love, love this red. Just 2 coats. However, the name Sugar Sugar seems like it would be better suited to a different shade in the collection- this next shade, the silver.

SinfulColors Out of This World

a perfect silver with swirls of glimmer
I thought this silver was so pretty!

SinfulColors Midnight Blue

a bold, bright twist on navy
This swatch is 2 coats as well- it covered beautifully.

There is one more shade is this collection, Last Chance, an emerald with depth and allure. However, I lost the battle with the setting sun and will have to swatch that one another day!

These shades came from their holiday collection called Wish. Here's some info from the press release:

SINFUL COLORS HOLIDAY 2011 - WISH

Bells are jingling, snow is glistening and merry tunes abound: It's the season of shimmer (aka: the holidays) and glamour, of course. And your nails deserve a little gift and loving too. Welcome the SinfulColors holiday 2011 collection, Wish, which delights and excites. The collection takes classic colors - like red, green, silver and blue - and kicks them up a notch to be fashion-forward and festive to ring in 2012.

The complete SinfulColors Wish collection for holiday 2011 includes:

Five gem-inspired shades of polish:
SUGAR SUGAR: a candy cane, red-hot tint
MIDNIGHT BLUE: a bold, bright twist on navy
LAST CHANCE: an emerald with depth and allure
DADDY'S GIRL: a deep purple with a drizzle of shimmer and glitter
OUT OF THIS WORLD: a perfect silver with swirls of glimmer

Two metallic shades of nail art:
FLOWER GIRL: a bronzy gold with tons of sparkle
FASHIONISTA: a glitter-laden pewter



SinfulColors surpasses the masses with more than 150 amazing shades of nail polish, including the above-mentioned shades. All hues are available for $1.99 at major drug and mass-market stores nationwide, by calling 1-800-448-0763 or online at http://www.walgreens.com/.

Disclosure: This collection was provided to me for review purposes.

NOTD: Dr.'s REMEDY RESOLUTION Red Glitter

Dr.'s REMEDY RESOLUTION Red Glitter

from their JOLLY and JOY collection

I have to admit when I read the name and swatched it, I thought "Red glitter? This is quite pink...."

Their press release described the shade as a red-meets-copper spin that's sequin-look-alike laden with high-shine and sparkle.

And I actually think that's pretty accurate. Application was great- super coverage in two coats, and it dried super-fast.

Dr.'s REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypoallergenic ingredients. The birth-child of two New York-based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially-perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold exclusively at www.remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-NAIL.

Disclosure: The polish swatched above was provided for review purposes.

NOTD: China Glaze Poinsettia & Sephora by OPI Be-Claus I Said So

China Glaze Poinsettia

The above swatch is 2 coats and this is a pretty coral red cream. I do have to tell you that I painted my nails about 9 pm and topped 2 coats of color with Seche Vite, and then went to bed about 10. When I woke up this morning I had a bit of sheet marks, which never happens to me. I went ahead and used one coat of the Color Stay topcoat to even the finish out before this pic.

China Glaze Poinsettia
topped with Sephora by OPI Be-Claus I Said So

But I wasn't too concerned, because I already planned on using another of the glitter toppers from Sephora by OPI's Glimmer Wonderland collection. This one is described as clear with medium and chunky red glitter, and I'd say that's about right.

Note that you definitely need to use a regular topcoat after these glitter toppers, because they dry a bit matte. After apply a coat of SV, I took the above pic. I really like it!

NOTD: Nicole by OPI Orna-ment For Each Other

Nicole by OPI Orna-ment For Each Other

This is a new glitter that came out this holiday season, and it's really pretty- it's a clear base with mostly red glitter, but enough gold glitter to give it a gorgeous look. The glitter is dense enough that the above swatch is just two coats. The first coat you're thinking, whoa- this is going to four coats! But the second coat really evens it up nicely.

HOWEVER, this was chip-tastic on me. I used two coats topped with Seche Vite, and after one shower I had a giant chip on one finger. I left it alone, and by the end of the day, I had chips on about 7 fingers. So it might be nice for a special occasion, like a holiday party, but I don't think it's hearty enough to wear as a 3-4 day mani.

Barielle Shades: Holiday Hustle Collection

Shine on this holiday season with six new Barielle Shades that show off your festive tips. The Holiday Hustle Collection brings you new hues combined with flecks of sparkle and metallic shimmer to make you glisten brighter than tinsel.

Step under the mistletoe with Elle’s Spell—a jelly red with multi-colored foil flakes.

I should not have swatched this one last! Since it's a jelly, it was pretty transparent, and you can see the evidence of my long swatching session under my nail tips..... Pretty nonetheless!

Grab some luck with Gelt Me To The Party—a copper bronze metallic.

I did not think I would like this one, as bronze does not usually look good with my skintone, but I really love it!

Stay off the “naughty list” with Coalest Day Of The Year—a carbon gray with white pearls.

Fabulous coverage- almost perfect in one coat, but I did two for good measure.

Tie it in style with Wrap Me In Ribbon—a metallic raspberry with violet and copper pearl undertones.

This was not my favorite shade, but applied nicely.



Cheers to a new year with Jess’ Champagne Toast—a metallic violet with rose gold glitter.

I had the highest hopes for this one, and it didn't disappoint. Gorgeous in the sun.




Bundle up with Snow Day—an ice blue metallic with silver undertones.

Such a pretty silver! Would make a good NYE mani.

Formulated to provide nails with safe, healthy and long-lasting glossy color coverage, Shades by Barielle is free of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl-phthalate. Women can also safely use Barielle products throughout pregnancy.

Size: .45 fl oz. / 13.3 ml

Suggested Retail Price: $6.00

Availability: Ulta Stores nationwide, Ulta.com and Barielle.com

Disclosure: I was sent this collection for review purposes.

NOTD: Finger Paints Icy Iris

Finger Paints Icy Iris topped with Seche Vite

This is one of the gorgeous Finger Paints Holiday 2009 polishes that Brooke gave me right before the holidays at our beer-and-wing night, and I must say her swatches are so much more representative of the actual color than mine- so go see hers too!

I was a little worried about this color after the first coat because it was very uneven. I didn't need to worry, though, because a second coat fixed it nicely and I didn't even need a third.