Halloween Mani No. 1

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This is October mani No. 1.  LOL

 

October... seriously being one of my favorite months of the year.... the weather, Halloween, like, what's not to like?  Oh, and Walking Dead returns.  :)

 

Anyway.  I digress.  Here I used two coats of Kelly by Zoya, a slight glitter gradient using Some Like it Haute by China Glaze and then using Winstonia plate W116 stamped a few of the images using Konad Special Black.  I started off simple, no?

 

Happy Polishing!

 

 

It's almost Halloween...

This is two coats of Zoya Kelly using Millennium by China Glaze for the image from Bundle Monster BM-224 image plate.  Cute, no?  As usual, no formula issues with Zoya and Millennium always stamps so well.  It really is a go-to for stamping purposes.  Let's see what else we can come up with for Halloween. 

Happy Polishing!

Misa, It's Always Been You!

Hey Ladies! Sorry for the lack of posts this week. My boyfriend left Monday night and I immediately jumped into studying for the ethics portion of the bar exam that I'll be taking tomorrow morning. So with that said, this post is going to be quick and to the point because I have more studying to do. This is It's You! by Misa. This is a deep dark gray (almost black, but not quite) with green and pink/purple duochrome shimmer. It's a weird duochrome though. The color doesn't shift in the same way as other duochromes. I think different lighting brings out the two shimmer colors. It was difficult to capture on camera. If you enlarge the picture you can see the pink/purple on the left picture and the green on the 2 pictures to the right. Two coats for perfect coverage. Formula was excellent (as are all Misa polishes). I've even had this one on for 4 days now because I haven't had time to change my polish.

Hope you all like it! Wish me luck on my exam!

Over The Top!

Hey Ladies! You would think I wouldn't get more polish with as much as I have in the un-tried drawer of my helmer... But I went to a local nail supply store and saw Over The Top. I've been eyeing it for months but have never been convinced enough to get it. I finally caved. I like the color but it wasn't what I was expecting it to be. Essie describes this as a dramatic metallic midnight silver. It's really dark but not so dark that it ends up looking black. It's like metallic asphalt. I applied 2 coats. The first coat was pretty sheer. And some spots would have needed a 3rd coat if it wasn't for the fact that the 2nd coat I applied was very generous.

I stamped the swirl full nail pattern from the second Bundle Monster set, BM-201. I think its an adorable pattern. One of my favorites. I stamped using one of China Glaze's best polishes for stamping: Millennium. The swirls cover a lot of the base color so I decided to just stamp the ring fingers. Didn't want to cover up that much of Over The Top.

Happy Polishing!

Jessica Runway Style Collection (Spring 2011) - Swatch / Review

Hey Ladies!

I have another review for you today. I was very excited to receive this collection. It took me a while to get this swatched. Life can be crazy sometimes! This is Jessica's Spring 2011 Runway Style Collection. Overall, I am very pleased with it. This was my first experience with Jessica nail polish.

Lets take a look!

Alluring Creature - This is described as a baby pink color. I think its more of a muted baby pink creme.  I only needed 2 coats for full coverage. Application was great.

Coquette - This color is described as an iridescent gray. This color has a very pretty pink/purple iridescent shimmer. I felt that this made the color unique. However, it was very difficult to capture. You can see some of it on the top right picture. If you can't see it then just trust me... It's there! This color isn't a frosty/metallic color but you do have to watch your application so that it doesn't leave any streaks. This took 3 coats for full and even coverage.

Enchantress - This is described as an orange coral color. I think the coral is barely noticeable. I feel that this is a light orange creme. Application was great and smooth. I used 2 coats for full coverage.

Goddess - This color is described as a shimmery white. They aren't kidding! This is a very pearly white shimmery color. Very frosty like. You have to be careful with application because it can be very streaky. You can see some of that in my pictures. This color took 3 coats for full coverage since its a little more on the sheer side.

Seductress - This color is described as a ruby pink. I know it looks red in my pictures but I swear it was impossible to photograph. However, its not completely inaccurate either. This color switches from ruby pink to a reddish color depending on the light. It's a super yummy jelly (so its a little on the sheer side)! I applied 3 coats before I was satisfied with the amount of VNL. Application was great.

Temptress of the Sea - This color is described as glistening beige. This reminds me of a champaign type beige with subtle silver shimmer. This took 3 coats for full coverage. Application was great.

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What do you gals think?

This collection was sent to us for review. Please read our disclosure policy (here).

Smokin' Hot Flowers!

Hey!

Today I have for you my favorite color from Essie's Winter 2010 collection. I present to you Smokin' Hot. Essie describes this as a "stone-cold fox gray that burns hotter than any flame." I don't know about it burning hotter than a flame though... Smokin' Hot is a yummy purple-gray creme. It leans more towards purple in certain lighting. Application was yummy. Perfect. Flawless. 2 coats for full coverage. 

I then decided to add a little something to it. I used Emotion by China Glaze from the Romantique Collection (Spring 2009). These are great for stamping! Emotion is a metallic warm pink. The color of the bottle in the picture is a little off. But like I've said before: Bottles lie! The color on the nail is accurate. I stamped the flower from the BornPretty plate M71. 

I'm assuming you've all heard of the BornPretty plates by now. If you haven't then I invite you to step out from under the rock and check out the BornPrettyStore (here). They have amazing stuff. Get 10% off until March 31, 2011 with our promo code: NAA10K31. We've also been reviewing their stamping plate sets so check that out as well. You can see all the stamps we've used so far here.

Happy Polishing!

Dr.'s Remedy Winter Wonder Nails Swatches / Review

Hey Ladies!

I have a review for you today! This is a brand I have never heard of before. I have to admit that I wasn't disappointed! Just goes to show that you shouldn't be afraid to venture beyond the big name brands.

These swatches were done without base coat and without topcoat.

Desire - Dr.'s Remedy describes this as a cocoa-meets-hot-fudge handsome hue. This is a yummy simple dark chocolate brown creme. The formula was great. 2 coats for full coverage.

Healing - Dr.'s Remedy describes this as a seductive pewter with deep blue undertones. This is another super yummy light gray creme with a subtle blue undertone. The formula was great yet again. Not chalky. I used 2 coats for full coverage.

Revive - Dr.'s Remedy describes this as a shimmer-infused, Wizard of Oz inspired shade of crimson. This is such a vibrant crimson/ruby red with gold shimmer. The formula was great. I used 2 coats for full coverage.

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Overall - The quality of these polishes was amazing. The formula was great. Not chalky, thick, or watery. Excellent. Personally, I love the square bottle shape. The top/cap feels good in your hands while applying polish. The brush is your standard style. Easy to work with. I recommend them!

Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish is available for $16 online at www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL. Dr.'s Remedy is a new line of doctor-inspirred cosmetics that are dedicated to using clean, hypo-allergenic, anti-fungal 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.

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So what do you ladies think? Have any of you already tried some of their polishes? I want your opinions! Penny for your thoughts!

These polishes were sent to me for review. Please read our disclosure policy (here).

Orly's Pixie Dust

Cute no?  Not so much a neutral, since it's basically gray, but I still feel it's office-appropriate without being mannequin hands.  (Luckily I work at a law firm where they could care less what color my nail polish is.  And even before when I was a court reporter, I'd go before a Judge on a daily basis and my nails were blue or green.  Some would even ask for the name of the shade I was wearing.  I'm just saying... don't put it passed your boss that they could be a bit open-minded to something other than beige for your manicures (which I don't even own.))  Sorry about the rant.  Anyway, Orly never fails me and here we have two coats of Pixie Dust.

Grey with slight silver glass fleck and a tiny amount of blue microshimmer.  It's in there, for sure, because it's just not plain gray but you gotta look closely.  It gives it just enough of something different.  It's nice.   *shrugs*

Happy Polishing!

NOTD: What are you!?!?!

Hey Ladies! 

Today I don't know what I have for you. Seriously... I don't know what this is. I have no idea where Mari found this polish. I'm betting it was a local drugstore/pharmacy. I've never seen this brand before. The color doesn't even have a name... I'll just call this #9 since that is the only thing on the label that isn't standard label text. I'm guessing the brand is WEC and Pronto is in reference to the fact that it's "Quick Dry." This is a gray cream with sort of blue/purple undertones. I almost had a perfect even application with just one coat but in the end I did 2 coats. Better safe than sorry. The polish seemed to be a little watery though... but I'm happy with the end result anyway.

I love the tone of this color. I normally stay away from random drugstore brands because the colors are usually so boring. However, I was actually pleased with this one. Maybe I'll start giving random brands a second chance.

Happy Polishing!

China Glaze's Anchors Away Swatches / Review

Hey Ladies!

Happy Valentines Day! I'm still in St. Louis visiting my boyfriend and loving every minute of it. I managed to sneak some time to prepare this post since I did all the swatching before I left. I have been excited about this collection from China Glaze since I first heard of it. You have no idea how happy I am to have this in my possession. Simply amazing! Let's get started!

All swatches were done without a base coat and without a topcoat. 

Below Deck - China Glaze describes this as a flirty mix of taupe and violet. I think the purple tone is a little stronger in this color than the taupe tone. This is such a yummy creme. I applied 2 coats just out of habit but it was about 98% opaque with just 1 coat! Supposedly it is a dupe (or close enough) to China Glaze's Channelesque.

Ahoy! - China Glaze describes this as a delightfully intense pink that flashes with reflective glass speck. The bottle kind of lies for this color. I thought it was going to be darker. But I wasn't disappointed with what came out of the bottle! I'd say this is an intense magenta pink. It's a jelly but was opaque after just 2 coats. Another nice shocker! There is also an awesome amount of gold shimmer. This color is definitely a stunning member of this collection! Application was perfect. (Please ignore the fact that it looks a little red. My camera REFUSED to cooperate!)

First Mate - China Glaze describes this as a sophisticated and rich navy creme. This is a perfect navy blue. Not too light and not too dark. You can still tell it's a blue! Like Hey Sailor, this is a traditional blue when you think of a nautical theme.

Hey Sailor - China Glaze describes this as a vibrant creme red. Bingo! Vibrant, check! Creme, check! Red, check! This is a traditional red when you think of a nautical theme. And it is sooooo vibrant. Firecracker red! I applied 2 coats for full coverage.

Life Preserver - China Glaze describes this as a highly pigmented and luxurious poppy creme. I'd say this is a slight burnt orange creme. Yet, its still vibrant. I applied 2 coats for full coverage.

Lighthouse - China Glaze describes this as a multi-dimensional, bright yellow glass speck. This yellow is beyond bright... It's blinding! It's a jelly and a bit on the sheer side. I applied 3 coats. I only have one issue with this color. It's perfect when the light hits it because it looks full and stunning. However, when the light doesn't hit it then you see the VNL. The bad part is that since it's yellow it makes your nails look stained underneath. Maybe I'm just weird.

Knotty - China Glaze describes this as a micro-particle beige shimmer. The shimmer is somewhat silverish. I don't think I've ever seen a color like this. It's different. I applied 3 coats. The only problem I have with this color is the same issue I had with Lighthouse. It's great when the light hits it and the shimmer pops... But when there is no direct light it can make it seem like your nails are stained. Obviously, this color doesn't do that as much as Lighthouse does. Maybe a 4th coat could have made this more opaque and solved that problem for me.

Pelican Gray - China Glaze describes this as high shine, cool toned gray creme. This is a cool light gray creme with very subtle shimmer. I think the shimmer is what makes this color so pretty, unique, elegant, etc. I applied 2 coats.

Sea Spray - China Glaze describes this as a calming pale blue creme. I'd say that this is a light pale blue creme with a gray tone to it. This color also has subtle shimmer like Pelican Gray. So beautiful. This is easily my FAVORITE of the collection. I applied 2 coats.

Starboard - China Glaze describes this as a hip and playful green creme. This is a vibrant grassy green creme. I'm not a fan of greens but this one actually works with my skin tone. I like it! I applied 2 coats for full coverage.

Sunset Sail - China Glaze describes this as a delightful peachy pink high shine creme. I'd say this is a peachy beige creme with subtle shimmer (like Sea Spray and Pelican Gray). I applied 2 coats.

White Cap - China Glaze describes this as a whimsical and sparkling multi-dimensional white. This is like a sheer milky white jelly with gold shimmer. This is Frosty's (Holiday 2010 Collection) half-sister. This is the most versatile color of the collection. I used 3 coats for this application. You can wear it alone (if you don't care about VNL). You can layer it over other colors to give it a little boost.

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Overall View: 

Application - Application for all of these were great. All of the cremes were almost 1 coaters. You could probably pull it off if you do a careful generous application. Or you can just do your standard 2 coats if you don't want to be so careful. The best part of the cremes is that none of them were chalky. Definitely a big plus for me! All of the colors applied evenly. No pull by the brush. None of the colors were watery. Overall, excellent!

Colors - This collection has an awesome range of colors. It hits just about every color on the spectrum! You are bound to find something you like (if you don't like them all). How could you not? These colors kick off the Spring season to an awesome start!

Names - I love the names of the colors in the collection. Not only are they appropriate for a nautical theme but they also somehow match the color in the bottle. Get what I mean?

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So what do you gals think? I know you guys have seen these swatches a bunch of times but I still want to know! Which are your favorites? Personally I love Sea Spray, Pelican Gray, Below Deck, White Cap, First Mate, and Ahoy!

These were sent to us for review. Please read our Disclosure Policy (here).

Zoya Intimate Collection Swatch / Review

Hey Ladies!

I'm very happy to share the following with you guys! As you know from our last post (here), we got a little surprise in the mail on Thursday. I tried to swatch them that same night but I wasn't able to finish and I wanted to post the review all at once. So here we go!

(All swatches are without base coat and without top coat.)

Caitlin - Zoya describes this as a smoky purple-tinged medium gray with smooth, opaque creme finish. I agree with all of that except for the purple-tinged part. Maybe it's my vision (or my obsession with all things blue) but it seemed to me to be a smoky blue-tinged gray. Either way, this is officially my favorite of the collection. It's a super yummy creme polish. The application was flawless. One coat could be enough for full coverage if its a nice thick coat. I used 2 in this swatch.

Dannii - Zoya describes this as a medium orchid purple with pink and champagne highlights and flecks of silver metallic shimmer. I didn't really see the pink or silver shimmer. You definitely notice the champagne shimmer. It sometimes can be as strong as a goldish type of color but not overpowering. It is still a very beautiful color. Application was also excellent for this one. Only 2 coats for full coverage.

Dove - Zoya describes this as a soft, light neutral gray with an opaque, glossy creme finish. I couldn't agree more. And as you can see on the bottom right picture, it can be really glossy (without topcoat). I was afraid that this color might be like your typical pastel creme - chalky! But it wasn't! That was a nice shock for me. Again, the formula was great. Application was flawless. You only need 2 coats for full coverage.

Jules - Zoya describes this as a sparkling neutral light taupe with gold, silver and champagne metallic shimmer. I didn't notice the silver shimmer too much. Maybe its because there is definitely more of the gold and champagne shimmer. You can tell the difference in tone between the two. This color overall reminds me of the shimmer in Dannii. Application and formula were perfect. You need 2 coats for full coverage.

Marley - Zoya describes this as a lightest baby lavender touched with a hint of gray-silver and a subtle pearl finish. I can see the lavender in there... but sometimes it seems to be a little like a baby pink too. The pearl finish really is subtle enough to not be overbearing... but obvious enough to make the color unique. Get what I mean? Not too much and not too little. This was another color I was afraid would end up being chalky. But it wasn't! Thank you Zoya! Again, application and formula were amazing. Only 2 coats for full and even coverage.

Sorry the sticker wasn't on the bottle. Don't know if it was missing when we got it or if it fell off at some point and I just didn't notice.

Gemma - Zoya describes this as a light muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer. This description is dead on. Can you see the blue and violet shimmer in the left picture? I tried to capture it as much as possible. This color was the big shocker for me of the collection. 99.8% of greens don't go well with my skin tone. So I was already telling Mari that this polish could permanently stay in her stash when we first got these polishes... But after using it, I think I would like partial custody. LOL! It is a really nice shade of olive green. And the shimmer... Oh the shimmer! That blue and violet is so unique and soooooo awesome! I don't think I've seen a green like this before. Application and formula were great. You need 2 coats for full coverage.

Overall Opinion: This collection rocks! It has a nice variety of different colors. I would say it could have used a blue but Caitlin looks bluish to me (even if my vision might be slightly off) so I'm more than happy! The application and formula were great with all of them. I was afraid some might be kind of chalky but they weren't at all! Across the board, all polishes only needed 2 coats for full coverage.

I definitely think this collection is worth having in your polish stash.

My personal favorites of this collection are Caitlin and Marley. But I have to admit that Gemma left me a little stunned considering my rebellion against most greens.

So what do you gals think? Which colors do you already have? Or which colors are you planning on getting? Which are your favorite? Do share!

This collection was sent to us for review. Please review our disclosure policy (here).

It's You!

Today I have another Misa for you.  I just love their polishes, and this is no exception.  This is a lovely charcoal jelly with lots of green microshimmer.  At certain angles it has a pink flash (duochrome?)  I added a coat of Sally Hansen's Hidden Treasure to it the next day just for effect (bottom left pic).  And who comes up with these names?  Really?  Seriously.  *scratching head*  "It's You".  It's you?  It's who?  This is Misa's It's You!

  Happy Polishing!

NOTD - I Love Kelly!

Hey Ladies!

Today I have the 2nd polish I got from Zoya's Facebook promotion. I present to you Kelly from the Wonderful collection. I don't know what is up with me and grays lately... I am attracted to them. Just ask Mari! This is an awesome gray that seems to have purple undertones when out in the sun. It only took 2 coats for full coverage. Application was great (as always).

Note: I know this looks darker than it normally does (when compared to pictures of other bloggers) but that is how dark it was on my nails. I didn't alter the image colors. Its color accurate to how it was on my nails at least.

I decided to spice things up after a day. I used french tip stickers (the ones that are slightly curved) and placed them on my nails at an angle (from bottom left to top right). I made sure it was on there properly to prevent any color from bleeding underneath and killing my straight lines. Then I used China Glaze's OMG to fill in the bottom half of the nail. I immediately peeled off the sticker and topped it off with Seche Vite.

Not to toot my own horn... but I've never tried this before and I think I did a pretty good job! =)

Hope you gals like it! Happy Polishing!

KOTD: A Tap Dancing Kitty

Hey Ladies!

I literally have a tap dancing kitty for you today... My niece! It's so weird posting a picture of myself on here. Has anyone else pictured what a blogger looks like based on their nails and online personality? And then laugh when you see a real picture of them because its nothing like what you imagined? Or am I the only weirdo? So I imagine some of you gals seeing my picture and thinking "That is Lissi!?!?! Never would have guessed it." LOL!

So my niece is 4 years old and is in dance classes (ballet and tap). On Sunday (June 20th), she had a dance recital. Her class was dancing tap to the Aristocats song and they were all dressed like cute little kitties!

So I promised her I would do my nails with little kitty cats in her honor... Of course she asked me to do cats on her nails too. I had to promise to do them for her the next day (which I ended up doing them tonight) because she wasn't allowed to have painted nails for the recital. So here is my tribute to my little kitty cat:

I apologize for my horrible looking nails and cuticles. I literally did this manicure (with stamp and all) 20 minutes before I had to leave to the show. So I didn't do a good cleaning up job, no pushing back of the cuticles, and no moisturizing. This was a paint and dash mani!

This is 2 coats of Zoya's "Loredana" from the MatteVelvet collection. This color reminds me of fresh asphalt when its still nice and dark. LOL! Zoya describes it as a medium gunmetal gray packed with silvery shimmer and a velvety matte finish. It's not matte in the pictures because I applied a layer of Seche Vite since I stamped. Application was great and it dried super fast (like most matte polishes do).

For stamping, I used China Glaze's "Millenium." The cats are from Konad's S10 image plate. The little fish skeleton is from Bundle Monster's BM04 image plate. I associate cats with fish. LOL!

Hope you gals like it!

NOTD - Concrete Nails

Hey Ladies!

This is my mani from June 17th! This is 2 coats of Zoya's "Harley!"

This color is the reason why you should never trust the bottle. Bottles lie! I thought I wasn't going to like this color based on how it looked in the bottle. But I think it looks totally different on the nail. I just had to get used to it. I'm very pale so light colors scare me just because I feel like they don't stand out on me. But now I love this color. It was a perfect balance: Not too subtle but enough color to stand out!

Zoya describes this as a light concrete gray base with subtle flecks of silver, gold and copper shimmer. They aren't kidding when they say the shimmer is subtle. You can see it more in the sunlight. The concrete description of the base color is 100% accurate to me.

Application was great. You would think this type of color would take a lot of coats for a full and even look. Shockingly, it only took 2 coats for perfect coverage.

Hope you gals like it! My goal is to finish trying out all the Zoya's I got with my exchange. I still have plenty more to use!

Happy Polishing!