Milani - HD/Silver Holographic (08/14/2011)

Sunday's Best!  This is such a gorgeous color that I just had to revisit it (haven't worn it since February of 2010).  Milani HD is a great lacquer and I hear it's being discontinued, go figure?  So, I have a few back-ups one for me and one for swap.  Here are today's pics:

Color Description: Scattered holographic silver effect with a smooth finish.  Can take on the appearance of silver glitter in certain light and even from afar just a beautiful silver lacquer.

Similar To: An excellent comp post was done by beauty blogger Kayla Shevon of Milani HD and OPI DS Coronation.  I own both but Coronation is one of my untried and as she mentioned, though these are not dupes the are extremely close.  So if you can get your hands on HD I would say "run, don't walk" to your nearest drugstore (CVS, Walgreens, etc.).

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, three coats of HD and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.  Some have used up to four coats of HD but since I've shortened my length the VNL (visible nail line) is not as apparent and 3 coats were sufficient. :)

Have an AWESOME SUNDAY!  And see you later on in the week, if not before.

Milani - Hot, Hot, Hot w/ Accent Nail & OOTD (07/30/2011)

Experimentation was the name of the game today with my Milani Hot, Hot, Hot mani.  If you scroll through my previous manis you won't find one hint of nail art other than crackle or glitter, but I was totally inspired by the traveler's tank I found yesterday with a friend!  Aren't the colors wild?  I also found Hot, Hot, Hot yesterday and thought I'd wear them together.


Color Description: Milani Hot, Hot, Hot is a bright orange-red creme that is perfect for the summer.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials then base color Milani Hot, Hot, Hot, then the accent nail consists of Milani Whitest White, Mood (turquoise) in Confident/Peaceful, FingerPaints (navy) in Cobalt Cardigan and Color Club's (dark yellow) I Always Get My Man-darin.  The manicure was then topped with Sally Hansen Mega Shine.  Fun, fun, fun!


Outfit:  I will wear this artsy tank with my navy blue Chico's necklace and a turqouise linen jacket and wide leg slacks.  Patent navy gladiator sandals will finish the look.


Similar To: Very close in hue to OPI's Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It and others in my collection (click for previous review).


Have a great rest of the weekend.  I'm pretty tuckered out and need to get some rest but hope to hear from you soon. :)

Ulta - Set The Nude (Comparisons)

This color choice was inspired by my friend of 25 years.  This weekend we were at an assembly in Mira Loma, California and had the best time of our life.  We ate, we laughed and I saw friends that I hadn't been in contact with in over 20 years.  Good Times!


Anyway, she was wearing Essie Playa Del Platinum and was astounded when I was able to look at her nails and name the brand and color (even though I don't own the color).  I was a little surprised myself - lol!  When I got home I searched for all colors that were remotely close to what it looked like on her.  


Well, from the title of this post, I'm sure, you can figure out which was my favorite.  I ended up picking Ulta's Set The Nude.  I liked the way it went with my complexion the most.  Sad but true, my least favorite of the bunch was the OPI - not warm enough for me.  When I scoured my collection this is what I came up with:


Similar To/Comps:  Hand pic from top to bottom you have Milani Bare to Wear (index), Ulta Set the Nude (middle), Color Club Who Are You Wearing (ring) and OPI Skull & Glossbones (ring).

Skull and Glossbones  | Who Are You Wearing | Set The Nude | Bare to Wear

Color Description:  Set the Nude, in my mind's eye, was the most similar to Essie Playa Del Platinum (or at least this is what I remember it looking like on my friend).  I haven't seen any comps between the two yet.  I really like the greyish, tanish, nudishness of this polish.

Point/Availability:  All lacquers should be availabe online with the exception of Milani's Bare To Wear which was limited edition at CVS a while back.  Prices range from $8.50 to $3.00.


Well, I'm getting another late start on today's Pink Wednesday theme but will be wearing DS Passion, if you're interested (lol).  Will upload post later on this evening EDIT: next Wednesday.  Have an great day, you all!

Milani - Purple Mirror (3/15/2011)

Color Description:  Purple Mirror is a glowy, metallic purple with a satin finish.  I was at a Mom & Pop beauty supply store (the kind that specialize in wigs - lol, if you get my drift) and came across this beauty.  So happy I did!  I'd never seen nor heard of this color and when I googled, it looks like no one else has either.


Similar To: The only lacquer I have in my collection that comes close to this is a very old Orly from the Satin Hues Collection called Satin Finesse.  Can you think of anything else?  Would love to know of more colors like this.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Purple Mirror, one coat of Mega Shine and another coat of my local favorite, Shine & Hold.  Because Purple Mirror dried down, somewhat, flat I put two topcoats but this morning its finish is still satin - still nice.


Price Point/Availability:  This can still be found online in a few places, but it looks like this lacquer dates back to 2007 or before, so it may be hard to find at a brick and mortar.  I happened to pick up an extra ("one for me and one for you") so I will try to do my first "GIVE-AWAY" with it or swap it away.  Not sure if anyone else will be interested!   All I know is I like it A LOT... :)


Can't wait to package this one up and send it to one of you well-polished cuties!  Until then... take care.

Milani - Silver Dazzle (01/29/2011)

Color Description:  Milani's Silver Dazzle (SD) One Coat Glitter lacquer is a blackened charcoal glitter that really comes alive with the right topcoat!  However, without a topcoat it's the closest thing to asphalt that I've ever worn on my nails - from the look to the texture, it's very dark and intriguing.  I wore SD to a gala last night with a long black dress and this jacket, it was a perfect match.


Similar To:  You tell me?  No serious, I'd love to hear what else this is close to because I pulled out my OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous and Brand New Skates - similar in color but look and texture, definitely not dupes.  SD contains brilliant chunky glitter, while the others are more fine and subdued.


This Look:  Okay so you can wear this color multiple ways. 1) one coat lacquer, no topcoat - for that asphalt look and feel, or 2) one coat lacquer, one coat topcoat - for a semi-flat, still textured look, or lastly, like I'm wearing in the pic, 3) two coats lacquer, two coats topcoat - for an out of this world blackened charcoal glitter-fest on the nail.  I was in a rush last night so I wore option #2.

Topcoat Recommendation:  Tonight I had a bit more time so I put on one more coat of SD and a new top coat I'm trying out called Sally Hansen NailShine Miracle (click to read box description) and though it is not a quick dry, it is great for this type of finish, a gritty glitter that absorbs the shine from a top coat - your nails will still look nice but not spectacular.  Well, I topped it off with a quick dry and wahlah the shiniest, most spectacular glitter mani I've laid my eyes on!


Price Point/Availability:  Milani SD is said to be installed in the core line eventually, however, when I picked it up it retailed for $5.00 and was on a promotional display.  I still see some CVS's with this display so you should be able to find it.  The NailShine Miracle is currently clearance priced at CVS for 75% off and that's the only reason why I tried it.  I'm so glad I did, this stuff is AMAZING.


Have you tried any of the products in this review?  If so, please let me know your well-polished thoughts!  Until next time, have an awesome week...