Pantone September 2013 Nail Challenge

Hello All! I've been in Instagramland (allthingsnails_) for the last year and promised one of my friends I'd post again because I've come to realize that everyone doesn't have Instagram or even want it, so...

I've challenged myself in two ways with today's post, 1. To come back to Blogger after my hiatus, and 2. To polish my nails more this month and for that reason I created the September 2013 Pantone Nail Challenge!

"For more than 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season’s most important color trends. This [color selection] previews the most prominent hues for fall 2013." -- www.pantone.com

So with that said, I will break this up into a three-post series from the Fall 2013 Top Ten color spectrum (above).

Today we will be showcasing the brights of the bunch:

• Samba (Red) is OPI's Vodka and Caviar

• Koi (Orange) is Misa's Flame Angel

• Vivacious (Magenta) is Zoya's Areej 

Thank you so much to the 500 of you for sticking around, I really hope you like this series and sincerely hope to hear from you. With Blogger, comments mean everything!!! 

Essie - Bazooka

Right in line with Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012, Essie Bazooka is bright and bold and, interestingly enough, very wearable when compared with other neons.  Bazooka hails from Essie's 2012 Poppy Razzi collection, as did, Action (my previous post).


Color Description: Bazooka is a bright orange translucent creme lacquer bordering on a jelly finish.  Again, it is not outlandish and can be very wearable in a fun setting.


Similar To: Bazooka reminds, in some ways of, Sinful Colors Big Daddy.  However, Big Daddy has a bit more red in it.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Bazooka, and one coat of Sally Hansen's Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: Available now in your local drugstores and salons for a suggested retail price of $8.00.

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonliebigstuff/)

When trying to figure out where its name came from, I came across Bazooka bubble gum in the flavor Juicy Orange and the nail polish is the same color as the package.  Coincidence? Probably, but coincidences intrigue me.  This bubble gum was popular in the 80's and 90's. I remember Bazooka but not the Juicy Orange flavored kind.


So what do you think?  Would you wear this color?  Or, better yet, have you ever eaten Orange Juice flavored Bazooka bubble gum?

Essie - Action

Today we have Essie Action from their neon collection - Poppy Razzi, which makes me want to go to the grocery store and pick up a nice big box of Creamsicles!  Very reminiscent of  a hot summer day waiting for the ice cream truck to come my way...

Color Description: Described by Essie as a vivid and wild tangerine, Action is definitely in the citrus family.  As you can see from the picture, it's light and creamy in the bottle but a bit darker and translucent on the nail.

Similar To:  Essie says, Action isn't "your 80's neon" because it has a "new generation of fluorescent pigments" so it's unique to others that may seem similar including L.A. Colors Color Craze in Shock (see Nightly Nails swatch of Shock here) which I thought was an exact dupe - no-go!  Shock is definitely more yellow than orange.

This Look:  One coat of OPI Acrylic Nail base coat, three coats of Action (and I still have VNL - yikes!) and one coat of Nutra Nail Ultra Shine topcoat. (Side Note: I've switched up my base and topcoat. I do this occasionally when swatching and don't plan to wear a lacquer very long).

Price Point/Availability:  The Poppy Razzi collection is popping up at my local CVS and Salon locations.  You may also be able to find this at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Retail price is $8.00.

Well, what do you thing of Essie's fluorescent offering? While it is a fun color that conjures up memories of my childhood, I think the formula could have been better (i.e. somewhat difficult application). 


It looks like they're trying out a new formula that needs a few wrinkles ironed out.  Good thing I was given this lacquer to try by a friend.  We'll see if the next one is any better - I will be reviewing Essie Bazooka next...

Sinful Colors - Big Daddy

Well my darlings, feast your eyes on, what is being promoted for Spring 2012 as Pantone's Color of The Year! Pantone is calling it Tangerine Tango but what you see on my nails is a lovely Sinful Colors lacquer named Big Daddy.

Color Description: Big Daddy is reddish-orange jelly and is not an uncommon shade to get your hands on.

Similar To:  Big Daddy has been touted as an exact dupe for OPI's A Good Mandarin Is Hard To Find by a fellow blogger at  I Like Socks (click here to see comparison post) and I would have to agree from her pics.  Other lacquers that will keep you on trend this spring would bee Essie Meet Me At Sunset and of course Pantone's collaborating collection Sephora's Tangerine Tango.

Price Point/Availability: The Sinful Colors line can be found at Walgreens and retails for $1.99.

Described by Pantone as a "provocative and enticing juicy orange", it's said to be "a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone's outlook this Spring" and I concur!

NYX - Salmon (02/07/2012)

Something new!  To me at least... This is NYX Salmon which is part of new Salon Formula collection and what's really interesting is that they're in Deborah Lippman shaped bottles and are double the price of the regular NYX lacquers, but we'll get to the price a bit later.  So to say the least I was intrigued...


Color Description: Salmon is a muted burnt-orange that's a jelly(yay!) with suspended gold micro-glitter.  It really struck me as unique in the bottle and did not disappoint when it was applied.


Similar To: Another strike-out! I have not seen or know of nothing else like Salmon. However, in hue/color it totally reminds me of OPI DS Tapestry (less the gold glitter).  So for all of you OPI DS girls, you pretty much know what I'm talkin' 'bout... (for more on the DS Tapestry pic check out: Did Someone Say Nail Polish's post).


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials with three coats of Salmon and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: I purchased this at a local beauty supply store for $3.99 which is a deal when compared to the larger brands.  You can also find this lacquer online.


Salmon is long wearing, however, it does take a while to dry due to the jelly consistency; very dentable of over an hour but the results are well worth it. 


Have you seen these new NYX bottles?  Last weekend was my first time noticing them and though all colors aren't unique, there are a few standouts and the bottle is a nice one. :)

Essie - Tart Deco (09/30/2011)

Wow!  How gorgeous is this one and why did it take me so long to purchase it?


Color Description: A beautiful melon color that looks great on any complexion.


Similar To: This has been compared to Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Snappy Sorbet but I don't own that one so wouldn't know for sure.


This Look: Two coats of Essie Tart Deco and one coat of Out The Door topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: This can be found at CVS and other retailers and etailers.  Not at all hard to find... :)


Well, when I wore this everyone was in love with it, even the girl at the In-N-Out drive-thru - lol!  Definitely one to own.

Forever 21's Love & Beauty - Coral (08/06/2011)

This post will be short and sweet!  Let me know you thoughts on this lacquer from Forever 21 - Love & Beauty Coral.

Color Description: The classic orange-red coral.

Price Point: $2.80 from Forever 21.

Similar To: A few in my collection are similar, including last weeks post.  Click here for relating posts.

Have a great Sunday! 

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. :)

Essie - Meet Me At Sunset (4/27/2011)

Orange is one of the hottest trends of this Spring/Summer and Essie hit the nail on the head with Meet Me At Sunset (MMAS) from their 2011 Summer Collection: Color Me Braziliant!  


Color Description:  Essie describes MMAS an "intense flamigo citrine", I say, google "safety orange" and you'll get its overall feel.  But don't feel as if you have to play it safe and pass this one by, it's definitely a wearable orange.


Similar To:  I compared a few orange-reds from my collection here and the bottom line was that MMAS has the most vivid orange hue of them all!  These are all close: OPI - Big Hair Big Nails, Essie - Meet Me At Sunset, OPI - Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It, Borghese - Castello Cherry and Love & Beauty - Coral.


This Look:  One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of MMAS (definitely could've used a third) and on coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability:  Essie retails for $8 at some drugstores and select salon locations.  I really like the fact that CVS is now selling these and I can use my ExtraBucks to purchase them.


Now orange you glad you can be fabulous for as little as $8?  Nail polish is just a little way to introduce trends into your wardrobe and I'm all for that.  Let me know which Summer Essie's you're picking up this season.  Stay well-polished and TTYS!

Q&D - Essie Meet Me At Sunset Comps

We've all been noticing Essie's 2011 Summer Collection: Color Me Braziliant pop up in various drugstores.  Well, while out and about today I picked up two: Meet Me At Sunset (index finger) and Smooth Sailing (the periwinkle shimmer).  

First up we have quick and dirty swatches to  compare Meet Me At Sunset (MMAS) with other similar colors.  As you see I love orange-red cremes but MMAS is a stand out!  


In this pic from thumb to pinky, you have: 

• OPI - Big Hair Big Nails (thumb), 
• Essie - Meet Me At Sunset (index), 
• OPI - Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It (middle), 
• Borghese - Castello Cherry (ring) and 
• Love & Beauty - Coral (pinky)

Now for the bottle pics (in the same order as above) you will see how close they appear.  Please note, though, that none are dead-on dupes, due to their slight nuances.  I can't really pick a favorite but I do know that I will enjoy wearing each and every one of these this season!

I will say this, however, Essie MMAS has the most vivid orange hue and will be my next mani;  for a complete review of this check back a little later.  Hope this helps you make your decision on purchasing the new Summer Essie Meet Me At Sunset (or not) and if you have any questions on where these can be purchased please let me know.

Zoya - Kimmy (Summer Sunshine Collection 2011)

Color Description:  Zoya Kimmy is serious fire on my fingertips!  This color is from the Zoyas new Sunshine collection and they got this one 100% right.  This reminds me of the core of the sun while Zoya Faye (my previous post) reminds me of a beautiful Summer sunset.  This is a super gorgeous orange red with lots of golden micro-glittler.  It's a WINNER!


Similar To:  I went to my collection to check out Orly's Cherry Bomb, as well as, Maybelline's Red Hot Reds (pic from audraelena on MUA).  The actual color of each are very similar, but finish and application are different. Red Hot Reds could qualify as a dupe if it wasn't so thin (it takes at least 4 coats to get to 1 coat of Kimmy), while Cherry Bomb is a frost/shimmer with no micro-glitter taking away from the "wow-factor!"


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Kimmy and one coat of Shine & Hold topcoat.


Price Point/Availability:  Zoyas Sunshine collection is available in salons and online for $8.  Orly's Cherry Bomb can be found at Sally Beauty Supply and Red Hot Reds by Maybelline is discontinued but has been popping up at Big Lots and Dollar Trees nationwide.


Well, talk to you later on in the week!  What were your well-polished selections from the Zoya Sunshine Collection?

American Apparel - Summer Peach (03/28/2011)

Today my nails are short and sweet in Summer Peach by American Apparel.  Spring has just arrived which means Summer is right around the corner and with that said, you may want to look into beautiful pastels such as this.


Color Description: Summer Peach is a very pale peach creme.  It's definitely on the stark side which looks great many skin shades and I really like it on my tan skin!


Similar To:  There's nothing in my collection that even comes close to this, however, it has been compared to MAC's Seasonal Peach and from pics I would agree but I've not seen it IRL.


This Look:  One coat of Starting Over After Artificials as the base and two coats of Summer Peach (applied very thick and somewhat streaky) with one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine to top of the look.


Price Point/Availability:  Online and in-stores at American Apparel for $6 or 3/$15.  Great price for really awesome quality!


Well, that's the look and hope the hear from you soon.  Stay well-polished!

OPI - Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It (12/3/2010)

Yesterday while at Sally's Beauty Supply two sales associates at different times asked me what color this was.  Here I am thinking, "Wow, they work at Sally's with over a hundred shades of nail polish and they're curious about this color - that's amazing!"  I was beaming and was happy to give them the 411.

Color Description:  Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It (TDMMDI - whew!) is an orange-red, leaning towards neon, but not quite.  Vivid and vivacious, TDMMDI reminds me of the safety orange vests worn in Earthquake Drills (a California, thing!), but this color is anything but safe.  It's out there, as far as color goes, but can be worn with pretty much any outfit.

Kleancolor Orange Holo (10/06/2010)

This NOTD is inspired by the base color, a Jennifer nail lacquer, that my friend picked up for me on her tour of the South of France.  She wanted to get this one because she's originally from New York and she had to go all the way to Paris to find something with the description Beauty from New York; the name of this color is Orange. We had a good laugh and since I didn't already own an orange frost I really wanted to try to figure out what to do with it.  

Let me say, however, that orange is my least favorite color to wear, but I also own an orange jelly that I'd never worn so I came up with this combo.There's something very sparkly and delicious about this Kleancolor's Orange Holo; I layered this on top. 

Oh, and by the way, if you don't know what to do with your frosts - layer them underneath a holo glitter and none will be the wiser!

Wahlah!  I introduce to you Holo Orange over Orange frost: 

Looks much more holo in person. (see next shot)

The frost base actually adds a shimmering depth to the finished look which is really pretty.  So don't throw out your frosts - LAYER THEM!

Dark shot for holo effect; difficult to photograph.

Holo Orange is a jelly and really can stand alone at about three (or four) coats. 

Here's a macro shot which shows the sparkleliciousness of it all!

Hope you enjoyed this post and have an awesomely, well-polished afternoon!