OPI - Visions of Sugarplum

OPI Visions of Sugarplum was released in the Fall/Winter of 2009 and was an Ulta Exclusive.  This is how behind I am in wearing my lacquers, because I actually wear them for a few days (sometimes up to five) when its a really good color and stays in tact. :)

Color Description: A sparkling purple/wine lacquer with beautiful iridescent shimmer.

Similar To: There are many dupes on the market but the closest is Finger Paints Icy Iris (which is discontinued), however Zoya Valerie is also said to be extremely similar.  This type of color is not hard to find this time of year.

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Visions of Sugarplum 

and one coat of Shine & Hold.

Price Point/Availability: Again, this was an Ulta Exclusive for the 2009 Holiday collection and is now discontinued but there are many drugstore and higher end lacquers with the same look as Visions of Sugarplum.

Thanks for checking in folks!  Talk to you real soon...

OPI - Warm & Fozzie (12/22/2011)

I love this lacquer!  When I wear Warm & Fozzie I can't seem to take it off and as a matter of fact when it is time to remove it I reapply it; I ended up wearing this for two weeks straight one time. As with Designer De Better, this came out this Fall in the Muppets Collection and is limited edition (LE).


Color Description: Straight from OPI, "This feel-good shade of metallic copper will brighten even the dullest days and leave you feeling as if Fozzie Bear just told you his worst joke!" Maybe that's why I couldn't take it off (hehehe). This beautiful coppery-bronze has gold, rust, green shimmer and flecks that will really keep you coming back for more.


Similar To: If you can't find Warm & Fozzie take a look at Color Club's Nouveau Vintage.  Though it's not an exact match it definitely gives you the same feel and is so close I had to check my bottles.  Nouveau Vintage is a tad darker and not as glass-flecked but is a cozy Fall/Winter lacquer just the same.  As a matter of fact, Chromatic Misadventures did a comparison post which I'm attaching for you viewing pleasure (click here).


This Look: One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Warm & Fozzie and one coat of Hold & Shine.


Price Point/Availability: Warm & Fozzie was one of the first to sell out at my local salon, however, they did restock.  So check out your local OPI distributor (Ulta, JCPenney, Salon) soon before it can't be found, after all it was LE.

Nubar - Verde (10/17/2011)

A very sophisticated green, Nubar Verde is on trend for the Fall!  I've owned this lacquer for at least a year and finally decided to wear it and its all that and then some.


Color Description: Verde is, of course, green but with an unusual golden-bronze glass-flecked undertone that sets it apart from most greens out there. It's a beautiful deep forest green with a golden shimmer you don't come by everyday.


Similar To: So close to Zoya Edyta that they could be fraternal twins. My Lucid Bubble did a "smackdown" between the two and here it is for you viewing pleasure.


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Garlic basecoat, two coats of Nubar Verde and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: Nubar Verde is available online at ByNubar.com and retails for about $7.50.


See you on Pink Wednesday peeps! :)

OPI - Congeniality is My Middle Name (07/28/2011)

The many faces of Congeniality is My Middle Name (CiMMN)!  From picture to picture this beautiful lacquer from the upcoming Miss Universe Collection changes hue and finish.  I guess Miss Universe needs to be versatile and  OPI has done it again creating a lacquer that's fitting for the most lovely lady in the "universe".  WARNING: pic overload ahead (from dark to light).

Color Description: Described by OPI as a berry-wine shimmer, CiMMN is a darker in certain settings - very mysterious with micro glass-flecks for an effervescent look.  Reminds me of the purple raspberry that is best picked in early July.  Well it's late July and CiMMN is ripe for the picking ladies! 

Similar To:  There's no dupe in my collection though this put me in the mind of at least two lacquers I own: China Glaze Stella (is a frost and a bit darker but same hue) and Sephora by OPI Screen Test (a bit brighter with no flecks).  Congeniality is My Middle Name falls somewhere in between.

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, three coats of CiMMN (two coats are sufficient but wanted a deeper berry color) and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.

Price Point/Availability: Some retailers have put this collection out a bit early (score!), but this "limited-edition [collection] will be available beginning August 2011 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for  $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer."

Hope you like this lacquer as much as I do!  Which colors will you select from the Miss Universe collection? I, generally, don't watch the show but will you?

Jessie's Fire Fly over Orly Winter Wonderland (01/06/2011)

Color Description: Winter Wonderland is an icy glass-flecked delight with white iridescence, while Fire Fly has green and yellow iridescence and has more of a foil finish.


Similar To: Fire Fly has been compared to China Glaze's new Spring 2011 offering, White Cap, as well as, the Too Faced for Ulta, Sugar Cookie.  I believe that while Sugar Cookie is similar, Fire Fly has a bit more green going on than either of these comparisons.


This Look:  Two Coats of Starting Over After Artificials (base coat), two Coats of Orly Winter Wonderland, one coat of Jessie's Girl Fire Fly and one coat Shine & Hold (topcoat from local beauty supply).


Price Point: Orly Winter Wonderland was sold at Sally Beauty Supply for about $6 per bottle, however, you may be able to find this clearanced out at your local store.  As far as Fire Fly is concerned, these have just hit the market in Southern California at local Rite Aids and are sold for $3.


Thanks so much for looking and the support... I can't leave this post without saying how happy I am that I now have over 100 well-polished subscribers!