AllThingsNails Spring/Summer 2016

Hi Everyone! Just thought I'd check in to give you a glimpse of what I've been up to on Instagram...

If you have any questions, please ask or just stop on by my IG page: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsnails_/ for more information on 

each pic above. If you'd like a full review on any of these photos, I'd 

be glad to oblige.  And I will give you detailed review here on Blogspot.

I update Instagram, at least, once a week so you can catch me there most 

of the time.

OPI Nail Polish Rack Storage Idea - Watches

Greetings! I thought I'd share this with all of my nail polish fanatics. This is an OPI professional nail polish storage
system that I converted into a watch organization unit. 

I found this rack to be ineffective for nail polish storage because the bottom back section of my polish was not easily accessible, but for watches, oh boy, just perfect if you like to display your beautiful timepieces!

Hope some of you found this useful and can repurpose your old nail polish rack, as well...

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!!! 

OPI - Don't Talk Bach to Me

Don't you just love the title of this lacquer? Some lacquer names I could care less about, others will prevent me from purchasing a lacquer altogether, and some I must own due to the great name.  Well, with this lovely shade, I fell in love with the color long before I knew the name.

Don't Talk Bach to Me (DTBtM) hails from OPI's Germany Collection for Fall/Winter 2012. This collection is described as "edgy elegance" and is said to include "rich colors and striking textures for fall". I would describe it as redundant, with the exception of two shades, the namesake of this post, and Schnapps Out of It!  The other colors I've seen before and could not justify purchasing.

Color Description:  OPI describes DTBtM as a sassy lime-yellow.  It's sassy because there's a secret silver shimmer going on that makes this lacquer extra shiny.  I love this color because on me it turns into a lovely neutral that can be worn with anything.

Similar To: Okay, so I pulled out American Apparel's MacArthur Park and at first glance, in the bottles they look very similar but the AA is darker albeit in the same family.  It has also been compared to Fiercely Fiona in OPI's Shrek Collection (not even close) or China Glaze's Trendsetter which is closer but not nearly enough to call it a dupe.

This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Orderless Garlic base coat, two coats of DTBtM and one coat of my all-time favorite Shine & Hold topcoat.

Velusa: yellow green/gold -
Wallpaper from the 70s

Price Point/Availability: Germany by OPI became available August 8, 2012 and can be purchased at Professional Salons near you including JCPenney and ULTA; retails for $8.50.

70's Vinyl Sofa

Don't Talk Bach to Me is the kind of color that you just forget you have on all together until someone pays you a compliment - which will happen, a lot. This yellow leaning, green reminds me of a throwback to the 70's upholstery fabric or wall coverings.  Just gorgeous!

OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls

Has it really been over three months? The answer is yes! What have I been doing? 

Well, I've been job-hunting, double-dutching, roller skating, watching my weight and just living life.  My nails as you can see are now nubbins but I still like them.

I must tell you, though, I have missed blogging and thought I'd try one of my many untrieds from OPI's Summer 2012 selection. Now on with my Q&D review...

Color Description - The pale gray-blue (almost white) My Boyfriend Scales Walls (MBSW) from The Amazing Spiderman Collection is crisp and fresh. I think this will look great on most complexions!

Similar To - MBSW has been compared to OPI's Alpine White. Not close, in my opinion, and is pretty stand-alone.

Price Point/Availability - This collection became available May 2012 and was limited edition.  You should still be able to find it at your local salon/store.  Retails for $8.50 + tax.

Thank You! - Thanks so much for hanging out and hanging around! I am so humbled to have you all still here and will see you in the very near future...

OPI - I Vant To Be A-Lone Star

I'm attending a wedding tomorrow and will be wearing a yellow/gray floral dress and this color was calling my name. I Vant To Be A-Lone Star is from OPI Texas Collection (Spring/Summer 2011). 


After doing a little sleuthing, it appears that the name of this lacquer comes from a famous Greta Garbo quote from the movie The Grand Hotel. 


Wikipedia states that Garbo saying, "I want to be alone..." became so popular that "in 2005 it was voted the 30th most memorable movie quote of all time." I guess there is something to these collection names, after all.


Description: Isn't she lovely? On my skin tone this shows up as a creamy gray frost (EDIT: definitely a pearl finish not frost) with blue undertones but OPI describes it as a starry-silvery blue.  Whatever the case may be it will look good on anyone!

Similar To: China Glaze Sea Spray is almost a dupe for this out of my collection. It is also said to be very similar in hue to Essie Sag Harbor.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of I Vant To Be A-Lone Star, and one coat of Shine & Hold topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: You can still find this lacquer at some salons and online retailer for up to $8.50.


Have a great weekend everyone!

OPI - Do You Think I'm Tex-y?

Do You Think I'm Tex-y (DYTIT) is from OPI's 2011 Texas Collection and this nail look was inspired by Revlon's Cherries in The Snow lipstick.  It's a new lipstick to me but a cult classic since the 1950's for many.  Isn't it intriguing?


Color Description: I would categorize this lacquer in the raspberry/cherry family as it is a deep pink-red that contains blue undertones.  OPI described it as "a berry" sorbet (jelly) and I concur.


Similar To: Can't wait to get my hands on Revlon's lacquer Cherries In The Snow because even though one is a jelly (DYTIT) and one is a creme (CITS), I believe them to be just about the same color.  Also, I compared it to a vintage Sally Hansen that I own Tropical Rose Creme these are the same, as well.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, one coat of OPI Acrylic Nail Base Coat, three coats of DYTIT, and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine, totaling 7 coats of lacquer! 


Price Point/Availability: Texas Collection by OPI is available at Professional Salons, JCPenney and Ulta, for $8.50 suggested retail.


What finish do you prefer? Jelly, creme, glitter, crackle, holographic? Personally, I'm actually starting to like cremes more than jellies for opacity but you can't beat the shine that a jelly lacquer offers.  A certain yummy-factor like no other. :)

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 - Have You Seen My Limo? (01/06/2012)

So gorgeous in the bottle and out this, somewhat vintage, nail polish was released in 2007 in the limited edition Holiday in Hollywood collection.  This is a very mysteriously beautiful lacquer and I must say that I am not, at all, disappointed.


Color Description:  Have You Seen My Limo? is a subtle duochrome that flashes dark green but is predominantly a deep eggplant purple; one reviewer said it reminded her of a bowl purple of olives - very nice description!  It has very find silver shimmer (just enough not to be frosty) and is one of those colors that have someone grab your hand and say, "What color is that?"  Again, mysterious.


Similar To:  This puts me in the mind of Orly's Royal Velvet (see my post here) but at the same time is totally different. However, this is a nice addition to my Bruised Beauties collection (right click to view post here).  It has also been compared to Sally Hansen's Black Tie.

This Look:  Two coats of Starting Over After Artificials (needed some extra strength because I've been washing dishes with no gloves - FOR SHAME!), three coats of have you seen my limo (for added umph-factor), and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability:  I found this at an old dusty beauty supply and only found one for sale online for $15.99. So if you see this lacquer and you like the color, definitely pick it up because it has now become a collector's item.

As always, I love sharing my beautiful colors and rare finds with you all and hope you like listening to my thoughts.  Also, if you have any good suggestions for dish gloves let me know.  I use these: Water Stop Gloves and they're pretty and water does not seep through the top but I've gone through at least three pair because they are thin and finger tips wear easily and they get discolored (not long-lasting, at all).  So let me know what you use!

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.

OPI - Designer De Better (12/18/2011)

OPI's Muppets Collection was released November 2011 a few weeks prior to the Muppets movie release and of the twelve lacquers released I picked up two: Designer De Better and Warm & Fozzie.  Of the two, Warm & Fozzie is my favorite but I really do like Designer De Better now on to its review.


Color Description: Described as a light metallic bronze by OPI, Designer De Better is packed with pale golden/platinum micro-glitter with a spattering of burnt orange glitter.  Very fancy but can be worn everyday without the feeling of being over-the-top.


Similar To: Very original and similar to nothing that I own.


This Look: Two coats of Designer De Better and one coat of Maybelline forever+strong topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: You may still be able to find this lacquer at your local JCPenney or Ulta (or any Salon that carries OPI).  This is a limited edition collection so it won't be around permanently and retails for $8.50.


Thanks so much for checking out my page and I'd love to hear from you.  Have you seen the Muppets Movie?  I heard it was really good but haven't seen it yet.  Will more than likely rent it, how 'bout you?

Omega Labs - #333 (11/17/2011)

I really wish this lacquer had a proper name but alas it is just called #333.  Alrighty then (lol)...


Color Description: A really nice and cheery lavender that struck me as a bit different from others in my collection leaning towards the pink/blue family which made it a must have.


Similar To: This totally reminded me of Sally Hansen's Delphinium and L'Oreal Delicate Dusk at first glance but after pulling the bottles these two are much duskier/dustier in tone, whereas #333 has no grays in the mix.  May be more in line with OPI Do You Lilac It? but I don't have this one in my collection.


This Look: Two coats of #333 and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine. #333 is bit thick so it was difficult to apply but the end result was pretty nice.


Price Point/Availability:  I found this while on vacation and am not sure where else to purchase it.  I checked their website and #333 is not listed (it jumps from 331 to 334) go figure? At any rate, these retail for $7.00 and have lots of other nice lacquers to choose from.


Thanks for stopping by today, oh, and my next post will be "next to nubbins".  My nails always tell me when they're too long by chipping on the corners so I took them down a millimeter or so.  I love to rock dark shades with shorter nails so can't wait to where something new soon!

OPI - Purple With A Purpose (11/14/2011)

What can I say?  Purple With A Purpose is a very pretty color...  I'm sick with a really bad sore throat and cold right now but I wanted to show you my latest look.  This color makes me feel not as bad...

Color Description: This color has a glowing pearl finish with magenta undertones.


Similar To: Nothing else in my collection.

Price Point/Availability: Purple With A Purpose is from the Brights Collection and is included in the core line; retails for $8.50.


Hope I feel better soon!  Next color up, I can tell you is another purple but in a totally different hue.  See you sooner than later and stay well in this weather, 'kay?

OPI - Jade Is The New Black (11/1/2011)

Jade Is The New Black is a beautiful GREEN from last year's Hong Kong collection and is the perfect lacquer to complete, what I will call, my "traffic light series", which included the RED Caviar & Vodka (from the 2007 Russian collection) and my last YELLOW post of The "It" Color (from the 2008 Mod About Brights collection).


Color Description: A very vivid, deep and dusty green creme that looks great in bright lights.


Similar To: The color of the Starbucks logo (lol) and what else?  The closest thing I've seen is Revlon Emerald (comped by The Daily Varnish here)...  Pretty close I'd say!


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Garlic base, one coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Jade Is The New Black and one coat of Shine and Hold.


Price Point/Availability: Again, it looks like this color made it into the core/permanent line and retails for $8.50/ea.


Thanks for stopping by once again!  Green means "go" so off to make some moves this week.  See you soon... :)

OPI - The "It" Color (10/31/2011)

OPI The "It" Color is the color that started my lacquer collecting craze!  Little did I know that I already had 80 bottles of polish thrown in a box from over 20 years of buying nail polish.  But there's a difference between "buying" and "collecting" and I'm sure you all know what that is.  Anyway, with this color I found an artistic form of expression with color and my nails - Bright, Bold, Beautiful color and away I went!


Color Description: The "It" Color is a caution yellow creme, like the color of street signs, school buses, manila envelopes and pavement lines.  It is definitely a bold and daring color to wear and also matches one of my favorite handbags.  The color of this handbag is Chamois Yellow...  this works, too.


Similar To: I find this color to be very close to Stockholm by Dare to Wear, however, the D2W seems to be a jelly while the OPI is a creme.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, one coat of Instant Artificials and three coats of The "It" Color (yellow tends to be a bit streaky) and one coat of Shine and Hold.


Price Point/Availability:  The "It" Color is still in OPI's core line of colors and can be purchased just about anywhere you can buy OPI.


What started you on your way to becoming a nail polish fanatic; for some it's design, for me it's color, what is it for you?

OPI - Vodka & Caviar (10/28/2011)

I had a strong desire to wear a classic red today and the first color to pop into my mind was OPI's Vodka & Caviar.  This lacquer hails from the 2007 Russian collection and may just be the red of all reds.


Color Description: V&C is a medium to deep red creme that can be an everyday color or special occasion depending on your mood.  Definitely a must for the lacquer lover!


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


Price Point/Availability:  I believe this color has been inducted into the OPI core line for its classic allure and is readily available for purchase online and in your local salons.  Retails for $8.50.


Have a great weekend!

Pink Wednesday: OPI - Come To Poppy

Come To Poppy is from OPI's Spring 2011 Nice Stems Collection.  The only thing I can say is that this is not what I imagine the color Poppy to be; to me Poppy is a bright orange-red.  It's still nice though.


Color Description: A pearlized shimmering hot pink frost with lavender duo-chrome, Come To Poppy is bright and cheery.


Similar To: Unique finish but similar in color to many hot pinks on the market.


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Garlic base coat, with one coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Come To Poppy with one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: OPI retails for $8.50/ea, however, this may not be readily available as it was limited edition.  I'm sure you can get this online and it may still be at select salon locations.

Pink Wednesday: OPI - Teenage Dream over Sally Hansen Pink Diamond

One good thing about living on the West Coast is that I have a few more hours to get my Pink Wednesday look published...  Yay for L.A.!  


Here's Teenage Dream over Pink Diamond and at first, it was just going to be Pink Diamond but I decided to prettify (lol - prettify looks like it's a real word) it with Teenage Dream and it worked out nicely,


No real details will be given about this look today but if you have any questions, please, please, please, ask me.  Now on to the definition of prettify...


pret·ti·fy

tr.v. pret·ti·fied, pret·ti·fy·ing, pret·ti·fies

To make pretty or prettier, especially in a superficial or insubstantial way.

Pink Wednesday: OPI - La Paz-itively Hot - Matte

La Paz-itively Hot in the Matte formula is striking and deep enough in color to be worn in the Fall - IMO.

Color Description: Wow!  Thought for sure I would want to put a topcoat on this baby to give it a shine, but this magenta/hot pink lacquer is great on its own.  The fact that its matte gives it an edge and will definitely get some double takes.

Similar To: Nada!

This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Odorless Garlic base and tow coats of La Paz-itively Hot - Matte.

Price Point/Availability:  I believe this is still available at most better salon locations and retails for $8.50.

Thanks as always for stopping by and take care!

Pink Wednesday: OPI - My Address Is "Hollywood"

Well, today's officially the 1st day of Fall and OPI's My Address Is "Hollywood" is my Pink Wednesday mani. This is the perfect color to transition into the Fall with, it being from the Touring America Fall collection, and all.  

One thing is for sure, if you're "Touring America" you are definitely going to want to drive down "Hollywood Boulevard" with all the pink neon signs, then stop by Pink's for a hot dog, you may just see Angelyne drive by in her pink Corvette.  And a bit of trivia for you: Marilyn Monroe, the biggest Hollywood starlet of all time said that Diamond's are a girls best friend and she was wearing pink when she was singing the song - things that make you go hmmm?

Color Description:  My Address is "Hollywood" is as pink as pink can get and is a great look to brighten a gloomy Fall day.  It's hot pink with subtle gold shimmer throughout which I had difficulty capturing on film.

Similar To:  Many pinks in my collection come close but is closest to Essie Your Hut or Mine; see comparison pic here from The PolishAholic.  In the bottles they don't really look exact but once you get it on the nail you can really see the similarities.

This Look:  One coat of OPI Acrylic Nail Base Coat (my other base wasn't handy), two coats of My Address Is "Hollywood" and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.

Price Point/Availability:  This collection is still readily available online and in select salon locations.  I picked mine up this weekend at my local JC Penney Salon with my $10 off of a $10 purchase coupon and the OPI selection was BOGO 50% so I ended up getting two OPI's for $3 (after tax).  Crazy good!  I also picked up Road House Blues. :) 

p.s. JC Penney is clearancing out polishes from the Swiss Collection (Just A Little Rosti At This) and Jade Is The New Black was on clearance, as well.  Happy hunting at JC Penney!