China Glaze - Stone Cold



I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the China Glaze Hunger Games Collection! My favorite of the bunch was Stone Cold - so gorgeous. The movie is now on DVD but if you haven't seen it there were 12 Districts which coincided with twelve lacquers for China Glaze's Spring 2012 Collection. 

Stone Cold is from District 2 - Masonry.  And though it was released for Spring, it's the perfect color to transition you right into Fall.

Color Description: Stone Cold is a matte charcoal/black with silver shimmer and I recommend keeping it matte for the full effect of this "rock" star look.  This could be described as "street chic" with its asphalt texture and, to me, is best suited for shorter nails.  Stone cold is a winner, check it out if you can.

Similar To: Nothing I own comes close to this, it's definitely a "collector's" lacquer. However, from pics, it looks just like Orly's Iron Butterfly (check out The Polished Perfectionist for a closer look at this lacquer).

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Stone Cold and no top coat.  (If you need to put on a top coat use a matte finish to preserve the look.)

Price Point/Availability: I believe you'll still be able to find these on line but it was Limited Edition (Hunger Games Collection) and last I saw was being clearanced out at Sally's a few months ago.  Better yet, just check the Sally's store online and it's only $1.50.  Wow!  That's a deal - retails for $6.50+!

Whether you saw the movie or not, this is a collection that you should check out.  See you soon ladies and (gents, I think there's a few of you that are male readers, at least)!  Have a great week... :)

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!

Essie - She's Picture Perfect (03/09/2012)

I was able to get my paws on the entire Essie Sure Shot - Resort 2012 Collection and my favorite is She's Picture Perfect. 

There's not much out on this collection other than a few write ups on the web - however, here's a more detailed description for your reading pleasure from Chic Profile.  Now onto She's Picture Perfect:

Color Description: She's Picture Perfect is a beautiful periwinkle lavendar with a pink iridescence.  The iridescent quality can only be seen in certain light and would definitely be considered a secret shimmer making this lacquer extra shiny and extra special.

Similar To:  I have absolutely nothing else like this!

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of She's Picture Perfect and one coat of Shine & Hold topcoat.

Price Point/Availability:  This collection will be available this month at salons and other retailers that carry Essie and is generally priced between $8 - $8.50.

Have a great weekend my lovely ladies!

Finger Paints - Winter Sky (01/16/2012)

I just recently found Winter Sky at Sally's on clearance and boy oh boy is it a joy to wear!  This is a great color for the winter blues and will get you right out of any slump (real or imaginary) with one glance at your nails.


Color Description:  A gorgeous turquoise/teal with fine silver shimmer, Winter Sky is a keeper. This can be considered a one-coater but you know I didn't stop there. :)


Similar To:  I searched my stash and found many similar colors but no dupes.  What makes this stand out the most is the fine silver shimmer that make it oh so shiny.  The closest lacquer I've seen this compared to is Zoya Phoebe (which is in my untried collection).  However, Phoebe is a matte shade.  See swatches here from Manicurity...  Very similar, indeed!


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


Price Point/Availability: Right now this color is still available at Sallys.com for $1.99 (their clearance price); some brick and mortars may still have it lying around, as well.


Gonna try to get back on the Pink Wednesday bandwagon this week.  Let's see, which pink shall I wear?  The possibilities are absolutely staggering!

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...

Cover Girl - Spiced Tea (01/10/2012)

After wearing many of the dark colors for this season, I found Spiced Tea to be a nice palette cleanser.  This is my first time  wearing Cover Girl lacquer and I'm pleasantly surprised.  This is one of their Continuous Color 3-in-1 lacquers that boasts of a, Base + Lasting Color + Topcoat all in one.  I put it to the test and it actually works!


Color Description: Champagne/tan foiled lacquer with shimmering pale blue and silver flecks.  Even more beautiful on the nail than in the bottle, Spiced Tea is a great neutral for all skin types, so, if you come across this give it a try.


Similar To:  Though it's a different base color, Ulta's Spice Drop is similar in finish and color in certain lighting.


This Look:  Three coats of Spiced Tea - that's it and that's all.


Price Point/Availability: This was Limited Edition and the first reviews I could find on this was back in 2005 so it's definitely discontinued.  However, I'm sure you've seen the double-pack nail polish at your local dollar store, well, that's where I recently found this in a pack along with a light blue lacquer in the same finish called Crushed Ice.


Have a great Tuesday! Off to go job-hunting now...  This job market is treacherous but I'm pretty tenacious and not gonna stop looking.

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!

Color Club - Nouveau Vintage (12/23/2011)

Do you see what I see?  A gorgeous and fairly new (Fall 2011) lacquer from Color Club that is just perfect for the fall.  Nouveau Vintage is from the Back to Boho collection and so far this is the only one I've picked up.  Do you have any from this collection?


Color Description: In the picture below there's lots of green and brown which makes for a very interesting bottle but once Nouveau Vintage is on the nail it translates into a beautiful antiqued bronze with super fine micro-shimmers of gold, rust and green with a brown base.  Very, very suitable for an everyday look.


Similar To: Nouveau Vintage (i.e. New Old) totally reminded me of OPI's Warm & Fozzie once I placed it on my nail.  I quickly did research to find out was I dreaming? Am I the only one that sees the similarities?  The answer was, "no".  As a matter of fact as seen in my last post there was a comparison post done.  So, again, if you can't find one check out the other for a similar look and feel.


This Look: One coat of Nutra Nail Touch of Color Nail Strengthener, three coats of Nouveau Vintage and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: Color Club can be found online and are also sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond. (retails for $6/ea.)


Well, as I type and look down at my nails I wonder when I will want to change my nail color.  I like this as much as I like Warm & Fozzie and just hope it won't be another two weeks before I have the heart to move on.


Take Care! ♥

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.

NYX - Woman (11/11/2011)

As Shania Twain says, this lacquer ♪♫"makes me feel like a woman!"♪♫  NYX Woman is one of those lacquers that until you pick up and look at closely in the bottle you won't realize how special it is.


Color Description:  NYX Woman is a red lacquer that glows from within, truly.  It's a deep ruby red with gold, red and magenta shimmer and I just can't seem to take it off.  After the pics were taken I broke a nail, mended it and reapplied Woman - phenomenal!


Similar To:  Puts me in the mind of one of my oldie but goodies OPI I'm Not Really A Waitress - you get the drift... It's GOOOD!


This Look:  One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Woman, one coat  of Mega Shine and one coat of NailShine Miracle.


Price Point/Availability:  This lacquer retails online for about $4.00 but you can find it locally at your mom and pop beauty supplier for less that $2.00.

I'm sure I've seen this many times before and and decided to "walk on by" as the song goes until I recently picked it up and to my surprise it's a real gem of a lacquer.  If you see it in the store give it a gander, you just might like what you see. :)

China Glaze - Trendsetter (11/4/2011)

I pulled Trendsetter out of my box of untrieds for this Fall and I must say I really like this one, a lot. 

Color Description:  Best described as a yellow-toned mossy green with gold shimmer, Trendsetter is definitely on the mustard side and is very unique.

Similar To: With a name like Trendsetter it better not have any dupes... Can you think of one?  I can't.

This Look:  One coat of Instant Artificals, two coats of Trendsetter and one coat of Shine and Hold.

Price Point/Availability:  This lacquer is from China Glaze's Metro collection for Fall 2011, however, I believe this was a limited edition offering but you can readily find Trendsetter online.

How do you choose which color to wear next? For me it really depends on how the wind blows but as I mentioned above if all else fails I have a trusty-dusty box of untrieds to choose from. :)

L'Oreal Luminescence (10/21/2011)

♪♫ "Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful..." ♪♫ 
It's taken me a long while to wear this lacquer, at least a year and I really should've gotten around to wearing this stunner sooner!


It would've been even better if I could've taken pics of Luminescence in the daylight but I have a few shots that captivate this beauty's allure.



Color Description: 
A deep almost blackened purple with blue and magenta shimmer that can only be seen in certain light.


Similar To: Believe it or not this is very similar to Wet N Wild's Ready To Pounce (RTP) however Luminescence has a much better formula with a great depth of shimmer than RTP.



This Look: One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Luminescence and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Do you have this color or RTP?  This is a great vampy shade that I'm certain will be great on all skin types.  Well, that's all folks and see you soon!

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! :)

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.

From the Vault: Color Club - Precious Gifts

I found this gorgeous lovely called Precious Gifts by chance a few months ago and fell in love!  You don't find many pics or much talk about this one other than it being on a few wish lists, but I am so pleased that I found this.


Color Description: Precious Gifts is a deep fuchsia jelly with small red glitter and fine blue glitter and is something to behold in real life.


Similar To: Absolutely nothing!  Definitely a layering project...


This Look: Two Coats of Color Clubs Precious Gifts, and one coat of Maybelline Infinite Shine.


Price Point/Availability:  This lacquer so old the name is written in gold so I'm certain it has been discontinued.


Thanks for stopping by!

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!

Pink Wednesday: OPI - I'd Like To Thank...

OPI I'd Like To Thank... is from the 2007 Holiday in Hollywood collection and "pink" definitely comes to mind when you put this on.  In the bottle it's a copper duo-chrome, though..

Color Description: I'd Like To Thank... is said to be a mauve-pink by OPI. I definitely agree with the pink but it reminds me of a brand new copper penny, leaning towards the dark rose gold with fine green and gold shimmer giving it a duochrome effect.

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials and two coats of I'd Like To Thanks... with no topcoat.  In my previous post you will find that I topped this with Pros & Bronze which made for a lovely pairing.

Do you have this one? What did you think of it?

OPI - Pros & Bronze (09/03/2011)

Here's a quick look at this weekend's mani of choice: OPI Pros & Bronze from the Serena Williams Glam Slam! U.S Collection. 

 

On August 25, 2011 Serena Williams officially launched the final series of nail lacquers in her Glam Slam! by OPI collection which features two high-shine shades: a shimmering red named Love is a Racket and a glittering bronze titled Pros & Bronze.  I decided to purchase Pros & Bronze alone.

Color Description: Bronze isn't really accurate and didn't know exactly how to describe this color until I came across Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite's blog who describes it as a "rose gold" which is so perfect for this lacquer.

This Look: Pros & Bronze is very sheer and takes at least three coats for any kind of coverage so definitely find a similar color to layer it over.  In this case, I layered it over OPI I'd Like To Thank from the 2007 Holiday in Hollywood collection.  Turned out to be a nice pairing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Maybelline - Purple Trend (08/21/2011)

Coming at you really quick with my NOTD (albeit messy, I still ♥ it)!  I went back to Rite Aid to pick up Purple Trend from the new Maybelline Fall 2011 - Scene On The Runway Limited Edition Collection.

Color Description: To the naked eye this is just another dark plum creme but to the trained eye there's a blue shimmer that is to die for.  I would describe this as a prune bordering brown burgundy with as secret blue shimmer.

This Look: One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Purple Trend and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.

Some may say what's the point of a "secret shimmer" if you can't see it?  Well, even when you can't see the shimmer this type of nail lacquer is extra shiny and unique. 

Guess what tomorrow is?  My one year blog-i-versary!  And I know just the color I will wear...  Something very special! :)



Maybelline - Scene On The Runway Collection Swatches (Fall 2011)

The new Scene On The Runway Collection from Maybelline caught my eye on Thursday (yesterday) in Rite Aid and so I decided to "participate" in the BOGO50 promotion that was ending.  

These were the three that I thought I must have...

Cool Couture is a dark gray with fine turquoise blue shimmer
(Ott light w/ light box)

Here's another look at the shimmer
(incandescent lighting)

Natural Beauty is a nice deep tan creme and
is almost a dupe for OPI San Tan-Tonio.
From top to bottom: STT, NB, STT, NB - close, eh?
(NB is a shade or two deeper than STT)

And lastly, Be Scene In Green a medium green frost
(not special enough, IMO)

I am definitely going back for the purple shimmer that I overlooked called Purple Trend!  See it here on Nouveau Cheap as well as glimpse at the rest of Maybelline's new Fall 2011 line.  


So far, what do you think?  Have you seen this in stores yet.  My sales associate just put these out today and I'm glad I stopped by! :)