Wet n Wild - On A Trip (02/10/2012)

w/ Cloudy Setting (most accurate)

Run, don't walk to your nearest Walgreens and pick up Wet N Wild's new MegaLast Salon Nail Color in On A Trip!  I found this today and just had to put it on my hands, especially after I looked in my melmers and finding that I have no similar color in my collection.  However, I will still do the "Similar To" section and let you know what I thought it would be close to - NOT!!!


Color Description: Periwinkle creme! That's it and that's all... It definitely photographs blue so in order to get the truest color I had to set my camera to cloudy and wahlah a nice rendition of what On A Trip really looks like on my hands.  I ♥ IT...


Similar To: This is what I imagined China Glaze's Secret Periwinkle to look like on the nail.  I've only seen in real life once and watched while one of my nail polish buddies snagged it telling me how sought after it was.  Well for all you CG SP lovers, give this one a spin.  I also thought it would be close to Zoya Mira or American Apparel African Violet but these are darker with less blue-tones.

w/ Auto Balance

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificals, two coats of On A Trip, and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Application: I thought I'd add this since the brush is huge!  About the same size if not larger than the Sally Hansen Salon Manicure brushes which can be a bit unwieldy.  But it wasn't a real issue and the formula is very creamy and thick; bald with one coat and opaque in two.


Price Point/Availability:  I've only seen this collection at Rite Aid and Walgreens.  Walgreens is having a sale right now for B2GOF and at only $1.99/ea. you'll be getting 3/$3.98.  Nice deal!


Hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!  Please let me know if you've picked it up and your thoughts. :)

Pink Wednesday: Golden Rose #105 (Pink Holographic)

It's close to midnight in Los Angeles on this Pink Wednesday which comes and goes before you know it, but I figured out a way to give myself a few more hours. I'm using the last available time zone in the U.S. because it's still Wednesday in Hawaii - lol!  On to Golden Rose #105 is long overdue for review, so it goes it.


Color Description: A lovely conservative neutral pink indoors and wildly holographic outdoors, Pink #105, is understated but at the same time not to be missed.  Very hard to capture in pics, this lacquer is best viewed outside.


This Look: Two coats of Miss Marion Garlic Base coat, two coats of #105, and one coat of OPI DS topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: I received this little bottle in a swap.  It was a curiosity that's now been satisfied, however, I now want to try other colors.  These are available online for under $3.00.  What a deal!


These indoor pics aren't showing the holo effect but it's an accurate rendition of what you'll see, for the most part. Alrighty then my fine folks!  I will speak with you soon, 'kay? 

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. :)

L.A. Girl Rockstar - Double Platinum (02/05/2012)

L.A. Girl Rock Star Double Platinum is a difficult one to "capture on film" and this is the best few shots out of gazillion.  It's so much prettier in person than this.  Here's Scrangie's phot of Double Platinum (w/ three coats) so you can get another vantage point of what it looks like.


Color Description: This is a smokey taupe that leans gray and is chock full of holographic glitter.  It's a really special color and would look great layered over something like OPI's Designer De Better for  a bit more bling or maybe Essie Case Study to bring out more of the taupe.


Similar To:  This is another stand alone lacquer that has no rival in my collection.


This Look: Two coats of OPI Acrylic Base Coat (white), two coats of Double Platinum (three or four is preferable) and one coat of Shine & Hold topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: Most brick and mortar retailers have moved on from the Rock Star collection so it may be a bit hard to find in person, however, the good news is that it's not discontinued and can be found on L.A. Girls website for $4.  I've also seen it in other places for under $3. So it's a bargain for a unique lacquer.


Well, thanks so much for peeking at my latest look and have a great Sunday!

Pink Wednesday: Sally Hansen Color Quick Pen - Red Chrome

What one minute!  This is Pink Wednesday not Red Wednesday, right?  Yes, it is Pink Wednesday and this post is for Red Chrome but did you take a look at the pic? As pink as pink can get...


Color Description: Sally Hansen should have called this Hot Pink Chrome because it's sure not red but it is lovely.  A metallic deep pink, Red Chrome, is definitely a nice color for any occasion.


Similar To: Nothing in my collection, how about yours?


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


Price Point/Availability: I'm still seeing this at my local CVS, however, I picked up mine at my dollar store for, you guessed it, $1.00.  So this make me think this will be discontinued sooner than later.


Hope you like this look.  By the way, do you have any of Sally Hansen's pen applicators?  I have a few and this is the second time I've tried it out.  Not bad but the brush definitely is rough and tough and will leave streaks so you have to be very careful when applying.  Take care!

Close-Up Series: Nail Polish Color Coding Project

Good Day Folks...  I estimate this color-coding project to take me forever but when I'm finished I will be the happiest nail polish collector around!  


Here's what the bottles look like, so far:

Below is a picture of the foam squares I used just in case you'd like to venture on this project with me:

These are generally sold in the craft section of your local Target, Wal-Mart or Michael's (and sometimes your dollar store will have them in stock).


Feel free to ask me any questions! Thanks and have a great Thursday... :)

Ulta Salon Formula - Limelight (01/24/2012)

Light Box w/ OTT (daylight) lighting

Good Afternoon All!  Today my nails are inspired by the lovely blogger, Wig Wam, who so nicely named me in her favorite 15 Versatile Bloggers!  Please click on the green award to the right to check out her post and the others that she's selected.  


I am so happy to get this because I don't do a lot of designs and never do konading (which some would consider versatile), but what I do ♥ to concentrate on is beautiful color - vivid, saturated, intense, soft, mysterious, you name it color's the name of the game for me.  That's how I keep things ever changing...


So I thought I'd do a beautiful green that is similar in hue to the Versatile Blogger Award which brings us to Ulta's Limelight's review:


Color Description: Limelight is more of a fresh leaf green which would be great for the Spring. It's a unique color that's not shocking in any way.

Incandescent Lighting

Similar To:  This color has been compared as a dupe to OPI's Green-wich Village by Noelie (click to see post here). Very close indeed!  Other than that not sure what else to compare it to.


This Look: Two coats of OPI Acrylic Nail Base Coat (I have it so I said I might as well us it!), three coats of Limelight and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability:  I purchased this a year or so ago at Ulta and since then they've changed the packaging but the price still retails for about $5 and they're always running a bogo of some sort (i.e. buy 2 get 2 free, etc.).


So now I'm off to compile my list of 15 ladies for this award...  The versatile blogger post will be coming soon!

Pink Wednesday: Miss Marion - Neapolitan

Can you say yummy?  Who doesn't like Neapolitan ice cream?  Strawberry, Vanilla and with a hint of Chocolate, this Miss Marion lacquer is very appropriately named.  I must say I was a bit puzzled at the name until I sat down and took a real close look at the bottle, then it all came together like two scoops and a spoon - lol!!!


Color Description:  A creamy, dusty pink with brown undertones, Neapolitan is definitely a neutral to be reckoned with.  It applies sheer and shiny like the best jellies, which was a pleasant surprise. So I guess I would sum this one up as a dusty pink with a jelly finish.


Similar To:  I found this to be close in hue (not finish) to Sally Hansen's Infinite Natural, which I previously compared to OPI's Dulce De Leche but again Neapolitan is definitely a jelly which makes it unique.


This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, the coats of Neapolitan and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability:  Miss Marion can be purchase directly from Miss Marion via JBK Trading for 3 for $8.95.

Boy does this bottle (and picture) bring back memories.  In the late eighties and even into the early nineties all the ladies (including myself) would request Miss Marion's Garnet to be placed on our medium to long acrylic talons.  Well, Miss Marion's is still in business and I found them to purchase a multitude of colors a few years ago and am happy that I did.  


Have you ever worn Miss Marion's lacquer?  If not, you can still find out about their history here.

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...