Pink Wednesday: L.A. Girl - Matte Pink

It's been a week since Spring's arrival and it's about time to start wearing your brights - wouldn't you say!  So I have for you today, L.A. Girl's Matte Pink...


Color Description: Matte Pink is a neon hot pink creme that definitely needs a topcoat over it to make it come alive.  These pictures aren't really showing the neon quality but believe me, it's there.


Similar To: Misa's Sandals, Flip Flops and Hip Hop is a bit brighter than Matte Pink and  it's not a matte but it's the closest thing in my collection.  Both are nice!


This Look: Two coats of Instant Artificials, two coats of Matte Pink and one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine.


Price Point/Availability: L.A. Girl Matte Raspberry retails for $4.00 and can be found online at http://www.lagirlusa.com/ or in your local beauty supply store.


Well, thank you all for being here and I sincerely hope your Spring is off to a great start!

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!

L.A. Girl - Matte Raspberry (03/06/2012)

L.A. Girl Matte Raspberry is an awesome long-wearing lacquer that needs no clear coat to make it stand out! I've worn this for close to a week with little tip wear, no chips and no color fading.  Now on to the color description.

Color Description: Raspberry is not only a great color name but it's also a great color description. Matte Raspberry is a blue-based magenta matte creme lacquer that brightens up with a topcoat (though not necessary).

Similar To: After a few bottle comparisons and swatches Matte Raspberry is most similar in color to the new WnW Megalast Through The Grapevine, especially when a topcoat is added.

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials with two coats of Matte Raspberry (if you're in a hurry, one coat will suffice).  Then after a week of wear I added a coat of Shine & Hold.

Matte nail polishes are not shown much but definitely should not be overlooked.  Edgy, yet classic colors are the way to go.  Check these out when you get a chance.  Do you own any matte lacquers?

Price Point/Availability: L.A. Girl Matte Raspberry retails for $4.00 and can be found online at http://www.lagirlusa.com/ or in your local beauty supply store.

COMP-POST: Essie Navigate Her vs. CQ Mint Green - Part Two

Navigate Her (2 coats) ~ Mint Green (3 coats)

Well, the verdict is in and as you can see, there's no dupe here.  I would even say that if you like one, you may not like the other - that's how different they look on the hand.


The picture to the left is showing, on alternating fingers,  Essie Navigate Her (index and middle) and CQ Mint Green (middle and pinky).


Color Description: Navigate Her is a warm-tone creme that has yellow undertones and I would definitely describe it as a pistachio or celery green, whereas, Mint Green is cool-toned with more of a pastel green and is a bit lighter and airier, which I prefer.  Personally, I think Mint Green is prettier.


Application: Navigate Her was almost opaque in one coat with the application being easy and pretty much flawless with little effort.  Even though I prefer the look of Mint Green, it was thin and watery and a challenge to apply.  The question is which one did I choose to wear out the door?


This Look: As you can see in the picture to the right, I chose to wear Essie's Navigate Her for the ease of application with two coats, and one coat of Nutra Nail Ultra Shine topcoat.


Price Point/Availability: I found both Navigate Her and Mint Green at Rite Aid for $2.99 and $8.00, respectively. If only CQ's application was as good as the price we would have a winner!  But as it is, it's just gonna take a little more time and forethought before applying.


Hope you enjoyed this comparison post and that it will help you in your selection process. :)

COMP-POST: Essie Navigate Her vs. CQ Mint Green - Part One

Okay, so I've searched high and low for something remotely close to Essie's Navigate Her ($8.29) and I think I found it - CQ Mint Green ($2.99).


I know they're not identical twins but they are definitely more than fraternal twins.  So here's the bottle pic but I will have actual swatches up shortly.

The Essie has a bit more of a yellow undertone but I would describe them both as a celery green creme.

Can't wait to see what this looks like on my nails.  Exciting stuff, but I must admit that I'm easily pleased.  See you soon!

Pink Wednesday: Sally Hansen - Iced Out

Glitter be gone!  I can only take glitter on my hands for so long and now for something a bit more soft and subdued.  Feast your eyes on Sally Hansen Iced Out.  Such a cold name for a rather demure look, wouldn't you say?  The name reminds me of an infamous "housewife" with much bling and this on their nails - lol. Ice, ice baby!


Color Description:  Iced Out is an extremely sheer lacquer that you will definitely need to wear "under-ware" with or use as a layering lacquer.  It is densely packed with gold, green and orange micro-glitter in a fairest pink base.


Similar To: Maybe Revlon Sheer Snowflake Pink or  possibly Nicole by OPI's Kim-pletely In Love (click here for Sneakerette's post) - these definitely have similarities but are by no means dupes.


This Look: One coat of Growing Nails Odorless Garlic base coat, one coat of Barielle Camouflage, three coats of Iced Out and one coat of Nutra Nail Ultra Shine Top Coat.


Price Point/Availability:  This was found in the same collection Frozen Creamsicle and has not yet made it to the core collection. It retails for $2.49.


Well, off to go do some much needed home organization - have a good one... :)

NDB - Under The Sea (02/21/2012)

NDB is one of those little known Los Angeles based brands that not too many are aware of but boy oh boy do their glitters pack a punch.  Under The Sea hails from their Tropical collection of glitters which boasts such names as Golden Bikini, Sea Swept and Message in A Bottle.


Color Description: Under The Sea is a medium blue (leaning turquoise) base which contains fine silver and deep turquoise glitter.


Similar To: Under The Sea is much lighter that OPI Absolutely Alice or even China Glaze Dorothy Who? but does not fail to deliver when it comes to the glitter factor.


This Look: One coat of Miss Marion's Garlic Superbase with two coats of Under The Sea and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: This lacquer retails for $2.00/bottle and can be purchased online.


Have a great evening ladies (and gents)!

Kleancolor 230 - Chunky Holo Fuchsia over Revlon Royal (2/18/2012)

So, I don't have Clarins 230 but I have Kleancolor 230 (Chunky Holo Fuchsia) and here it is over Revon Royal.  It's interesting, isn't it?  I wasn't well this weekend so I didn't leave the house with this look and was kinda sad that I didn't get to see it in the sun but it was a nice look to lounge around in - lol.


Color Description: So pretty I have to say it twice "230 is gorgeous iridescent glitter that sparkles gold, orange and green all suspended in a fuchsia jelly transforming any base color from wow to ooh wee!"


Similar To: This is really a unique lacquer that said to be mimicking the rare find known to be Clarins 230.  The glitter is much larger in the Kleancolor, however.


This Look: One coat of Miss Marion Garlic Superbase, two coats of Revlon Royal and two coats of 230 (Chunky Holo Fuchsia).


Price Point/Availability: Kleancolors are available online $3.49 (+ tax) with a whopping $8.00 for shipping.  So if you can find these in a local beauty supply, that's your best bet; I've seen them for as low as $1.00.


Thanks for checking me out... :)

Revlon - Royal (02/18/2012)

Royal needed its own post even though it was used as a layering lacquer!  
Not much detail will be given on this one, other than, this can be picked up at your local drugstore.  Happy Hunting...

Pink Wednesday: Sally Hansen - Frozen Creamsicle

Okay, ya'll, if this isn't one of the prettiest Sally Hansen Hard As Nails lacquers I've ever seen I don't know what is.  Can you believe all of this shiny jelly goodness is from Hard As Nails?


Color Description: Frozen Creamsicle is not orange enough to be peach and not rosy enough to be pink it's best described as a pink-peach jelly that is delicate and simple yet classy and on-trend for the Spring. 


Similar To:  Nothing else that I own is even close to this but from online pics it could be the jelly version of Barielle Blossom or possibly 2009's PYT by Deborah Lippman (see pic below), but I don't own either of these so I can't be sure. Also, here's a recent post from Mocha Mish Mash that has similar colors for your view pleasure.


This Look: Two coats of Nutra Nail Super Base Coat, two coats of Frozen Creamsicle and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: I happened upon Frozen Creamsicle at Walgreens in the "new items" section for $1.99.  I've searched the web and can't seem to find another mention of this lacquer and haven't seen it anywhere else, so Walgreens is your best bet.  I'm assuming this is new for Spring 2012.


I really hope this look helps brighten your day as much as it has mine. Color really changes my mood and I have a feeling that the next few days will be full of good things for both me and you - have a great Wednesday, my lovelies!


Oh and next I think I will try to recreate Let Them Have Polish's MaxFactor Fantasy Fire over Revlon Royal...  I don't have Fantasy Fire so I will have to get creative but I have a few thoughts in mind. I'm really excited about look.  I liked it so much I Pinterested It!