If you hadn't noticed...

My blog has been on hiatus since I started Microbiology last Fall :(

What with the craziness of micro, entrance exams, internships, and school applications I haven't been able to keep up.

I haven't decided what to do for a permanent solution yet...either transition to instagram, post when I'm on breaks, or shut down for a few years (or even, forever?!). But I've been a lifelong polish fiend and will continue to be one.

Until then I leave you with this quick car snapshot.

Enchanted Polish. March 2015.

spacing out

Lilypad Lacquer Rainbows in Space is a very holo blackish purpleish saturated blue. It's not quite blurple but not quite blue either, however depending on the lighting its hue was different. 

Rainbows in Space. Sunlight.

Rainbows in Space. Sunlight.

Rainbows in Space. Sunlight.

something fishy

and delicate, soft, and ethereal. This is the quality, albeit in a different shade, that I was looking for in Glitter Gal LAAF and was able to achieve eventually, though I forgot how (I think it was two coats over one coat of OPI Don't Touch My Tutu!). Even more appropriate that in the colors soft sweetness it was created to honor the memory of young beauty blogger Talia. Part of the proceeds went to a children's cancer foundation. 

This polish was also a really great formula (not thick or chippy, 2-3 coats) and just beautiful all around--it would be great if Enchanted did a benefit polish once a year. This is last year's and I am one year behind, but the photos are also oldies. 

A Little Fishy Told Me. Sunlight.

A Little Fishy Told Me. Sunlight.

A Little Fishy Told Me bottle. Sunlight.

new year, new polish

A long time ago (this January) I got this lovely shade of deep green peacock/evergreen/dark blue (what is it?) from Enchanted. While it had some serious behavior issues, it was certainly a beautiful color with a lot of sparkle. 

This polish was so heavily pigmented that it went on seriously thick. If I thought it could have been level in one coat I would have only done one. I believe the intensity of the pigment is what also caused it to become brittle and dry and chip overnight. I have seen a few of these gorgeous but challenging polishes from EP lately, but there seems to be a shift to different styles. 

Different lighting, angles, backgrounds.

January 2014. Indoor lighting.

January 2014. Indoor lighting.

January 2014. Sunlight (bad phone pic).

Bottle comparisons! January 2014, Glitter Gal Lizard Belly

Colors by Llarowe Oh Christmas Tree

green jelly...

Because I missed out on this months restock of three, yes THREE Enchanteds. But I was so, so, so lucky to score these three special beauties. Sometimes a friend will surprise you with a crazy and awesome well, surprise.

These pictures are from April, so my nails are a little nubby, but I think this is a great shade for any length. Engineered to Destroy may look a bit similar to January 2014, however once I got ETD, I was like, January, what January? Some of the finer points of this lovely polish include: a great formula that is not too thick but not too sheer (a bit on the jelly side), a very holo finish with a surprise pink shimmer, and lasting wear. Some of these pictures turned out less focused than others. And dang it, where's that bottle shot...hopefully to come :)

Engineered to Destroy. Sunlight.

Engineered to Destroy. Sunlight.

Engineered to Destroy. Sunlight.

Engineered to Destroy. Filtered sunlight.

Holo Golightly

Here's a very special light blue holo that came as a gift from an amazingly talented, generous, clever...the list goes on...friend :) This creation comes from Emily de Molly and only a few were made as part of a custom order. 

My first EdM polish applied perfectly. Very smooth and not too thick--beautiful color and great to apply (what do I always say about Australia and nail polish? Only the best.). Like so many holos, I had a bit of trouble capturing it and the holo was more intense irl :) I tried some different angles to get different holo effects.

I was extra delighted when I flipped the bottle over and saw the name...Holo Golightly (how terribly clever!!) Oh girl...you've really outdone yourself! (thank you)

Holo Golightly. Dark with flash.

Holo Golightly. Sun.

Holo Golightly. Sun.

Holo Golightly. Sun.

the new no

I love to say no and so I'm telling you, "no, this is the color of the year." Whatever color of yellow this is. OPI released two new yellows like this (punch in the face yellow?) in their Brazil collection. One of which is in "mini only" form and that made me punch things.

Formula, perfect two coater and great staying power from CbL (Colors by Llarowe). Holo-tastic in all light and mega compliments. Also great staining power. VERY staining of yellow.

Does this title even make sense? I don't know. But I think I've seen other colors coming out like this and: Awesome. I should post more pictures but: Tired. 

Woodstock. Sunlight.

Woodstock. Sunlight.

Woodstock. Sunlight.

a polish by any other name

This was my first purchase from Liquid Sky Lacquer and it arrived safely and in a timely fashion. This was also my first thermal and it was quite a bit of fun. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the default color didn't blend right into my skin (that was the 24K part of the 24K Rose). I didn't show a picture of the lightest color because it just made my nails look yellow and stained in the picture (which they are). However, when exposed to enough temperature gradation it gave a fun albeit temporary effect. 

I think I used three-four coats as it was quite sheer and this polish applied matte. 

24K Rose. Indoor light.

24K Rose. Indoor light.

24K Rose pink reminded of something...compared to China Glaze Strawberry Fields.

Another birthday present to myself. Not much to say about this color because it's perfect. I had to have it when I saw it. Somewhere between eggplant, purple, burgundy, and brown, a linear holo from Enchanted. Get your hands on this...sigh...I think this will look bad on my short nails, so I won't be seeing it for another 8 weeks at least. 

Holiday 2013 sunlight.

Holiday 2013 sunlight/shade.

Holiday 2013 sunlight.

Holiday 2013 sunlight.

Holiday 2013 sunlight. Bottle.

Holiday 2013 sunlight. Bottle.

lots of christmas trees!

1,000 to be exact. I haven't posted yet this month because I've been busy preparing for the Spring semester/finishing up Winter and it's giving me a lot of anxiety. 

I also I had to cut my nails. Twice--once I did it out of anxiety, because I knew I would have to do it for school and I just wanted to get it over with, but then they grew back! The next time was yesterday, when I actually really hacked them off. I'm trying not to think about it. 

So to cheer me up, here's this, a polish like I've never seen from the fabulously talented literary lacquers. A foresty jelly green linear holo with little twinkle holo glitters. For a jelly, it didn't take as long to dry as I expected, which was nice. This was a limited edition holiday color available with purchase, but maybe it will be rereleased or she will be able to find an extra? She has amazing customer service.

1,000 Christmas Trees. Direct indoor light.

1,000 Christmas Trees. Direct indoor light.

1,000 Christmas Trees. Direct indoor light.

1,000 Christmas Trees. Indoor light.

I'm Drinking Stars and 1,000 Christmas Trees.

Another quick one from CbL in the original bottle (the full size one), though you can't tell because I forgot to take bottle shots on both posts--good job. Hopefully I'll remember to add some. 

Bad is a chrome metallic duochrome shimmer that morphs from multiple colors--grey, blue, violet, even a bit of green with fine pink and turquoise sort of and maybe other colors of shimmer, check closeups for shimmer. Both time this polish chipped on me overnight, I've found wear on most metallics to not be great, though. 

Bad. Sunlight.

Bad. Sunlight.

Bad. Sunlight.

Woman from Tokyo. Sunlight.

Finals are over and I'm looking forward to to having some downtime to take pictures and posting.

I made two orders from Llarowe (though only one went through) and came away with some of her beautiful holo polishes. 

First up is Woman from Tokyo, a beautiful, dark eggplant-ish purple with a deep linear holographic finish. 

Woman from Tokyo. Sunlight.

The formula was a bit thick on this, but the staying power was pretty decent and the effect is dazzling.

Woman from Tokyo. Indoor light.

Yes, they're real...

thank you, they're genetic and unattainable. While some things, like a Van Damme middle split may be, I don't believe lovely spike-ish nails to be. However, they may be inconvenient and inappropriate for one's lifestyle.

I could write a novel on my relationship with my nails and our trials and errors and the ridiculous things I've done to try and keep them in shape.

In my opinion, asking a nail fanatic who is trying to grow hers (or his) out if one's nails are natural is the highest of compliments. This is when I know I have succeeded ;)

I remembered Teas-y Does It is the last color I wore before our very painful break up :( 

Some pre-break spam.

Lynnderella Deep Blue Seeing (I think!?), a Milani white.

Sally Hansen Garnet Lapis Prism, OPI Black Onyx

Lynnderella Bride of Franken, OPI Mrs. O' Leary's BBQ

And in September:

Breaking up is hard to do.

Noticeably, they are the longest in this last picture and that of course compromises their strength. And while I did like the way they looked at the time, I have to admit looking at the picture, perhaps they were maybe about 3mm too long. I can their weak spots in the pic and that makes me sad :(

They've been growing back pretty well, but I still feel like I'm wearing nubs. 

What was your worst break? What finger was it on? Nail friends and myself seem to concur they happen on pointer and thumbs. Not surprisingly, these seem to be the most frequently used fingers.

Enchanting

This polish looks like magic in a bottle. I had to have it and I'm so anxiously awaiting the next Enchanted restock. It's over black here and I think that makes it look a bit more potent. I'm lazy, so that was a pain, but it only took took coats after that and it was just striking indoor and out. I don't think I've ever had more compliments...pic heavy.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend, bottle. Outdoor Light.

Time to Pretend, bottle. Outdoor Light.