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.

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.

just two

Aren't there some kind of potato chips where they're like, "you can't have just one?" Or something? Is it Ruffles? Anyway, I couldn't get just one of these Roughles from Nicole, so I got three. Now I want the last one (pink, Rock the Look), but I have no idea where to find it. 

Looking at these on my nails I kept thinking of popcorn, stucco houses, and candy. The formula was great and they dried quickly. 

These pictures came out sort of dark and the colors look a bit more saturated and less pastel than they did in person. It may have been because I did them indoors, so I did not include a lot :( 

On What Grounds? Indoor light.

Sand in My Shoe. Indoor light.

Sand in My Shoe bottle. Indoor light.

Pastel Party!

There's something about pastels--I just can't get enough of them, despite the fact that they always do me wrong. They are too eye-catching to resist. Even the pastel cremes with proclaimed “ease of application” often fit into one or more of these unpleasant categories: thick, gummy, stringy, they pull or are streaky. 

 

Most of the following pastels presented some problems, some got better with practice, some didn't. The only one I absolutely COULD NOT work with was Lime Crime Pastelchio (a sort of pastel yet neon green, such a cool color!). It was like painting with melted chewed gum. 

My Lifesaver was the easiest of the bunch and the best tip I could relay about pastels would be to let each coat dry in between layers. These pictures suck, so here's a bunch.

Nicole by OPI My Lifesaver. Artificial Light. (index finger looks fat!)

Nicole by OPI My Lifesaver. Artificial Light.

Pastelchio, Up and Kim-ing Pink, Milky Ways (Index has horrible Orly Repair on it!!)

Milky Ways, Pastelchio. Natural Light.

Milky Ways, Pastelchio. Bottles, natural Light.

Aqua Lemming

It's blue(ish). It's beautiful. It's finally mine. I got this as a birthday gift for a shameful price after the first time it sold out. I wanted to wait until my birthday to use it--so here it is.

Aqua Lily. Natural Light.

Aqua Lily. Natural Light.

Aqua Lily bottle. Natural Light.

Aqua Lily. Natural Light, Shade.

It was one of those colors that does not disappoint upon receiving. It's the same gorgeous blued turquoise with pink particle shimmer that I expected. However, it was the formula, as with many Rescue Beauty Lounge polishes I've tried (gasp) that was problematic for me. It was very pigmented (awesome) and strangely self-leveling. It took about an hour to level out completely on the second coat. It pulled for me as well, so the second time I used it, I waited for the first coat to dry and had much better application. Another issue--it chipped the next day :( and for a polish that retails for $20, I would just find a dupe or wait for one.

For Audrey is a color I waited for awhile and has definitely become a staple in most polish lovers' collections. I own quite a few of these aqua and minty shades myself, but formula on them is tricky. For Audrey is no different and it is a little thick and draggy, but not un-doable, it just takes a little patience.

For Audrey. Artificial Light.

 I thought it might look cute with some glitters over it, so I tried some and settled on Aqua Daisy "Me Too," a matte mixed black and white glitter.

For Audrey with OPI Pirouette My Whistle topped with Don't Touch My Tutu, Aqua Daisy Me Too, Icing After Party, $OPI Sugar Plum Fairies Gone Wild, Sinful Green Ocean

For Audrey with Me Too. Artificial Light.

For Audrey and Me Too, bottles.

I really like Me Too as a substitute for the "original black and white glitter." It applies nicely and has the right shaped glitters for me. However, it seemed to yellow For Audrey ever so slightly. Can you tell?