a special green!

We may be moving into another Green period, big surprise. Dominica Green—I’m not sure why it’s so difficult to find a good dupe of this color. It’s awesome, great for any season (it is, right?), and it’s so crazy that while you may not feel like you can wear it, anyone can wear it!

I have seen a few non-US brands that have looked very close though. DG was actually the first I came across. 

What surprised me is how wicked it looked—it’s shocking and startling and has that sort clear shimmer (maybe glass fleck), but very fine. Also, it’s super sheer and has a bit of a jelliness to the finish—this was 3-4 coats. Make sure you have some time on (or off!!) your hands for this one, it seemed to take forever to dry. It lasted for at least five stressful days during finals though, so it had a big payoff.

Dominica Green. Natural light through the window.

Dominica Green. Natural light through the window.

Dominica Green. Natural light through the window.

Grass-fed

I'd had an acute lemming for this color--seeing it at stores--I used to dislike it, though now, I really can't remember why. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, yet now, it seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. I wanted it so much I considered Revlon's Posh--quite similar--then finally ordered it on eBay for $5.

It's a fairly evenly applying creme-jelly hybrid that required three coats for full coverage. I hate applying more than three coats, so you know it requires the three ;) 

As for the color itself, I asked a colorblind "friend" what color this was from a distance in a somewhat dim setting and he said, "blue-ish green." It can look blue in some lights, but is a pretty even green. It reminded me of the two greens I photographed the bottle with--Prismacolor Grass Green marker and colored pencil (not quite a match). Brilliant and vibrant.

Pretty Edgy. Bottle Shot and comparison.

Pretty Edgy. Sunlight.

Pretty Edgy and Happy Holo-daze accents. Sunlight.

Back to the 80s...

Another 80s themed mani for ya. Did this one awhile ago when I lost my actual camera and used my camera on my phone. The pictures look pretty freaky because of the neon and it's NOT a really messy job it's just the glare from the polish.

It's Essie's Flirty Fuchsia from the Summer Neons 2009--I also added my CtD dupe from Aqua Daisy, Me Too for an 80s touch :) The formula on Flirty Fuchsia is good and dries fast, but to a matte finish, which I've heard is normal for a true neon polish. It's not a matte finish as if a matte top coat were applied, but more matte than a "satin" finish, imo.  This is somewhat noticeable in the second picture. I also managed to score the elusive Funky Limelight for a great deal! Coming Soon...

Flirty Fuchsia and Me Too. Overcast Outdoor Light.

Flirty Fuchsia. Artificial Light.

Flirty Fuchsia. Indoor with Flash.

Dirt Rainbow

Here's something that I think I may have seen a long time ago, or maybe just in my mind and thought, "wow, I could never do that," or "how is that even possible?" After recently trying my first gradient which was precluded about a month prior to seeing my first gradient tutorial (tutorials intimidate me, like nail art), I decided to try a tricolor gradient. 

Tricolor Gradient + OPI Black Shatter. Sunlight.

 Rainbow Gradient + OPI Black Shatter. Sunlight.

The colors in the mani are OPI Fly and Did it on 'Em from Nicki Minaj collection and Essie Flirty Fuschia (summer '09 neon, if anyone wants to swap something for Funky Limelight, let me know, one of my two readers...my boyfriend or a relative?). 

I just got rid of Save Me (the cool mixed bar glitter from Nicki Minaj collection) and would actually like to try Super Bass shatter. I had Pink Friday as well, but after attempting three or four applications, I could not deal with it's formula. Considered Metallic 4 Life as well, but removal of black polish + heavy glitter looks like a nightmare O.o

I was never a huge shatter fan (even in the 90s!) but I think there is a place for black shatter. Maybe a glitter shatter?

Here is what I consider to be the fail safe gradient tutorial--nailasaurus