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.

A Charm

My third and maybe final post on Pretty and Polished's Jawbreaker--the first polish I ever posted. I think I got it right this time.

Bottle shots are on my very first post which is oh my gosh over one year ago! See the bottle here.

Jawbreaker.

Jawbreaker.

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.

jelly and glitter spam

I haven't left--I've just been working on pics like crazy. I hate imperfect pics and mine are far from that, but I think I've been getting more fervent in my obsession with details.

So without over thinking it, here are some craptastic pics of a jelly and glitter experiment that I didn't really like. Sandwich fail. OPI My Pointe Exactly and China Glaze Pizazz and some of Sinful Cinderella and Lynnderella New Year's Eve Eve.

I found some pics of a really old jelly glitter combo I did as well, so here's that. OPI Don't Touch My Tutu (a serious must for jelly sammiches) and Dollish Polish Hylian Princess.

My Point Exactly and Pizazz. Artificial horrible light.

My Point Exactly and Pizazz sandwich. Artificial light.

Don't Touch My Tutu and Hylian Princess. Natural Light.

Cinderella and New Year's Eve Eve.

Cinderella and New Year's Eve Eve.

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.

Green Room continued...

I’ve been having Nail Issues lately! Wouldn’t ya like to have my problems ;) (actually probably not if you’re a nail blogger). The last three polishes I’ve worn, including this beauty, have given me some "tip" issues, but I’m starting to suspect it’s my bottle of Poshe—it’s given me nothing but trouble and bubbles since I bought it at Sally’s. It may have just been old and it’s not getting any younger—I believe it’s causing super shrinkage :( See sad, sad pics—polish has only been on for 12 hours!

/end rant onto the good stuff:

Tonight I bring you a beautiful new green from Sally Hansen Insta-Dri and while it was not Insta-Dri for me, I could tell from the bottle that it was going to be worth the wait, long or short. Check out the bottle pics.

An amazing npf (nail polish friend) who knows I’m a green fiend and sent me this beauty, a deep forest green jelly, very sheer but opaque enough in two coats, peppered with almost indistinguishable flavors of glitter. I’ve counted purple for sure, blue/teal or turquoise, or gold/lime/silver, but it’s hard to tell on the latter color because the sheerness of the jelly may be tinting the lighter glitter.

I found application to be smooth and not at all jelly-streaky and I found two coats did well, though I know some like super opaque coverage. I love this color so much, I really want to do some nude/green nail art with it, but I’m not sure it will work out because of the sheerness? I tried a nude gradient over it last night, but the nudes I tried were too sheer (boo). Looking forward to another post on this one!

The tip wear or shrinkage on this is embarrassing :( small pic.

In a Flurry. Bottle Shot. Flash.

In a Flurry. Bottle Shot Macro.

PS. I will not run out of green puns/green themed titles! Watch me ;)

The Green Scheme

Words cannot express how I feel for this color and polish and really it could possibly be my favorite polish of all time and I would also say that I’ve found this year. It is just…95% perfect. When you hear “bottle green,” this is slightly bluer and deeper, but it is a jelly, so it gives that sheer layered look of depth and does give an effect of glass and a little squish. I think it tended to look a tiny bit darker on my nails than in the bottle, unless I was in the sun or other bright light. In some darker lights to me it almost appeared black, but a green black.

Deep Bottle Green

Bottle Green

Mint Jellies

The formula oh the formula—it is also like some sort of strange glass and melts onto your nails in a not too thin, not too thick viscosity. The first coat is a miraculous paradigm of non-streaky jelly. And then, the formula, OH, the formula—has formaldehyde resin in it and that makes me sad for my little kitten who is probably breathing the fumes :(

The brush was getting to me at first but then I realized it is cut at an angle, which actually makes it perfect for getting the curved sides of my nails and I am able to angle it to fit right down into the round edges where nail meets cuticle. I’m considering this brush as one of my new favorites.

One issue I’m now having with Illamasqua is price point versus colors that would flatter my skin. Blues, purples, and blue-based red and pinks are not so great on me and maybe I’m just imagining it, but it seems like they have so many of those compared to other colors AND that within that spectrum lie some of their more interesting colors. If I didn’t have to pay $15+ each ($14+ our 9% sales tax) it might not matter as much to buy more mundane colors and/or dupes simply because I love the formulation and the package. Here’s to more Illamasqua lacquer in the new year. 

Illamasqua Rampage. Indoor, sunlight from window. Short middle nail :(

Illamasqua Rampage. Outdoor, overcast day.

Illamasqua Rampage. Artificial light.

 PS. I decided I wanted to do a little green "series," inspired by my bnpf, who so generously and thoughtfully sent me a beautiful green I will soon have up and who was one of my very first followers and comment-ers <3

Before I forget anything else about it--I bring you, Hare: the Monster. This cute dusty teal jelly is imbued with deep emerald glitter that sparkles through each coat.

It's sad and embarrassing that I cannot remember if I used two coats or three since I only had this on maybe five days ago. I think it was three though :) each coat built nicely on the other and with a minute or so dry time in between it was a nice jelly application.

I had minimal issues with patchiness as pictured and I'm sure if you are intensely picky about your coverage with a jelly you could do four coats or use this over another color. I am weird though (or lazy) and I prefer to see the true color--or what I call "going commando." I don't often like to buy colors that are meant to be topcoats(!), so it' probably more laziness. Here's the Monster, "commando" ;) hahaha...oh geez.

PS. A bonus! Even though it's packed with glitter, this one seemed super easy with removal ;)

The Monster. Sunlight.

The Monster. Indoor Sunlight. Trying to show the glitter in sparkle mode.

The Monster. Macro Bottle. Indoor Light.

Double Dolls

My favorite Dollish I've ordered has been this pretty one here--Greased Lightning--inspired by the car, what else? :) Red and dark-ish silver (almost gunmetal? But silver) hexes swim in a silky, milky white base. Also, I got the square bottle, woot. 

I actually haven't been doing to great with manis lately--been trying really hard for a water marble or a really special gradient add that to experiementing with four different cameras and trying to add a new photo software, apologies!!

Dollish Polish Greased Lightning. Sunlight.

Dollish Polish Greased Lightning. Artificial Light.

Dollish Polish Greased Lightning Bottle shot. Artificial light.

All Dolled Up

Dollish Polish was one of the first indies I got excited about because of their beautiful shades and glitters and haven't done a post until now. Strangely though, I can never keep my hands on Gym Tan Laundry, because I'm convinced it's not for my coloring, I'm never happy with the amount of glitters in their clear glitter bases, and then the three polishes I really want are discontinued :( womp

Expecto was one that I had really admired and lemmed for awhile, also unable to get my hands on it. Regardless about my feelings for Harry Potter (hey, I grew up with Harry, but it's not like I'm going to name my golden retriever after him...imo he doesn't look like any golden retriever I've seen) I thought it was a stunning polish look. 

After months, Expecto arrived and I filed my nails into the chicest short nubs I could and prepared. But when I put it on in what happened to be three smooth and silky sheerish white coats with turquoise/teal/blue glitter (I don't like to do three coats but this application happened to go on nice and easy and felt like it needed three), something was missing and I couldn't quite but my finger on it--and not because my polish was still wet. The glorious orange/gold flakies I'd read about and seen were not showing. I took it outside and angled my nails every which way, but to no avail. 

In the sunlight picture, the flakies are visible in the bottle, just a bit, as an orange glow right in the center. I do understand (I think) that the flakies are not supposed to be big blingin' flashy things. Despite this I still think Expecto is a great polish to own because of its smooth application and unique look. I feel bad saying it but I would like just a smidgen little bit of a pinch more magic in my patronum...patronus? I've considered sending an owl to Dolly regarding this issue*

Dollish Polish. Expecto Patronum. Sunlight. Why's the bottle upside down?

Dollish Polish. Expecto Patronum. Shade.

Dollish Polish. Expecto Patronum. Artificial Light. Sorry it's blurry :(

*I have not!! I would never do that! Harry Potter joke! I hope I don't get an owl for writing that O>o (awkward owl face)

Good Times

Remember your first John Hughes movie? I think mine was Pretty in Pink. On that note--

Duckie is a gorgeous minty green that I’d recommend as a must for every green-lover’s collection. Easy to work with formula and it looks great over a variety of greens. It is a very sheer jelly with two different sizes of green hex glitters and small yellow gold hex glitter. I like it sheer in three coats, but I know many are not a fan of “visible nail line.”

I also absolutely adore the other three polishes in this collection—Nostalgic’s “Bizarre Teenage Love Triangle—" a nod to the aforementioned movie. I took photos of the other polishes but had some glitter issues, so didn’t use them. Many other blogs have awesome pictures of these on the nail though :) 

Bizarre Teenage Love Triangle. From left: Andie, Duckie, Blane. Sunlight.

Duckie. Sunlight. (sometimes I hold the polish reeeeeally tightly)

 

Duckie. Artificial Light.

Duckie. Sunlight Macro Bottle.

Welcome Shimmer

I am not going to lie. I have a bandaid on my right middle finger. I’m not trying to get creative with hand poses here

Today I bring you a medley (heh) of nail looks featuring OPI Privacy Please and Shimmer’s fantastic mermaid tail reminiscent “Jenny.” Jenny is very versatile and great for so many looks, so I decided to do several. It’s pretty dense even in one coat and unless your base is on the brighter/darker side, it seems to perhaps over shadow it, like with Privacy Please, so I did decide to show its versatility with this mani.

Privacy Please is a nice and subtle pinky pale creamy jelly-like sheer from OPI. It’s a good neutral and comes fairly streak-free in three coats. There are a lot of shades similar to this in their line, I just happened to try and like this one.

Jenny is available in Shimmer’s Etsy shop and was delivered pronto. At $12 they are a little pricier than some sellers on Etsy, however the density of the glitter will require fewer coats (one or two will be more than sufficient for a gorgeous sparkle imo), thus making the bottle go much further. Another note about Jenny is that there are so many different glitters in the polish, adding to the versatility and dimension, something I always appreciate.

PS.Thanks to Sparkly Vernis for the recommendation of Shimmer polish.

Shimmer Jenny with OPI Privacy Please (layered on fingers, topped with Jenny on thumb). Sunlight.

Shimmer Jenny with OPI Privacy Please (layered on fingers, topped with Jenny on thumb). Shade.

Shimmer Jenny Macro Bottle. Sunlight.

Shimmer Jenny over OPI Privacy Please. Sunlight.

Shimmer Jenny over OPI Privacy Please. Artificial Light, flash.

Shimmer Jenny over OPI Privacy Please. Artificial Light, flash.

Just a Little Swatch

Not a lot to say, just a little swatch.

Here's Rayanne by Nostalgic. A mizzh schmizz load of purples, pinks, fuchsia, and some silver glitter and a sheer purple base. Easy application and probably best used as a topcoat because it requires three coats for color intensity shown below.

Find her here: http://nostalgicnaillacquer.com/ She's come out with my favorite collection yet, recently, based what I can glean to be the Breakfast Club. I also loved her Pretty in Pink collection, but had some glitter issues, to be discussed later. If you're worried about that though, Erin of Nostalgic was very pro about exchanging my polishes. These bring back the good old days :)

Three Coats of Rayanne. Sunlight. (Extra long ring finger D:)

Rayanne Macro Bottle.

It's been awhile: Chunky Rainbow Sugar (bit pic heavy)

Another major lemming I'd given up on getting. But then...you know. See below. It just happened. What can I say about the polish that has been my number all time indie lemming of all time since I’ve had indie lemmings which has really only been about six months but still six months is a long time to want something think about if you liked a guy for six months or wanted chocolate, okay?

I could list (and have listed) about twenty of the glitter shapes, colors, and sizes that are in Sweets and not be done. However, duplication would probably be lost, even on the most desperate (me!). 

As much as its maker has lost popularity in the public polish eye due to recent unpleasant events, on its own, it is still full of unique pieces I haven’t come across anywhere. The white glitter are not just white—they are white with a faint pinky/gold iridescence (in this light) and some of the whites are semi-sheer. The pearlescence (not a word, apparently) in these pieces is really different, it makes me think of wedding confetti. 

There is also an extremely faint particle shimmer to the sheer milky base that has a color shift so imperceptible that I really can’t tell you what it is or if I’m imagining it or if it’s part of the infamous “purposeful” glitter bleeds.

 This is two coats of Sweets over one coat of OPI Don't Touch My Tutu.

Sweets to the Sweet. Sunlight.

Sweets to the Sweet. Natural light, shaded.

Sweets to the Sweet. Artificial Light.

Sweets to the Sweet. Macro thumbnail shot. Sunlight.

Sweets to the Sweet. Macro bottle shot. Sunlight.

 

I did get more compliments on this polish than any others so far, which irked me a little, I mean, this was not, inevitably, my best polish job, what with having to spread and chunk on the glitters, don't get me wrong, application could have been much worse. 

But it didn't smooth out even after Gelous, Poshe, and Poshe ;) However, the amazing swapper who sent this to me told me about polishes finding their forever homes and this one has. Unless of course you are prying it from my cold, dead, hands.