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.

cloud de menthe

I had to take a quick break for a long-hours summer course but the end result is a lot of new polish and two new acrylic racks! 

I don't know where I first spotted this baby, but the first thing I thought was an OPI Creme de Menthe dupe! I don't know if I'm right and probably never will, but I compared it to the other minty gold shimmer I have and it's quite different. It's perhaps a bit lighter looking and less dusty than Creme de Menthe. My first Jessica and the polish had a perfect application and long wear time. I also got so many compliments!

Cloud Mine. Sunlight.

Cloud Mine. Sunlight.

Cloud Mine. Indoor light.

Cloud Mine. Sunlight.

Jessica Cloud Mine vs. Chelsea Baja Green

Cloud Mine 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.

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.

or give me death.

Liberty is a beautiful polish in theory. The idea is a perfect mint green with a gorgeous, fine blue shimmer packed with glass fleck. It could probably be pulled off this way by a more skilled hand. However, I lack the patience to let an hour pass in between each coat (each of three coats!) so I only wait about fifteen minutes and it turns out thick and lumpen and sad. 

The color is still stunning and it is a unique polish. If you can deal with the frustrating formula, or you like the RBL formula, I highly recommend it. 

Also, the real reason I haven't been posting as much lately is because my computer is reaching old age. Every time I open iPhoto it takes about five minutes just for it to start. Photoshop...about seven and then quits multiple times during. It's a huge effort to do just a quick crop and color adjust. Such is life. 

Liberty. Sunlight.

Liberty. Indoor light.

Liberty. Sunlight (in the car!).

Liberty. 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.