Cult Nails Mini-Haul Part I: Cruisin' Nude

A few weeks ago, Cult Nails held the second part of its $5 sale. I ordered Cruisin' Nude, Iconic and Let Me Fly.  I was really excited to try Cruisin' Nude because it's not your average nude.  Look closely and you'll see a beautiful pink shimmer running through it.  I was just nervous about how it would look on my skin tone.  In the photos I'd seen, it appeared to be the exact type of color that would give me mannequin hands.  I like a good neutral color, but I'm not a fan of mannequin hands.  Now that I have it and have swatched it, take a look and let me know what you think.

Polish notes:

Base coat: Zoya Get Even Ridge Filler
Coats of polish used: 2
Comments about application: Flawless, I love these formulas!
Top coat: None

 

in the shade

With this latest purchase, my Cult Nails collection now numbers at five polishes.  So far, every formula has been great, the colors unique and the customer service has been great.  I'm definitely looking forward to adding many more to my collection in the coming years.

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Can't wait to show you the rest of my haul!

Go Crazy with Essie's Mojito Madness

I saw. I loved. I conquered.

Essie's Mojito Madness is by far my favorite new color of the summer.

MM comes from the Bikini So Teeny collection for summer 2012.  I first learned about the collection through Milly's post on www.beautylogicblog.com earlier this month.  I instantly loved Mojito Madness, and I knew I had to have it as soon as it was released.  It was my understanding that the collection wouldn't be released until June, but I found it at Ulta over the holiday weekend for $6.40 before tax (I used a 20% off coupon).  I swatched it immediately because I needed to show it off ASAP! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Polish notes:

Color description: "Fun-loving, lime green."
Base coat: Zoya Anchor
Coats of polish used: 2
Comments about application: Since the formula is a little thick, I had a bit of trouble avoiding obvious layer lines (check out the middle nail).  When this happens, I like to use CND Shiney as a fix.
Top coat: None for the first three pictures

Check out the layer line on the middle nail

I added CND Shiney to smooth over the finish

The lines were still apparent after I added CND Shiney, but the finish was smoother overall, and it added extra shine (no surprise there) to an already professional-looking finish.

Essie Mojito Madness + CND Shiney

Essie Mojito Madness + CND Shiney

 Are you off to Ulta to pick up your own bottle?

Hope Your Memorial Day Isn't Too Too Hot!

Here's a quick post to show off Essie's Too Too Hot from last summer's Braziliant collection.  I've mentioned before that I was a big fan of last year's collection, and TTH is one of the reasons why.  This hot orange-red is sizzling.  I don't usually wear loud colors like this, but it oozes summer, so I couldn't resist.

Polish notes:

Base coat: Zoya Anchor (to reduce any staining)
Coats of polish used: 2
Comments about application: Great formula, but I still had some visible nail line after two coats.
Top coat: None, it's already shiny!

On another note, I've been playing with the shape of my nails, this time squaring them off a bit. I like it in person, but they come across too square to me in the pics. What do you think?  I'm definitely a fan of the "squoval," but I don't think I've quite gotten it right.

Double Feature: China Glaze Grape Pop and FingerPaints Movie In the Park

Happy Saturday!

Are you ever able to accomplish everything on your to-do list?  If you are, then I definitely applaud you.  I, on the other hand, am still a work in progress.  It's just been one of those kind of weeks.  Thank goodness for long weekends, right?

Today I wanted to show you two polishes, China Glaze Grape Pop and FingerPaints Movie in the Park.  I think they paired well together, and the sparkle was just fun to wear. 

China Glaze Grape Pop

This color comes from China Glaze's Spring 2010 Up & Away collection.  It's one that I've been meaning to wear for a while, but haven't gotten around to it.  I was very pleased with the color, and will definitely make it a point to wear it again soon.  One thing about China Glaze polishes is that I rarely have a negative word to say about them.  In my experience, the finish is always smooth and shiny.  You like?

FingerPaints Movie in the Park

I purchased this from Sally Beauty Supply a couple of weeks ago, and it comes from the FingerPaints Summer in the City collection.  I think it turned out a bit duller in my pics than it is in person.  I included a blurry pic to help expose some of the sparkle that my camera otherwise seemed to hide.  I found the application to be smooth and easy.  I have to say, FingerPaints is worth a second look in my book.  I usually pass by their displays without a thought, but this is the second polish of theirs that I recently tried and liked.

 I hope you're having a great Memorial Day weekend! Thanks for visiting!

Happy Dance

I posted this over on Facebook, but I just had to share here too :)

So, I did a little happy dance after receiving a delivery confirmation for my Cult Nails polish a day earlier than expected. My co-worker looked at me like I was crazy, but I'm not ashamed because THIS was waiting for me when I got home!

I Didn't Wear Red Polish Until Zoya Burke

I don't wear red nail polish.  But I buy red nail polish.  Then I decided to wear red nail polish.  And I loved it!  I think I loved it because it wasn't a straight on red.  So, instead of saying I don't wear red polish, I should probably say that I don't wear classic red polishes.  I swatched Zoya Burke and took a ton of pictures as you'll see.  Zoya describes it as a "soft, dusty light red mulberry with very subtle brick and mauve tones."

 

Polish Notes:

Base coat: Zoya Anchor

Coats of polish used: Two

Comments about application: Nice formula

Top coat: None - it was shiny on its own!

I Have A Polish Fairy

It seems like forever ago when Beyoncé made her post Blue Ivy debut, wowing everyone with her new and improved figure, wearing an electric blue nail polish called Baker Street by nails inc.  She definitely made a statement, letting the world know that even when out on the town, her baby was on her mind.  I loved the color, and couldn't wait to get my hands on the polish from the brand I knew little about at the time.  Well, a little polish fairy delivered the goods, and I couldn't wait to show it off!

(I used Zoya's Get Even Ridge Filler as a basecoat followed by two coats of Baker Street with CND Shiney as the topcoat.)

nails inc. Baker Street

I had a sneaky suspicion that Baker Street was a dupe or near dupe of Mesmerize.

(l) Essie Mesmerize (r) nails inc. Baker Street

As you can see, Mesmerize is darker compared to Baker Street.  They are close, but not dupes.  The formula on the Essie was a bit smoother though.

I'm officially on this blue thing.  I love the way it looks on me.  What's your favorite blue polish?

Zoya Ki - The Coolest Multichromatic Polish You'll Ever See? Maybe

Here's a quick post of an oldie but goodie from my collection...if a year old polish can be considered an oldie.  I think it qualifies, so let's go.

Zoya Ki is "a complex multichromatic shade combining silver, purple, blue and green in a shimmery metallic finish."  Wearing this color will give you a serious case of the nail stare.  You'll be entranced, watching how the colors seem to morph when you change lighting situations.  It's definitely a chameleon of sorts.

I tried to capture as many of these shades as I could.

Zoya Ki can be purchased from www.zoya.com

I Sashayed My Way Into An Awesome New Polish From Orly

Inspired by Kerry Washington's neutral polish choice in the latest episode of my favorite new show, "Scandal," I treated my nails to Zoya Avery (I admit, I was kind of obsessed with figuring out what color she wore in the scene with Fitz on the bus during the campaign trail...I see nail polish everywhere lol!).  I wasn't crazy about Avery when I first wore it months ago, but after giving it another try, I can honestly say I love it.  I just found it really soft and flattering.  It's another one of those colors that makes me feel delicate and feminine - two words I don't usually use to describe myself.  Give me an old t-shirt, comfy jeans and sneakers any day over a pair of heels and anything that impairs normal breathing, but sometimes a girl must do what a girl's gotta do, right?  But, I digress...

I stopped by Sally Beauty Supply and saw they had a new, sparkly Orly display.  I'm not usually drawn to Orly's because anytime I do buy them, I end up disappointed in their formulas.  However, Sashay My Way demanded to be conquered, and I couldn't resist.  It was practically calling my name, so of course I had to go ahead and bring it home with me.  I couldn't wait to play with it, so I added it to the tips of my Avery mani.  Take a look at what happened! I dare you not to like it lol!  I only wish my camera could've captured all the golden sparkly holo goodness that is evident in person.  Sorry about the crappy lighting in these pictures--I used what I had available at the time so I could share with you ASAP.

Sashay My Way contains golden holographic hexagonal and bar glitter (a mouthful, right?) in a clear base.  For best results, I "placed" the glitter where I wanted it on my nail. Since I had to place the glitter, the overall finish was a little lumpy, like little hills at the tips, so I covered all layers with a coat of CND Shiney.  I think it acted as a great sealant to make all of the layers gel.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the collection Sashay My Way comes from.  Okay, I don't know anything about the collection.  I searched it, but I didn't find one iota of information.  It's almost like it doesn't really exist.  Maybe someone out there can fill me in?

The combination of these two polishes was an accident, and I think it made for an interesting, but pretty combo...not one I think I would've intentionally put together.  Do you think it works?  What color would you recommend using a base the next time?