China Glaze Anchors Away Spring 2011 Collection: Life Preserver

China Glaze Life Preserver (2 coats)

I am finally posting some China Glaze Anchors Away swatches! I am a little unhappy with a couple of them so I may redo a few. My new job is officially ruining my hands and nails from being in water too long :-( I am trying to make them look better so my apologies for the problem cuticles.

Up first is probably one of my favorites of the ones I own which is called Life Preserver. It is a little surprising they chose this color for a spring collection because it reminds me of a fall color for some reason. It is a bright burnt orange creme which has hints of brown and pink in there. The application was pretty awesome too. Overall, I think it is a pretty unique color and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Wet N Wild Flirt Collection: Shy

Wet N Wild Shy (3 coats)

I really need to post these China Glaze Anchors Away and Crackle collections (I don't have them all, but I did get several)! I'm so sorry for the delay. They are on my camera, but I just haven't had the chance to put them on my computer to crop and resize. Don't worry, they will be posted soon.

Up tonight is another polish from the Wet N Wild Flirt collection called Shy. It is a tan or ivory shimmer that has a bit of frostiness to it. You definitely need to be careful of streaks forming on the nail with this one. It reminds me of the inside of a seashell, am I right? Anyway, it's ok, but definitely isn't a favorite or anything. Still, you can't beat the price on these.

Revlon Scents of Summer Nail Polish: Orange Pop

Revlon Orange Pop (3 coats)

Happy Saturday! I have to work in a little bit, but it's only for 3 and a half hours so I can't complain. Tomorrow I get to go to Ikea and Trader Joe's so I am excited. Anyone else have any plans this weekend? 

Today I have a scented nail polish from Revlon to show you. Yes, a scented nail polish. The color is a bright orange shimmer that smells of orange creme (most notably my mom's favorite drink from Sonic, an orange creme slush). While I think it is a really cool concept, I always like to use a fast dry topcoat (or really any topcoat) to increase the longevity of my nail polish, but with the scent, you simply cannot do this. Of course, any polish you add on top of this is going to mask the scent. The other issue I had was that it was slightly runny and sheer and needed 3 full coats for full coverage. Interesting idea, but unfortunately it doesn't really work for me.

Zoya Sparkle Collection Summer 2010: Gilda

Zoya Gilda (2 coats)

Hi everyone! I hope you are having a great evening (or morning, depending on where you are)! I believe this is the last Zoya polish I have in store for you. Last but definitely not least is Zoya Gilda which comes from the Sparkle collection. It is an awesome bright pink polish with glass-flecked shimmer throughout. It may not be the most unique color, but I still love it! I think Zoya has some of the best glass-flecked polishes in the business. Application was also great and on par with other Zoya polishes. Are you loving it?

Zoya Wicked Collection Fall 2010: Cheryl

Zoya Cheryl (2 coats)

While I really liked Cheryl, I think it looks even better in pictures than it does in real life. It is a reddish brown shimmer polish that comes from the Wicked collection. As I said before, I ended up buying this one and Cola and I think that was just a little too much brown for one order, even though I like both of them. You guys know I love my shimmer though :-D Application and formula were on par with other Zoya polishes as well. 

Can you believe it is Hump Day already? This week has been flying by!

Zoya Flash Collection Summer 2010: Robyn

Zoya Robyn (2 coats)

What a lovely (albeit slightly cooler) Tuesday afternoon! After seeing the beautiful sky today, I decided to show you Zoya's Robyn which also comes from the Flash collection. As you can see, it is a medium sky blue creme that is a bit muted to be a true neon. I absolutely adore this color. I even wore it to work orientation several weeks ago just to test their acceptance of nail color. Well, they loved this one so I am pretty much able to wear whatever I want! Despite having a few formula issues with Jancyn, Robyn was very smooth and pigmented with no problems at all. I hope you are enjoying the rest of your day!

Zoya Flash Collection Summer 2010: Jancyn

Zoya Jancyn (3 coats)

I'm not kidding, I had no idea Zoya released polishes this past summer. For some reason the Flash Collection never made it on my radar. That being said, I ended up getting 2 of them after seeing them for the first time. Up first is Jancyn. Come on, Zoya. Jancyn? Who actually knows anyone named Jancyn (if that is actually your name, please do not take offense)? Name aside, I absolutely adore this polish. My husband is a huge fan of orange so he was also loving it on me. It is a bright tangerine orange creme. The only problem with it was the application as it was slightly thick and streaky, but as you can see from the picture, it didn't really inhibit the quality of the manicure. I'm so glad I finally found out about the Flash Collection!

Zoya Wonderful Collection Fall 2010: Cola

Zoya Cola (2 coats)

Saturday night, oh yeah! I had an extremely long nap and now it is time for some dinner. But before that can happen, I am going to show you guys Zoya Cola, which definitely reminds me the color of Pepsi or Coke (depending on your preference ;-) It is a reddish brown creme that looks more like the second and third picture rather than the first because it was slightly washed out. For some reason I decided to buy both Cola and Cheryl in the same order (which are both brown polishes) which is pretty rare for me. I was again really impressed with the application and formula with this one and it only needed 2 coats.

Zoya Reverie Collection Spring 2010: Adina

Zoya Adina (2 coats)

Happy Friday! I hope your week has been going well!

Really, how awesome is this polish? For some reason I didn't buy Zoya's Adina until now. What was I thinking? Sometimes duochromes are hardly noticeable, but just look at how unique this is! It is a lavender base with green duochrome shimmer. Awesome formula and application on this one as well. Honestly, I don't have much to say and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy your weekend!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strip Preview

INTRODUCING

SALON EFFECTS REAL NAIL POLISH STRIPS

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Quick color, shine and design.

WHAT IT IS: No dry-time, nail polish strips for instant glam. For years you’ve looked to Sally Hansen for the best in nail color. Now, the color authority delivers trend-setting nails that think outside of the bottle. New Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips offer DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde Free, no dry-time nail looks for style that lasts up to ten days. This easy and affordable at-home nail technology puts bold color, high- shine, and intricate design at your fingertips—just peel, apply, file, and go.

Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate. Choose from three statement-making collections:

Shiny Neons: Get notice-me nails with these no dry-time hues.

Available strips: Cry Baby, It Girl, Violet Night, Teal With It, Groove, Electric Shock, Squeezed!, Red-y for Trouble

High-Shine Metallics: Shimmer, shine, sparkle and standout without waiting for nails to dry.

Available strips: Frock Star, Bling it On, Glitz Bitz, Raise a Glass, Blue Ice

High-Fashion Patterns: From racy leopard print to lady-like lace, prints and patterns are easy to achieve.

Available strips: Wild Child, Kitty Kitty, Fly With Me, Girl Flower, Misbehaved, Laced Up, Booty Camp and Collide-o-Scope, Cut it Out, Check it Out , Skinny Jeans.

WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99.

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri: Blue Streak

Sally Hansen Blue Streak (2 coats)

I'm sleepy. I just got off of work and have to get up early tomorrow morning to work again. Needless to say, this is going to be a quick post. I don't have many Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polishes, but I was given this one as a gift awhile back (for some reason this post should have been done a long time ago). Blue Streak is a nice blue turquoise shimmer with great pigmentation. While I like the polish, I hate the brush. It's the wide brush with the tapered end which is just too wide for my nail beds. I don't have a problem with OPI brushes, but the Sally Hansen ones unfortunately don't work for me.

Sally Hansen HD High Definition: Wavelength

Sally Hansen Wavelength (2 coats)

A friend of mine was kind enough to let me borrow a couple of her polishes (thanks, Tara!) and today I have a bottle from Sally Hansen to show you guys. Depending on the angle and light, Wavelength has hints of both orange and pink and is a beautiful coral with glass flecks. When this collection came out, I fell in love with several of them, but they were slightly more expensive than I was hoping and only bought one of them. I am so happy to be able to try another one out! I was very impressed with the application and formula which only needed 2 coats (unlike the other one I tried which was extremely sheer). What do you think, are you loving Wavelength?

LA Splash: Love Crush Valentine's Day Manicure

LA Splash Love Crush (4 coats)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! If you hate Valentine's Day, then happy Monday. I have a unique LA Splash polish today which I bought from the local Ulta store. As you can see, it is a fuchsia jelly polish with multicolored glitter and large red hearts. I think this is really cool, but the application was a bit annoying as it was very thick and needed lots of thinner. Also, you need to place the red hearts on because when you start to make the brush strokes it tends to take the hearts off. Since it is a jelly, it was quite sheer as you can see from the picture above which contained 4 coats of polish. Overall I think this would be best layered over a red or pink polish, but it looks fine alone if you like visible nail lines.

Wet N Wild Flirt Collection: Bar-B

Wet N Wild Bar-B (2 coats)

What a cute name for a polish! My parents gave me the Wet N Wild Flirt collection for Christmas and I am getting around to swatching all of them. Since several were pinks, I thought it'd be an appropriate time to show some of these. Up first is Bar-B which is a bubble-gum pink shimmer. It may not be the most unique polish, but it I think it is really cute and would be a favorite for many who want more neutral, work appropriate polishes. I was also very impressed with the application as it was quite smooth and only needed 2 coats.

Since my husband and I have to work tomorrow we will be celebrating Valentine's Day today. Yay for big dinners! Do you have any plans with your significant other? If you are single (which I had plenty of those) I always enjoyed taking time to pamper myself and also be with friends. So, what are your plans? Go ahead and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sinful Colors Wild About Color Set: Sugar Sugar

Sinful Colors Sugar Sugar (2 coats)

What an appropriate color for Valentine's Day! This is the final Sinful Colors polish I have in store for you guys and I hope you've enjoyed the swatches. Sugar Sugar is a beautiful true red polish with red shimmer. It may not be the most unique polish, but with the price and great application, I would definitely recommend this to you guys. Since it is Friday, do you have any plans for tonight?

Misa Spring 2011: Wishes Collection

When You Wish Upon a Star…You Get the Ethereal Shades in Misa Cosmetics’ Wishes Collection

January 2011 – Philadelphia, PA. From Harry Potter to vampire drama, no one can resist a little fantasy in life, an escape from the everyday. Usually, going from the doldrums of reality to fantastical imaginings on cloud nine takes a little effort, but Misa Cosmetics makes the flight exceptionally easier with the Wishes Collection, six pie-in-the-sky hues that evoke otherworldly beauty with delicate shimmer and alluring iridescence. Thanks to these gorgeous shades—all satin matte with sparkling effect finishes—you’ll be ready to believe in magic again!
Spring 2011: Wishes Collection
Never Say Never: All you have to do is believe—in this frosted ice-princess silvery white, that is—and your nails will transform as you never thought possible. Never say never; just enjoy the cool effect of painting your nails the color of falling snow in moonlight.
Pixie Princess: Fairies are known for their playful, mischievous demeanors, and you won’t find a shade more naughty-but-nice than this soft beige with the subtlest sheen of glitter. It’s no folklore—this delicate hue instantly gets your nails ready to soar above the earth.
Touch the Rainbow: Like a sky after a rainstorm, this baby blue suggests a sense of peace, tranquility and calm. And, just as a rainbow shows off its spectrum of colors, this shade offers an ever-changing opalescent sheen that takes nails to unbelievable heights. Forget the pot of gold; grab this lacquer instead.
Fountain of Youth: We’d all love the ability to renounce the effects of aging, but this shimmering pastel will never grow old on your nails. With a hint of the sheerest springtime green, this polish makes any look brand-new again. Drink in the color and indulge in lasting longevity.
Genie in This Bottle: Do you dream of genies? Once you unleash the fairytale wish-granter from his magic lamp, you’ll never experience life in the same way again. But as you contemplate your three wishes, you might want to make one of them a request for this glittering lilac—it’s one wish that will never backfire!
Whimsical Wish: Blow out the candles, wish upon a star or toss a penny in the fountain. Whatever your method of securing your greatest desires, ensure that your nails are eminently wish-worthy with this pearl shade shot through with pink iridescent undertones.

Sinful Colors Wild About Color Set: Secret Admirer

Sinful Colors Secret Admirer (2 coats)

Happy Thursday, everyone! Can you believe tomorrow is Friday already? I do realize that the big Valentine's Day is coming up fast and will post a couple appropriate colors this weekend. Continuing on with the mini set is Secret Admirer which is a black polish with lots of silver micro shimmer thrown in. As I've said before, I'm not a huge fan of plain black polishes, but if you add something to it I will most likely love it and it's no different here. The silver shimmer really gives it a charcoal look. It was also quite pigmented and barely needed 2 coats. It's a lovely polish with a great price tag.

Sinful Colors Wild About Color Set: Rich in Heart

Sinful Colors Rich in Heart (2 coats)

What a unique polish! For the first time, this polish looks exactly like other swatches, so if you find the full size in stores, it should look like my picture. Rich in Heart is a vampy reddish brown shimmer that also seems to have a bit of purple undertones. It's quite a complex color that is perfect for the winter months. It was also quite pigmented and only needed 2 coats for full coverage. I am quite impressed with these polishes!

I noticed that Transdesign and Victoria's Nail Supply currently have the China Glaze Crackle collection for sale (Transdesign will ship later this week). If you are interested in this 6 color collection, definitely check out these reputable e-tailers for your polish needs. 

I was at a local Walgreens yesterday and noticed that they had Milani there. I've heard people mention that stores other than CVS were carrying Milani, but I had never experienced it myself. The display was pretty picked over, but they had Gems (the version with pink glitter as well), so if you are still looking for it, perhaps you should check out Walgreens. Ok, enough rambling for today. I hope all is well with everyone!