In the Mood Color Changing Polish: Ditsy

In the Mood Ditsy (2 coats)

When I was a kid, mood rings were all the rage (I grew up in the 80s). When color changing polishes made their way into the polish world, I was a bit behind the times. Not too long ago the accessory chain Claire's had a wide variety of colors to choose from, but for some reason I never bought any. I tried going to a few stores, but they only had the ones that didn't change colors very much. That seems to be the problem with a few of them: some don't change color very much. I'm happy to report that the couple I tried from In the Mood were quite different when cold vs. warm. When cool (below human temps of 98 degrees F), the color is a bright purple/pink creme, but when put on the nail, it changes to a Barbie bubblegum pink. The only issue you may have is if your nails aren't very long. Since I have a bit of free edge, the ends are cooler because they are not touching me and appear cooler, while the rest of my nails were the light pink color (check out pictures 4 and 5 to see what I mean). If your nails are short, they will most likely always look like the bubblegum pink color, unless it is cold outside or you wash your hands. When testing the polish, it was quite warm out, so they didn't change as much. I think the polishes were fun, and are a great conversation starter.

If you are interested in purchasing any of their 10 color changing polishes, you can purchase them on their online store found here for $8 a bottle.


*These polishes were provided the the company or PR representative. All reviews are based solely on my opinion. For more information, please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the site*

CQ Nail Polish: Rustic Dream

CQ Rustic Dream (3 coats)

This is actually my first time trying out CQ polishes, and I'm really impressed with it! Who doesn't like a good duochrome? I feel that duochromes are really lacking from drugstore brands and I'm happy that CQ went out on a limb with this beautiful polish. Rustic Dream is a reddish bronze polish with flashes of gold. It sort of feels like a fall polish, but I tend to ignore seasonal trends and will wear it whenever. The application was pretty good, but it was fairly sheer. I would definitely try some more CQ polishes! As far as I know, you can only find them at select Walmart and Rite Aid stores which is pretty disappointing. Hopefully they will start to expand their line into more stores, but that remains to be seen.

OPI Spring 2011 Texas Collection: Y'all Come Back Ya Hear?

OPI Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? (3 coats)

Happy Saturday! My family is in town, so this is going to be a quick post. I feel like I've been saying that a lot lately. Sorry about that!

I know, I am behind the times, but I have another couple polishes from the OPI Texas Collection. Several of them are sorbet polishes, which basically means they are jellies. Y'all Come Back Ya Hear? is one of these sorbet polishes and it is a really nice orange color. My husband is a huge fan of the color orange, so I tend to gravitate towards those since I get tons of compliments on them. Being a jelly, it is sheer, but the three coats mostly covers the nail line. If you really get annoyed by nail lines, a fourth coat may be necessary. Overall, I did enjoy the sorbets more than I thought I would. The other Texas Collection polish I bought was not a jelly, so this is officially the last one to show you guys. I hope you are having a great (extended, in the US) weekend!

Huemorista Nail Lacquer: Herbal Steam

Huemorista Nail Lacquer Herbal Steam (2 coats)

Herbal Steam is the final Huemorista polish I have to show you guys (again, you can find her store on Etsy). While I enjoyed all of the polishes, I have to say that Herbal Steam is my favorite. The awesome mossy green polish is unique in itself, but when you add in that handful of blue shimmer, you have a real winner. Unfortunately I couldn't capture the shimmer as well as I'd hoped, but definitely click the pictures for a larger view. It was also the most pigmented of the polishes only needing 2 coats for full coverage. What do you think, will you be purchasing any polishes from Huemorista?

Huemorista Nail Lacquer: Bubble Bath

Huemorista Nail Lacquer Bubble Bath (3 coats)

I love flakie polishes! The last polish I bought with flakes came from Barielle (I believe it was Elle's Spell) and that came out awhile ago. Why can't companies make more of them? When I read that Bubble Bath had opalescent flakes, I knew I had to get it. The only word that made me dubious was "jelly." You guys know my feelings on jellies, but I'm happy to report that with three coats there was no visible nail line. Bubble Bath is an aqua blue jelly with opalescent flakes (that are quite sparse) and some aqua shimmer. While I'm loving her polishes, the only downfall was the lack of flakes. Also, despite being smaller bottles, the brushes are quite large and gave me no troubles-yay!

Huemorista Nail Lacquer: Hidden Rainbow

Huemorista Nail Lacquer Hidden Rainbow (3 coats)

Have you ever heard of Huemorista Nail Lacquer from Etsy? I'm actually surprised it took so long for someone to start mixing their own polishes to sell, and I must say, I think Jayna is really making polishes people want to see. I ended up buying her Customized Collection of any 3 polishes for $12. The only down size is that the bottles are 5 mL and not full size. Up first is Hidden Rainbow which is a party in a bottle! It is an eggshell white color with lots of multi-colored (and multi-sized) glitter. At first I wasn't sure how well you'd be able to see the glitter in it, but I was happy to see that the glitter was clearly visible. It was a bit sheer, needing a full three coats, so the bottle won't last too long. If you're anything like me with more polish than you know what to do with, this won't be an issue (and it will still last you longer than an OPI mini with ~3.75 mL).

Essence: What Do U Think?

Essence What Do U Think? (2 coats)

Blarg, tomorrow is Monday. I have employee orientation tomorrow and have to be there at 8 AM. Oh, did I mention that I commute an hour and 15 minutes to get there? Also, does orientation really need to be 9 hours? 9 hours?! /end rant 

I don't think I've ever been truly disappointed with an Essence polish. I swear I heard recently that they were releasing magnetic polishes in the US, but let me know if I'm wrong. Never heard of magnetic polishes? Go ahead and let the Lacquerista tell you a bit more about the Essence ones. Up tonight we have What Do U Think? which is a nice peach shimmer (unfortunately it's one of those polishes where you can see the shimmer in the bottle, but it doesn't translate well to the nail). One thing I'm hating about it is its name. I hate text speak, even in text messages.

OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Collection: Silver Shatter

OPI Silver Shatter (1 coat) over Stranger Tides (2 coats)

I'm still alive! Yes, the infamous Rapture didn't take me today! I'm glad I'm still around because Doctor Who is on tonight (if you don't watch it, you should). Something I feel I have been putting off lately is my blog roll list. There are just so many blogs out there right now that I can't follow them all (and add them to the site). If you are interested in me adding yours to my list, please leave a comment to this post only, or e-mail me at rightonthenail@gmail.com. Thanks! 

As most of you know, crackle polishes are all the rage right now. Some are saying they are sick of them, but the companies are still pumping them out faster than a cupcake can last in my apartment. OPI just released the Silver Shatter (aka crackle polish) with the Pirates of the Caribbean collection. To shake things up, they decided to add a shimmer/foil finish instead of the (mostly) matte creme finishes that have come out recently. While the concept is cool, the finished product could be a bit better. I think the shimmer just takes away from the underlying polish too much (perhaps from the light refraction). I dunno, while it's cool in theory, I think I'd stick to the normal crackle types. I tried it with a brighter bottom color and liked it a little better, so perhaps different combinations would work better with the shimmer (I'll show that combo soon). The formula was fine, but I did notice that it was significantly thicker the second time I used it. According to many, these OPI Shatters can be used with normal polish thinners (unlike the old Cover Girl ones from the 90s). Have a great night!

P.S. I had 5 Guys for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Cajun fries for the win!

P.S.S. I've really been into P.S.' lately.

OPI Pirates of the Caribbean Collection: Stranger Tides

OPI Stranger Tides (2 coats)

So, on the way home from my new job I was rear ended on the highway from a Ford F150 truck after stopping for traffic. I drive a Nissan Sentra. In this case, my car was clearly the winner with some minimal bumper damage, but, being my first accident of any kind, I was quite upset from the whole ordeal. And yes, I am fine (I just hit my head really hard against the headrest and I have a headache now), thanks for asking. You may be asking yourself why I would be blogging right now, and the answer is simple: blogging sometimes has a calming effect on me. While driving, I was actually thinking of all these different things I wanted to mention tonight, but with my current state, I will wait until tomorrow. 

The OPI Pirates of the Caribbean collection came out just a week or 2 ago, which is quite fitting since the movie was just released today. After seeing the promo photos for the collection, I really didn't notice a good correlation of colors that remind me of pirates. I did, however, fall in love with Stranger Tides which is a dusty green creme. It was slightly worried it was going to be sheer, but after 2 coats it had full coverage (with a great formula!). On to the PofC movie...who actually wants to see this? I watched the first 2, but turned it off during the third. Come on, did it really need a fourth?

Elf Cosmetics Spring 2011 Polish Set: Lilac

Elf Cosmetics Lilac (3 coats)

Well, ladies and gentleman, Lilac is the final Elf polish I have to show you from the spring set. It is a nice pastel purple creme that was quite runny and thin, which is the exact opposite problem that I had with Blue Mist yesterday. I ended up using 3 heavy coats to get the full coverage you see in the pictures above. It's a nice enough lilac purple, but I also wish that the color was slightly darker. Meh, it's nice, but nothing special.

Sally Hansen Crackle Polishes

Have you heard about the new Sally Hansen Crackle polishes yet? They are supposed to be out in June, but apparently some have already found them at their local drugstores, so keep your eyes peeled. Also, I asked and found out they are not limited edition! What do you think, will you try any of these out, or wait for the new OPI ones to be released later next month?

Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat

WHAT IT IS: The boldest new nail lacquer effect for nails

WHAT IT DOES: Turns any nail color into nail drama. Crackle your color-it is the simplest way to customize nails- just brush on and create a design that is never the same twice.

Start with your favorite nail color, let it dry and apply one coat of Crackle Overcoat. The crackle effect appears as it dries. Every nail will be different, every nail will be dramatic. Seal with a top coat to maximize the shine and seal the color. The eight shades of Crackle make design options limitless.

THE SHADES: Snow Blast, Vintage Violet, Fractured Foil, Fuchsia Shock, Distressed Denim, Antiqued Gold, Cherry Smash and Ink Splatter

AVAILABLE: June 2011, $5.95 Each

Elf Cosmetics Spring 2011 Polish Set: Blue Mist

Elf Cosmetics Blue Mist (3 coats)

What a long day! Last night I went to trivia night at the local coffee shop, hence the lack of post. And no, we didn't win (or even place) last night. Oh well, better luck next time! 

I've said such nice things about the Elf Cosmetics polish set so far, but that's going to end tonight. While Blue Mist looks nice in pictures, it was the biggest pain in my ass to apply. I haven't had issues like this in months. It is a mint blue/green creme that was a gloopy, streaky mess. I lost count how many drops of polish thinner I had to add to even be able to apply it evenly. I dunno, the color is nice, but nothing special. With the crappy application and formula, I would definitely hold off on purchasing this one.

Elf Cosmetics Spring 2011 Polish Set: Fuchsia

Elf Cosmetics Fuchsia (2 coats)

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of posting last night, but I was busy doing 5 hours worth of CSS for a new lab website. I'm currently using Dreamweaver CS5, and I'm liking it so far. Anyway, enough of the nerdy stuff :-D

I think that Fuchsia was actually my favorite of the 5 polish set. I know, a seemingly boring pink was my favorite, but I think it is a really nice bright pink without being neon. It also had the best application and formula out of all the polishes as well. It is currently in stock at the Elf website, so if you're interested in it, definitely pick this beauty up. I've heard lots of people mention that they find Elf polishes chiptastic, and if you are one of them, try to use a good base coat and top coat (I've been using Essie Sensitivity base coat, Gelous, and Poshe top coat with no problems). I hope that helps! I hope your weekend is going great!

Elf Cosmetics Spring 2011 Polish Set: Mango Madness

Elf Cosmetics Mango Madness (2 coats)

TGIF! It's been a really long week for me, but it's been a good one. Again, I'm still getting adjusted to the job, so bear with the sporadic posting. 

Up next from the Elf Cosmetics set is Mango Madness which is a coral creme. It had a pretty good formula with an almost jelly-like finish. There's nothing really unique to note here, but for the $1 price tag, Mango Madness is a viable option if you have access to Elf products (which can be a little tricky unless you order online). Enjoy your weekend!

Elf Cosmetics Spring 2011 Polish Set: Purple Pleaser

Elf Purple Pleaser (2 coats)

Gah, I'm so behind on my swatching that the Elf 5 piece spring set that I mentioned a few weeks ago is not available online anymore (you can still probably find it at participating Target stores). No worries, you can still find most of the individual polishes on their website for $1 each. Unfortunately several of the polishes are currently out of stock, but hopefully they will be available soon. Oh, and the swatches on their website totally look different in real life. Definitely check out some pics from blogs before buying them. I was really digging this set for a couple reasons. 1. It was cheap 2. A few of the colors reminded me of the latest collection from Zoya. Purple Pleaser is a really nice plum creme polish that would look great for summer. For the price tag, how can you go wrong? Definitely check your local Target for an Elf section for your makeup and nail polish needs.

LA Splash: Tropical Storm

LA Splash Tropical Storm (2 coats)

Hey guys, sorry I've been a bit MIA recently. I just started my new job on Monday (which I am extremely happy about) and it is quite a commute, so I'm still getting adjusted. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back to normal before you know it! 

You can find LA Splash polishes at Ulta stores, as well as at online retailers such as Cherry Culture where they are often on sale. Tropical Storm is a beautiful grassy green shimmer that actually had great pigmentation. Some of the other glitter polishes I've gotten from LA Splash were a bit sparse, so I was happy that it only needed 2 coats for full opacity. If you get the chance, definitely check Tropical Storm out.

Ulta Nail Polish: Material Girl

Ulta Material Girl (2 coats)

Hola! Como estas? I just got home from watching Thor (that is one beautiful man!) and had some awesome Chinese food for dinner. Seriously, I could eat Chinese food for dinner every night, just as my husband could eat Mexican food or pizza every night. What is your favorite Chinese dish? I've been really into Szechuan tofu lately with a side of hot and sour soup. Yum!

Up tonight we have Ulta Material Girl which is a purple shimmer/glitter polish with holographic particles. I'd say that the holo glitter is sparser than even scattered holo polish (such as the China Glaze Tronica polishes), but they are still pretty cool. I was happily surprised to find a polish like this at Ulta, and I hope they continue to make some great polishes. They are always having specials on their brand of products, so make sure to check them out the next time you're there. I also have nothing bad to say about the application and formula on it. Good job, Ulta!