Jessica Cosmetics Paint the Town 2010 Collection: Shake Your Booty

Jessica Cosmetics Shake Your Booty (2 coats)

This one came out a long time ago, but I just got it a couple months ago in a random box full of Jessica Cosmetics polishes at my local TJ Maxx. The best part? I got 4 polishes for like $7 or something ridiculous like that. Whenever I'm near my TJ Maxx or Marshalls, I always stop in because you never know what you will find. Shake Your Booty came in the Paint the Town collection which has bottles shaped like little paint cans-so cute! It's a medium blue color with green shimmer. The shimmer isn't in-your-face, but you can definitely see it. I'm always extremely happy with the application on Jessica polishes, and this one was no exception. 

Spoiled by Wet N Wild: Toad-ally Amazing

Spoiled Toad-ally Amazing (2 coats)

Hola, happy Hump Day! Things have been pretty busy at work. I'm finishing up a few experiments and writing a paper for publication. I hate writing....weird since I have this blog, right? I just want to do the science, not write about it! 

Anyway, this is the first polish I have from Spoiled by Wet N Wild which can be found exclusively for $1.99 at your local CVS store. I tend not to shop at CVS and opt for Walgreens instead because I feel they have more collections that I want. When I stopped CVS recently, Toad-ally Amazing (weird name!) really called to me. It's a light blue/green teal color with beautiful shimmer. I think the shimmer is really what sets this apart. The color itself doesn't feel very unique, but that doesn't mean it isn't gorgeous. The one thing I really hated about this one was the brush on the bottle. It was one of those huge tapered ones that I find really difficult to work with. Other than that, I was really impressed with the brand. 

E.L.F. Python Nail Collection: Dark Blue

E.L.F. Dark Blue (2 coats)

Dang you E.L.F., why didn't you name these polishes? Tonight I have the very dark blue shimmer from the Python collection that was out this fall at Target stores. I don't know if these are around anymore but I ended up getting this one on clearance for $0.99 a month back. The color is incredibly pigmented and barely needed the 2 coats I gave it for the photos. I wish it were slightly lighter because it can look black in many lights. This was definitely one of my favorite E.L.F. polishes! 

Ok, time to catch the bus! 

Sinful Colors Hot Flash Metallics Collection: Gone Platinum

Sinful Colors Gone Platinum (2 coats)

Everyone excited for the Oscars tonight? My husband and I made our picks this morning, so hopefully that will make them a bit more fun. Other than that, we have no parties to go to or anything. What are your plans?

A month or 2 ago I found the Hot Flash Metallics collection at Walgreens and I have one to show you called Gone Platinum. It is a jewel toned purple metallic shimmer that has a bit of a streaking issue. The formula was very thick and had a lot of streaking. I would suggest some thinner and a patient hand. On the upside, it was very opaque and barely needed 2 coats.

Julep February 2013 Bombshell Maven Box: Laura, Freedom Polymer Topcoat and Oxygen

Julep Laura (2 coats)

I just finished Downton Abbey-HOLY CRAP! No spoilers here, but HOLY CRAP! 

The last Julep polish I have to show is Laura which is an olive khaki creme. I just love dusty green colors like these. I found the formula and application to be great, but the dry time was a bit long. 

I mention drying time (I usually don't because I don't have time to let my polishes dry and always use quick dry topcoats) because the new topcoat that came with the box, called Freedom Polymer, needs to have the polish dry before application. It's supposed to be like a gel topcoat for longer wear, but I found that my nails still had some chipping after 2 days. With the fact that it's not quick dry, this is not a topcoat for me. Also included is a treatment called the Oxygen Nail Treatment which is supposed to make your nails stronger, thicker and smoother. I've been using this since I got the box and I have seen no changes in my nails. Overall, I really like the colors in the box, but the other nail products seem to be a big pass for me. Have you tried these? What were your thoughts?

On another note, have you seen the new Hard Candy polishes that will be released at Walmart? If not, head over to their Facebook page for some pictures of their new awesome colors...even though the bottles look a bit small.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hard-Candy/129088146300?sk=photos_stream

Julep February 2013 Bombshell Maven Box: Ginger (Holographic)

Julep Ginger (2 coats)

That's right, Julep released a couple holographic polishes in their February Maven boxes. I actually ordered the Bombshell box this month because I wanted to try their new nail treatment and topcoat. Ginger is a scattered gold holographic color. If you want a linear holo, or a really strong holo at that, Ginger may not be for you. I think it's really beautiful, but definitely subtle. It was quite opaque and only needed 2 coats and dried to an almost matte finish. You'll definitely want a topcoat for a shiny finish. 

P.S. Sorry for the cut on my finger-I think I cut it when opening a box during the move. 

Julep Neons & Nudes Resort Collection: Nina

Julep Nina (3 coats)

Finally, a color I can get behind. I thought there weren't going to be any winners from this set, but alas, Julep Nina made me happy. I wouldn't necessarily call it a neon like they do; I'd say it's a bright orange, but not neon. I found the formula to be pretty much exactly like Nikki which is to say not great. It needed 3 coats for coverage (you can actually still see a little nail line) and was very thick which caused some dragging and balding on the nail. Other than that, I think it's a really fun color. 

Julep Neons & Nudes Resort Collection: Amelia

Julep Amelia (2 coats)

Wow, my nails look so ugly here. I swear it didn't look this sheer in real life, but boy, does it look terrible in these pictures. Amelia is a champagne frost that is really frosty. I would have redone the manicure with another coat of polish, but I just hated it and didn't want to put it back on. Sorry! Overall, we have:

1. Frosty color-check

2. Bubbling-check

3. Sheer-check

4.Streaking-check

On the bright side, it did remind me of a seashell. 

Julep Neons & Nudes Resort Collection: Nikki

Julep Nikki (3 coats)

This was another Julep box I accidentally got because I forgot to unsubscribe for the month. The theme for this month was Neons and Nudes and it had 2 bright colors and one frosty nude shade. Up first is Nikki which is a chartreuse green/yellow creme color. While I can appreciate what they were going for, I found the execution to be lacking. I can usually expect Julep polishes to be opaque in 2 coats. Nikki, on the other had, needed 3 coats for full coverage, and it was so thick that it was causing major balding on the nail. I found it looks better in pictures than it did in real life as well. I think it looks like split pea soup. 

Barielle Spring 2011 Karma Collection: Buddha-ful

Barielle Buddha-ful (1 coat) over 2 coats Color Club Pardon my French

Hey, how has your weekend been so far? I did some errands this afternoon and now I may watch some Downton Abbey until Saturday Night Live (I can't help it, Christoph Waltz is on!). You know, extremely exciting stuff. 

I've had Buddha-ful from Barielle for well over a year, but I've never posted it on the blog. I tried it as soon as I got it, and I wanted to make it opaque on its own, but it was a bit of a disaster. I think this one is best layered over other polishes, like I did here. It is a blue and green flakie in a light pink base. I opted to layer this over a color similar to its base, but I've seen people use it on darker colors as well. I've found the formula to be thick (like most Barielle polishes I've owned) and could use a little nail thinner. It's definitely not my favorite flakie polish, but if you don't have any of them, Buddha-ful could work in a pinch. You can find it at Transdesign. 

Orly Winter 2012 Naughty or Nice Collection: Devil May Care

Orly Devil May Care (2 coats) over 2 coats Orly Ma Cherie

Happy belated Valentine's Day! My husband and I had our annual IHOP dinner which was very exciting. That came about in a funny way actually. An ex-boyfriend of mine took me to a gun range followed by dinner at IHOP for Valentine's Day one year and I thought it was funny. I told my husband about it and we had a good laugh and decided to keep the IHOP tradition for ourselves. Do you have any funny Valentine's Day traditions?

I got Devil May Care at one of Sally's 50% off clearance items sales and it's a red and gold hexagonal glitter polish with a clear base. I wasn't sure how opaque it was going to be, so I went ahead and layered it over Orly's Ma Cherie which I found worked out fine. Despite it being a holiday color, it was quite appropriate for Valentine's Day as well. The formula was a little thick, but nothing too bad. I think you could get full coverage out of this, but it will take you at least 3 coats. 

Pure Ice Renamed Polish: Jamaica Me Crazy is now Crazy Love

Pure Ice Jamaica Me Crazy (2 coats)

In case you haven't heard, Pure Ice is discontinuing 28 of their polishes and renaming 4 of them, 1 which I have to show today. I don't often frequent Walmart, so I'm not 100% sure if you can still find the 28 discontinued ones in stores, but Jamaica Me Crazy is just getting renamed, so you should still be able to buy it. It's a bright fuchsia color with a strong purple shimmer. I was so happy with how this one turned out in my pictures (for once)! For just $2, I definitely recommend this one. I found the formula and application to be just fine as well.


*This polish was provided by 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*  

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure: Arm Candy

Sally Hansen Arm Candy (4 coats)

My Julep package finally arrived! It only took 2 weeks from Seattle, but it finally came. Holo goodness is upon me. There were a few snafus when getting my mail forwarded, but it's finally cleared up.

Do you remember the Golden Globes a few weeks ago? Well, Naomi Watts wore Arm Candy from Sally Hansen on that special night. The problem I have with my nails is that they are stained. I mean, it's no surprise they got this way with how many polishes I put on, but they just don't look good naturally anymore. This means sheer polishes like Arm Candy are almost out of the question for me. I used 4 coats to try and cover my nails up, but this one is just sheer and cannot be opaque. If you are into polishes like these, I would recommend Arm Candy to you. If you are into color, don't bother with it because you'll just be disappointed.


*This polish was provided by 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*  

Pure Ice Velvet Collection: Stunning

Pure Ice Stunning (2 coats)

Anyone watching the Grammy's tonight? We're recording it so we can fast forward through most of it. I spent the most of my weekend working/fixing things around the house...you know, exciting stuff. I hope yours was great as well!

When Revlon bought Pure Ice, they decided to release a whole slew of new polishes, of these a collection of suede matte polishes. I have one to show you called Stunning which is a pink matte with some silver shimmer. Honestly, at first I had no idea it was a matte, but after the first coat, I quickly realized my mistake. The formula was quite pigmented and only needed 2 coats. Being a matte, it dried quite quickly, but also was quick to chip (it only lasted 24 hours before chipping).


*This polish was provided by 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* 

Parisian Beauty Nail Polish: Rose

Parisian Beauty Rose (2 coats)

I mentioned Parisian Beauty awhile back, and today and I have another polish to show you called Rose. It is a pink color with a strong gold shimmer. All of the polishes I have from them have a glass fleck effect to them which reminds me a bit of some of Zoya's polishes. My parents actually bought these for me, and I believe they got them at a local Belk department store. I used 2 coats for the swatches above, but a couple of nails could have used a third. I found the formula and application to be great for a brand that is not well-known. 

Sinful Colors Haute Rebel Collection: Mauve

Sinful Colors Mauve (2 coats)

Whoa, whoa, whoa stop the clock. Isn't the color mauve supposed to be a purple rose color? I immediately went to Google to determine what the heck mauve is, and apparently it's a "pale lavender lilac color." Who knew? I guess Sinful Colors really did their homework when they named Mauve because it's surely a light lilac creme polish. The formula was great and all, but I feel like I have several variations of this color from multiple brands. Did these other polishes cost $2? Probably not. If you don't feel like you have something like this, I'd definitely recommend it. You can find it out now at your local Walgreens store. 

Nicole By OPI Works with Special K for Free Polishes

What an interesting collaboration! I don't often purchase Special K products, but I just might for some free Nicole polishes. What do you think about this promotion? 

NICOLE BY OPI ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH KELLOGG’S^® SPECIAL K^®

Three custom shades available with the purchase of eligible Special K products

• @NicoleByOPI and @SpecialKUS offers free bottle of lacquer with purchase of @SpecialKUS product in April

Nicole by OPI announces that the brand will be producing three custom nail lacquer shades for Kellogg’s^® Special K^® beginning in April to pair with a campaign encouraging women to “show off your confidence with color.” Shoppers will have the opportunity to receive free full-size bottles of Nicole by OPI nail lacquer by signing up for the Kellogg’s Family Rewards program and entering codes from specially marked boxes of Special K products, while supplies last.

The three custom shades include: Challenge Red-y (crème red), Pros & Confidence (crème turquoise) and Be Ama-Zing! (crème pink).

With the purchase of three eligible Special K products, consumers will receive the shade Challenge Red-y. After submitting the purchase codes from eight eligible Special K products, consumers will receive all three lacquers – Challenge Red-y, Pros & Confidence and Be Ama-Zing!

“Nicole by OPI is delighted to partner with Kellogg’s to offer such an exciting reward to Special K consumers,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “At our company, we always say that nail lacquer can change your look – and your outlook. In working with Kellogg’s Special K, we hope to inspire and motivate women who are striving for beauty both inside and out.”This promotion will be available in the US where Special K products are sold.

Pure Ice Runway Nail Trends Collection: Cha Ching

Pure Ice Cha Ching (4 coats)

Day 3 of my Valentine's Day special is Pure Ice's Cha Ching which is a sheer bubblegum pink shimmer. This definitely would be best as a layering polish since this is showing 4 generous layers on the nail. It is a bright and cheerful color for sure. The application was a bit of a pain (there was dragging issues), but this was mostly due to having to use so many coats of polish. 

You can find Pure Ice at your local Walmart stores or online for around $2.


*This polish was provided by 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*