Essie Fall 2013 Collection Swatch: For the Twill of It

Essie For the Twill of It (2 coats)

Hold up. Essie did a dark duochrome? Stop the presses! For the Twill of It comes from the Essie Fall 2013 collection and is a metallic purple that flashes green. It's sometimes hard to capture the duochrome effect, but this one I'm happy to say is pretty strong. Oh, and apparently it's a dupe of Peace & Love & OPI which I do not own. Whew, like I need another dupe in my collection. The pigmentation was very impressive with this one as it barely needed 2 coats with no application problems. Overall, I really like this one, and found it to be the winner of the collection. 

Morgan Taylor BCA Collection Swatch: Who's That Girl

Morgan Taylor Who's That Girl (2 coats)

*press sample*

The weekend is almost over :( It always goes by too quickly. 

The final BCA polish of the trio is Who's That Girl which is the clear winner in the set if you ask me. It has a strong purple base of glitter with pink and gold throughout as well. I wasn't sure if this was going to be a topcoat glitter or one that could be used on its own, and it is definitely one you should use on its own. What is shown here is 2 coats. It was a bit thick, but its often that that way with polishes packed to the gills with glitter. I think this one is very unique and would recommend it for sure. What are you thinking of the Morgan Taylor polishes? I have some of their fall collection to show in the near future and I hope you enjoy them.

*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*

Morgan Taylor BCA Collection Swatch: All Dolled Up

Morgan Taylor All Dolled Up (3 coats)

*press sample*

Thank goodness it's Friday. It's one of those days where I hate science. Don't ask.

Something I do love today is a bright pink polish with blue shimmer. Let's be honest, a nice pink polish is something I love everyday. The formula was great (no streaking at all and it wasn't thin), and if you have shorter nails, you can get away with 2 coats. I did an extra one for the free edge on my nail. Don't forget, 5% of the proceeds for this trio will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, so it's ok if you buy it. :-D

*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*

Morgan Taylor BCA Collection Swatch: Make Me Blush

Morgan Taylor Make Me Blush (2 coats)

*press sample*

The first time I heard about Morgan Taylor was from Jen from The Polishaholic a few months ago. I recently got the chance to try them out myself to see how the quality is from this brand. In case you didn't know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and to get ready for it, Morgan Taylor made a trio collection where 5% of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Up first is Make Me Blush which is a simple light pink creme. The first coat was really streaky, so I thought 3 coats was going to be needed, but it completely smoothed out with the second coat. The formula was ever-so-slightly thin, but pretty good. The bottle reminds me a little of the OPI bottles in that it is larger at the top and tapers down. I had no problems with the brush and the cap is a silvery grey (very cool) that has MT on the top. 

Now, where to find these? Well, I hear that Cosmoprof has them, but you must have a cosmetics license in order to go in and make a purchase. I also found a site online called NTS Nail Technician Supply (I have never bought from this company, so please let me know if they are legit) or Amazon. The manufacturer's price goes for $8.50 which isn't bad since everyone is raising their prices.

*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*

Jin Soon and Amy Smilovic of Tibi Fall/Winter 2013 Collection Swatch: Obsidian

Jin Soon Obsidian (2 coats)

*press sample*

I've heard of Jin Soon, but was never able to try any of their products, mostly due to the price point. Did this polish live up to the price? In my opinion, yes. Obsidian comes from a collaboration for fall and winter with Amy Smilovic and was inspired by utilitarian and layering. All polishes in this collection all contain mica to give their color and they are 5-Free. The top of the bottle is similar to Illamasqua and Butter London where there is a cap you take off to get to the brush. 

I don't know if I can put into words how beautiful this one looks. It has multiple colors, but blue, pink and gold are the dominant mica colors in a black base. The formula was slightly thin, but I had no problem with application. So, onto the price. This is going to set you back $18. Sure, it's a splurge, but it's a great polish. You can find this collection at Space NK, Sephora online and the Tibi Boutique website.  

*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*

Jessica Cosmetics Fall 2013 A Night at the Opera Collection Swatch: Overture

Jessica Cosmetics Overture (2 coats)

*press sample*

I totally lied about it being a nice, relaxing weekend. Our friend moved in with us yesterday and it was a bit last minute moment. I am sore all over. 

The last polish of the A Night at the Opera Collection is called Overture and is a coppery red color with some gold accents (you can really see the gold in the bottle). I find this to be a great fall color that would complement any skintones. No problems with formula or application, either. Overall, the collection had some must-haves and some that you can probably skip (such as Velvet & Pearls). I'm happy with the collection and think they did a great job with the fall vibe.

*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*

Jessica Cosmetics Fall 2013 A Night at the Opera Collection Swatch: Prima Donna

Jessica Cosmetics Prima Donna (2 coats)

*press sample*

It's Friday, so you know what that means. I'm gonna go home, take a nap and eat some pizza for dinner. Didn't your school have Pizza Friday? Well mine did, so I'm keeping the tradition alive. 

We're nearing the end of the Night at the Opera collection, but I have a few new and exciting things to show in the near future. My camera is back to making me angry. Prima Donna is definitely more of a deep purple or violet color, not this blue I have going on. Sorry, I tried every setting on my camera, and I don't want to use Photoshop because I somehow find this cheating. It looks much better in real life. It's not my favorite of the collection, but it's nice. I'm not even going to justify an answer to how the application and formula were.

*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*

Jessica Cosmetics Fall 2013 A Night at the Opera Collection Swatch: Velvet & Pearls

Jessica Cosmetics Velvet & Pearls (2 coats)

*press sample*

It's almost Friday! I think this is the first weekend in awhile where we have nothing planned. No garden parties, no potlucks, nothing. You can't believe how excited I am about that. Wait, we have to put a new ceiling fan up in my nail polish office. I have exactly 1 thing to do. What are your plans?

Velvet & Pearls (loving the name) is a very boring polish since it's just a plain black creme. I want some shimmer, glitter, or holo in there, you know what I mean? On the bright side, the application and formula are perfect. I know most people use black under glitters or effects and use Wet N Wild Black, but if you have the extra money, pick this up. It applies that 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*

Jessica Cosmetics Fall 2013 A Night at the Opera Collection Swatch: Standing Ovation

 Jessica Cosmetics Standing Ovation (2 coats)

*press sample*

Oh my, you know I love duochromes and I have a beautiful one to show you today. Standing Ovation is predominantly green shimmer, but you can definitely see the blue at different angles. When I first opened the box, it was the first one I gravitated toward. The effect is stronger in the bottle, but isn't that always true? As always the formula and application was wonderful. Again, you can find Jessica Cosmetics polishes on their website or Transdesign.

*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*

Jessica Cosmetics Fall 2013 A Night at the Opera Collection Swatch: Blue Aria

Jessica Cosmetics Blue Aria (2 coats)

*press sample*

Can I just say that I am so excited for tv shows to be back on? That means I don't watch as much Netflix and HLN (I like Nancy Grace....don't judge me). 

Continuing on with the fall Jessica Cosmetics collection we have Blue Aria which is a very deepened blue creme. This thing is so dark it can look black in certain lights. I wish it were slightly lighter, but I think it's a great polish for fall. As always, I had no issues with formula or application.

Pssst-don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

*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*

Jessica Cosmetics Fall 2013 A Night at the Opera Collection Swatch: Opening Night

Jessica Cosmetics Opening Night (2 coats)

*press sample*

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! We bought some new ceiling fans and some mums so we're going to be having fun this next week. Oh, and my friend's birthday was Saturday and he had a potluck dinner, so we got to do that. I have a ton of garden parties, potlucks, etc., right? What's that about?

I have the whole Jessica Cosmetics fall A Night at the Opera collection they sent me, and up first is Opening Night. It's a purple/fuchsia color with tons of blue shimmer. I love how my camera actually picked up the shimmer since I am usually complaining about the thing! Jessica Cosmetics would be huge if they had a bigger distribution. They have one of the best formulas and applications in the business. I just found out you can buy their polishes at Transdesign now, so that's great. Opening Night is no different and has a superb formula and application.


*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*

Bondi New York August Subscription Mystery Box Swatches and Giveaway: Central Park Blossom, Fool's and Blue Skies

Bondi Central Park Blossom (3 coats)

Bondi Fool's (2 coats)

And for the Giveaway:

Bonus Gift: 

*press sample*

Bondi New York has a new monthly subscription service that includes 3 polishes and often an extra beauty product for $19.99 shipped. August was a mystery box of colors that came from their core line, but I believe all the rest of the months will be brand new polishes. You can sign up monthly, 3 months for $49.97, 6 months for $99.95 or 12 months for $199.90. I received Central Park Blossom, Fool's and Blue Skies which I have already reviewed. This is good for you because I'm going to give it away! 

Central Park is a nude creme that reminds me of butter. I was very dubious about this one, and it was extremely streaky for all 3 coats it needed, but in the end I liked it. If you can't deal with streaks, I wouldn't bother with this one. The second polish is Fool's which is of course for Fool's gold since it's a gold shimmer/foil. It applied beautifully in 2 coats, but reminds me of Christmas time. And finally, you can find the review for Blue Skies here. I also received a 7 piece sample set from the brand Suki which I am not familiar with. They are foil packets, so you don't get much product to really be able to review them. 

This is what Bondi has to say about the system:

Subscribe to the ultimate five-free beauty experience:

• 3 full sized polishes (worth $37.50).
• A deluxe beauty product (we aim to get a gift with every month, subject to availability).
• 25% off all purchases of nail polish from Bondi New York (excludes subscriptions).
• Free Shipping (even for international customers).

Each month, receive the latest on trend nail colors. Fashion forward and five-free, 100% of the net profit we make from your purchase goes to supporting charitable organizations throughout the United States.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Your first box will ship out in the first week of September and we will send you a confirmation email with tracking.
• The colors in the picture are for illustration only.
• Each month from September you will be able to preview the colors.
• Your credit/debit card will be charged on the last day of each month.
• Not loving that months colors? You can skip by sending us an email, calling us or starting a chat on this website. (Even customers who have pre-paid subscriptions can skip!)
• You can cancel at anytime by sending us an email, calling us or starting a chat on this website.

Now onto the giveaway:

It it for US followers only (sorry!). I am trying out Rafflecopter so we'll see how it goes 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*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*

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Sonia Kashuk Polish Swatch: Dream of Genie

Sonia Kashuk Dream of Genie (2 coats)

I love Target. I get my prescriptions there just so I have an excuse to look around while I wait. Sonia Kashuk is just one of those brands I never really got into. They seemed a little pricey for a drugstore product, but I've heard great things about the makeup brushes and Beauty Blender dupe. I found Dream of Genie on clearance on an end-cap and of course I bought it. No, it's not the most original color-watermelon pink creme-but boy did it have a great formula. I was very impressed with the pigmentation and pretty much everything about this one. Hurry and check your beauty clearance section at Target because you might just find this one.

Finger Paints Swatch: It Baroque

Finger Paints: It Baroque (2 coats)

Yesterday was my husband's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We went to trivia and ended up getting second place. Woot woot! 

Fall is upon us (it doesn't feel like it here, but in places it is), and I'm really starting to get excited for earthy colors. Finger Paint's It Baroque (what is this, OPI?) is just screaming fall to me and I'm loving it. In the bottle it's a brown color with lots of green, but on the nail it dries to a shiny chocolate brown finish. Weird, huh? The formula and application was flawless and very opaque. I dug this out of a clearance bin so who knows if you can find it, but I figured you'd like to start seeing some fall colors. I hope your week is going splendidly so far!