Cheeky Monkey Camel Toe vs China Glaze

Yesterday I showed you Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Camel Toe.  Well I went through all my polishes and grabbed the only colors that looked remotely close, but as you can see in this bottle picture, neither color is that close.  I chose China Glaze Far Out from the Retro Diva collection and China Glaze Chocodisiac which is not a big 3 free color from the Guilty Pleasures Fall 2006 Collection.  


For the Cheeky Monkey, I had a base coat of Get Wet.  For both China Glaze colors, I had a base coat of Seche Natural.  I used 2 coats of color for each polish, and topped all with Seche Vite.

As you can see, there isn't a dupe here.  Far Out has a darker base with a slight gold shimmer, and Chocodisiac has a much darker base than Camel Toe.  While you could buy both the China Glaze colors and a base and a top coat for the same price as the Cheeky Monkey, if you're looking for a coffee caramel color, Came Toe is still the way to go.

Cheeky Monkey Camel Toe

Today's post was actually a reader's request.  By all means, feel free to email me (address on the sidebar) with your requests or questions on any of the polishes I own.  I'm constantly trying to keep my spreadsheet updated with all my polishes, and overall, I would love to get them all swatched!  I'm not on a "no-buy" by any means, but I'd like to at least wear half of what I have, haha.


Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Camel Toe is listed as a medium dark neutral beige.  Now, I find it to be more of an orange based brown - kind of like a coffee caramel, if you would.  It's a creme which actually surprised me a little - I kept thinking there was some hidden shimmer in there, but nope.  Great neutral color for the office, if you ask me.


I used a base coat of Cheeky Monkey Wet Dream, 2 coats of Camel Toe, and topped it with Seche Vite.  The formula was very smooth - not runny or thick and had excellent coverage.

As you can see in the sun, it's pretty close to my own skin tone (at least to me) - with the orange showing up a little more than the brown.

However, in the shade it does look a little darker but overall it's a very wearable color - nothing bold or in your face.  Again, great for the office.


Cheeky Monkey can be purchased on their website [official website] for $15 a bottle.

China Glaze Zombie Zest

China Glaze Zombie Zest is the second piece of 3 from the Halloween release "Awakening" launching next month.  It's listed as a mossy green shade with gold flecks of microglitter.  I was most excited about this color because of the microglitter and just the zombieness of it, and it didn't disappoint me.


I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Zombie Zest and a top of Seche Vite.  The formula was perfect - not runny at all, not thick, and worked well on my nails.

Braaaaaaaaaains.  You can see almost a little bit of VNL in the sun, and I could have probably gone 3 coats but I was quite happy with two.  This is such a unique shade of green in my collection - more yellow than Emerald Sparkle.

Love love love this color in the shade - the gold microglitter, the moss green, I'm a happy camper with this on.  I can't wait until Halloween is around the corner - this would also be a great color for a witch to wear.  I think zombie would be more of a bluish black yellow on the nails (now that's a color).  If you're only looking to get one color from the 3 pack, I recommend this one.

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

OPI My Private Jet

Just a quick, down and dirty post because I was listing my nail polishes on my spreadsheet and had one of those heart stopping moments.


On my recent hauling trip, I found not one but 2 different bottles of OPI My Private Jet.  One had a definite teal flash to it, the other had a bronzy-red flash to it.  I couldn't remember which was which as far as the so far 4 different versions I've heard of My Private Jet, but I bought them both without question.  Tonight, I couldn't help but just slap it on (no base or top coat) to see the different.


On my index and middle fingers are my bronzy-red flashed MPJ and on my ring and pinky fingers is the teal flash MPJ.

Do I actually have an original bottle of MPJ?  I have no idea.  I'm so lost on it all.

I can't wait to get this color out in the sun.

Some blur to show the glitter holo going on.  Stay tuned or leave me a comment if you think you know!  (Because I don't!)

China Glaze Ick-A-Body

China Glaze Ick-A-Body is a dark green base with orange glitter - lots of orange glitter.  Unlike last year's Fortune Teller which was a black base with some orange glitter, this is almost all glitter.  This is one of three colors that China Glaze is releasing for Halloween... starting in September, you'll be able to find the bottles individually in Sally's Beauty Supply but already you can buy the bottles individually or in the 4 pack "Awakening" Collection on TransDesign.  The 4th bottle is China Glazes Fast Forward Top Coat.


I used a base of Seche Natural, and then I wanted to check out the opacity of this polish.  Only one coat of Ick-A-Body on my pinky, 2 coats on my ring finger, 3 coats on my middle finger and ended with 4 coats on my index finger.  I topped it with Seche Vite (thin coat, not thick) because the glitter wasn't bumpy or raised.

I can honestly say that 2 coats was perfectly fine for me.  One coat had more of the green base showing, and then 3 coats was just a bit much.  Four coats was way too much and the polish just kind of slid around on my nail at that point.

In the shade you can see the green in the bottle better and more on the pinky.  I guess it depends on how much glitter you want versus base.  I will be wearing 2 coats, but if you wanted more green to show, only go with one coat.

This was a glitter, which meant time to soak my nail in my cotton pad so that the glitter would slide right off (instead of scrubbing the glitter) but I did want to show you that it's definitely a green base, and not a black (just in case you doubted me, hah!).  Very nice color overall and great formula.  This wasn't too thick, or too thin and the glitter stayed right on the nail (instead of sliding around).  Two thumbs, way up!

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

China Glaze Tease

On my last trip to San Antonio, my salon manicurist (who does great pedicures), told me about a nail supply store in the middle of nowhere, so I went to check it out.  It was like I died and went to Heaven - I wish I had taken pictures.  The small shop was stuffed full of nail polish - everything from OPI to China Glaze... and oh the China Glaze.  They had so many bottles of old polish (dusties) but the newest items looked to be the Up & Away, and they didn't have many bottles of it.  I grabbed this bottle because I'm a sucker for blue flashed whites but it wasn't until I got outside that I realized this was a sheer.  China Glaze Tease is from the Blush collection and is not big 3 free, but I don't mind that.  However, if you're looking for a big 3 free polish, I do believe this is a dead on dupe for their color Rainbow.  I'll have to comparison sometime.


I used a base of Seche Natural, 3 coats of Tease and a top coat of Seche Vite.  The color is very sheer but as you can see in the sun, you do get the blue flash.  The formula on this was great - not runny or thick despite the original layer of dust on my bottle.

If you catch the light properly, you can see all the blue flash.  However, if you angle your nails, you get this:

A whole lotta nothing.  However, I bet this would look great over black, or really it's a nice understated color - might go well as a french manicure too.


In the shade, you also get that blue flash.

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

China Glaze Endurance

China Glaze Endurance is the last of the 3-piece "Fight Like A Woman" breast cancer awareness set launching in September.  China Glaze says it's a raspberry shimmer but to me, it looks just like the 2009 Summer Days glass fleck collection.  I was a little surprised by this color - it's not a traditional pink that you'd see for BCA, but at the same time, it's a nice unique color for both fall and just in general.


I found the formula on this one to be a little thick as well but I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the heat in my house.  I'm going to have to check a few more bottles in my house to see.


I used a base of Seche Natural, 3 coats of Endurance and a top coat of Seche Vite.

You can see that glass fleck in the sun, and just a tiny bit of VNL although it's always hard to tell with nubbins.

In the shade it looks a bit more like a shimmer but overall I'm quite happy with this color.  It's not as red as Cherry Pie but I do want to see how it stacks up with Raspberry Festival (both from the Summer Days collection).  I'll let you know!

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

China Glaze Empowerment

China Glaze Empowerment is the lone creme from the "Fight Like A Woman" breast cancer awareness collection, launching in September.  It's listed as a cotton-candy creme which is pretty accurate.  It also reminded me a little of Pepto-Bismol pink, which by the way, I love that stuff.


I did find my formula to be a little thick but a few drops of thinner will help that.  I am not a nail tech or professional so take my advice how you want it, but I DO NOT advice using nail polish remover to "thin" a polish.  Nail polish remover is meant to REMOVE polish... not to just thin in.  I have both Zoya "renew polish rejuvenator" from the Color Lock system, and you can purchase a bottle of generic thinner from beauty supply stores like Sally's.


I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Empowerment and topped with Seche Vite.  Like I said the formula seemed a little thick to me but in my sun picture, it looks like I may have a bald spot too?  I'm about halfway through my Seche Natural but I may start using my new bottle and just mix it with the old.

After my nasty nail break the other week, I'm still trying to get my nubbins to grow out.  They are getting there!  I need to do some buffing too - I can see my ridges from a mile away (I'm probably the only one though).  You can see in the sun that the pink is nicely reflected and the formula is smooth.

Shade picture - the color looks a bit blueish washed out to me, but it's not - it's just really sunny in the background.  It was 106 degrees today when I went to take pictures.  Blah!

China Glaze [official website] can be found online through several etailers, including my favorite Head2Toe Beauty [official website], Sally's Beauty Supply [official website] as well asTransDesign [official website].

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Beauty Debutante Posts

I recently had two more posts over at Beauty Debutante - one on a tanning lotion and another you've seen here on Polish Galore... a neutral nail polish ^_^  Please feel free to read, comment, share, and most of all, enjoy!

• Sothys Sun Care Progressive Sunny Glow Lotion, Sun-Sensitive Areas Care
• Neutral Nail of the Day: Cheeky Monkey Hangover

Dermelect Launchpad Nail Strengthener Follow Up

A little over a month ago, I started using Dermelect Launchpad as my base coat.  The product says it hydrates and strengthens nails, resists chipping and splitting, increases integrity and cohesion of the nail plate resulting in natural flexibility and increased moisture and actively removes harmful free radicals most commonly associated with nail damage.  I also wanted to see if it would help my nails grow faster.


I've been under a lot of stress these past 30 days, including three very bad breaks to my nails that couldn't have been avoided.  However, as a whole, my nails were definitely stronger than normal.  I didn't have any problems with chipping or splitting but I can't say that they grew any faster - which wasn't a claim of the company anyway. Overall, I am happy with this product as far as a strengthener, but I don't feel that I would replace my base coat completely just yet.  

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals products are available on their website [official website].

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

CSN Giveaway #2

CSN has selected me as a CSN Preferred Blogger (wee!) so I have another $40 gift certificate to giveaway.  Again, this is open to only US and Canadian readers (sorry friends!).


Since I bought the house, I've been debating what to do, room by room.  My first big room to tackle is the dining room, and I'm still deciding on paint colors before I go for decorations.  Now, David Bromstad (whom I LOVE) from HGTV's 1st Design Star and now the host of Color Splash, would probably disagree with me, especially since decorations is where you spend your money - paint is relatively cheap.


I just recently placed my first order with CSN using the gift certificate that I won from Niki from Polish on Digital Paper and purchased a lovely canvas print of the beach that I'm thinking of hanging in my bathroom.  It should be here in about a week, so I'll let you know how I liked it.  ^_^


Fill me out!  This time, I am requiring that users put their Google Friend Connect ID.  You must be a follower to join this giveaway.  The giveaway starts today: 22 August and ends 30 August at midnight GMT.

This giveaway is now closed

Barielle Style in Argyle

Oh, is it fall yet?  Since I started blogging, I've noticed myself looking at women's hands and feet for their nail polish and one thing I've noticed is that I'm a little tired of pink.  That being said, I have TONS of pink polish, but that's another story.  Barielle has just released their Fall 2010 Collection titled "Style in Argyle", an autumn apparel-inspired polish.  Now while I don't actually own any argyle, I do like the way it looks.

The collection includes the following colors:

Cashmere or Loose Me is a soft brown with copper pearl

Tight Knit is a purple brown creme

Aura Angora is a royal gold creme

Unraveled Rust is a burnt rust creme

Wool You Marry Me?  is a plum brown creme and

Cowl of the Wild is a mushroom taupe creme.

Taupe is HOT this fall, I would definitely recommend that one.  Aura Angora was a surprise to me - a royal gold?  It's a break from the bright neon yellows we saw this summer, but I'm wondering if it will be "warm" enough for fall.

Barielle is big 3 free and something I hadn't noticed before on their releases, it is pregnancy safe.  Not that I'm pregnant (or planning on getting that way until my son is like... 10 haha), but it's good to know which companies can state that.  ^_^

Barielle [official website] retails for $8/bottle.

Urban Decay Book Of Shadows III: Urban Decay Hearts NYC

Aside from nail polish, I'm absolutely in love with eye shadow, more specifically, Urban Decay [official website].  On top of owning 12 of their pigments, a Stardust (Retrograde), a Deluxe (Sting), and all 3 tints of Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original, Sin and Eden), I also have 5 of their boxes -  Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box, Deluxe Shadow Box, Sustainable Shadow Box, Book of Shadows II and yes, I own the NAKED palette too.  I've been following them both on Facebook and Twitter and have some exciting news about their new Book of Shadows III: Urban Decay Hearts NYC.


First the actual press release:
On Saturday, August 28th, from 1-9pm, Urban Decay’s Eric Jimenez, Worldwide Retail Sales Director & International Make-Up Artist, is introducing Book of Shadows Vol. III, at Sephora’s infamous Times Square locale (1500 Broadway, #304, New York, NY 10036). A tribute to NYC, for a one day, sneak-peek event, only 1,000 pieces of the limited-edition Book of Shadows Vol. III will be available for purchase exclusively at this store, on a first come first served basis.  Eric and his team of ‘A-List’ artists are offering makeovers as well as sharing tips and tricks created specifically for the NYC non-stop, glam-and-go lifestyle. Get ready to camp out!  The coveted palette doesn’t even launch on UrbanDecay.com until after Labor Day, and will not be available in-store at Macy’s, Sephora, and Ulta, until October 1st!  The first 200 die-hard Urban Decay fans will receive a limited-edition Urban Decay t-shirt with their consultation.  Tell your boss you are taking a ‘face’ day!  Secure your place in line to get Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows Vol. III before anyone else in the world!
When:       Saturday, August 28th
                1 – 9PM 
Where:      Sephora Times Square
                1500 Broadway, #304
                New York, NY 10036

I'm not near New York and I already saw it would cost me $226 for a flight there (which heck is ALMOST worth it, haha) but maybe one of my readers will be lucky enough to go and be there!


I also received promo pictures from Urban Decay of this awesome book.

Some of the colors are re-releases but overall, I'm pretty happy with the selection.  Also included are the 24/7 Eyeliner pencils in Zero (black) and Ransom (purple) which sadly (?) I already own both in a full size and also a mini Urban Decay Primer Potion (a must, in my book) in the original color.  Did you hear that Urban Decay is FINALLY changing the bottle size from the genie to something else?  I'm still waiting on that release.


I'm looking forward to picking this up but I'm going to wait a little while I think.  I'm not sure how pre-orders work for this product, but if I get more information, I will let you know.