So this is unrelated but I noticed it as I was editing pictures... I have a LOT of white cat hair in my pictures. I have one long haired cat that I adore but UGH she get her fur EVERYWHERE. Sigh.
So while I had this "lovely" patch of cloudy weather, I decided to get through this backlogged polish. I have like 10 Zoyas to go through? And mostly red. So bring on the reds! First up from the Fall 2010 Wicked/Wonderful collection (and this is from Wonderful) is Burke, a sienna red creme.
Because I'm sick of my ridges, I decided to use Zoya Get Even, available individually on their website or as part of the Color Lock system. One coat of Get Even, 2 coats of Burke and a top of Zoya Armor. I don't know if I mentioned this before but I prep ALL my manicure by swiping my nails with Zoya Remove+. I've been through over a gallon of it in the past year, and I'm getting close to having to buy more.
A small patch of sun and I grabbed a picture. I always thought sienna red was supposed to be more brown but this definitely came off more red for me. Then again I have seen 12 different reds in a few days time, so I don't know. ^_^
Maybe you can see more of the "smokiness" in the bottle here in the shade. The formula was quite lovely.
Finally indoors with a flash - you can see the polish applied smoothly and evenly. This was a lovely red from Zoya, but not necessarily unique.
Zoya can be purchased on their website for $8/bottle.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
My last Superstar, and I saved the best for last! Walk the Red Carpet is a red glitter, much like China Glaze Ruby Pumps - I think all brands have a red glitter! I really am a fan of red glitters and this one is no exception. I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Walk the Red Carpet and a top of Seche Vite. Formula was super smooth and pretty.
Here's a sun picture - as with most red glitter suspended in a red base, it just looks gritty, but it definitely isn't. This polish did soak up my Seche Vite but it left my nails smooth.
Here it is in the shade - still lovely! I think the bottle is my favorite (and most accurate) of what this color looks like.
Indoors with flash it almost looks like a gold shimmer but I think that's just the bad lighting. I see a bit of bald spot on my middle finger but didn't notice it any other time.
You can purchase Superstar for $10 a bottle or by calling +1 (517)-214-7201. Their website appears to have had an overhaul since I last looked in October, so please do check it out.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Here's another from SuperStar, the brand created by Ariana Pierce. It's pretty aptly named Skinny Vanilla Latte and is a nude creme for the City collection that looks as good as coffee. I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite. The formula was good but my bottle did have a bit of a strong smell. I think I need better ventilation overall in here.
The one down side, as seen in the sun is that all my ridges show. This is a great nude for me, as you can see it works well with my skin. It does have some peach and yellow undertones to it.
Here it is in the shade - a little darker but still a solid nude.
And finally indoors with flash - tada!
You can purchase Superstar for $10 a bottle or by calling +1 (517)-214-7201. Their website appears to have had an overhaul since I last looked in October, so please do check it out.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
I pride myself on having a good memory, especially when it comes to things I really like. I used to know every single bottle of nail polish in my collection (that's what we're calling it), and could remember what the finish, collection, everything about it. Now? Not so much.
I tried using nail wheels (purchased online or at Sally's) to try and keep track of everything but I found that the polish was literally cracking off - not really sure why.
Finally last week, I decided to try something else, based off what I saw at a beauty expo. I purchased a package of Cala Royal Salon #3 Nails in Natural (87-050N is the only option at my Sally's which is 50 tips) for $1.89, a box of regular rounded toothpicks, and a glue gun (because everyone needs a glue gun) and decided to just simply glue my nail to the toothpick - really pretty simple, nothing new or fancy.
I first tried to paint the nail and then glue it, but it was a bit hard to paint without getting it on my hands. The other thing you have to be careful with is that the glue (while hot) can melt the nail a bit.
So far I've only done a handful - the China Glaze Island Escape and OPI - Brights Pirates of the Caribbean... Here is Superstar Nail Lacquer Walk the Red Carpet and Zoya Edyta, both upcoming reviews.
Now I just have to figure out how to label them. I'm thinking maybe just by using a number, and then adding that number onto my spreadsheet. I'm going to have to figure something out sooner than later. :) I also decided (after the above picture) to add a top coat to each one since I always wear top coat (unless it's a holographic polish). I hope to have this project done by the end of the year! I think I'm going to buy some Styrofoam to stick the toothpicks in - that's what they had at the beauty expo and it worked just fine.
**Update! I figured out how to label them! I'm using Avery Removable Color Coding Labels 1/4" round (mine are neon because that's all the store had) and writing a number onto my spreadsheet that corresponds with the sticker. Then I'm putting the sticker on the back of the nail and sealing it with some Seche Vite.
Here's my progress so far.
The final gem from the Barielle "Style in Argyle" Fall 2010 collection is Tight Knit a purple brown creme. This is another bottle that separated on me as far as the color goes but came out proper on the nail. I used a base of Seche Natural, 2 coats of polish and a top of Seche Vite. The formula was good and even.
No sun on this day, and wow - check out the difference from that bottle to the nail. The purple brown shows on the nail despite the yellow brown shown in the bottle. I don't know how to mix it better (because I shook it like it owed me money), but I'll figure it out.
In the shade you can really see how purple shines through at the very top of the bottle but also the undertones on the nail.
And finally indoors with the flash shows off a nice smooth formula that looks a tiny watery but was actually a nice creme.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
