Call it Texture, call it Crackle, call it Shatter, or call it Grafitti - crackling top coats are all the rage for 2011. Nicole by OPI announced in late May that they would be throwing their hat into the ring with 6 colors. Nothing new to the game - still the same kind like OPI... the one down side is that while Nicole by OPI changed to their new "Perfect Stroke" brush back in January, there are still some issues with getting all their bottles with the same new brush. That was the case for most of my Texture collection (confirmed with the Nicole by OPI press relations representative).
I decided to use my existing (and botched) manicure from yesterday with OPI Houston We Have A Purple, and just add one coat of White Texture. I topped it with OPI Top Coat.
One good thing about texture/shatter/crackle is that it can hide a bad manicure. I don't like that this white isn't as crisp as OPI White Shatter but it still works. Part of it, for me, was having that thin brush instead of the "perfect stroke."
By accident, I caught a picture with natural lighting. Pretty stuff!
Here it is in the shade - still nothing new.
And finally indoors with the flash. Not bad, not great, not unique, not terrible. I will, however, stick with my OPI White Shatter for my white crackle/shatter/texture needs.
Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle. For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
So this was kind of my experiment into "Just post a swatch" but now that I see it, I want more. Hah. This is Jesse's Girl Sparkle Red which is actually slightly more pink than red. The base is the same color as the shimmer, no duochrome effect. So which do you like better? Lots of pictures in different lights or just one simple "Hey, this is it?" type of posting?
Jesse's Girl sells for $4.99 a piece online or at Rite Aid stores. You can visit Jesse's Girl on their website, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me using store credit for external work I provided. For more information, please read this post.
Continuing with the Texas Collection is Houston We Have A Purple. Just a note - I avoid driving in Houston as much as possible. Houston is scary. This polish? Not so much. This purple sorbet (jelly) is just a bit too thin for me.
I used a base of OPI Natural Nail, 2 coats of polish and a top of OPI Top Coat.
Welcome to sheer town! You can see my smile line on every nail. Additionally, I accidentally got a hair in my index finger so as I pulled it up, it made the polish pull like plastic sheeting. It also wrinkled up on my middle finger. Go figure.
In the shade, it's not much difference. But just check out the bottle - see how watery this is? I can see how nail techs were frustrated. I do like the actual color though - it's a light plum with a bit of a berry red to it. Very pretty!
Indoors with the flash so you can see how sheer this comes up. This collection showed me that I don't like sorbets (jellies) as much as I thought. :[
OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [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.
I know I'll be reswatching this later as well but for now here is Jesse's Girl Eye Dust Blackstar Blue, a dark hued pigment with light blue sparkles. This is one pat, dry, no extra added.
Here in direct sun you can see the light blue sparkles really shine through.
Slightly shifted in the sun and you can see how dark the base color is.
And finally in the shade this color really has a matte feel to it, so it might be a lot easier for me to wear out since blacks normally make me shy away.
Jesse's Girl sells for $4.99 a piece online or at Rite Aid stores. You can visit Jesse's Girl on their website, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me using store credit for external work I provided. For more information, please read this post.
Update 12 September 2011: ManGlaze, cheeky fellows they are, have renamed this polish "NawSome Sauce".
The finale in the upcoming ManGlaze shades to be released later this year is Gleen Rantern, a forest green matte. Next to Metal Licka, this was the color I've been most looking forward to, since I have slowly started getting into green polishes. This is worn with no base, no top coat, and only one coat. Best part, there was zero staining from the polish - very important to me!
Additional shade picture so you can see how well it wears. I haven't tried it against Zoya Veruschuka yet, but I think this is more green and less blue.
And here it is with a top coat of Seche Vite.
Loads of sparkly goodness!
And just some additional shiny goodness. Again, this color has not yet been released.
You can purchase ManGlaze on their website. You can Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company because of a Twitter giveaway. For more information, please read this post.
