OPI Blue Shatters Swatches
Here are swatches from the blue shatters released by OPI. There are 3 of them, 2 shimmers and one creme. They came with a little instructional tag with 3 easy steps outlined. The steps are basically the same as any crackle or shatter polish out there right now. I’m not sure if this trend is dying just yet. I see more brands coming out with it as each day goes by.
First up is Blue Shatter.
OPI Blue Shatter
Blue Shatter is a bright royal blue shatter that I layered over Deborah Lippmann’s My Old Flame, which is a red creme shade. I didn’t expect a lot from this shade from the press release other than it gives me more variety in terms of color. I thought it was nice and that’s about it. It blew me away when it went on my nails. It’s a very nice royal blue shimmer. Formula was of the right consistency and the layer of shatter polish spread evenly onto my nails. Shown is one coat with no top coat.
OPI Blue Shatter (in shade)
OPI Blue Shatter (direct sunlight)
OPI Blue Shatter (close-up)
OPI Blue Shatter (lighting changed)
Next is Navy Shatter.
OPI Navy Shatter
Navy Shatter is the creme shade among the 3 shatters. It’s a really dark shade. So dark that when I layered it over the same red shade I used with the other 2, it looked black (photo of this at the end of this entry). I thought at first my bottle was labeled wrong and it was Black Shatter, but I see that it’s a dark jelly shade in the bottle. That’s when I decided to layer it over a much lighter shade instead, white. Formula was just about the same as the 2 other shades and it went onto my nails with no problem. Shown is one coat with no top coat.
OPI Navy Shatter (in shade)
OPI Navy Shatter (direct sunlight)
OPI Navy Shatter (close-up)
Last shade up is my personal favorite among all shatters released by OPI so far, Turquoise Shatter.
OPI Turquoise Shatter
Turquoise Shatter is simply stunning. It’s so vibrant that I instantly fell in love. It went onto my nails smoothly over the same red shade I used with Blue Shatter, Deborah Lippmann’s My Old Flame. Shown is one coat with no top coat.
OPI Turquoise Shatter (in shade)
OPI Turquoise Shatter (direct sunlight)
OPI Turquoise Shatter (in shade)
And here’s the comparison picture that I took before swatching them all individually. Left is Turquoise Shatter, middle is Blue Shatter and right is Navy Shatter. All are over 2 coats of Deborah Lippmann’s My Old Flame with no top coat.
OPI Blue Shatters Comparison (in shade)
OPI Blue Shatters Comparison (direct sunlight)
These should be available in various retail stores such as ULTA and Trade Secret.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
a-england Lady Of The Lake
Hi y’all! Today I have a simply stunning shade from a-england. They are offering free shipping and packing worldwide right now for any shade from their The Mythicals line and this would end on July 1, 2011. I’d hurry over there and order right now cause this is a superb deal! Without much more jabber, here is Lady Of The Lake.
a-england Lady Of The Lake
You probably could tell why I got this shade from The Mythicals line. Holo, anyone? 
This shade is described as a “dusky purple with rainbow glimmer and glow” on the website. It is so pretty, especially when the sun hits my nails! As you all know, holographic shades’ moment to shine is definitely under sunlight. Formula was exceptional. I have had patchy issues with holographic shades usually, but not this one! Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
a-england Lady Of The Lake (in shade)
a-england Lady Of The Lake (direct sunlight)
a-england Lady Of The Lake (lighting changed)
a-england Lady Of The Lake (close-up)
a-england Lady Of The Lake (direct sunlight again)
What do you guys think? I got 2 shades from this sale cause I know that I’d regret it if I don’t get them now. Lady Of The Lake is one of them.
This shade is available online at a-england. The owner, Adina, is such a sweetheart. She’s prompt in answering questions and interacts with her fans on both Twitter and Facebook. Take advantage of this deal now! It came to about $15 for me and I don’t regret it one bit! You only got a few days left ’til this offer ends on July 1, 2011.
Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started Swatches
Deborah Lippmann’s Holiday offering includes a very well-known crowd favorite, Happy Birthday, and 2 variations of that said shade, Candy Shop and Forget You. All 3 are glitter shades with the same hexagon-shaped glitters, only with different bases. I have swatches up for you guys, but I’ll probably reswatch some of them in the future and also over other shades.
Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started
Happy Birthday ~ a party in the bottle (glitter)
Candy Shop ~ bubblegum pink (glitter)
Forget You ~ party all night (glitter)
First up is Happy Birthday.
Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday
Oh, hello there! Happy Birthday is described on the website as “a party in the bottle” and is Deborah Lippmann’s best-selling shade. This is a glitter shade in a clear base. The multicolored glitter is simply crazy and amazing at the same time. Totally right up my alley! Formula was a bit gloopy, but I think it’s made that way to “hold onto” the glitter more in a manner of speaking. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday (in shade)
Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday (direct sunlight)
Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday (close-up)
Next shade in this set is Candy Shop.
Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop
Candy Shop is what I will describe as what one of my co-worker guy friend J said about a splatter mani I did for another co-worker friend: “It looked like a rainbow peed on your nails.” It’s not a bad thing really, but it’s very colorful and somehow the pink base in this shade makes the difference. The color scheme does make the name of this shade fit quite well. It’s pink, it’s colorful, it’s bright, and it makes me think of candy. Formula is a bit on the gloopy side as well, but it didn’t make application difficult. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop (in shade)
Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop (lighting changed)
Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop (direct sunlight)
Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop (close-up)
Last one is what I was looking forward to the most, Forget You.
Deborah Lippmann Forget You
This one looked very promising in the bottle, but it fell a bit short once it’s on my nails. It looks good, but not as good as Happy Birthday. The black base in this shade seems to be the same jelly-ish type as with her other glitter shades, such as Across The Universe. If you want to save the trouble of having multiple layers with this shade, use a black base underneath. I really detest my swatches of this shade. The multicolored glitter looks “forced” on some spots of my nails. I think using only one layer of this shade would alleviate this look. I think I’ll retake these at a later date. Application was a little trickier than the other 2 shades, but not terrible. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Deborah Lippmann Forget You (in shade)
Deborah Lippmann Forget You (direct sunlight)
Deborah Lippmann Forget You (close-up)
This set will available on Deborah Lippmann’s website and at other retailers such as Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom. I believe the release date is July 1, 2011, but this is probably the release date for just Nordstrom. I imagine that eventually there will be the option to purchase these shades separately as with the shades in the All That Jazz set.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender
The last shade I have to feature from N.Y.C. is this lovely number called Long Time Lavender.
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender
Long Time Lavender is a very light pink-ish shade. It has a twinge of purple, but I expected a bit more of that from a shade named as such. I thought the finish was purely a shimmer, but I detected some silvery-ish glass flecked particles. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender (in shade)
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender (lighting changed)
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender (direct sunlight)
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender (close-up)
N.Y.C. Long Time Lavender (lighting changed again)
This shade is just one of the 14 limited edition shades released by N.Y.C. New York Color. Shades from this line are supposed to stay on nails for up to 7 days. It includes strengthening minerals such a an ultra-nourishing blend of Iron and Calcium that gives nails a smooth, chip resistant surface and strengthens nails by up to 50% in just 5 days. It also has Pro-Vitamin B5 that makes nail up to 40% longer and UV Inhibitor as a sun-protective barrier that makes dull, faded color a thing of the past.
This retails for $2.49 each and is available in chain drugstores and mass merchandisers nationwide.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Milani July Limited Edition Summer Products
Here’s something to watch out for in July! Limited edition items from Milani, as stated in the press release below.
EDIT: Purple Rush swatch here, Instantaneous Blue swatch here here, Racy Green swatch here, and Hot Pink Frenzy swatch here.
MILANI NAILS IT
Milani presents its hottest and brightest shades that complement every summer glow July Limited Edition Summer Products
STOP! Wardrobe change? No problem, create a gallery of nail looks with Milani’s New Limited Edition High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquer – fast and luxurious, to get you on the GO – their new flat brush for fast and flawless application that dries in 60 seconds. For an additional pop of color use Milani’s High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquers for extreme shine and electrifying nails. These high voltage bright pigments are available in eight high fashion shades and great for the summer season!
Milani Limited Edition High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquer
Available Shades: Purple Rush, Instantaneous Blue, Racy Green, Fast Fuchsia, Jiffy Orange, Violet Dash, Yellow Whiz, & Hot Pink Frenzy.
High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquer, Retail, $3.99
Brighten your lids with Milani’s Limited Edition Paint Eyeshadow Palette—fashion forward neon colors in one super-soft, silk-like application. Brighten your eyes by using shades separately or swirled together to create your own unique hue of art.
Milani Limited Edition Paint Eyeshadow Palette
Paint Eyeshadow Palette,Retail, $7.99
Limited Edition Items available ONLY the month of July at select CVS drugstores.
‘LIKE’ MILANI COSMETICS ON FACEBOOK OR FOLLOWUS ON TWITTER!
I can’t tell which shades are shimmery, but I’ll be grabbing those for sure!
Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started Set
Here is a press release on one of Deborah Lippmann’s latest offering.
EDIT: Swatches here.
Just in time for the holiday season,
Deborah Lippmann Gets the Party started
Nothing says ‘Party’ like the magnetic sparkle of glitter. So for the biggest party season of the year, I’ve created shades that truly dazzle. Get This Party Started, a set of three glitters, was inspired by the overwhelming demand for my best selling Happy Birthday, a glittery party in a bottle. The set includes Happy Birthday, along with two new variations of the sparkling shade: Forget You and Candy Shop. They’re both packed with the same unique hexagon-shaped glitter that gives Happy Birthday its magnificent glint, only Forget You has a sheer black base and Candy Shop a bubblegum pink.
I love how festive all three look and feel, whether wrapped a round a champagne glass or peeping out of a glamorous pump. But what I truly love the most: how a few coats of any shade instantly transform you into the life of the party.
Deborah Lippmann Let's Get This Party Started Set
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: a party in a bottle (glitter)
CANDY SHOP: bubblegum pink (glitter)
FORGET YOU: party all night (glitter)
Zoya Summertime Swatches
Some of you have probably seen these already, but I just got these in a few days ago. There was a delay for a good while. One of Zoya’s summer collection is named Summertime. These colors are bright and bold. Formula is quite exceptional and pretty opaque in general. I’ll be showcasing them in the order of the press release picture.
First up is Sooki.
Zoya Sooki
Sooki is described on their website as a “bright, clean, crisp cool cherry red cream with a subtle jelly finish” and that it’s a shade that makes “an irresistable, attention-grabbing red nail.” I couldn’t agree more! It looks so squishy and the finish is super shiny. Formula for this one was smooth and creamy. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Zoya Sooki (in-shade)
Zoya Sooki (direct sunlight)
Zoya Sooki (close-up)
Next up is Tamsen.
Zoya Tamsen
Tamsen bears the description of a “medium warm brick-red with strong orange undertones with an opaque cream finish.” It’s also “a special red that is both enticing and mysterious.” This one’s more orange-y than Sooki, but very similar. You can see the difference mostly in the under direct sunlight shots. Formula for this one was smooth and creamy as well. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Zoya Tamsen (in-shade)
Zoya Tamsen (direct sunlight)
Zoya Tamsen (another angle)
Zoya Tamsen (close-up)
Moving on, we have a shade called Areej.
Zoya Areej
Areej is described as a “soft, muted cool fuchsia pink with an opaque cream finish” and that it’s “a pink for when you want a bold pop of color but not something neon-bright.” This is one gorgeous shade that I absolutely love! It went on my nails so smoothly, almost like spreading perfectly softened butter! Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Zoya Areej (in-shade)
Zoya Areej (direct sunlight)
Zoya Areej (close-up)
Zoya Areej (lighting changed)
The next shade has a name I keep saying it wrong. It is Kieko, but I keep thinking it Keiko.
Zoya Kieko
Kieko is described on their website as a “warm, red-toned dusty light purple with berry tones with an opaque cream finish” and that it’s “a nice alternative to pure pink or berry, especially flattering on warm skin tones.” This shade is very vibrant and actually constantly reminded me of a co-worker friend of mine, Lilly. She has this very vibrant, jewel toned purple shirt that is the same shade as this lacquer. Application was smooth and easy. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Zoya Kieko (in-shade)
Zoya Kieko (lighting changed)
Zoya Kieko (direct sunlight)
Zoya Kieko (another angle)
Zoya Kieko (close-up)
Nearing the end, we have Mira.
Zoya Mira
Mira bears the description of a “blue-toned medium purple with dusty lavender tones and an opaque cream finish” and that it’s a “muted yet colorful purple that isn’t too dark.” This is another shade that I associate with someone. I have always been a fan of a fashionable woman in Russia name Mira and I can see a bit of her in this. Application is flawless and it dries to a super shiny finish. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Zoya Mira (in-shade)
Zoya Mira (direct sunlight)
Zoya Mira (close-up)
Last shade in this collection is called Breezi.
Zoya Breezi
Breezi is described one their website as “soft, dusty, dirty medium cerulean blue with an opaque cream finish” and that it gives a “super chic high-fashioned denim look for nails.” I’m not sure why almost all of these shades have been described with the word “dusty” or “dirty” since only 2, at most, looks like it could be in my opinion. This one’s very creamy and dries super shiny as well. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Zoya Breezi (in-shade)
Zoya Breezi (direct sunlight)
Zoya Breezi (close-up)
My cuticles took a beating after swatching these. Cremes tend to stick to my skin more too for some reason. 
What is your favorite in this collection? Mine is Sooki followed by Mira. Gotta love that beauty called Areej though. I’m glad Zoya has provided us some vibrant choices that are simply perfect for the summer.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Color Club Back To Boho Collection
Here’s a press release with regards to Color Club’s Fall offering.
“New York, NY – June 2011 Color Club, a New York based cosmetic brand specializing in nail and lip products announced today its new “Back to Boho” Fall 2011 Collection. The new collection features twelve 70’s inspired longwearing nail polish shades perfect for creating an effortless “Boho Glam” look. The collection will be available in September of 2011. With fun bohemian vintage inspired names, the Color Club “Back to Boho” Collection shades include:
Color Cub Back To Boho Collection Set 1
Nomadic in Nude – a must have neutral for the season; off white and creamy
Earthy Angel – Gorgeous creamy camel
New Bohemian – a new 70’s take on Tiffany Blue
Shabby Drab – Purple Greige The ultimate boho color
Rad Nomad – Purple brown crème
Red-ical Gypsy – Boho chic red, a new take on a vintage classic red
Color Club Back To Boho Collection Set 2
Boho Mojo – Silvery, beige pearl
Nouveau Vintage – The perfect understated vintage frosty gold
Voodoo You Do – The perfect charcoal grey for the season with blue undertones
Artsy Crafty – The ultimate muted military green
Blue-topia – Just as it sounds, the perfect shade of deep blue
Rebel Spirit – Deep chocolate brown creme
Color Club is all about color and renowned for its fun, high performance rich shades and exceptionally safe products. All nail colors are vegan, Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP and paraben-free – and made in New York, NY with the best raw materials. Color Club products are made in the USA and are not tested on animals.
ABOUT COLOR CLUB
Color Club is a nail polish brand developed by Forsythe Cosmetic Group. Founded in 1979, the Forsythe Cosmetic Group is a New York-based cosmetic company widely regarded worldwide as a pioneer within the professional beauty industry. A global brand with products represented in more than 95 countries, Forsythe was one of the first companies to recognize and address the needs of the professional nail salon, a new phenomenon at the time. Rather quickly, the Forsythe name became synonymous with excellent, performance-proven products available in a diverse range of eye-catching shades. Today, more than three decades later, the Forsythe Cosmetic Group remains a vanguard in the beauty business by constantly introducing new concepts and elevating industry standards. Forsythe manufactures every product it offers, a practice that ensures superior color-matching quality control and the ability to respond quickly to consumer demands for the latest and most exciting trends in nail color, nail treatments and lip color.
For additional information on Color Club please call 1-800-221-8080 or visit http://www.cosmeticgroup.com/.”
I imagine these 2 sets will come with a top or base coat just as other collections from Color Club has in the past. What do you guys think? The ones that caught my eye the most is Nouveau Vintage and Voodoo You Do.
Dr.’s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral
I spotted this shade in the latest issue of Women’s Health and squealed. I got this shade and it’s prettier than I thought it would be. Here’s Peaceful Pink Coral.
Dr.'s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral
Peaceful Pink Coral is described as “a bright pink coral” on their website. I’m usually not a huge fan of corals because most of them lean towards being more orange, but this one leans more towards pink (which I love!). The shade is juicy and has a very shiny finish. Application was smooth and easy. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Dr.'s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral (in shade)
Dr.'s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral (lighting changed)
Dr.'s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral (direct sunlight)
Dr.'s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral (close-up)
Dr.'s Remedy Peaceful Pink Coral (lighting changed again)
Isn’t it perfect for the summer?!
It comes in the standard 0.5 fl oz bottle and retails for $17 on their website.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Dare To Wear Pop Artist
This is the last of the Dare To Wear polishes I have. Today’s shade is from their Doll House Collection, one that I would certainly love to complete at some point along with Disco Tech for sure. Here is Pop Artist.
Dare To Wear Pop Artist
Pop Artist is a shade that is made up of iridescent regular, round, and bar glitters in a slightly pink-tinted base. I like this glitter combination more than the ones from the Disco Tech Collection, as shown with Dancing Shoes previously. I think it’s the iridescent glitter that really makes this shade more appealing to me. Application went pretty smoothly for me. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Dare To Wear Pop Artist (in shade)
Dare To Wear Pop Artist (lighting changed)
Dare To Wear Pop Artist (direct sunlight)
Dare To Wear Pop Artist (close-up)
Dare To Wear Pop Artist (lighting changed again)
Do you like this type of glitter shade better than Dancing Shoes?
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Adele Rolling In The Deep
Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! Weekends feel so short come Monday. I rarely post personal blog entries, but I just gotta share with y’all what song has been playing in my head over and over again for days now.
Adele is a beautiful lady with a great voice. And of course, a song that I just can’t stop listening to.
N.Y.C. Persistent Putty
Today’s shade is one that has been released by many brands, one slightly different from the other. Some are lighter, some are darker. Some have a hidden shimmer to it even. It’s a trend that I was made aware of when Deborah Lippmann released Waking Up In Vegas. This shade from N.Y.C. is darker and not straight up putty-ish even when the name indicates as such, but that’s just my opinion. Here is Persistent Putty.
N.Y.C. Persistent Putty
I want to say this shade has some kind of purple in it that makes it darker than what I expect of a shade that’s called putty. Then again, I am used to seeing putty as a greyish white or an off-white with a hint of grey. It went onto my nails smoothly and dries in the time frame expected from a creme shade. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
N.Y.C.Persistent Putty (in shade)
N.Y.C.Persistent Putty (direct sunlight)
N.Y.C.Persistent Putty (close-up)
This shade is just one of the 14 limited edition shades released by N.Y.C. New York Color. Shades from this line are supposed to stay on nails for up to 7 days. It includes strengthening minerals such a an ultra-nourishing blend of Iron and Calcium that gives nails a smooth, chip resistant surface and strengthens nails by up to 50% in just 5 days. It also has Pro-Vitamin B5 that makes nail up to 40% longer and UV Inhibitor as a sun-protective barrier that makes dull, faded color a thing of the past.
This retails for $2.49 each and is available in chain drugstores and mass merchandisers nationwide.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
OPI Miss Universe Collection
Here’s a press release on the latest from OPI.
EDIT: Swatches here.
Unleash Your Inner Beauty Queen!
OPI Launches Limited Edition
Miss Universe Lacquers
Pageant-pretty nail lacquers in the new Miss Universe by OPI promotion give fingers and toes added glitz and glamour. Featuring four shades packed with shimmer and sparkle, these limited edition colors capture the energy of the 2011 MISS UNIVERSE® competition, to be held September 12, 2011, in São Paulo, Brazil.
“Miss Universe is the most popular and publicized beauty pageant in the world,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “We are excited to partner with the Miss Universe Organization, whose contestants provided so much inspiration for rich, high-fashion color.”
With shades ranging from berry and golden pink to electric blue and glittery silver, Miss Universe by OPI provides high-shine lacquers, including:
OPI Congeniality Is My Middle Name
And berry-wine shimmer is what I do best!
OPI It’s MY Year
It’s about time for this champagne-rose to shine!
OPI Swimsuit…Nailed It!
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie vibrant shiny-blue bikini.
OPI Crown Me Already!
A sassy silver sparkle that knows what it’s worth.
The Miss Universe Organization named OPI its official nail care sponsor this June. Additionally, Weiss-Fischmann will be a judge for the 2011 Miss USA® pageant, a precursor to the Miss Universe competition.
Miss Universe by OPI Nail Lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. This limited-edition promotion will be available beginning August 2011 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.
For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!
###
ABOUT MISS UNIVERSE:
The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. The organization is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com or follow Miss Universe on Facebook or Twitter @TheRealMissU.
China Glaze Anchors Away Swatches
Better late than never, right? Well, that’s what I say with China Glaze’s nautical themed Anchors Away Collection. I’ve encountered a few delays in getting the whole collection, but now they’re all here and swatched. Just in time before the whole set is all gone from ULTA too! You never know when they phase out seasonal collections like this. I’m pretty sure that Sally Beauty Supply never got this collection in their stores though. Without further ado, here are swatches for all 12 shades in this collection.
First up is Life Preserver.
China Glaze Life Preserver
Life Preserver is described in the press release as a “highly pigmented and luxurious poppy creme” and it’s pretty accurate. My initial thought was that this is an orange shade, but I was sorely mistaken. It is less orange-y than I though, which is a pleasant surprise. I like red more than orange by default, just a preference. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Life Preserver (in shade)
China Glaze Life Preserver (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Life Preserver (close-up)
Next, we have Knotty.
China Glaze Knotty
Described as a “micro-particle beige shimmer”, Knotty is a refreshing shade in this collection that I surprisingly liked. I think it’s the shimmer that reeled me in. I am a sucker for shimmery shades. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Knotty (in shade)
China Glaze Knotty (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Knotty (close-up)
The green in this collection is a shade called Starboard.
China Glaze Starboard
Starboard stood out for me in this collection, as it’s not a very nautical themed shade. Described as a “hip and playful green creme”, it’s a shade that I would not normally sport. If it’s green, it has to be a shimmer usually. It’s a nice shade that makes other colors pop in a mani. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Starboard (in shade)
China Glaze Starboard (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Starboard (close-up)
White Cap is one that I thought I wouldn’t like at all in the beginning.
China Glaze White Cap
Look at how awesome this white shimmery shade is! I changed my mind about not caring to have it once I put it on my nails. It definitely is a “whimsical and sparkling multi-dimensional white” shade. This is pretty sheer, which is meant to be used more as a top coat I think. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze White Cap (in shade)
China Glaze White Cap (direct sunlight)
China Glaze White Cap (close-up)
And we have another glitter top coat here in Lighthouse.
China Glaze Lighthouse
“Multi-dimentional, bright yellow glass speck”? This yellow-gold shade has tons of sparkle. I don’t have that many gold shades that’s kind of sheer, so this is a welcomed addition to my collection. It reminds me a lot of Cowardly Lyin’, from an earlier collection of China Glaze. Just like White Cap, it’s pretty sheer even if you used 3 coats. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Lighthouse (in shade)
China Glaze Lighthouse (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Lighthouse (close-up)
Next up is the blue in the bunch, First Mate.
China Glaze First Mate
I think China Glaze’s description is pretty apt for this shade, “sophisticated and rich navy creme”. It’s pretty opaque and I thought about going with just one coat. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze First Mate (in shade)
China Glaze First Mate (direct sunlight)
China Glaze First Mate (close-up)
Here is another light shade, Sunset Sail.
China Glaze Sunset Sail
This shade is a warm and peach-y. To me, it’s a milky beige with lots of shimmer. It’s described as a “delightful peachy pink high shine creme”. Not sure why it’s described as a creme when it has shimmer though. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Sunset Sail (in shade)
China Glaze Sunset Sail (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Sunset Sail (close-up)
Here we have a bold red creme called Hey Sailor.
China Glaze Hey Sailor
I absolutely love this red creme shade! Hey Sailor is pretty opaque. I almost just left the application at one coat as well, just like First Mate. The description of “vibrant red creme” is spot on! Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Hey Sailor (in shade)
China Glaze Hey Sailor (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Hey Sailor (close-up)
One of my favorites from this collection is Sea Spray.
China Glaze Sea Spray
Sea Spray is a pale blue shimmery shade. I can see the grey in this delicate shade. The shimmer is barely there. This one’s described as a “delightful peachy pink high shine creme” and again, what’s with the creme part of the description in these shimmery shades? It boggles my mind. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Sea Spray (in shade)
China Glaze Sea Spray (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Sea Spray (close-up)
One of the shades I liked the least is Below Deck.
China Glaze Below Deck
I’m not a huge fan of these mauve-y creme shades, so this one didn’t do anything for me. It’s just a personal preference though. With cremes, I prefer bright and bold shades. This one’s described as “a flirty mix of taupe and violet”. Pretty accurate, don’t you think? Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Below Deck (in shade)
China Glaze Below Deck (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Below Deck (close-up)
Next is my favorite from this entire collection, Ahoy!.
China Glaze Ahoy!
I thought I would like this one the most based on the initial press release pictures and I was right. Described as “delightfully intense pink that flashed with reflective glass speck”, this shade is simply right up my alley! Lots of shimmer and shine, this glass flecked shade stole my heart the moment I put it on my nails. To me, it looks like a cross between Raspberry Festival and Strawberry Fields, both from the China Glaze Summer Days Collection released a few summers ago. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Ahoy! (in shade)
China Glaze Ahoy! (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Ahoy! (close-up)
Last shade in this collection is called Pelican Gray.
China Glaze Pelican Gray
Pelican Gray is a light, pale grey with some hidden shimmer. It’s a neutral shade that has subtle shimmer, which we have seen a lot of lately. Is this a trend of some sort? But this soft grey is a nice addition to have in my collection under the safe for work category. This one’s described as a “high shine, cool-toned grey creme” and again…..the creme part? I’ll stop now. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
China Glaze Pelican Gray (in shade)
China Glaze Pelican Gray (direct sunlight)
China Glaze Pelican Gray (close-up)
I think China Glaze did well with this collection, but definitely played it safe. After all, it is a Spring collection and that’s reflected fairly well. Formula for all these are pretty consistent. The cremes applied nice and smooth onto my nails and the shimmers are a teeny bit on the watery side without giving me ny problems during application. Drying time is just as what is expected from creme and shimmer shades.
Catch these shade while you can still at retail stores where China Glaze is sold such as ULTA.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Mattese Elite Me For Vendetta
This is the last of my darker shades from Mattese Elite in my collection. I scored a bunch on their sale last time and will be featuring those soon. But today, here’s Me For Vendetta.
Mattese Elite Me For Vendetta
This beauty had me on the fence when I first saw it. I wasn’t sure if this shade was too dark for the shimmer to come through or not. I have historically not liked shimmery shades that are dark where the shimmer doesn’t show up on the nails. That, to me, is just a big fail. Thank goodness this is not the case with this shade. Me For Vendetta is a super dark shimmery purple shade, almost black. The shimmer does translate onto the nails, not as much as I would like but heck…..I’ll take it! Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Me For Vendetta (in shade)
Mattese Elite Me For Vendetta (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Me For Vendetta (close-up)
You can score this beauty directly on their webpage or if you live in the wonderful state of New York, you can stop by at any Ricky’s NYC store locations (see here) and see this and other shades for yourself before you buy. Mattese Elite shades retails for $5.99 each before tax.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Milani Sweet
From part of their Creme De La Creme series, here is a shade from Milani called Sweet.
Milani Sweet
Sweet is a very light pink shade. It goes smoothly onto my nails and finishes with this unbelievable shine! I was amazed at how shiny the finish is for a creme shade! It’s on the sheer side, so apply more coats to obtain desired opacity. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Milani Sweet (in shade)
Milani Sweet (direct sunlight)
Milani Sweet (close-up)
It’s a refreshing shade compared to all the brights and neons I’ve been swatching lately.
Shades from this collection should be available in drugstores nationwide. Also check other known Milani retailers.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Curtain Call: Aura Science Transform Instant Brightener
Hey y’all! Hope everyone’s having a great weekend so far! Today’s post is another installment of Curtain Call. The product that has reached the end of its life this time around is Aura Science’s Transform Instant Brightener. I got this product a while back through a Victoria’s Secret Beauty set of some sort. Aura Science is a brand that used to have its own store. Last I heard, they closed down the stores and the distribution of this brand has been funneled through Victoria’s Secret Beauty stores instead.
Unfortunately, I threw away the container before writing this post so I have no idea how much product the tiny jar contained. Since it came from a set though, most likely that wasn’t the regular sized product. The back of the jar states the following:
“Encourage. Instantly illuminates and softens your skin. Within weeks, new clarity emerges.
Enlighten. Massage into prepped skin morning and night. Follow with Hydrate.
ALLERGY TESTED.”
Aura Science Transform Instant Brightener
Verdict? I actually really like this product. I used it as my moisturizer and it went on very light onto my skin. Texture is velvety smooth and it has a really light, pleasant scent. If I chance upon this again in Victoria’s Secret Beauty stores, I’d snap it up if the price is right. Problem is, I haven’t seen it there the last few times I was there. I might have to try a bigger Victoria’s Secret Beauty store. Let’s hope that I just missed it somehow cause it’s pretty darn good in my opinion.
If this product is still in production and sold in retail, try your local Victoria’s Secret Beauty stores.
Mattese Elite Happy Hour Swatches
It’s Friday! Today’s post will go well with celebrating the start of the weekend. Is everybody else ready for this weekend to be over? I know I sure am! I will be going with a few co-worker friends down to the city after work for dinner and a shopping trip in the Asian grocery store. Fun times! And to kick things off, here are swatches for Mattese Elite’s Happy Hour Collection. Note: these 6 cocktail themed shades are scented!
First up is the one that caught my eye among the 6 shades, Hypnotic.
Mattese Elite Hypnotic
This bright, blue shimmery shade is soooooo pretty! I actually recruited a few guy co-workers to rate the accuracy of the scent and this one is dead on according to 2 of them (the rest didn’t know what it’s supposed to smell like, ha!). The scent is cloyingly sweet, but very tolerable to my nose and I’m pretty sensitive to scents. It didn’t give me a headache at all! This shade has a very slight duochrome shimmer that can be seen in certain angles only under direct sunlight. I can definitely say this shade did not disappoint in my book! Formula is easy to work with. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Hypnotic (in shade)
Mattese Elite Hypnotic (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Hypnotic (close-up)
Next up is named after a very popular drink, Cosmopolitan.
Mattese Elite Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan is a bright deep pink (I want to say fuchsia) shade that reminds me a lot of China Glaze’s Purple Panic. This shiny creme shade is very pretty and the color is sure to catch people’s attention. The scent is pretty accurate according to the boys. It applied onto my nails smoothly. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Cosmopolitan (in shade)
Mattese Elite Cosmopolitan (lighting changed)
Mattese Elite Cosmopolitan (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Cosmopolitan (close-up)
Next is based on another drink that I’ve heard a lot of before, Tequila Sunrise.
Mattese Elite Tequila Sunrise
The color of this shade suits the name of the drink, but the scent aspect for this one comes up a bit short. It smells faintly of orange and that’s about it. It doesn’t completely miss the mark at least. This duochrome property in this orange shimmer is more apparent than in Hypnotic. It’s quite mesmerizing seeing it. Unfortunately, it didn’t show up well in any of these swatch shots. I can barely see it in some shots and that’s about it. Formula was a teeny bit more watery than the other shades, but not on a deal breaker proportion. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Tequila Sunrise (in shade)
Mattese Elite Tequila Sunrise (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Tequila Sunrise (close-up)
Shirley Temple is another classic that a lot of people are familiar with.
Mattese Elite Shirley Temple
This one’s a fun bright, light pink creme shade that’s very delicate and feminine. It’s not as bold and wild as the other 5 shades in this collection. The scent for this one is lighter than the other shades and Seargent Grumbles (code name for my co-worker developer/chef) says it smells right to him. Formula is good to work with and it dried pretty fast. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Shirley Temple (in shade)
Mattese Elite Shirley Temple (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Shirley Temple (close-up)
Next shade is a staple in any Happy Hour gathering my co-worker friends have, Apple Martini.
Mattese Elite Apple Martini
Mmmmmmm…….just hearing the name of that drink is making my mouth water. However, the scent isn’t that accurate. All the boys detected a relatively strong presence of coconut and they all guessed it was Pina Colada. It’s a bit too sweet too to be Apple Martini, but these are just what the boys think of it. Your experience may vary with any of these opinions stated. I will admit though that the scent doesn’t screm Apple Martini to me. This bright green neon shade is a pretty addition to my stash. I must admit I was expecting a more sublte apple green shade based on the name. It applied onto my nails smoothly. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Apple Martini (in shade)
Mattese Elite Shirley Apple Martini (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Shirley Apple Martini (close-up)
Last shade in this collection is Purple Passion.
Mattese Elite Purple Passion
I don’t think I’ve ever had this drink before. The grape scent of this shade is pretty strong. Pobe says he smells grape, but isn’t quite sure if it makes the mark. Sergeant Grumbles says it’s pretty good compared to the real thing. This grape purple creme shade has a very shiny finish compared to the other cremes in this collection. Application was smooth and easy. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Mattese Elite Purple Passion (in shade)
Mattese Elite Purple Passion (direct sunlight)
Mattese Elite Purple Passion (close-up)
Overall? Well-rounded collection that has a very fun theme. My co-worker friend S (yes, I have several of them) thought it would be fun to go out one night and order these 6 drinks and verify the scent accuracy. Fun activity indeed…..but could be pricey! 
I don’t think these are all straight up neons, but some definitely are such as Apple Martini.
You can score any of these beauties directly on their webpage or if you live in the wonderful state of New York, you can stop by at any Ricky’s NYC store locations (see here) and see this and other shades for yourself before you buy. Mattese Elite shades retails for $5.99 each before tax.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Dare To Wear DJ Mix
Today, I have bright one for y’all from Dare To Wear’s Creative Rhythm Collection. The Creative Rhythm Collection has 6 bright neon shades that definitely suits summer. Here is DJ Mix.
Date To Wear DJ Mix
This shade is the one I think would be the majority’s favorite from that collection. It’s a deep green neon that makes me think of the ocean. The direct sunlight shot shows the shade accurately. As with most neons, this dries matte-ish. It’s nothing that a top coat can’t fix! Formula was good to work with and it dries pretty fast. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Dare To Wear DJ Mix (in shade)
Dare To Wear DJ Mix (direct sunlight)
Dare To Wear DJ Mix (close-up)
Thoughts?
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
N.Y.C. Perpetual Peony
Today, I have a bold pink that is sure to bring a pop to any outfit this summer season. Here is N.Y.C.’s Perpetual Peony.
N.Y.C. Perpetual Peony
What a bright pink! It’s the perfect bubblegum pink creme shade in my collection! I don’t have anything else like it. Everything else in my collection is either lighter or darker. This one’s just right (like how Goldilocks would say). Formula was pretty good. It went smoothly onto my nails. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
N.Y.C. Perpetual Peony (in shade)
N.Y.C. Perpetual Peony (direct sunlight)
N.Y.C. Perpetual Peony (close-up)
N.Y.C. Perpetual Peony (lighting changed)
I thought of Barbie briefly, but it’s not what I would call Barbie Pink definitely.
This shade is just one of the 14 limited edition shades released by N.Y.C. New York Color. Shades from this line are supposed to stay on nails for up to 7 days. It includes strengthening minerals such a an ultra-nourishing blend of Iron and Calcium that gives nails a smooth, chip resistant surface and strengthens nails by up to 50% in just 5 days. It also has Pro-Vitamin B5 that makes nail up to 40% longer and UV Inhibitor as a sun-protective barrier that makes dull, faded color a thing of the past.
This retails for $2.49 each and is available in chain drugstores and mass merchandisers nationwide.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
Milani Gold Jewel FX
Many would think that summer isn’t the right season for glitters, but I beg to differ. One shade I am sporting this summer shows my continuing love for Milani nail lacquers. I’ve had this for a while but I just haven’t gotten to it until now. Does that dilemma sound familiar? Haha! From their Rockstar Heavy Glitter Collection, here is Gold Jewel FX.
Milani Gold Jewel FX
This is simply the gold version of Milani’s Silver Jewel FX I featured a while back. Very glittery, very bold, very eye-catching. Definitely not for the faint of the heart. Gold hex glitters in a clear base, this would make a great glitter top coat as well. Wear of this is like iron. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
Milani Gold Jewel FX (in shade)
Milani Gold Jewel FX (direct sunlight)
Milani Gold Jewel FX (close-up)
Only trouble one may have with this shade is the placement of the hex glitters on the nail. Make sure you shake the bottle up good before application as it may settle over time and it’s mostly just clear base at the top of the bottle. The placement of the glitter this time around isn’t as good as the one I had with the Silver Jewel FX.
Shades from this collection should be available in CVS stores nationwide. Also check other known Milani retailers.
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
OPI Serena Williams Glam Slam! England Swatches
Today, I have swatches of the 3 shades from OPI’s Serena Williams Glam Slam! England Collection. Overall, I am pretty impressed with the Serena Williams Collections and this one’s no exception. There are 2 sets, each with a pretty shade and a glittery top coat called Servin’ Up Sparkle.
First up is Your Royal Shine-ness.
OPI Your Royal Shine-ness
Out of the 3, this is the least interesting one to me. It’s a silver metallic shade that packs a lot of shine under sunlight. Formula is good to work with and it dries pretty quick. It’s just not a shade that stands out from any other silver metallic shade from many other brands. Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
OPI Your Royal Shine-ness (in shade)
OPI Your Royal Shine-ness (direct sunlight)
OPI Your Royal Shine-ness (close-up)
Then we have Servin’ Up Sparkle that comes in the set over Your Royal Shine-ness.
OPI Your Royal Shine-ness with Servin' Up Sparkle
OPI Your Royal Shine-ness with Servin' Up Sparkle (direct sunlight)
The next set has a gorgeous shade called Grape…Set…Match.
OPI Grape...Set...Match
I absolutely adore this shade. L-O-V-E! Grape…Set…Match is a shimmery purple shade with a slight duochrome. One of the swatch pictures below definitely shows it! I see blue and purple flecks in the base, very pretty! It went onto my nails smoothly and dried in no time! Shown is 2 thin coats with no top coat.
OPI Grape...Set...Match (in shade)
OPI Grape...Set...Match (direct sunlight)
OPI Grape...Set...Match (close-up)
OPI Grape...Set...Match (wow!)
And now, with Servin’ Up Sparkle from the set.
OPI Grape...Set...Match with Servin' Up Sparkle
OPI Grape...Set...Match with Servin' Up Sparkle (direct sunlight)
And a glimpse of Servin’ Up Sparkle by its lonesome.
OPI Servin' Up Sparkle (in shade)
OPI Servin' Up Sparkle (direct sunlight)
OPI Servin' Up Sparkle (close-up)
These should be available in various retail stores such as ULTA and Trade Secret. I personally think the set with Grape…Set…Match is a must-have!
*Some products in this review may have been provided by the PR company or manufacturer for an honest opinion.*
China Glaze Crackle Metals Collection
With this nail polish trend going on strong, here’s a press release from China Glaze.
China Glaze Crackle Metals Collection
THE HOTTEST METALS GET CRACKLED
China Glaze Introduces Six New Crackle Glaze Polishes inSparkling Metallics for Summer 2011
Los Angeles, CA– (June 2011): Set your summer style to“sizzle” with China Glaze’s new Crackle Glaze Metalscollection. The pioneer in crackle technology, China Glaze takes thebeauty phenomenon to the next level with this second-generation polish thatpairs the edgy innovation of crackle with the elegant beauty of metals. The China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals collection features six sparkling metalliccolors including:
· Tarnished Gold: Warm, honeyedhue
· Platinum Pieces: Shimmeringsilver
· Haute Metal: Pale pink
· Cracked Medallion: Bold bronze
· Latticed Lilac: Soft lavender
· Oxidized Aqua: Deep aquamarineblue
Create dramatically different looks withjust one sweep of China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals. Layer over differentbase colors to create bold styles. Use a lighter coat to create a finecrackle, a thicker coat for a deep shatter effect. As versatile and edgyas China Glaze’s biggest celebrity fans (Lady Gaga, Rihanna, NicoleRitchie and Kelly Osbourne, to name a few), Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals is sureto be this summer’s hottest beauty trend!
The China Glaze CrackleGlaze Metals collection will be available as open stock colors and 12 piececounter display with a unique Crackle Glaze screen and including aninstructional hang tag.
China Glaze is free of DBP,toluene, and added formaldehyde.
China Glaze nail lacquersare available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide.For more information, visit: http://www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze onTwitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze
China Glaze is a divisionof American International Industries.
About American International Industries
For nearly 40 years, AIIhas been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative,quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our productlines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze,Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night,Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, ‘N Rage,Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails,Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: http://www.aiibeauty.com.
OPI Serena Williams Glam Slam! US Collection
Here is a press release for the latest Glam Slam! shades of the Serena Williams line from OPI.
EDIT: Swatches here.
Grandstand Finale!
OPI Launches Sizzling Shades with Serena
Williams’ Glam Slam! Series in Anticipation of
Upcoming New York Tournament
OPI and tennis superstar Serena Williams announce the two final lacquers in the 2011 Glam Slam! promotion, timed in conjunction with the upcoming New York tournament. Glam Slam! U.S. features a duo-pack with two high-shine shades: shimmering red, Love is a Racket, and glittering bronze, Pros & Bronze.
OPI Love Is A Racket
OPI Pros & Bronze
“OPI and Serena return to our home country for the final launch with two bright, feminine lacquers,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Packed with red and gold micas for intense luster, the Glam Slam! series finishes with two classic, glamorous colors.”
“Whether worn alone or with Pros & Bronze layered over Love is a Racket for a golden glow, these two shades have rich hues that are perfect for transitioning from summer to fall,” adds Williams.
Serena Williams has received the World Number One in singles ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association on five separate occasions, along with being listed as sixth on the all-time greatest champions list. Additionally, she has won two Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles and has earned 27 Grand Slam titles to date. Serena is the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously and only the fifth woman in history to do so.
New shades in the Glam Slam! promotion are introduced to coincide with each of the four major tournaments, including the upcoming New York tournament in August 2011. As with all OPI Nail Lacquers, Glam Slam! shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in Glam Slam! U.S. will be available beginning August 2011 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $14.95 ($20.95 CAN) suggested retail for each duo-pack.
For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!
