OPI Touring America Fall 2011 Swatches & Review

I was so excited to pick these up at My favorite creep nail polish spot, Beauty 35 here in the NYC.  I went on a mini spree and bought almost the entire collection.  I was broke, but happy!

French Quarter for your Thoughts

Very cool light gray creme.  Love this. Usually grays this cool don’t look so great against my skin tone, but I really think this works!

Get In The Expresso Lane

Love this.  A cool toned brown.  So dark, and lovely.  I never get tired of a dark polish!

Road House Blues

I needed a blue like this.  Blurple creme. I simply adore it!

A Taupe The Space Needle

I was afraid this looked exactly like San TanTonio, but it really doesn’t.  Definitely a great addition to this collection.

Suzi Takes The Wheel

Unusual shade. Sort of green, sort of gray, sort of muted.  Definitely one of my favorites in the collection.

Honk if You Love OPI

Beep Beep!  I know it’s not particularly unique, but at this point how can OPI create a fall collection that doesn’t include a vampy purple creme?

Uh Oh Roll Down The Window

Love This Green.  So many oilve/military greens on the scene this fall, and this one is right up there with the best of them.  And what a cute name.  Sadly this reminds me of every road trip from NY to Down south to visit family.  13 hours straight on I-95.  Ah memories…

I Brake For Manicures

Another gorgeous Vampy violet brown.  Oddly cool toned yet dark and murky and gorgeous!  I both love and hate colors like this because while we polish freaks can see the subtle differences in polishes like this, most people can’t.  All they’ll see is a dark polish.  Sad but true.

The formula on these were pretty good.  I did notice that on most shades, the color on the nail was much darker than the bottle color. and what’s with the chalkiness and weird texture when looking at the bottle of for example, “Suzi Take the Wheel”.  It never looks fully combined, but luckily that look doesn’t translate on the nail.

Note: these were bought and paid for by me.

Zoya Mirrors Collection Fall 2011 Swatches

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post!  Work has been kicking my bootay.  I’m on day 9 of a 12 day run with no days off.  Anyway, I finally bring you part 2 of the Zoya fall 2011 collection.  Mirrors.

Zoya Tao

Tao is a medium gray shimmer.  I’m not over my love of gray’s yet and this one definitely fits the bill.

Zoya Jem

Well, it’s not “truly outrageous” but it is a jem of a polish.  a red based purple with gold shimmer.

Zoya Neeka

Pretty cross between blue, purple and gray with silvery shimmer.  I don’t know why my photos make the bottle look like there is some sort of flash or duo chrome in it.  There is not.

Zoya Yara

Love this murky olive/army green.  This one might be my favorite.

Zoya Marina

Gray blue with shimmer that’s more subtle than the rest of the collection.  Very pretty.

Zoya Nimue

Grayed out violet with subtle shimmer.  Lovely.  I love how Zoya puts their collections together using similar colors but making them just different enough to justify getting them all!  Evil and good at the same time.  You can pick these babies up at Zoya.com.  Enjoy!

These were sent to me for Review…

Zoya Smoke Collection Fall 2011 Swatches & Review

I just love this time of year when all the fall collections come out.  Spring collections are intriguing to me but nothing makes me more excited than the fall nail color and makeup collections.  The darker, moody nail colors appeal to me more and fall is when they really come out to play!

Zoya Codie

Deep Dark Greenish swampy brown creme. Reminds me of OPI’s Get in the Espresso Lane.  But it’s still not an almost black.  We’ll take it!

Zoya Dree

Pretty pea green.  Like the split pea soup in the can my momma used to make when I was a kid.  I hated that stuff, but I love this shade!

Zoya Jana

As much as I love Gray, it’s not unique anymore.  I still can’t resist a good fall gray, and this one is as good as any of the others out there.

Zoya Anja

Deep, dark and vampy, what fall collection would be complete without a color like this.  Again, dark but not an almost black.

Zoya Cynthia

Teal is again a big color for this fall.  Not as big as last year, but it’s here.  This one is more green in tone and really nice.  I’m definitely not over this trend!

Zoya Petra

Petra is a darker gray, more purple/brown based if that makes sense.  Things always look darker in the crappy lighting of my apartment and the fact that one of my living room lamps bit the dust this weekend isn’t making things better.

The formula on these were nice, just like what Zoya usually delivers with each collection.  You can pick up these beauties at Zoya.com.

 

These were sent to me for review

Zoya Spring 2011 Swatches and Review

Spring still hasn’t completely sprung here in NYC.  But that hasn’t stopped me from bringing the spring to my nails with the Zoya Intimate collection for Spring 2011.

Zoya Gemma

Super pretty green this pic does not do this color justice.  There is a super subtle flash of violet here.  I don’t think I have anyy other green like this in my stash.

Zoya Marley

I’m glad this collection has taken a more sophisticated turn from the super bright pastels of last spring.  Marly is the most pastel-ish of the lot.  It looks a little pink, a little white and a little violet at the same time.  I’m not mad at it!

Zoya Caitlin

Yay another gray!  This one has a tinge of cornflower blue in it and even though it’s a pretty dark gray, it still feels spring-like to me.

Zoya Dove

This one is one of my faves.  A much lighter gray than Caitlin and I think it’s a good contract against my skin.

Zoya Dannii

I think this is the most unique of the collection.  A purple shimmer wish silver micro glitter.  Not my usual style but definitely a fun color to wear, particularly for spring.

Zoya Jules

A light gold shimmer.  I don’t wear alot of gold but I think I would wear this.

All in all i think this is a nice collection of wearable shades that could work on anyone.  You can get each for $8.00 on Zoya.com.

Disclaimer – These were sent to me for review.

More Nfu-Oh Goodies!

After my first purchase of Nfu-Oh on Fabulous Street, I couldn’t help but get more a few weeks later.  There are so many shades to choose from, and it took so much strength for me to restrain myself, but here’s what I picked.

Nfu-Oh 302

Awesome Gray.  Dark, muddy.  Pretty much opaque in one coat but I used two.  It almost has little green in it.

Nfu-Oh 569

This just might be my favorite green!  Before I got the second coming of Nars Zulu I’d bought this to ease my lemming.  Love it!

Nfu-Oh 444

Another awesome putty greigy.  Again could have been a one coater, but I used two.  It would have looked more sophisticated on my nails if the green from the previous swatch removed easier.

Essie Winter 2010 Swatches and Review

I’d been waiting for this collection since I first heard about it.  Just when I think I’ve seen every dark, gray or green, something new comes along and I just had to pick up my faves from this collection.

Esie Going Incognito

This green is more yellow based and while this was the color I was most excited about having, I don’t think it looks as nice with my skintone as I’d hoped.  I expected a muted green and this color is brighter than I thought it would be.  I still think it’s a gorgeous green and I’ll probably still wear it anyway.

Essie Luxedo

Luxedo is a deep purple creme. I know it’s not anything we haven’t seen, but I really like this dark violet shade.  No matter how many dark polishes I have, I always want more!

Essie Hot Cocoa

One of my favorites of this collection.  Comparable to OPI YDKJ or other brown/taupe colors out there.  This one seems to have more brown than gray.

Essie Masquerade Belle

Masquerede Belle is actually much brighter than this picture shows.  It’s definitely more wine in tone than say a blackened red like Wicked.  I don’t like many reds, but I’ve worn this one more than once.

Essie Smokin Hot

Love love love!  This smokey dark gray is my fave of the collection.  I think it’s different from the other grays I own.  It’s got some purple to it, and while I love light grays, my favorites are darker ones.  So happy to have this in my Gray collection.

The formula on these are great! I didn’t have a problem with application.  I’m not a fan of wide brushes, so I always appreciate applying Essie polishes.  I got mine a Beauty 35, my favorite beauty supply store in the city but you can get these at essie.com.  Until next time, addicts!

China Glaze Holiday 2010 Swatches and Review

Ok, fine!  I’m just a wee bit late on posting these.  I figure since it’s there is no end to winter in sight,  despite what Puxatony Phil and Staten Island Chuck (seriously, Staten Island has a groundhog named Chuck!) predict, I can get away with reviewing a holiday collection now right?  I picked up a few of the shades that piqued my interest on 8ty8 Beauty.

China Glaze Little Drummer Boy

This dark blue shimmer really caught my eye.  It’s not as “almost black” as other blues out there like Nars Midnight Express or Zoya Ibiza.

Ching Glaze Sugar Plums

Really like this.  This was definitely one of my go-to holiday shades.  Red Plum with gold glitter.  Even though the glitter particles are small, they are still a little difficult to remove, like most glitter polishes are.  I think this is the most traditional and festive of the holiday collection.

China Glaze Naughty and Nice

I can’t ever get enough of vampy dark polishes. This one is a dark plum creme and even though its not anything new, it’s lovely.

China Glaze Peace on Earth

Surprisingly, this was my favorite Holiday shade  I chose this antique gold/olive green  shimmer to wear during the holidays and to all the Holiday parties I attended.  It was different than you usual red and green holiday shades, but was still festive for the season.  Love it!

CND Swatches

A few months ago I attended a trade show in Florida for work and snagged some CND goodies for $5 each!  Previously this I only had one or 2 of the CND Colour and Effect polishes, but now that I have a few more I have to say I really love them!  The color impact  so intense I could have gotten away with one coat, but in most of these photos I used two and in one case, 3.

CND Inkwell

Lovely dark blue.  It’s an almost black shade of blue.  Not necessarily unique but a great blue nonetheless.

CND Ashphalt

I can’t ever resist a gray and this one is definitely in my favorites list.  It was pretty much completely opaque in one coat.  Happy Happy Joy Joy!

CND Putty

I got this one hoping it would be a great nude for me.  This was the only one I used three coats with just to try and build it up a bit.  It’s still pretty sheer and I don’t think it goes with my skintone very well.

CND Raisin in the Sun

Ok, again maybe not such a unique color but this is a really nice dark chocolaty brown.  I like that it’s red toned but still a true brown.

I know everyone is talking about Shellac, and while I’m really looking forward to trying it soon, I have to say I really love these Color & Effects polishes.  You can get them at goindulge.com for $9.00 each.  Enjoy!

China Glaze Anchors Away Preview

 

Anchors Away!

Hey All!

 

I first heard about this collection from ALU from her review of the Cosmoprof Trade Show this past summer.  I’ve been anxiously awaiting this collection ever since.  Check these out:

 

• · Life Preserver: Highly pigmented and luxurious poppy crème.
• · Hey Sailor: Vibrant crème red.
• · Ahoy!: Delightfully intense pink that flashes with reflective glass speck.
• · First Mate: Sophisticated and rich navy crème.
• · Starboard: Hip and playful green crème.
• · Lighthouse: Multi-dimensional, bright yellow glass speck.
• · White Cap: Whimsical and sparkling multi-dimensional white.
• · Pelican Gray: High shine, cool toned grey crème.
• · Sea Spray: Calming pale blue crème.
• · Below Deck: A flirty mix of taupe and violet.
• · Sunset Sail: Delightful peachy pink high shine crème.
• · Knotty: Micro-particle beige shimmer.

I’m super excited about Sea Spray, Pelican Gray, First Mate and Starboard.   China Glaze is sold at Sally Beauty Supply and online at 8ty8 Beauty Supply and should be released any day now.  I can’t wait to get my hands on these!

Mattese Elite Nail Polish Swatches and Review

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!  I know I’ve been gone for a while but I am back!  December was a crazy busy month for me work wise.  I worked 19 days in a row.  No days off.  I’m so glad the work marathon is over and I can get back to blogging regularly!  Behold the Fall 2010 collection from Mattese Elite.

Mattese Elite is a brand sold at legendary NYC Cosmetics and costume emporium, Ricky’s.  You’ll notice some of the shades in their fall 2010 collection are named similarly  and bare a resemblance to polishes of some of the more well-known brands, but at around $5.00 a pop, you won’t mind the shades being knockoffs, and the quality is definitely there!

ME Lost in Passion

This one really surprised me.  I just didn’t expect such a bright blue when I first looked at the bottle color.  I thought t would be more of a blurple.  There is a lot of purple micro shimmer that shows in the bottle, but after three coats it’s a bright blue.  I really like it.

ME Green with Envy

Forest green creme.  Love it!  It may not be that unique, but if you’re looking for a color like this, I’d highly recommend this one.  This one is a regular in my winter rotation.

ME Amazing Rush

This is a glittery olive-green/antique gold.  I was afraid I wouldn’t love it, but I do.  It’s not too gold and not too green, and I think it works well with my skin color.

Ski Teal Dusk

 

Ok, so the name of this one was definitely  ahem…inspired by OPI’s “Ski teal we drop”.  So what!  It’s a more affordable teal that applies like a dream and looks great!

The formula on all of these were great!  Two coats on all the swatches and that was really all that I needed.  You can order these online at Matteseelite.com for only $5.99!