Essie.. Mink Muffs

Today I thought it was time for another Essie. I've had Mink Muffs for a while and this is my first time wearing it.  I really like browns.  I know a lot of people don't, but cool-toned browns seem to compliment my skintone.

Here is Mink Muffs:

Natural Light

with flash

Mink Muffs is a pretty creamy light chocolate brown.  In low light, Mink Muffs appears very dark, but in bright light or sunlight, it looks much lighter.  Mink Muffs is from Essie's Fall 2009 Collection (along with my favorite Essie, Chinchilly).  Pictured above is three coats.  The formula with Mink Muffs wasn't as smooth and opaque as most Essie's I've tried, but it's still a pretty neutral Autumn color.

The forecast calls for sun (I know, I can't believe it) tomorrow here in Ohio.  Look for me to post something sparkly!!  Yay!! :)

OPI...Color to Diner For

Hi Again...I have about a zillion OPI's, so I figured it was time to post one of them.  I used to be an "OPI Snob", but I've broadened my horizons and haven't really used them a lot lately.  Today I chose Color to Diner For from their Touring America Collection..

Natural light

Natural light

Natural light

Natural light

with flash

Ok, when I write "natural light", there really wasn't  much because it's been so gloomy here lately.  I can't wait for a sunny day!!  Color to Diner For is a pretty cranberry red shimmer.  I haven't used OPI in so long, I forgot how much I do not like their wide brush!!  Ugh.. clean-up really sucked with this one.  I used three coats of Color to Diner For because the formula is very sheer.  I just "like" this one.  Now I can move it to my "Tried Drawer." ;)  What do you think of Color to Diner For??  Do you like OPI's pro-wide brush??

A Gradient Leopard.. (my 1st!)

I've had this Konad Stamping kit for a while.  Back in the summer I attempted to stamp and it was a total mess.  Since then, I've kinda pushed my stamping kit to the back of my helmer assuming I'd just never "get it."  I came across a beautiful Gradient Leopard Manicure on Rebecca Likes Nails the other day.  Rebecca posted an awesome tutorial, so I decided to give it a go one more time...

Here's what I used:

One Coat of Essie First Base Basecoat

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Bubblegum Pink

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Deep Purple

Konad's Black Polish for stamping

Konad Plate M-57

OPI RapiDry TopCoat

Here's the first coat of Bubblegum Pink:

I sponged on Blue Me Away (just on 3/4 of nail):

After that dried, I sponged Deep Purple on the tips:

After all three colors were completely dry, I stamped on m-57:

Not too bad if I do say so myself.  I should have waited a little longer to apply the top coat as the black smeared a bit.  Maybe I'll order more plates and practice stamping.  This was fun :)

Essence Nail Art Twins.. Chuck & Blair

Hey Again...  Today I'm posting my first set of Essence Nail Art Twins...  Chuck and Blair.  Chuck is the blue base and Blair is the glitter topcoat.  Essence makes a few sets like this with "famous" couples.  I've watched a few episodes of Gossip Girl to know who Chuck and Blair are, but I don't watch the show regularly.  (Is it still even on?)  Anyway, this is a cute concept, naming sets after famous couples.  These polishes aren't readily available in the U.S.  I purchased this set from a gal who lives in Europe who sells/swaps in a facebook group we both belong to.

First up is the base color, Chuck:

Chuck looks blue in these pictures.  There was absolutely no sun today here in Ohio, so I sat in my bathtub directly under a window hoping for some nice lighting.  Chuck isn't blue.. he's a blue-purple and I just couldn't capture his true color today.  Anyway, the formula was easy to work with.  Full opacity was reached with two coats.  Chuck does NOT have to be with Blair to look good.  LOL  I would definitely wear him alone, also.

Here is two coats of Blair over Chuck:

Blair's kinda boring.  In the bottle, it looks like there's black glitter, but  Blair just contains medium and small silver hex glitter with small holo glitter in a clear base.  I curse the day I decided to buy a hot pink camera because you can see my camera's reflection in the glitter!! ;)

So, I'm in no hurry to wear either one of these again.  I don't hate this combo, they really just don't do anything for me.  Do you  own any of the Essence Nail Art Twins?  Which pair is your favorite?

Dr.'s Remedy Jolly & Joy Holiday 2011

Hi All... Today I have another wonderful collection to share with you from Dr.'s Remedy.  I did an earlier post about their Fall Fever 2011 Collection and now I have their Jolly & Joy Holiday 2011 Collection.

Up first is SERENE Silver Glitter:

SERENE Silver Glitter

SERENE Silver Glitter is described as: "A seasonal sizzler like no other; shine, chic, totally unique in the metallic scene."  I'm loving both glitters in this this collection because they are essentially one-coaters.  Pictured abovw is two coats, but really only one was needed.  I like the sparse multi-colors that shine through in this one.

Next is RESOLUTION Red Glitter:

RESOLUTION Red Glitter

 RESOLUTION Red Glitter is described as: "A red meets copper spin that's sequin-look-alike laden with high-shine and sparkle."  This one is another one-coater.  I love this color.  I see more pink than red, but it's so pretty and shiny.  Very festive.  No base color is needed with this, but I'm sure it would look gorgeous over a red!

Here's (my favorite) REVIVE Ruby Red:

REVIVE Ruby Red

REVIVE Ruby Red

REVIVE Ruby Red is described as: "A shimmer-infused, Wizard of Oz-inspired shade of crimson."  I absolutely LOVE this one!!  Look at the shine!!  Only two coats needed to achieve this PERFECT ruby red. The only issue with this was the brush... it's super tiny, but that was ok with me as my nails are tiny.  I love this color so much, I painted my toes with it! :)  This one is a must-have!!

Here's ESSENTIAL Emerald:

ESSENTIAL Emerald

ESSENTIAL Emerald is described as: " A take on the classic tree-and-plant-inspired gem of a shade, with delicate glimmer and unparalleled amounts of glamour." Huh??  LOL...  In a nutshell... "It's a beauty."  I was weary about this one as I don't really care for greens, but after applying three coats, I couldn't deny how pretty this green is.  Once again, I'm loving the shine!!

Lastly is PASSION Purple:

PASSION Purple

PASSION Purple is described as: "A bombshell-boysenberry with subtle silver meshed throughout."  This description is right on the nose.  PASSION Purple is another gorgeous shimmer.  The formula with this one was a bit more sheer than the other two shimmers, but after three generous coats, this color is beautiful!

I really like Dr.'s Remedy's polishes.  I love how they work with us bloggers and I feel they really value and respect our opinions!  Jolly & Joy Holiday 2011 is one of my favorite Holiday Collections this year!!  You seriously HAVE to buy REVIVE Ruby Red!!

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Dr.'s Remedy is available online at http://www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL

This collection was provided to me by Dr.'s Remedy for review

Lynnderella's Thank Blue!...

My second Lynnderella post is Thank Blue!  I posted Connect the Dots the other day over Zoya Kristen and I still have Happy Holo-daze, but I'll wait closer to Christmas to do a post with that one.  Thank Blue! has turquoise hexagons and squares with turquoise holographic hexagons and squares and also aqua hexagons in a light blue sparkly base.

Here is two coat of Thank Blue! over OPI's Road House Blues:

Gah!!!  I love it!!  Do you own any Lynnderella's?  Which is your favorite??

Nubar Chiffon AND Essie Shine of the Times...

Originally, I was going to paint my nails with OPI's Color to Diner For for my Thanksgiving Mani, but I finally got my hands on Essie's Shine of the Times and knew right away I wanted to use it ASAP!  Looking through my stash, I decided on Nubar Chiffon for my solid base color.

Here is Chiffon alone..

Chiffon is a pretty brownish grey creme with lots of shine.  Pictured above is two coats.  I purchased Chiffon the same time I got Nubar 2010 on Amazon.  This color just kinda jumped out at me and I'm glad I decided to buy it.  It kinda reminds me of OPI's You don't know Jacques.

I've been waiting for  my supply store to finally have Essie's Luxeffects in stock.  I ordered Shine of the Times and As Gold as it gets.  Here is Shine of the Times over Chiffon:

Direct Light

Direct Light

Natural Light

Natural Light

Shine of the Times is beautiful!!  You really can't go wrong with a flakie!  Yes, it's pretty close to Nubar 2010, but I think the flakies in SOTT are more dense than 2010.  I love how this mani looks so different just if I tilt my hand in a different direction!  It's gorgeous and it's perfect for Thanksgiving!!

Do you have any from the Luxeffects collection?  Which is your favoirte?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Color Club... Hot Like Lava and Candy Cane

Tis the season for glitter, so I'd better jump on the bandwagon and post more glitter pictures!  Today I have Hot Like Lava and Candy Cane, both from Color Club.  Hot Like Lava is from The Foiled Collection and Candy Candy is from The Beyond the Mistletoe Collection.

First up is Hot Like Lava:

Direct Light

Direct Light

Natural Light

With Flash

Hot Like Lava is a dark dusty pink foil.   Full opacity is reached with one coat (pictured is two coats) and application is a breeze.  I'm really impressed with the quality of all the Color Clubs I've tried.  They are inexpensive (especially if you get them in the Ross Set), yet they apply just a good if not better than more expensive brands.

Here is Candy Cane over Hot Like Lava:

Both pictures above are in direct light.  Only one coat of Candy Cane is needed if you're wearing it as a topcoat.  Candy Cane has a clear base packed full of tiny silver and pink glitter.  Application with Candy Cane is easy with little clean-up needed.

Candy Cane Alone

This combo is my favorite out of all the Foiled + Beyond the Mistletoe.  Do you have a favorite combo?

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butter LONDON... No More Waity, Katie

Here's another one of my untrieds.  I purchased No More Waity, Katie at Ulta back in the summer and I'm just now trying it.  If you don't know already, The name is referring to Kate Middleton... get it??  She's not waiting anymore..  Ok, I've heard many people complain about the formula  or not liking NMWK and I don't really blame them...

No More Waity, Katie has small lilac glitter in a greyish-lavender base.  The glitter isn't overwhelming as the base conceals it a lot.  The above pictures were all taken indoors in natural light (no sunshine today).  This is three generous coats and you can still see "bald spots" on my right finger especially.  The formula wasn't hard to work with, I just think NMWK would work better over a solid color (ex: OPI Planks A lot or Do You Lilac It?)

Here is NMWK with flash:

Have you tried No More Waity, Katie yet?  What are your thoughts?