Bottle Spam Saturday: Orange Edition

It's my 2nd week of Bottle Spam Saturday! Monday's post on China Glaze Papaya Punch inspired this post. I've never really been head over heads for orange, but Papaya Punch definitely changed my mind. I can't get enough of oranges now! Today's bottle spam will be my orange polishes. I tried to find polishes that were strictly orange, not coral, or red-orange. I failed a bit at this or well my camera did because it did capture some of these oranges more "coral" than orange. Oh well!


All of these are L-R

Sun Worshipper, Papaya Punch, Mango Madness, Orange Marmalade, & Japanese Koi

Jamaican Out, Life Preserver, Tangerine Scream, Wham! Pow!, & Sexsea

Firefly, Orange Blazes, Orange Spritzer, UFO, & Serena and Chloe

Tanzy, Gwin, Juicy Glo, Orange Burst, & 9.0.2.1.Orange

Magic Pumpkin, Tangy Tarte, Hot Tamale, Times Square Tangerine, & Siren

Orange Sky, Horned Devil, Orangsicle, Vermillion $ Art, Orange Sorbet, & What Do U Think?

Those are my oranges!
...............................

How about a poll today? Please leave your answers in the comment section! :)

1. What is your favorite orange polish?

2. What is a brand/line/specific polish that was popular years ago (besides for Clarins 230!) do you wish you would of stocked up on now? (ex. Revlon Street Wear, Sally Hansen Nail Prisms, ..etc)


3. What is a nail polish fad past or present you can't get into?


4. Where is your favorite place to shop for nail polish (online and brick & mortar store)?


5. Is there a particular polish that had a lot of hype that you bought into? If, so what polish was it? Did you end up loving it or were you disappointed?

My answers:
1. Definitely Papaya Punch right now. 
2. Revlon Street Wears period end of sentence. 
3. I guess mannequin hands. I like sheer/jelly pinks, but I don't care for nudes anything that matches my skin tone. 
4. Online probably TransDesign or Victoria Nail Supply. Store: Tie CVS/Walgreens/Ulta can't choose!
5. Revlon Perplex. I didn't even care for Chanel Paradoxal, but when a dupe was found I felt I needed it. I guess it's ok, but I don't see what everyone was going crazy over it for!

Happy Saturday!

Steph

Finger Paints Heavenly Hydrangeas

I've been really impressed with Finger Paints lately. I don't have many Finger Paints, but the ones I do have I really do like. I think they have a great selection in their core line. I'm not sure why this brand gets kind of sweeped under the rug, my only assumption is that the only known place I know about you can find it is at Sallys. It's definitely a brand worth checking out though. I love this one from their recent spring collection.

Heavenly Hydrangeas

 

Heavenly Hydrangeas is a dusty orchid creme.

I really like this shade. It deviates from your typical bright or pastel pink, blue, lilacs, and etc. This is definitely in between a purple and pink, and it has this muted quality that makes it unique. Great color!

Is there lesser known brand of polish you really love? What is it?

Happy Friday!

Steph

Zoya Phoebe

I'm not usually a matte person. It's not that I don't like the look of matte, it's more of a texture thing for me. I don't like my nails not feeling slick...? Does that sound nutty? Probably...lol. I think I can make some exceptions though, I really love the bright mattes Zoya did this summer including this awesome blue. I think I can handle the texture for this great color.

Phoebe

Pheobe is a bright cerulean blue shimmer with a matte finish.

Here is Phoebe with top coat

This is a fantastic blue! It's very vibrant, and is perfect summer blue. The only issue I had with this polish was application. I'm not sure if it's because it's matte polish or it's because it's so bright, but this wasn't easy to apply. It was a bit streaky on me, but it evened out after 3-4 coats. I don't usually have this issue with Zoya, but I'm sure this being a matte and such bright color may have made the formula a bit wonky? Who knows, great blue though, I can let the formula slide this time.

Happy Thursday!

Steph

Pink Wednesday: Wet n' Wild Sugar Coat

I'm not sure if this is pink enough for Pink Wednesday since it's so pale, but to me I'm calling it pink! I really have grown to love these sheer pinks that are usually used for french manicures. The problem is I don't like to wear them sheer, I like to build them up so they're kind of that opaque/jelly finish. I like how clean it makes my hands look. I think this Wet n' Wild does the trick, but I do have a problem that maybe you can help me with?

Sugar Coat

Sugar Coat is a milky pale pink sheer polish.

Here is the issue, this took me 5 coats to get it to be that opaque. I don't have an issue painting 5 coats really, the issue with 5 coats for me is the drying time is like 3+ hours even with fast dry top coats. There have been a few occasions where I've painted my nails like this, 2-3 hours later I go to make dinner, and my manicure completely ruined.

I really love these shades, but are there shades like this that don't require so many coats, that can acheive the same jelly-ish finish? I'm not looking for a creme, I really want that kinda squishy look to it? Is there an "underwear" I can wear underneath that will help? Any shade suggestions or advice on this for me?

Thanks! I appreciate all your help!

Happy Pink Wednesday!

Steph

Zoya LC

I've had this post open for a few minutes, and usually I'm pretty chatty when starting post, but today my mind is completely blank! I think my mind is swirling with non-nail related stuff I can't think straight. I'm seriously stressed out! It's one of those days, that you wish you could you just sleep away, but you realize you're an adult and you have take care of things and be responsible. Poo, to being an adult. Anywho, here is an awesome Zoya red.

LC

LC is a bright red-coral creme.

I love this one! I like reds that are different than your standard cool toned reds or orange reds. This is definitely a perfect red for spring and summer. It's bright and cheerful. This reminds me of my favorite Zoya Elke sans the shimmer. I'm sure this is why I love it so much.

Happy Tuesday

Steph

China Glaze Papaya Punch

Ever since I first saw the preview for China Glaze Island Escape summer collection, I knew I had to have these colors. When I first saw some swatches for these, I admit I was a little disappointed. I almost considered not getting any of these, but I figured maybe if I got these I'd feel differently. I'm not showing you all of these at once, but I will say photographs do not do some of these polishes justice. These are far better in person. This next color I think kick started a love affair with orange polishes for me.

Papaya Punch

Papaya Punch is a bright orange yellow-creme.

I wouldn't say this is neon. It's definitely not as bright as last year's Poolside collection, but this color verges on neon. It is definitely an attention grabbing color. I absolutely love this color. I love it more because it's not a typical color for me, and it makes me want to get more oranges! I've seen this shade swatched on a lot of skin tones, and I haven't seen this look bad on anyone. I know it's stretch to say this is universally flattering, but I'd call it "one size fits most" vs. "one size fits all". I also think if you're not sure about orange, this maybe the color that sway your opinion!

Happy Monday!

Steph

Share With You Sunday: 4/24/11

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates! This is my second edition of "Share With You Sunday". Remember if you have links you'd like to share you can fill out the form here. I'll add the links throughout the day as I receive them.

Lol that pic cracked me up!

Nails:
Also Known As....shows us the Misa Paradise Shore Collection.
Bright Lights, Big Colors sports an awesome manicure inspired by a picture on tumblr.
Nailstah shows us the new OPI Shatters. 
Never Unpolished gets a bit "dotty".
Oooh, Shinies! shares with us a great konad manicure.
Shimmerspark introduces us to the new Nicole by OPI Target exclusives.
Spaz & Squee compares one of my favorite types of polishes...pinks with gold shimmer!
The Lacquerista makes me wish they sold Catrice in the US.
The PolishAholic has given me major lemming.

Beauty:
Jeweled Thumb sparks my interest in a new Bath & Body Works scent.
Mohca Mish Mash reviews eos Nourish hand lotion.

Micesallaneous:
I can't get enough of Cake Wrecks Easter cake fails.

Videos:
Simon's Cat has an encounter with a bunny!

What You're Loving:
The PolishAholic shows us the new OPI Serena Williams Grand Slam France duo.
polish insomniac shares with us the Finger Paints Peace, Love, and Color Collection. (submitted by jbrobeck)
Une Ruxi a Paris shares with us her first experience with George polish.  (submitted by Ruxi)
Polish Wonderland shows off Nfu-Oh 60. (submitted by Chell)


Happy Sunday!


Steph

Bottle Spam Saturday: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Edition & Giveaway Winners

I decided to start up another weekly post. Saturdays from now on will be Bottle Spam Saturdays! I'll show you bottle pics of a featured category (i.e. brands,finish,color,etc) of polish each Saturday. I figure we always see lots of swatches, but bottle pics are also great eye candy!

I also will probably do a poll or some other activity/question at the end of each Saturday post for fun. Today, will probably be different, since I'll be announcing giveaway winners at the end of this post!

This week will be Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear bottle spam!

L-R: 
Gray Area, Purple Gala, Fireberry Red, & Twisted Pink

L-R:
Pink Boa, Wild Life, Fuchsia Power, & Showtime

L-R:
In the Spotlight, The Real Teal, Pacific Blue, & Blew Me Away

L-R:
Mystic Lilac, Lacey Lilac, Rockstar Pink, & Purple Pizazz

On to giveaway winners!

Prize 1 winner is....

DeyiMizu!

Prize 2 winner is....

WWutzler!

Prize 3 winner is.....

Liz!

Congratulations winners! No worries there of course will be more giveaways in future! Let me know what you think about bottle spam Saturdays? :)

Happy Saturday

Steph

Ulta Under the Sea Set

"The seaweed is always greener in somebody else's lake. You dream about going up there but that is a big mistake. Just look at the world around you, right here on the ocean floor, such wonderful things surround you, what more is you looking for?.....Under the sea...lalala"

I couldn't resist. The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney movie, so I had to get these polishes even though they are sans the Disney. They were able to incorporate the idea without copyright infringement I'm assuming? :P I got this set at Ulta for $7.99. I also am giving away set as one of the prizes for my giveaway that ends today!

I did the swatches a bit different this time, since these bottles are so tiny. I only swatched these on one finger each.
  
Tip the Scales

Tip the Scales is an emerald green with gold glass fleck.

Tail of Two Cities

 

Tail of Two Cities is a tangerine with gold glass fleck.

Mermaid Heaven

Mermaid in Heave rose pink with gold glass fleck.

Don't Be Shellfish

Don't Be Shellfish is a grape purple with gold glass fleck.

I love these shades! I wish they had full size bottles of these. I would buy them all! These are kind of reminiscent of some colors in Zoya's Sunshine collection, but these are definitely more pigmented as far as color goes. I think these are perfect for summer. I actually think these would be great to travel with for a summer getaway. They're small and convenient to carry. :)


For your viewing pleasure...





Happy Friday!

Steph

Reminder & Random Poll

I have hours upon hours of school work to completely today, so I don't have time for typical post.

Reminder #1: I've started a weekly Sunday post of my favorite blog posts of the week if you'd like to submit your favorites make sure to fill out the form.

Reminder #2: My 1 year blog-o-versary giveaway ends tomorrow!

There are 3 prizes:

Now for some random fun. I decided to put together a poll and you guys can leave your answers in the comment section.

1. Is there some rare/very hard to find polish you'd love to own, but you just won't pay the money for it or you simply can't find it? What polish is it?


2. If you could paint your room any nail polish which one would you use?


3. If one of these three brands OPI, Zoya, or China Glaze disappeared from the face of the earth, which one would you be most upset about? Which one would you be least upset about?


4. Is there a polish you thought you'd absolutely love, but ended up being disappointed in? What is it?


5. What is one color or finish type of nail polish you used to dislike have you ended up loving?

My answers:


1. I'd say definitely China Glaze No Way Jose, OPI La Boheme, Clarins 230. I really just can't find the first two, and Clarins 230 I know it's gone down in price, but $60 for one polish that's just way out of my league. 


2. That's hard. I wouldn't pick my favorite color polish at all. What I like on my nails and in my room is different! I'd say probably a color like MAC Blue India or Orly Sapphire Silk. Then decorated in this zen/beachy feel? Is that possible?


3. That's difficult I really want to say Zoya even though I have more China Glaze. Zoya wows me more. I like OPI, but I honestly don't have that many, nor do I see myself reaching for them a lot. 


4. Yes! Borghese Stellar Notte. I really really wanted this polish so bad. Once I got it and put it on, I was really let down. I didn't see it having that great of duochrome effect. I think I built it up too much, so no matter what it was going to disappoint me. 


5. Sheer pinks colors like OPI Bubble Bath..Zoya Danielle, and etc. I used to not touch these colors, but I really love the clean look it gives on my nails. It's refreshing!

I'd love to hear what your answers are in the comment section! It will be a nice treat after all my work today. Feel free to use this on your blogs too if you'd like.

Happy Thursday!

Steph

Pink Wednesday: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pink Boa

I have to admit this Pink Wednesday stuff has made me realize I need to swatch more of my pinks. I usually have "swatch sessions" where I swatch a ton of polish at one time for this blog. I have folder I keep all my "non blogged" swatches on, and on other days besides Wednesday which ever color so to say "speaks to me" I blog about. I looked for a pink to talk about today, and I only have 3 other pinks swatches, so it looks like sometime this weekend I'll need to have a pink swatch session! I got this next Sally Hansen for sentimental reasons.

Pink Boa

Pink Boa is a bright magenta pink with a blue-violet shimmer.

This color reminds me of the first polish I ever owned. My parents have owned a small business since 1989, and growing up they'd work on Saturdays, so I'd often spend the day with my grandpa or my aunt. On Saturdays, my aunt would take me to her nail appointments. It was fun for me because I got to look through the all the bottles and compare all the colors.

I often came across colors like the one above, and in the early to mid 1990's this is probably how cool colors ever got. I was memorized with how a pink color could have this purple flash to it. Now of course this would probably be considered dated, but I love it. I ended up buying a color like that with my aunt eventually. I have no idea what brand or what the color name was, but it was my first polish! Colors like this definitely have nostalgic and sentimental value to me.

I wasn't even into nail polish until the past few years, but I remember pretty much all my nail polish experiences!

Happy Pink Wednesday!

Steph

Jordana Silver Jewel

Late last year Milani released a bunch of  "One Coat Glitters" and "Jewel FX" polishes. In addition to the colors released, they released a silver "Jewel FX", but as far as I know I've only seen it online. I prefer to not shop for Milani online. I find I can get them cheapest at CVS, especially when you have the addition of CVS deals and Extra Care Bucks. Milani Silver wasn't going to happen at CVS (or any other brick & mortar store that I know of), but I did find a good Jordana alternative at KMart.

Silver Jewel over China Glaze Cheers to You

 

Silver Jewel is large silver hexagonal glitter suspended in a clear base.

I get the impression that this maybe less dense than Milani Silver, but this is definitely build-able. I really love this over a silver polish. I think it gives you awesome looking disco ball nails!

Happy Tuesday!

Steph

Dupe Alert!: NYX Girls Dorothy

Deborah Lippman's Ruby Red Slippers has been under my radar since it came out. I love Deborah Lippman glitters, they are some of my all time favorites. That being said, I only own one DL polish, Across the Universe. That's a purchase I definitely do not regret. The problem we all know with these is that they are usually $16-$18. That price for me is prety exorbitant! I think probably one of the most satisfying things in nail polish world is finding a incredibly cheaper alternative to a freaking expensive polish. So, that's what I have for you today.

NYX Girls Dorothy

Dorothy is a black jelly base loaded with small and large hexagonal red glitter.

If you'd like to compare here is a swatch of Lippmann Ruby Red Slippers on lacquerized.

I found this one on Cherry Culture for $3. I think people who can find NYX in their area may find this cheaper. I'm finding with the NYX polishes I purchased that they do amazing glitters. They are not all dupes to Deborah Lippman polishes, but they definitely have some glitter polishes that come mixed in colored jelly bases. So, you will find some colors with similar effects to Across the Universe, Ruby Red Slippers, Lady Sings the Blues, & etc.

Happy Monday!

Steph

Share With You Sunday: 4/17/11

I know this idea is done by lots of bloggers, but it's one I've really liked. I've seen it referred to as "link love", "weekly roundup"  and etc. I've decided I wanted to feature this type of thing on my blog on Sundays. I also want to add the addition of you to this as well, which I'll bring up in a bit.

On Sundays, I will share with you some blog posts and videos that I've found particularly interesting, fun, or helpful from other bloggers. This will be on a variety of topics besides nail polish, beauty, fashion..perhaps food and travel. It's usually through posts like this or looking back on different bloggers posts through the week I find out stuff I've missed.

Now where you come in! If you see my page tabs above you'll see on titled "Share With You Sunday". If you click there you'll see a form. Here is where you can share with me links/videos you'd like to be posted on "Share With You Sunday" posts. It can be a post from your own blog or someone elses. You can submit some today, and I'll add them to this post later. You can also submit these at any other time of the week and I'll include them in the upcoming Sunday post. Sound good? I may try to come up with a better name because I'm not sure if  "Share With You" sounds too much like Barney the dinosaur.  :P

Here are the things I enjoy this week:

Nails: 
Ali's Nail News shares with us Island Girl swatches and Island Girl bottle spam!
Beauty By Brittany shows us her OPI Sorbet gradient nails.
Fashion Polish makes us drool with amazing flakies.
Frazzle and Aniploish shows us swatches of LA Splash glitters. 
Glitta Gloves shares with us her cute nautical nail art.
Lacquer Ware for Tips and Toes shares with us her first expreience with LEX Cosmetics polishes.
Let them have Polish! makes it to 1,000 followers and shares with us some favorite manicures. 
Nail Noir gives me a major polish lemming!
Nouveau Cheap teases us with upcoming LE Wet n' Wild collections.

Beauty:
Clumps of Mascara tells us of if ELF $1 lippies are really worth it?
Dainty Darling Digits shows us 5 fantastic red lipsticks.
Eye for Beauty by Sally Beauty helps us determine if we are using the right hairbrush.
makeup CRAZIE! swatches her NYX Nude Palette. 
Productrater! reviews Hard Candy Skin Illuminating Primer.


Micesallaneous:
Kitschy Suburbia tells us how to make some cookies.


Videos:
emilynoel83 shows us how to pick out drugstore foundation and drugstore dupes for MAC lipsticks!
LaFemme5278 gives us a great overview on self tanners. (This is over a week old, but I found this informative)

What You're Loving:
Deez Nailz  shows us her  butterfly wings manicure. (Submitted by Elizabeth of Life &Polish)
The Nail Buff shares with us her daisy manicure.
A Shiny Point of View shows us her Chinese inspired manicure.
The Polished Perfectionist shares with us her bee manicure. (Submitted by The Nail Buff)




I hope this isn't too many links! Everyone posts great stuff and it's hard to narrow it down to just a couple. Let me know if you think this is too many or if you don't mind more. I hope you all enjoy these posts!

Happy Sunday!

Steph

Huemorista Nail Lacquers

Huemorista Nail Lacquers are polishes that are mixed and sold on by Jayna Ferris on Etsy. I had heard about her polish through other bloggers, so I started "liking" her page on Facebook. She ended up doing a giveaway after she received 100 likes on Facebook page for a customized set of 3 of her polishes. My name was the one that was drawn, as the winner and I was so excited! She had 5 collections of 3 polishes each, and now she has 6. It was definitely hard to pick 3 polishes because these polishes are so unique and fun! I ended up choosing the following.

L-R:
Hidden Rainbow, Sex on the Moon, & Bubble Bath


Hidden Rainbow

As described on her website, "Very light gray with multi-colored glitter particles and more medium-sized round glitters as well" 

This one is so cute! I think this maybe the answer to the people who didn't care for Deborah Lippman Glitter in the Air. This isn't sheer at all, and it's full of fun glitter. This color reminds me of those cute cupcakes with the confetti icing!


Sex on the Moon

As described on her website, "Dusty purple based gray with a fuchsia flash and opalescent flakies"

I think my favorite thing about this polish is the color itself. I love the dusty kind of lavender shade, and that pink shimmer is icing on the cake. I love the name too, though I think having sex on the moon would be rather difficult.

Bubble Bath

 

As described on her website, "Aquatic blue jelly with opalescent flakies and tiny aqua glitter particles"

I really love this shade of blue. I'm just a tad bummed out about this one though. I could see the pretty flakies in my bottle, but they were not as visible on my nail. I may need to shake the bottle up more next time.

Overall, I really liked these polishes. These are smaller bottles, but you do get a unique color that is made by someone who really loves polish. I like how with people who are into polish they take into account things nail polish people love...glitter, flakies, & etc! Each collection of 3 polishes is $12, or your can customize your own for $12. By the way, Jayna said she'd be doing another giveaway when she has 200 likes on your Facebook page!

Thank you so much Jayna for these polishes and having that giveaway! :)

Happy Saturday!


Steph


P.S. I'm in the process of transitioning to a new commenting system, so if things are a bit wonky they'll be smoothed out soon!