ILNP Central Station

I love ILNP polishes and I think them and KBShimmer are probably my favorite indie brands. They're just so good at what they do in all aspects of their business. I also think I like them because they keep it fairly simple. They mainly just have seasonal collections, which is so much easier for me to keep up with! That being said, I do have a ILNP shade to show you I picked up this past fall.

Central Station

Central Station is an impressively delicate soft brown neutral shade with a subtle grey undertone that manages to radiate the perfect amount of warmth with holographic pigment and sparkle.

Collection: ILNP Fall Neutrals 2016

Color: I love this smoky brown shade. It's not too brown or too grey it's just right. It's hard to go wrong with neutral shades like this one. They're really flattering and chic. I love the addition of the holo in this as it elevates the shade, but it's still soft and doesn't go into Blingtown territory.

Formula: This had a smooth and easy to use formula. I used 3 coats above.

Price: This is $10.00 on the ILNP website.

Overall: This a nice and solid neutral polish. I love the color and the added sparkle. The formula was great and like everything ILNP I'm impressed and I think most people would appreciate this color.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday!

Zoya Debbie

I was really excited when I found out Zoya was releasing another Naturel collection. Before, I got into my nude/neutral kick I was never interested in previous collections, but lately, I've been making up for lost time picked quite a few up during the Black Friday sale. The Naturel 3 collection was released after the fact but during a recent sale I picked up one of the new colors.

Debbie

Debbie is a plum brown creme.

Collection: Zoya Naturel 3 2016

Color: I was really curious about this color because on some people it pulls more brown and others it pulls more purple. I was hoping for the latter with me and I'm happy that's the result I got. I think it will depend on your skin tone which way it will pull for you. It's really an interesting color that I love. It's rich and deep but still very neutral. I like how Zoya explores deeper neutral tones.

Formula: Excellent 2 coat formula. This was very smooth and buttery to apply.

Price: This is $10 on the Zoya website.

Overall: I love Debbie it's a beautiful rich shade that neutral and still can go with everything. The formula was excellent and I really appreciate Zoya's take on deep neutral shades. This is one I definitely recommend especially if you're someone who is just dabbling into neutral shades. This one gives you the richness that a lot of nude/neutral shades don't have.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Zoya Coco

I have a Zoya polish to show you that is from 10 years ago! I haven't owned it for 10 years, but when looking it up I found out it was released in 2007. I purchased this one during Zoya's recent Black Friday sale. I was looking for muted and neutral colors to try out since I'm into those colors now and need more in my collection. This color caught my eye and I'm really glad I purchased it.

Coco

Coco is a dusty marsala mauve creme with brown, red, and purple undertones.

Collection: Zoya Upton Collection 2007

Color: Marsala was the Pantone color of the year in 2015, so this is a little late, but I love this color. In my opinion this a very wearable and neutral red shade. Sometimes, I don't like wearing red because it will clash with what I'm wearing (I'm weird like that), but this a red I could wear with anything. It's soft enough to read more as a neutral. I love the muted and dustiness of this shade!

Formula: This had a nice formula. I did find I needed 3 coats for full opacity, but no application issues.

Price: This is currently $10 on Zoya's website.

Overall: I don't have any colors like this in my collection and I'm really glad to have Coco now. It really is a great neutral tone that unique in comparison to other colors in this spectrum. The formula is nice and I don't have any complaints!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

CbL Mocha Grande

I have a Colors by Llarowe color from last year's fall collection to share with you today. I actually purchased this last year and it got lost in my mix of already swatched polishes when it wasn't! I rescued it from the wrong pile this summer and decided to save it for a more fitting time of year. I used to not be a fan of brown polishes in the least, but last fall I became a fan. This one is pretty awesome!

Mocha Grande

Mocha Grande is a deep chocolate brown intense linear holo with copper, gold and red shimmer.

Collection: Colors by Llarowe Fall 2015

Color: This is such a beautifully rich brown shade. It is very saturated and looks just like chocolate. The holo in this is incredibly intense! It's holo-rific! I don't own a shade like this or anything nearly as good. This is a stunning color.

Formula: This had an excellent 2 coat formula. It was smooth and easy to apply. There was one caveat to this polish that I wish weren't the case. This stained my nails. It didn't stain them badly, but it did leave a slight brownish hue to my nails when removed despite base coat. Not a deal breaker, but not something I care for either.

Price: I purchased this from Llarowe's site for $12.00. The site is currently on vacation mode but will return December 1st.

Overall: I so absolutely wish this was a 5 golden paint splatter polish. Everything about it really ticks all of those boxes. This color is jaw-droppingly gorgeous and the formula application was perfection. That little bit of staining is that one thing that keeps this from being perfect. I'd still recommend this polish, but maybe use an extra coat of base coat just in case.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Thursday!

KBShimmer Winter 2015 Collection (7 of 14)

*The following products were sent in exchange for my honest review. 

It is my absolute favorite time of year. It's the build up to Christmas! I don't like Christmas itself because then it's practically over. The build up to Christmas is the absolute best part. Almost two whole months of glitter, sparkle, cheer, and Christmas songs! I know some people absolutely hate this time of year, but I love it. Yes, I'm listening to Christmas music as I write this blog.

That being said, we have our first indie winter/holiday collection out already. This one is by KBShimmer and I have 7 of the 14 shades to share with you today.

Chilly Pepper

Chilly Pepper is a true Christmas red creme. (2 coats)

Coal in One

Coal in One is a charcoal gray linear holographic. (2 coats)

Brrr-tiful Dreamer

Brrr-tiful Dreamer is a muted grape crelly with aqua, silver, purple, and fuchsia glitters. (3 coats)

sELFie over Chilly Pepper

sELFie is a holographic glitter in a clear base with green, silver, and red glitters. (1 coat)

Fleece Navidad

Fleece Navidad is a soft silvery light gray polish with holographic sparkle and blue micro flakes. (3 coats)

Claws and Effect

Claws and Effect is a dark purple leaning navy holo polish with blue/pink shifting glass flakes. (3 coats)

Yule Worthy

Yule Worthy is a warm burgundy leaning chocolate brown with micro metal flakes. (2 coats)

Collection: KBShimmer Winter 2015 Collection

Colors: KBShimmer always covers all bases in their collections. This collection is no exception. There are a great mix of traditional holiday colors and non-traditional colors. The colors are all saturated and pigmented. I love the richness of these shades and how vibrant they are. Perfect for the holidays! Please note these are only 7 of the shades! You can view the rest here.

Formulas: These all had really good formulas. They applied easily and smoothly. sELFie is on the thick side as it's a very dense glitter. I dabbed it over a base color, but it can be worn alone in 3 coats.

Price: The glitters and holos are $8.75 each and the cremes are $7.50 each. You can purchase these on KBShimmer's website.

Overall: This is a beautiful winter collection. I love the variety offered in the colors and finishes. The formulas are on point. I wouldn't expect less from KBShimmer! My favorites from this bunch are Chilly Pepper, Yule Worthy, Claws and Effect, and Fleece Navidad. KBShimmer also had released some limited edition mani shot scents for the holidays as well as some awesome holiday themed water slide decals! The links I posted above will show all the winter offerings!

****Special Promo*** All orders over $75 will receive KBShimmer pink cosmetic bag. Each bag will include a full sized bottle of Clearly on Top, a KBShimmer emery board, KBShimmer magnet, Holiday Glitter Mix, 0.75oz mani shot, lotion sample, scrub sample, and soap sample (scents will vary). No code needed! Offer valid while supplies last. 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Northern Star Vampires Love Polish Too

Some of the colors I've been gravitating towards this fall are browns and reds. I especially love red-browns this time of year. Strangely enough, I find these colors hard to come across especially the kind of color I'm looking for in particular. They are either too brown or too red for me.

I realized this when Zoya Pepper was released in 2013. I was 100% sure I could find a drugstore dupe to it, but I couldn't find anything remotely close to that color. It seems like such a dupable color, but it's not. I ended up buying Zoya Pepper, and it's favorite of mine to this day. I haven't come across other red-browns I like as much as that until now thanks to Northern Star! 

Vampires Love Polish Too

Vampires Love Polish Too is a rich brownish red creme.

Collection: Northern Star Polish Fall 2015

Color: That's what I'm talking about! This color is the perfect blend of red and brown. It is a tinge more on the brown side, but the brown doesn't overwhelm the red in anyway. I love the richness of this color and it's so chic! I've been wearing it all week and I've received many compliments on this shade. 

Formula: This has a great formula. It was easy to apply and use. I used 2 coats above. 

Price: This is $9 on Northern Star's etsy site. 

Overall: Vampires Love Polish Too is an excellent polish. I absolutely love the color and the formula! This is a definite contender in my Top 25 of 2015 for sure. 

Just in case you're curious. Here is a comparison of it with Zoya Pepper.

They're definitely not dupes. Vampires Love Polish Too has more brown tones to it. I love them both though! 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Northern Star Pumpkins and Stuff

It seemed like it was trying to be fall earlier this week. Florida standards trying to be fall is something under 85 degrees with under 70% humidity. We had some lower 80's this week with lower humidity and it was nice. Now it's back to upper 80's with higher humidity and it's gross again.

I'll have to hold out for fall until November. I don't even need what people really consider fall. I'll take temps in the 70's and lower humidity! Anyways, despite it not being fall-like outdoors I make it that way indoors. I have my Halloween and fall decor up. I'm melting fall scents in my wax warmer. I'm wearing fall nail polish colors. This Northern Star polish is one I recently added to my stash!

Pumpkins and Stuff

Pumpkins and Stuff is golden shimmer base with burnt orange, blue, brown, pink, and gold micro glitters.

Collection: Northern Star Polish Fall 2015

Color: This is the perfect fall combination of glitters. I love the overall golden warm hue of this glitter with the addition of the blue and pink glitters. Those contrasting colors really liven up this glitter and give it some depth and added beauty!

Formula: This is advertised as a glitter topper. It can be used as such, and you would really only need one coat as this glitter is dense. I preferred it as a full coverage glitter. I used 3 coats here above. You will not get 100% coverage, but I feel like the coverage is enough where from any normal distance you view your nails it will look completely covered. The formula was easy to use and glitter was very easy to apply.

Price: This is $9.00 on Northern Star's etsy site.

Overall: I love this glitter! This is the perfect fall glitter and I like that it can be worn full coverage. The color of this glitter is beautiful. It has the perfect base of fall tones with hints of contrasting colors that make this beautiful and special. Great glitter for fall all around!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

China Glaze Wood Ya Wanna?

Unfortunately, I've been overall unimpressed with mainstream fall offerings this year. In fact, I've been unimpressed with their offerings all year. Come on mainstreams! I know indies are where its at. I love them too, but I started out with mainstream polishes and I'd like to see them thrive too.

I did come across a polish that I really intrigued me from their recent fall collection. I have to say this one is probably a contender for one of my favorites this year. This is probably my only mainstream contender so far this year.....

Wood Ya Wanna? 

Wood Ya Wanna? is a burgundy brown metallic foil.

Collection: China Glaze The Great Outdoors Fall 2015

Color: I LOVE foil finishes. This is a beautiful fall foil. The color soft warm brown with some red/purple undertones to it and silvery foil flecks. This is just stunning. There is so much depth to this color. This reminds me of a fall sister polish to OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous which is a pewter silvery foil. I always wear OPI Lucerne on my toes in winter, and I'm now wearing Wood Ya Wanna on my toes now for fall. Awesome fall pedi color!

Formula: Perfect formula. Foil finished tend to have very opaque formulas and this one definitely does. I only needed one coat!

Price: This can be found at Sally's or Ulta for $7.50.

Overall: I am in love with this polish. It's a brown shade like I mentioned earlier this week I've been into. Also, it's a foil finish. Lots of favorite things going on for me in Wood Ya Wanna? This is spectacular nail polish and in my opinion a must have!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Northern Star Dreadful Curiosities

I'm definitely in fall mode now. Everything is decorated for fall and Halloween here. I'm wearing fall colors. I'm drinking my homemade Pumpkin Spice coffee. Sorry, Starbucks, I'll make my own! The only thing thing that is holding back from fall here is the weather. I don't expect it to get cooler until November though. I'll live. I'll just pretend it's cool out!

I have a great fall polish for you today. This one is by Northern Star and part of her recent fall collection

Dreadful Curiosities

Dreadful Curiosities is a dark earthy brown with a subtle holographic finish.

Collection: Northern Star Polish Fall 2015

Color: This fall it's all about brown for me. I've never been into it at all before, but this year I want browns! This is a great rich and deep brown. It reads as brown on your nail not as black which is a plus. The holographic finish is subtle, but just enough to detect a hint of sparkle on your nail.

Formula: Excellent easy to use and apply formula. I have come to expect a lot formula-wise from Northern Star since my first experience a few weeks ago. This did not disappoint.

Price: This is $9.00 on Northern Star's etsy site.

Overall: Beautiful brown polish for fall. I love the richness of this brown and the subtle sparkle. The formula is excellent and this is all around a great polish!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Monday!

Rimmel Salon Pro Saturn

Last week, I was mentioning my disappointment with drugstore nail polish lately. I rarely any nail polish I'm interested in at the drugstore anymore. It sucks and I really miss finding drugstore polish. I did happen to find one recently though. I was browsing CVS recently and saw little "NEW" signs next to some of the Rimmel Salon Pro colors and I find a color that caught my eye!

Saturn

Saturn is a metallic olive-bronze shimmer.

Collection: Rimmel Salon Pro Core

Color: This is a beautiful and rich shimmer. This is one of those colors dependent on the light it can look more like an olive golden green or a bronze-brown. I love the intensity of this color and it's absolutely perfect for fall. I also found it be a very flattering shade as colors like this don't tend to look very nice on my skin tone.

Formula: I love the formula of these Rimmel Salon Pro polishes. I have a reviewed a few in the past and they continue to impress me. The formulas are very smooth, buttery, and easy to apply. I used 2 coats above.

Price: I paid $2.99 for this at CVS

Overall: This is an absolute and must needed drugstore win. I love the this rich color, and it's not your average drugstore nail polish color. The formula on this as well as the other Salon Pro polishes is consistently great, and you can't beat the price tag.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Throwback Thursday: Zoya Angelina

I have a different color for me throwback to show you today. I am not really brown person at all. Brown nail polish or brown clothing wouldn't be my first color of choice. A few years back though I was craving a brown nail polish. I don't know why, but I felt like I needed one in my collection. My first pick was Zoya's Angelina, and it's color I'm still happy with over the years.

Angelina

Angelina is a rich coffee brown creme.

Collection: Zoya Drama Collection Winter 2006

Color: What I like about this brown is the richness and depth of the color. This is a brown that nearly verges on black. While brown isn't my go-to color ever, I think this shade of brown is very universal and flattering. It's very shiny and elegant.

Formula: Angelina has a nice formula. I used 3 coats above. I'd prefer it didn't need the extra coat and was just a little more opaque on application.

Price: This color has since been discontinued by Zoya, however, it is available on Amazon for $9.

Overall: What draws me to this color is it reads as a very classic neutral color without being ordinary. Angelina being a brown shade makes this color special and unique in comparison to a classic black or red. I love the depth of this color, and it will always remain in my collection.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Thursday!

Cult Nails Inescapable

We have all experienced those nail polishes that wow in the bottle, but underwhelm on the nail. I had the exact opposite experience with this next Cult Nails color though. I bought Inescapable as set with the other 2 colors Subline and Wanna Be in the collection.. This was the color while it looked nice, didn't wow me. I've always been underwhelmed with glitters like this because I don't find they really pop on the nail. In this case, I was very wrong!

Inescapable

 Inescapable is a black/brown jelly base with copper and pink glitters.

Color: This is described as a brown jelly by Cult Nails. This really looks more like a soft black to me with the tiniest hint of brown, The only time it looks really brown to me is on the first coat. That out of the way, this is stunning! The base doesn't drown the glitter which I was afraid of. The glitter really pops and this polish really sparkles! I love the use of pink/copper glitter with this base, because typically we see colors like this paired with silver glitter.

Formula: Excellent formula. This is a jam-packed glitter polish, but the formula is smooth and so easy to apply. This isn't chunky in the slightest. I used 3 coats above.

Price: This is $12.00 on the Cult Nails website.

Overall: What an amazing surprise I had with this polish. I admit, I doubted it at first, but now I absolutely adore it. This became and instant favorite for me, and I didn't take it off after I swatched it. I love Inescapable. This is hands down a must have, and a winning polish!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 *Golden* Paint Splatters

Happy Monday!