The Color Box: Blue + Giveaway

* I received the following in exchange for my honest review

As I announced a little while back I was one of the bloggers selected to participate in The Color Box this quarter. This box was founded by Manna from Manna's Manis, Jen from xoxo, Jen, Amanda from Amanda Loves Polish, and Julie from Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer. This box is a collaborative effort between 5 bloggers and 5 brands to create polishes based on a color theme. The theme for this round was blue! I was really excited to be asked to join in this collaboration because I love blue! I got to work with the talented and sweet Julie from Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer. This blue box excellent. There are a variety of shades of blue and different finishes.

This box is pre-order only between 3/10-3/17. There will be 20 boxes to purchase at the upcoming Indie Shop in Atlanta on 3/11. After the pre-order boxes have been shipped some makers will make these polishes available individually on their website.

Let's get started!  Stay tuned for a giveaway at the end!

Niagara Sunrise 
Imperfectly Painted + Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer

Niagara Sunrise is a faded denim with copper fine and medium shimmers and gold microflakies.

Color Inspiration: I really wanted to honor the spring season with a color from Pantone 2017's Color Report, so I chose the serene blue Niagara from the lineup.  I came up with the collage above for Julie. She did a spectacular job capturing the inspiration. You know I love copper and gold paired with blue. The shimmer contrasts beautifully while still maintaining the dusty softness of the blue base color.
Formula: This had a very nice and easy to use formula. The formula was a touch on the thicker side, but it applied easily and opaquely in 2 coats. This does dry to a satin finish, so I recommend adding top coat!

Manna's Mystical Masterpiece
Manna's Manis + Tonic Polish

Manna's Mystical Masterpiece a cobalt blue duochrome that shifts to purple with a fine linear holographic finish.

Formula: This had a easy to use formula. It was sheerer on the first coat, but built up to opacity in 3 coats for me.

Texas Treasures
Polish Galore + Supermoon Lacquer

Texas Treasures is a dark navy with holo copper microglitter, metallic copper microglitter, spectraflair and holo clear microglitter.

Formula: This had a very smooth and easy to use formula. It applied perfectly in 2 coats.

Sakura Skies
xoxo, Jen + Baroness X

Sakura Skies is a sky blue base with pink to peach to gold shifting glass fleck/shimmer with a dusting of holo pigment.

Formula: This also had a nice formula. It was a thicker formula but applied easily in 2 coats.

Blue A Fuse
Bruised Up Dollie + BLUSH Lacquers

Blue A Fuse is a deep blue base with blue micro flakies, holo flakies, holo and a hint of black shreds. Great formula and such a shimmery, sparkly shade! I wore two coats with topcoat.

Formula: This had a sheerer formula but built up nicely in 2 coats. The black shreds can move around a bit when painting your nail, but I didn't find this to be a major issue.

The Color Box will be released for preorder 3/10-3/17 on The Color Box site. The cost will be $45 + shipping and this can be shipped internationally. Don't forget 20 boxes will be sold at The Indie Shop Atlanta this Saturday, 3/11! For more information and updates be sure to join The Color Box group on Facebook and follow The Color Box on Instagram!

***GIVEAWAY***

One Color Box will be given away to one of you! This giveaway is sponsored by the brands involved in this Color Box.

Rules:
1. Open internationally.
2. NO giveaway accounts, spam, or empty accounts. Winning entries will be checked and those will be disqualified.
3. You must be 18 years or older.
4. You will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim your prize. After 48 hours another winner will be chosen.
5. The Color Box hold no responsibility once the package has been dropped off at the post office.
6. The only required entry is your email address, all others will then be unlocked and are optional.
7. If you are already following someone, be sure to still put your info. That's basically a free entry!
8. Giveaway runs from March 5th until 11:59 pm EDT March 10th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Happy Monday!

Throwbacks Week: MAC Bad Fairy

It's time for Throwbacks Weeks. Let's start off with a highly coveted polish from 6 years ago. I remember when MAC's Venomous Villians collection was first introduced it was obvious this was a collection nail polish lovers back then would be throwing their money at. I remember the day it was released very well. I had a doctor's appointment that morning. I'm not the biggest fan of going to the doctor. I dread and worry about it for weeks ahead of time. That dumb doctor's appointment was what was between me and my MAC nail polish. That was my treat after my doctor's appointment assuming I survived. I did survive and I got my awesome MAC Bad Fairy polish to prove it. 

Bad Fairy

Bad Fairy is a rosy magenta foil with golden-orange duochrome flash.

Collection: MAC Venomous Villians Fall 2010

Color: This was a pretty revolutionary color back in 2010. You definitely couldn't find it in a drugstore or mainstream brand back then. This is gorgeous as so perfect for fall. I adore the foil finish and I must say I really miss foil finishes. I don't' see them much anymore, and they're one of my faves. 

Formula: The formula has held up pretty well over the years and hasn't changed from what I remember. That being said, the formula is pretty sheer and I needed 4 coats here. That's what it was 6 years ago and that's what it is now. It is easy to apply and a smooth formula.

Price: I've seen a few pop up on eBay here and there in the $15-$30 price range. Be on the lookout!

Overall: This is a great throwback polish for me with a memorable story behind it. It's the only MAC polish I own to this day too. I love the color and especially the foil finish.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday! 

Throwback Thursday: Zoya Happi

I have a rediscovered Zoya favorite to share with you today. This comes at perfect timing too, because the Zoya Earth Day Exchange promo is going on. I think this will be one you might want to add your shopping cart!

Happi

Happi is a warm carnation pink with a beautiful peachy-gold duochrome metallic shimmer.

Collection: Zoya Reverie Spring 2010

Color: One thing I find I miss most in nail polish lately are original pinks. Zoya Happi is a very original pink shade. First, it's not your standard spring pastel pink, this light-medium warm pink. Secondly, that duochrome metallic shimmer. That golden shimmer is stunning and adds so much dimension to this polish.

Formula: The formula on this is nice an easy to use. I used 3 thin coats above.

Price: This is $9 on the Zoya website. If you do purchase this during the Earth Day promo be sure to add 5 or more other polishes to your cart and use the code EARTHLUV. You'll get your order for 50% off plus free shipping!

Overall: I am absolutely ashamed this was collecting dust in my Helmer for so long. This is one of Zoya's most beautiful creations in my opinion. I love this original and beautifully done take on spring pink shade. I think this is an absolute must have in any nail polish collection!

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

Happy Thursday!

KBShimmer Teal Another Tail

It's still fall right? I have to keep reminding myself that because as soon as Halloween is over it might as well be holiday time. Since, it's still technically fall I have a great KBShimmer fall polish to share with you today.

Teal Another Tail

Teal Another Tail is a dusty teal with a pink duochrome shimmer.

Color: I love this color. This shade of dusty teal is unique for fall and the duochrome shimmer really makes this special. I'm not typically a fan of duochrome in flat metallic polishes, but with a shimmer I am completely sold. I love this effect on a shimmer! The duochrome flashes from pink-gold-bronze depending on light.

Formula: Nice formula on this, though it is sheer on the first coat. I recommend using 3 coats.

Price: $8.75 on KBShimmer's site.

Overall: I consider this a must have polish. Teal Another Tail is a beautiful color with a unique finish. KBShimmer always surprises me something I could of never thought of with nail polish in each collection. This one is a winner, stunner, and all around awesome polish!

My Rating 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Monday! 

Orly Digital Glitter

Has anyone else been disappointed by the mainstream brand fall collections? I have found many of them to be so dull and repetitive. Yawn.

Orly went ahead and did something entirely different for fall with the Surreal collection. The colors in this collection are soft shades and rich shades, with some fun glitters and shimmers in the mix. It is a eclectic mix for fall, but it works, and it's truly nice to see something different. I have Digital Glitter from that collection to share with you today.

Digital Glitter over Cult Nails Nevermore

Digital Glitter is a duochrome glitter with holographic glitters mixed in a clear base.

Color: This is an interesting one. You know Orly Space Cadet? The color of the glitter in this is exactly Space Cadet, just in glitter form. The glitter does have a cool duochrome effect that I could not pick up on camera. I really like this one, it's very cool and unexpected for glitter!

Formula: This is sheer. You have to layer this one. I used 3 coats over a base here.

Price: I paid around $8.00 for this at Ulta.

Overall: This a cool glitter mix. I've never really seen a duochrome glitter like this in a mainstream brand before. It's fun and unique and I like it. My only beef is I wish this was full coverage glitter. The sheerness of it lowers it a bit for me.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Thursday!

Color Club Port-folio

Have you ever continuously called a nail polish by the wrong name? Let's say you just assumed it was called something because you didn't bother to fully read the name? Ever happen to you?

This happened to me with Color Club Port-folio. I guess I just saw the "Port" part and started calling it "Porto-fino". I don't know why that caught on for me. I live in Orlando, and Universal has a resort hotel Portofino, so I just stuck with that. I don't think I bothered even looking at the name until I purchased the color (months after the release) and then felt like an idiot. I'm sure I called this polish "Porto-fino" to a bunch of people who thought I was strange..especially since this came in the Fall 2012 In True Fashion collection...and Portofino a small Italian fashion village, has no relation to fashion. Oh well! I digress.


Port-folio (there I got it right!)

Port-folio is a blue-toned purple with an intense green/aqua duochrome shimmer.

Color: Awesome possum! This color is intense, pigmented, and the duochrome shimmer absolutely pops! I've heard comparisons to Zoya Adina (I don't own it), but based on swatches of seen Port-folio is so much richer in color.

Formula: The formula on this was very good. I was worried it would be sheer, but it wasn't at all. I used 3 coats for the swatch above.

Price: I paid $5.50 for this on Amazon.

Overall: Love this one, despite my name confusion! This is one of those stand out polishes for sure. I can't see anyone really going wrong with this one.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday!

Starlight and Sparkles Duochrome & Holo Topcoats

* I received the following polishes for my honest review by Starlight and Sparkles.

I have some duochrome topcoats and holographic top coat to share with you today by Starlight and Sparkles. Starlight and Sparkles is an indie polish brand you can find on Etsy who specializes in awesome top coats and holographic polishes. I was very impressed with the selection I received to review, and I think you will enjoy these too.

Unicorn over Cult Nails Nevermore

 Unicorn is a color shifting top coat that shifts from green to blue.

Phoenix over Cult Nails Nevermore

Phoenix is a color shifting top coat that shifts from red-orange-gold-to a golden green.

Dragon over Cult Nails Nevermore

Dragon is a color shifting top coat that shifts from golden green-gold-to an orange.

Starlight over Cult Nails Nevermore

Starlight over Milani Pink Pop (Instagram photo)

Starlight is a holographic top coat. 

Color: These are all great top coats! I was very impressed with the quality of these. I was particularly very impressed with the Starlight holographic top coat. I've tried holographic top coats from other indies and found them to be cloudy, murky, or cast a gray cast on my base polish. This was not the case at all with Starlight holographic top coat. This was hands down the best holographic top coat I have ever tried. The holographic quality is crisp and intense. The duochrome color shifting top coat colors are great, and would look awesome over various colors. My favorite color shifting top coat is Dragon because I found it to have the strongest color shift. 

Formula: I was pleased with the formula on all of these. They had the right consistency that made them easy to apply evenly on the nail. 

Price: You can purchase the 5ml bottles of these for $4.50 and the 15ml bottles for $10.00. There is also an option to purchase the trio of Unicorn, Phoenix, and Dragon in the 5ml bottles for $12.00 and the same trio in the 15ml for $27.00. You can purchase these polishes on Starlight and Sparkles Etsy site. 

Overall: I really loved these polishes! I was very impressed with their quality, and I must say Starlight holographic top coat stole the show for me. 

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

*I received these products for my honest review by Starlight and Sparkles. 

Happy Thursday!

Zoya Gwin

I'm sure many of you are ready for spring! I'm not really ready for spring. I love the weather we've been having here in this Florida so-called winter. We've been having a lot of high temps in the upper 60's and lower 70's and that is my favorite kind of weather. I know for many of you that type of weather is your spring or summer! I have absolutely no idea what real winter is like. The idea of snow sounds fun (I hear a collective groan from northerners), but I'm sure it's miserable. I wish we could have Florida "winter" weather year round. Anyways, here is a cheerful springy color to wash away the winter blues for some of you.

Zoya Gwin

Gwin is a warm melon orange with golden-orange-green iridescent duochrome shimmer.

Gwin came out in the Zoya Reverie Spring 2010 collection. This collection had a bunch of warm medium toned colors with duochrome shimmers. I love this orange. It's warm and cheerful, and a great color for spring. I really loved this collection because it wasn't your standard spring pastel collection. I know spring is all about pastels, but it's nice to see a twist on a different idea. This color applied easily and nicely!

Happy Friday!