Lemming Lacquer Eat Me

I love an Alice in Wonderland theme. This is why I was attracted to Lemming Lacquer's first collection off the bat, but they're more than that.  Lemming Lacquer is a new indie brand to the scene, and they've really hit it off well. This is a brand that knows what they're doing, how to do it, and does it exceptionally well from their nail polish, packaging, to customer service.

I picked up some pretties from a recent sale and I'm so impressed. This is one of the colors I bought.

Eat Me (over Curiouser & Curiouser!)

Eat Me is a mix of matte rainbow and white glitters in a clear base.

Collection: Lemming Lacquer Curiosities from Wonderland Spring 2015

Color: You cannot go wrong with a rainbow glitter. Eat Me has such a pretty array of primary and pastel matte glitter colors. The white glitters add a nice touch that ground the rest of the colors.

Formula: Excellent and easy to use glitter formula. I did not need to fish for glitters in this at all. I used 2 coats above. Dabbing will allow you to place more glitters on the nail, but it's not necessary. You can get a nice amount of glitters on the nail with just swiping your brush.

Price: This is $8.00 on the Lemming Lacquer website.

Overall: Eat Me is one of those pretty straightforward polishes. It's a lovely rainbow glitter that is easy to apply and looks great!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Wednesday!

Orly Glitterbomb

I have another polish from the Orly Sparkle holiday collection to show you today. You know what I really don't like about this collection? I really wish they had some festive names for the polishes. It's a holiday collection, and I want some holiday cheer! The polishes certainly are festive, but not the names. I know a dumb complaint. It's not a huge deal.

Glitterbomb over Sinful Colors Candy Coated

Glitterbomb is a multicolored glitter and  micro iridescent glitter in a clear base.

Color: I love multicolored glitter toppers. This one varies a different from the rest because the colors in here are bit muted, and not as vibrant. What I also noticed is this has a very subtle teeny tiny iridescent micro glitter added to it. This makes it all the more sparkly.

Formula: I found this formula bit thick and a bit sparse glitter wise. The thickness could be attributed to the fact I have a mini bottle. The sparseness is just how it is. I used 2 coats above. I really wish this glitter was a little more dense, so it could pack a bigger punch. 

Price: This can be purchased in the $7-$8 range at Ulta. I bought it in a mini set that included 3 other polishes for around $10.

Overall: This is a pretty glitter polish, it could just be so much better if it were denser. Oh, and calling it something a little more holiday themed instead of Glitterbomb, would of made me happier too. I won't count against the name though.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday! 

OPI To Be Or Not To Beagle

I was really excited when I heard OPI was going to have a Peanuts collection. I love Snoopy. My room as a child was floor to ceiling Snoopy. I had Snoopy wallpaper, curtains, and the whole shebang.

I must say the polishes OPI put out were not really my thing, but the displays! How can I get one of the displays? Does anyone know? I did pick up the most Snoopy-themed polish of the bunch though which I have for you today.

To Be Or Not To Beagle over Cult Nails Wack Slacks

 To Be Or Not To Beagle is a mix of multicolored matte hex glitters, black mini bar, and black hex glitters in a clear base.

Color: This is a fun glitter mix. I love the brightly colored matte glitters paired with the black. I will say at first I didn't get how this was any way Snoopy related, but by the looks of it these look like all the colors used in Peanuts comic strips.

Formula: This was an easy to use and apply formula. I didn't have any trouble applying the glitters. I used 2 coats over a base.

Price: I bought this on Amazon for around $7. I don't know where you can buy these in stores, but there are tons of listings on Amazon, eBay, and other etailers.

Overall: This is a fun glitter. I of course, love the theme. The colors in this are great and the formula is good.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday!

L.A. Girl Birthday Cake

*Today is the last day to enter my SH Bling in the New Year mini giveaway! 

One of the most frustrating things when shopping for polish online is not being able to see swatches beforehand. L.A. Girl is a brand typically sold at Rite Aid. I don't have a Rite Aid. Also, L.A. Girl isn't what I'd call a very mainstream popular brand (I think it needs to be though), so swatches are few and far between.

Cherry Culture always has 20% off sales running, and I knew off hand I wanted some of their 3D Effects and Sand Blast polishes. I then came across a new line from them called "Pop". The Pop line was further divided down into smaller sub lines glitters, brights, and so on. I spotted a crelly polish with multi-colored glitter in the Pop Color Clash line called Birthday Cake. The line is so new and since L.A. Girl polishes are so hard to come by anyways, there were not any swatches. I decided to take a gamble.

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake is a soft cool-toned bubble gum pink crelly with multi-colored glitter.

Color: I'm sure your'e wondering how this might compare to Claire's Candy Shop? Check out KellieGonzo's swatch of the Claire's one. They're different. I think the L.A. Girl one is better. The base is creamier, more opaque, and I think it's more flattering shade of pink. The glitter is much more sparse and smaller though, but I prefer it that way.

Formula: The formula on this was OK, it was sheer at first, but built up nicely in 3 coats.

Price: This is $4.00 on Cherry Culture. I would wait until they have another 20% off sale though, they have them all the time. If have a Rite Aids near you, check there!

Overall: I love Birthday Cake! This is just one of the girly and fun colors that puts a smile to your face. I love the color of the glitters in this. Pinks can be hard for me to pull off with my skin tone, but this shade is very flattering. I'm a fan, it worth the gamble.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Thursday!

Hard Candy Party Central

I have a new Hard Candy polish for you today. This one is from the Crystal Confetti line. This line has a bunch of fun mixed glitters that are reminiscent of many of the indie polishes out there. The best part about these is that they're easy to find and cheap!

Party Central over Cult Nails Nevermore

Party Central is a mix of blue, pink, copper, and white glitters in a clear base.

Color: I love the addition of white glitters to this polish. This takes it away from all the other rainbow glitters out there. The white glitter really pops and adds a really nice touch to the other color glitters.

Formula: The formula on this was easy to work with for a glitter. I used 2 coats of this over a base. I didn't have any problems with it.

Price: I paid around $4 for this at Walmart. These are smaller than your average size nail polish, but that doesn't bother me for this unique of a polish to find at Walmart.

Overall: This is a awesome glitter topper. I'd say for glitter fans out there this would be quite at home in your collection!

My Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!

Maya Cosmetics Once in a Lullaby

I think we all are aware there is not any shortage of rainbow glitters out there these days. Mainstream brands, drugstore brands, and indie brands all have rainbow glitters. I love them, but I like to see a different twist on them. I found that different twist in a rainbow glitter with Maya Cosmetics Once in a Lullaby.

Once in a Lullaby over NYC Tudor City Teal

Once in a Lullaby is mixture of rainbow satin glitter and micro holo glitter in a clear base.

I really can't help but smile at this polish. This isn't an in your face blingtastic glitter, and that is why I like it! Once in a Lullaby is very a soft and sweet glitter. The name suits it perfectly. Whenever I pick up this polish, that song "Once Upon a December" pops in my head from that animated movie Anastasia. I guess the name of the polish makes me think of that, and that song is very lullaby-esqe :). I used 2 coats in the swatch above, and it applied beautifully!

Because it's in your head now too....

I purchased this polish on the Maya Cosmetics website. Maya Cosmetics polishes are $9.50 each. 
Happy Wednesday! 

KBShimmer Spring 2013 Collection Swatches

I have 3 polishes from KBShimmer's Spring 2013 collection (link is to press release) to share with you today! If you remember, KBShimmer was voted  #1 by many of you as the best handmade indie polish brand of 2012 on my blog. KBShimmer was also my pick for this category too. I was excited to be able to review some of these polishes since I know how great they are! These colors are perfect for spring, but all have a punchy, bold, and fun twist!

L-R: Pastel Me More, Iris My Case, Get Clover It, and Clearly on Top Quick Dry Top Coat

Pastel Me More over Cult Nails Nevermore

Pastel Me More over LEX Cayman Cabana

Pastel Me More is mixture of pastel colored glitter in varying sizes in a clear base.

If you love rainbow glitters, you will definitely love this one. I love that this is pastel glitter! This glitter is perfect for spring and will be a great topper to your spring brights and pastel polishes. I used one thick coat on these polishes above. Pastel Me More applied well and evenly.

Iris My Case

Iris My Case is violet pastel "crelly" (cream jelly) base with purple, pink, silver, and blue glitters.

This is a beautiful polish. I'm a sucker for lavender in spring and this a gorgeous shade. The highlight of this polish is definitely that bright blue glitter! I love how it pops against the soft purple. I used 3 coats in this swatch, and this applied evenly and smoothly. I do not have very much luck with crellies as far as application, but this applied very easily.

Get Clover It over Cult Nails Nevermore

Get Clover It (3 coats on its own)

Get Clover It is a emerald green jelly with green, gold, turquoise circle glitters, and a micro shimmer.

I've never seen anything like Get Clover It before. The green jelly base with this flashy and shimmery circle glitters make me think of a enchanted forest or lake. I know that sounds weird, but this polish is just so cool it reminds me of something magical. I love the circle glitter! This polish is awesome! I applied 2 coats over Cult Nails Nevermore in the top photo and used 3 coats on its own in the bottom photo. This one applied well too. The circle glitters you may need to work with a bit to get on your nail, but it wasn't anything unmanageable or tricky.

Clearly On Top Quick Dry Top Coat

Clearly On Top is a quick dry and 2 free top coat. I applied it on top of all the swatches above. This dried quickly, shiny, and smoothly on top of these great glitters!

I'm very impressed with these polishes by KBShimmer. I love the variety of finishes, glitters, and colors in this collection. There is definitely something for everyone, and in my case I want it all! The application on these was consistently good too. I think you all will love this collection!

Which is your favorite of this bunch? 

The KBShimmer Spring 2013 line will be available for purchase on their website on Friday, February 15th. You will also be able to purchase these on Harlow & Co.

You can currently purchase the Clearly On Top quick dry top coat for $5.00 (15ml) or $3.00 (7ml) on their website.

Be sure follow KBShimmer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

*These polishes were sent to me for my honest review by KBShimmer. 

Happy Wednesday!

Jindie Nails Pretty Penny

Indie polish and mainstream polish is absolutely killing me now. I swear I'm liking everything I'm seeing! The most difficult thing with indie polish is those brands that just sell out instantly. Jindie Nails happens to be one of those, and I can totally see why. There have been some polishes I've seen by Jindie that I instantly needed. That's how I felt about Pretty Penny, and I got lucky snagging this one!

Pretty Penny over Zoya Kennedy

Pretty Penny has has light pink and light gold round glitters, wine metallic, bronze metallic, classic gold plus gold shimmer and color shifting shimmer that shifts from pink to gold.

I used Jindie Nails' description for that. There is no way I could describe that on my own. This is a really complex and unique polish. This has a lot going on, but in a good way! I love the mix of colors, glitters, and shimmers in this. I used two coats here, and it applied really well.

This is the type of polish I'm hesitant when sharing because I know it's one of those that is harder to get. I read that Jindie Nails will be having a restock on Feb 6th, so that gives you some time to plan ahead if you really want this one! I did read this color with soon be available on Ninja Polish, and is currently available on Mei Mei's Signatures.

Happy Monday!

Claire's Pinata & Comparison

Claire's and Icing are those stores that I have easy access to, but I do not shop at often. I know when I go in there 8 out of 10 times I'll find something new and cool I want. Haha, that's why I try to avoid it. The temptation is strong!  Lately, they both have an excellent selection of fun glitter polishes. The best part of Claire's and Icing is they have this permanent Buy One Get 1 50% off sale on their cosmetics. Their polishes usually are $4-$5 a pop, so this makes them really affordable and even more tempting. I picked up this pretty I spotted last weekend. I couldn't resist it!

Claire's Pinata over Cult Nails Nevermore

Pinata is a mixture of gold, silver, purple, red, blue, and green shredded glitters in a clear base.

Seriously how could I not resist this? It is amazing! I do not have a rainbow shredded glitter polish like this, so I was very excited to see this. I did add some thinner to this off the bat, as I did find it a bit on the thick side. The thinner did the trick though, and I found it easy to apply afterwards. I love the bright colors in this polish, and I'm really very excited about it. I'm so excited about this one, I'd call it a must have especially if you do not have any polishes like this one.

After typing up this review, I knew I'd get some questions on how this compares to Cult Nails Happy Ending. The pic below is a comparison on nail wheels.

L-R Claire's Pinata & Cult Nails Happy Ending.

They both are shredded glitters, but their color scheme is entirely different. Happy Ending is a mix of orange, gold, aqua, and lavender glitters, while Pinata is a mix of gold, silver, purple, red, blue, and green glitters.

I *think* I found this one on the Claire's website if you do not have a Claire's near you. This is the listing, it isn't called Pinata though, just "Multi". While, the image is of the correct polish I am not 100% sure that is what you're getting since it is named different. If you're interested in purchasing this online, I'd contact Claire's customer service first, and verify that is the correct polish.

Happy Wednesday!

China Glaze Cirque du Soleil (Pic Heavy)

*This is going to be probably one of the most comprehensive posts I've ever done here, so be prepared for information overload!

I have not been impressed with China Glaze the past few years. There collections have not moved me, and if I do pick up something new from them it's usually months after the fact. When I started seeing bottle pics of the Cirque du Soleil collection I got really excited. I loved the combination of colors. It was bright, fun, and whimsical. I heard a lot of people say these were dupey colors. I had a feeling they might of been, but I still wanted them. This collection just spoke to me...lol..it did! I ordered 9 of the 12 from an Victoria Nail Supply on Tuesday, and I received them by Friday! The polishes I did not pick up were Whirled Away, Def Defying, and Get Carried Away. I know some of these were standouts to you all, but I did not see myself using them. The rest of the colors I did purchase.

This is how this post is going to work--(lol I'm dorky and have an agenda!)

1. Swatches and review

2. Color comparisons on nail wheels

3. Finals thoughts

Swatches and Review:

Bend Over Backwards

Bend Over Backwards is glowing slightly orange-toned red shimmer.

This is beautiful shimmer. It really glows. The application was smooth and easy to apply. I used 2 coats here. 

It's a Trap-eze

It's a Trap-eze is a white cream base with muilt-colored glitter mixed in.

I found this a bit tricky to work with. This was 3 coats. I felt that the base was heavier than the glitter, this made it difficult to get an even application between coats because the glitter sat up higher than the base. (I hope that makes sense!) 

Surreal Appeal

Surreal Appeal is a bright pink-toned coral creme.

This is a beautiful color and a great coral. The application was good on this one too. 

Hanging in the Balance

Hanging in the Balance is a bright cerulean blue creme.

I had difficulty photographing this one. It a little darker than is shown here. This a very saturated blue. The formula on this was somewhat thin, and I found it flooded my cuticles easily if I was not careful.

Igniting Love

Igniting Love is a bright slightly orange-toned red creme.

Great rich bright red color with this one. The formula was perfect on it!

Running in Circles

Running in Circles is super sparkly bright green glass fleck.

Stunning. Gorgeous. You need this one, it sparkles and shimmers so brightly!

Escaping Reality

Escaping Reality is a neon raspberry creme.

A great neon shade. I wouldn't classify it as like highlighter neon, if you know what I mean, it's not eye blaring bright. The formula on this was good.

Water You Waiting For

Water You Waiting For is a mixture of micro aqua, medium blue, and indigo glitter in sheer blue base.

This is another beauty. I love the combination of the cool colored glitters. This was 3 coats and the formula was easy to work with.

Creative Fantasy

Creative Fantasy is a neon grape jelly.

The color is awesome, but this formula is one of the worst I've come across in a polish. It is sheer, uneven, and very very messy. This took 4 coats, and 5 coats on my ring finger and index finger to reach opacity. It's ridiculous. It does dry matte, I don't care for that so I added top coat.

Comparisons: 

These comparisons are done on nail wheels using colors I found in my collection that looked either similar or dupey to the colors in the collection. These are just the polishes I have, if you do not see something you think is similar that doesn't mean it isn't similar, it's just I do not have it.

Bend Over Backwards

L-R: 
China Glaze Riveting, China Glaze Bend over Backwards, and Sinful Colors Serena & Chloe

There are no dupes or similarities among these three. Bend Over Backwards is more red-toned and has a condensed shimmer.

Escaping Reality

L-R:
Sinful Colors Cream Pink & China Glaze Escaping Reality

SC Cream Pink was the closest color I had in my collection to Escaping Reality. The difference here is Cream Pink has a shimmer, while Escaping Reality is a creme. I would say that this color is probably easily dupeable, I just don't have a comparable color in my collection.

Surreal Appeal

L-R:
China Glaze Sugar High, China Glaze Surreal Appeal, Avon Coral Reef

China Glaze Sugar High is more pink than Surreal Appeal. I think Avon Coral Reef and Surreal Appeal are dupes, but the China Glaze formula was easier to work with, and would probably be easier to find.

Water You Waiting For

L-R:
Nicole by OPI Kendall on the Katwalk & China Glaze Water You Waiting For 

The only difference between these two is the darkest glitter in NOPI Kendall on the Katwalk is slightly more purple than the darkest color in Water You Waiting For which is more blue. The only way I noticed this is if I practically had my nose up to this polish, from a distance I could not tell a difference between the two.

Creative Fantasy

 L-R:
Urban Outfitters Bandeau, China Glaze Creative Fantasy, and L.A. Girl Disco Brites Hustle

Urban Outfitters Bandeau and L.A. Girl Hustle are both a tinge darker than Creative Fantasy. The formulas on the Urban Outfitters and the L.A. Girl are FAR FAR superior to the China Glaze. I'd recommend purchasing the Urban Outfitters or the L.A. Girl (you can find it on Cherry Culture) instead of Creative Fantasy if you like this color.

Hanging in the Balance

L-R:
Color Club Chelsea Girl, China Glaze Hanging in the Balance, and OPI Ogre the Top Blue

Again, these were hard to photograph. OPI Ogre the Top Blue is a tinge lighter than Hanging in the Balance, but at a distance I was not able to tell a difference at all. Color Club Chelsea blue is lighter is more neon than the others.

Running in Circles

L-R:
Zoya Ivanka & China Glaze Running in Circles

Zoya Ivanka is more sheer and more of a blue-toned green. China Glaze Running in Circles is not sheer and is more of a true green.

Igniting Love

L-R:
Sinful Colors Energetic Red, China Glaze Igniting Love, and Essie Too Too Hot

Honestly, in real life I could not tell the difference at all between these 3. If you have either the Sinful Colors the Essie, or even a color you think is similar you do not need Igniting Love.

Final Thoughts: 

Clearly, many of your suspicions about these being dupey colors were correct. The only color you did not see a comparison of was It's a Trap-eze simply because I have nothing remotely similar.

• I'd say out of the ones I reviewed I'd be comfortable telling you to get Running in Circles and It's a Trap-eze for sure. 
• I'd say maybe on Surreal Appeal and Bend Over Backwards because while I do not have (I'm not counting the Avon because it's not as easily accessible) exact dupes, I'm not convinced these are really unique.
•  I'd say if you love Creative Fantasy if at all possible try to find the Urban Outfitters or L.A. Girl color instead because you will be happier with the formula.
• If you already have NOPI Kendall on the Katwalk you can pass on Water You Waiting For
• Escaping Reality, Hanging in the Balance, Igniting Love are really dupeable, if you have a ton of nail polish you probably already have colors like these. You can pass on them. 

Am I disappointed I got these in hindsight? No not really. I really like this as a cohesive collection, and despite the bad formula on Creative Fantasy I liked the formula on the others. Most likely, I'd get rid of the dupey counterparts and keep this China Glaze ones. It was really fun doing a post like this, but really time consuming!!! I hope you all liked this post, and it helped saved you money!

You can find more comparisons on The PolishAholic, she also has the colors I did not purchase.

Happy Tuesday!