Wet n' Wild Kiss My Mints

You can never go wrong with mint polish. I'm so glad mint became a thing a couple of years ago and the trend has stuck. Mint is probably one of my favorite ways to wear green polish considering I don't sport green often. It's one of those colors that I think just looks cute and chic on everyone. This one was part of Wet n' Wild's spring collection and I had to pick it up.

Kiss My Mints

Kiss My Mints is pale mint creme.

Collection: Wet n' Wild Spring Into The Wild Spring 2016

Color: I love this version of mint. It's a very pale mint shade which I worried might look too stark against my skin tone, but I like how it looks. I love the opacity of this color and how bright and and creamy it looks on the nail.

Formula: This actually had a great formula, but I think that's due to the brush. I'm usually not a fan of wide brushes, but with pastel cremes like this they work well. They spread the formula evenly on the nail better than thinner brushes. This formula had a nice consistency. It wasn't too thin or too thick and applied evenly in 2 coats.

Price: I paid $1.99 for this at Walgreens. Sadly, this collection has left stores though.

Overall: This is a great all-around mint creme. I love the consistency, the color, and the application of this polish. This is just one of those polishes that doesn't do you wrong.

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

Happy Wednesday!

Fresh Paint Guava

Fresh Paint is a brand I discovered this past year at Five Below. I have really come to love the brand because they're really well-made polishes that come in a variety of colors. They're not indie innovative like polishes, but they're solid staple colors for a collection. I haven't come across a polish of theirs I didn't like until now.

Guava

Guava is a neon coral pastel creme.

Collection: N/A

Color: It's not the color I have a problem with. Neon pastels have been a thing for the past 3 years and I think they still are. This is very neon and very pastel. It's a great coral shade that gives me fingers and instant tan.

Formula: Here is where we go amiss. Pastel neons as pretty as they are can have some of the least forgiving formulas. This formula was rather chalky, thick, and not a pleasure to apply. It's very hard to have precision with formulas like this and it definitely shows if you're not a perfect polisher. It's clear I don't have uniform lines, especially around the cuticle. Normally, I'd blame myself since I am "Imperfectly Painted", but it's really the pain in the butt formula to blame. This one is just too much effort than it's worth.

Price: I bought 3 polishes for $5. That's the sale Five Below has with a majority of their nail polishes.

Overall: Nice color, not a great formula. This is the type of polish where you know as you put the brush to your nail you're going to have a bad time. I hate my paint job with this one because of the formula, so I have irrational rage towards this polish now. Go away Guava. I hate you.

My Rating: 1 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Wednesday!

HPB Presents: Spring Theme Manicure

I did a once in lifetime thing....er maybe twice in a lifetime. I did nail art. Well, at least my version of nail art with my very limited capabilities. I decided to do this for the Hobby Polish Bloggers blog spring link up. I had been seeing a lot of manis using highlighters lately and I figured that was something I could probably do, and I kinda did it! I figured this would be a fun spring manicure as the colors look pastel.

Products Used: KBShimmer Fillin' Groovy Base Coat, KBShimmer Alloy Matey!, Staples Hype! Liquid Highlighters 5pack (I just used pink, blue, and yellow), and KBShimmer Clearly on Top. I have heard liquid highlighters are the best to use for this type of mani.

Manicure Description: I used a base coat and then painted three coats of KBShimmer Alloy Matey! on my nails. I then let this dry for around 25 minutes. I didn't want to apply the highlighters on tacky polish because it could drag the polish. I then using blue, pink, and yellow highlights colored over my nails in a random pattern blending the colors together to give it this watercolor look. I waited a few minutes and then followed it up with top coat.

I'm pretty pleased with myself for this being my first time ever doing this and not being someone who ever does nail art! I don't do nail art not because I don't like it, but because I literally have zero patience. I love painting my nails and fun colors, but I like that because it's quick. Nail art is time consuming! This was a fun and simple technique though and I enjoyed trying it!

Check out other HPB members spring manis below!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   


Happy Monday!

Zoya Rayne

Sometimes I think I like polishes better in theory than in reality. Also, sometimes a polish I may like in the bottle doesn't really translate well on to me. I really don't like when this happens, and I can't say I'm ever really surprised when it does. I almost always have a hunch when I'm buying a color that ends up not working out for me. This is how I felt with Zoya Rayne. Bad color? No. Rayne just didn't really come together for me. I can't really pinpoint why entirely either. -shrugs-

Rayne

Rayne is a dewy, spring blue metallic with an energizing turquoise metallic flash.

Collection: Zoya Delight Collection Spring 2015

Color: This is a very beautiful icy blue shimmer. The shimmer in this beautiful and so is the color. I don't have a problem with this color in the least bit. I just think for my coloring, it just is a little too icy looking. I think this type of color washes me out sadly :(.

Formula: The formula on this is a bit sheer, but easy to use. I used 3 coats above. This one can be a little brushstroke-y due to the frosty shimmer. 

Price: This is $9 on the Zoya site. 

Overall: I wouldn't not recommend this color at all. It is a gorgeous shade of blue with an intense and beautiful shimmer. A lot of people found this to be their favorite of the spring collection. This color just doesn't work on me personally. If you find you have a similar experience with pastel and frosty shades then you may want to rethink this color, otherwise go for it! 

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday! 

L.A. Colors Dimple

I have another $1 L.A. Colors polish to share with you today. This was Dollar Tree find. Seriously, you all need to not bypass the L.A. Colors section at your Dollar Tree! I always underestimate a lot o of these polishes, and I'm learning otherwise now.

One thing I can tell you is, I absolutely hate the name of this polish. Dimple? Dimple makes me think of butt dimples, not cute cheek dimples. Dimple also makes me think of pimple. Not nice. Terrible name. This could of been named something better, but for $1 I shouldn't complain. I will though, horrible name.

Dimple

Dimple is a neon pastel orange creme.

Collection: L.A. Colors Color Craze Core

Color: What I like about this color is it's not neon pastel color I own. This definitely is more of a true orange than a peach or a coral. The color is very bright and vivid. It did cause my camera it freak out with how bright it is.  Orange isn't typically my color, but this one is pretty awesome!

Formula: I wish I could rave about how great this formula is like I did with Spring Flirt, but I can't. This formula isn't terrible, but it does take a bit of patience. This formula on Dimple is very sheer and streaky at first. It took me 4 coats to get even and opaque coverage.

Price: $1 at Dollar Tree

Overall: Despite it's abominable name and tricky formula, I still like Dimple (it pains me to keep typing that name out). It is unlike any other neon pastel color in my stash, and it's dirt cheap. The originality of this color makes this a win for me. I would change the name though to like Nuclear Orange or Atomic Tangerine. Just sayin'.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters

 Happy Monday!

Throwback Thursday: Orly Gumdrop

I have another Orly throwback to share with you today. One thing I've noticed since doing my throwback posts is how spoiled I am now with nail polish formulas. I have to thank indies for that. Mainstream polish formulas then and even now are very average to below average especially when it comes to pastels or neons. What's interesting is 5 years ago I would consider these older mainstream formulas and even current ones good, but now they're average to below average. This older Orly pastel really reminded me how thankful I am for amazing indie pastel cremes!

Gumdrop

 Gumdrop is a soft aqua/mint creme.

Collection: Orly Sweet Collection Spring 2010

Color: This is a beautiful colors. I like the softness of this color and that is has a touch more blue to it than other mint/aqua shades. I want to say this color was the beginning of the mint green craze back when I started getting into nail polish. The color is a beautiful pastel that isn't stark or too contrasting with my skin tone.

Formula: I don't think this formula is bad. It's really not, but compared to other pastel cremes I have today from KBShimmer and other indies it's lacking. The formula was OK by today's standards. I did find it did not level or smooth out evenly on my nail well. I used 2 coats above.

Price: I'm pretty sure this is part of the core line of Orly. I see it listed on Sally's and Ulta's website. You can also find this on other e-tailers in the $5-$8 range.

Overall: I love the softness and beauty of Gumdrop. It's a fun and perfectly spring-like color. The formula isn't my favorite, but it wasn't bad either. I have definite feelings of nostalgia with this one, but also would be more likely to use a similar color with a better formula.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Thursday!

Color Club Poptastic Pastel Neon Remix Collection (Glow in the Dark)

I don't often have entire collections to share with you all, but I do today. I glanced by this collection on Head2ToeBeauty about 2 weeks ago and I was very intrigued. I understand the repetition we get in seasonal collections. Spring=Pastels, Summer=Neons/Brights, Fall=Vamps, and etc. I like these types of colors enough, but I'm always wanting something extra. I want to see these types of seasonal colors amplified.

This is what I saw with this Color Club collection. They took pastel neons and made them into jelly glitters and glow in the dark. Thank you! I bought this blind without seeing swatches or anything, so it was a bit of a gamble, but I'm pleased!

This is going to be a rather extended review. I really want to give you the best review possible, since I see very few reviews of these so far from bloggers.

Boogie All Night

 Boogie All Night is a soft bubble gum pink jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

Call Of The Disco Ball

Call of the Disco Ball is a peachy-creamy orange jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

Soul Sister

Soul Sister is a soft marigold yellow jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

It's Electric!

It's Electric! is a pale neon yellow jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

On The Flip Side

On The Flip Side is a pale spring green jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

Get Down Tonight

Get Down Tonight is a soft sky blue jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

Feel The Funk

Feel the Funk is a soft lilac jelly packed with iridescent glitter. (3 coats)

Glow the Dark:
Mind you, I've never photographed glow in the dark polishes. In all honesty, I do not have the right camera or skills to capture these decently, but I have put together a collage of what I could capture to the best of my ability. I used my phone for these photos.

Collection: Color Club Poptastic Pastel Neon Remix Spring/Summer 2015

Color: When I got this I hoped they would be opaque. These can be paired with the Color Club Pastel Neon collection which are just cremes. I do not own those. I didn't want to layer these because I feel you would get virtually the same result by just adding a coat of one of those thousands of iridescent glitter toppers out there by doing that. I've never seen pastel jelly glitters, and I wanted them to be exactly that! These do achieve opacity easily (mostly) in three coats. Yes, these colors are pale and soft, but they are definitely opaque! My only concern would be if you have long nails or if your nails are stained, you may need a 4th coat.

Glow in the Dark Effect: These definitely glow brightly, after I put them under the light. The glow doesn't last long,but it is a cool effect. When I photographed the bottles by themselves the glow color did someone coordinate to the color in the bottle not glowing. When I added my fingers to the pictures my camera went funky and all the glow colors looked relatively similar. In person I noticed a difference which did not pick up on camera well for me.

Formula: These formulas are thick, but workable. I found 5 out of the 7 polishes to be easy to decent to work with. These were not the perfect formula, but they were decent to good. I'm the most impatient with formulas and these didn't bother me.  The blue-Get Down Tonight and neon yellow-It's Electric had the trickiest formula.. These two were clumpy, patchy, and pooled really thick on certain spots on my nail. I think you maybe able to remedy this with some nail polish thinner, but these 2 formulas wise were a pain in the butt.

Price: I purchased these for $3.50 each on Head2ToeBeauty.

Overall: I am so excited and impressed with this collection. I love that this offers something totally different in the mainstream market. I'm over the moon these are opaque too, and I really love the soft look of these colors. They're not perfect though. The formulas are not ideal, but far from bad or not manageable outside of 2 colors. You can absolutely layer these too, and I'm sure they'd look beautiful. I just really wanted to be able to wear these on their own! This is the type of collection that makes me get excited about nail polish all over again.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Monday!

Pastel Bright Skittle Birthday Nails

Today is my birthday, and what is a birthday without a birthday mani?

This is probably the first birthday I didn't go all out and do some gigantic glitter bomb manicure. I kept it simple this year, but fun and bright! I'm happy with it.

Polishes Used: Maybelline Ultra Violet, Coral Heat, and Cult Nails New Day

I can't get enough of these pastel bright colors. I love them so much!

Happy Saturday!

Royal Polish Blooming Into Springtime (4 of 6)

*I received the following products in exchange for my honest review

Today, I have for you 4 of the 6 springtime polishes from a new to me indie brand Royal Polish. Royal Polish is 5-free and cruelty free The collection is called Blooming Into Springtime and it features 4 pastel cremes, a crelly glitter, and a glitter topper. 

Carnation Creation

Carnation Creation is a pastel pink creme.

Dancing in the Garden

Dancing in the Garden is a pale pink crelly base with pastel matte and satin glitters mixed throughout.

Robin's Egg

Robin's Egg is a pastel blue creme.

Blossom Blend over Robin's Egg

Blossom Blend is a mix of pastel glitters in a clear base. 

Color: This a is mix of pretty spring time colors. I love the the pastel glitters, they're soft and feminine. The cremes are saturated and exactly what I'm looking for in a pastel polish.

Formula: The formulation on the cremes is hands down the best formula I've ever experienced in pastel cremes in my entire life. These were 2 coats, not streaky, not thick, and so easy to apply! 2 coats on a pastel creme like this is amazing! The crelly glitter and the glitter topper I did have some difficulty with. I did find them to be a bit thick and more challenging to apply. The larger glitters in Dancing in the Garden do tend to sink to the bottom, so I advise letting the bottle sit upside for a few minutes prior to polishing. Blossom Blend was thicker and seemed more suited toward dabbing than painting it on your nails. I'm not accustomed to dabbing, so this was different for me, but I know many people are comfortable with dabbing on glitter. 

Price: The full sizes of these polishes are $8.50 and the entire set of 6 is $45.00 on Royal Polish's Store Envy site. 

Overall: I was so impressed with the cremes in this collection. The superb formulation on the cremes is one for the record books in my experience. I adored them. The glitter topper and crelly glitter I did struggle with application, but are really beautiful glitter combinations for spring.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Be sure to check out Royal Polish on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy Tuesday! 

Hare Polish Own Your Opulence

I'm a sucker for art history. I love some of the grandiose art movements of the past. One of my favorites is Rococo, which was prominent in 18th century France. I love the whimsical and flowing style and the strong use of pastel tones.  Rococo art for lack of a better word was all very pretty, and pleasing to the eye. 

I was excited when Hare Polish released The Last Queen of France collection inspired by Marie Antoinette who was a part of this time period. I have Own Your Opulence to share with you today, a glitter topper that is highly representative of the Rococo opulent style and color scheme. 

Own Your Opulence over Revlon Modern Grace

 Own Your Opulence is a mix of pastel glitters, black glitters, gold glitters, gunmetal glitters, and a gold shimmer in a clear base.

Color: This is an amazing color combination, and in entirely unique to anything I own. I love the mix of black and gold with pastel, it is so luxurious, and so Rococo! I'm geeking out a bit. Love!

Formula: Good formula! I used 2 coats in the swatch above. 

Price: This is $10.00 on Hare Polish's etsy site. 

Overall: I absolutely 100% adore this. I know it's partially the theme that I adore,  but the polish is great! I love the inspiration. I think it represents the theme excellently and is truly a unique glitter topper in the indie world. 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Tuesday! 

Loaded Lacquer Fluffy Macaroons

When I started seeing pics of Loaded Lacquer on Instagram, I knew it was an indie brand I'd have to try. Loaded Lacquer instantly looked liked like it had that "it factor". I tend to stick to a few indies I love, but when a new one pops up with that "it factor", my wallet is always ready! This is one I picked up during Loaded Lacquer's after Christmas sale.

Fluffy Macaroons over Picture Polish Honey Dew

Fluffy Macaroons is a mix of plum, periwinkle, yellow, marigold, cotton candy pink, purple and white hex and squares, and holographic sparkle in a clear base.

Color: This isn't your average pastel mix of glitters. This is loaded with various colors, different shaped glitters, and a holographic sparkle. I love the color combination here.

Formula: I used 2 coats over a base above. The formula was easy to use and applied easily to the nail.

Price: This is $10.00 on Loaded Lacquer's website.

Overall: Fluffy Macaroons is a fun, well thought out, and creative mix of glitters. This will definitely be a great glitter topper for spring, and will look great over a variety of colors. The formula was easy to work with. Loaded Lacquer did not disappoint, and definitely is an "it factor" indie for me. I will definitely be purchasing more in the future!

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Paint Splatters

Happy Friday!