OPI Simmer and Shimmer, Fingerpaints Vintage Velvet

Last night I popped into CVS last night to pick up some last minute hurricane supplies, along with three-fourths of the rest of New Yorkers.  Of course, with my CLIF bars, batteries, and beef jerky in hand I couldn’t resist wandering by the cosmetics section.  Although this CVS rarely updates their OPI’s they happened to have Simmer and Shimmer from OPI’s Burlesque collection.

This was my existing mani – Vintage Velvet from Fingerpaints Fall 2011.  Love this subdued greyish teal so much.  It’s just the right balance between teal and hunter green, in my opinion.  I would love a vintage velvet blazer in this color.  And yes, I tried a little Cracked Concrete China Glaze crackle as an accent nail but that didn’t show up too well.

Then I glitterfied it!  This blue-toned glitter dried in a flash and covered completely in two coats (on top of my existing color – not sure how it would fare on a bare nail).

Closeup you can see the rainbow colored glitter, even though blue is predominant.

Then I shattered it!  Used China Glaze here but any other black crackle would do the same thing.  Any glitter under crackle = beyootiful.  I used a goodly coat of Seche Vite on top to even out the surface and add glossiness.

Hope my peeps in the East Coast will stay safe this weekend and weather Hurricane Irene without event.  Hopefully I won’t have to paint my nails by candlelight!

~ Allison ~

Holo-Fest! Part I

We have been hit with so much rain in New York for the past couple of weeks.  So, when the sun emerged yesterday with a forecast of rays all day, I snatched up my camera and polishes and did some swatching for you.  Viola – here are the holographic nail polishes I have in my collection.

I’ll kick off this post with the Milani 3D Holographic Collection.  It has been available for awhile, but for some reason I couldn’t find these locally til a couple of months ago.  Anyway, I’m so glad I scooped up all 6 because they are gorgeous!  Unlike some holos, these went on like a dream, with no dragging or splotchiness.  I didn’t use any special basecoat – just my usual Essie Millionails.  These dry very shiny, as well – you don’t need a topcoat to get that glossy look.  On to the swatches!

HD is a bright, clear silver.

3D is a warm golden holo.

Hi-Tech is a crazy gorgeous yellow-green.  I love how there are both color particles in this one in addition to the holographic.  Since it’s such a chameleon I had a hard time capturing the color with my camera.

Cyberspace is a blue holo that looks baby blue or blue gray, depending on the light. This one is extra spectacular in the sun!

Digital is a cool-toned medium pink.

Hi-Res is a lilac purple with tons of holo goodness.  It’s such a stunner that I thought it deserved an extra photo.

What a rainbow!

All of these are two coats except for HD (the silver), which was not as opaque as the others, for some reason.  I’m really glad Milani dipped their toes into the holographic nail polish stream (ooh, that sounds refreshing, can I go?).  These manage to be chock-full of chunky holo particles while giving off a linear shine and drying smooth and glossy on the nail.  They also look fantastic both in low/indoor light and bright sunlight.  My absolute faves are Hi-Res (purple), Cyberspace (blue), and Hi-Tech (green).  Get your paws on these polishes for $5.99 apiece at CVS.

How do you think these compare to some of the other holographic nail polishes – OPI DS, Color Club, etc?

Watch for Part II of Holo-Fest, coming soon!

~ Allison ~

Sally Hansen CSM Model Behavior + Revlon Colada Fizz

Here’s a look at another blue from another Sally Hansen guest designer limited edition collection.  This time, I’m showing you Model Behavior from the Spring 2011 collection designed by Prabal Gurung.  Model Behavior is a bold turquoise blue creme.  It kind of reminds me of bright blue Windex, in the best possible way!  The formula is creamy dreamy and 2 coats provided complete opacity.  It dries very glossy, as well.  The first picture is the most color-accurate.

Next I decided to test out a Revlon polish I finally caved in to trying – Revlon’s scented Colada Fizz.  These bright candy colors had been teasing me from the aisles for a couple of months.  I ended up buying this one, Watermelon Fizz (bright reddish orange) and Appletini Fizz (sour apple green).  Hope to swatch the others soon.  Anyway, this is 2 coats of Colada Fizz on top of Model Behavior.

Although Colada Fizz appears to be baby blue in the bottle it’s too sheer, in my opinion, to be worn on its own.  However it lends a really lovely snowflake-like glitter effect when used as a topcoat.  The fragrance of the polish is pleasant and light, kind of like a powdery, perfume-y pina colada.  In high school I had a perfumed Victoria Secret pen that smelled exactly like this, actually!  The scent isn’t obtrusive but I definitely notice it when my hands are near my face.

Scope out that beautiful fairy glitter.

Have you tried any of Revlon’s fizz nail polishes?  What’s your opinion of scented nail polish?

~ Allison ~

Sally Hansen CSM Barracuda + Wet N Wild Party of Five Glitters

When you hear the word barracuda, do you think of this?

P.S. Don’t Google “barracuda attack,” you will come up with some scary shit.

…Or this?  (Those Wilson sisters were so hot.  I have a girlcrush on Ann)

…Or if you are a lacquerhead, you might think of Barracuda, the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure color that was concocted by Tracy Reese.  This is from the Spring 2011 collection.

For this festive manicure I used 3 coats of Barracuda.  Since it’s a pastel creme it was a bit streaky at first.  It was pretty opaque at 2 coats but I did a third, just for fun.  I painted one coat of Wet N Wild Party of Five Glitters on my accent finger.  This glitter is so much fun!  Against the blue background it makes me think of confetti thrown up against a blue sky.  This one is various sizes of hex glitter, in 5 different colors, in a clear base.  I loved it.  Recommend!

~ Allison ~

OPI Miss Universe Review – Swimsuit… Nailed It!

This is the second polish I picked up from OPI’s brand new Miss Universe line.  There are blues and then there are blues.  Holy moly, this one is bright!  Swimsuit… Nailed It! is an electric metallic blue polish with shimmer.

Great formula, easy application.  I used 3 coats here.  But I’ve gotta warn you, you must must wear a base coat!  I didn’t and now I’m paying for it with blueberry-stained nails. >.<

This is what Swimsuit… Nailed It! looks like with 2 coats of Sinful Colors Hottie holo glitter on top.  Mm, so much depth and twinkle.

And then I mattefied that baby.  I actually think this looks awesome both glossy and matte.

Does this blue resemble any other shades you know of?

~ Allison ~