Teal-pink-purple mani

I was feeling artsy last week, and decided to use these untrieds together.  These are my favorite colors for Spring, and I am really happy with the result.  I did this the next day, because sometimes stencils can be tricky to use on fresh polish.

The base was a really nice jelly-esque purple with grey undertones.  I love this color and the shimmer too.  This is my second Gloss n' Sparkle, the other one is Cotinga, which I really like.  This is another indie brand that sadly, recently closed shop.

Layering Order:
Gucci Basecoat
2 coats Gloss n' Sparkle Melodious
Dior Gel Coat
Rhinestones (middle only)
Pink diamond shaped glitter (pinky only)
Vinyl Boutique Herringbone Stencils
Sponged Cupcake Polish Water You Doing? and Folies Bergere (index and ring)
Dior Gel Coat

Bonus Pictures Melodious by itself

Cupcake Copa Girls

This was a replacement for a faulty Versailles.  At first, she was apprehensive, when I contacted her about the fading issues with other polishes, but then she was more receptive.  She more than made up for it, and she sent me, not only a replacement, but other extras as well.  I loved all the polishes she sent and the note.

This one is definitely special.  The color is very vibrant and the polish is dense enough, that I could have gotten away with one coat.  It did not stain upon removal, and it was easy to work with.  I love the holographic effect, which is really strong in the sun, despite the silver flakies peaking in.  I think this is a must have for purple lovers.

Layering Order:
Gucci Basecoat,
2 coats Cupcake Polish Copa Girls
Dior Gel coat

Lit NYC Power

I recently found a display of this brand at CVS, and I was curious to check out this new to me store-brand.  They had mostly cremes and shimmers, but a couple of their duochromes seemed promising.  Their bottles have a light incorporated in there, and it was ok but nothing that I hadn't seen before.  This was a three-coater, and the finish was not my favorite, even after topcoat.  I think I have been spoiled by indies and international lacquers (i.e.: Dance Legend, Ozotic, etc.) that for me, these fall short.

Layering Order:
Gucci Basecoat
3 coats Lit NYC Power
No topcoat in these pictures

Painted Polish Holo Wasted

This magical nail polish is perfect for layering.  I did not like it on it's own, because it was too sparse, and there would be a few bald spots here and there.  I layered it over OPI Eurso Euro, which has quickly become one of my favorite blurple cremes to use a basecolor for layering.  This is very underrated, and I almost never hear about it.  It is a one-coater, when applied using a heavy coat, and the creamy formula and color are excellent.  Back to Painted Polish, I really like the 3 glitters that I bought recently, and she has had great customer service, so far.

Layering Order:
Gucci Basecoat
1 coat OPI Eurso Euro
1 coat Painted Polish by Lexi Holo Wasted
1 coat Poshe Fast Drying Basecoat
Glossy Glam Topcoat

Barielle Mirror, Mirror Collection for Winter 2015

I had this on my desk for a while.  I am so glad that things are finally settling down, and I have more time to swatch.  My public apologies to the Barielle PR Team for swatching these so late.  I really wanted to do good swatches in the sun, but January was so gloomy.

I love these so much!  The name of the collection is very appropriate.  They are glossy and shiny like a mirror.  They all apply effortlessly at two coats.  If I had to pick a favorite shade, it would be the dusty teal, called Ribbon and Lace.  Although the red creme, Blushing Beauty, is superb as well.  The formula makes this set stand out from other cremes and other brands.

Layering Order:
2 coats Barielle Silk Stoclimgs
no basecoat or topcoat in these pictures

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Layering Order:
2 coats Barielle Ribon and Lace
no basecoat or topcoat in these pictures

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Layering Order:
2 coats Barielle Pretty Woman
no basecoat or topcoat in these pictures

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Layering Order:
2 coats Barielle Blushing Beauty
no basecoat or topcoat in these pictures

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Layering Order:
2 coats Barielle Feathered Slippers
no basecoat or topcoat in these pictures

Colors by Llarowe Cornucopia with Fnug Fnuglista tips

I had ordered heart shaped studs on etsy for this holiday.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize that they were shipping from Canada, and that's going to take a while.  I did a lazy french manicure, and added some stripping tape.  Then drew a heart on my accent.  Very simple.

Cornucopia was the nail polish of the month (:POTM) for November 2015.  I am glad I grabbed this one.  It is a one-coater with lots of holo, and a really interesting pink to gold shimmer.  The FNUG is gorgeous on its own too, although the formula is hard to work with.  That being said, it dries super fast, so if you make a mistake, you can go back and apply more and more layers.

Layering Order:
Gucci Basecoat
1 coat Colors by Llarowe Cornucopia POTM November
1 coat Fnug Fnuglista (tips only and heart)
Celestial Blood Moon Rising (heart outline)
Fuchsia Stripping Tape
OPI DS Topcoat

Lacquistry Rediculous

Just when you think the holidays are over, and you are ready to put away all of your green and red nail polishes, comes Valentine's Day right around the corner.  But seriously, where did January go?

I still had this untried from last Xmas (yes, 2014), and so I decided to just slap it on for kicks.  I was so impressed with its finish and depth.  My friend @wegotpolish always raves about it and I finally get why.  Sorry I'm talking in IG lingo, but I think that by now most of you at least have a lurker account.  I cannot stress how much I dislike that media outlet, but I might leave that rant for another post.

Anyway, Rediculous was a bit on the pink side.  I really wish that it was a true red.  Maybe that's the reason why I never wore it on holiday season.  I tried to minimize the fuchsia undertones by layering it over an orange toned creme, and I think it worked.  It did not stain upon removal, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Layering Order:
Gucci basecoat
1 coat OPI Coca-Cola Red
1 coat Lacquistry Rediculous
Dior Gel Coat