Thursday, July 12, 2012

China Glaze: I Herd That

Ha. Ok, so I guess I lied yesterday when I said I was going to do a layering combo for today. I DID do a layering thing, but the nail polish fairy must be out to get me. I did a jelly sandwich with OPIs Care to Danse and Nubar 2010/Fingerpaints Asylum. It looked really neat but for some reason it just didn't want to stay on my fingers! Over lunch today the polish on my pinky nail just completely fell off. (like if you paint your nails and don't let all the layers dry, then rub your finger against something. It just kind of shears off the nail.) This was weird because it was hours and hours after originally painting them! So, that's a bummer. Lucky for you all I have a plan B!

I picked up a few of the Safari Collection China Glaze polishes when I was at Sally's the other day. This pick is sort of odd for me because normally I do not like glitters. Not one bit. I own very few and the ones I do I got because they were cheap or I wanted to try them out because I *hoped* I would like them. It never works! Haha Anyway, I saw a swatch of I Herd That and just fell in LOVE. I don't know what happened, but I think we might get married (Ha, not really! But remember those grade-school taunts? If you love it then why don't you marry it!) So.... check it out!



I had a really difficult time getting the true contrasts of the glitter to come out. There seems to be a mix of holographic glitter, gold glitter, and some darker coppery glitters. The effect is truly amazing. I didn't want to take it off! The formula on this was beautiful. My pictures all use topcoat, but this polish dries to an interesting matte finish. It does have texture to it, but not as much as a lot of other pure glitter polishes. All I needed was a coat of Gelous and one of Seche Vite and it was smooth!




If you like glitter, this is absolutely a must-have polish! The fact that my glitter-despising self likes it should say a lot! Like I mentioned, I found the collection at Sally's and they would probably have it at Beauty First as well. (Although, Beauty First in my area is slow at getting stock in.)

I hope you all have a good night and happy Friday! 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Quickie Product Review (with no pictures. You'll see why!)

So, I've spent the last few days being sick. I thought I had strep throat, but it turns out it's just a nasty, NASTY cold. Anyway, I spent yesterday in bed after taking a trip to my local Walgreens for assorted medications and throat drops. (FYI, Cepacol. It numbs EVERYTHING. uh-MAZING!) Anyway, while I was there I noticed they had the Gel Perfect nail polish things on sale so I grabbed on. I've always wanted to try it but I change my polish so often that it seemed like a waste of money. Since I was sick I figured hey, why not? Then I don't have to mess with my nails for a few days! (They look so nasty when they aren't painted. Ewwww!) My plan was to review the product and do a wear test with it to see how it worked out.

Well, I don't know if maybe I did something wrong.... but the product was TERRIBLE. Absolutely horrible. I don't have any pictures because I painted them then fell asleep. I was sick and didn't want to get the camera. I believe it's supposed t last for up to two weeks so I figured I would just take pictures today. Well, in less than 4 hours I managed to chip the ring finger of my right hand. I was annoyed--not really--but since that isn't my picture hand I just ignored it. My left hand looked fine. Too bad that didn't last! Today at work, so less than 24 hrs after applying the polish, I had a GIANT chip in on my index finger and thumb on my left hand! Really?? I've had plain polish last longer than that and I didn't use my nails nearly as much as I usually do!! I was so disappointed with the wear time.

The other thing that really got to me was the smell. The smell alone is enough to keep me from every trying this product again. I think the activating polish has the same chemicals as the glue for press-on nails, so you might as well just sit there and stiff the glue from one of those kits. That's what it felt like, and the smell never went away! Anyone ever use the Nabi Magnetic polishes? Those smell bad... this was worse.

So, that's why there are no pictures of the mani at all. I never had a chance. All in all, I am definitely glad I picked this up while it was on sale. Ugh. If anyone has used this an it has worked for them, let me know. I'm curious to know what techniques you used that I just must not know!! I think I should be able to get a post in tomorrow. I'm going to try and layering combo for you! Hopefully it turns out the way I am picturing it it my head!

Have a good night everyone!

....and OK fine. Oogle this. Not related in any way to above griping!

Bonus picture to make me feel better about being so wordy  in the post! Max Factor Fantasy Fire over Zoya Yasmeen! This was sooooooo pretty!!
*Disclosure: This product was purchased by me*

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Girly Bits Hocus Pocus (aka the best polish ever if you love holos like me!)

Hey everyone! Today I've got for you what is probably one of my new favorite polishes! Girly Bits Hocus Pocus! Hocus Pocus is a really simple holographic top coat that can be used with any base polish. I wanted to try and show you all exactly what that means with a bunch of before/after-type photos!

First though, this is what I actually ended up wearing for a few days. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite genius enough to take any pictures of Zoya Yasmeen before I added Hocus Pocus. Oops.

Over Zoya Yasmeen


Over Zoya Yasmeen

Over Zoya Yasmeen

Over Zoya Yasmeen

 If that wasn't enough to make you swoon, check under the jump here for more pictures with different colors!