LA Girl - Groupie or Punk?

I didn't even know I could get my hands on LA Girl here in Australia until I stumbled across them in a cheapie accessories store.  You better believe I snapped up a few of the colours.

I particularly loved their Rockstar Collection.  Specifically, I fell totally in love with this blue.  Now, I'm not sure if this is Punk or Groupie as the sticker has come off the bottom of my bottle.  I think it might be Punk, but if anyone can enlighten me in the comments, I send you a thousand virtual kisses!

This is an amazing colour.  Although it looks blue, there is a whole purple duochrome thing happening.  I can't quite explain it but, if you look at the top left side of the bottle in this picture, you can see the purple shining through a little.

Application on this was great in terms of it being easy to apply.  However, even with a Seche Vite topcoat, this took a little while to completely dry.  Maybe half an hour or so.  So not an eternity, but definitely something to be aware of if you're stuck for time.

I think this would be a great colour to wear if you're spending NYE in a club or concert.  The blue / purple hue makes it edgy, and yet the glitter component seems to make it a little more fun.

What do you guys think?  Is blue on your agenda?  Stay tuned for tomorrow when I reveal the actual colour I'm wearing for NYE.  It's GORGEOUS.  And I know I say that about alot of colours, but I truly rooly mean it.

City Girl 2000 - #25

I found the CG2000 range on ebay.  I have tried to do some research on the brand, and all I can find is that it's a private label lacquer.  And it's cheap.  I bought six bottles for an insanely cheap $9.

Given the low price, my expectations somewhat matched.  That is, I didn't expect much.

Boy, was I proven wrong.  As soon as I started applying 25 (yep, that's the name of this baby), I knew I had a little gem on my hands.

Application is sublime.  It glides on beautifully and dries quickly to a shiny and smooth finish.  Although this looks like a Christmas-style red in the botle, it actually comes out as a more dusty / frosty red.

This is an uber glamorous colour.  For some reason, I imagine that this would look fabulous with a gorgeous ball gown or at a formal event.  It's sophisticated and sexy all at the same time.

So my red loving ladies, if you are wearing a red, let me know which red you are considering.

China Glaze - Watermelon Rind

Come on, you seriously didn't think I would go through a New Years without a China Glaze handy?

Watermelon Rind is from China Glaze's Summer Days Collection.  This was another superb China Glaze Collection.  I bought, and love, all the colours.  But it's this colour that was the real standout for me.

This is an amazing green that really does look like watermelon rind. How spot on is the naming with this one?!

As for all China Glaze lacquers, this glides on like a dream and is opaque and smooth in just two coats.

This would be a great colour for anyone who really likes to make a statement with their nails, but still wants it to be wearable and cute.  Especially for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, who are in the midst of some pretty hot weather, this is a lovely, cool shade that would suit anyone.

What do you guys think? A winner?  Do you have a green that you're planning to wear on NYE?

Australis - Dark Opal

So the first of my New Years Eve lacquers is another great hue from Australian brand, Australis.

Dark Opal is an amazing, shimmery charcoal.

For some reason, in this photo, the colour is showing up with a reddish tinge (I'm still experimenting with the light umbrellas and sometimes I don't quite get the colour right).  Let me assure you, this is a soot-tinged charcoal.

As for all Australis lacquers, the formula is gorgeous.  You could possibly get away with one coat, but I did two for the swatch, just to make sure the shimmer came out.

This is a great colour for New Years.  It is sophisticated, glamorous and, because it is a dark hue, it will go with pretty much any outfit.  Whether you're wearing white, pink, red, blue - whatever - this will compliment your outfit perfectly.

So, what do you guys think?  Are any of you planning to wear a similar colour for New Years?

Sunday Sneak Peak

So this week is all about New Years Eve.

I have five great colours, all of which will work perfectly in saying goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010.

I must admit, I love New Years celebrations.  It's a chance to re-evaluate the previous 12 months, set goals, and start afresh.

I had my Fijian manicure which is pretty much the same as a regular manicure except that it includes an exfoliating massage which was pretty damn awesome.  My hands look 10 years younger as a result.

I hope you're all having a lovely and festive holiday season.  We're having a ball in Fiji.  The resort we are staying at is gorgeous, the Fijians are sweet and welcoming, and the food is sublime.

Naily News #14

Have you entered my December Giveaway? There is still time! Just click on the link in the left sidebar for your chance to win.

Scrangie has a preview of the 2010 Spring Collection from Barielle.  Warning: there is glitter involved.  Click at your own risk.

Leanne has the best present for her readers - two awesomely cute Christmas manicures.  You won't want to miss these.

Do you want another fantabulous Christmas manicure?  Check out Glittermillie's masterpiece.

Nicole blings up a 'not obnoxious enough' manicure.

I nabbed RBL's Black Russian during their recent sale.  Mary reminds me why I covet this colour so very very much.

All You Desire has a manicure that reminds me of old world tapestries.  It's phenomenal.

China Glaze Cleopatra has just been added to my must have list.  Thanks Pink Ginger!

Is there any look a matte topcoat can't achieve?

Diana's manicure may be inspired by a white Christmas, but it is also perfect for a tropical festive season.

Iceomatic has an inappropriate AND awesome manicure for you!

Naive Nails has the cutest candy cane manicure.  Her nails look good enough to eat.

Merry Christmas to all YGN-ers!

To all my readers, and for those who've stumbled here accidentally and are wondering 'How the hell did I get here', I wish you, your family and friends a very, very, Merry Christmas.

I hope you get all that you wish for - whether that be a Chanel Jade or a lovely dinner with the people that you love most.

To celebrate, I have a Christmas Nail Art that I'm actually quite proud of.  Although I am pretty terrible with the Konad, I am super fly at french manicures.  I can paint them freehand and they always look respectable.  On both hands.  Yes, I'm bragging.

Here is Tinsel mixed with Ruby Pumps.  I think this is a total winner.  It's festive, sparkly and perfect for Christmas.

For Christmas, we will probably spend time in the pool before having the most amazing buffet dinner.  Typical for those of us who live in the Southern Hemisphere, lots of cold salads and meats and pavlova!  I can't wait.

Let me know what you're doing for Christmas in the comments. I'd love to hear how you intend to spend this lovely day!

China Glaze - Emerald Sparkle

I figured out that the problem with my connection is just good old fashioned congestion.  If I post in the evenings here, I can never get onto Blogger.  If I post in the mornings, it's easy.  So I'm hoping to have caught up on all comments in the next day or so by just scheduling my online time better.  Thanks for being so patient.

I saved my favourite to the very end.  Of course.

Emerald Sparkle is a gorgeous emerald green.

It glides on like a dream, is opaque in two coats and is literally like a sparkly Christmas Tree on the nail.  If there was ever a colour that utterly personified Christmas, this is so it.

The Loves you Snow Much collection is one of my all-time favourite collections from China Glaze.  Every single colour is a masterpiece.  Together, as a collection, it works amazingly well.

In other news, I had a total fail on the sunscreen today, resulting in my shoulder looking not unlike Ruby Pumps!  Ouch!  Thankfully, tomorrow I am staying out of the sun and having a Fijian Manicure.  I have no idea how this differs from a regular manicure but I'll let you guys know.

China Glaze - 5 Golden Rings

Hi all, I apologise for not getting around to the comments you’ve left. My internet connection is terrible! It will work for five minutes and then fall out for another twenty. So, when I do manage to get access, I work as quickly as I can to get an actual post up before the access falls out again. Arghhhh!  I promise I will try to get to the comments as soon as I can figure out this connection.

Anyway, back to normal programming…

I think it’s saying something about the quality of a product when you say ‘Mmmmm, I don’t know if I love this’ but still would consider it amongst your top lacquers.

That’s how I feel about 5 Golden Rings. I love it. But I don’t LOVE it. Does that make sense?

Ok, so this looks lovely on the nails. And it’s very Christmas-y and sparkly. Which ticks two big boxes on my list.

But, sheesh, this dries to a rough finish. Unlike Tinsel, which is as smooth as silk, this is rough and hangovers are everywhere. And I found more than a few bald spots with this, resulting in me having to do three coats to get to bottle colour.

Yet, despite these problems, I still find this totally amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a collection where even the weakest link is an absolute star!

What do you guys think? Did you have a favourite from the collection? A weakest link? Let me know in the comments.

China Glaze - Ruby Pumps

So, we have arrived in Fiji safe and sound!  I'm loving being in a tropical paradise but, if I'm honest, I'm loving the chocolate fountain at the all you can eat buffet a leetle bit more. If I can't douse it in chocolate, I don't eat it. Hey, I'm on holidays. All bets are off!

So, today is all about Ruby Pumps.  I have heard so much about this colour that I was, literally, trembling when I was applying it.  I had all these fears that my expectations would simply not be met.

But, er, can I get a 'Hell yeah, Ruby Pumps is the shiz!!!!!'

My god, this is a glorious colour. It's red. It's bright. It's glittery. It glides on and dries like a creme (super smooth and super shiny). It lasts forever on the nail. Were it not for the fact that it is a lacquer and not a human, I would marry this colour. It ticks all of the boxes and then some.

My only question now is why I waited so damn long to get my hands on this.

China Glaze - Tinsel

So I guess it's now no secret that, this week, You've Got Nail is all about Christmas.  More specifically, China Glaze's Loves You Snow Much Collection.

I know these have been swatched many times on other blogs, but I just don't think you can ever get enough of this collection.  It's like nail catnip for the glitter fans out there.

Tinsel is one of those lacquers that is exactly like it's name.  It's just silver mixed with bling mixed with gorgeous mixed with more silver mixed with a solid dash of 'Whoomp.... there it is'.

It's one of the most amazing lacquers I have in my collection.

What I really like about China Glaze's glitters is that they have mastered the balance between bling and shine.  Very often, when you have a lot of glitter, you either get a hideously rough finish that never smoothes or you don't get enough glitter, resulting in uneven finishes.

Not with China Glaze.  Every single one of these lacquers is a dream to work with.  They smooth on beautifully, leave very few nail hangovers, and dry to a lovely, smooth finish.

This colour  gets me in the mood for Christmas.  Even my little boys marvel that 'mummy has Christmas on her nails'.  What do you guys think?  Are you singing Jingle Bells yet?

Sunday Sneak Peak

Can you believe how quickly 2009 has passed?  I can't believe it's nearly Christmas!

I will be spending the holiday season sunning myself in gorgeous Fiji.  Yes, by this time tomorrow, I fully expect to be sitting in one of the deck chairs in the picture drinking a cocktail.  I don't care which cocktail.  Any liquor will suffice.

So, what does this mean for YGN?  Posting will continue as normal, including Christmas Day.  However, I have decided to reduce my posting frequency to once a day (as opposed to twice a day during the week, and daily on the weekends) for the period I am away.  I just really want to spend some quality time with my family.  And bartender.  See how lonely he looks? 

Never fear though.  This week, I have some of the blingiest Christmas lacquers for you.  I also have a Christmas Day nail art that, for once, is not a complete disaster / nail wreck.  No, really, it looks good.  :-)

Have a lovely week everyone!  Think good thoughts for me - I'm not a big fan of flying!

Naily News #13

Have you entered my December Giveaway? There's only a week to go! Click here for all the details.

Nixxy goes into glitter overdrive.  And I love it like I love pizza.

Think mauve is just for your nanna.  Think again!

Nicole tries a mint a green.  I swear, you can never have too many of these in your collection.

Megan rocks za Zoya.

Scrangie has a lovely preview of the Nubar Prisims Collection.  I think I'm in terrible lust.

Diana has a gorgeous variation of Essie's Lollipop.

Don't like Goldie Hawn?  Good, neither do I.  Here is another Goldie, though, that's well worth the effort.

Holler if you want a charcoal holo!  Or just go here and look at a fantastic one.

Michelyn wishes you an OPI Merry Mightnight.

Kellie Gonzo tries out some brand new skates.

Brooke brightens up a dreary week with colour and glitter.

Mary sends us all into a glitter coma!

Mecca Cosmetica - Hippolyta

The final lacquer, and my personal favourite since I love reds, in Mecca's Paint toYour Heart's Content Collection is Hippolyta.

This is a rich, blue red that, like Essie's Lollipop, is old school Hollywood glamour in a bottle. This is probably marginally more 'blue' than Lollipop, which I like.  Mmmm, blue reds.

As with all the other lacquers, the formula with this is amazing.  Aside from the dodgy application on my ring finger (I was drunk or tired, I can't remember which.  This is definitely an example of operator error), this glides on like a dream, dries quickly and is wonderfully shiny. 

So which blogger is this dedicated to?

I decided to dedicate Hippolyta to two great nail bloggers - Nixxy and Kaz.  For no other reason than reds make me happy, and both Nixxy and Kaz always make me smile.

Mecca Cosmetica - Lavinia

Lavinia is a stunning purple.

Similar to Miranda, this has a dusty look to it, which I rather like. Dusty but still uber shiny.  How does that work?

It also looks like it's straight out of a Banarama video circa 1988.  Which makes me like it even more.

When I started to swatch this, there was one nail blogger that I had in mind the whole time, and that person was...... Pink Ginger.

Pink Ginger is one of those people for whom EVERY lacquer looks hot.  She just has a gorgeous skin tone that lacquers seem to love. 

I especially love how her nails look in purple. So that's why I'm dedicating this quintessential purple to the person who rocks this amazing colour better than anyone out there.

Mecca Cosmetica - Audrey

Mmmm, a dark, glamorous, vampy plum with a largish dose of sophistication?

I think that can only mean one nail blogger.... Evil Angel.  This is a fearless and bold colour and, really, Evil Angel is one of the boldest, fiercest people I know.

Audrey is such a beautiful plum.  Look at that shine!  That's two coats without a top coat.  I think it's extraordinary.  I can even make out an image of the light umbrella in the my index finger!

This is a great colour for Christmas, regardless of whether you live in the northern or southern hemisphere.  It's sophisticated, easy to wear, will go with pretty much any outfit, and lasts forever on the nail.

What do you ladies think?  Approve?  Disapprove?

On another note, I've had a few of you email me asking what camera I am using to take my photos.  I use a Canon EOS 450D SLR camera.  Which I like because it takes great photos and is easy to use.  I'm no photography expert so I like that I can just set this up on the tripod and - bang - good photos just emerge.

Mecca Cosmetica - Jessica

Mecca Cosmetica's Jessica is an adorable pink.

Where Rosaline was a light, milky pink, this is darker with hints of coral in it.  I think it is the sweetest colour out of the entire Paint to Your Heart's Content Collection.  And, while it works beautifully on the hands, it is THE most perfect colour for a pedicure.  I wore this today for work and I had three different ladies come up to me on the train and ask what I was wearing.

When I swatched this colour, I thought of two lovely nail bloggers.

So.... I am dedicating Jessica to..... Kellie Gonzo and Brooke.

Kellie Gonzo is just a sweetheart and one of the nicest nail bloggers out there.  And she's super hot, just like this colour.

Brooke is like the Patron Saint of Nail Bloggers.  When I first started blogging, she gave my blog a shoutout and the rest was history.  Thanks to Brooke, people began to read YGN.  So, if Jessica is a sweet colour, then I'm dedicating it to the sweetest person in the nail blogosphere.

Oh god, I think I need some macaroni with my cheese! 

Mecca Cosmetica - Miranda

I am dedicating Miranda to..... Leanne!  This colour reminds me of being  young (a long time ago) and kinda happy go lucky.  Which is what I think of when I think of Leanne.

This is a beautiful dark coral that is, literally, perfection in a bottle.

I love this colour.  It's got a 'dusty' look to it.  Almost a shabby chic vibe.  And I suspect it would look fabulous on pretty much every skin tone.

Regarding the quality of these lacquers, I can safely say that Mecca have hit pay dirt in terms of their formula.  They are simply awesome.  Beautifully creamy.  Two coats and you're done.  High shine.  Gorgeous colours that are utterly feminine and girly.

I just wish they were a little cheaper because, right now, they are killing my wallet.

What do you guys think? 

Hey There, Wait A Minute Mr Postman - Ladies, We Have Haulage

Ladies. We Have Haulage.

The Lovely Leanne and I decided to do a swap and my package from Leanne arrived yesterday.

Check out these lovelies!

Barry M, where have you been all my life?!

Can you believe that one of these is called BMX Bandit.  I am already a fan.

 

These are little orphans who are too beautiful to hang with the rest.

PS Did any of you take advantage of the 50% off RBL Sale?  I picked up four colours - Scrangie, Black Russian, Au Chocolat and Sheer White.  If you did partake, tell me what you picked in the comments.  If there's one thing I love just as much as haulage, it's hearing about other peoples' haulage.

Mecca Cosmetica - Rosaline

The other set of colours I'm trying this week is Mecca's Paint to Your Heart's Content Collection.


You know, when I'm swatching lacquers, I think in my head 'Oooh, Brooke is going to love this' or 'Pink Ginger is going to go mad with this purple'.  I think of who amongst my readers / other nail bloggers might love a certain colour.

So, at the risk of over-dosing the cheese factor by a million, I am dedicating each of these lacquers to a nail blogger (or bloggers) who I believe is represented by the colour.

It's my way of spreading Christmas cheer and I'd love you guys to do the same.  The next time you swatch a colour, think of another nail blogger and dedicate that colour to them.  Post the link in the comments below so that we can all have a lovely virtual group hug before Christmas.  :-)

So, without further delay, I am dedicating Mecca Cosmetica's Rosaline to..... Gilded Angel.  This is a stunning pink that is super glossy, opaque in two coats and lasts on the nail for days.  I think of my lovely Gilded Angel when I wear this because it's super sweet and super cute - just like her!

Essie - Mint Candy Apple

At first I wondered how Mint Candy Apple could be considered a winter hue.

I mean, really, aren't winter greens supposed to be deep, dark, emerald affairs?

I'However, this absolutely works as a winter colour. I think it's because of the crispness of the green.  There's an ice chill to this that makes it perfect for winter.

As for application, you'd think this would be problematic.  It practically screams Streak City.  To my surprise, this applied beautifully.  The swatch here is two coats. Two coats! 

I've really been impressed with the Essie's that I've tried.  As I think I have mentioned earlier, I used to be all about OPI.  I'm so glad I've widened my nail net to include brands like Essie.  Great quality.  Lovely colours.  And cheap to boot!

So, tell me, what Essie colours do you love?  Which do you think I should try?  Leave your suggestions in the comments and I'll note them down for my next order.

Essie - Lollipop

I think Essie's Lollipop could be the most perfect red in the universe.

It applies like a dream.  Almost like it intuitively knows where it needs to go.  I can be somewhat lazy with my finishes but, with this lacquer, that doesn't matter.  I can be lazy because the lacquer is so so so easy to work with.

This was opaque in two coats, which I was somewhat surprised with.  I guess I expected it to be like Rock Candy.  That is, almost jelly like, and requiring 3-4 coats.

This dries to a high gloss finish.  The swatch on the right is without top coat.  Just two coats all on its own and it's good to go.

As for the colour itself, this is an exquisite red with slight blue-ish undertones.  I imagine it being worn by the likes of Rita Hayworth back in the day.  It's utter Hollywood glamour and va-va-va-voom.

So what do you guys think?  Do you like this red?

Essie - Rock Candy

This is my very first Essie.  Can you believe that?  I must have been living in a cave all these years.  Or Australia.

Rock Candy is from Essie's Winter 2009 Sweet Time of The Year Collection.

I know alot of you don't like the sheerness of this lacquer.  The swatch on the right is 3 coats and it's not even close to being opaque.  It is also a little streaky when first applied, which is common to sheer pinks, but nonetheless still annoying.

However, despite it being a sheer and pain in the butt to get even, I think this lacquer will become a staple in my collection.  For no other reason than it is perfect for work where I want my nails to have some colour, but don't want to make a massive colour statement.

I imagine I will also use this as a top coat to a french manicure.  The pink will tone down the harshness of the white tips and give the whole manicure a more understated look.

Plus, it looks like strawberry milk.  What's not to love about a lacquer that reminds you about being a kid!

Sunday Sneak Peak

One of the things I love most about Christmas are Christmas Parties. I love catching up with friends and colleagues in December. It's just such a nice way to end the year.

This week, I'm bringing you two collections that I believe totally scream Christmas Parties!  The Essie Winter 2009 Collection and Mecca's Paint to Your Heart's Content Collection .

In case you're wondering, the artwork in the background is from my older son who decided that he wants in on this nail blog business.  :-)  This is a kid who never wants to do artwork because he likes to dance instead - so I'm proud to display one of the few art pieces he's actually done.

In other news, thanks to everyone who voted in my reader poll about whether I should expand YGN to include beauty reviews.  The vote was split down the middle.  Hence, I'm going to stick to what I know, which is nails.  If, in the future, more of you want the beauty stuff, I'll figure out some way of accomodating that.

Finally, you'll notice a big improvement in the quality of photos on the site going forward.  I have started using the light umbrellas I bought and - wow - what a difference.  Although I'm using artificial, rather than natural, light, I am getting a much truer representation of the lacquers.  So what you see in the photos is how they look in real life.

Well, that was a long and rambling post.  Have a great week everyone!