kit - Island Hopping - Take II

I hate for you guys to think I'm neglecting you but I'm a little frantic at the moment. It's Chuffy's birthday party today and there's party bags to pack, cake to be picked up from the bakery, and outfits to be selected (mostly mine, one has to look fine at one's son's birthday).  All to be done in the next 1.5 hours.

So it's another quick and dirty post from me. I promise you will get more smack talk next week once things calm down around here. Never fear, I have an endless supply of stupid sitting in my brain, so you're not missing anything.

Enjoy the beauty of Island Hopping, which is a kit online exclusive.  I don't think this is available anymore so I'm glad I snapped it up when I did!

China Glaze - QT

Once again, I am utterly pressed for time so this is just picture-palooza.  China Glaze QT.  Hold your kids and cry at its beauty.

Manicare - Glam Nails

We all know that, when it comes to nail art, mine is probably more accurately described as fail art.  I'm just no good at it, which is probably why I spare you my konadicures.

But I had really high hopes for Manicare's Glam Nails.  Really, how could I fail?  I help my kids apply stickers all the time so how hard could this be....

You know where this is heading.... I had tossed up whether to show you guys this review but the lovely Anita convinced me on Sunday that it's important for the good to always be balanced with the... er... not so good.  So peep away.....

Le Beauty - Another Nameless Beauty + Happy Birthday Chuffy!

Today is a special day because it's my beautiful Chuffy's 5th Birthday!  This colour was picked by him for both he (he loves wearing polish) and I to wear on his birthday.  My boy has great taste, don't you think?

I know what you're all thinking.  Is this a Scrangie dupe?  I haven't done a side by side, and will do so in the next few weeks, but I feel confident in saying that, whilst they are similar, this is no miraculous dupe.

What it is, is a beautiful creamy lacquer that is an absolute joy to apply and wear.  Stunning.  I'm so glad I've got this in my collection.

Check out some lovely photos of the birthday boy after the jump...... Peep the cuteness....

Jessica - Perchance to Dream

I really like Jessica polishes but, unfortunately, I do not heart Perchance to Dream as much as the others.

It's another one of those lacquers that looks AMAZING in the bottle, but it just does not translate to the nail.

In the bottle, it is a soft, frosty pink.  On the nail, the pink all but disappears and you're left with a white frost that is... well..... underwhelming.

The formula is, as always with Jessica, sublime, quick to opaque and dries to a lovely shine.  But, yeah, the colour does not perform as it might.

Edited to add: I just realised how horribly maudlin this post is.  So, to keep things happy, my mum arrived from Europe yesterday and I have........ Chanel.

China Glaze - LOL

Sorry guys, but I have to love you and leave you today.

Yesterday was the special blogger event in Sydney.  I didn't get home until around 10pm and then had to be up again at 5am to pick up the parentals from the airport.  Crazy times.

So yes, for this time only, it's just pictures and not much of my chatter (I'm sure some of you are breathing a sigh of relief).   But really, is there anything more to say than it's China Glaze, it's holo, it's magnificent.

Naily News #39

If you haven't done so already, check out YGF's Inaugural Competition.

Kaz rocks the Chanel holo as only she can.

If that isn't enough holo for you, Nixxy is bringing up the rear.

Andrea has a WONDERFUL surprise.

Spam is annoying right? Well, unless Miss Ginger is involved and then it's a must see.

China Glaze Awakening?  Get in my belly.  Or at least in my flat box.

Rebecca has a lovely orange-coral creme to tempt you.

AYD has a STUNNING lemon Givenchy.

Some lacquers never go out of fashion.  OPI DS Royal is one of those lacquers.

If you have a great nail post to share, paste a link in the comments.

No rambling tales today for you guys as I'm off to Sydney to schmooze at a blogger event, harass Illamasqua and smooch on Kaz and Em.  But oh, what a tale I will have for you all next week!

butter LONDON - British Racing Green

One of my most favourite lacquers of all time is butter LONDON's British Racing Green.  I have swatched this previously (do a search through the archives for that hot mess) but felt it was due another go on the Jacie Swatching Merry-Go-Round.

Applying this again reminded how amazing the butter LONDON formula is.  It is so unbelievably creamy and easy to work with.  And it's opaque in two coats.

And yay for an unapologetic green.  With glorious shimmer throughout.  I don't know how you could not want to marry this in Vegas.

Barry M - Shocking Pink

Yes, yes, yes, I know. You're all hella bored of my love of pink. But, really, how could I NOT post this little beauty.

This is why Barry M cremes are so freaking fantastic. They are beautifully creamy, apply like a dream and wear like a dream.  They really do, for me anyway, set the standard for creme lacquers.

There's another reason why I love this so much and it has to do with lost love....

Back in the day (I'm talking mid 1990s) I had a hot pink Sally Hansen that I wore pretty much constantly.  I can't remember the name of the lacquer but I must have bought 5 bottles of the stuff.  That's how much I loved it.  After a couple of years, I ran out of the colour and found, to my utter dismay, that the lacquer had been discontinued.  It broke my heart.

This lacquer is pretty much that beloved colour.  As in IDENTICAL.  Three cheers for Barry M for reuniting me and that magical pink!

Models Inc - Midnite Blue + Phallic Dupe

Seriously, I don't get the spelling of this? Why spell midnight that way?  It's not like the lacquer is gangsta. Ah, it's the small things that bother me.

This is probably the best Models Inc I've tried so far. Beautifully creamy, opaque in two coats, and dark like night.  The shimmer is super fine and peaks through in the light.

As soon as I started applying this, I immediately thought of Illamasqua's Phallic.  So I did a comparison of the two.  Phallic is on the top nail whilst Midnite Blue is on the bottom.

These are super close and, I suspect, you probably couldn't tell them apart from afar.  The Illamasqua formula is superior and the finish is a little more complex and vibrant than the Midnite Blue but, really, if you're after a cheap dupe, this is a good one.

Etude House - Red, Silver and Gold Beauties + Ruby Pumps Dupe!

I've had these Etude House lacquers since the start of the year but just never got around to swatching them.  They've actually been sitting on my bureau because, quite simply, they are the most beautiful lacquer bottles I've ever seen.  There's almost a Marie Antoinette grandeur and elegance about them that I adore.

So I pulled my finger out  (uh yeah, the elegance portion of this post has now ended) and finally got around to swatching them.  Peep them after the jump.

China Glaze - 2Nite

For those of you getting bored with my holo obsession, look away now.

Nothing much I can say about this one.  It's exquisite in every way shape or form.  Two coats. Glides on like butter on hot toast.

Getting back to my holo obsession, did you know that, when I started this blog, I did not have a single holo.  Not one.  I just didn't think they were for me.

Now? I can't get enough of them.  And I really think the OMG Collection from China Glaze might be one of THE greatest collections ever.

So to all nail addicts out there...  Has there been a type of lacquer you never rated before that you now can't live without?  Let me know in the comments.

TBN - Raspberries and Cream

Every so often you get a lacquer that looks precisely like it's namesake.

And so it is with TBN's Raspberries and Cream.  Well, minus the cream part.

I don't think I need to sell the merits of this one.  Blue red (albeit marginally more orange than a regular blue red), two coats, high shine, makes me look ten times better looking than I actually am.  I may or may not have made that last bit up.

TBN is fast becoming one of my favourite Australian brands.  Their cremes are like Barry M cremes, totally dependable in terms of formula.  And their colours, whilst not being entirely cutting edge, are colours everyone should have in their basic nail arsenal.

And they cost less than a cup of coffee.

Naily News #38

Kaz has been engaging in some crazy duping lately.  Check out this China Glaze Greens comparison.

Kimberly totally rocks out in Nailene.

Miss Nixxy has some Funky Fingers.  Oh yeah, and she's reviewed a lacquer of the same name.  Don't you love serendipity?

Bad Romance?  I want to have your children.

Bria has a fantastic franken.

Andrea swatches Eyeko's new lacquers, and they look amazing!

Watching Jackie's manicures is bad for my wallet.  I want everything she swatches, especially Hot Metal.

If you have a nail polish post you'd like to share, paste a link in the comments.

And read on if you want to find out about our new car!

Elianto - Racing Green

I reviewed Elianto's Sparkling Diva Collection a little while back, and thought Racing Green was due another run.

Of all the lacquers in the collection, Racing Green is the standout.  It's an amazing green with flecks of teal and gold throughout.  It's utterly spectacular.

But to call this Racing Green.  I don't see it.  So I now call this Dragon Scales because that's the image I get in my head when I wear this.

Barry M - Yellow Green

What happens when you mix yellow with green.  You get Barry M's Yellow Green.

I'm not entirely convinced of this.  It's not a yellow, that's for sure.  And it's not a green, that's for sure. It looks like cat sick in certain lights, that's definitely for sure.

Formula wise, I expected this to be a total mofo but it was good in three coats.  And the finish is, as usual for Barry M cremes, sublime.

But yeah, that colour, it's not grabbing me.  How about you guys?  What do you think?

Models Inc - Ocean

My first foray into Models Inc was not so successful.  So I was kinda wary when applying Ocean.  Would it be another nail wreck?

Man, this is awesomesauce.  Ok, it streaks and there's no getting around the streakiness.  But that colour is totally banging.  It's utterly unique - for me, anyway - and is unlike anything else I have.  Three coats, nice finish (aside from the streaks), brilliant colour.

So what do you guys think?  Are Models Inc redeemed or do you need to see some more?

Le Beauty - You Pick The Name!

Le Beauty is an Australian company that started life as a supplier. In addition to having a huge range of products, they also have their own polish label.

This is a stunning blue red that applies like a dream.  It dries to a high shine and is opaque in two coats.

The secret of this lacquer's amazing formula?  It's not three free.  In fact, I suspect it has three of everything.  Which doesn't bother me (I never wear lacquers more than a day and I can live with a little risk) but people like Miss Nixxy if you're Nasty need to stay away from this.

Another secret is its name.  This had no labeling on the bottle.  Hit with me your chosen name for this most luscious of lacquers.

China Glaze - DV8

After yesterday's epic fail, I figured we all needed some cheering up with something beautiful.  And here it is.

DV8 is from China Glaze's OMG Collection.  All of these lacquers are beautiful, stunning, [insert superlative here].  Thanks to Kris for procuring these for me!

This is a gorgeous holo. It glides on like a dream (you could get away with one coat if you're skilled. I'm not so this is two) and the holo is both delicate and beautiful.  Don't be surprised if I start cuddling this at night.