Mavala - Adelaide

Just a quick word on the site transition.  The new You've Got Nail is very nearly ready!  Just a word on comments, I'm still accepting and approving comments on this site, but I won't be responding to them until I've moved everything across.  So if there is a delay, it's not that I don't love you - because I love you guys like I love a cold Pepsi!)

Stop! Caca (Swatch) Time!

Oh Mavala, I thought our first date was a ripper.  We clicked.  We chatted over wine.  We promised to keep in touch.

This was not what I had in mind by keeping in touch.

Let's go through the good things first. *Silence*

Ok, now, onto the bad.  The formula is ok (two coats) but it streaks badly.  And the colour?  It's just not me at all.

Well, it was me in 1988 but so was Rick Astley and Bros and I'm pretty sure I don't want to revisit that hot mess all over again.  Even my kids laughed at the photos of me at my 14th birthday party (I was wearing Dexie's Midnight Runner style overalls, with a striped sailor top underneath).

Mavala - Black Velvet

Here in Australia, we don't get much love from Mavala.  Well, we get love but it's of the pink and red variety only.  We get none of the amazing collections or bright colours.  Just the neutrals.

And it's expensive.  Over $10, in my chemist anyway, for a teeny tiny bottle.  I'm not cheap, but I'm not handing over good cash for a size challenged neutral.

But this is a gift from my mother in law and it totally makes me wish Mavala would take a risk on the Aussie market and bring out more of these.

Black Velvet is by no means unique, but it is beautiful.  A deep navy shimmer with a flash of purple that you can see in the third photo.

The formula is wonderfully creamy and you only need two coats to get to opaque.

Seriously, Mavala, we Aussies need more of this goodness.

OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark Suede

After the disaster that was We'll Always Have Paris Suede, I was a little wary of trying Lincoln Park After Dark.  What if it, too, didn't work?  How can I trust my man with my fried ice-cream if his OPI bins are as dodgy as a week old curry sitting in the back of the fridge?

I needn't have worried.  This is SUBLIME.

I'm so glad this turned out better.  You don't know how hard it is to find good fried ice-cream in this city.  Jump it to see glossy goodness.

OPI - We'll Always Have Paris Suede

Ahhh, God bless caca swatches. They keep me grounded and stop me from getting cocky.

This week's caca swatch is proudly brought to you by the oil like substance that seems to have invaded my bottle of OPI's We'll Always Have Paris Suede.

I noticed as soon as I started swatching that the milk wasn't clean with this formula.  The oil seemed to have separated the lacquer.

That made it near impossible to apply evenly or cleanly because the lacquer literally sloshed around the nail.

It also resulted in the lacquer drying as a gloss, rather than a suede.  I tried to mattify if by applying Essie's Matte About You and the colour literally slid off the nail.  DISASTER.

Something was definitely wrong with this formula. Maybe I should stop buying OPIs from dusty bins but, like my addiction to buying fried ice-cream from unhygienic street hawkers, I'm not sure I can ever stop.

At least the colour is pretty!

OPI - You Don't Know Jacques Suede

I know I am way behind on the whole OPI Suede thing but I live in Australia.  I'm not sure of the correlation but just accept that argument on face value.  Let's move on!

 

You Don't Know Jacques Suede is stunning. The colour (pretty unique in my collection) and finish (grainy and industrial-esque) is just.... *homer drool*.

My only qualm, and this is not a new revelation, is the wear.  Within a day, it's chipping like a woodchuck.  I can't find any way of extending it so it's definitely a lacquer where you wear it for a day or two maximum and then start all over again.

For this colour, that drama is worth it. Perhaps.

Jessica - Shock Me Red

You guys know I'm a total sucker for reds.  Preferably blue reds but I'm like an alcoholic in that any red is better than no red.  Or something like that.

This is an orange based red but, man, this so works for me.  It's just... so..... sexy.  I feel full on Hollywood siren in this.  I can feel myself channelling Joan Crawford, Bette David and, my personal favourite, Rita Hayworth.

And the formula is a dream to work with.  I haven't come across a bad Jessica yet and I hope I never will.  This is two coats, creamy like butter and dries to a high shine.

LOVE does not begin to describe....

Chi Chi - Moondust

I first saw Chi Chi's Moondust on Pretty Random.  It has always been the standout of the Chi Chi lacquer stable so, when I finally saw some on sale in Target, I picked up a few couple.

For the first time ever on YGN, I'm tempted to swear. No really.  This is fan-f*cking-fabulous.  Awesome.  Brilliant.  Stunning.  I'm running out of superlatives.

Two coats and I was done.  It dries to a rough finish (as you can see in the second swatch) but glistens in the light like a lighthouse.

I have a small assignment for you guys.  Kaz thinks the formula may have changed from the original one she swatched earlier this year.  I'm inclined to agree.  Mine looks a touch more purple than the deep blue of Kaz's version.  Have a look at both swatches and let me know what you think in the comments.

Jessica - Bear Hug + Farewell to MeganChair

Yesterday, I was truly saddened when MeganChair announced she was closing down her blog (now deleted).  It would be easy to say that Megan was just another nail blogger, but she wasn't and isn't. Her tutorial of manicure cleanup is a benchmark and her ability to pick dupes out of nowhere is astounding.
  
She will be sorely missed in the blogging community.  I'm dedicating today's manicure to Megan because she's awesomesauce.

Edited to add: Emmajoy sums it up in the comments: 'She made shorties rock'.  She SO DID.

Another edit: Thanks to Piz in the comments for providing more info about this lacquer. 'This polish is from a collection put together for the BBC and £2.00 from every purchase went to the charity Children In Need. It isn't a new colour, its actually Midnight Moonlight from the Dark Side of the Moon Collection; there are 3 other colours available, which are: Bazaar, Pharaoh and Notorious - all in the cute teddy bottles. I think they are still available although some could be out of stock now. They are on the UK website www.justnails.co.uk.'

Yet another edit: Thanks to Jess, they are also available at www.beautyencounter.com 

I've tried to find out about this lacquer on Google with little success.  From what I can gather, it might be a limited edition lacquer for the BBC Children in Need Charity.  If anyone can help me out with the origin of this one, or where you can buy it, let me know in the comments.

Wherever it has come from, this is an amazing lacquer.  A stunning navy blue with light blue shimmer throughout.  The formula is marginally gluggy but not a deal breaker, and it was opaque in two coats.

I feel like disco dancing when I wear this. Yes indeed, I want to channel my inner Travolta.

Kazemlu - Pretty in (Random) Pink Collection - Part I

Today I have something really super duper special for you guys.  Today I'm premiering a collection that has not been seen in its entirety ever.  Yep, a You've Got Nail World Exclusive.

Ok, not quite.  When I visited Sydney a few weeks ago, I met up with the foxy Kaz and the equally delicious Em. We laughed, I got into a fight with a gay guy over a table at the Lindt Cafe (resulting in him spending a full hour giving me the side eye), and we pashed.  I may have made that last bit up, but I totally got the side eye.

And they gifted me.  They gifted me good.  A case FULL, and I mean FULL of beautiful lacquers.  I wanted to cry at their generosity but that would have meant messing up my Illamasqua makeover.  Suffice to say, I was genuinely touched.

I have named this the Kazemlu (see how I totally Brangelina'd their names) Pretty in (Random) Pink Collection.  For a few reasons.  Firstly, all the lacquers are from random brands. Secondly they're all pink (capitalising on my obsession with pinks).  And finally, Kaz' site is called Pretty Random.  Nifty, huh?

Thank you to my beautiful friends for these lacquers.  I love you more than I love the Sydney train system.

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.

Jessica - Soak up the Sun

As you guys may have guessed, I'm bunny boiling pinks at the moment.  I can't get enough of them.

This is one of the most perfect pinks I've ever seen.  It glides on like a dream and just looks gorgeous on.  Given it's the middle of a very cold winter here in Australia (well, as cold as Australia gets), this is the perfect pick me up.

Given I'm lemming pinks like crazy at the moment, tell me your favourite pinks and/or pinks you would like to see me try in the comments.

Nfu.Oh - #56

Is there anything more I can say about Nfu.Oh that hasn't been said already? No, ok then. Just sit back and enjoy the goodness.

I layered Nfu.Oh #56 over Essie's Turquoise and Caicos and I think it looks phenomenal.

This little beauty has green and blue through it.  Although the manicure only shows up the green, you can see the blue on the bottle very clear.

I'm just about through my current Nfu.Oh bottles.  If any of you have suggestions about what I should get next time, let me know in the comments.

Zoya - Adina

 I'm playing around with watermarks due to people taking my photos.  I don't mind people using my photos but please give me credit if you do!

One lacquer that I've been wearing alot of recently is Zoya's Adina, which came out earlier this year as part of the Reverie Spring 2010 Collection.

When this came out, there was alot of chat about it being a Scrangie dupe, which was exciting news because Scrangie, at that time, was pretty much sold out.

It most definitely isn't a dupe of the exquisite Scrangie but it is a really beautiful lacquer that stands proudly all on its own.  It literally has a hundred different looks.  In the sun, the green flashes are brilliant.  In muted lights, the purple base is stronger.  It's a chameleon.

If you haven't checked it out already, I have launched  YGF's Inaugural Giveaway.  Click here to find out how you can win Illamasqua's Writhe Bronzer, from the Body Electrics collection.

Jessica - Enchante

So, today is my wedding anniversary. 9 beautiful years with the love of my life.  It's also the wedding anniversary of my late grandparents.  It was one of the nicest moments of my life to share our 'first dance' with them as, on that day, they themselves had been married 55 years.

So forgive me for being pathetically romantic today with my manicure.

I've come to the conclusion that Jessica lacquers just do not get enough love.

For a start, every formula I have tried has been superb.  This was two easy coats and it was opaque.

Secondly, the bottles are huge.  As in 14 mls huge.  I like big bottles of lacquer.  I always feel like I'm getting value for money.

And the colours are outstanding.  Truly outstanding.  This is a beautiful fuchsia that is just dazzling on the nail.

What do you guys think?  And, whilst I'm in the mood for romance, tell me your memorable wedding, engagement, first date stories.  Hit me with the sap.

Nfu.Oh - #51

I don't want to sound like some teenager but, OMGWTFBBQ.

Here's the deal with Nfu.Oh.  You can't go wrong.  Ever.  These lacquers are sublime, innovative and just...... scrumptious.

I cheated in this swatch and layered it over Illamasqua's Velocity.  It works a treat, albeit my photo is not the best.  If you look closely at the left side of the bottle, you will see green peaking through.  This does actually show on the nail but I couldn't get a good photo of it.

Once again, big thanks to the most beautiful Ange-Marie for procuring these for me.  Love ya, dollface!

Jessica - Eyes Wide Open + CG200 Layering Experiment

**For those of you waiting to hear about the winner of the May Giveaway, be patient just a day more!  It's taken me forever to go through all followers, validate all tweets and blog links etc.  I'm nearly there!!**

Jessica's Eyes Wide Open is from the Daydream Collection, released earlier this year.

I was so prepared to be meh about this lacquer, but this is like a shot of coffee direct to the heart.

As you can see, this is more a tangerine than a straight orange, which makes it infinitely wearable.  Normally, I find oranges are just a smidge too warm for my skin tone, but this baby is just right.

The formula on this is divine.  So smooth and creamy.  It needed two coats to get to opaque and dried to the high shine you see.

But wait!  There's more!  Remember the City Girl 2000 lacquer I trialled earlier in the week?  After the jump, I've layered it over Eyes Wide Open.  It's like a different lacquer.

Nfu.Oh - #52

Straight out the gate, I do not like this swatch and will be redoing it in a couple of weeks.

Diffused Light

This is Nfu.Oh #52 over TBN's Midnight Blue.

Now I understand all the fuss over the Nfu.Oh.  This does not glide on like butter.  It's like nectar.  So smooth.  So easy to apply.  Utter perfection.  I totally get it.

Big thanks to Ange from Scandalously Polished who ordered these for me during the recent Fabulous Street sale.  She did a fab job in sending them my way, even though I threatened to punch her in the b**b when she wouldn't tell me how much they ended up costing. Thanks Ange!

Asos Paint Pots - Mary Kate Take II

 Diffused Light

I completely forgot about my ASOS Paint Pots.  It was only when I was re-organising the Helmers on the weekend that I literally squealed when I saw the all too familiar bow.

Mary Kate is a black creme with gold glitter / flakes throughout.  This glides on easily and is opaque in two coats.  It dries to a smooth finish - which is unusual for this type of lacquer where the glitter chunks are mostly tiny but there are some larger ones - but I still applied a coat of Seche Vite to get that glassy / lit from within finish.

I'm definitely going to re-do my other Asos lacquers (lucky you guys, eh)?  And I'm tempted to get some more so if anyone has any recommendations, let me know in the comments.  I already have Mary Kate (obviously!), Agyness and Pixie.

butter LONDON - Perfect Prezzie Take II

I don't know if you guys are enjoying me revisiting old lacquers, but I really love digging through my stash, finding a lacquer that I did a monstrous swatch for and then trying to do it justice a second time around.

butter LONDON is a brand I adore but I did not like the look of their last Sheer Collection and, so, I haven't  indulged in any butter LONDON goodness at all this year.

But, oh, how I miss my butter LONDON, so here is Perfect Prezzie  (from the Christmas 2009 Collection) for you all.

Diffused Light

Whilst I really like this lacquer and love the way it looks on the nail, it is one of those lacquers that looks better in the bottle.  In the bottle, there's rivers of gold swimming through the plum.  On the nail, the gold all but disappears.

Irregardless, this is beautiful, sexy and sophisticated.  Please, butter LONDON, bring out more of these!