BYS - Matte Black

Oooooh another beautiful matte from BYS.

Black Matte is interesting in that it dries to a vinyl finish.  To me, it looks just like a leather jacket.  My only quibble with the formula is that it doesn't dry flat on the nail.  As you can see in the close-up above, there are ridges in the finish.  It's not a deal breaker for me but, for those of you that like a perfect finish, this might drive you a little nuts.

Of course, as with any matte, I just had to gloss this up.  Check out the results after the jump!

Sinful Colors - Secret Admirer + TBN Glitter Mashup

A very quick one today because I have the Melbourne Beauty Blogger Event to get ready for, and go to!  So there will be more pictures than words in this post.

Sinful Colors' Secret Admirer is a gorgeous black with silver shimmer.  Two coats and I was done.  It dried a little rough so, if you want a shiny finish, grab the Seche Vite.

But it doesn't end there.  I added a coat of TBN's Glitter, just to see what would happen.  Peep it after the jump.

BYS - Wonderland Collection

Ms Nixxy if you're nasty alerted me to the BYS Wonderland Collection. 

At the first opportunity (ie 6.30am in the morning), I raced to the local 24 hour K-Mart, secured the lacquers, did a happy dance, drew the attention of security, answered a few questions, submitted to a drug test, and then went home.

Ok, I may have made up the bit about the drug test but the rest is a true story.

This is a superb collection.  All killer.  No filler.  And I picked up two sets which means that, if you love this, you could win the collection in next month's giveaway.  Glitter bombs for everyone!

Jump it ladies.....

Illamasqua - (the mighty) Boosh

On my recent trip to Sydney, Mikele at Illamasqua (he's on the far left in the link, isn't he GORGEOUS) gave me a beautiful little gift bag to take away.

Included in this goodie bag was Boosh which, I'm hopeful, has been named after one of my favourite tv shows, The Mighty Boosh.  A girl can live in hope, right?

This is a beautiful, glossy black. Typical of Illamasqua lacquers, it glides on like a dream and, unlike many blacks, which I find tend to mattify, it dries to a high shine.

I hate to think what's going to happen when Illamasqua open their Melbourne counters.  I think it's a safe bet though that I will create a scene whenever I visit.





The lacquer featured in this review was provided by Illamasqua. For more information on YGN's Disclosure Policy, please click here.

Swatch Watch - Coral Colours **Voting Now Open**

I know my Australian readers are thinking something along the lines of 'WTF?' 'Coral Colours!' My nanna wears Coral Colours'. 'She's finally lost it.  Jacie, that is, not my nanna'.

And you'd be right.  Coral Colours has an unfortunate reputation for being nanna-ish in its colour selection.

However, they have recently started rebranding themselves and the results are on-trend, high quality lacquers that are to die.  The bottles still need work (seriously, a gold handle) but I'm seriously impressed with this brand's re-invention.

So much so that they are this month's Swatch Watch lacquer.

The rules of this competition are the same as always.

1. Pick your favourite Coral Colours lacquer after the jump.

2. Scroll down to the entry form.

2. Select your favourite Coral Colours lacquer from the drop down box.

3. Fill in your name and email address.

4. Click 'Submit Entry'.

5. Do a happy dance because you've just got your entry in.  This is mandatory - YOU MUST DANCE.

6. This competition is open to everyone (so long as your postal service can accept nail polish) and will close on 5pm, Wednesday 30th June 2010, Australian Standard Time.

If you're the lucky winner, you will win the lacquer you voted for PLUS you can choose one other lacquer from the ones swatched.

And now, for the additional prize.  If you are selected as the winner AND you are also a follower of YGN (this is mandatory if you want to win the additional prize - I want to be able to offer followers an additional 'Mwah, I love you lots' prize), you will receive, in addition to the two lacquers of your choice, a bottle of Pewter Polish.

So quit reading, start peeping and vote after the jump! 

China Glaze - Fortune Teller - Take II

One of my favourite lacquers of all time is China Glaze's Fortune Teller.  So let's welcome an encore performance from this most lovely lacquer.

Some of you will recall that this was a lemming that kinda went wrong for me.  I was expecting this to be an orange Lubu Heels and, when it wasn't, I was five different types of angry.

I couldn't stay angry for long though.  It's the mixture of glitter sizes.  It's the creamy formula.  It's the fact that it looks so freaking amazing.

Sure cleanup is a pain in the a**, especially if you get a glitter piece in an odd place (check out my ring finger to see why cleanup is a pain - I can't shift the glitter without removing it entirely and ruining my finish).  And you need a good thick coat of Seche Vite to even out the finish.

But this is an absolute keeper and I'm glad to have it in my collection.

Color Club - Revvvolution - Take II

It wasn't so long ago that I did a swatch of Color Club's Revvvolution.  In that post I mentioned that I was disappointed not to have captured the true beauty of the holo.

So I redid the swatch in natural light on the weekend.  Spamapalooza time!

kit - Power Up - Take II

Continuing on my series of, 'wow that was an embarassing swatch', here is a resurrected Power Up by kit.

Diffused Light

Excuse the boo-boo on my index finger.  I seem to have issues with index finger application at the moment.  It's a rebel finger and, were it not for the fact that it is attached to my hand, I'd be giving it its marching orders.

Man, kit lacquers are good.  This is one coat and it's freaking awesomesauce of a thousand flavours.

I also managed to get a few shots of this in the sunlight (note the redone index finger - I warned it that a grounding was on offer if it did not behave).  This is strictly a black with silver shimmer so it doesn't reflect a huge amount of colours, but it's still delightful.

Jumpity jump!

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.

Eyeko - Petite, Coral, Tea Rose, Posh and Vampira Polish

I was lucky enough to trial even more of Eyeko's new nail lacquers, courtesy of Eyeko's superfly Larissa.

Larissa sent a fantastic range of colours, including the much talked about Posh and Vampira lacquers which are reputed to be, respectively, Chanel Particuliere and RBL Black Russian / China Glaze Lubu Heels / Milani Garnet Gems dupes.

Click on the jump to see the swatches (all photos taken in diffused light), including a comparison of Vampira, Black Russian, Lubu Heels and Garnet Gems.  This review is super picture heavy so please be patient as the pictures load!

Color Club - Revvvolution

 Diffused Light

Let me just say, from the get go, that I have not done justice to Color Club's Revvvolution.  Man, this was a hard holo to catch.

Simply put, this is the quintessential black holo.  And the formula is perfect.  One coat to opaque, glitters brilliantly in the sun.  Amazing.  Thanks to everyone who recommended this one to me!

 Flash

I did make a lame attempt to catch the holo with flash, but I don't think it quite worked (you can see the holo in my index finger if you squint really well and maybe stand on your head).  I am hamstrung with holos because I don't take my photos in natural light.  I will attempt to swatch this again and get some sun shots so you can all bask in the holo glory.

So, yeah, it's safe to say that Color Club is my new favourite lacquer brand at the moment.  I love the formula, the colours, the brush.  Color me convinced (pun totally intended).

And, for the Australian girls, I got this from an Australian eBayer - Beauty Post.  She has a great range of cheap OPI and Color Clubs, her postage is reasonable and quick.  Given the issues with Transdesign, it's great to find a cheap Australian seller.

Milani - Garnet Gems

I NEED YOUR HELP!!!
A quick question for my American readers. The lovely Kris, from My Lucid Bubble, is offering to buy me some lacquers from the US in exchange for some O zotic beauties. I'm thinking some Color Club, Misa, Funky Fingers and Finger Paints because they are super hard to find in Australia. What are your favourites or colours / collections from these brands (I have Color Club's Fashion Addict and Revvolution now thanks to your suggestions) and what do you think I should get / what would you like to see? I'm open to all suggestions!

Diffused Light

I've had this lacquer for MONTHS but I've only ever used it in comparison posts (ie comparing it to other black jellies with red glitter).

It's time for Milani's Garnet Gems to take centre stage all on its own!

This is a lovely lacquer.  Two coats to opaque.  Dries to a rough finish so you will want a coat of Seche Vite to not only smooth out the finish, but to also make the glitter appear more vibrant (please ignore the rippling on my index finger - Seche decided to pucker as it sometimes does).

How does it compare to other black jellies with red glitter?  I'm going to save the comparison until Wednesday when I do a review of the newcomer, Eyeko's Vampira Polish and then compare all four at once.

Hands up who loves these types of lacquers as much as I do?  I find these take a basic black and give it a little understated sexy.

BYS - Cracked Nail Polish in Pink & Black

BYS have gone totally off the chain with their Cracked Nail Polish line.

For a little Aussie brand to create a product this good and this innovative is.... legacy building.  If BYS are planning to launch themselves overseas in a big way - and if their products are popping up in the UK, then I'd say that is evidence of an international strategy - this is the product that will establish their credentials.

It is brilliant.

I've set out this review as a stage by stage tutorial (which does mean you see my nails pre-cleanup so be prepared for some messy), complete with plenty of photos of the end result.  Given the number and size of the photos, the review is after the jump off.

Just to save you a few seconds, set your faces to stunned delight and read on......

Great Aussie Swatch Watch - TBN

Welcome to the April Great Aussie Swatch Watch!

This month's lacquer is Totally Beautiful Nails.  This lacquer doesn't get as much as love in Australia as Ulta3 or BYS, but it's a lacquer brand I absolutely rate.  The lacquers are great quality, they're cheap ($2.50) and the brush is, as I've mentioned before, just as good as an OPI Pro-Wide.

The rules of this competition are the same as always.

1. Pick your favourite TBN lacquer.

2. Scroll down to the entry form.

2. Select your favourite TBN Lacquer from the drop down box.

3. Fill in your name and email address.

4. Click 'Submit Entry'.

5. Do a happy dance because you've just got your entry in.

6. This competition is open to everyone (so long as your postal service can accept nail polish) and will close on 4pm, 17th April 2010, Australian Standard Time.

If you're the lucky winner, you will win the lacquer you voted for PLUS you can choose one other lacquer from the ones swatched. 

And now, for the additional prize.  If you are selected as the winner AND you are also a follower of YGN (this is mandatory if you want to win the additional prize - I want to be able to offer followers an additional 'Mwah, I love you lots' prize), you will receive, in addition to the two lacquers of your choice, a bottle of Ulta3's Spring Shower.

So, what are you waiting for? Get voting!

Rescue Beauty Lounge - Black Russian - Take II

Diffused Light

 With Flash

Continuing my series of 'Wow, that was one ghetto manicure, let's try that again', here is my Take II of Rescue Beauty Lounge's Black Russian.  If you want to see my previous swatch, just google 'nail travesty' and I'm sure it will come up.

These photos really show how it can be super subtle (in diffused light), super sparkly (with flash) and ALWAYS HOT.

I think this might be my favourite lacquer of all time.  Big call, I know, and I'm sober so it's not like the drink talking. Yeah, it's my favourite.  Oh, wait......

BYS - Black Satin

 Bah, excuse the terrible application on my index finger.  I did this in a hurry late at night, which is kind of like driving when you're tired - it's possible but probably not recommended.

Black Satin is yet another winner from the fabulous BYS (aka The Little Aussie Brand That Could, And Did).

This is a lovely creme.  It is opaque in one coat - although I did two here to try and compensate for the crappy application, failing miserably - and dries to a high shine.

I've heard that some of you in the UK are now seeing BYS.  I'm so glad to hear this news because, really, this brand is way too good to limit to us Aussies alone.

Do you have a favourite black?  I'm only just starting to get into them and would love to hear about your favourites.  Any recommendations?






This product was provided for review by Rocking Director Dave of Fashion Addict.  For more details on YGN's disclosure policy, click here.

Bloom Seoul + BYS Black Satin - Ke$ha Inspired Manicure

I have a lovely friend who is living in England and has a formal occasion to attend in a couple of months.  Apparently, royalty (the English type, not the good Prince type) will be there so she is going all out buying a new frock, shoes, bag and accessories.

When it came to the manicure, she decided to seek my advice.  I told her to find a picture of a manicure she liked and I'd see if I had equivalent colours to send her.  And this is what she came up with.

Yep, she wants a manicure like Ke$ha.  Putting aside the obvious question of why her muse is someone who looks like they spend much of their free time in a ditch, I quite like this manicure.

So I gave it a try.  Check out the results after the jump!

Bloom - Mena

Behold, Bloom's Mena!  I feel like trumpets should be heralding the arrival of this truly spectacular lacquer.

I absoutely have not done justice to Mena in this photo.  This comes through in the photo as a black with silver glitter.  In reality, there are a billion different colours of glitter in this lacquer, from red to green to blue.

Definitely click to see the larger version (on the larger version, the glitter is clearer).

Formua wise, I think this is the best Bloom I've come across.  This is a true, one coat and it's opaque lacquer.  No kidding, the swatch on the right is one, glorious coat.

It's smooth, silky and bringing sexy back, one piece of micro-glitter at a time.  This is a clear star for Bloom.  If they ever choose to discontinue it, I will wage a one woman protest (I might be able to trick Nixxy into coming with me if I promise her hot men) outside Bloom HQ.

What do you guys think?  Do you like Bloom's Mena?

China Glaze - Fortune Teller

I have been dying to try out China Glaze's Fortune Teller forever. So I was thrilled when this came for free from Beverly Beaute.

I was expecting that this would be like Lubu Heels, but in orange.

I was completely wrong and, initially, I was disappointed.  I guess I was expecting the silky smoothness of Lubu and, when this came out kinda chunky, my heart sank a little (yes, I have PHYSICAL reactions when lacquers become good girls gone bad).

But, once I was able to get over the fact that this wasn't an orange Lubu, I grew to love it.  The glitter in this is both small and large.  The small glitter reflects the light beautifully, whilst the larger chunks look like flakies.  And, whilst I get a rough finish because of the extra chunky, it's nothing a thick coat of Seche Vite can't fix.

Have you tried Fortune Teller?  Did you like it from the get go or was it a slow burn for you too?

Rescue Beauty Lounge - Black Russian

Yeah, so I saved my favourite lacquer for last.  Of course.  It's like saving the icing of the cake until the end and then basking in its sugar-rush glow.

Black Russian (or Zee Black Russian as it's called in this house), is one of the most spectacular lacquers I've ever seen.

It's a black lacquer with tiny red particles through it.  Definitely click on the larger image to see this in all its glory.

The key with Zee Black Russian is its subtlety.  The black cream is perfect on its own and is stunning.  The red just adds a hint of mystery and interest.

Ji Baeck calls this 'goth, all grown-up and very sophisticated' and I couldn't agree more.  I feel like I'm super-chic and cool wearing this.

If you don't want to wait until the next RBL 50% off sale, or don't want to spend the money (and this is an expensive lacquer), then there are cheap dupes that are readily available.

On the left I have Black Russian, China Glaze's Lubu Heels and Milani's Garnet Gems.  Lubu Heels and Garnet Gems are both available for under $5.

If you have a look at the swatches on the left, Black Russian is very subtle.  Garnet Gems is totally in your face (it's the hotness).  Lubu Heels seems to sit comfortably between the two.

For me, Black Russian is my preferred lacquer.  I love the subtlety and elegance of the understated red.  And the formula is out of this world.  Much smoother than the other two and far glosser when it dries.

So, what do you think.  Do you love Zee Black Russian as much as I do?  It makes me want to watch Dr Zhivago all over again.