Barbara Daly - Envy + Nubar Dupe

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So this is the second of the Barbara Daly lacquers sent by my mother in law. Can we get a round of applause for Kath who really has amazing taste **WILD APPLAUSE**.

This is another one coater that is truly stunning.  An amazing red with flecks of gold throughout.

Of course, I saw another dupe when I applied this in Nubar's Contempo.  So I lined them up to see if my hunch was right.

Errr no.  I mean, there are similarities, but I couldn't call this a dupe worthy moment. I think I need to get my eyes checked!

Barbara Daly - Velvet + Nubar Dupe

Barbara Daly Lacquers.  It sounds like something a granny would wear. 

If the granny you're talking about is one of those rocking ones dancing on the tables of a Honky Tonk Bar at 3 in the morning, that is.

 Diffused Light

This came in a care package from my darling mother in law, who apparently not only produced a beautiful son for me to marry, but who also has exquisite taste in nail polish.

This is a beautiful deep red with swathes of gold through it.  And it is one coat.  Yes, the above swatch is a stonkingly good one coat.  I am so seriously impressed with this lacquer.  Not only is it a gorgeous colour but the one coater makes it a sub 5 minute manicure from start to finish.

As I was cropping the photo, I thought that the gloss version of Nubar's Avant Garde (from the Modern Matte Collection) might be a potential dupe for this.  I didn't have time to go back and re-do the swatch so I've lined up the two swatches side by side.

Not quite, but pretty close.  Avant Garde is more red, whilst Velvet has a stronger rust undertone. But I suspect that, from afar, you wouldn't really be able to tell the difference.

So, my English ladies, have you tried Barbara Daly lacquers and what did you think of them.  It was the one coat application that got me.  No streaks.  No dragging.  It just glided on perfectly. I'm interested in your thoughts!

Nubar - Modern Matte Collection - Part II

So here is Part II of the Nubar Modern Matte Collection. If you've missed Part I, just click here.

This time, there are no wrecks. Just beautiful matte deliciousness.

Just a quick word on the application for these. You need to work quickly. They dry super fast, which gives you pretty much one stroke to get the application right. Go over the same spot twice and you'll get drag marks and a lumpy finish (check out my index finger in the first photo and you'll see what I mean).  If you wait until the first coat dries, you can minimise the damage with a second coat but, as you'll see, it never quite goes away.

However, once you master the application, these are lovely.  Seriously, I don't think I've come across a better matte formula (although I admittedly haven't tried the Zoya mattes as yet, which are supposed to be glorious).

Enjoy the second part of this collection and be sure to let me know what you think in the comments (Scroll down and click 'Read More').

Nubar - Modern Matte Collection - Part I

The Nubar Modern Matte Collection was released in 2009.

I've had this collection for a while now and just haven't gotten around to swatching it.  When deciding on my Valentine's Day manicures, however, these four beauties immediately jumped out at me as being perfect.

The colours are spot on for Valentine's Day and the matte finish lends them a modern touch.

I've divided this post into two because, of course, I had to show you the colours in both matte and glossy finish.  What is it about mattes that, when you put a gloss coat over them, they become even more beautiful?

However, there is a wreck after the jump.  Well not so much a wreck as a mystery..... I won't say anymore.  Just wait and see. 

Check out the first lot of swatches after the jump (scroll down and click 'Read More') and let me know what you think!

Hey There, Wait A Minute Mr Postman - Beverly Beate

I recently purchased from UK e-tailer Beverly Beate.  This is a great little website, with an extensive range and fast shipping.  I received my order seven days after it was placed, which is super fast for Australia.

The first lot of lacquers is Nubar's Modern Matte Collection.  Whilst I love my Essie Matte About You topcoat, I was keen to trial a matte lacquer.  So I chose these and they are amazing. 

Also included in my order was a few freebies.  Yay for freebies!!  I received two Milani lacquers - Garnet Gems (which looks to be a dupe for China Glaze's Lubu Heels) and Totally Cool, and China Glaze's Fortune Teller.  I can't tell you how much I've been lemming Fortune Teller so to receive it as a freebie.  Awesome.

You can see why I'm having a hard time at the moment picking which colours to trial.  What colours do you like out of these?