China Glaze Holiday 2010 - Part I

I was recently fortunate enough to receive the entire China Glaze Holiday 2010 Collection. All 16 bottles of the stuff! You should have seen me opening up the package. It was a mess of bubble wrap, squeeing and lamingtons.  Ok, the lamingtons I was already eating, but still!

To save my poor hands from trying to divorce me on the grounds of cruel and unusual treatment, I will post these over three days, rather than doing them all at once.  And, instead of playing favourites, I'm going to post them in alphabetical order.  I can't have them getting jealous, yo.  Tis the season and all.

Orly - Foil FX comes to Australia

I know this collection will be old news for my Northern Hemisphere lovelies, but it's just been released here in Australia. So I figured I would give it another try for those Aussies considering buying it.

In short, a glorious collection with one clear and utterly unique standout.  This collection may be coming later to Australia but it's perfect timing as we lead up to Christmas parties.

 Jump to see more!

piCture pOlish - Metallic Mush

Metallic Mush is just what it sounds like.  An awesome mash up of metallic goodness, encased in a lacquer bottle and ready to rock its owner.

If you're looking at this and thinking Orly FX, then we're on the same wavelength.  I looked at this and automatically wondered if this was the love child of Shine and Rage.  Check out the comparison after the jump.

Marks & Spencers - Rainbow

My lovely mother in law, Kath, sent me some more lacquers.  I saw this, thought 'oh yeah, it's a grey, cool' and didn't think anymore about it.

Until I came to swatch it and I realised..... HOLO!  Being the holo ho that I am, I immediately got my lucite heels on and did a happy dance around the pole.

This is a very subtle holo.  It's definitely not a China Glaze blinging holo but, given how hard those holos are to come by these days, this is a great substitute.

From a formula perspective, this is a solid two coater.  Those more madly skilled could probably get away with one.

Just delightful. Kath is amazing.

China Glaze - FYI

Ok, I'll admit it.  I'm a holo hoe.  If someone were to buy me lucite heels and a stripper pole, the transformation would be complete.

FYI is not my favourite holo.  I think the base colour (a silvery beige) is a little too close to my skin colour, giving me a case of mannequin holo hands. 

But it's still a holo and the formula is stonkingly bad-a**.  I'm having a party on my nails and you're all invited.

Now that I think of it, Mannequin Holo Hands sounds like it could be a great Tim Burton Film.  Maybe a sequel to Edward Scissor Hands, starring moi?

Boots No.7 - Night Silver

Once again, Nonna Kathy (as she is known in this house), doesn't just kick a goal with this lacquer.  She wins the freaking World Cup!

When this came out of her most recent care package, I stared at it for something like 10 minutes.  Brett thought I was having a grand mal seizure (he's way more dramatic than me, if that is possible) because I was so fixated on it.

This is, quite possibly, the best gun metal grey lacquer I've ever tried.  Minimal streakiness, the colour is splendidly dark and glamorous, and the finish is shinier than a bald man's polished dome.

Kath, just one word: Awesomesauce.

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.

Pewter Polish - #824

I was trawling eBAY searching for some cheap lacquers when I came across this little gem.
 
For the Aussie ladies, if you love Orly's FX Collection, then you will be interested in this lacquer for no other reason than it's a shedload cheaper AND you get the same end look.

Sound too good to be true?

Yah, it is.  The formula on this is problematic - a little gluey.  Not unworkably so but you need patience and time.  And the brush is terrible.  I gave up with it and ended up using a Pro-Wide.

BUT, the colour and finish (a little rough but nothing Seche Vite can't fix) can't be argued with.  For under $5, this is a bargain.

And, it will feature as part of this month's Swatch Watch, kicking off on Wednesday.

Eyeko - Disco Polish

I don't know if Eyeko are even selling Disco Polish anymore but, hot damn, they should be.

This is one of the best glitter polishes I've come across.  Two coats and it's done.  And, seriously, isn't that one of the nicest glitters you've seen!

This does dry to a rough finish so you will need Seche Vite to smooth it out.  Oh, and it's an absolute pain in the a** to remove but, then, aren't all dense glitters?

For under $5, this is a worthy investment if you can still find it.

Color Club - Fashion Addict

You girls are THE BEST.

One of the Color Club recommendations I received was Fashion Addict.  And, boy howdy, this does not disappoint (although I will do a sunlight swatch to make sure I catch it in all its beauty).

Do I really need to tell you that this formula is to die for and that it's just one of the most perfect lacquers ever?  No?  Good.

Cos it is.  Someone get me a job at Color Club stat.

Color Club - Worth the Risque

I will re-do this swatch in the next couple of weeks in the sun to capture the holo but this will do for now.

Worth the Risque is just another glorious, spectacular, fabulous, I'm running out of superlatives, lacquer from Color Club.

It's easy to use, glides on easily and, although it doesn't dry to a high shine, that is easily fixed with Seche Vite.

I am so in love with Color Club lacquers at the moment.  I have a few more coming up over the next couple of weeks and just can't wait to get my hands on some more.





The nails in this review have been provided courtesy of Nailene. For more information on YGN's Disclosure Policy, please click here.

LA Colors - Live + plus possibly the most amazing dupe ever

Diffused Light

Be still little heart

LA Colors' Live is $2 (yes just $2) and is utterly blinging.  This is a genuine one-coater too, although I did two just because of my obsession with symmetry.  The formula is easy to work BUT it dries to a rough finish so you will need some Seche Vite or Poshe.

Now, I know what you're all thinking.  Is this a dupe for Orly's Shine?  Well ladies, prepare to be stunned after the jump.

Orly - Foil FX

Today, it's all about the Orly Foil FX Collection. I've had this collection for ages but just haven't gotten around to swatching it.  Little Miss Lazy Pants!

There's been alot of talk as to whether this Collection acts a Minx Manicure substitute.  As someone who has had the Minx Manicure (click here for that special goodness), I can safely say this is not a Minx substitute.  Minx is totally smooth whilst these lacquers have a grainy finish.

Not that that negates the fabulousness of this collection.  Each lacquer is stunning.  It's like having molten liquid on your nails.  Two coats to opaque, a coat of Seche Vite for shine and you're good to go.

Click on the jump for picture spamalooza!  All photos have been taken in diffused light.

Zoya - Reverie Spring 2010 - Part I

Yah, I'm a bit Ms Tardy McLatey on the Zoya Reverie Spring 2010 Collection.  I've actually had it for some time but just haven't gotten around to swatching it.

It's been three years since I last trialled Zoya. Part of the reason why I haven't been a huge fan of Zoya in the past is because the polish just never seemed to be that into me.  It always bubbled.  Or went streaky.  Or peeled off within a day.  For an impatient and lazy manicurist like myself, I just ended up not buying them anymore.

I had hoped this collection would be different.  That the formula might have changed, making it wearable.  The first two swatch sessions, all those old memories came back again.  It bubbled.  It frothed.  It slid into my cuticles.

On my third attempt at swatching, I forgot to do a base coat.  And that, dear readers, was the moment where Zoya and I fell in lust.  No bubbling.  No streaking.  Beautiful finish.  I tried the same method on all six colours with the same result. It seems that the only way Zoya works for me is on bare nails.  Strange but true.

Click on the jump off to see the photos.  All have been taken with flash because diffused light just left the colours kinda bland and insipid.  All the photos are absolutely colour accurate.  However, I recommend you wear sunglasses just in case your retinas are permanently damaged.
 
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the collection and on Zoya generally.  I've heard a few people say Zoya just doesn't mesh with their body chemistry but I'm wondering if there are workarounds - like the one I found.  Let me know in the comments.

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!

Milani - 3D Holographic Collection

Today, it's all about the Milani 3D Holographic Collection.

I love this collection.  It's cheap, the formula is lovely and.... well, it's holo and how can one resist!

What I'm not in love with at the moment, though, is Cherry Culture.  Although I had bought, and paid for, all six lacquers in this collection, only five came.  I assumed it was just a mistake, however, when I emailed Cherry Culture, they told me the missing lacquer was not in stock and that they would refund me.  It just seems kind of shady that they didn't tell me about the lacquer being out of stock at the time they packed it, or even afterwards.  It took me pointing it out to them before an explanation and refund was provided.  Shady.

Anyway, rant aside, I've put these under a cut because the photos are large and it takes a while for the page to load.  Scroll down and click 'Read More'.

I've also just bought a new camera (a Sony DSC T90, for those interested). These are the first swatches I've taken, so please excuse the odd hand positioning and weird perspective. I'm still getting used to how the camera works. I'm sure I'll get better.

On the positive side, the new camera is capturing the colour and brilliance of lacquers perfectly - how these photos look is precisely how the lacquers look in person. Make sure you click to see the holo close up.  It's spectacular.  :-)

Minx - Silver Lightning

As some of you may have guessed from this morning, I've been Minxed!

I visited the fabulous technicians at Ottoman 3 Nail and Brow Bar who, within an hour, transformed my naked nails into on trend talons of shiny goodness. 

I must admit, I was really sceptical of Minx nails when I first started seeing them on celebrities.  I didn't think it would work, or look very good, on my nails.  I was wrong.  Totally wrong.  I can see how this type of manicure could become very, very addictive.

Scroll down and click 'Read More' for a step by step description of the Minx process.

This is a very photo heavy post, so please be patient as the photos load. :-)

China Glaze - Wizard of Ooh Ahz - Part I

Mmm, so I know all of you have seen China Glaze's Wizard of Ooh Ahz collection swatched a million times so... uh..... just pretend to look surprised.

This is a gorgeous collection.  Every colour is spectacular in its own right, although I admittedly do have my favourites.

I've divided this post into two, just because of the size of the photos and because I've done a couple of dupe comparisons. 

Check out Part I after the jump! (Scroll down and click 'Read More')

Ulta3 - Grey Silver

Grey Silver?  Ulta3 aren't even trying sometimes with their naming conventions.

Grey Silver is a remarkable lacquer, but not for its colour.  It's a chrome silver which are a dime a dozen in the lacquer world.

What is remarkable about this is the application.  What do you normally think of when you think of a silver-ish chrome?  Streak city, right?

Nuh-uh!  This applies like a dream.  I couldn't streak this (and I tried because I just didn't believe a chrome wouldn't streak).  I've got, at least count, at least 30 of these types of lacquer and they all streak.  Whatever Ulta3 have done with this formula, they need to keep on doing it because it's literally amazing.

So, that closes off the five swatches.  Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to vote for your favourite Ulta3 and, if you're lucky, win the lacquer you vote for!

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!