Eyeko - Punk & Chi Chi + Rosie Lee Comparison

I think I must be the 432nd blogger to post these so... I don't know... just pretend to be surprised and in awe.

Punk and Chi Chi are two limited edition lacquers that continue Eyeko's legacy of developing on trend lacquers.  Punk is a glorious bubble gum pink that is creamy and delicious.  Chi Chi is a pink glitter in a milky base.

I must say, the formula on Eyeko lacquers just keep on getting better and better.  When I compare Punk and Chi Chi to the original lacquers released last year, you could really be talking about two different brands.

Peep Punk and Chi Chi after the jump. Also, I've lined up Chi Chi and butter LONDON's Rosie Lee, since many have thought that Chi Chi might be a cheap dupe.

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.

Illamasqua - Prism + Comparison with City Girl 2000 #19

This is one very special bottle of lacquer.

Not just because it's Illamasqua, which automatically makes it super special in my eyes. It's the route, and the time, it took to get to me that makes it special.

This was sent way back in April by the lovely Alex of Illamasqua. It arrived this week. That's two months it took, thanks to the volcanic ash and, for whatever reason, a brief sojourn in Switzerland. Damn lacquer wanted a nice round the world trip before it got to work. ;-)

But, oh, it was so worth the wait.  I couldn't decide which photos I liked, so I've included them all.  Prism-palooza!

Illamasqua seem to have tinkered with their formula a little.  I thought their previous one was good, but this is utter perfection.  Based on this lacquer, I can safely say I have found a lacquer that measures up to Chanel.  Perfection.

This isn't designed to go opaque.  The above swatch is three coats and you can clearly see my nail line.  This is like a CND Effects lacquer in that, although it can be worn by itself, it will transform a lacquer.  I have another Illamasqua coming up later this week where I layer this over the top and the difference is startling.

Of course, as soon as I started applying this, I thought that the City Girl 2000 #19 might be a dupe.  I have lined them up side by side after the jump.

Color Club - Ultra Violet

Argggh, my pretty!

Thanks to the awesomesauce-ing Kris of My Lucid Bubble, I now have one of my much coveted lemmings.

And it's nothing short of MAGNIFICENT. An amazing purple with a flash of blue throughout.  My only quibble is the formula - this took four coats and I can still see a visible nail line.  A minor quibble, I agree, but something I ought to raise.

As I mentioned last week, I naturally wondered if this might be a dupe for BYS' Ultra Violet, so I lined them up side by side.

Err, can I get a hells no?!  Definitely not a dupe.  Whilst I like the Colour Club hue more, the formula on the BYS is two coats and alot creamier.  So I guess I'll wear these depending on my mood.  They are both amazing lacquers.  I heart them like I heart Kris.





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

Barbara Daly - Envy + Nubar Dupe

Diffused Light

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!

TBN - Midnight Blue + China Glaze Dupe

Poor TBN.

It's not as beloved in Australia like it's discount brand cousins, Ulta3 and BYS, but I'm here to change that!

Diffused Light

I LOVE THIS COLOUR!  It's just beautiful.  Three coats to opaque and it dries smoother than a gigolo at ladies night. 

For those not in Australia, never fear because there is a dupe for this in China Glaze's Eyes like Sapphires.

Yep.  Pretty much identical colour-wise.  Formula wise - and I know this is going to be controversial - but the TBN is far superior.  Ok,  it only takes two coats to get opaque with the China Glaze, but the finish is gritty.  I'd rather do the three coats with TBN and have that glorious, glass-like sheen.

So would you guys like to see more TBN lacquers?  There's a big vat of them at my local chemist containing a huge range of colours.  And, since they're only a couple of dollars each, I can buy 20 and not feel guilty for it!

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!

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!

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 - Sweet Collection 2010 - Part I

I'm like a billion years late on Orly's Sweet Collection but, if you think about it, maybe I'm just really super duper early for the Australian spring. 

Anyway, can you believe that this is the very first time I'm trying Orly? I can't believe I've waited this long to try one of the biggest brands out there.  I think part of it is that Orly is hideously expensive here in Australia (around $18 a bottle) and the fact that we get collections 12 months after everyone else. Thank goodness for cheap etailers!

This is a great little collection.  Only one lacquer gave me trouble (can you guess which one - it starts with 'y').  The rest were supremely awesome.

Because of the number and size of the photos, I've split the collection into two posts.  Check out the Part I swatches after the jump.  All photos are taken in diffused light.

Ulta3 - Hot Spring

 Diffused Light

Another day, another little beauty from Ulta3.

Hot Spring is a lovely creamy pink.  The formula on this is marginally thicker than other Ulta3s but I found that actually made application a whole lot easier.  And it was opaque in two coats.  Result.

I thought there might be a dupe-worthy moment between this and China Glaze's Heli-Yum.  I lined up the two swatches and......

......no.  Although they are both from the raspberry family, Heli-Yum has alot more red.  I'm about as good as finding dupes as I am at konading!

This is yet another little success story from Ulta3.  I have a whole stack of these to try - as fate would have it, the pharmacy in my office tower has a massive tub full of these so I'm no longer wanting for choice - so stay tuned for plenty more Ulta3.

Barry M - Bright Purple + Failed Dupe Attempt

 

Diffused light

I don't know how long ago it was that Leanne sent me this.  It might have been last millenium.

Barry M's Bright Purple does not quite live up to its name.  Sure, it's a purple.  But it's not what I call a bright purple.  More of a royal purple.  A super sexy royal purple.

Like all Barry M cremes, this is a dream to work with.  Opaque in two coats, creamy without being too thick, and dries to a high shine.  Ticks all my boxes and then some.

But the fun does not stop there.  I tried to use this lacquer in a failed attempt to recreate Color Club's Wild at Heart.  Click on the jump to see more.

Illamasqua - Pastel Nails Collection

Love.... does not even begin to describe the Illamasqua Pastel Nails Collection.

There is just something wonderfully sexy and subtle about these.  Not to mention that they look like sorbet, which automatically appeals to my 'must eat ice-cream (or ice-cream related products) on a daily basis' fetish.

Before I go into the swatches (which I've hidden under the cut because the swatches are plentiful and large), I just wanted to address some concerns people have had with the large square Illamasqua lid.  Now, I don't want to tell you guys how to suck eggs, so just skip this bit if you already know.

The square lid does come off, leaving you with a much smaller and easier to deal with brush. When you're finished, just put the lid back on.  Too easy!

China Glaze - Up and Away - Part I - Yellows

I know you've all seen the China Glaze Up and Away collection a million times on a million other blogs, so I'm offering nothing special here on YGN today.

Pretend like it's the first time.  Come on!  Surely the Oscars inspired you how to feign surprise, shock and awe!

Part I is the Yellows (including the orange and corals).  I found a couple of dupes for some of these (indeed, I think most of this collection is dupe-able), which I've also included.

Stay tuned later today for Parts II (pinks) and III (greens and purples).

Marks and Spencers - Mint Green

Marks and Spencers Mint Green came courtesy of my mother in law.  I'm not sure whether you can buy this online or if you have to actually physically go to an MandS to find it.

The obsessive compulsive in me is still a little upset at the off center labeling, but I'll get over it.  Perhaps.

It took four coats to get to bottle colour, which is probably one more than I consider to be an acceptable number, or have patience for, but the formula is such that you can apply four coats and still be touch dry within five minutes.

And the colour is just beautiful.  A perfect minty green creme without a hint of shimmer.  With a top coat, this will last for up to a week with minimal wear on the tips.  And it never chips.  I have no idea what MandS are putting in their formulas, but it makes for a great value / great quality lacquer.

I know what some of you are already thinking.  Is this a dupe for Essie's Mint Candy Apple.  Here's a side by side of the two.

Aside from the lighting differences, and the fact that my hands are more tanned at the moment because it's summer, these are very similar.

Mint Candy is slightly more icy, but it's marginal.  I suspect you wouldn't be able to tell much difference in person.

The formula on the Mint Candy Apple is superior to the MandS (two coats vs four) but other than that, these are on par for longevity and wear.

So, ladies, what do you think?  Do you like Mint Green?

Essie - Wife Goes On

I'm a total sucker for creamy Raspberry hues, so it's no surprise that Essie's Wife Goes On is a favourite of mine.

This is such a beautiful lacquer.  Unlike so many Essies, this is pretty much opaque in one coat (although the swatch here is two, just because I'm greedy like that).

It glides on easily, dries to a high shine (this is without a top coat) and is just scrumptious on the nail.  This is the type of lacquer where I get a million questions a day from people 'What are you wearing?'.  It's the perfect colour for any occasion.

When I first saw this on, I immediately thought of Mecca Cosmetica's Hippolyta.  I was convinced these two could substitute for each other.

So I did a quick side-by-side.

Aside from the obvious lighting differences, these are very, very similar lacquers. Hippolyta is marginally more blue red, but the bases are the same.

I think I might redo the swatches of these in the same session (so that the lighting is the same), to see if they really are as similar as I think they are.

What do you guys think?

Ulta3 - Blue Glitter

Blue Glitter is very unimaginatively titled.

But don't let the name underwhelm you.  This is a stunning, amazing, beautiful blue glitter. 

Formula wise, if you're looking for opacity, this is not the lacquer for you.  The swatch on the left is three coats and, as you can see, that's one heck of a visible nail line there.

However, I don't think that holds this back at all.  Because the glitter is fine, it dries to a very smooth finish, with no hang nails.  And it dries super fast.  I did not need to resort to Seche Vite, which is normal for me when dealing with glitters.

And removing this is a breeze.  No scrubbing.  No tearing of cuticles.  Just a quick soak of the nail in polish remover and it slides off beautifully.  I have no idea what Ulta3 have done to achieve this, but it's a winner in my book.

I know what some of you are already thinking with this.  How does it compare to OPI's Absolutely Alice, the other blue of the moment?  Well, I've put them side by side in a comparison to show you, after the jump!

You've Got Duped - BYS Aloha vs Collection 2000 BMX Bandit

I've had so many requests for side by side comparison of BYS Aloha and Collection 2000 BMX Bandit.

So, here it is!  Definitely click to see the larger version

Both of these are gorgeous periwinkles.  However, to my eye anyway, BYS Aloha is darker and more purple, whilst BMX Bandit is lighter and more 'dusty' looking in appearance.

These differences are pretty marginal though.  I'd say that, if you can't get your hands on BYS Aloha, then definitely try BMX Bandit as an alternative.

If you have a periwinkle that looks similar, paste the link to your post in the comments.  Let's have a Periwinkle Polish Party!

You've Got Duped - Channelesque vs Wild Ride

This only came to me this this morning, but I was wondering if kit's Wild Ride could be a dupe for China Glaze's Channelesque. So I lined them up side by side and this is the result (click for larger version).

Mmm, ladies, I think we have a dead ringer.  I can't tell these apart.  They literally are the same lacquer.  Colour-wise, at any rate.

The difference is in the quality.  And, I know I'm going to be controversial when I say this, but I think kit's formula is marginally better (Wild Ride glides on that little bit smoother and, best of all, I only need one coat for it to be opaque).

So, for my ladies who live overseas and can't get kit, if you liked the look of Wild Ride, you will get the same result with Channelesque!

You've Got Duped - Skin Food Pink Milk Vs Mecca Cosmetica Celia

I did the side by side of Skin Food Pink vs Mecca Cosmetica Celia. I was really hoping that Pink Milk would be a dupe because it's under $5 and available to my overseas readers, versus Mecca, which is only available in Australia and is $22.

Whilst the lighting is different in these photos, I can say with a good level of certainty that Pink Milk is a great colour dupe, albeit it is, like I suspected, marginally lighter. But both are cremes. Both are deep-ish pinks.

However, given the application problems I've had with both Skin Food lacquers this week, I've got to be honest when I say I'd prefer to use Mecca Cosmetica, even though it's hideously expensive. The formula is better on Mecca and I much prefer the finish.

So what do you think, ladies. If you loved Celia, and I know alot of you did, then Pink Milk is a cheap alternative. But could you tolerate the application issues to get that colour payoff?