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.

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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!

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.

Great Aussie Swatch Watch (Tourist Edition) - The Face Shop

Ok, so I'll 'fess up straight away that The Face Shop is not an Australian brand.  It's Korean.  But I figure that many of you may not have access to these really fabulous lacquers.  So consider this the Great Aussie Swatch Watch (Tourist Edition).

Going into The Face Shop is a joy for me.  Not only are the products super cheap, but they are also super effective.  I absolutely swear by their White Mud Nose Pack (which is the best thing I've found to remove blackheads), their hand creams are gorgeous, and perhaps due to the fact that I am in there on a weekly basis, they are uber generous with their samples.

The rules of this competition are the same as always.

1. Pick your favourite The Face Shop lacquer.

2. Scroll down to the entry form.

2. Select your favourite The Face Shop 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, Sunday 22nd May 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. 

So quit reading, start peeping and vote after the jump!  All photos have been taken in diffused light.

Naily News #29

 Glitter + Michelyne's Nails = Magnificent

Ange has some beautiful Sally Hansen lacquers to share.  Is it shameful that I don't own a single Sally Hansen?

Kittie has a fantastic mauve holo comparison.  Mmmmmm, holos.......

Elizabeth is Thataway.

Kris showcases some funky fingers.

Andrea rocks Ultra Violet (with some added Konad).

L'Oreal's High Tide proves that 2010 is really the year of grey.

Fashion Addict + Konading..... please don't wake me from this wonderful dream.

Stephanie forced me to search out my sunglasses with her manicure.

Absolutely not nail related but could Nihrida be THE most beautiful nail blogger?  Magic Eight Ball says..... yes.

OH. MY. GOD.  Brooke has outdone herself with this strawberry manicure / work of art.

Kae does a much better job with her Eyekos than I did.  D*MN KAE AND HER PERFECT NAILS!

Oh, and has anyone seen Toxin?  Come back Toxin!

If you have a nail related post you could like to share, past a link in the comments.

And click on the jump to see what warmed my heart this morning.