Mattese Elite: Attitude

Look what came in the mail! I entered a contest for Ricky's NYC and won (a complete shock, I entered on a whim.) The other two winners chose pink tutu, however I feel I really need to branch into blues, so I chose Attitude. The formula is very thin, similar to many Essie sheers. This is three coats over a clear base. Much more subtle than their website led me to think. I like it a lot. It's a little desaturated and makes a better "everyday" blue I think. It looks similar to Essie lapis of luxury, i will have to swatch them side by side later.

I also went to Ross today. Look what I picked up! Lots of pretty colors, my untried pile just got huge.

It's alive!

This is my first ever franken. I love the look of glitter in the air, however I'm on a small no buy (for a surprise next month :D). So the chemist in me surfaces. Now I was so excited to try it on that I didn't go all out on application and clean up. Please excuse the boo boo.

The recipe is:

And the results are:

China Glaze: Crackle; Cracked Concrete

This has to be my favorite of the crackles. It's not as stark as the black, subtle enough to wear regularly in any season, and doesn't make me feel like my polish is just terribly chipped and awful looking. The formula was smooth enough that I didn't have to rush to apply more for a decent crackle affect, just make sure you shake it well first. This is over Essie Turquoise & Caicos, with top coat (the crackles dry matte).

Essie Bottle Comparison

Apologies for the cat hair!

They look very similar, however you may be able to notice that the older bottle looks a little "bloated" compared to the new. Suppose they made it more streamline? New bottle - Lapiz of Luxury, 13.5ml
Old Bottle - Limo-scene, 15ml 

   What do you think? 

Essie: Turquoise and Caicos

While grocery shopping with my fiancee we stopped and looked at the Essie display. He picked this out, because he loves old Volkswagen cars and this looks just like the paint job of one. He jokes that if I ever get one I can use this to touch up the paint. This is three coats.

And a bonus kitty picture.

Holiday Mani - St. Patrick's Day

Sinful Colors Green Ocean over O.P.I. Gargantuan Green Grape

I only own maybe two greens, and OPI was the thinnest formula of them. Green ocean is VERY thick (this is 3 coats of it, over 2 GGG, base and top coat of course)

Sonia Kashuk: Tauped

My picture turned out a little more green than true life. I find the formula to apply nicely, however I have a strong disliking of SK brushes due to the way they make any polish application streaky. A little patience and a careful hand can work with them though.

ELF: Coral

Such a pretty, girly color! A pink base with golden shimmer. A different shade depending on the lighting. Unfortunately we've had icky weather this week and this was taken indoors. Opaque with one coat, but this is two. ring finger has a top coat of essie matte about you.

Zoya: Harley

Such a pretty gray color. There is a very subtle shimmer. Very monochrome with just a touch of lavender. If you have trouble picking out grays, pick this up!

Brush Comparison

Everybody likes different brushes, so I took the time to put together a comparison from what I have in my collection.

1. China Glaze
2. ELF
3. Essie
4. MAC
5. NYC Long Wearing
6. OPI
7. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure
8. ORLY
9. Rimmel
10. Sinful Colors
11. Sally Hansen HD
12. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear
13. Sonia Kashuk
14. Zoya

Essie: Forever Yummy

I have been on such a red kick this past week. Sadly, I hardly own any. So yesterday I went out and used my little $2 rite aid coupon and picked up this beauty. I feel so daring when I wear it, like I belong in a james bond movie. :3

A Growing State

So about a month before Christmas my nails were beautiful and long. Then slowly one by one they started tearing and peeling. They were too dry I suppose, but after about 3 nails got this way, I relapsed into biting. I have been a biter since a child. The only thing that stopped this was in about August 2010 when I started getting into nail care, the neat polishes that were coming out and fussed over them so much that biting just didn't occur. I've gotten back into caring for them (now that some life stress has gone away) and they are growing again. However I've been afraid of that peeling and such occurring again. I believe I wasn't getting enough moisture. Though I drink plenty of water. So this round I'm packing 2 new guns. Vit E Cuticle Oil and Seche Vite Recondition. I'm hoping this will allow my nails to be a little more pliable and healthy. We'll see in a few months I suppose, after they've had a while to work and my nails have grown back out to this length.

Lacquer Lover Contest

Lacquer Lover is having a contest! Please hop on over to her page and take a look. While you are there, be sure to follow her because she does some really nice posts with great pictures.

Essie: Lapiz of Luxury

A lavender leaning blue. Very soft and smooth looking. Thick formula compared to some other Essies I've come across (I tried like linen before and that was WATER). This is two coats.

MAC: Bad Fairy

A favorite of mine. I love the copper-pink shift in the color. I can literally stare at this all day. Limited edition from the MAC Venomous collection.

China Glaze Tronica: Cyberspace

A subtle beige. I would wear this in an office setting. Very soft looking. Application was smooth. This is 2 coats, I think it could go with 3 though. Out of the Tronica collection I think this will be one I wear regularly.