Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Endless Summer - Cult Nails Intriguing

This week I've been attempting to relax and extend my summer a bit at the beach. I've had a few polishes in my untried pile that I decided to bring along. I'm all for Fall, but in truth I'm sad to see Summer go. I love the feeling of freedom that it brings and also the beautiful bright colors. Up first for the week is Cult Nails Intriguing. Though this shade isn't too bright I think it is perfect for the beach and also as a transition color.
Direct Sunlight
Intriguing is a soft scattered holo that is a bit on the sheer side. I used three coats for these pictures and topped it with Above the Curve's 5-free Quick-Dry Topcoat. I'd say this shade is a dusty blue leaning periwinkle.
 
Close-up, Direct Sun
Direct Sun
Macro on the nail, Direct Sun
This was from their Casual Elegance collection that was released in April this year and was limited edition. I really hate to post something that is hard to find, but this turned out to be a lovely shade. I'm sure with a bit of searching you could find this for sale or swap.

I know I mentioned this is a nice transition color. Do you wear colors that are seasonal or do you go with whatever you are feeling? Let us know in a comment!

Thanks for reading!
~Jackie~

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Budget Beauty: Ulta Lav-ish

I have a polish that may not be your first thought when you stop by Ulta, and it's probably not on your short list either.  I'll just say purple taupe with copper shimmer...and maybe that will peak your interest.  Or how about I just show you what Ulta Lav-ish looks like?

copper shimmer polish
Direct sunlight
copper shimmer

copper and lavender

This is in Ulta's core collection and has been for years.  It's a pretty unique combination for a mainstream polish, and perfect for fall!  The best part is that you can often find it for only $2.00!  I love Lav-ish because outside it heavily leans lavender, and inside it's definitely taupe but not too brown...
 
copper shimmer polish
Indoors- it's more taupe

copper shimmer

This was 3 thin coats, but you might be able to get away with 2 if you're careful.  The formula levels well, but takes a longer time to dry than I would like.  I waited (about an hour) and took these pictures without a topcoat, because the last time I wore it I used Out The Door and felt like the shimmer got lost somehow.  Does anyone else have that happen with a clear topcoat or have a different experience with OTD?  I just love shimmers, so I'll be looking for a topcoat that makes them stand out!

Thanks so much for reading! ♥
~ Hayley

Friday, September 19, 2014

Oh Shift!! China Glaze Choo Choo Choose You

This is one I am sure you've seen on every blog, (including this one!)  Of course, this is Choo-Choo Choose You by China Glaze.  I saw this while I was out looking for The Giver polishes and my Sally's had the All Aboard collection out early. I saw this in all it's deep purple and shimmery glory and that was it. You can see the strongest purple in the bottle, but it gets even better from there...

Bottle shot, mostly :)
Like this rose, bronze and greenish gold shimmer

thumbnail
Indoors
Or this shift from purple to amber to green. Hello.

China Glaze All Aboard
Outside
This is two coats and no topcoat.  I noticed in some photos a sheer patch on my ring finger, it doesn't show up in all of them and it's not visible in person.  So, maybe I'll try 3 coats next time. Also, this whole week has been completely overcast, rainy and not sunny!  It's been so wonderful, but I had a tough time capturing good sunlight pics.




Choo-Choo Choose You is absolutely the stand out color in all the fall collections, in my opinion!  If you have not picked it up, you need to try and track it down.  If you have it and haven't worn it yet, then go try it! :)

~ Hayley ~

 *This pretty polish was purchased by me

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

LynB Designs - Am I Ginger?

Let's have a moment of pure honesty reader. When I saw this polish I needed it not for the color, but for the name. Frankly the color scared me. Which is why I have waited this long to put it on my fingers. Am I glad I did! This is such a great shade for Fall. And it's a holo. So glad I finally put it on!

Here are a couple of bottle shots, just for fun. These were taken outside and it was cloudy at the time so the holo-y goodness isn't showing here.


Am I Ginger is an orangish-red jelly with linear holographic tendencies. The jelly makes this polish all squishy and great and the holo, well I think you know how I feel about holos. 



For those of you not familiar with the reference, the name is taken from the Doctor's desire to be ginger. Still hasn't happened. Poor Doctor. I feel your pain. I love red hair too.

Source
Got it here
I can't help myself when it comes to Doctor Who references. I'm addicted. Sorry, not sorry. Anyway, more on this ginger polish. Geronimo!

The following photos show 3 thin coats (though I think 2 would probably suffice) topped with Above the Curve's 5-free Quick Dry Topcoat. The sun peeked out from the clouds just long enough to catch the holo!

 

Want Am I Ginger for your own? Check out LynBDesigns store on etsy.
 

So what do you think? Perfect for fall, right? (Not that I would limit my use to only fall with this stunner!) Do you own any colors that you are afraid to try on? Have you ever been wary of a certain shade but once you tried it you were in love? 
Let us know in the comments! 
~Jackie~
 


*Disclaimer: All polishes in the post were purchased by me. Links are provided for your convenience (not affiliate).

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Forget Me Not: OPI Thanks a Windmillion

The OPI Nordic collection is all the rage right now, but I wanted to remind you all of another OPI that would also be great as a transition color into fall. This is OPI Thanks a Windmillion from the Holland collection.  I am so ready for fall, football, scarves and pumpkin everything! Side note: I am burning a new Bath & Body Works candle right now called Tailgate...and I am OBSESSED with the scent!  If you're a fan of their candles I would highly recommend checking it out! Anyway back to this lovely polish...




OPI's Holland collection is a few years old, so that's why I'm titling this as a 'forget me not'.  The formula for Thanks a Windmillion is perfect and this is 2 easy coats. I wanted to make a glitter sandwich but until I get a hold of a bottle of Glitter Off, I am hesitating using a chunky glitter.  I decided to at least try it matted, so these photos are all with one coat of Essence Soft Touch matte topcoat.  So, it's not the most intricate look but still super pretty!

Shade
I love the dustiness that Thanks a Windmillion has; it's very greyed looking in indoor light.  Really almost a sage color, but with just enough blue in it for me to still classify it as a borderline seafoam.  I would grab this, if you can still find it in store...OPI had transitioned this into their core collection.  Otherwise, I imagine it would be fairly easy to find on Amazon. 

I hope you all are enjoying fall where you are!  Thanks for stopping by :)
~Hayley


*All polishes and items in this post were purchased by me.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Indie Spotlight: Cirque Vaudeville

Hello again!  I really meant to post this before Labor Day...so consider this my last gasp of summer before I jump completely into fall!  It's still hot and sunny on my side of the country anyway! Today I have Vaudeville by Cirque to show you.  While it's not a typical fall color, it is really pretty...

thumbnail
Sunlight

Shade - to show the iridescence
Shade
Sunlight
I would best describe Vaudeville as a muted lavender with gold and iridescent shimmer.  The formula was great, just a little thin, so this is 3 thin coats with no topcoat.  Removal was pretty easy since the shimmer is more micro-flakies rather than micro-glitter.  I don't have too many indies (yet!!) but this has been one of my favorite indies that I own.  My bottle of Vaudeville is about 2 years old and is still really consistent!  I was pleased that the color and formula stayed as it was supposed to this entire time.

Cirque Colors
Indoors - low light
Indoors - normal light
I just love gold shimmer!!!!
If you're interested in seeing what other beautiful polishes Annie has created, I have linked the Cirque website above. (They're 3-free and contain essential oils!)  As always, please let me know if you have any comments or questions!  I hope you have a great week!  See you soon :)
~ Hayley


*All polishes in this post were purchased by me. Links are provided for your convenience.