Love, Angeline - Almond Darling

*All Polishes Were Purchased*

I have some pretty pastels from indie brand Love, Angeline to share today! Oh, and they're matte.  Oh, and they have some subtle shimmer.  Excited yet?  Maybe just take a peek below.

This is almost the complete Love, Angeline Chateau Macaron collection that released a few months ago for Spring 2015.  In retrospect, I should have just gotten the complete collection because the only one I'm missing is Confection-ary Yellow and I've seen a lot of really cute manis on Instagram using it.  *Sigh* but I digress...

The first color I tried from the collection is Almond Darling.  I used 3 coats and no topcoat in order to leave it matte.  Almond Darling is a very pink leaning lavender.  It's extremely close to the pink in the collection, Baiser de Mousse, but is just slightly more lavender.  The formula was thin, which I liked because it was easy to control and lets a peek of shimmer show through (though very subtle).  I left some dry time between coats so they didn't pull.  This polish self leveled very well and the wear was fantastic!  I had no chipping even after a few days.

Natosha, the creator behind Love, Angeline is very engaging with her polished fans, so I definitely recommend stopping by!  The story behind her brand name is so sweet too!  You can still purchase the Chateau Macaron collection from her shop here.  If you are drawn to brighter shades for the summer, not to worry, because she's releasing a sister collection of summer matte neons called Meet Me At The Tea Salon.

Check out her Facebook and Instagram and if you have any Love, Angeline polishes I'd love to hear which ones you have!  Thanks for stopping by! 

~ Hayley

Getting My "Doctor" On with BEGL

**All Polishes Were Purchased**

Hello lovelies! I've got a quick post for you today of a fun mani I did using three of my beauties from Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer!

This is BEGL Innuendo Squad, 2000 Years, and Just Admiring Your Skills, Sweetie from her "It Got Away From Me, Yeah..." collection.

Blurred a bit to show that sparkle!

My parents got me some flowers and I just had to use them as props for this one since they were so pretty!

With flash, to make my paleness ever paler

This combo kind of snuck up on me. I was looking at my BEGL collection and moved a few bottles around and thought "Hey, those 3 might go well together" and I decided to give it a whirl. I originally only had 2000 Years (the glitter) on my middle finger, but I wanted to show how fun these colors were together, so I added it over the other 2 colors.

If these colors strike you, you can head over to the BEGL site here and grab them up!

Pahlish - Sarey's Berry (Bespoke Batch)

When I saw swatches of Sarey's Berry, a Bespoke Batch from Pahlish that released last summer (I believe), I immediately began searching for a bottle. Since this was a Bespoke, I didn't think I'd find one. But thanks to a fellow Pahlish lover, I can now call this lemming squashed!

Sarrey's Berry is a brilliant orchid flake polish. Yes! It also dries to a satiny finish, somewhere between matte and glossy. I admit that I played around with both a matte and glossy topcoat on this. I'm not convinced that you can really see it in photos that well, but I still included them since this one is just so pretty!

In my opinion the flakies make this a stunner and rather unique, at least for my collection.I did find that it was difficult to capture the true color of this one, the little chameleon! It really falls somewhere in between what shows up on my screen!

With a matte topcoat

Satin finish - no topcoat

I would say this is the closest to the true color, but this one is with a glossy topcoat.

 

Have you squashed any major lemmings lately? Let us know!

 If not, what's at the top of your list?

SinfulColors Spring Fever: Sail La Vie

*Provided for Review*

SinfulColors took the non traditional road this Spring.  I expected a pastel Spring collection this year (think Sugar Rush and all its glory), but they decided to break everyone out of their winter blahs and go bold and bright!  The Spring Fever collection consists of 24 polishes and only a few are pastel in nature.  Some of these are repromoted or core colors, but there are new specialty polishes too.  Sail La Vie was originally part of a summer collection in 2013 and I missed getting it, but wow am I glad to have it now!  Grab this one if you see it, because it's fantastic and I cannot get enough of this color on my nails!!

Spring ready!

There are a lot of similar blues out there, but for $1.99 the polish and its formula cannot be beat.  I looked up a few swatches and some lean more blue...it's definitely blue toned.  Sail La Vie is just one of those polishes that is chameleon-like in different lighting situations.  Maybe my bottle leans a bit lighter than some, but is a very vibrant pastel.  They describe it as a cerulean sea blue. I think it also leans periwinkle sometimes. This is two extremely easy coats.

I love crellies and don't know of any others that Sinful Colors has done, so I'm excited to share 2 of the 3 they came out with.  Petal Be The Day has royal blue and purple hex glitters in a very sheer tinted base.  It looks like it would build by itself in a few coats, but it doesn't.  I would recommend layering Petal Be The Day over Sail La Vie or Tempest for a close match. Flower Power is the pink base with white and fuchsia glitters.  I haven't tried it yet, but after seeing other swatches you can wear Flower Power on its own.

Below are all 24 shades in the SinfulColors 2015 Spring Fever collection. There are a few others I'm excited to grab including the 3 Citrus Twist jelly toppers (2 have flakies!) and 3 Opalescent toppers that are new.

This collection is currently available at Walgreens, Rite Aid, and other mass retailers for $1.99 each.  You can keep up with SinfulColors on their website, twitter, and other social media.

I can't wait to hear what you favorite polish is from SinfulColors, so let me know!  And here's hoping my bracket (and yours) is still standing on Monday!

~ Hayley

Pahlish - She Sells Sea Shells (Bespoke Batch)

 *Purchased*

I've really come to enjoy March...college basketball, Shamrock shakes, great weather, Easter candy, and mint/ pastels galore!  There have been some amazing Spring polishes by indie polish makers so far, and Pahlish She Sells Sea Shells is right at the top of my list.
Just look at Pahlish's description: She Sells Sea Shells is a soft Tiffany blue cream with a subtle green undertone; flecked with a mix of purple, taupe, and gold flakes accented by metallic pink/purple/blue chromatic flakes! 

 Game. Set. Match.

I really don't need to say how much I adore this polish.  I feel so lucky that I was able to grab this one!  If you don't know much about Pahlish, she has amazing seasonal collections, duos and other creations.  She also releases some special Bespoke Batch polishes.  These are limited edition, small batch polishes and Pahlish usually reveals what Bespoke Batch will be available a day or two before her restock.  (So, check Pahlish's Facebook and their shop!) 
My apologies for posting this lovely polish, knowing that it's not available any longer...but Pahlish does polishes like this quite a bit so I'm sure there will be plenty other beauties in the future!

But really, don't you feel just a little bit better knowing that this exists in the world?  Maybe that's a little over the top, but that's how I feel when I see seafoam anything!)

Indoors

Sunlight

My photos show 3 coats of She Sells Sea Shells with no topcoat. Dry time was great and I know I'll be reaching for this polish constantly throughout Spring and Summer!  Pahlish is celebrating their 3 year anniversary, so I bet there will be some fantastic polishes coming up! :)

Have a great week and let me know the best Spring polish you have come across so far this season!

~ Hayley

KBShimmer: I'm So Sweet Pea Spring 2015 Collection

 *Press Sample*

Happy Friday!  I hate to admit that I am in the one place where the weather is pretty stellar right now, and no snow.  I am ready for Spring and it's no secret that Spring pastels are my favorite for everything!  Today I have a KBShimmer polish from the Spring 2015 collection to show you!  This delicate beauty is I'm So Sweet Pea:

KBShimmer's I'm So Sweet Pea has teal, purple, pale mint and light pink matte glitters in the palest lavender-almost-white crelly base. I used 3 coats on my middle and ring finger and just 1 coat over Essie Lilacism on my thumb.  Three coats of Essie Lilacism are also on my index and pinky fingers. The formula on I'm So Sweet Pea was great, the base was not thick at all and no fishing for any glitter. 

The entire KBShimmer Spring 2015 collection is available right now.  This collection has 7 (seven!!) amazing looking crellies all with very unique pastel color combinations, like I'm So Sweet Pea.  There are also 4 pastel holo polishes, for all you holo addicts out there (aka most of the nail community).  If that's not enough, there's also a white cream polish that I hear is great, and Spring nail vinyls too!  The description of this collection is beyond perfect: "Say goodbye to winter's dark hues, embrace sunny skies and open toe shoes."  Um, yes please!  Have you grabbed any KBShimmers yet?  I'd love to know which is your favorite!

KBShimmer products can be found on their website or on Amazon.
Connect with KBShimmer on their Facebook and Instagram to see all the gorgeous creations.

 

Black Cat Lacquer: Let Them Eat Cake (Besides, it's my Birthday!)

*Purchased by me*

If any day is a day to eat cake, it's on your birthday!  Since that day is today for me, I couldn't think of a better nail polish to wear than Black Cat Lacquer Let Them Eat Cake!  My nails aren't in the greatest shape right now, but I still wanted to share with you.

Let Them Eat Cake was my very first indie polish, and can you believe after over 2 years this is the first time I've used it?  Every time I looked at my bottle I thought I'd have to bring it back to life with some thinner or buy a new one.  I decided to be brave and open it anyway just to see how bad it was, and to my surprise it still was easy to apply.  It was somewhat thick (possibly just my bottle), but very manageable even without thinner!  I think that's a testament to a great quality polish!  Pictures shown are 1-2 coats of Let Them Eat Cake over China Glaze's Dandy Lyin' Around.  I did matte this with NYC Matte Me Crazy.

I love the mix of pastel pink, baby blue and light green glitters and a scattering of holo micro glitter for a subtle sparkle.  If you want some cake of your own, you can still purchase Let Them Eat Cake from Black Cat Lacquer's website or keep updated on all the new creations on their Facebook page.  

I'd love to know what your favorite polish is to use on a special day, like your birthday!  Thank you for already making my birthday happy just for stopping by!

~ Hayley

Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer Custom Giveaway

Today I have a super fun post for you that includes :::drum roll please:::: a GIVEAWAY! 

Since my little man is in preschool, I decided to take my obsession with polish one step forward by having the talents behind Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer and Monster Polish create some custom colors as gifts for his teachers. And they are so amazing and awesome that they provided a couple for you, my readers! 

First I'm giving a chance at my BEGL customs (so check back since you know I'll have some Monster Polish up for grabs at a later date!) I asked Julie to create something that was "Christmas-y" and also incorporate that my son is in the Rainbow Room at preschool. Man, did she come through! May I present "Merry Christmas Rainbow Room!" and "Rainbow Room Christmas Rumpus"!

Aren't they simply gorgeous? MCRR is an ultra sparkly red holo and RRHR is a light pink crelly with metallic and holo glitters. So much glitter and rainbow! Yes, I know these beauties have Christmas names (as they were made for my son's teachers for Christmas) but I thought they were the perfect colors for Valentines Day. And if you're not into V-Day, think of the awesome anti-V-Day mani's you could do with this red holo...

Alright, ready to enter to win? Please make sure you enter the best email to contact you at in case you win! I'd hate to pick you but not have a way to get in touch. I can only ship within the US right now, but if you have a US mule, you can enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SinfulColors Love Sprinkles: Flirt With Hearts (Valentine's Day 2015 Collection)

  * Provided for review *

It is quickly approaching, and like it or not, you will be inundated with hearts, flowers, chocolates and a whole row of stuffed bears and frogs staring you down at the store.  This year I get to share the 2015 Valentine's Day standout polish with you.  Check out Love Sprinkles by SinfulColors, the star of their Flirt With Hearts collection!

The entire SinfulColors Flirt With Hearts collection is full of bright and cheerful shades. Their collection description says it all:

"Channel your inner Cupid this Valentine’s Day with eight sensuous hues that are guaranteed to make hearts flutter."  

There is nothing dull or dark about these polishes; they are all bright pinks, purples, reds, and teal that will melt any winter blahs away.  They stepped up their game with Love Sprinkles though, it's subtle and versatile because of the clear base.  The glitter mix is small, matte light pink and tiny white glitters with matte white hearts. Matte!

Application of Love Sprinkles was good, it's not meant to be a dense glitter...just a sprinkle.  The key to ensuring some hearts make it onto the nails is shaking the bottle as the heart glitter tends to settle at the bottom.  I used one coat over 24/7 on most nails, two for a few nails that were sparse.

Described as the "hottest pink", 24/7 is my first experience with a neon polish.  I would personally consider 24/7 for a summer neon color, while also appropriate for Valentine's day.  Three easy coats were needed but dry time was really good!  This collection was mostly re-promotes and core colors along with the limited edition Love Sprinkles.  This collection will be available at Walgreens, Rite Aid, and other mass retailers in February for $1.99 each.  You can keep up with SinfulColors on their website and other social media.

Maybe Valentine's Day isn't your favorite day....BUT just remember the day after is a great day!  All the yummy chocolate is half off and always worth grabbing one of your favorites.  :)  Thanks for stopping by!

~ Hayley

*products featured in this post were sent for my honest review

SpaRitual Arroyo

  *Purchased by me*

I'm excited to announce that I found another SpaRitual that I wanted from the Wander collection.  This one is called Arroyo, it is another "sandy matte shimmer" and this time I left it matte!  SpaRitual Arroyo is a pink that leans to the mauve spectrum, and has a golden shimmer to it. 

Sunlight - no topcoat

I had to look up the definition to Arroyo (which I'm a little ashamed to say, since I live in Arizona) but it means: A dry creek or stream bed—gulch that temporarily or seasonally fills and flows after sufficient rain.
Yep, we have those all over the place here....and now on my nails. 

This is two coats with no top coat.  Dry time is nice and quick because of the matte finish.  There are some great swatches of Arroyo with top coat, and like Nomad, the shimmer really pops with a shiny top coat.

Again if you wander into an Ulta (see the first sentence for what I did there) and find these on clearance, I absolutely recommend getting them!  The sale price definitely makes these worth adding to your collection! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~ Hayley

SpaRitual Nomad

Happy Friday!! This brand is completely new to me.  I walked into Ulta's clearance sale on New Years Eve with the intent of getting some Zoyas, and walked out with this one also. I am sure you can relate. :)
I remembered admiring some of SpaRitual's Wander Fall 2014 collection, particularly Nomad, Arroyo and Starry Night.  I didn't see the other two, but grabbed the last Nomad because I have nothing like this in my collection.  I'm pretty infatuated...

Macro! (with topcoat)

The bottom of the bottle says sandy matte shimmer.  I read that and I acknowledged it but it didn't register.  Then when I tried it and saw it drying matte, tears of happiness welled up and I immediately messaged Jackie.  All the swatches of Nomad were mostly shown with topcoat (it is awesome this way).  I planned to leave it matte, but top coated it to make sure I could get pictures the next morning.

These swatches are 2 coats of Nomad and 1 coat of Out The Door.  It has a great formula and no clean up was necessary with this polish.  Nomad looks olive green with rose shimmer outdoor light and warmer greenish gold with rose shimmer indoors. Leaving it matte makes the polish softer looking and a unique, but very wearable olive.

Inside: polish accurate, not skin accurate!

 

If I had bought this before New Years Eve it would have definitely been on the Favorites post!  I would consider this beauty if you see it, or send me over a back up bottle! :)  My SpaRitual obsession starts now.

~ Hayley

Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer - A Spark in the Dark Collection Swatches and Review

 *Press Samples*

It's no secret that Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer is one of my favorite indie polish brands. January 12th brings us a new collection release called A Spark in the Dark and I am lucky enough to share three of these polishes with you!

Caught a bit of sunshine - see these beauties sparkle?
From L to R are Hypothermia, It's Almost After Midnight, and Bound to the City Life

First up is Bound to the City Life which is described as a dark teal jelly with teal, turquoise, purple, and blue holo microglitters. In the bottle the polish looks almost black, but on the nail you can see the teal come out. This teal leans more blue than green and is stunning on the nail. Shown are three thin coats over a base coast plus a top coat.

Look deep into the squishy-ness!

I normally shy away from jellies as I like my polish to be opaque in as few coats as possible. I also felt like jellies were hard to work with. I'm happy to say that I had no issues applying Bound to the City Life. The formula of this color is on the thicker side which means that it only really took two coats for me to be happy with opacity, but I used three for the sake of pictures (the camera always finds a bald spot!).

Florescent lighting

Macro Shot!

Next up is It's Almost After Midnight described as a medium grey creme with blue shimmer and blue flash. This one is gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Did I mention its gorgeousness? This beauty was opaque in 2 coats but I'm wearing three here for photo reasons.

Direct sunlight

IAAM has that dusty quality that I often look for in polishes but with the added flash it really gives it something special!

Direct sunlight

Macro Shot

And last but not least is the collection limited edition Hypothermia! Hypothermia is a gorgeous purple holo with purple shimmers. This is a re-release from last winter. It was so popular that Julie was awesome enough to give those of us who missed out (ahem, yes, sadly I was one of those people) a shot at getting this beauty. Remember, it will ONLY be available if you purchase the full collection!

Direct sunlight

Like all of the BEGL holos, this baby sparkles like nobody's business! I love this shade of puple, which is slightly darker and much dustier than my other favorite BEGL Fare the Wind, the perfect purple for winter.

Indirect (indoor) lighting - see that "dusty" quality?

Macro in direct sunlight

The A Spark in the Dark collection will be released on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 3:30 pm EST. The full collection of 8 polishes will be $67 for full sized bottles and $37 for minis. Remember you can only get the elusive Hypothermia with the purchase of the full collection! There will also be a new limited edition Siren released that day!

Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer's shop can be found here. Be sure to follow Julie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news and release information. She can also be found blogging at Wishes of a Blue-Eyed Girl.


Disclosure: These polishes were provided for review. All opinions are my own.