Essie Luxeffects Swatches and Review

I bought these as a present for myself and couldn't wait to play with them! My first Essie polishes! This is a very picture heavy post, so I'll let the pictures do most the talking...

Essie Luxeffects: (L-R) Set In Stone, As Gold As It Gets, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Shine of the Times

Essie Luxeffects: (L-R) Set In Stones, As Gold As It Gets, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Shine of the Times

Swatched in the same order as the bottles, thumb to pinky

Essie Luxeffects, over black (Set In Stones, As Gold As It Gets, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Shine of the Times)

Essie Luxeffects, over black (Set In Stones, As Gold As It Gets, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Shine of the Times)

Essie Luxeffects, over black (Set In Stones, As Gold As It Gets, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Shine of the Times)

Essie Luxeffects, over black (Set In Stones, As Gold As It Gets, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Shine of the Times)

And some single nail shots, in a different order, just to mix things up ...

Essie A Cut Above, one coat over black

Essie A Cut Above is a clear base with small light pink glitter with medium and large light pink glitter. Nice and even distribution of glitter. Gorgeous.

Essie As Gold As It Gets, one coat over black

 Essie As Gold As It Gets is fine gold shimmer in a clear base. Very pretty.

Essie Pure Pearlfection, one coat over black

Essie Pure Pearlfection is a silvery blue shimmer in a clear base. It shined silver or blue, maybe a hint of purple or pink in some lights?, but I couldn't capture it. Pretty color.

Essie Set In Stones, one coat over black

Essie Set In Stones is a silver version of A Cut Above - clear base with small silver glitter and medium and large silver hexagonal glitter. Again, nice even distribution of glitter, covered well.

Essie Shine of the Times, one coat over black

Essie Shine of the Times is a flakie that shines bronze, gold, copper, and green depending on the light. The shot above shows most of the colors, feel free to enlarge it. I love this color. I don't know how it compares to other flakies, but since it's the only one I have, I think it's perfection!

You can buy these anywhere Essie is sold. I bought mine at Ulta, but I see them at Walgreen's all the time. They retail for $8.00 each.

I'm on call for my job ALL weekend, so I won't be having any crazy partying. =( Anyone fun plans tonight? Please tell me, so I can live vicariously through someone else's life.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength 3K or more!

I noticed a lot of these new Sally Hansen Diamond Strength nail polishes have some wedding related names. This one's a bit cheeky, eh?

Sally Hansen 3K or More! is a very warm, peach with shimmer. Nice and neutral, very flattering even though it's a pale peach. Leans very yellow.

Sally Hansen 3K or More!

Sally Hansen 3K or More!

Sally Hansen 3K or More!

Went on great, I do like Sally Hansen in that regard. Available everywhere Sally Hansen is sold, and retail for $3.99.

Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink & Glitter Badge

Speaking of glitter, I have a fun one to share with you guys! I love glitter polishes, and although I'm not super big pink fan, I am a super big fan of this polish. Gritty, but that's expected, dried quickly, and covered in two coats. I used three because I'm OCD and can't stop at two!

Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink, three coats, sunlight 

Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink, three coats, sunlight

Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink, three coats, sunlight

Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink, three coats, sunlight

And blurry to we can all bask in the beauty .. Sigh.

Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink, three coats, sunlight

So now I think we've all officially agreed I love glitter, which means now I can show you my latest badge! I really like this one from Shannara and Nail Reflections because, obviously, I'm obsessed with glitter! Haha. Surprise, no?

Acknowledge the receipt, post a swatch of your favorite glitter polish (to prove you're worthy, of course!), pass this on to 4 Glitterati ....The Rules

1. Kia
2. Kelly
3. Simply Beauty
4. Codename Aya

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Smokey Eyes for Green Eyes

Good morning lovelies!

Today I have for you Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Smokey Eyes for Green Eyes. I picked this up, not because I have green eyes (eek, I'm such a rebel) but because I like greens and purples on my eyes. And I'm a shimmer addict. 

Physicians Formula Smoky Green Eyes

Look at all that beautiful shimmer! Gah!

Physicians Formula Smoky Green Eyes

Physicians Formula Smoky Green Eyes, shade
Top - bare hand
Bottom - over UDPP

Physicians Formula Smokey Green Eyes, sunlight
Top - bare skin
Bottom - over UDPP

Color payoff is better over UDPP but then again, that's true for just about every eye shadow in the world, so no big surprise there. Blending is good, staying power is great (but again, over UDPP). 

I'm going to have to look into the other shimmer strips now. I think I'm in love.

Here is a random eye look I did with it (using UDPP, Urban Decay Cream Eyeshadow in Grass, Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Naked and Buck, and Physicians Formula Cream Gel Eyeliner for Brown Eyes in Brown)...

Christmas Challenge WrapUp & Versatile Blogger Award!

So I was totally in love with the all inclusive picture Theodora did on her blog, and she made me one. Isn't she the best?!? I wasn't expecting her to go through all that work for me, but I sure am glad! Here is my pic (but hers is much better since she's got MUCH better skillz with the nailz)

24 Days of Christmas Nail Art Challenge Recap

Aaaaaannndddddd...

I received this fun award from Theodora (have I mentioned enough that she's totally awesome!) and Emm... Yay!

There are 2 rules that come with this award: 

1.) List seven things about yourself

2.) Pass to 15 bloggers

SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME...

1. I used to work as a nail tech in high school. I used to have a ton of polishes and do my nails (and my friends nails) but it never really grew into an obsession until recently.

2. My favorite color is purple. It would be glitter if glitter were a color.

3. I went to THREE different high schools in the span of four years. I was always the new kid.

4. I love doggies! I have three that I rescued (but they live with my parents, sad) and I constantly bug my husband about getting one.

5. I am scared of flying, stinging insects even though I've never been stung. I have no idea why, but the longer I go without getting stung and the more people tell me about it, the more I freak out when they are near me.

6. I love sci fi and action movies. I've been told I have the movie tastes of a 16 year old boy.

7. I've been sky diving and I LOVED it.

Whew!

I forward this to ...

1 Rubys Nails
2 The Classy Turtle
3 KK Nails
4 Short N Chic
5 me, myself, and nail polish
6 Polished Pretties
7 Basecoat Topcoat
8 Polished & Not Quite Put Together
9 Simply Beauty
10 Polished River
11 The Glam Goddness
12 My Wet Nails
13 Bling It ON!
14 Nails.N.Details
15 Stuff I Swatched

China Glaze Tinsel Town

I thought I'd catch up a little bit on my swatches while I'm on vacation! Wee for vacation spam!

China Glaze Tinsel Town is a gorgeous deep grey glitter with large silver glitter. As usual with the 2011 glitters, it covers in about three coats and dries fairly smooth.

China Glaze Tinsel Town, three coats, no topcoat, shade

China Glaze Tinsel Town, three coats, no topcoat, back sunlight

China Glaze Tinsel Town, three coats, no topcoat, sunlight

China Glaze Tinsel Town, three coats, no topcoat, sunlight

The only thing that made me sad about this color is even though I topped it with SV it still chipped within one day. Although I know glitters chip easier and I'm pretty rough on my hands, that still made me sad. Oh well, it was beautiful while it lasted!

Hope you are all recovering from the huge meals from yesterday. There will be lots of walking today. Lots. And there is a good change there will be more eating. Yay!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays (and stamping!)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays for all you out there in the world! I'm spending time with family and friends today.

I had asked Santa for some stamping stuff this holiday, and he delivered, early! And in a postal outfit. Strange.

I got this idea from Sarah in her manicure of Stamped Rose Pattern and KNEW I had to do it. So it was the first one I tried after a few random stamps on naked nails just to see how to do it. Mine is nowhere near her quality (hers are actually spread out evenly and beautifully and her photo skills are beyond compare) but I thought I'd share my first stamping attempt with you!

I used Color Club Wild At Heart (love this color!) and stamped (numerous times) with Sinful Colors Nail Art in white.

I really like stamping - and it's something I can do on BOTH hands! Hence why the pattern is on my left (nondominant) hand. Yay for nail art equality!

Hope you and your loved ones are having a wonderful day!

Day 24 - Favorite Manicure

Oh my gosh! It's over. This is very bittersweet. I have really enjoyed the challenge of this and getting to know some of you (at least your nails) very well. Sniffle.

I wasn't sure if favorite manicure meant my favorite of what we've done or my favorite manicure to wear. So I went with the latter. When I first swatched the China Glaze Let It Snow collection, I knew this would be my Christmas manicure. I'm so excited to finally have it on my nails!

Behold the beauty of China Glaze Twinkle Lights over China Glaze Glittering Garland!

China Glaze Twinkle Lights over Glittering Garland

China Glaze Twinkle Lights over Glittering Garland

China Glaze Twinkle Lights over Glittering Garland

This was two coats of Glittering Garland and one of Twinkle Lights. I love it. Not very even, but I think it adds character.

As always, show some love to fellow bloggers also putting in the time, sweat, and nail polish ....  Ally-Rose, Kelly, Lexi, Steffi, Kirshten, Salpi, Sabine, Shannara, paint that nail, Theodora R., Jessica, Bridget,  Stella

I'm going to miss the fun I've had, but maybe my cuticles will forgive me in a month or so and there will be a Valentine's Challenge! Merry Christmas Eve!

I'll be with family and friends tomorrow, so for those of you turning off your computers and phones tomorrow, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Day 22 - Elf

I'm such a ditz. I forgot to post this. I did do it, on time even! Just saved it as a draft. Sigh... Here it is!

I thought about doing a whole elf, but that's too complicated. Then I thought about doing half an elf, and that was too complicated. Then I pondered doing the face, and guess what, I thought that was too complicated. So I thought about what do women love most other than nails and makeup? Shoes!

Wee! A cute little elf shoe. Just something a little different. =)

I used Sephora by OPI Looks Like Rain Dear, and Migi Nail Art pens in red, green, and white. And a little rhinestone.

Sephora by OPI Looks Like Rain Dear, three coats

Thanks to Theodora for the hint that my elf hadn't yet been posted. I don't know if that was intentional - but thanks! I hadn't noticed it until I read that comment.

Day 23 - Santa

Wee! Tomorrow is the last day! I'm so ready for the holiday break, all this nail polish and acetone is killing me! =)

You get TWO today! First, the one I did under my santa hat a few days ago ...

Then the one I had originally intended to do ...

I used Color Club Earth Angel, and Migi pens in white, black, and red.

Other people drawing Santa today ....  Ally-Rose, Kelly, Lexi, Steffi, Kirshten, Salpi, Sabine, Shannara, paint that nail, Theodora R., Jessica, Bridget,  Stella

Day 21 - Reindeer/Rudolf

OK, so I got this idea from a gift bag at work. He was too cute so I tried to re-create the little bugger.

He was supposed to be tangled in a string of christmas lights, but I figured if I tried to do anything fancy, I'd mess him up! Hope you like him. He likes you! And please forgive his Groucho Marx eyebrows, he needs to get waxed.

I used Sally Hansen Tough Luck (which reminds me an awful lot of China Glaze Cha  Cha Cha), Orly Prince Charming, Color Club Earth Angel, and Migi pens in black and red.

Sally Hansen Tough Luck

Please check out some other lovely nail art ...  Ally-Rose, Kelly, Lexi, Steffi, Kirshten, Salpi, Sabine, Shannara, paint that nail, Theodora R., Jessica, Bridget,  Stella

Wet N Wild ColorIcon Ice Baby Collection Update

I found one of the missing polishes! If you saw my post a few weeks ago on the Wet N Wild ColorIcon Ice Baby Nail Polish Collection, I added an edit at the bottom that there were TWO MORE colors that I hadn't found. I have since stalked my local stores for these colors, and I succeeded in finding one - Believe Me, It's Real. They had one left, so I snatched it up!

Wet N Wild Believe Me, It's Real is a medium blue glitter with large purple hexagonal glitters. It covers beautifully in three coats, as did most of the others in the collection, and dried slightly rough, but a coat of SV will usually do the trick. I LOVE this polish! It's gorgeous.

Wet N Wild Believe Me, It's Real

Wet N Wild Believe Me, It's Real (sunlight)

Wet N Wild Believe Me, It's Real

I'm still hunting for Back Alley Deals, which seems like it would be right up my alley. No pun intended.