Monthly Archives: November 2011

November 27, 2011 · 9:09 pm

Zoya: Kristen

I was pretty excited to wear Kristen the other day when I changed my manicure. And I’m excited to say that I really love this polish, it took me by surprise.

Pretty, pale dusty blue

Kristen is a pale, powder blue creme with a bit of grey. What I really like about this polish is that it’s so pretty, but also not overly girl-y or juvenile. The grey in the base really brings down any brightness that pale polishes can sometimes have. The tone and color are so flattering. Even though this color seems fairly straight forward or bland, there is something about it that is really unique and pretty. I can’t think of another blue similar to Kristen. Even if you’re against wearing blues, I highly recommend it.

Very smooth, easy application

I had no formula or application issues with Kristen. I applied two thicker coats. It went on smooth without streaking or being too thick like some pastel-y colors can be. My only application tip would to be make sure the first coat is dry to avoid any bald spots. This polish had a quick drying time as well.

Where to Buy: Zoya.com / $ 8

I can’t tell if polish lovers are that into the Zoya Feel collection. I think this color is very beautiful and flattering, what do you think? Does it seem like a typical blue to you? Or are you interested in it? It doesn’t read as very winter-y to me though. So far this is my favorite from the collection, but I have a few more to share with you guys in the near future!

- Liz

 

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November 24, 2011 · 3:26 pm

OPI: Warm & Fozzie

Happy Thanksgiving, all! I hope you have eaten enough food for a small army already today or will be shortly. I’m starving and can’t wait to get my mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cornbread on.

I picked this polish to wear for the holiday because it really evokes a sense of warmth and comfort. The name couldn’t be more fitting for this golden-y, bronze, foil-y beauty.

Warm, shimmery, metallic goodness

Warm & Fozzie is absolutely beautiful. There are so many colors in this polish, but they all work together in a great way. It’s a foil-y, mostly overall metallic, polish that is full of gold, bronze, and even some sparse red particles that make this polish look so warm, cozy, and inviting. There is also somewhat of a green tinge that comes out in certain lighting. What is also so nice about this polish is that it translates perfectly from the bottle to the nail; no color or sparkle gets left behind.

The application and formula on this polish was great, I had no issues. Sometimes with foils they need three coats to really bring the luminosity and depth, but I only used two thick coats and everything looks wonderful. Though with a lot of foils, the wear-time hasn’t been ideal for such a pretty polish that I can’t stop admiring!

Where to Buy: Ulta / Trade Secret / JCPenny / Professional Salons / Online Retailers / $ 8.50

So, is this a top pick of yours for the Muppets collection? Have you picked it up already or are you planning to? Does this polish remind you of OPI DS Glow just a bit?

- Liz

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November 19, 2011 · 9:14 pm

Zoya: Kendal

Hey all, I hope you’re enjoying your weekend so far. If only it could last forever, am I right?

Kendal is another polish from the Zoya Winter Feel collection that is pale, creamy, and dreamy.

Pale lavender creme, with a touch of grey

Kendal is a very pale, lavender creme that has a touch of grey in it. In the bottle it seems as though it has a bit more grey undertones in it than transfers when it dries. Or it might just be my skin-tone, but it looks comparable to a lot of lavenders I own. It’s quite pretty and delicate none the less, but isn’t all that different. And doesn’t necessarily evoke any winter-y or frosty feelings to me.

Easy formula and application

Although creme formulas and applications aren’t my favorite, Kendal gave me little trouble. I used two thicker coats to get full coverage and to minimize streaking. It dried pretty quickly as well.

Where to Buy: Zoya.com  / $ 8

How do you guys feel about this polish? Is it a pass for you? Or do you think this pretty lavender is a go? I’m also curious if this polish reminds you of winter, I’d like to hear about it if it does!

- Liz

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November 17, 2011 · 10:14 pm

Zoya: Avery

Please excuse my sub-par photos for this post. I knicked my polish hanging new sheers in my bedroom the other night, but still really wanted to blog and post for you guys. Bare with me.

When I saw swatches of the new Zoya Feel Winer collection the other morning, I ordered them all immediately. There was something about the creamy, dreamy, grey-ed out neutrals that felt winter-y in a non-gimicky kind of way. Not to mention, all the colors look gorgeous together as a collection.

Creamy, peachy nude creme

Avery was the polish I was most excited to try. The gorgeous, nude, beige-y peach (with a touch of pink even?) looks gorgeous. It looks literally like foundation in the bottle. As you can tell, it didn’t give me much of a “mannequin hands” look; I think it actually clashed somewhat with my skintone. To my disappointment, something about this polish was off on me. I thought it looked so dreamy and innocent in the bottle, but ended up looking somewhat frumpy and “blah” on me. I’m so bummed!

I didn’t have too much of an issue with application. It wasn’t as wonderfully smooth a formula as we all are accustomed to with Zoya, but it wasn’t awful. I would suggest applying two thick coats for evenness and to avoid streaks.

Where to Buy: Zoya.com / $ 8

I will say that I think this opaque creme finish is…a little heavy for me. I feel like it never looks right to me. I wish there was some micro-shimmer thrown in, or that these polishes were the jelly-creme hybrid that I personally prefer compared to traditional cremes. Something to lighten up the finish. What do you guys think? Are you excited about these colors? Or do they seem boring to you? Do you find them “winter-y” by any means? Or interesting regardless of the season?

- Liz

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November 13, 2011 · 5:02 pm

Nubar: Dark Wash Jeans

Hey, guys. I hope all of you are enjoying your Sunday afternoon. I feel the doom of Monday morning approaching too quickly. Boo.

Dark Wash Jeans it the darkest blue polish from the Nubar Jeans collection. Similar to the mid-toned polish, Boyfriend Jeans, this polish has a lot of grey in it which allows for a cool, yet subdued blue.

Not too dark, grey toned blue creme

Dark Wash Jeans is, contrary to the name, a not too dark blue creme. It has a bit of grey in it so the color isn’t too bright or loud. I actually find this polish to be a bit light and similar to the medium polish in the collection, Boyfriend Jeans. I feel as though it isn’t dark enough for the light, medium, and dark gradation going on with the three polishes in the collection.

Creamy finish and application

Like the other two polishes in this collection, I had no formula or application problems. The formula was smooth and easy to spread and covered well in just two coats. It also dried quickly and I have had good wear, which is awesome. My only application tip would be to wait between coats so you don’t get any cuticle drag.

One thing I did notice about this polish is that it dried a bit lighter than the bottle color. I think that if the polish dried more like the color in the bottle, I would be a little happier. It’s just almost not dark enough to resemble my favorite pair of dark denim. Regardless, I do like this polish and think it’s very pretty. It’s always nice to find a blue that is wearable and mature.

Where to Buy: Bynubar.com / $ 19.99

Do you have a favorite in this Nubar collection? Or in the Chanel Les Jeans collection? Does this dark polish appeal to you? It’s a good color for the dark, cold days that are approaching (yuck!).

- Liz

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November 9, 2011 · 6:12 pm

Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish: Trafalgar Square

The idea of these magnetic polishes has intrigued me from the start. I’m not big on nail art, although I know the majority of nail polish lovers are. But I like that these polishes give me a “nail art” effect with the magnet. The process (which was painless, really) to achieve a fun, playful patterned manicure is well worth it for me. I am completely sold and in love with these!

Easy to use magnetic

Let’s start with the magnet and process to achieve the intended effect. As I mentioned, it really IS easy. The magnet pops off to reveal a smaller and regular sized polish brush end which makes application easy. The magnet has a little lip, or ridge, on it to easily place at the base of your nail. Careful to hold it level and not touch your wet polish with the magnet (like I did on my ring finger. Oops).

First, apply one coat of polish to each nail and let dry for at least 5 minutes. Then, one by one, apply another thin coat of polish to each nail and immediately hold the magnet above it for 15 to 20 seconds. Ta da, you’re done. Let dry fully and apply your top coat!

Metallic silver with black. (I knocked my ring finger with the magnet!)

Trafalgar Square starts out as a mid-toned metallic silver. After the magnetic is applied, the polish gets black (what I am calling) color waves. I think the silver and black color combination works nicely. What I really like about this magnetic effect is that it creates a uniformed pattern on each nail. Each “color wave” comes out very similar, almost identical, on each nail. I like that it doesn’t get too messy or wild with each nail being its own design. It allows the effect to remain pretty uniform.

Almost 3D, wave effect

The magnet does more than add another color into the polish; it creates an almost 3D effect to the finish. It adds this whole new depth and dimension that is really cool and truly unique. Unfortunately, this does not translate into photos. It somehow allows the pattern to literally look as though it’s coming off the nail. It’s really, really cool and I wasn’t aware that the polish would do this on top of change color and add a pattern. It’s mesmerizing.

Where to Buy: Sephora / Sephora.com / $ 16.00

Seriously, let’s hear your thoughts on these! I know the high price is definitely an issue, but I think these are really unique. I do wish the color combinations were a little more creative, but I’m not sure if that’s possible. Are these cool and interesting to you or too busy? I think it’s an easy alternative to nail art that doesn’t look too over the top or juvenile.

- Liz

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November 5, 2011 · 9:45 am

Nubar: Faded Jeans

Hey guys, I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday.

I was pretty excited to beef up part of my light blue collection with this polish. I find light blues somewhat difficult to wear on my warm toned skin, sometimes difficult to apply, and borderline juvenile. But this one slid by all of those issues. I might be somewhat bias though because it reminds me of my favorite denim motorcycle jacket. :)

Light, and less sky blue, shimmer

As I mentioned, even though I am a lover of all things blue, sometimes these light blues are difficult to wear on my warm skin. However, there is something about Faded Jeans that is flattering. I think it might be the delicate, fine shimmer that softens it against the skin, though it really is only noticeable in the sunlight. There’s also something about it that is less “sky blue” than light blues can be. It’s the most playful polish in the collection and I think it’s great polish for a light denim wash.

Easy application (especially for a light pastel-y blue!)

I was worried about running into an application issue with this light blue polish. But I think the shimmer in the finish evened out any chalky-ness or streaking. There was very minimal streaking and pretty good coverage. I ended up only needed two coats. My only application tip would to be to apply a thicker first coat to really make sure you get solid coverage. Pretty good drying time as well. I have also gotten excellent wear time on all of this collection.

Where to Buy: ByNubar.com / $19.99 (For the set of three).

How do you feel about this light blue polish? Is it a bit “spring time” for you? Or do you think it’s pretty? Is it denim appropriate? I think this polish would look particularly pretty on light, cool toned skin.

- Liz

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November 2, 2011 · 7:37 pm

Nubar: Boyfriend Jeans

When I first heard about the Chanel Les Jeans collection, I literally gasped aloud at my computer. I have a slight obsession with denim. Not in a fancy kind of way, but in a love for denim way. I love wearing denim on denim, I collect denim jackets and vest, etc. I just think it looks super cool and is really an American style.

At any rate, I rationally convinced myself to not drop $75 on the three Chanel Les Jeans polishes, but to wait it out in hopes that someone would steal that dreamy denim collection and sell it at a price that didn’t cause a moral dilemma. Nubar released their Jeans collection and I snatched it up.

Creamy, greyed out, medium toned blue

Boyfriend Jeans actually surprised me. In the bottle it doesn’t look to be all that pretty or interesting. A medium, slightly dusty or grey-ed out blue creme. But once this manicure was finished, I was really taken back by how pretty it is. Although it seems simple, there is something about this color that is just perfect and unique. I like that it’s blue, but not too bright, light, or deep. The creme lends itself to a certain sophistication and the grey-blue gives it an edge. It’s unpredictable and pretty; I can’t stop admiring it.

Wonderful creamy application

This polish gave me zero problems in the application and formula departments. It was smooth and creamy. It was very easy to apply. There were also no streaking problems. It had a good drying time as well. My only tip would be to wait between coats to prevent any cuticle drag. I used two coats and got full coverage. I have also had really good wear on this polish which is always surprising and awesome to me.

Where to Buy: ByNubar.com / $ 19.99 (For the three polish set).

So, what do you think? Is an all blue or “denim” inspired collection not for you? Or do you like the colors and the inspiration? Or is Nubar ripping off Chanel kinda of lame? I love this collection clearly!

The Nubar Jeans collection is also basically a dead on dupe for the Chanels. From what I’ve seen and in my opinion, only the lightest blue is the most noticeably different (but not by much at all).

- Liz

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