China Glaze Mummy May I

   It's Halloween Week!  Anyone besides me excited?  I love Halloween.  It's one of my two favorite holidays.  Just behind Christmas.  
   In honor of Halloween, today I have for you Mummy May I from the China Glaze Awakening collection.   Mummy May I is a deep plum jelly-like base with lots of fuchsia glitter.  In the bottle and on the hand it looks like a black base, but I promise it is a deep plum.  This is more apparent with the first coat of polish.

   The formula for MMI was a little thick, but that is not unusual for a glitter polish.  Application was a little troublesome for me.  I had problems with the glitter particles becoming clumpy on the brush and therefore not applying smoothly to the nail.  I used one coat of Seche Base base coat, I believe 3 coats of MMI, and one coat Seche Vite top coat.  

Direct Sun

Indirect Sun

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   As you can see, the glitter is the star of this polish.  It shines through and makes a statement no matter what lighting you're in.  Look closely at my thumb.  See the small line of nail at the tip?  I painted my nails just before bed and took the photos first thing the next morning.  I normally don't experience shrinkage with China Glaze so this bothered me a little.  I'm not sure if it is a result of the clumpiness I experienced, or me still trying to adjust to short nails after a few bad breaks.  Either way, I wasn't happy.  But despite that, in the 4 hours I was at work with this polish on, I received many compliments on it.  

   So while with this application I had a few issues, it is clearly a popular color and I do like the look.  So I will give it another shot when my nails, hopefully, grow back out and I'm not stressed about travel.  What does everyone else think?  Like the color?  Has anyone else tried this one and have similar issues or did you have a flawless application?

Homemade Weekends

   This weekend for homemade weekends I'm going to start bringing my jewelry making into the blog.  I'm going to start of slowly with a necklace David bought me several years ago that needed a little tweaking.  This is what it originally looked like:

   Pretty, but it was a little too short for me, it just fit around the base of my neck.  Personally, I can't stand anything tight around my neck.  Even turtleneck shirts and sweaters bother me.  The other change I wanted to make was the placement of the heart pendant.  Now I know that clasps can be done to become part of the design and be worn in front.  This one was just a bit simple of a toggle clasp to me to be worn that way.

   Since these were minor changes they only took a few minutes and left me with a necklace I like a lot better and want to wear more often.  

Tools I used

   An added bonus was that I only needed a couple things, which I already had on hand.  The first step was removing the heart from the clasp and moving it to the "middle" of the necklace.

Removed Heart

Replaced Heart

   Next came extending the length.  All this entailed was removing the clasp and adding some extra jump rings to each side before reattaching the clasp.

Removed Clasp

Added Jump Rings & Reattached Clasp

Finished Necklace

   So that's it.  Almost like having a brand new necklace.  Do you like the changes or think I should have left it alone?

MAC Mean & Green

   Last month MAC cosmetics launched a huge new line based on four Disney villains.  The line, called Venomous Villains, contains four collections each representing the colors of its villain.  MAC chose 3 classic villains, The Evil Queen from Snow White, Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians, and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.  The fourth villain is one of the newest in the Disney catalog, Dr. Facilier from The Princess and The Frog. 
   Sleeping Beauty is one of my all time favorite movies, just slightly behind While You Where Sleeping, and Maleficent is one of my top villains.  I will always have a soft spot for Izma from Emperor's New Groove too.  And wouldn't she have led to some interesting color possibilities for a make-up collection?  Sorry for the sidetrack.  The Maleficent collection was the only one with nail polishes, it had to be a sign right?  There are 3 polishes total, but my budget only allowed for 1.  The three colors are Bad Fairy, Mean & Green, and Formidable!  All are foil finish with glitter or foil like particles for added shimmer and color.  I picked Mean & Green for a couple of reasons.  First, it was the color that appealed to me most.  And second, it is a dupe for Orly's Space Cadet polish from the Cosmic FX collection, which I missed out on in all of my local stores.  So while the MAC retails $3 higher than the Cosmic FX colors, once I'd factored shipping charges in it actually works out about the same.
   Mean & Green is a glittery foil multi-chrome color.  M&G shines pink, gold, green and a few other things depending on the lighting and the angle of your hand. 

   The formula was ok, but not the best I've ever used.  Because of the glitter/foil particles application was a bit patchy and was also very sheer.  I used 3 coats and still had bald spots in places on my nail.  Now the good thing is that because of how reflective the polish is, the bald spots are not very noticeable in the sun.  In the shade however they drove me crazy.  I would recommend layering this one on top of a dark base for better effect.

   M&G gave me fits trying to get decent pictures to share.  The best ones I finally wound up with came from my cell phone at the laundromat one day.  So they are all technically taken indoors, but the laundromat I use has a waiting area with tables and two walls of windows so you still get the natural light look for the most part.

Direct Sun

Indirect Sun

Shade

   This last photo was again from my cell phone, but in the car.  It is the only one I managed to get showing the greenish gold flash of the polish.

   Removal was typical of a glitter/foil polish.  But I did not have too much issue with glitter staying on my hand after. 

OPI and Katy Perry

   The second collaboration OPI recently revealed is with Katy Perry.  Katy is well known for her unique nail styles.  You should check them out if you've never seen them.  Here's the press release and color previews.

Katy’s Colors are Dreamy!

OPI Collaborates with Pop Icon Katy Perry to Launch Lacquer Collection

Katy Perry combines her love of music and nails to introduce a new line of lacquers with OPI, launching January 2011. Inspired by Katy’s cutting edge style and latest album, Teenage Dream, the Katy Perry Collection by OPI will include four fierce, irresistible colors for nails and toes.

Complementing Katy’s already daring nail trends on and off the red carpet, a revolutionary Black Shatter top coat formula will accompany the collection to create a ground-breaking cracked pattern when applied over each dried bright lacquer.

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with such a prominent pop music icon like Katy Perry,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Katy is known world-wide for her innovative style and is always surprising us with her wild nail designs. When we learned about Katy’s love for lacquers, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to work together to create this glamorous collection.”

From alluring glitter to shiny luster, the four shades in the Katy Perry Collection by OPI include:

Teenage Dream

A dreamy pink glitter that you’re sure to crush on!

Not Like the Movies

This sultry silver is the real deal.

Last Friday Night

T.G.I.F. = This Glittery-blue Is Fierce!

The One That Got Away

You always thought you’d marry this amazing deep berry.

The Katy Perry Collection by OPI will be available beginning January 2011, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com.

   This collection will also include Black Shatter, just like the Serena Williams collection.  Do you think this means we'll be seeing Shatter Top Coats in more colors soon?  Or do you think they'll keep it to just black?  I think multiple colors could be lots of fun, but I want to wait and see how the black works and looks in person.

OPI and Serena Williams Collaborate

   OPI recently announced two new collections that will each be collaborations with some fashion forward women.  The first is with Serena Williams.  Here is the press release and a sneak peak at the first color combo.

OPI & Serena Williams Join Forces for

World-Wide Glam Slam Partnership

OPI, the world’s leading professional nail care company, partners with tennis superstar, Serena Williams, to launch the Glam Slam collection. Timed in conjunction with the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, the Glam Slam collection will introduce two new Nail Lacquers at the start of each tournament.

Beginning with the Australian Open, the first shades to be released under the collaboration will include Simply Smashing, a glowing green Nail Lacquer, paired with a revolutionary new product, Black Shatter top coat. Once applied to the dried Nail Lacquer, the top coat begins to disappear, leaving behind a leopard print-style pattern on each nail.

“Serena Williams is an amazingly talented tennis champion and true fashion icon who is constantly raising the bar on and off the court,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “We are very excited to work with Serena to launch the Glam Slam collection of eight bold, innovative products that meet the highest level of standards set by OPI and Serena.”

Serena Williams adds, “Everyone knows that I’ve always loved fashion and design, but they might not know that I’m manic about my nails.  That’s why I’m super excited to partner with OPI to create my Glam Slam Collection.  And on top of that, I am well on my way to receiving my nail technician license.  Working with OPI is really a dream come true.”

Serena Williams is ranked World Number One in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association and has received this distinction on five separate occasions, along with being listed as sixth on the all-time greatest champions list. Additionally, she has won two Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles and has earned 27 Grand Slam titles to date. Serena is the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously and only the fifth woman in history to do so.

The Glam Slam collection will be introduced in pairs of two complementary hues that coincide with each of the four major tournaments, beginning with the Australian Open in January 2011, and will include launches in May 2011 for the French Open, June 2011 for Wimbledon and August 2011 for the US Open. As with all OPI Nail Lacquers, the Glam Slam collection contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide^™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

The Glam Slam Collection by OPI will be available beginning January 2011, with subsequent launches in May, June and August, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com.

Simply Smashing

Black Shatter

Zoya Valerie

   Ah Fridays.  The start of the weekend.  The end of the work week, for some.  Also in this case the end of my Fire & Ice week.  I'm ending with my favorite of the collection, Valerie.  She's described as a deep purple baby in a sparkling metallic.  I think that's a pretty good description, what about you?

   This is a rich, deep purple with hints of black at the edges.  The sun shots were taken with the sun running out on me but, I think you can still get the idea of how beautiful Valerie is.  Zoya really did a great job on this collection with the formula.  Every one of them is great with easy application.  I used 1 coat China Glaze Strong Adhesion base, 2 coats Valerie, 1 coat Seche Vite top.

Direct Sun

Indirect Sun

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Indoor

   There's something a little odd about Valerie.  At certain angles in the sun, especially the bottle, you can see flashes of gold.  So I was expecting the foil particles to be gold when removing the polish.  But they weren't.  They were the same fuchsia as Lisa and Sarah.  I have a couple of shots I'd like to share with you, but I can't get them to upload right now.  I'll update this post if I can ever get them up.  

   So now you've seen the whole collection.  Which ones do you want and which ones do you think are a pass?  I say Valerie is a must have and if not both Lisa and Sarah, then at least one of the two.

Disclaimer: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for consideration

Zoya Lisa and Sarah

   Is there anything more classic than the perfect red nail polish?  And is there anything more frustrating than trying to find that perfect shade?  Ok, maybe trying to find the perfect shade of red lipstick for your complexion.  And there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of different ones for us to choose from.  With more coming out every year.  Especially around the holidays.  This year is no different.  The Zoya Fire & Ice Holiday collection offers two.
   First is Lisa, a celebration red sparkling metallic.  It took me a little while, and help from David, to figure out what Lisa reminded me of.  It's the red stripes in a candy cane.  The cheery red with a hint of pink at the edges.

   Lisa is from what I call the "Fire" half of the collection.  I found this half of the collection to be more pigmented than the "Ice" half.  Formula and application were great once again.  The foil particles in this half are fuchsia instead of gold.  I think that's what really gives Lisa the candy cane color for me.  I used 1 coat China Glaze Strong Adhesion base, only 2 coats of Lisa, and 1 coat Seche Vite top.  Notice I used 2 coats of polish with this one instead of the 3 I needed before.

Direct Sun

Indirect Sun

Indoor

   During removal, I actually thought to take pictures of the cotton ball so you could see just how many foil particles are in these colors.  All six polishes are equally packed.  Remember you can click on the pictures for larger images.

No Flash

With Flash

   That's a lot of foil.  It gives great sparkle on the nail, but makes removal a little difficult.  But I think it's worth it.

   Next is Sarah, possibly the prettiest sparkling red metallic ever!  That is a direct quote from the press release.  Including the exclamation point.  Is it the prettiest one ever?  I'm not sure.  But it is really pretty.  Sarah is a deeper red than Lisa.  Sarah is closer to a berry shade, while still being a red if that makes sense.

   Once again I used 1 coat China Glaze Strong Adhesion base, 2 coats Sarah, and 1 coat Seche Vite top.  The foil particles are the same fuchsia as in Lisa.

Direct Sun

 

Shade

Indoor

I really liked both of these reds.  I'm not sure I could pick a favorite between the two.  Which do you guys like better?  Are you more of a bright red fan or a darker red fan?

Disclaimer: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for consideration.

Zoya Crystal

   Is the week really almost half over already?  I swear I don't know where the time is going lately.  Anyone else have the same problem?  For me I think it's because I have so much to do before I leave next Thursday and so little time left to do it all.  Can I freak out a little now?
   But that's not what you're here for is it?  Nope, you're here to see polish.  Today I have Crystal from the Zoya Fire & Ice Holiday collection.  Crystal is described as a frosty blue sparkling metallic.   That is exactly what this polish looks like.

   The formula for Crystal is spot on, but like the other two in this half of the collection the density is a little sheer.  Once again I used 1 coat China Glaze Strong Adhesion base, 3 coats Crystal, and 1 coat Seche Vite top.  My thumb has 4 coats of Crystal because once again I was impatient and smudged the center.  You can see the lumps in my pictures.  Sorry about those.  

Direct Sun

Indirect Sun

Indoor

   I was running out of sunlight for these shots so sorry for the blur.  Though the blur does let you see just how sparkly these polishes are.  The gold foil particles in Crystal don't take a back seat like they do in Tiffany and Gloria.  With this one they decided they wanted equal focus.  If you look closely at the indirect sun shot you can see a bit of a mottled look to the polish.  That's because there are almost equal amounts of blue and gold showing.  This causes an interesting effect on the nail.  While looking at the bottles Crystal was one of my favorites, but once on I didn't like it quite as much.  I'm not sure if that was just the smudged thumb talking or the abundance of gold showing.  I've never been much of a yellow gold fan, so when it shows up unexpectedly I'm not always a happy girl.  So I will have to give Crystal another try with a full mani for a few days before making my final judgment on her.  But what do you guys think?  Remember you can click on the images for a larger view.

Disclaimer: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for consideration.

Zoya Gloria

   Today I have for you the other champagne metallic from the new Zoya Fire & Ice collection.  Gloria is described as pink champagne, but again that description doesn't quite feel right to me.

   Gloria has more a white merlot feel to me.   It is a very pretty dark rose metallic with gold foil particles, just like Tiffany.  Application was the same as Tiffany as well.  A little sheer at three coats for me, but lots of sparkle.  The formula was great as well.  Again I used one coat China Glaze Strong Adhesion base, 3 coats Gloria, and one coat Seche Vite top.

Direct Sun

Indirect Sun

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Indoor

  Just like with Tiffany, I had issues with the foil wanting to stay on my fingers during removal.  I found that wiping the polish off in only one direction helped keep the glitter fingers to a minimum however.  

   While I still wouldn't call Gloria a going out on Friday night polish, I'll probably wear her for more than family events.

Disclaimer:  The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the company for consideration.