Essie Go Overboard

   Go Overboard is from one of the new Essie Spring 2012 collections.  I'm not sure if this is permanent of limited, the display at Target, where I picked this one up at, isn't overly clear.  But I must say I have been very impressed lately with how quickly Target has been getting and putting out the new Essie collections.  

   Go Overboard is a medium teal creme.  It has good pigmentation but the formula wanted to run instead of staying where I wanted it.  This led to some extra clean up at the end. I used 1 med thick coat in these shots, but I think 2 thinner coats might work better to control where the polish goes more.  My base was Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler and I didn't use a top coat.  The polish dries about 1 shade darker than the bottle color.

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   I like this shade a lot.  I've been really drawn to teals lately.  The extra clean up wasn't too bad and I didn't notice any staining starting.  But I think I'll definitely try 2 thin coats next time instead.  What do you lovelies think of Go Overboard?

Wet N Wild On A Trip

   On a recent trip to Walgreens, I found the newly redesigned Wet N Wild Megalast polishes.  Since I've been very impressed with WnW lately and the polishes are only $1.99, I grabbed a pretty purple to try out.  

   First thought, I like the new bottle design.  It has a solid base, so won't tip over too easily, but feels feminine.  Then I opened the bottle and wasn't as happy.  The neck of the brush is so wide it is just barely smaller than the bottle opening.

   One of the big reasons I don't like wide brush necks like this is that it brings excess polish into much closer contact with the neck of the bottle.  Which can easily get into the bottle treads and glue your polish shut.  

   Once I pulled the brush completely out of the bottle, I saw another issue.  WnW has started using the "pro wide" style brush in these bottles.  I definitely do not like this style brush.  The problem with the pro wide brush, for me anyway, is that the brush is almost as wide, or wider than in some cases, my nails.  Which makes it almost impossible for me to paint my nails without getting polish on the skin around the nail as well.  Now I usually wind up getting polish on my skin anyway, but this style brush makes it worse usually.  Plus the brush has a soft fluffy feel when you're using it.

   On to the polish itself.  On A Trip is a light-medium blue based purple creme.  Almost a periwinkle, but a little too purple.  The formula was very nice and I probably wouldn't have had many application issues with a smaller brush.  I used Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler base coat, 2 coats of polish, and no top coat.

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   I love the color and formula of On A Trip.  I think the new bottle is really pretty.  But I HATE the brush.  To the point I am seriously considering decanting the polish into another bottle.  I'm not sure if I'll try any of the other polishes from the line.  Maybe if I get them on sale and decant so I don't have to deal with the brush.

China Glaze Wicked Style

   Wicked Style is the second color from the China Glaze Spring 2012 ElectroPop Collection I have to show you.  Wicked Style is a bright raspberry creme.  There's a touch of cream to the color as well to keep this from being more of a neon.  

   Wicked Style feels brighter on that it looks in the bottle.  That may just be my take since I don't normally wear bright pinks.  I had no issues with the formula or application.  I used Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler base coat, 2 coats of Wicked Style, and no top coat in these photos.

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   Wicked Style also dries pretty close to bottle color, maybe just a touch darker.  This is definitely a fun spring color that will draw some attention.  

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

China Glaze Kinetic Candy

   Kinetic Candy is from the new China Glaze ElectroPop Collection for Spring 2012.  It is a light blue creme with hints of grey and green to give a soft buttery feel.  Kinetic is not quite a turquoise, but almost.  

   Kinetic Candy is almost a lighter version of For Audrey, also from China Glaze.  There's not quite as much green in Kinetic so this one is more like a younger half-sister.  I used Beauty Secrets ridge filler base coat and no top coat in these photos.  The formula and application are very good, maybe just a little thicker than normal, but that didn't cause any issues.  I used 2 coats of polish, but with a thicker coat 1 would probably be enough.

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   Unlike a lot of polishes, when dry Kinetic Candy actually matches the shade you see in the bottle.  This would still be a nice color in a darker shade, but I'm glad it stays true to the bottle.  

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

OPI DS Original

   When OPI first came out with their Designer Series collection the polishes were amazing holographics.  I mean distract you every time you look at your nails amazing.  Original is a gorgeous lilac color.  

LOOK at the rainbows in the bottle! Remember to click on all of these photos to enlarge them and get an even better look.  Formula and application were good.  I used 3 very THIN coats and I think this was best.  Though I will probably layer this over a similar colored creme in the future, just to preserve the awesome.   I used China Glaze Strong Adhesion base coat and Sally Hansen Insta Dri top coat.

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   I apologize if you can't look away from the rainbows.  They are mesmerizing.

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   Nothing super special in the shade, like all holographics.  Just a nice purple with silver glitter/shimmer.

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   But back inside, the rainbows come out to play.  

   WHY don't more polish companies make polishes like this anymore?  The newer DS polishes are nice glitters, but after the old holographics they just can't compare.  Sadly, the older holographic DS polishes are mostly discontinued.  You can still find this one on Ebay and Amazon, but be prepared to pay a bit for it.  You might also run across it in a salon or independent beauty supply for closer to retail if you get lucky.

China Glaze ElectroPop Collection Press Release

   Please enjoy the following press release from China Glaze for their upcoming Spring 2012 ElectroPop collection:

Los Angeles, CA - (November 2011): Where heavy metal meets rocker chic, China Glaze® introduces the Spring 2012 collection, ElectroPop. Inspired by all things girly, edgy and fun, the 12 shades of ElectroPop bring out the inner rock star in all. For flash and glam this spring,
China Glaze® hits the stage in style!

ElectroPop Shades include:

• Kinetic Candy – Touch the sky in light blue crème
• Electric Beat – Periwinkle nails for a wink worthy performance
• Aquadelic – Pool blue for nighttime gigs and daytime fun in the sun
• Gaga For Green – Green lacquer for the girl craving the limelight
• Sunshine Pop – Shine in the spotlight in bold yellow
• Make Some Noise – Rock the mic in tangerine
• Wicked Style – Party cocktail tropical punch
• Fuchsia Fanatic – Fuchsia pink for the rocker diva in us all
• Gothic Lolita – Steal the show on girls night out in seductive purple
• Dance Baby – Hit center stage in cotton candy pink
• Sweet Hook – Blow a kiss in dreamy lilac
• Techno – Glitter confetti polish for a dazzling topcoat finish or all over finger tip bling

ElectroPop is also available in:
• 6 Piece Collection of “Brights”: Techno, Aquadelic, Sunshine Pop, Gaga for Green, Make Some Noise and Wicked Style

• 6 Piece Collection of “Lights”: Fuchsia Fanatic, Dance Baby, Electric Beat, Kinetic Candy, Sweet Hook and Gothic Lolita

• 12 Piece 3D Counter Display
• 36 Piece Rack

ElectroPop will be available February 2012. Individual shades retail for $7; 6 piece collections retail for $42.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries:
For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.

Rafflecopter IPad2 Giveaway!

   Hello lovelies!  I wanted to give everyone a heads up about an awesome giveaway that's starting today.  Rafflecopter, the site I used on my recent giveaways, is celebrating their launch and giving away an IPad2 and some Kindle Fires.  You can go to this link to enter, or enter from the widget below.  There are lots of ways to enter.  Just put my name Michele Gotlieb in the who referred you box.  Good luck to everyone who enters!

OPI Suzi Loves Cowboys

   When I think cowboys, I think horses and leather.  And maybe a few other dirty things I shouldn't mention ;).  Suzi Loves Cowboys is from the OPI Texas collection from Spring 2011. 

   Cowboys is a brown creme with a red undertone kind of like the leather on some saddles.  It does dry just a little darker on the nail, but not very much.  Application was a little streaky and the formula is a little thin and sheer.  Because of this I needed 3 coats for full coverage.  I used Beauty Secrets base coat and Diamond Dry top coat.

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   Cowboys is a nice shade of brown, but nothing unique.  

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

OPI Get in the Expresso Lane

   Get in the Expresso Lane is from the OPI Touring America collection for Fall 2011.   

   In the bottle this looks like a chocolate brown, but dries several shades darker and becomes a rich almost black brown creme, like a good cup of espresso.  There's just a hint of dustiness to the polish if you look close.  Application and formula were good.  2 coats were enough for full opacity.  I used Beauty Secrets base coat and Diamond Dry top coat.

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   Expresso is a very nice deep brown and if you don't have something similar, it would be a good addition to your collection.  But it does feel a bit familiar doesn't it?  What do you ladies think?

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

Zoya True Collection Review

   For Spring 2012 Zoya has brought us a gorgeous collection of 2 nudes and a set of 4 greyed shades that could have come straight from Monet's garden.   I'm just going to let the pictures do most of the talking.  All swatches are 2 coats over China Glaze Strong Adhesion base coat.  I did not use any top coat with these.

Cho

   Cho is a warm toned beige with a barely there silver shimmer.  The shimmer shows up slightly more in person, but it is definitely  extremely subtle.  The formula on this one is a little thinner than normal for Zoya and I recommend wiping the neck of your brush off as well to avoid unexpected extra polish falling onto your nail.

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Farah

   Farah is a cool toned light greige creme.  It dries just a touch darker than the bottle.  I'm thinking this might be a good base for a newspaper mani.  

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   Looking at separate pictures Cho and Farah look very similar.  Here's some shots of the bottles side by side:

   Cho is on the left, Farah on the right.  Even in the bottle, these two look very similar.  So here they are side by side on the nail so you can better see the differences:

   Cho is on my thumb, middle, and pinkie fingers.  Farah on my index and ring fingers.  On you can really tell the difference in tone and base better.

Bevin

   Bevin is a greyed mint green creme.  In the bottle it looks like mint choco chip ice cream, but dries darker and loses that ice cream feel.  I like the dry version better.

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Skylar

   Skylar is slate blue with silver and gold shimmer.  The formula is a little thin again here, so make sure to wipe the neck of your brush before applying.  Skylar dries darker and more grey on the nail than in the bottle, in a very nice way that really lets the gorgeous shimmer shine.  The shimmer does like to stay on your skin.

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Tru

   Tru is a very red based orchid purple shade with red and gold shimmer.  The shimmer gives this polish an amazing depth and warmth.  It's what really makes this polish for me.

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Lotus

   Lotus is a blue based medium light purple with pink shimmer.  Like Cho and Skylar, the formula is a little thin.  This one also dries greyer and darker than in the bottle.

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   Final thoughts:  The two nudes feel a bit out of place in this collection, especially after the recent Touch collection, but I enjoyed them more than I expected.  It seems Zoya can make me like just about any color.  Anyone who's read this blog for a while would probably guess that Tru and Lotus are my favorites of the collection.  You'd be half right.  My favorites are Tru and Skylar.  I just love the shimmer and depth of these.  Even though the formula on half of these is a little thinner than you'd normally find from Zoya, they are still completely worth the tiny extra wiping and application is as smooth as always.  

   

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