Happy Valentine's Day!

Hey everyone!  Today is Valentine's day, and I had to do a mani for the occasion.  I wasn't too inspired, so I decided to go a little out of my comfort zone and do a shatter manicure.  I almost never wear shatters, but I just got this lovely red one from OPI and I figured what better occasion than Valentine's to use it?  I think I have a love-hate relationship with shatters because they never work out for me formula wise.  This one is actually really good, and was really easy to use.  I used the shatter over Orly Cotton Candy.

Please forgive my lack of posts lately.  It's really hard to keep up with a blog when I'm working full time and going to school.  I always say I'll do better, but there's no way to guarantee when I'll have enough free time to swatch and post.  I really do try, though :)

I love all of you!  Hopefully you have something fun planned for today/tonight!  (A date with some bottles of polish wouldn't be half bad haha!)
<3

China Glaze-Strawberry Fields

Today is day two of me feeling ultra girly.  Not sure why I feel like wearing pink lately, but here's another gorgeous one!  Strawberry Fields is a wonderful bright pink jelly(ish) base with lots and lots of lovely gold shimmery goodness.  I actually like that this one isn't completely opaque after two coats.  It adds to the girlyness I think :)  These photos are two coats topped with SV:

Ultra pretty, yes?  Reminds me of Essie Your Hut or Mine? but a bit brighter and less opaque.  Definitely an awesome shade to be wearing while I'm wishing for an early spring :)  Not that I really need to ask, it's basically been spring here all winter.  Are any of you ladies experiencing the same thing?  We only got a touch of snow and it's been pretty nice other than that...weird.

Thanks for stopping by!
<3

Color Club- Foil Me Once

I've definitely been feeling a more girly vibe for the last few days...hence the super girly pink and purple polishes that I usually don't go for.  Today I have Color Club's Foil Me Once, a lovely pinky purple foil from their Foiled collection. (How many times did I say foil in that sentence?!?)  This is two coats topped with Seche Vite:

Definitely fulfilled my girly polish craving for the day.  I love all of the polishes from the Foiled collection.  Color Club did such a nice job with them :)

Thanks for reading!
<3

Sally Hansen-Wedding Crasher

Wedding Crasher is a beautiful pink glitter in a fuscia jelly base.  Believe me, you guys, this is definitely one that you'll want to pick up :)  It's definitely one that needs to be layered unless you like the look of a jelly glitter.  I took so many pictures of this one, but just COULDN'T get one to come out right.  My camera would not focus on this one no matter what I did!  Anyway, here she is with no topcoat:

I layered her over ELF Cranberry to up the base color.  So overall, this is two coats of Cranberry and three coats of Wedding Crasher.  While it's a lot of coats, I think it's totally worth it.  So, so pretty :)

I should try layering this beauty over black, that would be sassy!

Thanks for reading!
<3

butter LONDON- Pink Ribbon

This is Pink Ribbon by butter LONDON.  It's a lovely peachy pink sheer shade.  Application provided a few issues, as with most colors like this, but after working with it for a while, I got a pretty smooth application.  I used three coats to smooth out any streaks.  

I think this color is quite beautiful.  It's really nice against my skin tone, as well (not something I usually get in a nude).  If you have this color, but the streakiness deterred you, give it another try with three really thin coats.  I think it's worth it because the color is really lovely.  Really similar to OPI Bubble Bath, if you ask me.

Thanks for reading!
<3

Sinful Colors-Vacation Time

Okay, first of all, this polish in no way reminds me of vacation.  It's a nice, neutral color that reminds me of something very office/work friendly.  It actually reminds me of my mom, who loves colors like this (she thinks it's illegal to wear shimmer/glitter/metallics/brights/etc. after a certain age [ridiculous, I know]).  Anyway, this is two coats, with no topcoat.  This polish is insanely shiny on it's own :)

Nice, but nothing special.  My mom's entire polish collection of about 5 are all colors like this, so maybe I'll give it to her.

Don't forget about my giveaway!

Thanks for reading!
<3

Essie-Lady Like

Happy Pink Wednesday!  I have a really soft pink for you guys today.  It's Essie's Lady Like from the Brand New Bag collection!  I adore this color :)  It's a super soft pink with some purple tones.  I would say it's borderline nude, as well.  Two coats was good for this polish, even though the first coat was kind of patchy.  Topped it off with a coat of SV.

I think it's so classy and feminine :)

Thanks for reading!
<3

Zoya-Meadow

Initially, I thought that Meadow was going to be a really close dupe to Essie's Your Hut or Mine?, but as it turns out, I like this one better.  I think that this is what I wished YHOM? was.  This is a more pale, true pink with gold shimmer while YHOM? is a tad more coral-y and a bit brighter.  I love you, Meadow, I really do!  Application was alright.  The formula is a tad thick and gloopy, so I had to thin it.  Very opaque, though, almost a one-coater :)

Prettyyyy.  I think I need to thin it more the next time I wear it, though.  I've only seen Meadow around the blogosphere a couple of times...I don't think she gets the credit she deserves!!

Thanks for reading!
<3

Sinful Colors-Dancing Nails

Dancing Nails is a really neat pinky red metallic color.  It makes me feel so fierce!!  Haha :)  Application, as always with SC, was pretty good.  Care is needed with brushstrokes because of the nature of the foil finish.

Isn't she pretty!?  This color always makes me think of Christmas when I see it :)

Don't forget to keep voting on my contest entries.  You'll be able to find a link in the top right of my sidebar :)

Thanks for reading :)
<3

ELF-Coral

Coral is my second favorite of all of my ELF polishes.  It's a gorgeous coral base with beautiful gold shimmer running throughout.  When I first got this one, the brush was really jacked up.  I've never had problems with the ELF brushes before, so this one was just a dud.  I had to remove all the polish from the brush and re-shape it carefully with scissors for it to apply polish properly.  Anyway, it was worth it for me because the formula is good and the color is gorgeous!  This one dries to a satin-ish finish so topcoat is a must for me.  Especially since it brings out the shimmer so awesomely!

Puuurrrty.  I really dig it.

Don't forget!  There are only a few days left to enter my contest :)

ELF-Champagne and contest update

Champagne is a very classy and elegant nude with subtle shimmer.  This is one of my go-to nudes and is perfect for wearing something understated on the nails.  The formula is the tiniest bit sheer after two coats, but I didn't mind with the color.  It made it look a bit more natural.  Two coats is what is shown in the pictures and application is smooth.  No topcoat.

The first picture is the most color accurate.  For some reason, the sun makes this one photograph a little on the orangey-red side of the spectrum.  Hm...

UPDATE: Also, don't forget to stop by my contest!  It ends soon, so hurry!!  I also wanted to say that because of the lack of eligible entries, I may be limiting this contest to one prize (the Zoyas).  Please keep entering if you want there to be more prizes :)

Thanks for reading!!

Avon-Soft Mauve

Happy Pink Wednesday!!  This one is Soft Mauve by Avon.  It's pretty old, so I couldn't tell you when it was released, etc...I didn't think I was gonna like this one, but I love it.  It has some really pretty hidden shimmer that's really only visible in the shade.  Check her out!:

The shade picture is what sells me on this one...PRETTY!

Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway/contest!!  I love looking at all the entry photos so far :)

Thanks lovelies!
<3

Sally Hansen-Petal Pusher

Since it's nearing the end of summer, I thought I'd show you guys a light pastel before the cooler weather starts to set in :)  This is Petal Pusher from the SH Insta Dri line.  A light pastel pink bordering on a creamy white.  The first time I swatched this I hated it, but I also wasn't very good at getting an even application.  The second time around, I got it a bit more even and I liked it.  I used three coats, no topcoat:

This color looks so classy on any skin tone, in my opinion.  Just light enough to not make me look like I have mannequin hands (and I'm super pale), so that's a plus.  Let me know what you think about this one!!

Thanks for reading
<3

Essie-Your Hut or Mine?

I have had my eye on this one for sooooo long.  Couldn't find it anywhere!  But thanks to fellow blogger Connie of Mimi's Mani's, it is now mine!!  Thank you sooooo much for swapping with me!  Everyone should check out her blog if you haven't already because it's awesome!  Anyway, this polish is a warm medium pink with subtle gold shimmer.  Gorgeous.  Application was great, two coats to opacity.  All topped with Seche Vite:

The shimmer is kind of hard to capture in photographs since it is so subtle.  I included the half-shaded last picture to show the color of the shimmer better on the pinky finger.  So sorry about the state of my cuticles...ugh.  Today is an intensive repair day for them!!  Hope you don't mind too much...

Thanks for reading and thanks again to Connie for the great swap!
<3

Wet'n'Wild-Blazed

This color is stunning.  A bright coral creme :)  I did have a couple of application issues with this one, though.  This was three coats with the last one being quite thick.  Definitely worth it for the color, though!  No topcoat in these pictures:

Sorry I haven't been around much the last couple of days.  I was out of town at the last minute for two days and didn't have much internet access.  Also, I'm working a TON the next few days so I may miss a day or two.  Trust me though, I'm planning a major swatchathon when I have days off!  Also, while I was out of town I hit the polish jackpot!  I came back with 30+ polishes and didn't have to pay a cent!!  Talk about lucky!  They were all polishes that I had at my parents' and forgot about, plus I got a free one from Ulta as well :D

Thanks for stopping by! <3

Sally Hansen-Mauve It

Mauve It is definitely one of my go-to pinks.  I don't see much mauve in it at all, so I'm not sure why mauve is in the name, but I love it anyway!  It's a tiny bit frosty, but I don't mind because it's subtle.  Good formula.  Thick at times, but that's to be expected with the Insta-dry line.  These photos are two coats, no topcoat:

It's such a perfect shade of pink.  I've always loved it :)

Just a quick post today, I've gotta finish packing up my giveaway prize to ship out in the AM.  I've been working 9+ hours a day for the last couple of days, so my apologies to I'm Feeling Nail-Venturous for not getting it out yesterday like I said I would!  Bad me!

Thanks for reading <3

China Glaze-Flip Flop Fantasy

This is for real one of the most neon polishes I have ever seen.  The photos don't even do it justice.  Like any true neon, the formula was really iffy.  It was streaky and pulled a lot.  took two thin coats plus one thick coat to even everything out.  Of course, neons dry matte, so topcoat is a must, imo.  I used Out the Door:

Doesn't this color just scream summer at you?  Like, I want to lounge by the pool and maybe sip a cocktail  at the beach?  It does to me, anyway.  Of all neon polishes, I think I like pinks the best...not sure why.  This one has a slight coral touch to it as well.  I think it's beautifully unique :)

What do you guys think of this one/neons in general?

Thanks for reading <3

Wet'n'Wild-Hannah Pinktana

Stupid name, AWESOME POLISH.  I can't rave enough about this one...who doesn't love a cheap holo!??  I found this for $1.99 at my local Walgreens and as soon as I saw it catch the light I was sold.  I'll let the pictures do the talking: (enlarge them by clicking, you'll be able to see all the rainbow goodness)

I added a little sticker to my ring finger for a little fun :)  Application is really nice.  These photos were two coats topped with Out the Door.  As you can see, there is a bit of VNL, but I don't mind because it's not very noticeable in person.   The holo really pops in the sun.  Indoors it looks like a nice pinky purple shimmer.  I'm definitely loving this one so much!

Anyone else have this one, what do you think??

Love you all! <3

Also, only two days left to enter my giveaway! Get it while you can!

Orly-Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy is a medium toned peachy pink with a cream finish.  The color is really cute, but the formula was awful.  Really, truly awful.  I think I may have gotten a dud bottle because the other reviews a read about it said the formula was decent.  For me it was incredibly thick and stringy like no one's business.  I ended up with tons of bubbles :(  I decided to thin it a bunch, shake it like crazy and let it set out overnight to let the bubbles get out of it.  I put it on again, and still had bubbles.  These photos are the second round of swatching, so there's bubbles, but not as many as the first time.  I had to use three coats both before and after thinning to get it even.

Does anyone have any tips on how to combat bubbles?  I've tried everything I know to get rid of them, but nothing has worked.  And it's a real shame because the color is adorable.

Thanks for reading, love you all!
:)

OPI, Cozu-Melted in the Sun (revisited)

I felt that I needed to re-do swatches of this color because my first post had awful quality pictures that were not completely color accurate.  As I said in my first post about it, I am totally in love with this color.  I think it is so feminine and classy!  The color is much more pink than it shows in those photos.  You also couldn't see the details of the texture or finish.  Well, here it is in better quality :)

At some angles, this polish looks more beige-y (top picture), but in others it's much more pink (like the bottom picture).  In some lights, it even looks peachy!  
The downside to this polish is that clean up is a pain in the butt.  It has very fine silver glitter all through it and no matter what you do clean up wise, it will not come off!  Removal is not as bad as a full on glitter, but is still a bit of a hassle.  I don't care much, though, because for me this polish = love!

Anyone else have this color?  If not, I highly recommend it :)