Picture Polish: Cosmos

As I mentioned before, I chopped all of my nails off two nights ago.  They really really hurt!  I just had too much weakness going on, plus I started gnawing on my right index finger, which needed to be nipped in the bud.  Solution?  Chop chop chop!  I'll just be glad when they finally grow out again.  Tonight we're going to take a look at Picture Polish Cosmos!  Let's just say, I really miss my nails from these pictures.

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*

Color: Dark royal blue with irregularly shaped silver holo glitters.

Finish: Glitter Jelly – glitter in a colored jelly base.

Bottle / Brush: Skinny rectangular bottle that’s a bit difficult to hold.  The cap is a bit short, but very grippy making it easy to handle.  The wand and brush are average with average application.

Opacity: High – opaque at one coat!  I used two for the photos.

Glitter Application: Easy – Spreads evenly without much manipulation.

Consistency: Medium – applies easily and doesn’t flood the cuticles.

Overall Ease of Application: Easy – applies well without pooling, dragging, streaking, or balding.  Spreads evenly and smoothly.  Be careful, though, because it stains a little when you get it on your cuticles.  Just take your time with application because it really does apply with great precision.

Stampability: Not tested for stamping.

Dry Time: Quick – dry to the touch without smudging in under 3 minutes.

Overall Thoughts: Cosmos is one of my all time favorite polishes.  I got it on a whim after seeing someone's swatches of it in a Facebook group.  I'm so beyond glad that I got it.  It applies amazingly.  It's got perfect consistency.  It's opaque in one coat.  It wears for a looooong time.  This polish is the definition of perfection.  It's great for layering with glitters, too, because the holo glitters shine and provide depth and sparkle to a layered mani.  The holo glitters also provide a 3-D look that made me stare at my hands for minutes at a time.  It was almost like a galaxy in a bottle, which is apropos with the name Cosmos.

I purchased mine at Llarowe, but you can also purchase Picture Polish at Harlow and Company.

What's your absolute favorite polish?

Candeo Oceania

PHEW!  I've spent the past three weeks working on my blog sale, which I've finally put up!  You can check out my goods here.  I just typed "check out my goodies here," but decided that sounded a bit...  Wrong.  Anyway, I'd love for you guys to buy my stuff so I can purchase more polish-making supplies and a new polish desk for my new house!

I also decided that I was mad at my nails tonight and chopped them all off down to the meat.  There were two with really bad breaks and several others with severely weak spots, so I thought it would be a great idea to just chop them down to try and get rid of the weak spots.  I'm sure I haven't gotten rid of them all, but I think I got at least most of them.  But yeah, my nail meat is really sore.  As such, you won't be seeing my super-nubs very much until they grow out a little.  Luckily, I've been taking swatch shots like a fiend, so I've got tons of pics to tide me over.  I may take this opportunity to re-wear some of my favorite polishes that won't need to be photographed!

Anyway, tonight we're going to take a look at Candeo Oceania.

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*

Color: Clear base with matte lavender, aqua, teal, and white hex glitters.  (Layered over OPI Parlez Vous OPI)

Finish: Glitter Top Coat – glitter in a clear base to be worn as a top coat.

Bottle / Brush: Round bottle brush – standard width and length.  Easy to control and manipulate.  Longer cap than normal polishes in the round bottle, making application easy.

Opacity: Glitter topcoat – not designed for full opacity.

Glitter Application: Hard – difficult to dig the glitters out of the bottle, spreads well with the dab method, but pools at the cuticles and bubbles when dry.

Consistency: Super thin – runny and floods the cuticles easily.  The base-to-glitter ratio is off.  You need to do two thin coats to achieve the look I have here.  Otherwise, the polish will bulge and run into your cuticles.

Overall Ease of Application: Difficult – applies with some pooling.  Spreads well with thin coats.

Stampability: Not designed for stamping.

Dry Time: Medium – dry to the touch with minimal smudging in 3-8 minutes.

Overall Thoughts: Oceania is a pretty glitter, but nothing too unique.  As I said above, the base-to-glitter ratio is more in favor of base than glitter.  Two thin coats will give you the same look as most glitters with one coat.  If you try to get all of the glitter you want on the brush, you'll end up with a bulge that dries leaning on one side of your nail, and that just isn't pretty.  Also, you'll run the risk of smudging because it takes so long to dry.  While I think this is a pretty polish, it just wasn't my thing.  I love glitters, but I prefer them to be in a colored base.  I'm not too picky if it's a creme or jelly, either, but I'm just not into glitter topcoats like I used to be.

You can purchase Candeo at their store and Llarowe.  Also, follow them on Facebook for news and updates.

Do you like glitter toppers?

Dollish Polish Dark Elf

This is going to be a quick post as I'm working diligently on updating my blog sale!  I am hoping to have it up tonight, so check back tomorrow.

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*

Color: Pink base with pink, purple, and orange fine glitters.

Finish: Glitter Jelly – glitter in a colored jelly base.

Bottle / Brush: Tall skinny round bottle with average brush – long cap with standard size wand.  Some of these brushes come bent.  Average application with standard non-bent brush.  Picks up glitter decently, but it isn’t the best.

Opacity: Medium – achieves opacity at three to four coats.  Probably best over undies.  I have it layered over itself in my swatch shots.

Glitter Application: Medium – requires the dab method, but spreads evenly.

Consistency: Medium – applies easily and doesn’t flood the cuticles.

Overall Ease of Application: Medium – applies well with minimal pooling, dragging, streaking, or balding.  Spreads well with the dab method.  Doesn't shrink or pull back.  Doesn't thicken like many other glitter bombs.

Stampability: Not designed for stamping.

Dry Time: Medium – dry to the touch with minimal smudging in 3-8 minutes.

Overall Thoughts: Dark Elf is one of those polishes that makes you realize why you love indie polish.  It spreads well, isn't too gritty, isn't topcoat hungry, and sparkles like mad.  If you love OPI's Absolutely Alice, in my opinion, Dark Elf is the pink version of AA.  It applies well using the dab method without much trouble.  The only bad part is removal.  Since it's such a densely packed glitter, you'll either need to use some felt or the foil method for removal.

You can purchase Dollish Polish at Dolly's store and on Llarowe.  Follow Dolly on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates.

What's your most sparkly polish?

Comparison Thursday: Brown Holos

It feels like forever since the last Comparison Thursday!  Whew, the marathon of insanity is so close to being over that I can taste it!  Tonight we're going to take a look at brown holos!  The goal for tonight's post is to show you a great alternative for two HTF polishes.  That being said, let's get started!  Be prepared for some serious photo spam.

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*

Enchanted February 2013, Enchanted Hot Chocolate, and Kelara Lacquers Chocolate Wasted

February 2013

Enchanted February 2013 isn't really a dupe of Hot Chocolate or Chocolate Wasted, but I wanted to toss it in since it's a bit close.  It comes off as more maroon than brown with amazing shifts from brown, red, gold, green, pink, and blue all while having a gorgeous holo glow.  Application was fantastic, and this is three easy coats.  Sadly, February 2013 was a limited edition that is no longer available.  You can still find it through re-sellers, though, but it sometimes goes for $30 or more.

Hot Chocolate

Enchanted Hot Chocolate is a very pretty chocolate brown holo.  It's a bit more sheer than I thought it would be, but application was easy.  This is three coats.  Unfortunately, like most Enchanted Polishes, Hot Chocolate is hard to obtain during her crazy restocks.  If you're lucky enough to get one, then congrats!  However, I think that the next polish would be a good alternative should you miss out during the Enchanted restocks.

Chocolate Wasted

Lastly, I have Kelara Lacquers Chocolate Wasted.  Chocolate Wasted is also a chocolate brown linear holo, but it is much more pigmented.  The holo effect is a little weaker than Hot Chocolate, but I think that's because of how pigmented it is.  It applied so easily, and only needed two coats for full opacity.  Chocolate Wasted is stocked steadily at Kelara's store, so if you're looking for an alternative to Enchanted Hot Chocolate, I highly recommend Chocolate Wasted.  Not only is it a dollar cheaper, it is also pretty much the same shade of brown, almost as holo, and more pigmented than Hot Chocolate.  If you don't want to brave an Enchanted restock, Chocolate Wasted is the perfect brown holo for you!

You can purchase Enchanted Polishes at her shop, Llarowe, Harlow & Co, and Mei Mei's Signatures.  Follow Chelsea on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information on restocks and new collections.  You can purchase Kelara at their store.  Follow Tara and Kellen on Facebook and Twitter for more information on new collections.

Which brown holo do you prefer?

Hare Midsummer's Midnight

After last night's Hare fail, I wanted to try and redeem the brand by showing you one that I truly loved: Midsummer's Midnight.

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*

Color: Black jelly with green, pink, and purple

Finish: Glitter Jelly – glitter in a colored jelly base.

Bottle / Brush: Round bottle brush (i.e. Seche Vite) – standard width and length.  Easy to control and manipulate.

Opacity: Medium – achieves opacity at three coats.

Glitter Application: Easy – Spreads evenly without much manipulation.

Consistency: Medium – applies easily and doesn’t flood the cuticles.

Overall Ease of Application: Easy – applies well without pooling, dragging, streaking, or balding.  Spreads evenly and smoothly.

Stampability: Not designed for stamping.

Dry Time: Medium – dry to the touch with minimal smudging in 3-8 minutes.

Overall Thoughts:  Midsummer's Midnight is a gorgeous black jelly chock full of pink, purple, and green hexes and squares in various sizes.  The glitters spread well and the consistency was amazing.  This polish is from last summer whereas Bury the Hatchetfish was from last fall.  I'm not sure if she changed base within that time period, but I will say that I vastly prefer the base she used for Midsummer's Midnight.  This is three coats, and it doesn't look thick at all.  Also, there isn't very much shrinkage, which is fantastic!    If all Hares were like this, I'd be a happy camper!  However, I had the same exact problem with Medusa Luminosa as with Bury the Hatchetfish.  All of my Hares from last summer, though, are perfect!

You can buy Hare polish at her store and Llarowe.  Follow Hare on Facebook.

What's your favorite black jelly glitter?

I'm Back!!!

Sorta.  Hopefully.  We'll see.  The evil project of death, doom, and destruction is still going on, but I think I'll now have a little bit of time to blog again!  Hoooooooray!!!!!  Tonight, we're going to look at the much sought after Hare Burry the Hatchetfish.

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*

Color: Neutral/tan with blue, green, and pink iridescent glitters.

Finish: Glitter Jelly – glitter in a colored jelly base.

Bottle / Brush: Round bottle brush (i.e. Seche Vite) – standard width and length.  Easy to control and manipulate.

Opacity: Medium – achieves opacity at three to four thick coats.

Glitter Application: Medium – requires the dab method, but spreads evenly.

Consistency: Super thick – no amount of polish thinner will help this polish.  It is extremely thick and clumpy.  Has a snot like consistency.  Sometimes, these types of polishes require you to use a bunch of polish on your brush in order to get the polish on your nail at all.  Then, it’s just a thick clump on your nail that will bubble.

Overall Ease of Application: Impossible – Is so thick that it’s almost impossible to spread.  Clumps from the thickness.  Develops bubbles because it is so thick.  Looks almost like you have on six layers when you only have on three.  Also, because of the thickness, it will almost always shrink once you add a quick dry topcoat.

Stampability: Not designed for stamping.

Dry Time: Long – dry to the touch with minimal smudging in over 8 minutes.Overall Thoughts: I really wanted to love this polish.  So many people were all about it, so I thought I'd grab one to give it a shot.  Yeah.  Bad idea.  While it looks nice, it was a massive pain to apply.  It was already thick when I opened it, so I added some thinner and let it sit.  It was still pretty difficult to apply after thinner.  After the first coat, it was clumping up around the lip of the bottle.  That transferred onto the nail in clumps that were difficult to spread.  As you can see, the polish is built up on my nail in a pretty unattractive way.  I hate that this polish was such a pain.  I'm planning to give it another shot at some point, but I'm not sure if I'll ultimately keep it.  Sorry I'm coming back with a negative review!  Tomorrow will be good, I promise!

You can purchase Hare at her store and on Llarowe.  Follow Hare on Facebook.

Do you have a polish that is so thick that you just can't wear it?

So. Yeah. Sorry about that.

So.  Yeah.  I've been really sick lately, and I'm getting really tired of it.  Also, work's been insane.  And and and.  We're looking at buying a house (wahoo!!), so we've been busy with all that.  So.  Yeah.  Sorry I've been away for so long.  I've really hated not blogging, so I'm going to try and get a quick post up tonight beofe I have to get back to work.  I promise, I'm not usually this whiny.  Sometimes.

Tonight, we're going to take a look at one of the new China Glaze Hologlam holographic polishes, Take a Trek!

Color: Teal

Finish: Holographic – pigment gives polish a rainbow in the sunshine.

Bottle / Brush: China Glaze brush – lid is a little hard to hold if you have problems grasping things.  The length and width of the brush are average with average application.

Opacity: Medium – achieves opacity at three coats.

Glitter Application: N/A

Consistency: Medium – applies easily and doesn’t flood the cuticles.

Overall Ease of Application: Medium – applies well with minimal pooling, dragging, streaking, or balding.  Spreads well without much manipulation.  I was really pleased to see that the formula on the Hologlams is much nicer than the formula for their old holo line, OMG.  While these do dry quickly, which means you have to work quickly to get the polish on so it won't clump, Take a Trek didn't bald or show all of the imperfections in my nail bed like the OMGs do.  I am truly impressed by this line.

Stampability: Not tested for stamping.

Dry Time: Quick – dry to the touch without smudging in under 3 minutes.

Overall Thoughts: The new China Glaze Hologlams are seriously beautiful.  Don't trust bottle shots.  They look like foils in the bottle.  However, once you get them on the nail, they show their true colors.  I've tried to show the holo effect in both sunlight and artificial light.  Are they as in your face as the Color Club Halo Hues?  No.  I don't think it's the same pigment, so I don't expect them to be truly comparable.  Are they as vibrant as the OMGs?  Compared to the ones I have, yes.  I'll have a comparison of Take a Trek and DV8 this Thursday.  The holo is much more linear than any OPI DS or Enchanted polish I own.  It's a smaller particle that looks unassuming in the bottle but packs quite a punch on the nail, as you can see in my photos.  I think these are a vast improvement over the OMG collection, but they are nowhere near as vibrant as the Halo Hues.  It's a more delicate look, which I appreciate.

I purchased my Hologlams at Sallys.  I'm not really sure if you can purchase them elsewhere at this time.  I only started out with four to see if I liked them, and I'm now planning to purchase the rest of the line, which I don't often do.

Do you have any of the Hologlams?  Which is your favorite?

*I was not financially compensated for this post.  All items in this review were purchased by me for my own use.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy in the tab above.*