summer's over. but memories of my eye-searing #julyneons will never die. I spent an entire month in a free-fall deep dive into my under-utilized neon creme collection. for a neon nail lover, bright polishes are like popsicles. sure ... you can have them anytime of year, but they taste so much sweeter when the sun is at it's hottest. celebrate the end of the summer with me now. celtic sunfor years, china glaze was the gold-standard for cutting-edge neons. and the crown-jewel was (and still is for many a polish-enthusiast) "celetic sun." from the summer 2008 "ink" collection, "celetic sun" has been around forever. i think it took until 2013 for swatchers to realize they needed to layer this sheer snotty mess *over* a white base coat for it to really pop. once those pics appeared online, this neon took it's rightful place in bright bright bright ... bright history. like most people, i learned first of this legend from the raves of miss holly berries. sufer dudefor roughly four years, orly has been at the forefront of opaque neons that do not require a white base coat. "sufer dude" is from the summer 2017 "costal crush" collection. a hot-hot neon, this smooth as silk formula and bright, blood-orange hue, is a hypnotic combination. jackie oh!now a color club classic, this opaque pink will make you think. practically a one-coat-wonder, i recommend this polish every year. it's bright without leaning too dark-hot or a too coral. summer flingduring the bleached neon craze cira two years ago, this creamiscle polish flew largely under the radar. an application dream, a creamy-rich formula, and a near uncanny dupe of china glaze's "flip flop fantasy," this polish is a must have. fireflya beautiful thing happened this spring: youtuber jess face 90 put out a summer neon collection of cremes via her indie line nine zero lacquer. this july, i picked up "firefly" (above) and a green highlighter creme "bullfrog" (see below). the intended effect was a "celtic sun" style brightness with a smooth formula and no white "undies." mission accomplished! recommended for anyone and everyone wanting neon yellow in half the typical application time. muy calientefrom the summer 2019 euphoria collection, this neon creme takes a rare place in nail herstory ... a neon red, no undies required. yes, orly keeps pushing the field forward by making some out-of-reach dreams come true. "muy caliente" indeed. mintnow my summer staple, i've worn "mint" a good three times this year thus far. opaque in one-two coats and a surprisingly unique polish, this formula and color cannot be beat. in fact, when i wasn't feeling myself after having my baby this spring, this polish helped me find the balance i so desperately needed after this huge life change ... that and finally being able to indulge in martinis in when i was done breastfeeding. did i mention, you can find this at hottopic? beach cruiserfrom the summer 2012 "feel the vibe" collection, "beach cruiser" is new to my collection, and a welcome addition. whilst at first glance, i would classify this color as "barbie," this blue leaning pink is deceptively complex. not my typical fare, i was met with many compliments and exclamations of jealousy. i love a polish that creates envy. bull frogas mentioned above, this neon green creme is from nine zero laquer's summer 2019 collection. opaque in two coats, this light lime beauty is perfect for end of summer fun. it's brittney, beachtaking the nail polish world by storm this summer, "...brittney, beach" from the 2019 euphoria collection, might not be considered a true neon. but that shouldn't lessen it's impact. the shocking royal hue (with an amazing one-coat formula) is certainly a polish for all seasons. put a coat onopi's "put a coat on" served as my white base coat for the few polishes that required it. my bottle is old and necessitated lots of lacquer thinner and extra care at each use. my secondary compliant is that this base is not opaque in one coat; thus my neons rested atop two (or sometimes three) layers of base coat. what do you use? do you use an opaque white polish? or another white base? how was your summer? what were the neons in your life? do you keep them relegated to warmer months, or do you go your own way? thank you for reading. happy falling, bitches.
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orly's spring offering for 2019 is getting overall rave reviews. the radical optimism is everything that i've been waiting for: a 6-polish collection full of amazing cremes in bright but classy spring colors. all this + more with my color pass subscription. lovellaall of these cremes are beautifully opaque in 2 coats. i won't list it over and over: all have a terrific formula. "lovella" is a pale pinky beige creme that is surprisingly unique in my collection. it thought it was a bit boring of a neutral, but on the nail, i could not stop looking at my hands. it's a putty that doesn't quit. everything's peachythis may be my favorite. brighter than it photographs, this bright peach pastel is what your spring should be. positive coral-ationa good excuse to dive deep into the pantone color of year (living coral), i like this shade because it leans far more pink than orange. sweet and subtle. coming up rosesthis rose pink creme leans a bit dusty, but avoids old lady sentiment. somehow new, somehow fresh, and yet classic above all. spirit junkiethis light lavender, i predict, may be the hit of the collection. with a barely-there pink shimmer, it is subtle and fun. glass half fullthis shade of aqua is sweet and bold. this is the polish with the least "salon appeal" but i think it is the most safely daring. orly productsto celebrate this terrific new collection, i have applied all of the above manicures with exclusively orly products: some i had on-hand, and many i have received for the year + i have been receiving orly's color pass. make the choice for radical optimism today. thanks for reading. thoughts and prayers, bitches.
friends that know how much i love shopping for nail polish are kind enough to alert me of sales. however, i often find the best deals on nail polish on the following websites. please note, these are retailers for mainstream polishes only: indie polish shopping is whole different animal. while most of these sites cater to nail professionals, salons, and retailers, none seem to have limitations or purchase minimums, and are thus, open to individual sales. if you are into the latest collections, these sites often offer collections for sale weeks, or sometimes months, before they are available in stores. balanced beauty supplyhttps://www.btysales.com/ based in cape canaveral, florida, bty sales is a terrific site for the latest opi collections. i like it because, in addition to buying individual polishes, whole collections are available, in regular nail polish, infinite shade, and gel polishes. i just bought four polishes from opi's new tokyo collection + two “impossible to find” older opis. with shipping, the costs were $6.80/polish. polish pickhttps://www.polishpick.com/ a great resource for opi and china glaze collections, this site is has reasonible standard shipping rates within the u.s. this site is a good stop for finding early release collections. head 2 toe beauty http://head2toebeauty.com/ i always check this site for prices on a slightly older mainstreams. i like how brands and collections are organized. word to the wise, all opis are clearance, and quite a bit older. tdi inchttps://www.transdesign.com/ for use by nail salons and professionals, this site is also a great place to price compare several different mainstream polish brands: i personally check this site for orly, color club, essie and several more. right now, check out color club's "meet your match" collection for about 30% lower the price you'll find in stores. beyond polish https://www.beyondpolish.com/ beyond polish is the only site where I found the new infinite shade re-releases of the some very famous opi polishes. see "vodka and caviar" below. h|b beauty bar https://www.hbbeautybar.com/ not necessarily a great discount site, h|b is a really good resource for a variety of cosmetics. they often have good sales, and deals that make a big order worth it. check here before heading to sallys or ulta. direct sitesmany brands have solid sales throughout the year, so signing up with your favorite polish mainstreams directly on their individual retail sites, is great idea. you will get regular emails including alerts to online sales. zoya.com, in particular, provides incredible offers to their fan-base several times a year. other shoppingin addition to online shopping, i often check my local t.j. maxx & marshalls stores for discount opis, orlys, butterlondons, and the occasional marc jacob and burberry polishes. also, orly offers a really nice subscription box: color pass. for a one-time yearly fee, you get orly's subscription box quarterly with first-run collections (sometimes weeks before they are available to the public), for approximately $4/bottle + free orly and related swag. i love color pass! let's point and click our way to a better tomorrow. happy online shopping, bitches.
hello. for many polish types, the holidays are the time to shine. here are my recommended polishes, recommended trends, at a variety of price-points, for every event: family-gatherings, work affairs, parties, or just you-time. for whatever you are up to this month, here are your polishes. classic reds(clockwise) opi infinite shine "vodka and caviar" re-release i love a classic deep red crème. here is the 2018 re-release of a famous opi favorite. beautiful to apply, easy to wear in two coats, and a must-have for any opi collector. terrific formula, long lasting, and made for someone who wants a classic-classic holiday experience. perfect for: wine time happy hour with anyone that makes you smile. orly "cosmic crimson" from the 2018 holiday "deep wonder" collection, this unique brick red shimmer is brighter than photographed and opaque in one. single. coat. i have worn this more than once since i picked up this collection. unexpected and recommended if you are bored with a crème finish. perfect for: too-cold rooftop parties, or work obligation get-togethers. sinful colors "bitten" this super bright red shines brighter than rudolf's nose. jelly, but opaque in two coats, this 2017 premiere polish is perfect if you want an eye catching red with a great formula, but need it at a bargain price: $1.99. perfect for: post-hanukah family time, or pre-new year's brunches. holiday blues(clockwise) opi "give me space" from the 2015 holiday "starlight" collection (although, i have a theory that this collection was in honor of the release of star wars, episode 7); this blue-tinted base filled with ultra fine blue and holo glitter is remarkable. subtle and sparkly at the same time. perfect for: winter-day block parties, or shopping the sales with your mom. orly "once in a blue moon" i've heard this pale blue micro-shimmer described as "frosty." that's a naughty word in the nail-biz. i think, it's a cool ice subtle sheen, that evokes a "let it go" frozen style winter-wonderland. brush strokes are eliminated by a good thick, glossy top coat. from orly's 2017 holiday/winter "darlings of defiance" collection, this may be an unsung hero. perfect for: shaking up frosty martinis on christmas eve, or baking cookies for your aunt. china glaze "combat blue-ts" from the fall 2016 "rebel" collection, this matte royal blue is velvetty marvelous. applies like a dream in two coats. this was on many a "best of" list for 2016. perfect for: a holiday party blind date, or a night in with your ferrets. greenery(clockwise) china glaze "the perfect holly-day" from the 2017 holiday "the glam finale" collection, this velvet deep pine green shimmery matte is my new favorite green polish. two coats and done, this is easier to apply than I would think. perfect for: playdates in the snow, or bell cleaning after a child's choir rehearsal. butterlondon "british racing green" green on green shimmer gives this cool creme unexpected depth. this may be difficult to find, but if you are lucky enough to spot this in your local ulta, pick it up quick; you will not be sorry. perfect for: classy nights out with your bae, or new year's day hang overs. orly "retrograde" fresh from 2018's holiday "deep wonder" collection, this shimmery duo chrome only appears green on the nail, but i'm not complaining. this is perfect in one coat and ready for anything. perfect for: champagne toasts in the frigid air. gold mine(clockwise) h&m "lap of luxury" this bronzy metallic has no detectable brush strokes and is opaque in one coat. so flattering and classy, and not at all antiquey. i snagged this at a nail polish sale last december ... can you still find this at h&m? i really hope so. perfect for: wearing all white, whilst drinking a black and tan. china glaze "big hair and bubbly" (over "lap of luxury") so i needed to feature a great glittery chunky topper. result: a fun flirty glitz of a gold glitter with small and micro hex glitters in a clear base. another polish from the "glam finale" collection, this is perfect for: outshining the nye ball. floss gloss "disco dust" this holo gold glimmery goodness does not fall short of it's famous reputation. a must-have, floss gloss has made a glitzy believer out of me. opaque in two coats, this beautiful rose gold/copper linear holo is made up of a rare hologram pigment that creates intense solar flares in any direct light source (according the floss gloss website) perfect for: taking off your heels to dance all night. orly "champagne slushie" from the 2017 "darlings of defiance" collection, this gold metallic has really grown on me. photographed here with one coat and no top coat, this gold is subtle enough to be classy, and gold enough to ring in any holiday. (tip: a thick glossy top coat will virtually eliminate the appearance of brush strokes). perfect for: quietly reading by yourself, or shutting down a bar. silver bellsh&m "space race" this holo holo beauty will make you jump for silver joy. amazing in two coats, this silver scattered holo avoids the "static tv" look, to just let the sparkle fly. perfect for: that charity gala you forgot you had to attend. sally hansen xtreme wear "garage band" this is one coat and done for this shimmer/glitter charcoal magic. embrace the darker side of the silver shine. perfect for: enjoying after-party drinks served with fried chicken. sinful colors "mixed signals" new this year (or new to me), this bargain option offers up great shine, but the formula is a bit lacking. (it was a little thin and runny). if you can spot it at your local walgreens, "diamond in the raw" is similar, but with a much better easier application. perfect for: watching family-friendly holiday specials. neutral sparklequick note on these neutrals: these have become my unexpected favorites of this season. these are sweet, classy, and not so stark options for anyone who wants something festive, but more conservative for any array of dinners, drinks, and functions this holiday. (clockwise) sinful colors/sinful shine "prosecco" this taupe base with gold and silver micro shimmer is so unique and subtle, it has dropped under everyone's radar. a great option for the budget conscious, this classy look is attained in one coat. perfect for: at work holiday lunches, or late night shots of liquor "if you love christmas." zoya "sue" i had to go the website for the description: "a soft champagne gold with a multi-hued oyster shell pearl fleck in the traditional matte-velvet finish" this is so unique and classy. not completely opaque in two coats, the effect is still really stunning. perfect for: eating cookies with grandma, or an afternoon of building gingerbread castles. zoya "godiva" a soft nude with a sugared sparkle, this neutral is from the zoya pixie dust collection; a series of textured matte sparkle polishes. this is the only pixie dust i own. i wanted a conservative look to balance out the sparkle and texture. this polish is something really subtle and special. perfect for: a luster-lit moon dance, or taking the ornaments off of your tree. grey holiday gardens(clockwise) zoya "dove/tove satin" a misty slate grey creme in zoya's exclusive satin finish, this blue-leaning grey polish longs to be out and about this holiday. this creme makes a short statement. perfect for: drinking a hot beverage in cold weather, or filling your stockings with care. sally hansen insta-dri "seize the gray" this pale grey creme represents the fall trend that shook pop culture: it's white nails without going full stark. this polish is great in two coats and perfect for the nail painter in a hurry: it's fast drying and does not require a top coat. perfect for: wearing whilst volunteering with children, or creating the perfect holiday menu. orly "nebula" this grape metallic shimmer is a part of the holiday 2018 collection, "deep wonder." this looks grey in the bottle, but purple on the nail. either way, it's gorgeous. this is also one coat, so there are no excuses. perfect for: bicycling over icy sidewalks, or picking up individual tinsel strands off of the floor. happy holiday-ing, bitches. thanks for reading. the fashion goddesses have spoken: the fall is all about white nails. for those looking for a few good options or to try white nails for the first time, here are some select polishes to make your autumn bright. bright white. floss gloss: mrs. tony montanafor a couple of years, this was the gold standard: practically opaque in one coat, this bright white is super tight. easy to apply and an amazing name. do michelle pfeifferr proud. sally hansen insta-dri: white on timerecommended by miss holly berries on youtube, this opaque pure white, like mrs. tony montana, is almost opaque in one coat. the formula is exceptional and you cannot beat the bargain price and the convenience of picking this up at any drug store in the us. this wins for best formula! opi: it's in the cloudthis off-white is perfect if you want a color that isn't so stark on the nails. opaque in two coats, this is white with a drop of cream, and my go-to for fall. essie gel couture: first fittingnail lovers are raving about essie gel couture. i did like the formula on this slightly pink leaning white. opaque in two coats, this polish is deceivingly subtle. this is terrifically classy and good for events big or small this autumn. h&m: masla chaicreamy creme this white falls just on the line of neutral. needs three coats to be opaque, but the application is a pleasure, so you will not mind the extra work. orly breathable: power packedthis is my favorite of the orly breathables: the dusty pale blue is perfect if you are shy about the stark look of a bright white. so easy to apply and pretty on a variety of skin tones. stay ahead of the trend and go with this gorgeous blue. this trend has a lot of options. these polishes are all recommended. thanks for reading. happy whiting, bitches.
i recently found some terrific deals at sally's beauty. china glaze is a brand to be watched: such fun and fashion forward colors, and cruelty-free as a bonus. china glaze has been my go-to main-stream brand for neons, good-formula crellies, and adventurous shimmers that stand out. this haul is all cremes, but here are some polishes that i've had my eye on for quite a while. sultry solticethis neon orange has a satin finish that is unexpected. the formula was good and easy to use. orange cone orange is the perfect bright to bring into autumn. kill em' with kindnessfrom the my little pony collection last year, this pale yellow has a pretty good formula, even for a yellow. opaque in two easy coats. let's chalk about itthis lovely white with a drop of pink/lavender is magic. so on trend right now, this look is perfect for this fall. my sweet ladythis sweet little pink is perfect palette cleanser after the neons of summer, but before the dark polishes of fall/winter. i wore this polish for nearly a week, and no chips. long-lasting! minimalist mamathis nude is a bit too sheer for my taste, but streak-free. it might be the right choice for a conservative moment or to pull together a funeral look. thank you for reading. happy glazing, bitches.
bye, bye, summer. september beckons with its temperature downturn and bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils to summon children back to school (remember you've got mail?). here is my farewell letter to august 2018, nail polish-wise. orly: snuggle upfeatured in my recent review of orly's 2018 the new neutral collection, this one coat wonder is exactly the pinky neutral for me. give it your attention if you are looking for a good dupe for essie's topless and barefoot. blackheart beauty: minta long-time favorite, this neon pastel turquoise looks more amazing than i think possible. your perfect fond, tearful adieu to a beautiful summer. china glaze: thistle do nicelythe photos will never do this color justice: the polish is absolutely spectacular. whilst it chipped very easily, all is forgiven for this unique neon. opi: i'm sooo swamped!such a pleasing mossy green, this dusty green is a swampy must. under bright lights, i see that i could've used a third coat. ugh. easy application, but more than two coats is a deal-breaker on most days. color club: jackie oh!this neon hot pink is perfect! so easy to apply in two coats, and no white base coat required! smack! floss gloss: moon babyfeatured in my fall transition polish picks blog, this green/blue, dusty white is required nail-wear for your early fall. orly: ragea classic gold shimmer for a reason, this orly is magic. i got so many compliments. combo manimy hands-down (get it) favorite mani of the month, this is a combo of several awesome shinz. thumb: orly breathable-"power packed" pointer: frida kahlo-"latido" middle: opi-"indefinitely baby" ring: orly breathable-"rehab" pinky: china glaze-"kill 'em with kindess" my husband said that my nails looked like jordan almonds! that's exactly what i was going for! the take away: i wish i had worn more neons. but it is never too late. thank you for reading. happy september, bitches.
the world of nail polish is shook on a weekly basis. here are the earthquakes that happed this week. everyone should go nudeneutrals are on the agenda for fall, especially nude cremes. i have been on the hunt for years to find the perfect matching nude. now, mainstream polish brands are finally clueing in that everyone wants a nude of their own. photo from elle magazine navigate the world of complimentary shades ... for all shades in this article on the many nudes. there is no such thing as one nude from elle magazine photo from refinery29 read about celeb picks in refinery29's guide to this brave new world. 5 celeb-approved nude nail polishes for dark skin from refinery29 nail trend: pale is the new blackthe bottom line: k. jenner was insta-storied with white nails ... and then everyone showed up to the vmas with stark opaque digits. always a classic, a white nail is right any time of year; but now white is the siren song of post-summer. meet your fall nails. kylie jenner on instagram. read about this new trend on elitedaily.com photo from refinery29 the crowns have chosen. we must obey. kylie jenner & ariana grande just confirmed fall's biggest nail color trend from refinery29 photo from teen vogue the same story was covered in teen vogue. vmas 2018: all your favorite stars wore white nail polish finally, a film with a nail focuscrazy rich asians is sweeping the country with high spirits and barrier breaking audiences. i've heard great things and i am way too excited to see it ... especially when i heard that each character was given a specific nail color signature. yes, finally a movie that speaks the international language of nails. photo from teen vogue, warner bros. pictures. beauty inspiration abound with an overall attention to cosmetic detail. the "crazy rich asians" characters all wore different nail polish for the best reason by teen vogue photo from warner bros. pictures read how the small details tell a character story in this historic movie. how to look rich, according to the makeup artist behind crazy rich asians by refinery29 here is all you need to know for style supremacy: find your very own nude, find any white, and see crazy rich asians for the win.
thank you for reading and happy weekend, bitches. the leaves falling where you are? not yet? you flip longingly through your september issue and dream of autumn to come. in the meantime, relish this time when the weather is still warm, and cozy sweaters are long from required. floss gloss: moon babythis slighlty putty mint with a hint of moondust is totally your august/september. not too green, not too blue, this creme is what you need this month. sinful colors: thimbleberrywant a bargain? this end of summer straddle is half bright red, half hot pink. the perfect ease into sweater-weather. the beauty? you can find it any drug store. frida kahlo: latidoinspired by the mexican artist, this line is a joy to find at your local cvs drug store. "latido," with her beautiful formula, is a classy, balanced creme that is flattering on any skintones. china glaze: sultry solticestill feeling the neons of summer? this bright orangy orange is a bit crelly, and wonderfully self-leveling. dries demi-matte and feels so modern and fun. very unique, this blazing dusk will help you celebrate the final days of late sunsets. color club: stone coldnot too gray, not too purple, this opaque creme has a surprising effect on the nail. my bottle, sadly, was comprised: no more mood changing. however, with a final color like this, i find it hard to complain. known for exceedingly good cremes, this color club is remarkable. orly: ragefamous for the reason, this metallic bronze rose gold foil shimmer has no visible brush strokes and all the glory. i received extra compliments for my gold digit daintiness. on so many bloggers' and youtubers' "best of" lists, its no wonder all the world's a rage. what is helping you transition into fall or back to school? thank you for reading. happy falling, bitches.
sally hansen was a real person. and more interesting than you think. celebrating my 100th post with a profile of a nail icon. photo from Coty, Inc. a little less than a year ago, the press team from Coty's Sally Hansen discovered the woman behind the brand. previously, no one knew anything about the dancer turned cosmetics mogul. "beauty is more than nail polish. beauty is kindness, tolerance, character, and mental attitude." -sally hansenbeauty marketing guru, jeremy lowenstein uncovered the truth about sally's story. during her dance career in the 1920s, sally became notorious for writing a progressive column for the l.a. times called "the candid mirror." part gossip column, and part (largely) uncensored voice for the independent woman; this was the siren call for empowered women to embrace their destiny in the business world. in the 1930s and early 1940s, she took over the family cosmetics business. sally and her brother reinvented and reinvigorated the business, calling it "house of hollywood." during this time, she pioneered a line of affordable, but impeccable makeup for women. shades of the businesswoman to come. photo from coty, inc. during this time, sally and her second husband, adolf hansen, (wow, people could really be named "adolf" before ww2), became fixtures in the hollywood social scene. the marriage did not last, but it ended amicably. she kept the name, and then gave it household distinction. during the next chapter, sally sails to new york to begin an empire! "some things that you imagine to be defects, really aren't defects at all. |
AuthorI try to paint my nails adequately. CategoriesArchives
November 2017
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