Nail Me: Winter 2014 Polish Picks

Top Row:

Marc Jacobs Gatsby: This is the polish that I have on right now. I love the name and was impressed with the formula- smooth and speedy drying time. I initially thought it might be too similar to Butter London Fairy Lights but this is much more subdued; where Fairy Lights is pink, Gatsby is far more silver and cool toned.

Essie Chinchilly: This is one of the polishes I get the most compliments on. It's a perfect neutral for winter and will match just about anything you're wearing. On-trend and flattering.

Tom Ford Bordeaux Lust: I don't own this polish (nor anything from Tom Ford's beauty line) but I have been anxious to try it out. I don't recommend splurging on an expensive brand without doing a bit of research but if you were to get one color from the line, I would suggest a shade like this or a vibrant red. Wine colored polishes are some of my favorites for fall and winter. They're a must-have for February and Valentine's Day.

Essie Going Incognito: One of my favorite greens. This is a rich, jewel tone that is flattering against my coloring. It's nice to have on hand around March when St. Patrick's Day is approaching and Spring is on its way.

Chanel Magic: I opted against putting this in my collection (that still might change but I'm trying to be strong). I love the name but I just couldn't justify another blue when I already have similar alternatives in shades like OPI Dating A Royal. But if you're looking for a beautiful blue with a spectacular name, search no further. This is gorgeous for the winter but can easily be worn all year long.

Bottom Row:

Butter London Hardwear P.D. Quick Top Coat: I scored this in a holiday value set that was marked down. I really like the formula. It gives my bottle of Seche Vite a break. Sometimes it's nice to just let your nails go bare and a good top coat is all that you need.

OPI My Private Jet: There are two formulas and the original is far superior. I had to hunt mine down online. The subtle glitter is mesmerizing but the color of the base still remains calm.

Julep Nicolette: I couldn't find a picture of this particular color but anything in the grey family is what I'm selecting. Essie Power Clutch is a darker option.

Michael Kors Sexy: This is a red that I don't personally own but the few Michael Kors polishes that I do have, I'm very impressed with. The packaging is so sleek and elegant. Every woman needs a classic red in a fabulous bottle and this fits the bill. Dior Diorific from last year's holiday collection was another great one.

OPI Nail Envy Base Coat: I've been loving this base coat. It creates the smoothest foundation for my polish. I love the way it helps the varnish glide while strengthening my nails. It's also quite glossy on its own.

Now Playing: "Baby" by Donnie and Joe Emerson
*I think this might be one of my favorite songs of all time. I need to get it on vinyl!

Nail Polish of the Moment: Mint/Turquoise Gradient Nails

Mints and turquoises are definitely some of my favorite colors- especially for nail polish! I thought I'd welcome spring with this fun, gradient look. I purposely chose to do my ring finger in the boldest shade to make the gradient appear more obvious.

Colors Used (Thumb to Pinkie and Second Picture Left to Right):

Sephora Hello Kitty Minty
Essie Turquoise & Caicos
China Glaze For Audrey
China Glaze Flyin' High
OPI Thanks A WindMillion











Now Playing: "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison
*One of my favorite songs ever! Makes me think of one of my best friends- it's "her song!"

Nail Polish of the Moment: Milani Silver Dazzle

2-3 Coats of Milani Silver Dazzle with Seche Vite Top Coat



Yesterday, I painted my nails with Chanel's Black Pearl but it quickly lost my interest. I knew I was going to choose Milani Silver Dazzle next, so today, I anxiously redid them. For a fraction of the cost, I'm much happier with Silver Dazzle. It's a gorgeous gunmetal silver hue with lots of glitter. It dries to a somewhat dull finish, so I applied Seche Vite for a top coat and it transformed the finish into something completely out of this world. I love it! I highly recommend the Milani One Coat Glitter Polishes. You can get away with one coat but I suggest 2-3 for more impact. It's a great buy and one of my favorite colors in my collection.










Now Playing: "Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree" by James Vincent McMorrow
*Possibly the longest title and artist name combination ever!

Nail Polish of the Moment: Milani Blue Flash

2-3 Coats of Milani Blue Flash

Last month, I posted about Milani's One Coat Glitter Polish that I found at K-Mart. I ended up ordering two more colors because I was so impressed with the quality and price point. Blue Flash is an electric blue that's perfect for the icy winter months (the color of my astrological sign, Aquarius). It reminds me of a glittery ornament. It somewhat lives up to its promise in that you can get away with one coat if you had to but I much prefer 2-3 coats to get a vamped up effect. I like the texture, so I didn't apply a top coat but I imagine it would be extremely sparkly and quite gorgeous with Seche Vite on top. This is the perfect color to add some brightness to the greyer months. It's a bit loud but it's fun.

Now Playing: "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol

Nail Polish of the Moment

 

It's been a few months since I purchased a new OPI nail polish. The new collection, Across America, had a few shades that caught my eye, but A-Taupe The Space Needle was the only one I had to have. In the bottle, it almost looks like a muddy hue. Upon applying the first coat, the color was a sandy brown (darker but reminiscent of San Tan-tonio from the Texas collection) but after a second and third coat, A-Taupe The Space Needle transforms into a camouflaged, khaki, taupe. Against my very fair, cool skin, it definitely has green undertones. It's the perfect shade for fall and goes very nicely with a lot of my earth tone based wardrobe. This is somewhat similar to OPI's Over The Taupe but again, it decidedly has a green aspect to it. I really like A-Taupe The Space Needle and highly recommend it! As always, I also love the name :)

Now Playing: "My Impure Hair" by Blonde Redhead

Nail Polish of the Moment: Sew Psyched by Essie

I picked up Essie's Sew Psyched on sale at the drug store (if you haven't heard, Essie is now available in various stores). Against my fair, cool skin, it has a blue tint to it but make no mistakes, it is an army green/dark khaki hue. I like this polish. I could have gotten away with one coat but I did two for safe measures. One thing I didn't love about Sew Psyched is that it dried darker than it appeared upon first application. This presents problems if you don't apply even coats. Other than this slight annoyance, it's a good polish. I think it's better suited for fall/winter but it compliments my coloring and matches a lot of the things I wear. I would repurchase.

Style: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Application: 4/5
Color: 5/5

FINAL VERDICT: B+
22/25 or 88%



Now Playing: "Life On Mars?" by David Bowie

Nail Polish of the Moment: Lollipop by Essie

Image Courtesy Google Images

Since it's Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to do a red polish. Rather than sticking to a traditional red, I went for one of my favorite nail polishes, Lollipop by Essie. This is actually the color that Olivia Palermo is notorious for wearing. It's a red/orange and really pops against my fair skin. It's creamy and perfect. I love it for all year 'round. It also works as a great pedicure color.


Color: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Application: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Would I Repurchase: Yes! Again & Again!

Final Verdict: A+
(25/25 or 100%)



Now Playing: "Rhythm Is a Dancer" by Snap! (1992ish)

Nail Polish of the Moment: Capri by Essie

2 coats of Essie Capri with OPI Base Coat and Top Coat

I saw Essie's Capri nail polish on one of my new favorite blogs, Could I Have That. The color looked like the perfect coral shade for spring & summer. I ordered it from Amazon but was disappointed when I received it in the mail. It looks practically orange in the bottle and on my nails. I already have a couple orange bottles and was hoping Capri was more of a pink/red coral. The formula is nice and was easy to work with but the color leaves a lot to be desired. I'll probably redo my nails in a few days.

Color: 3/5
Packaging Quality: 5/5
Application: 5/5
Style: 3/5
Value: 3/5

Final Verdict: 19/25
(76% or C)

Would I repurchase: No



Now Playing: "Surprise, Surprise" by Brett Dennen

Nail Polish of the Moment: Michievous Mint by MAC (Quite Cute collection)

I have really been feeling pastel nail polishes this season (groundbreaking, I know). Since Spring is in the air, I have been leaning towards mints, lavenders, and pale pinks. I'm looking into getting Essie's Borrowed and Blue which appears to be the perfect shade of dusty blue. But to close off April and to ring in the month of May, Michievous Mint does the trick. My brush had a couple splits which increased streakiness upon my initial application but with a bit of patience, all was well and good. With OPI's base coat and top coat, it took just 2 coats to achieve a nice opacity. The difference between the first and second coats was astonishing!



Color: 4.5/5
Packaging Quality: 4/5
Application: 4/5
Style: 5/5
Value: 3.5/5

Final Verdict: A-
(21/25 or 84% but I grade on a curve!)



Now Playing: "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Nail Polish of the Moment: Guy Meets Gal-veston by OPI

Photo Courtesy Google Images

Happy Easter!

After sporting a grey/taupe polish for the past week, I was ready to switch things up and go with a bright shade for Spring. Ulta was having a buy 2 get 1 free sale on OPI polishes, plus I had a coupon. So, I picked up Guy Meets Gal-veston from the Texas collection. Unbeknownst to me at the time of purchase, Guy Meets Gal-veston is actually a "sorbet" or jelly-like formula. It's meant to be semi-sheer. I typically avoid sheer polishes but because this is such a bright, fun color, I think it works. The application was easy enough and the drying time was fine. I would describe the color as a pink-coral. It's somewhat like a "lightweight" polish- perfect for spring/summer!

Final Verdict: B+




Now Playing: "Forever" by Chris Brown

Nail Polish of the Moment: Rumple's Wiggin' by OPI

This is not my hand, although my nails do look similar

I have been really lazy with updating my nail polish of the moments. I've missed quite a few that I will hopefully make time to recap this week. But what I'm loving right now is OPI's Rumple's Wiggin'. It's the most beautiful, lavender, creme polish. I used 3 coats to acheive the perfect amount of opacity. I first saw this nail polish on Khloe Kardashian on E!'s Keeping Up With the Kardashians - yes, I admittedly watch. I think this is a universally flattering shade because it looks beautiful against both Khloe's olive complexion and my porcelain skin. I highly recommend this on either the hands or the toes during the spring and summer months. It has quickly become one of my favorite polishes by OPI!



Now Playing: "Goodbye Horses" by Q Lazzarus

Nail Polish of the Moment: Gold Digger by Models Own

I was excited to try the brand Models Own. I picked up Gold Digger from Urban Outtfitters online during its big sale a month or so ago. I also got Top Turquoise but it was back ordered. I thought the packaging was cute and something different and the color ranges were pretty nice. I didn't have any expectations on the formula but I was pleasantly surprised! Gold Digger glided on to my nails and was so easy to work with! I can't wait to try out some more polishes from the line. Gold Digger is a yellow-based gold and reminds me of the New Orleans Saints and my trip last fall. This is a great polish to have in your collection and I definitely recommend it- if for nothing else but the formula! :)

OPI Base Coat, 2 coats of Gold Digger by Models Own and OPI Top Coat


Now Playing: "Gold Digger" by Kanye West

Nail Polish of the Moment: Easy Going by Sinful Colors

Easy Going by Sinful Colors. Photo Courtesy Google Images

I had a job interview yesterday, so I needed to do a neutral polish. I chose Easy Going by Sinful Colors because it is a milky, pale pink. For $1.99 (sometimes on sale for .99 at Walgreen's) it's worth having in your collection. But I don't love this one- it's too white for my liking. I wish it were more of a french pink. The formula is also a bit tricky to work with and starts to look a little rough after a day or so. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect light pink, opaque, nail polish. If you know of one with a creme finish that will compliment very fair skin, please comment! I am going to look into Essie because they seem to have an endless amount of pale pinks in its line. Thanks :)

OPI Base Coat, 2 Coats of Easy Going by Sinful Colors w/ OPI Top Coat


Now Playing: "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Nail Polish of the Moment: Parlez-Vous OPI?

Parlez-Vous OPI? by OPI

In keeping with my lavender/purple moment, I opted for OPI's Parlez-Vous OPI? This particular polish was a part of the France collection from a few years back. The color looks nice against my fair complexion but it's a little bit dull. I would describe it as a muted purple with grey undertones. It's a nice color but I wouldn't say it's a must have. I do like the formula. Despite not being blown away by Parlez-Vous OPI?, I'd still recommend it to someone looking for a purple that is subtle enough for work but unique enough for evenings. I used OPI's base coat, 2 coats of Parlez-Vous OPI?, and OPI's Top Coat to achieve a nice, cream finish.

My camera did not pick this color up properly at all! It's actually quite muted and not so Barney. Ignore the paint around my cuticles, haha. Laziness!



Now Playing: "Quelqu´un m´a dit" by Carla Bruni

Nail Polish of the Moment: Give Me the Moon by OPI

Give Me the Moon by OPI
I ordered this nail polish from Amazon.com but I was a bit hesitant. I find that pearlescent shades of polish can look cheap and dated. But lately, I have been on a lavender kick. I decided to go for a different finish. I'm glad I left my comfort zone because I love this nail polish! In the bottle, it looks like a flat grey or dusty lavender but on the nails, it is magical, haha. Give Me the Moon is a beautiful periwinkle with grey/blue undertones (a slight bit of microshimmer) and looks lovely against my very fair skin. For those who can actually achieve a tan, I imagine this color would look gorgeous on the toes during the summer months. It would also go great with whites or pastel outfits. I can't wait to use it again when the weather gets warmer.

OPI Base Coat with 2 Coats of Give Me the Moon by OPI
I'm a sucker for the names that OPI comes up with. I love the moon, so I had high hopes for this polish. My middle name even translates to the word moon in Greek- haha. Give Me the Moon did not disappoint and I will certainly repurchase it if I can find it when the time comes! I definitely recommend Give Me the Moon for the nails for fair skin, the toes for darker complexions or just to anyone who loves this type of formula!




Now Playing: "Babylon" (Live Version) by David Gray, "Ten Thousand Words" by The Avett Brothers

Nail Polish of the Moment: Perplex by Revlon

Side by side comparison between Revlon's Perplex and Chanel's Paradoxal

I scored Revlon's Perplex (a beautiful purple, grey hue with a slight amethyst microshimmer) at Big Lots for a dollar! It retails for around $4.99 at drugstores. It was created to mimic Chanel's much more expensive Paradoxal- $25 at department stores. While I don't love Revlon's brush and the formula can be a little bit tricky to work with, I think this was a fabulous find! I am going to try and snatch a few back-ups because Perplex is in high demand. How it ended up at Big Lots for a dollar is beyond me.

Photo curtesy Google Images via another blog. Astounding!

Because it's still February, I thought the timing for me finding this polish was perfect. It's still winter and this shade is similiar to my birthstone (Amethyst for February). I wore it to my friend's bridal shower and I couldn't stop admiring my manicure. I highly recommend this one!

Two coats of Revlon's Perplex with OPI Top Coat


Now Playing: "Penny for your Thoughts" by Bruce Clark & the Q's (One of my Mom's favorite songs of all time)

Nail Polish of the Moment: InStyle Red by OPI

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm wearing InStyle Red (exclusive to magazine subsribers) by OPI. I really love this polish. It's a true red and best of all, you can get away with one coat- perfect if you're in a hurry. It has a beautiful cream finish and I adore the way it looks against my fair skin. LOVE!

2 coats of InStyle Red (& Top Coat) by OPI


Now Playing: "Forever" by Drake

Nail Polish of the Moment: Chocolate Truffle by Revlon

Chocolate Truffle by Revlon

I couldn't wait to remove my pink polish and try a new one! Since it's the month of love and Valentine's Day is synonymous with chocolates, I thought I'd utilize my new, brown nail polish. I scored this polish for a dollar from Big Lots. Its formula is much richer than the pink I had on last week. I really do like Revlon nail polishes but some of them are better than others. I just wish the brushes were thicker. Chocolate Truffle is very nice. It's somewhat difficult to find a true, brown nail polish. Many are copper, have gold flecks or show up black. But this is the true shade of milk chocolate. I really love it and will definitely be wearing it again in the Fall.

Chocolate Truffle by Revlon (3 coats)


Now Playing: "When I'm Small" by Phantogram

Nail Polish of the Moment: Twinkled Pink by Revlon

Twinkled Pink by Revlon

I found this polish while shopping at Big Lots. Revlon's nail polishes usually run around $5-6 dollars a piece at the drug store but they are often on sale. I picked this one up for a dollar! And I'm glad I didn't pay more than that. I painted my nails pink this week because I wanted a cheerful color after the Super Bowl loss and because February is the month of love (I'll be painting my nails red for Valentine's Day). Well, this polish needed four coats and it dented despite fully drying. The color doesn't really suit my fair skin and the formula looks cheap. For a dollar, I'd say grab it if you're tan but it's definitely not a must have! I can't wait to switch polishes in a day or two!

Four coats of Twinkled Pink by Revlon


Now Playing: Savage Night at the Opera by Destroyer

Nail Polish of the Moment: Hazy by Revlon

Hazy (810) by Revlon
This evening, I'm going to pick up my bridesmaid dress for my friend Maggie's wedding. Unfortunately, my Quarter of a Cent-Cherry polish by OPI already started to chip. So, I decided to paint my nails the color of the dress- this shade (Hazy by Revlon) is a close dupe for the gown. The polish has a quick dry formula & it's a "Top Speed".

Two coats of Hazy by Revlon. It's showing up almost lavender or blue but it's definitely a grey!
As you can see, the bridesmaid dress is a dove grey hue (the designer calls it slate). I may paint my toes this color for the day of the wedding but I'll likely get a manicure & do a pale pink for the hands. Some of the other bridesmaids have had a difficult time with the sizing of their dresses. Here's hoping mine fits! I know I'll need alterations no matter what since my bust is about 3 sizes larger than my waist but I have been really bad on my diet over the past few days with my birthday. I know I will continue to slack with more festivities planned for the weekend (including the Super Bowl- GO STEELERS)! But I'll get back on track ASAP!

Bridesmaid Dress by Bari Jay

Love,
Krista


Now Playing: "Hazy" by Rosi Golan ft. William Fitzsimmons